Chapter 3- Forgive me!

Alright! New chapter. Hope you like! This one took me a while because I'm trying to decide how I want the ending to go. Should have the next chapter up next weekend most likely. R&R! Enjoy!

"Time to be honest. This time I'm pleading. Please don't dwell on it, cause I didn't mean it." –Nickelback

"If you could learn to forgive me, then I could learn to feel…" –Staind

Frustration kept Elizabeth awake that night and having no other alternative, she headed for the captain's cabin. Why she'd crawl into his bed naked as the day she was born if it would help him forgive her. That's how desperate she was for his company. Not that I'd really do that…I don't think...

However, her resolve was steadily leaking away when she made it just outside his cabin door. Cotton had watched her progress from the helm. She'd felt his eyes upon her silhouette the moment she'd walked on deck. It made her uneasy. Sighing, she made a move to step away from the door, but before she could do so, it swung open and she found herself inside the cabin and against a warm body before she could even reach for her sword.

Jack frowned and broke away, realizing who it was. "What are you doing outside my cabin? It's grounds for mutiny, your highness."

"I've already told you, I must speak with you."

"Like I told you before, you've said enough."

"Why did you invite me aboard then?"

"Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer. Now leave."

"I won't take no for an answer this time, Jack."

He grimaced. "Then what do you bloody want from me?"

Elizabeth went to the window and stared out into the darkening waters. "You are a pirate lord and a powerful ally. A king must be at least civil with each and every one of her court. You are no exception."

Jack snorted, coming to rest his bottom against the edge of a table. His eyes appraised the woman before him. Her body was no longer garbed in Singaporean armor. Instead, she wore tight-fitting trousers, a rather provocative blouse, and a form-fitting vest; her effects were proportional with everything else, her muscles were now well sculpted, her body a little curvier than he remembered, and her long tresses flowed down her back in golden waves. In short, she was more beautiful than ever before. His entire body ached to merely touch her. Jack rolled his eyes at his own weakness. "Is that all you think of me? A pity. I would say we're already civil."

She stared at the window. "We're more than that, and you know it."

"Were. Before you left me for dead."

"You know it was the only way."

"You know there was no need for that kiss. I'm sure you could have come up with something…less compromising for your honor."

Her back stiffened. She had hoped he wouldn't have even brought that bit up. This was a very touchy subject for Elizabeth at the present. It was not in her best interests to explain why she did it. The kiss itself had been more passionate than any of the kisses Will had given her, as she had known it would be. There was something about Jack Sparrow that sent her insides into a turmoil of molten hot, burning flames, something Will had never succeeded with. So really, she did have to kiss him, wanted it, needed it, ached for it. Her weakness for the notorious pirate was unfathomable, and perhaps this was what angered her the most. Choosing her words carefully, she replied. "That is not what I came here to talk about."

"Then what, pray tell, did you come here to talk about, dearie?" He leered.

"I've told you. A king needs to be civil with her court."

"And we've already established that we are civil. Furthermore, I think it's time you left my cabin."

"I wasn't finished."

He waited in silence.

"However, as you have rescued me countless times and are the closest tie I've got to my past, I wish to be more than just civil once again. I want your forgiveness and friendship, Jack. I need a comrade and I just so happen to be on your ship."

He studied her carefully. "What makes you think you deserve my forgiveness, much less my friendship, your highness?"

"I don't deserve it."

"Then why in the bollocks would I give it to you, if you don't deserve it?"

She stared at her feet. "Because I am your king."

"Only because I made it so, Captain Swann. That isn't a relevant answer."

"And because you're a good man."

"If you believed that, love, you wouldn't have chained me to my ship."

Elizabeth turned back to the window, gritting her teeth. Her emotions were in turmoil as she tried to stay calm in his presence. If she looked at him she knew she'd either cry or throw something at the infuriating man. "Why did you come to Port Royal after Will rescued you from the noose?"

"That was a circumstance that had nothing whatsoever to do with you."

"Then what did it have to do with?"

"Nothing you need to worry about. Now tell me, why is my forgiveness so important to the pirate king? Can't you bother someone else?"

"No I cannot bother someone else. You are the only one who will not speak with me." Elizabeth replied.

"Did it ever occur to you why I do not speak with you, your majesty?"

Elizabeth was beginning to get annoyed with his persistence in addressing her title rather than her name. "You keep asking me this. No it has not occurred to me why you are being so juvenile because you will not tell me!"

"I shouldn't have to tell you, Captain Swann. A good pirate king should know their subjects better than that."

She turned and sneered at him. "You're despicable."

"Sticks and stones, luv. We've already had that conversation. However, I am not the despicable one in this instance..." He replied, stepping forward a few steps.

"Oh, I'm despicable?"

"You used me to save the whelp!"

"Do not speak of Will in that bloody manner!"

"Language, Miss Swann!"

"You can take your bloody language and shove it up your incompetent stubborn ass! All I want is your damned forgiveness! What do you want me to do? Get down on bended knee and beg?"

"No, I want you to leave."

"Not until I've gained your forgiveness! Is that really too much for you?

He sighed. "Yes. Yes. You've broken my trust, just as everyone always does. Everyone always walks on ol' Jack!Oh let's kiss him and chain him to the mast of his own ship because he can't be trusted! Oh, let's kill him over a heart! Oh let's hang him even though he rescued the governor's daughter! Oh let's make him sell slaves, burn his ship, oh and when he gets his ship back LET'S BEAT HIM UNTIL HE SCREAMS and then, just for grins, maroon him on a BLOODY deserted ISLAND. Everyone HATES Captain Jack Sparrow! We'll get away with it. He's a stupid drunken FOOL!"

Elizabeth stared in shock at his outburst. "Oh Jack…"

"Don't you, 'Oh Jack' me! Don't you dare! I don't need your pity! I don't need your false pretenses that you call affection! Jack Sparrow can't trust a soul. There will be no forgiveness tonight, Miss Swann. Now. Get. OUT!"

She'd never seen Jack like this. They were finally getting somewhere however. If given a choice between his silence and his yelling, she'd take the yelling any day. "Jack…"

"GET OUT!" He yelled unsheathing his sword.

Elizabeth's eyes widened and for a moment she considered fleeing, but he wouldn't have the guts to kill her. "NO."

"Don't tempt me, Miss Swann." He threatened, his voice softer than before.

"Forgive me and I won't."

"Not a chance."

"Then I suppose I shall have to tempt you." She replied, unsheathing her own sword and making the first move.

He parried and retaliated, something dark flashing in his eyes that almost frightened her. She blocked and made another thrust. After a few moments of this, Elizabeth sighed. "Come on Jack. We're going to be at this forever. Will taught me everything he knew."

"Ah, but I play nastier."

He made a move to strike swifter than she'd expected, and her eyes widened at the realization that he was going to win this. However, before he could, the ship lurched roughly, sending Jack's sword flying across the room and Elizabeth forward into his arms. He grunted as her sword sliced the skin of his arm and her whole body collided solidly with his sending them both to the floor.