The Compass

By Gypsy PrincessNRM

Disclaimer: I own no part of Pirate of the Caribbean nor the characters.

Chapter 1

Jack had always considered the possiblity that he might face death by drowning. But he had always assumed it would be his first love that filled his lungs and stole his breath. He had imagined the weight of the sea pressing down on him like an over zealous lover and wooing him to stay with her forever. There would be little resistance of course, once she fully wrapped her seaweed arms around him and pulled him deeper inside of herself. But he was resisting now. Fighting with everything he had in him. He was not going to die being choked by the slime that coated the inside of the Kraken's belly. A slime, Jack was becoming certain, that helped to slowly digest whatever was left swimming around in this hell. His whole body burned and itched. He flung around trying to find some kind of air pocket or somewhere to drive the sword that he still clung to. Every so often something would brush his skin as it floated by. Pieces of wood, cloth and - bodies brushed by, fellow victims to the beastie. Jack kept fighting, but his lungs were burning. Had been for quite a long while. But he didn't dare open his mouth or inhale and get that foul slime farther inside his body. The burning sensation grew stronger and Jack knew his time was about up. He flung his arm out in front of him and waved his sword around like a mad man. Hoping. Praying it would miraculously hit the side of his captor and he could carve his way to his lover the sea. But there was no solid mass - nothing but more slime and a body of what used to be a man. Jack pulled away from the decaying corpse and fell into the blackness that surrounded him.

There was rum. Thank whatever god there was to thank that there was rum. Rum and a pretty English girl. He used to dream of this. A secluded island - a beautiful virgin, ready for the plucking - and, most importantly a never ending flow of rum. But the fantasy was greatly tainted by the fact that he was here - for a second time - knowing that the devil himself had taken his precious ship. Again. This is not what he had in mind when he bargained with Davy Jones to raise the Pearl for him. Surely Jones would extend his 'loan' time because of the mishap. Of course. Jones was a reasonable fellow. Wasn't he?

'Damn - thinking too much. Need more rum.' Jack took another swig of his favorite drink and watched as the proper Miss Swann ran around their bonfire, singing her pirate song.

"Come on, Jack! Sing with me! YOU are the pirate, after all - not me!" She ran over to him and grabbed his hands and pulled, laughing and looking like some sea nymph. He stood and tried to pull her into his arms but she pulled away and danced around the fire again. Jack had no choice but follow - with his rum.

"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cads,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho." Jack laughed as he shouted the words out with Elizabeth.

"I LOVE this song! And really bad eggs... Ha. When I get the Pearl back, I'm going to teach it to the whole crew; and we'll sing it all the time!" Jack flopped onto the sand, drinking more of his rum. It surprised him to see Elizabeth settle in next to him, pressing up close to his side.

"You'll be positively the more fearsome pirate to sail the Spanish Main."

"Not just the Spanish Main. The whole ocean ... the whole world. Wherever we want to go, we go. That's what a ship is, you know. Not just a keel and a hull and deck and sails. That's what a ship needs ... but what a ship is -- what the Black Pearl really is ...is freedom."

Freedom.

She wasn't a little girl anymore. She was a woman - a woman who wanted to be in the arms of a man. And if he had his way HE would be that man.

"I have faith in you."

'Damn'

"Want to know why?" She had faith in him.

"Do tell, dearie."

"Curiosity. You're going to want it." She leaned in closer; he could feel her breath against his weather-worn cheek. "A chance to be admired. And gain the rewards that follow. You won't be able to resist."

'I'm trying.' God in heaven and the Devil in hell knew he was trying to resist her as she leaned in closer. Nearly touching him.

"You're going to want to know... what it tastes like." THAT'S IT! His control hung by a small thin piece of thread.

"I do want to know what it tastes like" He swayed a little closer.

"But - seeing as you're a good man I know you will never put me in a position that would compromise my honor."

'Don't you wish' he thought as he leaned in closer, raising his hand to tangle his fingers in her strawberry blonde curls.

He watched as she walked away. To freedom. To Will Turner. Leaving him locked to his ship. Alone. To face death. Leaving only the memory of her sweet taste on his lips. She walked away.

"Elizabeth!" Jack woke with a start. I must be dead. He was no longer swimming in slime. His lungs were no longer screaming for air. He still felt a slight burning on his skin - in his eyes. He drew a deep breath, trying desperately to make his eyes focus so he could see his fate for all eternity.

Thump. Step. Thump. Step.

He knew that sound - what is it what is it what is it? Not good. He knew that. Not good.

"So, that is where your heart lies, eh Jack? Elizabeth?" Jack turned his head to the side, his eyes coming into focus.

"Nice of you to rejoin us, Jack. We have a bit of business to take care of." Davy Jones laughed.