Thanks a million to t, JessieRose, Kiki, fallenangel3490, maysar10, and Moulingirl. I love getting reviews!
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from this fic.
2 – Finding Old Friends
That evening on The Black Pearl, Will is sitting in Jack's cabin. He is miserable, shivering, wet, and wrapped in a blanket. Jack is watching him, worried about his old friend.
"It's lucky for you, me matey, that I had a touch of nostalgia and turned the telescope back to the island."
Will winces, thinking of what might have happened if Jack and his crew hadn't been so quick in responding to his distress. "Yes, lucky," he repeated, obviously distracted. "Are you sure that there is no way that I can get back to Port Royale?"
"I'm sorry, mate. If this ship goes within two miles of that town, we'll all be shot dead. It's probably for the best, though. I mean, do you really want to go back to a place where people are trying, with near success, mind you, to kill you? I can't rescue you every time, you know."
"But Elizabeth is there! She will think that I abandoned her."
"Now I remember why I decided to never fall in love. Oy vey." At the mention of Elizabeth, Jack suddenly understood Will's predicament. He had always worried that one day she could break his heart, but he hadn't expected it so soon. Sighing, he tried to think of a way to distract Will.
"Step back and listen to what you are saying. Why would you want to be tied down in one place with one girl? You have a pirate's life now! A life of glory and adventure!"
Will appreciated Jack's attempt, but he can't take his mind of the loss of the only woman he had ever loved. Looking up at his friend's face, however, he feels guilt for brushing him off and acting melancholy. He decides to try to raise his spirits and forget about his old life.
Jack tries again, offering him the opportunity. "Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum, you know?"
Will returns with a weak "Yo ho ho."
"Now, that's the spirit." Jack replies, saracsticly. "I see that I have my work cut out for me."
The next morning at the governor's mansion, Governor Swan, Norrington, and Elizabeth are eating breakfast together in the private dinning room.
Norrington is in the midst of reporting the results of his night-long search for Will. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I had my men look all over Port Royale for him, but it was to no avail."
Elizabeth is silent, greatly aggravating her father. "Well, Elizabeth, aren't you going to thank Commodore Norrington?"
Elizabeth knows that she shouldn't, but she cannot help feeling bitter. "Why should I thank him? He didn't find Will."
"How dare you be so rude to the commodore!" The governor is really angry now. His future son-in-law had made an effort to find his enemy and rival. Though, thank God, he hadn't found Turner, he had still looked when he didn't have to.
Norrington interjects before the governor can get violent. "No, it's perfectly alright, Sir. I can understand the pain of losing someone for whom you cared deeply." He looks meaningfully at Elizabeth.
Not missing his meaning, Elizabeth nearly screams. Why can no one understand! I just lost the man I care about most in the world. You would think that at least one person could sympathize. Fighting back tears, she looks up and realizes that the two men are waiting for a response from her. Looking away, she coldly replies, "I just need to get away from everything right now."
Norrington looks quite pained at this response.
Trying to alleviate the tension, the governor changes the subject. "So, Commodore, when are you setting sail?"
"My crew begins its pursuit of The Black Pearl tomorrow at noon on a vessel that is quite well-named: The Pursuer.""Well-named, indeed. When do you expect to return to Elizabeth and I?
"I would like to return when we catch the pirate ship, but we will have to return for supplies in six months if we have not caught the pirates yet."
Governor Swan turns to Elizabeth, who has been silent and motionless since he last outburst. "Well, that's good. You'll be able to see the commodore again in just six months. Maybe you two can work something out again, then." The governor smiles hopefully and winks at Norrington.
Furious, Elizabeth lets out a sob and dashes from the table. The two men watch her retreating form until it is out of sight. They say nothing until they hear the slam of a heavy door. The governor looks to the commodore and shrugs.
Norrington politely breaks the silence. "Begging your pardon, Sir, but that might not have been the ideal time to broach that subject to her."
"No, it suppose not. Oh well, won't happen again."
The pair finish their meal. Norrington leaves to prepare for his voyage, and Governor Swan begins to roam his house thoughtfully. As he passes the door to Elizaebeth's room, he halts and knocks.
"Go away!"
Ignoring her, he pushes open the door. "Darling, I won't bother you for long, I just want you to realize something. Turner is gone and he's not coming back. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you can be happy again." He closes the door and walks away before Elizabeth can respond.
In her room, Elizabeth had been sitting on her bed and staring out the window for hours. Gazing at the water glistening in the sun, she was remembering the brief time that she had spent with Will. She knew that it didn't make sense for her to feel this strongly for him. After all, she had only really gotten close to him in the past week. It was just that when she got close to him she felt complete, as if she had been missing a piece of herself her entire life and had finally found it.
I love him.
And they weren't just words, this time. She knew that she meant it with all her heart and soul. And that moment, she also knew once and for all that she could never forget Will Turner.
Next chapter: Elizabeth decides what to do about her situation, and Will adjusts to life on The Black Pearl.
By the way, I am open to any suggestions that you might have. Please keep the reviews coming!
