I aplogize, for how short this chapter is, I'm deep in the task of completeing two two HUGE chapters, so this one is really just to be a filler in a way. I promise, lots more to come soon!

Chapter 9: Heal Over

It isn't very difficult to see why
You are the way you are
Doesn't take a genius to realize
That sometimes life is hard
It's gonna take time
But you'll just have to wait
You're gonna be fine
But in the meantime

Come over here lady
Let me wipe your tears away
Come a little nearer baby
Cause you'll heal over
Heal over
Heal over someday

Shipwreck Cove had been in the distance for a short period, dropping out over the waves with ease as Jack captained the Pearl along their destined route. Everyone anxious and desperate for clear pursuits.

Beaded drops of sunlight cascaded out over the open skies, hazels and pinks circling in the formation the wind was carrying the sails. It was a sight far different than anyone might witness upon the shoreline of a vacant beach, or from the towering room of a Governor's castle. The lone princess, turned king, stood at the rail of the Pearl, fingers tapping to a distant tune rummaging through her brain, and gave wonder to the spectacles she might witness in the coming weeks. Adventure was such a meek word for what she had experienced thus far on board the same vessel, they had been worldly enterprises, free enterprises. Freedom only accompanied with death and suffering, of which she still knew the sting of.

As the last sprinkle of day hung from the sky, so did the first tear of the evening for Elizabeth, slowly, surely sliding down her sun kissed cheek. Part of her imagined it might be for her father, or possibly her cursed, far off husband, but it was the string of tears that followed that lead her to believe it was something more than she bargained for. It could not be contained, the sadness, flowing freely as she attempted to brush it away and focus on the sky, the waves, or even the dirt plotted beneath her fingernails. Nothing would manage disruption of her feelings.

A lone Captain on the other hand, stood less than a deck away, bearing witness to the entirety of the scene. He of course, believed the revelation of angst to be cause for effort on her part, as she had more than likely cried away the pain of isolation night after endless night. Will Turner was a good man, despite obvious differences from the man at the helm, those of which Jack made apparent to the remaining free world. Whether to belittle the younger man, or to simply remind himself that a woman like Elizabeth needed more than a young blacksmith could provide, he continued to pinpoint the injustices in their marriage, even if only in his mind.

'Lift yer feet Jack…just go to er'. She's right there, alone, no one to bother you…go!' He contemplated every possible vice and difficulty in taking to her side, to interrupting her with what care he imagined he could give, console. It was no secret that she had been nearly widowed by time and space, left without the hope of children or family, and was again about to venture into danger with a band of feared pirates and rouges. She needed to be reassured somehow. 'Alright…easy Jack don't scare er' off; it's just Lizzie, talk t' er' like Lizzie.'

With one step out, heel to toe, he shuffled on towards the far end of the rail, inching carefully behind where she stood unnoticeably. The view of her backside, whether doused in masculine attire or not, was one that sent painful spears rushing through his body. Weakness was returning to his knees with every move he made, but it was too late to turn back, she was one single step away. One hand toyed at his belt anxiously, the handle of his pistol beneath his fingertips, and his other hand swaying easily back and forth as he walked. Before he was able to process the sweet air enrapturing her golden locks, he was standing directly beside her, coy grin and all. 'Say something ye scurvy bastard…talk t' er'!'



A swift clear of his throat was premeditated by the words that followed. "King Turner…don't tell me that the sunset is so lovely ye cannot heed it like a man aboard my ship." Elizabeth knew he had been there long before he had spoken, with the heels of his boots a dead giveaway for years now. Her smiled was splintered across her face, eyes weary but enchanting, and lips moving as if speaking words he could not decipher past the motionless silence his mind stood in. "I suppose if I'm to take a gentleman's place on this ship, then you can no longer hold a grudge over the luck being gone from your journey." As always, her returning words rendered his hopeless and shameful, a pirate's insult indeed. "Aye, the luck was gone long before you stepped onboard."

His elbows met parallel to hers on the railing as he leaned down, boots stretched far out to look into the water rushing below. Elizabeth stood higher, watching him nervously, trying not to stare for longer than was necessary for a married woman with caution. Since she had last seen him this way, the world had taken a finer toll on his appearance, leaving marks and trinkets of interest from skin to skin. She took instant notice to the nearly fresh cut along the palm of his left hand as he twisted them together, a hue of red scarred without care, only to be healed by the salty waters and storms. Somehow the damage done to Jack made her recall every bit of damage that had been done to her, and how even the tightest of smiles could not hide her distress at times, for Jack had taken notice upon her yet again.

"What happened to your hand?"

The question was not a complicated one, nor one that should take as long as it was for him to respond. It was more or less the interest she had taken that caught him off guard, the curiosity she had in his well being. He could remember the first time he had introduced her to the scars of his lifestyle, running the length of his arm, staining the skin opposite his burning heart, tattooed into every bit of him like memories in his mind. This time though, he was aware that she knew what to expect. "Oh…this isn't much. Just a missed aim."

"A missed aim by whom?"

"Well it's rather embarrassing fer me to tell ye." He turned his head from her, ignorant of a good lie, and unable to process any thoughts over the ones overbearing him with her. "Jack just tell me." She reached her hand out, trembling, to take hold of his. With one stroke over the mark he spun his head back to face her, watch her as she brushed across the damaged skin with the spindle of her finger. "What happened?" The rims of black surrounding his eyes were growing fainter with the day, but the richness of spirit his pupils held stung every inch of her as he stared, trying to contemplate the story. 'It would probably make er' laugh…which is better an' tears.'

"Well, apparently…it's not wise fer a man t' chase after a lass while she's olding' a hot cooking knife." Her fingers stopped caressing the spot, only to give way to well induce giggling. Elizabeth was not prepared to dry her tears so easily, but then again, she was not prepared to ever find herself back on the Pearl with Jack at sunset again either. And here she stood, and here he smiled wildly. "Its true luv, ye laugh but I nearly lost me arm." Sighing with relief from the humor, her eyes danced up to meet his once more, a smile swept across her worn face, a single tear remaining. "Ere', allow me…" Without clear hesitation or objection from Elizabeth, Jack's cleverly healthy hand met the softness of her mid cheek, wiping the small tear away and onto his thumb. It was not a planned motion, but one he realized he could not have resisted. She watched anxiously through the moment, having forgotten what his hand felt like against her face, warm, sedative, tranquil in nature. Everything she missed and had not known of. "All better now," he concluded with a twisted wink.

"Yes…yes I am better, thank you."

The longing concentration in their patient eyes continued, neither one moving for a century of sunlight or more, only fixed in a place only they knew of. Elizabeth felt her legs grow nervous and weak, and quickly began stirring from his careful watch. She was married, no matter the consequences of such. Jack noticed immediately what her brain was telling her, telling the both of them, and withdrew from her space. He stood proud beside her, taking one last look to sea before squinting and finishing the off the tender memory for good.

"Well Lizzie, I suggest ye lick yer wounds clean of all ailment and return t' yer post."

Before she could respond, or argue, or admit anything, he was gone.

And I don't wanna hear you tell yourself
That these feelings are in the past
You know it doesn't mean they're off the shelf
Because pain's built to last
Everybody sails alone
But we can travel side by side
Even if you fail
You know that no one really minds
Come over here lady

Heal Over by KT Tunstall

Thank you to my readers, and those of you who have been reviewing and commenting. It means alot and helps me to write faster and better. :)

Sophies-Welt, Wicked R, beautiful-mistakez, my shangri-la, and KayleeG I appreciate the kind words, and I'll have much more up soon!

And as always any open comments, criticisms or suggestions are welcome.