AN: sorry it took so long to update, I had writers block, and to tell you the truth this was the hardest chapter I've ever had to write. Thanx so much to those of you who review, you guys rock. Sorry if this chapter is a little short, but I hope you enjoy it anyway!

I do not own PotC

Love is Pain

Jack's PoV

The touch of cool metal pressed against my throat sent shivers down my spine, but what I heard next was even worse. The cry that escaped Elizabeth's perfect lips pulled me from my self-absorbed thoughts. She was falling backwards over the edge, her arms tied behind her back, and her ankles bound together. She would have no chance of survival.

That thought ripped through my soul with such ferocity that I knew I had to do something even it included harming Will, unless I played my cards right, of course.

Will's sword relaxed slightly as he glanced toward Elizabeth. Seeing this as the opportune moment I grabbed the sword out of his hands, and used the hilt of the sword to knock him out. My first instinct had been to kill him, but I knew that Elizabeth would never have been able to forgive me for killing her first love.

I shook my head, I really was going soft.

I ran to edge of the boat, diving in before I could even remove my effects. I could see her slowly sinking form fading into the shadows of my beloved sea, I needed to get to her, and fast.

Elizabeth's PoV

I could feel the water Closing in around me, pressing the air from my lungs. I knew that this was the end, and as to be expected my life flashed before my eyes, lingering on the moments I had spent with Jack.

This was how it would end, sinking to the depths of the unforgiving sea, while Jack stood, Will's sword pressed mercilessly against his throat. I could feel conciseness slipping away, and in my last moment I could picture jack sliding his arm gently around my waist.

/…/…/

"A knife if you please, Mr. Cotton." I sat up quickly, causing the ropes that bound my wrist to cut into the delicate flesh, and cotton rush quickly toward the keep. Jack's placed his hand lightly on my shoulder, trying to calm me. " It's all right, luv."

The concern that played across his face hurt. I somehow felt like I was betraying him by not telling him about Barbossa, but I knew that a fight would probably end in the death of someone, and that someone being Jack did not help with my decision.

The only thing that managed to escape my lips was the muttered word "Barbossa". I watched, as Jacks eyes grew dark, planning, plotting his revenge scheme. " Jack," I whisper shaking my head, " you do not have to do this, I'm fine."

I sat up forgetting about the ropes that still contained my bleeding wrists. The silent look of pain that coursed though me only made Jack even more intent on finding, and possibly murdering, Barbossa.

I could sense the uneasiness that ran throughout the crew. They had realized that Jack was protecting me, and I had not yet asked about Will...

"Jack, where's Will?"

He looked uncomfortable for a moment " Not to worry, luv, I didn't kill 'im only… knocked him out for a little while."

I nodded, agreeing with his story, I would find out the true story from him later…

" What are you standing around for you mangy dogs? You're supposed to be sailing us to Mortmana." The crew turned, and hurried toward their posts. " Wow, they catch on fast," he whispered in my ear.

Cotton came up behind me, handing jack a knife. He expertly took hold of knife quickly cutting through the thick rope that still bound me.

" Come on luv, let's see if we can find ourselves some bandages." He stood helping me up, and being careful not to irritate my wrists, took my hand leading me toward the Captains cabin. I winced inwardly, knowing that there was a chance that the room contained a certain pirate, who carried a death wish.

Jack pushed open the wooden door, heading into the thankfully empty room. Though he had never been of this ship before he seemed to have an uncanny knack for finding whatever he was looking for.

Jack had just finished wrapping my second wrist when I heard the sound of shattering glass on the wooden planks behind me. I Felt Jack's lingering hand freeze, and I knew who I had been dreading most was now standing directly behind me, his sword most likely drawn.

" Hmm…. I wonder what will happen if I do… this! I felt the cold metal of his sword press against my throat. The status had changed, Jack was no longer the helpless hostage, I was.

AN: sorry another cliffy, but I promise that no matter what happens there will be a fight, not just a lame cover up like in the last chapter. But if you want it I'm sorry, but your going to have to wait about a week cause I leave for vacation tomorrow, and I don't think I'll have access to a computer.

Just to let you know I haven't actually said this, but the plot actually doesn't start till chap 9 or 10 so ya, if this is getting a little old I'm sorry, but just to give you something to look forward to in chap 8 Jack tells the story about why he is still alive, and I've already written it. :)

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