An Opportune Moment Passed

Chapter 2: Damnable Kraken

Elizabeth looked up at Jack as he approached her sitting spot, she couldn't help but smile, even when she hurt the way she did. She hated herself, that she could miss that chance at finally finding out if she really felt for Jack. Elizabeth could be terribly wrong, it could have been any number of things that caused her to think herself in love with Captain Jack Sparrow. As he came nearer though, those damnable butterflies returned to her tummy, and made her feel nausic in a good way. Jack gave his most brilliant, cheeky smile back at her and his eyes had that mischievous glint in it that made Elizabeth fell that she would melt into the stairs.

Jack didn't have a plan of action, he didn't know what in the name of hell he was doing. He had never felt this way before for anyone, except of course his precious Pearl. The only thing that Jack could think of was to admit to Lizzie the way he felt and maybe, just maybe the compass would show him where the heart of Davy Jones was, for it certainly wasn't with him. Jack had an inclining that it may very well be in the possession of one James Norrington. Realising that his thoughts had gone wondering on him, he made him self concerntrate on the situation at hand.

He couldn't stuff this one up, he wouldn't allow himself too. So when he saw her smile, and a strange feeling came upon him, something similar to sea sickness (which he had only ever experienced once, but the memory of which stuck with him for the rest of his life) the coward in him thought this a good chance and a good excuse to run for his cabin and hide there until she went away. No he thought. I shant pass up this opportunity. He smiled back at her and noticed with satisfaction the reaction it got out of her. Hooking his hands into his sash he drew from an unknown pool of courage.

"Lizzie, " He took a breath, this was harder than he thought. She just looked at him and said nothing. He turned away quickly but stopped himself and calmly turned back towards her. " Lizzie, luv, would you like to join me in my cabin for, well just come join me so I don't have to be by me onesies." He looked down at her nervously, when a mere second passed and she hand't responded Jack almost fled in fear.

" I'd love to" and with that she got up and let herself into his cabin. Jack was stunned momentarily but got over it quickly and followed her.

Elizabeth could swear that her heart had stopped. She was short of breath and she was quite simply amazed that she had responded to him at all. He seemed to have sobered up, although never really all that drunk he always seemed to be so. Not now. Now Jack Sparrow seemed sober and worldly.

Elizabeth had always known he was a good man, he knew right from wrong, though sometimes he didn't follow it. It was always hard to tell what his true intentions where, they would seem sinister to start off with, but they always ended being honest. He had told her so once, on the beach after being marooned. When she had accused him of trading a man for a ship. Jack had explained it to her, again his illusion of insanity and drunkenness had faded away, that he had never intended to trade Will, that he was using him as a bargaining chip, which Will had thrown away. This new attitude was suprising yet pleasant to Elizabeth as she contemplated what awaited her in Jacks cabin.

She had been inside his cabin before, but had never looked around. She noticed that the shelves were packed with books, and the writing table was stained with ink. A small knowing smile crept onto her lips as she turned to face Jack who was closing the door behind them. His look had changed again. Elizabeth froze in place. Scared and excited at the same time. The heat ran through her body as it had not too long before, and she struggled to control herself. Jack came closer to her, his cheeky smile like a ghost upon his lips. The glint in his wonderfully deep brown eyes and well damn it she yelled at herself inwardly. She shouldn't give in. What about Will? That thought exited her mind as quickly as it came as Jack came closer to her.

And said nothing. Elizabeths' heart beat fast and wild, her breath was coming short, she felt giddy and all she could sense or feel in the world had come down to Jack who was standing but inchs in front of her now. She had become acutely aware of every little detail, the soft caress of his breath against her skin, the strange but not bad aroma that floated from him. She couldn't stand the suspence any longer. Yet she did nothing.

"Lizzie, I-" jacks hand hovered over her check uncertain as whether to lay it there or not. In his eyes Elizabeth could see turmoil, confusion, and something else she hadn't seen before. Jack was wracked with indecision, he couldn't seem to make himself place his hand on her, it eventually feel away back to his side.

So there they were, standing infront of eachother doing nothing but staring at eachother. Eventually Jack smiled sadly, at least it seemed sadly, but his eyes were filled with a secret knowledge, a look that had always been there when she had on countless occasions knocked his advances back. He knew that she secretly wanted him, it all came down to curitosity in the end, though he sensed that it could be something more. At this moment he seemed strangely content to let her wallow in her own desire. It had come to him suddenly, the understanding that she had to be the one to make the move first at least that was the excuse that he made up for himself. He flashed his all knowing, smile at her and leaned slightly back letting Elizabeth make the decision, and Elizabeth felt like she had been cheated, that he knew something she didn't….she was starting to hate that smile, and that look on his face. Damn him for being so secretive.

Elizabeth made up a decision, she took a step closer to Jack so their bodies were close that she could feel the heat coming off of him, there was but a millimeter between them. She looked up at his face.

"I should have done this long ago" she breathed seductively as she started into his eyes. She saw, but also sensed the shiver that ran through him, and could see that he was trying hard to control himself. His hands were in fists by his side as he fought inwardly to control himself and not grab her and ravish her as he felt the great desire to do. A small knowing smile crept onto Elizabeths face, a smile that seemed to look a lot like one that a lioness would give when she knows she has caught her pray. Elizabeth leanded closer so their lips were almost touching, so close, as she spoke they would brush lightly against his own, and Jack felt heat run though him. He fought desperately.

"Jack.." she whipsered. And just as she was about to kiss him, there came a desperate knock on his cabin door. Jack cursed and pushed Elizabeth slightly away from him.

"What the bleeding hell is it?" he yelled at the door.

"Captain, you must com 'nd see thi'" It was Mr Gibbs.

"Damn!" Jack cursed and looked back at Elizabeth. He swore again and strode towards the door not saying anything else, leaving behind him a stunned and yet again disappointed Elizabeth.

Outside Jack had to blink momentarily to adjust his eyes. He looked over at Gibbs.

"What be it that ye interrupted me for?" Gibbs gestured towards the starboard side of the ship.

"The Flying Dutchman, Captain. It's found us"

Jack pulled out his spy glass and looked through it over the starboard side. And there it was. As sure as the erection he had had moments before.

"damn." Jack muttered. Why couldn't this man leave him alone?

"Right. Mr Gibbs, you know what to do. Get us away from that ship!" mr Gibbs nodded and started yelling orders at the rest of the crew. Jack leaned against the railing and looked out at the horizon where the black spot which was the Flying Dutchman. He was aware of the fact that he had missed another oppurtnity with Lizzie, but he pushed the thought further back in his mind so he could concerntrate on more important things. The Damned Flying Dutchman for instance. He decided he'd quickly go back to Lizzie, kiss her, explain that they'd continue it later if they were both still alive….that thought became strangely disturbing to Jack. Lizzie could die! This wasn't allowed to happen! He must secure her safety immediately!

With the decision made Jack marched back to his cabin, swung open his doors forcefully and found Lizzie sitting on his bed.

"right!" he stated and went over to her. Grabbing her hands he pulled her up onto her feet and drew her close. There was only a slight pause, enough for Elizabeth to catch her breath. Then Jack kissed her. Quickly, hard and desperate. Elizabeth barely had time to respond, but she did luckily and then jack pulled away from her.

"The Flying Dutchman has found us. You are to stay in here! And we'll finish this later!" he said quickly before giving her one last quick kiss, releasing her and marching out of the room.

Elizabeth was stunned.

To be continued.