Chancing Fate - Jack Sparrow x OC

Part 3 - Chapter 13

A/N: Updated

Mere minutes ago the Court had reached its decision, but there were still hours to go before the day would be done. Lena had made her way out of battles before and seen firsthand what could happen when fighting at sea, but a war of this size was new to her. Before morning came, she had every intention of speaking to Jack. After everything they'd finally talked through the day before, she had no desire to walk into a war carrying questions they could still answer together.

It seemed that conversation would have to wait.

Jack turned toward her, gesturing casually toward the group gathered across the room as though the suggestion had only just occurred to him. "Help me out, love, and go see if your lovely Lizzy has any more of a plan. Would you?"

Lena looked at him incredulously, already knowing exactly what he was trying to do.

"Really?" she asked when Jack merely blinked back at her with practiced innocence.

"What?"

"What do you mean, what?" She shook her head, already far too familiar with the performance to fall for it. "If you want me out of the way for something, at least be honest."

Jack grimaced the instant he realized he'd been caught. Even so, he made one last attempt to salvage the excuse. "You're not in the way. But who better than you to pick through Elizabeth's head?"

"Jack." Lena sighed, waiting until he'd finished trying to talk his way around it before quietly shaking her head. "I don't know why I would expect you to be honest with me."

The words lingered between them just long enough for the last trace of amusement to disappear from his face.

Stepping back into her space, Jack settled one hand lightly at her waist as he finally conceded. "Fine. Yes, I just need a few minutes."

Lena let the silence linger for another heartbeat, unable to resist making him wait just long enough to know she'd noticed the difference. Then the corner of her mouth lifted.

"See how easy that was?" she teased, rising onto her toes to steal a quick kiss before pulling away with a satisfied smile. "Your plans work better when I'm included in them. You should know that by now."

She left Jack to whatever business he had been trying so unsuccessfully to hide and made her way through the bustling room toward Elizabeth. It took only a moment to spot her among Sao Feng's former crew, though Lena slowed almost unconsciously as she drew closer. So much had changed between them over the past months that she no longer knew quite what to expect. Even so, the hesitation couldn't entirely suppress her smile. Whatever else had happened, she was genuinely happy to see her friend again.

It lasted only a heartbeat before Lena closed the remaining distance and wrapped Elizabeth in a quick embrace.

"It seems a lot has changed since we parted ways."

"I suppose so," Elizabeth agreed, returning the hug just as readily before stepping back. Almost immediately, however, her eyes drifted toward the crew she now led. "When I agreed to go with them, I certainly didn't see myself becoming captain in place of Sao Feng."

"Just don't go around introducing yourself like Jack. Captain Elizabeth Swann," Lena laughed, grateful to find the familiar teasing coming a little more naturally than the conversation had.

Elizabeth shook her head, a genuine laugh escaping her. "I wouldn't dream of it. If I did, it would be King Swann. It has a better ring to it, don't you think?"

"I think you're right. Perhaps I need a title of my own." Lena eyed the hat perched on Elizabeth's head. "Then again, I don't think I could handle the hat that goes along with Captain or King."