,First of all, I feel like crap for not updating at all. I was worrying and fussing over it, but I was either too tired or had homework or whatnot. Anyway, I am SUPER sorry. Fortunately I have this week off, so I'm going to try my best to start writing more.
Jehan's Muse: I'll try and put in more Norrington for you (and me^^) He stars a bit in the next chapter, and IMHO, he's rather sexyful :D :: sighs and dreams off with Jehan::
Curious Dream Weaver: I'm glad there are more Elizabeth fans out there! We need more positive Elizabeth! And thanks you, and I'm sorry for the extreme lateness of this chapter.
madkornfan: Ask and ye shall receive. (Sorry for the lateness!)
sammy-mackie: Thanks you, and now you (almost) know.
she-who-should-stop-being-so-lazy-and-just-sign-in-but-won't-so-will-be-hyphenated: Sorry for the lateness! I hope the chapter can meet your expectations.
Moozavachie: You and me with the bad excuses, eh? :D I turned you into a Norrington fan? That made my day. I'm happy you like my characterization.
Chibi-Tomi: Thanks! And I could see Elizabeth has fairly lippy when she wants to be. However, if you think that's OOC, I'll try to tone it down.
Starlit Hope: I know! Everyone enjoys torturing Will, don't they? I'm still not sure if I'm giving him a happy ending either. Poor guy always gets the short end of the stick.
Lonely Cowboy: POTC… amazing film… :: bows in respect:: I'm glad you think my characterization is on. I'm constantly tearing my hair out about it :D
lillie chan: I didn't make you cry, did I? I'm sorry! :: starts crying herself:: I… it's just…:: sniffles::
Captin Red Black: Do I still have to walk the plank? I'm a terrible swimmer, you know. Especially in jeans.
Perle Noir: You're such a flatterer. :: blushes and giggles:: I purposely changed it. I figured he'd give Elizabeth a bit of time :D I know, I'm horrible at grammar. You'll have to excuse me, but if anything is blatant don't hesitate to point it out. Strong plot? Great characters? :: ego explodes all over the carpet:: Ooo… that stains. And I'm sorry for being so late! I beg for your mercy!
Tid Bits: I know, Will needs to get laid horribly. That's not coming for a while though, poor thing. And I hope you were happy without my updates. Once again, begging for mercy… :: sprinkles happy dust around::
Little Dragon Queen: You totally get it. Will's pretty easy to empathize with, don't you think?
Daisy: Mi numero uno amiga! You're an awesome writer as well, and you'll always be my first line of support. Right after I get this up, I'm reading your poem.
Plumsy321: I hope it hasn't been that long! :: cringes:: It feels like it for me though, for how much I've been worrying over it. I'm sorry! :: begs at another person's feet::
MiraiGee-chan: :: bows at another person's feet:: Forgive me! I bringth you the next chapter!
Ghjghj: jsurbf? Hidfudyhdbf :P Hudfjgjgkh.
Sounds Patrol: I'm sorry! :: starts crying:: :: starts begging:: Please don't die!!!
And a special thanks goes out to Bien. He just finished his exams, and was friendly enough to add me to MSN. What can I say, he's a great guy, and a great conversationalist. And another thanks to by best bud Daisy, who has always been there for me and continues to be my pillar of strength. I'd also like to thank my floppy for never becoming corrupted, now matter how badly I treated you. Now, for the chapter.
If there was one thing Elizabeth hated more then corsets it was angry, confused men wandering around trying to make personal decisions. Of course, some men were good with feelings and emotions. However, Jack Sparrow and William Turner weren't such men. Will had gotten up in a particularly bad mood. Normally he would have gone to the Smith's shop to try to pound out his frustrations, but Elizabeth refused to allow him to. And she was right. The smith's shop was a refuge for Will, something he could hide behind when he felt a particularly intense emotion. He would work from noon to night to noon again, allowing the feelings to grow and mount. Elizabeth knew he needed to sort out his feelings, and working wouldn't help him.
Jack, quite to the contrary, had gotten up in a quiet mood. At first Elizabeth feared his scurvy had returned, but at a closer glance, he seemed confused. Almost like he was walking around in a trance, he didn't seem to notice things. He had already broken a lamp, knocked down a maid, and nearly ran into a wall. Jack also seemed to be afraid of Will. The only person who could drag the pirate out of his daze was the blacksmith, and then Jack seemed determined to be unnoticed. He would duck behind statues, go up the stairs, and hide in a room. Anything to get out of Will's presence. Elizabeth thought it was almost cute. At first. As the day wore on, she was starting to see the benefit in strangling them both. The Black Pearl was coming tonight, and they acted as though they had all the time in the world to play games with each other.
Elizabeth angrily bit into a mint tart as she noticed Jack hit his head on a candleholder. He rubbed his forehead and winced, then sighed loudly and continued to wander around. This was going on for long enough. She needed to do something, and fast. And slowly an evil, yet brilliant plan formed in her head. It was a marvellous plan, full of action, twists, turns and surprise. It would work perfectly.
"I'm going out." Will announced, striding down the hall as Jack threw himself behind the can by the front door. He wound up sending the can straight by Elizabeth and into the dining room. Will seemed not to notice though, as he marched right out of the door without a second thought.
"Wait!" Elizabeth cried as soon as her mouth was free from minty goodness. Will was long gone, however, and she frowned, taking another bit of her mint tart. Her plan involved having them both in the house. Oh well. Maybe fate would bring them together.
Checking down in her sack, Elizabeth realized that she had run out of mint tarts. She panicked for a moment. Then her sense took over and she found herself rushing to the kitchen, screaming bloody murder.
Will wasn't sure what to do. At first, the choice had been obvious: put up with Jack until he left and then work on the whole marriage thing. Now, however, he found himself questioning if that was a good idea. Jack wanted him to go. Elizabeth wanted him to go. Norrington would probably be quite happy if he were out of the picture too, despite his threats. Now it seemed to be all up to him. And for once in his impassioned youth, Will wasn't sure what he wanted to do.
When Elizabeth had disappeared, he knew he had to go after her. When he had figured out Jack was using him, he had set his own course without a second thought. But things had changed. He wasn't a lowly blacksmith anymore; he was the husband of one of the wealthiest heirs in Port Royal. If he left, what would the town say? He doubted he would ever be welcomed back, and even he if he were, could he ever face Elizabeth again? To get up and leave was to abandon her, to abandon all the time and effort and commitment in their relationship for a slutty pirate who had probably never truly loved another human being.
Yet, Will found himself entranced by the prospect of a new life. He would leave everything behind. All the loneliness, emptiness and self-hatred he felt, the town, her father, Norrington. All of it would be behind him, and he could start up where he left off. He didn't have to stay with Jack for long if he didn't want to, he just had to find the next port.
And maybe, some tiny part of him wanted to spend more time with the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. Some small part of him wanted to learn more about the mysterious man who had no past and lived in the moment. Maybe he secretly wanted to feel Jack's arms around him once again, to smell the salty sea in his skin and the rum in his breath. Maybe there was a small chance.
As Will looked out across the ocean, his thoughts became more muddled. He wasn't sure where his loyalties laid for once. Before Jack, he had been completely devoted to his country. Then he had devoted himself to Elizabeth. Now… it seemed he had to serve himself, and the thought left him scared and alone. Before he had always devoted his time and excess energy to someone else, to make someone else happy. Now he had to be completely self-reliant. Once again he had confused himself, and time was running out before he had to choose. Looking out at the expanse of water before him, he mentally counted off the seconds in his head.
Tick tock. Tick tock.
"You look depressed." Elizabeth said, plopping down in the chair adjacent from Jack, finishing another mint tart. Jack sighed, looking up from his chess game where he had vaguely moved the pieces around the board.
"It's not depression, but more of a…"
"You're depressed." Elizabeth told him, glaring as though challenging him to disagree. Not feeling like an argument with the girl, Jack threw up his hands.
"Whatever you call it lass."
"Go after Will." She had replied so quickly and in such a languid tone Jack almost failed to recognize the meaning of her words.
"What do you mean?" he asked, intrigued.
"I mean go through the town, looking for Will, get down on your knees and beg him to get aboard that goddamn ship of yours."
"I'n't tha' a bit… unorthodox?" he asked, leaning back in his chair and stroking his stubble, looking with a held back interest.
"Jack, your ship is coming tonight. When the ship leaves, so does your chance with Will. You can come back a thousand times and beg a thousand times more, but after this point I doubt Will will ever leave with you." The pirate nodded, silent for a moment.
"You put me in an interesting position, lass. But I don' think your lad wants to talk to me anymore."
"First of all, with any luck, he'll be your lad." She replied, taking a bit of her tart and glaring at the man to accentuate her point. "Second of all, go!" The impostor shrugged, getting up slowly.
"Well, when you make such a compelling point…"
"Go! He's down at the dock."
"I thought I was supposed to search the town?"
"GO!!!!"
Elizabeth smiled as she heard the door close loudly. She had played her part, and now she had to wait for Will to do his duty.
"I see you've found yourself a comfy spot dow' 'ere." Jack intoned. Will stiffened a bit, surprised by the other man's presence. He didn't look around however, and heard Jack sighed as the pirate sat down next to him. There were a few moments for surprisingly comfortable silence as they both gazed out across the water.
"She's beau'iful, i'n't she?" Jack murmered. Will risked a glance, and found his companion gazing out across the sea longingly. Somehow, Will suddenly realized what it was all about. Jack's beard had started to grow out again, and he had refused to shave, saying it would take long enough to grow it back at the rate it was going. His hair had been neglected, and it had started to form groups, the partings random and gangly. Will took notice of Jack's square chin and his bronze skin, and for a moment he imagined the old Jack. The old Jack was the one staring forlornly across the water, like he was looking for a lover. And for a moment, he almost felt as if he could possibly understand the pirate, and maybe even sympathize. However Will blinked and the illusion was gone, leaving him trapped again.
"Jack, you're leaving today." Will started, a bit unsure of how to approach the subject. His companion nodded.
"I know. I've been waiting to go home for quite a while, mate. The question is, are you going to keep waiting?" Will exhaled harshly, shaking his head as he smiled sardonically.
"Jack, I can't." he replied, trying not to remember how the words felt as he said then aloud. "I have obligations here, and I've built a life which has been disrupted enough as it is. I'm sorry, but I can't sail with you." For a moment Will expected (hoped?) that Jack would argue with him, beg him to come onboard. But for once, Jack seemed to understand the finality of his words and stayed silent for a moment, still staring off into the ocean. Will felt uncomfortable, so he began to ramble.
"I know I haven't been the best host while you were here, and you'll have to pardon me. But I hope we can get together once again someday, without you getting sick or Elizabeth being kidnapped." Will saw a small smile tug at the corners of Jack's mouth, and he relaxed. Perhaps this would go off better then he had expected.
"Well, that's your choice mate." Jack replied, turning to look Will in the eye. "But don' tryin' go an' say I never gave you an option." The blacksmith gave a small grin back.
"Don't worry, I'll tell all the future generations that I had the chance to go after a grand adventure with a real prate, but found the humdrum life of Port Royal far too intoxicating." Jack let out a small laugh, and for the first time in a long while Will felt happy. Sitting on the beach with a notorious pirate was actually almost comforting for Will. He was there, Jack was there and that seemed to be all that mattered at the moment. And for a moment, Will remembered the feeling of Jack's lips on his and the smell of his breath as he gazed into Will's eyes. And for a moment, Will could even pretend this was how it was supposed to be.
"So, you're going to let him go?" Elizabeth demanded shrilly. Jack sighed, hanging his head.
"Look, luv, I've tried everything I can think of. The lad is still devoted to you." He spoke clearly, enunciating each word as he stared coldly at Elizabeth. For a moment the wealthy daughter bit her tongue, Jack had more of a reason to be upset then she did. But she was so sure everything was going to work out…
"Why is Will so stubborn?" She groaned, sitting on her bed, looking down angrily. She then put her head up, a sort of determination in her eyes. "Look, maybe if you come back in another year or so, then Will will have-"
"Why would I want to come back 'ere? Nothing will strip this boy of his morals." The pirate stared at her again. But then he relaxed and stood up. "You're a lucky woman, Elizabeth, and don't ever forget that." And he crossed the room in a few simple steps, then grasped the door handle and opened it. Elizabeth stared for a moment. This wasn't possible. Jack Sparrow, THE Jack Sparrow of legends, was giving up. He would be sailing out in a few hours, and nothing could change his mind.
"We're going now!" Elizabeth shouted quickly. "Goodbye Father." She then quickly grabbed Will's hand and the three of them ventured out into the muggy evening air before Mr. Swann could ask many questions.
The sun was almost completely set, and although it would be many hours before the Pearl was expected to arrive, Elizabeth couldn't help staring up at the emerging moon fearfully. They had agreed to go for a light round of drinks before Jack headed back, and she feared this would be it. They would make polite conversation as Will and Jack exchanged secret, uneasy glances and Jack would sail off, soon forgotten by most at Port Royal. Most except for Will. Will would go back to staring out at the shore, now calling for both of his loves, and Elizabeth would feel alone again. Why was Will so stubborn?
Elizabeth stared down at the shore. Will hadn't visited that place in the longest time. Ever since Jack had come, Will had been around him a lot, no matter how much he had complained about the older man. And part of her hoped when Jack left that Will would spend that much time with her. Some selfish part of her hoped that Will would be able to forget that the pirate had ever sailed into their lives and maybe try to love her like he used to. But she sighed as she saw them stumble awkwardly over each other, blushing lightly as they both tried to get into the bar. She knew that could never happen.
The conversation between the two men was tense, and Will knew it was making it much harder on Elizabeth. He wanted to explain more clearly to Jack about why he couldn't go, and part of him wanted Jack to try to stop him. Part of him wanted Jack to simply take him and ravish him against the wall. However, for once in his life the pirate seemed to understand the concept of personal space and always kept a fair distance from Will.
"Well, here's to lasting friendship, and hope for the future." Elizabeth toasted, holding up her mug. The two men followed suit and they all bumped mugs, then drank down large gulps of alcohol.
"And many a luck to you two, with yer family an' what not." Jack replied, trying a smile. And for a moment, Will found he could almost believe him. But Jack's eyes told a story, and it wasn't a tale of happiness.
"Did you remember everything?" Will asked nervously as they stood on the dock, watching the small ship become larger in the distance. At first they hadn't been sure, but now it was as plain as day: the ship was the Black Pearl, and Jack was going to be whisked out of their lives with the possibility of never returning. Elizabeth had managed to persuade the nightly guards to take a break and they stood alone, waiting out the night.
Jack didn't seem inclined to answer, and Will thought it might be just as well. It was spoken out of desperation to end the silence between the three of them, and possibly a hope that Jack would read between the lines. It didn't seem likely, though, since not even Will seemed to know what was there. And the silence was there as the Pearl got closer, and closer, and Will thought he might go insane for how long it took. But the Black Pearl arrived and Jack seemed emotionless, leaving Will to wonder if he had ever felt anything between them or if his first suspicion had been correct, and Jack had only been interested in his body.
"Well, lad and lass. Have a nice life." Jack said, grinning almost nervously as the Black Pearl stopped in the middle of the delta. Almost immediately a lifeboat was sent out with Cotton and his parrot in it. Again they were all silent as he pulled up, and Jack got in.
"Good bye Will. Elizabeth." Jack nodded to both of them, and then they set off back to the Pearl.
Elizabeth couldn't believe it as she watched Cotton and Jack row back to the ship. She was sure there would be some last minute change of heart on Will's part, or possibly a new plan by Jack. This wasn't supposed to happen. Will was supposed to sail off into the sunset and return to find her happily married, where they would get on greatly and Jack would love Will until the end of time. It all seemed so unfair somehow, so unbelievable. Yet there she was, and there seemed to be no hope for any of her romantic notions.
"That's the second time that man has done that to us." She murmured. She felt Will smile slightly.
"Almost seems hard to believe it's over." He replied. They watched Jack climb up the side of the ship, and Will suddenly turned around. "Come on, there's nothing left to see." Elizabeth frowned.
"Will…"
"What?" he snapped. Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise as she took a step back. Will had never used such a harsh tone with her, and she was thoroughly shocked.
"I'm sorry." He replied, rubbing his eyes. "I'm just a bit…" Wordlessly, Elizabeth went up and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll miss him too." She said softly. He sighed, sagging his shoulders a bit.
"It's just… this is the second time he's just slipped away, and even though I might have nagged him, I like Jack, and…" Words failed the blacksmith once again and Will simply shrugged. "I'm going to miss him." Elizabeth simply slipped her arms around his waist from behind, laying her head between his shoulder blades.
"He'll come back." She said softly.
"How can you be so confidant?" Will asked, placing a hand on the interlinking ones around his waist.
"Because you're here." They remained silent for a few more moments.
"Think he's gone yet?"
"Why don't you check?" Will sighed, and Elizabeth released him. They both turned around to see the Black Pearl sitting in the middle of the lake and a life boat in the middle of the lake. Will sighed, but frowned as he realized the boat was headed towards the dock.
"What are they doing?" Elizabeth hissed. "They could get caught at any moment. And is that Jack in the lifeboat?"
"Yes, yes I think it is." Will replied, and for a moment he smiled, and every fantasy he'd ever had involving Jack that he'd clogged back spilled forth in his head. Then Will felt a small pit in his stomach. Why was he coming back?
"What is he doing?" Elizabeth wandered aloud, confused. Everything was done and over, why was he coming back? Unless…
"Will!" Jack called out, rowing frantically to the dock. "We've found him!"
"Who?" The blacksmith shouted back.
"Your father!"
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I'm sorry, I hate cliff hangers too. I'd lie to you and say the more reviews I get the faster I go, but I write when I have the time and I can't spare more then that. But I'd still love to hear from everyone!
