Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean (Disney's always got a way to ruin my dreams and in the same time create them). This story plot is from my own head and I have not read it anywhere else. No resemblance to anybody else's story is intended.

!Many thanks to Mickey Caresen for beta-ing this story!

Prologue

I never thought that I'd lose my mind for you.

I was sitting at my room's window, trying to concentrate on something. My father would not let me outside while he was gone at sea. He would always rant about how dangerous it is for a young girl like me to play outside with 'filthy little sailors'. "It damages our family's image," he used to say. However, I did not believe him. Not a single word.

Well, I was at that rebellious age, when you have to see it to become aware of its danger. Ten years old I was when I decided to step over my father's ridiculous rules and find myself a first mate to play with.

Some people warned me about buccaneers, and that lately, my little town had become appealing in their eyes for making berth. I did not pay attention to that either. I barely knew what they were, and whenever my mother told me stories about brave men that fought pirates, I always started to dream about joining my father on the sea.

But my ignorance played a role when I met him.

I met him the day I decided to play a trick on the two maids that were responsible of my well-being while my father could not, and my mother was sick. I hid all the apples, my favourite fruits at that time, and told them to buy more. I told them I wanted many, so both had to go, on the condition I would not disobey my father's rules.

Of course, I did it. As soon as they left by the front door, I sneaked out by the one in the back and ran as fast as I could – bare foot, and in a dress that looked more like some blanket tied around me – to the port, where I could spy on the sailors.

I was hiding behind an unpopular inn, named by some Admiral. There were men shouting all around, laughing, singing, and working. They were walking in a clumsy way, caused by the many years aboard ships. Their ears were mostly pierced by rings, and their hair arranged in pigtails. The tanned skin completed their personas, defining exactly what they were.

The air had a salty, and fresh feel to it. The ships were anchored, one more imposing than another. I was astonished by the scene in front of me, so I did not realize I had been noticed by several men, laughing at my expression.

"Oi, oi, stop staring like that," one of them said and woke me up from my amazement. I shook my head and thought of something to say. Nothing came out. "Why are you so amazed? They're just some tiny boats"

I protested, "Tiny? They are huge!"

He shook his head and laughed, "Mine is better in all points of view, lass"

"Lass?"

It seemed like an ugly word to me back then. I did not know exactly why, but I felt insulted. The boy was older than I was; about three or five years older. That was the conclusion I came judging by his behaviour and voice, because by his appearance, he looked much older. He had a very serious figure, but I could tell by his eyes he still had a wish to play like a child.

That was how I met Captain Jack Sparrow.

He taught me many things about ships, the sea, piracy and a town called Tortuga. He told me stories about his adventures that, at first, I did not believe, but when more of his friends confirmed them, I was amazed by how many adventures such a young boy could have passed through. My mind was always flying towards him every moment of the day, and I was afraid about it. Something weird was happening inside my chest, but I did not know what. When I asked my mother, who was still in bed, she told me I was too young to feel it, and I was probably just sick. I became even more scared, and sought for advice from Jack. He smiled and told me I was not sick, and it was just love.

"So... am I in love with you?" I timidly asked.

"I guess so," he replied smiling. "To be truthful, I was kind of waiting for this day." My eyes widened, and he did not need words to understand that I was bewildered by the sudden statement. "I want to be near you. I want us to set sail together."

"Really?" I smiled and held his hand. "Promise?"

"Promise," he said and held my hand tighter. "And then we'll marry and live happily ever after," he continued. I hugged him and closed my eyes, wishing for it to become reality.

When he returned, my father eventually found out I was spending my time with a sailor. A sailor that turned out later to be a pirate, unfortunately. He got mad at me and forbid me from going out in the sunlight until marriage. Marriage with someone chosen by him, of course. I did not cry, thinking of how he would probably save me, and we would part together towards the horizon.

He never came, though. And all those naive and innocent promises are now but leaves floating in the autumn breeze, leaving behind a huge void in my chest, as I start to count how many years have passed since I have last seen him.

Fifteen...

A/N: First of all, I got this idea before going to bed. And I want to leave this country having written something! I don't know if I'll be able to write during my little (long, in fact) trip, so as a bye-bye gift, I give you a new fic I promise to update more frequently. (Promise applied to A Question of Lust, too!)

Secondly, the story does not mention Will or Elizabeth. It's not that I have something against them or whatever, but I don't want it to get complicated with all those years and calculations if I'm right or not about the year in which The Wicked Wench was burnt, or when Barbossa started the mutiny, or whatever.

In this story, Barbossa did not start any mutiny. Jack has all debts settled with Davy Jones, and has never met Will or Elizabeth.

Brief, it is a non-movie fic.

It may seem a little 'oh I have already read a beginning like this 432432hgjs3444 times', but I assure you, the plot will be totally different. Give it a chance, I did not know how else to start it. I promise there will be no Mary Sueness. I PROMISE! (And I keep my promises, unlike a certain pirate captain D:)

I hope you enjoyed the story so far.

Hugs.