Disclaimer: If I owned Pirates of the Caribbean, I would be rich

But I'm not…so obviously, I don't own the rights to any of the three movies

Elizabeth: It is obvious…I hardly think that you, with your squeamish mind, would be able to dream up of something as glorious as the Kraken.

So true unfortunately, but I was not the most squeamish one! My friend was sitting there in the theatre with me, constantly saying "Ewww" whenever the Kraken or Davy Jones appeared!

Anyways thank you so much for the reviews! I was extremely encouraged, and I'll clear things up here on some issues that I spotted in the reviews.

Firstly, if I am working within the Pirates of the Caribbean realm shown in the movies but twisting the plot, does it make my piece alternate universe? I would be so thankful if someone will clear that up for me!

Secondly, to anyone who assumed otherwise, this IS a Jack x Elizabeth pairing…but I'm the one writing, which means that it'll take a little while for the romance to start appearing. I am slow in that manner (but hey, my love life isn't going anywhere either, so I have an excuse, however pathetic it may be, right?)

And another issue...updates are not going to be as frequent as I would like, but if you really want to place the blame, then by all means, please blame my six professors and the makers of the MCAT!

I'm shutting up now, so enjoy the first chapter! And sorry, Will does have to make his cameo (forgive me!)

Come To Join Me Crew Lad?

Chapter One: In Which Jack is no Drunken Fool

"Well Miss Swann?"

Elizabeth, over the course of many years, had discovered exactly how many things one could hate passionately, and her own list was rather long, although some of the items were actually quite childish. However, the three highest ranking items on that list of hers were rum, arranged marriages, and when the ones she loved or cared for called her "Miss Swann" in a formal manner, as if she was some stranger they had only just encountered. She had finally managed to convince Will to stop addressing her as Miss Swann, and now James was annoyingly addressing her in the manner that she despised greatly. Therefore, it was no surprise that she shot James a rather poisonous glare as he waited expectantly for an answer that she had not yet formulated in her mind. She knew the reasons behind her actions, but how could she possibly find a reason that wouldn't scandalize James?

"Don't call me Miss Swann!" she hissed angrily, quickly trying to change the subject. "If you don't recall, I'm currently in disguise as Edward Smith!"

"Yes, but pray tell, what your reason for doing so is?" asked James, a scornful grin surfacing his face. "Do not change the subject Mister Smith!"

"I…" Elizabeth trailed off for a moment, unsure of how to continue.

"You…" replied James mockingly, raising his eyebrow as he leaned against the ship's railing, an infuriating smirk on his face. Elizabeth simply wanted to reach over and slap him, or do anything really, that would wipe that smirk of his face. It was almost as if James knew very well what dilemma was broiling within her, and was simply trying to embarrass her with his mockery.

"I…I can't trust him" lied Elizabeth, her voice wavering slightly, but thankful that she had found a feasible reason, however weak it was, to explain exactly why she had decided to hide her identity from the pirate. She began racking her brain for the various conversations with her father, desperately trying to remember the long and endless list of reasons for why he had no faith or trust in Jack Sparrow. She could really use that list in her defense…

But if only she could remember exactly what her father had said! At this moment, she simply kept remembering how many times Jack had saved her, and proved himself a somewhat good and trustworthy man, although his lack of cleanliness and honesty was rather infuriating…

She suddenly realized that James was still staring at her curiously, and she banished all thoughts from her mind, as she gazed evenly into James' somewhat startled eyes. "I can't trust him," she repeated, her tone firmer than before. "I'm engaged to Will, and we were to be married, had not Beckett intervened, and I don't need Jack constantly trying to convince me otherwise. I came here to find Will and be reunited with him, and perhaps it will be easier to do so in a disguise behind Jack's back."

James gave a short laugh, the curiosity and mockery fading from his eyes as he pushed himself away from the railing. "Well Elizabeth, I'm glad that at least you have enough sense not to trust Sparrow. I always knew Turner was too rash and trusting for his own good, but thankfully, you are more sensible. However, there is still one glaring question that needs to be answered?"

"Edward Smith, James!" Elizabeth reminded him with slight ire, her anger slightly dimmed in the face of confusion upon James' comment. "What question are you speaking of?"

"We're on the boat, are we not?" declared James, reaching up to straighten his hat. "The very boat that Turner was supposed to pursue, if your story is correct. But then where is he?"

Elizabeth's eyes widened in shock for a moment, Will's absence finally dawning upon her, and she glanced around frantically, looking for any trace of the young blacksmith. However, she could only see Jack's newest recruitments assisting in loading the cargo, and Pintel and Ragetti trying to coax some goats to come with them, and she immediately raced down the boarding plank once again.

"Just where are you going?" yelled out James, his stomach churning violently yet again, threatening to empty its contents. He managed to summon enough control to follow her down the plank and reach the area in which she had paused for a moment before grabbing the railing of the dock and vomiting yet again.

"He's not here," whispered Elizabeth, rooted in place. "Where is he?"

"I believe I already informed you of your fiancé's absence," answered James weakly, wiping his mouth against the sleeve of his ruining coat.

"Not Will!" exclaimed Elizabeth in exasperation. "I'm looking for Jack! I need to find him and demand that he tell me Will's whereabouts!"

Neither Elizabeth nor James seemed to notice a pair of black eyes staring at them from the ship, glinting with mischief and humor.

Contradictory to what the whole world had to say about him, Captain (everyone always seemed to forget that endearment, although he thought that he was quite deserving of it) Jack Sparrow was no drunken fool. Well, actually, there were multiple times he had indulged in a bit too much rum (the island came into his mind…had he not been so drunk, he would've been in his senses and could've prevented the burning of all that wondrous rum), so there was a bit of truth behind the term 'drunken', but fool? Definitely not! After all, that was why he escaped every situation by the skin of his teeth – he was always highly underestimated. No one seemed to consider his witty and quick mind, his keen observation, and his stunningly accurate judge of character, and instead, judged him by his surface value – a scraggly, disheveled, foolhardy pirate who was, more often than not, without his beloved ship, although he was not to blame for those unanticipated circumstances.

So it was no surprise that while Elizabeth Swann and James Norrington were quite confident that Elizabeth's identity would remain hidden under the name of Edward Smith, the very man she was attempting to disguise herself in front of had seen through her in a mere manner of minutes. The disguise completely failed once Jack had actually turned around for longer than a second to study her, and had suddenly noticed her lithe frame swathed in clothes, her hair tucked up underneath her hat, her slightly disheveled appearance, and the fact that there was a remarkable cleanliness to her than there would be to any other man at sea. She and Norrington had also been unaware of Jack's presence nearby them during their bickering, so she was not privy to the fact that she and her former fiancé had blatantly stated their secret. However, Jack had been quite attentive to their words, and he figured that he had just received new enlightenment and humor despite his current grim situation.

A mischievous grin spread across his face as he pushed himself away from his cabin door, venturing towards the boarding plank, from which he could see Elizabeth darting about on the dock, peering around every corner, looking for him. An enthralling thought really, that such a beautiful and enchanting young woman was frantically searching for him, but it was a shame. She had looked much prettier in those dresses she had worn the last time he encountered her.

Of course, had her soaked bodice been any indication, she would look heavenly without a dress, and fortunately, he had no dress in his cabin.

Unfortunately, in her current disguise, he had no way of luring her into his cabin so that she could shed her unflattering mannish outfit and wear no dress whatsoever.

Jack's grin widened though, for although there was no way for him to lure her into his embrace in a direct manner, he was a man of opportunity. He had always given Turner the advice to "wait for the opportune moment" (of course, the bloody fool always managed to do something stupid, so his advice was completely wasted), and that was exactly what he was going to do to obtain his treasure. He had told Turner that not all treasure was silver and gold, but the words had never held much truth for him until that night on the island, the heavenly night that smelled of the sea and of rum as he and his Lizzie had danced around a fire, singing his favorite songs as sparks flew into the black sky.

And not all those sparks were from the fire...there were, without a doubt, sparks flying between the two of them. Had he just been less drunk, he would have been able to fan those sparks, they would've made the most of the night, and he would not have had to wake up the next morning to find the rum gone.

No matter though (about the lack of affectionate activities occurring that night…the rum always mattered!). Opportunity had presented itself once again, and Jack was no fool to let it slip out of his hands…again. He had watched her most keenly, and she constantly proved herself to be a unique, beautiful, intelligent, and enchanting young woman, who, just like rum, was almost addictive; one could just not have enough of her. And he'd be damned if he simply stood aside and let foolish eunuch take her away once again when he actually had a chance of winning her heart. That boy never seemed to realize exactly what kind of treasure he had, and Captain Jack Sparrow was a pirate at heart, and would therefore chase after the treasure and seize it as his own if the opportunity presented itself. And as of that moment, it had presented itself, and most gloriously too, if he could say so himself.

In fact, as he glanced at Elizabeth's darting form once again, he realized that he could have a great deal of fun if he played his cards right, and if possible, his grin widened even more.

Despite everything that had occurred, it was a good night, and while Jack had only three days to fulfill his debt to Davy Jones, his grim demeanor had suddenly transformed into a mischievous and plotting demeanor.

Oh yes, the next few days were going to be enjoyable indeed!

Will breathed a sigh of relief as he slowly crept out of Davy Jones' room, thankful that his jarring the organ had not been enough to awaken the monstrous captain. Even in his reckless state, he had to admit that his plan, though effective, had been quite narrow, and that he was actually lucky to have executed it smoothly. He had the key to the chest; all he had to do was find the chest now and free his father, and then he could return to Port Royal to marry Elizabeth.

Elizabeth.

Will suddenly stopped cold in his tracks as he recalled how he had left her fiancé trapped behind the bars of her prison. How she had smiled upon seeing him, had embraced him despite being caged, the sweet and hungry look on her face as she told him that if it hadn't been for the bars, she would have had him already (while Will enjoyed her comment, it did not credit to him whatsoever, for the Governor had been standing there, and hearing that from his daughter's mouth probably lessened the Governor's opinion of him). He could suddenly see her standing in front of him; her brown eyes alight with laughter and mischief, her long hair blowing in the wind.

He had not thought of her once after he learned he was to obtain the key, not once until now, and it scared him deeply. He had come on this foolhardy and ridiculous mission just to rescue her, and it shamed him to think that despite her plight in prison, he had not given a single thought to her until now. He was her fiancé! They had been on the verge of marriage until Beckett had rudely interrupted them! How could he have possibly not remembered her until this moment? True, he had undergone quite a bit on this tumultuous journey, what with trying to escape the Pelegostos, visiting Tia Dalma, being traded to Davy Jones by Jack in return for three days of freedom, and encountering his father. But really, to not remember the woman he loved when she was probably sitting in the gallows, patiently waiting for him, putting all her faith on him?

Will suddenly realized that while mulling over his thoughts, his father was probably standing outside, waiting for him, and that if he didn't leave soon, he would have no opportunity to leave the ship and escape Davy Jones' gaze. He convinced himself that as soon as his business with his father was over, he would take Jack's compass by force if the pirate didn't give it willingly, and would return to Beckett and free Elizabeth in time. But there were other matters on hand, and while Elizabeth was the most important person in his life, he could not just let his father stay on this ship and suffer for all eternity. He owed the man that much.

Still, as he ventured out from the depths of the ship and stepped onto the deck to see his father anxiously waiting for him, he could feel a twinge of guilt clawing at his heart. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of it and tell himself that what he was doing was right, and that Elizabeth would understand completely.

"Where is Captain Sparrow?" asked Elizabeth breathlessly, deciding that after her unsuccessful frantic search, it would probably be easier to just question the crew of their Captain's whereabouts. Currently, she was standing in front of Ragetti, and while she was not that fond of the one-eyed man, she had to admit that he was the lesser of two evils when compared to his friend Pintel.

"Why, the Cap'n is on the ship!" answered Ragetti. "I saw 'im there a few minutes ago, when we was trying to get them stupid goats to board the ship."

Elizabeth went pale upon hearing Ragetti's answer, and for a moment, she was certain that her heart had stopped beating.

He was on the ship.

Just where she was a few minutes ago, bickering with James.

And at their volume, it was probably impossible to have not heard what they had been saying.

"What's wrong Smith?" whispered James, having caught up to her after trying to chase after her, unable to read exactly where she was heading until she had reached the ship once again. However, before Elizabeth could even turn to him, Pintel suddenly dumped a goat in Norrington's arms with a grin.

"'Ello Commodore! Fancy you joining us! Come now, we don't 'ave all day! Help us load the cargo!" he demanded cheerfully, enjoying a bout of fun at the Commodore's expense, forcing James to leave Elizabeth behind as he carried the goat onto the ship, followed by Pintel and Ragetti's laughter upon seeing formerly regal man demoted to such a lowly status. However, Elizabeth remained rooted in spot, still trying to sift through the thoughts in her head, frantically calculating in her mind exactly how much Jack could've heard. She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear the footsteps, and was blissfully unaware that someone was standing behind her until his voice rang out through the air.

"So, why is it that you're lookin' for me?"

Insert evil grin here...of course I'd have to end the chapter there. I could've gone on longer, but my ten-page Microbiology paper is screaming my name, so there you have it.

Anyways, please review! I would appreciate it greatly, and would improve my mood seeing as I somehow have four papers and two presentations to give in the next two weeks...