Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, own Pirates of the Caribbean or anything associated with the film.

Rated for: Possible mild violence and adult themes

The Special Two

Prologue

I gazed down at the letter, barely seeing it. The words blurred before my eyes, mixing together to form incoherent sentences. The weight of the letter in my hand was crushing. Not only did it contain some devastating news, but it could not have occurred at a worst time. I had believed my life could be different, that I could experience no more hurt.

Now I know that it is inescapable, no matter where you are, or who you are. Why is it that bad things still happen to good people? Perhaps I'll never find out...and perhaps, if I hadn't received this letter, things would have turned out much differently.

Chapter 1: Familiar Territory

The Adventurer sailed into Port Royal with all the glory only a navy ship could offer. A small crowd had gathered to greet their beloved ones and their eagerness was matched by the crew. The Captain of the ship, Henry Bennit, gave me a warm smile as he said, "Welcome home, Miss Somers."

I nodded and returned the friendly gesture, thanking him for allowing me to travel on his fine ship. As I stepped off, I was greeted by my fiancé, Edward Pearson. He was an attractive man of five and thirty years; seven years my senior. Flashing me a smile of perfectly white teeth and offering his arm, Edward asked, "Did you enjoy your trip to see your brother, my darling?"

My heart sank into my stomach and I tried to avoid his blue eyes. I'd just arrived and already I had to speak of my heartbreaking news. Edward saw the look on my face and knew. "Emily? Has something happened?" he voiced his concern. "Is your family alright?"

It was then that I turned to him with the grave news. "While I was in Nebrites, my brother received a letter," I told him, holding his gaze. "My mother is very ill. She isn't expected to make it past two months."

I swallowed back the suffocating grief; there would be time for that later. Edward took the luggage bags that were still in my hands and put them down on the gravel. "I'm so sorry, Emily," he said, embracing me.

I nodded in gratitude. "There is something else," I told him. Edward pulled back, holding me at arms length and waited. "I wish to see her again...before..."

"I understand," Edward replied quickly, ensuring I did not have to speak of it.

"Can we leave tomorrow?" I asked him.

Edward hesitated. "No ships will be leaving the Port for at least a week."

My mouth fell open in disbelief. "Why not?" I frowned. "We may not have a week to wait!"

"The Governor's daughter is to be married, Emily," Edward reminded me. "No Captain, nor his crew, would pass up the chance to celebrate this occasion. Not with the festivities that are planned. Port Royal rarely has this sort of opportunity to, let go, so to speak."

More upset than angry about this revelation, I scooped up my brown bags with little grace. "And I may not have the opportunity to see my mother again," I said loudly, half hoping the town would see it my way. "You're certain no ships will be leaving?"

Edward nodded and I glanced despairingly over my shoulder at the ships docked at the Port. One particular boat in the distance caught my eye. Edward saw where my attention now lay. "I know what you're thinking," he cut into my thoughts. "You haven't seen him for two years, Emily.You can't ask him something like this."

A small smile passed my lips, and I looked back at Edward as the breeze played through my long, auburn hair. "But I know Jack Sparrow better than he knows himself," I said. "I'll convince him."

"And you don't think Sparrow will see that you are using him?" Edward's dislike for the pirate Captain was clear.

"Jack liked my mother," I informed him. "When she wasn't telling him how much she detested his hair."

Edward appeared unamused. "He won't take you without wanting something in return."

I nodded. Jack never did anything for free. "I know."

My fiancé sighed. "If this is what you want, then we shall go and see him tomorrow."

This time it was my turn to hesitate, certain what I would say next would upset him. "Edward," I began slowly, placing a soothing hand on his arm. "I think it would be best if I see him alone." My fiancé opened his mouth and began to protest but I hurried on. "Jack doesn't respond well to strangers, let alone people he does know."

Edward's dark eyebrows furrowed low above his eyes. "Very well," he replied without conviction, taking my luggage from me once more and turning away. "But I'm not pleased about this."

Following behind, I silently agreed. My meeting with Jack was not an experience I was looking forward too.

The bar I found myself in the following night was dark and smoky, but I'd been in worse; they'd saved those particular taverns for Tortuga. My engagement ring I'd placed on my middle finger. There was no use in Jack learning about Edward before both he and I were well and truly prepared. Jack, I knew, would arrive shortly; this was his favourite bar when in Port Royal. The Bartender looked me over, clearly wondering what I was doing sitting alone in such an unsavoury place, but fortunately he kept any questions to himself.

It was not long until a presence at my side made itself known. Silently cursing my decision to see Jack, I kept my head down pretending not to notice him and awaited the first move. Never one to miss an opportunity, Jack finally spoke. His familiar, slurring accent caused an uncharacteristic nervousness to envelope me for a brief moment. "Planning on ignorin' me all night then, love?" Jack asked, sliding onto the bar stool next to me.

In Jack's voice, I could detect a hint of a smile forming across his mouth without turning to look at him. "I'm waiting for someone," I returned, looking down at my hands.

"Ah, I see," he said, watching me with curiosity. " 'ave they arrived yet?"

Again I inwardly cursed. Already Jack knew that I had come to speak with him. I asked myself once more if I was desperate enough to ask for his help; unfortunately the answer remained the same. My stomach was twisting itself into a jumble of knots and I half wondered if Jack was feeling the same way as me; afterall, we hadn't spoken in a very long time. Forcing myself to relax, I took a deep breath and finally turned my blue eyes to him. "Yes, he has."

Jack grinned; the devious golden teeth smile I knew all too well. He hadn't changed much since I had last seen him. Incredibly tanned, Jack still wore two black braids for a beard, a red scarf tied securely around his forehead, and a tri-cornered Captain's hat perched upon his head; his pride and joy. Upon removing it, there would be an assortment of beads and trinkets tied into his dark, tangled hair. No, he was definitely the same old Jack.

Instead of speaking, he called to the bartender. "Could we please 'ave two rums over 'ere?" Jack asked, before pausing and re-ordering. "Actually, ye'd better make that one rum and a glass of water. The lady can not 'ave anythin' too strong."

I shot Jack a dark look. "I'll have that rum thankyou," I told the bartender, who glanced awkwardly between me and Jack before hurrying off to get the drinks.

"A proper lady shouldn't be drinking, darlin'," Jack pointed out innocently.

Biting back an angry response, I chose to ignore him instead. Jack knew very well that I hadn't always been a woman of propriety. It had been two years since I had left him in the hope of a better life; a life away from piracy and with the expectation I could conform to a higher status in society. Meeting Edward Pearson had achieved just that.

The unpleasant silence that followed was interrupted by the bartender who set two glasses down before us. "Thankyou," we said in unison, both reaching forward to pay the man.

"Allow me, love," Jack said.

I shook my head. "Not with stolen coins," I replied.

"Stolen? I'll 'ave ye know I worked very hard to get this plun...shillings," he said, faltering under the bartender's watchful gaze.

I pushed his hand away and payed for both of us. "It must be very difficult for you to pick someone's pocket, Jack," I replied sarcastically.

He put away the coins, and swivelled around on the stool to face me properly. His dark eyes were narrowed as he finally asked, "What are ye doing 'ere, Emily?"

This was it. I had to ask him now or walk away defeated. "Honestly," I sighed, "I don't know." That certainly didn't go like I had planned as I saw Jack raise an eyebrow, so I tried a different approach. "I need to get to Italy," I decided to get straight to the point. "My Mother is...wanting to see me. I haven't seen her for at least a year."

There I was lying to him. I don't know why I couldn't bring myself to tell Jack the truth. Perhaps I just didn't want him to take me on sympathy. The mischievous sparkle that lit up Jack's eyes forced me to turn away. He knew what I wanted, but he was going to make me beg for it. "How ye planning on gettin' there all by yer onesies? Last I 'eard no ships were leavin' the Port," Jack pointed out casually.

He waited, watching keenly as I hesitated in responding. "Well," I began, "I was hoping you might be able to help."

"Ah," was all Jack said.

I stared at him and he held my gaze. It was then I realised that I couldn't do it. No matter how desperate I was to see my Mother, I was not willing to see the smirk on Jack's face when he heard me say I needed him. Leaving my untouched drink behind, I pushed back the stool and stood abruptly. Taken aback, Jack stood too, swaying slightly. "Never mind, I'll find my own way," I told him, before adding, "I always do."

With that, I departed from the pirate Captain and headed towards the exit. More frustrated with myself than with Jack, I stepped out into the cool night air, but someone grabbed my wrist, forcing me to stop. Swinging around, I found myself face to face with Jack. "I'll take ye," he told me, all sarcasm gone.

His black outlined eyes were much softer now. "All ye had to do was ask, love," Jack continued.

I swallowed my pride as his rough hand let go of my soft one and I relaxed my demeanour. "Thankyou, Jack," I replied softly.

"No worries," he nodded thoughtfully. "When were ye thinking of leavin'?"

"As soon as possible."

"Tomorrow mornin' suit ye?" Jack enquired.

I nodded. "We can do that," I replied, suddenly wishing I hadn't spoken at all.

Jack arched an eyebrow. "We? Ye've got someone else comin' along for the ride, darlin'?" There was no point in denying it, so I replied with affirmation. "Right, tomorrow it is then," Jack said with a grin and a wild hand gesture.

Smiling in relief, I bade him goodbye. Jack would find out about my fiancé soon enough, but later, I concluded, was much preferable to both parties.

Author's Note: I've been working on this fic for a little while so I hope you guys enjoy it :) And if you do, feel free to review! I also just wanted to point out that this first chapter is just outlining and setting up the basic events and characters. Emily and Jack's past relationship will slowly be revealed throughout the story and the events of PotC never happened unless otherwise stated :)