Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. I just like them, that's all.

"Ello luv"

Elizabeth slowly turned to face the "most fearsome pirate of the Spanish main" who now stood at her balcony.

"Jack," she whispered feebly. She sat at the edge of the bed. Her once vibrant face showed signs of unshed tears.

The pirate slowly approached her, a grim look of sorrow on his sun burnt face. He gently stroked her hair away from her face then cupped her cheek with a rough had, tilting it ever so slightly so that she could gaze into his dark-kohl-rimmed eyes.

"Lizzie," he said softly, continuing to stroke her cheek as he said it. "I'm sorry about the lad. He was a brave one, just like his father. Put his life over mine numerous of times, all out of his good little heart"

Elizabeth remained unmoved by Jack's words. "Will was a good man and a faithful husband," she mumbled. "I really don't know what to do now that he's…" She suddenly made paused, unable to finish her thoughts.

Jack pulled her into a comforting embrace. "Don't worry your darling little head about those details, luv," he whispered into her ear. "Jack will see to it that you are well off."

And just as he said those words, Elizabeth let out a muffle. Jack turned her ever so gently so that he could clearly see her face, smeared with tears that finally let.

"Please Jack" Elizabeth mumbled. "Please don't leave me here alone."

"I won't, luv," he replied as he stared at her trembling form he added as an afterthought, "I'll even take you aboard the Pearl… if that be your desire."

Elizabeth looked up at Jack, eyebrows knit over her doleful eyes; a confusing frown graced her pristine features.

"What are you saying Jack?" she inquired.

Jack looked down at her then gently pulled her in to him even more to a point where his beads tickled her face and replied, "Elizabeth…I"

For the first time, Jack was at loss for words. He didn't have any ridiculous antics, no smartly put responses to throw at her. Stroking her hair gently he started "sweet, darling Lizzie, I… have found myself in a difficult situation, for you have asked me to stay by your side yet there is the matter of me being the captain of a ship, not just an ordinary ship but the Pear. This said ship, as you have witnessed, has a crew, who follow their captain's orders, unless something happens to said captain. So if I stay with you the Pearl is theirs…unless you would be willing to join my crew."

Wiping away her tears she said, "Jack…"

"Captain, luv, captain," Jack chided.

"JACK, you think that I would abandon my post to go off pirating with you?" Elizabeth asked.

"Captain, luv, captain," Jack said. "You and I are alike so I know what you want. So what may your answer be Lizzie?" he asked. "Aye or nay?"

Elizabeth's head was bowed so that he could not see her expression. Yet suddenly she took Jack's hand, staring at the various rings and trinkets that graced his spidery fingers, then looked up at him, a smile on her face. "Jack you are the most peculiar man I have ever met," she said. "Not that I mind you being the uncharacteristic of the common Englishman," she added when seeing Jack quirk up an eyebrow.

"And your answer Mrs. Turner?" Jack asked.

Elizabeth leaned closer into him and kissed him passionately on the lips. "You know my answer Captain," she said huskily.

"I take that as an aye," said Jack

"Drink up me hearties. Yo-ho, yo-ho a pirate's life for me," Elizabeth sang.

"That's my Lizzie"