Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean or any of the characters.
A/N: I'm so sorry about the incredibly long wait for this chapter! I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read this chapter for being so patient about it. I've just been incredibly busy with things. I actually wrote this chapter once and wasn't satisfied with it so I rewrote and I still don't think it's up to par but I guess it's good enough. Sorry that it's short. I'll try not to take so long next time! Thanks for the reviews and emails. Now on with the story!
Anamaria approached the helm where she knew she would find Jack. She caringly placed her hand on his shoulder and cleared her voice speaking softly. "Jack, Will and Elizabeth wish to see you. They are awaiting you in their quarters."
Jack knew it must be bad because he saw Anamaria's eyes soften and sympathy shone through them. "Thank you, Ana," he muttered almost inaudibly stepping away from the helm allowing her to grab the wheel. Ana turned watching his form slowly retreating, the usual confident manner absent from his stride. She wondered what drama was to come as she returned her focus to the open waters ahead.
Jack walked slowly taking his time to get the room he dreaded. Once outside the door he began pacing back and forth his boots falling in a rhythmic pattern on the hardwood floor. He paused in front of the door raising his hand to knock then thought better of it and began pacing once more.
'What's the matter with you?' he asked himself. 'You're Captain Jack Sparrow. You're afraid of nothing and no one,' he spoke confidently. After a slight pause he sighed answering himself, 'Except this confrontation.' Trying to be as confident and unfazed as possible, he grabbed the door handle so tightly that his knuckles turned white and slowly pushed the door open just enough for his head to slip through. He peaked in timidly scanning the scene before him. He hesitated to enter seeing their solemn tear stained faces along with the puddles of rum glass on the floor.
"Won't you come in, Jack," Will asked him with a voice laden with fake pleasantness.
Still hesitant, Jack entered the room shutting the door behind him. He casually strode over towards them with a fake smile pasted on his face. Just as he was about to take a seat on the bed Will jumped up with a quickness motioning him with his hands offering the chair to Jack and taking a seat on the wooden desk. Jack let a nervous laugh pass through his lips and sat down in the chair.
A deafening silence filled the room making both Jack and Elizabeth extremely uncomfortable. Will was loving every second that passed by adding to their terror and tension.
Leaning forward with his elbow on his knee Will finally broke the silence. "I know about the whole thing, Jack."
Jack was unable to look Will directly in his eyes. He could feel his icy stare piercing his body and squirmed with nervousness. His eyes darted quickly to various things around the room and he stole a glance of Elizabeth. He was concerned and worried about her condition. He had no idea what had gone on the previous night but it was unpleasant by the looks of her bruised cheek and bloodied shirt.
"Well?" Will's words snapped Jack out of his daze startling him slightly and their eyes locked. Jack was mesmerized by the intense emotions behind Will's eyes and found himself unable to look away. "I know about all of it. The late night rendezvous, how you're her first partner, how long this has been going on, all the lies you two been telling," his voice began escalating as he pounded his closed fist repeatedly on the desk emphasizing his anger. "Every fucking bit of it!"
Jack cringed at Will's yelling and was almost able to hold back his next comment. "Well, I know where all my rum has been disappearing to," he said matter-of-factly.
"It doesn't matter! You steal it anyway! Besides how can you even compare the two?! A fiancée and a few bottles of fucking rum!" This time Jack's mouth stayed closed. Will took a few moments to calm his nerves before continuing. "Answer me this, Jack. Do you even have feelings for Elizabeth or was she just a good reliable lay for you?"
Elizabeth stayed quiet but became uncomfortable upon hearing the two men talk about her as if she wasn't even there. Jack decided not to hold back in his answer regardless of the consequences.
"Yes, I do have feelings for her, Will. I……love her," he answered quickly averting his eyes.
Will could feel the anger rising within him dying to be let free but he closed his eyes swallowing hard and spoke once again when he was back in control.
"Elizabeth, I'll ask you again. Do you…love…him?"
Her eyes darted between the two men silently pleading with them for an answer. "I don't know, Will. I really don't know," she answered with a wavering voice as tears threatened to fall, " but I'm positive that I love you."
"Elizabeth, luv," Jack began, "How can you say that? You told me that you were mine. And I know you never came right out and said that you loved me back but I could feel it every time you touched me. The connection between us was so strong. Don't hold back now just because you're afraid. Say how you truly feel. Let it all out. Put an end to this ugly situa….."
Jack was abruptly cut off by Will. He could no longer control his anger upon hearing the way Jack spoke about the two and quickly lunged practically diving from the desk to Jack. He hooked his arm around Jack's midsection ramming his shoulder into him as hard as he could knocking him to the floor on his back taking the breath from him. He straddled him holding him down as he repeatedly took cheap shots ramming his fists into everything he could. Jack's side, his stomach, his face. Both men were only able to barely hear Elizabeth's desperate shouts as she weakly tried to pull Will off of Jack.
Will had turned into a madman not fully conscious of his actions. Irritated by the constant tugging on his back, he threw his arm back violently tossing Elizabeth to the floor. Jack had had enough. With all the strength he had left, Jack shoved the heels of his hands hard into Will's chest reversing their position. With Will now on his back, Jack grabbed his wrists holding him down until he was able to calm down. As the squirming subsided and his breathing returned to normal, Jack let go of Will.
Will stood up brushing himself off before helping Elizabeth up off the floor. "Well, there's only one way to solve this," Will spoke quietly. "We'll each spend a full day with Elizabeth alone. All bets are off, anything goes. We each have a full day to prove our love to her and woo her any way we feel necessary and appropriate. Then after the full two days she can make her decision. Does everyone agree to this?" he asked looking from one of them to the next as they both nodded their agreement. "Ok, then since it's already past noon we'll start tomorrow. May the best man win."
Will extended his hand outward and Jack willingly shook it accepting the challenge that lay ahead of him. He watched as Will quickly exited the room with tears now flowing freely from his eyes. Once the door was closed Jack rushed over to Elizabeth.
"Oh, luv! I'm so sorry you had to be here for that." He took her in his arms squeezing her tight.
She shoved him away none too gently. "Jack," she scolded him. "It's not fair for you to get a head start. Please leave me. I wish to be alone," she told him as she silently cried. "You need to get yourself cleaned up anyway. You look like hell." Then she turned her back on him climbing into bed and curling into herself as if trying to disappear.
Jack sighed and followed her wishes leaving her to be alone. As he walked across the deck on his way to the dining hall to clean himself up he heard gasps and felt stares from his crewmembers. Will must have messed him up worse than he thought. He ignored Ana's offers to help him and ordered her to take over the Pearl for the rest of the day and he began immediately planning out his day with Elizabeth.