New Horizons

** look for the next chapter after xmas! Hope you all enjoy this one. Merry HO HO


They made port at Tortuga the next day. Jack gave the crew a three day break figuring they may go mad if they had to sail all the way to Singapore immediately. He ordered four crew members to stay on board at all times and had given Gibbs a list of supplies he wanted in addition to what they needed. He figured he’d better not go see any of his previous lady friends on account that to woo Lizzie, he shouldn’t woo anyone; if she knew he was still engaging in said activities. Instead he decided showing Lizzie around would be more fulfilling if he played his charm just right. He strolled below deck and knocked on Lizzie’s cabin door. She was busy packing up some of her belongings to take ashore with her. She opened the door, happy to see him.

"Well my dear Lizzie, how bout I take you to see the finer parts of Tortuga?" He commented.

"Well Jack I didn’t think there were any finer parts, but who am I to turn down an offer from the Captain." She smiled at him, picked up her bag and walked out the door.

She couldn’t get over the way he was behaving; it was like all the things that made Jack appalling were slowly melting away. Except for maybe that smell, that was still there but it was becoming less nauseating and more defining for her. He obviously cared for her, but she just didn’t know how deeply. The new side of Jack Sparrow was something only she could see and she really enjoyed having that. They walked into a tavern and Jack walked up to an elder man whom he appeared to know. He slipped him a few coins and nodded for her to follow. They arrived outside of a small room as he opened the door he spoke, "Luv, we will be staying here this evening. Before you get all fired up and slap me again there are two beds and you have me word I will be a gentleman." He mumbled something after that really low that she could barely make out "so long as I have lots of rum in me."

She laughed at his awkwardness and smiled up at him, "I wasn’t going to say anything, Jack, let alone smack you."

"Right. I’m sure. You never have anything to say." He replied sarcastically and rolled his eyes. She merely smacked him in the arm. "I suppose I will leave you here for I plan on drinking meself into oblivion. But tomorrow," he pointed at her as if he had already been drinking "I will show you the wonders of Tortuga, savvy?"

"Sounds good, Jack." She smiled at him. He turned to walk away but she grabbed his arm and pulled him around.

"Something else, Lizzie?" He asked. He really needed his rum if he was going to behave himself.

"Want company?" She asked somewhat sheepishly.

"If you be referring to your person then I would be a rather poor captain to say no. Hurry, the rum is waiting." He extended his arm to her and curled up his mustache. She couldn’t help but laugh at him.

Three bottles of rum later, Jack and Lizzie sat laughing at each other. They had spent the entire night talking. He had told her things he never told anyone. She asked him about all the accessories he had tied into his hair and he told her each story in as much detail as he could recall. She even asked him about the legends she’d heard about him in Port Royal. Many of which even made him laugh at how the stories had twisted over the years. They finally decided to call it a night and they haphazardly stumbled up the stairs to their room. They each collapsed on their own bed. After a few minutes of silence, Lizzie spoke out.

"Jack?"

"Yesss, luv?" He answered completely inebriated and almost asleep.

"Have you ever been in love?" She questioned.

"Clearly you mean other than now. No itsss an emotion I care not to ssssshare with anyone." He mumbled somewhat coherently. "Makess bad piratesss."

"Now?" She asked, somewhat confused and not wanting to misunderstand anything. She had this uncanny ability to drink in excess and never forget conversations; she also seemed to sober up a great deal when she heard him say that, knowing his honest streak was especially powerful when he’d drank as much as he had.

"Yesss, Luv, now. It sseemsss I’m quite ssssmitten for a young lassss. Nearly half me age sssshe issss. But I think ssshe may fancy me a bit too…. maybe…. I hope." Suddenly the sounds of soft snoring entered her ears. She managed to roll over and sneak a peak at Jack across the room - he had passed out in typical Jack fashion.

She couldn’t help but well up. He loved her- he wasn’t kidding that night on the Pearl. He really did care for her. She didn’t know what came over her, but she had to go to him. She managed to pull herself up and walk over to his bed. She sat on the edge of it, kicked off her boots and lay next to the snoring Jack. He didn’t even flinch. So she wrapped his arm over her, and drifted asleep.

Jack awoke to find a sleeping Lizzie curled up in his arms. Mmmm head hurts. Need more rum. What happened last night? I’m clearly in a bed, that’s a good sign. Lizzie- did I finally...? No me pants are on. Bugger. How did I...? He barely had time to finish his thoughts when she awoke and rolled to face him. She smiled at him before standing and walking to look out the window.

"Lizzie, I…"

"I was cold, Jack. Hope you don’t mind." She looked at him through lowered eyes. She had been planning on getting up before him, but clearly that never happened.

"Of course, Luv. Its not every day I wake up with a beautiful woman in me arms." He smiled at her - she looked beautiful with the sunlight in her hair... then his stomach growled. Elizabeth looked over at him with an amused look. "Lets get some grub and hit the streets!" He sprang to his feet with his usual swagger and headed downstairs.

We are in the Caribbean, it’s the middle of the hot season. Oh no, what did I let slip now?! Well it couldn’t have been too bad since she was in me arms. Mental note…. less rum when Lizzie is me drinking partner, I really can’t be forgetting things. And wait a minute, did I just leave a room where Lizzie was laying in me arms willingly. Bugg-eeee-rrr. He looked and saw her coming down the stairs, he’d better act like himself 'cause the pirate he left in that room surely wasn’t the most feared in the Caribbean

They spent the afternoon much like they spent the evening; laughing and enjoying each other’s company, only this time it was with less rum and more coherent talking. He wasn’t sure why but he was actually enjoying her company, and the more they spoke the more he actually wanted to know about her... a fact that began concerning him a great deal. They went from shop to shop finding things that kept them amused, and even swiping a few things on their journey. Before they knew it the day had left them behind and they were standing outside a lighthouse on a cliff overlooking the harbor.

"This is it Lizzie."

"What Jack?"

"Me favorite place." He smiled triumphantly.

Walking to the edge she couldn’t help but shout, "What an amazing view!" She turned to face him, "I can see why you like it so much. You can see everything from here." She returned her gaze to the ocean, " I just love the way if you look one way you can see this stretch of ocean for miles and miles and then the other way you can see the hustle of the port."

"Aye. Peaceful, yet somehow dangerous." He said turning to face her. The sun was beginning to set.

"Sounds a little bit like you Jack." She smirked at him.

"Me? How so?" He was slightly taken back by her comment.

"Well," She stepped closer to him and took his hands. He had a perplexed look on his face now and it was exciting her that he didn’t know what to expect from her. "How people perceive you Jack. I see you for the good man I know you are, and have seen you be, but to everyone else you’re this living legend who needs to be feared. Just like this lighthouse overlooks a shabby little port that no one sees for its wonder." She smiled at him hoping he understood what she was saying.

He stood puzzled for a minute. She really is a smart lass. I kind of understand that. But what is she trying to tell me...? Is she leaning in to KISS me?!? WHAT?! Suddenly his eyes widened as he saw her lean into him. She had kissed him. Who was he to question it, so he kissed back, ever confused but not really caring what brought this about. It was the kiss he had died over once and he’d quickly die again if he had to. She pulled away.

I really hope that wasn’t her means of distracting me long enough to push me over the cliff… His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her voice, "Jack. Do you want to know why I left Will?" She asked.

"Would this be a bad time to ask if you’re going to kill me again?" He questioned, looking around him.

"Jack," she sighed, "Do you really think I’d kill you again now knowing what I’d have to do to rescue you?" She smiled at him.

"Was hoping not! So why’d you leave Will?" He questioned, clearly knowing he had a better chance of getting another kiss if he listened to her.

"Because he wasn’t you." She went to lower her eyes but he lifted her chin looking deeply into her eyes. "He had too many expectations of me. Wanted me to be something I’m not. Didn’t kiss me like this." She leaned in once more and parted her lips. They’re tongues merged and seemed to dance to the rhythm of the waves crashing hundreds of feet below them. Never had he thought he would have this moment with her. Never had he ever wanted time to just stop. They finally broke apart and stared at each other.

"Lizzie," Jack said huskily "Me." he paused "You…What say we head back into town? Drink us some rum?" He smiled at her. Just enough rum to get you into bed without me passing out or you putting up much of a fight.

"Let’s go." She grabbed his hand. And they turned to walk back into the town as the sun finally set over the Caribbean.

By the time they got back to the tavern, all they wanted to do was head upstairs. They practically tripped over each other on their way. Jack had been waiting for this moment since the day he pulled her out of the water in Port Royal. Lizzie was finally tired of fighting her feelings for Jack and since she finally had the courage to leave Will, nothing was stopping her from taking the man she truly wanted. After all, he had admitted that he loved her. He didn’t need to know that he had. She knew it, and she knew that it was true.

They began kissing tenderly yet passionately. They both could feel their body heat rising. Jack began to kiss down her neck, over to her shoulder and across her collarbone. He moved to begin unbuttoning her top when he suddenly stopped. He pulled the necklace up off of her and looked at it before releasing it in disgust. She’s wearing her bloody engagement ring on his necklace? What happened to him not being me, and her not loving him? Bloody woman. His eyes turned dark as he stared at her not moving.

"Jac-"

"I thought you were over him, Elizabeth." He stated, rage starting to fill his once calm voice.

"He left it for me when he left." She defended slightly concerned that he had actually called her Elizabeth.

"So you need wear it?" He questioned. He wasn’t quite sure why he was so bothered by it.

"I wanted to have part of him with me." She immediately knew that wasn’t the answer he was waiting for by the rage that built in his eyes.

He began pacing and throwing his arms about, "Oh so that’s what this is!!! Your going to play your whole Elizabeth - wants - freedom game and then go running back to bloody Will when you’ve had your fill!" He spat.

"That’s not it at all Jack!"

"If you didn’t love him anymore, Elizabeth, you wouldn’t have that." He pointed at it, like it was diseased; "You wouldn’t have it on your person."

"Jack it means nothing to me anymore. Merely a gift from a friend."

"Then why wear it?? Hmm. If you have to have it, then why isn’t it tucked away somewhere safe." He was acting childish, even for him, and he wasn’t going to drop the issue. He started to feel hurt. She was seducing him, and then he had to find part of Will on her. That’s not how it was supposed to be. He was confused and he started to realize he wanted her to himself and that was an utterly new concept to him.

"Why’s it matter Jack? You’ve bed how many woman without caring a lick who they were with before or after you."

"That’s different and you know it Elizabeth." He wasn’t about to tell her and make himself look weak, he was Captain Jack Sparrow, and weakness was for eunuchs.

"Oh really and why’s that?" She was extremely heated now. He had no reason to be acting this way if he wasn’t going to admit his love for her.

"I’m not having this conversation Elizabeth." He turned and headed for the door.

She ran after him and shouted down the stairs at him. "Typical Jack Sparrow. Run when things get tough. You’re a COWARD!" She then returned to her room and started to cry.

Damn woman. Doesn’t she understand how much I… No I don’t. I’m a pirate - devoid of emotion. Damn eunuch! Even after he’s gone, he makes me hate him more. Why didn’t I just bloody ignore it? I would have had her. He boarded his ship screaming at the remaining crew to leave and headed for his cabin, case of rum in hand. He wanted to be alone.