A/N: Oh my dear readers, I am truly humbled by your devotion to my story! Thank You so much for reading and I truly do apologize for the delay in updating. I've had some very personal problems mixed in with finals and a term paper that unfortunately won't write itself. It's going to be hard for the next 2 weeks to update but I'm not saying I won't because I'm a twisted person and sometimes writing this fic creeps up to the top of my priority list and I forget about everything else, especially when I see amazing reviews like I have been seeing :)! So stay tuned! Again Thank You so much, I'm overwhelmed with Joy that you are all really enjoying this story! Reviews truly do inspire me so keep them up!

This chapter unfortunately is still agnsty (is angsty a word? Lol) but there needs to be much angst and bitterness in order for the ending to be sweet, right? And Ladies n Gents this story is far from over! Many, many surprises ahead! But I'll explain that later for now, On with the show! Some Sparrabethness ahead! Sorry for my long A/N!

Disclaimer: Sadly I still don't :(

Chapter 11

"No one else knows about the dress except you." Jack held his arm steadily aiming the pistol at his father, "what were you thinking? Why did you do it?" he asked through gritted teeth only half expecting any answers.

Captain Teague made no immediate effort to answer his son's interrogations. He moved from the window to his desk and sat down on his chair. Jack followed him with the pistol growing impatient with the slowness of the older man's movements. Finally the older Sparrow spoke, "The dress belongs to her Jacky. She is your wife."

"Only because some stupid paper says so, but if you haven't noticed the woman can barely tolerate me! So I would say regret is definitely in her vocabulary at the moment," Jack spat.

Captain Teague leaned back in his chair and lit a cigar calmly, not paying head to the fact that he currently had a pistol pointed at his head, quietly contemplating his son's words, "Really? Because the expression I saw on her face today when you said I do, wasn't one of regret or even gratitude," he said resolutely, "It was hope Jacky."

Hope? Jack's thoughts traveled back to earlier that day, before he had said I do. When he had seen her closed eyes and thought she was regretting the marriage, but when she opened her eyes something in them had made his heart melt. Something about those golden orbs spoke out to him and only for a moment he had allowed himself to believe it was something more than regret. Dare he say that a spark of hope had ignited within him as well, so without giving it a second thought he took a leap of faith and said I do. The smile that had spread on her delicate lips at his answer was worth everything he knew he had just given up, well at least until the kiss was brought up and terrible memories had returned. Then whatever it was that Jack thought he had seen in her eyes was gone, replaced by anger, but why had she been so upset? Jack lowered his pistol knowing he wasn't going to shoot the frustrating man and returned his attention to his father, "We're only married because it's benefiting for her."

"Is that so? It's hard to believe that you would commit yourself to a purpose without it being beneficial for you as well. Are you certain you're not getting something in return?" Though Captain Teague's face remained expressionless Jack caught the hint of amusement in his tone.

Jack was now annoyed, he had come here to threaten his father and get some answers, but now his father was the one interrogating him, "That is besides the point," he said ignoring his father's question, "you took the dress from my room and sent it to her when I had taken back every intention on giving it to her!" Jack aimed his pistol at his father again in attempt at regaining control, "Why?"

Captain Teague stood up from his chair and stood defiantly against Jack's pistol. "Before Elizabeth you had never imagined anyone in that dress and the fact that you even contemplated giving it to her makes her the owner of it! Jacky we both know that you'll never see another woman in that dress because in your heart you've attached her image to it."

Jack bit his lip, the old man was right and he hated it. It annoyed him at how well his father always seemed to know him even though they never had a close relationship. Aside from himself, Teague was the only other person to know the meaning of that dress, and he was also the only person that apparently he couldn't hide his true feelings from. "You still had no right." Jack lowered his pistol, turned his back to his father and began to walk away. He needed to get out of there, being read like an open book never sat well with Jack.

Teague watched his son walk away and his own advice echoed in his ears. Just as Jack was at the door he gathered the courage and took the advice he had given his son earlier that day, "Don't push it away Jacky."

Jack stopped and looked over his shoulder at his father but didn't say anything, just showed he was listening.

"If you ignore love, it will take away everything you ever care about. It will destroy you."

The sincerity in Teague's words touched Jack in a way he never thought anything his father would ever say to him would. Sometimes being strong means letting your pride down and then it all made sense. After realizing what his father had done and why, there was a moment of profound understanding between the two Sparrow men. Their failed history of father and son was a bit clearer as to why yet still many questions remained. Questions that for the moment would have to wait but for the first time in his life Jack felt a bond with his father and he couldn't conjure up the emotions to be angry with him for meddling in his life. Jack nodded taking what his father said into consideration before finally answering, "She's in love with someone else," and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Teague lowered his head understanding his son's pain.

Jack stepped out into the cool breeze of the night and began the walk back to his room. His whole life he had always been two, three, ten steps ahead of everyone. Adventure is what he lived for and freedom is what he strived for. All he ever needed to be happy was the Black Pearl, lots of rum, and the ocean. There were never any doubts as to what he wanted and he never had to fight for anyone but himself. That all ended the day he rescued her in Port Royal. Back then he had no idea that she would be the cause of his death, had he known he would have let her drown, right?

He let out an exasperated breath. Truth was he had no idea what he was doing these days. His mind was telling him one thing but his heart was telling him another and lately his heart had been winning. Never in his life had he ever done anything with his heart, let alone let it make important decisions about his life. It was always mind over matter with him, always in control of his feelings, of what he wanted, but now he was overcome with feelings that were to powerful. Here he was, married, and to his murderer no less all because he couldn't conquer the battle within himself. He felt lost and confused and found that since he had arrived to Shipwreck Island he spent more time thinking about her than anything else, he couldn't even formulate a proper plan to go after the Pearl without his thoughts being invaded with everything that was Elizabeth. Whenever he was around Elizabeth he walked a thin line between love and hate. Sometimes being with her felt so right, when they weren't fighting of course, but then when her skin flushed red and her nostrils flared he felt as though he could kill her. The woman was insufferable yet her beauty was unforgivable.

He stopped in front of the docs and in the distance he spotted the Crimson Dahlia. She was ready to set sail whenever he chose too, but something was holding him back. A brief memory of Elizabeth's warm, moist lips touching his consumed Jack's thoughts. He didn't understand, she kissed him as if there was no one else but him in her heart, but then she turns and claims that she only loves Will? By all means, Jack understood the art of kissing women with passion as if they were the only ones that mattered to him but of every woman Jack had ever kissed he never kissed anyone like he kissed Elizabeth. When he is with her it isn't only want, it's a need, a need for the warmth of her skin, for the graze of her touch, for the sweetness of her tongue, a need that never goes away and taunts him everyday of his life. It killed him to think that he would never have Elizabeth. That she would never be capable of feeling for him the way he felt for her. Then something clicked, there were tears in her eyes earlier when she had found out that he hadn't sent her the dress. Why did she cry? Jack replayed the scene a few times in his head when suddenly his father's words came to him "wasn't gratitude or even regret. It was hope." "Hope?" Jack felt the all too familiar feeling rising in his belly. Was it possible for Elizabeth to be sharing her heart between two men, but just won't admit it? Could it be that somewhere deep inside, hidden between all those feelings for the whelp she could in fact care for him? Jack couldn't stand it anymore, he needed to know. He needed to know if her heart held any feelings for him because not knowing was turning him into a person he wasn't. Not knowing was driving him mad. He needed to know so that he may finally move on with his life whether it was with her or not.

Without rationalizing the situation Jack quickened his step and headed for the Galleon Structure. Upon arriving he immediately seeked out the stairs and began to climb flights until he had passed his floor and was a few steps away from Elizabeth's door. Without hesitation and plenty of determination he pushed her room door open and barged in, "Just tell me something Elizabeth…"

Elizabeth, who had been in the process of undressing, shrieked and quickly gathered her shirt covering her breasts and spun to see Jack charging towards her. "Jack! What are you doing? Haven't you ever heard of knocking? Get out!" she yelled. Elizabeth's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Jack paid no attention to her pleas nor her current state of inappropriate dress, or lack there of, frankly at the moment he didn't even care that Elizabeth was standing half naked in front of him, "…why did you rescue me from the locker?" he blurted out not wasting another moment.

Elizabeth froze at the unexpected question, "You know why," she made it sound as though it were ridiculous that Jack would even be asking this question, "the Nine Pirate Lords were needed alive to free Calypso."

Jack rolled his eyes, "Yes that's what you all told me. I know that was Barbossa's main reason and Will's was the need of me ship but now I want to know your reason? Why did you risk your life to rescue me from the locker?"

Elizabeth's breaths began to quicken, she was beginning to feel cornered, "Jack I already told…"

"No Elizabeth! I want to know what you're not telling me!"

Elizabeth searched his eyes, "I-I beg your pardon?"

Jack inched closer to her, "Why did you come back for me?"

His tone was now soft and low and for a moment Elizabeth thought she had heard a hint of desperation in his voice, but her heart was pounding so hard in her chest at him being so close that she wasn't sure. Suddenly realizing where this conversation was going, she took a step back turning to walk to the other side of the room, "Jack you're a…friend. If there was…" but a strong hand gripped her wrist and pulled her back towards him.

Jack crashed his lips upon hers before she could finish what she was going to say and as he had suspected Elizabeth wasn't pushing him away. In fact she was kissing him eagerly, wrapping both her arms around his neck letting the thin shirt she had use to cover her breasts fall to the floor. The feeling of Jack's rough hands against her bare back aroused her desire but the kiss lasted no longer than a few more seconds before Jack gently cupped her face and broke the kiss. It pained him to do so, now that he had her so close he just wanted to continue kissing her. He tenderly held her face in his hands trying desperately not to look at her lips, or lower at her bare breasts, which he was slowly becoming aware of, as he whispered, "Friends don't kiss the way we do Elizabeth."

Elizabeth sighed closing her eyes. She knew in heart of hearts that she was giving into him this is wrong. How much more are you going to hurt Will? Gently she reached to remove Jack's hands from her face, holding them tightly in front of her, "What do you want me to say Jack?" she whispered brokenly, she slowly opened her eyes, "That I rescued you from the locker because…" she paused, looking deeper into his eyes, "I love you?" Her heart skipped a beat. It was there, at that moment, looking into his eyes that the truth dawned on her. A truth she had been fighting so hard to deny and it startled her. Now aware that she was still holding his hand, she yanked hers away and took another step back. She needed him to stop looking at her that way. She needed to stop herself because…No! I don't love Jack, she reprimanded herself, that is absurd, I Love Will. Will, he is the one you love she reminded herself hoping to gain strength by the words.

Jack matched her step, stepping even closer to her, looking her over with desire clear in his eyes, "I'd say it wouldn't be too far from the truth."

He brushed her cheek with his fingertips and Elizabeth almost gave into his touch. She felt his eyes travel over her indulging her but after a few seconds she realized that the reason why their was desire in his eyes was because her breasts were fully exposed. Her eyes widened and she quickly bent to retrieve the shirt from the floor and covered her breasts once again. Managing to put on an offended/disgusted look she yelled, "Of course it would be!" She slapped his hand from her face trying not to let her embarrassment show and finally coming to what she thought were her senses, "Far from the truth!", taking yet another step away from him, "I went to the locker because that is where Will was going and my place was…is with him!" she scowled finally feeling in control of herself.

Jack swallowed hard. Her last statement had really hit him in the gut changing his mood completely. "So then," his voice deepened, it was almost a growl, "rescuing me had nothing to do with redeeming yourself for murdering me?"

Elizabeth's eyes went wide and her sun kissed skin paled. Tears slowly began gathering at the bases of her lids as she remembered. She knew one day she would have to face the fact that she had murdered Jack and frankly she wasn't ready for that moment to be now. How could anyone be ready to face the person they murdered? Even now having him in front of her, knowing that he was alive, it was still too painful. The betrayal she had unleashed upon him was one that would haunt her forever. Her lip shivered, "O-Of course I felt horrible Jack," she felt her voice about to break so she paused, gathered herself and then, continued, "but I did it to save us, to save the crew, to save Will. I did what I had to do!" Elizabeth choked on the words and hated herself for even saying them, but she couldn't admit that she went back to the locker because she missed him, because she couldn't live her life without knowing he was ok. She couldn't allow herself to feel anything for Jack. She had made a promise to Will and she was going to keep it, no matter how much it hurt.

Jack could almost feel the knives stabbing into his back, "So still no regrets then?" but he needed to know.

Elizabeth wanted to throw herself at his feet and beg him for forgiveness, but she couldn't do that without getting close to him and that would lead to other things that she could never do with Jack again. Will, be strong for Will, keeping Jack at arms length was her only hope in keeping her promise to Will. She blinked back tears as she looked away, she couldn't stand to look him in the eyes and lie, struggling to keep her mouth straight she finally said, "No."

But Jack saw the truth. It was in her eyes, it was in her kiss, it had been all along, she did care about him. Only he knew Elizabeth wasn't going to allow herself to admit anything because of the love she had for the blasted whelp. Whatever it was that she felt for Jack was never going to be enough for her to let go of Will and live a life with him. Will would always dominate her heart and it killed him. He took one more step forward until he came face to face with her again. His eyes bore into hers as he lifted his chin. Jack looked down his nose at her, "Now who's being the coward?" He stood a moment longer, now knowing his place in her heart he knew what he had to do. He turned around and left her room.

It was like a slap in the face. Elizabeth raised her hand to her mouth and gasped. Tears began falling down her cheeks uncontrollably and she fell to the floor holding on tightly to the shirt covering her breasts. Her tears turned into loud sobs as she realized the truth of Jack's words.