Thanks for continuing to read and reviewing! Sorry it's taking me more time to get these chapters out, it's back to school again and I don't have as much time. But I'll try to go as fast as I can!
Disclaimer: These characters aren't and will never be mine.
7 – Forgiveness is the Best Answer (or so they say)
All through dinner, Will and Elizabeth had pointedly ignored each other. Now, it's nighttime. Will is in his cabin while Elizabeth and Jack are out on the decks, walking.
Elizabeth is content walking in the cool, crisp night air, but Jack wants to talk. "What exactly is going on with you two?"
"I don't know what you are talking about."
Yes, you do. Anyway, from what I've heard, when two star-crossed lovers reunite, it's supposed to be a good thing. Well, most of the time, anyway. It didn't quite work out with Romeo and Juliet, did it? As a matter of fact, it didn't work for Hamlet and Ophelia, either, did it? Maybe it's not such a grand thing. Or maybe it's just Shakespeare. Come to think of it, Hamlet and Ophelia weren't really star-crossed..."
Elizabeth stares at him in disbelief until he interrupts himself.
"Are you looking like that because you want me to shut up or because you didn't except a pirate to know Shakespeare?"
"Um. A bit of both, I suppose.""Let that be a lesson to ye, then. Don't judge people. Anyway, my real point is that you should apologize. I'm sure he'll forgive you. In fact, I'll talk to him about it. Maybe he'll finally start taking my advice."
"That's okay, Jack. I'll be fine." Honestly, Elizabeth highly doubts that, but she isn't about to let the pirate captain know this. She hates feeling insecure. Abruptly, she changes paths and walks across the ship, leaving Jack on the stern. I need to do something before it's too late. I think that I'll go crazy with anger and grief and love if I don't!
Gathering her will, she knocks on the door to Will's cabin.
Will, half-asleep, groggily calls out, "Who is it?"
"Um, it's me. Elizabeth."
Now fully awake, he calls back, "one minute" and hurriedly gets dressed.
The door opens to reveal Will, looking slightly annoyed, but also hopeful. Wordlessly he stands aside, allowing Elizabeth in. Stepping back, he closes the door and looks expectantly towards her.
"Yes, Miss Swan? How may I help you?"
Elizabeth does not miss his overly formal, sarcastic tone and she is disappointed. "Please, don't be pert."
"Oh, forgive me. Do you wish to go by Mrs. Norrington, now?"
Immediately regretting approaching Will, Elizabeth sighs in exasperation and turns to storm out.
"Wait." She turns around. She hadn't been expecting him to stop her.
"What did you want to say?"
Slowly, picking her words carefully, Elizabeth responds. "I just...Well, I guess I just wanted to say that I'm sorry that I doubted you. You have never done wrong by me, and first chance I get I do wrong by you. So, I'm sorry. Really sorry. That's it, I guess. See you tomorrow at breakfast."
"Fine." Elizabeth knows that she shouldn't be surprised and hurt by his response, but she is. Tears come to her eyes as she realizes that she really has lost the only man she'll ever love.
Will turns away from her, still angry. She thinks all she has to do is apologize?!
He looks around, trying to focus anywhere but on her. His gaze slowly falls upon his dresser, on top of which lies a small, light blue hair ribbon. Slowly, he sighs and closes his eyes, realizing that he will never be able to let Elizabeth just walk out of his life.
Her hand is on the door when she hears Will say, "No, wait again."
They turn to face each other. Will steps forward and closes the distance between them. They gaze into each other's eyes for a moment, each trying to think of the right thing to say.
Will clears his throat and states, "I suppose every couple has misunderstandings."
Relieved, Elizabeth quickly responds, "Yes. I will never mistrust you again, I swear it."
"Yes, and I will be sure to leave a note the next time I am suddenly attacked by a gang of vandals."
Both smile. He leans down to kiss her when they are interrupted by harsh knocking on the door to Will's cabin. Jack's voice drifts through, saying, "Will, get out here. Stop sulking and brooding. I have to talk to you."
Will lefts out a brief chuckle. Grand timing he has."
"Go ahead. I'll wait for you. Always."
Will smiles at her and walks out, closing the door behind him. Now that she has a moment of quiet, Elizabeth's long day finally catches up to her. She lies down on Will's bed and promptly falls asleep.
Meanwhile, Jack and Will are now sitting on the upper deck. Jack is saying, "So, Will, I need to talk to you."
"I gathered that much."
"Don't be cheeky, now. I'm trying to help you. I think that you should forgive Elizabeth."
"Jack..."
"Now, now. I know that you aren't happy with her at the moment, but forgiveness is always the best answer. For example, take Bessie. She slapped me after I cheated on her. I forgave her for being annoyed and... Um, she slapped me again."
"Jack..."
"No, you're right, that wasn't the best answer. How about when..."
"Jack!"
"I know, odd advice coming from a pirate. But take it from me, Will, it's the best choice. Now, will you two at least try to get back together?"
"Yes, Jack. But..."
"Good. I'm glad I made an impression. That's what friends are for, Will, you know?"
Will nods, defeated, and gets up. "Um, thanks, Jack."
"Anytime, Will, anytime."
Shaking his head, Will smiles to himself and walks back into his cabin. Seeing that Elizabeth is fast asleep on his bed, he moves quietly as he pulls off his shirt and snuffs out the single candle lighting the room. He then delicately slides her over and lies down next to her. Gazing at her soft features in the moonlight, he pulls her close to him and breathes in the scent of her hair.
Softly, he whispers, "I love you, Elizabeth Swan."
She half-wakes and turns towards him so her face is pressed against his chest. "I love you, too, William Turner."
Sighing contentedly, she snuggles against him. He kisses her hair, thinking that he is perhaps the luckiest man alive.
Next chapter: Everyone is happy now. As this isn't then end, yet, we all know it's not going to stay that way for long!
Please keep the reviews coming, guys!
