Ficlet:: "She Needs You"

[dwgm]

I promised hereswith some happy J/E the other day, to cheer her up, and this snippet from their first highly charged reunion post-AWE was what emerged. It ends on a happy note, but there's anger, fear, etc., along the way, and all in 645 words. Accordingly, it seems to qualify for my penultimate (!) 10_hurt_comfort prompt, Emotion (Here's my table -- one to go!), as well as the drabble challenge of the week at blackpearlsails, "I should have...".

Oh, and hereswith liked it a lot! *bounces*



~ “She Needs You” ~

“She needs you!" Jack spat. "Needs you! Bloody hell, I should’ve told Will to shove ‘is needs you right up ‘is arse!”

As his angry tone and the revelation that he'd seen Will had finally rendered her speechless, Jack took a full second to glare at her, then turned on his heel and strode away, back down the shadowed, echoing passage. She found her voice -- "Jack! Jack!!" -- but he ignored it in favor of his internal diatribe, against her, against Will, against himself. But then there was a noise of steps, then running, then, as he turned to berate her for carelessness, she stumbled, and a heartstopping cry of fright escaped her as she went down.

"'Liz'beth--" he choked, and the seconds it took to get back to her stretched out horribly. He dropped to his knees and slid the last couple of feet to her, but she was already turning to sit, awkwardly. "Are you all right?" he demanded, catching her shoulders in his hands and biting back the urge to give her a shake and a blue streak of profanity. His hands gripped her, though, and she reached up with her own and grabbed his wrists, just as tightly.

"You saw Will?" she demanded, her eyes fixed on his, tears on her cheeks.

"Aye. Are you all right? What the devil were you doing running?" And he gave her a shake anyway, just a little one.

"Yes! I mean... I think so."

His eyes traveled irresistibly down, to that swelling low under her loose shirt, and he let go of her shoulders. Then, when he hesitated, she drew his wrists, his hands down and held them flat against her. Against... them. There was a strong, fluttering movement beneath shirt and skin and muscle, and Jack's brows rose. He lifted his eyes to hers, and a smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. "Lively one."

"You've no idea," she said, dryly. But then her humor faded, and she spoke, almost in a whisper: "Oh, Jack. How did I get here?"

He knew what she meant. Governor's daughter. Born and raised in luxury most only dream of. Her happy-ever-after stolen by Will's touch of destiny. A pawn in Jack's own game, Pirate King, which was all right as far as it went. "Not what you'd planned, is it?" he said, a bit ruefully.

She shook her head, her gaze faltering. But then she took a deep breath. "You saw Will? Does he know?"

"Aye. It's tearin' 'im up, that he can't come. He told me... asked me..." His voice trailed off. Ridiculous to think she'd --

"I do."

His breath caught at the look in her eyes.

"Need you," she clarified. She pressed his left hand more firmly against her body, but lifted the right and kissed his fingers.

"Don't--" he began.

But she held him fast. "Yes! I'm sorry. For not greeting you as you deserved. For... for everything."

He said nothing, and gently loosed her grip, to her obvious dismay. But he turned and sat down beside her on the sole, and put his arm around her shoulders, and she eased against him with a sigh. He took up her hand. "Seems the lad's not a eunuch after all," he said, letting just a touch of laughter into his voice. "One day."

"One day."

There was something, something in her voice. He said, quietly, "Are you afraid?"

She seemed to stiffen, but after a moment she said, "My mother died in childbed." She sat up straight beside him, though, her hand still in his and looked him in the eye. "Will you stay?"

"I'm afraid, too," he told her, and that made her chuckle. He drew her close again. "I'll stay. I reckon the pair of us can face just about anything."


~.~

Comments

[compassrose7577.livejournal.com]

Awwwwww!

Seems Jack just can't help but be a good man, regardless of what it will cost him. Not sure which scares him most, but I would imagine his heart rate is right up there, at the prospect of several things.

"Seems the lad's not a eunuch after all," ......Clever line! Loved it!

I don't think any of us can comprehend the dangers and fears of childbirth back then. Anyone who wasn't scared, clearly didn't understand what was about to happen.

Wonderful piece! Worth the wait!..........Kerry

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you so much for the quick response!

the lad's not a eunuch after all," ......Clever line! Loved it!

Jack really seems to like that Will=Eunuch joke. That's a guy for you. *G*

[captaintish]

Awww. That was good!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[hope27.livejournal.com]

Oh, this was lovely! I really do love the way you write these two. Jack's diatribe at the beginning was so in character and I love him admitting his fear to her...probably the only person he would admit it to.

Beautiful and thanks for sharing!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

probably the only person he would admit it to.

That's what I think. It started with that island scene in CotBP. She's the only person for whom he'll let down his guard.

I'm so happy you enjoyed this! Thank you for letting me know.

[torn-eledhwen.livejournal.com]

Aww, a happy ending! :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I love happy endings! ;)

[erinya.livejournal.com]

I like this a lot. I like the way you drop us into the scene mid-argument, and how we have to fill in what transpired. (Bicker, bicker, bicker pretty much covers it, I think.) They're so hard on each other...but so formidable when they join forces, as Jack points out.

"One day..." Very poignant.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I asked hereswith if she wanted me to try to expand it by writing the prelude, but she said she liked being dropped into the middle of it. I'm glad to hear it worked for you this way, too.

They're so hard on each other...but so formidable when they join forces, as Jack points out.

I think the whole is greater than the sum of the parts -- and the parts are quite something on their own. Together, who knows what can be achieved?

Thank you for reading and commenting!

[reneeks.livejournal.com]

This entire ficlet is wonderful. I am curious as to what she said that pissed him off so...hehe...she's good at that! I can't focus on any one specific part or phrase here, the whole thing is absolutely wonderful. *sighlove*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! As I said above, I asked hereswith if she wanted me to write the "prelude", but she liked it the way it was, so I left it to the reader's imagination. It's sort of implied, anyway. I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks for letting me know.

[cmgacrux.livejournal.com]

Lovely ficlet, m'dear. Liked it a lot.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[salr323.livejournal.com]

Oh this was a lovely start to my morning! :) I love Jack when he's being a good man despite himself. Wonderful little piece!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I think being good gets him in a lot of trouble sometimes.

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting me know.

[soleilpirate.livejournal.com]

I liked this a lot. Despite their antagonism towards each other, I can totally see Will asking Jack to look after Elizabeth. Loved when she kissed his fingers and treated him all sweet and shy. Nice little piece of writing!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I can totally see Will asking Jack to look after Elizabeth.

Will can't be unaware that there is something between Jack and Elizabeth. And Will is utterly loyal to those he loves. He can't be there, but I have no doubt he'd want her to be happy and cared for, particularly with Turner Jr. on the way. If the opportunity arose, as it did in this case, he'd send Jack to her.

I'm so happy you enjoyed this! Thank you for commenting.

[whitemunin.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! Started off my day by reading this. A good way to begin any Monday.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you -- I'm so happy you enjoyed it!

[hereswith.livejournal.com]

More than liked it a lot, my dear, I loved it :-) It's wonderful, great interaction between them, lovely h/c, touches of sharp realism and humour, and there's kissing of fingers, too! Also, the last line, the last line made me very happy. You are the sweetest, writing this for me when I was feeling down, I appreciate the thought so much. Many, many thanks! ♥ ♥ ♥

And now both of us only have one more fic to write before we're done ;-)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you for commenting here, too! I'm so happy you liked it, kissing of the fingers and all. I think the their bickering would be interspersed with a lot of give and take, another beginning for them.

Only one more! Maybe we should have a contest to see who can finish first, lol! Box of one's favorite chocolates to the winner?

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

Add my kudos to the pile. Very effective writing!

You have left me wondering how Jack managed to see Will. Did he have a near-death experience?

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Did he have a near-death experience?

Yep.

*plot bunnies bounce happily*

Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this.

[bellbubble.livejournal.com]

"I do." [...] "Need you,"
Could it get any cuter than this?
"I'm afraid, too,"
Amazingly cuter!! Beautiful piece, I loved it! :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! So happy you enjoyed it!

(And I love your icon. *G*)

[p0wdermonkey.livejournal.com]

Awww indeed!
Love how quickly yet easily you move them from snapping at each other to real closeness.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

In my experience, physical distress trumps annoyance. ;)

So happy you liked it -- thanks for letting me know!

[komandant-krech.livejournal.com]

"My mother died in childbed." Now, there's an effective line, and with all the emotions tangled around it and the responses that followed, conveys so much of the relationship between these two here -- be it (deep) friendship, brothers-in-arms, lovers (or wannabe-ones). And, "how did I get here?". My deep love for gritty realism takes over -- I'm sure the position as a pregnant Pirate King married to the immortal ferryman of souls wasn't easy or earned her lots of friends...

Anyways, I ♥ stories where J & W & E are all in good terms with each other. As much as I love darkfics, happy endings make me smile :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

There has to be some happiness to balance out the sorrow, and the end of AWE can be interpreted very darkly. But I think moments of happiness are all we're given in life, and a friend in need is not to be scorned. Whether Jack and Elizabeth are lovers or remain just friends, they can be good for each other, and I think Will would realize that. Who else has participated in so many of the important events of their last few years?

I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Thank you very much for the feedback!

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Wow. That was good. Very, very good. :-D

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

*squees* This is amazing! I love every bit and am hard pressed to pull something out rather than highlighting the entire thing. You (as always) paint them so well with your words - I could truly see Lizzie standing there, pregnant, at the beginning of the second paragraph.

So, just a couple things (rather than the entirety). :) Jack's ignoring her in favor of his internal diatribe, and this:

"'Liz'beth--" he choked, and the seconds it took to get back to her stretched out horribly. He dropped to his knees and slid the last couple of feet to her, but she was already turning to sit, awkwardly.
Again seeing so clearly, right down to the look on his face.

Wonderful work! *saves*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I could visualize the whole thing, and I'm happy to know I could convey it well enough in words so that you could too! Thank you so much for letting me know.

*hugs*

[tiamary.livejournal.com]

I liked this a lot. I can't help but smile at the idea of Jack as lamaze partner. ::grin::

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I never thanked you for commenting here, and I do appreciate it, so much. I'm so glad you liked it. And Jack as lamaze partner... not too sure about that. Might be worse than the Locker!

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

Miz Geekmama, I get the biggest old grin on my face whenever I see you've writ something or another--I'm so pleased that your agile mind can see one more aspect of this pirate man--What you write of/about him rings so true to heart, suits what he's shown us he is. Our Jack, proof positive that the goddess has a marvelous sense of humor and that which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. It's hard to see Elisabeth frightened and alone, never cruel by choice, it's not his nature. **Thanks for convincing Ballincolliq to write her fabulous story of Johannes Teague. God bless you, kind heart--

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Wasn't ballincolliq's story GREAT!! I was just blown away, let me tell you. She is of the brilliance.

And I'm glad you enjoyed this story of mine, too -- thank you so much for letting me know!

[just-a-dram.livejournal.com]

His empathy is both appealing and also a dangerous quality for a pirate. His concern for Elizabeth is incredibly touching, and I'm impressed that he admitted that he is afraid.

That "I do" was really something, hmm? No wonder his breath caught!