Jack was dreading his return to Port Royal. What if he wasn't in time and poor Elizabeth had passed to the other side. Would they blame him? He reached his hand up to his neck.
The crew was making ready to drop the anchor. They too were a little apprehensive as well; it was not like they were ever welcomed into any town with the exception of Tortuga. Jack again ordered one boat and told them he would be going alone. There was no cover of night, nothing to hide Jack's arrival. As his boat neared the shore, there were a few men that actually came out to help him. Guards ran toward him and he prepared himself for arrest but it never came. Instead the guards urged him to go quickly to the Governor's mansion, Elizabeth was close to death.
Jack ran to the mansion with the guards clearing the way for him. He didn't bother knocking, he flung open the door and went up the stairs in strides of three at a time. When he reached the top, Jess stood by Elizabeth's door tears running down her face. Jack stopped and took his hand and wiped her cheek, "I can't be too late?"
"No, but she's so close and we gave up hope."
Jack hurried into Elizabeth's room where he found the doctor hovering over Elizabeth. Jack hurried past Norrington and the Governor and then proceeded to push the doctor away. He opened the vile Tia had given him, lifted Elizabeth's head and poured its contents into Elizabeth's mouth. Elizabeth swallowed the liquid just as she had the poison. Jack laid her back gently on her pillow. Then they all waited. Jack walked back to the door. "I hurried as fast as I could. I guess we can only wait."
Jess looked at the rough pirate, "thank you Mr. Sparrow, no matter what you did your best. For that I thank you for the bottom of my heart." Without warning Jess through her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek. For the first time in his life, Jack blushed. What is this woman doing to me, he thought.
His time with Jess was interrupted by the Governor. "Where's William?"
"Unfortunately there was a choice that had to be made; young William was forced to stay with Tia. She told him to stay or Elizabeth would die. Will felt he had no other option."
"You left him behind, just what I would expect from a pirate." Norrington said with such sarcasm that even the Governor was surprised.
"Commodore, we mustn't reach hasty conclusions. Mr. Sparrow shall we talk in the library? Jess please watch over Elizabeth and let me know of any change."
Jess nodded her head and walked over to Elizabeth's bed.
The Governor led the way to the library with Jack and Norrington following him. Jack noticed how much the Governor seemed to have aged in the short time he had been gone. He opened the door and offered Jack a seat. As Jack sat down, the Governor walked over to a bottle sitting on the desk. He poured three glasses, "I think we're going to all need these."