Chapter 1: Dreaming of you
The soft sound of pattering raindrops filled the small hotel room. Little light filtered in through the windows as a result of the storm, lending a rather shadowed appearance to the room. Elizabeth stood before a full length mirror that dominated the whole of the hallway wall. She gazed at her own visage, lost to the outside world over thoughts and memories of Jack.
Learning that Will had found Jack had proved to be far more startling to her psyche than she could have ever imagined. No matter how she had yearned to find him, finally doing so was terribly terrifying she learned. What would he think when he saw her, recognized her? What would she do? A multitude of thoughts revolving around Jack, and her plan to seek him out that very night flitted through her brain ceaselessly. In fact, Elizabeth was starting to feel quite woozy. Sighing heavily, she broke her reverie, woodenly stumbling over to the large bed occupying the room. Collapsing upon it, she was asleep almost instantaneously.
Icy coldness enveloped her frame, oxygen leaving her in a gush of tiny glittering bubbles, it felt as if something was constricting around her chest….as if she was bound once again in that ever fateful corset. Her amber eyes shot open, she was underwater, rapidly sinking in fact. Struggling to maintain composure, she seized all too familiar heavily adorned skirts. Managing to pull of said offending skirts, she began rising to the surface, relief flooding through her veins. Just as she neared the promising glow of light, a hand closed itself around her ankle, jolting her down towards the depths.
Elizabeth gasped, sending briny water down her throat. She looked down; trying to ascertain what exactly was gripping onto her ankle. Shock jolted through her system when she realized that it was Jack, looking practically lifeless and clinging onto her. Lifting her leg, she managed to pull him up in the water. Now holding him tightly against her own body, she desperately tried to rise to the surface again. Finally breaking above the water, she coughed up water, gulping for air. Jack's eyes were closed, his face pale, his body only remaining afloat because of her grip on him. Elizabeth looked up from her appraisal of Jack, at last noticing that they were floating in the middle of the ocean, turquoise water stretching out as far as the eye could see. Panic began setting in, unsure of how to react to such a situation, Elizabeth started to frantically call Jack's name. There was nothing else she could do; otherwise her fragile will to remain afloat would break.
Suddenly his eyes fluttered, he groaned, and started coughing. At last his eyes opened, the dark depths drawing her in. "Lizzie?" he said weakly, one beringed hand tentatively touching her face. Relieved, she responded "Yes, Jack, it's me, what has happened? Where are we?" Ignoring her questions, he continued gazing at her in a peculiar manner, then he muttered "I thought I lost you, so long…..too long….drowning." Following his mutterings, there was suddenly a blinding flash of light. Elizabeth felt herself being torn away from Jack, screaming no, she tried to fight the force that pushed her away.
It was impossible, she felt herself being swirled away, as if enclosed in a maelstrom that was swallowing her whole. Bright lights continued flashing, as she became more and more dizzy and frightened. It stopped as suddenly as it had started, and she was promptly dropped on some sort of soft terrain. Elizabeth cautiously opened her eyes, only to find that she had just woken up from sleeping, and was once again in her hotel room in San Francisco. She groaned, rubbing her aching head, noticing that her clothing was damp with sweat. Climbing out of the large bed, she staggered over to the bathroom, simultaneously taking advil and undressing to shower.
The hot shower eased her aches somewhat, but certainly did not relieve the tension that her nightmare had caused. On top of it all, she was supposed to be getting ready to go out, to go to Jack's bar… and maybe… at last find him. Taking a calming breath, she began rifling through her clothing,
Half an hour later she was ready to go, her honey hair curled around her shoulders, full lips glossy. However, she remained in front of the mirror, her nerves getting the best of her. It had been so long since she had last seen him, she had changed considerably, and she was now a so called modern woman. Closing her eyes, she tried to remember herself, in the past, a time so many years ago. All she could bring up in her mind was the last moment before leaving Jack to the Kraken.
Gazing into his coffee eyes, she still tasted him in her mouth, his musky scent encircled her. Leaning in again, her lips brushed his, lighting a fire down her throat. The sounds of the crew making ready to cast off in the longboat wrenched her away from the temptation of his mouth. Elizabeth looked up quickly, startled by the barrage of her feelings for Jack. She saw amusement shining in his seductive eyes, causing her to firm her resolve. She softly murmured "I'm not sorry," to which he leaned in closer…"pirate" he whispered, the word reverberating around her. Surprised, she backed up, making ready to run off. Just as she was turning away from his imprisoned form, she felt his fingers trail a fire of sensation down her arm….
The sound of her cab honking for her below broke Elizabeth's reverie. She quickly glanced at her reflection once more. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were bright with emotion, but at least her clothes were still intact. She brushed her hand over the blue silk dress, smoothing an imaginary wrinkle. Throwing on a black trenchcoat and grabbing her purse, she quickly ran out to the awaiting cab.
The ride to Brûlez le rhum seemed to take an eternity. Rain was violently lashing against the car, the clouds outside turbulent and gray. Finally they arrived, pulling up in front of a fancy looking building. A large sign rose above the façade, scrolling letters spelling out the name, complete with neon tongues of flame. Elizabeth slowly climbed out of the cab, and after paying her driver, she furtively took stock of the bar in front of her. She quickly entered the bar, smirking slightly at being carded (after all, who really could ever tell that she was far older than 21?).
Her eyes widened once she stepped inside, the bar had been made to look exactly like a Tortuga tavern. She smiled, this definitely was Jack's doing. "Oh!" she exclaimed, remembering that he was most likely somewhere in vicinity. Doing so almost made her plan to appear innocuous fail. Clasping her lips together, Elizabeth scanned the room, searching for anyone that looked familiar. Her eyes fell upon a man who bore a striking resemblance to Gibbs; he appeared to be one of the many bartenders. Intrigued, she stepped forward, after establishing with some disappointment that Jack was nowhere to be seen. Leaning against the wooden bar, she patiently waited for the man to take notice of her. And, once he did, she was rewarded with a double take, followed by a gigantic grin lighting up his jovial face.
Gibbs quickly made his way over to her side of the long bar, finally reaching his destination he grabbed up her hand enveloping it into his own huge hand. "It really is you, by god, Miss Elizabeth, you're really here!" he exclaimed. She affectionately patted his hand, "Yes, it truly is me" she responded. And, with eyes twinkling told him point blank to drop the "Miss" when addressing her.
After catching up with one another for a little while, Elizabeth nervously cleared her throat, casually glancing around the room for any sign of Jack. Noticing her sudden skittishness, Gibbs whispered to her "So, ye be seeking him, do ye lass?" reverting back to his familiar mode of speaking. She smiled up at him, amazed at how nostalgic it was to hear him speaking as such. Gibb's gently smiled back, and turned around to point towards the back door of the bar. "He said he was to be alone, and not to bother him, but I reckon he wouldn't mind being bothered by the likes of you. No more to say, go find him lass."
Even more apprehensive, Elizabeth slowly walked towards the back door. And once at the door, she hesitantly pushed it open a few inches. Peering into the dark wet alleyway, she at last saw him. All her breath left her at the sight before her. He was leaning against the brick wall, rain trickling down his handsome features, hair un-dreaded yet curling around his ears. A leather jacket clung snugly to his muscular chest, a cigarette dangling from his long elegant fingers. He appeared lost in thought, his eyes mostly closed. And, with a start, she noticed just how different he looked without facial hair. Any coherent thoughts shattered at the sight of him looking so beautifully vulnerable.
Creeping through the door, she softly made her way to him. And, without thinking she touched his arm, about to say his name. That is, until she found herself swung around and pressed against the wet brick. The words left her throat, as his dark eyes bore into her. Those remarkable eyes widened, shock registered across his face. He took a step back, mouth slightly agape. "Elizabeth?" he finally managed. Pushing aside her now wet locks, she nodded, and finding her voice said "Hello, Jack." Mentally kicking herself for greeting him so lamely, this was the man who had stolen her heart, centuries ago after all. And all she had to say to him was hello, Jack?
Throwing caution to the wind, she advanced upon him, finally finding him standing stock still in front of her. "So, you got my gift did you?" he murmured. Rolling her eyes at the obviousness of his question, she surprised herself and him by pushing him gently against the wall. "Yes Jack, that's quite obvious, now shut up and let me properly greet you." And with that, she lowered her mouth to his. She felt him gasp against her lips, his frame tensing. She felt his hands push her away, and noticed with regret that his expression was anything but happy.