Chapter 10

It was a long, drawn out process, but night did finally arrive for Elizabeth Swann and the inhabitants of Port Royal. She lay in her bed, unable to sleep knowing that a message would soon be arriving but it's messenger sure was taking his time with the delivery. Sleep started to overcome her and she allowed herself to succumb to it as complete darkness finally enveloped the Governor's mansion. She was just in the early stages of a dream that was yet to be revealed when a movement at her window startled her awake. Sitting bolt upright having been jolted from her sleep, Elizabeth looked towards the window and saw a dark shadow hovering silently just inside her room. She studied the shape and saw it turn towards her and take a small step forward. The butterflies that were in her stomach earlier had returned and she could hear her heart beating in her ears, pounding with pure excitement.

"Jack?" she whispered questioningly.

"Yes love." more of an answer than a question.

"You're alive!" she exclaimed.

"Didn't you get my messages? I sent you several and made very special sacrifices in order to ensure their arrival." he asked slightly concerned.

"I received them. It's just - it's the sight of you here. I can hardly believe it. I've waited so long." she repled breathlessly, finding it harder and harder to compose herself. She was trembling, shivering almost, at the excitement of finally having a pirate, the pirate, here in her chambers.

"Aye. I know exactly what you mean, darling." Jack purred as he slowly and methodically approached her bedside. He lifted a knee across her body and set it down on the other side, then gently lowered himself on top of her. Elizabeth laid back and allowed him access to whatever part of her he wanted. He lowered his head and let his lips just graze hers as he spoke.

"I've waited an eternity for the likes of someone like you, Miss Swann. And now that I have you, I'm not going to leave without you." he whispered, the feel of his lips moving against her skin causes her to quicken her breath. "If you have a problem with this, I'll just take you. Plain as that. Do we have an understanding?"

Elizabeth couldn't breathe. She couldn't answer. She nodded her response and hoped that her breath would return before she passed out from lack of oxygen.

"Very good" he whispered as he pressed his lips onto hers, not letting her come up for air, but holding her in place with the full weight of his body just to make sure she understood that coming with him was not a choice.

Finally, he pulled back and Elizabeth gasped air into her lungs, her breathing laboured from pure excitement. "Pack what you need, love, but keep it light. I've got plenty for you to wear onboard and the rest we'll get for you later. If you do have second thoughts about this don't try and hide, it be too late to alter course. I'll track you down, I'll find you and next time you won't have the luxury of bringing your effects" he warned.

She nodded. It was all she could do. She was paralyzed by his presence in the darkness of her room and she knew there was no way she'd change her mind. She'd go now if it were possible, but she knew that it wasn't.

"I'll be back for you, darling. I promised you freedom and that's what you'll have, no matter the price." he stroked her hair as he said this then climbed off of her and walked over to the window. She watched as he silently climbed over the ledge and disappeared into the night.

Elizabeth's body was on fire. She lay in her bed, still frozen in place, still smelling him and tasting him on her lips. She had a hard time falling back to sleep that night and when it did finally arrive, it was dreamless.