CHAPTER 3

Elizabeth was absolutely furious. Jack had told Norrington to keep her under lock and key while he went into the cave all by himself to rescue Will. She wasn't just furious at Jack, she was furious because they were letting Jack go in alone. There was no way he and Will would be able to take on an entire fleet of blood hungry pirates. She needed to get out of this room. She needed to ready a longboat and head for the cave. Before she went to the cave, she would row over to the Black Pearl and helps Gibbs and the rest of Jack's crew escape and they would all go to the cave and the mess would be over with. Jack and Will had saved her life, now it was her turn to save theirs. How was she going to get out of this room? She looked around, and she found some sheets. There was a window, and a boat right outside. She would dump the boat into the water, and then climb down the sheets and into the boat. A sudden thought came to her mind. Why did Jack want her locked in a room while he went into the cave? Was he worried for her safety? No, probably not. He was a pirate. "He saved my life," she whispered to herself. She found herself starting to really fall for Jack. It was more than just a crush, and the idea of him being a pirate. There was just something about him. Earlier, she had told him that she didn't entirely trust him. That wasn't true. She did trust him. At first, when he had wrapped the shackles around her neck, and threatened her life, she wasn't scared. She was angry. She had just stood up for the man, and he was taking her hostage. Then again, he explained to her that they were square. He saved her life and now she was saving his. Jack wasn't really choking her when he had the manacles around her neck. He wasn't even holding her that tight. She was just caught by surprise. It was like he never meant to cause her any harm. He just knew that the Commodore or the Governor wouldn't try anything, while he had his arms around Elizabeth. She did have fun with him on the island that night. It was nice to just dance around, barefoot around a warm fire, and sing, and just have fun. She made a decision. As soon as both Jack and Will were rescued, she was going to tell Jack that she had feelings for him and that she wanted to go with him on the Black Pearl, no matter what anybody else said or thought. She was an adult. She had a right to make her own decisions. But then, what if Jack didn't share her feelings? Oh, well. Then maybe she could be just another crew member. This was what she wanted. Even though Jack was a pirate, he was a good man, and she knew it. Then she thought about Will. Dear sweet Will. What would he say? Will was her best friend, but she didn't have romantic feelings towards him.

Jack and Will were sword fighting. Will was fighting with one of Barbossa's crew, Jacoby, and Jack was fighting with Barbossa. He had a plan. He was nervous when Barbossa told his undead crew to take a walk instead of go to the boats. Now, a lot of the Navy would be killed. His plan had backfired, but now he had a different plan. He had purposefully taken a gold medallion out of the chest, and cursed himself, so that he wouldn't die. While Barbossa was distracted, Jack would cut his palm, put it on his coin he took out of the chest, and toss it to Will, who would toss both his and Jack's coin in the chest, and then he would shoot Barbossa. He had wanted Elizabeth to be put away until this whole ordeal was over. He couldn't risk the lass getting hurt. She was as stubborn as he was. She would demand to go with him to save Will, but he wasn't going to let that happen. He was starting to have feelings for Elizabeth, but he knew she wouldn't return said feelings. Will Turner was the one she wanted. Will was the man she would do absolutely anything for. Even marry Commodore James Norrington just to save his life. Would she do that for Jack? Absolutely not. Jack was truly vexed by her. He couldn't lie. He had been with a lot of women, and he had lied to a lot of women, but he had never been unfaithful. Elizabeth Swann was one woman he knew he would never lie to, and he would never hurt her, not in a million years. What was it about her that drew him in? She was beautiful, that was for sure. Both inside and out. She had spunk, and he liked that. He was feeling more towards her than just lust. It was something stronger. Was it love? No, it wasn't love. He just cared for her. Yeah, that's it. His mind was on Elizabeth the entire time he was sword fighting with Barbossa. When this was over with, he was going to ask Elizabeth to come join his crew. She would say no, he was almost one hundred percent sure, because she loved Will. He could tell. But there was no harm in asking, was there? No.

Elizabeth had just crossed over to the Black Pearl, and unlocked the crew out of the brig. They went on deck and knock two undead pirates into the water.

"Come on! Will and Jack are in that cave! We must save them!"

She went to pull the longboat and expected the pirates to help her, but they just stood there.

Gibbs shrugged his shoulders. "We've already got the Pearl."

"Jack owes us a boat," Marty, the little pirate said.

Gibbs spoke up again. "Plus, there's the code to consider."

Elizabeth glared at them. "The code. You're pirates. Hang the code, and hang the rules. They're more like guidelines, anyway!"

But the pirates wouldn't budge.

"Sorry, Miss Swann," Ana Maria chimed in. "You're on your own."

"Fine! Will you gutless cowards at least help me get the longboat into the water?"

Governor Swann walked into the room to check on his daughter. He had his head down. He didn't know that she was no longer in the room.

"Elizabeth, I'm very proud of you. I just wanted to say I think you made the right decision. Commodore Norrington is a fine man and will make a fine husband, I am sure. Once Turner is rescued, we'll be on our way back to Port Royal."

He looked up and his eyes widened when he saw that Elizabeth was no longer in the room. He saw a piece of paper laying on a desk. He went and picked it up to read it. It was indeed his daughter's handwriting.

"Dearest Father,

I am going into that cave to save both Will and Jack. Captain Jack Sparrow is a good man who can be trusted even though he is a pirate. Father, I like Commodore Norrington, but I am not in love with him. I am in love with another. And it's not Will Turner, either. Yes, it is Jack. I love him, Father. And no, he didn't take me, if you're wondering. On the island we talked about freedom, and life on a ship. I fell in love. After this horrible ordeal, I intend to sail away with Jack. I hope you can forgive me, Father. I do love you very much. Please tell James I'm sorry.

Your daughter,

Elizabeth."

Governor Swann looked up and saw the sheets tied together, hanging out the window. His eyes widened in terror.

"My God, Elizabeth. What have you done?"