In Love With Two Men

In Love With Two Men

A/N: This is just a short story from Jack’s POV about seeing Elizabeth for the first time when they rescue him from the Locker.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from POTC and I make no money from my stories…however I did borrow this scene from the movie and I used some of the deleted lines as well for the story.

Everyone hung on for their lives as the rickety little ship the Chinese Dove careened over the edge of the massive waterfall at the entrance to Davy Jones’ Locker. Elizabeth’s tea colored eyes squeezed shut tightly as she prepared herself for the impact. Suddenly they were submerged into the icy waters feeling like a thousand needles were being stabbed into their skin. The undercurrent swept them down deeper at first as the ship was ripped apart by the force of the water. Then a massive surging wave pushed them towards the shore. Elizabeth clawed at the wet sand wildly as she dragged her wet and almost completely numb body from the surf. Coughing and shivering she pulled herself to her feet. Looking around as she wiped the water from her eyes she blinked to clear her blurred vision. As far as the eye could see there was nothing but rolling dunes of sand. Beside her Gibbs had pushed himself to his feet and was shielding his eyes from the unrelenting glare of the sun.

“This truly is a godforsaken place!”

“I don’t see Jack…I don’t see anyone.”

Barbossa’s voice a short distance away made them look to their left.

“He’s here. Davy Jones never once gave up that what he took.”

From his place beside Elizabeth Will spoke up.

“And what does it matter now? We’re trapped here by your doing.”

Suddenly their squabbling was interrupted when they noticed the Black Pearl gliding over one of the sand dunes by a wave of sand crabs underneath it’s hull. Jack jumped down from the railing onto the hot sand and swaggered over to the soaking wet ragtag band of pirates that had come to his rescue. Barbossa was the first to approach Jack as everyone else just stood there with their mouths hanging open in shock.

“Jack…it does me heart good t’ see ye halfway along the path t’ hell.”

Suddenly he grabbed Jack and pulled a knife from his coat pocket putting it to Jack’s throat quickly.
“I’ve a mind t’ take ye the rest of the way!”

He leaned in closer so that he was now speaking in a whisper to Jack.

“It’s not far, I can attest t’ that!”

Elizabeth ran over to the two men and grabbed Barbossa’s arm trying to yank it away from Jack’s throat.

“Stop! We’re here to rescue him…not kill him!”

At hearing her voice Jack froze momentarily before turning back around to look at her with wide coffee colored eyes. She was the reason he was here. She had been the one who had sent him to this hellhole. Jack pushed Barbossa aside to turn completely towards Elizabeth his mouth still partially open from disbelief at seeing her again.
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(JACK’S THOUGHTS)

‘ Elizabeth…my beautiful little murderess…here t’ rescue me? Ha…that’s rich! How dare ye speak of being here t’ rescue me when yer the one who sent me here! I’ve a mind t’ wrap me hands around that pretty little neck of yers an’ squeeze the life out of ye! Nevertheless…ye are still every bit as breathtaking as before ye killed me.’

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“Dear Elizabeth…ye came t’ rescue me? How uncommonly generous of ye.”

Elizabeth’s tea colored eyes quickly shifted to the sand at her feet and Will watched the exchange between them suspiciously. Jack took a couple steps towards Elizabeth closing the distance between them making Elizabeth look back up at him. Her eyes were filled with tears now and she blinked furiously to try and keep them from falling. No…she would not cry in front of him!

“In payment for your heroic actions, saving us all from the Kraken…I believe our debt is settled now.”
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(JACK’S THOUGHTS)

‘My arse they’re settled! An’ as if I had a choice in saving yer sorry little hide from the Kraken thank ye! I had some…help with my so called heroics…Miss Swann! Oh how I would love nothing more than t’ bend ye over my knee an’ give ye a good lashing ye little temptress!’
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Composing himself Jack forced a smile as he cleared his throat to speak again.

“Is it now? Settled?”

Jack looked around at the endless desert and then back to Elizabeth with a glare so sharp that she had no choice but to look away.

“Funny…I don’t feel rescued…an’ so the debt is decidedly not settled between us little missy!”

Barbossa interrupted on Elizabeth’s behalf feeling a bit sorry for the way Jack was treating her.

“I guess ye could look at it as being in the midst of the rescue operation as it were.”

“Looks t’ me as if the rescuers are in need of rescuing…being that they no longer have a ship…an’ who says I want t’ be rescued anyway?”

Jack turned sharply on his heel and started to stride away from the group leaving them all staring after him wide eyed. Will started marching after Jack quickly trying to catch up with him.

“You’re coming with us! We’ve gone to too much trouble on your behalf!”

Jack waved him away as he kept on walking.

“JACK!!”

Finally Jack threw up his hands and turned back around to face Will.

“Fact is…I don’t!”

“Don’t what?”

“Want t’ be rescued…m’ perfectly happy…right here. It’s very…simple.”

Will glanced back over his shoulder to exchange a look of confusion with Barbossa who just shrugged in response.

“But…if I were t’ agree t’ help ye out of this mess…it shall be as nothing less than Captain.”

Barbossa approached Jack and Will shaking his head furiously.

“M’ Captain on the return voyage.”

“Then ye shouldn’t have…lost yer ship.”

“I see my ship…right there.”

Jack stood on his tiptoes and squinted pretending to look for a ship other than the Pearl.

“Can’t spot it…no wait is that…nope…still can’t spot it.”

“Alright! Only I know the way home!”

“So then that makes ye…the navigator.”

“Captain!”

“Cook?”

“Captain!”

“Cookswain perhaps?”

Will stepped in between the two of the squabbling men to try and difuse the fight that was brewing.

“Enough…Jack is rightfully Captain of his ship.”

Drawing his sword Will turned and slashed it to within a millimeter of Jack’s eye…then after a moment he whirled around and stopped it a millimeter from Barbossa’s eye. Finally he sheathed his sword and glared at both of them.

“All decisions are subject to my approval since the two of you can’t seem to do anything other than bicker like two old ladies. Understood?”

They both shrugged as Will stepped out from in between them.

“Well as Captain…m’ pleased t’ name as First Mate…Master Barbossa.”

Will raised an eyebrow at Jack who just grinned back at him his gold teeth glinting in the sunlight.

“Agreed?”

“I can live with First Mate…it worked out fine for me last time.”

Grinning Barbossa held out his hand to Jack. Jack glanced down at it grimacing as he lifted his hand to shake it.

“An uneasy alliance Jack?”

“An unholy one more like it. An’ t’ be quite honest m’ not entirely sure as I’d like t’ take part in it. In fact…I’d much prefer ye staying here.”

Having enough of their childish bickering Elizabeth stepped in between Jack and Barbossa and turned to face Jack poking him in the chest with her finger as she spoke.

“Jack…Barbossa has to come with us…he’s the only one who knows the way back. Now stop acting like a child and let’s go…we came all this way to save you!”
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(JACK’S THOUGHTS)
‘ I’ll jus’ bet ye did! Ye didn’t come all this way jus’ t’ save me…lying temptress who uses her mouth t’ trick unsuspecting fools t’ their death! Wait…did I jus’ call m’ self a fool? Well I bloody am one…I let that little slip of a girl outsmart me! Serves me right ending up here! Hold on jus’ a tick…m’ not supposed t’ be hating meself…she’s the one who’s responsible for where m’ at! Ergo she’s the one who deserves t’ be punished! I should make her stay here!’
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Finally with all the squabbling resolved for the time being everyone boarded the ship and they prepared to make the journey back from World’s End. Gibbs was sailing the Pearl with Barbossa, Jack and Will hovering in front of him on the wheel deck. He watched the three men uneasily as they glared at each other each one waiting for the other to make the first move or speak the first word. Unable to stand the deafening silence any longer it was Jack who spoke first.

“So Will…let me guess…Elizabeth had t’ talk ye into coming t’ rescue me?”

“No…I had my own reasons for coming to rescue you…Elizabeth had nothing to do with it.”

“Really? Do tell.”

“I needed the Black Pearl…it’s the only ship that can outrun the Dutchman. So that makes it the only ship capable of catching the Dutchman.”

Elizabeth who had been sitting on the bottom step of the stairs to the wheel deck overheard Will’s admission and slowly rose to her feet her mouth hanging open in disbelief as she continued to listen to him.

“Forgive me Jack if I offer you no apology.”

“Lack of apology accepted. My, my….look who turned out t’ be the most cutthroat of us all.”

Elizabeth marched up the steps to the wheel deck her fists clenched and her tea colored eyes fixed on Will in a hard glare.

“So then you didn’t rescue Jack…you rescued the ship?”

“Jack had you to worry for him Elizabeth…he didn’t need my added efforts.”

She glared at him even harder but couldn’t find anything to say in return. Finally giving an angry sigh she turned and marched back down the steps and headed towards the rail of the ship quickly. Jack turned away from Elizabeth to look at Will again. Barbossa smiled as he stood back to watch the exchange between the two men.

“So that’s it then?”

“Yes Jack…that’s it…my reason for coming on this trip.”

“That’s a bit harsh lad.”

“You asked.”

“Will my friend…dare I say my brother…have ye taken into consideration all that I have done? Or let’s say half of it? I did save yer life.”

He chanced a glance over at Elizabeth before looking back at Will to see him draw his sword and point it dangerously close to his chest. He called out to Elizabeth making her look up from the railing.

“Can ye remind him Izzy?”

Her eyes widened when she saw Will holding Jack at the end of his sword. She rushed back up the steps to the wheel deck and stopped at Jack’s side making Will glare at both of them.

“Will stop this please?”

“Yes…listen t’ yer dearly beloved.”

Will put the tip of his sword over Jack’s heart before reaching out to push him away from Elizabeth and closer to the railing of the ship as if he were going to push him overboard.

“Shut up! You’ve had your eye on her since you first met her! Why should I trust anything that comes out of your lying mouth?”

“Of course I have…jus’ look at her! An’ need I remind ye that I am a pirate? We’re honestly dishonest…remember?”

Will scowled as he leaned closer to Jack preparing to run him through and then push him overboard.

“I will not see her give her heart to a man that has none! You will never be worthy of Elizabeth!”

“An’ ye are?”

“More so than you will ever be!”

Elizabeth wedged herself in between Will and Jack her back pressed tightly to Jack’s front as she pushed the blade of Will’s sword back.

“Stop it Will!”

“Move Elizabeth!”

“No…I won’t! You’ll have to kill me if you want to kill him!”

Jack smiled at Will from over Elizabeth’s shoulder. This certainly was an interesting turn of events.

“So then it’s true?”

“What?”

“You…you love him…don’t you?”

“Will…it’s not…I don’t…there’s nothing between us!”

With a smile on his face Will reached for her to pull her out of the way but she looped her arms through Jack’s and held onto him tightly so that he couldn’t harm Jack.

“If you don’t love him then what are you afraid of Elizabeth?”

“I fear you will do something you will regret. Please stop this?”

Jack leaned over placing his chin on Elizabeth’s shoulder as he spoke.

“Listen t’ her boy… she knows yer heart better than ye know hers.”

Will stared at Jack hard as he debated on sheathing his sword. He imagined how much he might enjoy running Jack through before he finally lowered his sword. Elizabeth gave a sigh of relief when Will sheathed his sword and she finally loosened her grip on Jack’s arms but did not totally let go. Jack glanced down and smirked noticing her reluctance to break their contact. Now this was interesting indeed.
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(JACK’S THOUGHTS)
‘ What have we here? Unwilling t’ let go of me eh? An’ such nervousness when denying any feelings for me. Indeed…she’s so obvious it’s laughable! No wonder the whelp wants t’ run me through…he’s figured out that m’ his competition. Now all that needs t’ happen is for Miss Swann t’ quit fighting the inevitable an’ admit that she loves me. Why else would she come all the way t’ World’s End or….whatever that godforsaken place is called t’ rescue me? It can’t be anything else but love.’
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Elizabeth finally realized that she was still holding onto Jack and pushed herself off him to stand upright untangling her arms from his. She shivered at the sudden loss of his warmth. Jack stood back up and came to stand next to her glaring down at Will. But it was Barbossa who spoke up first.

“Now…Masters Pintel an’ Ragetti…take this pestulant whelp down t’ the brig!”

Jack smirked as he watched Pintel and Ragetti place shackles on Will’s wrists before dragging him down below deck to toss him into the brig.

“Nicely done Barbossa…but m’ still the Captain remember?”

“My apologies for my over zealousness Captain.”

“I’ll let it slide this time.”

Pushing past Elizabeth Jack walked down the stairs to his cabin with Elizabeth on his heels.

“Jack you can’t do this!”

“Sure I can…m’ Captain…I can do whatever I want.”

Jack the monkey screeched loudly as he scurried into the cabin on Jack and Elizabeth’s heels. Jack made a mocking screeching sound at the monkey as he sat down at the table in his cabin and reached for a bottle of rum and a shot glass. The monkey jumped up onto the table and sat in front of Jack watching him.

“Come t’ annoy me eh monkey? Suit yerself”

Jack uncorked the rum and poured some into the shot glass and downed it quickly. Then he poured one for Jack the monkey and pushed it over to him. The monkey drank it quickly. They repeated this little game until the bottle was nearing empty. All the while Elizabeth had been hovering over Jack tapping the toe of her boot against the floor of the cabin in annoyance. Jack poured another shot of rum into the shot glass and drained it before pouring another shot for Jack the monkey.

“Yer turn.”

Jack the monkey sniffed the glass that sat in front of him and then fell backward drunk. Elizabeth sighed loudly making Jack look up at her. Picking up the shot glass he offered it to her. She made a face of disgust as she pushed his hand away.

“No thank you.”

“Suit yerself…more for me.”

He downed the rum making her wrinkle her nose in distaste. Marty knocked on the open cabin door and poked his head in.

“Better stay on guard…Will has gone missing.”

Jack shrugged and waved Marty off unconcerned.

“Missing? He can’t be missing on a ship.”

“But Barbossa put him in the brig and now he’s not there!”

Suddenly remembering Will was a blacksmith Jack jumped up out of his chair quickly making it topple over and forcing Elizabeth to jump back so that she would not be hit. He ran out of the cabin with Marty and Elizabeth on his heels. Jack approached Barbossa grabbing him by the collar and nearly yanking him off his feet.

“Ye can’t put Will in the brig! He designs brigs! He’ll escape!”

“A pertinent an’ useful fact which ye neglected t’ inform me of. Will’s been missing since sunset.”

“So then find him!”

The crew began eagerly searching for the prisoner so as not to further incur the wrath of their unhappy Captain. Elizabeth approached Jack at the ship’s railing. She lightly touched his shoulder making him reach for his pistol. He relaxed when he saw that it was just her.

“You seem very jumpy.”

“Aye…well yer dearly beloved seems quite fixated on sending me back t’ the Locker all on account of ye.”

“I’m sorry Jack…this is all my fault.”

“No it’s…wait…did ye jus’ take the blame on yer own?”

“It’s mine to take.”

“Since when have ye ever willingly admitted t’ being responsible for anything?”

“Since Will nearly killed you just a few hours ago.”

“Ah…so then his jealousy is well placed?”

“I’m sorry I don’t follow.”

“Will knows ye love me…I know ye love me…yer the only one who still tries t’ deny it.”

Scowling she turned away from him to glare out at the sea.

“That’s a very arrogant assumption Captain Sparrow.”

So they were back to formalities? Again. He chuckled slightly making her glare momentarily at him.

“Love…call it what ye want…I call it intuition.”

“Oh yes…your so called intuitive sense of the female creature…right?”

“Indeed.”

She snorted indignantly.

“You wouldn’t know the first thing about a woman and how she feels even if she outright told you!”

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(JACK’S THOUGHTS)
‘ Here we go again with the insults. It’s true what they say…constant protesting only means one is trying t’ conceal their real feelings. Why doesn’t she jus’ give up this ridiculous façade? It can’t be that horrible t’ love me…can it?’
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Elizabeth sighed as she looked down at her hands. They were dirty from being out at sea and her nails were jagged from all the deck work she had been doing. She knew that Jack knew she was hiding her feelings for him. And if Jack knew then obviously so did Will and anyone else that bothered to pay attention. There was nothing left to do but be honest to Jack and to Will…and most of all to herself.

“Alright.”

“Alright what love?”

“You’re right.”

“M’ right bout a great deal of things Izzy…care t’ elaborate?”

“Not really but seeing as I don’t have any other options I’m going to anyway.”

“Ye could try an’ sound a bit more enthusiastic bout it.”

She glared at him making him flash her a broad smile as he held his hands up.

“Or not…it’s entirely yer choice.”

“My choice…yes it is my choice isn’t it?”

Not waiting for him to answer she continued turning completely towards him. Up above in the rigging Will strained to listen to their conversation.

“I need to be honest to you and to Will. But most of all I need to be honest with myself Jack.”

“The truth would be refreshing love.”

“As if you’re the pinnacle of honesty Jack Sparrow!”

“Back t’ the truth love.”

“Yes…the truth…the truth is I’m in love with two men.”

“In love with two men?”

“I love Will…I’ve loved him for such a long time now…but I’ve been fascinated with you my entire life. And in the time that I’ve known you Jack…I’ve fallen in love with you too.”

From up in the rigging Will scowled and clenched the rigging ropes tightly in his hands. How could she be in love with Jack if she was in love with him? It just wasn’t possible to be in love with two people at the same time. Was it? Shaking his head he frowned the crease in his forehead deepening. No it wasn’t possible so therefore she had to deceiving him. Either she loved him or she loved Jack it couldn’t be both of them. And one way or another he was going to make her choose!

A/N: Okay this was supposed to just be a short little blurb…but I think I might extend it. Let me know what you think!