DISCLAIMER: As before, I do not own any related to POTC except Hope and the misc. characters and things mentioned later on.

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Chapter 2

The Dream & the Late Night Departure

Hope leaned against her balcony railing as she starred up to the full moon silhouetted among the starlit night sky. Every time she saw the full moon she couldn't help but think about the Black Pearl. Every clear night she would stand out on her balcony and imagine the Black Pearl sailing into port. Now, she just looked out into port in sadness. It had been five days past the two weeks when Jack said he would return. Several reasons went through her head, some not so nice. From he ran into trouble at sea due to a storm, to problems with the ship, to he just forgot and was right now in the company of some Tortuga woman, either Scarlet or Giselle.

"That is what I get for falling for a pirate. You cannot trust them to keep their word." If he wasn't everything she wanted in life she would never have fell for him. Being the minister's daughter was not very adventuresome. She always felt she needed to be more proper than the noblest of women and falling in love with a pirate is the biggest sin, according to her father anyway. Since Governor Swann had accidentally mentioned her feelings to her father he scorned her. They used to be close but now he only speaks to her if he needs something done. Hope sighed. "Jack, where are you?" Looking once more out into port she closed the doors and pulled the curtains. Going through her nightly ritual she crawled into bed, blew the candle out, and fell into a dream filled state.

SCENE CHANGE

The sound of canon fire awoke her. Opening her eyes she saw she was standing in the middle of a ship. All around her men scrambled on deck, most were fighting each other. On closer look she recognized several pirates from the Pearl. As she turned to her right a pirate charged at her. Before she could move he ran right through her. "What is going on?" It was then that she noticed the second ship. It looked exactly like the pearl only it was a darker black. The one thing that caught her eye was the blood red sails. At the front of the ship she saw the image of a dragon.

"Not if I can help it!" A familiar voice called.

"Will?" Hope turned around and saw Will standing in front of Elizabeth and a young boy. There was another woman but her back was turned. At her side she held the hand of a young girl. Hope saw a pirate attempt to attack the woman but she handled the man easily. The woman let go of the girl and swung her sword at the pirate, knocking him off his feet. She grabbed the girl and ran towards the helm. Hope still could not make out who the woman was. When the woman was at the helm she turned and Hope was shocked. It was herself, much older but it was still herself. Hope watched as her older self fought with three pirates as the young girl stood behind her. After killing one, another replaced him. It continued like that a few more moments before she called upward.

"Jack! I need a little help down here." Hope looked to the mast and saw Jack fighting with two pirates on

the footropes.

"I'm a little busy at the moment love," Jack called down. Before the four pirates attacked she grabbed a rope and the girl and swung to the ship's forward, landing a few feet from Will knocking the man he was fighting overboard.

"Thanks!" Will said.

"Take Katie and hide in the cabin. You too Will." Hope said handing the girl to Elizabeth and leaning closer to Will.

"I must still be dreaming," Hope said not believing that this was real, though it felt real. The little girl screamed out to her other self as the girl struggled to get back to her. Hope saw herself say something to the little girl before she joined the fight again. Heading back towards the helm of the ship a tall man with a medium build stepped in her other self's way. He was dressed in black, with red embroidering. He wore a black tricorne hat with a red feather. Hope looked closer and saw that he had a red glass eye and his left hand was missing the ring and pinky fingers.

"Well, well. What we 'ave 'ere," the man said with a grin. Hope saw him draw his sword but before she could see what happened she was engulfed in a bright light.

SCENE CHANGE

Hope opened her eyes, confusion evident. She looked around and saw she was back in her own room. She closed her eyes, only to open them again. She sat up and saw her bedroom window open, the curtains gently moving as the warm, salty sea air enveloped her body.

"I didn't leave those open." She looked around but saw nothing but the shadows of bedroom furniture on the wall. She shook her head, put her robe on, and walked over to the window. Looking out into the port as she had earlier that night, everything was the same except there was another ship in the bay. She immediately noticed that the ship's sails appeared darker than the others. They looked almost non-existent. "The Pearl." She turned aroud she scanned the room once more.

"Jack?" she called out softly. She heard movement from one of the darkened corners. Fixing her gaze on the corner she saw Jack emerge wearing his usual black trench coat, tricorne hat, and red bandana. He flashed her that crooked grin of his. "Jack." Hope smiled and quickly walked over to him.

"Hello, darling. Did you miss me?" Hope threw her arms around his neck. Jack smiled as he wrapped his own around her and held her tight. The smell of rum and ocean water filled Hope's senses.

"I thought you weren't coming after…" Hope said pulling back but didn't get the chance to finish her sentence when Jack silenced her with a passionate kiss. They stayed like that for several moments. Hope slowly pulled away. "I was worried you wouldn't return when the two weeks passed." Jack cupped her cheek.

"I'm sorry, love. Some of the crew was having a merry good time in Tortuga."

"Tortuga? Jack Sparrow." Hope scolded.

"No worries, love. I ignored temptation and stayed on me ship drinking rum and gathering what supplies we needed." Hope wasn't convinced. "I swear on my ship." After a few moments Hope smiled.

"All right. I believe you. But if you are lying I will turn you into a eunuch, savvy?" Jack smiled.

"Rubbing off on you am I, darling?" Hope laughed and smiled.

"Maybe a little."

"So. Do I have a new member on my ship?"

"You do."

"Wonderful. Let's gather what womanly effects you'll be wanting before the bloody Royal Navy knows I'm here."

"All ready taken care of." Hope said pointing to a sack against the wall. "I just need to dress more appropriately." Hope went over to her closet and pulled the white shirt and black pants she wore when Will and her sparred. Walking over to her changing area she threw the outfit over the top.

"Need any help?"

"No. I am perfectly capable of dressing myself, Captain."

"You sure know how you spoil a good time, love." Hope shook her head as she changed into the outfit and emerged. Picking up her bundle of things Jack opened the bedroom door.

"No! Jack, what are you doing? We'll be seen if we go that way." Hope said pulling him back into the room.

"No, we won't."

"How can you be so sure?" He cupped her face and kissed her again, then quickly pulled away.

"Because you're forgetting one important thing, love. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." Hope laughed.

"Lead the way, Captain." The two made their way down the staircase. Before they got to far down Hope checked to see if the night butler was there. When she didn't see him she waved for Jack to follow. They continued until they were almost at the door when they heard footsteps on the marble floor. Jack stiffened as he quickly opened the door and pulled Hope out with him closing the door behind him as quietly as possible and pulling her into the bushes.

"Jack, what are we doing in the bushes?" Hope whispered as Jack placed his hand over her mouth just as the door opened and the butler looked out. Without any words he went back into the house. Jack and Hope emerged from the bushes and silently made their way down the driveway to the bay.

NOTE: So? What do you think? PLEASE REVIEW!

Next Chapter: FUTURE ON THE HORIZON