We stood very similar to the first day I laid eyes on Captain Sparrow. "I can't." I whispered to Elizabeth, I darted off quickly. Dodging his hands as the Commander grabbed for me, "You're condemning a good man to death, pirate or not. Let that sit on your conscience." I turned quickly, the stupid frilly blue hat flying off of my head.

"Commodore Norrington is bound by the law as we all are." The Governor answered. I stormed out of the fort. Will caught me swinging me around into his arms.

"I just wanted to hug you one last time, in case the worst should happen. You have always been a sister to me." I wrapped my arms tighter around him.

"What are you planning?"

"Giving Jack a chance to escape, for you." I pulled back from him.

"Wha-"

"I'll never forget the sound that came from you as Barbosa plunged that sword into him."

"Will you've got it all wrong. I-"

"You care for him." Will smiled at me, "Just as I- Elizabeth." Will hurried off back into the fort and I watched the feather on his hat bob through the people, headed toward Elizabeth. Something flew overhead,

Squaah "Pretty bird! Pretty pretty bird!" I laughed in complete joy and ran back into the fort, there wasn't much I could do in these heavy skirts but I stood back by Elizabeth. I squeezed her hand and as the drums sped up, she squeezed back before-

"James! Father!" She gasped, falling back. I caught her in my arms noting her slight smile.

"Thanks Lizzie." I whispered, setting her down gently.

"Elizabeth!" The governor gasped and Norrington turned instead of calling the soldiers. The drums stopped, Elizabeth shot up, and I rushed toward the gallows. Will threw his sword then began fighting the hangman with his axe. Jack was cut loose and I was pushed back by the swarm of people. I followed the path of injured soldiers to the outer edge of the fort where Jack and Will had been surrounded. Norrington, Governor Swann, and ELizabeth rushed up beside me, Norrington placed his sword against Will's neck.

"I thought we may have to endure some ill mannered escape attempt, but not from the likes of you."

"On our return to Port Royal I granted you clemency and this is how you repay me!?" Governor Swann was livid. "Throwing in your lot with him! He's a pirate!"

"And a good man!" Will and I snapped at the same time. Will threw his sword down. "If all I have achieved here is that the hangman will earn two pairs of boots instead of one then so be it" Will continued, "But my conscience is clear."

"You forget your place, Turner." I stepped forward.

"It's right here between you and Jack, as is mine." I pushed past Norrington, blocking him from Jack. Elizabeth rushed between Will and I, grabbing our hands. Norrington looked shocked.

"As is mine."

"Elizabeth!" The governor gasped, "Lower your weapons." He ordered, "For goodness sake put them down!"

"This is where your heart truly lies then?" Norrington asked. Elizabeth looked back at me, then at Jack and then to Norrington.

"It is." Elizabeth answered, it was then I realized Norrington wasn't looking at her.

"Well!" Jack stepped forward suddenly, "I'm actually feeling rather good about all this. I think we've all arrived at a very special place," He got right up in Governor Swann's face, the poor man winced back at his breath, "Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically." He stepped over to Norrington. "I want you to know that I was rooting for you mate, know that." I smiled at Jack and when he turned, he gapped like a fish for a moment before rushing off, "Elizabeth, it would never had worked out between us darling, I'm sorry." She looked bewildered before I leaned forward, over dramatically resting my head on her shoulder.

"The island." I purred and she blushed. Governor Swann paled even more if that was possible.

"Will." Jack paused, "Nice hat." He rushed up the steps before turning back to us, "Friends!" the soldiers rushed forwards, Jack backed up more, "This will be the day you always will remember as the day you almost caught-" he flailed his arms falling over the low wall. The crowd rushed forward and my eyes found the horizon.

"Damned fool, he has nowhere to go but back to the noose." One of the soldiers yelled. I smiled,

"I wouldn't be so sure about that." She was beautiful as she glided across the jewel waters back into her captain's care.

"What's the plan of action?" The same soldier asked excitedly. Norrington did not answer, "Sir?"

"Perhaps on the rare occasion, pursuing the right course demands an act of piracy." The governor replied to Norrington's silence. I smiled, the governor's eyes connected with mine, "Piracy it's self can be the right course."

"Mr. Turner!" Norrington called.

"James please don't." I begged stepping in front of Will. Will moved me aside gently.

"I will accept the consequences for my actions." He told Elizabeth and I. He turned back to Norrington. He rose his sword and I winced grabbing Elizabeth's hand.

"This is a beautiful sword." Norrington told Will, "I expect the man who made it to show the same care and devotion in all aspects of his life." He warned him, before turning his back on him.

"But what about Sparrow?" Once again with the same soldier, I knocked his hat from his head childishly.

"I think we can afford him one days head start." Norrington said before leaving, the soldiers followed after and I ran. I briefly heard the governor call for me as I kicked away those awful shoes and tucked my skirts into my waist. Soon cobbled streets turned to sand and I headed down the beach line. The tide was low and I rushed through the shallow water toward the little island. It was an unknown spot, all covered in rock, and I climbed to the highest point I could. The Pearl was sailing toward the horizon and I watched as it got smaller and smaller.

"Goodbye Captain Sparrow." I whispered to the wind, "Hopefully we can meet again."

xXx

"The Black Pearl is yours Captain." He smiled, stroking the helm lovingly. He barked at his crew to get them moving and once she was sailing toward that horizen he opened his compass, watching it spin, the arrow pointed over his left shoulder.

"Captain?" A sweet voice asked coming up beside him, she leaned back on the spokes of the helm. The red skirt she wore was ripped exposing her long legs and her blouse was low cut leaving just enough to the imagination, "Where are you taking us this time?" The wind blew her curly red hair into her eyes as she cocked her head. She leaned forward suddenly, "Captain, come back to me." The look in her eyes was so sad and then she was changed. There was a crying baby on her hip and her hair and eyes were dulled. She looked trapped, caged in. It had been like this for weeks. Everytime he closed his eyes she was there, no barmaid seemed to take his fancy, and there was not enough rum in the world to lay with whores. No one came close to her. At first he tried to rationalize that it was lust, but that wasn't it. He wanted her happy and free, even if he never had her. He had to go back, find her, and take her. She had weaseled her way in and now he didnt want to be without her. Gibbs came to him on the third night.

"We're headed back? What's in your head Jack?" What was in his head? His head? She had his hat! His hat! And the minx had taken it. It was a good excuse.

"She stole me hat mate. I want it back." The olderman chuckled.

"The gall." Though it was Jack's hat and he was rather protective over it, Gibbs knew this was more than the hat.

Xxx

Cheerful laughter echoed down the beach as a man sat in the shadows and watched the girl and the older woman dancing around the fire. Lanterns hung along ropes tied to various posts jutting up from the sand illuminated the house. The older woman moved toward the rocking chair sitting upon the small porch.

"Arabella, child, come inside. Before the sea reclaims you." The woman called in a heavy accent.

"Tell me about Barbados again!" Ari called back to her, the man smiled as she twirled in the sand, face turned toward the starry sky. He glared as the hat fell from her head and into the sand. The older woman smiled picking up her knitting, "Please Mrs. Cintia."

"It's not far off from here Biniana. More native people, less white man, and more nature. That's the only difference." The woman shook her head, as Ari approached she opened her arms to her, "Go inside, to bed. We have an early morning." Ari sighed and ran back out to the sand to retrieve the hat before heading inside with one of the lanterns.

"Good night Mrs. Cintia." He waited a long time, watching as the old woman sat and rocked, then he began trying to sneak past her.

"I may be old and blind boy but I aint stupid." She called out to him. Jack froze instantly, "If you so insistent on sneaking in it's the second window on the left, above the garden and don't you dare trample my flowers." Jack strutted away without a word trying to reclaim his usual swagger, "Aint used to getting caught are you?" The old woman cackled as if she could see his struggle. He slipped into the open window effortlessly and Arabelle laid in the bed in the center of the room. His hat hung on her headboard and he leaned over her to retrieve it. In its place he left a necklace with a small glittering pendant. When she awoke the next morning Arabella snatched it up. Carved into it was the same image as Jack's tattoo and on the back was Lily-Rose's name. She held onto the pendant tight as she waved goodbye to Cintia.

"I'm so glad you'll be staying with us." Elizabeth smiled, looping her arm through Arabella's in the carriage.

"As am I." Arabella smiled back to her.

"The captain assured me it was smooth sailing to Barbados." The governor tried in vain to join the conversation, "He was a handsome man, maybe someday you will marry as well, Arabella."

"Father!" Elizabeth scolded.

"In your own time." He added quickly, "In your own time." He patted her hand.