Dislclaimer: I don't own POTC.

Chapter 54: The Most Anticipated

She took a moment for it all to sink in. "Oh Jack, you truly are an amazing man," she said to no one. She could not believe what she'd just read. But what really caught her attention were the stains on the bottom of the letter. They looked like tear drops. She sighed. He really did love her. As if he'd been fooling anyone in the first place.

She heard the door opening, and quickly restored it to its position on the desk. Jack walked in, took the letter, and folded it up. He put it into his jacket, which was still hanging up. "Apologies, Miss Sullivan."

She nodded. "It's all right, Captain." She was extremely impressed with the words of the letter, which kept going through her mind. She could not believe that he felt that way about her. As she glanced out the window, she could see land. "Port Celebros," she realized, as Jack looked. He made a growling noise.

"Aye."

"I suppose there is a chance that we may never cross paths again, Captain Sparrow," she said, observing his response.

"It's hard to say. I doubt that the navy will ever stop wanting my head," Jack said, as calmly as ever.

"Well then I suppose that this is goodbye, then. After all, as we've come to realize many times before, the daughter of Dorian Quartermaine could never end up with the rogue pirate of the seven seas."

"Very true."

"Yet sad," she added, watching him for any sign of emotion. Perhaps he'd already come to the conclusion and dealt with it, according to the state of his cabin.

But he only nodded. "Best not to linger on long goodbyes," he said, unrolling a map and setting his compass down. "I've got my duties to attend to, I will see you and Mr. Turner off in a few hours' time."

She looked at him, puzzled. "Is that all, Captain?" He was containing himself. After all, she wasn't meant to read the letter until she was safely back in Port Celebros with Will. "You've nothing else to say to me?"

"What would you like me to say, Camille?" he asked impatiently. "It's become quite obvious that I am the source of all of your unhappiness. Now leave."

She sighed, shaking her head. "Why can't you just admit to yourself that you love me, Jack?" she asked quietly before leaving. As she looked out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jack crumple up the letter and throw it on the ground.

She waited on deck, quietly performing any necessary chores until the rest of the crew was roused. Port Celebros was coming more into view, and as it did she could not stop the feeling she had in the pit of her stomach as she watched it.

"Camille, good morning!" called Will as he approached her. "You're up quite early, I can see that you haven't slept a bit. Are you feeling all right?" he asked, touched her on the arm gently.

"Yes, I'm doing much better, actually," she said, not looking at him.

"Then why do you look like something is troubling you?"

She looked at him. "Will, I'm not returning with you and Ana Maria."

"You're staying on The Pearl with Jack?"

She nodded. "I'm in love with him, Will."

Will understood completely. "Cadence is going to be most disappointed. So am I," he added.

"I know, but the further away Cadence is from me the better, at least until she becomes a bit older. I can't bare the thought of putting either one of you through any more danger."

Will nodded. "Promise that you'll write?"

"Yes. That goes for you as well." She hugged him, and he kissed her on the cheek. They were close enough to the port now that orders were being shouted out everywhere.

They pulled into the docks, and the gangplank was lowered. Will and Ana Maria said their goodbyes, and Will and Camille hugged one last time. "This won't be the last of me that you see," she told him.

Jack stood there, simply waving. "Farewell, mate. Until…well, if we meet again." He looked at her, and this time she could see that his eyes were saddened. He wasn't even trying to hide the expression on his face. He pressed the letter into her hand, which she could se had been straightened back out. "Farewell, Miss Sullivan. You can live safely now without a fear of pirate curses."

She watched Will and Ana Maria descending, watched the crew waving and shouting farewell messages to them, and bit her lip. She stepped forward, away from the gangplank. "I can't leave, Jack. Not yet, anyhow."

"Why not?"

"Because I've read this," she said, holding up the letter.

He looked at her a moment, stunned. His eyes went wide, and then he shook his head. "No, no, you have chance to be with someone who will be by your side and not betray you. Will is a good man, better than I will ever be."

"Yes, but Will loves Elizabeth and only Elizabeth. He has no room in his heart for me to be more than a friend, Jack. And I feel the exact same way about him. It's you that I've fallen for, don't you see that?"

But still Jack shook his head. "No. They'll catch you. They're already after me, and I've no doubt that someday they will catch up to me. In Port Celebros you're safe."

"With the navy knowing that I already acted in piracy? I'll be jailed and hanged either way."

"I know. That's why," he said, rummaging around in his jacket. "Ah," he said, producing more letters. "I've got these."

She read them. "Royal letters of pardon? Jack, where did you-"

"Pirate," he reminded her. "Now go, before I am forced to push you over the side."

"You wouldn't."

"I most certainly would."

Here, Gibbs came up beside Jack and interrupted him. "For the love of God, Jack, can't ye see that she doesn't want to go back to Port Celebros?"

"Gibbs, did I ask for your opinion?" Jack said, turning on him.

"Captain, she's as good hand as any and we could certainly use a sailor like her. Plus, instead of gettin' me to take part in yer schemes, ye can use her."

Camille laughed. "Thank you, Mr. Gibbs."

He nodded. "My pleasure, darlin'."

Camille could see Jack thinking, stroking his split beard. But he kept shaking his head. "This is not a good idea," he said.

"Jack, I know that you don't love me, but I can't leave, this ship has become my home and the crew my friends."

He looked at her seriously. "When did I ever tell you that I didn't love you? I do, very much. That's why you must leave. You deserve a much better man than me."

"I deserve to be able to make my own decisions. And I have decided to stay here with you."

Jack sighed. "I'll not argue with you any longer. You are free to do as you please, my dear. Take your station."

She grinned. "Thank you, Jack!" she said, passing him.

"One more thing," he said, reaching out and grabbing her hand. He pulled her to him and kissed her passionately, evoking some cries of surprise from the crew. He stayed close to her ear and whispered. "Will I see you in my cabin at 1200 hours?"

"Aye, Captain."

"Very well, then," he said, releasing her and winking. "Gentlemen, we have our heading! Prepare to set sail!"

And so Jack and Camille had another night of amazing sex. The End.