Waste Not

Chapter 10

Elizabeth did her best to avoid the captain from that day on. She stopped eating dinner with him altogether, and whenever her duties didn't demand otherwise, she tried to keep as far a distance from him as possible—though really the ship seemed too small.

For a day or two, Barbossa just thought it was rather funny. Every time she saw him, her eyes would widen and she would scamper away like a flighty seagull. She was completely freaked out, and he enjoyed that to a certain extent. But after nearly a fortnight had passed, the fun had long since dried up, and now it was only irritating. And it was not going to continue.

One somewhat cloudy morning, he sent for her. She had little choice but to report to him at the helm.

"You called for me, Captain?" she said stiffly.

"Aye. Just wanted to let yeh know, yeh'll be dinin' with me tonight." He didn't let her protest. "The crew's no doubt beginnin' to wonder why the first mate and the cap'n ain't gettin' along, and no good can come from that."

She lowered her voice. "Barbossa, I don't see how any good will come of our dining together either. After all, I—"

"That be an order, missy."

"I'm your King. I may very well do as I please."

He turned fully to face her now and drew himself up to his full height, looking down at her. "Yeh may outrank me in a meetin' o' the Court, but I be the cap'n and the master o' this ship, and I'd have yeh lashed to the prow before takin' any insubordinate talk from the likes o' you." As he spoke, he got up in her personal space, forcing her to take small steps back.

She understood clearly enough. Barbossa was more than willing to take action in order to defend his position, and whatever affection he held for her would not stop him from enacting discipline.

"Aye" she muttered, and left him.

It perhaps would have been a wise choice to simply have dinner with him, as ordered, but when the time came, Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to go. Maybe it was her pride, or maybe she just needed to test his boundaries and see what she could get away with, but in any case, she did not join Barbossa for dinner.

She was actually just about to doze off in her room when a loud knock startled her.

"Are you decent in there, poppet? You're needed on deck" she heard Pintel say.

"Just a minute" she called back.

When she opened the door, Pintel and Ragetti were there, and several other crewmen were standing about the deck, watching.

"What's going on?"

"You'll have to come with us, nice and quiet-like."

"Where?"

Ragetti chimed in. "To the brig. Captain's orders."

"Go away." She tried to close her door, but Pintel kept it forced open.

"Cap'n says you'll be spendin' the night in the brig. And we're to drag you there kickin' and screamin' if need be."

She glared at them, but finally rolled her eyes and went quietly, cursing Barbossa as she went.

The brig was never a fun place to end up, but at least the one on the Pearl was rather less creepy than the one she had experienced on the Dutchman. It wasn't the worst punishment ever, but it sent a strong enough message. Captain's orders were meant to be followed, even if they only involved dinner.

For several hours and well into the night, she sat on the floor and leaned against the side of the ship, listening to the ocean as it slapped against the hull. It was relatively peaceful, but not comfortable enough for sleep. She would just have to wait for the dawn.

Awhile before dawn, however, something caused her to stir. She heard a pair of boots come down the steps, and then the unmistakable voice of the captain.

"Clear out" he said to the night guard.

The sound of the boots then approached her cell, as did the light of a lantern, which shone on the face of Barbossa, absent his monkey.

"Have we learned our lesson?" he asked patronizingly.

Elizabeth didn't bother to stand up. In response, she only crossed her arms and glared.

"Tsk. Yer still such a child."

Suddenly, she became furious. Leaping to her feet, she strode over to him and sneered through the bars. "And you're an old man. So let's consider it square and leave me in peace."

The key clicked in her lock and Barbossa flung the door open. She almost got nervous then. She hadn't realized he had the key. Before she could react, however, the keys were tossed aside and he grabbed her shirt collar in his right hand, shoving her further into her cell and against the bars, pinning her there at arm's length.

"True I be a gentleman o' more years and experience, and by rights I'm a patient man, but I'm not so worn out as to be takin' lip from one as scrawny as yerself."

She grasped at his wrist, but his grip was like iron. When she struggled, he pulled her back from the bars slightly and then shoved her into them again.

"Now explain to me why I found meself dinin' alone once again, and make it good."

"I'm sorry, Captain, but I simply don't have an answer for you," she said as she glared.

"Aye. And why doesn't that surprise me? Yer even more chicken-hearted than I had yeh figured for."

"Chicken-h—now what on earth gave you that impression?" she asked, truly offended.

"A man makes yeh a simple offer, and yeh treat him like the plague. Man up and talk things out, or give him a yes or no at least. I thought that governor's daughters were taught manners."

She did her best to stop scowling and make her face neutral. "Fine. Release me and we'll talk, lady to gentleman."

"We'll talk, indeed, but I'll be releasin' yeh when I see fit, and not before. Now I'll start the conversation. Elizabeth…"

"Hector" she acknowledged.

"Are yeh or are yeh not willin' to consider me offer?"

"Hardly," she scoffed.

"So yeh be determined to remain in misery."

"Maybe I am."

"…It fails to escape me notice that I've not heard an outright no." His grip loosened, and he stepped a little closer. "Is that why yeh've been avoidin' me? Afraid yeh'll say yes?"

"And what makes you think I'd choose you, even if I took another man into my life?"

"I have a great deal to offer. Yeh want fine things? The command and respect o' pirates the world over? A life of adventure? Say what yeh desire and yeh'll have it."

"I could likely get all that on my own, Captain Barbossa" she replied smugly.

He smirked. "Aye. Ye be after somethin' more. Someone to be close to…" He got very close and spoke softly. "Someone who'll stand alongside yeh in the day, and keep yeh warm in the night…" He let go of her collar and his fingers drifted gently up her neck. "A man yeh can depend on." He could feel her pulse racing as he whispered in her ear, "I can be that man."

She felt all but helpless as he spoke, his body so close to hers, his words bringing things to the surface that she had either buried or been ignorant of. Something flared up inside, and it left her breathless. Ever so naturally, her own body softly conformed as he pressed closer. She closed her eyes.

"Elizabeth" he said softly.

She thought of Will then and her eyes shot open. She flinched away from Barbossa's touch and pushed his hand back.

"It's Mrs. Turner" she said coldly.

His hand took hold of her collar again, and again she was shoved hard against the metal bars behind her.

"I care not what yeh call yerself, be it Swann, Turner, or Barbossa. Take care that yeh hear me well, 'cause I've said this only twice in me life, and I shan't be repeatin' it often, but I love you, Elizabeth, and fates be damned, I won't take any more o' yer sass."

He yanked her close, wrapped her tightly in his arms, and kissed her hard. She fought a little, but not much, not enough to make any difference. On both ends, the kiss was almost desperate, but it eventually slowed down, and he pulled apart from her at last.

She couldn't think. She could hardly breathe. She felt thrilled and guilty and altogether numb. In that moment, she was sure of nothing.

"Think on it" he said. He then stepped away and locked her back in, leaving her to await the dawn.