Captain Jack Sparrow stood outside of the captain's cabin on the Black Pearl. It was good to be back on his beloved vessel…although the reunion would have been sweeter if he was the one captaining her. The only solution he, Barbossa, and Elizabeth could come up with was Elizabeth be captain until they get to Shipwreck Cove. Jack was not happy letting a woman run the Pearl…especially when it was Elizabeth of all women…like he wasn't confused enough already.

He pulled out his compass and opened it. Sure enough, the needle swung wildly and pointed behind him…where Elizabeth was. He grumbled and snapped it shut, shaking it. He opened it back up, but his efforts were in vain, it pointed towards its familiar destination. "Bugger. Bloody thing, you're never going to point to anything else, are you?" He spoke to it and snapped it shut.

He grumbled a few profane things in frustration, but his curses were interrupted when Elizabeth poked her head out the door. "Oh good, you're here. May I see you inside, Jack?" She gestured to the cabin with her head. He grunted, nodding.

She shut the door behind him. Jack examined his former cabin…everything was-"Untouched," Elizabeth finished his thought. "I have not changed anything in here, and I don't plan on it. I know this ship is important to you." She smiled HIS smile. The smile he loved and claimed as his own, for he never saw her grant its wonder to any other being. It was sarcastic, happy, serious, but teasing. As it faded, it brought him back to his senses. He shrugged and looked at the floor, "She's only a ship."
"No, Jack, she's freedom."
He let his eyes meet hers and they locked. The familiar shock ran through him, up his spine, into his brain. "Aye, she is."
"Did you forget you'd told me that?" She smiled his smile again.
"Well…" He had. But, he was surprised at such a notion-he didn't think that she'd remember such a small detail of that night so long ago. He'd thought that it was only he who'd kept the precious memory safe in his heart.
"Jack, I have something to tell you." She stretched her injured shoulder a bit.
"Do you now?"
"Yes. I…" She stopped. Why was she at a loss for words?
"Spit it out, love…I mean Elizabeth." He'd not forgotten that she'd asked him to not call her "love". The untouchable wound still stung bad.
"Alright. I apologize for being so rude to you back on the Nemesis and at Port Royal. I was uncouth, barbaric, rude, vulgar-"
The hand he placed over her mouth stopped her. "Don't be so hard on yourself. You've done worse to me, after all. You killed me once, remember?"
"It's just, I always seem to assume the worst of you, and I'm sorry for that too. And I would like to thank you for saving my life."
"Again…" He grinned at her.
"Right…again." She blushed, but he could see that she was hoping to hide it.

Jack looked fixedly at her, curiosity glowing in his eyes. He could tell that her true intentions had not been intending to actually apologize to him. It wasn't in Elizabeth's character to formally apologize. The Lizzie he knew was too bloody stubborn for that. "Love…I mean…Elizabeth…Mrs. Turner-"
"Captain Swann." There was his smile again.
"Alright, Captain Swann, get to the point."
Now it was her turn to look curious. "What do you mean?"
"What did you really want to see me for?"
She looked surprised. Maybe she didn't realize that he knew her so well. "I erm… wanted to ask you…"
"Yes?" He flicked his wrist, egging her on.
"May I see the compass?"
"Is that all?" He grunted and tossed the navigational device to her. Flipping it open, he watched her eyes grow wide. She shut it quickly. Jack pursed his lips, asking, "Where did it point?"
"Um…at the wall." She tilted her head to the starboard side of the ship.
"Oh. Perhaps…Will's somewhere that way." He tried not to let the sadness he was feeling show on his face.
"Perhaps," she sighed. "Jack, may I see where the compass points for you" She held it out to him.

He hiccupped. What was going to say? 'Sorry, but I don't want you to know that I want you more than anything else in this world'? No. 'I love you'? No. He wasn't even sure if that was true. All he knew was that he'd never felt this way about anyone before. "Jack," she disturbed his thoughts. "May I see?" She wiggled the hand she held the compass in. "Uh…" Thank God for Gibbs. He charged in, appearing out of breath, announcing, "We're at Shipwreck Cove, Cap'n Swann!"
"Perfect. Dock immediately and tell the crew to reload this vessel. I don't want to have to stop on the way to the Fountain."
"Aye, Cap'n."

Jack prayed that she'd forgotten what they were talking about. He crossed his fingers and hid them behind his back. She faced him and sighed, "Shall we?" She motioned to the door. "We shall." He smugly grinned and followed her.

Bugger. Bloody bugger. Elizabeth cursed under her breath as she climbed up the stairs inside the fort at Shipwreck Cove. Barbossa and Jack were racing each other up the winding staircase. Somehow it got into their heads that whoever got to Teague first would most likely get voted captain. Elizabeth, however, was not thinking about being captain. She wasn't even thinking about her journey to the Fountain of Youth. All she COULD think about was what the compass has showed her. The needle had pointed to Jack. Bugger. She couldn't hold it in. She screamed in frustration.

Looking down in her hand, she saw that she still had the compass. She'd forgotten to give it back to Jack. She stuffed it back in her pocket, when Jack, the monkey, jumped onto her shoulder. She was glad it hadn't been her injured one he's sat on. "Hello." She greeted him. He just uttered a monkey squeal. She giggled at him, petting his head, "You're not so bad, are you?" He shrieked and jumped onto the floor, scampering away.

When Elizabeth entered the room at the top f the stairs, she recognized it as the room where she'd been elected Pirate King. Her heart skipped a beat. There was the globe with the swords in it. There was the giant table. There were the giant chandeliers. There were the ridiculously fancy chairs. There was the balcony where she first saw Teague. There was Teague. Oh. He was sitting in "his" chair, strumming a popular tune on his guitar. 'Where are Jack and Barbossa?' No matter. She strode over to Teague, but he did not look up. Suddenly, swiftly, he lifted his pistol, aiming it at her chest.

"Whoa!" she shouted, raising her free hand. He met her gaze and chuckled, "Sorry lass. Bad habit." He put the weapon away and started playing again, "What can I do for you, King Swann?" Just then, Jack and Barbossa came rushing in. Out of breath, Barbossa managed, "Ahoy, Cap'n Teague." Jack stood his ground, uncommunicative. He was avoiding Teague's intent stare. Elizabeth felt that that confused face Teague was making reminded her of someone…

He turned back to face her. She cleared her throat, "May we go somewhere private?" He nodded, leading the way to a separate room behind him. It was his bedroom, she could see. Only one painting hung upon the wall. It was of Teague, a woman, and a small boy. Elizabeth found herself especially captured by the child. Had she seen him before? The room had a bed and a desk, both covered in various documents. Unconsciously snooping, she took a gander at the papers. One stood out in particular. It was a letter with the greeting "Father-"

Teague was searching for a chair. There was no way he was going to try and clear all of his papers off of his bed now. Elizabeth looked like she needed to sit down so, naturally, he should get her a chair. After venturing for a few moments, he saw that the only chair available was the one he used to sit the Pirate's Code on. He lifted it off and laid it on the bed. "King Swann," he offered her the chair. "you can go ahead and have a seat." He heard her gasp, her eyes shooting from the papers on his desk. She lowered her eyes, embarrassed. He only grinned at her, reassuring her that he had nothing to hide on that desk… that he remembered.

"So…"she began. "So…" he replied. She smiled. He saw her eyes lingering at the painting, he followed. "S'a good picture, ain't it?" She looked back at him, "Yes. You have a lovely family."
"Thank you."
"May I ask where they are now?"
"My wife's gone. Some sickness I'm still unsure of…I guess you could say my son's gone too."
"I'm sorry."
He could see she was curious, but he didn't want to discuss his family matters with a mere acquaintance, "Well, let's get back on track here, shall we? To what do I owe the pleasure of your carbuncle?"
"It appears we have a little problem. Barbossa stole the Pearl from Jack. He also tried to steal the charts but, you know, Jack's too clever." She rolled her eyes.
Teague smiled.
"Anyways, Barbossa has the Pearl and 'connections' of some sort. Jack has the charts this bloody compass." She took it out and showed him, "Who will captain the Pearl on the voyage to the Fountain of Youth?"
"I see. Another attempt at immortality for Jack." This was not unusual news to Teague. Jack seemed to always be searching for immortality. He'd used to come to Teague for word on new discoveries and advice…but that's history.
"I suppose." Elizabeth sighed, bringing him back to the present.
"Hmm. Why are YOU going on this journey?"
"I would like to be immortal as well."
"Are you certain?"
"Of course…" She appeared uneasy and confused.
"You know, it's not just about living forever, Lizzie. The trick is, living with yourself…forever."
She was as silent as a graveyard. Her eyebrows were furrowed, elucidating that she was thinking.
"Jack has the charts…and Pearl is technically his. He should be captain."

Elizabeth nodded her head and rose from her seat. Still saying nothing, she held her hand out to him. He gripped it, shaking it, "Nice to finally meet you in person, King Swann. Take care of Jackie for me, will you?" "Uh…sure." She put on a weak smile and trudged out the door. He followed her, but stopped and leaned on the doorframe. She positioned herself in front of the two anxious pirates. Barbossa had his fingers crossed, Jack had his hands folded in prayer. Elizabeth took a deep breath and declared, "The captain of the Black Pearl will be…Jack Sparrow." The winner threw his hands up in victory. The loser stomped his feet. Teague couldn't help but chuckle. "Barbossa, might I suggest that you get the first sip when you reach the Fountain? This was you're not at a total loss?" The pirate with the scraggly beard beamed, "Aye. 'Tis fair."
"Good. Jack, may I speak with you for a moment?"
The victor's eyes widened in surprise, "Uh…no." He snickered and turned to walk out.
Teague drew his pistol and aimed it at Jack, "Get over here, boy."
Jack about-faced, "You know, 'tis not very nice to threaten an unarmed citizen."
Teague heaved his shoulders, "What can I say? I'm a pirate." Get in here."
The younger pirate sighed and obeyed.

Jack grumbled as he walked through the door. He did not feel like talking to his father. They hadn't spoken to each other since the last Brethren Court gathering. That hadn't exactly ended well…all Jack gained from that was a confusing and troubling notion from Teague. Something about living forever? "So," Teague broke the silence, shutting the door, "that's her?"
"Who?"
"Elizabeth. I didn't exactly get a chance to talk to you the last time you were here. You seemed to be in a hurry."
"That could be because: A, there was a war going on. And, B, I don't like talking to you. Hence me trying to leave a few moments ago."
"Is that the girl you told me about when you came back from Port Royal some years ago?"
"Yes. So?"
"You were right. She is high-spirited…and beautiful-"
"How's mum?" Jack tried to change the subject.
Teague wouldn't give in, "Did she end up marrying that eunuch you talked about?"
Jack said nothing. He didn't want to talk about these sorts of things with his father.
"Teague shook his head, "Aw, Jackie. You've made the greatest mistake a pirate could ever make."
Jack stared at him, eyebrow raised.
"You've fallen in love. Worst mistake I've ever made. I had your mother until she died…but at least she was mine and no one else's."
"You don't have to worry about me, Teague. I'm not in love." 'I think…'
"Then why do you look at her the way you do? Why did you describe her in such a detailed and beautiful way when you first told me of her? Why is it that you don't want to let her know you care?"
"I don't want to talk to you about this." He headed for the door.
"You don't want to talk to me about anything anymore."

Jack turned and faced his father. There was no way he was going to let Teague win this one. He deserved to win this time, "Well, Teague, why don't you just sit here, living in the past? Get off my back. All you ever do is make me feel bad about myself. I'm always less of a man than you. You didn't even want me to be a pirate in the first place. Now look at me, I'm Lord of the Caribbean Sea. And you, Keeper of the Code. Maybe some day we can find out who's really the best."
"I didn't know I was competing with my own son."
"You knew it when I left home; trying to gain the ship you lost. Find the things you never found. Perfect the things you couldn't. And now, I'm going to go and find something you decided to give up on."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Why am I not surprised? You don't wan to remember because you wanted to ignore the fact that I actually became one of the greatest pirates. I got Jones to raise the Pearl from the depths after your failure sank her. I found the treasure of Isla de Muerta when you lost the map. I fought the East India Trading Company when you came here to hide. Now, I'm going to find the Fountain of Youth, a thing you foolishly decided not to take advantage of. And, I'm going to be immortal in the process. I'll get to live forever, accomplishing things you never dreamed of."
"It's not just about living forever, Jackie-"

Jack didn't want to hear any more. He yanked open the door and charged out. He'd won this time. He smiled to himself as he entered the room containing his comrades. He pointed to the stairwell, signaling them to go. Barbossa glared and scowled, but started down, nevertheless. Elizabeth gazed at Jack in curiosity. Walking towards him, she asked, "Everything alright, Jack?"
"Yes, Elizabeth. Everything's…fine."