Admiral John Harding was new in Port Royal. He knew of tales of pirates coming here before, and was eager to settle a few to hanging.

He'd heard that the recently deceased Governor was a victim of said pirates. They had kidnapped his only daughter, and as the stories went, one had even made her fall in love with him. His daughter had been missing for half a year, then she returned for her wedding to blacksmith, who has now been snatched with the seas also.

Elizabeth Swann was a bad luck charm, he'd been told. She was dangerous, and shouldn't be reckoned with. But he was not swayed. Despite everything he'd been told, and the way she gave him the cold shoulder, he still believed that he could have her. He believed the stories were merely stories.

That was why, when he turned before Elizabeth did, he was shocked to see a pirate. A pirate that seemed to know her. Elizabeth turned round also, a look of shock on her face. The pirate gave her a lop sided grin.

"Ten years too long to wait Lizzie?" he asked her.

"Ten years for one day, it is hardly fair Jack," she replied smiling.

"He bothering you?" Jack asked, gesturing toward John.

"Quite. He doesn't seem to get the message I'm sending him."

John looked between the two disbelievingly. Elizabeth Swann was having a civilizing conversation with a pirate as though he wasn't there. Before he could comprehend what was happening, he felt the cool blade against his neck.

"Don't get the message?" Jack sneered. "That simply won't do. See, the way I see it, a pirate King should get to do as they wish."

"Pirate King?" John asked oddly.

"Oh, she's not told you. Hiding her past in corsets and fake smiles."

"Barely a month and I cannot stand them," Elizabeth said. "I'm dying to get back into my shirt and breeches. And Jack?"

"Yes love?"

"I've still got your ring."

"Keep it," he said, sheathing his sword. "Tell you what," he continued. "I'll take you back to your place, wherever that may be, you can get changed and I'll take you to the Pearl. The rest of the crew really wanna see their king again. What say you, Captain Swann?"

Elizabeth grinned at him. "It would be my pleasure. Not, however, with him gawping at me like an animal in a zoo," she finished, indicating to John.

"We can leave him behind," Jack said, offering his arm to Elizabeth. She accepted, and they walked back to Elizabeth's place, with John standing frozen to the spot.

"Nice place… take it your father left you some money then?" Jack said, poking around her living room.

Elizabeth was in the next room, pulling on her old pirate clothes. Or at least, trying to. She came back into the living room in her breeches, boots, and corset. Nothing else.

"Jack," she said. He stared, his voice caught in his throat. "I can't undo the corset."

He mentally shook himself and gestured for her to come forward. However, instead of untying it, Jack took out his dagger and slit it, much like he did when she rescued her the first time they'd met. She held it against herself as to not expose any flesh, and smiled her thanks, returning to the next room. She re-entered not long after, with her shirt, captain's coat, and captain's hat, with her cutlass and two pistols.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Jack, I was born ready," she answered. They both laughed and left for the Pearl.

"Elizabeth? Good Lord, what are you doing here?" asked Gibbs as she walked on deck.

"Bumped into Jack on the dock. Needed help getting my corset off, you know how it goes," she said smiling. "And I was at Port Royal because I didn't want to wait ten years for one day."

"Ah," he said. "Well if that be the case, welcome aboard! And, uh, mind if I have a word?" he asked.

Elizabeth was confused, but allowed herself to be led away by Gibbs.

"Listen, Miss Swann -"

"Elizabeth."

"Yes, Elizabeth, don't go breaking his heart."

"Beg pardon?" Elizabeth asked frowning.

"Jack. He's done what pirates shouldn't do. He's fallen for you Lizzie. And I know he's gonna tell you soon. Just don't hurt him. I know you lo-"

"Don't even say I love Will, because I don't. Gibbs, I love Jack. But he's a pirate – like you said, he shouldn't fall in love. Why should I believe that he has?"

"Because it's coming from me," Gibbs replied, looking her in the eye.

Elizabeth looked confused for a moment, and then sunk onto a barrel.

"Oh Gibbs, I'm so confused," she said, sighing. "I'm a Governor's daughter, who goes to marry a blacksmith, and ends up falling for a pirate. It's not what I should be doing. I shouldn't even be here."

"Elizabeth," Gibbs said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're a pirate, and you know it. Don't' push Jack into telling you. He'll come round. An' you just be ready," he said before walking away.

Elizabeth smiled and walked over to Jack. It was then she noticed someone climbing the ladder outside the boat. A closer look confirmed her suspicions as to who it was.

"Jack," she asked. "Fight me," she said, pretending she didn't know there was a man climbing the ship.

"Sorry?"

"Fight me… sword fight. Please?"

"Oh okay," he said, unsheathing his sword at the same time as her.

She made her way to the centre of the ship in full view of the crew and the man entering the ship unnoticed. In an instant their swords were clanging against each other, matching one another with attacks and defence, never getting a blow in that could harm. The crew had gathered round to watch then fighting, and they were spurring them on.

"Jack," Elizabeth said between strikes. "There's someone watching us, and he's not meant to be on the ship."

"Really? Who?"

"Mr Harding."

Jack smiled, and ground his sword against hers so that they had to move closer to each other. Their faces were bare millimetres apart. With the same force, they pushed against each other's swords, sending them flying out of grip. They circled one another and Jack spoke.

"Maybe we should give him something to watch."

And before Elizabeth knew what was happening, Jack had crushed his lips against hers in a kiss almost too loving for a pirate.