A/N: Hello, everybody. Thank you very much for your reviews, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. I had been waiting for an extra dose of inspiration and ideas, and here they are! Oh, yes. And I have included one of my favorite songs called "Wherever You Are (I feel Love) by Laava.
Perry: Well, my friend, that is a whole nother story. Maybe I'll tell it another day? In the meanwhile, don't be a stranger, come on back now, hear?
Terradaina: I am glad you like Julia's mom, but I don't think she'll be joinin' us in this tale again. But then again, she just might… Julia is pretty cool, in my opinion. My little sisters love to have her over to play all the time. Maybe she'll have a recurring role, even if her mother doesn't. And yes, Jack loves children. Hmm…
Orlando's Hot Chick: I remember that song! Yes, Julia is a little gem, isn't she?
Chewy518: Lost again? You're so funny. And you missed me because you're always takin' days off, girl!
Cap'n DaVinci 92: Welcome, reader. I'm glad you like this tale, and of course I'll continue it! I hope you continue to read.
occssuck ( ): Thanks for telling me what your name stands for. I'm glad you liked the silliness in the airport scene, the secret message, and the plane ride. Oh, believe me, Jackie does have weaknesses besides rum and Anababy! I didn't really include Will that much, but perhaps he will be in this piece of the tale? Keep reading!
Hiro Ichiro: Welcome, welcome. I'm glad that you're liking this piece and that it's becoming clearer to you now. Read some more when you get the chance, and tell me what you think!
Chapter 14: Luminosity
"So, Jack, we're in Tortuga. Now what?" Elizabeth was squatting down next to the Captain in the sand. The crew had set up camp on the beach, but they knew they couldn't stay for long.
"Well, luv, we do the only thing there is to do. We enjoy the beauty of the isle," he responded quietly as he helped her roast a huge catfish over the fire. Night had fallen and the firelight and moonlight mixed together cast a mystical glow over the scene before them. The evening waves of the ocean were gentle and the misty breezes were refreshingly cool in the heat. The men and Anamaria were eating and drinking nearby, laughing loudly at something. Behind them were rocky cliffs, tropical trees, and a small cave which Elizabeth planned to sleep in that night, that is, if she could sleep.
She sighed at his reply. They had been "enjoying" themselves since they had arrived. She wanted to find Will, not go on vacation. What is father thinking right now? Alisa must be worried sick, too. And then she thought of James. James…he still cares for me. He must've scoured half the earth by now to find me…such a good man. Am I making the right decision, here?
"Ouch! I burned my bloody finger again!" Jack exclaimed, which brought Liz back to the conversation at hand.
"Jack, Captain Jack, we've been here for hours already!" She was about to whine that they needed to find Will, that he was in danger. But she decided to take a different approach. "Don't you know that the cops are going to be looking for us? No, not cops- Marines, Coast Guard, Navy! Don't you think we should keep moving?" Even though she tried to appeal to Jack's criminal side, he wasn't fooled; he knew she was thinking about Will and could care less about the authorities.
"Miss Swann. I am Captain Jack Sparrow. We are not about to be apprehended. Don't worry about Will…" He was about to say "Ana and I are doing enough of that", but he thought better of it. Instead, he continued with, "Barbossa and I go way back. I know his tricks and I can sniff out his motives from an island away. The lad will be alright."
"Barbossa…yeah, I never did understand how you two were connected…" She trailed off, hoping that Jack would finally fill in a few more blanks.
"He used to be my crew member. Aye, right surprise, I know," he said when her eyes widened in shock.
"But he looks so…old."
"Yes, he's older than me, but I was the leader. I'm the one he put in charge."
"Who put you in charge?" Liz asked as she ate her meal quietly. Jack didn't answer; instead, he stared into the fire, his hazel brown eyes glowing amber in the light. When he began to speak again, the flickering flames casting warm shadows on his tanned face, it seemed as if he were in another place, in another time.
"Barbossa…he didn't like that at all. The first chance he got, he overtook me, takin' half the crew with him. Mutinous scallywag. His greed got the best of him. Got the best of the crew. All he had to do was bribe…"
"So some of your crew left with Barbossa," she whispered in comprehension. "Well, he has his traitorous crew; he has his treasures, why is he coming after us again? Jack, you said you could sniff out his motives from an island away. There must be something you're not telling the rest of us." At this comment Jack's facial expression shifted ever so slightly. What was that look on his face? Was it…guilt? It was guilt! But why? What does he know!
"Well, luv, this has been a lovely meal and a great heart-to-heart chat, but we must be getting to bed now," he said as he stood up and tossed his leftover fish bones into the fire. She glared at him, her lips pursed in suspicion.
"What for?" she asked.
"We've got to be up with the sun. We've got a special visitor," he said. Then with a quick tip of his pirate hat, he went over to where Ana was sitting and left Liz to her private thoughts.
The Next Morning in New York…
Norrington walked briskly to President Swann's office. He had been worried sick when Weatherby told him that Elizabeth was no where to be found. Then, he became outraged when he found the message from Will on her answering machine. Probably what Swann wants to discuss with me right now, he thought to himself. His walk slowed down as he reached a large glass window. His heart seemed to stop when he faced a giant-sized billboard with Elizabeth's face staring back at him. Ever since their last date, he had been trying to get a hold of her. I just wanted to say that we obviously should just be friends. As hard as that may be, I love her, but we're just not meant to be together. And now, she's probably going out getting herself killed over this William character. To think that I actually trusted him. In anger, he ripped his gaze from Elizabeth's face and entered Weatherby's office.
"Mr. Norrington, take a seat, please," Swann said in a grim tone that surprised James. He sat down.
"Is there some more news on Elizabeth? Is something wrong? Is she alright?"
"Well…I actually wanted to ask you something, if that's ok with you."
"Yes, sir, of course. Anything!" Weatherby cleared his throat in a nervous manner.
"Well, James, you and my daughter went on a date to LaFlor just two days ago, correct?" he asked carefully.
"Yes, sir, we did…I admit, it didn't go too well."
"Yes, that is what I heard from my friend who helps run the café. That's why I've decided to ask you- do you know where Elizabeth could be?" James' eyebrows scrunched in confusion.
"Excuse me? If I had any idea where she was, she wouldn't be missing anymore!" His face was hot and red, his temper threatening to boil over on his boss.
"Calm down. Watch yourself. I just have been thinking that if she was upset enough…" James took a deep calming breath. Do not yell at this old fool of a man…calm down, he repeated in his head before he spoke.
"Sir, I assure you. I had nothing to do with Elizabeth's disappearance. And she is hardly the type to run away. That message on her machine…Sir, I'm telling you, William Turner is trouble! I think that we both know that this is his fault." Weatherby leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples in distress. Sighing deeply, he replied.
"Yes. I suppose it does make sense. She is a grown woman now and too responsible to run away. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but I'm going to call the police since it has been the required 48 hours," he concluded.
"Good decision, Mr. Swann. I'll see if I can find out where William is. In fact, I'll go talk to Alisa right now! She should-"
"Actually, she took personal leave. A death in her family she told me." Norrington nodded with understanding and walked quietly out of the office.
Jack stood over Elizabeth in the shade of the cave that she had fallen asleep in the night before. This lass sleeps like a sunken ship. Like a set anchor.
"Bonnie," he whispered as he gave her a poke on her cheek. She barely twitched. He frowned and turned as if he was about to leave her in peace. Then, he suddenly whipped his braided head around and shouted, "BWAGA!" in her face. This time her nose wrinkled and her eyes squeezed shut a little tighter under her scrunched eyebrows. For a moment, Jack thought that Liz was trying to fight his efforts and save another hour of sleep. But then she spoke in a scratchy sleep filled voice.
"What is that smell?" Opening one eye, she started in surprise at the sight of Jack's face hovering just one inch above her own. She then closed her eyes and groaned. "Jack, haven't you heard of a toothbrush?" she asked in disgust.
"Don't need one out on the sea! Well, actually we do, but…I'm Cap'n Jack Sparrow! I brush my teeth when I wish, mommy…Now get up!" he said and he yanked a wavy strand of hair from her head to make sure she fully awoke.
"Ow, jack! You crazy son of a-"
"That's Captain Jack!" he shouted gleefully as he dashed out of the cave.
A few minutes later, Liz emerged from her cave to face a spectacular sight. The ocean, a glittering blue-green, was rocking a very large ship gently on her surface. The sun was large and golden orange, like a big glowing orb of hope in the sky. I cannot believe this…we really are going to save William! I just cannot believe this…wow, I really must've overslept! The whole crew was already on board rushing about busily, and Anamaria waved her arm excitedly.
"Elizabeth! I'll help you on board!" she shouted and Liz waved an "ok" back to her. When she climbed on board, Anamaria told her all she knew…which wasn't much.
"We've had this ship for years, but we still haven't named her. And before you ask, I have no clue how we're going to find where Barbossa is. We'll just have to trust that Jack has a plan," she said as she showed Liz around the ship.
I cannot believe this is happening. How did this happen to me? Will was sitting in a locked cabin room in the lowest level of the Jolly Roger. For a reason he did not know, Barbossa had locked him a nicely equipped passenger cabin instead of a dungeon-esque prisoner cell. Alisa probably said something to him. Traitor. I cannot believe this is happening, he thought for the millionth time that day.
He had been in the car with Alisa on their way to meet the "client". If he hadn't still been drowsy from his nap, he might have noticed that something was wrong. Before he knew it, Barbossa was greeting him with a pistol and demands to keep calm and go with him. He wished that he'd had never met Alisa, but then again, I wouldn't have gotten to know Elizabeth, he thought and sighed sadly.
A knock sounded on the door. He had been locked in for hours, and wondered what time it was. In the next moment, Alisa unlocked the door and timidly walked in. Will was laying in the rich king sized bed staring at the delicately painted patterns on the ceiling.
"Will, it's after 8 o' clock. Are you hungry?" she asked quietly, still standing a good distance away from him. He said nothing. "Will, I know you're angry, but you can't starve yourself. What good will it do?" Still no response, no acknowledgement of her presence. She walked over to the cherry wood nightstand by the bed and set down the plate and wine goblet she had been carrying. "Look! I brought you lobster, Cajun rice, cheddar wheat bread, and shrimp scanty. Oh, and some ginger ale, too," she added.
"Why. Tell me why you did it," he finally spoke, still looking at the ceiling.
"Because. It's my job."
"Why did you deceive me?"
"I didn't, I swear. Two nights ago was the only time that I ever have." Will looked up at her face. She was looking at him with such sorrow in her eyes, his heart melted for half a second. He picked up the plate and began to eat in silence. "Here, take some of this, too," she said, holding the soda out to him. He stopped eating and glared at her in astonishment.
"It's not…poisoned? Is it!" he asked, his anger and distrust flaring up again.
"No, Will, I'd never do that to you! And I prepared it all myself, didn't take my eyes off it once," she tried to assure him, but his ravaging appetite was suddenly lost. "Will, would you like to come on deck with me? Mostly everyone is passed out from rum." When he didn't object she let him follow her to the door and on the deck. The water had waves that weren't rough, but were still rustling with an excited energy. It was a deep dark purple blue outside, the only light being the white glow of a near-full moon and its surrounding stars. There was a strong, cool wind that blew Will's hair and clothes around him…it felt good to be outside again. They both were leaning against the railway in silence. I'm so confused. All I know is that Alisa has betrayed me, he thought. I cannot believe that I've had to do this. I hope my sister will finally be proud of me, Alisa thought and then suddenly, she spoke.
"Will, what are you thinking of?" He frowned, wondering if he should tell the truth. He decided that, after a moment of thought, he might as well.
"Elizabeth."
"Aha. My mother always did say, 'the moonlight shows us for what we really are'. And you are, Elizabeth's," she answered. He snorted in sarcasm.
"That really does me a miracle." He turned away from her and she gave a little shrug with a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. There was silence for a couple of minutes, and then Alisa began to sing quietly, her voice so clear and crisp, it seemed to carry itself on the wind across the entire sky and sea.
"When I feel blue, I think of you, because you're true. Wherever you are, near or far, you still are my shining star…" What a beautiful voice. Too bad beauty isn't everything.
"Sometimes it's mad, things get bad, and I'm sad. Wherever you are, there is light by my side- I feel all right…"
As much as he wanted to hate her, as much as he wanted to block out her voice, her song was hypnotizing. He began to float into a dazed spiral of memories.
He and Elizabeth ravaging through Barbossa's mansion…
"Because our love is big,"
Elizabeth bandaging his leg wound in front of the fire…
"bigger than the two of us."
Laughing and talking at the Barnaby Pub and Grill…
"And words cannot describe,"
He and Liz leaning in for a kiss on his sofa.
"how I miss you, so much."
----Meanwhile on Jack's Ship----
Liz was also on board underneath a night sky. She, too, had been thinking of William and, to keep her tears at bay, began singing a song she knew.
"I feel love in your arms, and I feel love when I'm with you…"
In her memories, she was facing a shower-wet Will in his doorway.
"I feel love in your eyes, wherever you may be…"
Admiring his handsome face in the Ionary elevator.
"You make me high, I can fly, touch the sky. Wherever you are, I feel free in ecstasy, just you and me."
Pounding on his back in protest as he ran her up Barbossa's stairs.
"You save my day, pave the way, and you'll stay…wherever you are, in my heart from the start, we'll never part."
She and Will holding hands as the laid together in her bed.
Anamaria appeared by her side.
"I remember when I taught you and Alisa that song. I haven't heard it in years," she said as the wind blew her dark curls around her shoulders. Liz stopped singing and nodded.
"I remember that, too. Anamaria?"
"Yes?"
"Is there something that Jack isn't telling us?" Anamaria looked away, suddenly very interested in the shaped of the moon.
"Well," she finally said, "there is something he's not telling you-"
"Just me? So you know what it is?"
"-but when the time comes, you'll find out," she finished, and the ship continued to rock gently in the dark waters that were filled with the uncertainty of what was to come.
A/N: There we have it, mates. I know it was a bit long, but I just had to get it all in there. Thank you all very much for continuing to read and review, and there is plenty of adventure (and romance) to come in the following chapters. Now, tell us what ye thinks of this chappie, Poppet!