Disclaimer: I do not own the song used in this chapter. The song is "Wonder" by Megan McCauley.

Ashes to Ashes

Chapter 19: Wonder

When breathing's a burden we all have to bear

And trust is one thing we're taught never to share

Somehow you just seem to shine

When loving means breaking and saying goodbye

The crowd had gathered for the joyous occasion. The guests murmured amongst themselves; their eyes never leaving the man and woman standing in front of them. The dress was a pale blue, the train curling softly around her feet. A translucent veil covered her face, the top of it buried in her black hair. Her dull green eyes peered at her husband-to-be through the thin fabric of her veil.

The priest droned on next to her, reciting the traditional wedding verse. She had almost completely tuned him out after she recited her vows, his voice just a little speck in the background of her mind. Her mind was jolted back to the wedding as the priest finished his speech.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Eric Summers lifted the veil from his new bride's face. He drew back slightly when he saw the silent tears running down her cheeks, flowing from her dull green eyes.

Ashleigh blinked the tears away and leaned up; beginning the kiss they were meant to have. The crowd of guests behind them cheered and clapped, celebrating their new union.

The day had dawned bright, the sun beating down as always. Ashleigh stood at the bow of the ship, her hands playing with a tiny rope; tying and un-tying it over and over unconsciously. The wind blew softly, rustling the lace on her wide-brimmed hat.

Her eyes gazed out to sea, hoping she would be able to see waters that she was familiar with. Ashleigh sighed. It had been two weeks since she had gotten married and set off for her honeymoon. Two weeks of utter boredom and sheer depression.

It wasn't that she didn't enjoy the company. Oh no. The sailors on board were delightful and funny. It was more that she was not in love with the man she was married to. Her heart belonged to another; a man who was farther away from her than she liked.

If it had not been to save his life, Ashleigh would have stayed with him; she would have found a way. She would have stayed in his arms until the day she died. But now she was forced to be in the arms of a man she did not care about and could never love.

"What are you thinking of, my dear?"

Ashleigh jumped slightly at the sudden voice and turned around, plastering a fake smile to her lips. "Nothing. I was merely watching the waves. The water is so calming and beautiful." She paused, her eyes growing distant. "Although I have heard it called a jealous lover," she started, her voice dropping to a whisper. "She gets angry when someone is wronged."

"Pardon?" he questioned.

Ashleigh smiled slightly, shaking her head. "It's nothing. I was just talking to myself."

"Are you alright, my dear? You have seemed very distant since we set out on our voyage."

"I-" Ashleigh started, and then stopped herself. How could she explain that she still longed for the wild pirate captain? How could she tell her husband that she still missed the captain's touches; his sweet caresses? There was no way that she could tell him that. "I-yes. I'm fine. My shoulder just aches every so often."

"This sea air is what does it," Eric stated matter-of-factly. "It is not good for a woman's constitution."

Ashleigh felt her back grow rigid at his words. She knew he was aware of her adventures over in the Caribbean, but how much he knew, she was not sure. She was sure her father would not have told him the truth; otherwise he would not be saying what he was. If he'd had any idea of what she had been doing all those months at sea he would never have agreed to the marriage.

"That must be it," Ashleigh responded, pushing her irritation away. It was difficult to be on a ship with men who believed she was no more than a pampered lady when she had been so used to pulling her own weight on a ship. "I'll just go to the cabin. The sun is too hot for me today. I feel the need to cool off inside."

"Oh, yes, of course," Eric replied moving aside to let her pass. "I'll escort you."

Ashleigh groaned inwardly. "No, no thank you. I think I just need to rest. I will be fine on my own."

"Oh, oh yes. Rest well, my dear."

Ashleigh smiled slightly at him as she walked by, her hands clasped lightly against the front of her dress. The moment she closed the door to her cabin, she sighed, taking off the blue hat that she wore and threw it on the floor next to her. She was tired. Ashleigh made her way to the soft bed, falling onto the mattress, burying her face in the pillows. Tears began to trail down her cheeks, wetting the pillow.

No matter how hard she tried, no matter how much she tried to hold them back. The tears would not stop. She was upset. She was hurt. She was alone. With these thoughts rolling through her mind, she cried herself to sleep.

Caught in a trap of what we're taught to believe

When night overcomes day, life's so hard to perceive

And the clock keeps on ticking through night-shattered skies

Where the stars are all broken, and so are all the ties

But the one thing remaining is you

When I'm broken and bleeding, you pull me right through

The boom echoed in the dark night, the splash of water sounding soon after. Ashleigh was jolted awake, sitting up in bed quickly. A single candle had been lit on the night table next to her bed. Another boom sounded again, this one causing the boards beneath her feet to shake.

She scrambled to her feet and ran out of the room, stopping in her tracks as several sailors ran past her, rifles in their hands. "What is going on?" she asked, stopping one of them in their tracks by grabbing his arm roughly.

The man looked back at her quickly. "You should be inside, miss. Now's not the time to be out of your room."

"Don't give me that," she snapped. "Now tell me what the hell is going on!"

"Pirates," was his simple reply.

Ashleigh's grip loosened at his words, her mouth opening slightly. Pirates? A surge of hope raced through her body as the sailor ran off. Could it be? Could he . . .?

Ashleigh ran after them, making her way through the corridor. An explosion above her slammed her against the wall, making her lose her balance slightly. She steadied herself, lifting her skirts and once again running towards the top deck. Another explosion came moments later although this one farther away.

Ashleigh could feel the cannons below her feet as they exploded in retaliation. Men were scrambling around readying their weapons and making sure the pirates could not board. Ashleigh ran to the railing to see the ship attacking them. Sure enough a pirate color was raised, the large skull glaring out at them. Her hope died, though, when she saw the ship.

"It's not the Pearl," she whispered.

A hand grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the railing. "What are you doing our here? I insist you go back to the cabin!"

"I can help," she said, talking loud enough so that Eric could hear her above the explosions. "I can help out here!"

"No. I will not allow you to be injured. You will go back to the cabin now."

Ashleigh groaned in frustration. "I will help whether you like it or not. This is not the time for arguing!"

A blast hit the stern, sending men and wood flying. "Hard to starboard!" the captain yelled, standing firm at the helm.

"Sir! The blast took out the rudder! She won't turn, captain!"

"Dammit! Hands to braces men! They may have disabled us but we will not go down without a fight! Mr. Summers, I suggest you and your wife go below decks."

Eric grabbed hold of Ashleigh's arm, dragging her back towards the cabin. She struggled against him, attempting to free herself from his grasp. "I can help them! Let me go! They'll need my help!"

"They have enough men helping, Ashleigh," Eric replied tersely. "You heard the captain. He has ordered us to our cabin."

Ashleigh was pushed unceremoniously into the cabin, Eric following quickly after and then locking the door. "So you would just leave those men to die?" she cried. "No wonder my father likes you. You are just like him!" she spat.

"And what would you have done? A woman would only have been in the way."

Loud shouting drifted down from the deck, the sound of swords clashing together and pistols being shot echoed down to the cabin. Ashleigh's eyes widened slightly at the sound but then slowly narrowed. "You have no idea who you are dealing with. I have fought pirates before! They could use my help and if you do not move out of my way, I will make you move."

Eric stared at her, incredulous that she would speak to him this way. A sudden silence over the ship stopped him before he could reply. A satisfied smirk crossed Eric's face. "You see? The captain and his men have handled the pirates on their own."

The complete silence was unsettling to Ashleigh. There was something not right with how it sounded. "No," she whispered. Ashleigh pushed past Eric, unlocking the door and opening it quickly. A scream bubbled up in her throat at the scene she saw once she opened the door.

A pirate crew stood outside of her cabin looking dirty, ragged and altogether unpleasant. Her eyes widened as she fought the fear welling up inside her.

"'Ello love," the first pirate growled as he grabbed hold of her arm

Images flashed through Ashleigh's mind of the first pirate attack she had gone through. It was similar to this one. The pirates were here to claim whatever they wanted, however they could. "No," she whispered again. "No. I won't let this happen again."

Ashleigh clenched her left fist and swung it up, punching the pirate holding her in his nose. His head fell back from the blow, his grip on her arm relaxing. She pulled free; grabbing hold of the dagger hilt nestled in his belt and brought it to bear, holding it in front of her for protection.

The first pirate wiped the blood from his nose and grinned down at her. Ashleigh slashed the dagger at him, swinging it effortlessly at his throat. He dodged it and then grabbed hold of her wrist, twisting it quickly. With a cry of pain Ashleigh dropped the dagger. Panic surged through her body and she swung wildly at the pirate. He blocked her punch easily and returned with one of his own, his fist connecting with her cheek.

"Ashleigh!" she heard Eric cry as consciousness began to seep away. The last thing she remembered was Eric rushing towards her in the only display of affection that he had ever shown her.

Voices speaking around her woke Ashleigh from her uneasy rest.

"'E ain't gonna be 'appy."

"What the 'ell was I supposed ta do? Bitch tried ta kill me with me own dagger."

"Still can't believe ya let a woman best ya."

"She didn't best me, ya bastard. I still beat 'er."

"Not wit' fair play."

"Pirate," the first one replied and Ashleigh could hear his grin through her muffled mind. She made a soft noise in her throat as she heard them.

"Eh?" one of them said. "She's awake, gents."

"Where-?" Ashleigh mumbled.

"Yer on our ship, lass. Safe an' sound, jus' like we promised."

"Promised who?" she muttered, pushing herself up slowly, rubbing her aching skull.

The pirates stopped their jesting as soon as she spoke. They looked at one another, each one not knowing what to say. "You don't need to be knowin' that, lass," a new voice replied from behind the crowd of boisterous pirates. "That little bit of information is for me to know."

The crew separated, allowing the man to walk through. "Who are you?" Ashleigh asked pointedly.

The man smiled. "Captain Adam Drake at your service, love," he replied, holding out his hand for her to take.

Ashleigh took his hand cautiously, wondering all the while what he could possibly have up his sleeve. "And the crew on my ship?"

"Safe as a virgin in a church my lady," he replied. "No one was injured save for perhaps your loving-" at this she made a noise-"husband. He foolishly attacked my men when they tried to take you. Unfortunate lump on his head is what he received."

"But why-" she began.

"Hush now, love. You'll find out soon enough, but for now you don't need ta know anythin'. Jus' know that nothin' and no one is gonna hurt you. You'll be safe an' sound on my ship until we reach our destination an' then you'll be handed over."

A sense of dread ran down her spine at his words. Hand her over? What did he mean? Who was she being delivered to?

The sun was high in the sky when Captain Drake yelled for his crew to drop anchor. The sea was calm beneath the ship, the gently rolling waves brushing the bottom of the ship. Ashleigh stared out at the island that lay just in front of them, her eyes scanning the empty shoreline.

"Why are we making berth here, Captain?" she asked. She had become comfortable around the enigmatic captain and his crew in the past few weeks. They had become her friends in the short time, all of them teaching her different things that she had not learned on her other recent pirate escapades. One man, Captain Drake's first mate and who Ashleigh lovingly called Curly since he was completely void of any hair, had been especially kind to her, always teaching her new shanties and new dance steps. "What makes this island so special?"

Drake smiled down at her, his light grey eyes laughing. "This is where he told us to meet him."

Ashleigh sighed in exasperation. "Who?"

Drake laughed. "Still can't tell you lass; 'tis a surprise."

"Why?"

"Simple, lass. I made the man a promise. I owed him a favor an' I'm cashin' it in. That man can't say I own him anything now."

Ashleigh stared over at him, frustrated. For the last several days she had attempted to get the information about this mystery man from every pirate on the ship, but none of them would give her anything. She had her suspicions. She had her hunches. But most importantly she had her hopes.

"C'mon, lass, it's time to take you ashore," Captain Drake said, offering her his arm.

Ashleigh accepted it, linking her arm through his. He escorted her down the stairs from the helm towards one of the longboats that had been lowered to take them to the island. She climbed into the boat after Captain Drake, him raising his hand to assist her down.

Ashleigh smiled as she accepted his hand, stumbling a little as the boat swayed away from her step. She was nervous as the boat was lowered completely, landing in the water with a dull splash. She wanted to believe that her new found friends would not take her to someone that would harm her; she wanted to believe that they would not allow anything to happen to her. But another part of her told her that they were nothing but pirates. They did what suited them, whatever gave them the biggest pay day.

Her stomach lurched as the small boat hit the white sand of the beach. Her time was almost coming to a close. She did not know what fate awaited her. She allowed Drake to help her out of the boat and onto the soft sand. Sand washed around her ankles as the water rushed up against them.

The beach was empty when they arrived. Ashleigh looked up and down the beach slowly, her eyes squinting against the sun. Palm trees swayed in the wind as waves lapped at their boots.

"There's no one here, Captain," she said, shielding her eyes with her hand. "Who are you supposed to meet?"

"He'll be here, lass. Just be patient."

A shout to their left drew Ashleigh's attention away from the enigmatic captain. She squinted her eyes again, attempting to see who had yelled.

A smile crossed Drake's face, his grey eyes dancing. "Ah. There he is now."

As the man drew closer, Ashleigh's heart began to pound. She was afraid. She did not want to be handed over to some stranger. She'd had enough of being kidnapped and dragged to places she didn't want to go.

"No," she whispered as the man became clearer, her eyes widening. "No."

Drake smiled down at her again. "Go, lass. He's waitin' on you."

Ashleigh threw her arms around Drake's neck quickly, brushing a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you," she whispered and then let go, turning in the sand and beginning to run away from the pirate captain and his crew. Cheers rose up behind her as they watched her run.

Ashleigh's boots kicked up sand behind her as she ran. Her heart pounded as she ran, her breathing ragged. A smile lit her face as she got closer. Thousands of thoughts ran through her mind. How could he have pulled this off? Why did he do this? Why was he here?

Ashleigh stopped mere inches from him, her face red from the exhilaration of her run. Her smile grew wider as she stared up into his smiling face. "Jack," she breathed.

Jack Sparrow smiled down at her then, his gold teeth glinting. Without a word he grabbed her arm and pulled her roughly to him, pressing his lips to hers.

Ashleigh returned the kiss eagerly, wrapping her arms around his neck. She pulled away after a moment, resting her forehead against his, the wind playing with their hair, entangling the strands together. "Jack," she began. "Jack, I-"

As finger on her lips stopped her. "Hush, love. Nothin' needs to be said. Just live in the moment."

"But Jack, I'm married," she replied, holding up her hand to show the simple gold ring.

Jack stared down at the ring, pursing his lips slightly. His rough hands grabbed her hand lightly, one hand tugging on the small gold band. The ring slipped off of her finger easily when he tugged. Jack held it up, looking at it in the sunlight. His eyes squinted slightly at the ring until a grin lit his face.

He wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her closer. "It's only a ring love," he whispered back, nonchalantly tossing the ring over his shoulder, the small object landing in the white sand behind him.

Ashleigh laughed and pulled his face down to hers. She felt Jack smile as she kissed him. Laughter bubbled up in her chest during the kiss. Standing there, with him in his arms, was the happiest she had ever been and would probably ever be.

I can't help but wonder what it is you do

You help heal the pain, and the thoughts of the truth

You're a question to the universe, a wonder to the world

And somehow, when I'm with you, I never get burned

AN: So? What did you think? I hope you liked it. It took me forever to write. I had more problems trying to finish this chapter than any of the other ones. I guess I just didn't want to let go. I don't think I will write a sequel unless I can think of something really good for it. But chances are I won't be able to. I'm sorry to see this go, but, alas, it is time. I hope everyone enjoyed and I just wanted to say what an honor it has been to write these characters for your enjoyment.