A/N- Really long Ch. this time. Thanks going out to all those who have reviewed so far and those who haven't but have read. You know who you are. :) Just want to say a few things here. Yes, I know I need to change more things in the future and I will. But more needs to happen in the past in order for some of it to change. Particularly involving the original COTBP plot. I'm guessing you can think of a few things that didn't happen already. Anyways I hope you enjoy this extremely long chapter. Hopefully it will hold you over until I get back from my two-week trip. Gasp!

I do not own POTC, though I would love to change somethings in the plot around. Particularly about a certain Pirate Captain and his Pirate King....

Read. Review. Enjoy.

Elizabeth knew she shouldn't have acted that way with Jack. She barely knew the man for Christ's sake! There was no reason for her to flirt with him. What must he think of me?

He probably thinks I'm just one of those girls in Tortuga. He must think I'm someone he can mess with, with no consequences at all. He just thinks I some girl he can have his way with that's all.

Elizabeth was hurting herself with these thoughts. She knew she just met him, but there was something, something that she couldn't put her finger on, that she felt for him.

She remembered him in her dreams so vividly. He was exactly as was now, sly and arrogant with a knowing grin on his face. Oh how she hated that smile. Or rather she hated how it made her melt even with such little acquaintance.

I really shouldn't have talked that way with him. Or gone to see him at all, for that matter! She continued to herself as she walked through her gates.

Freedom, Lizzie. Remember that. She heard him say in her mind before she reached for the doorknocker.

But before she could even knock, the door flew open.

"Elizabeth! Where on earth have you been!" Elizabeth's father ran and embraced her, knocking the basket from her hands.

The governor's attention was immediately brought to the basket hitting the floor at his daughter's feet.

"What is this?" He asked confused, picking up the basket and examining it.

"Elizabeth! Thank God your all right!" Norrington rushed towards her and hugged her just as her father had. The governor just stood there, still looking at the basket's contents.

The commodore noticed this and turned towards the other man. "What is that you've got, sir?"

Governor Swann said nothing. He just moved back inside, not glancing at either of them.

Elizabeth stared after her father, stunned. She had come home, expecting a lecture, and now nothing. Her father hadn't said anything. He didn't even ask her why she had the basket. He had just left without saying a word.

"So Elizabeth, where have you been?" James turned his attention back to her.

"Oh…Out for an early morning picnic that's all. I'm so sorry I neglected to tell anyone. I really was nothing you should worry about." Elizabeth lied through her teeth as they made there way into the mansion parlor. Her father was sitting in an armchair, the basket on one side of him, his head in his hands.

Elizabeth was bothered by what she saw. Why would her father be so upset? She hadn't been gone that long, had she? What in the basket could make her father this upset?

"Umm…Elizabeth…I was wondering if you've had much time to consider my proposal." The commodore said awkwardly, clearing his throat.

"Oh, James, I…" Elizabeth glanced at her father. He seemed upset. Was it because he knew she went to see Jack? Because he knew she was going to throw her life away. Could she leave Port Royal and disgrace her family if it was going to cause her father such pain?

"Well?" He asked, slightly impatient.

The governor looked up from his hands. Elizabeth locked eyes with her father. A memory suddenly burst forth in her mind.

I'm so proud of you Elizabeth

In her dream her father had died, and she hadn't been there for him. She was off at sea. She had completely abandoned him.

Elizabeth continued to stare into her father's eyes. "Yes. I will." If this is what her father wanted, she would do it; to make him happy, to be there for him, unlike how she had been in her dream.

She could not let that happen. Not again. Was it again?

The governor just stared at her stunned, wondering why she had accepted Norrington.

"Excellent." James said trying to hide how happy he was that she had said yes.

Elizabeth faked a smile and walked away towards her room, not wanting them to see her cry. Now she would never have her freedom, because she would do anything for her father, anything to make him happy.

"Why is all the rum always bloody gone?" Jack said, throwing his rum bottle off his desk with a brush of his hand. Not even all the rum in the world could make him happy right now.

They had taken her. Now that she was finally his, they had taken her, the gods of fate and destiny standing in his way. Or at least it always seemed.

Jack Sparrow sat in his cabin with his feet resting on his desk, contemplating how life seemed to be peculiarly cruel lately. He attention was upon his compass, hoping that it might point to where she had gone. How can someone just disappear like that? It's not possible!

Not probable a little voice in his head said, causing Jack to smile a bit. But his grin was immediately wiped of his face when he looked back at his compass. It had no direction. It just continued to spin in circles.

I wonder why. If Turner or even Beckett did take her away, why does my compass not point in that direction? And even if she did drown, Jack gulped, hating to think about it, It still would point to the direction she had drowned.

Maybe she is still in the locker…

Jack shivered in disgust. He hated the locker. It was like a living hell. Well, not like it, it was.

What if his Lizzie was stuck there, suffering and all alone, thinking that no one would come and save her.

Thinking about Elizabeth triggered a memory Jack never knew existed.

"I'll teach you how to sword fight, pillage, even steer the ship if you like. Once I get the pearl back I'll take you anywhere. I promise."

Jack shook his head, trying to get rid of the nonsense in his brain.

"Ruddy old scoundrels need to eat too don't they?"

What was happening to him lately? Elizabeth didn't come see him in jail. She never brought him food. Maybe he had just been having too much rum recently, that's all.

"Nice dress by the way."

He had never seen her in a rose colored dress before. Come to think of it, the only time he had seen her in a dress was at the bottom of the ocean, and that was before he proceeded to rip it off.

"I know your name from your legends of course. Who hasn't heard of Captain Jack Sparrow? About the rum, what pirate doesn't like rum? Really, that wasn't that hard to figure out. I tried to help you escape because you saved my life and I was hoping you could help me escape this place too. And that's it."

This made Jack puzzled. When did Lizzie try to save me? It all seemed so real in his mind, more real than what actually happened. What actually happened again?

He knew it wasn't this, but he still couldn't remember anything now about his time in jail except this memory. It was like it had been erased from his mind.

A loud crash of a wave on the side of the hull drew Jack back to the present.

They really seemed to be moving fast. The Black Pearl was on its way to Shipwreck Cove. Thanks to the particular demands of a certain sea goddess on board, they would arrive there promptly.

"That's it!" Jack thought out loud.

Tia Dalma. She could tell him where Elizabeth was.

Elizabeth didn't know what to do now. She had told Norrington that she would marry him for her father, but she didn't know if she could actually go through with it now.

After thinking about it for a while when she was crying, the more improbable it seemed that she would.

Yes, she loved her father. And yes, she wanted him to be happy. But doesn't my father want me to be happy too? As if answering her thoughts, someone knocked on the door.

"Elizabeth, I know where you've been today." The governor said from outside her room. "And it makes me wonder if perhaps you made you decision today for the wrong reason." He continued

Elizabeth froze, listening to her father through her bedroom door. She didn't know what to say in response.

"I just want you to know that I'm alright Elizabeth. You don't have to worry about me. I'm a grown man. If you want to leave Port Royal, for whatever reason, you should know that it is fine by me. I can take care of myself I promise. And as for Commodore Norrington, I'm sure he would understand. He loves you Elizabeth, and would do anything to make you happy, as would I. Even if I don't always agree with your choices."

He had seen the rum bottle in her basket. That was his clue. He knew his daughter never drank rum, and that it was a pirate's drink. He also knew that she had disappeared early in the morning, hoping not to be seen. He had seen her sneak into the kitchen and go off with some food. He also realized when she got back that all the food missing was way too much for just one person to eat. That's when he thought of Jack Sparrow and the way his daughter and that pirate had interacted on the dock. It was uncanny. They acted as if they knew each other even though they had just met.

"Thank you Father." Elizabeth said, throwing open the door, and hugging Governor Swann tightly.

"He is a pirate though Elizabeth. And he can't be trusted." He father added seriously.

"Father I…Wait what?" Elizabeth was confused by his comment. About who could he be talking?

"Sparrow of course. He's in line to be hung too, so your chances are slim."

"Father, Jack and I are just friends I promise. Really, nothing has happened between us." Elizabeth reassured nervously. That's the right word isn't it?

"Has happened." The governor mumbled.

"I'll be careful, and like you said father, the chances of him breaking free are slim to none." Elizabeth remembered her dream. Jack hung on a rope, dead and dangling in the breeze. "But thank you for what you said. I would really like to leave Port Royal soon. I don't know. It's like somewhere inside of me I can feel an adventure coming and it's calling to me."

"Nothing dangerous I hope. No battles, or pirates." Her father warned. He doubted that there wouldn't be pirates. They had always fascinated his daughter.

He had taken her freedom away when she was young, and he wished to give it back. But he did hope that she could avoid being in any battles. He didn't want her getting hurt.

"Oh, father." Elizabeth chuckled, rolling her eyes. She longed for danger in her life.

"When shall you leave then, my grand traveling daughter?" The governor teased. He wanted her to live her life and be happy. And he didn't think she could do that in Port Royal. Not anymore. Something about his daughter had changed yesterday. It was like she was completely different.

"As soon as possible I hope. I must do some things first though. I have to let James know and talk to him. I have to also find a ship that with take me where ever I like, and say goodbye to Will and Jack of course." Elizabeth's smile faded a bit. Jack. He could very well hang if she didn't help him somehow.

"Elizabeth? Are you alright?" Her father asked, alarmed by her change of mood.

"Yes. Yes I'm fine. Thank you." She uttered just above a whisper, thinking.

If there was some way of getting Jack out of jail, he could steer the ship for her. And he had promised to take her anywhere she wanted to go. Then they explore the earth and sail the seven seas together. Jack would not die like in her terrible dream. But how?

"Maybe you should get some fresh air?" Governor Swann suggested, turning so she could pass by him.

"I think I will. Thank you."

Right after Elizabeth had left Jack noticed that she had dropped something. A light pink handkerchief. He moved his hand through the bars and picked it up.

Classic governors' daughter. Drops her handkerchief hoping for a charming young man to pick it up and return it to her. I'll have to tease Lizzie about that when she comes back. He thought, glancing down at the initials embroidered on the cloth.

E.M.S.

I wonder what the M stands for…

Jacks musings where interrupted when a man in uniform marched in and opened his cell.

"Free already? That was quick!" Jack said, standing up quickly and putting his hat back on his head, still clutching the handkerchief.

"Not so fast Mr. Sparrow." The commodore said as he strode into the cell, the other officer shut it behind him. "Sorry to disappoint." He added sarcastically.

"Commodore. To what do I owe this great pleasure." Jack sat back down again, and played with the cloth in his hand, not looking up at Norrington.

"Well Mr. Sparrow, I…" Norrington got distracted, watching the pirate mess with the material in his hand. "As I said I…" Jack was still not looking at him and it was making him angry. "I've come to tell you that you're hanging date has been set. You will be at the gallows on Thursday."

"Of I see. Delightful." Jack grimaced, brushing his fingers over the sewn letters.

Commodore Norrington continued to stare at Jack, there was something amusing about a pirate holding a pink handkerchief. That's what it was, a handkerchief. Probably got it from some slut in Tortuga.

"Come now Sparrow. Hand it over." James said, extending his arm.

"Hand over what?" Jack questioned, finally looking up.

"What you are holding in your hand?" The commodore stated annoyed

Jack thought slyly to himself. If the commodore finds out, then I'm sure they won't get married. What? What do I care if she gets bloody married? It's not like it matters. She's just a girl mate.

"Oh, this." Jack handed it over nonchalantly.

The commodore glanced down at the initials. E.M.S.

James Norrington was furious. He recognized this handkerchief. He had given it to Elizabeth for her seventeenth birthday. He had a special seamstress design the lettering just for her and put it on pink silk imported from China. And she had given it to Jack.

He squashed the cloth in his fist, and pushed open the bars, almost sprinting out of the Jail.

Jack rushed out of his cabin and looked around deck for Tia Dalma.

"I'm so sorry Captain." A crewmember said who was swabbing the deck.

By now word had gotten out to the crew that Elizabeth had gone missing. Still thinking that the captain and her were engaged, the crew couldn't help but feel sorry for their poor captain. Jack however, was oblivious to the fact that his whole, entire crew thought that he was soon to be married.

"Umm… Thank ye I guess." Jack shook his head as he walked towards Tia Dalma, who he had finally spotted at the stern. Why is my crew being so chatting all of the sudden?

"Jack Sparrow." Tia said knowingly, not bothering to turn her back to the ocean to see who had approached.

"Aye… We should be arriving soon I wager." Jack said trying to make small talk, leaning on the rail next to her.

"Cut the chatter, Sparra'. What is it that you want?" Tia Dalma demanded Jack to get to the point.

"Well," Jack cleared his throat, " it's about Miss Swann…"

Jack tried to seem indifferent. But was unsuccessful. The goddess already knew about what was going on between the pirate captain and the young girl.

"Ah, yes. I was wondering when you would discover her missing." She tilted her head to the side and gave Jack a small smirk. "Aye. I know more den you dink"

Jack stared at her, stunned. How long had she known? Had she really known about his feelings for Elizabeth and not told him that she was missing?

"Tell me why my compass doesn't work?" He replied, pulling in out and into her face, trying to keep up his image. Jack Sparrow does not fall in…

I wouldn't go that far Jack ordered to himself. Pull it together. Before you know it you'll turn into a whelp, kissing her hands and feet. Jack stuck out his tongue, getting a weird glance from Tia Dalma.

"It doesn't work because what you want most in not here." Tia Dalma explained.

"What is that suppose to mean!" He just wanted a straight answer where she was. "Can you please just tell me if we have to bloody return to the locker?" Jack added aggravated by the fact the she wasn't telling him anything he didn't already know. Maybe this is all just a waste of time. He opened his compass and saw that it was pointing wildly in all directions.

"No. Dat will not be necessary."

"Then where is she?" Jack insisted, looking down at the constant spinning arrow. He looked up to meet her eyes and saw that they were blank. He could tell she had no intention of telling him.

Jack walked away, saddened by the fact that he had gotten nowhere. He still didn't know where his Lizzie was. Then a voice called back to him from behind.

"It's not where Captain Sparrow. It's when."

Elizabeth sat out in her garden on a bench, just outside the mansion. The garden was positioned below her bedroom balcony so that she could see her flowers blossoming.

Elizabeth loved her garden. She started it when she was very young, right after she moved from England. It was like her own little world where she could hide away in and pretend. She remembered playing Pirates and Sailors in the garden with Will. She always wanted to be a pirate, while Will preferred to be a sailor.

"Oh come on, Will! Don't be such a pussy!" Elizabeth shouted at him holding a wooden stick as a sword.

Will had refused to play. He said that it was childish of them to still be playing games at 12. He had just become an apprentice at Mr. Brown's Blacksmith shop and was ready to grow up.

"I don't want to play anymore. I'm sick of being the stupid sailor that gets tricked and captured by pirates."

"It's not my fault you fall for everything!" Elizabeth said, trying to hand Will his 'sword'

"Elizabeth, I can't do this anymore! I've got responsibilities now. Mr. Brown is depending on me!" Will whined on.

"Oh, come on. Just this once! I haven't seen you in ages!" Elizabeth insisted, stomping through the flowerbed towards him, thrusting the 'sword' into his hands.

"Avast ye landlubber!" She said, raising the sword above her head.

Will sighed, but gave in.

"Stow it you pirate!" Will lunged forward and they started to duel around the yard.

"Face it boy you don't have a chance." Elizabeth growled, trying to make her voice sound manly.

Will laughed at her attempt.

"Think again, Pirate!" He said before he jumped up on the bench and started attaching her from above.

Elizabeth joined him on bench and they continued to fight until Will knocked the stick out of Elizabeth's hands.

"Parley?" Elizabeth looked down at the stick pointed at her throat, imagining it was a razor sharp sword.

Just then her heard her father call.

"Elizabeth! Come in this house this instant!"

She could hear him walking towards them. She glanced down at the stick and then at Will again.

"Truces!" She yelped before jumping off the bench and pulling him behind a tree to hid.

"Elizabeth, I know you're out here!" The governor exclaimed not seeing the children.

"Shh…" Elizabeth giggled in Will's ear, peaking out behind her tree towards her father.

"You know this is nothing like how a young lady should act Elizabeth. Thinking of pirates as heroes? Playing around all day with a blacksmith? I expected more of you. I can tell you this, once you come back inside this house, there will be no more blacksmiths, no more playing in the garden, and most of all, no more pirates." Her father said sternly before he turned around and walked back inside.

Elizabeth turned to face Will, and found that he was walking away walking away.

"Where are you going?" Elizabeth asked hurt.

"I told you this was a bad idea." He said throwing the stick away. He couldn't see her anymore.

"Will?"

"Listen to your father Miss Swann." Will said turning away, leaving her all alone.

That's when Elizabeth knew her life had changed. She had been forced to grow up from then on. She had lost the little bit of freedom she had. The wonderland that had once brought her fun and adventure, empty, leaving behind only a garden full of trampledflowers.

Elizabeth heard foots steps behind her so she turned to who had come.

"Miss Swann, anyway you can explain this?" Norrington said furiously thrusting the handkerchief into her face.

"What? Where did you get that?" Elizabeth asked amazed, looking down into the pocket of her dress, just now noticing it was missing.

"So how was your picnic today, Elizabeth? Pleasant?" He raged on.

"I… What? Why are you so angry?"

"Oh, I wonder. Could it be the fact that my fiancé lied to me about being with another man!" James said, violently moving his arms.

"I…I don't know what you're talking about…"Elizabeth said nervously. She wanted to break the news softly, not like this! How did he get my handkerchief?

"Oh, I think you do."

Elizabeth was speechless. How had this happened so fast? She had only gone to see Jack once and they didn't even do anything! They were just friends! Right?

"It's not what you think James." She implored

"Oh, isn't it?" He said sarcastically. " That's odd. Then I wonder how Mr. Sparrow came in possession of this!" James threw the cloth at her. She caught it and looked down at it. It was hers of course.

"I have no idea, James. He must have picked it up in the jail after I left." Right after she finished, she regretted what she said. Bugger

"Ah, I see." Norrington said, hurt that his suspicions actually turned out to be true. He began to walk away.

"Where are you going?" She asked startled by his sudden retreat and change of mood.

"I guess this was a bad idea. I knew you could never love me." The commodore said depressed.

"James, I'm sorry." She sympathized, standing up from the bench to go talk to him.

"Maybe I should have just listened to your father." James said out loud almost to himself.

"What?" Elizabeth was confused by his remark. When did her father tell Norrington to propose to her?

"Goodbye Elizabeth. I hope you have the life you've always dreamed of." Norrington left not waiting for a reply.

Elizabeth was shocked. James had left just like Will had many years ago when she lost her freedom. But now it had the reverse affect. She was free! She had nothing holding her back from going out to sea and having an adventure like those she used to make up.

Well, there was Jack. And Will of course. She wanted them both to come with her, but if Will was going to be a prat like he had been when they were younger about pirates, she would forget it.

That's it!!

Will can help me free Jack! He is a Blacksmith after all!

Elizabeth looked up at the sky and noticed that the sun was setting in beautiful shades of orange and pink. She chuckled at how her life had changed in just 24 hours, all because of a dream.

Funny how it all worked out, isn't it?