Chapter 16

Bait and Tackle

"William we really must be going," Bill called out once again as he handed Jeffery the last of their bags. He sighed in frustration as he watched his son passionately display public affection for his girlfriend, who currently sat upon his lap in the wheelchair. Jack and Anna waited nearby; both appeared indifferent to the scene as if it was just another routine occurrence. Weatherby had flown out earlier that morning. Bill loudly cleared his throat, half tempted to have Jeffery start to honk the car horn. Will was oblivious to his father's little temper tantrum, at the moment his entire focus was on the feel of Elizabeth's mouth against his as his tongue drank in her taste. His hands gripped the chair side rails tightly in fear that if he allowed himself to touch her he wouldn't be able to control himself. Suddenly her warmth was gone, and she chocked back a sob as she stood and smiled warmly down at him.

"You better get going." She practically whispered. Will nodded, his mind still foggy from moments before.

"I love you." He exclaimed as Jeffery and his father came over and helped him into the car.

"I love you too." She replied, trying to put on a strong front. Anna and Jack stood at her side as the black Mercedes pulled out from under the hospital canopy. Once the car was out of sight, Elizabeth broke down on Anna's shoulder. After a few moments she gently pulled away and nodded at Anna who then turned and nodded at Jack. The trio silently made their way to Jack's car. Once Jack dropped Anna and Elizabeth off at her apartment, he glanced at his watch and took out his cell.

"Will mate, catch ya in time?" Will sat in the VIP lounge at the airport and watched through the window as his father talked to the pilot and Jeffery finished packing the private Jet.

"Yeah, how is Elizabeth?"

"I just dropped her and Anna off; she's shaken but will be alright." Will sighed,

"What would I do without you?"

"Keep telling yourself that, now bout more important things. I've got a plan on how to flush out the snake that sent Elizabeth that picture."

"I knew you would... its legal isn't it?" Will questioned with suspicion.

"Course its legal! Double crossing and low down, but legal." Jack pulled up to the football practice field and parked his car.

"Jack, we're boarding the plane call me tonight?"

"Yeah, later mate!" Jack stepped out of the car.

"Later!" Will replied as he hung up the phone. Jack made his way around the field to the defensive bench. Currently offensive was out on the field running drills, while the defense rehydrated. Watching the offense, Jack cringed when he watched the back up quarterback miss his target down field by at least 10 feet and then tripped and fell while trying to call in the huddle.

"Glad to hear Will is on the mend." He stated loudly, "physically that is, mentally he is still a mess." Eric turned around to face Jack,

"What do you mean by that mascot?" Jack ignored him and continued on,

"He and Elizabeth were so close; I can only hope her friend Anna can talk some sense into that thick skull. Without Will, I fear the Pirates will be lost to Davy Jones locker." Eric, stumped at the analogy, was at a loss for words yet another defensive linemen's ears perked at a certain name drop.

"What is going on between Will and Elizabeth?" Jeremy questioned, remaining facing forward with his back towards Jack.

"Lovers quarrel I suppose, don't really know the details, something about a picture…" The bate had been set.

"How on earth did she know bout the picture!" Eric yelled, standing up to face Jack and the rest of the line. He turned towards Jeremy, "I thought that you had the only copy on your camera!" The entire line looked towards Jeremy. Jeremy seemed to ignore them, staring intently out at the field.

"We all made copies of those pictures. Besides, I wasn't the one cheating on my girlfriend." Jack noted Jeremy's demeanor, his shoulders were tense and his statement had moved all the blame onto Will.

"Well, no worries. If anyone can get Will off the hook it's Anna. Give her a week, and dear ole Liz will be back in Will's arms in no time. Liz always listens to her best mate." There were a few moments of silence, and then Jeremy turned to face Jack.

"Who is this Anna girl?" He questioned.

"If you have met Liz then you have met Anna. The pair are practically inseparable, like two peas in a pod. Black wavy hair, body like a goddess. She usually hangs out at the Pearl on Tuesday nights-ladies night, likes the dollar drinks." Jack inwardly cringed at the ending of his monologue, a little too forward. Yet, Jeremy nodded and turned back towards the field. The whistle blew and the defensive line started to gather their stuff and headed out towards the field. Jack smiled and started to walk back towards his car. His trap was set, now he just had to convince his bait to play along. A stop at the flower shop would be necessary, and a bottle of wine wouldn't hurt.


"Jack, I don't get it, why would someone track down Anna at a bar?" Elizabeth popped a piece of cheese into her mouth. Anna grabbed the bag of cheese, and then finished her glass of wine.

"Liz, there're not after me-they would just be using me to get to you… or so they thought." Elizabeth frowned,

"But why?"

"Because dear Lizzie whoever sent you the picture did so with a purpose. They obviously want your relationship with William to end, and it seems they would go as far as try to exploit his situation to do so."

"By situation you mean…" Elizabeth raised any eyebrow at Jack.

"The hotel Lizzie." Jack deadpanned.

"You showed him the picture!" Anna practically choked on a piece of cheese, and quickly took the defense.

"I didn't show him anything."

"Elizabeth there is more than one copy of the picture." Jack explained and took a sip of wine, "That was the prank, it was posted on every seat of the football bus." Anna looked incredulously at Jack, while Elizabeth just looked like she was going to be sick.

"So dyou're saying my boyfriend's arse is now plastered all over campus!" Elizabeth's voice started to quiver. Jack spread his arms and motioned her to calm down,

"Actually not, the moment Will got aboard the bus he soon after collected all pictures."

"You can't be sure of that."

"True, but why would a football player keep a picture where all you literally can see is Will's backside?" Anna chimed in. Jack smiled and pointed at Anna.

"Exactly! Why keep a copy, unless you have a motive to use it against him. This is why the picture that was sent to you had to originate from the original copy itself." Elizabeth nodded, beginning to understand.

"But who on the football team would want to betray Will?" Jack stood up and walked over to the table, topping off his glass of wine.

"Ah the motive is revealed!" He takes a long drink, "It is not dear William they are after." He looks deliberately at Elizabeth.

"Me?" She questioned aloud, "why me?" Anna smiled,

"Why not you? You are smart, beautiful, and off the market. The only way they would stand a chance with you is to get Will out of the way. Don't you think that if they were really after Will this picture would be all over the news by now?" Jack smiled at Anna, and grabbed a few piece of cheese before sitting back down,

"Perfect explanation if I do say so myself." Elizabeth looked over at Anna,

"So in theory tomorrow night a member of the football team is going to show up at the Pearl looking for you, in order to stop you from talking me out of splitting up with Will." Elizabeth skeptically looked at Jack.

"In theory." He replied.

"But at least we will know who sent you the picture!" Anna added, standing and walking over to get her coat.

"If someone shows up!" Elizabeth replied, grabbing the bottle of wine and bag of cheese, placing them back in the fridge.

"No worries, they'll show." Jack added confidently, standing and putting his coat on as well.

"What time should I meet you at the Pearl?" Elizabeth questioned as she opened the door to her apartment.

"Oh no!" Jack replied, letting Anna out the door first, "just leave this to Anna and I, we'll inform you in due time." Elizabeth looked at Anna with disbelief,

"Liz, trust us, everything will work out ok." Anna gave Elizabeth a quick hug and started to walk out to the car with Jack.

"Everything will be ok right? I'm not going to be waiting like a sitting duck for some psychotic maniac to show up at the Pearl?" Jack lightly laughed as he opened up the car door for Anna,

"No worries love, I do not plan to let you out of my sight." He reassured, closing the door behind him.

"How do you expect to do that? If you are seen at the Pearl they will know it is a set up." Jack closed the car door behind him and started the car, leaning over quickly to give Anna a peck on the lips.

"Anna you forget it's me-Jack Sparrow. Everything will go as planned." Anna smiled back at him.

"How could I forget." She replied simply, as she took his hand in hers and they headed back towards her apartment.


Sorry for the long wait! This is more of a filler chapter-but sets up the next quite nicely. Hope you enjoyed it, and thank you for all the reviews! They encourage and inspire me = )