Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing involving the Pirates of the Caribbean. Nor do I own the song in this chapter; it's called "I Miss You" by Blink 182. Download that song if you get the chance, because it's the greatest song that band ever did!
A/N: Thanks to SlytherinPrincess666, Jack-Sparrow-Love, Saranha de Angelo, sugarhighbob, Ginny-cry, Jade Chase, hickchick, and Lexapower for your reviews. I love them all so much! This chapter is dedicated to you guys. Without your support, my story would go unfinished.
Chapter 2, I Miss You
Hello there
The angel from my nightmare
The shadow in the background of the morgue
The unsuspecting victim
Of darkness in the valley, we can live like Jack and Sally
If we want, where
you can always find me
And we'll have Halloween on Christmas
And in the night
we'll wish this never ends,
We'll wish this never ends
I miss you
I miss you
It was so cold. The floor was damp from the previous leak the ship had endured; the crew had yet to mop it up. I'd tidied things up a bit below deck and hung up a few hammocks for the crew to rest in between their shifts. But all the while, I couldn't prevent myself from thinking of Jack. Tired from working, I lay back on one of the many hammocks and closed my eyes.
I saw his face. Beautiful, smoldering eyes set back in a darkly tanned face; his hair was tightly braided and his beard was twisted together. His eyes were dark and warm and piercing. Then I saw his strong hands clenched into fists in my hair. I felt his lips on mine; his tongue gently stroking mine. The warmth between our bodies was heavenly…and then it was gone. Replacing that image was Jack again, but this time in the belly of a horrible beast. His face was screwed up in pain, and I heard his screams echoing in my head.
"NO!" I screamed, jumping up. I shook my head, but I couldn't rid myself of the horrible thought. I looked back at the hammock and realized there was no way I'd get any sleep tonight.
Where are you
And I'm so sorry
I cannot sleep, I cannot dream tonight
I need somebody and always
This sick, strange darkness
Comes creeping on so haunting every time
And as I stared I counted
The webs from all the spiders
Catching things and eating their insides
Like indecision to call you
And hear you voice of treason
Will you come home and stop this pain tonight?
Stop this pain tonight
"Miss Swan, if you don't mind, I'd like me an apple er two," Barbossa said. I was back on deck, the wind blowing through my hair. He'd approached me some time ago and had only stared at me quietly. I was almost thankful he'd finally given me an order; it got my mind off Jack…somewhat.
"I don't think there are any apples aboard."
"Eh? What idiot didn't stock the ship with food?"
"I said there were no apples…I never said there was no food," I retorted, still staring out across the calm ocean. The ship groaned as a wave slammed into its side.
"Well then, go and fetch me something. And feel free to have a bit to eat yourself. Never have I seen someone so skinny." He then turned to walk away, and I was glad to have a moment alone. But then, only a second later it seemed, he'd returned.
"If you don't mind me sayin' so, miss…it seems to me that you're distracted. What concerns ye? We'll find the Captain; don't worry yourself to death."
It startled me that he seemed to know I was thinking of Jack; it startled me even more so that he'd called Jack 'Captain.'
"I'm not distracted, as you say. I'm not even worried. I have faith that the new captain will find Jack."
"Ah, the new captain, your precious William Turner. Makes a fine captain, if I do say so myself. But there is one thing that concerns me; it could be me imagination…but methinks your William has been actin' a tad cold to ye."
I looked hard at him, finally turning my attention away from the sea. "What makes you think it's any of your business?" You have no right to say such things!
He held up his hands in a mock-protective gesture. "Aye. As I said, it could always be me imagination." He was silent another long moment. Then he dropped his hands to his sides and said, "And something else I'm surely imaginin' is Jack's sudden courageous streak. One moment he's all for himself and the next he feeds himself to the Kraken so you can escape. Not very much like the Jack I know."
"Me and the rest of the crew. He gave himself up for all of us, not only me." I corrected. I didn't want Jack to seem like he cared about me more than he should.
"Or maybe he didn't give himself up at all."
Another silence. I turned again to look out at the sea. The sunrise was enthralling. The sky was painted orange and pink and a delicate blue; the sun sent rays of glorious light through the clouds that partially hid it from view. I sighed, and Barbossa heard it.
"You want it, don't you?"
"Beg pardon?" I asked, hoping he wasn't talking about Jack.
"The sea. The adventure. Don't deny it. I've seen sailors…pirates…come an' go, but I can always tell the ones who be serious when they say they love the sea. You want it, and it's as clear as day on your face!"
"The sea is beautiful…but I want a life on land…I want a family…something you can't have on the sea…you wouldn't understand."
He turned suddenly to me and looked directly in my eyes as he shook me.
"Don't tell me what I know, lass! I may not be rich nor handsome, but I aren't a fool! If you want to point fingers and tell someone they don't know anything, point at yourself!"
"What are you talking about? Let go of me!" I screamed, swatting at his hands, which were holding on tightly, almost painfully, to my elbows.
"You think you love this…William Turner. But anyone with eyes can see you want Jack. I'm not blind, though I be many other things. Admit it; you've fallen for Sparrow!"
I looked at him and was horrified. This disgusting, fowl creature was asking me…no, telling me that I'd fallen for Jack. And to make matters worse, he was the second to tell me this in two days. I thought of Tia Dalma…and the compass…and my kiss with Jack. Suddenly, I couldn't look at Barbossa any longer; I looked down at my feet and bit my lip.
"Ah…as I thought. The beautiful swan has fallen for the marked sparrow. So different…and so much alike." His tone was quiet and gentle, and I could almost hear his smile shining through in it. Was I really that obvious?
"You! Let go of her! What's got into you?" a crew member shouted from above. Barbossa quickly jerked his hands away and nodded curtly to the crew member and to me. Then he turned and stalked away, leaving me with my own confused thoughts and a red, hot face.
………………………………………………………………………………………
Several Weeks Later
"Elizabeth…I thought you'd never find me."
"But I did. And we're together now."
"Yes…but what of dear William? Can you leave such a noble man for one less worthy?" Jack looked into my eyes. His were smoldering into mine, beautiful and calm and yet hopeful and nervous. They were the eyes of an angel.
"You are none less worthy than William. I shall be as happy in your arms as I could ever be in his." I tilted my lips up to his, and he inclined his head to kiss me, a smile on his face.
"STOP! ELIZABETH!" I heard Will scream. Within the blink of an eye, he'd drawn his sword…and impaled Jack Sparrow. Jack's eyes widened and he looked at me as a single tear fell down his cheek. Then he fell, lifeless, to my feet.
All light faded away, and I was left alone, in the dark. Jack and Will were gone. I was afraid. So afraid…
"ELIZABETH! ELIZABETH!"
"Leave me alone, Will…" I said, hoping the voice would fade.
"ELIZABETH, WAKE UP!"
My eyes snapped open. My heart was racing; it was a dream. Once a wonderful dream, and then a horrible nightmare…
William was standing over me, looking down at me, his face full of urgency.
"Will? What is it? What's wrong?"
"The earth! The earth is gone! It just…stops!" Will grabbed my hand and dragged me from the hammock I was sleeping on. He pulled me across the floor, which was no longer wet, but still cold. I wanted to go back to sleep…to see Jack's face…but I dismissed the thought; I couldn't watch him die again.
In an instant, we were on deck, and a brilliant white light engulfed us. I heard the crew screaming in terror, but I couldn't see anything because of the intensity of the light.
"THE EARTH! IT'S DISAPPEARED!"
"We'll all be killed!"
"Good God! The water! Look at the water!"
Finally, my eyes had adjusted to the light. I looked down…and there was only twenty feet of water left in front of the ship. It seemed a tremendous waterfall had broken the ocean in two…but there was nothing below to stop our fall. I was sure that if the ship went on any farther, we'd fall to our deaths…forever and ever.
"Drop the anchor now!" Barbossa screamed with a fear I'd never heard creeping into his voice.
The ship was still moving quickly towards the end of the water. The gap was closing…fifteen feet…ten feet…we were slowing down…six feet…five feet…four…three…
I closed my eyes and held on tightly to the side of the ship.
"I'm sorry, Jack. I'm so sorry. I've failed you again," I thought. It was strange to me that my last thoughts would be of Jack…and it was in that instant, before the world was forever lost to me, that I realized I really, truly did love Jack Sparrow.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
"Elizabeth! Wake up! We've…landed…" My eyes fluttered open at the sound of Will's voice. Everything was dark, a startling contrast to the brilliant white light I'd last seen. It wasn't cold at all; on the contrary, it was stifling hot. I felt drops of sweat rolling across my brow; I wiped them away from my face. I felt someone's hand touch mine, and I knew it was Will's. He helped me to my feet and my head began spinning madly. I realized, with a sickening thought, that the ground was soft, wet…and sticky.
"Oh…God…what happened? I don't remember anything."
Will was panting, probably from the heat. I heard him sigh once; I was afraid it was a sign that he'd given up. I heard his shoes squelching in whatever gross mess we'd landed in. The smell was nearly unbearable.
"The anchor didn't stop us. The ship fell off the edge…we were all knocked out cold before we reached the bottom." His voice sounded muffled, and I thought he must be covering his nose to avoid the smell.
"But why weren't we killed? It's impossible that we survived!" I gasped.
"Well, in the words of your dear Jack, it is 'improbable, not impossible.'"
His words ignited something in me: a need to defend myself and Jack. Will had obviously gotten ideas. But I couldn't start a fight with him now; we didn't even know where we were.
"This makes no sense…where are you taking us?" I asked. Will had begun walking in the dark, still holding onto my hand. Walking was difficult, because with every step, my feet sank deeper into the reeking floor.
"Back to the crew. Everyone's accounted for. They were all out looking for you, though. You fell the farthest from the ship."
"Everyone's accounted for? You mean no one died?"
"Yes. No one died, Miss Swan."
"I…it's nothing short of a miracle…Will! Why did you call me Miss Swan?"
Will stopped walking, and then turned in a different direction and began again.
"That's your name, isn't it?" he asked coldly.
"Well, yes…but what happened to Elizabeth?" I asked quietly. I felt like a pouting child.
"Elizabeth died with Jack."
I didn't get a chance to respond, because Barbossa's voice sounded close by.
"Did you find Miss Swan?" I heard Barbossa's voice. He actually sounded concerned.
"I'm here…I'm alright," I breathed. Will quickly jerked his hand away from mine. I felt him walking away from me, and I couldn't help but wonder why. True, I did realize that I loved Jack…but how could Will know that?
"We need to get movin'. No tellin' how long it'll be before this thing decides to digest us." Barbossa's voice became more distant, and he called out to the crew. I heard several familiar voices and instantly felt relief. Then I recalled what Barbossa had said.
"Digest us? What's going to digest us?" I asked incredulously.
"What? Oh, dear William didn't tell ye, eh?" Barbossa said, laughter evident in his voice. I shook my head, forgetting Barbossa couldn't see it.
"We were swallowed, lass. By the Kraken. That's why we're alive. Safe in the belly of the beast before we even hit rock bottom."
"So…we're inside…that…thing…that ate the Pearl…and Jack?" I asked, still not believing it.
"Aye. Only a matter of time before it gets…hungry…and decides to put our flesh to good use!" Barbossa said disgustedly.
"Will…why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to worry you!" he yelled, from far off to my left. I couldn't see what he was doing.
"Wait! So that means…Jack's here somewhere! We must find him!"
No one answered me, or even made a sound acknowledging that they'd heard me.
"Hello? Are you there?" I asked, becoming afraid.
"Yes…but uh…Miss Swan…the reason we know we're inside the Kraken, see…"
"Yeah, we found out because…"
"It was clear we'd been eaten by the same thing as Jack when…" No one could finish a sentence and I was getting frustrated.
"Tell me! What's going on? Why aren't we looking for Jack now?"
"Because, Miss Swan. We found this…an hour ago." Something lightweight, smooth, and sticky was placed into my hands. I felt along the sides of it, and put my hand into what I thought was the bottom. I discovered it was a hat; a leather hat, and a very familiar one. It was Jack Sparrow's hat.
"NO!" I screamed as the hat slipped from my hands. I fell to the floor with a sickening smacking noise as the beasts' insides squelched around me. It couldn't be that Jack was dead. It wasn't his hat…just one exactly like it. It couldn't be his. He was alive and well and I was going to find him…
Don't waste your time on me
You're already the voice inside my head
I miss you
Don't waste your time on me
You're already the voice inside my head
I miss you
"Elizabeth where are you GOING? Jack's dead, so move on!" Will called after me. I was not going to give up. I'd stood up and grabbed Jack's hat, slamming it on my head, ignoring the mucus sliding down from it onto my hair.
"You may say it's over, but I won't stop until I see a body!"
"Ew. She's a bit morbid, eh?" someone said behind me.
"Whatever works for her…" said another.
"Elizabeth, you're insane!" Will screamed again. I thought I heard his sticky footsteps coming up behind me.
"Let her go, lad. No sense in both of you getting eaten. When she sees a body, she'll be satisfied, and then she'll…she might…come back, eh? Let her go." Barbossa had finally done me a favor. I silently thanked him and continued walking.
I heard Will and Barbossa arguing behind me, but I kept walking until the voices had faded. Wherever I was going, the smell was getting worse, and I tried to forget the odor by focusing again on Jack…and finding him alive.
Don't waste your time on me
You're already the voice inside my head
I miss you
Don't waste your time on me
You're already the voice inside my head
I miss you
Don't waste your time on me
You're already the voice inside my head
I miss you
Don't waste your time on me
You're already the voice inside my head
I miss you
I walked. And I walked…and I wasn't getting anywhere. I was convinced I was walking in circles. I'd definitely bumped into the same…blob of goop more than once. I sat down wearily, my head in my hands, wondering how I'd ever find my way back to the others. Jack wasn't here. He was gone. I felt tears of hopelessness and regret creeping into my eyes. Suddenly, I had a joyful thought.
I jerked out the compass Tia Dalma had given me; it had led us this far. I'd come to rely on it, and some part of me had faith it would lead me to Jack now. Flipping open the lid, I stared down into it, but it was so dark, I couldn't see the needle. I sighed, and tears came with it. I'd never find him. Everyone else and I would die here…just as Jack had. I slammed the lid of the compass shut. I closed my eyes and wished to die then and there.
"I should have told you, Jack. I should have told you," I said aloud. My voice echoed along the sides of the Kraken. Tears were streaming down my face. My heart was breaking all over again. "I should have told you…"
"Told me what, Miss Swan?"
End Chapter
Oh yeah you loved that "swan has fallen for the sparrow" cuz you know Elizabeth Swan…Jack Sparrow…yeah anyway…Review if you liked it! Don't review if you're a…meanie?