A/N: Hello...'dodges flying projectiles.' Yes, I know I haven't been updating in awhile, I just felt unmotivated and I didn't know what to write etc... And I still don't feel happy with this chapter, but it'll have to do for now.
Thanks to my reviewers!
The Future Mrs. Jack Sparrow-I'm so sorry I left you out in my last reviewer's response! I feel so bad! But thanks so much for your reviews, they really are appreciated. Yes...Elli and Ari are...um... 'special.'Haha. Anyways, I'm glad you like the story-you need to work on yours! It's so good! Thanks for reviewing!
Blossomlite- Thanks so much! Woot for updating your story! I love it too! Thanks for reviewing!
TriGemini- You know, all of your reviews sound so professional, it's awesome! Yea-Jack and Elli are very conniving and come up with some pretty good ideas when they put their heads together. I know, it's scary. XD. But their hearts are in the right place. As for Jack, he's just too smart...it's not fair...Thanks for reviewing!
Elli-Yes, the bickering goes on forever! And you should know this. Hey, it's your fault, I only try and help! Thanks for reviewing!
Dead Poetic-Were you locked in a room once or something? Hah, you're supposed to laugh out loud, it's fun and healthy! XD No really, it is. So, because of my friends, I'll live to be about 110. I'm glad you liked that chapter and yes, it will get on a more romantic course cause I am a hopeless romantic, so don't worry cherie.
Incubus2704-Are you bribing me? Jk, I do try to update quickly...but I have to share the computer. "Hiss" Yes, Ari and Will are blind, but love is blind or so people say. Yes, Elli and Jack are smart for once. Oh my god, it's the end of the world! "runs away from Elli and Jack" I was kidding! Thanks for reviewing!
Pghal6-Yes, Will is an idiot, but we all love him! Tension...yea...there's going to be a lot of that soon...especially between Elli and Jack...XD Thanks for reviewing!
Siriusly Sirius Lily Black-Will is trying...they're all trying. It is really hard to tell someone you love them, but it will come soon...possibly in this chapter, but don't kill me if I'm wrong. Thanks for reviewing and best wishes to you as well!
Katweenathesmiley- Yes, things are getting very, very interesting. Lol. Thanks for reviewing!
Jinxeh- Whoa, talk about long reviews! XD It's fine, but I can't respond to all of it, so I'll just e-mail you. Yea, I came up with the whole thing where Ari falls on Will out of nowhere, but it was fun. It sounded like something she would do. Heck! It sounds like something I would do! Thanks for reviewing!
Chapter Three-Hysteria
The moon had risen higher in the midnight blue sky and the whole inn had finally grown quiet. Moonlight softly shone through the small, bare window and lit up the dingy room. It was late and everything was still and quiet-and almost all of the residents of Tortuga were sleeping. All except a young man who laid on the hard wooden floor of an inn, staring up at the ceiling.
Will felt like too many thoughts were running through his mind tonight and that made it hard for him to sleep. He felt nervous, uncertain and strangely calm all at the same time. One of the questions he had on his mind right now was why did Elli and Jack lock him in the same room as me? What were they planning, if anything? Maybe this was just one of their jokes. But Will seriously doubted that this was a joke to them.
Then Will began to wonder if they were trying to get me and him to spend more time together and if so, why? Will looked over at the bed where I was soundly sleeping. My eyes were closed tightly, my hands tucked under my chin. I looked very peaceful, but he could tell that I was in the middle of a dream and he wondered what it was about.
As Will looked at me, he recalled the first time he met me. I seemed so confused and lost, but soon I became used to him and everything around me and Will discovered how comforting the presence of another person can be, especially one you become very close to. You see, before I came into his life- Will lived quite alone, his only companions were Mr. Brown who didn't even remember who he was half the time and Sam, the donkey at the workshop. And so Will became quit and closed, retreating back into himself until the day I came and accepted him for who he was.
And even though I had only stayed with him for a short time, Will had felt some major differences in himself. For one thing, he wasn't so shy and closed-he opened up to me and everyone else around him a lot more and he grew to accept himself as well and not be ashamed of the life he lived, a life that was looked down upon by the High Society, which made up most of Port Royal.
It was these things that made Will wonder why he never told me how he felt about me. It made him wonder why he had chosen Elizabeth over me when I seemed to care about him more, I seemed to accept him more and really understood all the things he was going through.
But in truth, Will had been afraid. He was afraid of what I would say because I seemed so adventurous and lively that Will doubted that I would ever be willing to stay with him or settle down eventually, it seemed as if I was happier out somewhere, not confined and living with nothing to hold me back. And Will didn't want to be the thing that held me back. He wanted me to be happy and free. Yet, after he had married Elizabeth and a year had passed, he felt a longing form in his heart, a horrible hollow feeling, as if a big piece of his heart was missing. He then realized that he wanted those things too. He wanted to be apart of the world instead of just watching from behind the delicate silk curtains of the house he shared with Elizabeth.
Elizabeth noticed this. He seemed distracted a lot and was forever gazing out at the ocean or up at the sky. He would take long walks down to the shore line or go to the docks and help the sailors unload their cargo, listening to whatever they told him of their journeys on the ocean. But that still did not satisfy his need to be out on the ocean, to not have a care in the world and traveling wherever the wind took him.
Again Elizabeth noticed this and it was she who suggested that they get a divorce. She knew and understood that Will was no longer happy and as much as she didn't want to let him go, she did. Because just like Will's feelings towards me, Elizabeth had those same feelings. She just wanted him to be happy and not hold him back.
Will remembered that night clearly. Elizabeth had come into their room that night, her eyes full of tears and Will immediately began questioning her, making sure she was alright and all these kinds things like that, which just made Elizabeth cry harder. He was so wonderful and yet she was going to let him go.
After she regained herself, Elizabeth told him that she had filed their divorce and that they would be receiving the papers soon. Will tried to explain, he tried to say that he didloved her, but Elizabeth knew that he would be miserable if he stayed any longer.
So he left.
And now he was here in Tortuga, sharing a room with me and feeling more nervous than he had ever been in his life. He couldn't believe how close we were or how easy it would be to just wake me up and tell me all the things that were on his mind, to tell me that he loved me. But that horrible, chilling fear numbed him from the inside and Will knew he was going to have to get over it and tell me the truth before something happened to me or before I went away forever.
Will sighed and tried to close his eyes, but he couldn't seem to focus on anything except me and when he was going to tell me the truth about his feelings towards me. Maybe he would tomorrow morning while we were still locked in here where no one can bother us. At last the sky had grew pale and the stars were began to fade when Will finally closed his eyes and went to sleep.
xXx
Small chinks of sunlight streamed through the grimy windows of the 'Faithful Bride,' where many of Tortuga's residents were still sleeping, seeing as most of them wouldn't be up til late that night.
Elli stirred slightly in her sleep and at last woke up. She groaned as she sat up in bed, her back was stiff from sleeping because the beds were just about as soft as the floor. Suddenly Elli realized that she felt someone's arms around her waist. She looked down and saw that Jack had indeed wrapped his arms around her waist. Elli clamped a hand over her mouth to keep herself from screaming or hitting Jack. She moved over a little, hoping he would let go of her, but if anything-he just tightened his grip. Elli tried to make him let go of her a couple more times before at last taking a pillow and smacking him with it, hard.
"You freak!" She shouted. Jack, who had no earthly idea what he had done now, put up his hands in defense from Elli's attack.
"What the hell are you hitting me for?" He demanded after she had paused to take a break.
"Why were your arms around me?" Elli shot back. "It's bad enough that we had to share the same bed, but then you were touching me!"
"It's not like I'm contagious or something, it won't kill you!" Jack shouted, feeling very offended.
"It will kill me! You touched me! Eww!" Elli shrieked. Jack rolled his eyes and got out of bed. He could already tell that this was going to be one of those days.
xXx
I was up before Will was. I don't think he slept much last night because I still heard his uneasy breathing before I went to sleep last night. I slept fine though, which is odd because normally I can't get to sleep til very late at night and I was certain that my thoughts would keep me up, since all I seemed to think about as of late- was Will.
I climbed out of bed on the opposite side so I wouldn't accidentally step on him or trip over him. I didn't want a repeat of what happened a couple nights ago when I fell off the bed and on top of him. That was enough embarrassment to last me the rest of my life-my face grew warm just thinking about it. I pushed that thought from my mind and carefully walked over to the door, trying to step lightly so the squeaky floor wouldn't wake him up. Once I made it to the door, I checked to see if by some miracle, it was open. But-it was still locked. Elli and Jack were probably still asleep-if they got any sleep, they were probably arguing til ungodly hours in the morning.
I went over to a chair by the window and sat down, trying to peer through the grime caked on the pane so I could see the ocean, the only thing that would help calm my nerves because right now, I felt very nervous. When were Elli and Jack going to let up out? Were they going to make us spend another night together? I don't think I could stand that because I was already as nervous as hell just being in the same room as Will like this, my heart kept beating entirely too loud and fast and I was probably going to die from a heart failure if I stayed in here any longer...I slumped down in my chair and kicked the wall, cursing Elli and Jack under my breath.
"Good morning." I heard someone say behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw that Will was awake now. I smiled gently, willing my heart to stop beating so that I could at least hear myself think.
"Good morning." I replied simply. I was about to ask wether he had slept well or not, but since he slept on the floor-I found that highly unlikely and decided against that question. Great, now I was out of things to talk about. I turned back to the window, trying to ignore the fact that Will had moved closer to me.
"So...when do you think Elli and Jack will let us out of here?" Will asked, in effort to keep a simple conversation going between us.
"Probably never." I muttered and Will laughed a little.
"They'll have to let us out sometime soon." He assured me. I just nodded, finding that not too cheering.
'Damn, why can't I just say it-it's not really that hard!' I thought to myself earnestly. I was beginning to frustrate myself because I couldn't say three simple words. I was a pirate for God's sake! I'vebeen through harder things than this!But somehow, this really did seem to be the most challenging things I've ever been through.
"Ari?" Will said softly. He was wondering why I had fallen silent, but then he realized that this would be as good of a time as any to tell me the truth.
"Yes Will?" I asked, turning around to face him again. He looked really uncomfortable right now and rubbed the back of his neck attempting to meet my gaze, but kept looking elsewhere and I was starting to grow frustrated with him. I just wanted to smack him and tell him to spit it out already because he was making me more nervous than I already was.
"I...um...there's... been something that I've been wanting to tell you...for a while..." He began, trying hard to keep his voice even. I was turned around completely in my chair now, very interested and alert. Whatever he was trying to say was obviously important. I felt my heart skip a beat and I clutched the back of the chair. I think I had an idea...
"Yes?" I encouraged him in a voice barely above a whisper.
"I...um...Ireallywonderwhenwe'regoingtoleaveTortuga." He finished quickly. I stared at him oddly, not understanding what he was trying to say at first and then when I processed it, I was still staring at him oddly. Something told me that was not what he was going to say.
"Um...I do too?" I said in an apprehensive voice. I was very disappointed, I thought for sure he was going to say something else, but I hid it quickly and tried to smile. Will swore softly and then looked straight into my eyes with such seriousness that it scared me.
"That's not what I wanted to say." He assured me in a frustrated voice.
"I figured." I replied, trying to make light of the situation.
"Ari, I..." Will's sentence was cut off by a women's piercing scream and a series of gunshots.
"What the hell?" I shouted. This didn't sound like normal drunks breaking out into a brawl, this sounded intentional. Will immediately rushed over to a table in the far corner where our weapons were and handed me my saber and pistol. I felt a little jolt pass from me to him when he touched my hand and I looked up to see him smiling a little at me and I knew he must've felt it too. But there was no time to consider this because at that moment we heard the sound of many people racing up the stairs and breaking down the doors of the other rooms beside ours. More shooting was heard and people's screams cut through the chaos of noise.
Will and I braced ourselves, noting that the intruders were almost upon our room. Sure enough, in about five minutes time, our door was knocked off it's hinges and clattered to the floor. I stared at our attacks stupidly. I had no idea how old and rickety that door was-why hadn't I thought to knock it down earlier?
That thought left me though as soon as our attackers charged at us. My fingers fumbled for the trigger on my pistol and I finally pulled it, shooting one of the men between the eyes. His companions seemed undaunted though and merely stepped over his body, advancing on us once more. They leered at me and then looked at one another.
"She's a pretty fair lass. She can go wit the others-we'll sell her later." One of the men sneered, smiling a twisted smile and I noticed that behind him five other men each had one women, bound and gagged.
"Hell no!" I shouted indignantly, Will looked pretty upset as well, but before either of us could lunge at the men, they were stabbed from behind, their comrades already had been disposed of while they weren't looking and the women were set free. I looked behind them once more and saw Jack and Elli standing in the door way. Jack looked grim, but Elli was smiling at me.
"Thanks." I said breathlessly. She grinned wider.
"No problem. Besides-they're just wasting their time, no one would buy you-you're too much trouble." She said lightly.
"Gee, thanks." I muttered, although this time it was sarcastic.
"Come on, we have to get out of here." Jack urged us and we raced down the stairs.
It was sheer chaos in the bar, but this time it wasn't from the drunks-more men were running around, shooting whoever or whatever was in their way, overturning tables, stealing drinks, money and women-all the while laughing loudly. Jack stayed close to the wall, attempting to slink out of the bar unnoticed. We followed suit, knowing there was nothing we could do for the people in the bar, it was just too much havoc.
More people were running around outside, trying to dodge bullets or swords wielded by the attackers and I wondered what they were here for, they didn't seem to want anything in particular, maybe they just liked causing scenes like this.
"Make for the Pearl!" Jack shouted over the gunshots, the screams and the sounds of breaking glass. Elli heard him instantly and took off running, dodging bullets and the grasps of the men, but I only followed Jack's orders by seeing Elli run off out of the corner of my eye.
"Will!" I called, whipping around, looking wildly for him. "AH!" I cried as I was grabbed from behind and hefted over my captor's shoulder. My pistol had fallen out of my grasp, but I still was holding onto my sword, trying to twist myself around so I could attack with it, but it was no use, I was held firmly in place. "Will!" I shouted again and this time he heard me, looking up from the man he just killed. Without any hesitation, he raced forward, stopping only to grab my abandoned pistol. He aimed carefully and shot the man in the right ankle. He stumbled awkwardly and fell, bringing me down with him. I rolled over on the ground and hopped up again, knowing it's not a good thing to stay on the ground long in a situation like this. Will rushed over to me and handed me my pistol. "Thanks." I whispered, breathing heavily. "Come on, we have to make it to the Pearl."
At least...we attempted to, but our 'friends' were not all that happy about the fact that we had killed most of their men and were getting away with it. What can I say-we're pirates. A large crowd of them raced towards us and I met Will's eyes. He looked some what nervous, but also determined. He must've felt me looking at him because he turned his head and looked at me straight in the eyes.
"Ari-..."
"What are we going to do now?" I asked at the same time he began speaking. He laid his hands on my shoulders, making me look into his eyes as well.
"Ari, just listen to me, alright?" He said gently and I nodded. "There's something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time-and so...in case anything happens to us-I love you." He said rather quickly and ran off into the crowd of people, trying to chase them away some how so we could make our way to the Pearl.
I stood there in the middle of the chaos, just watching it all happen. I know this wasn't the smartest thing to be doing, but what Will said took me by surprise. I guess a part of me always knew that he loved me, but for some reason I just chose not to see it. Maybe it was my own self consciousness, maybe I thought he had made a mistake or something, but whatever it was-it didn't matter anymore and that left me feeling extremely frustrated because I should've been smart from the beginning and told him that I loved him ever since I first felt those feelings in my heart. Maybe things would've gone differently...
Out of nowhere a cannon was shot off, startling me out of my thoughts and I flung myself onto the ground. Don't tell me these freaks had a ship. After counting to ten I stood up and saw that the cannon fire had come from the Pearl. Apparently Jack and Elli didn't forget about us. I made my way over to Will, who looked over his shoulder at the Pearl and then grabbed my hand, racing over to it while there was still a clear path. Some one threw a rope down and we lightly climbed up and landed onto the deck.
"Well it took you long enough." Elli said, a smile in her voice. I struggled to get to my feet and glared at her.
"Yea and as if you and Jack were a great help." I muttered sarcastically.
"Hey!" Elli shouted, indignant. "I'm the one who shot off that cannon!"
"It was? Wait, what am I saying, of course it was." I replied.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Elli demanded.
"Let's just say you have horrible aim." I answered lightly.
"I do not!" Elli protested.
"Actually-you do." Jack confirmed, coming down from the helm.
"Shut up." Elli murmured and stalked off to the bow of the ship. Jack rolled his eyes and disappeared into his cabin. Which now meant that I was once again left alone, standing with Will. The silence between us was unbelievably thick and heavy and I felt like I was suffocating from it. I had to say something instead of just standing here like an idiot.
"Um...Will..." I began softly. He looked down at me and I told myself not to look away.
"Yes?" He asked in reply.
"I...forgot to tell you while we were down in that mess and I've actually have been meaning to tell you the whole time I was here last time...but...I love you too." I finished. Will stared at me for a minute and then smiled brightly, looking the happiest I had ever seen him.
"Really?" He asked, even though he knew I wasn't lying. I nodded and he kissed me lightly.
"Finally!" I heard someone shout. I moved away from Will to see Elli was standing before us, her hands on her hips and her blue eyes flashing angrily, but I could see a ghost of a smile on her face. "It takes a whole freakin' week, being locked in a room and a near death situation to FINALLY get you two to tell each other that you love one another." She exclaimed and then rolled her eyes.
"What's going on out here? Why are you yelling?" Jack called, walking up on deck.
"Those to freaks finally told one another that they loved each other." Elli replied and gestured to us. She then looked at me. "Honestly Ari, you're really smart when it comes to most things, but that-that was just stupid."
"Hey-I didn't know okay?" I protested.
"How could you not know? Even the crew members knew-didn't you Gibbs?" Jack called to Mr. Gibbs who was walking past us.
"Aye captain." Mr. Gibbs replied.
"You see." Jack turned to us then walked back up to the helm, while Elli walked away muttering something about being on a ship full of idiots.
I looked at Will and smiled and he smiled back at me. Sure, it took us awhile-but at least we got there.
A/N; How sweet. I still am not too happy about it, but I think the ending turned out better. Next chapters are very interesting though-I promise...we get to meet a few of Jack's...er...relatives, shall we say...