So… whatcha think? Did you like the first chapter? I hope so, if not keep reading things are just getting starting. I know Jack isn't exactly in character but I'm all for the Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann couple. Don't get me wrong Will and Elizabeth are great together and the movie would have seem a bit odd if they hadn't ended up together. But since we're exercising the "fiction" part of "fan fiction" I can alter the tale to my liking. And hopefully your liking… grab the licorice ropes and enjoy…
Disclaimer: Do not own POTC… but that's painfully obvious.
Chapter Two: Locked Away
"Come 'ere poppet, we don't bite!" Elizabeth's face twisted in disgust as she looked upon the dirty criminals enticing her to the bars of the cell. Did they not have any shame? Elizabeth kept her eyes on the folds and ruffles of her wedding dress. She wanted to be married so bad, but it would have to wait until this latest problem was gone.
Sighing she glanced up through the steel bars and looked upon the outside world she was already missing. The moon hung high in the dark, velvety sky, the stars clustered across its smooth surface. She could just barley make out the soft lapping of the ocean tapping against the ships and washing the shores. Her eyes closed and she breathed in a deep breath of cool, salty air. The sharp salty scent left a bitter taste in the back of her throat but it snapped her out of her revere, that smell, that taste, it reminded her of… Jack. Elizabeth cursed herself for thinking of another man with such comfort and wish when Will was out risking his life for her. She hoped he was on his way home with the compass and Jack. She really wouldn't mind seeing Jack; he always managed to cheer her up. But was it wrong to think about or hope to see another man other than Will? It shouldn't be, but the way she felt when she saw Jack or even just allowed his face to flicker across her mind, it always left her feeling guilty, only she wasn't sure why. When he's near, her heart starts beating faster and she feels lightheaded, as if Jack's very presence steals the air from her lungs. She didn't want to trouble herself so, as soon as Will returned she would marry him and all of this, pirates, adventures, … Jack, would all disappear.
When she heard a metallic rattling and saw the door to the room swing open she wasn't she if she felt relieved or dreadfully afraid. Two British soldiers stepped forward producing a metal key and releasing Elizabeth from her prison. Or so she wished, instead they gripped both of Elizabeth's arms, capturing her hands in old, rusty handcuffs. They dragged her out and into the moonlight. She took this opportunity to drink in the scenery and nature that she was homesick for. It surprised her when she found her eyes scanning the docks for a certain ship… but that was absurd, why would he be here? It would be foolish of Jack to be here when it was dangerous he could get caught! Still Elizabeth couldn't help the sudden drop of her heart when she realized he really wasn't there.
The British soldiers led her up a flight of stairs and pushed her into Lord Beckett's office. She inwardly groaned as she saw the man himself sitting leisurely at his desk, a full fire blazing and a condescending smirk marred his face. He ostentatiously began plucking the corner of a stack of papers, keeping his eyes on Elizabeth, taking her in. After a while of Beckett' eyes roving over her body Elizabeth became fidgety and lost her patience.
"Lord Beckett, is there a specific reason for calling me into your office?" She hissed, trying to stay calm, she knew that he only had to utter a word and her life would end. He acted as though he hadn't heard as he slowly sifted through his papers.
"You know, Miss Swann, I have so many documents, for the East Indian Trading Company, for other merchant ships, for the King, but there is one I do not possess." He stood up, clasping his hands behind his back, and strutted over to the wide windows just to the side of his mahogany desk. Elizabeth followed him with her eyes but stayed rooted in her place, she knew nothing good ever came from Beckett, and she didn't want him to bait her.
" A marriage document." His words fell from the air like stones each hitting Elizabeth hard and cold. Marriage? He wasn't asking… she couldn't… if he.
"This predicament you and your fiancée are in isn't easy to get out of. Therefore I'm willing to bargain with you. Will and Jack will both be set free, in return I ask for your hand in marriage." Beckett never played fair; she should have seen this coming. She knew she could never voluntarily marry the man standing in front of her. His outrageous actions and tricks prove that he isn't even a man, but a cruel monster. Time couldn't get her to marry him… but what about Will and Jack? This was her chance to repay them for saving her from Barbasso and for caring for her throughout the adventure they shared. Will could be free to become a pirate or successful blacksmith; all she had to do was live with Beckett. Even Jack wouldn't be on the run, in fear, he would be free to sail the seas. But could she do it? Could she marry this creature standing before her? No, she could feel it in her bones; she thought of that future and only came up with blind fear. She… she couldn't do it. She trusted Will. He was out right now doing everything he could to save her. He'd bring back the compass and all the trouble would melt away, things will be fine.
"No, I don't love you." Elizabeth stared at the smooth wooden floorboards as she heard her own voice; clear and decisive break the long silence.
"No? You may to want rethink that. You see, I've worked hard to get where I am today, to get what I want. Now that I'm here, there's only one thing I want… you. And whether you come willingly or not I will have you. Don't think you can hide behind Will or Jack because they won't be able to save you." Beckett's voice dropped, low and threatening, his eyes hardened.
"Guards, take her back to her cell." He smiled, one filled with pure poison and malice. Elizabeth held her head high and returned Beckett's icy glare before the door shut and she was once again traveling across the dirt path towards her prison. Will please hurry. Jack… where are you…
"Land ho!" A crewman scurried down from the crow's nest. Jack watched as the shores of Port Royal filled the horizon. His heart leapt in something he could only describe as excitement. She was here. He would finally be able to see her again it had been so long. Turning away from his window he headed for the deck, trying in vain to smother his enthusiasm. The cold night air whipped around his face, he watched the bright moon and smiled. Just last night he had felt alone and heart broken, he had looked up at this very moon and wondered if his life would ever get better. Now watching it wheel its way across its black sea he was amazed with the positive turn of events. How things change.
The Pearl slide gracefully into port and the crewmen anchored her. Jack stole away into the night, keeping to the shadows and headed to the familiar prison. He held is breath in absolute trepidation and hope, he didn't think he could bare it if he were too late.
When Jack arrived at the thick door blocking the cells he reached for his sword to jimmy the lock, but heard footfalls and the low conversation of two soldiers. Ducking behind the corner he watched the soldiers, in full uniform, brandishing very menacing muskets donning sharp bayonets. Jack kept his eyes on them and began backing up discreetly to avoid being seen. Unfortunately, he didn't notice the tin bucket behind him and knocked it over, causing a metallic ringing to fill the air.
"Wait! I heard something in the shadows!" The soldiers whipped around and squinted in the dark to find the source of the sound. Jack gulped and took off as the soldiers spotted him, they shouted, alerting other soldiers of the intruder. Jack tumbled through barrels and around buildings he heard shots sound loudly.
The clamor woke Elizabeth from her light, fitful sleep and she bolted into a sitting position, watching intently out her bared window. Soldiers scurried franticly pointing and yelling in different directions. It looked as though they were searching for something. She didn't like the hazy air, produced from the gunshots. Who or what was it that was creating this panic?
A loud rattling and crash came from just above Elizabeth striking fear, and curiosity, in her. But what rounded the corner shocked her. She saw Jack walking comfortably down the spiral staircase, brushing his tattered, stained clothes and straightening his tri-corn hat. The immense happiness and relief upon seeing this figure was surprisingly profound. Elizabeth was taken aback by her sudden, intense, joy.
"It seems ye be in need of help." Jack stated approaching her cell; his old smirk back in place. Jack too had been pleasantly shocked by the gratitude of seeing Elizabeth and knowing she was still alive.
"Aye, and I'm guessing you're the one causing this uproar." Elizabeth replied gesturing to the smoky confusion just outside the prison.
"Someone has to be here to save ye." Jack's smirk slipped into a genuine smile that automatically had Elizabeth smiling back. Jack had always been able to make her feel better, no matter what the circumstance.
"And exactly how do you expect to save me, Mr. Sparrow?" Elizabeth inquired, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms.
"Captain Sparrow, darlin', and you needn't worry, do you not remember who you're speaking to?" Jack grabbed a wooden bench, remembering his own break in that very prison not so long ago, and the words of, at the time, a very helpful whelp.
"It all has to do with leverage, Lizzie." Jack put the bench in place and with a bang the door fell to the ground and Elizabeth stepped out of her cell, free. Jack was grateful as he took her hand and guided her quietly out of the door that he had broken in through. Sneaking through the back roads they reached the docks, where most of the soldiers had migrated.
The Pearl? Where's the Pearl. Jack glanced nervously around as he searched for the Pearl, pulling Elizabeth close anytime a soldier walked by a bit to closely. Then he spotted it, just barely in sight hiding behind the huge cliffs, the Pearl.
"Lizzie, ye can swim?" Jack whispered into her hair, nearly fainting from the delicious scent that wafted from her golden locks. She nodded glancing up at him, and he realized she was anxious. Jack couldn't blame her for being on edge, they were trying to escape soldiers that would love to shoot or lynch a convict anytime, not to mention Beckett wouldn't mind his own form of punishment.
Shivering Jack tugged Elizabeth to him so closely she was completely engulfed in his arms in an embrace. She didn't pull back, she felt very content and safe in his warm arms, they tightened protectively whenever Jack heard or saw something he didn't like.
"Okay, here we go, get ready, luv." Jack slowly slipped from the dock into the ocean turning and holding his arms outstretched, waiting for Elizabeth. Right as Elizabeth was about to lower herself into the icy waters Jack stopped her and motioned for her to take her heavy dress off. Normally Elizabeth would have been embarrassed and angry by this demand, but she remembered a similar dress nearly dragging her to the bottom of the ocean. Jack had been there, that's when he first saved her life. Elizabeth smiled faintly as she recalled Jack's concerned expression as she came to from that incident.
Once she was rid of the dress and in the water Jack grabbed and held onto her hand as they paddled out towards the Pearl. Elizabeth shied into Jack's warmth as they swam, Jack keeping a protective eye on her. Finally making it to the Pearl, the crew gathered around helping Elizabeth and Jack to the deck.
"Cap'n I'm frightfully sorry for leaving ye all on ye own." Gibbs bowed his head in apology.
"No need for that Gibbs, we got what we came for." Jack only had eyes for Elizabeth as she shook the water from her hair and the crew welcomed her aboard. After a minute or two Jack realized that Elizabeth could potentially catch a cold with her wet clothes and felt a sudden urgency to get her into dry ones.
"Come Lizzie, I'm sure you'd be much more comfortable with dry clothes on." With his hand on the small of her back, Jack led Elizabeth to the Captain's quarters. Jack pulled out some of his old clothes and handing them to her.
"Thank you… for everything. You always come at the right time." Elizabeth's voice was soft and warm.
"What can I say, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." Jack smirked, throwing his arms dramatically, earning a giggle from Elizabeth. He pivoted on his heel to leave her to change when she called to him.
"Jack, where will you sleep?" Her voice was smooth and concern. Jack shrugged, trying with every ounce of his being to pretend he couldn't hear her worry.
"Don't worry ye pretty little head about me, luv, I'll stay with the crew. No objections, it's only right to offer the bed to a lady." Jack shook Elizabeth's protests off and gave her a goodnight smile before exiting. The next day would be better than they previously thought, a whole day together, neither could keep the excited butterflies from their stomachs.
The second Chapter has come to a close. And now, after slaving away writing this and enjoying every minute of it, it would now be ye turn to tell me ye thoughts. So don't hold back and let me have it… seriously I want my e-mail box full to the brim when I get back from school. Anyway, happy reading!