My third chapter! And my favorite so far. I hope you all enjoy it and don't forget to review e.c.t. Same old apologies for any spelling or grammar mistakes.

The ship had sailed out of the bay and into open waters. The wind was gentle and the sea calm. Luck seemed to be on their side. The evening air was warm and had a certain softness about it, which the crew responded to by sitting around talking, as there was little else to do. The ship was in immaculate condition and the weather permitted easy sailing.

Jack paraded the decks aimlessly; he also stuck for things to do. He looked up to see Elizabeth sitting in the crow's nest looking out to see. He decided to join her and climbed his way up.

"Alright love?" He sat down next to her.

"Yes, perfectly fine." Jack passed her his bottle of rum that he skilfully managed to transport up with him. Elizabeth took a long drink and handed it back. Jack traced her gaze to find that she was watching the sun set. "Isn't it wonderful?"

"Tis amazing how nature can portray such beauty."

Elizabeth giggled; she liked how Jack would string together such colourful and elaborate sentences.

"May I have my clothes back now, I don't care for this dress."

Jack smirked.

"What clothes?"

"The ones I was wearing when we arrived in Tortuga?" Elizabeth waited a little while for his answer. "You don't have them, do you?"

"No."

"But I left them in your charge!"

"Sea turtles."

"Beg pardon?"

"Sea turtles took them." Elizabeth rolled her eyes in disbelief. She knew exactly why Jack no longer had them; apparently they did not 'suit' her. However, she was in no mood to argue so she decided to let it go. Jack took a swig of rum and handed the bottle to Elizabeth, who did the same. There was a long pause where they both sat and watched the sun sinking into the ocean.

"Have you ever married Jack?"

Jack was taken back by this question; it was not one he expected to be asked.

"No, but nearly many times."

"Nearly?"

"You marry for love do you not, I did not love the women."

"I see. Have you ever loved?"

Jack thought for a minute and something hung heavy on his heart.

"Just the sea, me ship." They both lent back and rested on the mast with their legs dangling through the railing, over the edge of the nest. The sun shone warm, golden rays upon their faces.

"I suppose, if we were all like you Jack, love would be simpler." Elizabeth sighed. She handed Jack the bottle.

"You don't want to be like me love. It may seem simpler, loving the sea, but in reality darlin' it's the single most hollow thing anybody can ever feel."

"How come?" Elizabeth rolled her head to the side to look at him.

"You can love the sea for all eternity, you can be faithful and love it with all your heart, but the truth is, it will never love you back, it can't." He looked at her.

"But you can be loved."

Jack laughed at took his attention back to the sunset.

"Maybe, but I doubt it." Jack took a swig. Silence.

"Lions and Flamingos." Elizabeth commented loudly.

"Yer what?"

"Lions and flamingos." Elizabeth repeated.

"Explain…." Jack said with increasing curiosity.

"Lions do not choose flamingos to be their mates. Jack, you are a lion." Elizabeth took the rum from Jack and drank.

"And the flamingo?"

"Every woman you have ever been with…….such as the woman earlier, Gisele or whoever she was. She is a flamingo."

"So, you are saying I should not love a flamingo?"

"Yes! Jack you are strong, powerful, tough, courageous, proud. I believe that all you really need is a woman who counters such personalities."

"Go on…"

"You need a woman you can control you, who isn't afraid of your lifestyle. A woman who knows how to live, a woman who is as free spirited as yourself. And when you find such a woman, you will find that you can love things besides the ocean, you can love her."

Finally Jack understood Elizabeth's metaphor.

"And where do I find said woman?"

"Well if its something you want enough, your compass will show you the way."

The last glimpse of the sun could be seen before the sea submerged it, as if it had completely swallowed it up. Lilac twilight. Stars started to peer through the thick sky and the air grew slightly cooler. Elizabeth shuddered.

"Cold love?"

"Only a little."

"Drink up, it'll help somewhat." Jack picked up the bottle of rum, which now sat between them. Elizabeth took it and put it to her lips, taking a good sip. Jack placed his arm around her and pulled her a little closer. She felt warmer definitely, but the warmth was no restricted to her outer self, she felt warmer internally. She blamed it on the rum.

After a short while, they both climbed down. Elizabeth resided to the cabin to find some outer garment.

"Cap'n?" Gibbs stopped Jack. "Do we have a headin'? So far you haven't given one?"

"Ah…" Jack pulled out his compass and opened it. He couldn't help but think about what Elizabeth had told him earlier. He waited for the needle to stop. Elizabeth emerged out of the cabin doors wearing Jack's coat. He looked at the needle, which pointed to her. His brow knotted.

"Cap'n?"

Jack did not respond.

"Cap'n, if it be the Pearl we are going after, we need a headin' to find it!" Jack didn't know what to do. He pointed in a random direction.

"That way." He commanded. Gibbs left to follow the orders.

Elizabeth approached Jack who looked pained and confused.

"I am borrowing your coat, I hope that it is okay? Jack?"

"No, s'fine love." He looked at her.

"Good." She smiled at him, although she still sensed there was something wrong.

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Jack wanted the Pearl back, more than anything else, or so he had originally thought. He didn't care much for the ship he was captain of at that moment in time. It didn't feel like his. His head told him he wanted to Pearl, but his heart thought otherwise, and in the end, the compass would always follow his heart. Jack knew what he felt had always been there but he caged it up inside of him, like a silence bird, ignoring it and deny its existence, and until now, this had been just fine for him. But all this time, he knew if he even acknowledged the notion, it would persist. The feeling was rushing, uncontrollably free from his heart.

"Bloody no turning back now eh?" He mumbled to himself with his eyes fixed to the floor. He grabbed his bottle of rum firmly, and tipping his head back he violently drunk the remaining liquid. He threw the empty bottle at the door in disgust; it bounced off the wood with a thud. Jack felt stupid for allowing himself to feel this way. "Its bloody pathetic, bloody stupid!"

Elizabeth opened the door and came in slowly.

"Jack are you alright?" Jack could feel his heart rate increase and his cheeks blushing. He still could not look at her. Elizabeth came in a little further. Her foot kicked the glass bottle; she picked it up and placed it on the table. "Jack?"

"I-I'm fine love." His gaze still firmly fixed at the floor.

Elizabeth walked round the desk to where he was sitting. All Jack could see know were Elizabeth's feet and the hem of her dress. She frowned. Slowly she reached out her hand and lifted his chin so he could her. She smiled.

"Oh Jack." She breathed. "I know what you are feeling, and I feel it too." She lent down and kissed him firmly on the lips. She pulled away and their eyes locked. "You are a bad man Jack, I want you, I've waited for too long and now I cannot wait any longer." She whispered. Jack opened his mouth.

"Aye me too love!"

"JACK!" The sound of Elizabeth's voice rang in his ears while he slowly drifted awake. Elizabeth stood by his bed shaking him roughly.

"'Lizabeth?"

"You were dreaming and mumbling in your sleep." She stood before him, still wearing his coat from earlier.

"Sorry darling." Elizabeth lay back down on the floor by Jack's bed where she was sleeping. Jack relaxed back in his bed and stared wide eyed at the ceiling. The dreamed seemed too real. His heart was still racing.

"I didn't mean to wake you so firmly, I was just worried about you, that's all." Elizabeth whispered. She yawned and closed her eyes, quickly drifting back to sleep. Jack rolled on his side and looked down at her. And it was at that point he knew everything he had felt in his dream was real.