Waste Not

Chapter 1

Elizabeth sat alone on the beach, watching the sun set for what seemed like the millionth time. There was no green flash, no Flying Dutchman, and no Will Turner sailing on the horizon. Her husband was not expected for another eight years. There was no reason to be sitting and waiting. But, alas, she was sick at heart. Looking out for Will, as hopeless as it was, gave her some small comfort.

"Care for a cup o' tea, Lizzy?"

Elizabeth was mildly startled by Captain Teague's sudden appearance behind her. It was uncanny how silently the old pirate could move about. It would behoove her to learn a thing or two from him.

"That does sound rather nice actually," she replied, managing a slight smile.

"Good. Come and make us some then."

He turned and left without another word, expecting her to follow. She couldn't help but smile genuinely at the old scoundrel. What would she have ever done without him?

Elizabeth sat alone on the beach, watching the sun set for what seemed like the billionth time. There was no green flash, no Flying Dutchman, and no Will Turner sailing on the horizon…

But wait, she did see something. A ship. And her heart nearly leapt out of her chest when she recognized those unmistakable black sails.

"The Pearl," she whispered to herself.

Before she could think about it, she was running full tilt across the beach, kicking up sand with every step. If the Black Pearl was coming into port, then she would be there to meet it.

Captain Barbossa couldn't help but smile to himself when he saw her through his spy glass. She was practically bouncing up and down with anticipation on shore, as if he and this sorry lot were worth getting excited over. But then, maybe she was expecting Jack. The thought only made him smile more. She'd see who had come out on top in the end.

"Ahoy!" Elizabeth yelled to them.

Several crewmen went to the side of the boat to see who it was. "Elizabeth!" Ragetti called with a smile. Suddenly, there were many smiles on deck. Those of the crew who knew Elizabeth were more than happy to see her again. But of course Barbossa couldn't just let his men stand about.

"Quit daydreamin' and bring us in, yeh motherless dogs!"

And with that, everyone scampered back into place. The Black Pearl was at port in no time.

Elizabeth greeted everyone fondly as they came ashore. She might have even been so bold as to hug a few, but the smell kept her at bay. She was all smiles nonetheless.

Barbossa was the last one off of the ship. "Well well, if it isn't the King herself, waitin' ashore like an excited young dog."

She smirked happily. "Nice to see you, too, Barbossa." She looked behind him. "Is Jack not with you?"

Just then, Barbossa's monkey climbed up onto his master's shoulder and looked at her quizzically. It was Barbossa's turn to smirk. "If yeh be referrin' to Jack Sparrow, no; I can't say that he is."

She put a hand on her hip and looked at him knowingly. "I can't imagine Jack ever parting with the Pearl willingly."

"Hm. Well yeh can imagine whate'er yeh like, missy. Only let us continue this conversation with a bottle o' rum somewhere, hmm?"

The crew gave a small cheer at that. Elizabeth turned to them. "First round's on me, boys!" she exclaimed, to which they gave a large cheer, and off they went, following her lead.

The crew settled at the Drunken Lady for a night of drinking and gambling and other various debaucheries, each to his own. An intimate handful remained around Elizabeth, swapping tales.

"And he was so keen on me that eventually Teague had to draw his pistol just to keep him at bay—" Everyone laughed. "—His own cousin, can you believe it? Jack Sparrow comes of a wild family, to be sure." Elizabeth took another swallow of her drink.

Barbosa, for the time being, only sat back and listened, enjoying his own drink and watching her talk. She was lively enough now, but she looked worn and weary underneath her smile. And if she was petite before, now she was downright scrawny. The last couple years obviously hadn't been altogether kind. She also had two small Oriental symbols tattooed on her left wrist. That was new.

He felt a hand clap down on his shoulder, and suddenly old Teague himself was sitting amongst them.

"Good of you to visit me in my loneliness, Barbossa," he greeted.

"Yeh've not been altogether too lonely, as I understand it, Teague. Yeh've had Her Majesty here to keep yeh company."

Elizabeth chimed in. "I was just telling them about some of your more insatiable relatives, Captain."

"Insatiable for a fair word for 'em, Lizzy," Teague replied good-naturedly, raising his glass.

Later in the night, Teague invited Barbossa to his quarters on the Troubadour for a drink and a chat, captain to captain.

Barbossa made himself comfortable. "What be on yer mind, Teague? 'Tis not like yeh to be this sociable."

"I'll be honest with you, Hector," he replied, sitting down, "I never thought I'd be glad to see you."

Barbossa gave a half-annoyed smile. "Likewise."

"I have a proposition for you…that could benefit all of us."

"I'm listenin'."

"'Tis regardin' Miss Lizzy."

Barbossa looked curious.

"Take her with you."

Barbossa became skeptical. "And exactly what benefits were yeh thinkin' of?"

"There are a few positions aboard the Pearl which need filled. She's an able enough pirate; she'd fit the bill, wherever you put her. And, gods above, it'd do her some good."

"…She was lookin' a bit rough around the edges. What's wrong with her?"

Teague looked away. "She's pining away for that husband o' hers. Havin' a rough go of it. And she's bored out of her mind, though she won't admit it. Frankly, she's grown depressing. Do us all a favor and get her off this island."

Barbossa stared into his wine, thinking it over. At last, he gave a friendly smile and finished off his drink. "I suppose in any case the lass may be an amusement."

Elizabeth sat alone on the beach, watching the sun set for what seemed like the gazillionth time. There was no green flash, no Flying Dutchman, and no Will Turner sailing on the horizon. Footsteps in the sand behind her drew her out of her depressing revelry, along with the chitter of an undead monkey.

"Barbossa." She was about to get up, but he motioned for her to stay put.

For a moment, he just looked out over the water. "Teague tell me yeh've not been piratin'."

"Oh, well…no, not recently."

"Pirate Lord o' the South China Seas. King o' the Brethren Court. And yeh haven't put to sea once since we dropped yeh off here. 'Tis shameful to say the least."

"I'm a Pirate Lord by default, remember?"

"Aye, well enough." He sat down beside her, a little to her surprise. "But yeh served well as King when it came down to it. Even earned a little respect from the Brethren. Oughtn't let that wear off so quick, don't yeh think?"

She looked out to the horizon again.

"Besides which," he continued, casting her a vaguely sympathetic look, "mopin' around on this god-forsaken island won't bring him back any quicker."

Something like anger flashed into her eyes for a second, but they quickly grew dull again. "What do you propose I do then? Commandeer the next boat bound for Singapore?"

"Nay. The China Seas would eat yeh alive. Two years or more on land. Yeh've gone soft, to be sure."

"I have not," she said indignantly.

Barbossa stood. "Yeh have, missy. There be no disputin' it."

She stood as well and faced him boldly. "I am just as seaworthy as that band of miscreants you call a crew."

There it was. Some of that spark she used to have.

"I doubt that, but we'll put it to the test. Have yerself aboard the Pearl by first light tomorrow."

"Wh...What?"

"I be in need of a first mate. Me last one died o' snake bite three months past. And I daresay yeh'll need the experience if y'ever hope to sail pirate waters again."

"What makes you think—"

"Cap'n Teague has given me his blessin' to rid the island of yeh, as if would be a blessin' to hisself to be rid of yer mopin' about."

"Captain Teague has no right to simply give me away to whatever ship he chooses."

"Be on the ship or get left behind; that's all I have to say about it. Only think hard, missy. Yeh've been handed a right proper opportunity."

He turned and left, but he was not gone more than a minute before she took off across the beach. There was so much to pack.