Sorry for not updating in a bit, the combination of long days and work has been sort of crazy lately. I hope you guys enjoy!
They had been sailing for nearly a few weeks now, but still hadn't found another clue on their map.
Jack had hidden himself on the Pearl so Barbossa or anyone else wouldn't disturb him as he fiddled with the map again, sliding the circles this way and that.
He tried different combinations, turning one circle one direction and then the other quickly in another direction; or turning one circle once around and the other circle maybe two or three times.
Nothing.
He realized he had not tried another possibility when the circles met to reveal their last clue: "'Day and Night'…'Swept into the Sea'." He then moved his hands in opposite directions simultaneously, and slowly saw legible words form: "'Fire and Ice'…'Water and Wind'."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Groves descended into the lower decks, grateful when he met the stairs leading to the brig. He spotted Emma instantly and his walk slowed. He noticed she didn't look up when he entered, not even when he stood before her cell. She sat on the narrow bench, her knees drawn up to her chest, her arms wrapped around her legs. Her head lay facedown on her knees. He saw the blanket from her cell at the fort in the corner. He desperately wished he could put her somewhere else. This wasn't the place for her.
He leaned forward a bit. "Emma?"
She slowly lifted her head, her face solemn at first, but lightened with surprise as she stood. He straightened as she rose, noticing she was trying not to look at him. He was about to speak, but she did first.
"I'm surprised you're down here."
He blinked. "Why is that?"
Her voice was small. "Because I told him."
He felt his face fall as he slowly gripped the bars.
"I'm not-" he was about to reassure her he wasn't angry for her-he was really afraid for her-but she interrupted him.
"I had to. I had no other choice."
"I want to see you set free, Emma, not dragged further into this mess." He paused to gather himself again, and added softly, "Something about this just doesn't feel right."
Emma swelled with fear inside. She couldn't let him know or even suspect anything about what Lord Caldwell said to her. She didn't dare fathom what Caldwell would do if he thought Groves suspected anything.
She stepped closer to the bars. "It's because you are too good. You shouldn't concern yourself with me."
*You are my only concern…* Groves saw her hands were now touching the bars, and he dared to move his palm over her fingers. "You have my word that I will do everything in my power to set you free."
"You gave me your word that you wouldn't sacrifice anything for me," she retorted.
His eyes widened, not knowing what she was talking about. "Sacrifice? There is no sacrifice in this. I'm responsible for you being here, and I'm going to be responsible for seeing you released. I'm willing to do it for you because you deser-"
"Theodore, please! You've gotten yourself into enough of a dilemma. Don't make it worse for yourself on account of me." Her voice dropped, her bargain with Caldwell flashing in her mind...Caldwell's promise that Groves would be spared if she cooperated…"Please, don't…"
Groves eyed her up and down. What on earth did she mean? The only dilemma he was in was having to perform his duties against her, a woman he had grown to care for. And now because of him, she was in custody.
"Emma-"
She suddenly jerked away, her voice firm. "Leave me."
Groves could only stare at her, confused by her strange behavior.
Seeing he hadn't left, she turned away, feeling the tears sting her eyes. "Leave!"
Opening his mouth and then closing it, Groves sighed in defeat and left the brig, unaware she barely turned her head to watch him. After he closed the door, she let the tears fall.