Something More Than Before
Chapter 10 – Unwanted Warnings
Tia Dalma reflected on what she had just seen; an island, an unknown island, a key in Jack's hand, and a frightened looking Elizabeth. And it was all amounting to something. She had also detected a tiny hint of fear in Jack's eyes, from what she could see. She knew that she couldn't let Jack and Elizabeth go on with the affair. There was too much at stake; too much to lose; too many people to be hurt by two others' ignorant actions.
She had to warn them; she had to stop them. But would they listen?
-----
Jack and Elizabeth's kissing session in bed was interrupted by a sharp knock on their door. Jack groaned as he and Elizabeth parted.
"Who is it?" he called out, almost angrily.
"It's Tia Dalma," came her voice through the door.
Jack stood up and wrapped a spare sheet around his otherwise naked body, leaving Elizabeth in the bed. He went and opened the door.
"Oh, I can see that I disturbed you..." Tia Dalma said as soon as she saw Jack's clothing, or, lack of clothing.
"Well, you've disturbed us now," Jack said, trying not to lose it, "so what do you want?"
"You won't like it," she said, ignoring Elizabeth in the background. "Neither of you will."
Elizabeth looked up at this, and gave Tia Dalma a questioning look, who chose to ignore it.
"You have to stop this," Tia Dalma explained, "You can't go on with this affair."
"Why?" Jack challenged.
"Everyone on board knows," Tia Dalma said quietly. "Everyone knows; Norrington knows."
"So what if Norrington knows?" Elizabeth asked. "What can he do?"
"He can tell Will," Jack answered her, Tia Dalma's reason behind warning suddenly dawning on him. "Norrington never was one for fair play."
Elizabeth had no comeback to this, except, "Why should we stop the affair just because of the possibility that he could tell Will? He might not!"
"It's a risk I wouldn't take," Tia Dalma interjected.
"A life without risks is not a life," Elizabeth said softly. "It's an existence."
"An existence that can shatter a man's heart if he finds out!" Tia Dalma shouted.
"He won't," Jack said simply.
"For everyone's sakes," Tia Dalma said, annoyed that her warning was not being heeded, "you'd better hope not."
And with that, she walked away, and Jack slammed the door shut behind her.
"How dare she come upto us and tell us how to live our lives?!" Elizabeth cried. "It is none of her business!"
Jack took off the sheet, and climbed back into the warmth of the bed. Despite everything, he looked troubled.
"Don't tell me you're starting to agree," Elizabeth said.
"No," Jack said slowly, "but I think we should exercise caution while talking to Norrington now. He could be a problem."
"What about Barbossa?" Elizabeth asked. "Is he being a threat on board?"
"Surprisingly, no," Jack said, frowning. "He's being very quiet. It's like he's a lost man."
"Lost?" Elizabeth asked curiously.
"Unsure of the world and his place in it," Jack elaborated. "He's finally realised that there are more dangers arising, and he is undoubtedly starting to fear for his safety."
"Barbossa fears for his safety? He's a notorious pirate; second only to you," Elizabeth said, arising a hint of a blush from Jack.
"Thanks, love," Jack smiled, "but now is a time dangerous for even the most notorious pirates out there."
"I know you'll be fine," she whispered softly. "We all will be."
"I only hope, love," Jack nodded, "I only hope."
-----
Tia Dalma was frustrated. She slammed the door shut behind her as she entered her room on the ship. She felt like kicking something, or someone, in the face. She breathed heavily and threw herself down on her bed, closing her eyes before they dripped with tears.
Outside, she could hear Jack, who had presumably gotten out of bed and gotten dressed, shouting orders involving Tortuga. She heard him telling someone very loudly that they were approaching their destination a lot sooner than expected.
She began to wonder how everything was going to occur, like which events would cause others and so on. As far as Tia Dalma could tell, it was going to be tragedy after tragedy. And only then would there be the battle that everyone was expecting.
-----
Even Jack was shocked by the speed with which his ship had drawn closer to Tortuga. Even though they had said otherwise, he and Elizabeth had agreed to continue their affair, ignoring Will's presence on board. They were just going to have to be a bit more secretive. Now, though, as the water shifted to the side to allow the ship's passage, he stood holding Elizabeth's hand.
The sea spray hit everyone's faces, and Elizabeth moved closer to Jack as the night's air grew colder. She didn't have a clue how to greet Will. She had decided to stay on the ship while everyone else went on land and got wasted. Gibbs would find Will and tell him to go to the ship, where Elizabeth would be waiting.
-----
Will was surprised at his willpower. He had managed to go for at least two hours without giving into the temptation of going to find Giselle, despite the now high levels of rum and alcohol in his blood. Yes, he was on his way to being drunk, again, but he wasn't entirely there yet.
A strong draught coming from the direction of the door knocked him out of his thoughts. He turned and was startled to see Gibbs framed in the doorway, squinting. Will stood up and Gibbs spotted him. Will walked over to the door.
"Gibbs? Is the Pearl here already?" Will asked.
"Aye and Miss Elizabeth is on board..." Gibbs smiled, "...waiting for you."
Will smiled at the mention of his fiancé. He hadn't seen her in weeks. He marched straight past Gibbs, and headed for the port.
So, Will's about to go and find Elizabeth on the Black Pearl, but how will Jack and Elizabeth's relationship cope with Will on board? More importantly, how will Elizabeth greet her future husband?
Review please!
QueenSerenity818 out.