Title: After Christmas
Author: PineappleIce/Cole
Rating: Teen
Warnings: None
Summary: Elizabeth catches Jack sneaking away.
Author's Note: I sat down with the intention of writing an upbeat fic set after A Visitor At Christmas, in which there was only pleasant friendship between the two Captains. However, my fingers typed out a decidely angsty, Sparrabeth fic. Not much at all like the first fic. Feedback loved!


"I've got ter go."

Elizabeth sighed and wrapped the gown she had put over her nightdress tighter around her slender frame. It was early morning, and pale, winter sunlight caught the golden face of the man stood in the centre of the room; he had one hand resting on the back of the chair where he had sat on his first night here.

"I know," she replied. A painful lump had come into her throat.

"You know I'd stay longer, but the crew- well, they're waiting fer me." He had his coat and hat on; she wondered if he had had intentions of sneaking away before she got up.

"Of course." This seemed oddly formal. The lump was growing bigger, it seemed, and it was making tears come to her eyes. She turned away from him, turning her face into the shadow of the doorway to hide her emotion.

"It's been a great Christmas, thank you," he said.

"It has been a great Christmas. The best one yet." As she spoke she realised her words were the truth and the tears broke free at the same time as a large sob.

"Oh, Lizzie-luv," Jack said, and then he was by her side, wrapping his arms around her awkwardly, for she was trying to shuffle away. "Don't cry."

"But- but..." Her words trailed away; she couldn't say it. It was unfair to Will, her Will, whose freedom depended on her faithfulness.

Jack sighed, reaching out with rough fingers to touch her cheek, which was damp from tears. She closed her eyes at his touch, savouring this moment, this one beautiful, bittersweet moment between Captain Elizabeth Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow, the only moment there could ever be.

"I know, luv," he said, and she wasn't surprised.

"We can't..." she whispered, looking into that dark face. Their eyes met and for a moment her husband was forgotten by both parties; they moved closer, lips becoming nearer, eyes half-closing... "I can't," Elizabeth said quietly, feeling a strange tugging at her heart.

"I know. I know." He had moved away from her, ending their closeness, and immediately she longed for his touch again. She saw the same longing in his conflicted face.

"Jack!" she cried, breaking down, sliding down the wall, then wrapping her arms around her knees when she reached the floor. Her small shoulders shook with her sobs and Jack held her heartbroken gaze unsteadily.

"If," he said shakily, "I come to you now, I'm never goin', never. And you're goin' ter be stuck with me, and your son'll be stuck too, and your husband... Will..."

It was the worst moment of her life. Oh God, how she longed for Jack to stay with her. She had been infatuated with him since their first meeting, and it had swelled into an unbearable love, one that seemed to fill her chest, her mind... her every thought. She opened her mouth but then thought of Will, who would do anything for her. If she said yes to Jack, he would never be free of his duty... he would never see little Will. She closed her eyes and felt darkness settle over her heart. "Go," she whispered.

She was still for a long time, and when she opened her eyes, he was gone.