They lay together in the sand, Jack's eyes heavy with drink and Elizabeth's not far behind. Following their surprisingly good meal, they had drank and sang and danced around the glowing fire. He'd told her stories, ones from the sea and ones about him. He'd showed her his tattoos and told her the stories behind them. In the glow of the fire, Elizabeth fancied herself in love with him, just a little bit.

She curled up, just slightly on her side, her head pillowed against his shoulder. She absently ghosted her fingers over his scars and tattoos, watching his skin shiver under her touch. She'd had a bit too much rhum, perhaps, but she didn't care right now. All her cares in the world focused on Jack, the warmth of his body, and the way his voice wove wonderful tales of the constellations.

"Now there, luv, is Cassiopeia, the queen of the skies. She's turned upside down as punishment for her boasting ways." He laughed. "She's there though and people know her. Some say that's all that matters. Anyhow, she was beautiful and vain. Her daughter is there with her, but not for the same reasons. Andromeda was beautiful as her mother, but selfless, and was set there after almost being eaten by a terrible sea beast and rescued by a dashing hero. Perseus, that's his name, he's there too, sharing a starry sky with his lady love for all eternity." His hand tightened on her shoulder, pulling her close.

"There," he pointed to a single bright star. "Is the most important star you'll ever see. She's the Dog Star, the North Star, Polaris, and she'll guide you where ever you want to be headin'. All you'll have to do, Elizabeth, is look to the skies and find her and she'll set you on your right course again. Many a Jack Tar's been saved by finding her and true north."

"You say such beautiful things, Jack," she said, her fingers playing with his beard. "When you talk, I can imagine myself far away from here." She wondered if he'd kiss her, if she lowered her lips to his. The rhum burning in her veins urged her to make good on this curiosity.

"It's a consequence of a long life, luv. You're young still, and you've got much to learn. Someday, you'll be the one telling these tales when I'm long lost to Davy Jones's Locker."

"You're not that old, Jack."

"Dearie, I'm easily a half score older than you and piracy certainly don't lend itself to ripe old age."

She propped herself up on her elbow, leaning over him. She swayed a little, drunk, her hair brushing over his face and neck. He could feel her rhummy breath on his face, and saw her eyelashes flutter to half-mast.

"But you're Captain Jack Sparrow," her lips brushed just barely against his, as she spoke. His hand slunk up her back, over her neck, and tangled in her hair as he pulled her down to him. Their kiss broke apart and she rested her head on his chest, listening to the wild tattoo of his heartbeat.

"Ah, luv, you don't know what you're doing," he whispered to the top of her head. It was too late, though. Her breathing had become slow and regular. The rhum had taken its toll on her and she slept what he hoped would be dreamless sleep, with only the stars to guide her. Jack followed her soon after, into a deep, rhum-laced slumber under the watchful eye of Polaris.

Some months after the whole 'unfortunate' experience, Elizabeth Swann stood on the balcony of her bedroom in her father's house. A soft breeze blew and it was an all around pleasant night, much like the one she had spent marooned. It was nights like these that haunted her and kept her awake till dawn tinged the morning haze. She rolled her fingers over the tiny, dark pearl she had brought home from the island she had been governess of for only a day and a half, and looked to the sky. Her eyes swept over the stars until she settled on a single, bright point. Finding Polaris was a comfort to her. She could almost hear Jack's voice whispering tales in her ear, as though he was right behind her. She wondered, briefly, if Jack was looking at the same star, right now, and thinking of her.

She scoffed. What a childish fancy! She was quite sure that she was the only one sitting around, pining for what should have been a horrible experience. She stared at the North Star just a bit longer before turning and heading back to bed. Someday, she would be able to plot her own course in life... someday.

At the same moment, Jack stood at the helm of the Pearl, plotting a course in his mind as he watched the Dog Star. His mind drifted back to the island he'd been marooned on and he found himself almost hoping he'd find it again, partially to chart it, but mostly remembering. It hadn't been so bad the second time around, and he found himself actually missing his prissy governess. He'd see her again, he knew. The sea would get into her blood, like a fever, and not let her rest until she returned to it. He knew because it had happened to him as well. She might have thought her course plotted before, but there was always room for change. Jack's hand turned the wheel ever so slightly, altering the Pearl's course. Perhaps they'd make a rhum run in Tortuga. It was, after all, just a quick trip from there to Port Royal.

Polaris simply twinkled down on both of them. It was not her job to decide what people would make of their lives; it was just her job to guide them.