Disclaimer: Same old thing.

Truths

I felt Miss Swann should be taken back to her home, in Port Royal for her to restore her health. I had The Black Pearl under full sail as I was making my way over the choppy waters. I braced meself against the wheel as I could feel me ship buck and swell. I felt the light spray of the ocean on me face and I could hear the ropes and the canvas thundering overhead as the breeze picked up. I was leery of the storm and I was quickening my pace.

Amanda was healing well. She was standing beside me at the helm. Her golden coat was blowing in the gusts of the clement air and her eyes were wide with excitement. I'd been told animals could sense a change in the weather. She made a good sailor and she got along well with all the crewmembers. All but one. She did not like Cotton's large, colorful parrot. Any chance she could get she would chase it and try to nip at it's tail.

Elizabeth, however, was not fairing as well. She was still seriously ill. She is a fragile young girl underneath her tough persona. I meself was very worried about her and so was young William. Her fever was still raging making me think I did not get the entire bullet out. I feared it may be festering and I would have to operate again. Her bleeding had stopped a while ago and I felt she would mend properly. Clearly I was wrong.

Will sat by her bedside day and night. I could see from the look in his chocolate brown eyes the love he held for her. He refused to leave her. He was losing sleep and was eating very little.

"AnaMaria, I called over the howling winds. "Tell Mr. Turner I would like words with him. If he will not come to me then I will go to him. If anyone on this ship can convince him to get some rest, I think it is you lass. You do have your wicked ways."

I gave her a golden smile and waved me hands through the air.

AnaMaria followed my orders but she came back to me with no William Turner.

"Jack, he refuses to leave Miss. Swann. Let me take the helm and you go talk to him. He does not look well. He is pale and thin. He needs to go lay down."

"All right Luv, take over the wheel. Call if she gets rough. I will go square with the Whelp. Come Mandy, we have some work to do."

Mandy obediently came to my side and we started to head to the lower deck. Then she caught sight of Cotton's parrot, sitting on the rail. She started to wag her tail slowly and then she sprang into action. Before I could give her a command to stop. She raced toward the bird. The bird took flight, off the rail and over the ocean. Mandy leaped up into the air and over the rail she went. She looked so free and happy as she glided through the air.

"Gibbs, the bloody dog has done it again. Dog Overboard!" I yelled

I looked over the rail into the deep green water.

"Fetch a boat hook and haul her out of there. I swear Luv, when will you learn that the bird is only teasing ya. Once is understandable, but this is the fifth time. Really mate, you have to find yourself a new hobby."

I rolled me eyes and shook me long raven hair in disbelief at how stupid a smart animal can be. I continued by myself to go talk to Will.

"Mr. Turner" I approached him with two bottles of rum. "You my boy must get some rest. You have the courage and fortitude to follow me orders and I'm bloody ordering you to get some food and sleep."

"Jack please, I can hold a bit longer. What if she wakes and I am not here?"

Will looked at me pleadingly. I swear he looked so much like his father, it put a chill in me bones.

"William my son, if you would go rest an hour, I will come git ya. I will watch over the fair missy in your absence. If she stirs, you will be the first one I inform. What do you say to that?"

Will stood up in order to protest but as he stood he almost fell over. I reached out to stable him and I gave him a concerned look.

"Very well, Jack. I'll rest but you most promise me on the pain of death you will come fetch me."

"William, have I ever given you reason not to trust me? You see Lad; you must worry about your own fortunes, if you tend to take care of Miss Swann. Perhaps now would be the opportune time for you to tell me what has transpired between the two of you. I would have suspected she would be Mrs. Turner and you would have wee ones underfoot. Yes, I could be, Uncle Jack. Now that has a nice ring don't ya think." I nudged Will and gave him a sly grin.

"Damn it Jack!"

Wills angered words came flying at me. He then glanced at Elizabeth and his face softened.

"Jack, you are right. Elizabeth and I do have a long history. I have known her since I was twelve. Our hearts do lie with each other. Her father, the governor, was not happy his daughter would choose to marry a blacksmith. He was also more grieved when Elizabeth called me a "pirate". You know how her father feels about pirates. You saved his daughters life and he still wanted to hang you."

"Aye lad, you do have the blood of a pirate in ya. You must remember, your Dad was a good man and my best friend. If Miss Swann, can square with that, then so can you son." I said with a lilt in me voice.

"Jack, I did as you say, squared with it. I even asked Elizabeth to marry me and sail away with me. I asked her to turn away from her world, as she knew it. We were to start a new life together. Everything seemed to be falling into place. Mr. Brown retired and I was the exclusive owner of the blacksmith shop. Of course between you and me, I was the sole worker of the shop.

Elizabeth knew I was saving up all my currency for us to get married and to depart from Port Royal as soon as possible. We were going to leave our old lives behind us and strike out for adventure."

Will stared back at Elizabeth. I could see tremendous hurt in his eyes. I handed him one of the two bottles of rum I had been holding.

"Lad, I think ya need a swig. Not just a little, but a lot. Judging by your words and your location today, I can speculate you and the young Miss Swann, did not walk down said aisle."

I wound me fingers through the beads of me beard and I looked at Will waiting for a reply.

"Jack, the chance did come. I sold the blacksmith's shop. It was a beautiful day and I was going to go get my lady. The sky was as blue as a sapphire and the sun danced all around in my head. It was an enchanted moment. There is a time for everyone and this was going to be Elizabeth's and mine. I gathered all my belongings and I made my way to the Governor's house.

When I approached the house, I saw Elizabeth and her father on the front porch. Jack, she looked lovelier than ever."

A wide smile spread across his face as he spoke of her. It was good to see the boy smile as he spoke of the woman he adored.

"I dreamt of this day for so long. I remembered the day I met her. I could never forget her. It took me forever to call her Elizabeth and not Miss Swann. I loved her and I respected her. I was going to make her my wife.

As I got closer to the front porch, unnoticed, I was amazed, Elizabeth and her father were arguing. The direction the conversation was taking did not please Elizabeth. Then he escorted her to a waiting carriage. I watched her gather her skirts as she steeped in. She faced her father and I saw tears running down her face. They said their stiff farewells and the carriage bolted away. I stood there in the shadow of the trees, watching the carriage that held my sweet love. I watched it disappear down the long dirt road and into the busy street."

Will took a long drink from that bottle of rum I had given him.

"Jack, that was the last time I saw her until the day you found her on the Jamaican Queen. You ask me if I know what is going on and why Elizabeth was on the English Ship. I truly don't know. You accuse me of harboring secrets. Well, my dear friend, it is not I who am riddled with secrets and fears. It is Elizabeth. Yes, it is that fair young girl lying on that bed.

You see I waited for her to return to her home, that fine evening. Finally, I mustered up the courage to talk to the Governor, himself. He was far from pleased to see me and he did not wish to partake in idle conversation. I forced him to listen to me. I even pulled my sword on him. I told him I loved his daughter. I knew he would never give me his blessing or his permission to marry her. I had no business even asking but that was my intentions.

Jack, you should have seen the Governor's face. He looked at me as if he might kill me. He accused me of ruining Elizabeth's reputation and treating her poorly. He told me she was going to visit distant relatives for a few months and when she returned she would marry Commodore Norrington. She would not marry a lowly blacksmith and she most certainly would never marry a pirate.

Jack, I had nothing left. I sold my business, my livelihood. I lost my woman, but I still had the calling of the sea, the memories of you, my good friend and the blood of a pirate running in my veins. I without more ado went to the docks and found voyage to Tortuga. Not many reputable ships venture to that port. I had no idea where you were but I knew you would eventually surface in the place you call home."

"Aye, unforgettable Tortuga" I could feel Will's dislike for this town as he spoke of it.

"Will, I am glad you asked to join me crew. You are Bootstraps one and only son and I will take care of you. Now go get your rest. I will watch over your bonnie lass. Don't let your hopes and dreams drown. You know where your heart truly lies. Maybe she did not marry said Commodore. If so-so be it. Now go and get some sleep. Here's luck to you Mr. Turner."

We hoisted our rum bottles and drank on them hard.

"We will find out the truth together lad."

I turned away from Will and stared hard at Elizabeth.

"Aye, when you find a young girl such as Miss Swann, you do not want to lose her. The world can be a cold place lad. When you find true love you should fight for it. When you think of her warm smile and her soft cheeks and her breathless charm it consumes all of you. Aye, all of you."

As I stood there in my trance Mandy had entered the cabin and nudged me with her soft, wet head. I brought myself out of my daydream. I knew I was rambling and I was speaking of me own emotions. I felt Will gazing at me as if he knew. As if he knew, I too, loved Elizabeth Swann.

Far over the seas the thunder cracked and the Pearl pitched from side to side.

"I think we will have to drop the canvass and hold out the storm. The wind is picking up and the seas are angry tonight. Stay with Elizabeth a bit longer Will and when I get the crew and The Pearl settled I will come relieve you. Savvy? It is going to be a long journey to Port Royal. From what you have told me Will, me thinks Miss Swann will not want to see her father nor her so called husband, Commodore Norington."

Elizabeth remained ill for two weeks slipping in and out of consciousness. Finally after three and a half weeks she showed some improvement. She was very pale and her face was drawn.

I felt uneasy being in the room alone with her. I knew this girl's heart belonged to William. It had been weeks since I kissed her so tenderly and she had asked me to stay with her. I tried to put it in the back of me mind. She was delirious and I was exhausted. That was my only explanation for that evening. I had no claims on this treasure. I was here to help a friend. Two friends, William and Elizabeth.

It was late in the evening and I was watching over Elizabeth while I let William rest. I sat in a rather uncomfortably chair in order to keep meself awake. Mandy lay curled up on a rug beside Elizabeth. The dog's breathing was in sink with the sway of the Pearl and it almost put me to sleep in spite of the painful chair. I had a lone candle lit so if she woke she would see me there. I did not want a repeat performance and maybe loose a limb.

I was about to nod off when Elizabeth started tossing and thrashing in her sleep. I immediately went to her bedside when she started to yell. Her eyes were wide open but she did not see me. She stared into the shadows and stopped shouting. She became eerily silent. She cleared her throat. She swallowed hard and her voice broke the silence.

"Please, please don't shoot me. Spare my life and my daughter's. She is but young and only a month old. She is innocent. Her father, Captain Jack Sparrow, may be your enemy but do not hold that against us. Do not hold that against her. I love her and you cannot have her. Why would a pirate like you want her? No!! No!! Give her back. GIVE HER BACK!!!! NO! NO! NO!"

Elizabeth started yelling so loud it would wake the dead. It did wake William and he came running.

Jack! What is wrong? What is going on here?"

As Will, entered the room I was in a state of shock. Did I really hear what Miss Swann said? Did she actually say she has a baby? A little girl? My daughter? No, this cannot be true.

Will was yelling at me but I was not listening. He shoved me aside and knelt beside Elizabeth.

"Please Elizabeth, wake up! It is only a dream a bad, horrible dream. Nobody will hurt you. Nobody will shoot you."

Will, looked up at me rather annoyed and asked, "Jack, what is wrong with you? What is wrong with her? Please do something. She is hysterical and incoherent."

I went over to the bedside and slapped Elizabeth as hard as I could across the face. I raised me hand to hit her again when Will jumped at me and took me to the floor. Will pinned me down and shouted in me face. I could feel his warm breathe on me skin.

"Jack, stop it! How can you hit a woman? Why are you striking Elizabeth when she is sick and so weak? What are you a barbarian?"

I pushed Will off of me and sat up quickly in order to keep him from pinning me down again.

"Lad, you don't want to cross fists with me. Ya asked me ta help. This is the second time boy that you have asked for help and then threatened me. I hit Miss Swann to help her. That is the only way I know of to chase the demons and to bring her back to reality. She should be okay. The fever has broken and she is remembering things. Things we may or may not want to hear. You may get your answers now. As far as the answer to your question of what am I son? I am your friend and I am a pirate."

I slowly rubbed my poor arm and got up off the floor.

Elizabeth did stop her shrieking and curled up into the corner of the bed. Mandy had jumped up on the bed to comfort her and Elizabeth threw her arms around the dog's large furry neck and began to sob. Her whole body was shaking. She was crying as if her heart was just taken from her chest and smashed into a million pieces.

"Mr. Turner, you should not be rolling with me on the floor. Take care of Elizabeth and get your answers. Please do us a favor and don't do anything stupid."

I reached for me hat and headed for the door.

"William, Miss Swann, I will leave the two of you alone. Mandy my dear, come. Our presence I am sure is not needed nor wanted."

Elizabeth would not let go of the dog. Mandy remained still and did not come to me. I went over to release the dog and Elizabeth grabbed me dirt-covered hands. She looked up into my kohl-framed eyes. She talked slowly, quietly and very directly.

"Jack…Jack, please tell me everything's going to be fine. Tell, me when you saved me, you saved our daughter. Please tell me you killed Barbossa's son and got our daughter Katheryn out of his possession. He will kill her. I know he will. Please tell me where is Kat? Where is our baby girl?"

I tried to step back from the bed. My ears were not playing tricks on me. I had heard what Elizabeth said earlier. She grabbed me even harder and would not let go.

Will stood frozen behind me. I'm not sure Elizabeth even knew he was there.

"Well, Captain Sparrow. WE obviously got our answers. Have you ever given me a reason not to trust you? I would say indeed you have. If I were not standing here in front of Elizabeth and in your quarters, I would grab my sword and run you through. You are the one whom disgraced my Elizabeth. You are the reason she left Port Royal and that is why she is not my wife today. YOU, are the one who ruined my life. You MY FRIEND—HA!! Captain Jack Sparrow, you have made a big mistake. I now have a hole in my heart. I now have a scar I can talk about. How could you? Damn it Jack! How could you!!!

Will looked at me with anger and hurt in his dark coal eyes. I believed he would run me through if it were not for Elizabeth in the room.

Elizabeth sat sobbing; all had heard her words and all knew the truth now.

I stood there in pure misery. Elizabeth hanging onto me hands. My best friend wounded by my actions of long ago. I did not ask for this. I am a bloody pirate, a scaly wag. Some things you just can't see coming. Some things in this world you just can't change.

A/N Thank you for your reviews. I can't answer all but to Black Jack 22. I am sorry I made you cry. I guess that means you liked it? Please keep the reviews coming and enjoy.