Chapter 2: Stick It Out

The grey bearded innkeeper gave Jack an odd stare, "you can't pay me enough to give you another bottle of rum," he snapped. He usually didn't question drunken sailors, and when they were too drunk they were uncapable of asking for anything anyway. But this one was different. This one was the son of the keeper of the code, he knew Jackie when he was a little child, coming to pick up his father at odd hours at the pub. Captain Teague could hold his drink, and so could Jack. But today, he didn't look well and if something happened to him he would have Captain Teague Sparrow to answer to. "You're too drunk, son. And that before midday on one of the brightest days this sleepy island has ever experienced!"

Jack opened his eyes wide, or at least as wide as his drunken stupor let him. Who would deny Captain Jack Sparrow a drink any other place? Maybe getting dropped off in Shipwreck Cove wasn't such a bright idea after all. Pirate Lord or not, he was still just a child in some people's eyes. "Me? I don't get drunk easily!" He ceremoniously lifted his coat to sit by the bar, but fell instead, "where did you put that chair?"

"You've had enough, boy," Gordon the innkeeper gestured to one of the workers while rolling his eyes, "go get Teague."

"There's no need," Elizabeth said after having walked in at midday just like every day bringing her eggs in to sell to the inn, "you wouldn't want a father to see his son like this, would you? I'll convince him," she offered.

Gordon raised his eyebrows, unbelieving, "as you wish," he waved nevertheless, deciding to give her a chance. Everybody in town knew the tale about how Jack made their kind and lively Lizzie a Pirate King after all.

Elizabeth stepped next to the bar and stooped down to a seemingly oblivious Jack, only to have to turn her head away immediately. The smell crushed over her like a wave. It was a little bit like she remembered it, but a lot more stronger, a lot more unpleasant. Foul, unhealthy. She contemplated what she should do.

Still not noticing her, Jack tried to stand up and bumped his head into the edge of the bar, which easily sent him down again. That was the first time her figure actually entered his field of vision and he crunched his nose, trying to see more clearly. Funnily, there was somebody looking like Elizabeth in front of him.

"Jack...are you all right?" She looked him over with the most mournful, sad expression he never thought she would show if it was about him.

He held up his arm and said the only sentence he was sure he could muster given the circumstances. He knew all too well it wasn't the drink that tied his guts into a knot this time and it wasn't the drink that made him heart skip several beats either. How could it hurt so much just to look at that lass? "Whoops?" It in fact sounded like a hick up.

"Whoops?" Elizabeth let him fall back against the bar again. "Gordon, do you think you can lend me a horse? There's no other way I could take him home."

"I'll get Sweaty ready for you," Gordon offered, walking out to the back.

Elizabeth took Jack's hat and put it on him, "you'll have to make it out the door though. Can you do that Jack?"

He waved his hands in the air, tracing hers, unable to get a hold of them, "I have to talk to you."

"Up Jack!" She pulled with all her strength, offering those hands he was searching for.

But instead of using her hands to help himself up, he neared his lips to them, "I have to tell you somethin."

Elizabeth plumped herself back down. There was probably no go till he'd done what he was wanting, "yes?"

"I love you, Lizbeth."

She rolled her eyes, "yes, yes, your father loves me too when he's drunk. Must be a family trait. Now let's go."

tbc