A/N: Thanks for the reviews!
Disclaimer: PotC belongs to Disney
"Eternal happiness?"
"Aye."
I was amazed and speechless.
"Lizzie," he whispered. I wrapped my arms around him, ready to hear what he had to say.
"Lizzie, darling--I think the East India Trading Company is trying to track the Silver Wave."
I hadn't been expecting news like this, but nevertheless I said, "And we're with the Silver Wave. Hasn't that bloody Beckett had enough of slaughtering pirates?"
"Apparently not."
"Oh. Well--we'll fight, won't we?"
"Yes, of course. We'll fight and not to run away."
I smiled softly.
"Elizabeth, your father does not know you are alive, and I believe he'll be with Beckett. Am I correct?"
"Yes... and I don't think he would try to save me after I'm truly a pirate now."
After a moment I added, "That's not a problem at all. I'm ready to fight. I'll fight with you, Jack. You know I will."
Jack didn't say anything, but he held me closer and stroked my hair gently.
"Jack, where are we headed now?"
"Merlow is a dishonest man--"
"I thought you were too," I said teasingly.
"--and he'll turn against us. He never keeps any promises. I've learned that well enough."
"So you're planning to kill him?"
"Aye. But I can't figure out how."
"We can't sacrifice anyone."
"We can't. Perhaps the twins can find a way around this."
"Oh, Jack, I highly doubt that."
"You needn't worry, Lizzie. You needn't worry about anything." He lifted my chin with one finger, and I stared into his dark, alluring eyes, hypnotized somehow by the gentle touched of his tanned hands, intoxicated by the feel of his lips on my hair. I closed my eyes a little, my lips parted slightly. I felt our lips touch fervently and I tightened my embrace. I could not tell how long we stood there, locked in passion.
By nightfall we had fell enough behind the Silver Wave to not make Merlow suspicious that we were following him.
"Jack," I said, walking to the bow with him. "How do you think my father will react?"
"He definitely won't be pleased to see you with Jack Sparrow," said a breathless voice behind us.
Jack continued walking, but I stopped and turned quickly.
"Will," I said awkwardly. He swept past me to Jack with a resolute expression.
"What are you doing here, Mr. Turner?"
"What are you doing here?" said Will.
"I'm talking to Elizabeth. Now answer my question."
"I'm retrieving my rightful bride."
"Will!" I said frustratedly, "I'm not something you can fight over!"
"Elizabeth, stay out of this."
"No!"
"Will," said Jack, "I don't think your 'bride' is very keen on being your bride."
"I--I'm not," I said firmly.
Will ignored me pointedly.
"Will, I'm sorry," I said, getting really annoyed now. "Don't do this, please."
"Elizabeth," said Will quietly, turning to me with a desperate expression. "Could you please... give me another chance?"
I opened my mouth dumbly and closed it. What did he just say? Oh, why did he have to come and make me feel so guilty?
"Elizabeth, what have I done wrong?" he asked. "Please. Can we... try again?"
I stood helplessly, shaking my head. The tears were already blurring my vision.
"No, Will," I sobbed, not understanding my emotions and why I was crying. "You don't understand. I can't go back--it's too different--it's a new life now... There's no way I can start that over... No, I'm sorry, Will, it won't work--it won't--"
Will said nothing.
"I can't do this," I whispered.
"We could just try... and I won't ask any more of you if it doesn't work."
I shook my head miserably.
"I'm sorry."
I couldn't bear the disappointment in his eyes.
"Jack," said Will suddenly.
"Eh?"
"How did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"How did you win her heart so easily? I only wondered..."
"Oh, Will!" I sighed.
"Prob'ly the same way you won her heart before. She was curious."
'But... so suddenly. You stole her so suddenly."
"I'm not something you can fight over!" I shouted.
Ignoring me, he continued, "And I feel as if I deserve to take revenge."
Silence.
"I'll apologize beforehand, shall I?"
"Will," I hissed, through a wave of rising panic, "What are you doing? What are you talking about?"
He ignored me still. I watched with bated breath as he pulled out his pistol and pointed it at Jack.
"Will, no!" I screamed. All the pent-up frustration and mixed emotions building up inside me burst. In a few swift movements I ran to Will and grabbed his arm.
"Don't you dare," I said in a low, furious growl. "Don't you dare do anything to Jack!"
Will shook me off and took a step closer to Jack. But he couldn't do anything, because in less than a second I had pulled out my sword and knocked the gun out of Will's hand. He winced as a line of blood appeared on his hand. Then I did something I never would have dreamed of doing. I turned and pointed my sword straight at Will's chest.
"You do a thing to Jack," I whispered. "And I swear I will kill you."
Will looked stunned for a moment, then backed away reluctantly and retrieved his pistol. I sheathed my sword.
"So you really do care about him that much," he said quietly, the bitterneses sharp in his voice. He disappeared below deck and I stood watching the place at the bottom of the stairs.
"Elizabeth," said Jack behind me. I turned to him and walked into his arms.
"You didn't have to do that."
"I did," I whispered shakily. To repay him for what I did to him that day when the Kracken came.
"But it was rather impressive," he added. I smiled faintly.
"Sometimes I think maybe he has a right to kill me for doing such terrible things."
"Elizabeth," said Jack sharply. "Don't ever say that."
I sighed, and for a long time I stood again in his arms under the sails of black.