Reflection Chapter Four – A Wonderful Trick

Author's Note: For all intensive purposes, I'm skipping the whole fight scene and such with Jack and Barbossa. It's not necessarily relevant to the story, and we all know the outcome. So, I'm skipping past that and cutting right to after Barbossa is killed.

--Your Author, CBMV--

An awkward silence reigned as Elizabeth Swann, Will Turner, and Captain Jack Sparrow stared at Barbossa's cold, lifeless body. Jack leaned over to stare at the face of his number one enemy. He let out an exasperated sigh and sauntered over to one of the many random piles of treasure. His treasure.

Will and Elizabeth watched Jack with a smile on their faces. Will looked down at his palm, the blood dripping down to his fingertips.

"Oh gosh, Will," Elizabeth said, noticing the blood drip from the tip of his middle finger onto the wet rocks at their feet. She took the ribbon holding her hair back from her hair and wrapped it around the gash. Will stared at her as she tied it tight, infused in her work.

Elizabeth stopped and looked up at Will. He smiled warmly at her and they hugged tightly.

"I could have sworn you'd be dead," Elizabeth said as she buried her head in Will's shoulder.

"I thought you would have been dead on that island for sure."

They pulled away to stare into each other's eyes, and then embraced again. They reveled in the moment until a golden statue came flying past them. Following after it was Jack, a jewel encrusted crown atop his head. He stooped to pick it up; and as he cradled it like a child, he stared at Will and Elizabeth.

"If you two don't mind, I'd like to be escorted back to my ship."

Will laughed and walked to the life boat, Elizabeth following and Jack following her.

They rowed out of the cave, and all that Jack could see was the H.M.S. Dauntless; sticking out like a sore thumb. The crown fell from Jack's head and his cheeky grin turned to a look of sorrow.

"I'm so sorry, Jack," Elizabeth said, placing a hand on Jack's knee.

"Don't worry about it, love. They've done what's right by them. Now I have to do what's right by me."

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Captain Jack Sparrow stood atop the scaffolding, his head in a noose. He stared straight ahead, deep in thought. Straight ahead of him stood Elizabeth Swann, fanning herself impatiently.

"This is wrong," Elizabeth said, staring at Jack's sullen face.

"I know, my dear, but we have no choice," Elizabeth's father said, looking to the Commodore for reassurance. Breaking up their conversation was Will Turner, dressed in an elaborate outfit, complete with a feathered cap. He bowed his head to Norrington and Governor Swann. He looked at Elizabeth and tipped his hat.

"If you'll pardon my interruption; Elizabeth, there is something that I've been meaning to say to you for a long time. I'm in love with you. I've felt this way since the day we met. I wish you and the Commodore a happy marriage."

Will turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd. Weatherby Swann looked from Norrington to his daughter, his mouth agape. They all looked to the gallows as a soldier started a drum roll.

Will started pushing people out of his way as he drew his sword. Norrington started after him. Elizabeth thought fast and faked fainting, distracting Norrington and her father. The undertaker pulled the lever and the hatch below Jack's feet gave way. Jack squeezed his eyes shut and Will threw his sword.

Jack stopped and opened one eye. He heard people screaming, and he heard Will fighting off the undertaker, just above him. Jack stood on his toes, trying to stay on the thin blade of the sword. Just as he finally got his balance, the rope around his neck was cut and Jack fell to the ground with a thud.

Jack stood and ripped the rope from his neck, he started running, Will following after him. Jack tossed Will an end of the rope and they clothes-lined the number of soldiers blocking their path. They were finally surrounded by a number of redcoats.

From within the mass of soldiers walked Commodore Norrington, his usual hard-ass look on his face.

"You forget your place, Turner."

"It's right here, between you and Jack."

"As is mine," Elizabeth said, stepping into the circle of soldiers. The Governor reached for his daughter and Will and Jack both placed a protective hand on her shoulders. Jack looked at Elizabeth, a soft look in his eyes. He winked at her and pushed past the guards, stepping up towards the top of the overlook.

"This is the day you will always remember," Jack said, "As the day you almost caught Captain Jack—"

Jack tripped over the wall and plummeted backwards into the ocean below. Will and Elizabeth rushed over and watched Jack swim to the Black Pearl. The solders scrambled to the docks and Norrington chased after them, shouting orders to stop. Elizabeth turned to face Will.

"Jack finally got what he wanted."

"What's that, Elizabeth?"

"His freedom."

Will smiled and pulled Elizabeth close. She placed her hands atop his broad shoulders and leaned in. They kissed passionately as the sunset over Port Royal.

Just out of the bay, Jack Sparrow peered through his spyglass; watching Will and Elizabeth kiss. He lowered the spyglass and leaned against the wheel of the Black Pearl.

"Some day, Elizabeth Swann. Some day."