This is my first Pirates of the Caribbean story. It was previously called Silent Hearts before I removed it. Only the title has changed.

(This story is dedicated to my good friend Helen for always being there for me.)

Pisces Rising

Chapter One

Serena climbed out of the carriage, taking care not to let her dress trail in the dirt. It was a hot and sunny day. The ocean was sparkling and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. Following her aunt, she gazed at the scaffold not far away. Fanning herself, she stepped up onto the raised ground for upper class citizens. Now she could see over the heads of the crowd to the man standing by the noose, waiting for death. The crowd murmured and shifted expectantly. It was a very large crowd, for pirate hangings were very popular and rare. Serena's heart was beating frantically as she squinted into the distance at the pirate. She leaned to the right and raised her chin to get a better view. Her aunt noticed her apprehensive expression and hissed to her ear in disapproval,

"It is not Jack Sparrow, if that eases your concern."

Serena's head jerked towards the older woman in surprise and embarrassment. She saw the look on her aunt's face and her cheeks burned.

"I did love him once, aunt. I would care if he was about to go to his death. But as you very well know, I have not seen him for over ten years and my heart belongs with Edward now."

Her aunt gave a small grunt of approval and looked ahead once more.

"I should think so too. Who knows what your position would be now if that unruly ruffian had not gone off to be a pirate. What a little rogue he was too! Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say. I just pray that they catch him and hang him soon."

Serena felt anger rise in her throat and bit her tongue to keep her from saying anything in Jack's defence. She did not want her aunt to think she still wished him to return to Antigua. Her fan still flapping, she too turned to face the scaffold as the official began to read the crimes that the pirate had committed.

The drums began to roll even faster and the noose was put around the criminal's neck. Serena lowered her eyes as she felt her stomach churn. She thought it barbaric for a human being to be killed in that way. Nobody deserved to die with that many people looking on, happy to be rid of them.

As the roar of the crowd sounded, Serena raised her head and saw Lieutenant Edward Newbury looking at her with the trace of a smile on his lips and warm eyes. She smiled back, her pretty face glowing with happiness. She really did want to marry him. He was kind, relaxed and not at all conceited.

Her aunt's grim face blocked her view of him.

"Well, that's that. Another one terminated. Come along, Serena." She gestured at the carriage with her parasol and waved her hand impatiently to one of the servants. Lieutenant Newbury was coming through the scattering crowd towards Serena and her aunt.

"Good day Serena," he spoke formally and then looked over and bowed to her aunt. "Lady Summers. I wondered if Serena would care to take a walk with me? I'm allowed an hour off."

Her aunt looked at her niece and the respectable young man at her side.

"Very well. Enjoy your walk. Make sure you come straight home, Serena."

Her aunt climbed into the carriage and Edward held out his hand to Serena with a smile.

"Shall we?"

Captain Jack Sparrow strolled in his usual carefree manner along the docks of Antigua. This was where he had lived before he went to be a pirate. He wondered if she would still be here. Of course, he had meant to come back for her. Only he was just enjoying piracy so much, he couldn't make himself sail back. The Black Pearl was freedom and adventure. She was part of a different life. His old life. Whoever heard of the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow settling down with a woman? He had changed so much. But he had thought of her when he had told Will that not all treasure was silver and gold. And he had felt a pang in his heart when Will had said that he would even die for Elizabeth. He remembered once saying that to her. He wondered if she would remember. And furthermore, he WASN'T being hypocritical when he told Will to find himself a girl. Will didn't know that Jack already had one. One that he never saw.

He walked with a confident sway, beads and trinkets jingling and linking in his long black hair. The afternoon sun highlighted his tan and white shirt. Then, he noticed a couple walking towards him in the near distance. He hid himself behind a tree when he saw the Royal Navy uniform the man was wearing. The girl on his arm was familiar to him somehow. But no, it couldn't be. Serena would never go for a Lieutenant. He shifted his eyes away, reminiscing Serena's fiery temper and rebellious nature. That aunt of hers! She had been determined on making Serena into a prim and proper young woman.

The couple were walking closer. The girl was first class – Jack recognised the bonnet, ringlets and frilly dress she was wearing were similar to Elizabeth's. He watched as they both stopped and the girl turned towards the navy officer. Jack had not yet seen her face closely. Jack sighed impatiently from behind the large oak tree as the man turned as well, moving closer to the woman. Why couldn't they just move so he could be on his way without being seen? He shot the couple a glance and saw they appeared to be in deep conversation. Jack took his chance and crept over to the next tree. It was risky, because he was closer to them, but if he could keep hiding behind the trees all the way, he could get past them unnoticed.

Jack peered out from behind the tree and saw the couple embracing, their lips joined passionately. He was about to roll his eyes and move away to the next tree, when they stopped kissing and Jack had a clear view of the lady's face. His eyes widened and his face froze. It was her. She wasn't a girl anymore, she was a woman. He had always though she was becoming, but now...she was beautiful. A wave of sudden and unexpected fury and jealousy washed over him as the man caressed her cheek and leaned in for another kiss. His hand reached for his pistol and his mouth moved in silent curses. That was his lass! Who was this fancy man who dared to kiss his woman? He was trembling in anger. This was near the spot that he used to kiss her. He wanted to leap out from behind the tree and point his pistol to the Lieutenant's back, but he couldn't move. So he just watched in anger.

"See you tomorrow, darling." Edward whispered and smiled at Serena before he started to walk away. She watched his retreating back, her green eyes sparkling with happiness. She stood there in thought for another minute, unaware of the pair of deep chocolate eyes that were boring into her. Then she started to walk on her way, enjoying the perfect weather.

Captain Jack Sparrow began to move the way he came behind the trees, extravagantly stretching his legs as he walked. He had over-taken Serena now. Jack moved out from the shade of the trees into Serena's path. She hadn't seen him yet; she had stopped and was gazing out towards the ocean. Jack leaned casually against the bark of the nearest tree and waited.

Serena gazed at the sparkling ocean, letting her imagination run wild for a moment. Then she shook her thoughts away and began to walk ahead again. But before she got very far, she stopped in her tracks, staring in shock at the person just ahead of her.