The last two days of the journey passed silently. Will had taken up the oars again on the third day, having slept through most of the second. He had had time to mull things over, and had come to a conclusion. He needed to tell her how he felt. He needed her to know what she was thinking.
As they rowed into the canal, no longer floating on open water, the dark trees met overhead, blocking light from the sun so it appeared dappled through the green leaves. The lights on the shoreline danced through the eerie green that glowed from overhead and from beneath. Elizabeth stared in wonder at the mystical place, wondering what Tia Dalma was like. Sea Witch… The words replayed in her head again, and she came to understand Beckett's earlier implications.
Elizabeth looked at Will, saw his determination not to look at her. She needed him to accept her. She needed him to help her. His eyes flickered over her face and met her gaze. She still looked distant. He cleared his throat, breaking the dull silence that had swept over them. Even the gentle current made no noise. There was no chirping of birds, no rustle of movement. Time around them seemed to have stopped.
"Elizabeth … what I said earlier … I didn't mean it. I –" She looked at him.
"It's all right." She smiled at him then quickly looked away. To feign a smile now hurt, she couldn't bear to see him in pain so she chose not to see him at all. She chose the path of least resistance.
"No, it's not! I can see when you're lying to me, Elizabeth! I for one, understand you." She felt the breath catch in her throat. Was that … Could that have been an apology? His forgiveness?
She looked at him, but he was no longer looking at her.
They reached a small hut, hanging out over the canal as if it were deciding whether or not to fall in. Elizabeth stepped out o the boat and walked into a dimly lit room, grateful for the warmth, and the end of their conversation.
"Miss Elizabeth?" Came a gruff voice from across the room. She looked up, startled to see Joshamee Gibbs looking back at her. She let a smile slip onto her face, then, hearing Will enter, quickly wiped it from her features.
A woman in a tattered dress, wearing many ornamental necklaces swept over to them from a corner of the room, inviting them to sit down. The air was stale with sadness and loss, it appeared as if Jack's death was still fresh in their minds. Will thought the entire affair on the island a distant dream, a passing whimsical memory. Elizabeth seemed to have forgotten it too, the despair overcoming her blank features. She accepted a mug of warm liquid from the woman, and sat, staring into space.
Gibbs spoke again, breaking the silence, raising his mug in a toast. "To Captain Jack Sparrow. Ain't no other like Cap'n Jack."
A/N: Well, that's it. That pretty much brings you back to the end of DMC. It messes up some Will/Elizabeth scenes in AWE… but that's okay. Hope you liked it … it's my favourite fic yet.