Disclaimer: Gee, what a surprise—still not mine. And just a random thought: has anyone noticed that Elizabeth Swan and Jack Sparrow's last names are both birds? Maybe they were meant for each other after all.
Elizabeth couldn't help but notice that the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow appeared much more than just concerned, as the man named Gibbs set off to alert the crew. It wasn't often his face was seen to be actually, truly serious, as it clearly was at that moment. He adjusted his hat, and then squinted into the telescope for a second time. From what Elizabeth could see with her unaided eyes, there appeared to be some sort of great fire on the open waters, and a large, dark ship close by it.
"What is it?" she inquired, a gust of wind blowing her hair into her face.
"Not quite sure of that, lass," Jack replied, scrunching the telescope back up and never removing his eyes from the scene. "Looks to be a ship that's on fire, but given the fact there's a second ship, this Captain has reason to believe there was a disagreement among the two." He took a dizzy step away from the wheel, then seemed to think better of it, and returned to his post.
"A disagreement?" came another voice. It was Will, stepping up to them, and snatching the telescope from Jack. "Seems like there was much more than just a disagreement." His eyes fell on Elizabeth's, and lingered on her for a moment, until she looked away, uncomfortable under his gaze. She resented the fact that she felt this way when she was around him now. There had been a point in time when she would have done nearly anything to be lost in those honey swirled eyes of his, but now…well…let's just say that dark eyes intrigued her more. She felt her face heating up at the thought of laying with Jack at her side, staring into his eyes as if there were no tomorrow, his lips on hers…
Elizabeth Swan! she scolded herself, scurrying down to where she was certain her rapidly reddening face would not be seen. What on earth has gotten into you? He's a Pirate, and father would never approve of your falling for him!
She pulled the compass out of her pocket, reluctant to open it. But whether it was from fear of it pointing in an unwanted direction, or not pointing in that same direction, she was unsure. Will Turner left the quarterdeck, obviously ordered to do so by the Captain, and a moment later Elizabeth opened the compass. It quivered for a brief moment, and then spun about crazily for another, and finally came to rest with the large red arrow pointing directly at the man known as Captain Jack Sparrow.
Elizabeth snapped the compass shut, with a sound of great frustration. This could not be happening to her. The wind blew stronger, and her long bronze curls were swept into her face yet again. More often than not she had considered just chopping off the majority of her hair. It was an annoyance while at sea; with water and wind and other elements making it a nuisance to keep it brushed out. However, it was the one part of her, which reminded her of the life she had once lived, and despite the fact that she had hated it so, she wanted at least one way to remember that she hadn't always been a pirate.
Wait—what?
"Pardon me Elizabeth, but could you do us a favor and make use of this infinitely unique and entirely accessible object?" Jack's voice sang out from nearby, as he handed her a tie. "It's positively frustrating seeing the wind take control of that hair of yours, and you and I both would prefer that I wasn't forced to brush it out of the way myself." He gave her a slight grin, and then set off to whatever business it was he had come down to take care of.
Oh, if only you knew, Captain Sparrow, she thought with a groan. She watched as he climbed up the mast to the crow's nest, and found herself quite amazed by the fact that with his constant lack of coordination--courtesy of far too many bottles of rum--he was indeed able to reach the lookout's post.
As they neared the two ships, it was very clear that there had been an attack. Elizabeth couldn't help but wonder why they were sailing directly into the line of possible attack—Jack had already lost one ship to another captain's anger, after all.
"Captain!" a desperate voice shouted from somewhere on the ship, and Jack spun around in a wobbly fashion.
"Aye?" he yelled down, to where a crewman was standing, breathing heavily.
"It's—It's the Lochinvar, sir! Condos' ship! 'e must've gotten out before that last skirmish got serious!" the man proclaimed from below.
Jack's eyes widened considerably, as he turned around and pulled the telescope out of the lookout's hands, and looked through it.
"Oh, bugger."
The pirate scurried back down from the crow's nest, stopping and looking around for a moment. "You!" he cried, exaggerating a desperate expression as he ran up to and grabbed Elizabeth by the shoulders. "Below deck!" He pushed her away, mumbling that she needed to hide, and hide well. "And stay away from the rum!" he called, holding up a finger as she shook her head and trotted down to the lower deck.
In the distance, a boom sounded, and a large cannonball quite suddenly flew past Jack's running form, making him screech to a dead halt as it missed him, as well as any part of the ship, by mere centimeters. Will appeared by his side a moment later.
"Shall we return fire Jack?" Will asked hurriedly, with a gesture to the splash left from the cannonball. The Captain's face sagged dramatically as another boom was heard; another fire from the Lochinvar.
"Well, this is going to be fun," he muttered to himself, and then, "Aye! Return fire and hard to port!" He took off to where Gibbs stood at the wheel.