Here we are folks, just like I said ;-).
Dead-Girls-Watch – Ah, my regular reviewer! Once again, thanks for the
review :-D It's much appreciated. This chapter's for you ;-)
Q. Annes Lace – Ah, a looong review! I love
long reviews! lol. Like you, in some other E/J stories I have read before
writing this one I felt that Jack was too soft or the romance between them
moved too fast. This is one of the things I planned to make different in my
story from the start. It also looks like you managed to read the letter after
I'd edited the chapter so that the words that were supposed to be crossed out
were made clear. When the strikethroughs didn't show on the chapter after I'd
put it on the sight…It didn't turn out the well. I read the first line which
said Darling Dear Ellie. (clears throat) Slightly corny. I was very quick to
correct that chapter! lol. Anyway, enough of my blabbing. Thanks for the
review! ;-)
On with the story!
~~~~~~
Night had fallen by the time the Pearl's repairs had been taken care of. Elizabeth had simply spent that time in the cabin, barely registering the sound of the crew hard at work on deck. The last time she'd been out of the cabin was earlier that morning when she had intended to wake Jack.
She couldn't help but feel that things were awkward between the two of them. His behaviour earlier on in that day had confused her. It had been obvious he was thinking of something, perhaps remembering something, from the serious look on his face. One of the very few she had ever seen on him. Whatever it was, he obviously didn't want to speak of it as he immediately cheered up on her confusion and turned the conversation back onto the rum in his hand.
She had earlier been dressed in the brown trousers and white shirt Jack had suggested, however had now changed back into her dress. She didn't really see the point in wearing male's clothing if they weren't going to be sailing again until the next morning.
The door to the cabin pushed open, and Jack peered around the side of the door, 'Repairs all done. Comin'?'
'Coming where?' she stood from the chair.
'Tortuga,' Jack grinned just thinking about it.
She shook her head, 'I don't think so. I'd rather just stay here.'
'Here? Hide out from the rest of the world?' he challenged.
Elizabeth stared at him, unsure if she should accept the challenge and go ahead. Unsure if she had the strength. But she could tell from the look on his face that he wasn't going to leave her here, meaning she didn't really have a choice but to stand and make her way towards the door.
'I'm not hiding from anyone,' she said, defensively, as she made her way past him.
Jack grinned a little, surprised at how easily she had given in. He'd prepared a big speech about how the pain would only get worse if she shut people out. Mind you, she wasn't shutting anyone out. She didn't really have anyone to shut out. The two of them had never really had a conversation on such an emotional level. He doubted she would trust him with her feelings of grief. Wouldn't have it any other way, he thought, as he followed her into the town.
~~~~~~~~
Jack sat in the corner of the bar, content, as he spoke to the woman who was sat on his lap. Cecilia. Or perhaps it was Celine. He frowned, hoping that he would remember it for later on that evening. She wouldn't be very impressed if he didn't remember her name.
He kept an eye on Elizabeth throughout the night, who was sitting over at the other side of the room with Gibbs and Kelson. He'd specifically told Gibbs to keep an eye on her that night so he could go and have his fun with the ladies of the town. Despite this, he couldn't help but be wary of her being in the place. Any man in here could easily take advantage of her.
''ow long are you plannin' to stay in Tortuga, Jack?' the woman smiled at him, her hand absently caressing the back of his neck.
He grinned up at her. 'As long as ye need me, darlin'. I'll be 'ere',' he lied, tearing his eyes away from Ellie. She giggled and pressed herself closer to him, her blonde hair framing her face.
He struggled to keep the sly grin from forming on his face. He knew he had her now.
~~~~~~~~~
Jack had began to struggle to keep his eye on Elizabeth as the night went on,
finding himself becoming to increasingly lust for the young woman who was being
far from timid. The last time he looked at Ellie there was only Gibbs with her.
He'd noticed Kelson only a few seconds later with another woman of his own.
'Pardon me a moment, Miss Elizabeth,' Gibbs smiled and her and stood, making his way for one of the women who had been smiling at him.
Elizabeth forced a smile before looking at the cup of rum in front of her. Over the period of the night she had ordered six, this being the sixth. It wasn't the most pleasant of drinks, she had to say. However, with each drink she'd found her troubles of Will slowly drifting to the back of her mind.
'And who might you be, little missy?' a man took the seat next to her.
She eyed him. Not the most pleasant of men either. She could smell the rum off his clothing and breath as he leaned closer to her. His, what should be white shirt, was stained brown and his personal hygiene was the poorest she had seen. She shrunk away from him, her eyes urgently scanning the room for Mr Gibbs or Jack.
Her eyes clapped back on the man in front of her when she felt his hand on her shoulder. She recoiled inwardly at his touch as he leaned closer to her, 'What's your name?'
Elizabeth reached up to grab his hand and pushed it off her, roughly, 'None of your concern.' The drink she had consumed slightly clouded her mind, however she knew well what this man's intentions were and she wasn't about to let him go ahead thinking it. However, this man just didn't seem to take the hint.
He chortled, shaking his head, 'None of me concern, aye? Ye sure are a prim little misses.' His hand rested on her side, gripping her tightly.
Panic began to set in as her eyes scanned the room, desperate for some sign of someone she knew. She attempted to stand, 'Leave me alone.' He grasped her arm tightly and pulled, forcefully, her back onto the seat, his eyes burned with a menace that terrified her.
'Ye aint goin' anywhere, missy,' he grinned, menacingly.
His hand fell down to her thigh, caressing it roughly. The man was suddenly jerked up from his seat and thrown onto a table nearby. The cock of a gun broke the silence that followed.
Jack glared at the man, his pistol pointed at him. His eyes burned with a rage that was unfamiliar to Elizabeth, as she stood beside him. She swallowed and put her hand on the arm that was holding the gun, 'Jack,' she whispered.
He let his eyes glance at her for a moment, before looking back towards the man. His arm shifted to the side slightly as he pulled the trigger, the bullet going through her assailant's right shoulder. Her eyes widened at his action, not containing her shock, as the man cried out in pain.
Jack tucked his gun away and gently took a hold of Ellie's wrist, leading her out of the bar.
'Jack!' Elizabeth reacted once they were in the street, heading back to the ship.
'Just shush,' came his reply, as he continued to hold her wrist, leading her back to the safety of the ship.
~~~~~~
'How could you do that?' Elizabeth finally questioned, breaking the silence
between them, as they reached ship, 'You just shot a man at point blank in cold
blood!'
'In case it didn't register with you, Miss Turner,' he turned to look her square in the eye, 'that man 'ad every intention of takin' advantage of ya in yer drunken state.' He turned and made his way into his cabin.
'I am not drunk,' she defended herself, following hot on his heels, 'And that still doesn't justify what you did. A simple warning would have…'
'Look, Elizabeth,' he turned to look at her, 'Ye don't know what it's like out here! We don't follow the laws out 'ere. We don't care who gets hurt. It's ev'ry man for 'imself out 'ere. And 'e's just one of the examples of the kind yer gonna find yerself facin'.'
'And you're an example of the other?' she retorted.
He turned to look at her, his eyes cold and impassive, 'Look!' he stepped closer to her, 'ya don't got any idea about me, so quit moralizin'. A'right for you, born with a silver spoon in yer mouth! Got folk payin' yer way! You aint got any idea what it's like for someone like me!'
Elizabeth just stared at him, not saying a word. His outburst had startled both of them. He because uncomfortable, realising he was coming closer and closer to reveal his feeling to another person. It was a bad idea bringing her with him. She would be the end of him if he weren't careful. He shook his head and turned, making his way towards the door, 'G'd night, Miss Turner.'
'I thought I was intended to sleep with the crew after last night,' she spoke up, before he could fully get out the door.
Jack stopped in his tracks and was silent for a moment. Without turning around his simply said, 'Get some rest,' before walking the rest of the way out the door, slamming the door shut behind him.
~~~~~~~~
A bit hungover after last night. Didn't think I'd manage to get one up. But I
kept to my word and here it is! :-D Never know, there might be another one
later on tonight. But I'm not making any promises ;-)