Broken Faith
Disclaimer: I own Henri, a pub, a ship, and a cottage. Notice how none of them appeared in the actual movie. That's because they're mine and I don't own the movie.
OC/E, J/E, W/E, N/E

Chapter 16: "Kicking in chairs and knocking down tables"

A/N: This is the last update for a while. I'm off to college, so there's the packing and the unpacking and the settling and the classes and whatnot. I won't abandon the story, but it'll be slow going. The title for this chapter is from Pet Shop Boys' "West End Girls."

Jack felt through his pockets. Ah yes, there it was, the letter from the Captain. Surely that would gain him access to the man. He ought to know about this. The only drawback Jack could see was that his presence in Port Royal was known. He would have to disguise himself. Jack looked out the window. The moon was behind clouds at the moment. That meant a cloak, if procured, would provide enough of a disguise. Jack looked through the mass of people. Ah, there was such a fellow as could use a lightening of his load. And what a lovely black cloak he was wearing.

Jack emerged from the pub wrapped in the long, black cloak. He found the streets to be largely empty. Even for a town as quiet as Port Royal, there was always someone out on the streets at any time of the day or night. A large roar went up in the area of the docks.

'Ah.' Jack thought. 'They've all gone to see me get arrested. So sorry I couldn't make it.' He walked rapidly through the deserted streets. As he turned up the road toward the fort, he glanced down at the harbor. A mass of people were gathered around the Lady Fair, and her crew was lined up along the dock. The place was aglow with the light from the torches the crowd carried.

As he stared down at the growing crowd, Jack paused. What was he doing? He was going to be walking into the fort, the place where all these men lived, and just expected them to help him? He didn't even know if the Captain was there. All he had were a handful of suspicions. For a moment, he considered turning back. He had warned Elizabeth, it was all he was bound to do. He could go and sail away and leave Port Royal to rot, Henri and Elizabeth included. But...but that wasn't his wont. He had not abandoned either Elizabeth or Will to Barbossa. It seemed he was the one always being abandoned: by his mother, by Barbossa, by Will, by the Pearl. No, the Pearl was always taken from him, she never abandoned him.

With such a grand tradition, he shouldn't have felt bad about leaving Elizabeth to her precious Henri. He shouldn't have, but he did. He remembered the last time he had been in the fort. He had had a hangman's noose around his throat. Judging by current conditions, it didn't have the desired effect, but only because Will had stood between him and Norrington. Loyal, stupid Will. He'd risked his life to save Jack's, with no regard for anyone, including Elizabeth. Shouldn't he at least return the favor? Jack turned back up the road toward the fort.

Elizabeth was locked in her bedroom when a heavy knock came at the door. Thinking it was Jack, she stayed on her bed, tears streaming down her face. She had forgotten Jack's penchant for using side doors and windows. A caller at the front door would not be him.

The next thing she heard was the splintering of wood. Gasping, she stood up and walked toward the door. As she reached the entryway, the door burst into pieces. Elizabeth screamed.

"Elizabeth!" Henri bounded through the door, catching her as she sank to the floor.

"Henri?" she said, eyes focusing on his face. "Oh, Henri. I thought it was-"

She was going to say "Jack", but Henri cut her off. "Burglars, I know. I told the idiots not to break down the door but they don't take orders from me. Lisette, Lt. Gillette from the garrison is here. There's a pirate loose, and they want to check all the houses in the area."

"Oh?" Elizabeth looked past Henri to see Lt. Gillette. The years had not been very kind to him. He was pudgier then she remembered, and there was a scowl on his face that might have been intended for a smile. "Good evening, lieutenant."

"Good evening Miss Swann- Mrs. Turner, I beg pardon."

Elizabeth waved a hand, dismissing it. "It has been a long time, Lieutenant. What, nearly four years."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Not since the commodore's funeral." Elizabeth mused, filled with images from that day.

"That's right ma'am. A sad day for us all."

"Yes, it was." Elizabeth agreed softly. "But I trust there is a reason other then an old friendship that you are here, and have broken down my door."

"Yes, ma'am. There is a pirate loose, you must remember the chap. Jack Sparrow."

"I remember him. He's rather famous, you know."

"With your history with the man, I should think you would be glad to see him apprehended."

"My history?"

"Yes ma'am, the 'incident' five years ago."

"Oh yes. I haven't forgotten. I simply wonder why I should wish ill upon the man who helped Will rescue me."

A look passed between Henri and Gillette that Elizabeth did not understand. She looked from one to the other.

"What has this to do with me?'

"Lisette, the lieutenant would like to search the house. Just to see if this pirate has hidden himself away."

"You could have done that without breaking down my door." Elizabeth snipped. "Now I shall have to go stay with Father. I wouldn't dream of sleeping in an unlocked house with no door. If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I shall go pack." Elizabeth rose from the floor with all the dignity that became her station and walked back to her bedroom.