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Damned to the Depths

Chapter Ten

Jack felt an added weight on his chest and forced his eyes to open. Wisps of black hair covered his chest as Ana used him for a pillow, her right arm slung over him. He held her close, listening to her breathing as he stroked her hair, their legs still entwined. He felt a pang of guilt run through him at the thought of last night; what they had done, was probably not healthy for Ana. But her comment of 'if not now, it'll be a long time until we can' had convinced him; he was a guy after all, with only but a few things on his mind.

Last night, being one of them.

But somehow, he knew the guilt he was feeling was not just because of last night, it was because of what was still to come. He just hoped he had the courage to face her afterward. His fingers ran deftly down her cheek, waking her and she looked up. Shifting slightly, she leaned over to kiss him, her own fingers running through his tangled hair.

"Mornin'."

She rested her head beside his on the pillow, her arm clutching his neck. "Is it?"

Jack chuckled, "Aye it is." He reached up and removed her arm from his neck, his fingers interlacing with hers as he studied her face. "Ana… we have to talk."

Will stood beside Elizabeth, his daughter in his arms as he watched the crew of the Pearl scurry around. Even from his spot, he could distinctively hear the argument coming from the cabin of the other ship. He shook his head disapprovingly. I knew this wasn't a good idea.

Ana stormed out of the cabin, slamming the door behind her. Anger covered her features as she stalked across the deck, her fists clenched tightly. Moments later, the cabin door opened again and Jack stepped out following the woman across the ship. His hair was a matted mess, the kohl around his eyes was slightly smudged and his shirt was left unbuttoned in his haste to stop Ana from killing himself or the crew in her tirade.

"Ana, would ye just listen. I'm doing this for your own good. I can't have ye stay on the ship, not when your life is on the line," Jack was saying as he followed her, his arms waving wildly.

The couple stopped, Ana's back to him as she seethed, "So you want me to leave, is that it?"

Jack shifted uncomfortably but remained silent. He knew this was going to be difficult, but he just had to make her understand. He was only doing this for her; "I don't want ye to get hurt."

Ana held her left hand up, the band of silver glinting in the sun. "Do you see this? Doesn't this mean anything to you?"

"Ana, that's not important right now."

Surprise crossed Ana's face, the hurt setting in. "How can you say that? Jack, I promised to never leave you, and I am keeping that promise," she crossed her arms. "I'm not leaving."

"Anamaria, don't do this. This ship, this battle- it's not the place for a woman in your conditio-"

Ana cut him off. "Oh please! I'm pregnant Jack, not dying! I'm not fragile and I'm not leaving. I won't leave you. Is it because you don't want this child? Is that why you're sending me to Port Royal? To get rid of me?"

Jack frowned. This was not going in his favor, and the argument Ana was putting up was making him exhausted and frustrated. It didn't help matters that the entire crew was standing around, watching, speechless at the quarrel going back and forth between the two. Ana was refusing, she was standing her ground, but Jack wouldn't take no for an answer. Not when it was just more than his ship and his life at stake. "Ana! Please! Right now- none of that matters!"

"It doesn't matter!" Ana echoed, her voice dropping. "It doesn't matter that I love you or that I worry about you. It doesn't matter that I just want to be with you and fight beside you to protect your ship. Our home! Does it not matter that I might lose you or that our child may never know their father? I don't want that Jack! I want you… I want to be there for you, just like you said you'd always be there for me. Don't you understand?"

Jack sighed and placed his hands on her shoulders, his face unreadable. "I do understand, Ana. But I don't want ye involved. It's no longer your battle, or your place. Your goin' to Port Royal and that's final; I don't want to lose ye either."

Anamaria pulled away from him, her chin held high as she slapped him as hard as she could. Her answer was barely a whisper, loud enough for only Jack to hear as she said, "You already have," she waved a hand gesturing to herself and everything around her. "None of this matters, remember?" With the final words, Ana pulled the ring from her finger and let it fall to the deck, the small band spinning circles before falling on its side.

He watched it until it stilled and quickly looked up, but Ana was already gone. Jack saw her climb aboard the Old Reliable, and she never looked back. Leaning down, he picked the ring up from the deck clutching it in his hand. He had just made the biggest mistake in his life.

"Welcome aboard, Mrs. Spar-" Ana didn't let him finish as she pushed past him, her head down. She was mad- no she was infuriated that Jack would do such a thing. She remembered hearing the conversation between Will and the pirate, the words of both flooding back to her.

"Ye promised. Don't go back on that now, lad."

"Fine Jack. But don't blame me if she slaps you, you have it coming. Mark my words, you have it coming."

She saw Elizabeth watching her, sadness in the noble woman's eyes as Will looked away. The fury Ana felt grew when she saw the blacksmith, her hand drawing a sword that rested on her hip. "You lied to me," she growled, the blade pointing at the young man. "You knew what was going on and you disagreed with it all, and yet you lied to me!"

Will stumbled back, his hands up defensively. "Ana, please- understand. Jack's only doing what he thinks is best!"

"Even though what he thinks is best usually consists of getting drunk off a lot of rum," Elizabeth replied innocently.

Ana pointed the blade at her and the young woman stepped back, her smile disappearing. "Ana, you have to see it from Jack's perspective as well as your own," she offered. "He only wants you to be safe. And if you think about it, it really is a smart move on his part. He told us everything, Anamaria. On that ship is the last place you need to be right now!"

The female pirate lowered her blade. She knew Elizabeth was right, and besides, wasn't it herself that had said she was not cut out to be a pirate any longer? Ana dropped her sword and hugged her arms to her chest. Everything was tumbling out of place; it was all falling around her. Even with the assurance that what was said being true, Ana could only think one thing.

He left me.

Watching the Black Pearl sail off in the distance was perhaps, the hardest thing Ana had ever done. Jack was on that ship, along with the rest of her life. She had battled, and she had lost. He had left her behind, in what he thought was the right thing to do. Now all she had of him were a few memories and- an unborn child that she suspected he had no intentions of wanting in the first place. But now wasn't the time to dwell on that- she knew. She had to start anew… but without Jack? Ana didn't much like the idea, but she had no other choice. But can I manage on my own?

It was a question that avoided her ever since she had joined Jack under his command. Before, answering it wouldn't have been a problem, but after a while things changed. She was determined to make it on her own; she had to. And she would. Even if she had to do it without Jack.

I know you think that I shouldn't still love you- but I'd still have felt it- so where's the sense in that?

I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder. I won't put my hands up and surrender. I'm in love and always will be.

Jack turned back to the helm, his hands shaking as he guided his ship away from the island and farther away from Ana. His mind said he was doing the right thing, but his heart was saying differently. He'd left her, in good hands, but left her all the same. He'd not blame her if she hated him right now, but he somehow doubted she did; at least completely. She was mad, she was upset; she had been hurt. She needed him, but he had walked away from her. How could he have been so stupid? He had let her go. And now he wasn't sure if he'd ever get her back, or if he even deserved to have her back.

I know I left too much mess and destruction- I caused nothing but trouble. If you live by the rules of "it's over" then I'm sure that that's the end.

I will go down with this ship and I won't surrender- no white flag above my head- I'm in love and always will be.

Ana's hand rested on her stomach that stuck out slightly, her white shirt showing every curve. This wasn't the way it was suppose to end, she thought. She never considered she'd end up like this- pregnant and alone. But she wasn't alone; she had the Turner's and eventually, she'd have this child, a little something to remind her of Jack. Or maybe a lot of something to remind her of him, she wasn't sure which yet. It was possible for her to strike out alone, make a stable living for them both but she'd wished that Jack would be there. He needed to know his child and the child needed to know him; right now, those odds didn't look good.

She needed Jack, she wanted Jack- but Ana refused to be hurt, again.

And when we meet, and I'm sure we will- All that was there, will it be there still?
I'll hold my tongue, will you think that I've moved on?

I won't put my hands up and surrender- though I'm in love and always will be.

Jack stole one last glance back at the departing ship that carried Ana away from him and he couldn't help but wonder if she was doing the same. He heard the whispers of his crew, talk of the argument the two had had going around. Gibbs just watched him, shaking his head every so often. Yes, Jack thought. I made a big mistake, one that can't ever be righted. I'm so sorry, Anamaria. Please forgive me.

Ana closed her eyes, her head dipping slightly. The wind shifted and she could hear the sails fluttering catching the breeze. Her eyes snapped open, the fading view of the Black Pearl greeting her… but what is that just to the left of them? Ana stared, her blood going cold as she recognized the sails of the ship that approached the Pearl.

No, not now! She shook her head hoping to rid her vision of the other ship. But it was still there. The Belladonna was on the horizon.

A/N: Long chapter! Yay! Action, action, and more action coming, stay tuned! Toodles!

Review Thanks-

Rat- Thanks for reviewing once again! And yes, she can get pretty mean when times call for it!

Cal- Jack is an odd cookie. He tries so hard, but seems not to get it right, eh? With Ana, he'll always have a home. Gibbs is a big softy once you get to know him, and he really does have a caring streak in him I think. As for Will's thoughts, nay on that! Ana is a mystery to him- a pirate yet a lady. Mystery is good!

Kingleby- No sweat! Good luck on your exams!

Elizabeth Swan/Turner- That's a good idea, I'll have to keep it in mind. Thanks!

Wow, 51 reviews and still rising! This story is almost over, but not quite! Wonder if I can surpass the 66 reviews 'Joy of the Hunt' nailed, you guys think? Again, thanks for the kind and helpful words!

J