Chapter Twenty-One

Will looked back at the Fort. He had left here twice, both times wondering if he would ever be back. And he still couldn't help but wonder...what did the future hold for him?

Turning to his left, he saw Jack, lying on the beach leisurely. "I hate to break it to you mate, but I'm not sure she's coming." He said taking another swig of rum.

It was still dark, the moon, which was barely a sliver, shone only well enough to see images silhouetted in the black. Sitting down next to Jack, he flopped down onto his back, watching the sky grow lighter. "I guess it just wasn't mean to be." He said.

"No mate, it was...she just doesn't know it." Jack said, clearing his throat. "It's almost daybreak," He stood up, "We need to be movin."

Will rose to his feet, brushing the sand of his pants. And then he took one last look at Port Royal, one last look for her.

"Will, give me help with this boat!" Jack said impatiently, giving one more unsuccessful push to the boat which had cleverly stuck itself into the wet sand. "Guess we'll hav' ta lift it." Jack said as Will walked towards the back of the boat, "One two three, heave!" He yelled as he and Will slowly picked up the heavy lifeboat and began to walk it towards the low tide.

Suddenly, Will let go of the boat, causing Jack to grimace in pain as he struggled alone and the end Will was holding sunk back into the sand, "Wait! I can't do this Jack...I can't leave Elizabeth. She has sacrificed enough for love...It's my turn."

Jack rolled his eyes, "Well make up your mind Will. I don't have all day. And this boa' is quite heavy if you haven't noticed..."

Will was about to respond when he heard a shout. Turning quickly, he saw two figures approaching not 50 yards away. At first, Will thought he was imagining them, but as they drew closer and the shouts more distinct, he knew...

"Elizabeth!" He yelled, turning fully towards the shouts.

Jack rolled his eyes hopelessly and dropped his end of the boat. "Well look at that." He said quietly to Will, who apparently wasn't listening and had begun to walk down the wet sand quickly.

Will broke into a run, flinging himself down the beach. One of the figures broke into a run and as the sun rose up and over the hill, Will saw her face. Saw her running towards him.

One second he was running and the next, he and Elizabeth where on the ground, knocked down into the sand. Breathing deeply, Elizabeth looked at Will in the eye as tears poured down her face, "You where right, I couldn't loose you again! I couldn't! My pride got in the way...I was the one being selfish Will! I..."

"Ssshhhh," Will said, putting a finger to her mouth, "It's okay now," he said as he pulled her down to him in a warm kiss. Every curve of her body fit into his. She moaned as her hand found his hair, gripping it tightly.

"I love you..." She whispered. "I realize now that I never want to loose you again..."

"...And you wanted to lose me yesterday?" Will said laughing.

Elizabeth punched him in the arm playfully, "You..." she began, but couldn't finish as he pulled her into another kiss. They didn't want to stop, there was not guilt involved now, no pride, no greed...it was pure love. And nothing could get in the way now...not again...not ever...nothing...

&

Jack Sparrow smiled as he saw his First Mate finally happy again...well...maybe even for the first time. Suddenly, he felt the boat move as someone climbed into it next to him. "Wow," A voice squeaked, "are you really...Captain – Jack – Sparrow?!" It said timidly.

"That I am." Jack smiled, "And you must be Young James...look just like you father..."

James looked shocked the Captain Sparrow somehow knew his name, but just smiled and shook his head. "Is this The Black Pearl?" He asked looking around at the small boat.

"Heck no!" Jack said, putting his hand on the boys shoulder "This is just a mere child compared to a ship like The Pearl!"

Young James' eyes grew wide and he grinned, "When do we leave?" He asked excitedly.

Jack laughed as he ruffled Young James' hair, he was going to like this boy...he could already tell. "Come on you two!" yelled over to Elizabeth and Will, still embedded in the sand, "We've got a ship to catch!"

&

"There she is! There's me ship!" Jack said smiling proudly as the small lifeboat turned around a tall rock, revealing the Pearl.

"WOW!" Young James yelled, almost tipping over the boat as he jumped towards one side, "A real pirate ship!"

"Oh Jack, she's beautiful!" Elizabeth said, smiling, "Much better than during Barbossa's rein."

"Barbossa? Ma, have you met Barbossa?" Young James asked suddenly, turning again abruptly and making the vessel wiggle nervously.

Elizabeth suddenly realized what she had said, "Uh..." She began, giving Will a worried look.

"James!" Jack said, changing the subject, "The first and foremost rule of being a pirate is to never bounce around when in a small lifeboat...keep your ground and stay as steady as possible. A real pirate barely flinches as a boat moves swiftly through the unsettled water."

James looked utterly excited about the new challenge. And sat down quietly next to Jack, holding himself as steady as possible as they bounced over waves, but barely succedding.

"So, this was a happy ending to all happy endings." Jack said, smiling at Elizabeth.

"Ending?" Will said, "But this is only the beginning!" He took a moment to stop paddling and kiss Elizabeth's on the forehead as she smiled politely at his sweet, yet very clichéd line.

Jack nodded at James, "Isn't it sweet...? Ye' parents, back together like they was always meant to be."

"Jack!" Will and Elizabeth both gasped at the same time jolting the boat.

Young James, too, suddenly lost concentration of his game and looked questionably at Jack. "My parents? What do you mean?"

Jack looked at Young James, then Elizabeth and Will who looked as if they might kill the pirate. He smiled his innocent smile, and laughed softly, turning towards the Pearl as it neared, "Well wouldn't you look at that...me ship...! This is my stop...I'll be seein ya later, but for now, I must depart!" And with that, he dove into the crisp clear waters and swam towards his ship faster than he had ever swam before.

The End

AN: Sorry for the long wait! My cousin got married this weekend and everything was hectic!

Thanks to all of my faithful reviewers! I love all of you...you made this story come alive for me!

Did you like the ending? Please feel free to e-mail me or review and let me know. Another chapter of an alternate ending is a possibility if I get some ideas and feedback. I'll think about a sequel, but right now w/ school, I'm not really sure if I have time. Please keep a lookout though.

Thanks again! Love always,

Iloveorli27