A Caged Swann
Chapter 10: Contemplation

Elizabeth's mind was a mess. After Jack had left she had tried to clear her head to think only to have her mind fill up with so many different things that it had gotten quite hard to sort them all out. The realizations, the similarities, and ultimately what it all meant for her and her future. She found herself at a crossroad, on one side was Thomas and on the other...

She still couldn't believe it.

Couldn't believe that the sole reason that Jonathan reminded her of Jack was because he was Jack.

When she had first started noticing the similarities, she'd thought it was just a coincidence, her imagination, or some silly dream.

But no, Jack Sparrow himself, the infamous Captain of the Black Pearl was actually there.

And she couldn't believe it.

She couldn't believe what he did.

He was...clean to say the least. But not only that, clean-shaven, tidy, respectable, polite, proper table manners, and no silverware had been reported missing. It was mind-boggling.

The rude, dirty, despicable scoundrel that had jumped into the water to save her life, the uncouth pirate who had shot Barbossa before he could kill her, the man who she had grown to...she didn't know quite what, having buried it all under her feelings for Will.

But here Jack was.

He had come to her rescue yet again, for a third time.

And what he had been willing to do to help her out, Elizabeth couldn't believe.

He had...

She stopped, thinking about it made her head hurt. She couldn't imagine what Jack had been thinking when he sacrificed his hair and ship just to come get her.

It really was Jack, the proof was there on his arm.

And that knowledge alone made her rethink a few things.

While it was spontaneous, unbelievable, and sweet what Jack was trying to do for her, she had to resign herself to the reality of her situation.

It was a nice dream but what would her future be like?

She needed someone who could provide for her, look after her, make her a home, and unfortunately it looked like Thomas was that man.

If Jack had really been Jonathan, things might have been different. She was sort of hoping he was...and then wasn't. It was confusing.

Had "Jonathan" really existed. she would have had someone she could rely on in sickness and in health, someone who could provide a stable home, stable income, and treat her like she was something special. Jonathan wouldn't have treated her like an object. She had been falling for him, though she expected a lot of those feelings were what she felt for Jack superimposed, but never realized before because of Will's devotion.

Her feelings for Jonathan had made her feel a bit guilty, having feelings for one man but thinking of another.

But now that Jonathan was Jack...

But he was a pirate. If she left with him, then what?

Become a pirate? Stay aboard the Black Pearl? Make a living on her own wherever he dropped her off before sailing away into the horizon once again? Would she be left alone to carve out a life from nothing?

No matter what she might have felt for the pirate, Elizabeth had followed her heart once and look where it left her.

Maybe her father had been right about her place in life. As a wife and mother. That her dreams were too far out of reach.

There was no more time for dreams.

Her adventures ended here.

>>>

Jack stared at his bandaged arm as he thought about the day's events.

The duel, the cut, and thankfully it had been Lizzy who had only seen that brand and tattoo.

And now she knew.

Now was the time where they would have to decided to work together on something to get her out of the situation or...well, or not. Jack didn't think Elizabeth would pass up the opportunity but since when did he know anything about women? His choice when faced with social conformity was simple. He'd leave and start anew. But Elizabeth wasn't a man, it would be more difficult for her to do something like that in this world.

Anamaria did it. But then again, she was raised into the life of a pirate. Elizabeth was a Governor's daughter. But...thinking back on their last adventure with the Aztec gold...Jack was still completely lost.

'I really should 'ave planned this more...'

If Elizabeth did want to get away from everything...where exactly was he suggesting she go?

"...I'll have no where to go Jack. I'm the Governor's daughter, what options are there for me but to marry or starve?"

And she had been right. But so was he: She didn't want Thomas. Why marry someone you didn't want?

Marry or starve.

The Governor would probably want to keep in contact, letters, annual visits, grandchildren. He'd probably want to see her married in Port Royal and then know exactly where she's going, he'll also probably want to be there when the first child was born...

He definitely should have thought this out more.

He was a pirate, he'd always be a pirate. Nothing could keep him from the sea...yet here he was; away from the sea trying to get Elizabeth out of a forced situation. Why couldn't the Governor just wait for her to choose on her own? The sooner she was married the better?

But if she did decide to go with him...what would they do?

A pirate and a Governor's daughter.

Who'd have thought?

>>>

In another part of the house, down in the drawing room and staring into the fire, Thomas pondered over the days events.

The dual with Pardal, Miss Swann's reaction to his arm, the hasty run. Thomas didn't think he was cut that badly.

There was something off about Jonathan.

Something he couldn't quite put his finger on, but in some ways it was similar to his. Neither of them were what they seemed, they were both hiding something.

Oxford. Thomas snorted. Prestigious or not, he would have fought to the death before he had attended college in England. It was too far and boats weren't his thing. Truth be told, he had never been away from the colonies. Port Royal was his first, and what he hoped to be the last, excursion across water.

He turned his attention to the duel that day, he had deliberately taken up a high and mighty attitude, it made people doubt what you were really capable of. The 'preparation' was also an act. He had thought it worked as Jonathan did nothing to prepare. Thomas seemed to have the upper hand in the beginning and started to put more of himself into the duel.

But then something happened that he didn't expect.

That one blow that had nearly forced his sword out of his hand.

Jonathan Pardal was much more experienced with a blade than he gave the man credit for. His technique was unorthodox and unpredictable, whenever their blades clashed, Thomas could feel the reverberations down the handle to his hand. Had Elizabeth not intervened, Pardal might actually have won.

That angered him. So when he looked aside, Thomas took the opportunity to wound him. Who played fair in these things anyway?

Jonathan Pardal was more than he seemed. More than a pretty face, more than an opinion. His fencing was like a second nature, like he did it every day of his life. How old was Pardal anyway? Thomas himself was no more than twenty-seven. Surely Jonathan could be no more than that?

And then there was when Elizabeth had seen his cut. Her face showed something else other than the faint look women get upon the sight of blood.

It was not fright, nor sickness. She had looked from the cut to Pardal's face. Thomas saw that; saw her expression. But what was it? Whatever it had been she covered it up quickly.

No matter. Elizabeth's reactions did not concern him, his rival did. And if Jonathan ever managed to win over Elizabeth and take her from him, Thomas would find out exactly what he was hiding.

>>>

A/N: I know it's taken me forever but here's the new chapter! I had no idea where to go after this but now I'm getting some new ideas, I just have to unkink everything and see if I get any suggestions also. All are welcome!
Thank you so much for all of your reviews and constant support of this story. You guys keep me coming back to it, even if I am moving with the speed of a flying turtle. Hugs and snuggles to each and every one of you!
Slowly but surely, this story will continue:)