Disclaimer: Don't own anything except original characters. All material (c) to respective owners. I write these for fun and make no profit. They're just random plot bunnies that live within my strange mind.

A/N: Forgot to mention in the last chapters that this is an AU story.

Title from a song by manic street preachers

Chapter 3: The Everlasting

"I suppose you didn't deserve that?" Elizabeth questioned dark eyes following the strange new girl; she and Will both noticed the difference in the exchange between the pair.

Jack offered a sarcastic look before glancing toward the rapidly disappearing woman. "I did Lizzie and probably more. Neither of you are granted details on the matter," he glanced again in the distance toward Maddison. "Gibbs I'll be on the ship later."

With that all three watched Jack dash off in a familiar swaggering run, he was heading headlong into trouble and it was exactly why Gibbs always said women were bad luck, in this case he wasn't sure if she was bad luck or worse luck.

Maddison made it to the edge of the 'Ladies Pride' and faltered in her rage driven walk, going in to the place as busy as it was would only cause Molly more grief. She could always wait until morning to confront her friend; she did love her like a sister and found that blowing off steam on her wasn't wise.

"Damn miserable pirate, stupid jerk, conniving rotten black hearted bastard!" she stomped her foot closing her eyes and breathing hard.

He froze at that, he recalled her only saving those types of sayings for those she really, really hated. He wondered if her hatred had destroyed those feelings she claimed so long ago, that thought did make him cringe, so much so he squelched all others afterward.

"We need to talk Maddie."

Her eyes snapped open in absolute shock; he had the nerve to pursue her all the way to the only place that was hers. Her fists clenching tightly at her sides she slowly allowed her head to turn and then followed with her body, her eyes full of venom when they landed on those dark eyes that had captured her spirit all those years ago.

"No we don't Jack. I don't owe you anything."

He closed his eyes hearing her walk toward the tavern before giving into the annoying voices that picked and chose when to give him halfway descent advice. "I owe you something though love." He heard her stop daring to open his eyes and was staring at her back.

"Did he just act like someone with a heart?" It could be a trick she was well aware of how good he was with stories and that silver tongue he navigated better than his own ship. It could be false; everything in her being told her to keep moving, unfortunately she again listened with something she thought long since crushed. The remaining pieces of her heart gave into him; she unwillingly turned meeting those dark eyes. She didn't know what happened to him in those four years, but he had changed and from what she could see went a little crazier than he already was.

"You don't pay what you owe to anyone."

Jack had her attention he could see it in her body language, he just had to slowly work past the mess he had made and see if the old Maddison remained there buried somewhere inside. Moving his hands in a familiar gesture she silently hoped she hadn't let herself fall for his manipulative and persuasive charms.

"That was actually true, on most accounts…still is…but…er…I may have been hasty in what I did," he couldn't believe he was stumbling over himself, he hadn't changed that much. "Love can we please talk someplace less…public?"

"Ha! Don't want to destroy that reputation and ego do you Jack?" She wasn't that cruel contrary to her reputation and what the whole of Tortuga knew of her, she was actually kind and soft. For some reason she had no idea what reason she was going to let him win. She raised her hand in a gesture and motioned to follow her.

Inside the tavern her eyes traveled around the familiar faces, the new faces and landed directly on Molly. She stopped in her work meeting Maddison's gaze and Maddison winced hearing the glass smash from her hands. She knew Molly hadn't intended for this sort of confrontation but eyed her and nodded.

Jack didn't fail to notice the exchange and knew Molly well, she being one of the few women in Tortuga to hate him and never be in a bed with him. "I see you made a friend."

"Leave Molly out of this Jack, she hates you already."

"Aye I know."

Curiously she scanned the man following behind her before climbing the stairs and leading him down a dark hall to a room at the farthest part of the Tavern. She walked in and he uncertain followed her into the room.

Inside the room wasn't what he expected, there was a few papers, bed and a trunk for her clothes. The most prominent thing in the room was drawings of the adventures they had together, many of them of happier times before he left her to rot.

"Don't let your ego get to big Jack; I've considered burning them all." She noted with satisfaction he didn't appreciate the tone and again seemed to duck from her scorn.

He rubbed the back of his head in thought; dark eyes scanning the room before he watched her throw open her window and stare out at the ocean. "I see you made yourself at home in this…time." She scowled turning her hard gaze on him. "I'm not one for small talk, I know it was stupid and still did it, I'm not one for any type of remorse and what you said wasn't any wiser love. I did what was in my nature…

"Ran from the feelings you shut off a long time ago and I was dumb enough to open my mouth when I knew so much better." He moved his fingers to the bridge of his nose, he had forgotten how stubborn and so unlike the women knew. "I'm not in a forgiving mood either Jack. It may have been stupid for me to tell you any of it, but I didn't deserve half the shit I've survived. You could have said 'this won't work' and let it be at that. I'm good at letting you be you unless you didn't recall all those bitches you ran with. I just was the one that always come back."

He deserved that, he knew it but her tone was getting on his nerves and his patience was thin as it was. Contrary to what they had hoped Becket wasn't dead and was a very real threat, James Norrington on the other hand was very much gone and he found it depressing he wished for him to come back and chase him around. Norrington was safer.

"If you knew the half of the hell I've been through," he paused gritting his teeth. "You wouldn't be quite so hostile."

"You haven't seen me hostile yet." She warned her tone reminding him exactly why he liked her to begin with.

"Been more EITC and redcoats than usual?" Maddison ignored her raging issues and emotional drama long enough to turn to Jack.

She had noticed and due to that remained lying as low as she possibly could, the minor fight here and there almost costing her an identity revelation. "Yes, including one I would rather have forgotten. I haven't seen him since you explained he was your life long enemy when I told you I knew who he was." Jack remembered that conversation well; she had known enough to convince him not to send her back to where he found her or to dump her off on Tia Dalma at the time.

"That is just pleasant news," he paused trying to put aside his own issues. "I have a very long story to tell you and when I'm done I want you to come back to the Black Pearl. Don't start with me Maddie until I explain." His hand silenced her as well as his dark tone; she knew this type of tone wasn't wise to argue with.

She had spent a few hours often in the brig when she would open her mouth when he was in one of these moods.

Maddison hated the fact she would let him still order her around, she had the greatest respect for Jack and that was where her mistakes started. Now here she was letting him order her around all over again, he was taking charge like always and she wasn't fighting.

"Don't use that tone with me Jack, you gave up all rights to any say in what I do when you left me behind." She wondered if she was possessed and yet knew he couldn't do anything, he was there under her grace.

Dark eyes met hers briefly before he realized she was right; there was no way his tone would get her to listen any better. Sighing he took a deep breath in hopes of maintaining a civility between them; finally he indicated he gave up and that's when she obliged him. She sat slowly down on the edge of her bed watching him closely.

He went over the past four years that she suffered in Tortuga, explaining about Davy Jones and how Becket had been blown to smithereens. Maddison was only aware of the events in her world, that left off with Jack being swallowed by one giant kraken, in her opinion Elizabeth should have followed. She had just dropped into his time after his curse incident, three years on the open waters before he began to follow the pattern of what she knew to be the second half of the story and that he would end up fish food.

He dropped her off before she had a chance; any chance to warn him of the consequences of what would happen to him or that there would be a way to bring him back. He went so far as to explain his madness and the differences since he left that nightmare behind him. He had gotten the Black Pearl back with the help of the Turners, Will had been lucky enough to remain free from the confines of which his father chose and Jack saved him. Now he was virtually stuck with them until the EITC lost Becket or he ended up out of the waters they controlled.

"What of Tia?" Jack was relieved that her tone was different from before, less hard and more cautious of why he was there.

"Dear Calypso is still in her human form and roaming her little hut." His sarcasm didn't go unnoticed. "I doubt she will be of any help to any of us, we didn't free her." Slowly Maddison nodded trying to decide something.

She met his dark eyes, there was just as much different with him as with herself. This man had changed and she wasn't sure where she stood in this whole world of his now, she even doubted she belonged in the one she had chosen in Tortuga. Molly was dear to her but like the fool she was, she still cared and would go with the pirate whether it was wise or not.

"Why do I have to come to the Black Pearl Jack?" she saw him recoil stepping into the shadows, she knew there was more to this stop in than she expected.

Whether or not he admitted it or not he had hoped to find her on this trip, the waters weren't safe and anyone that knew his name was in danger. He wasn't going to admit anything, but for some reason her company was a necessity to him now, he hoped that somehow she could help his madness stay at bay.

"Don't read into it love, you know as well as I do…

"That's why I was left behind to begin with. If you still stick to that why do you want me back Jack Sparrow, the captain of the Black Pearl never admits to owing anyone."

She had him there; even he had no idea why. All he did know was the infernal voices that never left him to have any peace of mind were the reason he wanted her back. Perhaps, even if he wouldn't admit it he felt responsible for her obvious scars and worried there were more much deeper that he could never apologize for.

"I don't know Maddison, if I said my madness somehow had good advice on occasion you would only laugh at me." He smirked slightly then, sometimes he could still amuse himself.

Maddison stood eyeing Jack, whether it was wise or brainless to do what she planned she didn't care. She needed to be back at his side regardless of the fact that nothing would be as she wished. Slowly she stood turning and gathering the drawings tacked onto the wall before gathering the rest of her things and the few clothes she owned. He took this as a positive sign and lingered near the door, dark eyes watching her slowly gather any other things she would need including an assortment of weapons.

She had no idea why she was going with Jack and didn't dare try to talk sense into herself. Her next obstacle would be Molly and it would be in his interest to steer clear when she approached her friend. She got down the stairs and saw Molly watching on with concern and worry in her expression, he remained at her side regardless if he wasn't safe.

Slowly Maddison walked up to Molly and smiled. "You alright lassie?" she nodded seeing Molly glaring daggers at Jack. "What's on your mind Maddie?"

"For you to take care of yourself." Molly froze in what she was doing her green eyes focusing hard on Maddison's blues; they were soft and calm not what she expected after seeing her enter with the pirate beside her earlier.

"What do you mean Maddison?"

"I mean that things are getting dangerous here and out there Molly, I have to leave for your safety. I'm just as much trouble as the one you despise; I can't hide from it anymore and won't ask for you to get hurt to protect me. You are my only friend here, like a sister I wish I had. I won't risk you or this place you work so hard for. Do you understand?" she hated tears and goodbyes, this one the most because both were coming she could see those dark greens already shinning up with grief.

"Your leaving me for my safety." She nodded seeing Molly understood but still didn't like the idea or who she was clearly going away with. "I love you lassie, you're a good girl and have a big heart. Too forgiving for your own good though." She come from behind the counter and wrapped her arms around the taller woman hugging her close. "You take care and if you get left behind you know where home is." Maddison nodded gently removing her friend from her arms; Molly was still fighting the inevitable.

"I know that Molly, I always will."

Maddison began to walk away, Jack wasn't so lucky Molly moved in his path staring him down trying with all her strength not to knock in his teeth. "You hurt my girl there, if you ever do it again Jack I will give the Navy your number whether she forgives me or not. She has made herself yours and nothing I have done has changed her. Take care of her or I will remove your reason for coming to Tortuga." She left him standing there stunned and a little uncomfortable before he rushed off with Maddison.

"I see everything's still attached." He jumped turning sharply to find Maddison holding her bag over her shoulder and watching Molly in the distance with a small smile. "I told you she hated you."

"Aye, you failed to mention how much." She shrugged starting toward the docks, she knew her way and didn't care if he followed or not. "Did you keep in touch with Anna?"

"Anna-Maria truly despises you Jack, I'm sure if you seek her out it will not end in your favor." Maddison saw he was contemplating her words, but his expression gave away the threat of self harm wouldn't stop him.

"She associated with me; they will kill her or worse."

"Is it just me Jack or do you actually find yourself capable of caring and proving you're a human being?" he gave her a warning look at the taunt in her voice, naturally he wouldn't admit to anything other than being a freedom seeking black hearted pirate.

"Don't push it Maddison."

She silenced turning to the south side of the docks, she led the way down to the small houses of those in charge of the Tortuga cargo and docks. She paused outside a small green building before glancing in the dirty window and smiling, the candle was still lit indicating she was still awake.

Knocking she waited smiling when Anna-Maria opened the door glaring her down. "Maddie girl." She grinned glad to see her friend also left behind to sulk in Tortuga. "What brings you to my," she paused watching her indicate behind her and move aside.

CRACK

"You deserved it." Maddison whispered smiling broadly at the unpleasant look she received from Jack. "Here him out Anna, your life will depend on it with the increase of EITC and Navy in the area." Clearly unwilling to like any association with Jack, much like herself Anna-Maria nodded before unhappily letting him into the hut.

Maddison remained outside watching the skies of Tortuga with a sort of whimsy feeling; it was good to see that sky from a better point of view. Now that she would be back on the sea and with Jack she felt content once again, the past could wait at the moment her future looked much more pleasant than it had in a long time.

She glanced over when the door opened and saw Jack come out muttering and swearing, before he paused at her side giving her a look that read everything of loathing. She stifled laughter hearing Anna-Maria sounding less than pleased inside before seeing a bag come flying out the door and miss Jack barely.

"I told you Jack, Anna is far less forgiving than I am."

"You didn't forgive me Maddie."

"But I didn't contemplate a hundred ways to kill you, she actually listed them leaving off at a hundred and thirty seven." She began to walk toward the dark ship in the distance, she was well aware of Jack sulking behind her and wondering if Anna-Maria was done with him yet.

Gibbs steadied his gaze on the docks waiting for the good Captain to return, he wondered how he fared in finding the two women that hated him more than any in any port. He hoped that Jack wasn't dead or worse and was admittedly very relieved when he spotted Maddison coming to the ship followed by Jack and a very familiar female figure behind him.

"Gibbs, who is Jack bringing with him?" Will startled the first mate coming from the shadows off to his left, he had been watching from the supplies lying about the ship to be put away.

"Anna-Maria and Maddison Tempest." Gibbs saw the question in Will's expression, he knew of Anna-Maria but the other wasn't familiar. "I'm not at liberty to tell wha the capt'ain does and who he brings with im." He went about his duties leaving the confused Will to watch on at the three now nearing the Black Pearl.

Anna-Maria was still swearing at him and cursing him to the farthest reaches of any hell she could manage, Maddison was just thankful to see the familiar ship again up close. She smiled finding herself somehow feeling a little less violent and a little more like her old self. The ship had magic all her own and it had nothing to do with her captain.

"You look at home love."

"I was until you left me here. I don't rightly care for you in my personal space Jack, you lost that right also." She moved away from him and started up the ramp to the ship.

He watched while the two women made their way to the crews quarters, he wondered briefly if Maddison would return to sharing his cabin but was answered when she continued to talk with Anna-Maria and went out of sight in the same direction.

Gibbs silently come up behind Jack and waited patiently to be noticed, Jack acknowledged him with an inquisitive look. "She won't be returnin' to yer bed Jack. Maddie isn' tha forginin'" he knew that but it didn't mean he wasn't hoping for some sort of a way to talk to her, to try and get around the giant wall he put between them.

"Mate, let me be." His tone was intended to worry Gibbs and it made him flee back to his work. His next obstacles proved to be Will and Elizabeth, both clearly wanted to know who she was and why he brought her on board. "I don't and won't answer any questions unless I find the need." He left the pair staring after him when he abruptly turned to his cabin.

Maddison glanced at her long time friend, both of them were in a small room off the side of the captains quarters. It was a smaller cabin than Jacks and Anna-Maria explained that the couple most likely had the larger cabin down the hall from theirs. She did wonder about the pair and studied her dark skinned friend with a thoughtful look.

Anna-Maria's dark eyes met her blue ones and she smiled, her fingers moving through her wild raven hair. "They be Will Turner and at one time Elizabeth Swan, now I see they be married. I know ye know that though."

"I know pieces, the marriage part being my question. Why are they on board and not off making babies somewhere?" Anna shrugged, she knew about as much as she did. "I wish I could have stayed home long enough to know a little bit of what's going on, even if it most likely wouldn't be accurate." Both turned to the soft knock on the door of their shared room, Anna-Maria smiled indicating she should answer.

Elizabeth didn't like Jacks actions and insisted that Will follow her in her mission to learn about their new lady friend on the ship. She had her suspicions she was from Jacks past and from what she could gather there was a lot more tension between them than Anna-Maria or even herself. He was positively not himself, even if he had gone further around the bend than before.

"Hello." Elizabeth blinked before seeing the new girl offer her a hand. "Maddison Tempest." Still caught off guard she shook the girls hand before noting her gaze fall to Will. "Hi." She shook his hand also before offering them entrance into the cabin.

Anna-Maria greeted Elizabeth with a hug for an old friend and smiled shaking Will's hand. "Hello again, I see ye two be married now." Elizabeth nodded taking Will's hand with her own before her inquiring gaze turned on Maddison. "It be best to keep what ye hear to yerselves, Jack won't take kindly to yer visiting her without his permission." Elizabeth scowled at Anna-Maria's knowing tone, it wasn't like she was going to ask his permission in the mood he's in.

"Who are you?" Will didn't give his wife the chance to start, even he noticed the odd behavior that was worse for Jack than before, this women really got to him.

"A long story and it would be best if I didn't say much in his current mood. Just know that I was part of his life once and he did some things that he regrets, which is why I'm back and trying to figure out him just as much as you two are. He won't admit to anything, especially to you both. I've never gotten him to do so either so don't feel too left out." Maddison saw that neither were happy with her, but then again she could see that they knew the wisdom behind her words.

"I guess it will have to do for now." Elizabeth sounded sour which made Anna-Maria smile, Maddison sometimes was much like Jack in her way with words. "Is it to forward to ask to be friends during your stay?"

Maddison was surprised by this, she had suspected Elizabeth to be a little more wary of her presence, especially after keeping the story of how she met Jack close to heart. Then again she shouldn't have been to surprised, clearly the woman had a motive behind the offer. Maddison could see Elizabeth was hoping that if they became friends she could needle the story out of her, she knew Mrs. Turner wouldn't have a chance but decided to humor her for the moment.

"Would be happy Elizabeth." Maddison watched the pair leave before turning to Anna-Maria.

"You do realize that she is tryin' to get information out of ye?"

"Aye I do Anna, that's the whole point…she will find out that I'm not much different than Jack. It will be difficult for me to learn to like her or trust her. She did feed him to the Kraken and is the reason Jack acquired more madness than before." She saw the shock in those dark eyes and smiled softly. "It won't do any good to hate them, they went back for him. Don't be bitter Anna, all of this works out in the end. It's called Karma." Clearly doubtful Anna-Maria knew Maddison enough to nod, sometimes she was wise beyond her years and is probably why Jack seemed to come back for her.

Jack glanced around his cabin lost in the past, voices annoying him and frustration that he now had the Turner's interest in his affairs. His desk was covered in maps, navigation tools and rum bottles, various trinkets littered the area and shelves around him and the floor had several crates and trunks about. His bed off to the side of the room looked inviting at the present moment, he was actually drained after the past events of that day. It had taken all his will to bring her back, he had wanted to in the worst way, but he hadn't wanted to. It meant he was beginning to cling to something he didn't want and didn't wish to exist.

"You should go talk to her more, find out what else happened to her."

"It's your fault that she's scarred, could be many more."

"Shut up!"

He leaned into the door covering his ears, it just seemed to make things worse. Sighing he slowly walked to his desk sinking into the chair and reaching for a bottle of rum. Sipping at it he glanced down at his tools, the compass and the places he had marked. It was surprisingly easy to avoid capture, he just wanted to get the two women that knew him and the ship well to get back with his crew. He didn't want anymore issues with Becket than he already had to deal with, he denied any other reason for bringing her back and proceeded to go back to navigating a course.

Maddison was glad to be back on the black ship, the sails reaching to the stars above and everything feeling in general right. Gibbs had introduced her to most of the crew, including two familiar faces she was shocked were back. Pintel and Ragetti never bothered her in reality, she found their dimwitted behavior amusing and was currently watching Ragetti chase his eye across the ship, while Pintel lectured him.

Shaking her head she made her way to a familiar door, she gently stroked the wood with her fingers before sighing. She never realized that her return would feel so painful, gently she traced the wood with her finger tips before remembering many fond memories and nights with the man inside. She knew she was a fool for caring, but she also knew that he needed someone to care, he didn't care himself and that was usually his downfall. Freedom and self preservation was his life, when he faltered from that coarse he was fish food and hell had been his prison.

Knocking startled him from his rampaging thoughts and voices, slowly he stood walking to the door and opened it stunned to see Maddison standing there meeting his dark gaze a soft half smile his greeting. Unsure and suspicious of her motives he lingers blocking her entrance and eyed her over.

"I haven't forgiven you Jack, that doesn't mean I'm cruel enough to make you suffer on your own." He tilt his head blinking briefly caught off guard when she gently lifted the arm blocking her way inside and ducked into the cabin. "Where are we going?" she inquired making her way to the desk and glancing over the course he had planned out.

"I don't know yet love, there's a lot of navy and EITC on the waters. My compass hasn't given me a direct course yet." He slowly shut the door and walked over returning to his seat, he sighed tiredly before again attempting to find a safe way through the ocean.

He briefly focused on the compass before his eyes widened when it indicated something other than what his intention was, he snapped it closed closing his eyes in frustration and knowing very well she knew what the compass did. Instead of pointing out what she had seen Maddison gently reached down taking the object in hand and tried to focus her will on safe passage so they could do whatever he wished. Slowly she pointed to various parts well taught by him on how to navigate, once she was done she set it down beside his hand and made to leave.

"Maddison?" she paused head tilting slight indicating he had her attention. "What happened?" he whispered knowing it was a sore subject to bring up.

She closed her eyes taking a breath, gently her fingers paused on her scars, only a few of many before she shrugged. "I learned to survive, it wasn't like I could go back home Jack and you know why. Sometimes I hate you for what you did, but I also know that it wasn't just fear that made you do it; you knew that something could happen to me. That's why you left me behind first and then later left Anna-Maria. I can't forgive now, but someday maybe. What happened to me wasn't your fault alone and it wasn't like you didn't leave me well armed and well taught in the world of pirates."

She eased his voices with her soft speech, it had been what her intention was and he as much as he hated to admit it was grateful for the peace it brought him at present. She proceeded to leave his cabin listening to him sigh before she shut the door behind her.