"The Return"

AUTHOR: Melissa (otherwise know as, JohnnyDee)

RATING: PG-13 (I think!)

EMAIL: melismelli_101_@hotmail.com

DISCLAIMER: I do not own POTC, blah, blah, blah.

TIMELINE: A year after the end of POTC.

DISTRIBUTION: johnnydeppzone.com, fanfiction.net, and other sites.

CHAPTER: 3.Running Away

Elizabeth slowly retreated up the stone steps, seeking a haven of shade.

Finding the perfect spot, she patiently waited for Will. She silently watched him

conversing with her Father, whose birthday happened to be today. There was a small

celebration up at the fort where many of the city's officials and other important faces in

their society had attended. Elizabeth was not much for parties but did enjoy watching her

father and Will together. They got along so well, it seemed impossible that 13 years ago

her Father was ready to hang him.

The two shook hands and Will started up the steps, seeing Elizabeth. She

smiled and came toward him, finding his embrace. Laying her head of his shoulder, she

sighed deeply and closed her eyes. Will pulled her away and looked into her eyes.

"What's wrong?" he asked, deeply concerned. "Oh, Will. It is Charlotte. I wish she were

not so temperamental. I really did want her to come today. I feel bad that we left her at

home."

Elizabeth looked into Will's eyes and was surprised when he suddenly

laughed. "What's so funny?" she questioned, furrowing her brow. "Don't you see?" Will

said as he pulled Elizabeth close again. "She is 13 years old. Don't remember acting like

this when you were her age?"

"Well."Elizabeth started. "I know.I know." Will laughed again "You

were the governor's daughter and acted like the most polite girl in all of Port Royal."

This finally made Elizabeth laugh as she hugged Will again. "Don't worry. She will get

over her rebellious state. Just you wait." Will said as they walked toward the balcony.

Elizabeth overlooked the wonderful view of the sea they had from here. She slightly

blushed remembering when Commodore Norrington proposed to her. Reminiscing about

the past, she did not see Will intently staring at a ship that would soon be entering the

harbor.

Pulling her out of her reverie, Will gently shook Elizabeth's shoulder.

Wondering what Will was staring at, she looked for herself and could barely believe her

eyes. She grasped Will's arm and questioned, "Why it's Jack!" Will looked down at

Elizabeth and said, "He must need a favor, otherwise he wouldn't risk coming here with

his criminal record." Elizabeth laughed and pulled him along. "Come, we must go and

see him." The two walked off, not knowing what would happen next.

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Charlotte stood on her bedroom balcony looking across the town at the

fort. She was sure that her parents were there now, having fun and goggling over

Grandfather. Why would you have a celebration for someone who is another year on his

way to meeting his fate? she thought to herself. One thing she knew was that she hated

her parents.

She hated the control they had over her. Never could she do anything

without hearing them say, "Charlotte, that's too dangerous" or "Charlotte, be careful."

She was tired of that and wanted to be free. On her own, to run away. Some days, she

just wished that Pirates would kidnap her and take her far away, where they could search

for treasure and paradise. 'It would be better than staying here,' she thought silently to

herself. Just as she thought this, a rippling wind blew from the South, blowing and

throwing around everything in its path. Elizabeth grabbed the railing as her dress and hair

blew around wildly. Using one hand, she shaded her eyes and watched as a mysterious

ship entered the harbor. Squinting, she could see no flag that would give away the

nationality or purpose of this ship.

Charlotte held her breath as a new realization came to her. Could this ship

possibly belong to Pirates? She remembered the bedtime stories her Mother used to tell

her of when Pirates had come to Port Royal and nearly destroyed the town. Curiosity

swept her off her feet as she firmly tied her bonnet beneath her chin, and ran out of her

bedroom down the spiraling steps. Jerking the door open she ran down the hillside

towards shore, hoping her parents would take their time up at the fort.

************************************************************************

Jack stood up in the crows nest, watching as he entered Port Royal. His

visits here were rare because of the outstanding criminal charges in this city. He really

had no purpose of coming here. He had no need to do any pilfering here. What brought

him here was sheer curiosity. The last he had seen of Jack and Elizabeth was their

wedding day which he happened to seek in on, before someone recognized him which

forced him to retreat to his ship, (in Jack Sparrow style, of course.)

Jack called down to the helmsman, "This is good." The anchor was

released and finally stopped to make its berth. Jack nimbly climbed down the rigging and

jumped down. He was met by his first mate, Gibbs. "Now Jack, being yore first mate, it is

I that has the right of knowing what it is you plan on doing here in Port Royal," Gibbs

said, looking Jack in the eye. Jack simply stared back and said, "What do you say to you

helping me with this rowboat and we forget why I'm here, savvy?" Gibbs looked

defeated and simply stated, "I'll help ya Jack, but jus be remembering, it was I that

warned you ne'er to step foot here again." Jack simply smiled and said, "All right, mate."

Jack bent down to pick up the rope when he heard what sounded like an

object whizzing through the air. He quickly stood up and listened when he heard a slight

thud. Silence permeated the ship when the sound stopped. "What was that?" whispered

Gibbs. Jack's eyes shifted around searching for any sign of anything or anyone. He

brought his fingers to his lips as he slowly walked to the side of the ship. He peered down

to see what looked like a girl scrambling up the side of HIS boat. He watched, filled with

utter confusion, unable to think or speak. The girl, who obviously did not notice jack,

continued climbing as she neared the top. jack, coming back to his senses, realized what

was going on. SOMEONE WAS CLIBMING UP HIS BOAT!

Jack let out a small yelp, which caught the girl's attention. She stopped

climbing and jerked her head up to see herself face-to-face with a pirate! Afraid herself

she let out a scream, which brought all of the crew to the side of the ship to see what the

matter was. Annemarie peered below and saw the girl holding on for her life with a

panicked look on her face. "Help her up!" she yelled to Jack. "Oh, right," Jack replied

quickly as he reluctantly reached down and grabbed her hand. Her face now held a glare

and she pulled herself up and over the side of the ship. Standing up she dusted herself off

and smoothed her dress.

Jack examined her closely, noticing that the lass was obviously VERY

wealthy considering what she was wearing. He wondered what a girl the likes of her

would be doing on a ship. "Hello, miss," Jack smiled with an outstretched hand. She

ignored his gesture and continued glaring at him. Knowing that his attempts to be

friendly were futile, Jack tried another approach. "What might your name be, young

lass?" Jack did his best to be charming, but flattery was not working.

The girl looked at him with the same expression and simply replied,

"Charlotte." Jack waited for a last name and when he did not get one, he asked, "Do you

have a last name there, miss?" Her eyes narrowed as she retorted, "Why would you want

to know?" Jack laughed and pulled on his beard. "Well, seeing that you've climbed onto

MY boat, I'd like to know your name and your reason for being here."

Charlotte sighed and said, "Isn't it obvious? I'm running away!" Jack's

confused face turned to a smile as he cried, "We've got ourselves a runaway!" Jack

patted her on the back as several cheers were heard from the crowd. Jack bent his heard

to her ear and said, "Don't worry, miss! I was a runaway myself." Not sure if she should

take that as a compliment since it came from a pirate, she managed a weak smile. Her

head was quite muddled with sudden change of events.

Charlotte stood there confused when suddenly a hand grabbed her arm.

She turned to see a woman dressed in raggy attire. She reached out her hand and said,

"Charlotte, I'm Annemarie." Charlotte, relieved that there was a woman on board,

accepted her gesture and replied, "Pleased to meet you." Annemarie smiled and said

softly, "Don't let Jack get you. None of know quite what's wrong with him." Charlotte

looked as she pointed to the man who helped her get on board.

The man was dressed so shabbily it was apparent he was a pirate. His

swarthy features and deeply tanned skin would make him come off as 'attractive' if the

word pirate was not written all over him. Determined not to let him get the upper hand of

the situation, she waltzed over to him. Lightly tapping him on the shoulder, she asked

meekly, "Sir, you never gave me your name!" He turned around and gazed queerly at

her. "You're right, I didn't. The name's Jack Sparrow, Cap'n Jack Sparrow." Charlotte's

eyes widened at the mention of his name. "Jack Sparrow! You are the one everyone is

looking for. Jack smiled as he pulled the girl close and said, "Welcome to the Black

Pearl, bonny lass." Charlotte yet again forced a smile, wondering if her decision to

runaway was the right one.