Disclaimer: Don't own it, won't ever own, haven't got a notion to either!

Journey To The Past

By: J.L. Dexter
Rating: PG-13 for violence, language and sexual reference.
Summary: Jack's decided to take a break from raiding for a while, but the port he's docking in hold's more story than expected as Anamaria's past catches up with her and Jack. A letter from Port Royal arrives requesting Jack's presence and find out who is taking that long walk down the aisle.

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The morning was relatively warm as Ana watched the sunrise from the helm of the Pearl. Jack had not returned for the night and she just assumed he found shelter in town, most likely a tavern of sorts. But Ana wasn't concerned because despite his past, she knew Jack was true.

Ana felt a welcoming breeze sweep around her as she stood taking in the port before her. She pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail as she stepped foot on the dock. Now to find Jack, she told herself as she briskly walked through the streets. Glancing around she noticed the several awkward and disapproving looks she got from the townspeople and frowned. Looking down at herself she sighed. But first thing's first.

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Jack lay on his back, his arms cushioning his head as he watched the clouds float aimlessly above his head. At his feet he could feel the surf tickle his bare toes as it rushed to the shore and quickly receded.

He hadn't returned to the ship last night even though it was against his better judgment. He was afraid to leave Ana alone especially in the state of shock she was in when he left her, but he knew that this was something she'd have to do by herself. At least in the beginning.

Jack wondered what she was doing at the precise moment as he lay there, his mind jumbled with thoughts. He was hoping that three days time would be enough for her to come to terms with her past, if not, then he didn't know what he was going to do.

The sun had risen considerably into the afternoon sky warming the day with its cheery rays and since the weather was permitting, Jack had opted to spend the day lying on the beach. But yet, something was drawing his mind back to his ship.

Sighing in agitation, Jack shifted his thoughts back to the clouds, seeing how many different types of ships or treasure he could make out of them. He had accounted for a total of nine so far when a noise off in the distance alerted him that he wasn't alone.

When the noise faded, so did his thoughts. It wasn't until he heard the thundering beat coming up quickly on him did he sit up, his hair flinging bits of sand this way and that. Glancing over his shoulder, Jack suddenly froze in surprise as he saw a large beast heading for him, a shadowed figure on top of it.

The animal finally came to a halt mere feet from Jack as he looked up, a scowl upon his face. His eyes traveled the length of the animal- a horse. He was light in color, his hide the hue of the sand. The mane and tail were black and cascaded freely over the animal.

Jack had to admit it was a magnificent beast but the person controlling the horse had more than caught his attention as he stared into dark eyes, a smile fixed on the person's face. He stared for a long time, a grin upon his own features.

Anamaria tilted her head, her eyes lifting in curiosity. She finally spoke, her accent more civilized and proper, a tone Jack had never heard her use before. "If you keep staring like that Jack, your eyes are going to get stuck that way."

Jack just smirked and rolled his eyes. "Could prove-"

"Interesting, I know," Ana quickly finished for him. "Come on Jack, go for a ride with me."

The pirate captain stared at her before gesturing to the horse she sat upon. "I don't think two peo-" he trailed off when Ana maneuvered the horse sideways as she pointed to another standing close behind her, the reins in her hand.

"You were saying."

Jack made a face that had Ana laughing as the man stood to his feet unsteadily. "Are ye sure its safe?"

Ana looked between him and the horse. "Of course I'm sure. He's very gentle," she coaxed as Jack steadied himself to mount the horse. "Or so I'm told."

Jack paled and he groaned. "Is he or isn't he safe, Ana?"

Laughing Ana replied, "Yes, he is safe. Don't worry so much, Jack."

Biting back his refusal, Jack swung his leg over the saddle and made himself comfortable. Ana chuckled at his actions before asking him "You do know how to ride, don't you?"

"What makes ye think I don't know how?" Jack questioned incredulously.

"Gee, I wonder," Ana teased.

Jack gradually relaxed with the unsteady motion underneath him as Ana led him into a thicket off the far side of the beach. "Where are we goin', Ana?"

Ana glanced over at him. "A secret place."

"If it's so secret, then why are ye takin' me there?"

"Because I want to share it with you, Jack. It was a place… from my past," she whispered gripping the reins a bit.

Jack cut his gaze to her. "Does that mean ye- ye know," he asked waving a hand around.

Ana nodded silently. Jack smiled to himself as he leaned back into the saddle enjoying the ride. Along the way, Ana broke the silence as she retold her memory of the night her home was destroyed. She told Jack of her escape, her fiancé's and her father's deaths and of how she was assaulted by the pirates.

Jack looked appalled at this bit of information; a piece of Ana's past he had never known was there. He frowned as she said, "After that, when I escaped, I cowered under the stares of the men in Tortuga. I kept my distance from them but it never stopped them. So I learned how to defend myself even more than I did, and I gradually developed a reputation among the men. Of how dangerous I was and how I'd butcher any man who dared touch me. I was left alone to live in peace, at least, until I met you. Then my world turned upside down," Ana relayed.

Now this intrigued Jack. It answered his questions of why she acted the way she did sometimes when she was with him. That encounter all those years ago left her emotionally unstable and she was still cautious, even with him. Jack understood, even more so now than before.

They rode the rest of the way in silence and it seemed like only minutes that after Ana had finished telling her story that they left the covering of the woods and came across a small clearing by a cliff-side. Jack recognized it as the small grotto Ana had told him about in her tale, the cliff overgrown with vines.

Ana sat transfixed on the area, a flicker of sorrow passing over her. "Ana."

She looked at him. "This cave, used to be my father's sanctuary so to speak," she informed him as she slid from her saddle. Taking the reins and leading the horse to the small water hole at the mouth of the cave Ana spoke, "I remember, when my father, mother and I used to come here and camp when I was younger. The cave, was my father's favorite place to be, beside being home with my mother of course."

Ana felt Jack walk up beside her, his face wrinkled in confusion. "When I was little, I was afraid to go inside the cave, even though my father deemed it safe and was in there himself all the time. I refused to step foot inside and I never did. I never did figure out what my father found so fascinating with this old cave. And now I guess I never will."

Jack slid an arm around her shoulder and drew her to him. He could feel her shudder as she silently wept. "I miss him so much, Jack. I miss them both."

"I know ye do, love. I know," he soothed running a hand over her hair. "But ye know Ana, he's still with ye, as long as ye remember him. He never left ye, love. And he never will. He would want ye to be happy and to move on."

Ana nodded her head against Jack's chest. "I know, Jack. But it's so hard."

"Aye, no one said it would be easy," Jack told her. "But know you're not alone."

Glancing up, Ana offered him a smile in agreement as she pulled back. She took his hand and led him to the cave. "Come on Jack, its about time I faced my fear of this old cave."

"Ye know what they say," Jack started. "No time like the present."

Ana stopped at her horse's side and reached into a bag hanging from the saddle as she withdrew a lantern and lit it. With Jack's hand in hers, she approached the cave and braved the first step into the wide cavern, a shiver going down her spine.

Jack took the lantern from her and held it up lighting the area up. Ana quirked an eyebrow as she found an empty cavern room that didn't seem all that interesting to her. Chuckling she glanced at Jack and said, "And I was half expecting some sort of treasure to be inside too with as much time as he spent here."

"Well, I'm sure your father had a good reason for wantin' to spend his time alone down here," Jack assured.

He caught a twinkle in Ana's eye at his words and wondered what she was thinking about. Ana suddenly stepped in front him, turning to look at his face. She took the lantern from him and set it down on a nearby boulder, the light dimly fading a bit.

Ana took Jack's face in her hands as she pulled his head down to meet hers. "You know Jack, my father wasn't always alone down here. He brought my mother out here with him a lot."

Jack finally recognized the mischievous look in his first mate's eyes as he kissed her, his hands resting comfortably behind her head and on her hips.

Ana's kiss deepened as she slowly undid the buttons on his shirt, one of her hands sliding under the fabric and pushing the clothing from his shoulders. Jack grabbed her hand and stepped back as he breathed, "Wait."

"What?"

Jack took her hands in his, "There's something I have to do first, Ana. Wait for me here, I'll be right back."

Before Ana had time to argue, Jack left her and the dark cave behind as he headed for the ocean's shore.

Ana, confused, sighed heavily as she picked up the lantern and looked around. It's not so scary in here, she convinced herself. Getting slightly bored, she moved deeper into the cavern room looking at the numerous rocks and stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling. A steady dripping echoed off the walls further down and Ana built up the courage to venture farther.

Caught up in the natural beauty of the cave, Ana failed to see the heap of stone behind her and tripped, landing hard as everything went black.

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A/N: Eh, sucky chapter, I know, but I'm hoping it picks up. Of course, this story more or less reflects on Ana's past and there's not much action, fighting wise in here- but more of a gap filler to help move the overall general plot of the story along.

More secrets are in store, not only for Ana, but for Jack as well. Will and Elizabeth are soon to appear, possibly in the chapter after next. And Norrington will be there too with a surprise of his own. But what surprises are in store? Guess you'll just have to read along and find out, savvy?

Thanks to those who reviewed. I've decided not to individually do the replies like normal cause there aren't as many reviews for this story as my other- so those who reviewed, (you know who you are) THANK YOU! Hope to see you later on down the story line.