We Cannot Live Like This

Disclaimer: Same as chapter one and two

A Pirate's Life For Me

Elizabeth paced restlessly about the cabin, her eyes darting fearfully in the direction of each sound. She could hear the cannons going off. She could hear and the clashing of swords and Jack yelling out orders. For once, she was glad to hear Jack's strong voice and she knew the men were behind him. She felt the ship shake as the grappling hooks were attached and the ships were pulled together. She longed to leave the room, wanting to know what was going on. She had no idea whether Jack and his crew were attacking or if the cutthroats from the other ship were boarding.

There was one gigantic blast and then all went quiet. Elizabeth ran for the door and as she checked to make sure it was locked there was a knock on it. This caused her to nearly jump out of her skin and just out of habit she spoke. "Who's there?"

She clasped her hands over her mouth and waited for an answer. She got one but it was not the one she wanted.

"The name's Elliott. I'm second mate on The Advocate, The Devil's Advocate."

"What do you want?" Elizabeth spoke as she pushed heavy objects in front of the door.

"Captain Douglas wishes to extend his greeting to the Governor's daughter. He wishes to convey his compliments to her on her recent marriage to a pirate. He wishes to see her in person."

Elizabeth was surprised by the somewhat polite request but she had no intention of allowing anyone to enter her cabin.

"I'm sorry, I am not feeling well enough to leave my cabin and I don't wish to see your captain," Elizabeth replied tartly. "Tell him the Governor's daughter begs to be excused."

"I don't think I can do that," Elliott answered. "If you can't come out to us, we'll have to go in to you."

"I have no intention of letting you in." Elizabeth stared at the door as she heard the scrap of a key turning in the lock and to her horror the door swung open. Several men were behind it and the pushed with all their might. When the door was fully open Elizabeth stood in front of a well-muscled man of medium height and a gaunt face. She pointed her gun at his chest.

He smiled. "I relieved your captain of his keys," Elliott said. "Now, if you don't mind, the captain wants to meet the pirate's wife, and he doesn't take kindly to waiting."

"I'm sorry I am not accustomed to taking orders from nasty bandits, pirates, or whatever you call yourself. Now leave or I will shoot you."

"I don't suppose it matters what you call us, but I can't ever recall anyone disobeying the captain's orders."

"There's a first time for everything, even disobeying your captain," Elizabeth retorted. "Now you take yourself back through that door and tell him the Pirate's Wife doesn't appear on command for anyone."

"I don't think I can," Elliott said with a sneer.

"Why not?" Elizabeth asked as she backed away from him.

"I don't have the courage," he said grinning.

"You've got brass enough to come in here." She waved the gun at him.

He moved forward. "Yes I do. So, does that mean you'll come with me?"

"Not an inch!" Elizabeth said warily.

"I suppose there's nothing for it but to carry you out to him."

"What?"

"Yes, when the captain wants something he means to have it and he seems mighty set on seeing you."

"What can he possible want with me?"

Elliott moved closer and as he did she shot the gun. Elliott anticipated this and he ducked the bullet knocked the gun out of her hand and scooped her up over his shoulder. "The captain never understands it when he has to wait."

"Don't even think of laying a hand on her." Elizabeth heard Jack's voice and the cock of a gun. "Put her down gently and back up slowly mate. If not, I'll make sure you rot in the bowels of me ship along with your mates and your captain."

He put Elizabeth down and opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Elizabeth turned and ran to Jack. Jack looked at the young seaman. "Sir, I do not know what I have done to offend you or your captain. I can only assume that greed consumed him and for some unknown reason he thought he could take on The Black Pearl."

Elliott started to stammer. "But…but…last I saw you -- You and your crew surrendered to us. Douglas had you pinned to a wall."

"Aye but you forgot one very important thing. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow and I'm dishonest. Men," Jack cried out. "Take him and throw him overboard, I'm not wasting a bullet on him."

Jack then turned to Elizabeth. "Luv, I hope you are unharmed. I understand you no longer wish to sail with me and my crew. I can't imagine why, but if that's what the princess, sorry, lady wants… I will take you and your precious husband back to Port Royal. Ya know Luv; he would do anything for ya, even risk his life."

Elizabeth looked around and did not see Will. "Jack! Jack! Where is Will?"

"He'll live," Jack gave her a reassuring smile. "Cotton is tending to his wounds. That Lad of yours is one hell of a sword fighter. He killed Douglas single handedly. Did ya know Douglas specifically came looking for you?"

Jack looked around the room and picked up one of Will's shirts. "I'll surly miss William, he is a good man, he is an outcast from society, a slave to greed and a master of deceit. He is a pirate. But for you Luv, he will be a blacksmith or whatever you ask of him."

Jack placed the shirt on the bed and put his pistol away. "Did you know he was taking on your chores so you could be happy? I didn't think ya knew. He even asked me to leave you alone. I'll have to admit that was difficult in the beginning, because I love to see you get riled."

Suddenly the door opened and Will stood framed in the shadowy light. "Will, you are here!" With a cry of relief she rushed toward him and threw her arms around his neck. She could see he had been bandaged but he looked well and he was smiling.

"Elizabeth, are you alright?" Will took her face in his hands and kissed her. "I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you." He pulled her close to him and took her over to the window so he could have a better look at her.

Jack smiled. "Lad I thought you did it for me, Douglass almost had my hide." Jack placed his hand on Will's shoulder. "Thank you friend, you have shown your selflessness once again. Maybe not now, but someday, you may want to return to the sea, if only for a little while. Remember both of you have roots on The Black Pearl."

Jack turned to leave but hesitated. He faced Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, I will always remember your kindness and understanding." Jack smiled his golden grin. "Honestly Elizabeth, setting our differences aside, I wish you the best, you're one very lucky woman."

Jack then looked at Will. "William, don't let anything stand in your way. I hope whatever you do you are as content as you deserve to be. You'd better be careful, Elizabeth may map out the rest of your life. Now as for me, I'll roam the seas forever like the Flying Dutchman. You see William, your curse has been lifted since you found yourself a girl who is faithful to you. I guess you will not be roaming the seas while she stays home to take care of the wee ones and waits for you to come home. I don't suppose a wife of mine would like it any better.

"You two take it easy, we'll say our goodbyes when we get you to Jamaica." Jack pulled his hat down over his brow and left the room, closing the door behind him.

"He's the finest friend a man could have. I'm going to miss him," Will stated.

"Then I'll have to see what I can do to distract you." Elizabeth smiled and, taking Will's face in her hands, she looked directly into his eyes. "Do you still want to sail with Jack?"

"Elizabeth, I don't care if I sail with Jack or I am a blacksmith in Port Royal. All I want is to hear you swear that you love me, that you'll love me forever no matter what." He kissed her with such passionate intensity that they both felt dizzy.

Jack went up to the helm. "Aye, I'll say my good byes later, but perhaps they will change their minds. There is no feasible way William Turner could turn down the life on the ocean and the life of a pirate, to work as a blacksmith. No, he could not live like that."

Jack looked at his compass and then took a swig of rum. "Drink up me hearties, yo ho."

Gibbs came up to Jack and stood next to him. "Talking to your self again Captain?" Gibbs pulled out his flask and hit it against Jack's bottle. Jack reciprocated as he was singing his tune. "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me."

"What's in your head that's put you in such a fine mood, Captain?" Gibbs asked as he took another drink.

"I just set our new course. I put our rudder to Port Royal, never to return. I'm heading for the horizon. I told Will I would take him to Port Royal, but I never said when. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.""

THE END

A/N I hope you all enjoyed this story. If you did please let me know. You all know how to do it. It is that little button that says review. It is amazing how people ask for reviews but never send them. I know when I read I send. I have to say I love hearing from all my reviewers.

Lizzy