A/N: yeeees, yes, that's right – t'is will be the last chapter. sooob which means - this is the LAST TIME you'll be able to review for this…! hint hint ;)

Soo…will it be Jack/Elizabeth or Will/Elizabeth..? huh? HUH?? Whatcha think? You gotta tell me in your reviews what you predicted, okaaay? ;-)

All chapters are in the process of getting fixed, checked for grammar, spelling, logic and such. Be patient! :)

A little warning ahead to those who do not approve of this: This chapter might be – what am I saying, it will be very sappy, romantic and cheesy – all that stuff :D (Hey, shut uuuup! Life needs cheese!; )) I'm a sucker for happy endings, so if you don't like that – tough luck! Haaa! :D

There will be no authors note at the bottom, so I want to thank all my lovely reviewers now, especially Kizume Bass, fadingimage, sakhara291, Missy Mouse, leonsalanna, orligurl88 and Lyra Silvertongue 13 for being such faithful reviewers! Luv you! And everyone else – your reviews were SO appreciated! Thanks a bunch! I'd love for you to review this final chapter and tell me what you thought! (I'd love to get feedback as to whether you thought Jack out of character…) (And some of you (ahem, you know who you are!!) have me on their author alerts or their favorites and haven't reviewed…feel guilty!! ;) lol)

Enjoy Chapter 16 and see y'all on the pages ;)

Sereture

Chapter 16

Will tried to keep up with Jack's irregular stride, which was surprisingly quite fast, despite all his swaying from side to side.

"Jack! Wait up!"

Jack exaggeratedly slowly stopped, spun around on one foot and rolled his eyes. Then he took a deep breath and looked at Will with an expression of mock frustration.

"Listen, Turner." He said in exasperation, talking to Will as though he was a little child. "I've made up me mind. I will leave. What's holdin' me?" Will frowned, a little insulted, but Jack didn't notice as he was gazing out towards the vast sea before him. "I must git that helm under me fingers again…" he mumbled and grinned excitedly, exposing a couple of gold teeth. "Feel the wind on me face, the waves beneath the bow and –"

"Well, getting mighty poetic, are we Jack…" Will interrupted him and smirked affably. Will knew that Jack was right. Port Royal was no place for him – especially since he was a wanted man. He'd only be happy aboard his Pearl.

Jack shook himself out of the stupor and frowned at Will before waving him off.

"Picked that up from ye, boy. Bad influence, ye are. Might turn a eunuch meself someday. Not if I can help it though." He added hastily and Will shook his head, laughing at Jack's everlasting …quirkiness. He had given up to correct him after the hundredths time. Leave Jack his fun.

Will patted Jack good-naturedly on the shoulder and Jack grinned back. Although he would never admit it, he was immensely glad and relieved that things were fine between him and Will. Because, believe it or not, his pirate façade wasn't everything. There really was more to meet the eye: - only because he was a pirate, didn't mean he wasn't a human – and it was only natural for him to feel uncomfortable. The last thing he wanted was to hurt his best friend…his only friend, one might want to point out. There wasn't really much known about the term 'friendship' among pirates; although, his crew, especially Gibbs and Anamaria, were closer to their captain than was considered normal – but after all, they had discarded the code to save him; also something that wasn't considered exactly normal. Thinking of his crew brought Jack back to reality and he questioned Will as to where they were. Will looked a bit befuddled and confused at first, but then lightened up.

"Ah, yes...uh, after we arrived back here I sent them off to the nearby inn to get some rooms, but I suspect most stayed on the Pearl. Waiting for their Captain to tell them to set sails again." he added and smiled at Jack's exited expression at the thought of finally being at sea again. Suddenly Will's thoughts turned to Elizabeth though. She loved Jack. And Jack would leave.

Will was a noble man. But even he had to push himself for what he knew he should say next. After all, with Jack gone, Elizabeth might turn back to him, might remember the love they shared. But no, he didn't want that. And she wouldn't anyway, not after the immense love for him he had seen in her eyes. It hurt him to know this, but if there was something that hurt even more it was be the thought of Elizabeth mourning for her lost love, mourning for anything, really. He loved to see a smile play upon her lips – even if it wasn't for him. But if those lights went out…no, he had to ask Jack.

He cleared his throat, and Jack turned to look at him eagerly, eyebrows raised.

"Uh…Jack. You…you will take Elizabeth with you, won't you?" he stammered, still unsure which answer to hope for.

Jack's face was a canvas of emotions during the next moments. Will watched with utter amazement as his face first turned soft at the mention of her name, then hurt and resentful, and finally stoic and cold.

"Naw, don't think so, mate. 'Tis not the place for her. Besides – bad luck, remember?" he winked at Will, but it seemed all too unconvincing. Jack turned away.

"Well I'll be off then." He exclaimed loudly and quickly marched over to his ship. Before he boarded he turned once more.

"Ye take good care of her though…" he said almost solemnly, and so quietly that Will wasn't even sure if Jack meant for him to hear it.

Elizabeth's breath was going fast as she stood panting near the docks. She held her side with one hand – blasted corset! Her eyes searched frantically for the familiar figure. Had he left already?? Oh no, there he was. Elizabeth sighed in relief. She was about to stride over, when something inside her held her back. Jack didn't want her. He'd made that inevitably clear. And what was she doing here, making a fool out of herself? She gazed over to the undeniably familiar form of Jack Sparrow obviously arguing with Will, who burst out laughing. She felt guilty as she saw them together – after all, she had been the reason they had almost started to loathe each other. Suddenly Jack turned and started heading towards his ship. 'His Pearl', Elizabeth thought bitterly. 'He only loves his bloody ship.' She saw Jack turning towards Will once more and threw all logic and pride aside. She gathered her skirts up in a bunch and hastened as quickly as she could with that vexing corset towards Jack, who was almost aboard the Pearl now.

His eyes widened at the sudden sight of Elizabeth who seemed to emerge out of nowhere. The way her skirts flew behind her, in perfect unison with her hazel locks and the grace with which she held herself had him hypnotized for a moment. Blinking a couple of times, he broke the stare and finally set foot again aboard his beloved ship. Forget her. Forget her.

But - where was that feeling of satisfaction? That feeling of excitement and desire he always felt on the Pearl, the call of the sea that yearned to be answered? He felt none of it, but rather a feeling as if something was missing -

"Rubbish!" he said to himself, and then louder: "Oy! Hoist the sails, ye scabrous dogs!".

At his call, Gibbs and Cotton emerged from below deck and stared at their Captain for a moment.

"Why, Cap'n! Yer back!" Gibbs exclaimed cheerfully, but was interrupted by Jack, who worriedly saw Elizabeth approaching rather quickly. No need for some emotional farewell party, he thought and yelled at Gibbs to quit the small talk and follow his orders.

" 'is mood 'asn't changed since the last time I saw him.." Gibbs muttered under his breath and prepared the Black Pearl to leave port. In a matter of moments the sails were heaved and the crew was bustling on deck. Anamaria sprang down on the dock to loosen the rope from the pillar, getting pulled back aboard by Cotton and Jack. From the corner of his eye Jack could see Elizabeth standing rigidly next to Will and he sighed in relief. So she had made a decision. He tried to smile to himself, but had to swallow hard instead as he saw the two standing next to each other. Aye, they meant to belong together. He had been so foolish.

Jack turned brusquely and strode up to the helm, not bothering to look back one last time.

He must have seen her coming!

Elizabeth was devastated. She had come to a sudden halt next to Will, who was looking rather startled. One hand drawn up to her mouth, she thought she would feel sick. Tears began welling up in her eyes as the final lash was loosened and the Pearl slowly drew out of port. This felt so wrong! How could he just leave her behind? Didn't he know they were meant for each other? Didn't he feel what they shared? It was yesterday night that she had realized this, and she had hoped that Jack might feel the same, might understand. And now he had left. Just like that. He hadn't even bid her good-bye. Oh what a coward he was! Elizabeth thought angrily, and her sorrow turned into fury and she unconsciously put her hands on her hips. She was going to show that Jack Sparrow just what a coward he was!

Elizabeth quickly rid her heavy overcoat, which fell to the ground. Will stared at her in confusion and then his eyes widened as he realized what she was up to.

"No! Elizabeth! Don't do that! Elizabeth, you –"

But it was too late. Elizabeth had sprinted forward and dived, rather ungracefully, into the water.

"-can't swim…" Will finished his sentence quietly and sighed in frustration. Then he quickly discarded his shirt and prepared to go after her; as he watched Elizabeth struggle in the water though, he was surprised at the skill she showed. Whenever had she learned to swim…? After he made sure she wouldn't likely drown anytime soon he forced himself to stay on land. It'd be best not to interfere now. This wasn't between him and Jack anymore, nor between him and Elizabeth. This only concerned the two of them.

Jack stared at the figure below him in the chilly waters in shock and utter incredulity. What was she doing?! This was insane! Hadn't Cotton's parrot screeched for him so hysterically, he wouldn't have noticed her and she would have drowned for sure. Whatever was she doing in the blasted ocean?!! And why wasn't some Royal-Navy-Commodore-person saving her? Why wasn't Will going after her??

Her frantic shouts quickly shook him out of his stupor though and he yelled for Anamaria.

"Ana! A rope, and be quick!" He eyed Elizabeth struggling in the water worriedly and hoped she'd last a bit longer. It had looked as if she was able to swim at first, but maybe it had just been her desperation.

"Anamaria!!!" he yelled again, and the woman appeared just that moment, panting slightly. He hastily grabbed for the rope that she offered him without ever letting his eyes leave Elizabeth and slid it down the side of the Black Pearl.

"Jest grab it!" he shouted anxiously, as her fingers were groping aimlessly for something to hold onto. Again and again Elizabeth was dunked underwater; every time she came up she was gasping for air frenetically. A few terrible seconds - that seemed like forever to him - passed until her fingers finally got hold of the stiff rope. Jack Sparrow audibly let out a breath of relief and ordered his crewmembers to get ready to pull at his signal; his eyes were still fixed on Elizabeth.

"Alright, Liz! Listen! Ye hold on tight t'that rope, understand? Hold tight!" he repeated and hoped that Elizabeth had heard him. At his signal the rope strained and the strength of his men was quickly able to pull Elizabeth save aboard. Anamaria had a cloak ready for her; and at the sight of her, standing there, looking so incredibly vulnerable, Jack felt something warm him from inside. Without thinking he walked over and took her into his arms.

Elizabeth looked up at him hesitantly, expecting him to reprimand her; the fact that she had actually come here in the first place to tell him off had been forgotten completely at the sight of him so worried and she felt foolish to have acted so rash and without second thought. She had no urge to rebuke him now; she was simply glad to be here, with him. She opened her mouth to apologize for scaring him so, but Jack hushed her by placing a finger to her lips.

"Stubborn one, aren't ye?"

"And aren't you glad for it…" Elizabeth retorted, a little more confident now and Jack involuntarily smiled.

Jack felt unbelievably at ease as he held her in his arms; she was dripping wet, but grinning up at him like a Cheshire cat. He should really ought to tell her that he didn't approve of this though…

"Ye know, ye shouldn't –" he started, but his scolding lecture died on his lips and he opened and closed his mouth speechlessly, searching for the right words. Elizabeth giggled at this so-uncommon sight of the infamous Captain. No, she didn't regret doing this, although she was definitely going to catch a cold. But if that was the price for making that stubborn Captain of hers realize what was right for him, it was definitely worth it.

"Ye should really get some dry clothes, luv. Ye'll –" Jack started again, although he was reluctant to let go of her. Never did anything feel more right than holding her in his arms right now.

This time though, it was Elizabeth's turn to hush him. As an answer she simply snuggled closer to Jack, leaning her head onto his chest and breathed a content sigh. Although one would expect explanations and apologies to be exchanged, both felt that no words were needed right now.

Jack walked up to the helm, all the while holding Elizabeth to him and gripped the wooden wheel with one hand. Above their heads the white sails crackled and billowed in the wind, composing an enchanting symphony along with the roll of the waves and the shrieks of the seagulls. A sudden turn of the wind caused a wave to roll high and sea spray sprinkled Jack and Elizabeth's faces. Elizabeth giggled and looked up at Jack, who grazed his thumb over her cheek to rid it from the drops of water. Aye, something had been missing when he first boarded the Pearl. And now he was ready to admit that he knew what it was. How foolish had he been to just sail off, to run away – he might never have experienced this utter feeling of satisfaction. Aye, Elizabeth had always been a stubborn one. Thank the lord for that; at least one of them had kept their sense! Suddenly Elizabeth nimbly snatched the tri-cornered hat from his head and placed it onto her own, grinning up to him cheekily. After the first expression of shock he cleared his throat and tried to look at her disapprovingly, failing miserably though. A half grin involuntarily curled up a corner of his mouth and he watched her in amusement gazing out towards the horizon; the now crimson-glowing sphere slowly illuminating the dark ocean where both connected – a sight that mesmerized her. He stroked her, almost lovingly and protectively, over her locks and sighed in content. At that Elizabeth gave him such a warm and genuine smile that he could not help himself but place a chaste kiss upon her lips. Their eyes said it all: everything had been forgiven. It was just 'the now' that mattered. And the knowledge that from now on, everything would be different.

Elizabeth watched the roguish pirate before her, taking in his kohl-lined eyes, his unruly hair held in place by the bandana, the scars on his exposed chest. Never had she been so sure of herself: this was what she wanted; this, and only this, would make her happy.

Jack Sparrow couldn't help but smile as he saw them there together. The two things he valued most in life. His ship. And her. Maybe there really was something after all that he would love as much as his Black Pearl…

And as the last ray of light ceased to be and the sun was almost completely submerged in the depths of the sea, Jack Sparrow felt at home.

"Now…" he - the rogue pirate who had acted against all stereotypes of buccaneers and swash-bucklers and had broken the code, more than once- murmured at the sight of the endless ocean, bringing Elizabeth closer to him. "…bring me that horizon."

And they knew, that when together, all horizons would be open to them…

Fin