Disclaimer: I've got a lot on my plate these days, busy bee stuff and all that crap. Once again musical business calls, but since I am not a minor part this year (nor major I'm afraid) I'm hoping I'll have more time to devote to my stories. Ah well, one can only take it as I'll just have to work twice as hard to be better than everyone thinks I will be. But here's for the good news. I've made it into my first choice college and so has Vicki! The Libertine, V for Vendetta, Hard Candy and other great movies are coming out soon, and the second Pirates is sailing ever closer. Vicki and I are for SURE continuing to chronicle our adventures with the boys even from a long distance. Here is my last chapter for a while. I hope you enjoy it. Oh and I don't own nothin' but myself and the plot, likewise author credits for my co-writer.

Ben was a very road conscientious driver. Didn't do anything dumb behind the wheel, or anything stupid for that matter. Okay, so he would speed up between speed bumps, slowing down drastically before we hit them so that we were bumped out of our seats…but it was fun.

We didn't go straight home to Vicki's house as I had planned we would. Instead we caught a late show in the town square. The rundown theater sill played old classics like Young Frankenstein and Casablanca. We didn't really watch the whole movie through, just enough to shout out our favorite quotes from Mel Brook's masterpiece, while trying to dodge flying arsenals of popcorn and gummy bears.

Still not quite ready for the night to end we swung the party over to the local ice-creamery where he ordered Better Batter and I ordered Chocolate Better Batter. We talked and laughed over the stains of the Beach Boys and Louie Armstrong. And then hours later we mutually decided it was time to head home.

I directed Ben towards Vicki's house and finally getting there he pulled the car to a stop. Looked like the guys had beaten us there, Vicki, Will, and Jack. And judging by the lights that glowed from within, it was abundantly clear they were waiting.

"I gotta go…curfew and all…" I said, unbuckling the seat belt.

He watched and chuckled as I fought with the belt, getting it stuck in the process. Laughing, he leaned over to help me, "Here, let me…"

"Thanks." I murmured, embarrassed pas the point of all reasoning. Too bad all good things must come to an end…Wait a minute!

"You got a pen?" I asked him suddenly.

"Um…" he looked around the car, and found one in the side door pocket, "Yeah. Here."

I took it from him, snatched at his hand and scrawled my phone number on his skin.

"I'm gonna be smart about this, this time and get your digits, so…come on…Mark me up."

He took the pen from me and quickly scribbled his own number on my hand.

"Nifty." I mused tilting my hand in the sparse light of the car as I looked at the numbers.

"I know. Digits on digits."

I groaned, "Oh that was so lame!"

"I know, I know…"

It got very still, very quickly. And then I think he leaned toward me…

"Okay! I gotta go! Thanks for the ride!"

"Al…alright." Ben looked bewildered at my quick exit. I felt extremely ridiculous but I couldn't help it now.

"Call me, okay…" I said falteringly, backing up to the house.

"I will." He promised.

We smiled then. We were okay even if I hadn't wanted to be kissed just then.

"Okay…see ya…"

"Bye."

I floated down the walkway and up the stairs of Vicki's porch, flowing past the screen door, and breezing through the wooden one. I leaned against the door with a happy sigh.

"D'ye 'ave any idea wha' time it is!" The half wild cry startled me into opening my eyes. Jack stood there looking disapproving in the most maniacal way.

I slumped against the wood, "Oh Jesus, here we go…"

"Where were yeh?" Jack demanded.

"Out." I muttered succinctly, dropping my purse on the table beside the door.

"With who?"

"Take a guess." I snapped pushing past him, "Where's Vicki?" I asked, choosing to ignore his glowering expression

"She's in the otha room with the lad. Were ye wif tha' boy?"

"Yes, I was as a matter of fact." I replied turning to regard him with arms crossed. "What do you want to do about it?"

"Funny ye should mention tha'…" He made a move toward me just when Vicki yelled from the adjoining room.

"JACK! WILL YOU GET THE GODDAMN POPCORN, ALREADY? I NEED SOMETHING SALTY!"

Her screeching seemed to pain him, because he winced and closed his eyes gritting his teeth. I smirked in pleasure.

"Go on, Sparrow," I taunted, "your pimp is calling you. Popcorn is in the fourth cabinet on the left."

" 'Old on ta year under stockin's Miss Victoria, for a momen' more, if ye please! I'm 'avin' a few words with the lass." Jack shouted over his shoulder, his eyes still riveted to mine and I knew we had reached a point in our relationship that was an entirely different level than anything else before it had been. A point of complete seriousness. The head of all our arguments was about to popped wide open…and surprising things were bound to jump out of it. "Ye an' I need ta 'ave a litt'l chat, Missy."

I nodded, "We really do. Come on." I led him into the kitchen and started preparing the popcorn, "Talk."

He didn't waste any time. It burst out of him as if he had been dying to get it off his chest the whole night, "I won't 'ave ye cavortin' abou' with tha' lad."

"You?" I asked, rounding on him an eyebrow raised as I shut the microwave, putting it on two minutes, "What do YOU have to do with it?"

"Ye know damn well wha' I 'ave ta do with it…" he growled, "I don't want ta see yeh with 'im again or any otha bloke for tha' matter."

"Why?"

Jack sputtered, "Wha' do yeh mean 'Why?'? Because it tain't right ye goin' off with lad folks who ain't me, when yer me bonny lass! That's why!"

"Ditto." I snapped.

"What?"

"Same here, jerk. I feel the same."

"Wha' are ye talkin' about? I don't fancy blokes!"

"No…my god! It is so frustrating speaking with you!" The microwave beeped annoyingly. I spun back around to it. It hadn't popped fully yet…damn. Back still turned I continued as I put the whole thing back in for another three, "You think I like it when you go around with other girls? You think I enjoy watching you get it on with other girls? No one likes feeling like second fiddle, Sparrow. No one." I sighed.

An arm worked itself around my waist pulling me closer to the heat of a man I loved.

"Jack…" Not now, don't fall in love with him all over again. Not when you've already made up your mind about this, I warned myself.

"A wee bit jealous were ye, lass." I could feel his knowing smirk nuzzle against my hair.

I released a breath of irritation this time around.

"Yes. Yes, I was. But I didn't punch out your date, that's the difference, Sparrow, and it's a big one."

He turned me around gently looking genuinely puzzled, "An' wha' do yeh propose I do? I'm not goin' ta be anythin' other than a pirate, lass. Ye can't expect me ta act any differently than I am."

"I don't." I admitted, his grip on me tightened, almost as if he could feel something big was going to come of my next words…he just didn't know how monumental it was. "I wouldn't want you to. That would be wrong. I like you as a liar, a drunk, and a cheat. It's who you are. I wouldn't have you any other way."

Sparrow grinned, pulling me closer yet.

I laid a stopping hand on his chest, which looking back probably wasn't the smartest thing to do if I was going to carry this out. It was hard enough already.

"But I can't have you regardless." I pushed out the sentence slowly, "I thought I could and that was my mistake. Do you know how many girls would crucify me if I made you into a one woman man? I won't ask you to make that change, Jack, but…I can't bring myself to be content with just your occasional notice. So…"

Jack eyed me warily, "What' are ye tryin' ta say 'ere, lass?"

I gulped, Christ don't start cryin' ya pansy, I berated myself, just get it over with! "I'm saying we should rectify the mess we started on the island…in your time."

"An' 'ow would we do tha', lass? Ye can't go an' change the past."

I had to laugh at that, "Of course you can, Jack. Or have you forgotten what Vicki and I were doing in the Caribbean to begin with. Just like I can do this…" I gathered breath again, "I want us to just be friends."

"Friends?"

"Yeah." He didn't look too pleased, "Bosom companions…no, wait nothing to do with bosoms…you know," I strove to communicate this idea correctly, "comrades…mates…"

"Mates…" He mused, "Aye, tha's fine with me, lass. We'll be fine mates…mates 'oo partake in the sinly pleasures o' the flesh…"

Okay, he totally missed the point.

"No, Jack, you misunderstand me." I held him off from seeking my neck with his mouth, "By mates…I mean, Jack," How to say this so he could get it, "I don't think I can be your bonny lass any longer."

The words settled the enclosed space of the kitchen in such a heavy silence, it burned my ears. I pushed on regardless, telling myself it was for the best, "I don't want to be."

Still no word from Sparrow as he gazed on me, a frighteningly blank, vacant expression to his eyes.

So still was he for such a time that I jumped when he finally spoke.

"Wha'?" He husked.

I sighed, this was taking all my strength and truth be told I was just too tired to handle it, "I can't do this…bring the popcorn when it's done or Vicki will bite our heads off." I made to leave the room but Jack held firm to my arm.

"Wha' do ye mean ye don't want ta be me bonny lass? Wha' do yeh mean by that?" I know it's, strange but I could have sworn he looked hurt by this.

"Jack…" I tried to shake him off.

"Wha' does tha' mean?" He asked tugging me back.

"It means I can't be with you anymore!" I snapped, "It means no more kisses, or fondles, or…"

Now his voice rose in volume, its timber shaking, with anger or something else I couldn't say, "Since when!"

"Since now!" I shouted back.

"Why!" He bellowed.

"Why was the rum gone, Jack!" I countered just as loudly, "Why did Elizabeth burn the food, the shade, and the rum? Maybe because she knew it would be better for the BOTH OF YOU if she did! This is no different."

Jack stilled a fraction, "O' course it is, lass. She did tha' ta save our lives."

"And what makes you think I'm not?" I argued, "It was insanity when we started this between us, and it's insanity now. Trust me, Jack, we'll be better off if we call it quits with this relationship."

"An' why should I believe tha'?"

Fuck, he was so obstinate!

I lost it, "Because I'm not a damn pirate!"

"No," he growled, "yer just a lyin' gypsy."

And then he kissed me. I let him…because I knew it would be the last time I did. It was some goodbye kiss; I'll say that for him.

Before I had met Jack I had had no idea there were so many different kinds of kisses. His ranged from the teasing kind like the ones he'd used to coax me into a calm when I'd wanted to kill Vicki, to the lust filled wild ones he'd torn from me this very night.

This kiss…was something entirely different from all the rest, because the first thing I felt…was his anger. His disappointment in me. Hot, cloying, overwhelming in its intensity. A sense stuck me in the feeling, that had he the breath to do something other than kiss me, he would be saying, 'Why must ye spoil everythin'! We've 'ad our laughs, our grand ol' times…why must ye continually ruin wha' fun we migh' 'ave 'ad?'

Longing flowed next from his mouth, twisting my muscles into weakened nerves that thrived and hummed reacting to the wanting he pooled into me like candle wax and hot chocolate.

The last few seconds of the kiss were the strangest. Fear followed his longing. He began kiss me as if I was a bout of tricky autumn air, skirting from his hold; and the more he sought me with his mouth the more I'd flitter away. There was desperation in this fear, his fear.

And then the kiss slowed, turned shivery and bittersweet…achingly tender. There was something brutal about this softness, something destructive, because it ate at me from the inside; tortuous and ambivalent. Death by gentleness.

And then there was a sudden flash of pure raw emotion that struck so swiftly I felt like a butterfly pinned by a sharp silver needle. Impaled by the revelation of this quick glimpse he had let slip. I couldn't give it a name because as soon as it had run me through, this feeling; it retreated…with the ding of the microwave, leaving me only with the vaguest impression of the Pearl. And I didn't know why.

I broke away confused and baffled. What was that? What had just happened?

Jack's breathing was ragged, if I had been paying attention I would have noticed mine was too, but the fact remain I was too stunned to do anything else.

What had that been!

"DO I SMELL SMOKE?" Vicki yelled jarring us again back to the complete present, "DID YOU BURN THE POPCORN? IT DOESN'T TAKE ROCKET SCIENCE TO MAN A MICROWAVE YOU GUYS!"

I blinked and came to my senses.

"Oh shit…" I jerked, spinning around to find smoke emitting from the microwave. In a way I was grateful for the distraction. More than anything I wanted Jack to go away so I could figure out what had just taken place.

I fumbled with the burned bag, hissing at how it singed me…cursing it for its heat…My god! Even the stupid popcorn was making me thing of that damned kiss!

His gruff voice was another reminder when it finally filtered to my ears, so close behind me, "So…jus' mates, then?"

My hands shook as I poured the popcorn into a bowl. I nodded silently, aware of glances I could not see but somehow knew he was taking. He took a once over, slower and perhaps with more alertness than he had when he had first seen me on the deck of the Interceptor with Murtog and Mullroy, and then he walked out of the kitchen.

I let out a whoosh of air I hadn't realized I had been holding in and put a trembling hand to my forehead. Whew, that hadn't been THAT bad…

I winced. Who was I kidding? It had been horrible and I felt like shit on top of it. I had been firm and adamant in my decision only moments before, now I wasn't so sure. Maybe I had made a mistake.

I followed after him shortly into Vicki's TV room. Vicki and Will were on the couch, her feet were on his lap and he was stroking her leg. Her eyes were overly bright, shining…It meant she was happy. I handed her the bowl of popcorn as I went to sit down on her other side. Jack had opted to sit on the other side of Will, and he was good naturedly flipping through the channels as if nothing had ever taken place between us.

That proved I had been right then…Jack was just as relieved as I was that this quirky relationship had come to an end. I was relieved…I was…

The phone rang. No one moved.

It rang again.

"I'll get it." I volunteered, pushing myself up from the couch and jogging out into the hall to snatch up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Rachel?"

"Ben!" I checked my watch, we hadn't parted that long ago, "I know I said call me but aren't you bored with me yet?" I smiled into the receiver.

"Guess not." I loved his laugh, "And I know calling only minutes after dropping you off is a bit stalkerish, I'm sorry."

"Don't be…" I assured him.

"It's just that I forgot to ask you when you left…I was wondering…would you like to see a movie tomorrow…with me?"

YES!

"Sure!" I answered excitedly, "What do you feel like?"

"Well, I know Troy's been out on video for ages now, but I never saw it and I heard there's this funky old theater that's still playing it…."
"God, I've been dying to see it a third time," I exclaimed, "how did you guess!"

"You serious? Cause we can see something else if you…"

"No! I'm all for Troy!"

"Okay then…say…9:30 show, you…me…candy…epic battle scenes?"

"Great! Oh," I stalled twining the cord around my finger, "is it okay if my friend and her guy and his friend come with?"

"Yeah, see you then."

"Bye."

I hung up with a grin and did a happy Snoopy Dance in the hall. I slipped back into the TV room beaming and still wiggling (just a little). They looked up as I entered.

"What's up?" Vicki asked, perking up from her reclining position.

"You guys wanna go see a movie?"

"Yeah," Vicki agreed, "I think it's about time we introduced the men to a darkened theater." She sent a look to Will, who returned it threefold, his eyes darkening slightly, and the corners of his mouth lifted in a somewhat mischievous smile.

"Okay," I said tucking a hair behind my ear, "That's a definite 'yes' if ever I heard one. So it's settled 9:30 tomorrow. I'll buy the tickets online in the morning."

"Guess it's bedtime then." Vicki announced, stretching luxuriously in Will's lap.

"I call your living room couch." I declared.

"We," Vicki answered pulling Will closer by nape of his shirt, "claim my parents room."

"Kinky." I voiced, raising a brow, "Why your parents room?"

"Have you seen my room lately, Rachel?" She glanced at me meaningfully, and I caught her drift, "That's why."

Check. Will seeing pictures of himself, that weren't really him, and dozens of Dom pics was not a good idea.

"I claim the kitchen."

We all stared a Jack.

"Closer ta the alcohol, me mates." He informed us with a grin, rising and heading toward his destination, "I 'appened ta see a particularly fine vintage in the cupboard earlier. Cheers…"

"Cheers." We all said in pirate speak and disbanded to our appointed rooms.

I set up my sleeping bag and pillows on the couch, and then realizing Jack had none of his own, went to fetch a blanket and some spare pillows for him. He wasn't in the kitchen when I entered. He was walking around in Vicki's backyard, muttering to himself, waving his arms about.

I smiled briefly. Back to his old ways. Everything was right in the world then. I watched him staged about a few moments more, and then deposited the bed coverings on the counter and made ready to sleep.

As I settled down, snug in the encompassing warmth of my sleeping bag, I could made my mind form any other image other than Jack's face, his laugh lines, his voice, the feel of him…

Maybe I had made a mistake, I thought again with dread…

I forced myself to think of Ben and I at the movies tomorrow, cuddling, throwing popcorn at each other. Jack I'm sure would rather die than be seen cuddling with anyone. I smiled as I drifted into sleep.

…then again, maybe I hadn't made a mistake after all.

(JACK'S POV)

The taste of the hard liquor burned his throat and tongue mercilessly…ah, paradise! Free from worry or sensible thought. He took another long swig, liquid flame flowing down into him. He coughed roughly after downing the bottle of its contents before opening another.

'Bloody kiss undid me…' He grimaced as he ran a hand over his brow; splaying it against his heated face and swinging the new bottle back and forth dejectedly in his other hand.

'Tha' damned kiss…'

He plopped down into the grass and threw back his head to down another dose of whiskey. That was the first time a kiss he'd initiated came back ta bite 'im in the rear.

He'd started it out of anger. How dare the gel try to turn 'im out cold, let 'im loose like some wayward dog! It was humiliatin' an' he had meant to humiliate her in turn by showin' 'er it was her loss. Hell, it had always worked stupendously before.

Until now…

He wasn't positive as ta when the tide 'ad turned, when his anger had been overwhelmed by her own. Her fury at him. Pained; as if she were free to move she'd have been beating at his chest crying, 'You're making me do this, you know! And I hate you for it! I hate you! Why? Why!'

And things had gone wrong from there…He couldn't name the feeling that had churned his insides during that kiss, only that he had felt the same when his Pearl had sailed away leavin' 'im behind on that blasted island. 'Strange tha',' he mused, 'comparin' the lass ta me Beloved Pearl. Don't know why I did tha'.' He paused in his thinking to shake his head, 'Must be the effects o' the ale…Bloody imports…made yeh think insane things.' He took another slug of ale as he stumbled back into the kitchen.

Ah well, made no matter now, did it?

She'd made 'er choice. He should probably count 'is blessin's…she 'ad been puttin' a right limp inta 'is style. He was finally free to eye wenches to 'is 'eart's content without some harpy screechin' about fidelity an' all that rot.

Yes, twas a good thing it was all over with finally. Twas for the best, he thought muzzily as he made his way back further into the house, 'ee would've just ended up breakin' the poor lass's 'eart when it came down to it.

Such were his thoughts when he passed by the lass's still form, slumbering on the divan. He proceeded to the stairs after having taken time to pat her head numbly, as she rolled over to a more comfortable position, murmuring groggily.

Wha' he need was ta go out, forget the lass, drink, be merry! Maybe the Eunuch would join in…ifen 'is own lass wasn't callin' the shots. Jack passed by their sleeping quarters, and gave a disgusted snort.

By the looks o' things the boy was too far gone ta be saved. The world 'ad gone ta 'ell…an' everyone in it 'ad gone mad.

He was the only same one left, he thought proudly, resistant to the very concept o' tha' detestable word…Love! Hah! There were four things and four things alone tha' 'ee would ever love.

His Rum.

His Gold.

His Pearl.

And his…

'Betta make tha' three things and three things alone…'

He would never willingly admit to the fourth…if there was a fourth…which there bloody well was not!

These were Jack Sparrow's last incoherent thoughts for the night; before he fell into a deep unconsciousness right within the wash room doorway.

(WILL'S POV)

He was sure, as sure as he had ever been, that she was the most beautiful thing he head ever seen…and ever would. As long as he lived he would never see anything so lovely as Victoria Fraser asleep…dark locks tumbling against the pure whiteness of the sheets, lashes softly brushing against her fair cheeks, mouth parted slightly as if in a sigh…

This was the reason why he felt no fear in this time…away from all sights known and familiar. She was his comfort, his little beauty, his love…

He smiled in the dark.

Simply his.

That was all she need ever be.

His chest grew tight just at one look from her, one word…and it wasn't only that. Such pride he felt in everything she sought to make better in herself, her swordplay…

He admired her courage, her bravery, her unwavering loyalty to her friends and those who were close to her heart.

Her friend too was a remarkable young lady, but not so much as Victoria. He had felt gladdened at the sight of Jack with a maid so sweet and yet so robust enough as to keep up with the pirate.

But like the dunderhead Sparrow was wont to be, such a bond had been broken over the course of a single evening.

Will's arms tightened around Victoria, the movement causing her to bury her soft head against his chest. He clenched his jaw in restraint against the sensation.

'I'll be damned if I let that happen to me.' He vowed, 'Nothing, no force on this earth shall separate…could ever separate me from her…She is me, and my life, everything in it…is hers.'

The words rang true in his mind and yet the oppressive cloud of some unnamable dread continued to hover near.

He buried his head within the crook of her neck, relishing in the faint, light, airy scent of her person.

'Mine…' he whispered to that force threatening his happiness even now, 'My own little warrior, my own Victoria…Mine.'

Overhead the Ironic Over Power wrung its hands deviously, and let out a menacing cackle.