AN: Which Way Lies True - Jack's island misadventures coming back to end? (See my profile notes for info on WWLT.)

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CAN WE TALK?

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Summary: Jack has a list and Lizzie's on it - but that's not probably a good thing.

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It had taken awhile, but Elizabeth finally caught a glimpse of his familiar worn gray coat ascending the steps to the helm.

"Jack, can we talk?"

Sparrow's back stiffened noticeably, taking the next step. "If you've somethin' on your mind, Ms. Swann…"

Not exactly an invitation. "Jack, stop! You will want to hear this!"

He took another decisive step, looked down at his boot, then reluctantly pivoted on his heel in her direction, his face unreadable. "Why's that then?"

Elizabeth tried to smile, unnerved by his sudden full attention. "I'm trying to apologize! Why must you make it so difficult!"

"Difficult, you say?" Jack blinked, sounding perplexed, fingers curling tight upon the rail before him. "I make it difficult, do I? How so?"

"You won't-" Oh, rats, she wanted to say 'forgive me', but it caught in her throat when she had his full attention. It had been so long. "You won't listen to me!"

"Heard your every word, love," Jack reassured her airily, tossing out his free arm in an expansive gesture, all but daring her to argue. "Actually, I've made me a list, you know, gathered the compiling of it all myself, as it were."

"A…list?" Elizabeth frowned. What did you say to that?

"Oh, yes." Jack grinned, turning to raise his head and peer briefly at the helm manned by Mr. Cotton. "What, with no list one would honestly have to wonder how it is any keepin' track be kept in the proper way trackin's meant to be kept, er, done."

Elizabeth winced. "Keeping track of what?"

"What?" Jack echoed in mild irritation. "Me list, darlin', what else. Want to hear it?"

Elizabeth shook her head, exasperated. "No!"

"No?" There was honest puzzlement in his voice. "Have you no intent of making said apology, then?"

"Yes! No, I was.." she was nearly too flustered to think straight. "I tried, but you--"

"Well, then, I've this list you'll be wantin' to hear."

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