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.

---

The sun streamed through the windows landing on Jack's face, the brightness making the pirate captain fidget. The sunlight sure could be a bother to a sleeping pirate, and Jack was definitely trying not to wake up. And it didn't help matters any that there was a slight tickling breeze blowing right in his ear. Jack idly swatted at the annoying buzzing breeze blowing thingy as he shifted to his side to get comfortable.

There was a slight chuckle at the pirate captain as Ana, ever the shrewd one, was leaning on one elbow, her lips pursed together as she gently blew at Jack's ear. She'd been trying to inconspicuously wake him for quite some time now, but her efforts were steadily becoming fruitless.

Rolling her eyes, she once more blew at his ear, this time earning a yawn in response as his eyes fluttered open. His eyes slid over to her as a smile spread across her face, her head shaking innocently.

"So you're the breeze blowing culprit," Jack said groggily, the sunlight playing across his features.

Ana looked shocked at the accusation. Finally she shrugged and said teasingly, "Well you had to wake up sometime."

Jack rolled over, his arm resting beside Ana's head as he gently pinned her underneath him, a small chuckle breaking the silence. He traced the structure of her jaw to her neck, across the curves of her shoulders down to her collarbone. "Ye know it's bad luck for wakin' a man when he's sleepin'," he told her. "For that, I just might have to make ye walk the plank or somethin'."

Ana pushed his hand away casually. "Aye, but you won't."

Jack grinned at her as he tilted his head, his face inches from hers. "Then I'll make ye darn my socks."

The dark skinned woman rolled her eyes as she pulled his face closer, capturing his lips. "Stop teasing," she told him in between kisses, her fingers fiddling with the trinkets and beads in his hair.

The pirate captain smirked and leaned forward, his hand traveling the length of Ana's waist. He felt her tense under his body and touch, but she held her tongue as she stared at him, a masked expression in her eyes.

"Ana."

"Jack, I-" she was cut off as a sharp knock sounded on the door before it swung open, the pause between the two giving Ana enough time to roll from under her captain as Jack flopped to the bed in aggravation.

Will stood at the door, a look of panic on his face. "What are you two doing? It's almost noon! We have less than three hours to get ready and be there!"

Ana cocked her head. "Settle down, Turner. It won't take us three hours."

The young blacksmith ran a hand through his hair and sighed, "You no. But him," he pointed at Jack, who at this time, had righted himself and was sitting up watching the younger man. "It's a different story all together. He has to… to wash for one."

"Wash?" Jack echoed.

"And we have to find him something suitable to wear, comb his hair, clean under his nails."

From the hall Ana heard Elizabeth call out, "Have him brush his teeth!"

Jack, arms crossed huffed, "There is nothin' wrong with my teeth!"

Ana couldn't contain her laughter anymore.

The pirate captain flung a pillow at her that was easily dodged as Ana tossed it back. "Oh quiet," Jack scowled. "Don't forget, ye have to do all that too."

Ana flicked her hair over her shoulder as she walked past Will. With a pitiful glance at Jack she reminded him, "You forget, Jack. I was borne into this kind of treatment. You weren't." And with that, she disappeared leaving Will alone to drag Jack out of bed and into the tub.

---

Elizabeth paced the hall, her small daughter in her arms.

"Calm down, Elizabeth. I'm sure they're both ready," Ana said from her spot in a nearby chair.

The noble woman stopped and stared at the female pirate who sat completely calm and relaxed with a book in her hands. Ana's eyes returned to the book as the two sat waiting for Will and Jack. They didn't have to wait long as they heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs.

Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief as Will relieved his wife of carrying LeeAnn. "Where's Jack?"

"Right here."

Ana and Elizabeth both looked up at the same time to see Jack emerge from the shadows, cleaned, groomed and well dressed. His face was clean and lacked the exquisite beard that once lined his well-toned chin, the tuft of dark hair having been trimmed. The beads that once adorned his black hair were absent, his dark locks straight and combed.

Elizabeth offered him a smile of approval as Ana emitted a low whistle as she circled her captain. Running a hand over his shoulder to smooth out some wrinkles she said, "Spiffy."

Jack frowned a bit but thanked them all the same. He captured Ana's hand in his and pulled her close. "Tell me, what you honestly think. I can handle the dejection."

Ana chuckled, her hand gripping Jack's. "Very handsome," she breathed placing a kiss on his cheek.

"We must be on our way or else we'll be late," Elizabeth said, rushing around making sure things were in order before their departure.

Will took her arm and led her to the door. "Come on, darling. Everything will be fine," he assured as he ushered his wife out the door.

Ana turned to follow the crinoline under her dress swishing with the movement. Jack tilted his head as he watched her, his eyes taking in her beauty. She was indeed beautiful, stunning dress or not. Though, Jack had to admit- the dress did help.

The dark green fabric contrasted well with her complexion, her skin tone slightly standing out, but not so much that she looked out of place. The well fitting dress accentuated her every curve down to her waist where the skirt billowed out hiding her slender legs. Tendrils of her long dark hair hung loosely down her back, covering some of her exposed shoulders where the dress cut off.

Between the dress and the hair, Jack had to admit Anamaria was unmistakably beautiful.

"Why are you dragging ass?"

Jack snapped out of his reverie to see Ana staring at him, her arms crossed. "Don't just stand there, Jack," she laughed. "Get a move on or else we're going to be late," she mimicked Elizabeth's high-pitched tone.

The pirate captain chortled before taking her arm and climbing into the awaiting carriage that would soon bring them face to face, with none other than Commodore Norrington.

---

"Announcement, sir."

Jack spun around, his hands waving wildly. "Announcement? Oh no thank ye my good man. I think that's the priest's job to make the announcement. I'm just here for the wedding," he implied. "And the rum."

Ana elbowed Jack before apologizing to the man at the entrance of the large chapel before taking a piece of folded parchment from him. Handing it to Jack she said, "This is an announcement, Jack. It tells of the events and the order they'll happen in."

The pirate captain silently mouthed, "Oh," before moving through the blatant crowd trying to keep up with Ana. Who was trying to keep up with Elizabeth who was desperately trying to keep up with Will, only, she was having a hard time due to having a fidgeting baby in her arms.

Jack finally caught up to Ana and to ensure he'd not get lost again, slipped his arm through hers as they meandered through the entourage of noblemen and women. And, Jack cringed, the bloody rambunctious kids.

They eventually found Will who was talking to a taller gentleman, elaborately dressed and Jack soon found himself joining in on the conversation as Elizabeth whisked Ana away to God only knew where. The older noble whom Will was talking to gestured behind Will and said, "Oh look, there is the Commodore now."

Jack's head spun around and sure enough, there was Norrington, in all his egotistical glory, strutting straight for them. Will greeted him with a kind handshake, as did the older man before Norrington turned to Jack and nodded. It wasn't long that the Commodore, the blacksmith and the pirate captain were alone and Norrington could properly greet Jack without rousing any suspicion.

"Well, well, Captain Sparrow. Fancy meeting you here," Norrington said, his hand firmly gripping Jack's.

"Likewise, mate."

Norrington straightened his hat. "So, pray tell, what have you been up to these days, Sparrow?"

Jack grinned and made an elaborate gesture with his hand. "Oh ye know, mate, the usual. Pillaging, raiding and otherwise pilfering my measly black guts out."

Will chuckled at the answer as a smile appeared on Norrington's face. "As it were," the Commodore added slyly.

"Quite so, quite so," Jack answered in kind. He opened his mouth to say something else when a hand tapped him on the back, a voice to go along with it.

Ana stepped beside him, the Turner's daughter snugly in her arms as she exclaimed, "Jack, you have to see thi-" she suddenly trailed off as her eyes fell upon the Commodore.

"A-Anamaria." Norrington stuttered his voice low.

Ana held his gaze and gave him an awkward curtsy. "Commodore Norrington. So, wonderful to see you again," she greeted, quickly adverting her gaze.

Jack looked between the two and sensing Ana's discomfort, spoke up, "Oh, forgive us, Commodore, but I do believe I see Elizabeth waving to us. It was a pleasure, for sure."

Norrington stepped aside as Jack led Ana away and back into the mingling crowd. "What was that all about?" he finally asked once they had successfully avoided prying ears.

Ana shifted her weight to better position the child in her arms. "Oh, nothing, really," she lied looking up at Jack. The look on his face made Ana roll her eyes as she answered, "Oh fine. Its just, back when I was here, under his care, Norrington sort of, well, you know," she stumbled over her words, her head bobbing with her uncertainty.

"He what?" Jack asked, starting to grow worried and frustrated.

The woman shrugged. "He sort of, developed a type of crush on me, is all."

She glanced over at Jack, her lips twisting into a grin at the expression on his face. "Oh come on, it isn't like anything happened. I have my pride, you know. And falling for the Commodore, is definitely not on my 'wish to do in this lifetime' list." Reaching up, she ran a finger over his cheek, trying to get some kind of response out of him.

Jack took her hand, his callused fingers wrapping around hers. "Thank you."

"For what, Jack?"

"For stickin' with me, by me. All those times that ye could have walked away, ye didn't. Ye stayed, and for that, I thank ye," he confessed. Holding her close he whispered, "I don't deserve ye, Ana."

Ana smiled, her hand picking at his hair. "Why don't you let me be the judge of that."

"Ye can be the judge, so long as I'm the captain."

"Aye, aye, captain."

Jack leaned back and ran a hand smoothly over LeeAnn's slightly baldhead. "She's lovely, isn't she?" Ana questioned.

"Never a lovelier girl, that's for sure."

Ana spotted Will out of the corner of her eye and waved him over. The young blacksmith picked his way to the couple and motioned behind him. "They're starting. We have to take our seats now," he announced as he took his daughter.

Jack took Ana's arm and began to lead her the opposite direction. "We'll sit in the back, where they aren't so many eyes to recognize us," he explained as Will nodded and waved goodbye.

"By the way, Jack, did you happen to catch the bride's name?" Ana asked as she took her seat.

"No love, I'm afraid I didn't. Is it that important?"

Ana shoved the wedding announcement in Jack's face and pointed to a name scrawled on the inside. "Does this name look familiar?"

Jack squinted to read it before exclaiming, "Well fancy that! If it ain't old Governor Garrison's brat."

Sure enough, as the procession started and the bride walked to the alter, a smile plastered on her face, Jack saw that it was indeed Garrison's younger daughter, Laurel. She hadn't changed much since Jack had met her, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to be the one in Norrington's shoes once he said 'I do.'

Chuckling, Jack read over the announcement, occasionally nodding, pointing to something or humming. Ana glanced over to see what he was up to, but was unable to read the expression on his face as he fidgeted in his seat nervously. Leaning into him, she took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before turning her attention back to the front where the Commodore and his soon to be new bride stood.

Come on Jack, it's now or never. Don't chicken out now, you mangy seadog. Jack argued with himself as he concentrated on the couple at the altar. He heard the priest saying something about vows and tilted his head curiously. Is this it? He wondered as he saw a young boy hand Norrington's bride something. Unable to see exactly what was going on, he heard two sets of voices echoing off the walls as Laurel eventually said, after what seemed to be to Jack a bloody long time, I do.

He noticed the same boy hand something to Norrington who was expected to do the same as his bride and Jack frowned. Despite what people thought about weddings being a joyful and exciting event, they were extremely boring. Jack finally gave himself the mental kick he needed as he sat up straight to listen to the priest intently as he told Norrington to place a ring on his bride's hand and to repeat after him.

Jack leaned over ever so slightly and wrapped an arm around Ana's shoulders. "Ana."

"Hmm."

"Can I ask ye somethin'?" he whispered.

Ana looked at him. "I suppose so."

He leaned forward, his voice low as he whispered something in her ear, one of her hands gripping his arm tightly. Her nails dug into his skin, but Jack didn't notice as tears slowly formed in Ana's eyes.

For a moment, her world fell down around her, the voices of the priest and Norrington drowned out over Jack's words. The tears blurred her vision as she grasped his arm, his hand gripping hers.

Ana felt an added weight on her left hand as Jack pulled back and stared at her, his hand reaching up to wipe her tears away. In the background, he heard the priest say, "You may kiss your bride."

And Jack did just that.

---

A/N: That's it- that's the end. This story is officially over! I'm evil, I know. I might throw an Epilogue up here, just incase you are a bit confused about what just happened. If you figured it out, kudos and orange flavored rum for you. If not, then read on.

I hope everyone enjoyed reading this more than I did writing it. It seems to practically go no where, but it was deemed necessary to build my plot up, and hence, be able to write this final chapter!

Kudos and banana flavored rum to all my reviewers- you guys are great! Thanks!

-J