4. Return the Favor
"Living forever Jack Sparrow, is not what you want most―anymore."
"Oh, shut it."
Jack mumbled as he turned over in his bed and laid on his side. Pillow stuffed under his head while he continued to talk in his sleep, all the while under him the sensation of his ship swaying comfortably and steadily. It was that incessant swaying of the ship sailing over calm ocean waves which became a cathartic and soothing sensation. It anchored Jack and kept him in a restful state. However there were intrusive voices bantering at him to pay attention and heed their warnings.
"It is she, the pretty woman who you want most, Jack."
"Told ye to shut it, ye blasted nuisance…"
Sparrow grumbled into his pillow as he was forced to wake up, the insistent voice relentless and making him ponder over his next step. It was the slow opening of one black eye first, and then the second felt nearly glued; too sticky to obey his command and open.
"Right…what bloody day is this?" he growled to himself, spying his room through a hazy blur of late afternoon's bronze light.
Once Sparrow achieved wakefulness, it was practically an automatic impression of him needing to get clothed swiftly; an exercise he attempted and failed a few times over. That is when the ache in his head assured him of a hangover which was also in need of attention. Sparrow's cranium was indeed throbbing. Of course, it was caused by the night before; consumption of too much rum had induced a nasty hangover to hit him this morning. Reaching one hand to hold over his aching forehead and temples, Jack Sparrow remained in bed with both eyes closed, but now wide awake as he grumbled in a deep tenor of remorse for his prior foolishness the evening before,
"Blast!" he growled hearing the gravelly voice of his own lamentations about present conditions.
Jack crawled out of bed like a sloth, stumbling across the floor to don his rumpled shirt. He recollected having fallen asleep in his breeches; had actually awoken a few times in the middle of his rest to amble about the cabin. The night before had been uncomfortable because of an incident gone wayward. Done and over with, he thought with a dismissive attitude over the matter. Sparrow glanced down at his current state. He was so used to sleeping naked, it was a visible balk he gave upon the sight of his clothed frame.
But in spite of this slight, Sparrow waived it off as a benign after-effect of just his being prepared for duty. It was autumn and officially ships watched for deadly hurricanes. This was the season to be most watchful and ready now. The Caribbean had been hit with a present air mass of weather which was decidedly humid. It was difficult to sleep in his trousers for the dampness had annoyed Sparrow's sensitive skin. Jack swore under his breath again and remembered the strange dream which had woken him.
Voices that were foreign and unknown called to him. It was not Tia Dalma, or Calypso as others knew her. It had conversed with Sparrow and he had refused to listen. Of course he knew all too well what the message contained. This living forever matter was not a sought after goal of his anymore. That had already been handled by his ventures in central Europe. Of course, sailing the seas for eternity did seem like a pleasant retirement, but it lacked considerable advantages. Jack had given up a lot in the trade of immortality, and the desire which nagged at him now demanded to be appeased.
One adjustment was frequent land trips. The other, this life would be tolerable if only he could have a mate―someone like the beautiful and lovely Elizabeth at his side to share in this immortal venture. But would she? Not telling her had made their last meeting unpleasant…in fact it was downright awkward. A new approach had to be enlisted to make Elizabeth understand the transformation. And then she had to accept Jack Sparrow as he was now, an immortal being. Would she believe him? There was only one way to find out.
And once he decided on that plan of action, Jack contemplated how this novel ambition was to take form. He would live, fight and die for Elizabeth―but was not yet willing to contrive that plan into fruition. Jack shrugged his coat on and darted up the stairs from the hold leaping two steps at a time; a habit he retained from his childhood years at sea as cabin boy. Jack yanked on the big rope lines which hung from the great mast and effectively started pulling on them in to raise the mainsail. He wanted to catch the strong winds which were now blowing. The hurricane season also awarded more blustery winds which now covered the unusually too calm surface of the sea. Jack hoisted the mainsail and then the foresail, only then taking up his position behind the helm after barking his orders. Sparrow pulled the compass from his waist and snapped it open. Yes, the arrow was still hauntingly pointing East―where Elizabeth was living on Little Cayman Isle.
What did it matter how she lived her life now, having been left behind by William on that lone and unfriendly island? She managed on her own in the Grand Cayman Isles, etching out a solo existence. Turner had his immortal days filled with his father. So why shouldn't Sparrow have Elizabeth as his mate in the throes of a forever love? She did love him. Sparrow sensed it for years but did nothing about it after that one incident. He flirted and dallied around the issue long enough. It was time to stake his claim and make Elizabeth his own.
Elizabeth had spent the past few months to herself and in a quiet quandary. Not too many people saw her about much in Boddentown. No doubt she was envied for having the most scenic place to live. The base of the cliff on the bay side was Jackson Point. The vista of the sea was endless as the horizon was always beautiful. With her house nestled very high above sea level, Elizabeth was like a nesting eagle. However, most did not use the private stairwell from the shore. It only lead to her home on the bluff and it was pretty much considered to be her private walkway. It was most often coated with a glossy sheen of moisture. The green grass that grew along the stairwell was never trampled, and it proved to be exceedingly slippery on dewy or humid mornings. The strong winds often blew the surf's moisture her way as well to dampen the slick stones, but she got used to treading carefully upon the slick path. Elizabeth loved watching the thrashing waves of the sea and the gulls which floated upon the air currents. It was during this time of the year when the winds were stirred up and at their most fierce. She observed the roughness of feral waves and the churning seas below. Usually it caused many an issue for the fishing ships in navigating these tumultuous waters. They had the task of combating the ocean to maintain a steady vessel and keep afloat while attempting to dock at the pier with their catch.
However in her solitude, in that home aloft above all, it provided a place of splendor. It awarded some peace for Elizabeth. She loved the way her house afforded that grand vista of the ocean, seeing for miles on end. Living on top of the cliffs she could view the sea and dream of Will's return―some day. As Elizabeth pondered a newer idea, she decided to walk down the narrowed pathway of stairs and perhaps buy some fresh fish for dinner. She had seen one of the local vendors pulling in towards the wharf, where no doubt early this morning he made a huge haul. It was customary for the fishermen to bring their catch in to market before suppertime. Getting there first would assure Elizabeth the freshest and select catch of the day. Elizabeth made her way down to the docks, stepping lively but cautiously down the slick and narrow stairway. Once these stones were damp with any sort of moisture, it made her way tricky. She paused momentarily to take a short rest and to take stock of what was happening below. Many others were gathering at the market sharing the same idea as Elizabeth to get a choice meal for supper. Soon the best selections would be gone, so she hastened her way there.
She eventually made her way down and started to ask around about the various catches. None would suspect that Elizabeth Swann-Turner was very, very vexed, even more moody than usual. Elizabeth was seen alone quite a bit while wandering the beaches, the heights of the cliff, peering out from her newly constructed home, or wandering about the dock side markets as she was now. Elizabeth thought it was best to remain just a bit aloof and keeping to herself. No one approached her and kept to themselves. No questions asked about her business and that was fine by her standard. It offered Elizabeth the much needed privacy she required for preservation to live there. Nobody dared try an approach, but it was easy to discern by her troubled countenance that Elizabeth was indeed undone….like she had not a soul in the world who cared for her.
Elizabeth walked over to the stand and leaned against the wooden post which supported the thatched awning. It hung over the open display of fish, protecting them from the drying and spoiling sun. She happened to overhear the chatter of villagers as they began to get louder and excited. They were conversing about an unusual ship viewed in the waters off the reef. Elizabeth peered casually over her shoulder into the Bloody Bay, watching the ships maneuvering for a proper docking spot to berth. However, with a bit more scrutiny Elizabeth suddenly recognized a splay of black sails fluttering in the wind. It was the Black Pearl…..she heard a yelp of surprise which caused the din to rise. Elizabeth now knew it was Jack Sparrow's ship and it was absolutely heading for port!
Shocked, Elizabeth watched the large and stately vessel sail into the harbor as it maneuvered around the treacherous reef so not to have its hull attacked by hidden craggy tendrils. She narrowed her eyes to obtain clearer vision and saw the ship flew a pirate flag. Why was Jack Sparrow here and why had he returned so soon? It was nary two months since her last visit with him and already he was here to see her? Elizabeth felt excitement and dread at the same time, only curiosity kept her stilled and hidden under the canopy of the fisherman's stand. She was wondering if Jack would try to seek her out immediately or be coy and wait a respectable and less obvious period of time. Would he wander ashore and knock about in town first? Only time would tell.
But what was Jack's ship doing here in the first place? Elizabeth became more irritated while watching the majestic black ship sail with a great determination; swiftly its sleek lines filled the harbor. Elizabeth stared at the stately vessel, but could only think of one person who could pilot that ship through those dangerous waters. It had to be Jack himself at the helm, guiding in his beautiful ship. Her sails were in full regalia display and evidently on show; Elizabeth suspected it was expressly done for her benefit. Surely Jack was coming in on this side of the island, aware of being noticed. He was probably here to pick up supplies, and of course he'd drink himself into a stupor in the pub…maybe exercise his libido out on a wench or two. Elizabeth had no idea what to expect, especially after their last odd encounter. Did she want to have more of Jack in that manner, or write off the incident altogether? Elizabeth had no idea what her own motives were, but she was starting to automatically maneuver in Jack's direction, watching the Pearl glide closer.
"No, I simply cannot do this…to face off with Jack Sparrow like this, it is too much to bear!" Elizabeth stated softly to herself in opposition.
Elizabeth decided she was not prepared for this meeting and swiftly turned about with the notion in mind of escape. She would dart down the boardwalk and race towards the cliff-side stairs to reach her safe haven above. Elizabeth was quickly threading herself through the crowd, but it was in opposition of the tide of people headed towards the black ship. She was swimming upstream like a salmon against the currents. She hoped to leave the docks while the majestic ship was still preoccupied with maneuvering.
To the last, the Black Pearl was navigated with some last minute frustration, trying to situate itself near a main spot at the dock to accommodate her wide hull. Elizabeth dodged people quickly as she looked back to occasionally watch the ship's progress while she herself scampered across the long pier's boardwalk. Finally reaching those few steps down to the beach, Elizabeth quickly darted onto the sands of the shore, getting closer to her point of destination. She sprinted towards the cliff side path that would guide her up the bluff and to her home. Elizabeth managed to reach the base of the stairs just as the large, black ship glided safely into port where it was finally anchoring. She got to the cliff side steps and gained new breath before starting to ascend the long set of steps, leaving the town's market and the Black Pearl behind.
"Blast!" the first mate had murmured, swearing under his breath.
Gibbs had been shouting orders at the crew to secure the ship dockside, when suddenly his keen eyes captured a flash of a white dress. It was darting through the surging crowd, which had been growing in capacity to watch the Black Pearl. There was a woman with blonde hair flashing behind her as she twisted through those marketers milling about the shore, but headed in the opposite direction of the crowd headed towards the Pearl. No doubt about it, Gibbs knew it was Elizabeth. She had turned about quickly, ran down across the portion of dock to make it along the shore line, and then scampered across the small stretch of beach to reach the great boulders. They hid the entry to a long, white stairwell of rocks leading up the entire face of the cliff. Astonished over her bizarre behavior, Gibbs was puzzled.
Jack's immediate arrival back to Little Cayman Island had been obvious to most of the crew why, and what or who he was looking for. However, Elizabeth saw the ship coming and had scurried off the docks, slipping through the crowd like a scared doe! As soon as Sparrow had left the helm to Gibbs, he had returned to his cabin to fetch his effects. When he returned to the deck, Jack walked breathlessly over to the side of rail to meet his first mate. He glanced about to spot only the few crewmen who were assigned duty to stay behind and watch the ship. The rest had eagerly departed for leave. One look at Gibb's disturbed expression gave Sparrow cause for concern.
"What….what is it then, y' have the look about you as if y'd seen a ghost."
"Well….beggin' yer pardon Cap'in…but it was nearly just that."
"Eh?"
"What I'd jus' seen was nearly that….bolted off through the crowds, and right 'bout now if you look yonder, you'll see exactly what I mean, Cap'in." replied Gibbs skittishly to his very temperamental captain.
Sparrow's countenance scrunched up into a deeply forged scowl. Spotting the telescope clutched within his first mate's hand, Jack had grabbed the spyglass and looked over to the shore. His obsidian eye caught sight of the fleeing Elizabeth heading back up the stairs on the face of the cliff. Evidently she had seen the Black Pearl, and instead of greeting him, Elizabeth was literally heading for the hills. Jack's disappointment was evident as he slammed the spyglass shut with a rough shove of his palm and bore an expression of disgust. Sparrow instantly turned to his first mate who looked nervous. Gibbs was attempting to play ignorant as to the awkward position the captain found himself. As first mate and friend he felt bad for Jack, but was struggling with this infernal act of innocence. Gibbs cleared his throat to announce his presence of insight and hopefully could promote a viable conversation. Jack turned about like a crackling whip at him, his intense, obsidian eyes narrowed upon his Gibbs' countenance with a piercing accuracy.
"Mister Gibbs! May I be s' bold to inquire why Miss Swann saw fit t' bolt off as soon as she'd seen me ship arrive, then?"
"Me sir!? How in blazes would I know, then?" Gibbs offered as his repine of humbled confusion, "Sorry sir, but I'd jus' seen her bolt off before we docked."
Sparrow's own eyes honed in on the lone darting figure in the distance still making its way up the side of the cliff, those obsidian orbs squinting for sharp focus as he followed her figure a few moments longer.
"Hmmmm….you say bolted―like a frightened gazelle, she did?"
"Aye, Cap'in…that she did. Flew like the ruddy wind, I'd say…a most uncanny deed it was."
Sparrow's black eyes were narrowing further still. With lips pursing he diligently digested this bit of strange information for internal processing. Jack stood there, his body swaying from the waist and gripping a thumb into his belt. He shot a pensive gaze from his first mate back up to the now distant figure scaling the steps. Elizabeth had slowed her pace, probably from fatigue. Her blonde flaxen hair was flailing in the oceanic shore breezes behind her like a telltale flag. Jack was stirred by the sight of Elizabeth, even from a stance of feeling her purposeful detachment.
"Cap'in…I guess there's not much else to b' said about it. Elizabeth just―bolted off the pier an' there'd she be now, sacalin' up those very steep steps. On her way home I should suspect."
Working his jaw from side to side in deep and pensive contemplation, Sparrow studied the situation. He went over the finite and shady details once more before taking any decisive action.
"She'd recon I'd not seen her a 'tall, then. Suppose not much t' be said on the matter. Now 'tis merely a matter of etiquette, then?"
"Cap'in?"
Hesitant to offer Jack any more fuel for fire, Gibbs decided to shut up while he was ahead and followed Jack's eyes. They were still glued to the distant figure, observing Elizabeth's continued ascent. That's when Sparrow stated with a coyness of tone,
"Well….etiquette meanin' the old proverbial n' primal game of instinct, eh? Now it's up to the chase―as t' whether or not I should pursue. Of course I could 'ave it figured wrong; mebbe it's not the right course after all t' give chase, eh? Mebbe Lizzie's not in the mood fer bein' sought after….whatever that used t' mean, then….." Sparrow said in a hollow tone as he resumed watch of her and was caught up in a great conundrum.
"Well…..maybe you should give it a try, Jack and…."
Sparrow eyed Gibbs with distrust and then prodded his first mate on,
"Out with it, man….well, what else 'ave you in mind for the delicate Miss Swann―who s' utterly n' completely fled the scene b'fore I set one ruddy foot off me ship, eh?"
"Well….it seems to me that if you did give chase…..it wouldn't get any worse….but then I don't nearly have the same affect upon women as you."
"Mister Gibbs, are y' actively seekin' a poke in the lip from me? B'cause in me present state, I'm more than willin' to accommodate wiv throttlin' you!" Jack snarled.
"No sir, not at all…..just simply stating the fact here that it's between you an' Miss Elizabeth, in'nit? Aren't you two the ones with all that history? As for my expertise, I don't see women n' the sea mixin' at all. However, in matters of land….I'd leverage me wages on you makin' the right choice, then." Gibbs had offered as his sage advice.
Knowing darn well that his first mate was telling him what he wanted to hear, Jack sighed and appeared forlorn. Closing his eyes as if to meditate on which manner of exploit to undertake, Sparrow remained immobile. With the captain's usually probing eyes concealed, Gibbs was uncertain what was whirling through Jack's wily intellect. But the telltale demeanor of defeat and a heavy sigh following was a firm indication it had not been favorable. The famous captain had been in a gloomy mood for quite some time now. After seeing this spectacle of rejection, it only sank his spirits lower. Jack's only spark had been the anticipation on finally seeing the retched girl for a fortnight, and his lofty spirits soared upon knowing they reached the island two days early, which told Sparrow he was going to see Elizabeth today―at last.
But now the future loomed dark and appeared bleak again. For whatever reason these two lovebirds were polar opposites and evidently at odds. The remaining ship's crewmen were quick to catch on that their captain's disposition was altered greatly. In these last days of Sparrow's 'change'―the emotional tides were either flooded or dry. He went from hot to cold in seconds. From what they had just witnessed, most were fearful the captain would fly off into a fit of rage and punish them all! But then as the crew cowered in the most obscure areas of the ship to hide and avoid his pensive peer, a miracle occurred.
Suddenly, as if in a fit of antagonistic frustration and uncontrolled rage, Jack tore off his hat and threw it onto the deck of his ship. Following that was his ripping at the buttons of his waistcoat, peeled off his torso. That tossed onto the deck, next to fall alongside the pile atop his hat were some papers. They had been folded in a leather pouch which had been stuffed into his sash. Handing the rest to Gibbs, Sparrow paused. Huffing and puffing with antagonism filling his veins, he then focused on a fixed point ahead. His ebony black orbs were pasted upon the moving target, keenly narrowed while watching Elizabeth's ascent; a blithe form scaling the steep stairs. Jack then drew a deep breath and stated aloud in an irritated and booming voice; almost an ethereal tenor while he announced to his first mate,
"Right! Mr. Gibbs!" Sparrow barked loudly and then waited for a true and formal response to follow in the proper address.
"Aye, Captain!" Gibbs shouted crisply as was expected in his line of command to captain.
"I am taken upon meself t' goin' ashore jus' once more on this god fersaken island….only this time I am makin' a concerted effort to 'ave a conversation with the illustrious Miss Swann, then."
"Aye, sir!"
"Secure me ship if you will; I don't rightly know whence I shall return. If it's longer than originally anticipated, I shall then send word with further instruction, savvy?"
"Aye, but Cap'in….."
Jack's head snapped in Gibbs' direction, his expression composed of a fierce glower and determination. He was certainly not in a first-class mood for banter, and intently focused on the main objective at hand. Gibbs stood there, mouth gaping and terrified to speak.
"What is it, then….come, come man….?" Jack resounded with minor irritation and impatience.
"Nothin', then…good luck to ye." Gibbs had stated with a lower volume of encouragement so no one else could hear.
As Elizabeth darted up the steep stairs, she happened to glance down once more at the distant ship with black sails being secured by crewmen. She observed it rocking steadily within the choppy bay, tied to the docks and completely berthed. Elizabeth held onto the rail for balance as she kept watching the activity below, not too sure what she was expecting to see. Elizabeth's eyes were neatly focused upon that part of the ship where the helm was located. It was at that very moment she was stunned and unable to keep from watching what she had seen. The action had started to take shape now as she stopped her ascent to catch her breath. There he was. The infamous captain of the Black Pearl started to take familiar shape.
Elizabeth remained perched high above on her resting spot about half-way up the side of the cliff. She observed Jack lope with long legged and eager strides across his deck. And then she spotted him descending the gang plank and hit the docks without breaking his gait. Elizabeth gulped out of breath in a visual journey that followed Sparrow's figure maneuver from the gangplank and was presently snaking through the crowds in a serpentine fashion. He was getting closer and closer to the end of the pier, looking as though he was going to leap from it to land directly onto the beach. She observed the hordes of people and vendors surrounding him and hawking Sparrow for his business, but he never stopped to bargain. Elizabeth panicked as she struggled to settle herself from an inevitable wave of vexation sweeping over her with great magnitude.
"Oh no….he must have spotted me!"
Along Jack's onward and upward trek to reach the narrow stone stairwell of this cliff, his expression transitioned into one of extreme puzzlement. His squinting, kohl smudged eyes drifted upward to spot a tiny white speck which was Elizabeth's climbing form. She had made it nearly up to the very top of the cliff's walkway. Lips pursed and cursing under his breath, Jack Sparrow questioned his own sanity. Had his extreme desire for this woman made him so blatantly oblivious to recognize the fact others knew about his ongoing status of inner torment? Too preoccupied with the infernal chase, Jack ignored that resentful notation and picked up his pace. What was he intending to say to her once he reached Elizabeth's home? Would she even be there, and if she was, would she permit him entry? It was all a gamble now and Jack had a lot pressed upon this particular wager. Win or lose, he would have to accept it.
Carrying only weapons as effects, Jack resumed his assenting direction in hot pursuit of present company. But having taken off at such a harried pace, Sparrow needed to rest a bit and halted where he was for a moment. Jack glanced down at his Black Pearl, the ship shrinking smaller in size as he rose in altitude. He had no idea how much of the cliff he had already conquered because of the rapid paced gait Sparrow initially used for making the climb up the stony stairwell. Not wanting to remain stilled for too long, up the cliff Jack went, skipping steps in his first few moments of renewed energy. He flew along a bit faster by using long legged strides to make headway for the time wasted in his short respite. But as Sparrow resumed that pace to climb the lengthily stairs, twenty minutes later and he was winded once more, having expended a lot of sweat and breath from this expeditious jaunt.
Jack Sparrow had finally made it to the summit of the cliff. He stood there once more, gasping with a relentless pain in his chest while catching his breath. As he stood there to conquer his breathlessness, Sparrow was visually inspecting the thatched house ahead; the structure which Elizabeth called home. Jack gingerly crossed the short rope and wooden bridge, glancing upwards to the windows of the building to inspect if Elizabeth was peeking out or had any indication of his success in pursuit of her. Surely if Elizabeth had any clue or indication of what stuff Captain Jack Sparrow was made of, she knew. If she truly had any insight, perhaps this unnecessary and anticipated confrontation would have never been in need. But as it stood, this was the set of cards Sparrow had been dealt and so he put them into play.
Eventually catching his breath, Jack strolled over to the back door and lifted his hand to rap upon the weather worn wood. He halted his fist mid air and opted instead to try the handle of the back door. It was open. Without further to do, Sparrow turned the handle and opened the door, striding into the small house looking for her. Elizabeth must have been stationed at the front of her home, peering out the window because the curtain looked disturbed. It was pulled to the side and caught on the back of the sofa. She must have assumed he'd use the front door to make that point his call of entry. It took a few seconds before Elizabeth appeared from the bedroom, stopping short in a startle upon seeing he had entered the house. She discovered Jack standing there, larger than life in the center of her main room. Elizabeth's lip trembled from the uncomfortable feeling of her privacy having just been violated. Now her body was quaking with wrath. Undaunted, Elizabeth breezed past Jack as she snapped with a venomous tone,
"What are you doing in here? This is an act justifiable for an immediate arrest, I'll have you know!" she hissed.
Adopting a suave, debonair, and yet cocky deportment, Sparrow leisurely sashayed across the room following Elizabeth. With use of a wide affable grin, arms flouncing and waving about in an animated fashion, Jack had adopted a vocal cadence of informal charm as if he owned the place.
"Now that's a rather disparagin' tone t' greet me wiv, luv. I'd rather preferred you'd be elegant n' elated t' see me. Alas, we're not a 'tall cheerful, are we?"
Elizabeth's amber eyes darted in Jack's direction to toss him a filthy glare.
"No, I am not overjoyed at you taking the liberty of disturbing my privacy, and breaking into my home to do as you please! How discerning of you to notice." She snapped with anger.
"Ah! Well, if yer not pleased in the slightest at this moment, I certainly know how t' pluck up yer spirits soon 'nough, eh?" Sparrow mused in a teasing and cagey tenor with bobbing of eyebrows that so far had not spawned a favorable reaction.
"Your use of this schoolboy impudence does not amuse me whatsoever, Jack…in fact, I find your lack of manners being boorish and ungentlemanly. This blatant act of entering my home uninvited and unannounced is highly offensive to my innate sense of decorum and propriety. Now if you would so kindly vacate the premises, I would be most appreciative of that gesture instead."
Sparrow refused to allow Elizabeth's brusque comments and treatment of him to sour his pluck. In fact he expected her to be this feisty after what he pulled. His countenance still adorned with a mischievous wide beam of silver and gold, Jack's cheery disposition seemed to irritate Elizabeth all the more. She was incensed that he was not at all fazed by her reprimand. Instead, Jack started to walk around the room gaining position on her. Dragging an index finger along the back of one chair with a flair of sensuality, his dark eyes flitted from the shiny wood to hone in on her disturbed countenance, directly affected by the erotic gesture.
"Do you find it offensive indeed? Well 'tis a pity, that―it wasn't meant that way a 'tall, darlin'. I merely found the portal open an' I figured it was a novel notion of mine t' announce me presence personally t' you―as well intended surprise. All 'round me intentions were above board in expressin' good tidin's, y' see…."
"Fine. Now that you have expressed them….kindly march yourself out of my home in the same manner which you had entered―quietly and expeditiously…take all your 'good intentions' with you, alright?" Elizabeth carped with a stern tenor of distinct sarcasm and funneled rage.
Jack had sashayed over to the opposite side of the table where Elizabeth had positioned herself in a defensive stance. Not losing sight of his wit and humor, Sparrow then stated with a lofty tenor,
"Actually, therein lies an astoundin' predicament, darlin'―one which caused me a great vexation. I was wonderin' jus' why I'd seen y' dash off from the port docks the moment you'd recognized me Black Pearl on the horizon….or whilst on approach of the pier? A maneuver such as that could b' misconstrued as a rather callous n' hostile act, y' know."
Although playing the role of court jester was like living in a second skin for him, Jack's cunning eyes gleaned a quick assessment of Elizabeth's demeanor. She feigned being disconcerted. Of course he had an inclination why, but as with all women, Sparrow had learned a long time ago not to make any concise or split decisions on how to amend the problem―not until the certain 'lady in question' had made the definitive affront known to him. So, donning his most charismatic beam, Sparrow strutted across the room in a glide to meet up with her, all the while sporting that jocular trademark of his. That gold and silver smile bore the attitude of retaining that snappy sense of humor to shield his own fret and growing internal insecurity.
"Come, come now luv, surely y' must 'ave at least a bit of a smile lurkin' about in there fer me; yer ol' Cap'in Jack, then? Did you not miss me a 'tall these past several weeks or so? I admit to lofty thoughts of fancy 'bout you from time t' time as well."
"Pardon me, but within that stringent code of ethics you so blatantly love to preach, where does it allow you the right to enter a lady's home at will and remain once she has asked you to depart? What does your code of propriety say on that, sir?"
"Tell me why y' left the dock, Elizabeth."
"No! Not until you disclose your reason for disappearing for two entire years! That was fine by your standards. Then suddenly here you are…showing up and expecting to solicit yourself as an agent of affection within my life!" Elizabeth replied tersely, now crossing her arms defensively over her bosom.
Sparrow had heard this now a second or third time. So this was the crux of her gripe―she felt abandoned by him and refused to admit it.
"Is that it, then….that's what's got yer knickers all in a twist? A simple answer could've been provided t' allege why I've been gone―then you'd be fine with it, eh? I could sail off for a prolonged period of time with yer permission is it? Jus' fer the sake of argument luv, what 'bout Master William Turner, then―ten years at sea verses my few years of vacant indiscretion, why punish me for that? What say you t' that slightly differential judgment, eh? Luv, whether or not y' care t' admit it or no―'tis unfair assigning me the role of transgressor when I've been gone nigh a fraction of time compared to William, had I not?"
Elizabeth sucked in both sides of her mouth as if she was desperate in holding back a quick quip that she would truly regret blurting out on impulse. She thought over what Sparrow had proclaimed, and it was true. She seemed to accept Turner's absence in decades, when she was intent upon punishing Jack for missing only twenty and four months. Conceding to his rational and sound explanation, Elizabeth toned down her acerbic quality and then asked,
"Why did it take you two whole years to seek me out, Jack? If you cared anything for me in the least, I thought for certain you would have made your feelings known for me, or stuck about in the area after Will and I had split up to lead separate lives? But no…you had not loitered even a mere day to find out what was to become of me."
Jack tuned in and heard for himself her sad and heartfelt voice. He never thought to hear Elizabeth speak sweetly to him again, or at least let up on her incessant and constant guard erected around her heart. Jack melted inside, but knew it was too soon to hold her. He was dying inside to be close to Elizabeth again and kiss her―at least that…a kiss. But he waited, his patience nearly broke as he saw how genuinely hurt Elizabeth was over this fact. Sparrow cleared his throat and tried to bolster his stance on the matter with a bit more clarity to substantiate his past maneuver of departure.
"Aye, but as I told y' last time I'd seen you, Lizzie…it came upon me quite by providence at first. B'fore I could return there was a long period of mmmm…adjustment. It 'twas no easy task, this route to becomin' immortal. I had to learn how to adapt n' curb certain….shall we call 'em, 'nuances' an' 'cravings' this new lifestyle brought―an entirely different way of livin'. I had t' take proper precautions―when me instincts wanted t' go one way, I needed the power to divert meself towards the other; towards more normal inclinations. Now I actually consider it routine an' not so much an 'official' obligation of sorts."
Elizabeth stared long and hard at Jack, only now realizing just how close he had gotten beyond her level of awareness. Somehow Jack drew near and slinked closer without her becoming conscious of that fact. He had taken a great risk to approach like that, but for some odd reason Elizabeth was not reacting as she normally would. It almost felt as if she'd been transfixed on something else while he maneuvered towards her. Jack was stroking Elizabeth's upper arms and nearly had her in an embrace. She was not exactly adverse to this sensual touching, actually welcomed him being this near to her. Even the smell of salt and sea upon him she was finding a pleasant experience to endure. It had been a fantasy for so long, having Jack caress her was pleasantly comforting. Elizabeth's temper and ire was now fizzling out and almost dismissed, but not her confusion.
"That makes no sense to me at all, Jack. Why did you not send word to me, or tell me how you fared….or even inquired about my well being? Did you not have a care for me at all?"
A scowl returned to his handsome features as Sparrow resumed stroking Elizabeth's upper arms, tugging her closer to his chest.
"Aye, of course I cared. But I had t' stay away exactly b'cause of that as well―fer your safety. Elizabeth, y' know not of me special circumstance and why I had to stay apart from everyone I cared for….an' what I had t' endure jus' to obtain a bit of normalcy….not t' be found out an' learn how to not cause a 'fervor' wherever I went―not to start an instant upheaval in any port town I might travel to with me crew."
Elizabeth laughed with a sinister chuckle of irony as she jested over that very arguable point in his remark,
"Well purely on notoriety alone, Captain Jack Sparrow….as it now stands, you already have done that indeed! Albeit, the sight of you and your black ship does upset many a port and cause disturbances to many of the denizens of any town! Discord runs amuck when they see the slightest hint of black sails upon the horizon. They know well enough pirates are to descend upon their home; mayhem to follow! I mean your legend as it already stands, is known by far. Even your name supersedes strife itself! It coincides with trouble, Jack. So again I plainly ask: why would your minor trip into immortality cause such a distinct hiccough within the fabric of society…any more than it has already been?" Elizabeth adamantly stressed how ludicrous his remark was.
Sparrow labored a heavy sigh, one which seemed to contain all the stress and discord it had brought him. Indeed the sacrifices of which he hinted at seemed only to magnify as he could not disclose the full meaning of what all that meant, what he was attempting to explain. Sparrow felt it was best to still keep those certain details from Elizabeth for now, if only for her own good.
"Darlin', you've no idea of what you speak or what it cost me―quite frankly, I'd rather not speak of such things now. 'Tis only a dire discourse that would meet a fatal end…I simply want t' revel in how good y' feel up close n' next to me like this; in me arms."
Sparrow's voice slowed and deepened into a sensual drawl. His breath became more pronounced as he leaned his head forward and their brows met. Elizabeth seemed to have the stress drain from her form as well. Relaxing more into the hold Jack seemed to have upon her, even if it was not quite her will. Mentally she was questioning why she had not drawn her sword from the wall and started to hack this pirate into tiny pieces. Jack had this calming effect upon her that was totally out of place and unlike herself. But still there were emotional rustlings within that would not quiet, and so Elizabeth offered them voice.
"I have never asked for you to be exclusive to me, Jack…how could I propose such a request when I myself am bound by marriage. Coincidentally tied to a spouse who has been made immortal by our joint agreement and your endeavor." Elizabeth snapped, seemingly up and into Jack's face to make her stance known.
Jack had slightly flinched with eyes blinking as Elizabeth vehemently added,
"…and if you had not noticed of your own accord, over these past few years I have become quite adept at handling my own affairs. I can adequately take care of myself and do not require, or have any pressing necessitate of requiring a…a brigand nanny to watch over me."
"Ah, but ironically 'nough….as it 'tis, I imagine the actual tally of said rescues in count is still considered a monumental feat in my favor, luv. At the present, exact count of times I've already saved yer ruddy hide, as unappreciated as they evidently were. Shall I provide t' you the precise number, then―fer arguments sake?"
Jack resorted to playing dirty just to meet that crass statement of Elizabeth's, and he did so with use of a flippant and mocking tone of dissent. She balked that Sparrow would prevail against her by using that as ammunition, in spite of how accurate his ardent claim had been. No lady liked to be reminded of how many times a man had been 'put out' to rescue her….Elizabeth would rather perish than have Jack Sparrow ever rub her nose in such a thing ever again. But Elizabeth remained even-toned as the reply came forth from her lips, and jerking out of his tender arms as well.
"No thank you," Elizabeth pertly snapped back greatly insulted, "I care not for any of your tabulations, on any said rescues you may or may not have imagined you provided unto me, Captain Sparrow." She stiffly answered with offense.
Jack's grin widened to a tri-colored display of a silver, white and gold glimmer. Oh how he still loved to goad Elizabeth. Right about now they were getting to the crux of her other real gripe. Most of the first layer of defense had been hogwash, and Sparrow was going to flush it out of her yet….force Elizabeth to release all that pent up poison she'd been harboring against him these past few years. Using a slow, step-by-step procedure, Sparrow's seductive smile remained steadfast with a metallic gleam flashing within his sly and foxy lips. Jack strutted closer to Elizabeth and muttered in a deep-throated chortle, all the while stroking his chest with an alluring swirl of his eloquent hand and glittering rings starkly set against those bronze muscles.
"S' that's it, then….yer all head up b'cause of our last….tryst, is that it?"
Appalled over Jack's crude aside, let alone even mentioning that liaison out loud for provocation, it devastated Elizabeth. To hear him speak of their shared moments together, to say it in such a crass fashion, it was daunting and intimidating. Jaw dropping and grasping for a comeback, Elizabeth was left in a virtual limbo to construct an adequate retort. For him to make such a disparaging remark, Elizabeth had to put Jack in his place. The nerve of him mentioning their merger as a tryst! Did he think her as some floozy or a common tart? Was she nothing more to Jack than a mere, flippant sexual amusement? A female trinket for Sparrow to entertain himself with at a whim? Perhaps he had tied a new trinket within his dreadlocked hair as a fond, lustful memory. Just imagining that Jack would place her in this lewd category had incensed Elizabeth all the more.
"I had not implied that at all, but for the fact you should care so little of me; to expose what―what had happened between us in such a horrible light. And to think of how you are portraying it―with a squalid and sordid meaning! I dare swear I am at a loss to comprehend where forth the origin of your mind emanates, Captain Sparrow!"
Jack scoffed at Elizabeth's long winded perspective of their one time dalliance before she was wedded off to the whelp. However, he found her persnickety and haughty carriage over their one time love affair―amusing.
"That's not true, Lizzie…I think yer very much aware of that. But would it not serve as a delightful position for you t' make your stance and try to put me off all the more, eh?"
Of course it meant a whole lot more to Jack, but at the time he was not yet ready to confess of it, and especially having learned Elizabeth married herself off while standing upon his very own ship. He was dangling 'on high' on a mast from the Flying Dutchman. Jack was unaware and had no say whatsoever in the matter, how could he? A very convenient opportunity it was for the whelp and Miss Swann to join in mar-ri-age. However there was much for Sparrow to disclose yet, therefore it was one marginal step at a time or he would never sort through all this emotional debris.
"I'm a pirate, luv….an' I took ye, b'cause I wanted ye…"
"What are you inferring?" That I was 'easy pickings' or some sort of tart in your estimation!?"
Sparrow shot back his snappy retort so quickly, his pert manner took Elizabeth's breath away in a horrified gasp. Naturally she was overwhelmed by what she viewed was his disrespect of her. Elizabeth was aghast that Jack looked upon her with debauchery in mind and not affection. Jack glowered at Elizabeth as he pointed a thumb back to himself in reference and stepped nearer to her and added with a sexual purr,
"No…that's yer own assumptions at work, darlin'….an' furthermore, m' lady…..if y' had any sense a 'tall, y'd know 'nough t' come clean an' realize you wanted me as much as I wanted you, then! So I'm 'ere t' tell you―'tis mutual. You can 'ave me still…mebbe if yer nice." Jack teased with a quicksilver grin spreading his chiseled features until he gave a saucy wink.
Sparrow's scheming smirk had met Elizabeth dazed expression of shock head on. So thus far in the game played, Jack felt that the plan to hit her hard and fast was working fine. Elizabeth was so overloaded and flabbergasted that he could discern her feelings past that dropped jaw. Her frazzled mind was grasping for last straws to combat his lightning like quips. Oh Elizabeth was going to squawk alright, that is what she did, but deep down inside it was only unmasking the passion she harbored for Sparrow. He could tell Elizabeth was desperately trying to disguise this fact of intense attraction from his probing obsidian orbs, now flushed anew with more power than he ever had before immortality.
"Wh…What? You are delusional! I do not want you! I―I never stated that I wanted you! I am a respectable woman, I….I have a spouse….one you have somehow bamboozled into asking for your friendship in lieu of stalking me! And of all things and manner of peculiar services―trick him into asking you to protect me! Will should have hired a squadron of soldiers to surround me to provide protection from you!" Elizabeth carped back with an acidic and sarcastic screech.
With that ever increasing and cocky beam, Jack resumed his pace of closing in on Elizabeth, using incremental steps until she had run out of space with back up against the divan. Her amber eyes wide and alive, Jack leaned over towards her angelic visage. Never did he want a woman than he wanted Elizabeth right this moment. Sparrow's onyx eyes scanning one eye then floated over to the other. Jack then crooned in a silky, methodical tenor of allure,
"Oh really? I seem t' recall a pant or two of y beggin' me to' fill ye up,' or was I gravely mistaken 'bout that as well, eh? Me role as the poor n' misguided pirate, then? Is that what y' want, Lizzie? Do you want me deep inside of you? I recall yer fingers below me waist…..eagerly gropin' at the ties of me britches. I know y' wanted me, luv―wanted me then and still do…"
"I do not know what you mean."
"Don't you?" his deep, guttural voice resonated as Jack loomed in close enough to steal a kiss.
An electric shock jolted from Elizabeth's spine, up to her swirling head, then right down into her crotch. She was stumped for words and remained silent, but internally she reacted to Jack's overt sexual overtones. The visual imagery shattered her demure repose and rendered Elizabeth futile in mortal combat. All the while Sparrow's undulating and suggestive moves towards her were spellbinding. It was like Elizabeth stood outside of herself and watched Jack seduce her and was helpless to protect herself from succumbing to his charms.
Now Sparrow had reached out and lightly grazed the back of his fingers down and across the apple of her cheek. It trailed seductively down to finally cup an embrace the tip of her jaw line. Elizabeth stood there stunned and transfixed within the pair of black pools as if she had drowned within them. Elizabeth had been psychically clubbed over the head, immobilized and struck dumb; she was falling prey to the gliding and scorching digit presently stroking the arc of her cheek and gliding down to reach the nook of her neck.
What was this magnetic influence Jack Sparrow wielded over her? All of Elizabeth's inner resolve and argument was reduced to a mere wheeze. As the words departed from his demonic lips, her eyes rapidly cast down to Jack's britches. Indeed they were straining at the bonds. No doubt about Jack's claims of wanting her when he was standing there up against her sporting a full and bulging erection straining against his trousers! How was it possible that Jack was getting aroused by this heated argument of theirs? Elizabeth fought the primal temptation to reach down and touch him, to feel that throbbing wad of pulsing flesh waiting there allegedly just for her. Tearing her eyes away from it and scaling back up to Jack's lethal smirk, Elizabeth eventually found her voice. Regrettably, it was not as profoundly stern as she would have liked. She wanted a scathingly penetrating tone in order to chastise this dastardly pirate for his disrespectful assumptions and crude accusations.
"You are absolutely a repulsive pirate! You….you took advantage of me at the time I was an innocent! I knew not the ways of men and women concerning sex! What you had done to me was criminal! I came to you because I was driven by guilt. I was struggling to express my sorrow for leaving you to perish. I begged your forgiveness for leaving you to the Kraken Jack, I had no manner of mind to cajole you into―forcing yourself upon me―you did that merely for sexual gratification! Shame on you," Elizabeth hissed.
Jack's onyx eyes glittered like faceted black diamonds with renewed excitement upon hearing those words leave Elizabeth's lips. The heat in her passionate rebuke had only sparked Sparrow's libido that much more. It greatly impressed him how Elizabeth truly still and did want him sexually!
"Ahhh, but y' did want me, luv. 'Tis a falsehood that lit'le speech of yers. It was always there lurkin' in yer eyes, and the way y' asked me t' take you―right there, right on me ship, an' right there on the deck. S' alright darlin', I won't tell a soul. I jus' mean to make you understand that I still want y' too―more than ever." Jack steamily purred as he drew close to a kiss.
Elizabeth was exasperated―could not concentrate because this zany conversation got away from her. Was she speaking Greek to Jack Sparrow? The more she denied him, the more Sparrow was convinced of her ardor! And Jack was continually stroking her cheek, his index finger slowly draping itself down the arc of her neck, drawing tiny circles at the base of her throat. Jack leaned over, kissed that petite and tempting shaped 'v' at the base of Elizabeth's throat, then drew his eyes upwards to view her stunned countenance and whispered into her ear as he nuzzled her,
"I want y' Lizzie…I'm ready t' give meself to y' now―all of me―only y' mus' tell me one thing―that you love me too."
"Wha….what?"
Elizabeth's head was swimming as she stammered those words which fell from her lips. Whatever Jack was doing to her, it left her depleted of anything else to say. She was ultimately standing there in a state of extreme shock again, unable to challenge what ludicrous remarks and assumptions Jack was making. Or was this all actually true and she was the one who was suffering from delusions? Now was she able to fully comprehend what he was unfolding before her? What was he suggesting? Did Sparrow deem in all that posturing and cockiness that Elizabeth should believe he was 'giving' himself to her!
Elizabeth nearly stopped breathing from the escalating levels of shock which settled upon her. Not only from the mesmerizing sensation of Jack slowly stroking that small nook at the base of her neck, but his penetrating onyx eyes. Those orbs, lined with smudges of dark kohl were now focused intensely upon her visage. Elizabeth was captivated by Sparrow's lulling, deep and spellbinding influence of voice; it virtually struck her speechless. Was all this Sparrow's' new way and initiative to having sex with her again?
Jack's tenor was deep, guttural, a throaty rasp as his eyes squinted in the angst of ardent desire while touching his beloved. Jack actually winced at one point, his dark fantasy causing a flush of excitement to leap within his chest as well as britches. He was overwhelmed with the want and hunger. All the heat and vulnerability was there just lying in wait under the intensity of his forceful presence and sexual magnetism. And his resonant, charming tones of passion caused Elizabeth to heat up even against her own mental will.
What in the world is happening to me?
"Jack….." his name slipped from Elizabeth's lips like a breath of steam escaping through clenched teeth.
Drawing his handsome face closer, Sparrow had whispered back to her, turning on the wattage of charm applied when he responded seductively in a sultry purr,
"What, m' luv…"
Jack Sparrow's silvery tongue flickered outwards and in a feather-light manner licking the nape of Elizabeth's throat. Stunned by the erotic sensation, Elizabeth stilled. Jack peppered kisses at her jaw, working to the base of her ear, as he then slid down the side of her elongated neck, he gently nipped her skin. Sucking slightly on a tuft of it, Elizabeth nearly swooned. There were tapering fingers placed on the opposite side of Elizabeth's neck when she heard his guttural voice rasp once more in a suave, velvety tenor which quickly transitioned into a low growl,
"Mmmmm―talk t' me Liz'beth―tell me what y' want t' do to me, darlin'―but tell me first, then….do y' love me, as I love you, eh?"
Just then she felt Sparrow's hand slide from her rib cage to the middle of her back, leaning her in that same inclination. Her head was swirling that much more as his nibbling upon her neck seemed to sharpen a bit. The more his hand performed swirls at the base of her spine, so had that gnawing sensation intensified upon her neck. This was too much for Elizabeth to absorb or handle all at once. She knew seeing this pirate today would be her undoing and for once her premonitions were correct. Indeed Elizabeth was traveling down a path she would have never guessed in a thousand years.
Jack's sensual touch was driving her insane with desire. The manner and cadence of his lowered voice in which he spoke was intoxicating. The use of each sultry, velvety tones that he crooned liquefied her resolve. Jack's undulating whispers heated and burned her insides. Sparrow had done it with such complete simplicity, it had frightened her. Elizabeth was now thrown off balance with the demands of his command, needing her admittance of love for him…as Jack had just declared his love for her. Was that at all possible? It appeared that Jack Sparrow was demanding her to reciprocate the emotion and to repeat the same sacred phrase to him! Flustered and confused, her swimming thoughts tried to sort out if this was a tease or some clever trick to extract a real emotion from her. Elizabeth finally spoke with a stammer and in utter turmoil from his declaration of affection.
"Jack…I know not what you wish of me. Are you actually telling me―you are in love with me?"
As if it were only a contrite matter to contend with, Sparrow's serious visage erupted into that cagey beam once more as he replied with a more earthly tenor, the use of one arm gesturing casually in the air as he spoke,
"Aye, of course it 'tis a fact. Now, do y' confess to it as well, then?"
"This is no game, Jack! So much hangs in the ballast if we declare a love as such―if you do not forget, I am already married to Will." Elizabeth exclaimed as if trying to convince herself as well as Sparrow to lean towards reason.
"Trifles."
"Trifles?"
"Aye. Y' thought I'd fergotten that lit'le problem somewhere 'long the way, then? I bloody well know what thread ties y' to him, an' I say cut the cord―no loss there, luv. B''sides―you don't love him like y' love me. Dare I utter the phrase, but I thought y' never had loved the whelp―not since I came 'round n' scooped ye up into me arms. Tell me then―do y' love me as well?"
Elizabeth melted when she looked up and gazed into those colossal black, obsidian eyes of his. Jack was exposed, his tender vulnerability right there before her. There was a haunting shade of innocence deep within which she had never witnessed in Sparrow before. His nearly perfect pout puffing up that lower lip to entice her into a world of shaking limbs. Elizabeth choked as she felt her resolve wash away in those dark swirling pools of his ebony orbs. This seemed like a watershed moment and what she said or did in the next few moments was profound. What she'd say…..and meaning it, for what it was worth, this would change her life. Elizabeth took a deep breath and decided to cast fate to the wind as she replied,
"I….I love you, Jack…may the gods above help me, but I truly do."
Elizabeth had responded with a wispy, almost cosmic and profound breath as she reassured Jack of her affections. With that declaration Jack lurched for Elizabeth, leaning forward and capturing her within his arms. Firmly hugging her, Sparrow planted a torrid kiss upon her mouth. Releasing her if only to gloat a little, Jack mused with a spring in his tenor,
"See, that wasn't s' hard…least not as hard as this…"
Jack's breathy words circled hot air into her ear and she shivered. But before she changed her mind or had a chance to alter course, Jack had captured Elizabeth's hand and placed it on top of his britches where he pressed her palm there on his firmness, not letting Elizabeth go until she stopped trying to jerk it away. Her eyes widened as she felt his throbbing member within. Jack moved her palm up and down the length of himself until he emitted out a drawn out moan of want. Elizabeth finally conceded and let her curious fingers rub up and down the thick, pulsing shaft slowly. While kissing her and moaning, Jack managed to say between shattering gasps caused by her slender fingers,
"It's all yers now, luv―I've always b'longed t' you, long b'fore you realized it. And I know how much y' loved me…..when I saw it in yer eyes. S' you can't lie 'bout it to me then, b'cause I saw it plain 'nough."
Jack was kissing Elizabeth fully now, allowing his hands to thread through her silky, flaxen hair, his tongue plunging into her soft mouth wrestling with hers. Elizabeth's eyes were closed shut, but she could feel each nuance of Jack's tender caresses, and experience the hard throbbing column within his britches. Elizabeth felt herself being swept up within Jack's erotic charms and raw sexuality, just as she had been caught up years ago. Her groin ached and desired Sparrow's expert touch and it grew even more desperate as Elizabeth felt Jack's desire increasing. The ardent heat coiled within his britches, a hard and steady pulse of the steely, masculine proof was harbored within. Jack rocked his hips forward into Elizabeth's roving hand, moaning into her mouth during a deep kiss and then warned her,
"Darlin', I mus' stop now for the moment….I'm too close….I'd rather pleasure you―"
Before Elizabeth could offer a reply or decline, Jack trailed his kisses from her shoulder, ripping open her blouse and resuming those kisses down to the middle valley between her breasts. Elizabeth's breath hitched as Jack inched lower, dramatically falling to his knees. He retained a clasp of his arms around the small of her back; hands slowly sliding downwards to massaging and kneading the downy curve of her buttocks. All the while Sparrow was kissing her stomach, Elizabeth let her hands traipse through Jack's coarse braids of hair. The tips of her fingers mindlessly fondling the beads and thick hemp like dreadlocks. Elizabeth's one hand braised his cheek, Jack instantly snagged it and kissed the center of her palm and then gazed lustily up into her hooded eyes. His tongue rolled out to dart and lave her palm until he took her index finger and began to suckle upon it. All the while Jack's other hand was stroking strong circles about her bottom. Elizabeth could barely catch her breath as she was swept up into Jack's world of sensual delights. Releasing her finger, Jack asked with a husky tenor,
"Tell me, do y' give yerself t' me, Lizzie….all of you, then? May I take you for my own? I ask now fer once I start, know this―I shall not stop―there's no goin' back on that pledge, luv."
Elizabeth was so overwhelmed by the sensations swirling within her head which made it difficult to concentrate. So much had occurred in the past ten minutes alone; all these torrid moments building to a crescendo of life altering promises. This was effecting Elizabeth's future in so many ways she could not keep track. Gone was the immature and youthful love of William Turner―he would no longer hold top position in her life. That status was now dissolved and going to be voided. In its place a new and forbidden love had been initiated within her heart and coveted her emotions.
Elizabeth was filled up with Jack―Captain Jack Sparrow the legendary pirate who had entered her life. He appeared by the hand of destiny only a few short years ago. But oh, how he had altered providence. And now this handsome man was presently kneeling at her feet, his arms wrapped about her. His resonant voice in a string of ardent whispers had pledged how much he loved her; explaining with such explicit irreverence and casual nonchalance. Elizabeth felt it in her heart his words were true, even if he was restating that which had already been made known to her.
But that of course was part of the mystique which surrounded this man, the confounding fact that not only was Sparrow clever and insightful to figure those people around him, there was this cosmic comprehension that allowed Jack the power to discern others―especially her. Elizabeth was amazed how he could so accurately pinpoint and then target the heat of her desires, and read the intricate language of her heart. Elizabeth thought her actions and hostility towards Sparrow had spelled anything but affection, showing him complete animosity! How could Jack be so profoundly correct about reading her feelings to profess such a confidence in knowing her?
Enveloped and coiled within his strong arms, Elizabeth lost the starch in her legs and sank down onto the floor of her modest, thatched home. Remaining within Jack's arms, she was breathing in the same ragged breath of anticipation as him, deeply gazing into those mesmerizing obsidian eyes. They were adoring Elizabeth and laden with immeasurable lust. Jack had waited almost an eternity to love this woman properly, and now it appeared as if he was on the threshold of having that distinct opportunity to bring that longevity to her as well. Elizabeth's supple gaze of love and intimate desire flickered in her golden eyes for him, they told Jack all. His assumption was accurate, no matter how much even he himself had questioned whether or not Elizabeth was his reward to reap―but take it he would.
Jack curled his solid frame around Elizabeth, his arms strong and supporting her body like a buttress as she leaned into his chest, awash with a swoon of emotions. Jack had her boiling in a fevered pitch, wanting and aching for Sparrow with all of her being. But Elizabeth had a small echo in her head which was still apprehensive for what was to come. She expected this to be an ominous execution to terminate her vows of fidelity in a marriage that was still legal. She was specifically feeling guilty how enormous this development with Jack was going to be. She was binding herself to this sage pirate forever. That was the pledge she made.
Jack also had more experience in the area of amorous tidings, as she learned years ago when they first made love. Even then it was a personal experience she had not forgotten. He had distinguished himself to Elizabeth of being apart from other men, and certainly why he was favored by women. Elizabeth's own common sense conveyed to her that this event as well was going to be a monumental episode for her. Elizabeth was nervous as if this was the first time. But Jack had sensed that apprehension. He was certainly going to live up to his promise and offer his utmost attempt to make this as pleasurable for her as possible, under the circumstances of jangled nerves and inexperience. Looking into her eyes and knowing what she was thinking, Jack began kissing the fearful, rosy cheeks, licking her neck while having a hand cup one breast tenderly. Jack whispered while nuzzling into her ear,
"What we need is a bed, luv….we certainly can't do it 'ere where we lie, eh? Mmmm….I mean we could, but I don't want to do it here this time, on the floor of yer living quarters, eh? What I have in mind to do to you, I'd much prefer we do it in the lap of comfort, then. Can we adjourn t' say a comfortable bed?"
Elizabeth trailed the tips of her fingers on the full lower lip of Sparrow's mouth, watching one side of that sly grin starting to sprout on the corner, all the while his dark eyes had never left focus of her visage. They traveled from one golden orb to the next, drinking her in and absorbing the trepidation. Knowing what she was feeling, Sparrow wanted to reassure her as well. Jack placed his fingers under Elizabeth's chin to hold her still as he loomed in upon her lips and offered a sweet and genuine kiss to ease down her skittishness.
"C'mon then….let us to bed, then."
Happy where she was and taking into account what Jack was implying, Elizabeth agreed only to appease Jack's request for comfort. She had not thought yet in depth about what he was angling for in his stated plans, or why it mattered at this point in time where they landed. But Elizabeth was eager to keep all of these good feelings on a continuum and so she agreed, kissing Jack back with fervor.
.