A/N: I'm still writing? Hell must have frozen over! ) It's been a few years and I've just rediscovered my old, haunting page of fics. I feel like I have to redeem myself since I know I've definitely changed since I wrote last, so I decided to give continuing this fic another shot. Hopefully I'll give the first 4 chapters a complete makeover soon as well. I should have plenty of down time at work to write, hehe. Hopefully all my ideas haven't turned to dust in the wind! And I realize that the PotC trilogy is complete and many events have transpired, but let's ignore them for the sake of this story and pretend we've only seen the 1st movie, shall we? For those of you still reading, here we go!

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Jack's arms were on fire. He was convinced that this was the end for him. He couldn't swim another mile more. 'Ah well,' he thought. 'If Davy Jones wants to take me under, then I can't argue.' He just wished that he could have seen Elizabeth one last time. She was probably already married by now. Jack wished he could yell at Will for not inviting him to the wedding. He sighed and wished for rum.

He wished he could stop wishing for everything.

He did not, however, wish for a ship to appear out of the shadows of the night. And he did not wish to be hauled aboard. Maybe not wishing was the way to go, since only then did things go his way.

Ironically enough, the ship that had stumbled upon his floating body had been sent by Will Turner to seek out Jack. He decided he would thank Will next time he saw him and leaving the yelling for later.

Once he had dried off and swallowed some food, he was taken to a bed chamber that consisted of a mere hammock sling, but he collapsed into it and was in a deep sleep before anyone could ask him if there was anything else he needed.

Jack slept for 20 straight hours. When he awoke, he felt like he was emerging from a mini-coma. Jack stretched and groaned, his cat-like actions casting dancing shadows on the deck. He decided to investigate why Will had sent a ship in search of him. One of the deck hands presented him with Will's note. Jack read it and his heart sank.

She wasn't married yet. He hadn't miss seeing her all dolled up in her beautiful dress, and he was happy about that. But he was disappointed in the fact that there was a set date for the wedding. She was going to go through with it after all, and in a few days, she would be gone from him forever. Jack sighed. He realized that just wasn't meant to be with one woman for the rest of his life. However, he also knew that he was tired of the Tortuga scene. Jack closed his eyes and hoped that everything would fall into place eventually. Taking a deep breath of the salty sea air, he fixed his gaze on the horizon, waiting for Port Royale to appear at any moment.

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Valerie didn't want to let go of this beautiful stranger that she had met, but she realized that the daylight was fading fast. She needed to get to her friend's place and she had no idea where to go. She pulled away from Will, who had been holding her and gazing at the sea.

"I'm sorry, but I really should be going," she said. "Do you think you could help me find the place I'll be staying?"

Will smiled warmly. "I know this town like the back of my hand. I'll get you to where you need to go."

She giggled. "Maybe you can stay for dinner. I'm sure my friend won't mind!"

"I'd like that," Will said. "Now where is it that your friend lives?"

"I'm actually not sure of the address, but it shouldn't be too hard to find. She's the Governor's daughter."

Everything inside of Will went cold. His stomach turned itself inside out and his heart stopped beating.

"Are you alright?" Valerie looked concerned. Will had turned completely white. "What's wrong?" She grabbed his arm.

"You're here for Elizabeth's wedding?" he finally managed to choke out.

"Elizabeth Swann, yes!" she exclaimed excitedly. "Do you know her?"

Will was silent for a moment. "You could say that. I'm her fiancé."

It was Valerie's turn to freeze. She slowly released Will's arm. Her jaw dropped and her eyes were as wide as the ocean. "Oh my God," she whispered. She stared at Will, horrified.

Neither of them knew what to say for a few minutes. Finally, Valerie asked, "Will, what are we going to do?"

He looked at the redhead, conflicted with so many flooding emotions. She was beautiful and charming. She was also here for his wedding. Will shook his head. "Nothing we can do. I'll take you to Elizabeth's. We'll explain that we met on the street and you had asked me for directions." He paused. "No one can know about this."

"You kissed me when you knew that you were engaged?" Valerie finally blurted out. Anger began to seep in and cloud her thoughts. She glared at him, demanding an answer.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have." Will looked down at his boots. "I couldn't help it, though."

Valerie was enraged. "Take me to the manor, please. We won't mention any of this to anyone. For Elizabeth's sake. Although if she knew how you chased women behind her back, I doubt you'd be marrying her."

It was Will's turn to get angry. "I do no such thing!" he shouted. "You were a one time mistake!"

Valerie raised an eyebrow. "So I'm a mistake." She gave him a cold look and repeated, "Take me to the manor."

Will instantly felt guilty. He knew he had hurt her feelings, but he was too angry to apologize. He hadn't meant to call her a mistake for he had truly enjoyed her company. 'Women are so complicated,' he thought. 'I can't wait until Jack arrives. He always distracts me from my problems.' He paused. 'He usually does complicate situations, though.' He smiled internally and sighed. How did he get himself into this mess?

They walked in complete silence back to the blacksmith shop. Once they had picked up Valerie's bag, they continued their death march to the manor. It was sunset by the time they arrived. Neither one broke the silence. Will lead Valerie inside and was greeted by the Governor.

"My dear Valerie!" he exclaimed, sweeping her into a fatherly hug. "How have you been all these years? I haven't seen you since you were knee high!" He released her from his death grip.

Valerie smiled. "Hello, Governor Swann. It's good to see you again."

He patted her on the back, then turned his attention to Will. "Will, my boy, how did you find this treasure?"

Will thought it was a fitting description for Valerie, then remembered that he was angry with her. "She approached me in town asking for directions to the manor," Will lied. Valerie said nothing.

"What luck and coincidence!" Governor Swann exclaimed. "Come, Elizabeth is around here somewhere. Elizabeth!"

They found Elizabeth on the balcony, gazing out at the sea. When she spotted Valerie, she beamed and ran over to the girl.

"Val! It's so amazing to see you again! I'm so happy you could come!" Elizabeth hugged her friend.

Valerie squeezed the girl tight. "I'm delighted I could as well! I have missed you!"

When they finally separated, Elizabeth turned to Will. "I see you two have already met," she grinned. Valerie and Will avoided eye contact, but nodded. "Wonderful! Come on Val, let me show you to your room." Valerie followed Elizabeth inside, ignoring Will completely. Will sighed and headed for his bedroom. It had been a long day for him and he was ready to be finished with it.

Will had just begun to fantasize about crawling into bed and relaxing when the doorbell rang. He rolled his eyes, wondering who on earth it could be now. Seeing no one around, he approached the door. Footsteps echoed behind him on the stairs.

"Who is it?" Elizabeth called, approaching Will with Valerie close behind.

"I'll see in a second!" Will replied. He approached the door and turned the handle.

In burst Captain Jack Sparrow.

"Hello, mate!" Jack smiled at Will. The aroma of rum began to seep inside the house.

"Jack!" Will shouted happily.

"Jack!" Elizabeth gasped.

"Elizabeth!" Jack grinned, throwing his arms into the air.

"Jack?!" Valerie exclaimed in disbelief.

"Val!" Jack grinned, then paused and squinted at the redhead. His grin disappeared. "Oh. Valerie. Not good."

"Valerie?" Will and Elizabeth looked quizzically at her as well.

"Shit," Valerie declared.

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Vic: Well folks, this is it. Wrote it in one day instead of working on billing at work. How exciting!

Will: Holy crap. Seems like I've been asleep for forever.

Jack: Damn, you ain't kidding.

Elizabeth: It feels great to be back!

Vic: While our lovely characters recover, I shall begin working on the next chapter. Who knows what will happen? Ooooh, suspense.

Will: How does Val know Jack?

Vic: She's his mother.

All: What?!

Vic: chuckles Kidding. Wait and see! Until next time...