Sorry I meant to have this posted earlier, but things have gotten in the way (forgive me). I just wanted to say thanks once again for all the positive responses I've received. This is only my second fan fiction and I'm glad that I seem to already be improving with my writing. Okay here we go, my sixth chapter…

Chapter Six: Change of Plans

"Tia Dalma!" Jack stuck his head through the slightly opened door, putting on his friendliest smile. But even Tia noticed something strange about the smile, it didn't look cocky it seemed…true. The rest of the boat ride to Tia's shack had been done in silence. But this silence had a sweet tinge to it, as if the air was cleared and there just wasn't anything to say. In fact, as Tia's shack came into sight Jack ordered everyone, but Elizabeth, to stay with the boat, no one felt the need to object. Whatever caused the outburst was obviously gone now.

"Jack Sparrow, I knew t'winds would be blowing ye back t'me some day." Tia rose from her wicker chair and crept to where Jack was standing. Just as Tia was about to brush her hand across Jack's cheek welcomingly, she felt a sudden invisible pull coming from her open door; the spirits were trying to tell her something. In the doorway stood a blonde pirate, with curious eyes soaking in her surroundings, involuntarily walking to Jack's side. There was more to her than what met the eye. Tia was fascinated; she could almost see the strong, passionate rope wrapping itself around Jack's heart, reaching to tie itself around the blonde pirate's heart to connect the two. This bond was incredibly powerful; it left Tia and the spirits in awe.

"Ye 'ave a touch 'destiny abou' you. Elizabeth Swann." Tia stepped forward; her ragged, old dress swept the floor as she moved. Tia gazed, amazed, into Elizabeth's eyes, the spirits whispered feelings and futures into her ears, filling her with knowledge that common people would never know.

"Have we met before?" Elizabeth asked, she felt uneasy here; this… unique woman had a strange air about her that made Elizabeth slightly frightened.

"Tia! I've come all this way to visit ye! Go on now, regale me with all that ye've done since I last left ye!" Jack plopped into a chair and crossed his legs on top of her table, completely relaxed. He didn't exactly trust the strange Tia around his Lizzie… his? When had she become his?

"Jack, ye fool no one. What'as brought ye 'ere?" Tia placed her hands on her hips; Jack was never one to go through trouble for others from the kindness of his own heart. Tia threw another interested glance at Elizabeth. Or was he?

"Oh, ye read me quite well Tia! I'm here to learn the whereabouts of Davy's chest?" Jack tried to remain cheery, but over the years he's discovered that Davy Jones wasn't a topic Tia was particularly fond of.

"Ye compass couldn' t'elp wit tis?" Tia snapped angrily, if the compass he'd begged her relentlessly for wasn't working, that meant something or someone was in the way. After all, the compass pointed to what Jack wanted most, what treasure was getting in the way of this new adventure?

"Ye know I 'ave a soft spot for rum." Jack replied defensively, but Tia saw him put barriers up around his heart. There is more to Jack Sparrow after all. She raised an eyebrow to which Jack ignored. She was about to question further when she felt fear from the spirits and noticed something very unsettling.

"Jack ye hand. Let'm see't." Tia demanded holding her own hand out for Jack to place his in. Jack rolled his eyes and held out his right hand; Tia grabbed it roughly and ripped his poor wrap off, turning his hand over to see the black spot swirling in his palm.

"It'eems ye 'ave a debt wit Davy Jones." Tia accused acidly, dropping Jack's hand and glaring at him. Elizabeth's eyes widened and she looked up at Jack in fear. Was he okay? Or was this debt far more serious than Elizabeth thought. Tia tentatively slid her hand into her pocket feeling the cool silver of the music box. She was helping Jack capture her lover's heart. No, not lover, not anymore. She had made a mistake, she hadn't been there for him and now, he was living a painful existence. He was in misery.

"Ye 'tink killin' 'im will save ye from the kraken?" Tia hissed, guessing his plan, her fingers around the music box, squeezing it in frustration. Jack stood up slowly, realizing that he had crossed some invisible line.

"I was hoping that'd stop 'im. Is it not enough?" Jack scratched his head. Why couldn't a simple stab in the heart stop a pirate? Then again, Davy Jones wasn't much of a pirate anymore; he was more of a squid.

"Stop 'im! From what? Ye have a debt Jack Sparrow, it's time ye followed through on ye word." Tia's eyes shone in wisdom and she held her head high, determined to make Jack aware of his faults.

"I'd love to, dearie, but my life isn't the one in danger 'ere. And I really don't want anyone innocent to die for my mistakes, savvy?" Jack leaned forward across the table; his eyes glinted in raw determination. Tia eyes flickered to Elizabeth, as did Jack's. Tia's suspicions were confirmed with this movement. So Jack's heart wasn't always set on silver and gold.

"The Flying Dutchman always needs a captain. If ye placed a sword in his 'eart ye'd end up in his spot. Yer 'eart would be locked away in a chest and ye'd be the new captain commanding the Flying Dutchman." Tia sunk back into her chair, she was at a loss of what to do, she only hoped this new information would throw him off. She felt a slight relief seeing Jack's confused expression. Apparently Jack hadn't put this in his calculations. Jack swallowed and peeked over at Elizabeth who was inspecting a jar swinging in front of her face. Jack's face softened and he looked back at Tia who was watching his reaction avidly.

"Where do I find this bothersome chest?" Jack growled he didn't like the news that had been thrown upon him. But he wasn't going to let Elizabeth go, even if it meant he had to think up new plans. Tia sighed in defeat and withdrew her sack dumping it's contents, shells, rocks, and were those animal limbs?

"First, Jack Sparrow, ye going t'want to protect yerself from the black spot." Tia advised, she glided to the back of her shack, mumbling nonsense that elicited a confused raised eyebrow exchange from Jack and Elizabeth. Tia sauntered back in and placed a jar on the table. A jar of… dirt? Jack eyed the jar in bafflement and then looked back up to Tia for further explanation.

"This is a jar of dirt." Jack stated the obvious, not quite getting the point. Tia nodded confirmation and waited in expectation.

"Is the… jar of dirt going to help?" Jack asked, picking up the jar.

Tia's eyes narrowed and she reached for the jar. "Don' want it, give it back." But Jack held the jar out of her reached and his face held a mock offense.

"No, it's my jar." Elizabeth and Tia both rolled their eyes and huffed. Jack will be Jack.

Tia turned her back to Jack and announced, " As long as ye 'ave this jar ye are safe from de kraken." Jack looked at the jar, almost in awe. Tia sighed and continued picking through her objects from the sack. She picked up certain pieces, looking to Jack just in case it had changed is mind. He hadn't. She wrapped her fingers around the objects, incasing them in her fist, shaking them gently, and closing her eyes. She started whispering quietly and gradually became louder.

"Da touch of destiny." She dropped the objects on to the table and they arrange themselves into a map, revealing the island in which the chest was buried.

--

Will pulled a rope taut and then scanned the horizon for any oncoming ships. He needed off the Flying Dutchman, fast. It was filled with death and sorrow; the atmosphere was taking its toll on his emotional health. He wished to bask in the sun away from the dreary dark that loomed over the Flying Dutchman at all times. He ached to hold Elizabeth in his arms and smell her golden hair. Elizabeth. Was she okay?

"William?" Bootstrap walked up, Will's father. Bootstrap was finally reunited with his son. If only it wasn't aboard the Dutchman and if only Bootstrap had been there for Will when he was a child, they'd be on better terms. But Bootstrap was here now and he wasn't going to make the same mistake again, if Will need help he was here. Will turned to his father; he had felt abandonment and anger when he first discovered that his father was on board. But Will realized how sincerely sorry his father was and how willing he was to help and was slowly losing his negative feelings. Will began walking along side his father through the ship.

"I just… I'm worried for Elizabeth. Her soul is on the line, because of Jack." Will grimaced in contempt at the mention of Jack. He had never been a fan of the deceiving, heartless pirate. And now that he had put his fiancée's life in danger, Jack had been bumped to the enemies list.

"I'm more worried about Davy, getting hold of her." Bootstrap admitted, Davy Jones gave many things to people, including agonizing tortures, but mercy was something he never gave.

"I feel so helpless. I want to help. But, how can I rid Davy if he doesn't posses a heart?" Will's question had been muttered under his breath, his father had finished telling him the story of Davy Jones not too long ago and Will had been horrified by the story and wanted a way to rid the oceans of Davy, but was at a lose of how. Will's father, on the other hand, had heard his question and was filled a sudden hope. This was it, his father could help him, this was his chance to repent himself from all those years Will was without a father.

"William he does have a heart! It's just locked away in a chest remember? He keeps the key tucked away in his, uh, beard!" Bootstrap was exuberant he loved being helpful. But Will wasn't so excited his eyes were skeptical.

"Yes, but we don't know what island he buried the chest." Will stopped and looked to his father who seemed lost in thought.

" I remember where island is, just not the name. Let's see…" Bootstrap began muttering to himself, judging where they were now, to the area where the island was located. "It's… buried on an island not too far from where we are now. Wait, day or two and we'd be close enough to see it on the horizon." Bootstrap beamed in pride, he loved the way Will was so interested in what he had to say, maybe it wasn't too late to be the father Will always wanted.

"And the key is in his… beard?" Will scratched at his chin; the thought of having tentacles for a beard was too unfathomable. Bootstrap nodded his confirm and then scurried away when he heard he was needed on deck.

Will pondered a new idea that had just developed. All he had to do was wait a day or two, steal the keys, and dig up the chest. Sounded simple enough, but then there were questions. Where exactly was the chest buried? How was Will to steal the keys without being caught? And worst of all, was there even a way to get off this cursed ship?

--

Jack climbed back aboard the Pearl, a fierce smile in place. He kneeled down and hoisted Elizabeth onto the deck, leaving Gibbs, Pintel, and Ragetti to tend to the lifeboat, Jack decided to keep his jar of dirt with him at all times. The meeting with Tia hadn't gone accordingly, but Jack had obtained vital information he hadn't had before. He turned to the crew, his smile widened.

"Gentlemen, we 'ave our heading!" Jack barked out the orders and the crew scrambled across the deck to their stations. Elizabeth glanced at Jack and was startled to find him looking back. She blushed from his intense scrutiny and bowed her head. Jack swaggered over to her and watched her stare into the frothy waves, hair blowing in the light breeze.

"Lizzie, would ye do me the honors of joining me in my cabin?" Jack held his hand out politely for her to take it. She smiled and laid her hands in his, delighted by the feel of his warm, rough hand. Jack kicked his door open and placed his lantern, and of course, jar of dirt on his desk, turning and thrusting back his velvety curtains to reveal the moon. He settled himself into a chair and Elizabeth followed his lead.

"I wanted to make sure ye were okay with this… situation." Jack began, leaning against the table in between the two.

"I'm as okay as one can be having their soul badgered over." Elizabeth replied a faint smile still touching her lips.

"I do apologize for this. I don't like ye getting' in the middle of my messes. What I meant though, darlin', is are ye okay with not headin' down to Tortuga?" Jack was recalling their outburst earlier that day and he wanted to keep the air clear so said arguments wouldn't occur. Though he felt as if he were bringing a most unwanted whelp into the conversation.

"I… I guess so. You'd be helping pirates, sailors, and…Will by killing Davy Jones. But Jack, how do you plan on doing this, you'd have to take Davy's place on the Dutchman?" Elizabeth's eyebrows came together in a confused fashion that Jack found absolutely adorable.

"Don't worry, luv. Just leave it to ol' Jack. He'll take care of everything. Now that that's out of the way, what say ye to a bit o' rum?" Jack pulled two bottles of rum out from under the table handing one to Elizabeth, and opening one for himself. She laughed and took a small sip of the liquid, feeling its warmth slip down her throat. Jack took a much larger sip; glad he could make her feel better.

"Jack… thank you, for watching out for me." Elizabeth whispered, her shinning eyes tugging widely on Jack's heartstrings. They stayed locked in their touching gazes for a minute or two before Jack swallowed hard.

"I'd do anything for ye, luv." His voice was low and fervent. Elizabeth looked steadily into his eyes, a passion that she had tried to smother, burned in her eyes.

"I know." Her whisper held complete truth and sincerity. Before Jack could process what he was doing he was out of his chair and next to Elizabeth, barely noticing her shocked eyes. His hands twisted into her hair and his mouth worked fast and urgent against her's. Elizabeth had never felt so alive, her blood raced and heart sped, she kissed him back with every ounce of passion and emotion she had. They finally pulled away breathing heavily, both caught each other's stunned eyes. Jack's hands feel to her arms, so afraid that any minute he'd feel the sudden sting of her hand connecting with his cheek. But he didn't feel it, instead he felt her trembling hand graze his cheek lightly and her fingers delicately lifting his chin and pulling him into another warm, sweet kiss. They each immersed themselves into their raw emotions, letting the world fall away.

Both were too far gone to glance out of Jack's exposed windows and see the moon glinting off of a spyglass pointed towards the Pearl, and the faint outline of a sleek ship, hiding among the shadows, silently trailing after the them.

Ooooohh, it just keeps getting better! I apologize for the rushed Will/Bootstrap section; the information was essential, just hurried. Now, please tell me your thoughts, feelings, whatever, review!