Hey Everyone! I'm so sorry for the late update. My computer's been giving me such a headache this past week. Thanks for all the reviews.

Chapter 6

Letting out a soft sigh, Elizabeth reached out across the bed and was surprised to find it empty. Opening her eyes, she sat up and smiled when she saw Jack seated on the side of the bed with his back to her.

"Jack?" she asked as he turned to her, revealing a set of clean bandages he was holding alongside a small bowl of alcohol. "What are you doing?"

"Just changing the dressings," he replied. "Go back to sleep."

"No, let me help you," she suggested, moving to sit next to him.

He was sitting shirtless, his wounds still open and far from healing. Elizabeth took a moment to gather herself before motioning Jack to lie down. Placing the bowl beside her, she took a piece of cloth and dabbed it into the alcohol before pressing it on his wounds. He winced slightly by the contact and she immediately pulled it back.

"I'm sorry," she said before continuing to clean his wounds.

"So what else did me mum tell you?" he asked, changing the subject and looking up at her.

"She spoke about Victoria," Elizabeth began quietly. "About how much you loved her and how much her betrayal and death affected you."

"That's because it did," he replied.

Stopping what she was doing for a moment, she gazed down at him nervously, a question at the tip of her tongue.

"Jack..," she began, unable to form the words. "When you look at me, is that all you see?"

"What?" he asked her with a slight frown.

"Do you only see my betrayal?" she asked, not looking at him. "Do you see what I did? Do you see…her?"

He remained quiet for a moment which made her think the very worst. But he calmed her nerves when he touched her hand, causing her to look into his eyes.

"When I look at you, I see a fearless woman who will do anything and everything for the ones she loves," he began in a gentle tone. "There is a difference between you and Victoria and that is that when you were angry and felt betrayed, you didn't strike out against me. She hurt me and when I couldn't forgive her immediately, she struck back in a way that made it impossible for me to ever forgive her anymore. But you stuck around, Elizabeth. I'm not a perfect man and I've done many things in me life that I'm not proud of. But you stuck around."

She smiled down at him when she saw the trueness and warmth inside his eyes. With that, she leaned down and kissed him softly.

"So," he said, clearing his throat as she continued cleaning his wounds. "Did me mum mention anything else that perhaps may be considered as being possibly noteworthy?"

She smiled at his way with words before nodding.

"She may have mentioned that you have a small crush on me," she replied in a playful tone, purposely avoiding his eyes.

"A small crush?" he asked, raising his brow.

"Just a tiny one," she stated, smiling down at him cutely before placing three clean bandages on his chest.

"And what was your reply, dearie?" he asked, realizing that she was having fun with him.

"Only that you had your chance and you blew it," she replied, her voice indifferent. "You know Jack, I've been going through everything in my mind since last night and I've come to a very simple conclusion."

"Which be what?" he asked as she placed the bowl and the remainder of the bandages on the nightstand.

Once she was done, she leaned back and met his eyes.

"It would have never worked out between us," she exclaimed, repeating the words he had told her long ago.

He smiled, remembering the day he had told her the exact same phrase.

"Is that so?" he asked as she nodded.

With that, he gently grabbed her arms and spun her around so she was lying on her back and he was on top of her. Leaning down, he inched close to her face and just when she thought he was going to kiss her, he pulled away.

"Keep telling yourself that darling," he whispered.

"You're such a tease," she said, swatting his arm as he laughed and leaned on his elbow.

Relaxing in bed, Elizabeth placed her right hand on the largest bandage covering his chest.

"Are you ever going to tell me what happened to you in Davy Jones' Locker?" she asked quietly, tracing his wounds with the tips of her fingers.

"It's in the past," he replied. "No need to relive it."

"But Jack, how can you really ever forgive me if we don't discuss it?" she asked firmly.

"Darling, what happened to me in Davy Jones' Locker was a cruel form of punishment," he began. "I'm not a Saint, nor have I ever claimed to be. I'm a pirate, a scallywag and I take what I want, when I want."

He then took her hand in his and interlocked their fingers.

"If I had simply just died, at least I would have been dead," he stated. "But Jones' has a sadistic way of proving to the world that he's powerful and all that and with my lovely yet disastrous luck, I received the worst of it."

She nodded twice before sighing. "Why is he the way he is?"

"Davy Jones was once a man of flesh and blood who fell in love with the Sea Goddess Calypso," he began to explain. "She gave him a charge to be carried out: taking the dead souls from one world to the next for ten years, as Captain of the Flying Dutchman. After ten years, he could go to land for one day and be with the one he loved. If she were waiting for him, his bond to the ship would be severed and he could be with her on land for the rest of his life. Come that day, Calypso was nowhere to be found. In his anger, Jones broke the pact and refused to transport any more souls. That's when he became all squidy and tentaclely."

"That's so sad," she expressed.

"Aye, so now he takes his revenge out on the rest of the world, terrorizing the ocean, pirates and commoners alike," he explained.

"What about Calypso? Where is she now?" she asked.

"Trapped inside a body of flesh and blood," he said, as she frowned at him. "You may know her as Tia Dalma."

Elizabeth's eyes widened at the revelation. "Tia Dalma…is Calypso?"

"Aye," Jack replied with a slight nod.

"I feel as if I'm on an information overload," she said, making him smile. "Who else knows this?"

"Only Barbossa and meself," Jack replied.

"And now me," Elizabeth added. "Thank you for trusting me with this."

Shrugging his shoulders, he fell back on the bed as she gazed at him with a smile. She knew that he was starting to forgive her and forget, but it was too soon for her to push him. Instead, she propped herself up on her elbow and leaned down, placing a kiss on his chin.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"I just felt like it," she replied and kissed his cheek. "Are you going to argue?"

"Not at all," he replied, shaking his head. "Do as you please, Miss Swann."

Smiling at him, she leaned down and kissed his other cheek. Just before their lips touched, a knock came on the door.

"Get dressed Jackie. You too Miss," Teague's voice came from behind the door. "It's almost dawn and the council is reconvening. It doesn't look good in there."

Glancing at one another, they agreed in silence and rose to their feet. Ten minutes later, they walked back into the main room side by side, where everyone was arguing amongst themselves. Barbossa and Gibbs were deep in conversation with Capitainne Chevalle, while Sao Feng simply stood to the side and watched the arguments with a grin on his face, one that Jack couldn't decipher. Trying to get the attention of the room, Jack began waving his hands in the air and shouting people's names, but it was no use. Sighing, he grabbed his pistol and shot off a single shot into the air, finally getting everyone's attention. They all quieted down and turned to Jack in surprise.

"Is everyone done?" he asked with a smile.

"We do not wish to leave our fortress here," Gentleman Jocard exclaimed.

"Really?" Jack asked sarcastically. "Last I checked, I was the Pirate king and I voted for us to fight. Does anyone wish to speak to me dad about your concerns of not following the Pirates Rules?"

When no one spoke, Jack smiled proudly at himself.

"Didn't think so," he said.

"So what is your plan of action, Sparrow?" Ammand the Corsair asked, rising out of his seat slowly.

"My course of action?" Jack asked and thought for a moment before smiling. "I say we fight…to run away!"

Everyone except for Barbossa and Elizabeth applauded his choice while Sao Feng simply shook his head and laughed. He turned and faced Elizabeth, who gave him a raised eyebrow. Sighing, he turned back to the group and gave off another shot, capturing everyone's attention once more.

"Okay mates, nix that plan," he said, placing his pistol back at his belt. "I'll take the Interceptor in the lead. The rest of you can follow behind."

Everyone watched him for a moment as he smiled and took a step forward.

"Fellow pirates, gents, mates," he began before glancing at Mistress Ching who sneered at him. "And women."

She gave him a smile, allowing him to continue.

"We may very well lose today and find ourselves hanging from Beckett's noose by sunrise tomorrow," he began.

Everyone frowned at his words that were far from reassuring.

"But if that be the case, let us go out in such a way that will strike them hard and deep and allow our names to be echoed for eternity," he stated before looking off into space, a grin on his face. "The Immortal Captain Jack Sparrow. It has such a nice ring to it."

"Jack?" Elizabeth called his name, pulling him out of his daze.

Shaking his head, he faced the crowd once more. "Savvy?"

They all watched him for another moment before suddenly applauding. It continued for a minute before they began piling out to their ships. Taking Gibbs' arm, Jack led him to a corner, away from the rest of the group.

"What is it Captain?" Gibbs asked.

"How long have we known one another, mate?" Jack asked in return.

"Almost ten years," his first mate replied.

"There are but three things I love and value in my life. The first is the Pearl," he began quietly. "I'm almost positive that bloody William will appear alongside Jones with the Pearl. She's my ship and if I am to die, I wish to go down with her."

Gibbs nodded as Elizabeth watched them from afar, unaware that Sao Feng had approached her.

"Elizabeth Swann," he said as she turned to face him. "I've heard many a things about you."

"Captain Sao Feng," she stated. "I've heard nothing about you."

He smiled at her before touching the tips of her hair, causing her to pull away. "You're very bold. I like that."

She made a disgusted face towards him as he took a step closer to her.

"How many hearts have you broken, Miss Swann?" he asked with a sly smile. "Leaving one man whenever something better comes along."

"You don't know anything about me," she defended.

"Does Jack know that you'll break his too?" Sao Feng asked.

"I'll never break Jack's heart," she relied firmly.

"That's right…because you already did," he said, walking around her slowly in a circle as she glanced at Jack for a moment.

Stopping behind her, he took her hair in his hands and inhaled quietly.

"I love a woman's smell," he said.

Realizing what he was doing, she pulled away from him.

"Get away from me," she said, disgust laced in her voice.

"Jack is not good enough for you," he exclaimed.

"And you are?" she asked before laughing. "Excuse me while I gag in my mouth."

His smile simply widened towards her.

"Come away with me," he said, nearing her once more. "Jack's fate is grim. Mine isn't."

"I'll pass," she replied.

Nodding, he turned and walked away, glancing back at her over his shoulder once more. Scoffing incredulously, she shook her head and turned to face Jack, who was still off in a corner with Gibbs.

"Jack's fate is grim," Sao Feng's words echoed in her mind, leaving her distraught as she went over them again and again.

"That leads me to number two which is my freedom," Jack continued before lowering his gaze. "I will not go back to the Locker, mate. Nor will I allow Beckett to imprison me within the EITC again."

"Jack!" Gibbs exclaimed. "Do you mean that you would…?"

"Aye," he replied firmly before pointing to Elizabeth. "Number three is standing over there."

Gibbs glanced at a confused Elizabeth for a moment before turning back to Jack.

"If the worst were to happen," he began quietly. "Take her and get out of there, savvy?"

Gibbs hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "Aye, Captain."

Patting his friend's shoulder, Jack turned and walked towards Elizabeth.

"What was that about?" she asked worriedly.

"Just trying to calm his nerves; you know how Gibbs can be," he replied. "Are you ready?"

Nodding slowly, she gave him a soft smile before walking off. He watched her go in silence, unaware that Barbossa had appeared beside him.

"I always knew she'd leave the whelp. She's got too much pirate in her," he began before facing Jack. "Never thought she'd fancy you, though."

Rolling his eyes, Jack faced his former first mate. "Your opinion is as useful as ever, Hector."

Smiling with a soft chuckle, the older pirate sighed. "Ye do know we're more than likely going to die, don't you Jack?"

"I know," Jack replied as Barbossa sighed once more.

"That little speech of yours took me by surprise," he added. "Well, the latter part anyway."

"Curious, isn't it?" Jack asked, raising his brows. "I usually fight this hard to run away."

"I know, you mentioned that," Barbossa exclaimed. "That's the Jack I remember and hate."

Both Captains shared a small laugh amongst themselves before sighing.

"It's now or never lad," Barbossa expressed.

"After you," Jack stated, extending his hand.

"Ye still don't trust me?" the older pirate asked, giving a sarcastic sad expression.

"Pirate mate," Jack replied with a grin.

Taking his hint, Barbossa laughed and walked forward. Taking a deep breath, Jack turned and glanced momentarily at his mother and father, who stood silently in the corner. Smiling at them, he turned and followed Hector. As he reached the docked ships, he boarded the Interceptor alongside Barbossa, Gibbs, Elizabeth and the rest of their crew while the other Captain Lords boarded their own ships. Walking to the helm, Jack glanced around himself, making sure everyone was set before nodding at Barbossa who smiled and took the Interceptor out into the water. The rest of the ships began following their lead until the eight ships were all lined beside one another in the water, behind the Interceptor. The sun had began rising into the sky slowly, revealing more and more light across the vast body of water. They waited in silence and watched as the fog slowly started to clear. All of a sudden, dozens and dozens of ships of the Royal Navy appeared before their eyes. In the lead was the Flying Dutchman on the left, Beckett's ship in the center and the Black Pearl on the right.

"Oh my God," Elizabeth mumbled under her breath as the vastness of the opposing army finally came into their full view.

"Last chance," Barbossa stated, glancing at Jack who turned back to him with a smile.

"Raise the colors!" he suddenly exclaimed.

Pintel and Ragetti quickly scurried across the deck and raised the flag of the Interceptor. Their act was then followed by the other eight ships hoisting their own flags and cheering happily. Once the flags were raised high, Jack turned and faced the horizon once more, a place where death and destruction awaited them.