Disclaimer: Don't make me say it again.

Author's Note: Hello all! Due to some information from a very kind reviewer I won't be posting shout-outs with this story anymore. I will, however, be replying individually to as many of you as I possibly can. Thank you all so much for your kind words and encouragement on this story. I've almost finished writing it but due to interference from real life I may not be able to post everyday as I'd like to. I hope you all can bear with me and I promise this story will be finished just as soon as I can possibly get it written and posted! My love to you all!

Abruptly, Elizabeth realized it was true. She wanted Jack. She loved Jack. The question of who she wanted to be with had been answered. She pondered this revelation for a moment. She still loved Will, would always hold a place in her heart for her first love, but Jack was her choice. Her match. She'd had a taste of life without Captain Jack Sparrow and it didn't suit her at all.

At her pause, Jack opened his mouth to speak but she wasn't done. She didn't want to hear him try to deny what she'd just admitted for she had no doubt that's what he was about to do. He needed to understand how she felt about him because he clearly didn't. For once, Elizabeth Swann was not afraid to say exactly how she felt and she wasn't going to let the opportunity pass her by.

"You can give me the things I want, Jack. The sea ishome to me. This ship is home to me. The only family I need is you and this crew. And to hell with stability! I want adventure and freedom and passion. And I want it with you. If you don't want me that's one thing but don't you dare try to tell me what I want."

Elizabeth felt very proud of herself until she thought about her last statement. Until that moment, she'd never considered that maybe Jack didn't want her. He'd never expressed any real feelings for her and while what they'd just shared meant a great deal to her she had no idea what it meant to him. He was no stranger to physical relationships and for all she knew that was all it was to him, a bit of fun with a rich man's daughter. Her stomach churned as she realized that she'd just poured her heart out to a man who had never even hinted that he loved her.

She dared a glance at his face and saw that he was simply staring at her. His face was completely blank, except for a bit of lingering shock. It gave her no clue as to what he was thinking. The silence seemed to hold enormous weight and she could feel it pressing in around her until she could barely breath.

"Please say something Jack," she said, close to pleading.

He was silent a moment longer, seeming to be searching for the right words, "An' Will? Where does he fit in?"

Elizabeth wasn't sure what to think of that question. It still didn't tell her how he felt about her or what she'd said.

"I can't marry Will," she replied slowly, considering as she spoke, "I love him but... he doesn't want this life. Oh, he plays the part when it's needed but he wants a simple life. I can't be part of that. Even if you don't want me, I can't marry him."

Silence stretched out between them again. Biting her lip anxiously, Elizabeth decided to just ask him. She'd already bared her heart. The words could not be taken back. She knew she wouldn't want to take them back even if she could. Even if his answer was no.

"Do you...? Want me, I mean."

'Say yes. Don't turn me away. Please, please, please tell me you want to be with me,' she begged silently, unwilling to do so aloud.

She stared at him, heart in her throat and shining from her eyes, praying it was not about to be broken. After a moment, Jack reached out and touched her cheek with the backs of his fingers and Elizabeth leaned into the touch, trembling in anticipation.

"Aye," his voice sounded rough, as if it was difficult to say the words, "I do."

Elizabeth let out a breath that sounded suspiciously like a sob and flung herself at him. She knew how hard it was for him to admit to feeling something for anyone but himself and she would not let him regret it. She kissed him desperately, wrapping her whole body around him as much as she could. Jack kissed her back just as fiercely, the hand that had been on her cheek fisting in her hair and the other firmly around her, holding her so tightly she almost couldn't breathe. She didn't care. He wanted her and he was in her arms. Relief flooded through her body as his taste filled her mouth again.

She finally broke the kiss and leaned her forehead against his, gasping for air. Jack's hands ghosted over her hair and face, as though he couldn't believe she was real and suddenly Elizabeth felt tears sting her eyes again.

Jack pulled away a little so he could see her face and tsked, "None of that now, luv. You've done enough 'a that for one day. Besides, pirates don't cry. Savvy?"

She laughed, sniffling, "Aye, Captain," she replied, echoing her words from earlier.

"Good girl," he kissed her forehead and the sweetness of the gesture made her heart ache.

He trailed a line of light kisses down her face and onto her neck before moving to her ear, "Now," he whispered, sending a shiver through her, "I believe we have some unfinished business, Miss Swann."

She was tempted, incredibly tempted, to take him up on what he was so obviously suggesting but she forced herself to pull away from him. Her body protested heavily and when Jack's searing gaze caught her eyes in confusion and passion she nearly gave in to it. Instead she closed her eyes and concentrated on slowing her breaths. When she felt certain she could handle his eyes again, she opened hers.

"Jack I can't," He immediately opened his mouth, no doubt to protest but she covered his lips with her fingers.

"Not yet. I have to talk to Will. It's not fair to him to do this while I'm still engaged to him."

"But-" Jack sputtered under her fingers, "What kind of ruddy pirate gives a thought to fairness? Take what ya can an' give nothin' back, remember? It's the pirates code, luv. Ya gotta respect that."

Elizabeth struggled to keep a straight face. He was being very serious in his persuasion and she really didn't want to laugh at him. She bit her tongue for a second to distract herself. It was no use, she was grinning. She was, at least, thankful she wasn't laughing.

"I always thought of them as more like guidelines," she joked before forcing herself to be serious again, "Really though, Jack, you know I have to talk to him. It would be cruel to wait. He deserves better than that."

Jack sighed, his lower lip jutting out in a pout that looked so delectable Elizabeth had to physically stop herself from lunging for it. She wanted to bite it. That thought gave her pause. Jack was definitely a bad influence.

"Aye, I suppose ya have to," he said dejectedly, "Doesn't mean I have ta like it though."

She smiled, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "Think of it this way Jack, when we do finish this- and we will," she promised, "I'll be a free woman. Free to be completely yours."

Sure, it was a bit of a contradictory sentence. It was a little difficult to be free while belonging to someone else. Still... it had it's desired effect. Heat flared in Jack's eyes and Elizabeth felt an answering fire stir in her belly.

"Mine?" he rumbled, leaning into her.

She nodded, keeping her eyes locked on his, "Yours."

He kissed her then. Bruising and possessive and she was helpless against it. His arms locked around her like steel bands. In one smooth motion, he had her lying under him on the bed again, pressing against her desperately. She gave herself over to the feelings coursing through her body without hesitation, answering his passion with one just as fierce.

All too soon, he pulled away, rising quickly to his feet. Elizabeth was still reeling from the loss of his weight when he reached down and pulled her up as well.

"If you're gonna go, Lizzie my dear," he said gruffly, obviously as effected by the embrace as she had been, "ya'd best go now 'fore I change me mind."

She nodded, smoothing her hair down again and fanning her face to rid herself of the flush she knew was covering it. She looked down at herself quickly, assuring herself that her cloths were in proper order and then glanced back at Jack. He was staring at her hotly, and she was gratified to see that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

"Are you going to go out and see the crew?"

"In a minute I will. I uh," he glanced down at himself briefly, "I needed a minute or two ta meself first."

Elizabeth pressed her lips together tightly to keep from laughing and Jack, noticing her struggle, scowled at her. She chanced giving him a quick peck on the lips before striding to the door. She paused, briefly, with her hand on the knob, wanting to cling to her happiness a moment longer before she stepped back out into reality. A reality where she was going to have to break the heart of a man she'd loved for nearly a decade. Then, taking a deep, steadying breath, she glanced once more at Jack and stepped out onto the deck.

TBC... as soon as possible! Please keep reviewing!