Well, I have to say, I was surprised with the number of reviews I got in the first day, but thanks! Anyway, here's the second chapter!

Something More Than Before

Chapter 2 – It Makes You Feel...

For the next few days since Jack and Elizabeth had shared 'the kiss', Jack had remained distanced from anyone but a few of his most needed crew members. No matter what Elizabeth tried to convince herself, she always spun back round to the same conclusion. No matter how hard he tried to be discreet, Elizabeth could tell that Jack was avoiding her.

It was almost like she had suddenly lost her best friend. Before now, Elizabeth had never realised how much she had depended on Jack, not just as her Captain, but as her friend. He was always someone to talk to. Had Elizabeth spoiled that friendship by making a move?

-----

Jack, although he didn't know it, had been sussed by Elizabeth. Avoiding her was exactly what he'd been doing over the past few days. The increased hours spent in his cabin, and his unusual quietness was all down to the fact that he wasn't sure whether he was comfortable with Elizabeth right now. He didn't like the fact that she was going behind her fiancé's back. Jack had always been on reasonable terms with young Will Turner, apart from their initial introduction, of course.

Now, as Jack sat in his cabin, yet again, charting a course to who-knows-where, he heard a knock on his door, followed by Elizabeth's gentle voice.

"Jack?" Elizabeth asked quietly. It was getting dark outside. The stars were coming out, the sky twinkling like a black desk covered with glitter. "Jack, I just want a few minutes with you."

"Door's open," Jack replied after a few minutes. Elizabeth let herself in, and shut the door behind her, not advancing any further into the room.

As she looked upon Jack, sitting at his desk, charting a course, with such concentration on his face, Elizabeth felt a growing sense of respect and admiration for the man. The sea, sailing, and this ship...really was his life. She was beginning to wish she'd left him in peace.

Jack made a tiny mark on the map with ink, and set his compass down. He looked up at Elizabeth with weary eyes.

"You wanted a few minutes?" Jack said. "Well, the next ten or so are yours. Sit down."

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, but then moved to sit in the chair opposite Jack. He looked at her expectantly, a look of deep thought on his face again.

A long silence passed between them as Elizabeth thought of what she'd like to say. She didn't actually have a reason to come and talk to him, she had just wanted to. Elizabeth looked at her feet, fidgeting.

"Elizabeth, what's wrong with you?" Jack asked. He sounded quite worried. "You seem to be frightened of me all of a sudden. Have I done something to upset you?"

Elizabeth looked at him. He looked genuinely concerned. "No...It's just..."

"Are you beginning to regret the kiss?" Jack asked.

"I don't know, Jack..." Elizabeth said softly. "I've been thinking about what you said about Will taking no risks, and being a bit boring –"

"I never once used that word."

"You were implying it, though," Elizabeth pointed out. Jack nodded in acknowledgement. "And I've been thinking...I quite like life as a pirate –"

"Exciting, isn't it?" Jack interjected.

Elizabeth smiled and nodded. "It's exhilarating. It gives you this rush..."

Jack was smiling at her like he'd never smiled at her before. It was the kind of look a mother gave her child when they had all grown up. It showed great fondness. His eyes sparkled in the moonlight. He seemed at home here.

"It does give you a rush," Jack said, still smiling. "It makes you feel as though your life is one worth living. It makes you feel..."

"...free," Elizabeth finished as he trailed off.

"Exactly," Jack said quietly.

"And the point I'm trying to make is..." Elizabeth went on, "...that's what kissing you felt like."

Jack was half-expecting her to say that's what kissing Will felt like. But as he listened for Will's name, he never heard it. Instead he heard her talking about himself.

"Me?" Jack repeated.

Elizabeth nodded. "There was something there, that wasn't there when I kissed Will all those times."

"Was it the taste of rum?" Jack joked.

Elizabeth chuckled. "Well, that was there, too, but that's not what was missing from Will's...I can't put my finger on it."

"I think it leaves the anticipation for when you do find out what it is, when you don't know immediately," Jack said wisely.

"That's the most sense you've made in years," Elizabeth said lightly. Jack smiled.

-----

Will's father, Bootstrap Bill, to his great regret, had just bound himself to the Flying Dutchman forever by playing a foolish game of Pirate's Dice with his own son, and another worthy opponent, Davy Jones.

"Why did you do that?" Will asked his father fiercely.

"I couldn't let you lose," Bootstrap said earnestly.

"It was never about winning or losing."

"The key...you just wanted to know where it was," Bootstrap said, understanding dawning on his face as he realised Will's plan. True enough, Will now knew the whereabouts of Davy Jones' key, and he was going to attempt to get it. Tonight.

-----

Elizabeth found herself locked in a light-hearted conversation with Jack, who was now smiling and laughing openly. They had discussed everything, from how they were going to find Will, to how weird they thought Gibbs was.

It was nice to be able to just talk to Jack without feeling guilty for betraying Will. Despite this, she knew that deep down; she did want to be more than friends with Jack. She wanted some excitement in her life. Now she knew how Will must have felt all those years. To want someone who didn't want you back.

Jack was also enjoying Elizabeth's friendly company. He loved their chats, their jokes, Elizabeth's beautiful smile...but deep down, he was still harbouring great concern.


Just so you know, Jack and Elizabeth are both secretly craving the other. But both don't want to hurt Will. Will they act on their desires? Well it says yes in the summary, so yes, they do. By the way, that wasn't considered a cliffy to me.

Review please!

QueenSerenity818 out.