A/N: This collection continues to be a challenge that I am so enjoying, trying to cover all the letters in the right order, making each one-shot interesting on its own, and remembering where I am and where I'm trying to get to at the same time. Thanx to everyone who reads, especially those who review as well ;-)

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

I is for... Ink

Jack had a number of tattoos, which came as no surprise to Elizabeth since he was a pirate and surely any such man of the sea was just expected to be marked by some kind of symbol, picture, or name in dark ink upon their skin.

On the other men aboard ship, Elizabeth had noticed various items drawn on arms, legs, even chests, and faces on occasion.

Anchors were to be expected, skull and crossbones, the occasional 'mother' or the name of an old flame perhaps.

With Jack, it was different.

The sparrow on his wrist had obvious meaning, a representation of his very own name, as well as of the freedom of flight.

What surprised her more was the mass of writing that Jack had tattooed onto his back; seemingly a poem entitled La Desiderata, that proved what she already knew about his distinct lack of getting caught up in violence.

Still, there was one more marking on Jack's body that would give Elizabeth more of a surprise than even the idea of a pacifist pirate.

Just yesterday when they hit a storm and it was all hands on deck to keep the Pearl from capsizing, Elizabeth had been stood by Jack as he pulled with some effort on a rope.

His sleeves riding up with the force, Elizabeth had glanced down just at that moment and realised that in the same position as where the sparrow sat on his left wrist, Jack now bore a similar black outline on his right.

It was not a moment in which she could very well begin questioning the Captain on such a thing, as she hastily gave assistance in getting the sails down and preparing the ship to sail through the eye of a storm.

Still, Elizabeth had thought a lot about what she was sure she had seen through the wind and rain, and what it had truly meant, though she had yet to ask Jack himself, just a little concerned as to what the answer might be.

Why exactly would Captain Sparrow have a picture of a swan there on his arm, if not as a sign to her?