A/N: I love all the review left by all the lovely fans of this fic... and now I'm gonna break your hearts a little more - sorry!
(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)
M is for Marriage
Jack hadn't forgotten what the day was, though he would like to pretend he didn't know.
Mostly he would like to pretend no such event ever took place, amongst the battle against Davy Jones, Cutler Beckett, and Calypso herself.
In so much tragedy and pain came hope, or so Elizabeth had thought when she tied herself to William Turner moments before his untimely demise.
For Jack, it was almost as if all hope had been lost, having always thought he had a chance until then.
Of course, fate had taken another turn and here was his Lizzie, back at his side, a million miles away from her so-called husband, though she seemed to pine for him still.
There were tears in her eyes as she gazed out towards the ocean, but for very different reasons than Jack had ever considered.
"It cannot be right and proper" she sighed, as if sensing his presence beside her, "I miss Will, of course I do, but this is no marriage. One day every ten years... And I cannot even wish for him in the same way anymore. My heart just isn't in it" she sighed, turning her head to glance at Jack, "Do you think I'm a horrible person?"
"Never, Elizabeth" he promised her in such a way as she had to believe, even though he be a dishonest man, or so he said.
"You are much cleverer than you seem, Jack" she told him with a smile, "You never thought to tie yourself too closely to others, so you cannot be hurt" she sighed sadly, "Are you not glad now that your offer to marry me was turned down?" she asked, requiring no real response as she found an odd smile amongst her pain.
Jack opened his mouth to answer her but the words stuck in his throat; he was glad she walked away when she did, as giving her the real answer to that question might end rather badly.