Fic: 'Bath Holiday' - Chapter 1 (3/7)

[dwgm]

A bit more for potcfest prompt #9: Jack/Elizabeth, in England. Background info is accessible in the headers of bits 1 & 2.

Many thanks, again, to hereswith, for editing and generally keeping me on track, and to everyone who commented on the first two bits. I really appreciate the feedback. This won't be entirely done by the potcfest deadline (which is Friday 0.0), but I'm hoping to get it to a point where the first chapter could serve as a standalone fic for that, and then just continue it at my leisure. It's something I've been wanting to write for a while now.




~ Bath Holiday, continued...


3 ~

The landlord tucked Jack into a quiet corner table, leaving him to keep company with a tankard, the remainder of the Good Stuff, and his flailing brain.

She won't thank you.

For seeing her laid out and helpless with a woman's lot? For being the cause of it in the first place?

Ana was probably right.

Although, Anamaria wasn't his Lizzie.

His Lizzie. That was the game they'd been playing.

And what makes you think I’m yours, Pirate?

He mentally shoved her old question aside and found himself wondering what the devil was happening up there. Thinking he should have stayed.

She won't thank you.

Swann wouldn't thank him either, he'd be bound. Jack gave a mirthless snort at the mere idea of informing the governor precisely what sort of succor had been offered his treasured daughter aboard the Black Pearl these last months. Abandoning her skirts for breeches, bare feet, and hours spent precariously aloft; unsanctioned activities leading to mayhem and incarceration in the Canaries; a pitched battle with corsairs and a deep cut that would ever mar her beautiful shoulder; a week of stormy Biscayan weather that had kept her cabinbound and him exhausted, eager as she was to practice the skills in advanced sexual congress she'd absorbed these many weeks under his tutelage; and now, with child by her erstwhile protector.

Lord, he should thank God fasting for what was going forth upstairs.

Except he wasn't.

He threw off his brooding mood with a curse and got to his feet. If he couldn't have the sea, and his Pearl, left snugly anchored in Portsmouth, at least he could get some fresh air.


~ TBC

Comments

[stealmybike.livejournal.com]

I can really feel the great weight on Jack's shoulders and it makes me wanna leave class and get some air as well. He just seems so helpless, like he can't do anything for her and now hes sitting on the sidelines waiting to see what happens.

"Abandoning her skirts for breeches, bare feet, and hours spent precariously aloft; unsanctioned activities leading to mayhem and incarceration in the Canaries; a pitched battle with corsairs and a deep cut that would ever mar her beautiful shoulder..."

Also! Interesting character development for Elizabeth in this piece. She's really turned into an independent woman by the last movie. And how you've described her now seems like the next step for her character - shes really embracing her role as Pirate King. :]

Great piece once again! Eager for more!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

This universe actually ignores the sequels, being set post-AWE. It's a kinder, gentler universe in some ways, but Elizabeth, after five happy years as Will's wife, is now a widow, and feeling the freedom of her single state. She was always a pirate, as Jack knew, and it's really showing, now.

I'm so glad you're enjoying reading it. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment on these shorter bits which are just posted at my journal right now -- I'm going to start cross-posting it when I have the first chapter complete (hopefully on Friday).

[stealmybike.livejournal.com]

No problem! I really enjoy reading your work! I'll be waiting for Friday! :D

[p0wdermonkey.livejournal.com]

Oh poor Jack! This is not what he does best. He can't run away (well, he could, but he won't - will he?) He can't pretend it doesn't hurt because someone else is doing most of the hurting. And charm doesn't help either, though it probably helped get him the good stuff. If it wasn't for the encouraging title, I'd be very worried. Either way, I'm impatient for more.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

He can't run away (well, he could, but he won't - will he?)

Maybe just a little. ;)

If it wasn't for the encouraging title, I'd be very worried. Either way, I'm impatient for more.

I'm so glad! More soon, with a bit less wallowing-in-angst.

[jenthegypsy.livejournal.com]

I was going list my favorite passage, but stealmybike beat me to it, so I'll just let you know that I'm reveling in your return to this verse and to the Jack and Elizabeth of olde - I really wish the franchise had stopped after CotBP! Eagerly awaiting the next installment!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

More coming soon! I'm so glad you're enjoying it.

[mary684.livejournal.com]

Jack just doesn't do introspection well. I feel for him here, quite a mess he feels he's made and he's never been one to enjoy facing the music. I hope he took the rum with him and please, what IS going forth upstairs? Hope she's okay.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Hard to wiggle out of a situation like this.

I managed to write the rest of the chapter, another four parts, yesterday, so I'll probably post tonight -- I sent it off for hereswith to edit. I'm glad you're finding it interesting. Thank you, again, for commenting!

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

I love Jack's flailing brain, and this particular universe.

His Lizzie. That was the game they'd been playing.

And what makes you think I’m yours, Pirate?

The game has come full circle, and this is perfect, so beautifully written, their relationship so clearly reflected in Jack's thoughts alone. I was going to wait until Friday to comment, but I just couldn't :-) Can't wait to see the completed fic ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much -- I'm so happy you liked this part! (That's a beautiful icon, btw.)

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the icon love :-) Any and all of my icons are up for grabs if you're interested - the ones that aren't mine are credited in the info.