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.

---

"William Turner!" Elizabeth's voice froze even Jack's blood as she stood in the doorway hands on her hips and her eyes think slits.

Jack gave Will a comforting pat on the back. "Looks like you're in trouble mate."

"No kidding Captain Sherlock," Will muttered as he stood up. "Elizabeth, darling, welcome home."

Jack rolled his eyes. "What a way to show her who's boss, lad."

Will shot Jack a look that shut the pirate captain up rather quickly. Ana sat there, motionless, watching intently, the wall across the room. Jack leaned over and tapped Ana's shoulder. "Who do ye thinks goin' to win? I'm puttin' my money on the lass."

The dark skinned woman slid her eyes to Jack making him frown. There was definitely something there, but he couldn't place his finger on it. Ana shrugged and turned back to watch as Elizabeth ushered Will into the kitchen, much to the disappointment of Jack. Now he couldn't see who won.

Ana uncoiled her legs and sat back, her face masked. Among the muffled noises coming from the kitchen, Jack distinctly heard the muffled sounds of something else coming from one of the rooms of the small house. "Do ye hear somethin'?"

The pirate woman nodded briefly. She had been hearing it since they arrived and the noise had distracted her beyond reasoning as she found herself lost in thought. Ana, ever the sly one knew instantly what was making the noise, but she held back the questions knowing the answers would come when they did. She watched Jack rise to his feet and walk across the parlor, down the hall and then come to a stand still in front of a door.

Ana followed him keeping a safe distance as she leaned against the wall waiting for Jack to open the door. When he finally did, the muffled noise became louder as Jack jumped back, finally realizing what thing made this kind of racket. Ana faintly smiled as Jack disappeared, thinking, Oh Good Lord in Heaven…

---

"What do you mean you don't know how the rum got here?" Elizabeth asked her husband, her voice rising.

Will cowered close by, his hands gesturing about as he tried to calm his irate wife. " I didn't say I didn't know how it got here, Elizabeth. I just said I didn't know where it came from."

Elizabeth picked up a wooden spoon and held it up. "That's the same thing, Will! I thought we agreed to not bring that drink into our house. It's a vile drink and I personally don't like the affects it has on a person. And to think, you weren't even going to tell me it had been under our roof! Now how'd it get here, and no lies this time!"

Will finally caved in. "Fine, all right. It was leftover from the bachelor party. Are you happy?"

"No."

"But that's not fair! You can drink the wine at your father's but we can't enjoy a bit of rum at a party!" Will whined.

Elizabeth set the spoon down and stared at her husband, her lips twisting in a grin she was feverishly fighting back. "Life is not fair, Will."

Will crossed his arms, intent on saying something else when Elizabeth asked, "Will. While you were entertaining the rum drinker of the century, who was watching-" she trailed off as she noticed Will frowning.

"Will, what is it?"

"Do you hear that?"

Elizabeth stood and listened for a noise of any kind but heard nothing but silence. "I don't hear a thing."

Will looked at her. "Exactly. Call me stupid, but who in their right mind would be able to sleep through all that yelling?"

Elizabeth smacked herself on the forehead as she rushed out of the kitchen. "Where did Jack go?"

"I'm right here, love. Miss me?"

Will grinned widely at the sight that greeted their eyes.

Jack leaned against the far wall, a squirming pink bundle in his arms. Ana stood in the shadows, a soft smile on her face as she watched her captain interact with the tiny object. Will grinned as he looked on at his friend as Elizabeth gripped her husband's arm tightly.

Jack moved to the couch and sat down, his face aglow. He finally glanced up at the couple before him. "When did this happen?"

Elizabeth moved to sit beside him. "Two months ago, Jack."

The pirate captain deftly glanced at Will and gave him a wink. "I always knew ye weren't a eunuch."

A bright blush rose to Elizabeth's cheeks as she coughed nervously at the statement. "Well this surely proves that he is not," she replied as she leaned over and stroked the cheek of her daughter that was safely tucked away in Jack's arms.

Jack tickled the baby girl under her chin rewarding him with a small giggle. "Ana, look at this! She's smilin' at me!"

The dark skinned woman offered her captain a warm smile as she sank to the floor, her arms hugging her knees close. Ana dipped her head forward, her mind churning with numerous thoughts as to why Jack was asked to come back here. Obviously, Norrington hadn't been behind the whole shebang after all, which left Ana clearly confused. Turning her chin up, she caught the laughter from the other occupants in the room, Jack and the small child being the center of attention.

Ana took a moment to watch Jack, his demeanor being one she didn't see often. He may be one of the fiercest pirates this side of the Caribbean, but underneath all that hair and wit, Captain Jack Sparrow was just a big softie. This was a side of Jack Ana hadn't known existed, but now that she saw it with her own eyes, her hearted ached in every aspect. Shaking her head to clear her mind, Ana teetered back to the reason they were here.

Raising her head a bit she asked, "May I ask exactly why Jack was invited back to Port Royal knowing that he's a wanted man?"

Elizabeth slid her gaze to the woman as Will spoke up, "Well, we could tell you. But then we'd have to dispose of you afterward."

Ana made a face at his answer. "I really see that one happening, Turner."

From his spot on the couch Jack chuckled, "Careful lad. Ana is deadly with her words and that stare of hers."

"But not a sword?" Will asked bemused.

The pirate captain flicked a wrist casually. "Oh no, that too," he paused for a moment, his face thoughtful. "Lass is better with a blade than I am, if that tells ye anythin'."

Will gawked at him as he switched his gaze between Jack and his first mate. "Huhn, never would have suspected that."

Ana rose to her feet. "That's the whole point of it, Will. Catch them off guard. Now, will you please answer my first question," she repeated as she plopped down beside Jack, her gaze cold.

"We didn't state what the invitation was for. We were sure Jack would think us silly and refuse to come," Elizabeth started. A small smile spread across her face as she announced, "Norrington is getting married and amazingly, Jack, you were on his 'people to invite' list."

"He what?" Jack asked loudly, slightly upsetting the baby in his arms. Elizabeth reached over and took the crying infant from Jack and headed for the kitchen leaving her husband to explain the rest.

"Norrington's got himself a girl, eh?" Jack drawled. "That's interesting."

"I agree with you there, Jack," Will joined in as he finished explaining the reason of the invitation.

Jack leaned back and studied his nails. "So months after, the whole Flood thing, Norrington found himself a girl abroad. That's splendid. Always thought the man needed a new hobby other than chasing pirates. When's he set to do the deed?"

"Tomorrow at noon," Will answered evenly.

"Tomorrow?" Ana echoed. "He only just met this girl!"

Will nodded. "Yes, we know. But he is adamant that he is in love with her and her with him. What can we say to change a commodore's mind once it's made up?"

"Absolutely nothin'," Jack quipped.

Leaning forward a bit Will pressed his hands together. "So Jack, will you or will you not do him this honor and attend?"

The pirate captain cut his gaze to the woman beside him who stared back at him intently. "Don't look at me," Ana stated. "I'll stand by whatever choice you make, Jack. But one thing, remember all that he did for you."

"And I shall," Jack chortled. "Alright, Will me lad. We'll be glad to accompany ye to this glorious gala."

"We?" Ana echoed.

"Aye, we. As in you an' I," Jack said with a wink. "What? Ye didn't think I'd attend all by me onesies, now did ye?"

Ana rolled her eyes. "Not at all, captain."

"Good," Will exclaimed. "I'll let Norrington now in the morning that you two will be there."

Jack shook his hand. "We have an accord. Now, where'd Elizabeth get off to?"

---

Ana sat at the table staring out the window as Jack and the Turner's played catch up with the past year of their lives. The sun was beginning to sink into the horizon and Ana knew it would be time for her and her captain to take their leave. She had tried to get Jack to agree to their departure hours ago, but Elizabeth had insisted that they stay for dinner. So they had. And Ana didn't complain none. The meal was, compared to the rations they had onboard the Pearl, a feast.

She could pick up bits and pieces of the conversation going on at the table, such as that the baby's name was LeeAnn. An odd but unique name for a girl, Ana thought. She also distinguished that Governor Swann was stepping down from his position, his age slowly consuming him, but she mostly just filtered the voices out.

Ana finally sat up and stared at Jack an urgent look upon her face. "What is it, Ana?"

"Jack, its getting late. You told the crew we'd be back by nightfall," Ana stated as she motioned for the window behind her.

"So we did," Jack said as he stretched his arms and stood up.

"Jack, why don't you just stay here for the night," Will suggested.

Elizabeth agreed without hesitation. "Yes, you're welcome to. We have an extra room. And it would be much easier for you to just stay here instead of having to go back and forth from your ship."

Jack turned his attention to Ana who sat there silently. She studied his face before nodding her approval. "I'll let the crew know then," Ana said as she stood up.

"We meant you too, Ana," Elizabeth said looking up from feeding the small girl in her arms.

"That's very kind of you really, but I-" Ana trailed off as she caught Jack's gaze. "I think I will kindly accept your offer, Elizabeth. Thank you."

Elizabeth looked between the two pirates curious of the stare Jack had given Ana, curious as to exactly what was going on between them. "Why don't ye stay here Ana and visit. I'll go tell Gibbs and the others of our plans and then return for the night."

"Or I can just come with you," Ana pointed out as she followed him out the door.

Jack stopped her. "Or ye can just stay here. I won't be long."

"Jack, just let me come along."

"Why can't ye just stay here?"

Ana fidgeted and wrung her hands. "Ana, stop it," Jack instructed as he took her hands in his. "What's got ye so high strung this evenin'?"

"Jack, I know that it was Norrington's idea to invite you, but Port Royal is a big town and dangers still lurk about. Yeah sure, the biggest threat asked you here, but that doesn't change that there aren't others out there who could be after you."

"So that's why you've been so distant," Jack assured himself more than just proclaiming it. "Ana, listen, ye haven't anythin' to worry about. I'll be back shortly. Just a quick trip to the Pearl and back, I won't be long, I promise," he leaned over and kissed her forehead.

Ana leaned into him, her arms clutching his shirt tightly. "You better."

"When have I not ever kept a promise to ye?" Jack asked incredulously. He quickly realized his mistake and clamped a hand over Ana's mouth as it opened. "Don't answer that."

He removed his hand and Ana didn't skip a beat. "What about the time you prom-" she was cut off as Jack closed his lips around hers, his arms holding her tight. When he finally moved away, he felt Ana tickle his skin as she spoke softly.

"You may conquer with a sword, Jack Sparrow, but you will always be conquered by a kiss."

Jack rested his forehead to hers, a smile playing on his tanned face. "And a damned lucky man I am too."

"Well I would certainly hope so," Ana chuckled as she kissed his cheek and sent him on his way.

---

Elizabeth and Ana both occupied the kitchen, the women being alone for the first time that evening with Jack having returned to the Pearl and Will having gone to the forge to finish Norrington's wedding gift.

"So tell me, Ana, what's it like to be with Jack?"

Anamaria turned from her task, which at the moment was unceremoniously standing at the sink washing the few dishes Elizabeth hadn't done, and gazed at the woman sitting at the table. She wrinkled her nose at the question, unsure of how she should answer it.

"Well, I suppose it isn't any different than you being with Will."

Elizabeth laughed. "You mean to tell me that Jack Sparrow is a man of few words and who agrees to everything you say without argument?"

Ana tossed a damp dishtowel over the drying dishes as she took a seat beside Elizabeth. "Oh, no then I guess it's not the same," she answered, a hint of mirth in her voice. "It's different, you know. Jack's different, so everything he does is the same. He can be one of the most stubborn, egotistical males, yet," she paused and looked over at the young woman next to her, her hands gently reaching out to hold the tiny baby for the first time. "Yet at times, he is the kindest, most caring and supportive man I've ever known."

The dark skinned woman traced a finger down the child's cheek, her lips parting to form a motherly smile as she continued, "Jack is Jack, and nothing is going to change that."

Elizabeth sighed. "I know what you mean. But do you ever think of what could be for you two?"

Ana cradled the small girl to her breast, her smile cascading into a frown. "I don't know. I don't even think Jack has a single bone of commitment in his body to be honest. It's so hard to tell with him. One minute, I think part of him truly cares, maybe even loves me. Another minute, I can't help but wonder if I'm only there for his personal gain and enjoyment."

"And what do you feel?" Elizabeth whispered the question out of curiosity. She didn't think Ana would respond with it being such a personal question. But she did, and how she answered shocked Elizabeth.

"I feel that everyday, is our day. I feel that everyday, will be the day, and I feel that everyday, will be our last."

Elizabeth hugged Ana reassuringly, careful to not disturb the child in the pirate woman's arms as she said, "Then make everyday, your day, Ana. Live it for you. Jack will be there, you'll see."

Ana gave Elizabeth a smile of thanks as they sat there, the friendship between them steadily growing stronger.

---

The sound of an opening door alerted the two women that one of the guys had returned and both were relieved when they saw that Jack and Will had each come back, the two talking of swords, ships and adventure.

Will stooped to kiss his wife as he passed by and nodded to Ana in greeting. She gave a slight dip of her head and turned to look at Jack who was watching her with amusement. He stood against the wall, his arms crossed and his hat gripped loosely in his hand. His dark eyes held her gaze for a moment then darted across the room at the two lovebirds who sat at one end of the table.

He finally pushed himself from the wall and easily took a seat next to Ana as his eyes traveled downward to the bundle in her arms. He gently caressed the girl's tiny hand in his, his thumb smoothly rubbing the smaller fingers. For a split second, Captain Jack Sparrow scourge of the seven seas, disappeared leaving only hints of the man he truly was.

Ana gazed at him from over her shoulder, his softer side once again coming into play. The pirate captain suddenly sat back and rose to his feet. "Well, ladies and lad, it's been a pleasurable evenin' but I think its time for me to retire."

There was a trace of fatigue on his features, and Ana could see that he hadn't been sleeping well at all in the past few nights.

Elizabeth stood and smoothed out her skirts. "It is getting rather late, isn't it." She looked back and forth at Jack and Ana before saying, "I'm afraid we only have one guest room. We turned one of the upstairs rooms into a study and added on once the baby was borne."

"I'll sleep on the couch," Ana offered to the slight disappointment of her captain.

"I'm not sure if you'd want to do that," Will spoke up. "LeeAnn's room is downstairs, with ours. And at this age, she is up all hours of the night. You might find yourself up right along with her if you sleep down here."

Ana sighed and finally gave in as she followed Jack upstairs to their room. There was a slight discomforting silence between them as she quietly closed the door behind her. Changing into a nightdress borrowed from Elizabeth, Ana rested in a chair beside the window, her knees pressed against her chest as she watched the moon. Jack had long since shed his shirt and crawled into the bed, his back to her. Tracing the many scars on his back, Ana watched him sleep peacefully, her mind in turmoil.

She turned her gaze back to the window, where the pane glistened from the reflection of the moon. Ana held her hand up catching the light of the moon streaming between her fingers as she studied her nails. She carefully scrutinized each nail, each knuckle and each finger, her eyes making mental notes of the fading youth evident in her hands.

"Can't sleep?"

Startled, Ana dropped her legs to the floor as she stared at Jack. He was propped up on one elbow, the sheet draped around his waist. Even in the darkness, Ana could make out the deep tan he held on his skin as his eyes twinkled in curiosity at her.

"Not really."

Jack reached over and turned the other side of the bed down, the gesture almost inviting. Ana tilted her head in response and sat where she was. She had seriously been considering sleeping on the floor, but she had done that enough before to last her until she was an old, decrepit woman. After several moments of confusion, Ana slid from the chair and noiselessly padded across the room to the bed.

"I'm not goin' to bite, Ana," Jack stated as he leaned back.

"And I'm not afraid that you're going to either, you scallywag," Ana retorted as she sat down, her knees drawn to her chest.

"Are ye gonna tell me what's eatin' ye now?" Jack asked placing a hand on her ankle.

Ana frowned. "And don't go tellin' me its nothin' 'cause if it were just nothin' ye wouldn't be this quiet," Jack interrupted before she could say anything.

"I just miss them, Jack," Ana whispered hugging her legs to her chest tightly. "I guess I never knew just how much I missed them until they were gone. I see Will and Elizabeth with their child and I can't help but wonder, what it would be like if my parents were still alive to this day." She reached up and wiped something from her face as she stared into the darkness.

Jack stuck his hand out and squeezed her arm gently pulling her to him. Ana didn't refuse as she lay down beside him, her head resting on his chest as his fingers stroked her hair. For a moment, Ana was content to be in his arms and to be held because deep down she knew, this was probably the closest she was going to get to having him.

---

A/N: Not much to say, but much to write so I leave you with this one last thought. Has anyone seen my finger? It dropped off somewhere around the middle of this chapter, and I can't find it. I don't think I'll be able to continue this story without that finger! -_-

-J