-19. What Vexes a Man

The day progressed on to mid afternoon before Elizabeth had the courage to go down to the brig to visit Will, and take him a bit of bread from the galley. "Well well, if it isn't the cause of all my pains and sorrows," said Will bitterly at the sight of his ex, leaning against the side of his cell.

"I brought you some food," she said, ignoring his jab.

"Food? Why bother feeding a prisoner who is surely due to be executed shortly?"

Elizabeth sighed. "You won't be executed, Will. I'll make sure you're taken ashore somewhere, I promise. It's more courtesy than you were willing to extend to Jack."

"And why did he deserve such a courtesy?"

She had come down below deck not really knowing what to expect. But suddenly she knew any sort of civil conversation would be impossible. "Under such circumstances here, why do you? Jack is willing to let you keep your life, and it seems that just for once, he's a better man than you." With that cutting note, she turned to walk away.

A voice so pained, so broken it sent chills down her spine followed her. "Why don't you love me anymore, Elizabeth Swann? What did I do?"

Not daring to turn around to look in those earnest eyes, she simply shook her head. "You didn't do anything, Will Turner. You'll just have to forget about me."

"How?" he called as she walked up the steps. "How can I forget the woman I've loved since I first laid eyes on her?"

Elizabeth gave him no answer, only kept walking. Once up on deck, she soon found herself face to face with Jack. "Promise me you will take him ashore somewhere," she blurted out, guilt piled heavy on her heart.

"Well, I did give me word not to kill him, which seems to leave that as the only option available…"

"Good," she nodded, feeling more relieved. "Just how did you manage to take Will hostage? I was afraid they were going to hang you by the main sail, when they came to take you away."

Jack shrugged his shoulders and smirked his signature way, a gesture she found infuriating and intoxicating at the same time. How could anyone resist getting caught up in the legend of Captain Jack Sparrow when given the chance? "Easy, love. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."

She huffed, annoyed he wouldn't give her a straight answer, and made to walk away. But Jack wasn't done with her yet, and grasped her upper arm lightly. " 'Old on a minute." The simple touch made her catch her breath in her throat; the longer she found herself around Jack, the more she found herself craving his touch, his presence. She always found it an accomplishment on her part when she managed to walk away from him. It was an exercise in independence for her, her way of proving to herself she didn't need him. This time, it didn't seem Jack would make that easy for her.

So, rising to the challenge, she turned to face him, their bodies only inches apart. "Yes, Captain Sparrow?" she asked, craning her neck inquiringly. Jack caught himself watching her lips longingly, and quickly turned his gaze back up to her eyes.

"A bit of my property seems to still be in your possession. I was wonderin' if I might 'ave me compass back."

Elizabeth smiled smugly, determined to keep the situation under her control. "Why Jack, you haven't yet persuaded me to give it back."

Well aware of the game she played, Jack lifted his hand to caress her cheek lightly, enjoying the smooth texture of her skin under his fingers. "Then allow me to persuade you," he said, ducking down to steal a kiss as his other hand slid across her torso, feeling for the compass in the inner pockets of her vest. Privy to his game, Elizabeth stepped back from the pirate, and attempted to slap him for liberty taken about her person, never mind how much she secretly enjoyed it.

Expecting such a reaction, Jack was ready, and caught her hand before it could contact his cheek. Using it for leverage, he pulled her back to him, craving her lips at least one last time before she stormed off. But leaning down, he found himself caught in those beautiful eyes, unable to go farther. Elizabeth's heart pounded in her chest, her body craving to close the distance between them, her mind begging to save some sort of face.

Caught in the spell his closeness cast, his scent and his warmth, his dark eyes that read so much more than he let on, it took a few moments for her to realize he'd released her wrist. Slowly, Elizabeth stepped away, and retreated to a different part of the ship. Jack watched her go, feeling a longing ache in his chest similar to the sensation he usually felt at the sight of gold, but not exactly. This was more intense, brimming on the edge of physical pain. What vexes a man indeed.

Taking a deep breath, Jack flexed his hands closed and open, regaining some of the composure Ms. Swann seemed to so easily be able to strip away. He soon realized most of the crew nearby had stopped whatever their duty of the moment to watch he and Elizabeth. "What are you looking at?" he barked, annoyed. "Back to work."

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