ManEater

A/N: Hey guys! I'm back with another chapter as promised! I didn't take too long this time! I hope you enjoy this chapter better than the last one! Now read!
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Jack Sparrow

As I stood alone at the rail, I became lost in my thoughts. I didn’t know why I’d allowed myself to become mesmerized by Lizzie, yet again. It was by accident that our eyes met but I couldn’t ignore the feelings that were still brewing inside my heart for her. I was slowly starting to forgive her for betraying me…but I was still upset. My thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a faint, familiar scent filled the air. It was lilac perfume. I immediately knew who it was. I heard her soft footsteps approaching me from behind. I had to fight the urge to turn around and face her. At that moment, Lizzie spoke to me for the second time today, and her tone was very different than it was earlier.

“Jack…I need to speak to you. It’s very important.”

The gentle way she said my name took me by surprise. There was no anger or bitterness, only sincerity and concern. I didn’t turn around and face her when she’d first spoke. I wasn’t trying to be rude or spiteful…I did that because I didn’t want to look into her beautiful eyes again. In fairness, I will admit that I was not in the mood to speak to her, but being the gentleman that I am, I will. I’m curious to know what she could possibly have to say to me. I waited a few moments before answering her.

“What is it Elizabeth?”

“Jack, I want to first start off by saying thank you for allowing Will and I passage onto the Pearl. I’m quite sure you’d rather not have us here but…”

I had to restrain myself from retorting a snide remark, for I knew it would only stir an argument and I was in no mood to fight anymore…

“Oh? And why would you think that? I’m not bothered at all by you and Will’s presence.” I replied, trying not to sound too smug.

Lizzie was quiet for a moment before she spoke again. “I just thought that after all that’s happened between the three of us this past week, you would have a problem with us being here.”

Now that she’d mentioned it, I did have a problem with them being on my ship, at first…but that’s not the problem anymore. That all changed the moment I’d made eye contact with Lizzie at the table. It was at that moment a new problem emerged…I’d left my guard down and I knew that I was going to have difficulty in controlling myself when I was around her. I can’t look into her eyes or stand too close to without wanting to grab her and hold her in my arms. I might even steal a kiss from her sweet, soft lips. Of course, I wouldn’t dare tell her that…not right now.

“There’s no problem Ms. Swann. I’ve always enjoyed having you and the whe…I mean, William on me ship.” I was clearly lying. “Besides, I can always use an extra set of hands to help with the chores around here. Do you have anything else on your mind?” I asked in a low tone.

Elizabeth sighed. I heard her take a few steps closer to me. “As a matter of fact, there is something else, Jack. The real reason why I came to speak to you is because… I feel that we need to come to a resolution. I know that things have been complicated between me, you and Will and there’s nothing we can do to change the past. Since we will be on this journey for a while, I just want there to be peace amongst us. No more fighting, no more animosity…I just want things to be civil between us. I would like for all of us to move on from the past and get along…like we used to.”

I didn’t know how to feel about her request. I wasn’t fully ready to reconcile with the whelp…not just yet. If she really thinks that I would want to be civil with that damn eunuch then she’s sadly mistaken! I’m reluctant to say this, but the only thing I will comply to is to be civil with her. Not with that damn Will! The situation was different with Lizzie. She is a female, whom I love, and I can’t bear to fight with her anymore. Will could go to bloody hell…if all I care.

Since that awful day Lizzie and I had that atrocious fight, I wanted to run back into her arms and make up with her. But my broken heart and anger prevented me from doing so. It’s strange how all of a sudden, I went from never wanting to speak to her again, to being able to slowly forgive her. It scares the bloody bejeesus out of me!

“Jack…” She said in a soft tone, interrupting my thoughts.

I then felt her hand gently touch my arm, signaling me to turn around. I felt a rush of sensation run throughout my body. I slowly turned around and looked into her beautiful eyes. We were standing close to each other…dangerously close. I was lost for words until she removed her hand away from my arm and took a step back.

“Jack please. All I want is for us to reconcile…perhaps in some way, start over and just become friends.”

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach when she’d said that. I knew in my heart that I couldn’t just be her friend. I wanted to be more than that. I can’t just be her friend when I was so madly in love with her. She stuck out her hand, in efforts to shake my hand and agree to those heartbreaking terms. I had to control myself, for I knew that if I shook her hand, I would grab her, hold her firmly against my body and kiss her senseless. I looked into her brown, pleading eyes. My gaze dropped down to her lips, where I began to visually trace them with my eyes. I looked into her eyes once more and noticed that she seemed anxious, as if she wanted me to kiss her.

Just as I was about to answer, I suddenly noticed Will coming from below deck. I knew that he would not like seeing Lizzie and I alone together. In order to avoid another fight from happening, I quickly backed away and reluctantly tore my eyes away from her.

“Lizzie…I…I can’t do this now.” I replied in a harsh, yet remorseful tone.

Elizabeth looked at me in shock. She slowly lowered her hand. Her eyes changed from hopeful to disappointed. I could see tears welling up in her eyes. I quickly walked away and went into my cabin. I couldn’t stand seeing her like that. I secretly looked out my cabin window and noticed that she stood in the same place I’d left her. She was staring in my direction. At that same time, Will came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He didn’t seem to notice that I’d just been at the rail with Lizzie.

I couldn’t stand to watch them, so I walked away from the window and grabbed a bottle of rum. I sat down on my lopsided bed. I hated leaving her like that, but I had to. I did want to reconcile with her, but I didn’t want to agree to her terms. I can’t just be her bloody friend when I desired to be more than that... There is too much unfinished business between us. If I shook her hand and agreed to her request, I would be condemning myself to a life without her. I hated the fact that once again, Will had interrupted an opportune moment…obviously sent by God. Maybe it’s a sign or warning telling me not to get involved with her anymore. I took a swig of rum and removed my hat, coat, and effects and lay down on the bed.

“I’m so sorry Lizzie…” I whispered into the dimly lit cabin as I drowned away my woes.

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Elizabeth

It’s been over three and a half weeks since we’ve been at sea. I haven’t spoken to Jack ever since we were at the rail. I should have known better than to try and reconcile with him. He is the most stubborn, infuriating man I’ve ever met! What was I thinking? I suppose my timing was too soon. I guess it’s not wise to reconcile with someone you’ve hurt greatly when the wounds were still fresh. Jack and Will were still at odds with each other. Whenever they would speak to each other, you could feel the tension between them. I wished that they would have made amends by now, but they hadn’t…and that saddens me greatly. Jack made sure that he kept Will busy with chores, especially at night. Jack purposely did that so he wouldn’t be able to sleep with me in my cabin, but he’d managed to, anyway.

I felt like I was at a total loss. I still desperately wanted to reconcile with Jack, but now I’m not so sure if that is such a good idea. The whole time we’ve been at sea, we would avoid each other whenever we’d cross paths. But the funny thing about it was that we’d still sneak glances at each other. Yesterday when Jack was on duty steering the ship, I caught him staring at me when I was standing alone at the rail. He quickly turned away when I looked at him. I was slightly infuriated because I knew that something was on his mind and he wanted to say something. I wished he did, but he was being hesitant for some reason...

It was now late afternoon. I was very bored so I decided to take a walk along the deck. I would normally spend quality time like this with Will, but I was not in the mood for his company at the moment. Ever since the day Jack and I were alone at the rail, my attitude towards my fiancé began to slightly change. I didn’t spend as much time with him like I used to, for my mind was preoccupied with other things. I just hoped that Will hadn’t noticed or else all hell would break loose again.

I walked along the deck twice. Each time I passed Jack’s cabin, I hoped that I would cross paths with him. On my third time around, I noticed that his door was open. Normally, it would be closed, but for some reason, it was open. I made sure that I was a short distance away from it, so that it wouldn’t appear that I was spying on the Captain. I finally saw him. He was pacing around the room…and to my great satisfaction; he did not have on a shirt, but was wearing his trousers. I was awe-stricken. I missed being able to look at his lean, muscular chest. I imagined my fingers tracing every scar and tattoo on his body. My cheeks began to blush as improper thoughts ran through my mind. I took two steps closer, but I was still a distance away from his cabin. I noticed that he seemed to be extremely vexed about something. His lips were moving, but I could not hear what he was saying. I thought that he was talking to someone, but there was no one in the room with him. I was beginning to worry that something was seriously wrong…or that he’d gone completely mad.

As I was about to turn around, he stopped in his tracks and looked at me. I immediately froze. He walked over to the door and slowly closed it. I was slightly taken aback by what he did. I thought it to be very rude. I had one nerve to barge into his cabin and reprimand him for his rudeness, but I knew that it would lead to an argument and I did not want to fight with him anymore. I wanted to ask him why he didn’t want to reconcile with me, but something was holding me back. I decided to wait for the best suitable moment to confront him again. But when will be the best time? I must do something as soon as possible or all will be lost. Little did I know, unforeseen circumstances were about to occur amongst the three of us over the course of our journey…
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A/N: Well, what did you think? What unforseen circumstances do you think might occur between them? What do you think Elizabeth will do? I know that Jack and Lizzie didn't speak too much in this chapter but what do you expect? The wounds are still healing. There will be more dialogue between them and the J/E will be there, but it will not be rushed! So stay tuned and I'll post again soon!