Authors note READ! Helps explain a few things: this story starts towards the end of DMC when Lizzie and Jack almost kiss…it also involves some of the deleted scenes from the first movie, if you haven't seen these, I suggest that you do because they show a) a more tender and considerate side to Jack, a look at his real intentions and b) more sexual tension between Elizabeth and Jack…which explains a lot in DMC. Any who. Yes, that scene is changed a little, mainly due to my bad memory, otherwise it would more or less be the same, cept a change in actions…any who. I tried to stick to it as much as my memory allows, and I tried to keep the two in character…but it is so hard, so forgive me in advance that the characters…well…get out of character! Sorry!

DISCLAIMER: I, as unfortunate as it is, own none of these marvellous characters…and what a pity that Jack is really just a character…the things I'd do to him if he were real…ahem. Any way, a little freaky mouse owns these characters, though he doesn't deserve to, and as such, I am just left to my never dying, unconditional love of POTC and Jack Sparrow, sorry Captain Jack Sparrow, and my strange obsession! Right. On with the story

P.S please review. If you don't like J and E pairing, get used to it, because they are a pair…can you not see the chemistry? Hmm? Any way, if you don't like J and E pairing don't read, because you won't like it. Any way. Constructive criticisms always welcome and wanted, and please tell me that you love it! Sorry, no, be truthful, I suck at writing, but please, feel free to ignore bad writing and enjoy the story line! And tell me how to improve! Muchly appreciated, yours truly WMR

AN OPPORTUNE MOMENT PASSED

Chapter 1- a Chance missed

Jack had just left and the sun was shinning down brightly onto the crystal clear calm sea. A breathe of wind was all that provided relief from the never relenting sun. Elizabeth looked out onto the sea; the reflected light hurt her eyes a little so she couldn't look directly at the sea. Some where out there, was a man she once thought herself in love with. A small frown adorned her brow, as she thought about the sudden and un-expected change in her feelings.

It wasn't long before that she had thought herself in love with a man whom she was on this ship to save. An unreasonable hatred for Will entered her heart. If it wasn't for him, she would never have gotten on this ship, and things would have been the same way as they were before. She reviewed this thought and changed it, her hate now resting on another. If it were not for that stupid Commadore, who had placed them under arrest, she would never be here, and she would be happily married, with no confusing feelings about a man whom she had never thought to feel for.

However she was on this ship, and since coming aboard "The Black Pear" and being in his presence again, things had changed. She turned away from the sea and looked up at him. Since the last time they had meet, she had thought herself rid of these nagging feelings. Though she hadn't admitted it to herself then, she had now. She had always been attracted to Jack since the moment he saved her life. It was something about him, his aura, and his personality. Him, everything about him, even his occasional oddities was pulling at her heartstrings in a way that Will never had.

As her father had always said "hindsight is 20/20". You can see things with much more clarity after the event has passed. As she looked back on her last encounter with Jack, sorry Captain Jack Sparrow, she could see the sexual tension between them, she had been attracted to him even then, it was only now that she could see it. The situation had become much worse though since then.

When he stood near her she would get butterflies in her tummy, her heart would beat fast and light and she felt that her whole body was on fire. A voice of reason would enter her head at these times, and remind her of Will, but Elizabeth was finding that this little voice was being more and more drowned out, as her feelings for Jack increased every moment. She had lay in bed every night forcing herself to think of Will, to miss him, to worry for him like a good fiancé should. But every night, without fail, her thoughts would turn back to Jack.

On these occasions she would start to over analyse everything and had come to the conclusion that everyone had noticed it before her, even that annoying new commodore, who had placed her under arrest. Hadn't he said something about "a wedding interrupted or fate intervening"? Did he know? Could he see in the way that she spoke about the notorious Captain Jack Sparrow that her secret heart yearned for this man? Impossible. She scowled to herself and turned away from him, he was looking too fantastic with the sunlight bathing him, and making him look more and more god-like. With his dark hair moving ever so slightly in the breeze, and his deep dark eyes looking proud and arrogant, yet un-certain and troubled.

Elizabeth looked back out at the sea and a small secretive smile caressed her mouth as she thought about him. Who was she to doubt it? Of course she loved him, there was no use denying it any longer.

"There was a time when I longed for you to look like that while thinking of me" her thoughts were interrupted by the once Commodore Norrington. Elizabeth turned to him

"I haven't the faintest idea of what you are talking about" she said looking at the deck. She couldn't bring herself to look at him, fearing that her adoration was clear on her face for all to see. She took control of her thoughts, and her feelings, placed a calm cool yet concerned look on her face and looked at James. "It's hard not to smile when Jack is around" she said, as coolly as she thought. "He is so insane. So crazy that he makes me smile"

"Or, you feel for him what I once felt for you Elizabeth" he said, not believing a word of what she had said. It was clear what she felt for Jack, it had been clear to him ever since he had interrupted their private conversation months ago on the Dortilance when they were on their way to save William Turner. Jack had just said "peas in a pod" when James had interrupted them, the look that was upon his and her face told James all that he needed to know. Sensing the tension in the air he removed jack from his precious Elizabeth. She didn't know it then, which was clear; she had still thought herself in love with Will. She was looking at him know, with a small frown.

"I don't understand?" she started, she looked momentarily past him to where Jack was but noticed he wasn't there and looked back at Norrington. James just smiled and left her too herself.

Deeply troubled Elizabeth turned back to the sea, wishing that she could drown herself and be rid of these annoying feelings. She still felt a sense of loyalty towards Will, they had been through so much together, and he was her first love, but…Jack just offered something more, something different, and these damned butterflies wouldn't leave her alone. She took a startled breath, the butterflies. They were back, that must mean. Elizabeth turned to face Jack. He was looking at her curiously with that small smile pulling at his lips.

"You and I are not too different luv," he said looking at her with his deep brown eyes. Elizabeth cursed the butterflies.

"Not but for the sense of decency, honour-" she started in a desperate attempt to convince herself quickly that she did not love this rum drinking strange man. He said nothing but stepped closer to her his eyes never leaving hers.

Elizabeth faltered in her speech. "There will come a time jack Sparrow when you will do the right thing." She finished, knowing that it didn't fully follow from what she was originally going to say. He smiled.

"I love those moments. I like to wave at them as they pass by!" he said as he walked off. Elizabeth smiled and followed him.

"You are a good man Jack"

He said nothing just looked out towards the horizon.

"I have faith in you" she finished. Jack looked back at her, a strange and unfamiliar look in his eyes.

He didn't say anything. He took a step, then another till he covered the distance between them. Elizabeth caught her breath and looked at him closely. His mouth was slightly parted and he leaned closer towards her.

"Jack" she whimpered, pathetically hopeless, her eyes now closed, she felt that she couldn't stop it, she might as well enjoy it. Her heart beat faster; she could feel his breath on her cheek, and along her neck. It gave her shivers, and heat coursed through her body till it felt like her body was on fire.

He had one hand on her shoulder and the other was hovering uncertain around her waist. Elizabeth parted her lips slightly in expectation, enjoying, and fearing this new excitement at the same time.

But it never came.

She opened her eyes and found that Jack had stepped back slightly again. A different look in his eyes.

He had been so close; his lips had briefly brushed against her own, without ever truly making contact. He had wanted it, felt his body yearn for it, like he had only ever yearned for the sea and his beloved Pearl. His body had been so close to hers, that he could feel the heat, and he had wanted so badly to press it against her, along the length of her body. And just as he was about to give into his urges he had looked down at his hand and watched horrified as that terrible black spot re-appeared on his hand.

Elizabeth was momentarily forgotten as horror and fear took over his body, he stepped back from her as though she was the cause of this horrible infliction. He looked back a Lizzie finally and saw the look of hurt upon her face.

"Lizzie" he whispered as though terrified that saying her name any louder would bring on the terrible beastie. She wasn't listening. He took an uncertain step towards her, but she leaned back.

"I knew you were a decent man Jack" was all that she said before turning and quickly escaping the scene.

Jack cursed himself, and cursed his compass, which had revealed to him this horrible new feeling, for a woman who had entranced him from the very beginning. That day when they were trapped on the island, and he had shown her all his scars, from his adventures when she had accused him of making up his tales. She had changed then, the look in her eyes had become softer, as he explained to her that he was never planning on giving up Will for a ship, that he was going to use it as a bargaining chip, and never going through with it. But Will had thrown that away.

He had so nearly kissed her then, but it had seemed that there wasn't enough rum in her tummy yet, and therefore not enough in his own. He had woken up to the smell of burning trees.

That bought a small smile to his face as he remembered her burning the rum, though it did make him check that his rum was safely secured every night in the hulls. This thought though was over shadowed by the coming of Boot strap bill. Jack looked down at his hand again. Cursed Davy, he hadn't even really been Captain of this ship of 13 years, he had fought so hard for his beloved, and now it seemed that he was doomed to lose her.

He rested a loving hand against the rail. A small smile adorning his lips as he thought about the Pearl. His one and only love, until now that was. He took out the compass and looked at it again. It no longer swung around in every direction but was firmly set in place. Jack looked up and followed the line of the compass straight to Elizabeth who was sitting on the steps.

He shut the compass, in an effort to try and deny what it said. Coming to a conclusion, a final decision he made his way over to Elizabeth, who smiled as he came closer. Jack didn't like it when these moments would pass him by, and he certainly didn't want to wave at them as they did so. He'd be damned if he would let another chance be missed.

To be continued