Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to POTC. I'm working on it though…

Aw, thank you all for the reviews! And I promise that this will be my longest chapter ever! Bwahaha! (Barbossa's theme plays in the background) Just kidding.

Chapter 4: One Day Head Start

Commodore James Noorington was one of the best Navy officers imaginable. He was fully devoted to his work, and had lead the capture of a band of extremely notorious pirates. His life was very admirable, for he was fairly wealthy, with a pretty wife and three little daughters, each very smart and a perfect little lady. The only bad part, was that he had yet to have a son. A son that every Naval officer dreamed of to follow in his footsteps. Often he was jealous of the blacksmith William Turner. The humble man had married the woman he had wished to marry, and had a son with her. Although he had a pretty wife, Maria, he often allowed his mind to wonder what his life would be like had he married Elizabeth Swan.

They surely would have wed, had not pirates invaded Port Royal. Had she not been kidnapped, or had he rescued her before William and Jack Sparrow, things might be different now. But the experience had changed him for the better. He wasn't as rule bound as he had been, like Captain Gillette. He was bound to become the next Commodore, should he or Governor Swan retire or pass away. More and more often, Governor Swan seemed frail and sick. He worried that he would have to force Swan to retire, for his own health.

Tonight, he was at the Governor's mansion, awaiting the doctor. Today the governor had started coughing, and seemed very ill. He glanced at the gate, awaiting the arrival of Will and Elizabeth. James had sent someone to their home a while ago. They should have arrived by now. The runner came back up the drive alone, greatly surprising the commodore.

"I'm sorry sir. They weren't in. they did, however, leave this message," the young man stammered. The night was cold, and James ushered him in, sending him to quarters. The letter was addressed to whomever found it. He decided to take the responsibility of opening it.

Dear reader,

Forgive us for leaving so abruptly. Last night, we decided to sail for England, to show Jack the world beyond Port Royal. We shan't be gone more than a month, hopefully less. Please send word to my father of our decision. Tell him that we send our love.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Turner

Noorington shook his head. Rash Turner, he thought with a chuckle. Obviously, this letter was meant to be found in the morning. He had seen Jack earlier that day. They were still in port Royal, for no ships were allowed to leave at night, save those on urgent business. The only ship that could be leaving now would have to be a pirate ship. His eyes widened. Could jack Sparrow be back? One of the few pirates that had escaped his grasp.

He ran to the upper landing, and stared out the window. He searched the bay and harbor. Yes, there was a ship there that hadn't docked in the day. Some sort of illegal ship if it was trying to leave. If it was Sparrow he wasn't going to allow him to escape again.

He stopped a passing maid, telling her to inform the governor that he had left and had gone to the fort. Sparrow would get no head start this day. Getting into his carriage, Noorington headed to the fort, planning what he would do to capture the Black Pearl. It might be a different ship by now. The ship was fast, but so was the fleet's newest ship, the Velocity. It was similar to the Interceptor, except it had yet to be stolen by pirates.

At the fort, Noorington began giving out orders, and every hand available made ready the Velocity, trying to be silent and not tip off the Pearl's crew. An officer told James that it was indeed the Pearl, and the preparations aboard the Velocity were hastened.

The crew of the Black Pearl had no idea about the impending doom on the docks. They were simply concentrating on pulling up a small boat. Natie was leading Jack to the captain's quarters while Will and Elizabeth paused for a moment, remembering the last time they had been aboard the ship. They were greeted by familiar faces, and a few new ones. Jack turned, surprised by his parents. Natie didn't notice that she wasn't being followed. She had a few words for the captain.

"Jack!" she called, flinging open the doors to the captain's quarters.

"Well, hello love," he answered, barreling looking up from his apple.

"Why didn't you tell me that you too stole a medallion?" Natie demanded.

"Because it is I time I don't enjoy reliving. Or unliving," Jack said. "Besides, why would you care?"

"Because I used to believe that the story was simply made up to scare me. I knew that Barbossa and his crew existed, but I never was told that they were actually undead. You yourself told me that it was impossible!"

"Only so you wouldn't go looking for the Isla de Muerta and try becoming immortal. So that you wouldn't tell anyone at Tortuga. The risk is too great." Jack said, still calm. He rarely got mad, and never at Natie, no matter what she did. Where one parent got mad, he was proud. It was a pirate's way of life.

"Risk? No one would believe the fairy tales of a little girl!"

"Well, they do, and they did. I learned of the treasure from--Will! How are you?" Jack suddenly cried, his face alight with joy. "And Miss Swan as well!"

"Misses Turner now, Jack," Elizabeth responded. Her cheeks flamed as she introduced her son. "And Jack, this is Jack."

"Ah! So you named the whelp for me? And you can't go saying it's after your father cause I know his name was William. And your father Elizabeth…well, he's named for me." Jack was grinning. He got up, and started looking the boy over. "Well Will, I promise that I'll name my first boy after you. Especially if it's a unic. Maybe my first girl. No, that would have to be Elizabeth…" Jack looked into the distance. The younger Jack looked at the same spot, but saw nothing but a burn mark on the wall.

As the adults started to ask about the past thirteen years, Jack looked about the room. It was spacious, with a giant window in the back. He gazed out , wondering if he could see the Dauntless from the ship. To his surprise, the Velocity was heading towards the Pearl.

"Um, Mother?" he said, his voice a little shaky.

"What is it Jack?" she said, glancing up from the map that Jack had pulled out.

"Was the Velocity scheduled to leave tonight? Because it's heading this way."

Jack senior looked up. He went to the window, no swagger in his step.

"Ah, so our friend Noorington got a new boat? Eh, that might not be good. I don't think he really likes me." Jack kept grinning. "Looks like we might have to leave ahead of schedule."

Yeah! My longest chapter so far! I hope you liked it: )