Once is Never Enough

Chapter 12 - Mine

Alex stood on the ship and smiled to himself as Port Royal started to come into view. He didn't realize how close they were, not even a days travel away. The pirate stood, a look of accomplishment on his face.

"Why did we change course?"

Alex was surprised when he found himself shaken by his brothers cold voice behind him. Turning around slowly he felt a cold shiver pass over him when he looked into Jack's eyes.

"We are not going anywhere until you get Elizabeth back."

Jack clenched his fists at his side in attempts to calm himself. "We are turning this ship around. Unless of course you want to mutuny."

"Jack, I'm doing this for you. I know how you are when your depressed. Please Jack, at least go and make sure Will is who she wants. Unless of couse you want me to mutuny."

Jack looked at his brother and knew he would never let him live it down. "Fine. But I don't want to see her. She left, I don't know why I have to go and confirm her decision."

"You know how women are Jack. They don't know what they want until they have it and then they don't know how much they need it until it's gone."

Jack agreed with Alex, but it was best not to let him know that.

)-(

Elizabeth looked at herself in the mirror while her personal maid, Nanette tightened her corsette for her wedding to Will. She had wanted to get married as soon as they got back to Port Royal, it was the right thing to do and she needed to stop thinking about Jack.

"There you are miss. Let me get your dress and you'll be the most beautiful bride in the whole Caribbean."

Elizabeth saw the tears start to form in her eyes before she felt them. When they started to fall Nanette looked worried.

"Why Miss Elizabeth, what's wrong?"

"What if I'm wrong? What if I don't love him?"

Nanette had a laugh on her lips and she shook her head. "Oh miss, you do. You just have what they call 'pre-wedding jitters'. You love him."

Elizabeth shook her head and started to sob. "I think I made a mistake."

)-(

Jack stood at the front of his beloved ship and watched with apprehension as Port Royal was close enough to swim to. The ships were undisturbed and the streets were quiet. Alex saw the stillness of the town and knew what Jack had already figured out. Everyone was at a wedding.

)-(

William Howard Turner II stood at the front of the church, surrounded by all his piers and the prestigous people of Port Royal. He was nervous, but nothing was going to stop him from getting married to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth felt her heart quicken and her breath become shallow as she linked her arm with her father's. He was going to give her away to Will. She was going to be married and everyone will think she was happy. No one would know the difference but her.

"Elizabeth, darling, are you alright?" Her father asked as they waited for the rest of the bridal party to go before they walked down the aisle.

"I will be. I just need to get through this. I'll be alright."

"Not having second thoughts are you? Will is a wonderful man, he will make you happy."

Elizabeth felt the tears this time but she brushed them away. "You're right. He will make me happy."

"That's my girl."

Too soon the music started and Elizabeth felt herself walking down the aisle to Will.

It was like a dream, she felt as though this was happening to someone else. She realised that it was supposed to be happening to someone else. This wasn't where she was supposed to be, but it was too late.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join these two souls in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony."

Elizabeth's thoughts were disrupted and she could only think of Jack. It wasn't right, the day of her wedding she should be thinking of Will, her husband, not the man, pirate, she spent the night with.

"I do."

Elizabeth was shaken out of her thoughts and felt her hand in Will's.

"Do you, Elizabeth, take William to be your husband for,"

"No."

The audiance gasped when she said no even before the priest could finish.

"No. I'm sorry. I'm sorry Will." She said and ran out of the church.

)-(

The Black Pearl sailed into Port Royal in the middle of the day and Alex and Jack got off and headed for where they hoped would be ceremony. The streets were still deserted and Jack was beginning to have a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"There's the church Jack."

As soon as the two men reached the building the doors opened and hundreds of people came out talking to eachother. Some of them looked up in disgust at Jack and Alex but passed by.

"Excuse me miss, is the wedding over?'

A young woman, who was no richer than himself nodded. "Oh yes, the wedding is over gentleman."

Alex felt Jack tense and start to walk away, back toward the Pearl. Something in the girls eyes made Alex stay back. "What's your name?"

"Nanette. I'm a maid in the governor's household." She said and left.

Jack felt his heart start to grow cold and his blood felt thick as he walked toward his only love, the only one who wouldn't betray him. The only one who wouldn't leave him for another man.

"Jack!"

The pirate felt his breath catch as his subconscious played tricks on him. Elizabeth was probably sailing away somewhere with Will for their honeymoon, being blissfully happy. Elizabeth forgetting all about him.

"Jack stop!"

He did and turned around. There was Elizabeth running toward him, white dress and all. She looked beautiful.

"Elizabeth?"

She was so close now and jumped into his arms.

"I couldn't do it. All I did was think about you and how much I wanted to be with you. I said no, Jack. I couldn't be his. I couldn't. Jack, I can't stay. I love you. Please, please take me with you. Please. Don't leave me here."

Jack's strong arms wrapped around her and he untangled her arms that were wrapped around his neck. Looking into her eyes he leaned in and kissed her softly. "Elizabeth."

She shivered as he spoke her name. "I wouldn't leave you here. I love you too."

Tears of happiness started to run down her face and she felt his soft lips caress her own. Opening her mouth to him she felt his tounge, soft as silk, rubbing against hers. That was when she knew, she wouldn't give him up.

TBC

The next chapter the Pearl sails to a deserted town. The map is in their reach but will the pirates find it?

REVIEW!