Elizabeth is glowing in a way that she hasn't in a very long time when the Flying Dutchman finally comes up alongside the Black Pearl. She wants so very badly to see her daughter that she is tempted to use her powers and simply appear on the other ship the moment she sees it, the way Davy Jones often had. She refrains, though, not wanting to startle anyone (particularly her daughter), and instead waits to board the other ship the way anyone else would.
The way any other living being would. A voice taunts her in her mind, but she refuses to listen to it. Nothing will bring her down this day.
Will is waiting patiently on the deck of the Pearl when she finally arrives. At first they simply stare at eachother, each almost unwilling to believe that the other is really there. Then he comes forward and scoops her up into his arms, twirling her around happily. She is the one to kiss him when he finally sets her down, and it is a wild and passionate kiss that hints at a promise of more later on.
He pushes her away gently after a moment, smiling.
"We are being stared at, you know."
She smiles back and a hint of a blush creeps up her cheeks.
"Yes, of course." Her eyes widen. "Where's Emily? She is with you, isn't she?"
"Yes, of course. Emily?"
Elizabeth turns around as Will calls out the name over her shoulder. She is frozen for a breif moment when she sees the little brown haired girl, half hiding shyly behind the legs of one Captain Jack Sparrow. Jack looks down at her, his eyes dancing with amusement, and nudges her forward. Elizabeth is shocked by the affection in his voice when he speaks to Emily.
"Well, on ye go. She's been all ye've talked about this entire trip, silly girl."
Emily walks up slowly, looking up at Elizabeth. Elizabeth gets down on both knees, sitting in front of the five year old. She reaches out a hand, hesitant and almost too gentle, and brushes the girl's cheek with her fingers, tucking a strand of her long brown hair back behind her little ears.
"Mother?" Emily says, her voice quiet and shy.
"Yes." Elizabeth smiles. "Yes, dear."
Without warning Emily throws her arms around Elizabeth's neck, hugging her tightly. Elizabeth stiffens at first, over come by the most irrational fear that she'll break the little one clinging to her if she so much as touches her again with her scarred and calloused hands.
Motherly instinct soon erases that fear completely and she wraps her arms around Emily, holding her tight.
She is only vaguely aware of Jack's shouting at the crew to get back to whatever they were supposed to be doing. She stands with Emily still in her arms, placing the five year old firmly on the hip that does not have her sword hanging from it, and turns to Will.
Emily seems to look down at what her mother is wearing, running a hand along the sleeve of her tunic.
"Humph. Papa won't let me wear pants. It's always these silly dresses."
Elizabeth raises her eyebrows.
"Oh, well how awful of him." She tries to hide her smile, glancing at Will.
"Well, it's Miss Jade that wants me to wear them."
"Miss..Jade?" Elizabeth's brows furrow now.
Emily nods.
"She's Papa's friend."
"Is she now?" Elizabeth looks to Will again, her eyes narrowing, any trace of amusement disappearing from them. He doesn't blush, which she knows is a good sign with him, but even so…
Jack clears his throat.
"Their cabins next to me own. Why don't ye go and have a talk."
She misses the glare Will sends in Jack's direction.
"A very good idea, Jack." Elizabeth begins heading towards said cabin. "Tell me about Miss Jade, won't you Emily?"
"Well, she always says Papa should make me wear these dresses. She says only pirates and, uhm, 'unci-bil-ized wenches' don't wear them."
Elizabeth doesn't respond for a long moment, just keeps walking, a tight lipped expression placed upon her face. When they reach the small cabin Emily and Will stay in, Elizabeth sets her down.
"Mother? Are you ok?"
"Yes, dear, I am fine." She takes a deep breath and glances at Will when he comes up alongside her. "So, I gather you don't much care for Miss Jade?"
Emily shakes her head energetically.
"No! She's mean and she complains too much! I wish she'd leave me alone!"
"Emily!" Will exclaims. Elizabeth sighs.
"My goddess, I'm almost sorry I asked."
"She's only five years old. It's not half as bad as it sounds, I promise. It's only because she knows Jade is not her mother. If you were to tell her the same things, I'm sure she wouldn't complain quite so much." Will is sitting calmly on his bed while Elizabeth stands before him, her arms crossed.
"And what makes you think I would tell her such things?"
"Well, I just mean… things are very different… you're out at sea, you can't be expected to…" He attempts to explain, and finally gives up, his shoulders slumping. "And here I was so sure nothing could go wrong."
She takes a breath and relaxes, if only slightly.
"I know things are different, but I don't think I like this woman being around my daughter if she's going to tell her such things."
"Jade has been very helpful to me, Elizabeth. I had no idea how to take care of a child, much less a girl, and Emily's so much like you. She wants to be just like you. I worry about her and I don't know what I would do without Jade there to help me teach her what's right for a girl."
"What's right…for a girl?" Elizabeth questions.
"I'm sure I didn't mean it the way your about to take it." He says, weary.
She is about to say something in return, but hesitates. She has been here for two hours already now, and does not wish to push her luck when it comes to taking breaks from her duties.
"I'm sorry. I'm afraid being away from you is starting to get to me. I can't help but to think about what could happen and I…"
He is standing now and cuts her off with a kiss that should leave little room for doubt of where his heart still lies.
And, for a short while, while they are alone in that small cabin, together as husband and wife again, all doubts are washed away.
If only for a while.