High Flier

Chapter 11 - Freedom

~Pirate Rhi

This chapter contains the censored version of Chapter 11. This chapter is rated PG-13. The lemon will be in the next chapter. It is clearly labeled. Anyone who is under 18 or does not wish to read the lemon should read this chapter. Anyone who does want to read the lemon should skip to the next chapter. I do not take any responsibility for anyone who is underage or anyone who does not wish to read the lemon chapter if they choose to read it. Thank you.

Hey guys, sorry I took so long in posting these last chapters, I guess I didn't want the story to end, as I've become quite attached to it. That, and I've been very busy with soccer training, because soccer season's just started, and I'm in the top team at school, so I need to train harder than usual.

Anyway, I might write an epilogue if I can get a good idea, otherwise, this will be the last chapter, and I thank everyone who read this story and even more thanks to those who were my constant reviewers, it's much appreciated.

My next projects are a sequel for Caribbean Crusades, so those of you who enjoyed that fic, look out for the sequel, which I'll post as soon as I get some written (and the actual plot established, cause at the moment, it's a whole lot of nonsense), and I'm thinking of writing in response to ChibiHermione's challenge, so if you're interested in them, look out for them soon.

Queen of the Caribbean - Well, I'm glad you think my story's worthy of begging…heh heh…and I'm glad you liked the elbow bit, when I realised what I'd written, I cracked up laughing as well.

Song for this chapter: Your Body is a Wonderland ~ John Mayer

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Alex relaxed in Jack's arms, leaning back against him, just enjoying the comfortable silence that surrounded them, and the feeling of security that Jack's firm body gave her.

"We should probably go back down to the docks. I'm sure your crew would've discovered that you're gone and come after you." Alex said, as she shifted on the bed, starting to get up.

Jack placed a quick kiss on Alex's mouth. "You're right, luv. We should probably go." He rose from the bed and collected his clothes from the floor and took one last look at Alex's naked form before chucking her clothes at her. "Almost a shame to cover that up." He said, grinning at her.

"Just get dressed, Sparrow." Alex said, grinning back at him, then turning her back to him before they would have to have a repeat performance of what happened just minutes ago. She tugged on her clothes and turned around to see that Jack was already dressed and staring at her ass appreciatively.

"Jack!" Alex scolded playfully.

Jack held up his arms in mock surrender. "Sorry, luv." He said.

"Yeah, sure you are." Alex said, taking his hand and leading him out of the house, kicking the door closed behind her.

Jack and Alex made their way back down to Tortuga, where Jack's keen eyes spotted the Black Pearl floating in the harbour and he pointed it out to Alex.

"See, I told you." Alex said, grinning at Jack.

"So, will you come back with me? And stay with me this time?" Jack asked, his dark brown eyes looking comically sorrowful.

"Yeah. I'll stay." Alex said confidently. "I don't want to leave again."

* * * * * *

Jack and Alex reached Tortuga soon after, and without a word, they both headed towards Mara's bar before even thinking about going to the docks. They both felt an obligation to thank the woman who'd basically made this possible.

The bell on the door jingled as Alex pushed it open. Mara was standing behind the bar, cleaning smudges off the glass mugs. She looked up at the two and grinned, "So, it worked then?" she asked.

"Aye, it worked." Jack replied. "Jus' don't go doin' it again, savvy?"

"Well, hopefully I won't need to." Mara said, placing the now clean mug down on the bench. "But I actually did have a favour to ask you."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"Well, I was hoping that I'd still have a place on your ship after all these years." Mara asked.

Jack laughed. "The ol' sea is calling, eh? You could never be a landlubber, Mara, you're just not cut out for it. Sailing's in the blood. 'Course you can come back on me Pearl. In fact, we're leaving right now, so you'd better get a move on."

Mara grinned, her grin almost identical to Jack's grin, and tossed the teatowel onto the bench and made her way upstairs to pack her things.

Alex followed Mara upstairs to gather the few possessions that she'd brought ashore with her and they gathered downstairs so they could make their way down to the docks together.

The urgency to reach the docks once again seemed to make each of them walk faster than usual down the hill. The sparkling blue water came into view in no time and the tug of the ocean seemed stronger than it had ever been before. The Black Pearl waited in the harbour, majestically riding the small swells of the sheltered waters.

They quickly loaded themselves into the dinghy Jack had used to reach the shore and rowed their way out to the Black Pearl, where they climbed aboard the ship, all three of them enjoying, once again, the feel of the ocean beneath their feet.

The crew was all gathered out on deck, and all of them seemed pleased to see Alex again. Elizabeth strode across the deck to Alex and enveloped her in a tight hug, welcoming her back to the Pearl.

"I'm glad you decided to come back." Elizabeth said, then lowering her voice, she added, "Jack's been a pain in the behind without you around."

Jack looked over at Elizabeth and faked an indignated look, but he knew that he had been hard on his crew, so he didn't bother denying it.

"We should probably get going then." Jack said, swaggering proudly over to the helm of the ship. He took the wheel and grabbed a bottle of rum he kept tethered next to the wheel in case of emergencies, well, general consumption on all occasions, actually. He took a swig of the drink and swallowed it, grinning over at Mara and Alex, who were still standing by the railing.

"Get ready to set sail!" Jack yelled to his crew. "All hands on deck! Man the braces!"

Alex made her way to Jack's quarters and replaced her things in their rightful place. She'd turned her cabin over to Mara, knowing that she wouldn't need it anymore, and she was glad for that.

Knowing that she still had a grin firmly plastered on her face, she made her way back out on the deck, where she just enjoyed the feeling of being back aboard the Black Pearl.

The Black Pearl slowly moved out of the harbour and when she finally reached the open ocean, the wind started to blow, filling her sails, pushing her along as fast as she'd go.

Alex found her way to the bow of the ship and admired the view. She would never tire of the sea, the way the water sparkled and reflected the sun, the dolphins that would swim along on the bow wave, playfully leaping from the water and performing water acrobatics that she could only dream of doing, and the seemingly boundless expanse of the ocean.

The sun was setting now, the reds and oranges mixing together perfectly, reflecting on the ocean and staining the clouds.

Jack came up behind Alex after turning the wheel over to Anamaria, and wrapped his arms around Alex's waist. They stood in silence for a moment, drinking in the sight, until Jack broke the silence.

"Freedom, luv. It's freedom."

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*sniff* I can't believe this is the end of the last chapter. I really don't want this story to end, but as they say, all good things must come to an end, and this story is a good thing, so I guess this is the end.

What'd be really great is if everyone who reads this chapter could review it for me. I'd really appreciate that, and I'd love you all forever. And if that doesn't appeal to you, I'll get either Captain Jack Sparrow or Will Turner to love you forever, whichever one tickles your fancy.

So I shall say my final goodbyes, and leave you with an inspirational quote…

Life's tough…get a helmet.

Hmmm, maybe not so inspirational, huh?

~Rhi =)