Drabble: 'Catching Flies'

[dwgm]

Finally got this one done for the 'Discuss' theme. Yay for Spring Break!

Many thanks to hereswith for the late-night beta.



~ Catching Flies ~

"Jack!"

"No!"

"You're being childish."

"Am not."

"You are, and--""

Jack whirled, blanched and visibly fought back the urge to swear as he put too much weight on his injured ankle, gathered himself and hissed, "Speaking of children, Mrs. Turner, having had decades more experience with such things than you, I believe I'm able to ascertain when and if I need to be leeched."

Elizabeth ground her teeth at his tone. "How dare you speak to me like that!"

"It's my ship! Now shoo!" He swept insolent fingers at her. "This discussion is over, savvy? Go do whatever it is Pirate Kings do to pass the time in the aftermath of an engagement. Other than nagging me like a bloody fishwife!"

*

For the remainder of the day their intercourse was characterized by icy civility, interspersed with a stony silence that made the entire crew uncomfortable. Elizabeth's anger warred with the realization of her tactical error, and she said nothing about Jack's stubborn refusal to rest, or about his limp, which grew more perceptible with each passing hour.

Finally, long after the tropical night had closed in, when everything else was safe and settled and the Pearl was sweetly tacking east, along the full moon's path, Elizabeth found Jack sitting below, on a step in a dimly lit and otherwise deserted passage, rubbing at his outstretched limb.

On noting her presence, he tucked his foot back and glared at her. She came and sat down quietly, beside him.

After a long moment he spoke. "Don't think I can get me boot off."

She bit her lip, and put her arms about him. To her relief, his stiffness eased and he leaned his head against hers. She said, gently, "If we have to cut it, I'll get you a new pair of boots -- best to be had."

She felt him smile. "Promise?"

"Promise." She kissed his cheek. "Let's go find Gibbs."


~.~

Comments

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

There's something to be said for sweet. ;)

I'm so happy you liked it!

[torn-eledhwen.livejournal.com]

:) I love Jack at the end of this.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Poor Jack. He just can't let himself be bossed around by that chit of a Pirate King. *g*

Glad you liked it!

[salr323.livejournal.com]

Oh how sweet! It's rare to see them written as if they're together, and I love this idea. *sigh*

Thanks for writing, it's put a smile on my face. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

It's rare to see them written as if they're together

Yes, I can only take so much of the extreme angst their relationship generates post-AWE. In this one, they've worked it all out -- whatever 'it' is.

I may have to write more of this. Jack without his boots is almost worse than Jack without his hat. *g*

[jenthegypsy.livejournal.com]

*smile* No better way to start the day than with a hissy-fit from Jack and an unspoken reconciliation in a deserted passageway. ;)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

There are lots of ways to say you're sorry. ;)

So happy to have made you smile!

[artaxastra.livejournal.com]

*g* They're adorable when they fight. I love "He swept insolent fingers at her." They're so good together. It just makes me smile.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Jack isn't the best patient, as you have observed yourself.

They're so good together. It just makes me smile.

Me too. They're just such great characters!

Thank you so much for reading and commenting!

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

That man is *never* going to grow up.

And I can't say I'm entirely sorry.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

He's so cute when he pouts, too. *G*

Glad you enjoyed this!

[erinya.livejournal.com]

He is just like a little boy sometimes, isn't he? Like most men when they're sick or injured...straight back to five years old. Cute yet exasperating.

I like her promising him new boots, and the sweetness of the ending.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. :)

[reneeks.livejournal.com]

That was absolutely precious! ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[naika7.livejournal.com]

Oh that was so cool. I love how it was a snapshot of a much bigger story ) It worked really well )

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Yes, there may be a little more coming, actually...

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

That was wonderful! And as someone said.... He'll never grow up, will he? ;-D

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

He'll never grow up, will he?

Probably not entirely, thank goodness!

Glad you enjoyed it!

[bellbubble.livejournal.com]

Childish Jack *grins silly* I really liked it, sweet and cute and lovely!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[felaine.livejournal.com]

Very cute, and IC for them both.
Typical male: it doesn't hurt until it falls off.
Good work.
Felaine

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Typical male: it doesn't hurt until it falls off.

A lot of people are like that.

I'm so happy you liked it! Thank you for letting me know.

And I hope you had a wonderful Easter!

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

Awww - sweet ending. Love Jack snarling - "fishwife" - *snort* And I adore your title - geez *shakes head* the number of times I heard that when I was a kid. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I think Jack owes her an apology for the "fishwife" remark. *G*

I love that saying -- it's so true! Although it's also true that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. :-/

Thank you for reading and commenting!

[tiamary.livejournal.com]

Not only just like Jack, just like a man. Very fun story that put me in a good mood!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Very fun story that put me in a good mood!

Exactly what I was hoping for! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

When I was about eight and Dad was laid off, he went fishing one day by himself and sprained his ankle *badly* - he had to drag himself back to his truck on the ground, and drive home. That thing swelled up to three times its normal size, and despite Mom nagging him mercilessly (or maybe because of it), he refused to go to the doctor, the dumbass. THAT is what I thought of when I read this fic - peas in a pod, Jack and Dad. *G*

bloody fishwife

"Right this way, Mrs. Fish ..."

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Sprained ankles can do that, lol! One time we were going to leave for San Francisco in two days, with attendant miles of walking in store, and weemonkey6 sprained her ankle and it instantly ballooned! Crazy. And inconvenient. Just like Jack's here, and your Dad's. :))

I thought of that Mrs. Fish line. Maybe I need to work that into the sequel. *g*

[hope27.livejournal.com]

You write Jack and Elizabeth so perfectly! I especially loved Jack's temper tantrum - you have his actions and words down to a T!

Great job and thank you for sharing! :D

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I do enjoy writing them together -- they have a really interesting dynamic. I'm very happy you liked this one!

[lady-di75.livejournal.com]

You are the master of the "little moment," with voices always so perfect and believable, no matter the situation! Love your drabbles :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

What a lovely thing to say! Thank you!

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

You writ 'em quite nice--them's my beloveds, stubborn as the day is long and determined ohmy!! And sweet too enough to convince a priest to pirating and a dear nun to a casual dancing turn at the Faithful Bride or other...things.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Miz Pearlseed -- I'm so happy you enjoyed Captain Jack and King Lizzie here. ;)