A/N: Forgive me for the longest wait yet!!!!! I did not abandon this story, I merely got a huge bout of writer's block. However, this WILL be the last chapter of Curiosity: A Dangerous Thing. I highly doubt there will be a sequel to this seeing as how I really don't like the random direction I took on this story. I also want to apologize for using "gallows" instead of "brig" on earlier chapters...I found it annoying as I reread the story so I thought I'd mention it, but it was my first ever fanfiction in the pirates realm and I've become even more fond of Sparrabeth and pirates in general as I have gotten older and am more familiar with piratical terminology. There will be more fic updates probably sooner rather than later and I promise they will be better quality than this lol. However, i want to thank everyone who praised my work. Without fans there is no point. Anyway, without further ado, I give you the epilogue of Curiosity: A Dangerous Thing. R&R!!!!!!!!

Disclaimer: Don't own them. Never will. Wish I did. Won't mope about it. SSDD.

Chapter 26- Mar-ri-age

A week later

The teacup crashed to the floor, spilling tea and shards of porcelain onto the brand new Persian carpet. "Y-you're what?" Governor Swann questioned, his eyes wide.

"I'm asking permission for your daughter's hand in marriage…sir." Jack answered somewhat nervously, inching backward a bit.

"Marriage…Good lord!" The older man's hand flew to his forehead. "What happened to William?"

"She chose me over him."

Governor Swann's eyebrow rose. "Did she? Well…I suppose that must mean something…she was head over heels for that boy at one point." He mused.

"Sir…if I might say something…"

"By all means…"

"I love your daughter. Make no mistake about that. I've never felt this way about anyone." Jack replied, staring into her father's eyes intently.

"Yes, well…I can see that…and how does she feel about this marriage-to-a-pirate nonsense?"

Jack's jaw tightened, but he remained calm. "She doesn't know yet. I was hoping to receive your blessing first, but seeing as how you seem to not like the idea, I suppose I should go and fetch her."

"Sparrow." His voice was a bit harsh.

Jack turned and waited silently.

"I never said I wouldn't give my blessing. You seem to make her happy…My Elizabeth is a headstrong girl and even if I were to not give my blessing, she would be upset, but I've no doubt she'd marry you anyway. I do believe it's beyond my control. Besides, I rather fancy the notion of being related to a notorious outlaw. I won't stand in your way."

Jack grinned. "You're a good man govn'r. Thank ye kindly."

"And Sparrow?"

"Aye?"

"If you ever hurt her, I shall send the entire Royal Navy after you. Is that clear?"

"Crystal."

"Good. Very well. I suspect you've a beautiful young woman waiting for you upstairs. Might I suggest the beach for a proper proposal?"

Jack bowed himself from the room with a polite smile.

☼☼☼☼

Will found Meredith standing in the bow of her ship, staring off into the horizon. They had just left Tortuga and were currently headed out to find some shiny, as it were.

"I miss her." Meredith murmured, leaning back into his arms.

"Who?"

"Jocelyn."

"It was all meant to be, luv."

"Aye. I know, but I still feel like I could have done something to prevent it."

"There was nothing any of us could do. Davy Jones will be punished. Calypso is unkind to those who treat her friends poorly."

"I didn't know a landlubber like you believed in sea goddesses."

"As much as I've seen? I don't think I'd have a hard time believing it if you told me you were a fairy that would fly off into the night given the chance."

She laughed heartily. "Wouldn't that be interesting?"

"You're beautiful enough for the part."

Amusement danced in her eyes and she turned in his embrace then, looking him in the eyes. "As are you and I'd have it no other way."

He pressed chaste kisses all over her face and finally upon her mouth.

After a while, she pulled back a bit. "Will?"

"Hmm?"

"There's something I need to tell you…"

"And that is?"

"I…"

"Yes?"

"I'm in love with you…"

His eyes widened in surprise. "You are?"

"Now I don't expect you to love me back, but you're just so good and handsome and everyt-"

"Shhh…" He replied, kissing her again. "I love you most ardently, darling."

She sighed contentedly and deepened the kiss.

☼☼☼☼

Danielle grinned at Jake over their tea with rum…or rather…rum with tea. "And you thought retiring from piracy would be boring."

"Actually…I think it was you that said that."

"It most certainly was not."

"Yes it was."

"No it wasn't."

"Yes. It was.

"No. It. Wasn't.

"Yesitwas."

"Noitwasn't."

"Aye."

"Nay."

"Aye….all right. You win. It was I that said it. Happy?"

"Indeed."

Jake rolled his eyes and went back to his rum muttering something about eccentric former pirate women.

Danielle merely smirked. "How do you think the young pirates are faring?"

"Well…apparently Jack is about to propose to Elizabeth…and Meredith is in love with William. I think they're faring rather well."

"Aye. I hope so."

☼☼☼☼

Barbossa lay with his eyes open, watching his beautiful Rosalyn sleep peacefully in his arms, content for the moment. I suppose I won't commandeer Jack's ship after all. I've got too much to lose now. He sighed and studied the way the sun speckled warm spots on her creamy skin and the way her pretty hair fell across her face in a curtain, tickling his chest, one of her arms slung across his waist, her hand at his hip. Aye…I'm content. I on'y hope 'ol fishface is deceased…but I 'ave a sneakin' suspicion he ain't finished with us yet.

☼☼☼☼

James waltzed into Ana's cabin lightheartedly, shutting the door behind him. "Miss me?"

"Not in the least bit." She replied sarcastically turning to him. "Where have you been?"

"Out."

"Out? Doing what? You are still my prisoner you know. I have a mind to tie you to the bed."

He grinned. "Is that a promise?"

Narrowing her eyes, she moved forward like a dangerous cobra, poised to strike.

His grin faded. "Actually…I've resigned from office. I'm not a very effective Commodore if I've been bedding a pirate now am I?"

"Is that so?" Her face darkened as she moved in for the kill, causing him to brace himself for a slap, but instead, she grabbed him by the collar and kissed him senseless. "So I suppose that makes you a pirate now?"

"Aye."

"Well then…come show me how you bury your treasure, lad."

☼☼☼☼

Elizabeth paced back and forth, back forth around her old room. She had done everything she possibly could do up here. What could they possibly be talking about that doesn't involve me? Jack had been acting oddly for ages and she was the only one that didn't have a clue as to why he was acting funny. None of his crew would tell her anything either. Gibbs was completely mum on the issue saying something about him always acting odd. I wish I knew what was going on.

"Ello, luv."

She glanced up to find Jack leaning against her doorframe and scowled. "What took you so long?"

"I had to ask your father something."

"About what?"

"Nothing…fancy a walk on the beach?"

She narrowed her eyes. "We came all the way to Port Royal for you to ask him something about nothing?"

"I thought ye missed him at least a little."

"I did, but…"

"Very well. Fancy a walk on the beach?"

She sighed, exasperated. "Oh all right. Since you're not going to tell me."

☼☼☼☼

The closer they got to the beach, the more nervous Jack became. What if we get into an argument before I can ask? What if someone interrupts us? What if the Governor changes his mind and sends his men after us? What if…bloody hell…she might say no.

Elizabeth noticed how Jack's hands seemed to shake once they reached the beach. "Jack? Is something wrong? You're sweating like a schoolboy."

He offered a fake smile and began to dig around in his pockets. "Everything's fine. Perfectly all right. And I am NOT sweating like a schoolboy."

Elizabeth sighed. "I never understand your eccentric moments…"

"Aha!" He exclaimed, obviously finding what he was looking for, but not revealing it to her.

"Aha! What?"

"Nothing."

"Jack, just bloody tell me what's going on." She replied frustrated.

He dropped his act and stared out at the crashing waves, pulling his compass from his belt and flicking it open. When he looked down, he smiled. "It's always going to point to you, ye know."

She smiled and met his gaze. "And it will always point to you when I hold it."

He looked away. "Elizabeth…I…I've done this before and you didn't like it, but this time…I'm going to do it right."

She stared at him, puzzled. "Do what?"

He put his compass away and pulled out a small box, his hands shaking and then he was down on one knee kissing her hand. "Elizabeth…I've loved you for a long time…I'm not even sure when it started…but…" He opened the box and revealed a gorgeous ring with a black pearl in the center of a ring of diamonds.

"Jack…are you proposing mar-ri-age?" She asked, tears in her eyes and a grin on her face.

"I am…and so…darling…will you marry me?"

Rendered speechless for once, she nodded and was in his arms, sending him backwards into the sand and knocking his hat off in an instant. "Easy on the goods, darling!" He mumbled before showering her face with kisses, both of them laughing happily.

☼☼☼☼

Somewhere in the Caribbean, a pair of brilliant blue eyes flashed open and looked up.

"Cap'n Jones?"

A/N: Yes, I left it open for a sequel, but I doubt there will be one. Therefore, I'll leave it to you to decide what happens. Give me some feedback. I'll be happy to answer any questions. Thank you!!! R&R!!