Queen.Bowie.Jack.Sparrow.Lover- 'Ello, 'ello! I'm glad you think this chapter was awesome, and I'm glad you loved it! And I like laughing, too, by the way. Makes the world go a little faster, in a way. Anyhow, please keep reading!

The Flying Breadstick- Oh, I really, really wanna tell you what's gonna happen now . . . but I probably shouldn't. Sorry! Don't want to spoil it, though.

jackslittlefriend- I would give better details, but it's rated T, remember. Can't say too much . . . Can't get too freaky (with this story, anyhow). I'll get to your story as soon as I can . . . I have to stay at my granddad's. Joy.

Chapter eleven: Ankles All the Way

She didn't notice the smoke, but only the cool breeze lapping at her skin. Still in a slightly drunken, slightly groggy haze, she moved closer to the warmth beside her. Something wrapped around her, and she strangely felt comforted.

Alex opened her eyes and grinned, finally happy with the sight she was met with when she awoke from a night of drinking. Jack was still asleep by her side, muttering things in his sleep. She kissed his lips softly and he slyly snaked an arm around her shoulders, pulling her back down to kiss her deeply as he woke.

'Mornin', lovely,' he purred, rubbing his head. 'D'yeh remembers anythin' from las' night?'

'I remember enough,' she stated.

'Good, 'coz I don't want t' be the only one rememberin',' he said, rolling over onto his back. He glanced down, as if he just realized he was naked. 'Where's 'Lizabeth?'

'Good question . . . Do you smell that?' Alex muttered, looking around. Jack watched as her expression went from bored curiosity to angry alarm. 'Jack, we've gotta get dressed quickly.'

'Why? Why quickly?' he asked with a sly grin.

'Well, Elizabeth's burning the other end of the island, if that means anything to you,' she stated wryly. Jack glanced over and then sprang to his feet, but Alex grabbed his hand. 'Jack, you're still naked.'

'Oh, right,' he muttered, grabbed his pants off the sand, brushed most of the sand off of them, and then quickly pulled them on. 'Am I decent 'nough now?'

'Well, yes, but if she doesn't remember what we did last night, if it isn't obvious by now, it would probably be better not to remind her,' Alex said, picking up his shirt and his sash and handing them to him. 'That'll be enough. I'll dress and then find you and bring you the rest.'

'Thanks, love. I dunno what tha' woman thinks she's up t',' he muttered, quickly pulling on his shirt and tying the sash around his waist before stalking off. Alex rolled her eyes and pulled on her shirt, but had to look for her pants before she could put them on. Before she had finished dressing, Jack was storming back to her side, muttering under his breath. 'She says she's creatin' a signal . . . 'the entire Royal Navy's searching fer me'' he mimicked sourly.

'Well, she has a point.'

'I know she 'as a point! But 'er point's gonna send me t' the noose, isn't it?' he snapped, and then bowed his head. 'I'm sorry, Alex.'

'Don't apologize,' she said. 'I'm not brittle.'

'I never said yeh were, I jus' didn't think yeh'd want t' be yelled at over somethin' someone else did.' She sighed softly and turned away from him.

'Is this how it's always going to be?' she asked quietly.

'What d'yeh mean?'

'If I stay with you, are we always going to be running? I've run enough . . . I don't want to settle down, I just want . . .' she left the sentence hanging, unable to find the proper word.

'Freedom?' he filled in for her. 'I know what yeh mean, love, 'n I can mostly promise yeh it'll get better. But I'm a pirate, 'n there'll always be a certain level o' runnin'.'

'I want to be with you.'

''N I want yeh t' be with me, but only if yeh're happy.' She rested her head in the hollow of his shoulder, and he wrapped his arms around her, placing a kiss on her forehead.

'I am happy with you.'

'Good,' he murmured. She repositioned her head, and smiled, pulling away from him.

'I know something that will put you in a better mood,' she stated, and he quirked a brow.

''N what is that?'

She picked up a bottle from the sand, and held it up to the light, revealing it still had about a third of its contents. He grinned as she handed it to him and eagerly took a swig with a murmur of, 'Yeh know me t' well.'

'This level of you is relatively simple,' she grinned.

'Alex, turn 'round, look at the horizon, 'n tell me what yeh see,' he asked with a manner of anxiety and disbelief. She did as she was told and shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand.

'A ship – The Dauntless,' she stated, turning back to him with a grin. 'You know, with Elizabeth's smarts combined with yours, I'm sure we'll find some way to get you outta trouble.'

'Yeah, maybe,' he muttered, kissing her lips softly.

'We will, no maybes.'

'Well, when we do, I owe yeh somethin',' he stated softly, snaking an arm around her waist.

'And what's that?'

'A night together without rum,' he said, and she smiled softly.

'That sounds perfect,' she murmured, kissing his cheek as he took another drink from the bottle. She walked closer to the water and let the water hit her feet, but as she stepped closer, she slipped and fell with a yelp.

'I told yeh las' night yeh were clumsy, remember?' he asked, chuckling softly. She stood and brushed herself off. 'Proves it wasn't the rum.'

'It's slippy down here!'

''Slippy?' I've ne'er heard o' 'slippy' before, 'n I'm pretty grammatically challenged, being a pirate 'n all.'

'Slip-er-y, then, but I like 'slippy' better,' she stated defiantly, crossing her arms over her chest. He joined her side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

'Yeh're turnin' into a pirate already.'

'Don't say that.'

'What d'yeh mean, darlin'?'

'You've been through so much, Jack. I don't know if I could handle it,' she stated, her fingers grazing the bullet wounds on his shoulder. 'I don't think I'm cut out for piracy.'

'It's not a matter o' bein' 'cut out' fer it – it's a matter o' freedom. D'yeh want freedom . . . Freedom from judgment, rules, and things o' the sort? That's what makes yeh a pirate. Defiance, 'n o' course yeh 'ave t' have some smarts t' stay out o' the noose.'

'But don't you ever feel alone? I mean, your crew's your crew, not necessarily your friends.'

'I've 'ad whores t' turn t', until now . . . If yeh don't mind me sayin' it, now I 'ave yeh. 'N then sometimes yeh get a good crew yeh can fall back on, but the Code sometimes gets in the way.' He paused, and then placed a kiss on her temple. 'But, yeah, sometimes I do get a bit lonely. Guess that's why I turned t' rum – warms yer body 'n yer heart right up.'

'I am here for you now, Jack. You're right,' she whispered, embracing him, and then turning away to go find Elizabeth. Jack stared after her with a lopsided grin on his lips. She was young compared to the other woman he usually went for, even though they were whores, but yet she affected him in such a way no one else had, and it made him down right giddy. He liked it . . . but then, he didn't. He didn't want to be called soft at the ports he stopped at. He didn't want the legends to weaken because of a woman. But to push her aside wasn't a choice at the time – he was too far in love - or in an infatuation, he wasn't sure which - to turn back now.

Elizabeth and Alex were welcomed with open arms onto the Dauntless, Elizabeth more so than Alex, but both were greeted with more fervor than Jack, who was dragged onto the ship and watched closely. Alex looked like she felt guilty, but she had no choice than to stay with Elizabeth – Jack had told her to. He had many reasons, but the one that ebbed away at him was this: if their relationship didn't last, he didn't want to leave her with no place to go. She needed friends, and Port Royal was the best place to make, and keep them.

He had known Alex was definite, but hadn't been expecting her to actually slip away from the attention she had been receiving to join his side. He gave her a look, and she rolled her eyes.

'You're not starting that up again, are you? All of those strange looks, I mean,' she muttered, a grin playing with the corners of her mouth. He quirked a brow, but slowly grinned, looking back at the island, which was still burning, his expression a mix of relief and disappointment.

'No. I won't have it. Elizabeth, if anything had happened to you ... You're safe now, and we will return to Port Royal immediately - not go gallivanting after pirates!' Governor Swann exclaimed, leaving his daughter, who persistently followed him.

'Then we condemn Will to death!'

'The boy's fate is regrettable ... But so was his decision to engage in piracy.'

'Excuse me, Governor?' Alex spoke up, lacking confidence, but slowly finding it as she continued. 'If the only reason you're not going to save Will is because of his acts of piracy, then I am to be punished as well.'

'Are you asking for a punishment? Miss O'Conner, the punishment for piracy is hanging . . . Will you condemn yourself to that?' Governor Swann asked.

'I am not asking for it, no, but I do not think that was an appropriate excuse,' she insisted. Jack nudged her, shaking his head, hoping she would be quiet, but she ignored him. 'I might as well go back on that island, if that is how you see it, because you rescued me. If I am to be hanged . . . Doesn't Will deserve the same rights? To be hanged because of his actions, and not murdered by pirates? We did, after all, take on piracy to save Elizabeth.' Norrington's reaction was immediate. He bowed his head, and seemed to be thinking, while Elizabeth flashed Alex a grin.

'If I may subject me professional opinion, the Pearl was listin' near t' scuppers after the battle. Unlikely she'll make good time. Think 'bout it,Norrington ... Barbossa, the Black Pearl ... the last real pirate threat in the Caribbean. How can yeh pass that up?' Jack spoke up, shooting Alex a nervous glance, knowing she had gotten herself into trouble – into the same trouble he was facing.

'By remembering I serve others, Mr. Sparrow, not only myself,' Norrington retorted after a brief pause.

Commodore, I beg you - please do this for me . . . As a wedding gift,' Elizabeth pleaded, taking everybody by surprise. Alex looked slightly disgusted at the thought of marrying Norrington, but hid it quickly.

'My dear ... are you accepting the Commodore's proposal?' Governor Swann asked with a proud grin.

'I am.'

'A wedding . . . I love weddings! Drinks all around!' Jack exclaimed, throwing his hands about in a drunken manner, giving Alex a suggestive look that Elizabeth, Commodore Norrington, and Governor Swann all saw. Alex blushed and looked away as Jack froze, his arms still in the air. With a little quick thinking, he pretended he had taken the looks he had received the wrong way, lowered his arms, pressed his wrists together, and holding them out in front of him. 'Clap 'em in irons, righ'?'

'Mr. Sparrow. You will accompany these fine men to the helm, provide ­us with a bearing, and then spend the remainder of the voyage contemplating all possible meanings of the phrase 'silent as the grave.' Do I make myself clear?' Norrington hissed, and Jack lowered his hands.

'Inescapably,' the pirate captain replied, daring a glance in Alex's direction. She was lost in thought, fingering the hem on her shirt sleeve. Several redcoats grabbed Jack and escorted him away before he had caught her attention.

Alex came back to attention just as Norrington escorted Elizabeth to the rail, arm in arm. 'Elizabeth - Miss Swann. I find myself ... worried that your answer is perhaps ... less than sincere,' Norrington stammered.

'I would not give my word lightly,' Elizabeth replied with an awkward smile.

'I know. But is it wrong for me to wish it given unconditionally?'

'It is not a condition. It is a request. Your answer would not change mine. You are a fine man ... James.' By now, Alex was trying hard not to eavesdrop . . . and finding it very difficult. She finally gave up and simply listened, knowing that she had been in the same spot when they had taken theirs, and so in a way, it was their fault she heard everything.

'Well . . . Very well . . . Excellent.'

'Now, I wonder if I could trouble you for something to wear,' Elizabeth said suddenly. After a slight pause, she continued. 'Or will it be bare breasts and ankles all the way?'

Alex clapped her hand over her mouth as she was overtaken with a strong, sudden fit of giggles. She snuck a glance to see Norrington's expression, only to find him watching her with scarlet cheeks. Quickly, she hurried off to busy herself.

Jack was finally alone, staring at the water and trying hard not to say anything. Alex took his side and kissed his chin quickly, sneaking it in before anyone saw. 'Yeh've gotten yerself into trouble, love.'

'It doesn't matter.'

'Aye, but it does. Yeh deserve better.'

'I deserve what I've gotten,' she stated. 'And, besides, now I'll be standing by your side. I'll die by your side. The way I've been going, this seems pretty okay . . . I just want to be with you, no matter what happens. Last night . . . It meant something to me, Jack. I was drunk, yes, but it wasn't like the other times.' She paused, contemplating whether she should say what was on her mind or not. Finally, she sighed softly and continued. 'I have feelings for you, Jack.'

Those simple words turned his world upside down. He forgot he was being watched and took her in his arms, pressing his lips to hers in a tender kiss . . . an innocent kiss, especially from a pirate. When he pulled back, he quickly looked around, extremely surprised by what he found.

No one had seen them.

He chuckled gently and removed his arms from around her slender frame before they were caught. 'I 'ave feelin's fer yeh, t', missy . . . So try 'n be careful, alrigh'?'

'I remember telling you the same thing,' she stated. 'Am I ever careful?' He grinned as she repeated his response.

'You didn't tell him about the curse.' Jack turned to see Elizabeth on his other side, watching the horizon with an unreadable expression.

'I noticed neither did yeh. For the same reason, I imagine,' he replied.

'He wouldn't have risked it.'

'Could've gotten 'im drunk,' Jack stated, grinning. 'Don't get me wrong - I admire a person who's willing t' do whatever it takes.' He glanced at Alex at this before turning back to Elizabeth.

'You're a smart man, Jack ... but I don't entirely trust you.'

'Peas in a pod, love,' Jack stated. Suddenly, Norrington walked up with an heir of superiority, but looks at Elizabeth's clothes with dismay.

'Trousers?'

'Scandalous, isn't it?' Jack asked, but then quickly stopped smiling.

'Sparrow, you're with me,' Norrington growled. Norrington took Jack to the helm, about ready to speak, when something on Jack's chest caught his attention. 'Which . . . You lowlife, which did you . . .?'

Jack looked down quickly, and readjusted his shirt to hide the affection mark given to him only hours before. 'What d'yeh mean?'

'Which one did you force yourself on?' Norrington snarled dangerously.

'He didn't force himself onto anyone,' Alex stated, and Jack, surprised she had come to his rescue, sighed inaudibly in relief. 'It was me.'

'You? Miss O'Conner . . . You've . . . Sparrow?' Norrington stammered.

'Remarkable, isn't it? But if you knew me, you'd know we're a lot alike, Jack and I,' she whispered. 'It is not a crime, so no use fussing about it. I gave myself to him as a woman, and he gave himself to me as a man. Piracy says nothing.'

'Well . . . you are indeed correct, but . . . Where did you get that?' Norrington asked suddenly, his eyes on a suspicious place on Alex's body. She looked down at her waist.

'What?'

'The belt.'

'Oh, I – uh . . . I'm not sure,' she stuttered.

'You didn't steal it by any chance, did you? Because it resembles the one that went missing from Lady Gertrude's shop about a month or so ago,' Norrington stated suspiciously.

'Well, I . . . It was a gift from someone I met,' she said quickly.

'Really? Who?'

'I . . . I didn't catch his name.'

'Miss O'Conner, you do appear to be more like Sparrow than I had imagined. And I suppose the other thefts can be linked to you as well?'

'No.'

'No? Oh, really. So, you don't know where you got it, but yet someone gave it to you? Superb story, if I have ever heard one. Makes my job easier . . . Piracy and theft . . . I can say I've never had a woman at the gallows before, but there is a first time for everything, is there not?'

'I didn't steal it!' Alex exclaimed, her heart hammering. Shut up, Alex, shut up . . .

'Then tell me where you got it.' Alex glanced at Jack, and bowed her head. She wasn't a pirate . . . she was cornered, like a coward.

'I can't, sir.'

'I expected better from you. Your father was a good man,' Norrington stated, turning from her.

'Aye, he was a good man,' Alex lied, walking away. 'Good at what he did, at least.'

Jack watched Alex until the Commodore roughly turned him to the helm, forcing him to do as he was told. Alex walked to the rail, sighing heavily. What have I done? But she knew that was not the question. How did I end up like this?

Why couldn't I stop?

Again, I have to give thanks to the Script Scanner and deleted scenes . . . But thanks to my wonderful reviewers, too! I'd give everyone big hugs if I could . . . Or cookies. Yeah, cookies sound good. I just need to find out a way to get them into the internet, and then get them back out again . . .

LiM