Disclaimer: You should already know.

Authors Note: Here is the next chapter! Sorry it is so late I was away and didn't have access to a computer!

I would like to thank my beta, muse, and friend: snowyjay-chan

Thank you sooo much! Without her wonderful ideas I would not still be writing.

Well that's pretty much all I have to say right now. I can't wait for your reviews!!

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Elizabeth stood at the bow of The Pearl, the cool nights air playing with her hair. She was letting her thoughts wander, which was not a wise choice on her part. Not only was she oblivious to her surrounding, but she was completely vulnerable to admitting something which she did not want to face.

Naturally she was still thinking about Will. There was no way she could stay with Jack, that had to be the rum interfering with her thoughts a few nights ago. Elizabeth would just have to grit her teeth and force herself to go back to her old life. It would take some time, but she would eventually adapt back to her old life, right?

She was strong…she would be able to manage. It would break her heart, being away from the sea, but she would do it for Will.

'Is he really worth it?'

'Shut up! Of course he is.'

'Oh really…well what about the compass?'

The compass…

The stupid, bloody compass. How Elizabeth loathed it. It had to be broken. There was no other explanation for why it pointed to Jack. She was engaged to Will, and she loved him. But what kind of love was it, did she love him like her fiancé, or just like her brother…

'Shut up Elizabeth!'

Yes, what was she saying? Jack was arrogant, cocky, self-centered -- the list could go on forever -- a bastard who had an overpowering thirst for treasure -- which, mind you, was almost never quenched -- …and had risked his life to save her own on several occasions, he is witty, and deviously handsome…

'Damn it Elizabeth!' she cursed herself, nearly pounding her fists on the railing in frustration.

A strangled sob escaped her lips, but no tears dared to show themselves. She was so confused, and all this thinking was getting her nowhere, but what else could she do?

Elizabeth knew she loved Will…but what was this feeling she was getting off Jack? Whatever it was, Elizabeth knew she had to ignore it, but what she didn't know was how long she would be able to.

She had to calm herself, if she ran into Jack in this state who knew what would happen.

Elizabeth sighed, resting her head in the palm on her hand, her elbow on the rail. She gazed out at the water; at the moon's reflection, dancing elegantly as the waves tumbled over each other. A quite melody drifted from her lips as she watched the sea. "Yo ho yo ho…"

Unfortunately, her thoughts overtook her once again. Elizabeth was so deeply consumed by them that she did not hear Jack's approach. At least not until he began to hum the familiar melody from behind her.

"Jack!" Elizabeth was just barely able to keep herself from jumping as she whirled around to face the unexpected visitor, who smirked, not knowing whether she meant his name as a curse or greeting.

"Hello luv, what are ye doin' up at this time o' night?" he breathed, the smirk still in place on his face.

"I couldn't sleep." Elizabeth replied simply, not looking Jack in the eyes.

"Well what's on yer mind?" Elizabeth's eyes narrowed as she gazed at a dark spot of wood on the deck.

"It's nothing that concerns you, Captain."

"Aye, but being the curious mortal that I am, I will make it concern me." Elizabeth flinched ever so slightly at that word. He saw and smiled, a few of his golden teeth shining in the moonlight.

Jack noticed that Elizabeth was acting very bitter…probably because of what happened earlier…

-x-

Elizabeth had approached Jack; he was down in his cabin, looking over pieces of maps and charts that had survived the Kraken.

"Jack…" she had questioned, slightly tentative from interrupting him, "Aren't we supposed to be in Tortuga by now?"

"Don't worry luv, we'll be arriving soon enough…" but there was an edge to his voice.

"But you said we would have been there by now." Elizabeth protested, was it so much to ask for a truthful answer, but then again it was Jack they were talking about.

Jack hesitated, "Well…yes." He said looking slightly troubled.

"So you are telling me we are lost!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Not technically…" Jack muttered.

"What do you mean not technically!" Elizabeth said outraged, "You got us lost didn't you!" she said pointing an accusative finger at Jack.

"No, no, no. Don't worry, we aren't lost." Jack said, growing slightly irritated. Although he didn't look too sure about that. He pulled out his compass and opened it. The needle began to spin, and spin. He watched it as it continued spinning, frowning. After a minute he sighed and snapped it shut, muttering some dark curse.

-x-

Elizabeth is not one to give up a fight easily. They had continued to argue for some time, until Jack had dismissed her from his cabin by threatening to stop her sword-fighting lessons.

"Jack, it's my business, not yours. So just leave me alone." Elizabeth said slightly annoyed at his pestering, but she was still avoiding his gaze.

Jack seemed to notice that and his smirk became more pronounced.

"God 'Lizabeth, you'll hold a grudge till yer death!" Jack said, chuckling.

Elizabeth scowled. "You are the one who bloody got us lost!" she said, now meeting his eyes with her fierce ones.

Jack waved a hand unconcerned. "We'll get there sooner or later."

"You are hopeless!" Jack gave her a look. "It's the truth Jack. You are such an unconcerned, stubborn ass and it will be the death of you."

"Now luv, don't be mean! You don't want the hurt the poor donkey's feeling, now do ye?" Jack retorted, smiling crookedly.

Elizabeth blinked, not too sure how to reply to that. She sighed, shaking her head. "Only you would say something as ridiculous as that."

Jack shrugged. "I am Captain Ja --"

"Jack Sparrow, yes I know." Elizabeth interrupted, rolling her eyes. Jack glared at her, disgruntled; she was unfazed by his frosty look.

"I don't know how I let you talk me in 't this…" Jack growled. "What are you talking about?" Elizabeth questioned. "Going out in search of your bloody whelp is what I'm talking 'bout!"

Elizabeth stiffened, "Don't talk about Will like that." Her voice was dangerously quiet, quivering ever so slightly.

Jack seemed not to hear her. "I mean after all you did just try to kill me!" Elizabeth flinched. "And we don't know if Turner is even alive!" He added. "Jack, he is alive…he has to be." Elizabeth's voice shook slightly.

Jack shook his head, "Elizabeth…" he said, his voice hard. "The world is not perfect, things happen, friends are separated, people die…" a dark shadow crossed his face, but he continued on. "Yer just gonna 'av to learn to deal with it and move on." He said sharply.

Jack knew he had gone too far by the look on Elizabeth's pale face. What little hope she had that Will might be alive had been crushed. She closed her eyes as silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

"You are such an ass Jack." Elizabeth muttered as she shoved past him, going below deck to her cabin.

Jack sighed and went to the helm. 'Bloody woman.' He thought, although he was angry he also felt a slight hint of remorse for what he had said to Elizabeth….

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There was a slightly awkward politeness between Jack and Elizabeth the following day. Neither of them brought up the quarrel from last night.

The sky had just grown dark after the sunset and Elizabeth was standing up at the bow once again. She had taken a liking to this spot, and came here whenever she had free time.

Jack swaggered up behind Elizabeth, resting a hand on her shoulder for a second before joining her in leaning against the rail, gazing out at the water.

"I'm sorry, Lizzie…'bout last night." Jack finally said; his voice was somewhat hoarse, as if he was having difficulty speaking.

Elizabeth turned her head to look at him, astounded. Since when did Jack ever apologize for something? And he was suddenly using her old nickname again. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if he was up to something.

"It's alright." She sighed. "And I suppose I overreacted also." She said, smiling a little too widely.

Jack's eyes narrowed. "What are ye smiling about?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing. Why do you ask?" Elizabeth questioned, smiling even wider.

Jack rolled his eyes, "I can tell yer planning somethin' with such a wicked grin on yer face as that." He said gesturing.

Elizabeth smirked, "You apologized." She said simply.

Jack groaned, "So what?" he asked roughly.

"Oh nothing." Elizabeth said, smiling innocently. Jack sighed, but remained silent.

A few moments passed, they stood in silence staring out at the dark water.

"Oh!" Elizabeth said finally breaking the silence, "We never did have a swordfight today." She pointed out, smiling.

Jack looked at her, "Sure ye don't want to take today off?" he asked, hoping she would say yes.

"Of course not!" Elizabeth said joyfully, pulling out her sword, "How else am I going to get any better?" she asked grinning.

Jack sighed, muttering something inaudible. Slowly he pulled out his sword. "Are ye ready?" he asked, quite lazily.

Elizabeth was already lunging at Jack, who blinked.

Grinning he quickly deflected her sword with a flick of his own. Jack swiped at her, but Elizabeth jumped back out of the way. She quickly jabbed at him, hoping to catch him off guard, but Jack was able to parry easily.

Jack advanced toward her, causing Elizabeth to back up toward the rail. He jabbed his sword at her, but she parried. Another swipe caused Elizabeth to jump back again; her back banged into the rail. She muttered a curse under her breath, looking around for an escape route.

"Now where are ye going 't go?"

Thinking quickly, Elizabeth grabbed a rope and pulled herself up on the rail. Jack, smirking, quickly brought himself up next to her, balancing a lot easier from years of experience being on ships.

Elizabeth swiped at Jack once more, loosing her balance, and nearly falling overboard. She swayed dangerously, grabbing on to a rope for support.

'This is defiantly not one of your more brilliant ideas Elizabeth.' She thought, looking around uneasily. 'Especially in the dark…'

The only thing she could do now was to disarm Jack before she fell overboard. There was no way she was going to jump back down onto the deck and let Jack see how weak she was.

Jack struck again, nearly hitting Elizabeth as she swayed out of the way. 'Oh God, this isn't good…'

"Now do ye still wish to continue?" Jack asked, hoping Elizabeth would call it quits.

"Give up to you? Ha!" Elizabeth laughed despite of her uneasiness. "Not a chance!"

"Alright then." Jack said, jabbing at Elizabeth. She parried, still swaying.

Elizabeth swung very unevenly at Jack and didn't even come close to hitting him. She swore under her breath, taking a small step back.

Jack swiped one final time and Elizabeth sword fell out of her hand and landed on the deck with a loud clatter. She swayed, her eyes widening.

'Oh no…'

Elizabeth grabbed for the rope but it was too late, she lost her footing.

The air rushed around her, whistling in her ears as she plunged toward the icy water below. The fall lasted for ages, or at least it felt so.

Finally she hit the water and disappeared below the surface.

The cold water filled her lungs, burning awfully as it did so. Struggling, Elizabeth opened her eyes, looking around.

'Air.'

She began to swim to the surface, kicking her legs furiously. Her lungs were screaming for air, but the surface looked so far away. But she didn't stop, she kept swimming…

Finally her head broke the surface and she gulped down the fresh air, coughing and sputtering.

"I warned you…" Jack called from up on deck, his voice sober, but Elizabeth could hear a hint of amusement.

He threw her down a line, which she quickly grabbed, still coughing. Slowly Jack began to pull her back up to the deck.

When she was only a few feet below him, he leaned over the edge of the rail, offering Elizabeth his hand. She took it gratefully, her hands were sore from holding on to the rope and she was about to lose her grip.

With ease, Jack quickly pulled her over the rail. "You alright Lizzie?" he asked still holding her in his arms. His voice was a little too jovial for the circumstance.

"I think…" Elizabeth muttered, shaking. She coughed again, spitting out water. It was a good thing Jack was still holding her because she was sure that her legs were about to give out beneath her.

'Wait a minute…Jack…holding me?' She stiffened as her senses began to return.

Jack seemed to notice, as he does with everything else, and smirked. "Well that's good." He slowly raised a bony finger to stroke her cheek, Elizabeth went rigid.

As much as she wanted to resist, and pleaded with herself to do so, she couldn't. Elizabeth found herself leaning back into Jack's form. Her soaking wet clothes getting him wet also, but he seemed not to care.

'Elizabeth…don't do it…think of Will' Her mind pleaded.

But then she saw something on the horizon. Her eyes narrowed as she gazed at it, wondering what it was.

"It's… Tortuga!" Elizabeth breathed, pointing to a small speck of light on the horizon.

"'Bout time!" Jack said smiling.

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There is the next chapter.

Incase you were confused, that bold part above was a flashback.

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Tell me whether I should continue.