Present

Gibbs growled in anger. "Beckett?"

Elizabeth set some documents into Jack's hand. "Yes, they're signed. Lord Cutler Beckett of the East India Trading Company."

" Will was working for Beckett and never said a word. Beckett wants the compass...only one reason for that…." Gibs pondered as I tried to swallow my panic as I crawled down the rigging from the crow's nest to sit on the rail..

" Of course. He wants the chest!" Jack told him.

"Yes, he did say something about a chest."

" If the Company controls the chest, they controls the sea!" I yelled exasperated. Panic was nearly controlling me as I thought of what it would possibly mean if the trading company controlled the seas.

" A truly discomforting notion, love." Jack said as if it were already obvious to everyone.

"And bad!" Gibbs continued. "Bad for every mother's son what calls himself pirate. I think there's a bit more speed to be coaxed from these sails! Brace the foreyard!" He took off, yelling orders to the already overly busy crew.

Jack turned to Elizabeth. "Might I inquire how you came by these?" He asked.

"Persuasion." She replied simply, sitting on the rail next to me. I scrunched my legs to make room for her. Mamma was right. I was really starting to like this girl more and more.

" Friendly?" He asked on, attempting to sit down next to us. I pushed my legs out and sent him to the floor. I almost wanted to giggle gleefully at the nasty look he was giving me. He stood up and glared down at us, his arms crossed his chest.

" Decidedly not." She answered him.

" Will strikes a deal for these and upholds it with honor, yet you are the one standing here with the prize. Full pardon, commission as a privateer on behalf of England and the East India Trading Company. As if I could be bought for such a low price." As he said this, he tucked it in the breast pocket of his coat.

" Jack, the letters...give them back." I scolded him. His hand went around my wrist, where the scars from the chains still resided. My eyes widened as he gave a coy smile.

" No. Persuade me."

"You do know Will taught me how to handle a sword." Elizabeth taunted him, her hand on my shoulder. I smiled at her gratefully. She winked back.

" As I said, persuade me." He said in a lower, more seductive tone, pulling me off the railing so we were uncomfortably close.

I looked to Elizabeth but she had taken off to the other side, talking with James nonchalantly.

Completely out of character, I throw my arms around him. He rocked back from the shock but held me tightly. His hand went to the back of my head in a comforting way, something he had done as long as I had known him.

"What is it, luv?" He asked softly.

I looked up at him with watery eyes. "If they control the sea, they'll control me."

He pulled me even closer to him. "I promise yeh, love. I won't let that happen."

Flash Back

I sat up on the barrel, looking up at the sky. It had been a year since I had been confined in that slave ship but the sight still mesmerized me. The royal blue landscape with its small pinpricks of silver that reminded me constantly that things aren't always perfect. It's our imperfections that make us beautiful.

"Mala?" I heard Jack's voice and turned to see him coming from below decks.

"I'm here." I announced, looking back up to the sky. He sat down on a crate next to me, looking up with me. He squinted hard, as if he couldn't actually see the stars, trying to make me laugh.

He had taken to piracy rather well. He wore a rustic black coat over a white shirt, and a red sash around his waist. He was black breeches and work boots. He no longer had the clean shaven look, but instead had a small goatee gracing his chin.

Ever since he set the slaves free, he had been the greatest friend I ever had. He was the only mortal on earth I trusted and would give my life for.

"Do you think Anamaria will ever forgive me for taking her boat?" He asked, a hint of mirth in his voice.

"Not likely."

He reached over and took my hand, drawing my attention from the sky. "Then Mala, I have a proposition for you that I want you to take."

"Depends on what 'tis, Jack Sparrow." I responded, my eyes now glued to his hand on mine. He squeezed it gently before tilting my chin to look up at him.

Before I could ask what was going on, his lips found mine. It was like an electric charge going to through every inch of me. My hand went to his cheek, pulling him closer to me. His arms went around my waist as I wrapped my arms around his neck. I knew that I was in love with him. Why else would I react this way just for a man?

He pulled away and took my hands. "Mala, I want you to be my first mate, and my wife. You could sail the seas forever with me and we could have a boat load of children, and-and-"

I pressed a finger to his lips, cutting him off. "Yes."He whooped in happiness and swung me around in the air. I hollered for him to put me down. He then just held me, dancing together across the deck.

We celebrated beneath the moonlight that night.