Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean (sadly), Disney does

A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews! A writer always loves to hear their work is appreciated and, this being one of my first stories, it really means a lot and encourages me to keep writing. I warn you, this chapter's a little angsty but bear with me, remember that Lizzie has been in seclusion for quite some time and seclusion can lead to distressing thoughts… and now, onto a much longer Chapter 2.

Once they arrived, Jack looked around and trailed his finger along a dust-infested dinner table.

"Don't use this often, Luv?"

"I mostly eat outside. It's less lonely."

He just looked at her with sympathetic eyes and smiled. At first it was an apologetic smile. A smile for all the things he did wrong and all that went wrong between them, They did not exactly have the best of relationships (considering she killed him) but he did value their friendship (if you could call it that) very much. And every day, since she left his ship for the last time, he wanted to prove her wrong. Prove to her that once was never enough. Prove to her that it could have worked out between them, splendidly, in fact. He loved her, even though he would never admit it. Well, maybe someday. But not now. Now was too soon. He just kept staring at her and noticed how tense she looked trying to fight the tears that were slowly clouding up her vision. She then turned her head and met his gaze, her expression changing from solemn to amused.

"What? What is it?"

"Nothing, Darling. Just… ye look great."

"Thank you. So do you. Well, shall I prepare something to eat, then? What do you like?"

"I could tell you. But I think ye'd slap me."

"Jack! How… improper." She said, only half-smiling.

"You know I'm not a fan of proper, Luv. I'll take whatever suits ye. Never been the picky type, meself."

"Alright, then. I'll surprise you!"

She cooked up some pasta, very simple, with some oregano and basil sauce.

"Best meal I've ever had. Now… to work out the sleeping arrangements which have yet to be arranged, here, now, at the time of… sleeping." He said after pondering on it a little bit.

"Yes, that is a problem, isn't it. Well, you could have the floor. But that's not too comfortable. The bed is… large enough for two… if you feel alright with that, that is. If not, I perfectly understand, I mean I could always just sleep on…" she was cut off in the middle of her ramblings.

Jack's mouth claimed her lips and he pulled her close, never letting ago, as though she might disappear that very same moment. At first, she fought with him, trying to break free, but then she gave into the kiss and held onto him for dear life. Once he broke the kiss, she noticed his eyes were clouded. Clouded with anger? Fear? Love? Clouded with an unidentifiable feeling. And it made her very uncomfortable. She spent a few minutes admiring the floor of her cottage, unable to look him in the eye. He walked up to her and held her chin up, so they were facing each other.

"I'm sorry, Lizzie. It shouldn't have happened. Ye're a married woman, now."

"I'll pull up the couch." She said in a blank tone of voice. "You can sleep there."

"Alright." He said, sadly.

Elizabeth felt the same way she did when Jack didn't kiss her on the Black Pearl because of the black spot. She felt… disappointed. He, Jack Sparrow, the Captain Jack Sparrow, apologized for kissing her. What happened to taking what you want and giving nothing back? What happened to being a pirate? And then she remembered that he was first and foremost a good man. Damn you, Jack. Why can't you act more like a pirate? She pulled out some blankets and handed them to him with a small, innocent smile.

"It gets cold at night. These will keep you warm."

"Don't you need them?" he asked, worriedly.

"I'm used to it." She explained, referring to her empty bed.

A bed that would be empty for the next 9 years and a few months. If only there was someone to fill that void in her broken heart… but no. Jack was just a friend. He himself said that the kiss was a mistake. But those words hurt her. She had been hoping with all her heart that she might someday get to kiss Jack Sparrow again, under different circumstances, without hidden agendas. Without any compromises. But that would never happen. She sighed and began to feel depressed again, something she had been dealing with for the past couple of months. She looked to the chair by the window where it all happened on that dreadful night and once again recalled it in her mind.

She knew that someone would come. Come and find her. Find her dead. They'd find the note and give it to him. She contemplated the method by which she would kill herself. Cutlass or pistol? She decided upon the cutlass. The pistol would be too quick and too easy and too… painless. She felt she deserved to suffer. So she walked to the chair by her window and sat down. She looked at the cutlass and saw her reflection in the blade and the single tear running down her cheek. And that single tear was for the single person she was leaving behind in the world. Jack. Her Jack. Finally, they would be square. That previous morning, she had written a short and brief letter to Jack. A goodbye note. Something for him to remember her by, if she even deserved to be remembered. Will is going to be seeing me sooner than he thought. For the fifth and final time that night, she took out the letter and read it again to make sure that it said everything she wanted it to, as this would be her last chance to voice her true feelings.

My Dearest Jack,

You will never know how truly sorry I am. I'm sorry to inform you that my time here on the island has been nothing but pure torture. Ever since you've left my life, I've been unhappy. And I can't deal with this unhappiness anymore. I have seen too much, suffered too much. I've done too many bad things. It's time to end this. You won't ever hear from me again, as I will be gone. Lost to the locker. I think it's a fair punishment for what I did to you, seeing as you never got revenge. I'm not leaving as Elizabeth Swann or Elizabeth Turner. I'm leaving as myself. I'm leaving as the person you got to know. I don't wish to be those people any more, I only want to be myself. You're the only person that's ever accepted me as I am. Anyway, this is a goodbye. I just want you to know how much I've missed you and how much I will miss you when I'm gone. I've always cared for you, Jack. I really have. I still do and I always will. And I can only hope that, deep in your heart, you forgive me. I wish you all the best.

All my love,

Lizzie

Her single tear fell on the piece of paper and she set it on the table. It was time. She picked the cutlass and held it steady, as she was not even nervous. She didn't even flinch as she brought the cutlass up to her throat. She was about to do it, too. If Teague hadn't walked in. He rushed to her with a shocked look on his face.

"What are you doing?!"

Elizabeth, just as shocked and upset for being interrupted, smiled coyly. And chopped her golden locks off.

"I was cutting my hair. Is everything alright?" she said with an unwavering voice.

"Oh… I thought you were going to kill yourself."

"That's absurd! What reason would I have to do that? I'm perfectly content."

"Oh, well… good. Would you like to join us at the Cove for dinner?"

"No, I'll be fine on my own. But thank you. Really."

He smiled nervously and left. Elizabeth retired to bed and cried more than she ever had in her entire life. And there was nothing she could do about it.

Elizabeth cringed at the memory. It seemed like so long ago yet it had only been a few weeks. Her letter was hidden. She would have a need for it someday. Just not so soon, or else somebody might suspect something. Without saying a single word, Elizabeth walked to her bed and pulled up the covers, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Jack just watched her breathing… sleeping, so angelically.

"Bloody impolite hostess." He muttered under his breath as he unfolded the covers Elizabeth had given him. Then, out of nowhere, a folded piece of paper fell from the blankets. He bent down and picked it up off of the floor, eyeing it curiously. After making sure she was asleep, he carefully unfolded the note and began to read. His heart broke. It was Lizzie's suicide note. He dropped the note and slumped in one of the dinner table chairs. How could this happen? How could such a strong woman be reduced to a hopeless suicidal? He just didn't understand… and she missed him? That was new. What about the whelp? Didn't she miss him? He was still getting over the shock of the fact that she even considered taking her life. Taking her precious life. Killing herself would be like killing him (which she had already done). How could she even think that? He was going to talk to her in the morning. For now, he just let her sleep. She seemed content. But then again… it's always those who seem content that are suffering inside. Maybe her hair had something to do with it. Maybe she cut her hair so it'd be easier to slit her throat. Oh Lizzie… what have I done to ye? I've taken something beautiful and ruined it. She never should have met me. Then she'd be safe in Port Royal. No…she'd be dead. She fell off the fort, after all. And if she had never met him, he never would have rescued her and she would have died. That would be even more grim. Jack just sat there, watching her. She looked so peaceful. Then, sleep began to overcome him and he dozed off right in that chair, not even bothering to pick up the letter. When Elizabeth woke up the next morning, she saw Jack slumped in the chair and wondered why he didn't sleep on the couch. Was he watching me? Although it was a tad bit creepy, the thought invigorated her. Then, she saw a small piece of paper lying on the floor and quickly rushed over to pick it up. She had completely forgotten that it was hidden in the blankets! Otherwise, she never would have given them to him without first retrieving it. Still, the note looked folded up just as she had left it, so she thought that, perhaps, by some miracle, Jack hadn't seen it. Surely if he'd seen it, he'd think ill of her. He'd think of her as a defeated woman. And she didn't want anyone thinking that. Even though that was the sad truth. She put the note in her pocket and opened the blinds to let the sun in. Jack awoke with the sound of her pacing back and forth across the room. Jack looked at her, making sure that she was still alive. He felt sorry for her and at the same time understood how she felt completely. Well, maybe not completely, but somewhat. When she finally noticed that he was awake, she gave him a small smile, trying to hide her worry but failing miserably.

"So, did you sleep there all night?"

"I must have fallen asleep while I was watching you."

"Why were you watching me?" she asked suspiciously.

"To make sure ye wouldn't do anything stupid." He said looking her dead in the eyes.

She lowered her head and looked to the side.

"You… you read it, didn't you." She said as more of a statement than question.

"Aye, that I did. How could you, Lizzie? How could you even think of doing something like that?"

"How could I not? Jack, my life is a mess. What have I to live for? A chest? A heart? A promise? It's not as if I would be missed. As though my being gone would make a difference in anyone's life. Everyone who cares for me is gone. Everyone who cares for me ends up suffering. What reason did I have to live?"

"Elizabeth…" he said, barely audible in the silent room. His sympathy then turned to frustration. How stupid could she be that she can't see how much I care for her? In one swift motion, Jack jumped out of his chair, grabbed Elizabeth by the shoulders, and slammed her against the wall, gently of course, so as not to hurt her. She looked at him, in shock, with a fear in her eyes he had never seen before… Not fear of him, though… fear of herself. He brought his face close to hers and leaned in so she could feel his warm breath on her cheek.

"Ye do have something to live for. Ye're going to make me a promise right now. You will never, ever even think about doing something like that again. Because I swear, Lizzie, if ye do, I'll track down Barbossa and give him the charts in exchange for my ship and I'd go to world's end to save you. No matter how many times you try to escape. I won't let you. And if he's not up to the exchange, I'll commandeer meself a ship and go by me onsies if I have to. But I will not, not now, not ever, abandon you, Lizzie."

By now, she was already in tears but her mood had changed, he could tell. And for the first time in a long time, she had hope. Hope for the future. Hope for what could have been… what could still be. Jack let go of her and stared at her intently and, as much as she wanted to look away, she could just not tear from the gaze. There was something there. And it could grow, if it had time. Well, 9 years is long enough.She smiled. Not an "I'm only doing this so you'll leave me alone smile" but an "I really mean it" smile. And Jack knew it so he smiled back. Oh, how she missed that smile. But she would make no promise, of that she was sure. Because if he were to ever leave her again or if something upset her if only a little, she would not be stopped this time. Nothing, not even he, could, no… would stop her. She was not afraid to die. In fact, she envied the state. No feelings, no pain, no sorrow. Just nothingness. But, to make him happy for the time being, she smiled, this time, not a real one. But he didn't notice.

"Maybe I do have something to live for."

"Promise."

"What, you don't believe me?"

"I want you to promise."

"I'm sorry, Jack. I can't do that."

"Lizzie…"

"If you don't trust me… my promises are worth nothing."

He sighed, admitting defeat. Well, it seemed as though he had gotten through to her without having to say those three, irreversible little words that carried so much meaning. And so much risk.

"Alright, I trust ye."

"Good. Now that we have that settled, shall we set sail for Shipwreck Cove?"

"Aye."

"Are you going to speak with your father?" she asked nervously.

"What?"

"Teague. Are you going to speak with him?"

"How did ye know he was my father? Well, never mind. And no. Not if I can help it."

She smiled and motioned for them to go to the door.

"Let's go. We don't want to be late."

Elizabeth put the chest containing Will's heart in her armoire and locked it. Then, she locked her home, even though she was the only person on the island, you could never be too careful. With that, Jack and Elizabeth walked down the hill and made their way towards the dinghy. Once inside, Elizabeth noticed how small it was and how much rum there was.

"Jack, do you really need all of this rum?"

"Don't even think about burning it." He said, half-playfully, half-seriously.

"I wouldn't dream of it, Captain." She said recalling how rum had become her friend lately. Perhaps it was crazy the way she over-drank it but it helped to numb the pain in her heart. But it never quite put it out completely. She reached for a bottle and took a good, long swig, wiping her mouth when she was done. He just smiled and continued to row the dinghy, as there was no wind. They arrived in under a half-hour and made way to the King's court. Elizabeth's court. Teague approached them, much to both Jack and Elizabeth's dismay, though for different reasons. He eyed them curiously, wondering what they were doing… here… together. He dismissed the concern quickly, however, when he noticed the Elizabeth's demeanor had changed. She no longer looked very sad. He still had his suspicions about that night in which she almost killed herself, had he not walked in. He didn't believe her story for one minute. Well, maybe for a couple of minutes but not for too long. He was going to talk to his son later on. But not yet. Not while she was around.

"Welcome. Didn't think I'd see you two here again any time soon."

"Amazing what the right circumstances do." Said Jack with a fake smirk.

"And how are you Mrs. Turner?" he noticed how she cringed when he spoke her name.

"I prefer Elizabeth." She said. "And I'm doing quite well, thank you."

"Better? Than… before?"

"Yes. Much better. In fact, there was never anything wrong to begin with."

She noticed the awkwardness and knew that it would be best to leave father and son together but she would not be leaving Jack alone with the one person who could convince him that she wasn't really doing better and that she never planned on keeping her agreement with him.

"Well, you must be hungry, Your Highness. There's food being served in the main dining hall. Won't you go, meet up with your Lords?"

"No, that's alright. I'm not that hungry."

"But you're King! Your subjects have surely missed you."

"I'm sure they have. But there are more important matters to attend to. Jack?"

He noticed his father's looks, hinting to him that Elizabeth must leave their presence at once. He had a feeling it might have something to do with the fact that Elizabeth tried to kill herself so he concocted a plan in a matter of only a few split seconds.

"Lizzie, Luv. Would you be so kind as to check on the dinghy? I'm not sure I tied it off when we arrived."

"But Jack, I saw you tie it up. I'm sure the knot's just fine."

"Yes, but won't you go check?"

"Why don't you?"

"Because, Your Nibs, it only seems right that the King takes care of her subjects. We wouldn't want anyone trying to re-cast a vote, would we?"

"Fine! If you want me to leave, just ask!"

With that, she stormed off leaving Teague and Jack alone at last. They both stared at each other for a moment.

"I'm worried about her." They said in unison, followed by a simultaneous furrowing of brows to show their confusion.

"You first." Said Jack, sincerely wondering why his father would be worried about Liz- Elizabeth.

"I don't believe she's told you about what I saw."

"What did ye see?"

"A few weeks ago, I went to go visit her and invite her to dinner at the Cove. Everyone was going to be there and they hadn't seen her in a very long time. So I walk in and find her with a cutlass to her neck. And she claims to be cutting her hair and chops it all off. I'm not so sure. I think she's dreadfully unhappy."

Jack could swear his heart skipped a couple of beats. So it wasn't that she was planning to kill herself. She had already tried it before. And for the first time in his life, he had a reason to love his father because, apparently, if it weren't for him walking in on her, Lizzie would be dead. Dead. The word reverberated in his mind a couple of times until Teague's voice calling his name brought him back.

"So she actually tried it. And you stopped her. I found her suicide note. I thought she was planning on using it, not that she had already tried!"

"So I was right. She was going to kill herself."

"What do I do? What can I do?"

"Keep a close eye on her, Jackie. Don't let her out of your sight."

"I don't plan on it. Maybe I shouldn't take her with me to the fountain… maybe she should stay here… with you all. I don't know how to deal with emotional women."

"Ah but she's more than a woman to you. She's special. And besides. It's high time you learn."

He turned his head only slightly to see Elizabeth running up, fuming, staring at the two who quickly exchanged guilty glances.

"So, that's why I need a ship!" said Jack as a matter-of-factly and Elizabeth's face softened, feeling relieved that they weren't discussing her. Teague caught his drift and started to play along.

"I see. So you'll be wanting my ship, then?"

"Well, it is the best of the lot here, isn't it?"

"It's yours."

"Ah! Elizabeth." He said, acknowledging her for the first time. "How's the dinghy?"

"Nice and secure. Just as you had left it."

"Never can be too careful!" he said, waving a finger in her face.

"So, we have a ship?"

"Teague here so kindly offered us his."

"Well, thank you, we really appreciate it. But we'll need a crew, too, won't we Jack?"

"That's what Tortuga's for, Luv. We'll get Gibbs and whatever loyal bunch he's found now."

She smiled. She really was excited about going on another adventure with Jack. It was one of the things she truly missed, even though it had only been a few months since their last one. Only one thing nagged on her mind. What if we run into Will? Surely Jack will tell him and then… oh I don't even know what will happen then. Jack noticed that her smile faded and gave her a pat on the back, signaling for them to go to the docks. Once they said their brief and tearless goodbyes, Elizabeth and Jack boarded Teague's ship, the Golden Serpent, and prepared to set sail. Luckily, this ship could be crewed by two people, at least until they reached Tortuga. And as long as they didn't run into trouble.