Author's Note: I couldn't wait to upload this. I'm far too excited about the sequel. A few of you will probably kill me for the parting in this chapter... but read the trailer for the sequel (which is being posted seconds after this). Only the epilouge to go now... then the next story. Very exciting. Keep reviewing!

Chapter Twenty Seven: Heaven

Rum, salt, a strange spicy smell.

What had happened? For a moment, her mind was a blank, at peace under a heavy quilt, eyes closed tightly.

"Carmen Karenza Keisha Regalia, Princess of Evaneta," she murmured, and then it flooded back to her. Being kidnapped, the Black Pearl, Jack Sparrow, and being shot...

She wondered if she was dead. There was only one way to find out. She opened her eyes and sat up, feeling a sharp pain in her gut. She was in Jack's cabin.

This might be heaven, but she certainly wasn't dead.

She was in his tunic again, her hair loose. She supposed she must look pretty bad, then wondered how long she'd been in this bed.

The ship wasn't moving. That was interesting.

"Jack!" she called. "Jack!"

Then the door burst open. Jack was standing there, gold again, so beautiful to behold. His smile was one of the purest happiness as he ran to her. No words were spoken, and she was captured so tightly in his arms, breathing in his wonderful scent.

He lifted her out of the bed and spun her around, laughing. Then he placed her on the floor, cupping her cheeks with his palms. "Oh, Carmen, I thought you were dead."

"I'm fine, honestly." She smiled up at him. "Never felt better..."

He captured her lips in a soft kiss. Then he drew back slightly. "Carmen, we are at Evaneta."

A million emotions flooded through her, but she couldn't put her finger on any of them. To her, there were only those wonderful eyes before her. "Evaneta?"

"Yes, we've been here a while, luv." He swallowed, looked away. "Hawke escaped."

"Are you worried about that?" she asked.

"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, luv," he murmured. "I don't worry." He winked at her, took her over to the bed, and they sat down. He was holding her hand tightly. "Well... I did worry when I woke up when Hawke had you. Had to sneak out and everythin', they wanted me ter stay here."

"How long was I out?"

"A while." Jack sighed, tossing his hair. "We've spoken with the King and Queen- that is, Daddy and Mummy dearest to you. They wanted us ter take you straight to the palace, which, by the way, we're anchored right beside. But I wanted ter say... wanted ter say goodbye..."

"G-goodbye?" Her voice faltered. But she already knew. She supposed she should have guessed.

Jack was looking at the ceiling. "Princess- Carmen, it's been... amazing. I've never met a girl like you before. But... I took you once before, I have no right ter do it again. I mean... Carmen... I'm a pirate, and yer a princess." He looked back at her. "Think about it, luv."

"I know." Carmen felt strange. She felt peaceful.

Jack smiled. "I'll miss you."

"I'll never forget you." Then they were kissing, softly, sadly. Carmen cared so deeply for this man, but she knew she couldn't be with him. Finally, they broke apart, smiling gently.

"Yer'd best be off, luv," Jack sighed, handing her a white robe to pull on over her tunic for decency. "Say goodbye to everyone else..."

They headed for the door, pausing there for a moment. Jack touched her soft cheek.

"In another lifetime, luv..." he murmured softly.

She nodded, then headed out of deck. Ana met her first, wringing her hand. Then Gibbs nodded at her, Cotton hugged her. She came to Will, who smiled.

"You okay with the you-and-Jack thing?" he asked quietly.

"I have to be," she replied. "He's right, Will. Oh, Will? I meant to ask you something. How in the blazes did you and Edward take on all of Hawke's pirates?"

"Pirates?" Will asked, and for a moment he grinned. "Heavens, no! They weren't pirates, they were just a bunch of losers Tobias knows. No match at all, really. Stupid Tobias, though... I think he lived."

Carmen shuddered. "I hope he gets what he deserves."

He pulled her close. "I'm going to miss you, Carmen. Good luck."

"You too, Will." She smiled. She remembered something. "Do I get an invite to the wedding?"

He grinned. "You bet. I'll have Jack come and pick you up."

Carmen sighed. It would be lovely to think this could ever happen, but the Black Pearl was a pirate ship. She didn't think it would be allowed to sail into Evaneta again. She forced a smile, though and shook his hand. He tugged her forward and hugged her tight.

Edward came over to her, and there were tears in his green eyes. "L- Carmen," he breathed.

"Edward," she smiled, and she fell into his arms.

"Carmen, I'm not in love with you." He sighed, holding her tightly. "The girl I was in love with doesn't exist anymore. And I'm happy."

Carmen smiled. "I'm happy for you."

"But, Carmen," Edward sighed, blinking, "what about you and Ja-?"

"Don't," she said. "We can't, we won't. It's that simple." She forced a smile. "Good luck."

"You, too," Edward said. "You'll make a fine princess."

"I hope so. It's alright, you'll make a fine pirate- assuming you're staying here?"

Edward shrugged. Carmen saw his eyes fall on Ana for a moment before reaching her own again. He smiled. "I have no-where better to be. Oh, goodbye, Carmen."

"Goodbye, Edward."

And then Carmen was facing the palace, her breath catching in her throat, seeing it, so large and white and beautiful. Her new home. Her new life. A couple dressed in robes stood a little way away from the ship. Her... her parents? There were tears in her eyes.

Princess Carmen Karenza Keisha Regalia. She couldn't believe it, even now.

However, she was finally home.

Next chapter preview: Epilouge...

Carmen adjusted her tight red dress awkwardly. She was the picture of beauty, her hair piled on top of her head, a sparkling crown there. Her expression was impassive as she stood on the balcony, but her mind was full.

She watched the Black Pearl sail away. There, on deck, looking up at her, was Captain Jack Sparrow, the man who had changed her life in so many ways. And now he was sailing out of it.