AN: Sorry guys! I've had this chapter written for days but ff dot net has had a problem and I wasn't able to upload it until now! The good news is is that it's given me time to write the next chapter! Anyway, enjoy!

Ashes to Ashes

Chapter 18: The End is Just the Beginning

It had been weeks since the group had returned to Port Royal; weeks since Ashleigh had woken up on her brother's ship. The bullet wound in her left shoulder throbbed incessantly, always a constant reminder of the events that had taken place. Her mind roiled with the memories of the months she had spent out at sea; her thoughts always turning to the one man who had been with her throughout her entire ordeal. But he was gone when she woke up. She hadn't even had a chance to say goodbye.

Now Ashleigh sat at Elizabeth's wedding, her brother by her side holding her hand protectively. Ashleigh smiled as the vows were repeated and husband and wife kissed. Michael squeezed her hand, causing her to look up at him in alarm. He smiled down at her, the kindness in his eyes helping to ease her troubled mind slightly.

Michael had told her of when Jack left. Her father had been ready to arrest him, had already ordered Norrington to place him and his crew under arrest. Michael had saved him, against his better judgment he told her, by detaining his father until Jack and the Black Pearl could break away. Even though she knew he was gone, knew that Jack was far away and would never return, Ashleigh swore she could still feel him near her.

Music started as Will and Elizabeth began to walk slowly down the aisle, arms linked together. Elizabeth smiled brightly at Ashleigh as she walked past, her face glowing. Ashleigh attempted a sincere smile at her friend, trying to hide her own pain. She was happy for her friend, she was. And she wished Elizabeth the greatest happiness for the rest of her life. Ashleigh just wished that her life could turn out the same way, but she already knew that would never happen.

In two weeks time she would be shipped back to England with her father, destined to marry the bore of a man, Eric Summers. Her life would return to what it once was; a boring, mundane time full of doing nothing, waiting for her husband to call for her. That was not a life she was looking forward to.

Ashleigh hated having to do this. Now that she was 'freed' from the pirates clutches, she was once again under her father's rule. She could not believe that he had brought her fiancé with him to Port Royal. Ashleigh had no desire to marry; she had no desire to return to England and face her horrible future.

Ashleigh shook her head, erasing the frightening thoughts from her mind. She must focus on her friends' wedding day for now. For now she must not dwell on misery and her own impending marriage; for now she must only be happy for her friends.

A solitary figure hid amongst the trees and buildings, his dark eyes watching the wedding party march down the wide aisle. A smile lit his face as he watched the happy couple walk down the aisle, their arms interlinked. The only other person in the party that could have looked happier was the bride's father. The governor's face was lit up with a smile as he watched his only daughter walk away with her new husband.

The figure's eyes scanned the crowd, all of the happy people applauding the new marriage. There was one face that stood out however. The woman was pale and the smile on her face was forced. He could see her expression even from this distance. She was in pain and her appearance showed it. He wanted to go to her but knew he couldn't. He shouldn't have left the way he did, shouldn't have left without at least leaving her a note, but his crew and his ship's safety would always have to come first, no matter what the situation; no matter who he would have to leave behind.

He knew that pained her but for his crew's well-being he would have to stay away.

Phantom hands roamed over her skin; trailing up and down her sides, playing over her arms and neck. Ashleigh shivered in her sleep as she felt the fingers touch her. A chaste kiss was placed on her forehead, the kiss lingering for several seconds. A brush of hair on her cheek started to rouse her from her light slumber. Her eyes opened as the lips left her forehead and she sat up slowly as a shadowed figure stood at her window. "Jack?" she whispered, her eyes trying to take in the dark form standing by the open window.

"Jack?" she called again, her voice rising. "Jack?"

The figure looked back at her for a moment and then turned away again. For a second Ashleigh thought she saw a flash of gold teeth glinting in the moonlight. She threw the covers off of her and slid out of bed. The figure shook his head slightly, attempting to tell her to stay away.

Ashleigh stumbled towards him, her nightgown tripping her up. She hit the nightstand, knocking the candlestick holder onto the floor with a crash. "No," she said, "Jack."

The form jumped out of the window, his hair and jacket flying around him. "No," she cried again, running to the window, trying to catch him before he disappeared. "Jack!" she screamed.

The door behind her burst open, Michael standing in the doorway. "Ashleigh!"

He ran to her, grabbing hold of her around her waist and pulling her away from the open window before she could fall through. "Ashleigh, calm down. It's okay, it'll be okay."

"No! No, he was here. I know he was," she whispered, her body going slack in her brother's arms. "I saw him. He was at the window; I saw him."

Michael held her to him, holding her protectively as his eyes searched the window. Ashleigh collapsed to her knees, Michael following. "He's gone, Ashleigh. You must have been dreaming."

"No," she whispered, tears falling from her eyes. Her fingers clutched the nightshirt that he wore, almost as if she were holding on for dear life.

"It'll be okay," he whispered, rubbing her back gently, attempting to calm her down. "It's going to be okay."

Michael held onto her, rocking her back and forth. He knew his sister was hurting; knew she missed the enigmatic pirate captain. He only wished that he could ease her pain; only wished that he could help her. But he knew there was nothing he could do. Ashleigh would have to get through this ordeal herself. Michael knew that she wouldn't allow him to help her, that she would not talk to him about what she was feeling. He knew that she would never forget either.

"Come, Ashleigh, let's get you in bed," Michael whispered, gently smoothing her hair down as he held her. "You need your rest."

Ashleigh nodded silently, allowing Michael to help her to her feet and lead her slowly to her bed. Once she was lying on her back, Michael pulled the sheets up to her chest and wiped the tears from her face. "Sleep, my sister. I'll see you in the morning."

Ashleigh nodded again, closing her eyes and allowing the darkness to overtake her troubled mind.

She had not wanted to go home, she had not wanted to return to the life that she hated. And now, in one day's time, she would be married to a man that she did not love, much less know. She had wished-no, she had hoped-that Jack would have come back for her again. Ashleigh knew that he had been there so many weeks ago; knew that he had been the one to visit her late in the night.

Ashleigh shook her head as she sat in the small window seat in her room. A small book was sitting in her lap, untouched as she stared unseeingly out of her window. She was under a form of house arrest. She was not able to leave her home, much less her room, until her father came for her on her wedding day. If she did wish to leave, either her brother or her father had to be with her. It was infuriating having to live under her father's rule again.

God she wanted to get out of her house. She wanted to get out of her life. If only someone would come for her before her wedding was to take place. But Ashleigh knew it would never happen. She was forgotten. She was left behind to rot for rest of her life in a loveless marriage with no hope of escape; no hope of ever being free. Now all she could do was wait. Wait for her bleak future to find her.

AN: Wow. Once again it has been just about five months since I last updated. I am so sorry. Anyway, the next chapter is going to be the last. I know it's going to be upsetting, but trust me; you'll like how it ends. I promise that I'll update faster this time, I have a complete idea as to how it's going to end. I hope you all liked the chapter. Once again I'm not entirely sure how it came out, but I ended it how I saw fit. Review if you like!