During Darker Times

Elizabeth's head felt very heavy as she tried to lift it. She was back inside the cottage but couldn't remember quite how she got there. She looked outside her window, it was still night. She realized she was walking, with assistance, but wondered where the last hour or so had gone.

"There, you are love." Jack's voice filled her head as he sat her down in an armchair. Her hands were still wrapped around him pulling him down with her. "Bloody 'ell." He stumbles over laughing. Elizabeth moans her eyes half closed. Jack delicately pulls her forward onto his shoulder and frees his trapped hand from behind her. Very carefully he unwraps her hands from around his neck and goes to place them on her lap when suddenly her hands grab his fore arms.

"Elizabeth, your alright, lass. Jack needs his arms…"

Elizabeth pulls herself forward very dazed, "No, where are you going? You can't leave just yet…"

The two girls enter the room, laughing and obnoxious as usual. Both stop in the door frame and see Jack and Elizabeth in their compromised state.

"Come on now, Jack. Three's er' crowd!" Blurts Rosalie, the sleeve of her dress just so happening to slip off her shoulder. She gives a suggestive giggle and lifts up her shirt revealing a tattered purple and white guarder.

Jack winces in desire but can't slip away, "As immensely tempting as you two lovely sirens are, and I do say immensely, can' you give us a moment?"

"Nada mas, Capitan." Teases Alejandra as the two slip out of the door frame and out of sight.

"Gracias. Only a sec!" He calls out to them and then turns his focus to Elizabeth whose head is hanging down. She puts a hand on his shoulder for support.

"I can't do this, Jack." She mumbles.

"Sure you can, sure you can. A little hair of the dog in the morn and you'll be right as rain!" He says playfully distracting her from her darker thoughts. He takes the strands of sandy blonde hair from he face and brushes it back. "I've bin meanin' to tell you, Lizzie, as of late…" a serious tone captures his voice, "I think it best out in the open, we've discussed it, the crew, friends, the occasional gypsie. Elizabeth, I think you're an alcoholic."

She seizes forward with an uncontrollable laugh.

"It's not good for you, mate. Think of the children, love." Jack smiles unable to take his own joke seriously.

Elizabeth looks him in the eyes and with all sincerity, "What would I do without you, Jack?" She places her other hand on his face.

"I predict, die of grief alone." He manages to force the incoherent sentence from his mouth. He begins to loose his stance more and more.

She smiles warmly at him then bites her lip.


Apoligies for the short chapter. I've noticed they are getting shorter. I just write as it comes. Tell me what you think so far, I'd love to hear it!