New Horizons

He was the first to wake in the morning and he gently rolled to his back placing his head on his arm. what have I gotten meself into? I can’t possibly love her…can I? Maybe I can but don’t have to admit it to anyone other than meself. Bugger this. Look at the lass. She’s gorgeous. So peaceful when she sleeps, angelic even. I love it when she’s smiling. She’s thinking about me and how amazingly great I am. Ah, there’s me inner pirate! Was starting to sound like…ugh no I’ll never sound like the eunuch.

She began to stir. Jack turned to watch her. She opened her eyes to see his gold teeth shining in the newly risen sun. She turned to face him and gently kissed him. They lay quite just looking at each other for a few moments before Lizzie spoke. "Thank you, Jack."

Puzzled Jack just looked at her for a moment before responding in a joking tone "...for the most bloody fantastic night of your life?" and he leaned in and claimed her lips again.

"Do you always have to go and kill a moment with a wise crack?" She laughed at him. "But yes if it boosts your ego, I was referring to…"

He kissed her again and pulled her tightly to him, "No need luv. And Ithink I know a quite a lot about moments. In fact, right at this very moment my hand is traveling down your body, over your hip and…."

"Ohh! Jack!" She clearly hadn’t expected that. As she jumped when his fingers slowly slipped inside her.

"Ahh guess you found it then." He grinned at her laughing as he kissed her again and quickly positioned himself atop her. He continued teasing her just until he felt she couldn’t take it anymore and removed his hand. Bringing his fingers to his lips to lick them clean.

"Jack?" she sounded breathless and eager. He merely locked eyes with her and nodded in response. "I want to be on top this time."

"Well then dearie, who am I to argue?" He easily repositioned himself, lying below her as she lowered herself. She began to move atop him when he spoke again, "Lizzie, lil Jack told me he wants you to be his first mate." That’s about as close to an 'I love you' as she’s going to get...

"Ahh that’s too bad for lil Jack." She frowned at him. Jack was clearly confused and a little concerned now, but before he could respond she said. "Guess you’ll have to tell him I’m already his captain." And she impaled herself and leaned down to claim his mouth, which was gaping from her actions. This lass is dangerous. How the bloody hell do I react to THAT?! Ahhhh, she’s so silky smooth I may just die right here...

Jack and Lizzie remained in the captain’s quarters for another hour or so before they begrudgingly dressed and headed out on deck. The crew was already busy at work when Jack strolled up to the helm. Lizzie went to help some of the crew who were patching up some holes on the starboard side of the ship.

"Mornin’ Gibbs." Jack stated smiling wider than usual.

"Aye, captain. And quite a beautiful one at that!" His first mate smiled and nodded towards Elizabeth.

"Aye. The special items I requested while in Tortuga, put them in me cabin under me bed and a new case of rum under me desk." Gibbs merely nodded and walked off, leaving Jack alone with a sparkling horizon and a larger than usual toothy grin.

Somewhere around midday, Lizzie found her way over to Jack and stepped beside him. Not exactly sure of how he wanted to play their rendezvous off to the crew she merely stood next to him and smiled before speaking, "Captain Sparrow?"

He turned his eyes to her and spoke, "Lizzie, I think you can do better than that if you want me attention." He quickly returned his gaze to the horizon and the ship he had been eyeing in the distance.

Lizzie realized he wasn’t going to talk to her until he got a certain something so she leaned up and kissed him. She broke it off quickly, and smiled. "Do I have your attention NOW Jack?" and she resumed kissing him. He pulled away when he heard a few hoots and hollers from a few overly exuberant crewmembers. He merely shot them a look and a bunch of "Sorry capin" was heard from the culprits. Lizzie couldn’t help but laugh and put her head down on his shoulder.

"I believe you needed something Lizzie?" Jack spoke as he wrapped his free hand around her lower back.

"Yes, I was hoping to get another lesson."

"I didn’t think you would be so comfortable in front of the crew but I think that can…."

"JACK! I meant in navigation." She couldn’t hold back the laugh that escaped her lips.

"Ohhh, bugger. Then I suppose I can arrange that too. What say you to skipping navigation for a little honest pirating me dear?" He looked over at a ship they were approaching, and looked back at her, with the twinkle in his eye.

"Aye, would you like me to gather the crew?"

"Aye." And he kissed her forehead before she walked off.

Once gathered, Jack gave out orders before sending them off to ready for attack. He briefly gave Gibbs the wheel and pulled Lizzie into his cabin.

"What Jack?" She questioned, trying to figure out why he was pulling her aside when they were getting ready to attack the ship now known to be a merchant ship named "New Life."

"Lizzie. While I have complete faith in you, I don’t want to see you harmed. So please," he took her hands in his "-when we board the New Life stay on the Pearl." He released her hands and walked to his desk. She merely looked at him in disbelief. He removed a pistol from the drawer and handed it to her. He kissed her once before he continued. "In case you need it." He turned and exited the cabin before she could respond.

Soon enough the Pearl had come up alongside the "New Life." Jack had strolled over to the side and shouted to the other captain. "I believe it would be in your best interests mate if you surrendered now."

The other captain on the younger side yelled back, "And why would I give me ship to you, pirate?"

"Son, I’m Captain Jack Sparrow. Ye need not give it me, I’ll take it meself." Lizzie had never seen Jack as such a terror. He had an almost evil aura about him. His eyes spoke of countless sins against mankind and his happy go lucky demeanor seemed to drain from him, his voice was deliberate and clear. The other captain became visibly shaken and gave up his ship when he saw the cannons roll out and Jack motion to fire.

The crew boarded the ship and herded the other crew together and held them captive. Jack glanced at Lizzie as he turned to board the "New Life" with the arrogant swagger she had come to love about him. After he had some fun threatening and scaring the life out of the other crew he decided to have a look in the captain’s cabin. Ironically, he had found some jewels; he had wanted to swipe something for Lizzie. Perfect! He found a pendant with a Japanese character on it. He studied it before pocketing it and the matching ring, which he immediately had taken a liking too. After looting what he wanted from the ship he barked a few final orders to the crew and went back aboard the Pearl. The crew returned to the Pearl and set sail. Jack put Gibbs in charge of the plunder and went into his cabin.

He pulled out a book from his bookcase and sat at his desk. He then grabbed a bottle of rum and removed the pendant from his pocket. Hmm…. I saw this charm before. What the bloody hell does it mean? He thumbed through a few more pages before stopping and focusing his eyes. Ahh there it is. Means ohh. …Bugger…. now I cant give this to Lizzie or she’ll know. Bloody hell. I suppose I can tell her it means something else. That will work. Where is that Lizzie anyhow?

After grabbing a bite to eat in the galley, Lizzie had returned to her cabin to take a nap. Jack began searching the ship for her. Finally, he checked her cabin, since she hadn’t been seen anywhere else. He knocked on the door. Obtaining no response he opened it and saw her fast asleep on her bed. He walked over to her and gently pressed his lips to her cheek to wake her. She warily opened her eyes and smiled up at him.

"I was looking for you. Why aren’t ye napping in me cabin?" He asked.

Obviously confused by his question she asked him, "Jack, something tells me I wouldn’t be allowed to nap in your cabin." She grinned at him.

"That would depend on me location at the time, as it where."

"Jack, why would I lay in your cabin without you? You clearly were busy and I tired so I came here. Besides my things are down here." Truth be told she had thought about going into his cabin, but she was going to see how far she could push him.

"Well then Lizzie, something has to change." With that he picked up her trunk of belongings and walked up to his cabin.

She sat up and looked at the spot he had been standing in, completely amazed. She stood and went after him, "Jack what are you doing?" She asked as he placed the trunk down at the foot of his bed.

"Relocating your things, as to prevent you from needing return to that cabin anymore."

"Jack, are you offering to share your cabin with me?" Lizzie looked at him with a slight smile gracing her lips.

"Call it what you will." He then walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Besides. My intuition tells me you didn’t like that cabin much. Its very small and the bed is hard. Mine is much more better. Comes complete with a real Captain too." One that could use some attention right about now...

"Oh Jack." She sighed contently and kissed him, "You know it wouldn’t kill you to just ask. I wouldn’t have said no."

Jack quickly changed the subject, fearing where it would lead. "You know Lizzie I found something you may like when I was on the ship this afternoon."

"Oh was that you on that ship? You seemed so much more fearsome then." She teased him.

"Very fearsome. Aye. But I did pilfer something shiny for you." He removed the pendant from his pocket and held it out to her.

"Jack its beautiful" She kissed him, "What does it mean?"

"Means friendship." the words sounded more defensive than informative. Lie. Lie. Lie. Damn it fuzzy feeling is becoming too strong. Fight it Jack. Fight it. He placed it around her neck.

"I may never be able to take you for a terrifying pirate again, Jack Sparrow, if you keep this up. Thank you." She kissed him again, more passionately than she ever had.

"Luv, you better take him seriously. Rumor has it he takes you very seriously. So seriously in fact that it scares him to death that he may loose more than his rum around ye." He claimed her lips and pulled her back into himself. Damn fuzzy feeling I already admitted I love her to meself, bloody hell, she doesn’t need to hear it too.

She broke their kiss and looked up at him, "I love you Jack." Suddenly his eyes widened and he looked as if someone had shot him. He stood there staring at her without even flinching. She just watched him, curious and her smile starting to fade a little.

Not good. Don’t say that! Can’t hear it, la la la. Bloody hell. Get out of here before you say something equally stupid. "Uhhh, Gibbs is calling!" and he bolted from the cabin.

He walked to the bow of the ship and sat staring at the sea. Lucky for him the crew had retired for the night and he could be alone with his thoughts. That’s just bloody wonderful. She loves me! Damn it fuzzy go away, you’re making me stupid!! She can’t love me. Can she? Well she probably doesn’t now since I walked out on her. Bloody hell. I want her too. What? Jack listen to yourself. Not so fearsome are ye…

While Jack was fighting with himself, Lizzie had sat down at his desk and began to cry. She couldn’t understand why she said it. She did love him, but she knew he’d never admit his feelings. She hoped he would, and she found she really needed him too. Now she had said it and that was going to ruin everything. Why was she so stupid? She was caught up in the moment. She stopped crying when she realized how silly it was that she was upset at herself for being honest with him. Damn him if he couldn’t accept her love for him and it’s his own fault if he can’t admit it back. Suddenly she realized he’d left a book open on his desk. She looked down and saw the symbol from her necklace. She held it in her hand as she read the true meaning…. Love.