A/N: Ahoy there my dear readers…if there are any of you actually left after I've kept you waiting all this time. In truth, I could present a myriad of different reasons as to why I have put off writing this next chapter for so long. I took a second job (17 hour days leave little time for writing), my house flooded ("Captain, she's taking on water!"), my dog, Cadence, fell violently ill. These would all be very good excuses, and very true might I add, but I must admit that I believe the real reason this chapter has been so long in coming is that I didn't want to write it. True enough mates, I know how the story ends and as I have assured you, it will be a true "Jack/Ana" story. There is no doubt about that. However, we are currently navigating troubled waters and this chapter is the most dangerous of seas. This is not easy writing dear friends, but now that we are here, perhaps I will be more willing to navigate quite hastily through these uncomfortable chapters….

As always, your reviews are like gold to me and I am forever in your debt to all of those who continue to read and enjoy and encourage me. Your faithful captain…Elizabeth

Chapter Forty Three

When Jack finally arrived back at the inn it was very late. He quietly opened the door and was glad to see Elizabeth sound asleep. A single candle was lit and he assumed she had tried to stay awake until he arrived. As much as he would have liked her to take care of his arm, he was glad that she was not awake to see the bites and scratches he was sure his body was littered with from Anamaria.

He slipped off his hat and boots as well as his coat before blowing out the candle and lying down on top of the sheets beside her. She looked beautiful lying there, asleep in the moonlight, and Jack had a gnawing feeling that he would never want to be all that she was going to want and need of him. He pushed the thoughts out of his mind and concentrated hard on falling asleep. Minutes later, he was rewarded with fitful dreaming that would continue to haunt him for the rest of the night.

Around dawn, he awoke to find Elizabeth's hand slowly stroking his hardening member. He groaned, forcing himself to wake up enough to communicate, catching her hand in his own.

"Not now, luv," he said, his voice just above a throaty whisper. He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them softly before resting her hand under his own on his chest. "Last night was a long night. I just want to sleep."

He heard her sigh as she laid her head on his shoulder and he knew she was disappointed, but he couldn't remedy that right now. Sex would have been one of the best ways to wake up and prepare to start the day, but she wasn't the one he was craving right now and he wasn't cold enough to have sex with her just so that he could pretend. He also wasn't anywhere near ready to do any of the explaining for the many questions she might have so he simply held her hand and minutes later they both drifted back to sleep.

Later in the morning, she stirred beside him again, causing him to awaken. Hoping to avoid the awkward confrontation he was dreading, he decided to go ahead and get up. He would get dressed and freshen himself up as best as possible and then briefly wake her up just long enough to say goodbye before heading out to The Pearl for the day.

He wasn't very far into his plan when Elizabeth awoke. She rolled over and blinked several times, studying him. "Are you leaving already?" she asked, sitting up in bed.

Jack quickly pulled his coat on and cleared his throat. "Unfortunately, quite a bit has come up. I've got to be off early today."

"Is that why you didn't come back until late last night?" she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

Jack nodded, "Complications arose, ensued, were overcome."

Elizabeth got out of bed and began to make her way over to her work clothes, "Well, just give me a minute and I'll come with you."

Jack took several steps across the room to meet her, "Not today."

Elizabeth frowned, "Again with the not today? What's going on? Am I missing something?"

The thought briefly popped into Jack's mind that she was indeed missing some very large signs that something was afoot, but he quickly dismissed the thought.

"The Sea Wench is sailing out tomorrow," he stated simply, hating to say the words.

"What?!" Elizabeth was clearly surprised.

"Anamaria…she doesn't want to wait for us any longer. She's sailing on to Madagascar without us," Jack said, pulling his boots on.

"Is she mad?" Elizabeth asked, her voice rising. "What is she thinking?"

"She needs time on her own to prove to herself she can do this without The Pearl," he paused, "without me." Jack filled in.

"What about us?" Elizabeth asked, gesturing fervently. "We need her crew to help us fix The Pearl!"
Jack shook his head, rubbing his arm where Braden's blade had pierced his skin. "We'll be fine. The Pearl is almost ready as is."

Elizabeth was outraged, "But you're her commodore. She can't just leave you behind! Besides, she'll never make it out there on her own. It's far too dangerous. Order her to stay."

Jack was confused by Elizabeth's anger. The two girls had rarely gotten along and now Elizabeth was sad to see her go? Unintentionally, Jack rubbed at his wound again.

"No, now you're mad," he responded. "Anamaria is one of the best damn captains I know. She'll be perfectly fine out there by herself. And since when did you start caring anyway?"

He rubbed his arm again, wincing at the pain.

"What's wrong with your bloody arm?" she asked.

"I had an altercation with Braden last night…swordfight," he reluctantly admitted.

Elizabeth immediately began to worry with him. Pulling off his coat, she rolled up his sleeve. "You let him get the best of you?" she asked.

"I won the fight," Jack defended himself, slightly twisting the tale. "We were distracted and he took advantage."

"This looks bloody awful," she said, studying the wound.

"Really?" he asked. "An…" He almost said her name, but he caught himself. Elizabeth could never find out he had been with Anamaria last night. She had already suspected things of them in the past and he could never let her find out the truth. It would only hurt her in the long run. He stumbled over the words, "d…And it looked just fine last night."

Elizabeth did not catch on, "No, it's not the wound itself. It's all this blood caked on it. Let me get…" her words trailed off as she went to collect a bowl of water and a washcloth.

As Jack had feared, when she began to clean the wound, she discovered the scratches and bruises on his arm. However, what Jack had not anticipated was that she would credit them to Braden as well.

"So I guess that once one of you got hurt with the sword, you went to fist fighting instead?" she asked.

It took Jack less than five seconds to put the story together and agreed, "You should see him." He made a mental note to make sure he kept the two apart until Braden was happily sailing out to sea with The Sea Wench.

Elizabeth took care of his arm until she was satisfied with the way it looked and then she finally agreed to let him get to The Pearl.

"I didn't want to just sit around all day," she whined. "I wanted to come and help. If Anamaria is leaving then you'll need extra hands."

"I just don't want to have to worry over you today," Jack said. "I 'ave too much else on my mind. I can't keep an eye out for you."

"I don't need you to watch over me all the time. I'll be fine," she complained, quickly dressing.

"Fine," Jack agreed, knowing it would be much faster at this point to just let her go than try to talk her out of it.

A full hour later, the two were making their way across the sandy beach to The Black Pearl. Jack could already see Anamaria in the distance, working hard against the light of the sun. He hadn't been sure whether or not she would be helping him this last day or not. Surely, she had plenty to do in getting her own crew ready to make sail.

He nodded to Elizabeth, "Please just go on about your work. I need my time today."

"Fine," she stated, squinting in the sun as she headed her own direction.

Jack made his way straight for Anamaria.

"Good morning Commodore," she smiled. "Trouble with the young lass last night?"

Jack appeared clueless, although he knew what she was referring to, and shook his head, "No. Surprised to see you here this morning though. Thought you'd be getting ready for your voyage tomorrow."

"The Sea Wench is almost ready. I'll leave early this afternoon to tie up some loose ends. Starling is there already, making preparations," she replied.

"Braden is locked in the brig, I assume?" Jack asked.

"Of course," Anamaria smiled. "I just can't believe I let him trick me all this time."

"Ever find out what he was up to?"

She shook her head, "Not yet. Once we put out to sea, I'll twist his arm a little. See if I can get him to talk. Make an example."

"Easy there captain. We've worked hard to establish a reputation without all that," Jack reminded her.

She met his eyes evenly, "Yes, we did, but now we must establish reputations of our own and a woman captaining a ship is never an easy task."

"Understood," Jack nodded. "Just don't let it get the best of ye."

The morning hours were spent fixing The Pearl and by early afternoon, Anamaria said goodbye to Jack to go and prepare The Sea Wench for an early departure the next morning. Jack tried to keep his eyes on his work, tried to focus on Elizabeth, but he was distracted and found himself accomplishing little. He would have said almost anything to keep Anamaria from leaving, but he had no idea what would get her to stop.

As the sun set, Jack walked Elizabeth back to the inn. Anamaria had agreed to meet him at a tavern close to the docks and he was in a hurry to get there. Elizabeth seemed reluctant once again to be left alone, but Jack was not in a caring mood tonight. He refused her request to go with him and when she pouted it didn't faze him. He needed that time alone with Anamaria. He needed that time to at least try and get her to stay, to hope she wouldn't leave his side.

He knew Elizabeth was upset, possibly even suspicious of something although he knew she had no idea what. However, none of that mattered to him right now. At dawn The Sea Wench and her captain would be sailing away from him and while Jack was reluctant to expose his weaknesses, the thought of being without her was making his head spin.

Anamaria was already waiting for him in the tavern when he arrived and as he had hoped, she was alone. She had promised him she would be, but he had imagined that it might be hard for her to find time alone the night before her crew was sailing out. She had a mug of rum already waiting for him and as he sat down, raised her own.

"To old times," she toasted.

Jack gave a weak smile, but repeated, "To old times." He tilted the mug up and drained its contents.

"More rum!" Jack shouted.

"So how's The Pearl?" she asked. "You going to be alright finishing her up by yourself?"

Jack dropped his eyes, "I'm gonna have to be, but she's getting there."

"Elizabeth seems willing to help so that's someone you can count on," she said.

Jack didn't respond, but was quick to change the subject, "So what are your plans?"

Anamaria sighed and took a long drink of rum before answering. "We're going to head to Madagascar first, meet up with Aquino and some of his crew and then sail out to the Indian Ocean probably."

Jack nodded, "Is that what Aquino was planning?"

"Actually no, I don't think he is eager to head into the Indian Ocean just yet. He plans to stay around Madagascar, but I want to see new things, explore new horizons. It's time for something new and fresh."

"Is that why you're leaving?" Jack asked.

"Jack, do we have to go through this again?" she asked. "You know why I'm leaving."

Jack nodded.

"Come on, I don't want to spend my last hours with you moping and sad. We've had some great times together and we'll have more great times together I'm sure." She paused. "Let's get out of here. We'll grab a bottle of rum and go down to the beach together. Come on," she said, standing.

"Let's make that two bottles of rum," Jack said, smiling.

He made his way to the counter and purchased two bottles of rum. Holding them tightly to his chest, he turned to her, "What will you be drinking?"

The comment made her smile as she stepped forward to purchase her own bottle, but at the same time it brought a wave of sadness over her. She was positive she would never meet anyone like Jack Sparrow again.

They took their rum and they went out to the docks, making their way slowly to the beach and then along its shore. Along the way, they told stories and reminisced about times they had shared together. The two had been the closest of friends and Anamaria found herself wishing she had not been forced to make the decision she had. She almost wished she had never become captain of The Sea Wench for when she and Jack had sailed The Pearl together, times had been simpler, happier. She was proud to be a captain, but she had been happier sailing with Jack and she wondered why she had felt a need to prove herself, why she needed to be in charge and why nothing was ever enough.

Jack was at the bottom of his second bottle of rum and she was still nursing her way through her only bottle. She hadn't wanted to get drunk tonight; she had wanted to remember these moments for many years to come, this last night with Captain Jack Sparrow, her captain.

He had his arm around her now and he was talking about the time their crew had spent the day careening the ship while they had enjoyed themselves on the island's interior. How much she had enjoyed that day. She absently touched the shell that hung from a leather choker around her throat. It was the same shell he had given her that day, but it seemed a million years ago now.

"We were always so good at convincing them we were attending to important matters at hand, when really we were off playing our own game," Jack smiled at the memory. "What will I do without you? I might actually have to chip in some hard work."

"We worked hard to get where we are," she said, realizing her mind had been headed in a different direction than his and feeling saddened by the thought. "We needed to play hard too."

Jack pulled her into a hug and she wrapped her arm around his waist, leaning into him. "What am I ever going to do without you Ana?"

She remained silent, wondering how much of him was being sincere and how much the rum was talking. Still, the fact that he had consumed two bottles by himself in only a few hours left her sure that he was attempting to drown some sort of pain at her departure.

"It's been hard enough managing The Pearl without you. It will be much more difficult with you gone entirely."

Was that a touch of sorrow she heard in his voice? She couldn't be sure. He lifted her chin to look into her eyes and whispered her name softly before bringing his lips down to meet her own. She kissed him back, but she lacked the passion they had shared last night. She had to be careful, if she wasn't she might ruin all her planning and let him convince her to stay.

"Jack," she mumbled against his lips, more as a protest than an expression of passion.

"Don't go," he whispered.

She opened her eyes to find nothing but sincerity in his dark chocolate orbs and she felt the debate growing within. She wanted so badly to tell him, to share all the turmoil she had been experiencing alone, to let him know why she was really leaving and more than anything to have him ask her to stay once again. For him to understand where she was coming from and still want her to stand by his side, but she didn't think he would and she reminded herself for the billionth time that this was why she had to leave. There was no other choice.

His eyes were still searching her own and she hated the pain she saw reflected in his and her own. She pulled away and turned to walk towards the water.

"What are you hiding from me?" the pirate asked. He knew her so well that she had been unable to keep the emotion from him.

She shook her head, staring out at the horizon and he walked up to the water's edge beside her. He put his arm around her again and she tried hard not to lean against him. "I know there's something you're afraid to tell me. I won't be mad," he offered.

Still, she refused to answer.

"You're in love," Jack guessed.

Anamaria forced a laugh over the tears that immediately choked her throat.

"With Captain Aquino," he filled in the blanks, "and you're going to follow him to the other side of the world to prove your love."

She couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry, but she shook her head. Her fellow captain really was completely daft.

Jack tried again, "You've found a horde of treasure and you don't want to have to worry about splitting it another way."

Anamaria gave him a look that suggested he was even farther off base.

"I just want you to stay, that's all. Is it really so terrible of me to ask that," he questioned.

Anamaria shook her head. "No, it's not. I just can't."

A quiet lull fell between the two captains as they continued to stare out at sea. They had shared so many memories together, both good and bad and there was no real need to carry on conversation as they drifted into thoughts of one another.

Anyone else and the moment may have grown tense or strained with the weight of heaviness in the air, but with Jack it was natural, an understanding between two old friends where silence had the ability to share more than words ever could. For the thousandth time that day alone, Anamaria wished she did not have to leave. If only Jack would ask her to stay.

Tsk she chided herself. Jack had asked her to stay and she had declined. Dangerous thoughts she reminded herself. She already knew what she had to do and had taken the steps to make sure it happened. Nothing Jack said should change that now. Unless…

"Ana," the pirate said, his voice low and just above a whisper.

She snapped out of her thoughts and met his dark eyes. Only he had ever called her by that name. She was going to miss hearing him say it. She held out her rum bottle in an offering before realizing that she had actually drank the last of it. A goofy smile passed between the two.

"You should probably be getting back to The Sea Wench," he suggested softly.

Anamaria nodded, "Aye, indeed I probably should."

They began a slow walk across the moonlit beach. Jack was trying to convince himself to build space, to begin building a wall, but he couldn't just yet and he broke down and did what came natural. He put an arm around her shoulders and asked, "Is there anything else you need from me before you go?"

She almost answered his question with the first thing that came to mind, but she held back.

"Anything at all, it's yours. Just ask," Jack smiled. "It's not often that you'll hear that from a pirate."

Anamaria smile back and thought about the proposal. "Actually then, there is," she hesitated. "I want to take Decker with me."

Jack was slightly taken aback. "Our doctor?" he asked.

"My injury still acts up here and there," she suggested, rubbing her shoulder even now as she thought about it. "It'd be nice to have him on board just in case."

Jack nodded, playing with the braids on his chin as he thought about her request. Decker was an irreplaceable member of his crew. While they would still have Muriel, their carpenter, Jack had always counted Decker as a blessing. It was nigh unheard of for a pirate ship to have her very own doctor on board, not to mention the fact that Decker was one of the few crewmembers Jack had actually recruited himself. Still, he supposed Anamaria needed the doctor much more than they did on The Pearl. It was the least he could do really.

"Fine," he mumbled. "Take Decker with you then," he said, waving his hands dismissively.

"Thank you Jack," she stated. She had not thought her request would be answered so simply. Maybe the captain was really trying after all.

The two pirates continued their slow walk across the beach, each of them procrastinating without directly acknowledging it.

"I do wish I could stay and help finish the repairs on The Pearl," Anamaria offered. "You know I wouldn't just leave you if I thought I had another choice."

"We'll be fine," Jack stated. "And you do have other choices. You don't want to stay, that's all."

"That's not true Jack," she shot him a look.

They were getting closer to the docks now and both of them were feeling more uncomfortable by the minute.

"The Pearl will be back out on the seas again in no time. I've sailed without you before. I'm sure I can do it again."

The remark stung slightly and she was anxious to snap back, but she held her tongue. She wanted to say goodbye to Jack on good terms. They had yet to fight today and she wanted to remember him that way, like old times.

Several more steps and they would be on the docks.

"Gibbs makes just as good a first mate as any and Elizabeth…

Anamaria flashed him a hot look of warning.

Jack hesitated, but continued on. If it made this separation easier, all the better, "has been more than willing to fill in for other services you used to offer."

Anamaria slapped him hard across the face. Her tears stung her eyes almost as much as her hand stung now. Jack brought a hand up to his already reddening cheek and gave her a scowl.

"How dare you," she growled at him.

Jack smirked, but provided no answer.

"I know what you're doing," she suggested, wagging a finger in his face. "You're trying to make this easier on yourself and you think it's working, Jack. But you're wrong! You're just making it worse. You'll regret this when I'm gone."

Jack rolled his eyes, "Well, we won't know until you're actually gone. Will we?"

"Don't do this Jack," she begged and it sounded desperate in her own ears.

"Do what?" the pirate feigned ignorance. "You and I have gotten into arguments every time we've spoken for some time now. Why should your leaving be any different?"

Jack took several steps forward before Anamaria reached for his arm and turned him around. The pirate met her eyes, but there was a look of disinterest in his own.

"I wish you knew what I really wanted," she said simply.

"I think you've expressed that rather clearly by now," Jack turned and began to walk away. "It's obviously not me."

Anamaria stood there for a second. Had he really said what she thought she had heard?!

"Jack!" she shouted, running to catch up. He continued on, barely giving her a side-glance. "What the hell are you talking about? You're the one who took Elizabeth to your bed."

"Leave Elizabeth out of this," Jack interrupted.

"You put her in this yourself!" Anamaria shouted.

"I think it's better if we just part ways instead of continuing on with this," Jack suggested.

How had he done this? She wondered briefly. Everything had been going so well and then he had started this and she had fallen for it. She had fallen right into his trap and now she was just as angry with herself as she was with him. This night was supposed to have been different. She had wanted them to be sad parting ways, not happy, but this was what Jack had wanted all along and he had gotten it. Just as Jack had gotten what he wanted so many times in the past. It made her want to slap him again.

"Jack!" she ran to catch up with him before he could disappear into the crowded streets.

He turned to meet her one last time. "It's time to part ways Captain Saldana." The formal address tasted bitter in his mouth, but he managed. "I really do wish you and your crew the best. May the winds be at your every beck and call."

It sounded mocking in both of their ears and Anamaria did not bother to follow him anymore. His words had hurt her, whether she believed he had meant them or not, and she went back to her ship feeling disheartened.

As he made his way through the busy streets, Jack felt increasingly awful about the things he had said to her, the fight he had intentionally picked. He tried to find solace reminding himself that it was better to feel guilty and bad on his own than have her see his weakness at not wanting her to leave. It had been bad enough that he had asked her repeatedly to stay. It had gone against all of his instincts and in the end, she had still said no.

He had argued with her on purpose. Anamaria was a smart girl and he was fairly sure she knew that. He didn't say goodbye well, especially not to those he was actually going to miss and the argument had kept him from having to do just that. He sighed and stopped into a tavern to get more rum.

Close to dawn Anamaria began to make final preparations. She had sent Starling to find Decker and the two arrived minutes before they were to make sail. Anamaria scanned the docks for Jack, but he was nowhere to be found. She had spent the last two hours trying to convince herself he couldn't possibly have meant the things he said, that it was a defense mechanism, but she couldn't imagine he would actually let her sail to the other side of the world without really saying goodbye. She half expected him to come running down the dock with a rum bottle as a going away gift.

"Weigh anchor!" she shouted, waiting for that final dramatic moment, but it never came. There was no Jack running to say goodbye and The Sea Wench slipped out into the dawn almost unnoticed.

From behind a load of barrels and crates on dock, Jack watched the scene unfold before him. He had wanted to go back to the tavern and crawl into his bed and forget this day had ever happened, but he couldn't. He wouldn't have missed this last chance for anything in the world. No matter how badly he wanted to he couldn't tear his eyes away from Anamaria as he watched her sail out of his life for what he knew would be a long time and what he had just begun to fear might be forever.