Ok, here it is. Number twenty-one.
Right, thank you time:
Elven-Elements: Speaking very fast appears to be a habit. However your pathetic, heart rending, beautiful...*dissolves into sobs* pleas will NOT move me! *Sobs some more* Oh ok. Maybe they will.
XPUNKRoCKGODDESSX: Umm, thank you!!!!!! *gives you a bottle of rum for your trouble*
Cap'n Keira Sparrow: Well obviously I don't like you, as you got 'him' to the altar before me...but thanky, and tell your 'husband' I'd like to meet him very much. :) *Gives you three bottles of rum, one for you, two for Captain Sparrow*
JackSparrowsBooty: Thanky to you! Glad you like the story!*bottle of rum to you too*
Pyratereba: Yup, I like my cliffies!*yet another bottle of rum*
Dirty Kisses: I will only write more if you review more!*gives you half bottle of rum*
Rachel: Cool, another person likes this! *gives you a bottle of rum*
Allison Jakes: Wow. Long review. Have visited your amazing site, but am going to finish this story before I post there. *gives you big bottle of rum for longest review*
Phew! Very sorry if I missed you. If I did, you better REVIEW and tell me! *wink, wink*
Oh, and as Cap'n Keira Sparrow observantly pointed out...I AM EVIL!!!
Usual disclaimer.
***********************************************************
Chapter Twenty-One – Opportune Moments
A day out of Port Royale, and Will's condition hadn't improved. He was lucky not to have his neck broken, was what Gibbs said, but Elizabeth secretly felt that anything would've been better than how he was now.
His skin was waxy, and pale. His hair was strewn over the pillow and lank to the touch. He hadn't eaten, and only drunk what she'd managed to force between his lips.
He hadn't woken either. Not a sound or movement. It was like being in a tomb for Elizabeth. She was beginning to wonder if it was more of a tomb than she thought.
She sat on a chair, watching him. There wasn't much use for her on deck. Occasionally she wandered down to help in the galley, but even that gave her little entertainment. Will didn't look as though about to wake, so she stepped out into the sunlight. The crew were about their usual tasks. Ana was high up in the crow's nest, armed with a telescope. There had obviously been no sighting of enemy ships, as the 'Black Pearl' was definitely not at full speed.
Jack was standing at the wheel, watching the sea with a somewhat bored expression.
"The Navy aren't on our tail then?"
"No, they aren't. How's the whelp?"
Elizabeth leaned back against the rail.
"He hasn't changed since you last asked."
Jack nodded sadly. A loud shout from Ana cut through the quiet rushing of the water.
"Land Ho!"
"Which bit of land?"
Ana was climbing down the rigging. She leapt off three feet from the deck. Turning to face Jack, with a look on her face that showed she knew how he'd react, she said;
"Well tis Tortuga. So I take it we'll be stopping."
Jack shrugged expressively.
"Couldn't possibly say, luv. Lads, you fancy a trip to Tortuga?"
There was a chorus of agreement. Jack winked at the angry First mate.
"There's your answer!"
Elizabeth watched Jack turn back to the wheel, humming a tune. She tried to remind herself why she was in love with him. Will had been right. No, Will 'was' right. Elizabeth stormed off to the cabin. Bloody pirate. First mention of anywhere 'like Tortuga', and he was grinning from ear to ear.
Jack called after her, shocked by her sudden exit. Elizabeth ignored him. Why couldn't Will's noose have broken, and let the hateful pirate captain hang?
How he could even think of going to Tortuga was beyond her. He obviously didn't really love her. She decided she must have been drunk to believe it.
She sat back down on her chair, and buried her face in her hands. It hurt her more that her sobs didn't wake Will from his prone position on the bed.
Jack stared after her. What was all the storming off about? What he done now? Stepping down from the wheel, he looked quizzically at Ana. She smirked.
"You know, if you hadn't grinned at the word 'Tortuga', you might've got away with that."
Jack cursed himself. Ana smiled coyly, and wandered off to see everything was being done. Jack watched his sister leave. Was he completely stupid? Sighing deeply, he set off to begin the diplomatic conversation that was sure to follow.
Elizabeth heard the cabin door open. Before Jack had taken a step into the room, he had received a hard slap about the face.
"Lizzie!"
"Don't you dare call me that! I am not one of your women, Jack Sparrow! If you think you can just, waltz off to Tortuga, then you've got another thing coming."
Jack attempted to stem the flow of angry words, but like the tides of the sea, it kept coming. Eventually Jack gave up, and allowed Elizabeth to rant on, unimpeded.
When she had finished, she looked at Jack, who was still standing by the door, hands raised protectively.
Elizabeth's anger had calmed. Now the sadness threatened to engulf her. Her voice came in unwanted sobs. No, she mustn't cry, it proved her to be weak. But fighting the emotion was too much. Her voice shaking uncontrollably, she whispered;
"I thought you loved me!"
Jack lowered his hands, satisfied that the danger of projectiles had passed. Elizabeth had sunk onto the chair, and was looking up at him, small tears beginning to journey down her face.
Kneeling down opposite her, he cupped her hands in his. Less risk of being slapped.
"Elizabeth?"
He tried, experimentally. No reaction. He'd go with that.
"Elizabeth, I do love you, honest."
"Then why did you smile like that?"
Jack thought about it.
"Habit?"
Elizabeth couldn't help but smile slightly. Jack stood up, so did she. He brushed his hand over her cheeks to clear the tears.
"I promise you, I won't set foot in the place."
"Jack, you're a pirate."
"So?"
"I wouldn't trust you further than I could throw the 'Black Pearl'."
Jack felt it safe to release a trademark grin. Elizabeth visibly softened as he did so.
"Well, you better get practisin' throwin' ships about, Miss Swann. I'm a very honourable pirate."
Elizabeth was about to laugh, when she felt Jack's arms slip round her waist. She stopped herself in time.
"What are you doing, Captain?"
Jack's smile widened.
"Even us honourable pirates have days off, lass. We can't be honourable all the time..."
As their lips met, a polite cough made itself audible. The two lovers looked to the source of the noise, only to see Will, half sitting up in bed, grinning at them.
Jack and Elizabeth were suddenly at opposite ends of the room, without appearing to pass through the intervening space.
"Morning Captain, Miss Swann. Didn't interrupt anything, did I?"
Jack shot a sour look at Will's cheery face.
"You don't half pick your moments, Mr Turner."
Will shrugged expressively.
"You always told me to wait for the opportune moment, Jack."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Jack however went over Will's statement again.
"Hang on, how long ye been sittin' there?"
"Long enough."
Elizabeth rammed her hands onto her hips. She gave Will a look of cold fury, before marching out of the cabin, her cheeks flaming red.
Jack watched her leave.
"Strange creatures, women."
Will nodded.
"Bit of trouble yourself by the sound of it. With the wonderful Miss Swann?"
"Just how long were you eavesroppin' lad?"
Will beamed wider. Jack let it drop.
"You alright then?"
"Suppose so. I doubt she'll be back to feed me, do you agree?"
"Yeah, wouldn't be surprised if she let ye starve."
Will rubbed his neck.
"I don't deserve this kind of harsh treatment you know."
"Yes ye do. Listenin' in like that. Upsets ladies like our dear Elizabeth. Didn't do my heart any good either, come to that."
*********************************************************** Well, there ye are! You've done the 'R' now the '&R'. Thank you, please come again!
Right, thank you time:
Elven-Elements: Speaking very fast appears to be a habit. However your pathetic, heart rending, beautiful...*dissolves into sobs* pleas will NOT move me! *Sobs some more* Oh ok. Maybe they will.
XPUNKRoCKGODDESSX: Umm, thank you!!!!!! *gives you a bottle of rum for your trouble*
Cap'n Keira Sparrow: Well obviously I don't like you, as you got 'him' to the altar before me...but thanky, and tell your 'husband' I'd like to meet him very much. :) *Gives you three bottles of rum, one for you, two for Captain Sparrow*
JackSparrowsBooty: Thanky to you! Glad you like the story!*bottle of rum to you too*
Pyratereba: Yup, I like my cliffies!*yet another bottle of rum*
Dirty Kisses: I will only write more if you review more!*gives you half bottle of rum*
Rachel: Cool, another person likes this! *gives you a bottle of rum*
Allison Jakes: Wow. Long review. Have visited your amazing site, but am going to finish this story before I post there. *gives you big bottle of rum for longest review*
Phew! Very sorry if I missed you. If I did, you better REVIEW and tell me! *wink, wink*
Oh, and as Cap'n Keira Sparrow observantly pointed out...I AM EVIL!!!
Usual disclaimer.
***********************************************************
Chapter Twenty-One – Opportune Moments
A day out of Port Royale, and Will's condition hadn't improved. He was lucky not to have his neck broken, was what Gibbs said, but Elizabeth secretly felt that anything would've been better than how he was now.
His skin was waxy, and pale. His hair was strewn over the pillow and lank to the touch. He hadn't eaten, and only drunk what she'd managed to force between his lips.
He hadn't woken either. Not a sound or movement. It was like being in a tomb for Elizabeth. She was beginning to wonder if it was more of a tomb than she thought.
She sat on a chair, watching him. There wasn't much use for her on deck. Occasionally she wandered down to help in the galley, but even that gave her little entertainment. Will didn't look as though about to wake, so she stepped out into the sunlight. The crew were about their usual tasks. Ana was high up in the crow's nest, armed with a telescope. There had obviously been no sighting of enemy ships, as the 'Black Pearl' was definitely not at full speed.
Jack was standing at the wheel, watching the sea with a somewhat bored expression.
"The Navy aren't on our tail then?"
"No, they aren't. How's the whelp?"
Elizabeth leaned back against the rail.
"He hasn't changed since you last asked."
Jack nodded sadly. A loud shout from Ana cut through the quiet rushing of the water.
"Land Ho!"
"Which bit of land?"
Ana was climbing down the rigging. She leapt off three feet from the deck. Turning to face Jack, with a look on her face that showed she knew how he'd react, she said;
"Well tis Tortuga. So I take it we'll be stopping."
Jack shrugged expressively.
"Couldn't possibly say, luv. Lads, you fancy a trip to Tortuga?"
There was a chorus of agreement. Jack winked at the angry First mate.
"There's your answer!"
Elizabeth watched Jack turn back to the wheel, humming a tune. She tried to remind herself why she was in love with him. Will had been right. No, Will 'was' right. Elizabeth stormed off to the cabin. Bloody pirate. First mention of anywhere 'like Tortuga', and he was grinning from ear to ear.
Jack called after her, shocked by her sudden exit. Elizabeth ignored him. Why couldn't Will's noose have broken, and let the hateful pirate captain hang?
How he could even think of going to Tortuga was beyond her. He obviously didn't really love her. She decided she must have been drunk to believe it.
She sat back down on her chair, and buried her face in her hands. It hurt her more that her sobs didn't wake Will from his prone position on the bed.
Jack stared after her. What was all the storming off about? What he done now? Stepping down from the wheel, he looked quizzically at Ana. She smirked.
"You know, if you hadn't grinned at the word 'Tortuga', you might've got away with that."
Jack cursed himself. Ana smiled coyly, and wandered off to see everything was being done. Jack watched his sister leave. Was he completely stupid? Sighing deeply, he set off to begin the diplomatic conversation that was sure to follow.
Elizabeth heard the cabin door open. Before Jack had taken a step into the room, he had received a hard slap about the face.
"Lizzie!"
"Don't you dare call me that! I am not one of your women, Jack Sparrow! If you think you can just, waltz off to Tortuga, then you've got another thing coming."
Jack attempted to stem the flow of angry words, but like the tides of the sea, it kept coming. Eventually Jack gave up, and allowed Elizabeth to rant on, unimpeded.
When she had finished, she looked at Jack, who was still standing by the door, hands raised protectively.
Elizabeth's anger had calmed. Now the sadness threatened to engulf her. Her voice came in unwanted sobs. No, she mustn't cry, it proved her to be weak. But fighting the emotion was too much. Her voice shaking uncontrollably, she whispered;
"I thought you loved me!"
Jack lowered his hands, satisfied that the danger of projectiles had passed. Elizabeth had sunk onto the chair, and was looking up at him, small tears beginning to journey down her face.
Kneeling down opposite her, he cupped her hands in his. Less risk of being slapped.
"Elizabeth?"
He tried, experimentally. No reaction. He'd go with that.
"Elizabeth, I do love you, honest."
"Then why did you smile like that?"
Jack thought about it.
"Habit?"
Elizabeth couldn't help but smile slightly. Jack stood up, so did she. He brushed his hand over her cheeks to clear the tears.
"I promise you, I won't set foot in the place."
"Jack, you're a pirate."
"So?"
"I wouldn't trust you further than I could throw the 'Black Pearl'."
Jack felt it safe to release a trademark grin. Elizabeth visibly softened as he did so.
"Well, you better get practisin' throwin' ships about, Miss Swann. I'm a very honourable pirate."
Elizabeth was about to laugh, when she felt Jack's arms slip round her waist. She stopped herself in time.
"What are you doing, Captain?"
Jack's smile widened.
"Even us honourable pirates have days off, lass. We can't be honourable all the time..."
As their lips met, a polite cough made itself audible. The two lovers looked to the source of the noise, only to see Will, half sitting up in bed, grinning at them.
Jack and Elizabeth were suddenly at opposite ends of the room, without appearing to pass through the intervening space.
"Morning Captain, Miss Swann. Didn't interrupt anything, did I?"
Jack shot a sour look at Will's cheery face.
"You don't half pick your moments, Mr Turner."
Will shrugged expressively.
"You always told me to wait for the opportune moment, Jack."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Jack however went over Will's statement again.
"Hang on, how long ye been sittin' there?"
"Long enough."
Elizabeth rammed her hands onto her hips. She gave Will a look of cold fury, before marching out of the cabin, her cheeks flaming red.
Jack watched her leave.
"Strange creatures, women."
Will nodded.
"Bit of trouble yourself by the sound of it. With the wonderful Miss Swann?"
"Just how long were you eavesroppin' lad?"
Will beamed wider. Jack let it drop.
"You alright then?"
"Suppose so. I doubt she'll be back to feed me, do you agree?"
"Yeah, wouldn't be surprised if she let ye starve."
Will rubbed his neck.
"I don't deserve this kind of harsh treatment you know."
"Yes ye do. Listenin' in like that. Upsets ladies like our dear Elizabeth. Didn't do my heart any good either, come to that."
*********************************************************** Well, there ye are! You've done the 'R' now the '&R'. Thank you, please come again!