Guilt. Disgust. Fear. Righteousness.
That's what Elizabeth felt, amidst the wreckage and death and despair the Kraken wreaked on the Pearl. Her boot slipped in a bit of gristle—whether it was once part of a fellow crew member or an oversized tentacle, she did not know—and a fire nearby was licking its way across the deck, uncomfortably warm and tall.
Jack's lips moved against her own, his teeth cutting at her bottom lip before his tongue followed to soothe it. Her next step forward was unsteady, and she gripped at Jack's coat, his hair, pushing him back as she advanced on him. Her legs trembled and her pulse thrummed more strongly than it ever had as she kissed him.
She knew he felt it, but Jack made no move to pull her closer or push her away. From her, he took what he was given.
I always knew you were a good man.
Her left hand strayed down to his right, and she gripped it tightly in silent apology. Jack returned the touch with a squeeze and a flick of his tongue, and Elizabeth withdrew, returning both of her hands to the sturdy wall of his chest. She used them to push until she felt him jolt, his back making contact with the mast, and with another tilt of the head and press of the lips, she shackled him to it.
She could feel the disgust rising in her throat like bile as he looked down at her, resignation and pride and an iota of sorrow mixing on his face.
"It's after you, not the ship. It's not us." She spoke desperately, willing him to understand. "This is the only way, don't you see? I'm not sorry."
"Pirate."
The fondness in his expression, the understanding and acceptance she found there, became Elizabeth's undoing. He had her measure, and she felt that she would choke on her guilt. The look in his eyes spoke endlessly to her. Swallowing, glancing to Gibbs, she shook her head and leaned forward again, as if to distract him with a kiss, but found herself incapable of it.
"I'm not leaving you."
At that, his face became a slate wiped clean of emotion, and Jack finally touched her, grabbing her arm tightly.
"Lizzie."
Elizabeth pursed her lips, setting her determination in her features, and "No, Jack. I'm not— You cannot make me leave."
The Pearl began to shudder, and Jack's hand shook on her arm for a bare second. He jangled the chains around the mast at her, but pulled her closer as tentacles began to rise above the deck.
"If you're going stay behind to guard me, then I see no need for your pretty irons, eh?"
Another half-minute and a struggle with the shackle, and Jack was freed, handing her a dagger from his boot as the Kraken surfaced with a bellow. Despite the gravity of it all, Elizabeth had to chuckle grimly at the—filthy, terrifying, hilarious, unbelievable, improbable—situation. Dark, kohl-lined eyes glanced her way, and he took up her hand again as they prepared for the beast in front of them.
We're not free yet, love.
All that Elizabeth knew next was pain.
Such are the things that come into being when you read a little too much meta about the kiss on tumblr! (Feel free to find me at .com.) I don't know where this story will take us, but it's bound to be interesting and feedback is appreciated greatly on the journey.