Epilogue

The sunlight beamed blissfully, the sky crystal clear. The ocean stretched out calmly, sparkling from the reflection of the sun. This was indeed a good day to return to the world of the living.

I stepped in on the front of the Black Pearl, the place I chose to spend my day, to find my father with one hand on the wheel, the other containing a map. The ship was currently positioned right along the ports of Tortuga.

Before revealing my presence to him, I walked over to my mother, who sat inside where the captain would normally dine, reading. At the sound of the door opening, her eyes rolled up and she beamed.

"Aurora!" She immediately rushed over to embrace me. "It is so good to see you." She then pulled away from me and asked, "But, how are you here?"

"It is my one day," I replied, and then tilted my head. "Well, technically it's Will's day, but he said I could come back too if I wanted."

"Just for a day?" she asked in a tone barely above a whisper.

I sighed. "Yes, only one day." As I watched her face fall I tried to sound cheerful. "But hey, it is better than nothing. Most do not even get to come back at all after being stabbed in the gut."

"I suppose you are right," Mother muttered in response. "Does your father know you are here?"

"Not yet." I peered out the window towards where he stood, still holding the map. "Where is he going?"

"To the Fountain of Youth," Mother answers, letting out a lengthy breath. "That has been his recent obsession. He has not let the map out of his sight since obtaining it, or within ten paces of Jack Sparrow."

"I think I can do something about that," I mumbled without thinking.

Mother turned her head. "What was that, Aurora?"

"Nothing," I answer in one breath, as my feet start towards the door. "Let's go see him."

Mother continued to look at me, suspiciously. "Are you up to something, Aurora?"

I attempt to force my eyes to hers and look innocent. "No, of course not! I only came here to visit my parents on my one day."

Still not appearing entirely convinced she sighed. "Well, alright then. I will go get your father."

As she went out, calling 'Hector,' I took a step back, my eyes on the map. Even as my father walked in, he kept the map in his grasp.

"There is someone here to see you, Hector," Mother explained gently, leading him into the room.

The moment Father's eyes met mine they lit up.

"I will give you two a moment," Mother said as she slipped out the door.

Father took a step towards me. "Aurora, are you…"

"It is just for a day," I finished before he could let his hopes rise too high.

"Oh," he sighed, looking down, dolefully for a moment and then gazed back to me. "Aurora, I really wish you hadn't… you didn't have to…"

I raised my brow. "What, save your life?"

"Die for me," he finished, firmly. "That should not be on you."

I sighed, forcing a shrug. "I was dying anyway. I could feel myself slipping away by the moment."

"You wouldn't be…"

"Come now, Father," I huffed, rolling my eyes. "Are we really going to have some sappy chit chat on my day here? We are pirates!" I leaned on the table and eyed his map. "Now, I want to hear about your next adventure."

He paused for a moment, looking rather uncertain, but then finally grinned. "This be the map to the Fountain of Youth."

"The Fountain of Youth?" I stood up straighter, impressed, and held out my hand. "Could I see it?"

He appeared as though he were about to hand it to me but then paused, looking at me with a hint of suspicion.

I let out another sour breath, my hand falling down. "Oh come on, Father. It's just me." I shrugged innocently. "Besides, it is not as though I would have any reason to go after the Fountain of Youth."

He sighed as he nodded and handed me the map.

So far so good, I thought privately. Now, I just need something to keep him distracted.

I held the map, pretending to scan it with precision. Meanwhile, I really looked around the room for something…

I gazed out the window. "Do you remember how we see that green light when a soul crosses over from the land of the living."

He nodded, stepping towards the window, his back facing me. "Yes, indeed I saw it just hours before and thought…"

As he talked I took a silent step back, and motioned my hand. At that moment, Jack clumsily, yet somehow still coordinated, crept up behind me, taking the map.

Yes, I guess I am back to deceiving my own father. What can I say, old habits? In all fairness, I do know Father plans to leave his fellow pirate captain and go after the Fountain without him, not that I bothered to tell Jack any of this. I suppose I may occasionally feel the urge to do the right thing (so long as it benefits me), but deep down I will always be a pirate.

"So when the sun sets, that be the time for you to go?" Father asked, still gazing out the window.

Jack slipped the map, rolled up, back into my hands and crawled away, not making a sound.

"Yes, that is how long I have," I answered, taking a few slow steps towards him, peering to the sun, which still hung high up. "I still have a pretty fair amount of time this day."

"I suppose you will be wanting to see Jack, as well," Father grumbled.

"Yes, of course. I have to make time for everyone I care…" my voice began to trail as I grew a bit uncomfortable getting too emotional. "Where is Jack?"

"By now, he be probably passed out in the tavern," Father commented with scorn.

"You are not going to leave without him, right Father?" I asked, tapping the rolled up map in my hand.

He looked at me and smiled, briefly pinching my cheek. "Of course not, darling."

The moment he turns his head, I roll my eyes. I know he is lying.

Once his head turned back, he asked, "Now, where be my map?"

I hand it to him and smile innocently as I had it to him. "Right here, Father."

After this precious map is returned to my father's possession, I turn and begin to walk away.

"Aurora," he called out.

My heart jumped as I thought he figured out what I just did. However, when I turned, I saw him standing with his arms open.

"You not be planning on leaving without giving your own father a hug, aren't you?" he demanded.

I let out a relieved sigh. "Of course not, Father."

As I hugged him, I felt a slight twinge of guilt for tricking him and cursed Will Turner under my breath for this emotion. At least, this did not even come close to my worst trickery to him. He will, once again, forgive me. After all, as father and daughter, there will always be a part of us that cares no matter what the other has done.

xXx

I waited until Jack was alone to appear before him. He sat in solitude in a lifeboat, appearing hopeless, but in his hands, held the part of the map he cut out, the part leading to the Fountain. The sun had fallen significantly lower since my encounter with my father.

I appeared in the lifeboat, directly across from Jack, who studied the map, a bottle of rum by his side.

The first moment Jack noticed my presence, he appeared quite pleased, but then forced out a groan. "You knew Barbossa fully intended on leaving me behind, once again stealing my ship, did you not?"

I shrugged, leaning back, gazing out into the waters. "I may have heard some conspiracy on the matter."

He raised his eyebrow. "And it never occurred to you to perhaps warn me of this mutinous conspiracy?"

"It might have crossed my mind a couple times," I replied, keeping my tone indifferent.

Jack continued rowing. "So why didn't you?"

"Same reason I helped you steal the map from my father," I respond with another shrug, and shoot him a smirk. "Pirate."

He grinned, holding up the map. "Well, at the very least I have you on this quest, love."

I sighed, meeting his eyes and spoke softly, "Jack, you do know I cannot come, right. I am only here for one day."

"Yes," he agreed, casually rowing as though it were no big deal, "but you will have other days to come."

"True," I admit, looking at him, doubtfully, "but my next one is in ten years. I am sure you will meet someone else before that time comes."

His head tilted down as he muttered, "I do not think so."

"Oh, come now," I encouraged, trying to sound cheerful. "How could you not? After all, you are Jack Sparrow."

"Captain Jack Sparrow," he corrects, still avoiding my eyes.

"Yes…" I grinned, and then let out a sigh. "Captain Jack Sparrow, you are bound to meet someone."

"It will not be the same," Jack muttered, looking out to the sea, watching the sun sink lower.

"I suppose not." I breathed in deeply, still holding feelings of doubt, but looked into his eyes.

The two of us sat in silence for a moment before I finally uttered, "Well then, Jack, if you are willing to wait, I will see you in ten years."

He smiled, leaning closer to me. "In ten years."

I leaned in too, for a kiss, knowing this will be our final for a distant time, perhaps forever. I forced those thoughts away, wanting to enjoy this moment at its presence. Our lips still locked, my one eye glances out to the sun. I know the time has come, time to leave this world. I feel myself begin to slip away in the breeze. To Jack, it would seem as though I vanished in ethereal air. I do hope he continues to think of me, at least for a while. I know thoughts of Jack will flow through my mind, forever.

The End

A/N: Well, this is the end of Aurora's story, at least for now. I hope you all enjoyed it. I have had some amazing reviews for this story. I want everyone to know, I really appreciate and enjoy reading them. I am not sure what will happen next in my Pirates fic. I do have an idea for the 4th movie, not with Aurora but someone related to her. I might write it if I get around to it. Once again, thank you everyone for reading!