A/N: Thank you for all the reviews! Sorry it took such a while. I got semi-writer's block. Please assume the Dauntless still exists...

Disclaimer: As always, Disney owns PotC.

"Lizzie," said Jack a long while later. "After we finish this mess about Merlow, what do you say to sailing with me?"

"Of course I'm going to," I said, confused. "I'm part of your crew."

"No, no, no," Jack corrected. "I mean, you and I sail. Together."

I smiled and closed my eyes, leaning in his arms.

"Yes," I said, sighing happily. "Yes, of course. I will."

He stroked my hair softly. How wonderful that feels...

We failed to notice a ship sailing at full speed toward us.

The enormous sound of explosives shook the air, followed quickly by the sound of cracking wood. The Pearl rocked violently.

I could hear the crew shouting below in confusion and panic. Jack and I were still standing at the bow.

"Jack, what's happening?"

"Captain!" shouted Anamaria, emerging from below deck. "It's the Silver Wave! She's firing on us!"

"Bloody Merlow," muttered Jack angrily.

"Fire on the Silver Wave!" I said immediately.

"Aye!" Ana agreed, running below.

"Jack, I have to go help," I said, breathless even before I had started running below deck.

"Stay out of trouble, darling," he called after me. "I'll be getting my leverage."

In the next few minutes I found myself loading cannons with speed I didn't know I owned. Fighting to save Jack had lit a new fire in me. I dumped the gunpowder in feverishly.

"Fire!"

I could not hear it, but I fired because it was part of me. I did it because I knew one thing in my mind--I had to protect the Pearl. I had to protect Jack.

It probably never occurred to me that he was quite good at protecting himself. I didn't think. It was the same monotonous movement, and I found a hidden store of energy for it.

Jack, please be all right. Please be all right! And--oh, please have the right leverage. What would Merlow want? We already made a truce with him--and he's immortal and invincible unless--no Jack, cannot do that! He wouldn't die for--but what would Merlow want--oh Jack please be all right!

Someone appeared to help the crew member next to me. I turned to get more cannonballs--and came face to face with Will.

"Oh--" I smiled briefly at him and grabbed a cannonball.

"Elizabeth," said Will.

"Yes? Will--I'm a little busy--we have to protect Ja--the Pearl--"

"There's another ship coming!"

"What?!"

"Another ship! And it doesn't look like an ally! We don't have any allies!"

"Oh--I have to go--" I abandoned the cannon and rushed onto the deck. "Jack!"

I looked around frantically. Indeed another ship was approaching. I found a telescope conveniently located close to me, and raised it to my eye. It was a fairly large ship--not much smaller than the Pearl. It was painted a pale brown and had dark blue edges. There was something about it that looked amazingly familiar. Something in my mind registered it--I seemed to have seen it all my life.

Of course you've seen ships all your life. You've lived in Port Royal-- Port Royal. Of course! My eyes traveled upward. The ship was flying royal colors. And--what was that white flag in there? It flapped, and in the small moment that it straightened and creased again, I acknowledged the East India Trading Company insignia.

"Elizabeth?"

I turned. Jack had come out of his cabin. He frowned a little at the sight of the new ship.

"Jack--it's flying royal colors... and the East India Trading Company's flag!"

"That accursed Beckett. He's brought the Royal Navy with him."

I glared at the ship, which was rapidly approaching. I looked through the telescope again. There was definitely no mistake. It was the Dauntless.

"What are we going to do?" I asked. "Can we fight both of them?"

"Perhaps," said Jack slowly. "The Dauntless is no match for the Pearl, but Merlow's ship is invincible, says the prophecy."

"Should we fight his ship first? And discuss the Dauntless later?" I didn't wait for his answer.

"FIRE!" I screamed.

"I think we'd best start parleying with Beckett right now," said Jack. "He's approaching."

"Oh, damn Beckett--"

The ship was already next to the Pearl. We watched as a few men adjusted a plank and connected the Pearl with the Dauntless.

"How dare they," I breathed. Three men walked aboard the Pearl. I walked forward determinedly with Jack. Beckett was one of the men, and I didn't look at anyone else. I stared at his repugnant face.

"You have no right--" I said furiously, as Jack said, "As captain of this ship, I request that you tell me what you are doing on my ship."

But Beckett ignored him. He looked back at me with a bored expression.

"Elizabeth Swann."

"Elizabeth?!" This was another voice, one too familiar, mixed with relief, shock, and perhaps anger. I already knew who it was. I turned slowly in the direction of the voice. It was my father.