Disclaimer: I do not own POTC or anything affiliated with it.
A/N: Ok, its been a few days since I posted the first chapter, and since then I have written and rewritten this chapter more times than I ever did anything before in my life. Gawd, it was like pulling teeth trying to get anything out on the page and then I hated everything I wrote. I'm still not satisfied. That is why this is so short. I apologise to anyone who was looking for more, but it just wouldn't come. Think of this chapter as an interlude, if you will. Anyway, if anyone can guess the significance of the ship's name, you get a cookie.
Oedipus and Ophelia
Chapter 2
The golden sun hovered over the hills surrounding the harbour as the Haihu glided into the port. The small crew went about their tasks that would get them safely to the docks, careful to avoid the woman who stood frozen on deck. Elizabeth was looking out at the countryside and beginning to regret taking Jack up on his offer. Rundown buildings and the remnants of a fort were scattered amongst the hills, and there appeared to be little to no human life anywhere. This was not turning into the trip that she'd envisioned.
"This is India?" she asked no one in particular, incredulous of Jack and his navigating skills. She thought perhaps his compass truly was broken this time.
His voice came from behind her. "Bengal, to be more exact." A hand pointed over her shoulder towards the mouth of a river. "Ye keep up that way to get to Calcutta."
She spun around to face him. "Jack! Calcutta is under the East India Company's control. We can't go there. I'm sure that by now all the company will be looking for us. They'll capture and hang us for sure." She buried her face in her hands. "Oh, I knew I was going to regret this, I just knew it." His chuckling made her look up. "I fail to see what you find so funny about this, Captain Sparrow," she said angrily.
He stopped laughing, but the smirk remained. "Don't worry about the Company, love. We're not goin to Calcutta."
"We're not?" She was obviously confused. "Then why have we stopped?"
"Cause we've reached our destination," he said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He turned to the nearest crewmen. "Be ready to set sail on the morning tide. We'll be back by then." He held out his hand to her. "Shall we?"
She crossed her arms and stood her ground. "No, we shall not. I am not leaving this ship until you tell me where exactly it is that we are going."
He sighed. "Fine." Catching her off guard, he pulled her to his chest, turning her so they both faced the same way. His left hand came up and pointed to one of the hills. "Look, see that large house up on the hill. The one that's still in one piece." When she nodded, he continued. "That's where we're goin." She felt his lips dangerously close to her ear and he whispered, "Satisfied?"
She swallowed. "Yes," came her breathless answer.
"Good." He backed away abruptly and she found she missed his warmth. He moved around her and headed down the gangplank without looking back to see if she followed. She stood where he had left her, watching him swagger down the docks, leaving her behind. She couldn't believe he had left her alone with virtual strangers. And all to rummage around in an abandoned town so close to enemy territory. This was not the trip she had expected at all. Where was the famed Indian culture? Where were the people? And why had Jack so keen on being here? She was beginning to think there was more to this trip than her promised leisurely holiday, and she intended to find out what. She grabbed her satchel and ran after him.