Hello! I am so excited to get this chapter out! I was waiting until I had most of the ending complete before posting it. So I can say with certainly that ch. 11 will be out soon, since it is already complete, and then we will wrap it up with ch. 12!

I hope you all enjoy this one!

Chapter 10

The blinding light was almost unbearable as Caroline slowly awoke. Groaning as she turned her face away, she clung tighter as she tried to hold on to sleep. Any attempt ended when she was pushed up suddenly. Blinking in confusion, she glanced around coming face to face with Jack. Before a word was said or she could even process why she was looking at Jack, Jack looked over simultaneously as she spotted the same sight over his shoulder.

Filling the air was a giant plume of smoke, drifting up high above the tree line as a mass of flames could be seen underneath burning through the trees. As she looked back at Jack, she could see the panic as he realized what was happening. Jumping to his feet, Caroline gracelessly tumbled to the ground as he sprinted towards the fire.

Groaning from the rude awakening, Caroline carefully climbed to her feet, pressing a hand to her temple as her head throbbed from the motion. Settling on a slower pace, she reached the fire just as Elizabeth threw another barrel onto it, resulting in an explosion. Cringing from the noise, she dropped back down to sit, head pressed to her hands as she blocked out what she could.

How was it that Jack managed to run around unhindered after drinking even more than her while she was in crippling pain?

"No! Not good! Stop! Not good!" He shouted as he ran up to Elizabeth. "What are you doing? You've burned all the food, the shade, the rum!"

Turning swiftly on him with a glare, Elizabeth shot back. "Yes, the rum is gone." And as if to prove her point, another barrel exploded from within the fire.

"Why's the rum gone?" Jack cried.

"One, because it is a vile drink that turns even the most respectable men into complete scoundrels. Two," she pointed towards the sky blocked out by the smoke. "That signal is over a thousand feet high. The entire Royal Navy is out looking for me and Caroline. Do you really think that there's even the slightest chance that they won't see it?"

Not caring about the rest of her words, Jack repeated, "but why's the rum gone?"

"Just wait, Captain Sparrow. You give it one hour, maybe two, keep a weather eye open and you will see white sails on that horizon!" Done with her statement, Elizabeth walked back towards the ocean and sat down, waiting.

Why they needed to keep yelling was beyond her. Caroline growled under her breath as she turned to face them, just in time to see Jack pull out his pistol, seemingly thinking about shooting Elizabeth. Ending that thought, he put it away and walked off, stomping down the beach.

Unwilling to speak to either of them, Caroline went back to her original spot and sat down, head bowed as she tried to block out the smell of burning rum and trees.

It was just as Elizabeth had expected. Not much time had passed before they saw it. Off shore, a navy ship appeared and before they knew it, they were aboard the HMS Dauntless. Caroline hadn't imagined that she would set foot on that ship again, yet here she was. Navy officers moved about quickly as they prepared to set sail.

Elizabeth had been the first to climb aboard, followed by Caroline, and last was Jack who had the pleasure of being escorted by officers the second his feet touched down. Though it was pleasant to be back on a ship as opposed to marooned on an island, it would have been better if she weren't still feeling like death. And the ship was loud. Far louder than the island due to all the voices of the crew, creating a never-ending noise to add to her aching head.

"Elizabeth! Thank goodness you're alright," Governor Swann said the second she was over the railing and back on deck. Pulling her towards him, he looked over her for injuries.

"Yes, it is a relief that you are alright," Norrington said as he stepped up, "both of you," he added once Caroline was beside them. "Now that you are safe, we can leave for Port Royal."

"No," Elizabeth cut in. "We can't go back yet. Will risked his life to save us."

"Surely there's something we can do," Caroline added, pushing aside her discomfort. "If it weren't for Will, we would still be locked up on the Black Pearl."

Despite their words, Gov. Swann was not giving in. "It is not up for discussion. Let us just get on our way."

"That would be best," suddenly cut in another voice as they walked up from behind the group, causing Caroline to freeze. "If you gentlemen don't mind, I would like to speak privately with Caroline."

With her heart dropping, she turned around to face Rear-Admiral Samuel Palmer. "Hello, father." Suddenly realizing what she looked like, dressed like a man, hung over, and warn out, she knew whatever conversation he had in mind would not be in her favor.

Any words after that were held off as he grabbed her arm, dragging her off to a private room in the captain's quarters. The second the door shut; she felt his hand hit her face before she could even prepare herself. Out of sight of prying eyes, the rage was clear on his face as he stared down at her.

Caroline said nothing as she pressed her palm to her cheek.

"How dare you force me to take a leave and come chasing after you. And to run off with a pirate? For what?" he snapped.

"Elizabeth is like family," she said quietly, "I had to help."

"She is not family and you're becoming a disgraced to our family. I should disown you for what you have done."

Stepping forward, she glared at him, not willing to be pushed around. With a cold bite to her words, she spoke as calmly as she could. "She is more family than you are. I would do anything for her, yet you've been unwilling to even look at him in years. I was disowned years ago. I haven't been your daughter since we lost mother. I'm only your daughter by name, otherwise you would have done more for me. Instead, you left me in Port Royal and simply paid enough to keep up appearances."

"You ungrateful child! I gave you everything you could possibly need and you had the freedom to do as you pleased while there, yet instead I find you like this." With a quick sweep of his hand, he scowled at her appearance, stepping forward far enough that she had to step back. "Acting like a pirate, reeking of alcohol, and running around with men, completely unsupervised. What did you think would come about from this?"

Caroline shook her head quickly, though she couldn't stop from cringing at the motion. "Nothing happened, and once this was all over, I was always going to return to Port Royal. It will be just like before."

"No, it will not. You have embarrassed me enough with this stunt. Once I go back to my station, I will have to explain what has happened."

Unwilling to reply, she stood silently for a moment. "As always, your work and your name will always be held above me. I'm sorry if it is because I look like her or I remind you of her. Whatever the reasoning is that you will never share with me, I can't help it."

Her father scoffed at her words and walked towards the door. "Until we are back home, I suggest you think about what you are doing with your life. If you continue acting like a pirate, you will be treated as such and you can join Jack Sparrow when we reach land."

At once, her face blanched at those words, shocked that he would willingly say such a thing to her. To threaten his own daughter. Barely able to speak loud enough to be heard, she finally asked, "you would truly see me hanged?"

"I will not see this family ruined by piracy," he finished before he opened the door to head out. Pausing by the door, he waited for her to move before grabbing her, leading her out himself in order to move on. "I shall go see what has been decided. Stay out of the way while on board."

The lively atmosphere of the Dauntless was nearly suffocating to Caroline as she stood along the railing, mute. The stress of the conversation on top of her hang over left an overwhelming pressure in her skull. She had only been awake a short time and yet the morning was turning into the worst of her life. Being rescued should not come with a death threat.

As she stood there in her thoughts, she couldn't help but cast a glance across the ship, seeking out a certain figure. He was easy to spot amongst the clean-cut uniforms onboard. Standing near the helm, Jack seemed to be giving them directions of some sort as he explained something. With that sight, she couldn't help but wonder if things had gone the way Elizabeth wanted. No one had spoken to her since she came back out on deck. And speaking to Jack suddenly seemed like a bad decision, though one she desperately wanted to make.

Taking a deep breath, she turned around and looked out at the ocean, trying to find some peace from it. Nothing seemed to help. Stuck on repeat, all she could do was relive the conversation with her father and focus on all the times she had made it worse, rather than just letting him get his thoughts out and accept it willingly. What had she been thinking, pushing him like that?

"There you are!" Elizabeth called as she walked up to Caroline, propping her arms up on the railing to stand beside her. "Norrington has agreed to find Will. We are heading back to Isla de Muerta."

Caroline couldn't help but pick up the peculiar tone she spoke those words with. Turning to get a better look at her face, she asked, "You don't sound as happy as I would have imagined. What happened?"

Immediately, Elizabeth's eyes locked onto her face and she paled, realizing she most likely had a red mark on her cheek. Elizabeth didn't pry, however, answering her question instead. "I… accepted Norrington's proposal."

"What?" she cried, heart breaking for her friend. Before all this, she would have understood her accepting the proposal. It would be expected, but after everything Will has gone through to save her? It was clear how deeply the two cared for each other. "What about Will? Is that truly the choice you want to live with?"

"If it means Will gets to live, then yes," she admitted quietly. "James is a good man. There are worse men to be with."

Caroline pursed her lips before she spoke again. "Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?"

She sighed as her shoulders slumped. "What else can I do?"

"There is not much any of us can do," she muttered as she considered how trapped they both seemed to be.

"I'm sorry," she suddenly said. "I didn't realize your father would have been here as well. Am I right to assume he was not happy?"

"That is putting it lightly. I-" she sighed, cutting herself off. "I need time to think over everything still."

Elizabeth placed her hand on her shoulder in comfort. "You know I am always here, Lena."

Smiling for the first time since stepping on the boat, even if it was a small one, she felt happy knowing she at least had her friend beside her. "Thank you, Lizzy."

The two girls stood side by side as they enjoyed the ocean air, listening to the ocean crashing against the ship. Caroline closed her eyes as she draped her arms further over the railing before she peered around her quietly. To her delight, no one was paying them any attention now that orders had been given. "I wanted to talk to you… about last night." Keeping her voice low as to not draw attention, she waited for Elizabeth's focus to shift back to her.

She nodded once but said nothing, almost making Caroline nervous about what she might hear if she continued with the questions in her head. "I'm sorry I lost sight of the plan last night. I shouldn't have indulged in so many drinks."

"Thankfully I didn't need help," Elizabeth said as she looked back towards the ocean. "While your indulgence helped keep Jack distracted, I hadn't intended for you to be the main distraction for him."

Confused by her words, she leaned over to try to get her attention, though it helped little. "What do you mean?"

"Your conversations with Jack last night. I suspected that you liked him but I have to wonder what you would have said and done if I hadn't been there."

"I don't understand," she said slowly, raking her brain as she tried to piece together what she was talking about. She couldn't remember what she was talking about. Then again, there wasn't much she did remember in detail after she had truly started drinking. "I don't remember any conversations. At least, not much. I remember laughing, dancing, singing. What did Jack and I talk about?"

Elizabeth was quiet as she studied her. "Perhaps you need to ask Jack."

Quickly shaking her head, she shot down the idea. "Absolutely not. I already embarrass myself enough in front of him. I don't need to make myself look like more of a fool in front of him than I already do."

"Why would he think you're a fool?"

"I… It's just… I just know, alright? Trust me. I'm the one that has been dealing with him for over a week without end."

Skeptical, Elizabeth didn't let it go. "No. I still believe that you should talk to him. If you are this flustered over it then you need to talk to him."

"Why?" she asked lamely.

"Because you seem to care about him," she said exasperatedly. "I don't approve but I think you need to talk to him before we return to Port Royal and you no longer have a choice."

Waving her hand to dismiss the conversation, ignoring the flush of her cheeks, she looked away from Elizabeth. "That is not necessary, nor possible at the moment, might I add," as she gestured towards the soldiers surrounding Jack at every moment.

With a look that screamed she was scheming, Elizabeth said, "I think I have an idea."

"Ahh, if it isn't Miss Swann and Miss Palmer. Come to enjoy more of my company?" Jack asked, grinning from his spot between Mullroy and Murtogg.

"No," Elizabeth shot him down instantly, looking between his guards. "I wanted an opinion on something," she paused with a particular look from Jack then back to the two. "Preferably without him listening," she hinted.

"As it's our duty to watch him, I'm afraid that can't be done," Mullroy said as he stood taller.

"Surely you can step aside for just a bit. What can he do trapped on this ship?" she continued innocently.

Murtogg shook his head, glancing wearily at Jack. "I don't think so, ladies."

Caroline quickly jumped in, eager for their plan to work. "We just need a moment. He can still stay in sight." She paused as if thinking of a new idea, "Actually, Elizabeth can talk to you. And if it is alright with you fine officers, I can stay here and make sure he doesn't overhear anything," she added.

Thankfully, it seemed Jack was quick to pick up on their plan. "Promise on my life, no eavesdropping. And as Lena so graciously offered, she can stay and help keep me in line."

The pair of men seemed reluctant before finally agreeing. "Fine, but we're still keeping an eye on you," they promised as they walked off with Elizabeth.

Left on their own, Caroline shifted uncomfortably as Jack took a step closer. Unsure of his intentions, she remained still until she felt his fingers brush against her cheek. She had forgotten about the hit earlier, assuming what redness was there had faded, but apparently that wasn't the case.

"I see you received as warm a welcome from Mr. Palmer as I did," he said as he dropped his hand back down to his side.

Pursing her lips, she shrugged as she looked at the water briefly, trying to push aside everything she was feeling. "He wasn't very fond of my recent behavior," she said simply before she finally looked back at him. "I guess you had the pleasure of meeting him."

"Yes, very charming as he promised to see me hanging from the gallows."

She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, going back to his threat to her. "I'm sorry. If I hadn't come along, he wouldn't be here either."

Jack leaned against the railing as he shrugged, unbothered. "Wouldn't have changed where I am now. Besides, I wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun of your company," he teased.

"That may be so, but you would also have been fine without it."

Rolling his eyes, Jack leaned forward again, close enough she could feel his breath as he spoke. "I thought we already established this last night."

She flushed at the words, embarrassed from both his statement and proximity, already feeling her heart beating faster. Shifting her balance before she spoke, she confessed, "I don't… remember much from last night."

Jack chuckled, though she could tell it was restrained as to not draw too much attention. "Guess we better limit you on the rum next time."

"No. No next time," she hissed, trying to keep from crying out. "First, we're now on under the Navy's watch. This is where the adventure ends. Second, I am not going through how I felt this morning for a second time."

Jack wagged a finger in her face as he leaned forward. "You just have to get used to it. And that's not what you said last night."

Crossing her arms, she huffed in annoyance. "I just told you, I don't remember."

"Then let me refresh your mind," he said, running his fingers through the end of her hair, resting near her shoulder. "You were thinking about taking up my offer. And now I see why."

"No…" she said slowly, wishing desperately that she remembered even a moment of this apparent conversation. "Even while drinking, I wouldn't take you up on that offer. I can't do that."

"But you want to," he said knowingly.

Shifting her eyes around, she glanced at the still distracted group just paces away from them. Elizabeth was no help. Not wanting to see the end of the conversation, she almost considered fleeing and letting it end there. It seemed Jack could read it on her face though. He stepped in front of her, placing her between himself and the railing as he looked down at her. "What are you afraid of?"

She shifted back, unable to go anywhere as she stared back at him, silent as she looked for an answer. An answer she was willing to admit. "There are repercussions of making that choice," she said quietly. "My father made that clear. He will sooner see me hanged than become a pirate."

"Are you ready to go back to your fine dresses and put the sword away? If not, then say it. What do you want, Lena?"

"I want to stay here." The confusion was immediate on his face, before she went on. "With you. Once you get your ship back."

With an infectious grin she couldn't help but return, he said, "then leave the rest to me."

Nodding, she couldn't deny the swelling in her chest as she realized how much she meant those words. Possibly a little too much. Neither had time to think or say anything else though as their time together ended. Murtogg and Mullroy walked back with Elizabeth following, an apologetic look on her face that she couldn't keep them talking longer.

Accepting the end of their conversation, Caroline nodded towards Jack as she whispered, "I trust you," and walked off with Elizabeth.