Jack sauntered over the window, placing his hand on Will's shoulder and gently pushing him aside. He studied the ship in the harbor, and sighed when he came to the conclusion that it was, indeed, the governor's personal cruise ship. He let out an annoyed sigh. "Come on, Will, let's go have a chat with our favorite governor, shall we?" Will nodded, knowing how important it was that he and Jack be the first to the dock. He pulled on a cloak and gave one to Jack, fastening the buttons for the pirate. Jack grinned and, under the cloak, pulled Will down into the streets, holding onto the blacksmith's hand.
Jack quickened his pace to a run. His heart beat erratically in his chest but he concealed it well. He didn't want Will to know how nervous he was. He squeezed the blacksmith's hand tighter and felt a reassuring squeeze back. He nodded back to Will and they continued to the docks. They ran through the winding streets, narrowly avoiding people and animals, until they wound up at the governor's ship and snuck inside. They heard bits and pieces of a conversation coming from the governor's chamber, and they realized that it was Norrington. Will's face paled and he moved closer to Jack. "Jack, they're talking about us," he whispered, putting his hand on Jack's shoulder. Jack reached back and pulled Will to him. "It's okay, love," he whispered. Then he grinned down at Will. "We'll figure something out, eh?" Will nodded. "Okay, Jack," he said, relaxing in the slightest.
"Well, then…Sparrow and Turner…will they be hung in the morning? Oh…good day to you too, sir."
Will tensed again, and Jack tightened his hold on him. "They're going to hang us, Jack," Will said, completely terrified. Jack squeezed Will's arm before letting go. "Not if I can go anything about it," he murmured into Will's hair, waiting until he heard the commodore leave before he burst into the room. Governor Swann looked up, surprised. "Oh. Jack." He said, his tone sounding disappointed. Will wanted to smack him. How could he sound simply mildly annoyed while he and Jack might die? "Hello, governor," Jack said, giving the governor a false smile. "I'm here to negotiate." Governor Swann looked somewhat amused. "You already have." Jack cocked his eyebrow questioningly. "How? I didn't even speak to you yet." "That plan Mr. Turner came up with," the governor replied, motioning to Will. "I thought it was quite brilliant so I went along with it."
Jack smiled warmly at Will and clapped him on the back. "Ah, that's Mr. Turner for you," he said, his voice amused, and Will blushed. "But," Governor Swann said, his voice holding a warning, "You must abide by the law now. No pirating and the Pearl is indeed in service to the good King and his Fleet. And you shall remain her captain." Jack made a gesture with his hands that looked like he was praying. "Thank you," he said, giving a brief nod. Will snapped to attention and scratched the back of his head. "Ah, thank you, Governor," he said, smiling sheepishly. The governor smiled warmly. "Go ahead and get yourself settled, then," he told the two of them with a dismissive wave of the hand. Jack nodded, needing no further explanation, before he dragged Will out of the room. Once they were a safe distance into the belly of the ship, Jack stroked Will's cheek with his hand gently. "See, love?" he whispered, smiling. "There's nothing to be afraid of. No hanging."
Will relaxed at Jack's words, leaning into the ex-pirate's touch. Jack leaned in close to Will, and kissed him gently. Will gratefully accepted the feel of Jack's lips on his, the comfort that it brought him. Will wrapped his arms around Jack's neck, so absorbed in the other man that he didn't hear the sound of a door bursting open. He didn't even realize there was another person in the room until said person threw them apart, screeching and hitting the both of them. Will was forcefully--and literally--slapped out of his daze. Jack held up his hands, defending himself from the fists and palms raining down on him. "Ouch," he murmured when the person was through with her beating, panting heavily in anger. "Why did you have to hit me so hard, Lizzie?" "You were kissing and touching my husband inappropriately!" Elizabeth hissed, glaring at him. "You threw yourself on him!" Jack flashed Will a sly grin then rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. "Well, he kissed like he enjoyed it," he said simply, grinning even wider when he saw Elizabeth's face turn red with rage.
Whipping around, she turned to face Will. "Will, dear," she began, and for the first time Will saw the fear and sadness masked behind the fury. "Please. Tell him he is wrong. Tell him that it is…it is….it is unthinkable!" Will gave Jack a pleading look, which Elizabeth caught as her heart sank deep within her chest. "Will," she said softly, hugging him. Will made no move to stop her. But he didn't return her embrace. "Tell him it isn't true. That you can't love him. Please." Her voice quivered, and Will looked down, surprised. He saw tears forming in Elizabeth's eyes, and his heart ached. He loved her, still; she was dear to him. Dear, beloved, held close, but now she was beginning to realize that she was no longer desired. He gently wiped a tear from her face, his own eyes misting. "I'm so sorry, Elizabeth," he murmured to her. She said nothing, but cried into his chest. Jack watched the two of them, his expression somber. He knew that this was tearing Will up inside. And he liked Lizzie, too. He didn't want to see her hurt. Well, not very hurt.
After a few moments, Elizabeth pulled away from Will, and he was shocked to see that she was smiling. "Oh," was all she said, a smile still on her face. "I guess I knew this would come to be." Will cocked his head to the side, and Elizabeth gave a small laugh, although it was a sad one. "I do love you, Will," she told him, and he nodded. "I love you too, Elizabeth, it's just that--" "--the nature of the love has changed," Elizabeth finished for him. She sighed. "As I was saying," she began again. "I love you, Will, but I love you enough to not bind you to me by force. Not to be selfish. I love you enough not to be selfish." Will hugged her tightly, gratefully. She turned to face Jack, who was staring at her. She smiled at Jack, and to his surprise, hugged him as well. Unsure of what to do, Jack put his arms around her cautiously. "I still love him," she told him, keeping her voice low. Jack nodded slightly. She looked into Jack's eyes, her own burning with protectiveness. "If you ever hurt him, I will personally see you hang," she whispered. Jack gulped at the threat. "Not to worry, miss," he told Elizabeth proudly, then strode up to Will. He wrapped and arm around the blacksmith's waist.
"I'd honestly rather hang than hurt him, myself," Jack told Elizabeth, so that Will couldn't hear. Elizabeth nodded curtly, trying to keep the smile from reappearing on her face. "Well. Good day, Mister Turner." She started out of the room, then turned back to Jack and winked. "And good day to you too, Mister Sparrow." And with that, she was gone.
--
Well. That was Elizabeth's reaction.
I don't know what I'd do if I was faced with her situation...but, meh, this one is a tad too rushed for me, but I'm at a complete loss on how to fix it. Chapter 10 should be up soon, too, so look for it! Mwee hee hee.