Disclaimer: don't own PotC, don't care, okay!

Note: Hey guys, hope you like this new chappie. I will try to get another up by the end of March but can't promise anything. Have a happy Easter/Passover/whatever holi you celebrate this time of year! Thanx!

CHAPTER 8 - The Dream

The curve of the moon shone through the cracks of the window as Victoria slept along the floor. She had fallen asleep when she realized that she probably wouldn't be let out of the cabin for a long time. She had dreamt that she was back on the pearl with her friends, going off on a new adventure. She thought of being a female pirate, and being truly accepted by Anamaria and Elizabeth. She thought of getting appointed to first mate after Gibbs had, well, gone to Davey Jones' locker, if that were to ever happen considering his age. She thought of men, good-looking men, Jack…

There was a loud bang on the door that awoke her from her shallow slumber. She sat up, clutching her feet in her hands, trying to scrape off the dried blood as she heard keys jingling in the door lock. It opened to Norrington, standing there like a complete idiot, as always. He had obviously never seen a woman without stockings on, picking at her feet. "Probably a eunuch," Victoria thought to herself.

"Victoria, I-I don't really know how to start off by saying this but," he spoke as he turned and shut the door. Victoria continued to sit on the floor, and he sat down next to her. "I am so honored that you are going to be my bride."

She wouldn't look at him. Her future husband, and she couldn't look at him.

"Thank you Commodore," she replied blankly, still fumbling with her feet. Norrington brought his hand to her chin and lifted it so her face could visibly see his.

"You are quite lovely, you know: your eyes, mesmerizing; your hair, captivating-"

"But do you know anything, anything at all, about me?" Victoria interrupted.

"Well, um-"

"Exactly, you DON'T. Now Commodore, if you will excuse me, I have some things to attend to,"

"What could you possibly have to attend to in my office?" He rhetorically asked.

"None of your fucking business," she cursed through pouted lips.

"What's going on in here?" Jonathan Carlynton asked in a singsong tone as the door blew open. "What are you doing, whore?"

"Father!" Victoria called to him, refusing to move from her position on the floor.

"You're up t' something, I thinks," Jonathan said.

"No, father, I am not."

"I think you are, get up!" he demanded, shaking the bottle so that some of it's contents spilled out.

"Clearly, Commodore, you should attend to my father at once," Victoria said firmly.

"Very well," Norrington replied. He turned on his heel and dragged Jonathan out of the cabin. The familiar clatter of keys jingling sounded, and Victoria was alone again.

APLFH

"But Jack, we must save her! She is in trouble!" Elizabeth pleaded, following Jack to the helm. She had been trying to convince him to follow up on the dauntless since the pearl had set sail. He had never replied. Until now.

"Elizabeth, it's out o' my hands, now. I can do nothing," he replied as he went to trade places with Anamaria.

"Jack, you must do this for me, we cannot let this happen!" she screamed, stomping her foot and crossing her arms. Although it was the early, early morning, Elizabeth was still wide-awake. Likely, she would wake up the half of the crew that was sleeping.

"We?" Jack inquired.

"Yes, we you idiot! The crew of this ship, it's our duty. We need to get her out of marrying him! We could rescue her, and then we could-"

"Will you shut up! Please?" Jack asked her kindly. "Luv, it's quite late, or early I should say, why don't you go with dear William and get some sleep?"

"I won't until you agree to help me!"

"Victoria is lost to the navy, there is nothing'' I can do. Do you really think I am goin'''' to risk all this, all that I've worked for, just to see that annoying woman back on to my ship?" Jack said as he steered, his eyes on the sea.

As Elizabeth stood behind him, she propped herself up against the rail and got comfortable. She smiled wryly at him, glancing up at the sky.

"I can be very persuasive, you know," Elizabeth said. "I can also be very aggravating."

"Luv, I spent a day and a half on that island with you on our last little adventure, I don't need t' be reminded of it, savvy?" he said as he looked at her. "That was bloody hell on my part."

"Oh come on, Jack, it wasn't that bad," she persuaded.

"The night wasn't bad at all. My charm got to you, I suppose. Until you burnt the whole damn thing: the food, the shade, the rum!" Jack said angrily, throwing his hands in the air.

"Will you two calm down?" Anamaria said as she proceeded to leave the helm. She had been standing there the entire time, listening. It was a habit on that ship, involving yourself in other people's business. But what the hell, you were family on that ship.

"Fine, fine. You're right, this is a waste. Goodnight Jack." Elizabeth irritably said as she left the helm with Anamaria at her side.

"I'm sorry, but I'm glad to be gone of the little priss," Anamaria honestly told Elizabeth.

"Oh! Anamaria! That is my dearest friend you are talking about!" Elizabeth said, shocked.

"She was!" Anamaria argued, "She could hardly hold her alcohol, let alone a man,"

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked.

"You know."

"No, I don't."

"Well by God, you should!" Anamaria pointed out. By this time, they had reached Elizabeth's quarters.

"Anamaria, please tell me," Elizabeth whispered as she opened the door.

"Soon," Anamaria called back as she walked farther across the deck.

Elizabeth stood at the doorway, thought for a moment, then shrugged, closing the door behind her.

"Hello, Darling," Will whispered as he turned over in bed to face her.

"Hello," she responded, still pondering what Anamaria could have meant.

"You look puzzled," Will spoke as he massaged her shoulders when she came to sit beside him.

"No, I'm just tired, I guess."

"You should be. I could hear you yelling at Jack from in here!"

She smiled at this remark. Will always found a way to make Elizabeth beam.

"For a captain, he is quite unreasonable sometimes."

"Give him some credit, it's his ship, and he doesn't want to endanger the crew by taking on that responsibility. That's a serious crime, Elizabeth, kidnapping someone."

"I know, but she's unhappy there She'll be even more unhappy after she's auctioned away as the Commodore's new bride."

"Why do you feel so strongly about her marriage to the Commodore?" Will asked. Elizabeth's head whipped to him and her eyes narrowed. "Oh…"

"Will, I was going to be married to him if not for you, don't think I feel even the slightest bit of remorse? I could have had the same fate…"

"…If not for me," Will smiled, placing a lengthy kiss on her delicate cheek.

"Yes, if not for you," Elizabeth sighed, feeling Will's arms wrap around hers. They sat there in silence for a moment, both pairs of eyes closed, Will's chin resting lightly on Elizabeth's shoulder.

"I love you," they both whispered simultaneously. Will tipped backwards, pulling Elizabeth back with him. They fell asleep in that position.

APLFH

"'Ello, Luv," Jack said as he entered the room. It was decorated in a lovely stonewash white and pale aqua. The sea breeze was blowing in from the window, the curtains danced and brought in the tropical smell. There was a big chest on the left wall, with a tall white screen that looked as if it was made of window shutters. There was mannequin in the corner with stunning pale yellow dress half made on it. There was a vanity and dresser drawers and other trinkets scattered around the room. And near the window, in the middle left of the large space was a huge four-poster bed, with the loveliest girl laying on it.

Her back was turned to him, but he could recognize her from her medium length honey colored hair trailing down her back. She was barefoot, lying across her bed reading a thick novel. She didn't acknowledge his presence.

He could have just stood there and watched, noting when her dainty fingers would turn the page every few minutes or so. He moved forward to her, closer, and sat on the corner of the bed near her. He wanted to say something, anything, but his lips couldn't form the words. She still was engulfed in her book. She was so beautiful, he wanted to touch her, but held back. After all, he was used to girls approaching and touching him first.

Jack was about to reach forward to stroke the buttons going down her strong back when a short, stern looking maid rushed in. She held a tall, thin box in her hands.

"Come come, now, Miss Victoria," she commanded in her thick English accent. Victoria looked at the woman and shut the book, getting up off the bed to stand beside her. The maid slid the box onto the bed, knocking Jack onto the floor.

"Hey!" he said, "I was there first, maid!" he said. But none of them looked over at him or realized he was there. It was if he was invisible to them. But they were visible to him.

With the help of her maid, Victoria quickly went behind the screen and undressed. Oh yes, they were very visible to him. The maid opened up the large white box; in it was a stunning white gown. Not just any white gown, a wedding dress.

She looked so amazing in the dress. It's bodice and long sleeves were accented with pearls and lace, she wore a long veil, and the train of the dress was over four feet. Jack was fascinated with this woman. Yet he could only look, not touch.

After Victoria's hair was done in voluptuous curls, and the final touches were made to the dress, the maid led Victoria out of the room.

"Wait, Luv! Don't go!" Jack called out, jogging after them. When he reached the banister of the grand manor, he could only watch in horror as Victoria linked her hands in Commodore Norrington's. Bloody bastard. He watched them say their vows, kiss, and go out the door to a waiting carriage and-

"No!" Jack called. "I won't let you take 'er you dog!"

"Jack!" Gibbs said, shaking him madly. "Captain, what are ya thinkin'?"

"Oh," Jack said as he glanced over his surroundings. He was not in the Carlynton manor, but on his own ship. He was at the helm, and it was the early morning. The rising pumpkin-orange sun was in the east. Gibbs stared at him, looking for words to describe him.

It was only a dream.

"Well, fancy that," Jack said, dazed.

"Captain, I think you need some sleep. Come; let's get ya to your quarters. Will can take over for you,"

"Actually, Gibbs, you see I think we need to have a conference, just the higher-ranked crew an' me, savvy? I've just thought of a brilliant idea."

"Captain, you're not thinkin' of changin' our course again," Gibbs groaned.

"Quick, mate, just get Anamaria, and Will, oh, an' Elizabeth as well. We'll discuss this in my quarters NOW."

Jack went off into his cabin and slammed the door. Gibbs still stood at the helm, bewildered.

"Aye Aye, Captain," he said to himself, as he went to wake the rest of the crew.