New Horizons

**Special thanks to my new Beta DesiringPirates! Now on with the story!

New Horizons: Chapter 2

Jack awoke, his rum bottle had found its way to the floor but the goofy grin was still plastered across his face. He heard screaming and realized that must have been what woke him so abruptly. It sounded like Lizzie. He went out the door. Her and Will were screaming at each other.

Well this is good. It means I wasn’t dreaming…. and the whelp is
mad. Drinks all around!

"So that’s it then Elizabeth? Your going to stay here and leave me so you can be free?" He was enraged.

"Will, I never meant to hurt you." She was crying but they were more
angry tears than anything. Why couldn’t he just understand?

"Why do I think this is Jack talking and not really you?"

What the bloody hell do I have to do with this?

"Its not about him Will. It’s about me. I don’t want to go back to Port Royal. I don’t want to get married. You wanted all these things; I merely didn’t have courage to tell you before. I do love you Will,
believe me, but I can’t spend my life trapped in that little town after having been to hell and back. I won’t. Jack said we both could stay. You want to leave, then leave but I’m staying." She was hot now; no one in his or her right mind would want to step in her path. The crew dispersed for fear she would stab them if they kept watching.

I love that Lass, just a fireball of energy. Did I just think that? Not out loud I hope.

"Elizabeth, Norrington was right about you. You are nothing more than a pirates wench. I’m leaving. I’m not a bloody pirate. I’m a blacksmith. You want to live that life then go ahead. I’m not staying to watch." He spat venomously. It was one of those things that couldn’t be unsaid and he knew it. But at this point he didn’t care. He’d fought for her,rescued her, forgave her, and she was still leaving him. He just couldn’t give anything more to her. She had sucked the life clean out of him.

CRACK!!

Jack smiled. So that’s what it looks like from this angle. She had smacked him. Enticing the entire crew to cringe, from their hiding spots. She need not say anything for the handprint growing on Will’s cheek spoke volumes. She stormed off to her cabin. Will regained his composure and returned to his.

Port Royal was so close, yet so far.

Jack and the crew went about their usual business, but he did venture a few trips past Lizzie’s cabin to check on her. Never once letting her know about his presence. Each time all he heard was crying and each time it made him feel a little worse.
Lizzie has been crying all day. Bloody Will, blaming me for making Lizzie stay. How stupid is that boy…or does he know something I don’t? With a confused look, Jack found himself walking down to the boys cabin and knocking on the door.

Will opened the door hurriedly and his eyes seemed to be screaming in
rage. "What Jack?"

"Merely dropping by to let you know we will make Port earlier than
expected…"

"Jack, what do you really want?"

"What?" He acted almost as if he had been accused of something.

"I’ve been around you long enough to know if that was it you would have sent Gibbs. What?" He glared at him.

"Well I was kind of wondering what the little scene up on deck was all about this morning? Last I knew I was losing two members of me crew and now its one." He stated with all the arrogance he usually possesed.

"Jack, its not for your concern. I’m sure you had your part in this. But I do need you to do me a favor Jack." His anger seemed to leave his face. Jack just kept looking at him as he spoke, " She is staying. Don’t hurt-" Will stopped, and took a deep breath. "Don't let anything hurt her. Protect her. If she doesn’t want me... I’ll find a way to move on, but I need to know she’ll be watched after." He stated truthfully, hurt he held crept into his eyes.

"Will, despite what you may believe - I don’t know what brought about this change of events and it is not my business. As far as protecting her goes, I will do my best; as I do for my entire crew." He patted the boy on the shoulder and walked back up deck. Why the bloody hell does he think I had something to do with this? Not that I’m not happy about it,but seriously! And hurt her? Stupid eunuch, that is not on my list of things to do to Lizzie. I sure as hell won’t let anyone hurt her.

The next morning the Pearl reached Port Royal. No one had seen a glimpse of Lizzie since her fight with Will. Will tried to say goodbye but she told him to leave through her cabin door stating rather loudly and defiantly: "I have nothing to say to you." Will said his goodbyes to the crew but it seemed as though part of him had been lost at sea.

I guess I’ll go say goodbye to the whelp. After all he did come in useful for sword fights. "Safe voyage, Will. Fine swordsman you are and all." Jack even extended his hand to him.

"Bye, Jack. Remember what I said." His eyes turned deadly serious for a minute and his firm grip of Jacks hand even made the pirate captain
squirm a bit.

"Aye."

Shortly thereafter the remaining crew had turned the ship around and set sail into the Caribbean.

It was nearly the middle of the night before Elizabeth exited her cabin. She found a small package with a note attached outside her door. She picked it up and unrolled the note.

Elizabeth,

If this is what you truly want I cannot object. Know, I will forever
love you and wish that I could be the one to make you realize your
dreams. Remember me. You know how to find me if you change your mind.

Forever yours, Will.

Tears came into her eyes. She opened the small box and found his chain, on it her engagement ring. The same ring she had thrown at him before she had spoken to Jack about staying. She slipped it around her neck and under her shirt. She did love him. She just couldn’t marry him. She had come to realize he was more a brother to her than a potential husband. The passion just wasn’t there with him. She could finally admit that it never had been. She walked to the bow of the ship and threw the letter overboard. "Goodbye Will."

She’s finally surfaced. Wonder how she is. Only one way to find out I suppose... not that I care, or anything...

She hadn’t seen him leave the wheel. She hadn’t even noticed that he had night watch.

"Not having second thoughts are ye?" He stated as he emerged from the
shadows startling her. He couldn’t help but laugh at her jumpiness.
"Easy luv, its merely me onesie."

"Jack," she smiled at him and turned to face him. "I’d never dream of it."

"Good, the crew would be none to happy to be woken to turn the ship
around." He smiled at her, eliciting a chuckle from her. "You know
Lizzie, we don’t have a heading."

"Oh. And why is that?" She looked questionably at him.

"Well, you need to promise me you won't tell me crew this." He looked
down the side of his nose at her as if he was looking around, "But I
figured you may want to pick a port. After all, this is your freedom we are after." He grinned wickedly at her. Damn if that doesn’t get her one step closer to me cabin.

"Jack, are you serious?"

"Can’t lie to you luv."

"Hasn’t stopped you before."

"Ahh, but before was different. Ye weren’t as important to me then, as it were." He grinned at her, and lowered his eyes quickly for fear he was going to be hit again.

"You know, Jack." His ears perked up as she sounded almost playful and his eyes returned to hers "I’ve heard a lot about Singapore."

"Singapore, it is then! Fine place that land it is. I’d almost give up me ship to stay there if it wasn’t so… land like." He was swirling his arms in excitement.

"Oh, Jack. " She laughed hysterically. "One day you’ll actually make
sense when you say things."

"Well come on, luv" he extended his arm to her. "Lets set sail for
Tortuga, we need some supplies for our voy-aaaage." He made himself
sound super dramatic, like only he could.

Ahh, she’s breaking. Down lil Jack, she’s not going to bed us that easily. Dead puppies, dead puppies. Much better. Disgusting, but better. Now to teach her how to sail me ship.

"And this my dear Lizzie will be your first lesson on how to navigate
me Pearl."