Chapter 10 - A Lazy Sunday

Louise rolled over onto a pillow as she woke up, provoking a sting of pain from her cheek. She sat up and brushed her fingers over the cut checking it wasn't bleeding again. Satisfied for the moment she rushed to get ready, she needed to clear her head after last night before the Governor and Elizabeth saw her cheek and asked questions. She knew she had missed breakfast as one of the maids had left her a tray and the tea was cold so hurrying to escape before lunch she speed through the house.

"If anyone asks I am at the beach", she informed the butler who had warmed up to her since her inheritance.

The streets were slowly filling and she realised the morning service was finished. One older woman gave her a glowering stare after not seeing her at the service but Louise was gone before she noticed. There was a suggestion of salt water lingering in the air and Louise followed that more than the streets. Eventually she turned a corner and came face to face with the docks which were quiet at this time of day except for the odd man milling around the ships, and a few well placed red coats. Louise made a sharp right and headed to quieter waters, opting for the empty beaches further along the coast.

The fresh air cleared her mind as she drew in one long breath and exhaled slowly. The unique scent tickled her nose and as she slumped comfortably into the sand she allowed herself to relax. The sand felt soothing between her fingers as she dug her hands deeper. Louise squinted while watching the tide come in and go out, and she began to hum a unknown tune in time to the sparkling water.

Eventually though she felt like the sun was no longer warming her skin but rather baking it and so she decided it was probably time to face the music. As worrying as the night before had been it had got her riled up, the adrenalin once again pumping through her veins. Louise felt a momentary revival of the feeling while wondering how long it would be before she felt it again.

Jack had told Elizabeth and Will that he would be leaving Monday evening. Will had attempted to change his mind jokingly and as curious as his visit had made her Elizabeth would also miss him, mostly. Jack however relished in the chance to leave, their hospitality had been welcome but he had missed the pearl. All this time not only on land but indoors had not been good for him, and it was only with great cunning like his that someone avoided Elizabeth's sometimes long and boring stories. Who else would have gone a whole day without hearing about the fancy party she went to the night before?

Elizabeth was talking rapidly to her father when Louise slipped through the large front door as quietly as she could. They were sitting in the lounge and as Louise stopped to listen for a moment she wondered if Elizabeth was stopping for breath.

"I did warn you about that", he replied almost slowly by comparison.

"Where have you been?", Elizabeth had spotted her as she walked leisurely by the doorway so as not to seem suspicious.

Louise smiled slightly before turning fully to look at them, "I woke up lat..."

"What happened to your face?" Elizabeth cut in. They were both now staring at her with worried expressions as she walked in and sat down opposite.

"It's a long story so I'll do my best to shorten it. A man attempted to attack me on my way home last night".

The Governor looked shocked and seemed to be calculating courses of action in his head while Elizabeth spoke. "What do you mean 'attempted to attack you'? From that cheek it looks like he did".

"He left his mark on me and I'm pretty sure I left my mark on him, needless to say I got away before anything serious happened".

She waited for Elizabeth's response and on cue, "I told you not to go home alone, what if something more serious had happened?".

"It didn't. I'm fine, and my cheek is just a little sore".

Finally as if making up his mind up the Governor spoke, "I'm going to speak to the commodore". With that he rose from his seat and left the room, Louise sprang to life following him, not wanting to cause a scene out of this.

"Please understand that it's fine, I'm fine. The commodore doesn't need to worry about this, he has bigger things to deal with", she pleaded as he stood in the main hall preparing to leave.

"I think you are trying to soften the blow and I fear were it not you this man attacked then anything could have happened, the commodore would want to know". She felt defeated at his words and gave up returning to where Elizabeth was still sitting and who was now in some sort of inner turmoil.

"Are you okay?", Louise asked cautiously as she took the empty seat next to her.

She came out of her thoughts and smiled, "yes of course. It's not me you should be worrying about though. That cut looks painful". Elizabeth smiled empathetically.

"You were right though, if I had listened to you this wouldn't have happened".

"You never listen to anyone else though, even if it's for the best. You're stubborn, it's who you are".

Louise couldn't help but smile despite the painful truth of her words, "That's truer than you know".

"Where were you this morning?", Elizabeth asked Louise who was now lost in her own thoughts.

"I took a walk to the beach to clear my head and relax before I had to tell you about last night" she admitted with a half smile.

Elizabeth picked up the tea by her and took her time taking a sip before replying with a grin, "at least I didn't overreact".

Meanwhile Commodore James Norrignton listened to the Governors rant. He believed something should be done about the ruffians on the streets of Port Royal and while he understood there were many duties under the commodore's jurisdiction he thought this should be a priority.

"It does sound like a serious matter Governor, although I can't help but be impressed at this young woman who shrugged off such an attack".

The Governor smiled, "she is very strong minded, I dare say it may be a result of spending so much time at sea growing up".

"Indeed. And in relation to your concerns let me reassure you I will investigate this matter throughly. Including asking Miss Roberts a few questions about what happened", he looked through a few papers as he said this.

"Of course, of course. I'm sure she'll be more than happy to comply".

Norrington looked at one sheet of paper carefully, "I think I have some time this afternoon if she is free?"

The Governor nodded and thanked him, feeling slightly safer in the knowledge that the matter would be dealt with.

Elizabeth had tried her best to talk Louise out of the idea but as she had said, Louise never listens. So here Elizabeth stood at her front door with Louise smiling behind her, none the wiser to the rum soaked pirate currently lounging around inside.

"Do we have to go today?", Elizabeth asking still trying to stall.

Louise sighed, "yes, it'll be fun, just get your things".

Elizabeth suddenly started talking loudly as she opened the door, "SO HERE WE ARE. YOU AND ME IN MY HOUSE WHICH IS EMPTY". She hoped Jack would get the hint but as she walked in she saw no signs him.

"Are you ok? At first I thought it was strange I had to convince you to go shopping but now you're shouting at your house?", she asked with a careful look at Elizabeth who was trying to act normal.

Elizabeth went around the immediate room picking up everything she needed including her purse, "yes I'm fine let's just go".

"You mean I don't get the tour?", Louise joked as she craned her neck to look upstairs.

Elizabeth held the door open, "Oh you know, some bedrooms, a kitchen. All the normal rooms".

"All you had to say was no", Louise grinned at the flustered Elizabeth as she walked out of the door. "Although I must admit though I am slightly intrigued as to what you're hiding".

Elizabeth joined Louise, "hiding something? Me? Never".

"If you're not hiding anything then I'm actually a man". Elizabeth then stopped and looked her up and down to which Louise slapped her on the arm.

Jack almost giggled to himself as he sloped through Port Royal with Will. He had convinced Will that it would be a good idea to see Jack off with a afternoon drink and so he was disguised in some of Wills clothes with a inconspicuous hat tilted atop his head. He had also come up with the idea that his character had a sort of bent over hunch, was littered with dirt and had a gruff voice so he was growling occasionally as they made for a quiet bar just off of the market. Will almost slammed his palm into his head as he walked alongside this shamble.

"Will?", he heard his name but he couldn't see the origin.

"Will?!", it came louder this time and he caught a glimpse of someone running over. As the crowd parted a little more he saw a smiling Elizabeth. 
"Elizabeth what are you doing here?" he asked as she made it to him with Louise in tow.

She caught her breath before speaking, "I'm out shopping with Louise". She paused for a moment trying to figure out what the thing next to Will was, "who's this?" she asked recognizing only the clothes.

"This is my old friend, he's leaving town tomorrow so we were going for a drink", he emphasized the words as he said them and Elizabeth nodded obviously catching on. Louise just raised a inquisitive eyebrow, trying to figure out what was going on.

"Hello, who are you?", Louise asked as she held a hand out and tried to bend her head to see under the hat. If they wouldn't tell her she would just have to figure it out herself. 
Jack saw the hand coming towards him from under the hat and shook it vigorously adding a gruff for good measure. Elizabeth eyes widened and she ended the meeting quickly.

"Louise let's go a see about that dress I was looking at earlier", she put her hands on Louise's shoulders and turned her in the opposite direction.

Louise turned her head as she was lead away and waved, "It was nice to meet you, I'm Louise by the way".

Jack lifted his head for a moment and saw them merging in with the rest of the crowd.

They got to the bar which was quieter than normal in the afternoon and Jack found a table in a darkened corner while Will got the drinks. Jack lifted his hat and stretched like a cat as Will sat down.

"Happy?", Will asked.

Jack drank a large mouthful of rum, "Ecstatic mate. Who was that gel trying to be me friend?"

"Louise Roberts a friend of Elizabeth's. She's a bit strange if you ask me but Elizabeth likes her".

Jack stopped for a second, like a living statue. It couldn't be. He was trying to convince himself that it wasn't, there was no possible way. He had to know, he had to see her for himself. He got up forgetting everything, that he was in Port Royal. That he was a wanted man. That the market was full of people. He needed to know. 
"Jack where are you going?"

"I've gotta go talk to that gel, Louise", he said without hesitation.

Will grabbed his arm forcing him back into his seat, "are you completely mad? If anyone sees you the navy will be all over you".

"You don't understand mate, I... I think I know Louise", he decided not to tell Will the entire story right now. 
Will eyed Jack for a moment, he knew Jack was a little crazy sometimes but he wouldn't risk this on just anything.

"Ok Jack, but don't be stupid. I'll get Elizabeth to bring Louise to the house", he pleaded.

Jack pondered this for a second, placing a finger on his chin thoughtfully.

"I think I can do that", he finished his drink in one fluid movement. "Lets go".

Louise was still questioning Elizabeth's motives as they walked up towards the house, "just tell me what's this change of heart?"

"Nothing, I was just getting tired and I thought you'd like to come back to my house for a drink". She silently prayed that Jack really knew Louise, no matter how unlikely it seemed. She couldn't imagine how Louise would react otherwise.

"Fine, fine. But I will figure you out Lizzy. You've been acting strange all day" Louise wagged her finger menacingly while smiling knowingly.

They walked in and Louise followed her to the kitchen. "Oh no, you go sit down", Elizabeth insisted.

"Fine but like I said I'll..." she was cut short as her eyes fell upon captain Jack Sparrow sitting grandly in the lounge. He too had been smiling but upon seeing her his face was an awkward mix of confusion and happiness.

"Louise?" he asked, not that he needed clarification.

He opened his mouth again to speak but she walked straight up to him, wrapped her arms around him and brought his lips to hers in a desperate kiss. It was this moment that Elizabeth and Will walked in. Elizabeth started asking hurried questions about what was going on but Louise and Jack seemed to only here each other.

As they broke apart Jack grinned, "not dead then?"

"Not even close" she smirked back as her eyes filled with tears.

He saw this and held her close in a tight embrace that for some reason encouraged her to cry. She tried to pull her tear stained face away from his shirt but he whispered, "it's Wills" and she buried her face back into his chest. Eventually the tears subsided and Jack allowed her to turn around to face Elizabeth who had turned a delicate shade of red through a combination of not breathing and being ignored.

"What is going on?" she asked flatly.

Louise smiled at her friend, "that is a very very long story".

"And I'm going to require some rum to tell it", Jack added.

--Authors Notes--

Hey guys. Not much I wanted to say here, except the obvious thanks for still reading and thanks to those of you that reviewed. Also apologies for the lateness, I've had this written for two weeks now but my internet has been down :( on the plus side I used the time to get ahead so hopefully I'll finally get into the habit of regular updates, hopefully.