A/N: Well, it's been fun, but all good things must come to a close…*tear, sniff* I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who's reviewed, or who will review. Also, special thanks to Jackfan2 for her constructive criticism, Lunatic for the extra long review, inu lover for sticking around so long, Ferntree, pendragginink, Homeless Nobody, The Last Hope, Bug the FRIENDS-obsessed, Ragweed, ping*pong5, Alexis4, Miss Becky, and to anyone else I've missed. You guys are great. Well, I hope you like the last chapter. ^_^

Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean(though I wish I did), Jack Sparrow(wish did once again), nor any other character from this kick-ass movie. If I did, I wouldn't be writing this fic; I'd be making another movie. And hanging out with Johnny Depp. I have yet to see a pig fly over my house wearing a tutu either. So, no sueing, please?

Summary: Will is living happily with his newly wed wife, Elizabeth. But when someone from Jack's foggy past comes, sworn to have revenge on Jack Sparrow, he and Jack must stick by the truth and their friendship in order to survive.

~Tell No Lies~

~Chapter 11~

~This Isn't Goodbye~

What Ana-Maria finally fell asleep, at least three quarters through the night, dreaming about Jack was inevitable. She had been with him ever since everyone had left his cabin, and had pulled up a chair and just sat there, staring at the hurt man and clasping his hand tightly. She had fallen asleep in that position.

She dreamed of three years ago, when the new crew of The Black Pearl had helped to rescue Jack from being hung. She remembered the pirate captain questioning about the pirate's code and Gibbs replying that they were 'more like guidelines than actual rules'. Gibbs had helped the soaking wet Jack up to his feet on the deck of The Black Pearl and Mr. Cotton gave him back his trademark hat. Then, Ana-Maria gazed directly at him, leaning against the side of the ship, the pirate captain's coat in her arms.

"Captain Sparrow," she had addressed.

Jack turned to look at her a bit, interest in his eyes.

The female pirate strode up to the eccentric man and draped his dark coat over his shoulders. "The Black Pearl is yours," she had purred, making sure every syllable was clear.

Her hands lingered on his shoulders, feeling a spark between the two. Jack had felt it as well, placing his hands gently on hers. One moment that seemed like forever, but would have been preferred to be longer.

Ana-Maria woke up with Jack's name on her lips. The young woman realized that she wasn't on the deck of The Black Pearl anymore, but below in said pirate captain's cabin. She also realized that she and Jack's hands were still touching, but the grip he gave her was scarce and the events from before dawned on her.

Anger turned to sadness and sadness turned to tears. The female pirate stared at her captain's motionless form and choked on a sob. The sight of him like this broke her heart. God, if only she could hear his voice…

Ana-Maria grasped harder onto his hand and let her head fall limply forward, sobs racking her body.

At first she thought the grip she felt in her hand was an illusion. But when she heard a soft groan, Ana-Maria immediately stopped crying and looked up.

Jack's heavy eyelids fluttered open, his eyelashes burnt butterfly wings. "Get 'way from me rum, 'Lizbeth, I dun' trust ye wit' it…" he mumbled softly, the last of his dream fading into the background. The groggy pirate blinked a few times and moaned softly. "Bloody 'ell, I need a drink…"

A happiness that could fill the room somehow crammed inside of Ana-Maria. She had to release some, lest she explode, and did so with a shout and wrapped her dark arms around Jack in a tight hug.

"Jack! Oh, Jack, ye bloody daft man, ye scared me half to death! Don't ye ever scare me like that again! …Oh, Jack, Jack, yer alright!" Ana-Maria rambled joyously.

Meanwhile, Jack had a rather pained expression on his face, stock still as the young pirate held a death grip on him. "Ow, ow, ow! Easy on the goods, darlin', ow!!"

Ana-Maria immediately let go of him, and instead slapped him across the face. His head swerved the other way, and he was stunned for a second. Then with a small frown, he faced his female companion, his fingers tenderly touching his cheek.

"Wow, talk about yer mood swings. Dear Ana-Maria, pray tell, what did I do to deserve that this time?"

Ana-Maria eyed her captain, pointing her finger dangerously at him. "For scaring the hell out of ev'ryone, for scaring the hell out of me, makin' me worry and think ye were dyin'…" she trailed off, choking on another sob. But she continued bravely, "I thought I was gonna lose ye, Jack, ye daft man. If I lost ye…" Ana-Maria looked down, not wanting to show Jack the tears trailing down her cheeks, but her sobs foiled her plan.

Jack stopped frowning, a sympathetic and slightly guilty look on his face. Despite the pant that blazed with each movement over every inch on his body, he moved forward and used one of his hands to cup her soft ones. The other one tilted her head up and made her look at him.

Seeing Ana-Maria's bloodshot eyes and tear-streaked face, Jack smiled sadly, his heart twisting painfully, and said softly, "Come on, love, don't cry, tears don't look good on ye. I much prefer that feisty scowl on yer face, despite my cheeks' protests."

Despite herself, the female pirate couldn't help but smile a little and laughed softly.

"But a smile suits ye best above all," Jack continued, "Ye don't need to cry 'bout me, love. Just keep in mind I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, and nothin' can hurt me. Keep that in mind and ye'll be alright, savvy?"

"Ya, I 'savvy'," she replied, a sad smile on her lips. "How are ye feelin'?"

"To be perfectly honest, I'm fine. In fact, my ship needs a captain and I'll be happy to fill that role at any moment,"

"In other words, yer lyin' through yer teeth."

"Not necessarily, love. My ship still needs me, yes, and I value my gold teeth, and what's left of my original ones, far too much to lie through them."

Ana-Maria shook her head, knowing she wouldn't get a straight answer out of him, but too glad he was going to be fine to be mad about it. "The other will be worryin' 'bout ye,"

"Well, invite them in an' lets have a party," Jack proclaimed eccentrically, waving his hands about, "The lot of ye can have the punch and I'll stick with the rum,"

"Speakin' of which, I'll get ye some in a bit,"

Jack stared at her incredulously. "Yer actually getting' me rum willingly? Are ye sure yer not the one supposed to be bedridden?"

"No, ye need the rum for yer injuries, ye bloody fool. It'll get rid of the pain,"

"Oh. Knew there was a catch. But who said I was in pain?"

"Ye did."

"Oh, yes. Forgot 'bout that bit. Oh well, more rum for me."

Ana-Maria shook her head once more, but the smile that teased her lips remained as she chuckled a bit. Jack was impossible- but having him impossible and with her was better than having her otherwise, or worse, not at all.

The female pirate stood up, and said, "I'll get Will an' a bottle of rum for ye,"

Jack simply grinned. "Greatly appreciated, love,"

And with that, Ana-Maria left the room, leaving Jack alone. Alone…which meant he didn't have to hide his pain anymore.

Jack squeezed his eyes shut and hissed, leaning back in his bed. Everything that was capable of hurting did, but his head, side, and ankle worst of all. His fever was gone, thankfully, but everything else was a nuisance and aching weakly from the after effects of being sick.

"God, that's a bitch," he cursed ruefully to himself, fingering his bandaged gunshot wound…which suddenly made him wonder about Jones.

Where was he now? Did he go off on his own, was he on The Black Pearl…?

The injured pirate closed his eyes, breathing slowly as to ease the pain. Ana-Maria would be returning soon with Will, and he would have to have control by then. The legendary Captain Jack Sparrow wasn't supposed to have weakness.

But relaxing let his mind wander…back to when Jack didn't have control, just a day or two earlier. Losing himself when Jones had hypnotized him was more mentally scarring than having all of his rum burned or looking at his hand and instead of seeing flesh, only seeing bare bone combined. He had felt trapped in his own head, his arms on strings like a puppet and otherwise incapable of moving. He had been vaguely aware of what was happening around him, and still remembered it all, no matter how foggy it was. He especially remembered fighting Will, trying to kill the lad. If Will hadn't have saved him, both of them would be dead by now, Jack at the hands of Jones and Will at the hands of Jack. But almost killing his friend wasn't the only mentally scarring part of it- the fact that his friend was the son of Bootstrap Bill, who when he was alive was a very dear friend of Jack's also pulled at Jack's heartstrings. But to top it all off, knowing that he was invincible, that he had weakness…was very unnerving to Jack.

And this all happened by mistake. This shouldn't have taken place. But Jones…he's so bloody stubborn! But…at least he believes me now, Jack thought through his pained, slow breaths.

Jack got control of his breathing just in time for Will to come bursting in. "Jack!" Will panted, "You're alright!"

"'Course I'm alright, whelp" Jack harped, "I'm-"

"Captain Jack Sparrow, yes, I know,"

"'Bout time ye caught on, too, mate,"

With a smile, Will went over and sat don where Ana-Maria had resided previously, but not before placing a tall bottle of rum on Jack's bed side table, compliments of Ana-Maria. "God, Jack, how are you feeling? You had us all worried sick…"

"Yes, as Ana-Maria told me. This better not be the part where you hug me…" Jack practically pounced on the bottle of rum and took a long swig of it, feeling grateful for the warm, soothing feeling that followed as the pain in his body slowly dulled.

"Why would I hug you?" Will asked curiously.

"Oh, never mind," Jack replied casually, placing the bottle back on his table with a tiny content sigh.

"But Jack, the whole crew's been waiting for news on you, Elizabeth's been a wreck…we were all wondering if you were going to make it or not,"

"Now what kind of talk is that? Ye know I can get through anything."

"Jack, seriously…how are you feeling?"

Jack tilted his head slightly to the side. "Let's just say I feel bad for ever mistreating that donkey of yers back at yer workshop in Port Royal, lad,"

"Jack…"

The loopy pirate simply shrugged nonchalantly. "I'll be fine as soon as I get out of this damn bed, which probably won't be for a while 'cause dear Ana-Maria won't let me, and ev'rytime I try to walk, me ankle caves in,"

"Well, you need your rest, so it's a good thing someone cares about you enough to make you stay,"

"Yes, but sometimes I think she cares too much…she nearly strangled me with that death grip hug of hers,"

"I see." There was a small pause. "…It was Gibbs and Elizabeth who helped you out with the bullet wound and such…she was very brave to go through it," the blacksmith explained slowly.

"I'll have to thank them later for it then,"

Another pause. "I…haven't told anyone about it yet,"

"About what?"

"…You know, back in the bar in Port York…what Jones made you…"

"Oh." Jack answered in understanding flatly. "Well, let's keep it that that way then," Jack raised his eyebrows for emphasis. "Between us two, savvy?"

Will nodded slowly. "I'm…glad you're alright, Jack."

"Yes, I…appreciate yer concern, William, but I think we're already gone through this. Of course I'm alright, getting shot and banged up a bit is not enough to kill me off, mate,"

"Well, I'm glad you're alright physically, but mentally as well. You…being hypnotized…" Will trailed off and had to look down, a small shudder creeping down his spine.

Jack frowned a bit but then sighed, masking the knotted feeling he felt in his stomach. "Will, can't we just get past this? I'm truly sorry about what you had to go through, but believe me, it wasn't a walk on the beach for meself either-"

"No, Jack, I don't want you to apologize," Will cut in, shaking his head vigorously; "This wasn't your fault. I just want to let you know how I feel about this. And like I was saying, I was afraid for you; but I had faith in you. Not because you're 'Captain' Jack Sparrow, but because you're my friend and friends trust each other. I just wanted you to know that." Will said quietly and full-hearted, "And…that you can trust me, too. One thing we can learn from this is that it's important for us to trust each other. Because, if we don't…then what do we have?"

Jack was very quiet for a while, his head downwards, which made Will wonder if the injured pirate had fallen asleep with his eyes open. The blacksmith was about to ask him if he was okay when he spoke.

"Ye do have me trust, son," Jack answered softly, looking back up at the lad with a sleepily serious expression, "Ye've had it for a while." Will smiled a bit at Jack's explanation, and the pirate smiled toothily in return, his solemn expression morphing into his more flamboyant self. "Speakin' of trust…where's Jones? I'd like to talk to him 'bout somethin',"

Will's smiled faded a little. "He's still around, he's on the ship somewhere,"

"Send him in on yer way out then, aye?" the pirate requested casually, leaning back against his bed more so.

Will nodded. "Of course, Jack,"

Will exited the room, feeling much better and relieved. He knew Jack would be okay now, and he knew he had his friend's trust. But now, he had to deal with other matters.

The blacksmith found Jones near the lifeboats, untying one. Curious, Will approached the older man from behind. "What are you doing?" he asked.

Jones jumped slightly in surprise, but turned around to face the lad, or look down at him, considering he was a good two inches taller than him. "What's it look like? Untyin' this raft," Jones answered gruffly.

Will frowned. "You're not leaving, are you?"

The pirate simply shrugged. "Might as well. I doubt Jack'll want to see me after this mess…he hates me, so that the girl pirate. Ye probably hate me, too. I know where I'm not wanted," he answered unemotionally in tone, but his eyes suggested sorrow.

Will shook his head slowly. "That's not true. Jack wants to talk to you, as a matter of fact. And…I don't hate you. I hate what you did, but not you. And neither does Jack."

Jones simply stared at the younger man in disbelief for a moment, but then quickly shook his head. "But I can't stay. Even if Jack wants to see me, I can't face him, not after this. It's better this way."

Jones was about to turn around to finish untying the rope when Will grabbed his shoulder. Will looked into Jones' piercing green eyes which were void of all of the anger and hate he had seen far too often, and instead filled with sorrow and inner turmoil. Will wondered where the calm and sarcastic air that surrounded the former pirate captain had evanesced. In that way, Jones was very similar to Jack, most likely the reason for childhood friendship. But Will had seen sides of Jones that made the pair completely different from each other.

"Jones, please, go see Jack. You owe him at least that much," Will urged strongly.

Jones eventually looked away, squinting his eyes closed in frustration, and sighed. "Fine, I'll consider seein' him" Jones replied, slightly annoyed, "But no promises, boy,"

Will's frown faded and he nodded in understanding. He let his hand drop. "What will you do once you leave?" he questioned.

Jones looked back at the blacksmith and shrugged nonchalantly. "I suppose I'll find meself a new ship…damn fool of me to blow up The Majestic. I really liked that ship, too. I'll probably get a new crew, too, one who's crazy enough to follow command under me." Jones chuckled softly, closing his eyes. "Who knows?"

Will nodded once more. "Best of luck to you, then,"

The pirate opened his eyes and inclined his head back. "Same to you, lad,"

~*~

A little while later, Jones quietly approached Jack's captain's cabin. He slid the door open noiselessly, quiet as a mouse. He peaked in through the door, while the large room wasn't well lit and it was hard to see anything. Jones gently opened the door more so and poked his head in fully.

"Sparrow?" he addressed softly, "Jack?"

Receiving no answer, he opened the door completely and stepped inside. The light coming from outside illuminated the room, and the beam of light rested at the back of the cabin on Jack, who was sleeping peacefully on his back and snoring lightly. Jones froze in his tracks, afraid to awaken the injured pirate captain. Jones looked at him sadly and thought, He must be so worn out he fell asleep while waiting for me to come…poor Jack. I would do anything to go back in time and prevent this from happening. But the pirate shook his head, knowing that was impossible. He gave a small sad smile to Jack. Farewell, Jack Sparrow… I promise, some day, I will make this up to you. You have my word.

Jones was about to leave when he stopped in mid-step, feeling something thump against his chest from under his shirt, and remembered. He pulled out the sparrow whistle Jack had given him so long ago, a trinket that meant so much to the eccentric man. It was about time he returned it to its owner.

Jones removed the whistle from around his neck and hung it on the inside door handle. He gave it and Jack one last parting glance before closing the door once more, leaving Jack to rest peacefully.

~*~

The next morning, Jack woke up to find that Jones had once again commandeered one of his lifeboats. He soon discovered the whistle on his door as well after Gibbs had retrieved it. Old memories flooded Jack, and he stroked the sparrow with his thumb with a slight smile. He placed it around his neck where he vowed it would stay forever.

A number of weeks passed by quickly. In that time Jack's wounds healed quite nicely, minus the odd pain in his side, and had started to develop claustrophobia. Whenever he got the chance he would complain about being stuck in bed, subtle or flamboyant depending on the level of attack. But Gibbs, Ana-Maria, Will, nor Elizabeth would let him out. At point they had to threaten to throw Jack's hat and effects overboard if he didn't stop complaining, which got him to shut up for a day.

But now, since he was mostly healed, he was finally allowed outside. Jack barely limped at all as he swaggered over to the helm of The Black Pearl, a huge grin on his face, breathing in the fresh salt air of the Caribbean Sea. The crew had been extremely happy to see their captain up and about again, so they decided in celebration to have a party and to drink rum below deck, much like Jack had suggested to Ana-Maria. In other words, they got a day off. Jack smirked a bit to himself. Bunch of slackers, he thought humourously. But knowing the fact that his crew cared about him so much made him happy…plus he was now alone with his Pearl.

Jack gently caressed the helm of his ship, her wood smooth to the touch, bring a smile to his lips. "Hello, love," he whispered soothingly, "Sorry I haven't been with ye for a while…but 'least it wasn't ten years like the last time, aye? But then again, anytime without ye seems like forever, Pearl…"

"You're lucky the crew is below deck, Jack. If someone saw you talking to your ship, they'd seriously doubt your sanity."

Jack swirled around like an exotic dancer to see Will smiling a bit at him.

Jack grinned back toothily and inquired, spreading his arms out in a semi-shrug, "They already do, dear William, so I might as well give 'em a good reason to think so,"

Will laughed freely as he walked closer to his friend. "Oh, I'm glad you're alright, Jack,"

Jack simply nodded in return. They had already gone through this conversation earlier, they didn't need to go through it again. After a moment he let his hand slip from the helm and said, "So, what do ye plan on doin' now? It looks like Jones won't be buggin' us no more, though I doubt we've seen the last of him…are ye an' Elizabeth plannin' on goin' back to Port Royal now?"

Will fidgeted a bit uncomfortably. "well, you already know Norrington won't be pleased to see us back…so that option is out," he answered slowly.

"My offer still stands, lad," Jack said nonchalantly, looking ahead at the ocean and not directly at Will, "Yer welcome to stay with us on The Pearl as long as ye wish,"

Will offered a grateful smile. "Alright then. We'll stay until we find a…'safe' town at port to settle down…thank you once again, Jack,"

The pirate captain simply shrugged. "S'no problem…what are friends for?" he added the last bit as an afterthought in a whisper, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

The younger man simply beamed. "Really? You mean that?"

Jack scowled a bit at that. "Christ, lad, what do ye think?"

Will smiled more. "Yes,"

"How very perceptive of ye," Jack drawled sarcastically, using his left-hand very emphasis.

"I hate to interrupt ye, boys," Ana-Maria called from behind, who had just come up from below deck, "But if Jack doesn't get down here soon all of the rum'll be gone,"

Jack's eyes widened at that. "No! Not me rum!"

"Then we better hurry up," Will pointed out, advancing towards below deck.

"I'll be there in a minute," Jack answered, "Just don't drink all of me rum or there'll be 'ell to pay, savvy?"

"Don't worry, we'll save yer precious rum," Ana-Maria said sarcastically. Then, Will and the female pirate disappeared below deck to join in on the celebration.

Once they were gone, Jack touched the helm of his ship once more, his gold teeth glistening in the sunset. "Well, Pearl, I have ye, me crew, Will an' Elizabeth, Ana, freedom, and me rum. Life doesn't get much better than this…but don't tell anyone, savvy? They'll think I've gone soft." He chuckled a bit and patted the helm affectionately, and waltzed down below deck in only a way Captain Jack Sparrow could.

The sun set just as the pirate captain started down the stairs, his horizon awaiting his return, his singing voice drifting over the sea. "We're devils, we're black sheep, we're really bad eggs, drink up, me 'earties, yo ho! Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me…"

~ Fin ~

Please review for one last time. I'd appreciate it if you told me what you liked or what you didn't like. I'd also like to know of you thought the last chapter was cheesy or not. ^_^; Plus, watch out for the sequel! ^_^ * bows and exits stage right *