Fic: The War Within

Rating: M
Characters: Elizabeth/Jack Elizabeth/Will
Chapter Title: Beat About the Bush
Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean. Disney does, no money being made off this.
Summary: Captain Elizabeth Swann, Pirate Lord and King. Captain Jack Sparrow, Pirate Lord, lecherous pirate, son of the Keeper of the Code. What will happen on the eve of battle. JE. Reviews welcome.

Author note: Thank you for all those great reviews. I really appreciate all the feedback I have received thus far!

"Oopsie daisy mate."

Barbossa fell back into the doorway of his cabin as someone stumbled into him. He growled, furious, as he struggled to right himself, and his hat that had fallen forward on his head, obscuring his sight momentarily. He would kill whatever man had stepped into his path!

Barbossa saw what or rather whom, got in his way.

"Jack." Barbossa drawled as he righted his hat. He eyed the piece of eight hanging over Jack's bandana. Jack's hat too had fallen in the scuffle. Barbossa watched as the piece of eight swung enticingly on Jack's head. He wanted that piece!

As Jack stooped to pick up his hat from where it fell, Barbossa noted that Jack watched him warily. Jack put his hat back on, adjusted it carefully before he went to move past.

Barbossa's voice stopped him in mid-stride.

"Jack - I was wondering when we were going to have some time alone."

Barbossa meant to sound pleasant, but his tone came out wheedling. Barbossa had been trying to get Jack alone for hours now. 'It seemed the fates were kind to him after all,' he thought to himself.

Jack's stance was one of careless disregard. It irritated Barbossa.

Jack's eyebrow rose. His hands hitched on the pockets of his jacket. "I didn't know you cared mate. But I have to say that after all that time in the Locker. I prefer me own company. Sorry mate."

Jack's maddening smile caused Barbossa's eye to twitch in irritation. "Jack..."

"I know. It's hard to turn away from me fine company and charm." Jack's eyes belied to joviality he tried to portray.

Barbossa pushed his face closer to Jack, effectively trapping Jack against the wood. "When are you going to relinquish that piece of eight Jack?"

"How about," Jack squeaked. Jack frowned and coughed. He coughed again and this time when Jack spoke, his voice lower. "When the time is right?"

Barbossa's head tilted and unbeknownst to him, a mad grin came upon his face. "And when would that be Jack?"

Jack spoke quickly, his words rushed, ""Right now – it wouldn't be now. Not when it's the only thing that stops things that are hazardous to me health. As to when exactly - not likely anytime soon."

"Jack…" Barbossa's tone held a warning note. Hector Barbossa leaned into Jack. "Too long have I been denied; for too long have I suffered under the guise of following someone else's wants. Too long was I undead, unable to feel, unable to enjoy the pleasures in life. I want my life Jack. When I finally raised the curse, you murdered me."

"Now murder is such a harsh word…" Jack's tone was placating as he eased out from Barbossa. He took a few steps back from Barbossa, keeping a healthy distance from the older pirate.

"You shot me Jack." Barbossa's tone was cutting.

Jack shot back, "Yeah well you stole my ship! And you left me on that ruddy island." Jack paused for a moment then made a stabbing motion with his finger toward Barbossa. "Twice! Second time with her ladykins that is now our illustrious pirate King. I think if we are to compare who did what to whom, I still come off worse than you."

"Give it to me," demanded Barbossa, moving closer to Jack again.

"No!"

"Yes Jack."

"No, it's mine!" Jack's tone sounded like a petulant child. Jack flinched as Barbossa glared at him ferociously. "Wait!" His lips pursed as if in thought.

Barbossa sighed and leaned back against the doorframe, waiting for Jack.

Jack turned, paced for a moment then quickly spun to face Barbossa. Barbossa rolled his eyes and waited. Jack lifted on finger commandingly.

"Jack if you want to say something, do remember that time is fleeting."

"No, it is fleeting for you because you want to be elsewhere. Now, if you are serious about having this piece of eight that I am currently in possession of and am nigh on wanting to release it – especially to the likes of you – you would want to listen in case there might be a chance that I would be willing to give it up."

Barbossa quickly lifted his head and looked at Jack hard.

"Ah yes, I see you understand my meaning. You see, this seemingly innocent little piece would be a nice addition to the other collectibles you currently have in your possession, am I not right? And if you had this piece and the other one from the lovely Captain Swann, you'd have a complete set, thereby giving you a right royal flush I daresay. So if I was to give you this piece here, you might want to do something with it, something that might be construed as something… stupid. But I am not saying that you would entertain a notion such as releasing Calypso hence I could fully comprehend me giving this piece to you for say accompanying Captain Swann, like-minded creatures as you are, and myself and add a little bolster in front of Beckett. "

Barbossa stopped in puzzlement and thought for a moment. "You want me to come to the sand bar with you and the governor's daughter turned pirate, just so you may perhaps give me the piece of eight?"

"No, you want you to come to the sand bar so that I may perhaps give you the piece of eight that you desperately desire."

"What makes you think I will do it?"

"What makes you think that you won't?"

"But that leaves me with the problem that I am solely reliant on your word Jack and we all know that isn't the most reliable."

"Haven't we discussed this before mate? Of the two of us, only one of us committed mutiny."

"Codswallop Jack!" Barbossa started towards Jack again. Jack carefully stepped away to ensure he was far enough away.

"Do not trifle me with impudence boy! I want that piece of eight and you will give it to me."

"Whatever you say mate." Jack made a fluttering motion with his hands at Barbossa. "Now you need to find Miss Swann and let her know that you'll be accompanying us. Savvy?"

Barbossa glared at him before angrily stalking away.

Jack stood watching as Barbossa strode away. He grinned and mentally did a little jig. It was going according to plan. He turned back to the way he had intended to go.

The smile slid slowly off his face as he turned back to the open door of the captain's cabin. He stood indecisively before striding into the room and closed the door.

As always, reviews welcomed and encouraged…. TJ