A/N: Short chapter, apologies. And the best quote in there isn't mine. :( But I got it from "Howl's Moving Castle"
Disclaimer: Disney owns PotC, and the quote in there. (Can you guess which one it is?) I think I own the Jaw and the "wedding." :)
I froze.
He wants to talk to me. I've had such a fine day and now…! Oh, why does he want to talk to me? Why…?!
"Oh—o-of course," I said, giving him a small smile. He led me to the stern of the Pearl and looked at me worriedly.
"Elizabeth… I just wanted to ask, what have I done?"
I looked up.
"What? Nothing—what do you mean? You haven't done anything—"
"Then why…"
"Will," I said, feeling a twinge of sympathy, "Don't ask me this! I didn't do this on purpose—"
"But this is where you heart truly lies?"
Why do they all ask that question?
I sighed. "It is." It suddenly occurred to me that perhaps I would be asked this question again… No. Jack will never have to ask me this question. Never.
"I apologize for anything that I may have done…"
"Will, no!" I said. "No, it isn't your fault, it isn't anyone's fault… Oh, I don't know!" I shook my head.
"You don't deserve me," I said after a while. "I'm sorry. You don't deserve someone like me. Find someone else. I can't—there's bound to be someone else with a much better heart than mine. There's bound to be someone who's better—"
"You're mistaken," he said quietly. "If you had the wickedest heart on Earth, I would still love you."
"Oh, Will—"
What could I do? I was rather embarrased and overwhelmed by this and the fact that I once thought the same of him. Yet I knew I could never go back.
"A heart's a heavy burden," he whispered. "Perhaps I understand Davy Jones better now."
"Will, no! Don't ever do that!"
"But I've never had to carry mine, really," he continued without paying attention to me, "It's always been yours…"
"You're wasting it on me," I said slowly. "Take it back and give it to someone who will treasure it forever!"
"No," he said simply. "It has always been and will always be yours."
"But don't live like this, in misery, forever—" I stopped—I was the one causing the misery. "Will… I'm so sorry. But it's over. I can't go back. I'm sorry."
He took one last sorrowful look at me and walked away.
"My intuitive knowledge of the female gender tells me that you're troubled."
"Jack, you didn't listen to that entire conversation, did you?" I turned from the stern to see Jack sidling over.
"I did not. I know you're troubled because of my intuitve knowledge of the female gender!"
I sighed heavily. "I just can't decide whether I've done the right thing or not. I can't decide what's right at all."
"Are you saying, luv, that telling me you loved me was a bad choice?"
"Jack...You know that's not what I meant.," I said firmly, staring at the dark waves lapping onto the sides of the Pearl. "And, oh honestly, why can't everyone all just be the same? Like the waves... they don't have to be all unique to be beautiful."
"Because if everyone were just the same," he said in a beguiling voice, moving closer, "there wouldn't be you, luv."
I couldn't help smiling a little as I turned to him.
"So what did dear William want?"
"Since when have you been so curious?"
"That doesn't answer the question."
"Let's leave both of them unanswered," I said.
Jack started humming "A Pirate's Life for Me."
"Will you never stop singing that song?" I asked.
"I will never stop singing that song," said Jack. "A pirate's life for me. You know, I knew you were a pirate from the moment I met you."
"Just because of the medallion?"
"No," whispered Jack, running his fingers through my hair, "because it was you. And it became all too obvious the day the Kracken--"
"Jack, I should never have done that--I'm sorry, I really am."
"It's fine--if you didn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now and I think you'd be married to dear William," he said, continuing to stroke my hair. "I have to say, I was rather impressed by how well your plan worked. Only a pirate would do that. And it was a unique plan... very mesmerizing."
"If we're really going to talk about my kissing techniques--"
"May I...? A safe one?" He lifted my chin, and I subconciously opened my mouth a little, closed my eyes. It was like a dream, alluring and captivating, and when I finally opened my eyes again I was looking directly into his dark brown eyes.
"Safe enough?"
"Too safe."
We stood in silence for a while.
"Where are we headed?" I asked.
"We are going after Merlow's ship, the Silver Wave."
"And when we get there?"
"When we get there we'll be doing a variety of activities that may all be associated with the word 'piracy.'" How does that sound?"
"I'm looking forward to it."