Apologies for the delay. Writers block was creeping up and I couldn't find the will to finish one of the scenes. But it eventually happened.

Please enjoy!


Chapter 5

Each step was weighted down by her thoughts as Lena made her way across the ship. She had already gone through countless versions of the conversation in her head, but none of them made her dread the real thing any less.

Elizabeth sat in front of her as she stopped, looking at her for a moment before she dropped down beside her without a word. Rather than looking at her, Lena kept her eyes on the same direction as Elizabeth, looking over everything on the other side of the ship. Unsure how to begin, she stayed there in silence, letting it settle unfortunately into an awkward tension, though unintentional.

The air between them had never felt so suffocating, a sad comparison to all the times that had come before it.

"I don't know if I can forgive you for what you did to Jack," Lena started softly, running her fingers over the wood beneath her absentmindedly, "but I want to try."

Elizabeth finally moved then, turning to sit cross-legged, facing Lena. "Hurting you was never my intention, but we would have been killed by the kraken otherwise," she defended. "I am sorry you had to go through that, though."

Lena shook her head, not caring for her words. "You don't know that for certain. Yet, it was after Jack, but once we made it to land-"

Elizabeth cut her off, "If we made it. You know how long it took to get there. With no where to run?" she let her question hang, knowing well what would have happened.

"I know, Lizzy," she snapped, though she didn't know if she was angry at Elizabeth for the question or herself for knowing she was right. Her voice quieted again when she continued. "That doesn't change how hard it was."

"And I am sorry. I guess I had hoped it wouldn't be so bad for you. I didn't realize just how close you had gotten to Jack. It's surprising."

"Could you imagine part from Will forever?" Lena asked suddenly, knowing she needed to let her know just how she felt about Jack, otherwise Elizabeth would stubbornly keep up her side of the argument forever.

"No, it was hard enough when I knew he was on the Dutchman. I couldn't imagine such a thing," Elizabeth confessed, and as she sat there, the look of confusion at the question turned into understanding. "You love him that much?"

Even though she could hear the slight disbelief from Elizabeth, there was that look of acceptance as well as Lena nodded, laughing to herself as she considered the words she was about to say. "I know he's certainly not the type of gentleman we spoke about growing up, the kind society would have picked out for us, but he's better than that." While it wasn't a conversation that had often in recent years, they had spent enough time as teenagers speaking about some of the men in town and what life would be like in the future. And Jack Sparrow would certainly not fit into any of those previous images in her mind.

The skeptical look on Elizabeth's face gave Lena a good idea of what she was thinking, something very different to her own. "I understand your feelings," she said tentatively, "but he's betrayed us numerous times. You are still willing to trust him? For each time he helped us, he's gone behind our backs the next."

"He hasn't betrayed me," Lena snapped quickly in his defense, fists clenched as she glared at Elizabeth. Regardless of what he had done to her and Will or anyone else for that matter, it was never the came with her. "I've always been safe with him, so yes, I can trust him. I always have and that hasn't changed."

"I know that," Elizabeth said as she grabbed Lena's hands, pleading with her, "but I worry about you. I'm happy he's back, but is staying here the best option after all this is done?"

"What would you have me do?" Lena retorted, knowing well that she had few options. "What even can you do? After all this, after the Brethren Court, after dealing with Beckett, will any of us be able to go back to a normal life and not have to worry about an arrest showing up at any given moment?"

"My father will help take care of that," Elizabeth supplied, belief in her words though Lena couldn't agree completely.

She slowly shook her head. "Some of that is out of his control. I am beyond his protection so long as I have that conviction of piracy over me. But I'm fine with that," she urged, hoping Elizabeth understand what she was saying. "I enjoy this life more than I could have imagined." As she thought over all the things she'd done and seen since first leaving Port Royal, she couldn't stop the smile that formed. It had started with what she believed to be a one-time trip, a crazy adventure while rescuing Elizabeth, but it turned into so much more.

"I've been to so many different corners of the earth and seen so many fascinating sights. It's exhilarating, especially when not running towards a single goal. You've been with us to Singapore, but imagine going all over Europe as well, down Africa. All these places with nothing stopping us from really taking it all in. It's been the best time of my life."

"There will be no convincing you, will there?" Elizabeth commented, a small smile on her face reflected Lena's as she took in her friend's words. "I certainly miss your company. Port Royal hasn't been the same. Plus I could have used your help with the wedding," she teased lightly.

"Yes, while I do regret missing your wedding, I don't think I could risk showing up either. Another arrest would ruin the next one as well," Lena reminded her as she relaxed, feeling the tension finally leaving the space between them. While she doubted her earlier feelings of betrayal and hurt wouldn't resurface, it wasn't enough to burry her and keep her away from her friend.

A bittersweet smile was on Elizabeth's face as she flung her arms around Lena, pulling her forward. "Oh, Lena, I wish I could have spared you all that pain, but I'm glad you're happy and you have Jack back."

"As am I," Lena said, holding Elizabeth as well, glad to have not just Jack back but Elizabeth as well.


If it weren't for the fact that the Black Pearl seemed to be perpetually trapped in this other world, life would almost seem to be going well. Aside from the severely dwindling supplies and a constant feeling of being lost at sea. So, perhaps not well, but tolerable. One thing that had been going well however was everything between Lena and Jack. Ever since his rescue, Lena couldn't help but think that there were many more times where he was openly affectionate. In a way, he had always been due to his constantly flirting and teasing, but he had taken to keeping her nearby, wrapping his arms around her while on deck and still giving orders. While she loved every second of it, she had to admit it was a strange change.

That behavior is what led to their current position at the helm, Jack standing with one hand on the wheel and the other around Lena. They might not have been doing much, but it didn't stop Lena from noticing Barbossa's reaction as he periodically caught sight of them, which would then be proceeded by a roll of his eyes. As Jack pulled her closer, she caught a snicker from him that made her believe he was keeping up the act more to annoy his previous first mate rather than anything else.

Trying to ignore Jack's occasional attention to her, as hard as it was at times when he would lean over and whisper to her or begin trailing hands across her stomach or kiss the side of her neck, she tried to keep her focus elsewhere. Such as catching the next time she heard Barbossa scoff at them. "Do you have something against showing affection, Captain Barbossa?" she teased, earning a sharp squeeze from Jack at the title.

"I'd have hoped you being of such refined upbringing would practice better manners and utilize the privacy you've been given." As he spoke, Barbossa faced them completely, all dramatics as he swept his arm towards them.

"Thad be my influence," Jack teased as he let go of the wheel, pulling Lena in front of him so he could wrap both arms around her. "I'm just irresistible," he finished with a smirk towards Barbossa.

Barbossa rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Some would disagree."

"Well, I agree with Jack," Lena added with a cheeky grin. "But I will try not to disgust you in the future."

Jack, however, seemed to take that as a challenge instead. "Where would be the fun in that?" he teased, whispering in her ear as he ran his hand across her side, causing her to laugh.

With an elbow to his gut, Jack loosened his hold enough for her to step forward. "Whatever you're thinking, forget it," she said, laughing as she looked back at Jack.

"The crew would appreciate it, as would I," Barbossa drawled drying as he peered at the pair.

"Wait," Lena spun around suddenly as a thought struck her. "Is that why you gave up the cabin?" she said, almost mortified at the thought, sure that she was blushing at the idea that Barbossa wanted to keep her and Jack's alone time just that, alone.

Unamused eyes fell on her as Barbossa shot back, "a necessity, I'm sure, if I recall correctly Jack's previous actions. I doubt he's changed much with you constantly present."

If she hadn't been before, she was sure she was red-faced now as she threw her hands up in surrender to the conversation, eager to get out of it. "Forget I even brought it up. I liked it better when you two were fighting amongst yourselves over this. Consider me out of this," she said before she quickly retreated down the stairs, doing her best to ignore the laughter she could hear, certainly at her expense.


Lena's Journal – July 29, 1729 possibly?

I am starting to believe that the map is useless. It might have led us here, but maybe we needed a different map to get out. In which case, we are stuck here forever. Forever will be short though if we all starve to death soon. Things to look forward to.

On the plus side, Lizzy and I finally had a moment to talk. While I wouldn't say things are great, it is better than before. Hopefully I will be able to talk to her one day without thinking about what she did.


Lena sat at the table in the captain's quarters. It was her preferred spot to write, rather than trying to uncover Jack's always chaotic desk. She didn't get far in writing when she heard a building commotion on deck. Abandoning the journal, she left the room, quickly going towards the gathered crew. Peering towards the sea, people were lining up along both sides of the ship, watching in an unsettling silence as something seemed to hold their attention.

Taking a spot beside Gibbs, she looked down, suddenly understanding the odd mood across the ship. Boats, as far as she could see, floated beside them, carrying lost souls as they passed from their life. It was a sobering sight, surely. She couldn't help but wonder what sort of fate had fallen on these people, both young and old, all moving towards the same end.

"It's my father, we've made it back. Father here, look here!"

Elizabeth's words suddenly drew Lena's attention as she looked at her friend in alarm before scanning for the man she called to. As she spotted him, just as he did the same with Elizabeth, she could feel her heart break for her friend.

Governor Swann had always been a good man, even welcoming Lena as a part of their family while in Port Royal. No one could say he wasn't a caring man, and he took his position seriously, looking out for the people of Port Royal as best he could. Lena had cared for him in a way, even if her interactions had been limited. But having been around the Swanns for so long, she knew what this meant for Elizabeth. She was always close to her father, being the only parent she had left.

"Elizabeth, we're not back," Jack said solemnly as he stopped beside her.

Elizabeth couldn't accept what he was saying though as she continued calling, trying to get his attention. "Father!"

Slowly, as if just realizing there was a world outside his boat, Governor Swann looked towards the ship, "Elizabeth, are you dead?"

Shaking her head, Elizabeth answered with a cry to her voice, "no, no."

"I think I am," he replied, making Lena's heart break for her friend.

"No, you can't be!" Elizabeth cried, hanging over the railing to look down at him.

As Elizabeth followed after her father, Lena couldn't bring herself to move. Nothing she did would help her friend when her own attempts weren't working either. She helplessly looked at Jack, though she knew without him saying it; there was little any of them could do. Reading the expression on her face, he slowly shook his head before he stepped closer to her and pulled her in, letting her lean against him as they listened to everything happening. While his arms around her seemed to give little comfort, it seemed minuscule compared to everything weighing on them.

"There was this chest, you see," her father explained, almost dazed, not noticing his daughter's distress. "And a heart. At the time it seemed so important."

Ignoring his words, Elizabeth continued shouting for him. "Come aboard!"

Her father continued, "I learned that if you stab the heart, yours must take its place. Sail the seas for eternity. The Dutchman must always have a captain. Silly thing to die for."

As his words settled over the crew, Lena noticed Jack's hold tighten. As she looked up at him, she could see something was running through his mind, making her almost afraid to ask. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind though, focusing on Elizabeth.

"Someone cast a line!" she called, with Marty following through, handing her a rope. Tossing the line did nothing. Her father merely ignored it, as if it weren't even there.

"Take the line!" she shouted again, trying her best to get him to grab it.

All he did was look up at her. And heartbreakingly, he said, "Elizabeth, I'm so proud of you."

"Father, the line, take the line!" Elizabeth yelled, dashing across the ship, following after her father as his boat continued drifting.

Seeing the frantic movement, Lena stepped away from Jack, following after Elizabeth as things escalated.

"She must not leave the ship!" Tia Dalma shouted, and quick to respond, Will grabbed Elizabeth before she could get to far.

Struggling against his hold, Elizabeth continued yelling, "Father, come back with us! I won't leave you!"

"Elizabeth," Will said, holding her as she struggled still.

"I'll give your love to your mother, shall I?" At her father's last words, Elizabeth stopped moving, watching him one last time as he moved farther away, before she turned around, clinging to Will.

"Is there a way?" Will asked quietly to Tia Dalma.

Shaking her head slowly, she replied, "him at peace."

A silence fell over the ship then, heavy from the emotions still lingering. Though Lena wished to help Elizabeth, she knew it was best to leave that to Will. With nothing else to do, she looked back to where Jack stood, still a short distance behind everyone else. She would speak to him eventually, but that could wait. Enough had gone on tonight.


And there we are! Hopefully writing comes easier next chapter and I can update quicker. Either way, I will keep working on this. We've made it too far to stop. Until next time.