Jack spent the next several days on the Empress with Elizabeth, teaching her how to maneuver around the cove and just outside it. "'Tisn't for naught they call this 'Shipwreck Cove,' as Gibbs would say," he reminded her. He taught her where the shoals were, outside the cove, and how to avoid the reef right at the entrance to the cove. They discussed various formations which would be possible, depending on which direction the wind was coming from. By the fifth day, Jack stood by silently and watched Elizabeth take her ship all around the cove, the entrance to it, and much of the open sea where the battle would be. He was visibly impressed.
"For a junk, your Empress moves pretty well," he complimented. "Course, she'll still get splintered if she's hit, but at this rate you'll be able to dodge the cannonballs before they even land!"
"Thank you, Jack!" Elizabeth told him with a grin. "It's been a long time since I've had this much fun on a ship."
Jack opened his mouth to say something salacious, but evidently thought better of it and closed it again. "Glad you're enjoying yourself," he said finally. "And wasn't it nice of me to come and rescue you from your dull little existence—I'd hesitate to call it a life—in your dull little cottage in that dull little town of Flimwell?"
"Oh, yes," she replied sarcastically. "How shall I ever repay you?"
Jack gave her a grin that glinted with gold and mischief. "Don't forget there's still that huge favor you'll owe me."
"How can I forget? You won't let me!"
"Not for an instant," Jack promised. "I have plans for that favor! All right, take us back into the cove, then."
He had an idea. Once back in the cove, they sailed the Empress right up close to the Black Pearl, and he invited her aboard. "Something there you may be interested in," he said. One of the Empress' sailors put out a plank and they strode across onto the deck of the Pearl. The sailor pulled back the plank and the Empress drifted away to a safer distance.
They both went into Jack's cabin. "Make yourself at home," Jack invited. "It nearly is, anyway."
Elizabeth laughed and eased herself into the hammock that was still strung up across from the bed. "Still have this up?" She leaned back and relaxed.
Jack shrugged. "Too busy to take it down. Back in a minute," he said, and went out. He left the door open and Elizabeth heard some yelling, a few pounding footsteps, a loud screech, and a small splash. Jack came back in, rubbing his hands together nervously.
"What did you do?" Elizabeth wanted to know.
The corner of Jack's mouth turned up in a wry smile. "If it works, you'll see for yourself." He sat down at his desk and put his boots up on it, crossing his ankles. He tipped his hat down over his eyes and relaxed.
Ten minutes passed in this manner, and Elizabeth was beginning to drift off into a doze when suddenly they heard the sound of a lot of rushing water.
"Ah!" Jack said. "I think it worked!" He swung his feet down and went out on deck.
Elizabeth got out of the hammock rather awkwardly, as it had been a long time since she had slept in one. She followed Jack out onto the deck.
"What is it?" she asked.
He turned to her. "I invited a friend to visit." He gestured aft, and she gasped as she recognized the Flying Dutchman.
"What—how did you—"
"Thought you two might have some things to discuss. Things to get out in the open. Things to get… off your chest," he said with a leer at her bosom.
She rolled her eyes and smacked him on the chest with her hand. He caught it and pressed it flat against his chest for a moment. She could hear the faint pulse of his heartbeat. "I know for a fact that Will does," Jack told her quietly, dark eyes meeting hers seriously. "So don't do anything stupid that might mess up your life for the next ten years as well. Savvy?" He brought up her hand and gave it a quick kiss; then, hearing Will's step as he materialized on the deck, whirled to face him.
"Hello, Will. Thought you might like to come and visit another pretty lady," Jack said. He held up Elizabeth's hand as if leading her toward Will.
Will released the newly rechristened Pigeon, and the monkey scurried across the deck and up into the rigging.
"Hello, Elizabeth," Will said, his face lighting up.
Elizabeth gave Jack's hand a grateful squeeze before releasing it. She gave Will a self-conscious smile. "Hello, Will."
There was an awkward silence.
Jack cleared his throat. "Well? Are you two going to do any talking, or shall I do it all?"
"You do anyway," Elizabeth teased, tossing him a swift smile. "Long after you should stop, usually."
"Aye, well," he replied with a wicked smile, "You usually like what I have to say, love, and you know it."
Will's eyes darted between the two of them, and he cleared his throat. "Jack?" he asked. "Mind if Elizabeth and I borrow your cabin for a bit?"
Jack nodded with a bit of a grimace. "All yours."
Note: This chapter contains a reiteration of the pronoun/antecedent grammar lesson. This bit of this chapter originally read: Will released the newly rechristened Pigeon, and the monkey scurried across the deck and up into the rigging.
"Hello, Elizabeth," he said, his face lighting up.
I ask you, to which character does "he" refer to in that last sentence? The most recently-mentioned noun. Yes, my friends, that's right-according to the grammar of this sentence, Jack has a talking monkey. And not only a talking monkey, but one who is glad to see Elizabeth! Between the monkey and Teague's dog, these sure are some talented animals.
Learn from my error, my friends: Grammar counts! when you use a pronoun, make sure you're aware of which noun it's pointing to. It always refers to the most recent noun mentioned... every time!