Twisted Fairytales

Chapter 21 ~ Love Is Not The Opposite Of Hate


Disclaimer: I do not own the people or the ship that I obviously do not own, as they are fictional and belong to the people that created them. :-P

Rating: PG-13

Author's Note: Here we are folks!

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It had been a week since Jack's revelation. Only another week to get to London, Gibbs had told her. She wasn't surprised it would arrive so soon, considering the way Jack had pushed the ship. Every oar, every sail put to work. Elizabeth had done her best to avoid him at all costs, which was easier than you would think being on a ship. He'd spent most of the day in his quarters, only leaving at night, presumably to sleep on the deck. The next morning she would leave and he would return to his quarters, leaving it on the rare occasion throughout the day. Then at night, the cycle would continue. Not a word had been spoken between the two of them.

The deck was almost deserted. Only three of them remained awake; she, Jack and Mr Gibbs.


Elizabeth raised her eyes to the helm where Jack was standing, his eyes fixed on the horizon. They'd anchored over an hour ago, but he still hadn't left the spot. Gibbs came up next to the Captain and said something to him, which made him smirk. The familiar glint she'd loved flashed in his eyes as he smiled, but he didn't look at his first mate. His eyes remained fixed ahead. Gibbs said something again to his Captain, before walking down the few steps. He smiled at her as he walked past her, 'Miss Elizabeth. Better get some sleep, lass.'

'Good night,' she smiled warmly at him and watched as he went below deck. She turned back to look at the helm, surprised to see Jack looking at her. Part of her wanted him to try and speak to her. He hadn't made any attempt over the past week and it upset her she meant so little he wouldn't try harder. But another part of her didn't want to speak with him. Didn't want to be anywhere near him. Protested that she even remained in his sights when she knew he was looking.

Ellie turned from him, breaking their brief eye contact. But she didn't go back to his quarters, like he'd suspected her to do. She merely turned to face the ocean, leaning her elbows on the side of the ship as she watched the waves crash against the side of it. He hesitated for a moment, wondering how she would react if he simply stood next to her. He rubbed his hands on the thighs of his trousers before making his way down the steps towards her.

Elizabeth tensed when she heard his footsteps approach her, but she remained looking at the waves. She did need to speak to him. She needed to clear things up. They needed to talk about what would happen now. What would happen when they finally reached land. He stopped next to her and mimicked her posture, looking out at the ocean. 

They both stood in an awkward silence for a while. Both aware of their breathing, each other's breathing. The only sound between them, along with the soft sound of the waves below them.

Elizabeth fidgeted with her rings. He eyed them on her fingers, resentment towards one of his best friends passing through him. After another moment, she broke into the silence, her voice soft, 'Jack.'

Jack turned his head to look at her.

'I want you to leave me in England,' she went on, not looking at him, 'I have family there. They'd permit me to stay with them…'

'No,' Jack's voice interrupted her. His tone was emotionless and he was looking out at the sea again.

'I beg your pardon?'

'Ye're not leavin' this ship, Ellie,' he went on, 'Yer place is here.'

'I think I should be the one to judge my place, Mr Sparrow,' she straightened, indignantly, 'I will not allow you to decide whether or not I stay here.'

'I'm yer Captain, I decide who stays an' who goes, you're stayin',' he spoke, defiantly.

'I am not one of your crew!' she snapped, 'How dare you! You think you can decide how I live my lift, Jack Sparrow, you are seriously mistaken. I do not have to answer to you or anyone on board this ship.' Her voice went cold, 'I'd walk the plank if it meant I'd never have to see your face again.'

Jack managed to refrain from physically flinching at her words. He continued to look out at the ocean, keeping his tone impassive, 'I'm not lettin' ye go.'

Elizabeth stood, staring at him, shocked at what he was saying. She didn't realise he'd put up a fight about here leaving. He had no claim over her. He had no right to make her stay.

'You can't keep me here Jack,' she spoke, her voice quiet but firm, 'When this ship docks, I'm leaving. And I assure you, you will never see me again.' She didn't wait for him to respond, before she turned on her heels and made her way towards his quarters.

Jack watched after her, his stomach wrenching as he thought of loosing her. She couldn't just leave like that. He could stand not seeing her again. Not after all this. He couldn't let her go. He wouldn't. And with a sudden lurch of his stomach, it struck him. He was in love with Elizabeth Turner.

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Elizabeth was fuming. How dare he have the nerve to make demands of her? She paced the room. There was no way she would stay here. She had to get away. She had to leave this ship. She didn't know if she could stand another week here. Not with him. She couldn't be around him much longer. He had a hold over her that she couldn't escape from, and it both terrified and disgusted her when she thought of the reasons for the end of their friendship.

But although she hated him. Though she wanted to kill him for the death of his son, she couldn't help but care for him. Love him. And that's what sickened her the most. The fact that, despite all the pain and deceit, it didn't stop her loving him. It just made her hate him. And the combination of the two confused her beyond rationalization. Did he know that she felt this way for him? Did he feel the same way about her? Was there a way to forgive and forget and throw away the hate that lingered between them? Did he hate her for the way she was treating him?

There were too many questions. Too much confusion. Too many cruel realities in this unjust world.

There was only one way to stop the confusion. Put a stop and make a decision. The easy way, the most selfish way, but the only way. She had to get away from him. She had to break out of this suffocating bubble of confusion than engulfed her.

She had to leave. It was the only way.

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Jack lay on his back, looking up at the stars. He frequently did this on his own. Decided himself what each gathering of stars looked like. He'd done this a lot when he was in Ireland. With Megan. It was her he had first evaluated the stars with. Even though she had been two years younger than he, she always seemed to teach him things without even realising it.

~~Flashback~~

'Looks like a parrot,' Jack lay on his back on the cool grass, his head resting on his hands.

Megan giggled and shook her head, 'No. A sparrow.' She looked up at him from her spot and smirked at him. He smiled back at her. She pulled herself up so her face was at the same level as his, leaned up on her elbow, still lying down, and rested her head in her hand. Some of her dark brown hair fell forward over her shoulder, framing her face and brought out her dark brown eyes. She smiled down at him.

He smiled up at her and reached up with one of his hands and caressed her cheek, 'Be eighteen soon, won't ya?'

She grinned and nodded, 'Aye, Capt'n.'

He smirked at her and leaned him, kissing her lovingly. He pulled back from her and smiled, 'Not yet. But I will be soon enough.' He sat up, crossing his legs and faced her, 'Can't ye just imagine it? Captain Jack Sparrow. Make my father proud.'

Megan's smile faltered, her eyes lowered to the ground, 'You'd make a wonderful Captain, Jack.'

'Aye, ye'll see it for yerself in a few years,' he smirked, lying back down next to her, looking into her eyes, 'I could take ye t' Paris.'

She raised her eyes to his and spoke softly, 'Jack…I'm not a pirate…I don't want that life.' She noticed his frown. She leaned over and kissed him, softly. She put a hand to his cheek and smiled softly at him, 'I'll still be here in Ireland when you're chasing the horizon.'

Jack swallowed, upset at the though of ever leaving her now, 'Meggie…Ye know I wouldn't leave ye here.'

She tipped her head and smiled, 'When you love someone…you let them go. Let them fly.' She caressed his cheek, 'I wasn't meant to fly, though, Jack. But you were. I bet you've known that the moment you set foot on a ship. The sea's where you belong.'

'But…'

'No buts,' she smirked, shaking her head, 'You're too stubborn, Jack. Change comes with growing up. And one day, you're going to Captain your own ship. And you'll leave me here, because I'm not going to let you stay.'

'Why…why are ye talkin' like this?' Jack frowned, irritated at the sudden change in mood. Only a few minutes before everything was perfect. Blissful.

Megan sighed and kissed him again, this time more passionate. Jack groaned against her lips and let his hand caressed her waist. She smiled against his lips and pulled back from him, smiling at her, 'We've got here and now. That's all that matters.'

Jack looked at her for a moment, dreading the future. The time when she'd decide it was time to let him go. But the warm look in her eyes, the small smile on her face warmed him. He smiled back at her and leaned forward, kissing her lovingly. They had here and now.

~~End Of Flashback~~

Jack continued to stare at the sky, his thoughts on his and Megan's conversation years before. What she had said repeated in his head. 

When you love someone…you let them go.

But what if you couldn't let them go? What if it was too hard?

When you love someone…you let them go.

If all you cared for in the world was that one person, would you still let them go? If all you wanted was to be with them, would you let them go?

…you let them go.

But what if he couldn't?

Let them go.

But what if he had no choice?

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Authors note: Next chapter will be up soon ;-)

Review Responses!

Molly Mo – lol, I'm afraid I don't like Will (at least not very much)…I don't have any intentions of bringing him back. I would have liked to bring Little Jack back, but there's not really any plausible way for that to happen. Other than a repeat of what happened to Will. And it's a bit late in the story now, so I don't think that would be happening. It's all Jack and Ellie. Thanks for the review :-D

Jen – I had planned to watch the awards last night, when they were on over here. But when I found out for you Johnny hadn't won, I didn't bother. How dare he not win!! But we know he's the best, anyway :-D Thanks for the review, hope ye liked the chapter! ;-)

Daydream Believer, Merlana, Cat Girl Utah, Dead Girls Watch, Jen, Reality, Brittle and Capt'n Keira Sparrow – Thanks for the reviews!