June Birdie – thanks, glad you like it
Siese – yeah sorry about leaving it there! I hope this is fast enough to escape the flames – I don't like flames: they're too hot!
ComfortablyNumb89 – I know its so sad….. I hope this ones okay though.
Mouse10 – glad you like it, even if it is sad.
Okay here's the next (and last) chapter - enjoy:
Chapter 9: Life Continues
"Bethany?" Elizabeth called uncertainly as she poked her head round the parlour door. Beth looked up.
"Oh, I did not hear you ring – do come in." Elizabeth did as she was bade and looked around the spotless room her friend was tiding.
"Is everything alright?" She asked hesitantly, it had been 5 months since Jack had appeared and although Beth denied it, she had not been the same since.
"Yes, yes everything is fine. Its just that the Valiant is due to return today… so Admiral Shield will be returning… and I want everything to be just right for his arrival." Beth explained haltingly to her friend. Elizabeth nodded sympathetically, she knew that Beth did not like her husband and had suspected for sometime that it was due to the way he treated her. Every time he was in port she saw less of her friend and when she did she was quiet and did nothing without her husband's consent and constantly sent worried looks his way. No wonder it was hard for her to say no to Jack. She thought but she was far too polite to say anything on the subject, which Beth was grateful for.
"In that case I had better be going; I would not want to inconvenience you further. I am sure you want to get ready for your husband." Elizabeth told her diplomatically, rising to leave.
"Thank you Elizabeth." Beth told her earnestly.
"If there is anything you need…" Elizabeth told her knowing what a trying period this would be for her. "… My husband and I look forward to seeing you and Admiral Shield soon." She said departing.
Beth saw her friend out and then went back into the parlour to await the arrival of her husband.
"Yes sir, she is in the parlour sir. This way please." Beth heard her butler directing someone to her and immediately smoothed out the creases in her dress and sat erect.
"Commodore Blakely, My Lady." The butler announced as a tall thin man in naval uniform walked into the parlour.
"I am very pleased to meet you Commodore. Will you not sit down? George bring us some tea please." Beth instructed, behaving as the perfect hostess.
"Thank you Lady Shield." The commodore began, as he took his seat. "I am afraid that it is my duty to give so rather distressing news." He paused and took a deep breath. "There is no easy way to tell you this… Your husband, Admiral Shield has died in the service of the King."
"I beg your pardon. He is dead?" Asked Beth
"Yes I am afraid so…" The commodore went on to explain the details of his death during a storm but Beth did not take any of it in. Her reactions were merely the ones schooled into her from childhood and before she quite realised it he had taken his leave.
"My Lady- are you quite well?" George asked her once the commodore had gone.
"Yes, yes thank you George." She replied putting her cup down, which she had held for the commodore's entire visit.
"Will you have the carriage prepared please George, I must call upon Mrs Turner." She asked him, her sense finally returning. It had been a great shock but she shed no tears – she had never loved him, nor particularly liked him and now she was free of him: it seemed strange. Elizabeth and Will were most correct in their expressions of their sorrow for her and offered her everything they could think of but there was only one thing she wanted: Jack.
"Bethany are you sure this is what you want." It had been a month since she had found out about her husband's death and almost two since he had actually died.
"Yes I am sure." Beth told a worried looking Elizabeth. "I really have very little choice now anyway: I've sold the house and I am on way to England. Remember." She said the last part with a smirk on her face. Beth had decided that a month was an appropriate mourning time and once this time was up she sold the house and lead everyone to believe she was going to stay with relatives in England. She was in fact going to Tortuga to find Jack, which is what Elizabeth is trying to stop her from doing.
"Yes but he is not the man he once was; he has changed. Have you not listened to the stories about him and his womanising ways?" Elizabeth tried desperately to get her to change her mind. "I don't want you to get hurt that's all."
"I now but I'm not happy here; the only place I've ever been happy is on the Pearl – maybe he's changed but then so have I. We'll just have to work it out together." Beth told her.
Elizabeth looked at her friend and knew that there was nothing she could do to dissuade her. I would probably do the same for Will. She told herself before speaking aloud."Alright you win, but if you ever need me I always be here for you."
"Thanks Elizabeth – you are the best friend anyone could ask for, I am going to miss you." Beth said hugging her before turning to leave.
"Look after yourself."
"I will." And with that she vanished into the darkness.
She took a deep breath and walked up the gangplank to the jet-black ship: she had been waiting in Tortuga for a few weeks watching for the unmistakable ship: and now it had arrived. It had been agony to sit in the tavern and listen to the stories of the infamous Black Pearl and her equally infamous captain when all she wanted was to be there with him. But she had made it through, although at times she had begun to wonder if she was doing the right thing. Well I'm about to find out. She told herself looking at the sleek ship shining as the morning light hit it. She had waited till light before coming, feeling slightly safer: night wasn't the best time to walk around Tortuga.
"Who the hella ye and what do ye want?" A woman's voice asked as her foot touched the deck of the ship.
"I want to speak to Captain Sparrow." Beth replied calmly, although inside her stomach was churning.
"Do ye now and what would that be about?" She asked coming into full view.
"Its private."
"Well ye can try but I don't think ye'll get far – he's not seeing anyone."
"I'll try." Anna just shrugged and lead her over to the cabin door knocked and opened it slightly. "Oi Captain there's a woman ere to see ye, says her business with ye is private." The inflections she put in the sentence left no doubt as to what Anna thought this was all about. Beth was slightly annoyed by this but didn't make a comment.
"Tell her to bugger off." Came the gruff reply
"Well ye heard him." Anna said turning back to Beth.
"Um, well I suppose even Sparrows have to fall at sometime." Beth said and started to walk off the ship. Anna just shook her head at the strange phrase and followed her. She was extremely surprised to hear the cabin door bang open and turned to see Jack appear only attired in his shirt and breeches. Beth however, continued walking. Jack scanned the deck and looked in her direction just as she was about to step off the ship.
"BETH!" He yelled racing towards her. Beth merely turned around to face him.
"What are you doing here?" He questioned, slipping back into perfect English.
"I was looking for my husband." She stated, her eyes never leaving his face. Jack face clouded in confusion at this statement but then his gaze wondered down to her left hand.
Suddenly a huge smile spread across his face, "He's standing right in front of you."
Beth smiled and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him as he spun her around the deck, which earned them many strange looks from his crew.
"Errm Captain?" Gibbs brought the couple back to reality.
"Yes mate." Jack answered putting Beth down and turning to face his first mate.
"What is going on?" Gibbs decided that with Jack in a good mood it would be all right to ask the question that was in his mind and doubtlessly the rest of crew's as well.
"Oh right. Beth this is Gibbs, me first mate – Gibbs me soon to be wife: Beth." Jack made the introduction as though it was the most natural thing in the world. Beth could not contain her laughter at Gibb's expression, which was mirrored by the rest crew. Jack looked down at her.
"What's so funny luv?" But this just made her laugh harder making her unable to speak, instead she wavered her arm about in a very Jack like manner pointing to the crew.
"Now luv jest how do ye expect me to understand that."
Beth took a deep breath and managed to stop laughing. "Perhaps you should explain to your crew what is happening not just introduce me as your 'soon to be wife' because in case you haven't noticed they're a little confused."
"More than a little." Anna put in.
"Now luv, I don't see what's so confusing about me marrying ye." Jack stated
"Oh, I give up." Beth exclaimed throwing her hands in the air.
"That's not a very good start." Jack pointed out.
"All right…" Beth knew that Jack was just trying to wind her up now but she tried to explain again anyway. "You, in case you haven't noticed, you happen to be one of the most feared pirates in the Spanish Main, perpetually drunk and in the company of a different woman in every port." Jack feigned a pained expression at this but Beth ignored it and continued. "So for you to suddenly announce that you are going to get married, the general assumption would be that you are either completely and utterly drunk or that you have completely lost your mind."
"Ah I see." Jack said as if for the first time realising the situation. He then turned to the crew. "Is that the problem?"
"Aye Captain, that jest about sums it up." Gibbs informed him with the rest of the crew nodding their agreement.
"Then why didn't ye jest say that? Well, I'm not drunk – I've only had one bottle this morning – and I haven't lost me mind and as to those charges ye laid at me door luv; I haven't been with one of those ladies for about 8 months." He concluded.
"8 months? Well that certainly is news." Stated Beth in amazement.
"Now that hurt luv – do ye really think that after finding out that ye're alive I would do something like that?"
"I'm sorry Jack – I'll just have to make up for that tonight I suppose." She said with a huge grin
"I'd say that would about fix it luv."
"Err Captain I hate to interrupt but…"
"What now Gibbs?"
"Are ye really gonna marry her."
"Well technically I already have." Jack informed him, getting the desired effect: confusion. Beth just rolled her eyes; we're going to be here all day. She thought but then I don't really mind she decided looking up at Jack who was now explaining his previous statement.
The ENDI hope you all liked it and that this chapter makes up for the sadness of the last chapter! Please let me know what you think of it, I'd really like to know if you think its any good.
Thanks Blueraven33
