Chapter 2

A/N: Once again, I have no military experience. I'm more experienced about the Revolutionary War than the military. If anything is inaccurate about this story, please help me learn, or just ignore it. I checked on several websites for whatever facts I have included in this story. On another note, thank you to everyone who reviewed! If anyone needs something to be cleared up, Elizabeth and Will met Jack before, somewhere else. I'm not going into the details in this story.

Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own anything that you recognize. Whatever.

Sometimes, life wasn't worth living. And other times, it was.

Will was having one of the days that weren't worth living. The British army had just struggled across the Hudson, and now, Burgoyne was at a complete loss at where the rebel army was located, how they could plan a successful attack, and lastly, no one had any idea of what to do. The army was in a half-chaotic state, without any form of guidance. Should have told us that they might not have a plan when we joined, Will thought bitterly.

Ever since August, things had been going downhill. After a celebrated victory at Ticonderoga, the army had marched south, overland via Fort Anne and Fort Edward. The journey was much harder than anyone had expected it to be; the thick forests of the Americas proved tough and unyielding to the British army. Large felled trees always seemed to cut into their path. Easier routes had been blockaded by some previous traveler through the dense foliage. Tempers ran short; almost everyday, more men suspected the Americans were making the path even more difficult then it was originally, and frequent curses were heard.

By the time they reached the Hudson River, tempers were strained to the point of snapping, and the supplies were running out. Piled onto this was the news that General Howe had decided to try and invade Philadelphia instead, and St. Leger's group had been forced to retreat, leaving Burgoyne's army alone to fight the Americans. If only Howe hadn't changed plans and Leger hadn't been attacked, Will thought that they might've already defeated the Americans. Or at least, they would have some idea were the encampment was.

* * *

Back in England, Elizabeth was plotting. Seeing as Will had been forced to leave her, Elizabeth decided that she would go to Will instead. All she had to do was get away from the prying eyes of her father, and secure passage to the Americas.

The former proved to be rather easy. Because of his high position in society, Elizabeth's father was called away to help with the situation in London. He couldn't come home very often, and left Elizabeth fairly alone. The maids were easy enough to deter as well; a well-thought-out lie was all the persuasion the young women needed.

The latter turned out to be harder to accomplish. Most ships were sent to help with the British Navy fleet in the Americas; not many were left behind in England. Occasionally, a ship would come back, only to be reloaded with supplies and sent out again. There were no ships in the port today, though. Elizabeth cursed herself for not checking the ships available before deciding to run off.

"Lookin' for sumthin', luv?"

Elizabeth whirled around. Standing behind her was a heavily decorated, darker-skinned, familiar looking young man. His dark hair was braided into dreadlocks, with random ornament dangling from them. Swaggering slightly, he walked closer to Elizabeth.

"Jack Sparrow?" Elizabeth exclaimed in disbelief.

"That's Captain Jack Sparrow, if you will," the man corrected, with a scowl. "Why does everyone always forget the Captain?"

Elizabeth paid no attention. "Where's the Black Pearl?"

Jack narrowed his eyes slightly. "Need to hitch a ride luv?" Then he looked more suspicious. "Wha', you aren't runnin' away, are you?"

"What I'm doing is none of your business," Elizabeth snapped. "Besides, I wouldn't have asked about the Pearl if I didn't want to 'hitch a ride', as you put it."

"Ah, bu' there's nothin' wrong 'bout checkin' in on some ol' friends, is there? 'Sides, who says that I'll let you on my ship? I see no profit in it for me."

Elizabeth said nothing, but she clenched her fists.

"Why would yer wan' to hitch a ride, 'nyways?" He looked around, as if he was searching for something. "An' where's th' whelp?"

Slowly, Elizabeth unclenched her fists. "He's in the army, Jack," she whispered softly, unwilling to give out too much information to the pirate.

The 'pirate' frowned. "So? Where's th' army now?"

Elizabeth didn't answer. Well, looks like I'll have to go find some other methods of transportation to the colonies. "Nice meeting you, Jack, but since you won't give me passage, I'll have to find some other way." She turned to leave, but Jack's hand had a firm grip on her elbow.

"Now, who said 'nything 'bout the fact tha' I won't give you passage?" Then he frowned. "Where d'you wan' to go, firstly?"

* * *

"We've found their army!"

The joyful shout echoed through the British encampment. Slowly, Will ducked out of his tent. Outside, a small congregation had already gathered, reveling in the news, and plotting "fool-proof" methods for victory. The camp, lethargic and unmoving just a few minutes ago, was filled with renewed vigor and spirit.

Secretly, Will was nervous about this new development. This news definitely meant an attack. He didn't know what would happen; he was a blacksmith, not a military man, after all. But Will did know one thing. An attack meant a battle; a battle meant open fire; open fire meant casualties; casualties meant death. And death was the last thing Will wanted to think about.

A/N: I didn't want to dive into a battle in the second chapter and I wanted to show something with Elizabeth and Jack. Of course, the story doesn't end after the surrender of Burgoyne. But still, I wanted a sort of 'development' chapter. Thanks to everyone who reads this chapter! And I finally reached 1,000 words!

Next chapter will probably be about Battle of Freeman's Farm; maybe something aboard the Black Pearl if you guys want it. Please review! And I wasn't sure if I used appropriate vocabulary; Jack is really hard to write, especially.