On the way to World's End

[dwgm]

Wrote a longish Barbossa/Elizabeth drabble for robes_of_earth as per her request in the potc_love holiday drabble exchange. Her requested pairs: Barbossa/anyone (but especially Elizabeth), Davy/Elizabeth would be nice, Jack/Pearl; two things she'd like to see: angst and/or smut, fluff (not too tender); two things she absolutely doesn't want to see: non-con/rape, graphic sex or animal cruelty [ewww]


~ Alone ~

“Do you think we’ll succeed?” Elizabeth did not look at Will, but kept her eyes on the grey swells, and her hands on the rail. She felt Will’s eyes on her, however.

After a moment, he spoke, his voice clipped. “We’ll find him. Not a doubt of that.”

He turned away, leaving her side to go below, without another word. She felt cold, but couldn’t help being relieved.

*

Barbossa came up beside her, presently.

“Well, missy.”

She glanced up. “Mr. Barbossa.”

The scraggly head tilted and the mouth twitched. “It’s ‘captain’, Miss Swann.”

She shivered within, still unused to him addressing her as ‘Swann’. He had not known her true identity before his… death. The name had an ill sound, coming from those lips. She nodded, briefly. “’Captain’, then. For a while.”

He gave a small snort. ‘Ye think Jack’ll be back in command soon as we find ‘im.”

Misliking the jeering tone, she stared him down. “I know he will.”

Barbossa grinned – a rather horrible sight. “There, now. Even the governor’s daughter isn’t proof against Jack Sparrow’s wiles.”

Hot color crept up her neck. She turned her face to the sea.

Barbossa took a step closer and casually placed his hand on the rail close beside hers. “Jack’s not like to forgive so easily as that, Miss Swann. Best consider all your options.”

She was pleased that her white-knuckled grip on the rail was the only sign of her very considerable discomfiture. Oh, Will. But that was no use. “You’re mad,” she snapped.

“Mad?” She could hear the oily smile. “Maybe. Quick, though, too. With all it implies.”

He moved his hand to pat hers, proprietary, condescending, and she betrayed herself, breath catching as she twisted to look at him in anger, in horror.

He was smiling, and his eyes slid down to linger where the first tie of her shirt had come loose. “Options, Miss Swann.”

Another pat, and then he turned away.

The grey swells rose beneath the ship, and the cool wind gusted. Elizabeth tied her shirt again, with trembling hands.

~.~

Comments

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Heh heh. I love it. Barbossa, you're a bastard, but you're occasionally a fair man ...

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

He does like to play cat and mouse. Glad you liked this. Thanks so much for commenting.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I always like reading your fic! (Any more Harry coming soon?)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I have a Plot, but I have a couple of secret santa fics to do first. So maybe not until Winter Break -- working at the school, I get quite a bit of time off, which is nice for writing.

[metalkatt.livejournal.com]

Heh. Yes, very nice.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[felaine.livejournal.com]

So chilling and Barbossa-like.
Jack isn't the only one for the opportune moment.
Good work; thanks for sharing.
Felaine

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I don't write him very often, so I'm glad you thought him in character.

[riveroceansea.livejournal.com]

This is why I read pairings I may not be interested in. Very nice. Loved how both Barbossa and Elizabeth are totally in character.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Barbossa/Elizabeth isn't a pair I would have chosen, but it was interesting to write. I'm very happy you thought them in character. Thank you so much for commenting. I really appreciate it.

[robes-of-earth.livejournal.com]

eeeeee!!! Stealthy man! This was very very good- you did a great job on Barbossa, keeping to his character and mannerisms. I like the idea that Liz thinks Jack will over-take as captain, I never thought of that. Oh, i do love the cat-and-mouse these two are so natural suited for. Thank you!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, I'm so glad you liked it! I don't write Barbossa much, but he is certainly an interesting character. Will try to do a couple more, and maybe some Jack/Pearl too.

Happy Holidays!

[hereswith.livejournal.com]

*tiny squee* You know my thoughts on Barbossa, but I don't know if I've ever told you that I find Barbossa and Elizabeth interaction in fic fascinating? So when I discovered this, I was happy. I liked how you wrote him here and I loved your Elizabeth, as always, and that she stared him down. You convey the undertone of danger in their conversation really well and I'm especially fond of the phrasing of this line: The name had an ill sound, coming from those lips. Hmm, I do so wonder how Jack and Barbossa will work out who's going to be captain in AWE ;-)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I really really wanted you to beta this, but you were undoubtedly asleep, so I just went over it several more times than usual -- let me know if you see anything that needs fixing. I thought you might like it! Maybe I'll get a couple more done for robes_of_earth before Christmas.

Hope you're having a good Sunday!

xo