Chapter 7 - Footprints

Elizabeth woke up to Jack talking in his sleep. He had been doing this for a week and she was worried about him. The pirate captain had lost a significant amount of weight and from his now frequent nightmares he was losing sleep. It had snowed non stop during the night and some of it had found its way into the small space.

Jack was shaking now and have it be from the cold or something in his dream Elizabeth wasn't sure. Moving closer to him Elizabeth cuddled to his side, each using the other for warmth.

"Look lively you dogs! Dock over there."

A ship flying the flag of the Jolly Roger landed on the island that now in the daylight glittered with snow.

"Captain."

The ships captain, a 'P' on her wrist looked to her first mate.

"The men are cold and complaining, can we go out into warmer waters again instead of freezing are men regions off."

"We are here for a reason Mr. Crenshaw. Now get back to work." She said and heard a faint 'aye' from her first mate. Ash had informed her of what this island held and she was very eager to find him. When her ship, Resolution, decked on the frozen land she ordered her men out and went herself out into the wilderness.

Something was tickling his nose. Opening one eye Jack saw thin strings in his face. Upon further inspection he saw that it was hair, belonging to the fair Miss Swann, whose head rested on his chest, right over his heart. She looked so young when she slept, her lips parted when she breathed, her expression soft. Innocent. That's the word he would use.

Smiling softly at the sight he smoothed the hair from his face and hers and his heart, or what was left of it, went out to her. And that was scaring him. He stared at the ceiling and thought. Jack Sparrow was a pirate, not a good man, no matter how much Elizabeth wanted to think so. He was a crook and scallywag, he was sure the young woman on his left was very aware of. She made him think of what it would be like if he was a good man. Not necessarily want to be one, but make him think.

Elizabeth shifted in her sleep, he knee coming in contact with his thigh, close to a very sensitive spot. Jack decided his musings were over.

"Lizzy love. Wake up please." He said softly. When he got no response he shook her slightly. When that failed to work he moved out from under her and threw some of the snow that had found its way in, onto her head.

Elizabeth woke up freezing, and after seeing the snow around her and feeling it on her head she knew why. Jack was sitting across from her, looking anywhere but at her. In her moment of happiness to see him up and awake she forgot to be angry.

"Jack!" She shrieked, startling him.

He was surprised when two small arms wrapped around his neck, and even more surprised that it hurt.

"Easy love, your dear old Jack is feeling a little fragile." He said and put his hands softly on her arms.

Elizabeth looked worried and upset that she had hurt him. "I'm sorry Jack; do you want me to look at it?"

His eyes rose at her comment and a small grin appeared on his face. "If you would like, just let me take off my shirt so you can…"

"Never mind." She said and wrapped her arms around herself. "It's so cold."

He hated to see her like that, helpless. He took some of the berries she had found earlier the day before and put one in his mouth before giving her some. Then a thought flew through his mind.

"Elizabeth?"

She looked up at him, chewing on a berry.

"Where did these berries come from?"

She swallowed and looked him in the eye. "I told you. I found them in the same place I found them the first day we got out. There were growing on some vines." Her voice got quiet as she talked.

"It's winter." Jack said and Elizabeth put the berries in front of her. She quickly moved away as if they were going to explode.

Both said nothing for a few moments until Jack sighed. "Well, they haven't killed us yet."

"What if there is someone else here? What if they can help us?" Elizabeth asked, getting excited. "We can get off this island!"

Jack nodded though not getting as enthusiastic as his companion.

"Come on Jack lets go see!" She said and opened the small makeshift door and stepped in the snow, bare feet and all.

"Elizabeth you'll catch a cold love." Jack said shivering from the drop in temperature.

"I would rather die off of this island."

With much reluctance, Jack started to follow her out into the snow.

"Captain!"

There was rustling a few feet away from the young deckhand.

"What is it?" She said, coming over.

"Footprints, bare ones I assume. Perhaps there is some sort of savages around."

She inspected the prints intently then called for any crew member that was in distance of her voice. Four men crowded around her. "You two go that way." She said pointing in the direction of the way the prints were coming. "You three with me." She said and they started to follow the footprints.

"We could be walking into a trap captain." The same young man said. "This is dangerous."

"The life of a pirate is always dangerous, you get used to it." Suddenly the tracks stopped when she reached a section where the snow was scarcely on the ground. Turning right and walking on the other side of a hill she saw him. Captain Jack Sparrow.

"Jack I can't go anymore lets rest." She said, her toes red from the snow. Jack nodded and went to her wrapping her in his arms.

"No worries love. We'll get out of here. In just a few more paces that way, I think we'll reach the shore." He said, pointing in a general area. Elizabeth nodded though didn't really believe him and snuggled to his chest.

They sat that way until Jack heard something behind him. Turning his head and reaching for the sword he no longer had, he saw her. She was as beautiful as the last time he was with her, in his dream the night before.

Elizabeth turned also and saw the captain of the Resolution.

"Julien."

Jack's one word made Elizabeth wonder, and not for the first time, who this woman was, for she was the one haunting her captain's dreams.

TBC