Hello guys

So instead of my planned writing break, I've been diving into the world of Pirates of the Caribbean.

This will be an AU of the first film with a Jack/Elizabeth twist which I like the pairing idea for various reasons.

I don't hate William/Elizabeth, so this not born out of dislike, but rather wanting to write a different pairing which for me has its appeal.

Also, if you don't like well don't read or leave reviews telling me how much my story sucks, pretty easy concept to understand.


On the tower

Jack and Will are surrounded by red coats pointing rifles at them while Commodore James Norrington, Governor Weatherby Swann, and Elizabeth moving out from the protective circle stands by them. At this point the once young, fearful woman is not even flinching at having a small platoon of guns pointed at her, or Will.

After all, given the recent events lived through dealing with Barbossa alongside his undead crew, plus everything else including being trapped on the island well merely men with guns is rather… boring, Elizabeth notes.

"As is mine," Elizabeth says firmly.

"Elizabeth! Lower your weapons. For goodness sake put them down" Governor Swann barks.

After a moment the men listen including James Norrington lowering their weapons. Only Elizabeth can feel Jack standing there behind her while glancing up briefly to see a rather acquainted bird before returning towards the assembled men, with it feeling like a picture of her caged life. Knowing Captain Jack Sparrow has an escape idea in mind, not really a plan but rather an idea that usually ends up working.

Not due to the legends rather Elizabeth remembers seeing Sparrow underneath all those fake ideas built in her head. The scars including two bullets, or the branded P on his arm is reality.

When how Jack, even for all his own bravo tried to disguise it, yet on the island for refusing to kill her when easily could have, acted appalled at the very idea of trading Will for a ship, and a plan for getting off the island. Of course, she didn't desire to wait that long so, hence burning the rum.

Plus, to give her control back for not just sleeping with Jack and even when commenting on if she could trust him was not an entire truth. Because she already did trust the man who jumped in to save her life from drowning for no other reason except helping. A truth Elizabeth knows just as William as Jack is a good man.

William who at times feels more like a strange childhood friend and more of an escape from the rigid, unwanted life of a Governor's daughter. Filled with maids, or parties as they are more concerned over the latest gossip rather than anything… meaningful. Including being married to Will despite the man being more a blacksmith than pirate. Yet for her, Elizabeth knows can feel how the freedom that Captain Jack Sparrow talked about on the island feels deep-seated in her bones. A life being a caged swan is no life at all.

Returning her gaze to the men standing before, the men who have done so much harm behind so-called law. Men who condemn and hate pirates, mind you Elizabeth knows at times with good reason, for having seen the true viciousness of Barbossa's crew who had no problems gleefully killing, yet others like Jack that Elizabeth wonders just from his actions that if this was a life forced on him.

Following the War of the Spanish Succession which broke Spain as a global power, especially in the ocean, and gave birth to England, in particular, forming its official navy. A great idea for England, but less so regarding countless privateers who had made up the navy army that helped Europe only to get cast aside like yesterday's bad eggs.

Men who had a near-impossible time finding work from the extremely poor living conditions, and a workforce made of slave labor which is used by companies such as the British East India Company. It's no wonder Elizabeth figures so many have turned to piracy, deciding to become the very thing they were branded by when cast out. All to make the people eviler in their eyes, including her father, despite how much she loves him, Elizabeth knows in disgust, feel better when they sleep at night.

Sure every man or woman is responsible for their own choices, but sometimes life gives one a bad hand.

Abruptly Elizabeth gets brought of her thoughts by James Norrington's voice.

"So, this is where your heart truly lies, then?" James asks.

"It is" Elizabeth replies.

Only what happens next is a surprise as Elizabeth steps back quietly taking Jack's hand yet glancing over at her in disbelief. There's a quiet confused look among the men not quite catching on until William of all people let's out a chuckle.

Giving a pointed look "What?" Elizabeth asks.

"It's just, well of course it's Jack," William says.

Meeting his gaze "I'm sorry" Elizabeth says.

"I'll live" William replies.

"Elizabeth, this is outrageous. Marrying the blacksmith is one thing, but a pirate, no I won't allow it" Swann says.

Turning to meet her gaze "They are right luv, I'm not exactly good stock or the life I lead is not an easy one" Jack says carefully.

"My decision Captain Sparrow. Besides this is not completely due to you. Like you said the Peral is freedom" Elizabeth replies.

"Aye, she is," Jack says grinning.

Leaning down Jack kisses Elizabeth on the lips who after a brief moment of surprise eagerly returns it while the others look in disgust or envy. However, rather quickly Jack pulls back grabbing ahold of Elizabeth's hand as they quickly run towards the edge before looking back.

"Gentlemen you always remember this is the day, you almost caught Captain Jack" he starts yet does not finish.

As taking a step backward while holding onto Elizabeth Jack lets them fall backwards into the water below. Rapidly having removed an obscured knife inside her dress, given the dangerous adventures started to carry unknown to everybody including her father, Elizabeth manages to cut the heavy dress off leaving her in just a nightgown. Quickly Jack and Elizabeth make their way up the surface gasping briefly in need of air before starting to swim as a rather familiar Peral approaches in the distance.

Eventually, they make their way there through the water while ignoring the shouts of the British law behind, and are pulled up onto the deck by the rope at the hands of the Peral's crew. Those who are surprised in Elizabeth being with their Captain only remain quiet, and a certain measure of respect given she helped free them earlier.

"Captain Sparrow, the Black Peral is yours," Anamaria says by the wheel.

If it was just him Jack would have mentioned about the code, but right now they've got bigger issues which can discuss the code later with Mr. Gibbs.

Although is not going to complain much at all since they came back for helping their escape. Of course, Gibbs has always shown a measure of loyalty going all the way back to when they first met under the East India Company and was still in the royal navy. Later helped him set free slaves they were meant to transport, and forever changing the course of their lives towards piracy.

"Anamaria get Elizabeth dryer clothes and use Barbossa… my cabin since it has a mirror if need be. The rest of you on deck, you scabrous dogs! Hands to braces! Let go and haul to run free" Jack says walking over to the wheel.

Sharing a smile with Elizabeth while Anamaria is following given Elizabeth already knows the route Jack turns back to the wheel. Beginning to direct the ship's wheel, especially having the Royal Navy after him, alongside from his crew raising up the sails can feel the Peral picking up speed, Jack pulls out his compass.

Of course, it takes a moment to focus given Jack suspects it actually is following Elizabeth, a woman he is attracted towards. A woman who is fierce, headstrong, and a soul yearning to be free like his. His feelings towards her run deeper than just wanting a bed partner, however, Jack pushes those aside with the compass starting to straighten or maybe because it is aligned with wanting to get elsewhere for all their protection.

"Now... bring me that horizon. And really bad eggs, drink up, me hearties yo ho" Jack smiles in realization of what the song is while closing the compass.


Later in the cabin

Passing Anamaria on the way out the door Jack stops upon entering seeing Elizabeth over by the mirror. Yet she's now dressed in a raggedy white button shirt, a brown vest, pants with boots, and a hat. There's a sheath on her left hip while Elizabeth is holding a sword in her right hand. Frankly, she's even more beautiful like this Jack notes, well outside of her having nothing on and can tell Elizabeth has a sense of peace in these clothes.

"No worries lizzy, I'll teach you how to use that" Jack says.

Looking over "Just the sword Captain?" Elizabeth inquires.

"No, everything from how to shoot, each and every part of this ship" Jack replies then teasingly adds "If just to keep you away from burning the rum, savy?"

"Hmm, that seems like a decent trade," Elizabeth says lightly grinning.

Placing the blade in its sheath Elizabeth walks over to Jack kissing him passionately on the lips who after a moment of surprise returns it moving his arms to her waist.


Hopefully you all enjoyed this.

Using the deleted scenes from PoC 01 and the background of Jack turning outlaw following freeing the slaves which was removed in At World's End film, is I'm not Disney. Because Disney appears to fear giving Jack actual depth and we know in the final films on Jack being turned into a caricature.

Having Joshamee Gibbs leaving the navy with becoming a pirate by helping Jack free the slaves is entirely my idea, but one I figure helps explain why the two men are so close throughout the films.

On Elizabeth going with Jack and becoming a pirate far earlier is me once again fixing Disney's screw ups by shoving Elizabeth's story into being just William's wife, and mother to his kid. Like goodness grief guys Elizabeth was the Pirate King in the third film yet this is what you guys did with her character?

Mind you, I'm not saying remove the romance entirely as it's stupid belief for any romance makes a character less strong, but don't ruin the character to.

If you're going to write a romantic element it should enhance both your characters equally in the pairing instead of hindering.

Pretty much for Jack and Elizabeth's stories well it would be like taking Han Solo back to his smuggling for dirt bags including a price on his head, even attempting on unconvincingly justify it in universe. Oh, wait Disney did that to, never mind.

Until next time.