Disclaimer: POCT belongs to Disney, not me... sadly
A/N: Thanks for reviewing! The more reviews, the faster I update:)
For the rest of the day, they swapped stories and sang songs and relived their memories: the good and the bad. There were tears and smiles. And perhaps a rekindled flame began to grow. That night, it rained and Elizabeth was freezing. Jack pulled her to him and enveloped her in his heat. 12 days passed and by the 13th morning, while Jack was asleep, Elizabeth grabbed Jack's pistol and started to cry, holding the pistol to her temple. Jack awoke with her sniffles and the first thing he saw was Elizabeth about to pull the trigger.
"Elizabeth, stop! What are you doing?"
"Ending this, Jack. I can't take it anymore. It hurts!"
"I know, Luv. But we made a deal, aye? Tell you what… If no one shows up by tonight, we'll take care of it. We've still got a whole day, Luv." He said trying not to sound desperate although she detected a hint of pleading in his voice.
"It's now or never." She said just as she was about to shoot and he kicked the pistol out of her trembling hands. He retrieved it and put it away, wiping the tears off of her face. He pulled her into an embrace and she collapsed into him, burying her face into his chest letting go of all the pain she had held inside for so long. All of the unshed tears rolling free. He stroked her hair and realized there was no one else he'd rather die with and nowhere else he'd rather be than there with her. When she reluctantly pulled back, she looked him in the eyes.
"Jack, would you do me an honor?"
"Of course, Luv. Anything ye want."
"Tell the truth… where did it point?"
"Where did what point?" he asked, puzzled.
"The compass. Where did it point for you?"
"Luv, I hardly think that it matters now, I mean here we are about to-…"
"Would you just tell me where the bloody compass pointed?" she shouted, a tad bit irritated that Jack was being around the bush. He hesitated for a moment and then put on his signature smirk.
"I think ye know quite well where it pointed."
"I want to hear you say it." She said quietly.
"Alright… it pointed to…the rum." He said in a serious voice.
"Jack!!!" she playfully, punched his arms.
"Oi! Alright, alright. It pointed you, ok? It always has."
She smiled and gave the arm she had just hit a gentle squeeze before turning serious herself.
"It pointed to you, too."
"I figured as much. So how does it feel to know that you're the object of Captain Jack Sparrow's desire?"
"It feels… wonderful. But none of it matters now, does it."
"Who said?"
"I thought… you said so, Captain."
She brought her lips tantalizingly close to his. He could feel her warm breath on him. Oh how he had dreamed of this since they rescued him from World's End. He wanted her. Bad.
"Lizzie, don't do this… don't do something you'll regret."
"And why would I regret this?"
"What about William?" he said, surprising himself. He was a pirate! And yet he was making sure he was what she wanted.
"We'll be seeing him soon enough." When he ferries our souls to the next world…
When she claimed his lips, he was certain of her choice and stopped hesitating, stopped fighting his need for her. And what a burning need it was. They lay together on the beach, in silence, and it was the best moment of both their lives. He had been so comforting and kind over the last couple of days. Of course, because he was good man. Is a good man. She rested her head on his chest as it rose and fell.
"Thank you…"
"For what?"
"For everything. Forgiving me, being so kind. Making the last few days of my life worthwhile. I don't think I could bear to die without knowing Jack Sparrow's touch."
"Nor I, you."
"The sun's setting."
"So it is." He said, solemnly.
"Thank you, Jack. You showed me freedom. I don't think I've lived before I met you."
"You're a true pirate, Lizzie. I never would have thought."
"What's it like, Jack? Death…"
"Not as bad as you'd think. We'll be alright, Darling."
Together, they watched the sunset. The last one they'd ever see. It was a surreal moment for the both of them.
"Let's get this over with…"
Jack was about to get his pistol when he saw tears rolling down her cheeks. He couldn't do this, not yet.
"Go to sleep, Lizzie. It's better this way."
She immediately understood what he meant. Looking into his eyes with a burning passion and fear beyond her imagination, she closed her eyes knowing it would be the last time she'd ever get a chance to do so. Before she went to sleep, though, she quietly whispered "I love you Jack…" Jack stroked her until he was sure she was asleep. Then, he reached for his pistol and aimed at her head. His heart was in agony. Here he was with the woman he loved who, by some miracle, loved him back and he was about to kill her. To put her out of her misery, he thought. He decided to do something insane. To try and save her. He would waste his shot to try and call for help. He saw a ship very far from shore but figured it was worth a shot. Literally. So, he shot it up into the air. The ship was turning. And as it approached the little island, he saw that it was the Black Pearl. He couldn't believe his eyes at first and then he went to wake Elizabeth. He shook her and, startled, she jumped up.
"Jack? Are we dead?"
"No, Luv. Look. It's the Pearl."
"My God… We really are saved!"
"Don't celebrate yet, Darling. We've still Barbossa to deal with."
