Title: Sense of Duty
Rated: M
Pairings: J/E, mention of W/E and a splash of B/E
Summary: The Code is being taught, enemies need a new level of trust, and someone's death starts looking mysterious . . .
Notes: PLEASE consider this while reading my story: if the Elizabeth/ Barbossa relationship wasn't important, WOULD I BOTHER WRITING IT? This is a mystery, remember? Everything happens for a reason.

Beta: Howlongmustiwait

Chapter Thirteen: Awkward Feelings

Paen put the bottle of rum in front of Jack, bowing slightly before leaving the room with Hecker. Jack just grunted, and as soon as the dimwit was out of sight, took the rum and chucked it out the window. He did not trust those two. Anything they gave him; he disposed of.

He sat back down at his desk, pouring over his dead father's journal. More importantly, staring at a drawing that his father did.

Jack did not know why he was doing this. His fingers trailed the flowing locks of the picture, realizing that it looked like waves. Then he imagined those same fingers, running through the actual golden waves . . .

"Stop it." He told himself, slamming the book shut and leaning back into his chair. He rubbed his face with his hand, sighing. "It's none of yer concern."

Another thing Jack didn't understand - why Barbossa? What did he want with Elizabeth? Jack grimaced, wondering if Hector Barbossa had something up his dirty, rank old sleeves. And then he wondered why Elizabeth fell into the trap.

Maybe there was no trap, his incessantly active mind processed. Maybe she fucked him willingly.

Well, if she needed the special attention, I was right here.

Like she'd come to you, mate, not after everything that had been done.

Well, why not? 'S in the past. Past things are things that have been resolved -

-or ignored-

Right, or ignored; therefore, they no longer matter.

Maybe it does matter.

Maybe it doesn't.

Maybe she just doesn't want you.

Jack sat up straighter, shocked at himself. He'd never thought of that possibility before. But it made sense . . . if Elizabeth was considering being sexually active, and didn't come to him first, that would have been her first choice, in Jack's mind . . . then maybe . . .

Maybe she doesn't.

Jack growled in frustration.

"WHY am I obsessing over a women!?"

(J)(E)(J)(E)

Elizabeth smiled as Jack walked into the room. She stood up, and held her hand up in a wave. But it seemed like Jack didn't notice her, or was ignoring her. She darted around some wandering pirates, reaching Jack as he reached the food servers.

"Jack!" She greeted, still smiling. "I haven't seen you in two days - is everything alright?"

Jack picked up a biscuit and checked it for weevils. "Fit as rain, your highness."

Elizabeth's smile faltered. He hadn't called her by her name?

"What's wrong?" She asked, following him as he walked down the table. Jack picked up various food things, stuffing things into pockets and ignoring the server's protests for taking too much.

Jack looked at her, his eyes dull and guarded. "Why would anything be wrong?"

Elizabeth opened her mouth to say something, but Hector had walked right up to them. She noticed Jack going for his pistol, but stopping. He settled for glaring darkly at the older pirate.

Hector just smiled. Elizabeth became curious about that; it was the type of smile someone made when they knew something, but somebody else didn't.

"Yer Highness, Ol' Barty be liking a word wit' ya." Barbossa said, touching Elizabeth's shoulder to turn her around. His smile grew wider as he saw Jack tense up. "He said it would not be even for a minute."

"Oh." Elizabeth stumbled, after being pushed a little by Hector. "I guess I am going then." She looked up at Jack, a shimmer of hope in her eyes. "Will I see you later, Jack?"

Jack said nothing - turning around to focus on the table of food. He picked up another biscuit, chocolate this time, and put it back down, frowning slightly.

(J)(E)(J)(E)

"Did ye enjoy the show the other night?"

Jack gripped the mug of ale harder, but didn't say anything. He kept walking, ignoring Barbossa.

"Must say, I liked the look on yer face when ye realized it was me."

Jack gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to turn around and bash his face in. He left the galley through some curtains, picking up speed as he hurried down a hall.

The bastard still followed him.

"Must say, she is a sweet little fu-"

Jack twirled on one heel and his fist missed Barbossa's face. "SHUT IT."

"Jealous?"

"No. Disgusted." Jack answered, turning back around and walking up a small dirt hill that led to the outside of the Cove. "Nauseated. Queasy. Sickened. Scarred."

"Tha's an awful lot of words." Barbossa chuckled, still following Jack as the other pirate made his way down to his ship. "Ah, there be my Pearl."

"MY Pearl." Jack barked, stopping and facing Barbossa. "MINE."

"Fine, fine. In no mood ta argue with ye any more." Barbossa chuckled as he stepped backwards. "I'll just see if the King is in need of my... services."

Jack's frown grew deeper.

"Knew it would bother ye."

Jack was quick to answer, a bad move all in itself. "It does not bother me."

"Fine. Whateve' ye say." Barbossa grinned, going back through the curtains.

Jack turned to the Pearl, grabbing a rope that was hanging off the side and climbing up. He needed to be away from the Cove at the present moment, or else another murder would happen . . . maybe two.