When the ship first started to make it's way to Port Royal, a small feeling of dread had appeared inside Michelle, and the closer they got to their destination, the more this feeling grew inside her until she felt like she was going to be sick. For some reason, she didn't like the idea of going back home. Michelle walked up on deck and looked out at the water. She could see Port Royal in the distance. She tried to reason with herself that going back wasn't as bad as she thought, but that didn't make her feel any better. Will came up and stood next to her. "Look, there it is," he said with a grin on his face. Will was the polar opposite of Michelle. He was so glad to be returning.
"I know Will, I'm not blind. I can see it right in front of me!" Michelle said. She tried to keep the dread and annoyance out of her voice, but she knew Will could sense it.
"Is something wrong Michelle?" he asked.
Michelle sighed. "Nothing is the matter Will. Don't worry about me."
Will gave her a skeptical look. "You can tell me Michelle, I won't get mad at you."
"I can't Will. It's something I don't feel like discussing. I can solve my own problems without your help you know."
Will looked at her worriedly but decided that if Michelle wanted to talk to him about it, she would. A door shut behind them, causing them to turn around. Walking towards them was Jack, who had a jacket on and a large hat in his hand. When he reached them, he looked out and saw Port Royal. "We're almost there!" he said, hitting Will on the back. "I can't wait until we get there and I finally get t' see your son. Teach him everything I know, I will." Jack started laughing, but was soon silenced by Will's piercing look. Jack held his hands out defensively. "It was only a joke! Lighten up a bit. Though I heard that men get a little moody after the big 'snip'." This caused Michelle to laugh.
"I'm going to go talk to the captain," Will grumbled, walking away.
"But I'm right here Will!" Jack yelled at his retreating back.
"I don't think he meant you Jack," Michelle said. "We're not on your ship if you haven't noticed."
Jack looked around at the ship. "You're right! I was wondering why the Pearl was looking different." Michelle laughed again, which caused Jack to smile. It was in the middle of this that the two realized that they were having a conversation that didn't involve yelling at each other. Michelle stopped laughing while Jack swung his arms at his side, both of them trying to avoid looking at the other. Jack cleared his throat and began, "Listen, Michelle-"
"Prepare to dock!" yelled a voice from the helm. Suddenly, all of these men started running around them, stopping their conversation. In a couple of minutes, the ship was docked in Port Royal.
"Well, let's go," Will said, stepping off of the ship. Michelle and Jack, who was now wearing the large hat so no one could recognize his face, followed.
It was a Sunday, so not a lot of people were on the street. This made it easier for the three not to be recognized. They didn't want to bring attention to the fact that they had a wanted pirate in their presence. Their first stop was to be Will's house so Jack could get paid and can lay low until they could find a ship going to Tortuga for him to get a ride on.
They walked through the streets until they found themselves at Will's house. Will opened the door and walked in with a huge grin on his face. "Hello!" he called. From upstairs, they heard a door open and hurrying footsteps down the hall. Elizabeth soon appeared at the top of the stairs. "Will!" she said, running down the stairs as fast as she could. When she reached her husband, she threw her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. "I'm so glad to see you," she said when the parted. "I was getting so worried."
"It's okay, I'm home now. And look who I brought home," he said, gesturing towards Michelle.
Elizabeth walked over to her friend and gave her a hug. "I'm so glad you're alright."
"Me too, though I don't think your dress is ever going to be," Michelle said, looking down at the dirty gown.
Elizabeth laughed. "I don't care about the dress. I'm only happy that you're here and well. Why don't you go home and get freshened up. You look like you could use a bath."
"Thanks for the compliment Elizabeth," Michelle said sarcastically, but she thought a bath sounded good about now. She said goodbye and walked to her house. She took the key out from under the nearby flowerpot and unlocked the door. Her house looked like she never left it, much to her enjoyment. She drew up a bath and scrubbed all over her skin with soap and washed out her hair. When she was done, she stepped out of the brown tinted water and got in to a clean dress. She tied her damp hair up in a bun and put on a hat to match her blue dress. She walked over to the mirror and examined herself. 'Not bad,' she thought. She turned around to leave for Elizabeth's, but something shining on a table caught her eye. She turned back around and saw it was her wedding ring. She paused, wondering if she should wear it or not. But she knew that she had no choice. She had to wear it. She would probably see Robert today, and he would notice if she didn't have it on. She walked over to the table and picked up the ring, sliding the cool metal on to her finger, and sighed. She couldn't hide from her engagement any longer.
****************
"Michelle! You look much better," said Elizabeth when she opened the door and saw her friend there. "I've just sent Will to go fetch Robert, so they should be here soon."
"Oh, that's great," said Michelle, giving Elizabeth a strained smile.
Elizabeth noticed the forced grin and asked, "Are you feeling alright Michelle?"
"Just a little tired, that's all," Michelle lied. Elizabeth smiled and turned around, leading Michelle in to the sitting room. The two got a cup of tea and sat down. Elizabeth said, "Michelle, know I know you've been gone all this time, and must be worried sick about the wedding plans, but I got it all taken care of. You're wedding is set to be on Sunday."
Michelle spat her tea back in to her cup. "Sunday? So soon? That's only four days away."
"Don't worry. I have everything sorted out: the church, the invitations, the food, even your wedding dress. I used one your dresses as a template. I hope you don't mind."
"Oh no that's fine. I was just a little surprised, that's all." She tilted her head back and gulped down the rest of her tea. "So, tell me what's happened while I was gone."
Elizabeth happily chatted away while Michelle sat there not taking in one word Elizabeth said, a smile on her face. She would nod occasionally, but she had no clue what she was nodding to. She was still trying to take in the fact that she would be married in less than a week. 'Sunday…marriage… church… Robert… four days…' was going through her head. She snapped out of her trance at the sound of glass breaking, followed by "Bloody vase!" Michelle and Elizabeth went running in to the hall to see a puddle of flowers and glass at the feet of a rather mad pirate.
Elizabeth groaned. "Jack, do you have to be so clumsy?"
Jack threw his hands up in self-defense. "It wasn't my fault. The vase jumped at me!" Michelle snorted and Elizabeth gave him a skeptical look. "It's the truth!" he told her.
"Is it even possible for pirates to tell the truth?" Elizabeth asked.
"Of course, but only when circumstances call for it," replied Jack with a wink.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and got down on her hands and knees to pick up the glass shards. "Pirates. You're always looking out for yourselves."
Michelle started helping Elizabeth with the pieces. "That's not always the case," she commented. "They have been known the help others."
"When there was no profit in it for them?" Elizabeth asked. Michelle didn't say anything, and Elizabeth said, "That's what I thought." She looked up at Jack, "This is your mess, why aren't you helping?"
"Well, I would, but I don't want to get glass stuck in me hands," he replied.
"Oh, and we do," Elizabeth replied sarcastically. She stood up and said, "I'm going to go throw these away and get a rag to clean up the water with." Once she was out of earshot, Jack said, "She hasn't said one decent thing to me since I've been here."
"I wonder why," Michelle said, even though she knew it was because of what Jack had done to her two years ago. She looked up and saw Jack picking up some of the glass. They went in to the next room and threw the shards away. "I'd be much obliged if that stayed between you and me," Jack told her.
"It'll be our little secret," Michelle said.
"Yes, our little secret," he repeated. He reached out and touched her hand. But it quickly retreated away. Jack looked down at her hand. Wondering what was wrong with it, she looked down and saw the problem. It was her ring. She quickly put her hand behind her back. At that moment, Elizabeth walked back with a damp rag in her hand. She threw it in to the sink and said, "Michelle, can you grab me another vase up there to put the flowers in?" Michelle, happy for the intrusion, went over to the cupboard, took out a vase, and filled it with water. They walked back in to the hall and put the flowers in the new vase. "Now I can go back to telling you about the plans for the wedding," Elizabeth said, pulling her back in to the sitting room. "Would you like some tea Jack?" Elizabeth asked politely.
"No thanks, I'll leave you two to talk," Jack said before he sauntered off.
Elizabeth started to talk again, but was interrupted by a door opening and Will shouting, "Elizabeth! Michelle!"
"We're in here Will," Elizabeth called to him. Will walked in to the room, followed by Robert.
"Michelle," her fiancé cried, running over to her. She stood up and gave him a hug. "I'm so glad you're safe," he said. "I would've gone after you, but I wasn't allowed to."
'That didn't stop Will,' Michelle thought. Out loud, she said, "It's fine. I'm here now, and that's all that matters."
He gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "You're so sweet," he said. "I've got to go back to work now, but I'll come by your house later."
"I'll be there," she replied. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and walked out of the house.
Will looked over at Michelle. "I expected him to stay a bit longer."
"It's alright, he said he'd see her later," Elizabeth said. Will had concern in his eyes. He was finally seeing that Michelle and Robert weren't in love. Elizabeth, however, was completely oblivious. Just then, Jack walked in to the room and sat down on the couch, putting his feet on the table in front of him. "So that was Robert," he said with a smile on his face. "He seemed happy to see you."
"Be quiet Jack," Elizabeth said, hitting his legs off the table. "He was busy."
"Oh yes, like he was too busy to rescue his wife-to-be?" Jack asked. He had said the same thing that was on Michelle's mind, and by the looks on the other's faces, they had been thinking the same thing.
"Some people have jobs to do and can't go chasing pirates," Elizabeth said, still standing up for Robert.
"Like Will when you were kidnapped," Jack said.
"Jack, that's different."
"How?" he asked. "He wasn't even engaged to you then."
Michelle could see Elizabeth was fighting a losing battle and wanted to yell at Jack, so she said, "I'm going to go home now. The wedding sounds great Elizabeth. I'll come by tomorrow." She quickly left the house. When she was walking down from the house to the road, she could hear Elizabeth yelling at Jack. She felt sorry for him. No one wanted to be yelled at by her.
****************
It was Friday, two days before the wedding. Michelle had her dress, everything was set up, and Jack was to be leaving that day. She went over to Elizabeth's house and knocked. When no one answered, she popped her head in and said, "Elizabeth! Will! Anyone here?"
"They're not here," Jack replied, coming out of the hall and in to view. Michelle walked in and closed the door. "Elizabeth and William went over to her father's earlier, and Will's still at the smithy. They should be back soon."
"Ok," Michelle said. She fingered a bag that was in her hand before saying, "Here Jack." She opened the bag, showing a bunch of coins. "For coming to get me." She held the bag out to him, but he pushed it back to her. "You don't have to pay me," he said.
"I insist Jack," Michelle said. "It's the least I can do." She handed the bag back to him.
"It's already taken care of," Jack said, closing her hands around the bag and moving it back towards her. The door behind her opened and a rather messy Will walked in. Michelle quickly closed the bag and strapped it on to her waist.
"Ready to go?" Will asked Jack.
"Just need me hat," he said, picking up the large hat and putting it on. "Lead the way Will."
Will walked out the door, and Jack was about to, but Michelle stopped him. "Jack," she said, "thank you."
Jack tipped his hat. "Your welcome." He put his hat back on and walked out the door.
****************
Elizabeth made sure Michelle looked perfect before she had to go to her seat. The dress fit perfectly and looked wonderful on her. The fabric was beautiful: it has lace all over it and pearls buttoning down the back. Her long hair was tied back in to a beautiful bun with some hairs loose around her face. On her neck was the pearl necklace Robert had given to her. "You look beautiful," Elizabeth said.
"Thanks," Michelle replied with a weak smile.
"Don't be nervous," she said, thinking that was why Michelle was feeling uneasy. "It'll be fine."
Michelle gulped. "I hope so." They had already been delayed because they couldn't find one of her shoes and the priest had been late, but Elizabeth had sorted it all out in no time.
Elizabeth gave her friend one last hug before leaving the room and taking a seat next to her son and father in the front row. A knock came from the door. "Come in," Michelle called. The door opened and Will walked in.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"How does it look like I'm feeling?" she asked.
He took a good look at her before saying, "You look…" he sighed. "You look very unhappy."
"Well it doesn't matter," Michelle said. "I'll be married to a man who will provide for me and treat me well. What more could I want?"
"What everyone wants: love."
"What is love but an attraction between two people? Besides, no one could love me."
Will was shocked. "What do you mean no one could love you? You have so much to offer. You just need to find someone to love." There was a knock at the door, followed by someone telling them that it was time for Michelle to come out and walk the aisle. Will held his arm out to Michelle. "It's time. Ready to go?" he asked.
"I can't turn back now," she said, taking his arm. They walked out of the room and over to the aisle that Robert was standing at the end of. Everyone in the room stood up and looked over at her. When the wedding march started playing, she began the long walk down the aisle. When they reached Robert, Will handed her off to him. They walked up to the robed priest that was observing everything over the top of his Bible. He adjusted his hat before beginning. "We are gathered here today to witness the joining of Michelle Davis and Robert Bennett in holy matrimony." Even though the Bible was over his mouth, his words floated all around the church. The wedding progressed, but she didn't pay much attention to what was said. "If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace," the priest said. Michelle saw in the corner of her eye Will shift in his seat, but he didn't say anything. "Ok, now face each other."
Michelle and Robert turned from looking forward to facing the other. "Robert Bennett, do you take this woman, Michelle Davis, to be your wife? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
"I do," he said.
The priest turned to Michelle. "And do you, Michelle Davis, take this man, Robert Bennett, to be your husband? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
Michelle paused. This was the last deciding moment. "I… I do," she said.
The priest held the Bible with one hand while fumbling for something in his robe with the other. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man…" he took out his hand, "… who still needs to find himself a girl." In his hand was a gun.
Screams erupted from the church as everyone saw the priest who had a gun. He dropped his Bible to reveal a moustache, braided beard, and a row of golden teeth. "Jack!" Michelle whispered. He took off the robe and hat to reveal his regular clothes and dreadlocks underneath. He grabbed Michelle's hand and said, "Run!" They fled down the aisle, and when anyone got in their way, Jack would just point his gun at them and they would move. One guy wouldn't move, though, so Jack shot a bullet over his head. It scared the man so much that he dived down and covered his head with his hands, allowing the two to jump over him. They opened the doors and ran through the city. The streets were pretty deserted, but some people were still out, and they looked in confusion at the bride running quickly through the streets. But then when they saw the pirate with the gun running in front of her, the screams and the frantic running away started. Michelle and Jack ran through the crowd towards the sea. They turned right and went through some trees and up to some rocks. A passage was cut through the rocks, and the two went through it. On the other side, hidden from the fort, was the Black Pearl. The two walked on the rock ledge and jumped on to the ship. Jack called some orders, and the Black Pearl started to sail away.
Michelle was speechless. She had just run from her wedding and was now sailing away with Jack to who knows where. She walked up to him and could only say one thing. "Why?"
He put his arms around her. "I saw it as the opportune moment." Michelle smiled and kissed him. But they broke apart by someone they didn't notice before yelling.
"What the hell was that?" They turned around and saw a very mad Elizabeth followed by an apologetic looking Will.
[A/N: Ah! Cliffy! I have been looking forward to this chapter ever since I got the idea about the wedding, so I hope you like it and it makes up for me not posting last week or next weekend (sorry, I'll be in California for spring break!). But I will be on my email, so if you post a chapter to a story I usually read, I'll probably review. And now the review responses. Yay!
TriGemini: I hope the email I sent you cleared up any confusion you had (and didn't confuse you more!). If you have anything specific you're confused about, ask me what it is and I'll answer it!
XPUNKROCKGODDESSX: You gotta love irony! And I'm so glad you think my story's great!
Sparrowsgirl-13: Thanks.
Mer^2y: Well, I did get the chapter up on the weekend, just not the one you wanted (sowee!). But it is up and for you to enjoy.
IceSpikeXBlackRose: lol I was just kidding about the Changing Faces thing. Just tell me what story it is, and I'll check it out!
Piper8188: I have a feeling that they have made up now… lol. Thank you. I try to add some humor to make it not all dramatic and stuff.
Well that's it! 8 word pages later and I am done! But I'll be in California on the real Pirates of the Caribbean ride soon! Yay for me! Oh and thanks to Stina for beta-ing. R/R!]