Suddenly The Best Of Friends

All through breakfast, Lizzy and Norrington chatted about everything they could possibly think of. Jack sat with elbows resting on his knees and his hands cupping each of his cheeks. What? Suddenly they're best friends? Just my luck.

You should have told Norrington the truth before Elizabeth showed up, Jack! That probably would have solved everything.

You think everything is solved by my admitting things that don't need admitting! Go away! Now!

I can't, Jack. Not until you tell James and Gibbs the truth.

Jack cursed under his breath and stood to his feet. He stretched his arms out and looked at the two friends talking; they were completely oblivious to his actions.

Suddenly, with a loud grunt, Gibbs sat up from his bed in the sand. "I didn't do it! It was me crewmates! Take 'em!"

Jack knelt beside Gibbs. "Relax."

"Oh, Jack. Of course." Gibbs smiled uneasily, laughing at his sudden exclamation. "Horrible dream is all it was."

"I'm sure, mate."

"Jack!" Gibbs whispered, grabbing at Jacks shirt to pull him closer. "Where the bloody hell did he come from?" Gibbs pointed at the smiling Norrington.

Jack rolled his eyes and whispered back. "I have no idea."

"This is an inconvenience."

Jack nodded. "You have no idea!"

XXX

Finally, after what seemed hours, Elizabeth stood to her feet and looked at Jack. Norrington had ventured into the depths of the island and Gibbs had followed him, chatting away about ways they could get off the island, including a few pairs of sea turtles.

"Jack, are you ok?" she asked, walking over to where he sat gazing out at the sea.

"Yes, love." he said, his voice raspy from lack of speaking.

"Well, why are you sitting alone?"

Jack smiled as he looked up at her tanned face. Her hair was a mess and her cheeks were flushed. He sighed. "I thought I should leave you to chat with Norrington."

"In all honesty, Jack, I had no desire to sit with him that long. Although it was nice to be in more civilized company." she giggled.

"Excuse me? Am I not civilized enough for you? Do you not remember how we found your old friend in Tortuga?"

Lizzy grinned and Jack couldn't help but chuckle.

"You remember him covered in mud and other…questionable materials. Drunk as can be, he was. Vomiting on my ship as soon as we set sail. Not to mention all over the dock." Jack shook his head at the memory.

"Very true." Lizzy admitted.

Jack stood to his feet. "Plus, you have to admit, you love how… uncivilized I can be." he grinned mischievously as he grabbed hold of her waist and dragged her closer to him. She blushed floridly.

"Jack!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing!?"

He leaned his head closer to hers and kissed her cheek gently. "I love you."

She grinned, blushing even brighter. "I love you too."

Jack moved his lips to hers and kissed her passionately. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he held her tighter. Jack's heart drummed in his chest louder than it ever had before as he moved his hand up Elizabeth's spine and found her abundant hair. He trailed his fingers up her neck and then touched his rough palm to her cheek. Suddenly, he heard voices.

"… I don't know Mr. Gibbs. If there's a way off this island, I don't believe that Jack would tell us." Norrington's voice explained.

Jack's lips left Lizzy's instantly. "Bugger." he whispered.

"Jack, please. Just let them know."

Yeah, Jack. Let them know!

"No!" he said to both Elizabeth and his mind. "I will not. They would never understand!"

"Jack, please?"

"No!" Jack said, his voice growing louder with irritable impatience. He dropped his hand from Elizabeth's waist but left his other hand on her cheek for just a few short seconds. He loved the smoothness of her skin. So delicate. he mused.

"James, I'm sure if we asked, he'd tell us." said Gibbs as they grew closer. Jack let his arm relax and fall, removing his hand from Lizzy's face.

He sighed. "Not yet, love."

Lizzy groaned.

"I don't believe so, Mr. Gibbs."

Then the two men came into view and Gibbs smiled cheerfully. "Well, Jack. We were wondering….well, do you have a plan to get us off this island?"

Jack shook his head with a frown. "No, not particularly…why?"

"Well, we won't survive for long." Norrington explained.

"Let me tell you something, James. Davy Jones is after me, do you really think that leaving this island would be the best thing for us?"

Everyone looked at Norrington, waiting for his answer. "Well, his goons will for sure come along soon and search every island when they realize that you survived."

"If they find out I'm alive." Jack chuckled.

"You're not going to beat Jones, Jack. You should know better than that!" Gibbs said.

Elizabeth nodded. "Jack, we can't stay here."

Jack laughed. "Please, stop all this now! We're staying here, and when I think of a plan, I will let you in on it. Now shut it, all of you!" he shouted.

Everyone stared at Jack, dumbfounded.

Jack, they're right, you can't stay.

Don't you dare start telling me I should give myself over to Jones! I won't.

After a long, awkward silence, Elizabeth turned to James with a deep frown set into her face. She asked, "Would you take a walk along the beach with me, James?"

"Uh…Sure." he replied, his face full of confusion at the sudden question.

Jack watched as they walked away. Once, he saw Lizzy look back at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

I'm an idiot! he thought.

Are you just figuring that out?

I suppose so. Now they're the best of friends and I'm losing her already.