Teague was standing watch upon the Black Pearl after everyone had returned to Shipwreck Cove to celebrate. The Pearl's crew was long drunk by now on the mainland leaving Jack and Elizabeth to their own private celebrations. Despite the fact that the battle was over and despite the fact that they had won, years of experiences taught Teague to exercise caution after victory. After victory people tended to let their guard down and forget that they were all pirates here and not always on the same side of the blade. It was the opportune time to steal the fastest ship in the Caribbean while the Captain was wrapped up in more entertaining ventures. Teague shook his head as he slowly made his rounds above deck, carefully taking stock of any damages the ship had endured. How many times had he told Jack not to let his guard down? It only takes one idiot with enough foolishness to attempt a theft or assassination.

He couldn't blame Jack altogether though. Elizabeth had a very bewitching beauty, the likes to make any man bow to her whims and make them never want to leave the bedroom. But she was no whore or common woman. She had the knowledge, the bravery and the instinct to back up her looks. Elizabeth was a no nonsense person who fought dearly for what she loved and believed in. Right now that was Jack and their life together. Teague couldn't have asked for a better woman for his son. When she came to him the day before, requesting knowledge on Jack's life he couldn't help but think that perhaps she was just a little naive and spoiled. After the day's events, however, he couldn't say the same. She had become a different person. A strong, free willed individual. He held nothing but the highest respect for her.

Sighing lightly, Teague grasped the splintered spokes of the Black Pearl's wheel and surveyed the bright lights radiating from Shipwreck city. In the distance he could hear men and women laughing and half pieced together bands playing the most off tune but wonderfully catchy music. Occasionally a gun shot would sound and the air would become still for but a moment before resuming its glorious madness.

Teague became so wrapped up in the thrills of the parties in the distance that he did the very thing that he had been mentally chiding his son for, let down his guard. He had become lost in his thoughts, thinking of the past, the future, what this victory would mean for the Brethren Court and all that they commanded. Davy Jones no longer a factor, the British Navy in shambles. They would have to make the best of things now, before the law had the opportunity to regroup…

And that's when he heard it. The cool, hard click of a pistol being cocked back as it was prepared to be discharged. He felt a chill run down his spine as the gun was pressed violently against his throat. His hand instinctively went to draw his sword but he suddenly flashed to a mute Davy Jones stumbling over the edge of his ship and into the maelstrom below.

"Take me to Captain Sparrow," a cool voice muttered into his ear, jabbing the weapon further into Teague's throat to indicate that he meant business.

Teague closed his eyes and laughed at the irony of the situation. "It only takes one fool," he mumbled and led the way.

Jack and Elizabeth had spent the evening entertaining themselves in a way that was far more pleasurable than getting lost in a rum bottle or dancing to the mess that was considered music at the Cove. The rum probably had a little something to do with the music.

Elizabeth laid content in her husband's protective arms, slowly twirling a beaded dreadlock with her hand. It was still a little strange to realize that the man beside her was indeed her husband. Stranger even still that they had been married for a mere day. It felt like a lifetime had passed before them with all the events that took place. The whirl wind declaration of love and marriage had made her feel like her life was complete. Then she was finally able to obtain the truth about Jack's past from his father. Thinking of her conversation with Teague Elizabeth realized that she had been inwardly a little concerned that she hadn't made the right choice in marrying Jack and leaving Will behind. But when she discovered the man that Jack really was underneath, a peace had fallen over her heart and she knew instinctively that everything would be okay. Jack could and would make her happy. He would keep her safe. Even now she smiled as she thought of his humble beginnings as a military man. There was something endearing to that.

Her thoughts momentarily turned to Commodore Norrington and his death at the hands of Davy Jones. She had lost so much in this battle. James, her father, Will. However, as her identity as the frail Governor's daughter began slipping away and this new person evolved she found herself with a new family in Jack and his father. New friends in the Black Pearl's crew…but also new enemies in the British Crown. She had lost a lot but she had gained much more back. She looked up at Jack with a smile. She wouldn't have done a single thing differently if it meant that they would be apart.

"What are you thinking about?" Elizabeth questioned as she shifted to prop herself up on Jack's chest.

Jack smiled in response and slowly opened his eyes to gaze upon his lovely wife. "I'm thinkin' if I've given you ample enough time to recover so that we can resume certain pleasurable activities best spent betwixt male and female," he growled, his smile growing wider.

"Is that all you think about?" she laughed.

Jack took a moment to consider her question. "And I were thinking that I could use a glass of rum. Aside from those things however, I'm afraid you'll find that not much else goes on. Any other thinking is strictly to further these two goals into fruition."

"Why am I not surprised?" she smiled, laying her head back on his chest.

He laughed and gently ran his fingers through her long hair. In spite of everything it still felt unnaturally soft. "I am a man. A pirate first, but always a man. It's in our nature."

"Ahh but I think there's more to you than that," she said knowingly.

"Ye think so?"

"Yes."

"And what makes you so sure?" he playfully questioned.

Elizabeth debated whether or not to tell Jack that she had been to see his father and had all of his deeds, good and bad lain before her. "Well…I know a little more about you than you think," she started.

"I'm not sure I like where this is going…"

"No, no, it's nothing bad. I just went and I had a little visit with Captain Teague…"

"Ye didn't…" Jack stated though he knew there was nothing that he could say to change it. He brought a hand to his forehead and began to rub his temples, feeling a headache on the horizon.

"It's nothing bad Jack," Elizabeth defended but Jack cut her off again.

"Where that man is concerned there is always somethin' bad. Always stickin' his nose where it doesn't belong," he sighed.

"He loves you, you know? I could see it in his eyes when we talked about you. We didn't speak of anything bad. I just…had to make sure that I hadn't rushed into anything…that I hadn't made the wrong decision," she said and ran her hand up and down Jack's bare chest in a soothing manner.

"And yer conclusion?" Jack asked, somewhat curious.

Elizabeth smiled. "I'm here aren't I? This is what I want."

Jack brought her closer to him. "Good. Because I didn't plan on letting ye go," he smiled, and leaned down to bring her lips into a sweet kiss.

Before things could get any more interesting there was a light knock upon their cabin door. Jack groaned, really annoyed now. "What do ye want?" he called out.

"Jackie…it's Teague. Let me in," the muffled voice responded.

"No," Jack replied. "This is our time. Ye get it? Alone time. Meaning away from all other people time. Especially, people who are you. So, go on now. Scatter!"

"Jack you don't have to be so rude…"Elizabeth began.

"Do ye really want me father to see ye naked?"

Elizabeth closed her mouth. She hadn't really thought of that.

"Jack…this is an urgent matter. I really need fer ye to open the door," Teague's raspy baritone rang out again.

Elizabeth didn't give Jack an opportunity to deny his fathers request again. She liked to think that she had formed a bond with the elder pirate and wanted to try and bridge the gap that had developed between father and son. She gently pulled away from Jack's embrace and began locating her scattered clothing, putting them on as she went. Jack groaned behind her.

"That's not how this works…you're supposed to keep your clothes off!" he whined.

"Speak to your father. Five minutes. It won't kill you Jack," she said rolling her eyes.

"It might!" he replied dramatically as he literally rolled out of the bed. "Damn man. Can't keep his nose out of my personal, private business. I ought to…I don't know. Find him a woman for a night so he'll leave me alone."

Elizabeth laughed at his plight as he continued to grumble even as he put his pants back on and slowly began making his way back to the door. She sat down at the map strewn desk on the other side of the cabin and absently started fingering through the stacks of maps haphazardly laying across the table top.

"What is so important that…" Jack began angrily as he threw the door open. The first thing that he noticed was the gun. Not the one that was jammed into his father's throat, that registered as a distant second. This gun was pointed just mere inches from his face. "…it just couldn't wait," Jack finished his sentence, raising his hands in front of him in mock surrender. His eyes went from his father's unnaturally apologetic features to wander to Elizabeth who was sitting unaware of the dramatic shift in the rooms atmosphere. Finally they settled on the man holding the gun. Jack would've laughed if the gun wasn't so close to him. "Cutler Beckett. I see ye have once again returned for more," he said loud enough for Elizabeth to hear him.

From the other side of the room Elizabeth finally took notice of the events unfolding before her. Cutler Beckett?

"That's right Jack," Beckett began, shoving Teague forward harshly as they entered the room. Jack backed up several feet further, putting as much distance between himself and this man as he was able. "I'd like to thank you for sparing my life today. I'm sorry to say that I will be unable to return the favor."

"What's he doing here? This doesn't concern him," Jack motioned to Teague.

"Oh but it does!" Beckett grinned. "If I recall correctly, it was the both of you who maliciously held me captive while you burned me with your Pirate brand. Labeling me with such a vile and disgusting symbol. Captain Teague is very much a part of this. Thankfully he saved me the trouble of having to search him out when I was finished with you. He was keeping watch on your ship, Jack. Very kind of him, huh?" Beckett continued, inching his way further and further into the room.

Jack's mind was going a mile a minute. He had to think of a way out of this. He did a quick scan of the room looking for his own pistol, or even his sword. Alas they were far out of his range. His eyes met Elizabeth's from across the room. She was worried. Jack mentally cursed himself. Why had he let Beckett go? How could he be so careless? Now they were in a mess and it was his fault. He needed a distraction. Perhaps if Teague could… Think, Jack, think!

"Why didn't ye just leave?" Jack questioned breaking Beckett's speech, trying to buy some time. His eyes met Teague's and he suddenly saw a reflection of himself. Teague nodded his head slightly in understanding.

"And go back to what Sparrow? You've humiliated me. You've ruined me. You ruined me years ago and I had to rebuild myself from nothing. And I did…I was great. But now…I'm a laughing stock. If I returned to England…this is the only option, you see? To kill you and your father. My reputation will be restored if I can kill the one who always manages to get away," Beckett leered.

"And is that where yer plan ends? Ye plan on taking on all the pirates here in the Cove? You'll be killed," Jack said moving forward a bit. He glanced at Elizabeth again, still frozen in her chair. She gave him a reassuring smile.

"That is irrelevant. I will have my revenge," he said coldly re-positioning the gun in his left hand to point at Jack's head. The pistol in his right was still wrapped around Teague's shoulder and into his neck. "I'm sorry if I interrupted anything," he said, his demeanor changing as his anger began to dissipate. His cold blue eyes turned to Elizabeth and her rumpled hair and clothing. "Perhaps, Jack…after you're gone I will have to have a taste of the governor's daughter myself. It seems that no one can resist her advances…" he trailed off, licking his lips.

"Leave her out of it," Jack said taking a large step forward.

"Ah, ah ah!" Beckett said once again giving Jack his full attention. "Fair is fair, Jack Sparrow. You had my wife, years ago. It's just good business to allow me the same favor…" he smiled.

Without any warning Teague seized the opportunity to do something while Beckett distracted himself. He quickly jerked his head away from the pistol on his neck and jabbed his elbow into the middle of Beckett's other, out stretched arm. Beckett cried out and dropped the pistol that was aiming for Jack. Jack rushed forward as Beckett repositioned his other weapon for Teague but his father beat him to it and shoved Beckett back. At the last minute Beckett grabbed ahold of Teague's coat and pulled him down to the hard ground beside him, the gun getting lost just a few feet ahead of them.

Jack made a move to go after it but Beckett grabbed a hold of his pants leg and dragged him down to his knees. Jack drew his fist back and hit Beckett with as much force as he could, though it was partially blocked as Beckett flailed his arms in front of his face. The momentum however was still enough to send him back to the ground.

Teague slowly began to regain his bearings and Jack prayed that he'd retrieve the pistol before anything else happened. Jack focused his attention back to Beckett and hit him hard again. Beckett whimpered in defense.

"You're a fool," Jack muttered.

Beckett choked out a breath as he slowly removed his hands from his face and brought them to his side. "Perhaps I am a fool, Jack Sparrow…" he slowly moved his hand underneath the cloth of his coat. "But I meant what I said. This is the only way."

Quickly Beckett pulled a small dagger from his hip and thrust it upwards into Jack's rib cage and twisted. Jack gasped, being caught unaware. "It only takes one fool," Jack thought wryly. He felt the blood beginning to run down his chest as Beckett twisted the dagger once more before retracting it.

Elizabeth had finally located Jack's pistol and sword when she heard the gasp. Startled she turned her full attention to the men and felt her heart twist in pain as she saw her husband brutally wounded. Her worried eyes flashed to Teague who's own movements seemed to be frozen. "Jack!" she gasped, as he fell back to his side.

Elizabeth's cry seemed to propel both Teague and Beckett into action as they both made leaps toward the pistol. Beckett grasped the cool steel around his palm and knocked Teague in the middle of the chest, temporarily causing him to lose his breath.

Elizabeth quickly grabbed Jack's pistol just as she saw Beckett raise his own to finish off her husband.

"Don't!" she cried and pointed the gun in Beckett's direction.

It all happened so fast. Beckett's evil laughter. The blood that was running in rivulets down Jack's chest. Rustling movements. A gun shot.

And then nothing.