Pirates of the Caribbean: Shadows of Destiny

8. 'Comparison.'

As weeks passed by, Elizabeth found herself often by Killian's side. One day, they found themselves staring into each other's eyes, a silent love force passing between them.

Elizabeth gently traced her fingers through Killian's long, silky hair, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips. "Your hair, I love it," she said softly, "It's just like Will's." She added. He smiled back, a loving expression masking the ache of hurt in his heart at the constant comparison to Will.

Jack, who was standing beside Barbossa, looked a little disgusted at first. However, he quickly noticed that Barbossa was giving him a side eye with a smirk. Jack raised an eyebrow and asked, "What?" before nonchalantly walking away. 

As shadows emerged from the sea, the crew found themselves commited in a fierce battle. Elizabeth and Killian fought side by side, their movements synchronized as they tried to withstand the mysterious threat. Amidst the chaos, they decided to take shelter in a cabin, seeking a moment of relief.

Inside the cabin, the tension between Elizabeth and Killian escalated. The air was charged with an undeniable energy as they found themselves drawn closer. Their lips were mere inches apart when Killian, with a conflicted expression, interrupted the impending kiss.

"I can't," he whispered, his breath mingling with hers. Elizabeth looked at him, confusion showing on her face. Killian took a step back, breaking the intensity of the moment.

"I'm not Will, Elizabeth," he confessed, his gaze filled with regret. "You only love me because I remind you of him. I'm sorry, my precious."

With those words, Killian left the cabin, leaving Elizabeth disoriented and grappling with the realization that her feelings were entangled with the ghost of her past love.

Elizabeth stepped out onto the deck. The moonlight brightened the ship's deck, revealing an eerie calmness after the unexpected stop in the fight with the shadows.

Jack, with his characteristic smirk, approached Elizabeth. "Ah, you finally came out of your hiding spot, Lizzie," he teased, expecting a playful smile as response. However, Elizabeth didn't crack a smile. Instead, she silently moves away from Jack and goes to stand alone, her gaze secured on the widespread sea.

Leaving Jack rather confused, Selene makes her approach to Elizabeth. Before Selene can start her sentence, Elizabeth begins talking, "I ruined everything," letting this sink in. She adds, "I sought for Will too much, and now I've lost."

Selene places a comforting hand on Elizabeth's shoulder, "El, you haven't lost anything. The heart has its own way of healing, and sometimes, it just takes time."

"But what if time doesn't fix it? What if I've tied myself to the past too tightly?" Elizabeth states, a hint of sorrow in her voice.

Selene chuckles, "I wouldn't say that," she says as she looks over at Killian, who's staring at Elizabeth. This sudden movement of Selene's head made Elizabeth look at what she's looking at, having a moment of distant eye contact with Killian as he shows a kind smile before getting interrupted by Gibbs. After this, Selene walks away, leaving Elizabeth to her thoughts.

Elizabeth, seeking some me-time, walks into a random cabin. As she closes the door and turns around, she gets startled and lets out a shocked scream. She sees Jack sleeping in the cabin, practically wearing nothing but covered up by his blanket. His chest is exposed, and the scar on his arm is noticeable. Her scream startles Jack, who wakes up and nonchalantly shouts, "Eh, you didn't have to scream like that to wake me up, Gibbs!" Then, he realizes it's Elizabeth and screams himself as he scrambles to pull the blanket higher up.

Caught off guard, Elizabeth quickly covers her eyes with her hands, stammering an apology. Jack, still half-asleep, manages to quickly put on a part of his clothes.

"Can't a pirate get some decent sleep around here?" Jack mutters, imitating annoyance but with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Elizabeth, slightly flustered, tries to compose herself.

"I.. I didn't mean to intrude. I thought this cabin was empty," Elizabeth explains, averting her eyes.

"What do ya bring in me cabin, love?" he asks with a smirk, catching Elizabeth off guard.

"I didn't expect to find you here," she replies, her cheeks reddening.

Jack chuckles, "Well, you found the Captain in an intimate moment. Anything specific you need, or did you just come to enjoy the view?"

Elizabeth rolls her eyes, "I just wanted some me-time, to get a clear mind," she says.

Jack raises an eyebrow, his playful attitude fading slightly. "Clear mind, eh? Well, you've certainly cleared the fog out of mine with that scream," he remarks, adjusting his hat. "But no harm done, love. It's not every day I have such a charming visitor in me cabin."

Elizabeth chuckles at Jack's comment, finding his cheeky humor amusing. Jack, ever curious, notices her thoughtful expression.

"Something on yer mind, love?" he asks, pointing towards a small table in the cabin.

Elizabeth nods, "A few things, actually." her gaze momentarily fixed on the table. "It's about me and Killian. I realized I need to stop searching for Will in him, expecting him to be a replacement. It's not fair to either of them."

Jack leans back, studying Elizabeth's face. "Well, that's an insight, isn't it?" he comments with a knowing smile.

"Trying to fit someone into a mold they don't belong in never ends well, savvy?" Jack adds.

Elizabeth takes a deep breath, appreciating Jack's understanding. Jack tilts his head, "Ah, the sea of life, love. It's a sneaky one, full of unexpected turns. But hey, you've got ol' Jack here to help you steer through it, eh."

Elizabeth chuckles at Jack's attempt at comfort. Jack raises an eyebrow, a mischievous spark in his eyes. "You know, Lizzie, sometimes the best way to navigate these troubled waters is with a bit of rum. Care for a drink, love?" Elizabeth smirks, "Maybe just this once."

As the night unfolds, the bottle of rum becomes a source of courage for Elizabeth. The cabin echoes with laughter and the warmth of shared stories.

Elizabeth, feeling the effects of the alcohol, blurts out with a mischievous smile, "You know, Jack, I must admit, I do think you're rather on the attractive side."

Jack, taken aback but delighted, raises an eyebrow, "Well, love, it's about time you noticed," He jokes.

Elizabeth chuckles, getting closer to Jack as the effects of the rum start taking a toll on her, making her feel drowsy. Sensing this, Jack, ever the gentleman, ensures she's comfortable.

Elizabeth, nestled in the warmth of the cabin and Jack's arms, gives in to the embrace of sleep.

The flickering lanterns cast a gentle glow over the cabin as Jack, careful not to disturb her, watches over Elizabeth. The rhythmic creaking of the ship and the distant sounds of the sea create a lullaby that complements her peaceful slumber.