A/N: Well readers, here is chapter 15 for you. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from POTC or Disney. The original characters and plot of this story are mine and anything related to other stories or character names is pure coincidence and unintentional.

Chapter 15: Lost Hope Regained

Jack's POV: Two Days Later

"Where is Lia!"

"Wha…"

"Where is Lia!"

"I don't know who…"

"You lie!"

I pulled out my sword and pressed it against the man's throat. His eyes grew wide in fear. The man was the captain of the ship we had raided. After the storm cleared, we saw sails on the horizon and decided to take action. It could have been The Mystic.

Of course I wasn't thinking.

"Jack!"

Will pushed opened a grating and came out from below the deck. He ran over to me, sword in hand.

"Jack, this is the wrong ship." He informed, "We searched this ship from top to bottom and there is nothing but storage goods."

I looked back to the captain. His eyes were squeezed shut and he was softly whispering pleads of mercy.

I scanned the deck with my eyes. The entire crew of the ship was tied to the main mast and my crew stood all around, each armed with their sword. All eyes were on me.

I felt a heat of embarrassment creep up my spine. My face suddenly grew hot. I looked back to the captain I had in my grip and pulled my sword away. He sighed in relief and I threw him to the floor.

"All hands to The Pearl!" I barked as I slid my sword in my scabbard.

We left the crew tied to the mast for the captain to deal with. No one said anything as we left.

On board The Pearl, I kept to steering as everyone quietly worked. Nighttime came quickly.

"Jack?"

I turned from my steering and saw Anamaria standing at the steps leading down to the main deck. She looked worried, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"Jack, you…" she started.

"I know. I wasn't thinkin' back there."

Anamaria nodded slowly as she approached me. The pursuit of Lia was very overwhelming and when I saw that ship, I was almost positive she was on board and I didn't bother to think that the chance was next to nothing and I went mad, not thinking and shocking everyone.

"But ye had every right."

I sighed heavily, "Me mind has just been all over the place."

I felt Anamaria's hand on my shoulder.

"I know and so has mine. Remember, yer not in this alone."

We stood there together. It was very quiet and the wind was blowing in the night sky. Anamaria's hand slid behind my neck and rested on my other shoulder as she pulled in close to me, resting her head under my chin.

I took my right arm off the rudder and wrapped it around her waist, returning the comfort.

Will's POV:

I watched it all from the crow's nest. I squinted to get a better look. A smile was forming on Jack's lips as he put his arm around Anamaria. It was nice to know he could get some comfort during all this.

I looked away from them to give them some privacy as I turned to look at the ocean.

I couldn't help but think of Elizabeth. I remembered that I hadn't told her I was leaving. The sudden erupted chaos of Lia's disappearance had caused me to leave at such an unexpected time.

A part of me did miss her. Our marriage may have been falling a bit but I still wanted to be with her and make things work.

It was very hard not to think of Lia as well. She was still out there and in danger, still. I did like her…a lot but….

I didn't know.

I couldn't help bit feel a sting of guilt. Lia was out there in the hands of ruthless pirates. God knows how she was at this moment and all I could think about was my confused feelings between her and Elizabeth.

I shook off everything and looked back down to Jack and Anamaria.

Anamaria was gone but left Jack with a look of contentment on his face. I knew very well that she was like a sister to him. He needed that comfort to keep going.

I slumped on the floor and leaned my head against the wall of the nest, looking up at the stars. I closed my eyes as my mind drank in the soft crashing of the waves against the hull of the ship.

Before I knew it I was lulled into a deep sleep.

"Will. Wake up!"

I woke up and saw Jack sitting in front of me. His face looked dreary and his eyes were telling me he was very tired.

I groaned as I stretched my arms up toward the sky. Jack stood up and offered his hand. I grabbed it and he pulled me up.

"What time is it?" I asked in the middle of a yawn.

Jack looked up at the moon, "Hmm I'd say about three in the mornin'."

He looked to me and chuckled, "You were sleepin' for a while there, Will. What were ye doin' up here all by yer onesies?"

"Just thinking."

"About what?"

I opened my mouth to speak but suddenly hesitated.

"Umm...nothing."

Jack moved to the opposite side of the nest and sat down. His back leaned against the wall, letting one leg dangle in the hole where the ladder was. I mentally saw myself climbing down it, avoiding Jack's questions.

Jack pulled out a bottle from his coat and took a drink. We sat in silence.

"Her name was Emma Morgan." He said out of nowhere.

I frowned, "What?"

"Just let me tell ye this," he said, "I met her when I stopped in this pub in England. She owned it. Sweet lady. She let me stay there for a few weeks. I was kind of hiding out from some blokes who wanted my head on a plate."

"What did you do?"

"East India Company. It's a long story." Jack grins broadly, "Had a whole fleet after me."

A smile played on my lips. Typical Jack Sparrow.

"Anyway during those weeks in the tavern, we became quite…close." Jack continued, "We would spend every waking minute together. It was lovely."

He stared out at nothing as his mind sank back into the memories.

"Did you love her?" I had to ask.

Jack looked up at me, looking so sincere. It wasn't something of Jack to do.

He nodded slowly, "Aye. I did. But I had to go."

"Why?"

"A pirate's life, Will," he explained, "I'm a pirate and pirates can't love forever. I had a life on the sea I loved more than anythin'. I didn't know any other life and I just wasn't ready to leave it."

I shook my head in disappointment, "That's stupid, Jack."

"Yes I know!" he said crudely, "She was there when I left. She had come to tell me of her pregnancy with Lia but she ended up not saying anythin'. God knows why she kept it from me for so long."

I nodded my head and we sat in silence again. I felt like it was the right moment.

"Jack?" I suddenly spoke up, "I guess I do have something to say."

"Aye?" Jack looked up and waited for me to speak.

I didn't know when to start. I sighed in frustration. I couldn't form the words.

"Will, does this have anythin' to do with Lia?"

I didn't know what to think at his words. Could I lie? Not about his daughter. I figured it was best to get it out in the open.

I nodded tentatively.

Jack's face didn't change, "What about her?"

"It's hard to explain," I said as I fingered the gold wedding band on my left hand, "During those two weeks, Lia and I became really good friends. But lately I feel as if…"

I stopped suddenly. I didn't want to say anymore in fear of jinxing it.

"I know, Will." Jack said, "Have you seen the way Lia looks at you? A blind man could have figured it out easily."

Jack laughed at his own joke. I chuckled slightly.

"I do care about her, Jack. A lot." It was finally hitting me.

"Well that makes two of us." Jack said, "But yer married Will. You should think about that."

He got up and began to climb down the ladder. I looked down, waiting for him to be gone. He walked down the deck and toward the cabin and shut the door.

I looked down at my wedding band. Another feeling of guilt rushed through me. What was I doing? I was married! But yet the other part of me didn't seem to care…

Jack's POV: Next Morning:

"Sail Ho!"

I raised my head at the cry. There was a ship.

I threw the covers back and got out of my bed. The first thing that came into view was Lia's bed. Her sword in its coiled scabbard still lay there, untouched.

I quickly slipped on my boots and threw on my effects. I grabbed my coat on the way out. I threw opened the door and walked out.

The sun was shining brightly at the top of the sky. Noon.

I cursed silently. Why didn't anyone wake me up?

"Cap'n!"

I turned around to see Anamaria and Gibbs at the rudder. Gibbs was leaning against the railing with his arms crossed while Anamaria steered the ship.

"Thar be a ship up ahead." Gibbs pointed behind me and I turned to see.

It wasn't hard to spot. Against the deep blue waters of the Caribbean Sea was a set of white sails.

It was a huge merchant ship.

"How far ye think it is, mate?" I asked.

"About forty leagues. Give or take a few" Anamaria stated.

I nodded.

"Can we be sure this time, Cap'n?" Gibbs asked. I didn't have to ask what he meant by that.

"I will be." I said softly to myself, not taking my eyes off the ship.

I trudged around the working crewmen, looking for a certain somebody.

"Mr. Cotton!" I called.

"Awk!"

Over by the mainmast was Mr. Cotton. His parrot perched on his shoulder. He was bent down, coiling some ropes.

He stood up and looked over at me. I raised my arm out to him and signaled for him to come to me.

He walked over and stood in front of me, waiting for me to speak.

"May I borrow your parrot?" I asked.

Mr. Cotton looked at his parrot that was busy preening its feathers. He was obviously confused by my request. He leaned his shoulder with the parrot towards me. I made soft clicking noises with my tongue as I brought my forearm up for the parrot.

It tilted its head side to side before perching on my arm.

I smiled, "Good bird."

I began to walk to the front of the ship. The bird flapped its wings energetically as I moved. Will was standing there already, gazing out at the ship.

He looked at me with puzzlement.

"What's with the parrot?" he asked.

"Lia trained this bird a bit. She spent quite a bit of time with it when she first arrived here." I explained, "I'm thinking that I can send this bird to the ship and it can find Lia, if she is on that ship."

"How do you know the parrot will know what it is looking for?" I asked.

"He's a smart bird. He will know what to do."

I looked at the bird, his beady black eyes locked with mine, "Go. Find. Lia." I said slowly and flatly.

"Awk! Rigging the sails! Awk!"

With that, I stretched out my arm and the bird took off towards the ship.

Lia's POV:

All night I had not slept. I was either pacing around the room or sitting at the desk wondering what to do with myself.

For two days, Mateo had a close eye on me. Either himself or another crewman would come in to check on me every few hours. Now aware of my capabilities as a pirate, Mateo knew not to trust me.

I was kept in that room at all times with no food or water as a punishment.

I ran my fingers through the fluffy uneven ends of my short hair. I was quite glad I had chopped it off. I was searched for any weaponry after Mateo discovered my new haircut. What he didn't know was I had hidden the dirk inside the cot.

When he didn't find anything, he would beat me. Earlier that morning I was given a tankard filled with water. I guess he knew not to let me die.

Yet.

Was I going mad? It had been almost a week since I had been on this ship. I could feel death's icy breath upon my neck and for the first time, my mind was begging for it, craving it.

I didn't care what happened to me anymore…

I jumped as I heard the sound of flapping. I looked to the window.

What I saw next made my heart jump to my throat with surprise and absolute thrill.

Mr. Cotton's parrot was perching on the windowsill!

I rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn't dreaming. This had to be a dream.

"Arwk! Sink me! Sink me! Arwk!"

No. It was real. Any hope I had lost quickly regained.

I quickly stood up and ran to the window. I put my hand up to the parrot and stroked its feathered belly. It nipped affectionately at my hand.

"It's nice to see you too." I smiled.

I knew what I had to do. Acknowledge my presence somehow. I continued to stroke the parrot's belly absently as I started to think.

"Oh yes." I said as something popped into my mind. I ran over to the desk and picked up one of the beads I used in my hair before chopping it.

I went back to the bird that was moving side to side briskly, squawking.

"All right. I'm coming." I said to it.

I put the bead in front of its face. He tilted its head, unsure of what to do.

"Give. To. Jack." I said in an authoritative and slow manner. I knew the bird knew what I was saying. He nipped at the bead before taking it in its mouth.

"What in the name of Davy Jones is goin' on in here!"

I whirled around at the sound of a doorknob turning. Mateo was standing at the door looking menacing.

"What are ye doin'!" He yelled.

Mr. Cotton's parrot immediately took off. Mateo growled in fury as he pulled out his pistol. I blocked the window as he approached but he shoved me aside and stuck his arm out the window, aiming at the bird.

"NO!"

I screamed as I jumped on his back. He yelled in surprise and I heard a shot. My sudden attack had caused him to accidentally fire his gun. He turned around and threw me against the wall. I collapsed to the floor.

I was suddenly pulled to my feet and pushed against the wall. I could feel the splintered fragments of wood pressing against my back. Mateo had a tight grip on my shirt collar, holding me still.

I feared for I didn't know what he was going to do.

"Captain, ye better get up on deck."

Richards was standing at the doorway. His expression burned with urgency.

Mateo released me from his grip. I felt myself breathing again.

"Not now, Richards."

"Sir, it's important."

Mateo pushed me against the wall as he let me go. He headed out the door with Richards. They left the door open. I decided to take advantage of this and see what was going on.

I ran to the cot and pulled out the dirk from its hiding place, inside the pillow. I stuffed it in my boot.

I ran through the door quickly, thinking that someone would shut and lock it at any moment. I ran down a few corridors before finding the familiar ladder that would take me to the main deck. The grating was already off, rays of sun poured into the room lighting it up.

I grabbed one of the ladder's rungs and pulled myself up.

Mateo was up at the helm looking out at the horizon. I could hear him arguing with Richards in Spanish. My heart knew what was going on but my eyes had to know and see for themselves.

I climbed out of the hole and ran up the steps, stopping about halfway as I saw what they were looking at.

Over in the distance was a set of sails.

Black sails!

A smile formed on my face. Jack was here! I was going to get out!

I felt myself laugh out loud in my excitement. I had completely forgotten of my current situation.

Mateo looked to me, "You've alerted them! They know now don't they?"

I didn't say anything. Confessing was an indication of weakness and surrender and I wasn't going to do that. Not for him.

He walked up to me and grabbed my shirt collar. His dark eyes penetrated my soul, sending shivers up my spine as he stared me down.

"Go on." I urged, "Hit me."

My heart was pounding but I wasn't afraid. What difference would one more black eye add?

He smiled as he pulled me up the stairs.

"Limítela " he said as he pushed me backwards towards where Richards stood, "Put her back below deck." (Bound her)

"You think you've got a chance in life, Mateo?" I asked gruesomely as Richards roughly pulled me aside, "He is going to kill you."

Mateo suddenly couldn't take it, "Will you shut her up?"

"You are going to die you bastard! He will kill you and I'll be watch…" Before I could finish, Richards wrapped a dirty cloth around my mouth. I walked willingly as he dragged me down the steps, not keeping my glare off of Mateo.

Jack's POV:

"Arwk! Arwk!"

After about ten minutes, I caught sight of the parrot flying back from the ship. I held out my arm preparing its landing.

The parrot landed on my forearm, something was in his mouth. I held out my other hand and cupped it below its beak. It dropped it into my hand and flew off back to Mr. Cotton.

I looked down and what it was.

I gasped, "This is it."

I looked to Will who was standing behind me.

"That there is The Mystic." I said pointing to the ship.

"How do you know?" Will asked.

I showed him what was in my hand. I held it up for him to see.

It was a turquoise bead. Swirled patterns covered its square-like shape and carved on one side were the initials "L.S" in elegant cursive.

"What's your plan of action, Jack?"

I looked out at the ship as I pocketed the bead.

"Lets catch up to those blaggards!"

A/N: YaY :does a dance:

Finally! The moment you guys have all been waiting for. Jack finally caught up. It's almost over! Or is it? Dun dun dun! Lol! I guess you will have to wait for the next chapter. Ha Ha!