Of Ghosts and Deceptions: Chapter One
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, the clever little story is all mine though!
A/N: This story kind of has to do with what I imagined the after word of the second movie, though it has nothing to do with it. It's a dark story, so you shall read and find out what I mean.
Elizabeth Swan awoke from the terrible nightmare; it was familiar as she had had this dream dozens of times before. Elizabeth sat up in her bed and rubbed both hands through her hair, it had been two years since Jack's death, two bloody years and she still felt guilty. Even though everyone else had moved on, knowing that no matter what they did, Captain Jack Sparrow would not be returning to this world.
Her dream had consisted of total darkness, although her mind made it seem like she was at the bottom of the ocean, Elizabeth could not escape. Elizabeth had convinced herself that this is what Jack had felt before he died and it was her fault, she was responsible for chaining him to the Black Pearl. Tears streamed down her face, she was still feeling sorrow for what she had done, and although Will tried his best to comfort her, he was also playing in the part of causing her pain.
It has been two years and Will had not married her, didn't jump at the idea as soon as they were back in Port Royal. Elizabeth had waited and waited, and it seemed that Will would not budge. Elizabeth believed that it was because he witnessed her kissing Jack, because he had confronted her about it later on.
"A con," she had simply answered, "kissing Jack Sparrow was nothing more than a con to ensure our safety."
Will had seemed to accept the idea, but still she was not married. Elizabeth angrily wiped her tears away, of course Will loved her or he wouldn't have bothered talking to her ever again. Ever since Will's return to Port Royal he had become known for his excellent Blacksmithing. All around the world he traveled to make swords for honorable rulers, and Elizabeth had always tagged along, they had fun and they were still engaged. Maybe Will just wants to wait and spring it upon her when she least expects it. Elizabeth's mood brightened in that instant.
There's was a soft knock on the door,
"Elizabeth, are you awake?"
It was her father, Governor Wheatherby Swan. Elizabeth scrambled for her robe and wrapped it around herself.
"Yes, I am." She called out and her father immediately made his entrance.
"Good Morning Elizabeth," he greeted, and walked to the window to open it.
Elizabeth stood poised with her hands behind her back, she hesitated, "Yes, it is such a good morning."
Governor Swan turned and looked at his daughter, she knew that look, he had something parental he wanted to tell her, and betting her corsets, it was probably about Will.
"You know, it has been two years and you're not married. That is a long time wasted," Governor Swan began.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes when her father wasn't looking and stepped up to her balcony window, looking out over the ocean she had grown to love and fear.
"Maybe you should rethink your relationship with Mr. Turner, find someone else more suitable and more capable of keeping their word." Governor Swan argued and stepped beside his daughter to look out over the same sea, but with hatred.
"Please, please father, I've told you this before, that William Turner and I will be married soon, he's just been busy with his Blacksmithing duties, you've always said for me to be wed to a successor and if I didn't know any better, I think William Turner fits that category." Elizabeth said defensively and turned abruptly from the window, going toward her belongings and rummaging through her clothes.
Governor Swan sighed, he knew there was no way that he could change his daughter's mind, she was in love and he couldn't make that go away. But ever since Elizabeth's frightening journey, he pleaded for her to stay away from William and keep away from the sea, for her safety and for an inkling that Will didn't seem like he would be capable of taking care of his daughter.
Elizabeth faced her father with an armful of clothes, "I'm sailing with him in a few days, his plans are to go to India and meet with high Lords who want to have weapons made for them. And I am going, father." Elizabeth said sharply, as immediately her father had a questionable look on his face.
Governor Swan shook his head, "I really hope you know what you're doing Elizabeth, will all this running around, acting as if he still cares about you is out of my hands now." He said and left the room.
Elizabeth thought about what her father said, 'acting as if he still cares about you', what did that mean? Of course William Turner cared about her, or else he wouldn't have bothered with her any longer. Frowning, Elizabeth packed her clothes neatly in a sack; if she didn't hurry she was going to miss the meeting Will was having with his crew today. Quickly dressing in the familiar chocolate slacks, Elizabeth practically ran out of the room and down the stairs, her father stood near the door.
"I'll be home for supper, father," she called and continued out the door, not wanting to wait and hear her father complain about her clothing as well.
'Tis not lady-like Elizabeth' he would say, Elizabeth never cared for suck lady-like clothing, it was fabricated death that's what it was!
As soon as Elizabeth was off Swan Manor's grounds she walked with a brisk quick step, certainly not lady-like at all and it made her grin happily. The sun was warm and the breeze was cool, it was the perfect weather for Elizabeth, not dreary and wet as it was the day she was supposed to get married, on that thought she frowned a bit.
'Why will you not marry me Will, have I not made you happy?' she thought heavily to herself, her thoughts wandered and her body went on automatic, following the familiar trail toward Will's shop.
The familiar smell of spiced rum filled her nostrils, Elizabeth turned her head and eyed the busiest tavern in Port Royal, and you would find a lot of funny characters there.
'Someone like Captain Jack Sparrow' her own voice said in her mind.
Elizabeth frowned again; she cursed her mind and its ignorance for not wanting to dwell on the subject. Elizabeth still remembered the feel of his lips upon hers, it was like she had imagined, rough and full of curiosity, she longed to feel Jack's presence again, just to tell him that she was sorry, that she didn't want it to happen that way. A silent tear glided down her cheek. She could hear the cheers inside tavern, they clashed with what she was now feeling and the sadness swept her under yet again, more tears glided down her cheeks.
"Don't look so sad Lizzy,"
The familiar voice sent an adrenaline rush through her veins, her heart dropped to her stomach, that voice, so familiar. Elizabeth stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes found the image of her nightmares, the ghost of her guilt; there he was leaning against the doorway of the tavern!
"Jack?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.