Disclaimer: As always, Disney owns PotC.

A/N: I'm impressed by and I really appreciate the reviews! Um.. I skipped most of the wedding because... I honestly don't know the procedure.

Jack scrutinized my face carefully.

"As I said, what kind of pirate are you?"

"Jack..." I whispered carefully. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. But I owe you that much--I can't lose you."

"You don't owe me anything, love. And I refuse to lose you."

I shook my head. "Just... just go--I'm sorry. There's no way out of this."

"And you were the one who wanted to fight," muttered Jack as he slowly walked away.

I managed to find the dress that I had worn the day my wedding had been ruined by Lord Beckett--the only dress that I had brought aboard. I had brought it specially for this occasion.

Once again I couldn't figure out my own emotions. I did love Jack, but did I love Will at all anymore? Yes, perhaps I did still shelter a little bit of love for him--but it was only that small, only a memory of when I loved him with all my heart, nothing more.

After this wedding, I'm never going to wear this dress again, I though bitterly.

I didn't really hear anything that Jack said on deck. It was raining, and I was glad that the water could hide my tears. I wasn't listening to anything but the sound of the rain pattering on deck--like a thousand tears to mark the sorrow I felt that day as I stood under the sails of black.

Why was I feeling so unhappy? I was supposed to be in love with Will, especially after all he had done for me... I gave an inward sigh and stared at my hands.

"I do," said Will solemnly. I gave a silent gasp. It was my turn. I heard the question, a faint sound that came to me over a long distance. The words stuck in my throat, refusing to come out.

"I..." I whispered.

Just say it! Say it, and it'll be over!

But I couldn't. I could feel the hot tears sliding down my face.

It's too late! You're doing this for Jack!

For Jack.

Is is possible that it'll be even better if I make both of us happy by not marrying Will?!

Perhaps it really was too late.

"Elizabeth? Are you all right?"

I nodded, then shook my head.

"I--I--"

"Elizabeth!"

"No!" I shouted at last, sobbing uncontrollably. "No, I don't! I don't take you as my husband! No--I'm sorry--I can't--"

There was a very long silence. Will was staring at me, his face masklike. Jack was furtively trying to hide a smile. I stood helplessly, shocked by what I had just said. I was drenched. My hair and dress clung to my skin. The rain washed away my tears, but could not stop fresh ones from coming.

"Will," I whispered. "I'm so sorry--"

"Elizabeth," he said quietly, "Perhaps now isn't the best time--do you need to rest?"

"No, I don't! I'm fine--no--I'm sorry, I didn't mean--"

He said nothing.

"Will, please forgive me."

"Will," I said again, desperately. "Let's start over..."

But he walked past me and descended the stairs. At the very bottom he looked back up at me.

"I wanted to let you know, anyhow," he said. "I love you. I will always love you, no matter what."

"Will, I'm sorry!" I cried. "I can't--I don't--"

"Captain Sparrow," he continued, in a cold and piercing voice, "I thought you said you would stay away."

He had already disappeared into the hold. His words fell like daggers through the air. I stared for a long time.

I owe him at least the truth.

Even if he already knew.

Even if it hurt.

"Will," I whispered, my tears increasing tenfold. "I'm not lying to you anymore. I don't love you."

I feel like a monster.

I was standing at the bow, watching the waves move back and forth.

Back and forth.

A timeless rhythm with no beginning, no end.

"Elizabeth."

I turned.

"Jack." I turned to the waves again, and Jack came and stood by me.

"I feel terrible," I said.

"I'm sorry about..."

"Jack.." I said slowly. "I did it... for us."

Truthfully, I had been thinking that perhaps doing this would be enough to make up for what I had done to him the first time we kissed.

Maybe it was enough, or maybe not.

Suddenly, without warning I pulled him in an embrace and his lips fervently met mine.

"I'm beginning to get scared when you kiss me," Jack said when at last we parted.

I found it amazing that I could still smile.

But I was on the Pearl, with Captain Jack Sparrow. And hardly anything mattered anymore.