I deleted chapter 5 and rewrote it. Sorry, I just didn't like it anymore. I made it way, way longer and tweaked some things. We are almost to the finish of Curse of the Black Pearl! Also I just uploaded this version for about the hundredth time now because my page breaks aren't showing up and it is super annoying. I improvised a little. Please leave me alone it is stressing me out.

Chapter 5

Night had fallen as The Pearl continued to give chase. Jack stood at the bow of the ship with her face turned to the wind. How glorious it was, to be back with her Pearl! The moment of solitude was interrupted as she heard footsteps approach behind her. Jack turned, eyeing Barbossa suspiciously as he approached. He stood quietly beside her, gazing up at the stars. The night was clear and cool and Jack shivered a bit in the breeze. The deck was silent save for the creaking of the lines and the gentle lapping of waves against the hull.

Barbossa suddenly reached an arm out, pointing to the heavens. "Ye see that one there, Jack?" he asked, pointing to a star.

"No." she replied sullenly, unwilling to cooperate.

Barbossa rolled his eyes but moved to step behind her. His breath tickled her neck as he leaned in closer, pointing over her shoulder at a star hanging low above the horizon.

"That one. That is the head of the virgin maiden Virgo. The rest of 'er extends up," his arm moved up, pointing to another star, "and over."

"I know," she said. "You've shown me that one before."

I will kiss you under every star in the sky...

"Oh? Have I? Must've forgotten."

Jack tsked. "Really, Hector, you're getting old."

His hand brushed hers as a cool wind swept across the deck. Jack shivered as she met his gaze. His thumb was brushing small circles along the back of her hand as he took it in his larger one. He moved closer.

"Are ye cold?"

Jack shook her head silently, dizzy from the feelings that were stirring inside her. He leaned closer still.

"Are ye lyin' te me? Because I fer certain know of a way to keep ye warm…" he said, voice dropping low and quiet.

She stiffened and Hector hesitated, inches from her lips.

"Jack?" He implored softly.

Her breath echoed hollowly around her head.

"Jack," came his voice again.

Jack pulled away and the hands and warmth left her. She leaned on the rail, breathing slowly. The black cloud swirled at the edges of her mind until she could no longer see.

"You're cold eh? I know something that will warm you up…"

Her scream echoed across the empty waters as the brand burned into her skin.

Jack opened her eyes. Her nails were digging into the wood of the rail. Barbossa was watching her through narrowed eyes. Jack forced her breathing to slow and even, and carefully unclenched her hands.

"Jack," he said. His voice was low again but held a note of warning. "Mind tellin' me what that be about?"

"Wot?" she asked lightly.

"Ye were mutterin' in Creole."

"You really must be losing it, if you think that's what you're hearing-"

"Don't play games with me. I know what I heard, and ye were speakin' the slave tongue."

He watched her carefully. A shadow passed over her face and her eyes darkened. She turned away from him, refusing to say another word.

"Jack-" he said, taking a step closer and reached out.

"Don't touch me," she said coldly. Once again she turned from him and walked away into the night.

Hector didn't see her the rest of the night, though it didn't take him long to find out where she went.

The wench had locked him out of his own cabin.

He stood, incredulous, outside of the door for several minutes, debating on whether or not he should break it down, before stomping away to scavenge up a spare hammock and sleep below deck with the crew like a common deckhand.

The Interceptor was well within sight and seemed to be in a panic, if the tossed goods floating by were any indication. Hector took out his spyglass and was quite startled to find Jack munching on an apple, blocking his view.

"So," she said in between bites of the apple. "I'm having a thought here."

"Aye?"

"What say we run up a flag of truce, I scurry on over to The Interceptor, secure your medallion, and be on my merry way?"

Hector smiled devilishly. "What say the next time ye decide to steal me bed, I had better be joinin' ye in it?"

Jack's face flushed in a way he found most pleasant. She sputtered for a moment before he turned dismissively.

"Lock her in the brig."

"Wha- hey! Get your meaty hands off me!" Jack screeched in outrage.

Two crew member grabbed her and dragged her unceremoniously into the belly of the ship. A few feet of water covered the floor of the cell and sloshed around as The Pearl rocked.

All too soon she heard cannon fire just above her head and she ducked as one came rocketing through the wall of her cell. Her ears rang as she bent down and picked up a familiar flask.

Jack grinned. "Bless you, Gibbs," she said as she tipped it back. Nothing came out. She swore violently before pocketing it.

Another blast of cannon fire rocked the ship, and she yelped in outrage. "STOP BLOWING HOLES IN MY SHIP, YOU SENSELESS BILGE RATS!"

The sound of metal creaked behind her, and she turned to see the cell door swing open.

"Oh."

Jack wasted no time in hurrying back to the main deck. Pirates from both ships were swinging from ropes, cursing and fighting. Gunfire boomed around her, and she stayed low as she grabbed a rope and swung back to The Interceptor.

"Jack! You're alive!"

Jack ignored Gibbs' exclamation and tossed him the flask. "Bloody empty," she groused.

She quickly swiped a sword from a fallen pirate and joined the fray. She needed to find Will. She needed that medallion. It was the only way she could take down Hector.

Jack stopped, mildly confused. Was she still sure…? Did she really want to kill him? She shook her head. Stay focused. Think about mushy things later.

Eventually Jack found herself fighting alongside Elizabeth, who looked shocked to see her. Jack pulled her down behind a barrel.

"Where's the medallion?" Elizabeth pressed her lips into a thin line. Jack raised an eyebrow. "Come to think of it, I don't see dear William anywhere either."

"Will!" Elizabeth exclaimed, jumping up to search for him.

Jack sighed. She was getting tired of this nonsense. A screech overhead made her look up. There, swinging through the rigging with the medallion clutched in its tiny hand, was Barbossa's monkey.

Jack quickly followed it back across the gangplank to The Pearl. Just as she reached out to grab it, she was stopped by a large, heavy black boot.

"Ah, thank ye, Jack."

Jack stood and hastily brushed herself off. "You're very welcome," she replied stiffly.

"Not you, I named the monkey Jack."

She rolled her eyes. "Of course you did."

Barbossa turned back to his crew. "Gents, our hope is restored!"

The crew roared in response. Before long, the crew of The Interceptor was tied up against the mast. Will was still missing as The Interceptor exploded. Well, if he was dead, then at least Barbossa's curse could never be broke. But that also meant Jack could never kill him. Drat.

Elizabeth thrashed free, screaming for Will. She was soon at the mercy of the crew. Jack launched forward snarling but was jerked back as an arm snaked about her waist. Barbossa held her fast even as she struggled to free herself from his grip, her only thought of getting to Elizabeth.

"Stop!"

Everyone froze as Will stood, dripping wet, on the rail of the ship. Jack relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief. She pulled herself free from Barbossa's arms as Will pointed his gun. Stupid whelp. He knew about the curse.

"Elizabeth goes free!" He demanded, waving the gun about.

Barbossa squinted up at him. "What's in yer head boy? Ye've only got one shot, and we can't die."

"I want Jack and Elizabeth to walk free," he repeated firmly.

Barbossa shook his head incredulously. "Who are you?"

Oh no. Please, please don't do anything stupid.

Will cocked the pistol, and pointed it at himself. "I am the son, and only son, of Bootstrap Bill Turner. His blood runs in my veins. You may not be able to die, but I can."

The crew murmured restlessly. "He's the spittin' image of Bootstrap! He's come back to haunt us!"

Will waved the gun around some more. "On my word, do as I say or I'll pull the trigger, and be lost to Davy Jones Locker!"

"Name yer terms, Mr. Turner."

"Jack and Elizabeth are to go free."

Barbossa rolled his eyes. "Yes, anything else?"

Jack gestured wildly to herself and the ship. She wanted her bloody ship back!

"And the crew. The crew are not to be harmed."

Barbossa grinned. "Agreed."

Jack found herself with her hands bound, staring at a very familiar island. Panic bloomed in her chest as she took in the shoreline and single grove of trees.

Elizabeth walked unsteadily down the plank. Jack turned to Will. "This is your fault."

As Elizabeth prepared to jump, Jack turned to Gibbs. "I don't believe I can survive another trip if it's anything like the last one."

Gibbs shook his head. "We'll come fer ya Jack. We'll come back. We will not leave ya."

Jack closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, the steely glint with the lopsided grin was back. She was Jack bloody Sparrow. She could conquer anything.

Hector heard her whispering to Gibbs, and a shadow of doubt crossed his mind. He didn't really want to do this, but also didn't have a choice. The curse was urging him on, clouding his mind. But he swore, he swore that the minute the curse was broke, he would come for her. He would come back. He would just have to hope that Jack would forgive him.

Jack stumbled up the beach just behind Elizabeth, sword and pistol clutched tightly between her bound hands. Elizabeth cautiously approached.

"I won't bite, love. Help me with these bindings."

Elizabeth carefully used Jack's sword to cut the ties. Once free, Jack rubbed her wrists before plopping down on the sand. She watched mournfully as her ship, her beautiful beloved ship sailed off and disappeared into the sunset.

"This is the second time I've had to watch that man sail away with my ship, and this is the same island I watched it from."

Elizabeth bit her lip. "We need to find a way off this island. Will needs us!"

Jack snorted. "The whelp will be fine for a few days. For now," she said, hauling herself up and walking over to the trees, "I need me some rum."

Jack carefully measured the steps to the underground hideaway. Upon inspection, it was obvious it hadn't been used in years. Mostly thanks to her, as the rum runners and slave traders that used this island were now dead.

She didn't want to think about that.

Pulling out a bottle for herself and Elizabeth, Jack explained how she had been picked up off the island.

"Back ten some years ago, rum runners and slave traders used this island as a cache and restock. But now thanks to your friend Norrington, it looks like they've long been out of business. We won't be going anywhere for some time, love."

Elizabeth took the bottle Jack offered. "So that's it? We'll just sit around a drink rum?"

Jack was already walking back to the beach. "Welcome to the Caribbean!"

Together Jack and Elizabeth had gathered supplies to build a roaring fire. The stars filled the sky and waves lapped gently at the shore. If they hadn't been marooned here, Jack would actually be enjoying it.

"So," Elizabeth said, her words slurring a little. "What's your real name?"

Jack trusted Elizabeth, for reasons she couldn't name. She felt a connection to the younger woman. Also, she was very, very drunk, and couldn't seem to keep her tongue still.

"Jacklyn Teague. My father is Edward Teague."

Elizabeth choked on her rum. "What?! I've heard of him! You're his daughter?"

"Aye, that I am. And what about you? What's your story?"

"Elizabeth Swann. Recently captured by bloodthirsty pirates. Daughter of the Governor of Port Royal."

Jack laughed and took another swig. "And what about dearest William? Your betrothed?"

"Hardly. I was proposed to by Commodore Norrington, but was interrupted from answering by falling off a cliff."

"Oh! So there's more than one! And what do we think of the good Commodore Norrington? Besides the part where he wants to see me hang, of course."

"James...well, he's well off, and strong and handsome...but I don't love him," she explained. "Will and I have known each other since we were children. That's how I found the medallion. I thought it was just a pirate medallion. I thought he was a pirate. I love Will and would do anything to save him, but I don't know if I can marry him. My father won't allow it."

"Elizabeth, you've only got one shot at this. Do what you want. You don't get second chances."

Elizabeth looked at Jack curiously. "And what of you? Is it Mrs. Jacklyn Sparrow?"

Jack laughed heartily at that, throwing her head back. Elizabeth thought she was quite pretty, with the flames reflecting off her dark hair and tan skin. She decided if she looked like Jack when she was older, that wouldn't be a bad thing.

"Far from it, now and forever by God! My one and only love is the sea!"

"And what of Captain Barbossa?"

Jack froze with the bottle halfway to her mouth. "How do ye know about him?"

"Well, nothing except for the fact that you just confirmed what I thought to be true."

"Aye? And what be that?"

"You were lovers."

Jack winced. "Aye. But that was a long, long time ago. Things are different now."

"What happened? I can see the way he looks at you."

"Oh? And how be that?"

Elizabeth didn't even hesitate. "Like you're the brightest star in the sky, the greatest wave in the ocean...like you're the prettiest sunset he's ever seen."

"...oh."

Elizabeth nodded soundly. "Oh yes, he really does. That man loves you. I don't know that he knows that he loves you, but he does."

Jack was silent for a moment, before she tipped the bottle back and took a large swig. "It matters not anymore...I'm still going to shoot him."

"No! Jack, you can't!"

Jack started at the outburst, but Elizabeth continued. "You just told me not a moment earlier that you only get one shot! Don't...don't put it in his skull!"

"You wouldn't understand, Lizzy. There are some things that will never be the same again."

"Like what? What could possibly get in the way?"

"I...I'm not pure. I'm...tainted."

Elizabeth snorted. "So? I can count on one hand the number of women who save themselves for marriage."

"No, it's not that, we've already...welI...it's…" Jack struggled with her words. "There have been many things that've happened since I was last with him. Many bad, bad things. But I know, once he knows...he won't want me. He may think he does, but I know better."

Elizabeth was quiet for a moment. "Bad things?"

Jack closed her eyes a took a huge swing from her bottle. "Aye, lass, many bad things. Being a woman of the sea isn't as easy as you may think."

"What do you mean?"

"I...I was picked up off this island by a slave ship."

Elizabeth stayed silent, waiting for Jack to continue.

Jack couldn't seem to stop. For too long she had suffered silently, telling only Gibbs and Ana of what had happened. For too long she had carried this pain with her. Being back on the island was too much. It hurt so badly, she felt as though her chest was going to give out. The black cloud never left her alone and she was tired of it. She wanted to be able to think clearly, to sleep soundly, to have a heart of peace once more.

"It was a week after I was left here. I had no choice. And I had nothing of value to bargain with, so...I bargained myself," she started.

Elizabeth's eyes widened in horror. "You sold yourself."

"It was my only option. That, or die on this godforsaken spit of land," Jack said as she took another gulp from her bottle and shook her head. "Sometimes I wish I had chosen the island, to stay and starve."

"What happened next?"

"They kept me around on the ship, never sold me off. The Captain was a cruel, cruel man. Men need...entertainment while at sea."

"Jack...Jack, I am so sorry."

"It's alright, lass. It was a long time ago."

"How did you escape?"

Jack hesitated, looking down at her palms. "I...I became pregnant soon after I was brought aboard, mere weeks. It was the Captains' but I couldn't bear the thought of it being raised by that monster. A few slave women helped me give birth. They helped me keep silent while I brought the wee thing into the world. I couldn't speak their tongue but their kindness…it is something I will never forget. We pretended that the child was stillborn and I helped them escape. It was a small shipment, only seven women and five men. There weren't many. They slipped through the night and I sent my child with them...I've no idea what's become of it. I paid dearly for what I did once the Captain found out but it was too late. They were already gone. I carry his marks as a reminder."

Elizabeth felt tears slipping down her cheeks. Jack's face was blank and emotionless.

"How...how long were you on that ship?"

"Too long. Three very, very long years. I..I killed them all. There was a big shipment. A few hundred slaves. The Captain…he grew tired of me occasionally, taking some of the women for himself. One night...he killed one of them. She died alone and afraid and that was it. I was finished with the whole lot and knew it was time. I helped stage a mutiny and kill the slavers. They're all dead and that's the end of it."

Jack took one last gulp of her bottle, draining it. "So you see, it's doesn't matter if Hector still...well, it just doesn't matter. Nothing is going to change what happened. It's easier to kill him. Make it all go away."

Elizabeth looked at her sadly. Jack couldn't see anymore, blinded by the past so she was.

"Killing him won't make the pain go away."

"No, but at least I won't have to see his bloody, scrappy, stupid, mangy bearded-"

Jack continued on for a few moments, throwing in a few choice swear words that Elizabeth took note of for future use. She finally exhausted herself and threw the empty bottle out into the waves before collapsing back onto the sand with a sob. Elizabeth hesitantly approached before kneeling next to her.

"More rum?"

Jack sniffed and lifted her head. "More rum."

Jack's nose twitched. She smelled...smoke. Her eyes flashed open and she scrambled up, clutching her forehead. There was Elizabeth, tossing the last barrel of rum into a burning pile.

"What are you doing?! You're burning all the food, the shade...the rum!"

Elizabeth whirled around. "That smoke stack is over a thousand feet high. The Royal Navy is our looking for me...there is no chance of them missing it. If we can get rescued…"

"...we can get to Will," Jack finished, impressed.

"Exactly. Besides, I didn't burn all the rum," she said smugly, pulling out a bottle for Jack.

"Elizabeth, you are a pirate angel sent from heaven to escort me right to hell, and I love you," she replied, snatching the bottle.

Elizabeth smiled but it quickly slipped from her face. "Jack, about last night…"

"Leave it lie, love. Though keep in mind, you are only the third person I've told. I trust you, and that is not something I hand out easily anymore."

"Who else know?"

"Gibbs and Anamaria. That be all."

Elizabeth considered it for a moment before nodding seriously. "Thank you, Jack. For placing your trust in me. I will not let you down."

Jack leveled her with an even gaze. "I know."

"Clap her in irons."

Jack let out a miffed protest as shackles were clamped around her wrists though they didn't stop her from following Norrington across the deck. She listened as Elizabeth argued about going and rescuing Will. Jack waited a few moments before chiming in.

"If I may be so bold as to inject my...professional opinion?"

Norrington turned to her in irritation, but Jack continued before he could interrupt.

"The Pearl was listing near scuppers after the battle. It's highly unlikely she'll be able to make good time."

She stepped closer to the Commodore. "How could you pass that up, love?"

He curled his lip distastefully. "By remembering that I serve others, Ms. Sparrow, not only myself."

"Commodore, please!" Elizabeth pleaded. "Do it for me...as a wedding gift."

The Commodore stopped short. "Elizabeth, are you…?"

"Yes," she breathed, glancing a bit guiltily at Jack. "I am."

Jack gave her a small, sad shake of the head before restoring the bright smile to her face. "I love weddings!" she exclaimed. "Drinks all around!"

Everyone turned to face her. Jack sheepishly held her arms out. "I know, lock her in the brig, right?"

Norrington clenched his jaw and took a moment to compose himself. "Ms. Sparrow, you will accompany these fine men to the helm and provide us a heading to Isla de Muerta. You will spend the rest of the voyage contemplating every meaning of the phrase "silent as the grave". Do I make myself clear?"

Jack blanched. "Inescapably."

Night had fallen as they reached Isla de Muerta. Jack found herself sitting entirely too close to the Commodore in a longboat with entirely too many naval soldiers for her liking. They rowed in silence until Norrington leaned over a bit and said:

"I don't care for the situation. Any attempt to storm the caves could turn to an ambush."

"Rest easy. I lead Barbossa," she spat the name, "out and you and The Dauntless blast the hell out of them. What's there to be worried about? What do you have to lose?"

Norrington looked her up and down a moment. "Nothing I'd lament to be rid of."

"Now see here, there may be a slight risk for the future Mrs. Commodore if she be out and about on deck…"

Norrington thought for but a moment, and Jack laughed as the boat was ordered about back to The Dauntless.

Jack hummed as she rowed by herself into the caves. That had worked just as she wanted it to.

Once she reached the main cavern, she paused. This was it. The moment was drawing nigh and her chest felt tight with worry. So badly, she wanted to shoot him into oblivion and run him through with her sword, that traitorous first mate, but Elizabeth's words from the island echoed in her head.

...brightest star in the sky, the greatest wave in the ocean...like you're the prettiest sunset he's ever seen.

If Elizabeth really meant what she said, if Barbossa really looked at her that way...then maybe, just maybe, she could forgive him.

Jack shook herself. She had to focus.

"Excuse me...pardon me...coming through...hey! Watch the elbows!..."

The cursed pirates sat in stunned silence as Jack made her way through their ranks. As she reached the front she cleared her throat and watched with great satisfaction as Barbossa turned and almost dropped the knife he was holding.

"Impossible," he whispered, staring at her with...she couldn't tell. There was anger, oh yes, and surprise, but also...pride? She felt a vague stirring in the pit of her stomach.

Ugh. Ew. Mushy things later.

"No," she replied, snapping back to reality. "Improbable."

"Where's Elizabeth?" Will asked desperately.

Jack turned to face him. "She's safe, just like I promised. She's also set to marry Norrington, just like she promised, and you get to die for her, just like you promised. So really, we're all men of our word, save Elizabeth and I, who are in fact women."

"Shut it, Jack," Barbossa spat. "You're next."

He raised the knife once again and the chanting grew to fill the cave. Jack twisted her hands together and muttered, "Your funeral," before turning her eyes to the ceiling. She knew he wouldn't be a able to resist.

"What was that?"

Aha!

"I said, your funeral."

"And why is that?" He sneered.

"Well…" she said slowly, taking a step forward. "Because the HMS Dauntless, pride of the Royal Navy, is waiting for you just offshore."

A murmur went up among the pirates and Jack took that as a sign to continue.

"You've no hope of surviving a battle…" she said, sauntering up to the chest. "That is, if you're mortal."

She stood right in front of Barbossa, between him and Will. Too close.

He looked down at her. "What is it ye be suggesting?"

The gold called to her, so close to it she was. It whispered in her head, whispered of immortality and power. She reached down, taking a scoop of coins. The instant her fingers brushed the metal, everything slowed down around her. Her tongue spoke before her mind could think and her muscles moved before she told them to. In a flash, she understood everything about what had happened with her crew, the mutiny, and most importantly, with Hector.

But the gold...oh it called. It told her no, no mercy. No quarter. Blood. Spill it. He betrayed you and needs to PAY.

Jack grinned. "Simple. Don't kill the whelp yet."

She dropped a few coins back into the chest.

"Wait for the...opportune moment."

Another coin slide into the chest.

"Like, for example, after you've killed all of Norrington's men...every...single...one"

As she spoke, she dropped the last coins into the chest, never breaking eye contact with Barbossa. She knew she had him hooked on her every word, or at least hooked on something, if the way he was watching her lips was any indication. She knew he wouldn't notice the single coin she slipped up her sleeve.

His eyes narrowed slightly. "I can't help but wonder, Jack, as to what's changed?"

She shrugged. "The situation."

"That so?"

"Aye. See, after you're done with the Royal Navy, you'll have a bit of a problem...The Dauntless. There you'll be with two lovely ships on your hands. What will you do? Of course, you'll take the bigger one, and who's to argue? The Dauntless…a first rate ship-o-the-line, and with it...you can rule the seas."

She paused, glancing up again. He was watched her intently and she felt the...stirring in her stomach again.

"Give The Pearl to me. I'll sail under your command, give you fifteen percent of me plunder. Captain Jack Sparrow and Commodore Barbossa."

Barbossa contemplated it for a long, tense moment.

"Agreed," he said. "Now, gents, take a walk!"

Oh no. This was definitely not part of the plan. Ah, well. If they killed off the Royal Navy, then so be it. She just hoped Elizabeth would be ok.

"I must admit Jack, ye continue to surprise me."

Jack paused in her treasure scavenging. "Oh?"

"First the boy, then the island, now this…what wind has filled yer sails?"

Jack tsked. "Come now, Hector, you know I've got a mean dishonest streak. And a dishonest man, you can always trust him to be dishonest. It's the honest ones you want to watch out for, because you never know when they will do something incredibly...stupid."

With that, she grabbed a sword from the closest pirate and tossed it to Will. He freed himself easily and Jack swung around just in time to parry an attack from Barbossa. Their swords locked and she gritted her teeth against his strength.

"Yer off the edge of the map, love. Here there be monsters."

Jack laughed bitterly and twisted around, forcing him off balance. "You're greatly mistaken. I've been off the edge for a long while, and seen monsters much worse than you."

He swung at her again and she parries. They continued to exchange blows, she using her speed to her advantage and him his strength.

Finally Jack found an opening and lunged. Her sword went right through him and he staggered back in the moonlight.

"Ye can't beat me Jack," he said simply, before pulling the blade out and turning it on her.

It felt funny, going through her. She expected it to feel cold, she expected to feel pain. She expected to collapse to her knees, gasping for breath. Instead she felt…nothing. Absolutely nothing. The blade was nothing more than a whisper passing through, and pain was a distant memory. Jack stumbled back and watched as her skin rotted away to a skeleton in the light of the moon.

Barbossa stopped as she pulled the sword free of her chest. The both stood, just staring at one another as the battle raged around them. A cloud moved and covered the moon, and they reverted to normal.

"So what now Jack?" He asked, taking a step toward her. His sword hung limply from his side. With his free hand he reached up and brushed her cheek softly. "Will it be two scorned immortal lovers locked in battle until Judgement Day comes a-callin?"

This time, when he leaned forward and her eyes fluttered shut she didn't stop his lips from meeting hers.

It was everything she remembered and so much more. The sorrow in it, forgiveness, and a tenderness that she hadn't realized she longed for.

A sword clanged to the ground, and she didn't know whether it was hers or his until both of her hands were clutching at the lapels of his jacket. He dropped his too in favor of wrapping a hand around her waist and tangling one in her hair, clutching her to him like he was a dying man starving for breath-

And there. Right there on the base of her neck, his fingers brushed a large scar, something that only a cat-o-nine tails could make. He stopped, confused, because no, it couldn't be-

His lips left hers and his other hand came to brush her hair aside, to look, to see, to confirm it for himself that it really was...

Jack didn't open her eyes as she brought a hand to his and curled their fingers together, stopping his movements. She pulled their hands forward until he cupped her cheek.

"Jacklyn...Jack what happened to you?"

Her eyes searched his and she struggled to feel his warm breath and lips, struggled to feel the caring hand on her face.

"I have to kill you," the gold whispered, though it came from her lips with her voice.

Jack stepped back and picked up her sword. She shook her head back and forth.

"Never again Hector," and she was proud that her voice didn't waver, though her sword did.

He stooped down and picked up his, and again they clashed.

There was a renewed intensity in the fight, fueled by their kiss. There was longing and anger, sorrow and understanding, forgiveness and betrayal as their blades crossed again and again.

Jack watched Will sprint to the chest and caught sight of Elizabeth fending off a pirate below. Jack took her medallion and sliced her palm, coating it in blood, and tossed it to Will with a shout. Without stopping she drew her pistol and took a moment to steady herself before pulling the trigger.

Barbossa looked down at the hole in his chest and back at her.

"Ten years ye've carries that shot, and now ye waste it?"

"She didn't waste it!"

They look up as blood dripped from Will's hand into the chest.

Jack felt the curse lift, the call for spilt blood sated. A loud clang resonated behind her and she turned in time to see Hector fall.

Jack wasted no time in rushing to his side. His breathing was labored and his skin pale. She doesn't say anything, just simply held him. His eyes searched hers, searched her face. This time she cups his face and it's his fingers that curl through hers.

"Ye be even more beautiful and magnificent than The Pearl."

Her breath caught in her throat. It wasn't until he weakly reached up and brushed away her tears did she realize that she was crying.

"I wish would've told me what happened to ye."

She shook her head, tears still spilling. She couldn't and didn't know if she would have ever been able to. He coughed as blood spread across his chest.

"Jack...I love ye."

"...what?"

She couldn't believe it. She needed a moment to process and realize what he had said, but it was a moment that she didn't have. The light in his eyes dimmed and a last breath escaped his lips. His grip loosened and his hand fell to the ground.

Hector Barbossa was dead.

Oops...sorry it's been so long. Life got in the way for a while, but I am back with a renewed love of pirates! Next chapter is already in progress and unless life happens again, it will be out soon. After that, we move to Dead Man's Chest and onward!

RR pretty please :-)