Disclaimer: They're not mine, but I sure am fond of them.

Yep, I'm aware that the original line had a slightly different meaning, but I had to alter the quote slightly to fit the narrative.

Calm and clear, on windless mornings, when you look at the waters from a high shore, there is no greater beauty to behold than the first rays of sunlight golden the green depths of the sea. You have a glimpse of life stirring beneath the surface: colourful fish lurking in perfect formations, corals swaying gracefully with the tide, and your imagination draws the faint outlines of the priceless treasures, distant and unknown. Gold sparks run along the green surface, and the sea alive and vibrant awakens the soul to the greatest emotion of all, love.

It was the eyes of the same colour of the green sea that through no fault of their own have caused the bloodiest strife a pirate and a loyal servant of the British Navy could have. Admiral Lawrence Norrington and Teague the Code Keeper of all the Caribbean Pirates were enemies for life, contesting for the heart of the same woman. Although she had made her choice, Teague had not given up hope. Many times he had set ambushes for Norrington's ships, either to kill him or dreaming to find Catherine aboard one day so he could kidnap her. Seven years lasted their conflict, two for love and five for revenge. They fought eleven battles at sea, three on land and twelve times they have met face to face in combat. Neither of them had won, although their injuries ran numerous and their crew losses amounted. Each time Teague had to retreat, but he knew he would be returning.

It was a folly, but no matter how hard he tried to forget these eyes, Teague could no more have ripped them out of his heart than ripped his heart out of his chest. He glared into his rum mug and intense hate surged through him at the man who had taken her from him, the man who was last to hold her in his arms when she died giving birth to her son. Curse that Admiral, who now had a five year old son, no doubt a spitting image of his father. They were going to pay. He heard that Norrington was out patrolling the sea again. For the first time he was bringing his son with him, no doubt to brainwash the kid and teach him early how to hang pirates up on the rail. Teague swiped the mug aside, and it fell with a loud thud. This time he was going to kill the Admiral.

His ship, Misty Maiden, had set a trap for Norrington's crew at a desolate island. They approached Guardian Lawrence in the morning fog, with the sails down to better their cover. Before the cannons fired, the pirates were already aboard. The battle was bloody, with both ships causing minor damage as they came port to port. Both crews fought like the men possessed. They were old enemies.

In the heat of battle, Teague strived to reach only one man. He fought his way madly through to the captain's deck. As his cutlass clashed with a hard forged sword, in the corner of his eye he saw a small figure of a boy who was trying to keep out of the adults' way. He wondered why Lawrence had kept the boy on deck during the battle. A plan came to him. Rather than killing his enemy, it was better to make him suffer. It was better to kill the boy and sink Norrington's ship, and then leave him heartbroken, just like Teague had been. However, one step at a time, he thought.

Norrington was the best swordsman of the Navy. His reputation for killing pirates in hand to hand combat was terrific. Not one of them wanted to be in his reach in an onboard battle. However, Teague was driven by fury and he had more tricks up his sleeve than any pirate in all seven seas. The opponents were well matched. Both of them have learned each other's strengths and weaknesses, but the Admiral grew predictable whereas Teague was not out of tricks yet. This is why at the opportune moment he side-stepped Norrington's swing and drove his cutlass deep into Admiral's shoulder. The Admiral staggered and dropped his sword. With all his might Teague punched his opponent and send his sprawling across the deck.

With the cutlass dripping in blood, Teague lunged for the boy with a maddening grin, already savouring the victory. He slowed down one instance to take a proper aim. The delay was long enough to have his heart pause, and his entire body froze.

Innocent, green eyes met his own, causing him to forget everything around him. Those were Catherin's eyes, looking at him in fear. That fear tore at his heart.

The boy, reading a murderous intent in the pirate's eyes, backed up, stumbled and with a small yelp fell overboard.

Teague jumped after him. The water was boiling and misty due to the two ships in close quarters stirring it roughly. Teague forced himself to keep his eyes wide open. He dived lower to the clearer water, finally catching a glimpse of the sinking figure. Quite easily, Teague gripped the boy around his waist, and re-emerged by the port bow of the Guardian Lawrence. The boy stirred and coughed in his hard grasp.

Teague climbed aboard, and was forced to stop, perched up on the railing. The Admiral was waiting for him only a few steps away.

"Father," the boy called out, reaching for the Admiral.

He was of Catherine's blood. Teague knew that he couldn't kill the boy, but it didn't mean he couldn't use him as leverage.

"You owe me a life debt, mate!" Teague yelled to Norrington. "Surrender your ship, and I will give you your boy back, and I promise not to kill anymore of your crew."

Admiral's face contorted in anger. Humiliation burned him like poison. "What good is a coward son to me who stumbles away from the pirates?" he shouted. "I never asked you to save him. I would rather have my son die than be indebted to a filthy pirate! Toss him back into the sea for all I care!"

He ripped a pistol off his belt and fired it at the pirate's head. With nowhere to go, Teague jumped back into the water. When he dived out, still holding the boy, he noticed that his crew was retreating. A brief glimpse of the sea revealed the problem. Another Navy ship was heading towards them.

Teague swam to Misty Maiden where he was helped to get aboard by a rope tossed by his first mate. The pirates were retreating under fire. Some fell under bullets, but the rest cut the ties connecting the ships. It was best to retreat. Guardian Lawrence had a damaged mast and could not have pursued them, but they still had to get out of her shooting range.

Teague ran towards his cabin where he tossed the boy onto the floor. He paused, but then thought better of threatening the boy about trying to escape. Where would a child go, on deck that was crowded by pirates or jump back into the sea? Teague slammed the cabin door shut, locked it, and rushed to take over the escape orders from his first mate. Getting away from two armed Navy vessels was no trifle task. He'll lead his crew to safety, and then think what he should do with the boy.