Six Years Later…

Jack Sparrow stood out on the top of the cliff, gazing out onto the sea. His eyes narrowed against the slowly rising sun as he sighed with longing. It had been six years since he had known the taste of the sea, the wind whipping past his face, the sound of it filling the black sails of his precious boat, the Black Pearl. Although he had made his decision and he did not regret it in the least…he desperately longed for the sea. He was a pirate after all…it was in his blood. The sea was calling to him and he felt it tug at his heart.

Just then, a slender hand wrapped itself around his waist. The touch was electric and it took his mind off of his longings. He gazed into Elizabeth Swann's eyes for a long moment before he leaned down and gave her a kiss. Despite his desperate longing for the sea, he knew deep down he would miss her so much more. He had sacrificed what he loved for someone he loved even more. But he couldn't keep his desires hidden from Elizabeth…she was much too smart for that.

Elizabeth frowned a little as she gazed up at Jack, "You miss it don't you?" she murmured quietly.

"What's that love?" asked Jack as he wrapped his arms around her slender frame.

"The sea…the Pearl," sighed Elizabeth, "You miss that life."

Jack smirked a little, knowing that he could never hide his feelings from her, "Aye, love…but I missed you more those three years."

Elizabeth smiled broadly at that as she kissed Jack. It had now been over nine years since Will Turner had to take over the Flying Dutchman and although Elizabeth still missed him dearly, Jack had filled that void in her life. He had become the man she so desperately needed in her life and in little William's life. He had become almost like a husband to her and a father figure for William. She couldn't imagine life without Jack Sparrow in it.

"Jack!" shouted nine-year old William as he bounded out of the house.

Jack laughed loudly when he saw William all decked out in his pirate gear. It was all much too big for him, but the young lad was smiling with pride as he ran over to them. The hat kept slipping down over his brown eyes and made his lighter brown hair stick out every which way. The sword dragged the ground and he had to hold up the belt with one hand as he ran.

"Look at my little pirate!" said Jack as he grabbed William and lifted him into the air.

William squealed with joy as Jack spun him around and then sat him back down on the ground, "I wanna be just like you Jack! I'm gonna be the fiercest pirate in the seven seas!"

Jack's smile broadened at that, "No, lad…you will be the fiercest pirate in the world."

William's eyes grew round and glittered with excitement at that, "Yes! In the world! Teach me some more Jack! Teach me to sword fight! Come on!"

"Of course my son would want to be a pirate," muttered Elizabeth with an amused smirk, "Between having his father's genes and being raised by a pirate captain the boy is practically brainwashed."

Jack laughed as he kissed Elizabeth on the top of the head, "Aye love…now I'm going to brainwash him some more if you don't mind."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes in mock exasperation, "Alright, go on."

Jack smiled as he ran after William. Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh a little as she watched them play with some old pieces of wood, pretending they were swords. Jack turned into a little boy himself every time he and William got into playing pirates together. It made her heart happy to see them both so giddy and care-free. This was how life was supposed to be…full of moments like this. And for the first time in a very long time, Elizabeth felt content.

…

"He'll be coming back soon," murmured Elizabeth over dinner later that night.

Jack gritted his teeth and glanced away. Little William had retreated to his room to play with some new toy soldiers that Jack had bought for him at the market a couple days ago, leaving himself and Elizabeth alone in the small kitchen.

"Aye…he will," said Jack quietly, pausing for a long moment before he continued, "And…what then? What happens when he comes back?"

Elizabeth looked up and saw a glimmer of worry and dread in Jack's eyes. She realized then that Jack must have been thinking about this for some time now…worrying constantly whether or not she would kick him out once Will returned.

"I…I don't know," she murmured quietly, "I suspect he won't be pleased to find out that we are together now."

Jack looked up quickly at that, "Aye? You're…you're going to tell him?"

Elizabeth smiled a little at Jack's surprise and reached out to cover his hand with hers, "Yes, Jack…Will can only come back once every ten years. That's no way for me or for William to live. The next time he'll see little William will be when the boy is twenty. By then he won't need a father. He…he needs a father now and he has one…in you. And I have someone I can rely on who loves me and is there for me. Jack…I love you."

Jack's eyes softened at that as he grasped Elizabeth's hand in his, "I love you too, Lizzie," he murmured quietly, "But…how will he take it? I'm sure that Will Turner, based on past experience, will probably try to murder me when he finds out I've been…well…you know…with the love of his life."

Elizabeth blushed at that, "I…I'm not sure. I hope he will be understanding about the situation."

Jack looked a little worried as he glanced away, "And if he's not?"

"Then…he'll be gone the next day and none of it will matter," said Elizabeth firmly.

"Aye, but love…he is little William's father," said Jack, "And…he was a very good friend of mine too…and you loved him. I wouldn't want things to end on a bad note like this."

Elizabeth sighed wearily, "I know Jack…and I wouldn't want things to end badly either but neither of us can control that. It's up to Will."

"Aye…so it is," said Jack with a nervous sigh, "So for now we wait. Few more sunsets and the whelp will be back."

Elizabeth nodded, "Yes…and then…I have a proposition for you."

Jack raised an eyebrow at that, "Oh? What sort of proposition?"

Elizabeth smirked a little, "Wait and see, Jack. I want to talk it over with you and Will. It's…regarding our future."

Jack still looked rather confused, "I'm not following, love."

"It's okay...it'll all make sense soon," assured Elizabeth as she gently rubbed Jack's hand, "Now…enough worrying and talking," she said as she stood up from the table, her eyes taking on a more seductive gleam, "Come on now Captain Sparrow…come help tuck a lady into her bed, would you?"

Jack's eyes glittered with mischief as a huge grin spread across his face, "Aye, love…right this way," he said as he led her down the hallway toward the room they shared together.

…

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