A/N: Sorry this took forever! I made it extra long (compared to some of my other updates) so I hope that will compensate all of you. I also changed the title but I'm going to alter it a bit more. The former title will still head the chapters though.

Falling Behind

Ara watched as Jack carried the man on his shoulder to a cabin. She should have shot him, would have shot him except for one fact…Particularly after I saved you from that island…

She maneuvered the ship gracefully out of port and turned the Gorrion towards the ocean and freedom.

Yes, he had saved her, against her will, perhaps, but the pirate had had good intentions. So she owed him. With a sigh her memory went back to the day that she had forbidden her memory to ever recall…

Captain had sent out the order to have her dragged her up to the deck of the ship. Her hands were bound in front of her and the man she had thought was her best friend, her companion in crime (literally) was now leading her roughly to stand in front of Captain.

A finger slithered from Captain's awful hand to slide up her throat to grip her chin and drag her closer. "My dear Ara…" He bent to put his lips to hers but she jerked back and snapped at him with her teeth. "Oh," he crooned. "So touchy aren't we? Well I have a solution for you. I know that you've never really felt at home here so I'm giving you an island for your very own."

The quietness of the man's voice disguised its usual harsh and cold tones. He only spoke to her like that when…She jerked back again in fear, her eyes wide.

"You mean to mutiny me! You treacherous snake!" Her voice rang so loudly in the still night air that somebody should have heard it. But nobody came to her rescue; nobody cared.

Captain placed a finger, that same slithery finger, on her lips and looked at her in earnest. "Please be quiet or we'll have to use some…unpleasant measures." Captain grinned as Ara shuddered. Captain saw something out of the corner of his eye and the grin reduced to a small, evil smile. "Ah, see," he said as the awful hand moved to reach her shoulder. "There it is now."

Ara strained to see "her" island. It had trees and sand. There wasn't anything else. She turned back to Captain. "Beautiful isn't it. I just know you'll be much happier there." She turned away and refused to look at him.

"Ara…" It was a plea for her to look. "Ara. Ara, please." Whatever control the man might have had was suddenly flung to the four winds. He grasped her shoulders and shook them. "Blood, Ara, please! Look at me!" She looked at him but showed no emotion on her beautiful face. "Ara, I love you. I've loved you deeply for many years. You've given me a happiness I'd never thought I'd know. It pained me when you were hurt and I thought I would die but now, now I have just one question." Captain sank down on one knee and looked deep into the eyes she had turned to him. "Will you walk the plank for me?"

Ara looked at him lovingly…before giving him a swift kick that landed rather low. "Why Captain," she hissed. "I thought you would never ask!" With that she whirled away and walked over to the plank. She nearly mentally begged him to run after her to ask her to stay because he really did love her. But it would never work. She turned to the man beside her (how long had he been there?). "My pistol."

The man scrunched up his face looking confused for a moment before grasping it from some hidden pocket on his body. He looked at her for a moment as though trying to decide how best to give it to her when…

"Ye're pistol, madam!" A soft gasp left Ara's mouth as she watched the man hurl it into the water. Gathering what strength and dignity she had left she ran forward to the gangplank.

Only there was no gangplank, Captain had removed it so she would go hurtling down to the water like a bullet…

Ara jumped as someone touched her shoulder. Jack grinned so that the gold of his teeth flashed. "Thinking of me, love?" Ara raised an eyebrow and shrugged his hand off. "No, you had not made your sinking entrance just yet." Jack shrugged. "Well we can't all make grand entrances now can we?" Ara smiled and turned the conversation to other things.

"How's the boy?" Jack looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "Let's just say he's better than he was down in the water." Ara gave him a look. "He's not doing too well is he?" "I never said that! Just that, well…" Ara raised her eyebrow again. "Yes, the whelp is half dead all right," he snapped. Ara gave him another look. "Remember what happened the last time you exaggerated…"Jack smirked. "My hair grew back didn't it?" His expression changed to be a bit more solemn. "He needs better medicine than what we have. The gash went deeper then I thought. We need to find someone who can help him."

Ara bit her lip and looked at the expanse of water in front of her. "Where are we going to find that?"

Commodore Norrington hated making calls to this house. Particularly after Elizabeth had chosen William Turner over him. Whenever he went there the first few moments were always rather tense and painful because he wasn't sure what to say. He still loved Elizabeth but knowing that she would never return the feelings cut him deeper than a sword wound. But because she was happy, he would at least make an attempt to be happy.

But today would bring a deep sorrow on his beloved. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. It is my duty to inform her.

A maid opened the door looking a bit startled to see the Commodore there. "May I see Miss Swan?" The maid nodded. She led him into the room and left him with a "She will be with you in a moment." A curtsy and then she was gone. Norrington watched as she hastily mounted the steps to tell the lovely maiden of her soldier down stairs.

Elizabeth had never been much of a book reader. But today had been a very dull day. Father was out on some political thing or another that "was not suitable for young ladies". Humph, she had seen and heard more during her time with the pirates than even her father probably knew.

She turned her attention to the door as the maid came in. "Miss Swan, Commodore Norrington is here to see you." Elizabeth glanced swiftly in the mirror before she marched down the steps. She was still not quite sure what to say around him. Around Will she could say almost anything but around James… Ever since she had chosen Will over him she was not sure what to say. The first few moments when he came were always tense and painful because of that choice.

"James, it's so good to see you again!" She noticed his concerned expression. "What's wrong?"

Norrington looked at her. "Miss Swan I'm afraid I have some disturbing news." She watched him take a breath. "I'm afraid your fiancé was kidnapped by Jack Sparrow."

Norrington watched as her expression of concern went to unbelief and then to shock. He quickly grabbed a chair and she sank down into it. Would she react this way for me? "What…how…" Norrington remained standing and began at the beginning.

"We had captured Jack Sparrow and he was about to be hung when your fiancé came and saved him. They then began to fight us and Will took Jack over the edge…" She appears not to be listening! "We went to get our ships but when we reached where they had fallen they were already gone. I'm sorry." Elizabeth appeared to gain some comprehension and nodded. "It was not your fault. Of course," she looked up. "You are going after him?"

Norrington hesitated for a moment. "Of course, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth fingered the necklace Will had given her. It was a gold link chain and at the end was a diamond in a small heart shape. "No matter what happens, I'll always love you…forever…" Elizabeth allowed herself to sob into her bed sheets.

Wiping the tears from her eyes she knew she needed to do something before the whole place was afloat.

She washed her face and then marched determinedly down the stairs. "Miss Swan, where are you going?" "Outside for a walk," Elizabeth answered the fussy little maid. "But Miss it's almost dark out-"

As the door clicked shut Elizabeth imagined she could hear the maid's voice trailing to the end of her sentence.

She had been wandering around for a while. It didn't make her feel much better especially after passing the blacksmith's shop but it was something to do. The maid had been right, it was getting dark out but right now she didn't really want to go home. I'm the Governor's daughter so why can't I do what I want?

She had been so caught up in her own thoughts that she did not notice the beggar sitting in the middle of the alleyway. "Hey now, watch where you're going!" Elizabeth scrambled to her feet and gathered her dignity. "I'm sorry, sir that I-" "Sir? Sir? Do I look like a man to you girl?" With that the beggar's hood slid back and the young woman stood up. The "beggar" was short, with shoulder length hair, and a commanding look that would have stopped anyone, man or no, in their tracks.

Elizabeth blushed. "No, you don't. I'm sorry I ran into you and for calling you a man." The girl looked at Elizabeth as she dusted herself off. "Why'd you run into me anyway? Deep thoughts, obviously." Elizabeth saddened. "My fiancé was just kidnapped by a pirate." The girl stopped and straightened up, looking at her. "Kidnapped by a pirate?" Elizabeth nodded. "What pirate?" Elizabeth refrained from a smile. "Captain Jack Sparrow."

The woman frowned for a moment. "Jack Sparrow you say? I think I know someone who can help you." Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you, but the Royal Navy is already working on finding him." The woman waved a hand, drifting. "Yes, that may be so, but they take forever. This person can find him quickly." Elizabeth looked at her suspiciously. "What is your name?" The young woman coughed before stating "Tory. And you are Elizabeth Swan, the Governor's daughter aren't you?" Elizabeth nodded. "At least talk to him," Tory cajoled. "He'll help you, I promise."

Elizabeth hesitated. "Very well. Lead me to him."

Tory grinned as Elizabeth accepted. "Just follow me, milady, just follow me." Yes, follow me little princess. We won't hurt you…much.