This is my second time writing fan fiction, but my first time writing it for Pirates. I'm no prodigy so if my writing style seems a bit dull or the story just isn't right, I apologize, but you have to start somewhere. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy my interpretation on what has happened with our valiant characters…

Disclaimer: POTC does not belong to me…

(This takes place during Dead man's Chest, Will has just taken off to find Jack, and his wonderful compass, while Elizabeth is sitting in the prison cells hoping for Will's, and Jack's, safe return… camera focuses on the starry night sky and full moon before slowly panning downwards to rest on the Pearl…)

Chapter One: Unfortunate News

Mr. Gibbs sways aboard the decks of the Pearl, the ship rocks as frothy waves knock against its wooden sides. The moon is high in the night sky and the crew is enjoying the perfect night with bottles of rum, songs, stories, jigs, and more bottles of rum. But as Mr. Gibbs gazes upon the merriment he notices someone missing. He sighs heavily before retreating to the dark tunnels of the Pearl, maneuvering his way through the darkness heading for door at the end of the narrow hall. The Captain's quarters. With a couple of light raps he's granted permission to enter.

"Gibbs! And what do I owe such a pleasure?" Jack was leaning back in his chair, feet propped up on his desk, a half empty bottle of rum held tightly in his hand.

"Cap'n, I was just wondering why you'd lock yerself away on such a fine night. The weather's n'ver been fairer!" Mr. Gibbs had been trying constantly for the past few days to lift his Captain's spirits, but nothing worked. Even the rum seemed to hardly do a difference. He wasn't quite sure what had Jack in a fix, he had a thought, but it made him chuckle, it was too absurd, the was no way Jack would get all worked up over a … woman. But then again Gibbs had never seen the Captain look at a woman with such compassion and admiration before. Jack what have ye gotten yerself into.

Maybe Gibbs's thoughts weren't crazy, after all it wasn't completely unheard of for pirates to fall in love. But Jack had always seemed different; he had seemed perfectly content on sailing the seas alone and plundering to his hearts contain without a woman by his side. Of course that had all been before he'd met… Elizabeth. The lass from Port Royal had somehow won his heart. There was no doubting Jack had soft spot for her. But was it love? Ever since the Pearl had sailed away from the port leaving Elizabeth and Will to their future Jack had become increasingly depressed as the days wore on. Even Tortuga ceased to cheer him up.

Whether it was the fine maiden from the high class that troubled Jack or not, Jack was still not himself. This made the crew on their toes, what crew wants an already strange Captain acting up? Mr. Gibbs had automatically been assigned the one to check on Jack, the crew was worried, but they were all too cowardice to confront Jack about his melancholy state. So here was Mr. Gibbs, gearing up to try his darned ness to pull the old Jack out of the deflated, sad pirate that sat in front of him.

"Jack, the crew and I, well, we've been watchin' ye and we've become a tad worried." Mr. Gibbs threw a discreet glance towards Jack, wanting to see how his announcement would be taken.

"Worried, eh?" Jack's eyebrows came together in a confused fashion, he wasn't sure if a worried crew was what he wanted.

"Ye see Jack, after sailin' away from Port Royal I, I mean, we, couldn't help but to notice a… certain reluctance from ye." Jack's feet clumped to the ground as they feel from the desk. What was his first mate getting at?

" And what, exactly, was this "certain reluctance?" Jack's voice had become a shade harsher, he could tell his friend was trying to break something to him softly, but as to the "something" that was to be broken softly, Jack found he didn't like it. Mr. Gibbs floundered, he didn't really want to point out the pained look in Jack's eyes as he watched Elizabeth's figure grow smaller as they had sailed away.

"Gibbs, it seems ye don't 'ave much to back up this "worriment" from the crew, so what say you to hoisting the sails and making way to Tortuga?" Gibbs nodded obediently; he was relieved to be rid of his uncomfortable position, but Tortuga? He knew Jack well enough to know Tortuga wasn't where he truly wanted to be. Tortuga had become a place to go when Jack had nothing else to do with himself and his depression had gotten the best of him.

"On deck! Step to ye landlubbers! Make ready for Tortuga!" Gibbs ran from the room already shouting orders. Jack stood by the window, watching the sea ripple as the Pearl broke through its relatively smooth surface. He sighed heavily and allowed his eyes to close as he remembered a far better night, the moon was full just as it was tonight, but the other night he was dancing around a bright flame, singing along with a beautiful woman.

"Fifteen men on a dead man's chest. Yo, ho, ho and a bottle o' rum." M. Gibbs sang softly to himself as he watched the lights of Tortuga glistening in the distances.

"Alright, ye scallywags, make for land!" Mr. Gibbs smiled; Tortuga was his kind of place, if only it's gaily, drunken atmosphere and pretty women made Jack smirk like in the old days. Now it's as if Jack dreads coming, almost as though he's distracting the crew from his fragile state by sending them to a tavern. Gibbs didn't complain, but he didn't want Jack suffering, especially because of a woman.

The Pearl sailed beautifully into port, the crew was buzzing with excitement and the minute Jack released them they ran and jumped over one another to reach it's shore. Tortuga was alive with laughing pirates and giggling wenches. Rum bottles were strewn across the roads and paths. Every building was open, with people pouring out of them. Gunshots from drunken fights rang out accompanied by breaking glass. Jack and Gibbs made their way through the throngs of people to their favorite tavern.

"Cap'n, it looks like Giselle has been watin' for yer return." Gibbs smiled at the blonde beauty, motioning for her to join them at the counter. Giselle sauntered up to the counter and leaned in next to Jack.

"Mr. Sparrow, I 'aven't seen you in ages! Did Mr. Turner give you my message?" Giselle opened her brown eyes wide innocently, trying to entice the rugged pirate. But Jack was far more interested in the familiar name.

"Mr. Turner, the whelp? What was he doing here? Doesn't he have a bonny lass to be taken care of?" Jack's voice was poorly disguised; Gibbs could hear the burning curiosity behind his questions.

"Oh, so ye didn't meet up with 'im? He was lookin' for ye, he said that some Elizabeth was locked away, facing the gallows, he said that findin' ye compass there would release her?" Giselle was elated to have Jack's attention and started twirling her hair seductively in front of him. But Jack was too lost in his thoughts to take any notice. The whelp was looking for him? He wanted his compass? And Elizabeth was locked away? She faced the-

"Gibbs, gather the crew. We'll be headed to Port Royal." Jack quickly left the tavern, as Gibbs began pulling the crew away from their jugs of rum and flirty woman. Elizabeth was in trouble? And Will was away? Jack's mind was plagued with question after question. There was no way he was going to allow Elizabeth to die, not now, not if he could stop it. He dashed to his ship without delay, completely oblivious to the familiar pirates and wenches waving their greetings as he rushed by.

"Cap'n we've set sail, any more orders?" Gibbs looked at him, concern glinting in his eyes.

"No, just, make haste." Jack told him, his voice low and steady as he contemplated the adventure ahead. Jack held another bottle of rum, but this one was full, Jack traced the lip of the bottle with his thumb, but made no move to drink it.

"Jack, I know it's not my place, but yer wanted in Port Royal, Beckett won't hesitate to hung ye the moment we sail in." Jack slowly turned his gaze from the top of the desk to Gibbs probing eyes.

" I have to do something." Gibbs flinched from the raw desperation in Jack's words. But as he glanced at his Captain one last time he was surprised to see a small glint of hope shinning from his Captain's dark eyes. Maybe Elizabeth is exactly what Jack needs. Gibbs was shocked to even think this, after all, wasn't Elizabeth with William?

Jack stared at his rum and then set it back on his desk. He swaggered over to the window. Just watching Tortuga shrink away in the distance and know he was that much closer to Elizabeth made his heart fly. For once in a long time he allowed his cocky smirk to appear and he began to softly hum. And then he allowed a full smile to capture his lips as he sang.

"We pillage and plunder, and rifle and loot…drink up me hearties yo ho."

Okay so the ending there wasn't completely original, but it was pretty grand if I say so myself. This is just the beginning I know, but your thoughts and feelings are still wanted! Also nice, little tips would be nice, as long as you don't completely trash me. By the way my other story was started on impulse so every chapter was a mystery, but this one actually has a plot, I'm just saying this so if you didn't fancy my other, maybe this one will be to your liking.