While Elizabeth went through Will's things at the smithy, Jack was deep in thought. Jess walked over to him, "Jack."
"Yes, love."
"What were you thinking about, you looked like you were far away from here."
"Well love, I left here just escaping the hangman's noose again. Coming back and being the bearer of bad news – well let's just say Norrington would love to try and hang me a third time."
"Jack, you did everything you could and the Governor will not forget that you brought Elizabeth safely back to him."
"Yes love but did ye forget the leaving without telling him part?"
Jess thought and finally said, "Do you really think either Norrington or Governor Swan would risk hurting Elizabeth any more than she already is? She's in mourning they would not put her through any more. She could not stand to lose you as well and they know that."
"That's a valid point love. I like your thinking."
Elizabeth walked out of Will's room and joined them. "I guess it's time to see father." She opened the door to the smithy and Jess and Jack followed her. She stood at the doorway remembering Will working in this room. She slowly closed the door and started walking to the mansion.
The town's people watched the sad trio make their way toward the mansion. They walked in silence; Elizabeth walked between Jack and Jess carrying the sword Will had made as a wedding present. Elizabeth's heart was beating faster and faster the closer she got – this would be the first time she would have to tell someone that she had lost Will. When they reached the door, she did not even bother knocking. She opened the door only to see her father coming down the stairs. "Elizabeth, my dear Elizabeth you're home!"
Elizabeth ran straight to her father and began sobbing into his chest. He looked up and saw Jack and Jess standing at the door. He gave them a puzzled look and Jack just shook his head slightly. "Elizabeth my dear, please sit down."
"He's gone father. I've lost him."
"Elizabeth I'm sure that…"
"No father, he's dead. I held him in my arms as he took his last breath."
"Oh my poor daughter, I am so sorry. I had no idea." The Governor sent one of the servants to get the doctor to make sure that she was physically alright. He knew the emotional state would take time to get over. He remembered how his heart had broken when Elizabeth's mother had died. He finally convinced Elizabeth to go upstairs to her room and Jess followed her so that she would not be alone. After the doctor had told the Governor that Elizabeth was physically fine, the Governor asked Jack into the study, the very place where they had discussed retrieving Will.
"I must thank you Mr. Sparrow for bring my daughter home to me."
"I must say I was a little nervous about coming back. My neck was starting to feel a wee bit tightness around it."
The Governor smiled at the pirate, "You need not fear the noose. I am giving you a full pardon. You and your men have nothing to fear in Port Royal as long as they behave themselves and don't act like pirates."
Jack was surprised to say the least. He was just hoping not to get hung he did not expect this at all. Jack relaxed enough that he sat down and told the entire story to the Governor. Just before the end of the story, one of the servants knocked on the door and announced they had a visitor. Commodore Norrington practically pushed his way into the room he was followed by two guards. "I had heard that Sparrow was back in town. My guards are ready to arrest him Governor."
"At ease Commodore, Captain Sparrow has received a full pardon. He is free to come and go as he chooses."
"You can close your mouth now, Commodore," Jack said with a smile.
"How could you grant this man, this pirate…"
"Commodore, Elizabeth is home safe and sound. Unfortunately, she comes without Mr. Turner. He did not make it back home," Governor explained.
"I am sorry. While he was not my favorite person, he did love Elizabeth and she him. Is she alright sir," asked Norrington.
"She is in mourning and it will take time for her to recover." Governor Swan handed Jack another drink and poured the Commodore one as well.
"May I go see her sir?"
"I think she would prefer to be left alone at this time. Jess is with her now but I do not believe that she is up for visitors," the Governor said.
"Then I bid you good night sir. Mr. Sparrow please keep in mind that I will continue to watch you just in case you try to go back to your pirate ways."
"Captain Sparrow, Commodore. Captain."
"Yes of course. Good night Governor, Captain." With that, Commodore left the two men alone once again.
"Mr. Sparrow, you can stay here tonight. I'm sure your presence will be a comfort to my daughter."
"Why thank you Governor. Haven't slept in a real bed since….well a very long time."
After checking on Elizabeth and saying goodnight to both Elizabeth and Jess, Jack went to his room. He found the bed almost too comfortable, he thought to himself that he could get used to this. His thoughts turned to the women down the hall. He felt for Elizabeth and how terrible it was that he love had suddenly been torn away from her. He then started to think about Jess, this woman held a place in his heart, what if she had been taking away from him like Will was from Elizabeth. "Oh bugger- I'm in love," he thought to himself, "now how did that happen and what am I to do about it." Jack had never thought about being tied down to one woman and now he was worried about something happening to her. Jack wondered if perhaps he could stay here in Port Royal, have a house, get married, and have children. He wouldn't have to give up the sea completely; this would just be a home to come back to. He got back up out of bed; he needed to talk to Jess and now. He quietly knocked on the door to which the Governor had said Jess would be staying in. After what seemed like a lifetime, the door opened.
"Jack?"
"Yes love you were expecting someone else?"
"No Jack, I just wasn't expecting you here and at this hour."
"Huh? Oh right, it's late. I was thinking that, well not so much thinking as I was wondering…."
"Jack – out with it."
"Right love – I find myself not wanting to be without you. Well not tonight I mean, I mean over all, for a long time so to speak."
Jess looked at the stammering man and smiled, "Are you trying to say that you love me?"
"What? Well, yes in a manner of speaking if you were so inclined to reciprocate the same."
Jess touched his face and leaned in and kissed him. "Yes, Jack. I love you too."
"Well given that fact that we seem to feel the same. I was thinking of how I could give up the pirating and possibly make a home here."
"You would do that for me Jack?"
"I would definitely try me best."
"Jack. I love you for you not for you giving your life up for me. I've learned to love the sea and the Pearl. I have nothing here for me except Elizabeth. After a while she'll want to get on with her life and it maybe too hard for her to stay here. She would want us to be happy and Jack – you would not be happy on dry land for long. I was hoping to leave with you Jack."
Jack listened to her, to this woman who did not ask him to give up his love of the sea. "I do love ye Jess. Good night love." And with that Jack went smiling back to his room. Jess closed her door and leaned against it smiling as well. Then a feeling of guilt fell over her, how could she feel so happy when her best friend was in the room next to her crying for her loss and about planning his funeral.
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