A/N: I'm happy to present to you another chapter. Originally this was to be a fencing competition between Jack and Lizzie but World War 2 took over. Updates will be regular from now on.

This chapter was really a staging for the next chapter which has been half done for a while now and a real pleasure to write.

Don't forget that the order of the chapters are backwards. Each chapter takes place BEFORE the previous one. Enjoy this chapter and please review.

Elizabeth fastened the strap of her helmet and rushed out of her tent to where General Stiller sat with a map spread on the huge wooden table discussing tactics with the officers. She waited until the General dismissed them to make her move and march towards Stiller.

"Ah! Lt. Turner, just the man- I mean person I wanted to see. I have a matter I wanted to discuss with you, in my tent now if you'd please."

Elizabeth nodded with a set jaw and followed the General into the tent. She was used to all of it now. It had been months since she'd joined the army, dressed as a man to help protect her country. It wasn't the first time she'd hid a secret about who she was and it wouldn't be the last either. How he'd found out she was a woman she would never know but the important thing was to keep her secret from the others.

Once they were inside, the General closed the door and turned to her.

"General I must return to my—"

Before she finish her sentence though the General had pulled her arm until she was pressed against him and slipped his hands under her shirt.

"You wouldn't want me to slip your secret on accident would you Elizabeth?"

"I'm not scared of you."

" But you should be."

There she was with a handsome man touching her torso and she was rejecting him just because he would go far enough to attempt blackmail.

"Games don't turn me on," she lied. She loved games, it was his lack of respect that she despised.

She pulled away from his strong embrace and looked at his handsome features. She felt nothing towards him.

"Tell them whom I am if you must," she said as she left him with an astonished look on his face.

Jack stood at the helm of the ship. Not the Black Pearl, he wouldn't be risking his beloved ship for a stupid mission. The ship was a white battle ship, his men dressed in uniform and he himself feeling odd as he peered at the beach in his spyglass.

"Master Gibbs?!"

"Yes sir?"

"Remind me why I'm doing this again."

"Because the President of the USA asked you to sir?"

"Oh, right."

He looked on the beach of Khoramshahr where British tents were clustered together waiting to aid them in taking the little (but important) village down. A war would brew within the hour. He could feel it.

He ran a hand along the railing. No gentle understanding tilt, no wooden texture. He didn't belong there. He gestured for Gibbs to signal the British troops to proceed and Gibbs immediately waved the American flag three times just like he was supposed to.

Why was he doing this again??

"Why am I doing this again?" Elizabeth asked the empty tent as she fastened the laces on her boots. She only wanted to put her immortality to good use and it was backfiring on her already. If anyone found out who she was...

She heard the scattered shouting outside.

"To your stations! All men...Ready! They're off the shore...Take out...Cannons...Stations."

She rolled her eyes , grabbed her helmet and gas mask just in case and ran out.

You're a good man.

There will come a moment when you'll have the chance to show it. To do the right thing!

I love those moments...

You came back...I always knew...

Curiosity...

...what it tastes like!

I always knew you were a good man.

A good man.

A good man.

A good man Jack...Jack...

"Jack! God damn it Jack, answer me! Should we dock on the Northern or Southern beach?"

He shrugged the voice out of his head. He looked at the beach, the British troops were now moving in on the town from the North.

"Go south. We'll storm in and have the town from both sides."

"Aye sir!"

Jack looked around him. Remembered when he'd lost his post and ship because he'd let the slaves on his ship go free. He gave up his own freedom...gave it to other people...strangers even.

Remember how that worked out for us?

Not very well.

Exactly! So do what you're told and then get on with your life. Let the world drag itself down...none of our business.

True. Being good never pays off.

Never.

They all stood in a line before General Stiller who was strolling up and down the line.

"We're here to win. And this little port town is our path to victory. We're here for oil, we're here to conquer the Middle East so Germany can never reach our colonies such as India and most of all we're here to protect our country. To do whatever is necessary."

Willing to do whatever is necessary...

Elizabeth stood straight, her helmet and gas mask secure in their place. She was ready to protect her country but she wasn't sure she wanted to destroy the lives of innocent people on the way. Innocent people who had done nothing but live in their land. Their only crime was being in their way, on the great path to India, a path that had to be blocked for Germany.

She said nothing as General Stiller went on with his speech but neither did she listen.

"Pick up your weapons, have no mercy on anyone who stands in your way. I want every inch of this town to be ours. The American troops will aid you within the hour."

There was a sudden commotion as everyone gathered their weapons and started marching on. Elizabeth stood still while Stiller approached her.

"I still haven't told your secret," he pointed out.

"No you haven't."

"And you still haven't given into my offer."

"I've noticed that too."

"It would be easier if you--"

"Perhaps we could continue this after I single handedly lead the troops to victory?"

He nodded his agreement. "Don't expect me to stay quiet any longer though."

With that he left her to be swept away with the rest of the men.

Jack stepped out of the longboat and into the salty water that covered the soft sand under his feet and rose up to his ankle. The water of the Persian Gulf was deep pure blue and reminded him of the Caribbean.

"Onward and to the village up ahead," he ordered cheerfully. "Oh! And don't forget your gas masks."

His immortal crew laughed along at the joke.

Jack laughed along but then pulled his serious face. "What're you laughing at ye good for nothin' dogs? I'm serious. What will the British army think when you walk around without gas masks and don't die eh?"

He marched passed them with his gas mask leaving the crew to fumble with their masks.

Elizabeth couldn't believe her eyes. She watched in silent agony as families were thrown out of their houses, fire went up all around her and blood splattered on the ground. Her heart throbbed but she steeled herself.

I admire a person who's willing to do whatever is necessary...

She pulled her gun from her belt and shot two warning bullets in the air. Signaling for the men to put on their masks and gas the village.

Jack could see it now, he froze in his spot as all his men ran towards the village. On his orders of course. With them there to aid the British army the town would be wiped out within the hour. He stood still, only a few feet away but unable to move. The sound of bullet shots invaded the air along with screaming and shouting in English and the native language.

Finally he noticed something shuffling in the bushes, he turned around to find a little girl making her way out of the bush to run away. She stopped as she saw him, he could see the fear in her eyes.

Her eyes were a familiar shade of soft brown. Warm like the Caribbean sun. Or a bottle of rum. Or her eyes...

He smiled warmly and held his hands up in surrender. Her fear melted into a warm smile that matched his as he approached with slight hesitation.

There will come a moment...

He held a hand to her which she took without hesitation. Innocent. She trusted him. Like so many before whom he'd betrayed. He wouldn't betray the little girl.

There will come a moment when you'll have the chance...

A chance to save the little girl. He pointed to the longboat miles away, very small from this distance. He told her without words that he was going to save her, if she only waited for him in the longboat. The little girl nodded with a sorrowful smile and hurried along.

There will come a moment when you'll have the chance...to do the right thing.

He knew exactly what to do.

The villagers had now put up a resistance and had it not been for the Americans they would've been forced to retreat.

Elizabeth pushed a native man aside with great force and hurried along towards the great fire in the center of the town throwing more gas bombs as she went.

One soldier approached her, supporting a wounded man. "Lt. Turner. We can't hold up for much longer. There's too many of them...and too many of us wounded."

Elizabeth nodded. "But we're winning. Just take the injured. Take a few of the men with you to help and bring back more weapons from the camp. As long as we have the Americans helping us we're fine."

As if on cue she heard three warning shots being fired. "Retreat! Back to the HMS Explorer. On the double...you know what'll happen if you fall behind."

Elizabeth turned around in outrage after motioning for the soldier to carry out the order.

"Captain...whatever your name is! On what orders are you withdrawing your troops at such a time and why?"

The man shrugged. "No certain orders. Just my own."

"How dare you! You're condemning my men to death."

Jack shrugged again. "But at least I'm saving these innocent people from more death eh? Most of them have already gotten access to gas masks. They'll be fine."

"You're putting the interest of these people before your own country," the young lad shouted at Jack.

Gibbs who was running paused beside him. "Are you coming capt'n?"

Jack nodded. "Take the crew and take the first four longboats to the Explorer and leave me the fifth boat. Wait for me off the coast and to the south where it's safe."

Gibbs saluted him and ran along.

Jack turned back to the young man. "I suggest you take your troops out immediately if you don't want them to die lad."

"Lad?! Lad my ass. I'm Lt. Turner and you'll address me as such. You'll brief me on why your troops are leaving."

Jack grinned. "Sure lad. But not here in the middle of the fire and gas."

Lt. Turner started to respond but one of his men had come up to him. Grabbing his arm with his bloody hand.

"Lt. Turner. I don't think we can--The men are wounded--"

"Retreat," she finally exclaimed in a defeated whisper. "Take the men out now. Take them out from the Northern route and as fast as possible."

The soldier nodded and hurried along.

"Now Captain. We shall discuss this at our camp and you will fight with us and we will win."

The man nodded mockingly. "Lead the way lad."

They walked up the path in silence. Elizabeth looked ahead towards the defeated soldiers who had already reached the camp and before she could blink there were flashes of bright orange and then her face pressed against the ground.

Jack was quick to act when he heard the missile hit the British camp. Acting on instinct -stupid instinct that had made him do so many stupid things before- to save another human being he took the young lad down to the ground with him.

"Let go of me! Get off me."

"Pardon me for saving your life you little prick."

The young man rose to his feet and dusted himself off. Jack looked towards the camp that was now up in flames.

There were shouts and footsteps growing closer.He took Turner-who was rushing towards the burning camp- by the arm and dragged him in the opposite direction.

"Don't be a buggerin' idiot. Do you want to be blown to bits by angry village people?"

The young fellow followed him without an answer.

"I thought not!"

Elizabeth couldn't think any longer, she let the Captain drag her along through the smoke and away from the fire. Angry shouts still followed them but she couldn't care at the moment.

"There's a cave right off the beach. Step lively!"

Before she knew it they were making their way into the dark cave and she could finally sit down and catch her breath.

She went to take her mask off so she could take a deep breath but her hand was slapped away by his rough ones.

"Ever heard of the expression 'chemical gas'? You might want to keep that on unless you got a death wish."

She'd forgotten that people could die. How could she when people were dying all around her all the time? Somehow she'd forgotten. Somehow her own immunity had almost led her to blow her cover. Almost but not quite.

"Thank you," she muttered without enthusiasm.

"You sound ungrateful but I'll forgive you for now," he replied distractedly as he peeked out of the cave. "They're searching the beach. We're gonna be stuck here for a while."

"Perfect," she whispered. Then she came to the realization. "You're not American. You're British!"

"No shit Sherlock," he whispered. And he frowned as if he too had came to a realization. "You're bleeding."

She looked down at her torso. "Oh yes I am."

He shook his head. "You're so barking mad you make me look stable. Take your shirt off before you bleed to death."

"No, I'm fine. Just a scratch to be honest."

"Oh for the love of--" he muttered. "Lad, now's not the time for you to act tough. Let me help you get bandaged up."

He walked over to her but she struggled to get away.

"Son! Don't make this so bloody hard," he ordered as he took hold of her shirt and yanked at the collar. Before she could slip away again the shirt ripped open exposing the white cloth wrapped around her slender figure.

"Oh!" he exclaimed with a chuckle. "I see. Done a bit of sneaking around now have we Lt. Turner or whatever your real name is?"

"Let go of me you wretch," she yanked away.

"I save your life and I go the extra mile to insure you don't bleed your guts out and somehow I end up being the wretch? How lovely!" he said sarcastically as he pulled out a small flask from his pocket and took a sip.

He inched close again and Elizabeth reached her hand out for the flask feeling in desperate need for some alcohol but he held it out of her reach. "It's for your wound you foolish girl not for your nerves. If I were you I would be grateful to have precious rum wasted on my cuts."

She sighed and took her helmet off to let her hair fall down. It didn't matter now that he knew.

"You're going to give me away aren't you?"

He chuckled. "To what commander? I don't work for anyone just so you know. My work is what you describe as freelance."

There was a few seconds of silence when he drank the rum from the flask.

"Now come come dearie," he said. "Let me bandage you up."

"I'm perfectly capable."

"No doubt you are but it would save time and effort if you simply let me do it da'ling," he said, not unkindly.

He rolled up the white cloth covering her body to expose the flesh on her stomach.

"Well I can't think of a time when I got to undress a lady with smaller effort on my part," he jested lightly only to earn a smack from her.

"Oi! Don't insult your handsome rescuer."

He pulled out a piece of metal from the wound. "Now this is gonna hurt," he warned as he poured a tiny bit of rum on the wound.

She hissed in pain and clutched his shoulder as he finished closing up the cloth.

"Thanks," she whispered again before getting up and walking to the back of the cave.

"Where'd you think you're going?"

"To get some water."

He only noticed it after she pointed it out. There was more to the cave than it seemed, further down and buried in the darkness was a small stream of water. Dripping down from the walls to form a huge puddle.

Both Jack and the girl dabbed themselves with the cool water in an attempt to escape from the sticky summer air. Finally they had to sit down and take off their boots.

"Why?" Jack couldn't help but ask. Why would anyone do this voluntarily?

"You never asked that when you thought I was a man."

"I think I would've asked had I been given the chance."

She thought for a second. "Why not?"

"Basically your answer is 'because I can'. Why not? Why not?" he repeated. "Didn't you want to get married? Have little babies and all."

She shook her head. "That's not for me."

"You'd be surprised lassie. Maybe someday you'll meet a lad who will make you want to settle down."

She shook her head again. "Already met him. He got away."

He held up his index finger. "O I see! You were heartbroken and all so you thought to yourself ...hmmm?! Why not get a piece of the action eh?"

She waved a hand in front of the mask. "Leave me alone why won't you?"

"Just trying to make small talk."

"Well you're terrible at it so stop."

"Terribly sorry mi'lady."

They spent the next few minutes in silence with only the dripping water and the sounds of rushing foot seteps to entertain them.

"What's your name luv?"

"It's Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth Turner. Good, strong name. Name's Jack, nice meeting you. Not so nice meeting you under the circumstances."

Elizabeth chuckled and snatched the flask away from Jack. "I guess it was quite lucky for me...meeting you here.Cheers!"

She took a few healthy sips of the rum and tossed the flask back to him.

"Cheers indeed."

Alcohol always made things better.

"So I said to him, I went...how much for the little baby monkey?"

They both burst out laughing. She was hopelessly reminded of a certain little island, a considerable amount of rum and a charming pirate captain.

"Next thing I know...BANG! He shot me in the chest," he exclaimed.

"Oh! Damn. How did you survive?"

He pulled his jacket aside to expose four gunshot wounds. "Ever met a man who's suffered four gunshots and survived?"

"Not exactly."

"Thought not," he exclaimed with a slight air of arrogance.

"I've met one who has suffered three though," she chuckled.

"Impressive," he exclaimed. "Tell me about him."

Elizabeth thought about him, on the little island as he showed her his scars. Rum, mocking smirks and a bit of singing.

She remembered his earlier comment "Maybe someday you'll meet a lad who will make you want to settle down."

And Jack had been the exact opposite..

"He was the man who made me never want to settle down," she said.

"Fascinating."

For the first time she actually looked at the man she was trapped with. He had a full head of dark brown hair, tanned skin and dark brown eyes...he could belong anywhere in the world and yet he was there.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you here?"

"Don't you remember? We were arguing, your camp got bombed so I saved your ass--"

"No you literalistic bastard. I meant why are you in the army or navy or whatever?"

"I was blackmailed into doing so. I happen to have a lot of dark dirty secrets and I happen to be most wanted in this line of work. And here I am!"

She shook her head. "So easily manhandled. I'm a tad disappointed..."

He shrugged. "Anything that will keep me alive darling."

His arm somehow found its way around her shoulder. "I see," she said knowingly. "What about being good?"

"Hasn't exactly worked out for me in the past doll," Jack admitted.

Elizabeth snuggled against his arm. "I happen to think you're a good man. You saved my life but you didn't have to."

"Well me good intentions will be the death of me one day," he whispered. If dying was possible that is.

"Some people are just too good to die."

"And to wild to live eh?"

Deja vu. Elizabeth's head was swarming with images of the Black Pearl and Jack Sparrow. Sudden shouts and a shake from Jack brought her back to this world.

"Lizzie?! Darling? Time to run...I think they've found our little hideout."

She jumped to her feet and put on her helmet and boots and he followed suit.

"What'll we do?"

"Run! Get to your ship...the survivors from your camp have probably gotten there already. I'll distract them."

"But--"

"No buts! Run."

"I can't--"

"You can and you will and I'll be fine."

She gave him a quick hug and handed him her gun, leaving him with two. "Thank you Jack," she ran out of the cave swiftly leaving a solemn looking Jack behind.

"Now where have I heard that before?" he muttered as he tucked both guns under his belt and leaned against the cave's opening. He waited until the group of islanders caught up to the cave holding up their machine guns.

"Parley..." he started. It was a speech that never failed to work.

Elizabeth was dropped onto the deck with a great thump and struggled to her feet. She knew General Stiller had probably died and now she was probably in command but before going to the helm to yell at everyone she turned towards the island and tipped her helmet down in a silent salute. To the brave Captain she'd met on the island and to the person whose memory had suddenly haunted her mind again...Captain Jack Sparrow.
"And then they made me their chief..."

The islanders laughed whole heartedly as they walked him to his longboat.

"Once again I'm so sorry for this misunderstanding. I wish I could do or say something that would put this right."

"It's quite alright Captain Sparrow...it's not your fault. Just to know that you are familiar with Hafez and that you love his work brings great joy to us. You are a man of honor," one man said with a thick accent. "we've heard many stories of you. Legends even."

Jack gave an exaggerated bow and hopped into the boat. "Farewell," he waved to them as they left him on the beach. He sat in the good old fashioned longboat and looked back at the island as he rowed away.

A top the cliff stood the little girl Jack had tried to help earlier. She hadn't hid in the longboat after all, she'd left him and stayed with her people.

Why was it that people he actually tried to help always left?

Well no matter. He had his rum, his freedom and the rest of his never ending life.

He rowed away trying to avoid the burning gaze of the deep brown eyes that were still scanning him from the top of the cliff.

Already he could imagine the little conversation he was going to have with Gibbs once he got back to the HMS Explorer.

"What are we going to do 'bout the President now that we've gone against his order Capt'n?"

"He can shove it where it hurts."

"Where to now?"

"Home."

"Caribbean?"

"The Black Pearl mate."

Don't forget to review if you wanna see the next chapter...JE in the1920's/ Jazz age!!

I hope this chapter served it's purpose in setting everything up for prewar time. It's not one of the main chapters though and please don't take the war/politics part too seriously.