Chapter Seven
Elizabeth placed a hand on her stomach. She was positive that it had swelled ever so slightly. Oh, it wasn't visible when she donned her piratical attire, but when she lifted her shirt, she couldn't deny the beginnings of a bump. Elizabeth dropped her shirt in distress. She couldn't hide the secret any longer. She stepped out into the afternoon sunlight to find the crew bustling about excitedly. Putting her baby dilemma to the back of her mind, she hurried up to the helm where Jack stood, grinning madly. "What is it?" she demanded.
"The Pearl," Jack announced. "We've found her."
Elizabeth looked around, grinning. It faded when she didn't see the black sails and familiar hull of the Black Pearl. "Er… Where is she?"
"We're taking cover so that Barbossa doesn't find us. We'll take her in the cover of night." Jack announced. Elizabeth smiled.
"The Black Pearl awaits you, Captain Sparrow." she said. Jack grinned.
…
The outline of the Black Pearl was just barely visible in the pale moonlight. Elizabeth crept aboard silently, feeling the familiar smooth wood running against her palms. Elizabeth crouched in the shadows, waiting for Jack's signal. Her hands began to sweat. She twirled her daggers around in her palms nervously. She stayed low, watching the helm. She watched a figure appear behind the man at the helm. The helm-man dropped. Elizabeth recognized the signal and swiftly approached the next guard. She came up from behind and put her daggers to his throat. "Make one bloody sound and I'll slit your throat." Elizabeth warned. The man said nothing. Jack and a few others crept below deck while Elizabeth tethered her captive and the unconscious helmsman to the main mast. Jack and the others appeared with the rest of the Black Pearl's crew in tow. They were manacled to the mast. "Nicely done," Elizabeth congratulated Jack in a quiet voice.
Jack looked uneasy. "One problem," he muttered. "Where is Barbossa?"
"Right here," muttered a voice behind Elizabeth. She was grabbed from behind as Barbossa dragged her back. Jack stepped forward, hands raised as if to reach out and snatch Elizabeth back. Barbossa drew a pistol and placed the muzzle against Elizabeth's temple. Jack's palms raised in surrender. "Release me crew and get out of here, Jack. I expected a weak attempt of mutiny. Leave now and I'll let ye live."
"No. I'm not leaving the Pearl." Jack snarled.
Barbossa cackled. Elizabeth felt a sting of hurt. The Pearl? What about she who was in Barbossa's grasp? "Fine, then. How about the girl? Will you leave to save her life?" He pulled the hammer back. Elizabeth struggled a bit. Barbossa squeezed her tightly.
Jack's face was unreadable. He shrugged. "Kill her, then. I don't care about her. I want the Pearl, that's all."
Elizabeth felt her jaw drop. She felt a flash of hurt spike through her chest. She squatted slightly so that her hips were lower than Barbossa's and thrust her rear back, throwing Barbossa of balance. She shoved him away and marched up to Jack. "How dare you?" she screeched. She slapped Jack and began hitting him. Jack grabbed her by the wrists and shoved her to the deck. Barbossa was too busy cackling to notice. Jack withdrew his pistol. Elizabeth gaped in pain as she lay on the deck. She jumped at the deafening boom of Jack's pistol. Barbossa fell to the deck, howling in pain and clutching his leg. Jack claimed the Black Pearl and her crew. He then ordered his new crew to be released. He had Barbossa taken below deck. Elizabeth sat up and drew her knees to her chest, staring ahead without seeing. She was vaguely aware of tears dripping down her cheeks. She sensed someone approach her.
"Lizzie," murmured Jack, crouching to face her. "No tears, love," Jack whispered, wiping Elizabeth's tears away. "I had to say that so that Barbossa would think I didn't care. I didn't mean it, love."
Elizabeth looked up at him. "We need to talk." she announced, jumping to her feet. Jack stared at her, surprised. He stood.
"Aye," he agreed. He led the way to the captain's cabin. Elizabeth closed the door. "What do we need to talk about?" Jack asked, facing Elizabeth with curiosity mingled with apprehension.
Elizabeth took a deep, shuddering breath and met Jack's gaze. "I'm pregnant."
...
Sorry the chapter is so short! Yay, the Black Pearl is back, Elizabeth's secret is out... Wonder how Jack is going to respond? Thanks for all the support, please leave a review!
