A/N: The Black Pearl is back!! Not necessarily a good thing, but it had to be done. Thanks to my supportive and talented Beta, Florencia7 !
Disclaimer: I do not own, or claim to own, any of the POTC characters.
xxx - Seven - xxx
"The ship is back already?"
Elizabeth wasn't completely successful at hiding the disappointment in her voice. She tried to paste a look of surprise on her face instead, but Jack didn't appear to notice either way.
"Yes, that's the signal. Gibbs is well trained, " Jack confirmed, his lips still hovering within reach of her own, his voice deep and husky. "Nice of 'im to give us some warning. The Black Pearl has returned rather quickly, my dear," he spoke with regret. His face was so close to hers that the hairs from his beard tickled her chin.
His breath lightly brushed her mouth, and she found her lips opening again, involuntarily, seeking something she didn't wish to verbalize, nor to entertain in thought. Her gaze fell on his mouth as she struggled to concentrate on his words. She was conscious of the fact that her arms were still encircling his neck, and she started to pull away.
"Then they're back," she stated unnecessarily.
Before she could say more, Jack's lips were pressing against hers with great urgency, as if to take advantage of the time they still had, or perhaps as if the two of them hadn't been interrupted in the first place. She felt her back meeting the cold stone wall for a second time, and she welcomed the feeling. Just one more kiss. Just one. Elizabeth wasn't sure if she was moaning in her head or out loud. At the moment, it didn't matter. I can't seem to stop! What is wrong with me? She found herself forgetting their brief interruption, her thoughts only on what she was sure was their very last kiss. Elizabeth pulled him closer, her tongue meeting his half way, darting between his mouth and her own, though the line between the two had melted with their deepening kisses.
Jack broke the kiss for just a moment to whisper, "We still have some time."
The innuendo drove her careening back to reality. "Time for what, Jack?" She pushed against his shoulders, putting space between herself and Jack. Anger flashed in her golden brown eyes.
He realized the moment was over. "Nothing, Miss Swann," he said, his dark eyes steady, gazing into hers.
"Nothing has changed between us, Jack."
Jack raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Of that I am certain, Elizabeth," he released her and stood back, letting the words float between them. Elizabeth looked at him curiously, then turned and began packing her small bag.
"I think I should go out to meet the Pearl," Jack announced. "You can stay here until I return."
"No! You're not leaving me here! What if you sail off with your ship, leaving me stranded on this bloody island?" she regretted saying it as soon as the words left her lips.
Jack stopped in his tracks, and turned to face her, anger and disappointment crossing his face. "Then perhaps ye don't really know me at all. 'I have faith in you, Jack', didn't you once say that to me? Ye really don't trust me?"
"I'm sorry…"
"After all we've been through ye think I'd leave ye here for good?" Jack started angrily stuffing items in his bag. "Besides, I made a deal with yer young Mr. Turner, didn't I?"
"I didn't mean it, Jack," she felt tears collecting, threatening to spill with the slightest encouragement.
"You've been saying quite a few things lately that you haven't meant." Jack went to her side and ran his fingertips down her cheek, and across her lips, seemingly lost in thought. He leaned down and briefly kissed her. "Don't look so sad, Lizzie. It's done, let's get out of this 'lil palace and down to the beach. It's time to meet me ship."
She followed him from the cottage, stopping to adjust her clothing. There. He's out of my system. My curiosity is quenched, I've been kissed by a pirate more than once…a devilishly handsome, charismatic pirate…'Oh stop, Elizabeth!'… and now I can put that first kissbehind me for good. Not that I wanted to be kissed by just any pirate, I admit that. Yes, for certain he is quite out of my system and whatever attraction I might have had for him was obviously just…curiosity.
Elizabeth followed Jack back down the trail toward the beach. They left the meadow and followed the creek down stream, Jack keeping watch of the horizon for his ship. When he found himself getting too far ahead of his companion, he paused and waited for her to catch up to him.
"Somethin' the matter, Elizabeth?" When she didn't reply, he raised his voice. "Miss Swann, I'm disappointed in ye. I thought surely yer step would quicken at the thought of the valiant and undeniably heroic William returning to yer waiting arms."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Jack, I think you get great enjoyment out of mocking me."
'That's not what comes to mind when associating the words enjoyment and Elizabeth', Jack smiled to himself. "Not at all, Miss Swann. I just think yer a bit confused about where your…affections…lie."
"I am not confused!" Elizabeth shouted, the sea breeze carrying her words, amplifying them. "Don't mistake weakness for confusion."
Jack turned away, deciding to let the matter drop.
As they left the dense vegetation, they both stopped short, noticing a distinctive, putrid smell.
"That is a most foul odor," Jack muttered, scanning the island.
Elizabeth put her hand to her face, covering her mouth and nostrils. "Jack, what is that?"
"Smells like something died. A whale washed ashore, perhaps? I doubt our old traitorous sailor friend washed up, he was weighted down pretty good. Care to saunter over and take a look with me?" He proceeded on, covering his face with a few stray dreadlocks, holding his breath as long as he could before gasping for air
Jack and Elizabeth were afraid to breathe too deeply of the foul stench permeating the island. As they walked across the glistening sand of the beach, they looked to the south and spotted the Black Pearl's distinctive black sails. The ship was anchored not far from shore, and a small boat was making quick progress toward the island.
Jack led Elizabeth to the water's edge where they deposited their meager belongings and waited. The longboat made quick time, with Pintel and Gibbs at the oars. Will stood toward the stern of the boat, surveying the landscape, his eyes warming at the sight of his fiancée waiting for him.
"Elizabeth!" Will jumped from the boat as it made land, wading quickly through the water, arms stretched in anticipation of their reunion.
"Will!" Elizabeth ran straight into his arms, while Jack stood by, watching solemnly. Elizabeth absently turned her head so that Will could kiss her cheek, an act that did not go unnoticed by Jack, who raised an eyebrow and smiled.
Kissing Elizabeth firmly on the proffered cheek, a faint flicker of warning tugged at Will, but he suppressed it, overjoyed to see that she was safe and quite happy to see him..
"Ye smell bloody awful, Mister Gibbs," Jack patted Gibbs forcefully on the shoulder, suddenly feeling quite jovial. He ignored the young couple embracing in the shallows. "You weren't gone that long, ye must fill me in on your adventures, over a much deserved bottle of rum, of course." He looked over at Will. "You, Turner. You don't exactly smell like royalty either, boy. What happened? And how is me ship?"
"The Pearl be fine, Jack," Gibbs answered. "Let's get ye and Miss Elizabeth back on board an' we'll explain everythin'"
"Hey you, eunuch!" Jack called. "Ye brought me ship back, apparently in one piece," he glanced in the direction of the Black Pearl, "but did ye finish the rest of your, ah, duties?"
Will held Elizabeth tighter. "Not so fast, Jack. Did you hold up your part of the bargain?"
"I believe your darlin' fiancée can answer that," Jack stole a glance at Elizabeth, his eyes twinkling. "She appears unharmed and quite content, doesn't she?" Elizabeth's eyes met his, silently pleading for him to keep quiet.
"I'm fine. Just a little hungry and tired," Elizabeth said. "Can we go now?"
Will helped Elizabeth into the longboat while Jack, Gibbs and Pintel retrieved the belongings and joined them. Soon Gibbs and Pintel were rowing toward the ship, with Elizabeth huddled next to Will, her head on his shoulder, becoming accustomed once again to his embrace.
The moment they climbed aboard the Black Pearl, Jack resumed his command of the crew, shouting orders.
"Now, will someone please tell me the source of this most unpleasant, objectionable, undesirable, and completely unappealing scent on my ship? I've suffered the smells of the lot of ye for months, and in some cases years, and never before have ye given off such a foul odor. Ye do know that pirates bathe on occasion? Mr. Cotton? Mr. Gibbs? Anyone?" Jack paced up and down the deck, one hand on his pistol as if he wanted to shoot the offending producer of such a foul aroma.
"To answer yer question, Jack…Cap'n," Gibbs approached, "ye need to follow me."
Gibbs began walking toward the stern of the ship, followed reluctantly by Jack, with Will and Elizabeth trailing behind. "Get back to yer posts, men, and make ready to sail," Jack shouted over his shoulder for effect.
As they approached the stern, the stench was almost unbearable. Jack grabbed the end of his sash and covered his mouth, stifling a gag. Elizabeth turned her face deep into the folds of Will's shirt, trying not to breathe too deeply. Jack stopped short as Gibbs pointed beyond the deck of the ship. Two thick, heavy ropes securely fixed to the deck trailed off the end of the ship, and as Jack peered over the side, his eyes widened. Secured to the ropes and therefore the stern of the ship, tentacles bobbing on the surface, was the floating carcass of the Kraken.
"Oi, that beast smells bloody revolting!" Jack turned away, looking a bit ill. He slapped Gibbs on the back. "Good on ye, catchin' the beastie and servin' 'im up as shark bait, Gibbs. But did ye have to tow the creature behind me ship?"
"Mister Turner, here, wanted to give ye proof that we killed the Kraken dead, 'tis all," Gibbs answered, watching Will and Elizabeth move further away. He leaned in to whisper, "An' if ye ask me, Jack, the lad's been sorta obsessed and all, to get the beast and yer ship to ye sooner rather than later, him bein' worried 'bout ye and Miss Elizabeth spending time together. Alone, like."
"Why was the whelp worried about that?" Jack's guilty expression would have been clear to Gibbs if his first mate had actually been looking directly at him.
"Jack, he seen ye."
"Seen me what?" Jack leaned in conspiratorially.
"He told me, in strictest confidence, mind ye, that he saw you. An' Miss Elizabeth."
Confused, Jack stared at Gibbs. The eunuch wasn't even on the island during that time.
"No, he wasn't there. Why? What happened on the island, Jack?" Gibbs questioned.
I said that out loud? Bugger. Not good. Not good at all. "Uh, nothing. I obviously do not know to what ye are so mysteriously referrin'. Again, Mr. Gibbs, he saw us what? Where?"
"He saw you and Miss Elizabeth, kissing right here on this deck, right before the Kraken went after ye, when we abandoned ship. Before I came back to git ye."
Jack's eyes widened. That's interesting information. So Lizzie never told him, eh? And Will never asked her about that kiss?
"Jack? Ye have something ye want to talk about in regards to Miss Elizabeth?" Gibbs watched Jack's surprised expression. And then something very unusual, and never before publicly seen, happened. Jack Sparrow was blushing.
"Close yer mouth, Mister Gibbs, ye look like an overgrown carp." Jack turned and noticed Will leading Elizabeth below deck. "And can ye cut that great pile of tentacles loose from me ship?"
"Aye, Jack."
"When it's gone, meet me in me cabin. We need to set our course," Jack walked away quickly.
xxxxxx
Gibbs knocked on Jack's cabin door about forty-five minutes later. Jack took his time opening it, then blocked the doorway with his arm.
"Round up Pintel, Mister Turner, Ragetti….and Elizabeth, and all of ye meet me back here to discuss our heading," Jack closed the door without waiting for a response.
Ten minutes later, everyone was standing around Jack's desk in his cabin, watching him study a large, stained map. Though the men were engaged in small talk with each other, Elizabeth had been distracted as soon as they entered Jack's cabin. Every time she talked, her teeth rubbed against the inside of her mouth, and to her horror, she found that her mouth was noticeably sore. She fought the urge to run her tongue across the sore tissue, worried that someone might notice. Such an action would not be easy to explain away.
"We have several choices," Jack said to no one in particular.
"I believe I made myself clear, Jack. We need to find the Flying Dutchman and rescue my father," Will insisted.
"And what incentive do I have for doin' that, Mister Turner?" Jack gave Will a hard stare, then looked away. "Pursuing the Flying Dutchman just happens to include coming face to….tentacles…with Davy Jones. I'm not of a mind to see his fishiness again in my lifetime. And not uncoincidentally, a reunion with me briny foe could result in the very premature end of me much treasured life." Jack unrolled another map and absently smoothed it across the desk. "And what of you, Miss Swann? Do you agree with yer fiancée?" He peered up from the set of maps and looked deeply into her eyes. For just a moment she forgot anyone else in was in the room, her thoughts were so focused on Jack.
"Actually no, I don't agree," she blinked and looked away.
Will looked over at Elizabeth and started to protest, when he was quickly cut off.
"Why don't you retrieve my compass and tell us our heading, Elizabeth?" Jack asked.
"I have it right here. But as I've told you, it doesn't work."
"Give it a try anyway," Jack suggested.
Elizabeth glared at him and untied the leather cords holding the compass to her waist. She flipped it open. She sighed when it immediately pointed to Jack. She rolled her eyes and snapped it shut.
"Well Miss Swann?" Jack's eyes were fixed on hers.
"I told you. It doesn't work. It appears to be stuck in one spot." Always pointing to you, Jack. But it's wrong. It has to be.
"Elizabeth?" Will pulled her aside. "Show me the compass."
"No. Besides, I told you…told both of you, it doesn't work." She lowered her voice. "I thought we were going to return to Port Royal, Will! To be married as soon as possible. Then we can arrange a ship with Father's help, to find and rescue your father."
"But we have a ship now, Elizabeth. We just need to convince Jack to help us. We can save my father and then return to Port Royal for a proper wedding."
"Will, I really feel we must get married immediately. We don't need to remain on the Black Pearl any longer. You completed your agreement with Jack. Now it's time to return to Port Royal."
Jack remained at the desk, listening to every word, a grin slipping to the corner of his mouth. "Well, now that that is all out in the open and everyone has made their wishes known, I have some decisions to make. Hmmm…Port Royal for the impatient bride-to-be, or the great risk of death if we seek out the Flying Dutchman for William, the ever so patient groom-to-be." Jack gathered all of the maps together in his arms and headed for the door. "Everyone out. We will meet back here after the evening meal. Mister Gibbs, tell the men to not prepare to set sail until first thing tomorrow mornin'."
xxxxxx
The sun beat down mercilessly on the deck of the Black Pearl. The crew had retreated to the hold for the afternoon since the ship remained anchored near the island and they were awaiting the Captain's orders. Only Pintel remained on deck, manning the helm. Elizabeth took the opportunity to walk the deck alone, enjoying the sound of the creaking of the ship as it gently rocked in the water. She ran her fingers along the railing, admiring the recently polished surface. She smiled as the sea air blew against her face, and she continued her leisurely stroll toward the stern, waving to Pintel as she walked on.
She was relieved that the odor of the rotting Kraken had diminished, since Gibbs had ordered a few of the men to find any means possible to sink the creature. They had been quite successful. She peered over the edge of the ship, noticing that one of the ropes remained affixed, one end to the ship, the other to a small portion of tentacle approximately four feet long. The sight was disturbing, bringing back memories of tentacles attacking the ship.
She grabbed on to the rope, leaning forward to see if she could detach the tentacle. It was heavier than she thought. She put her entire weight into it, when she suddenly found herself falling forward.
Over the side of the Black Pearl.
A scream was trapped between her lips as she dangled from the side of the ship with one hand. She tried to grab hold of the rope with her other hand, but she was swinging roughly from side to side, and she could not find the strength to reach it.
Elizabeth let the scream escape into the wind, coming out as a whisper instead. And then a rough hand clasped firmly onto her wrist. She looked up and saw Jack leaning forward, attempting to reach her other hand.
"I've got ye, Lizzie." His voice was calm, reassuring. He pulled her roughly onto the deck, and directly into his arms. She realized she was holding her breath.
"And that makes six times, sweet Lizzie," Jack grinned, and walked away. "Ah, there ye are William. Yer timing is impeccable. As usual."
xxxxxx
Will, Elizabeth, Pintel and Gibbs resumed their places around Jack's desk in his cabin, watching him take great care pouring rum into a small flask.
"Right," Jack suddenly looked up, as if noticing for the first time that the room was occupied.
"Jack, the men will be needin' their orders for the morning. Where are we headin'?" Gibbs scratched his beard impatiently.
"If I remember correctly, the destinations on the table are the Flying Dutchman, Mister Turner's preference, " Jack's gaze remained on his task of transferring rum to another, more portable container. "And Port Royal, the hub of wedded bliss fer Miss Swann," Jack stole a glance at Elizabeth, causing her skin to tingle with the first warmth of a blush.
The room remained quiet, waiting for Captain Sparrow to make his decision.
Jack stood, hands on the table. He looked pointedly at Elizabeth, his gaze determined, knowing.
"We're goin' after the Flying Dutchman."
xxxxxx
