FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

CHAPTER SIX—Travel Plans

DISCLAIMER: Jack'n'Lizzie do not belong to me. I make no money from the writing of this fan-fiction.

A/N: Hello, everyone! I am so, so sorry for the lack of updates this past week (I've been meaning to write!), but I've been really busy. I had a lab exam to study for, which takes a tremendous amount of time and effort. Blah! But it's over now and the next one won't be for awhile longer, so no worries!

With that being said, I would like to thank you all again for the lovely reviews! They're quite heart-warming and really do inspire me to keep going. I have very high aspirations for this story and would like to make it as long as I possibly can, and with your support and feedback that seems all the more possible.

Now, without further ado, on with Chapter 6!


A light, crisp breeze blew through Jack's hair, causing the assortment of trinkets and beads to make their own unique brand of music. It was halfway between the early part of the morning and the later part of the morning, his favorite time of day for that was when the ship felt the most alive. The crew bustled about from their positions on ship, taking cargo below deck and preparing the Pearl as she sailed out of port.

She was leaving the port at St. Nazaire, a quick stop for gunpowder, rum and a few other essentials after an unexpected bit of profit came her way in the form of a Spanish treasure galleon. The unsuspecting ship was bound for the Americas and a heavy, wet layer of fog only aided the Pearl in her takeover. A single cannon-shot from the infamous ship (and thus, the ship's infamous captain) ensured a quick surrender from the Spanish crew, who put up little to no fight as the Pearl's men boarded and took what they wanted.

The honest speck of pirating that Jack had been fantasizing about proved to be even better than he imagined. On nights following such a raid, he often went to bed quite satisfied, but on that particular night he lay awake for hours, his thoughts occupied by a different type of gold entirely. He spent many nights thinking of the girl with golden hair and a laugh that had the potential to turn this mighty, fearsome pirate into a blob of mush. He might have told her that he had no qualms over her engagement to the commodore, but lying was something he'd gotten quite good at over the years.

The days of summer were fluttering away one by one, transitioning slowly into autumn, which was Jack's favorite time of the year. He watched from the quarterdeck, listening as his crew chattered away as they worked. He had hoped that with the Pearl's most recent anchoring that he would have found a letter waiting for him in the nearby French town, but there was none. Odds were that his Lizzie had already sent one, but that it had yet to catch up with him. He quietly sighed to himself and leaned forward, resting on his elbows. He'd have to be patient, a trait he struggled with.

"Capt'n?" Jack straightened up and glanced over his shoulder at the sound of Gibbs' voice behind him.

"Eh?" He tried to hide any traces of annoyance from his voice. He was quite enjoying his solitude and was anxious to get back to it.

Gibbs stepped forward an inch or two and turned his back to the main deck, subtly pulling a folded piece of parchment out of his vest pocket.

"Picked this up for ye at Marguerite's last night," he said quietly, handing the letter to his captain with a quick glance over his shoulder. "Though ye'd want me to give it to you in private."

Jack eagerly took the parchment from his quartermaster and flipped it over, secretly delighted to see a seal bearing the initials EJS.

"You thought right," Jack replied, clearing his throat and thus squashing any traces of glee that might have seeped out in his reaction to receiving the letter. "I'll trust you to keep a good eye on things, then?" he continued, swaggering off towards the stairs, headed for his cabin.

"Aye, capt'n." Gibbs let out a sigh and a soft chuckle as he watched Jack go, with no doubt that his captain was completely and utterly vexed.


Jack kicked the cabin door shut behind him, his eyes trained on the parchment in his hands, his fingers working fastidiously to carefully break the seal.

Even after already receiving two previous letters from his beautiful swan, it still surprised him to get another one. Elizabeth had made her intentions to keep a correspondence with him quite clear, but nonetheless, he always wondered when he sent one to Port Royale if he'd get a response. In his years as a pirate, and even before the P was branded onto his arm, he'd learned the hard way not to count on others. But once again, Lizzie had proven herself to be different. His rose in a world full of daisies…

His dark eyes instantly began to read as he continued across the room, nearly tripping three times, towards his desk. Once he had sat down, his gaze briefly shot up to the door, second-checking to make sure it was locked. Reading Lizzie's letters in private was quite important to him. Gibbs was the only crew member to know he was receiving them and that was how Jack intended on keeping things. He could only imagine how horribly things could turn up if the secrecy of their correspondence was discovered by the wrong person… The connections that made their exchange of letters possible could also prove to be quite damning. Jack had made many allies in his lifetime but had also made many enemies. The knowledge that there was someone (a female someone, at that) out there that mattered to him was crucial. Not only did it make him vulnerable, but it made her vulnerable, which was far worse. Jack hated thinking about what would happen if a man like Barbossa got involved.

His brow furrowed as he continued to read. He could practically see the distress on her face and the worry in her eyes, and the notion of a distraught Lizzie was virtually unbearable. As soon as he finished reading her letter, he set it down on the desk's surface and pulled open one of the heavy, wooden drawers, frantically searching for a clean sheet of paper.


Will rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand, gulping down a few deep breaths as he leaned back to inspect his work. Autumn might be quickly approaching, but it was still hotter than it had ever been in Port Royal, and the blacksmith's shop seemed to be a trap for the warm, uncomfortable air. He reached for his hammer and was about to set to work again when he heard the familiar clicking of a woman's shoes on the cobblestone outside.

He wiped his hands on his apron and headed for the door in time to see Elizabeth swing it open, looking as beautiful as she ever had. The pangs of remorse he felt for not being to her what she was to him had lessened, however slightly. He was just glad to have her in his life at all. Their daily visits were the highlight of his day.

"Good day," he greeted, taking her hand and helping her down the steep steps that led into the main part of the shop.

"Good day, Will," she replied, leaning in ever so gently and kissing him on the cheek. "Oh…" she pulled back, skeptically eyeing Mr. Brown, who, as he often was, passed out in a chair in the corner of the room. His empty rum bottle had already crashed to the floor. "…is he…?" She looked back to Will, who only shrugged.

"Don't worry about him," he assured her, sighing. "He won't be awake for hours."

"I see." She nodded and graciously sat in the stool Will provided for her. Her first impulse was to ask if there was anything from Jack, but she held her tongue. She didn't want Will to think that her expectance of his letters was the only reason she visited. Her gaze shot to Mr. Brown, who let out an unflattering snort in his sleep. When she looked back to Will, he was walking towards her, something folded in his hand.

"This arrived for you this morning," he said, handing it to her. She had reminded herself time and time again to retain her composure, but when he handed the parchment to her, she shot up from her seat, eagerly clasping it.

"Oh, thank goodness!" she exclaimed, heading no attention to the stool her skirts had knocked over in her excitement. "It's been quite some time since I heard from him last… I was beginning to worry I'd frightened him away."

Will laughed. "I don't think it would take much to frighten Jack away."

Elizabeth lowered the letter from her face. "How am I to interpret that?"

"Forgive me," his eyes darted away from hers as he spoke. "I meant nothing of it, just that Jack's loyalty is surprising."

"He's a good man," she quickly reminded him, tucking the letter under her arm. She didn't mean for her voice to sound as sharp as it did, but she found she couldn't help it. "Or have you forgotten already?"

"Forgive me," Will said again, his voice softening. "I had no intentions of speaking ill of your… friend." Upon seeing the sadness in his eyes and the dejection his voice brought, Elizabeth took a deep breath, instantly feeling bad.

"I'm sorry," she replied quietly. "It was not my intention to accuse you so." She looked at the ground, feeling awkward. "Perhaps I should leave you to your work."

Will looked up, ready to insist that she needn't go, only to see a flash of golden hair as the door swung shut behind her.


The beach was Elizabeth's favorite place to read Jack's letters. She always felt closest to him there, as if the sound of the waves crashing against the shore brought the sound of his voice reading the letter to her. She couldn't explain it, and often wondered if she'd ever be able to, but something about his letters brought her a sense of calm in the escalating panic that encompassed her life.

Dearest Lizzie,

I must say, it was quite distressing to hear of your… distress. My only hope is to dissipate your unease in the best way I can. But before I give you any kind of advice, I must address one thing: your letter was in no way too brief and was certainly not selfish. Any length you chose to make your letters is enough for me, my dear, and venting your frustrations is in no way self-absorbed. It is you who so kindly expressed your delight in our friendship, which leads me to remind you that occasions like this one are precisely what I am here for… to listen to your aggravations and do what I can to help.

With that being said… try not to worry too much about Norrington's talk of the future. All that it is, is a reflection of his feelings for you. His talk of children and whatnot simply mirrors his happiness at being with you. After all, what man in his right mind wouldn't think of having those things with you? Breathe easy, love. If this talk continues to bother you, the solution is as simple as asking him to stop. Tell him you're not ready to discuss such things and if he really loves you, as you say he does, then he'll leave it alone.

As far as your feelings for the man go, only time will tell. You seem quite certain that you could grow to love him, so you must be patient. But in answer to your question, no… you are not being unreasonable. It sounds to me like these worries simply are a case of pre-wedding jitters, but if they persist post-wedding, know that it is never too late to say goodbye. Divorce might not be an exceptional solution to one's marital woes in the circle you swim in, Liz, but it is, nonetheless, a solution. If you are truly unhappy down the road, don't let a single soul tell you what to do. As I've told you before, your decision to marry someone or not to marry someone is yours and yours alone. Don't worry about being proper and whatnot… being proper is NOT worth being miserable for the rest of your life.

Now, where young William is concerned. Lizzie, my dear, you must stop blaming yourself for his broken heart. You can't hold yourself responsible for not loving him the way he loves you. Ask yourself this, darling: would Will want you to be with him even if it's not what you wanted? I think you know the answer. He would not. Time will heal the blacksmith's heart and perhaps even bring him another pretty face to dote upon. And I'm sure he cherishes your friendship. Severing ties with him completely will only serve to confuse the lad and lead him to believe that it is he who has done something wrong. If you continue to worry that your presence in his life only hinders his chances of re-finding happiness, then simply ask the boy. If he wishes your absence, then you can choose to abide by his wishes.

As I close my letter, I wish to remind you not to shy away from things that are bothering you. If you have a problem, Lizzie, I wish to hear of it, if only to help you solve it.

Keep a weather eye on the horizon.

Captain Jack Sparrow

As Elizabeth finished reading the letter, her mind hazy with a series of happy reflections and memories regarding her favorite pirate captain, she heard a masculine voice calling her name. She glanced over to see James, his tricorn hat in hand, starting down the beach towards her. With a fearful gasp, she quickly folded Jack's letter several times before tucking it inside her cleavage, hiding it from sight. A few moments earlier and she very likely would have been caught… she rose to her feet, forcing a smile on her face while she inwardly thought to be more careful.

"Elizabeth," James sighed at the sight of her, bowing slightly before kissing her hand. "You look lovely."

"James," she curtseyed her response, wondering if she was to keep doing so even after they were married. "How did you find me?" She had meant to say Thank you or how do you do, and briefly closed her eyes in embarrassment as James chuckled.

"Lieutenant Gillette, actually." He held out his arm to her, which she took as they headed back towards town. "He said he saw you leave Mr. Brown's before heading towards the beach. I thought I would walk you back to the mansion for tea."

"How very kind of you, James."

"An honor." She looked up at him to see him smiling at her. She smiled back, feeling guilty that her smile didn't hold the same genuine enthusiasm that his did. "I also… have a matter to discuss with you, Elizabeth."

"Oh?"

"I have received a letter from my parents. In London." He paused briefly before continuing as they rounded a corner, heading up the meandering dirt road that led to the governor's mansion. "They wish to meet you before the wedding."

"Do they?" Elizabeth hoped her voice didn't sound as apprehensive as she felt. She hadn't even thought about meeting her in-laws. Up to this point, it might as well have been that they didn't exist. A brand new wave of nervousness swept over her. "I wish to meet them, as well," she lied.

"Excellent," James replied. She sighed quietly. More eagerness that she could not replicate. "They're hosting an engagement ball. Their desire is for you and your father to travel to London, but if the request is too extreme, I—"

"No," she interjected. As much as she didn't want to travel to rainy, dreary England, she would do it. It was the least she could do for a man who was so good to her. "I would be more than willing to make the journey." She paused. "So I am to understand that my father will accompany us?"

"Yes, I've already spoken with him," he informed her. She rolled her eyes, glad that James was looking again and hadn't noticed. It seemed to her that he would be better off marrying her father… why was she always the last to know these things, these things that should involve only her and her fiancé?

They reached the gate, the guards recognizing the pair and letting them enter the mansion grounds with no fuss. She forced another happy smile on her face when she saw her father, standing to greet them at the front door.

"Elizabeth!" He held out his arms and embraced her the way any father would. "James…" he heartily shook his future son-in-law's hand. "Have you told her the good news, then?" Elizabeth bit her tongue. Her father loved England.

"I have," James nodded. "We can begin the preparations for the voyage as soon as you see fit." Elizabeth followed silently behind the two men as they entered the house, headed for the front parlor for tea. She lightly folded her arms lightly across her chest. If she thought hard enough, she could imagine the salty sea-spray on her face… and the sound of black sails ruffling overhead…


A/N: Well, that's it for Chapter 6! I hope you guys liked it!

Thanks for reading, now go review! See you all at Chapter 7!