Oedipus Jack
Title: Oedipus Jack, Chapter 5
Author: Tiamary
Pairing/characters: J/E
Rating: Mature
Summary: Jack returns to Shipwreck City to find out if the rumor about his father’s recent marriage is true.
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Disney, and I am making no $ from this fic.
Warnings: Sparrabeth, language, violence
Author's notes: PoTCfest challenge: From round one, #7: Jack and Elizabeth, knowingly adulterous, dirty talk
Chapter 5 summary: Elizabeth makes a pass at Jack. Jack tells himself he doesn't like it.
Chapter 5
Elizabeth came up the stairs and walked in on Jack while he was gathering his few possessions, and a few of Teague’s as well, into a gunnysack.
“What are you doing?”
“Where’s your happy husband?”
“Off scoring opium would be my best guess.”
Jack turned and faced Elizabeth. “Opium? How long’s that been going on?”
“No idea. I thought you’d know.”
“Well. That won’t do a thing to keep him looking younger.”
Elizabeth smiled a little. “Going somewhere?”
Jack swung the gunnysack over his shoulder. “I’m off to the Pearl, Love. My crew gathers tomorrow and we set sail.”
Elizabeth was breathing faster, a mix of excitement and dismay in her face. ‘That’s interesting,’ Jack thought.
“Where are you all going?” she inquired.
“We have some business in Haiti. Why? You planning to miss me?” His gave her his cocky, sideways grin for the first time since he’d come to Shipwreck City. Elizabeth drew closer.
“Of course. We’ve barely had a chance to …”
This time Jack stepped closer to Elizabeth. “A chance to what, dearest heart?”
“Well…talk…and…” Tentatively, Elizabeth touched his cheek. “There are things, important things, I need to tell you.” ‘About bloody time,’ Jack thought. ‘And I have things to tell you, too, darling, but not yet. Why isn’t she looking me in the eye? Z’ounds! She’s staring at me mouth!’ Jack put his bundle on the floor.
“What are you doing?” he demanded softly. She dropped her hand.
“I’m sorry.”
Jack took her by the shoulders and drew her to him until her face was almost touching his. “For God’s sake, Elizabeth. You kill me, marry Will, marry my father…. If you don’t want me, leave me be. If you do want me, stop marrying other men, will you now?” He shifted her out of his way and picked up the bundle again.
“If you want me,” Elizabeth snapped, “stop pushing me away! That’s what’s gotten us into this mess, hasn’t it?”
Jack was not in a humor to share the blame. “I don’t mind an occasional snog with a married woman, Mother Mine, but I’m not about to betray my father or let you make a fool of me again. Fare thee well.”
Elizabeth caught his arm, her eyes sparkling with anger. “Tell me Captain -- would your father betray you? Have you never wondered that?”
Jack glanced indignantly at her hand on his arm, but she didn’t let him go. “What are you on about this time?” he sighed.
“Do you trust him, Jack?” Before he could answer, they heard slow footsteps on the stairs. “Never mind. He’s coming,” Elizabeth whispered. “Stay one more night, Jack, please? If you don’t want to stay with us, go to Shipwreck Inn. Do you need cash?”
Jack thought of the thirty pounds in his purse. That money was for bribes and whatever else he’d be needing for his Haitian expedition. Not for a night at an inn. “I’m skimp at the moment, but I’m going back to the Pearl, so it’s no matter.”
“Here’s a few Italian lira. Please, just one more night. Trust me this once, won’t you?”
Teague staggered into the room. He smelled of opium. He spotted Jack and curled his lip. “Wha…you still ‘ere?” he slurred. He barely made it to a chair in the main room. He draped himself over it and shut his bloodshot eyes.
“Don’t worry yourself, Da. I’m going to Shipwreck Inn, and I’ll be no more bother to you and your lovely mistress.” Jack noticed that Elizabeth exhaled loudly when he mentioned Shipwreck Inn. Fine, he’d indulge her little request, as well as his own curiosity. He picked up his sack, grateful that Teague was too wrecked to wonder which of his trinkets Jack had pilfered. “I’m off,” he said quietly to Elizabeth.
“You're staying in the city one more night?”
“Yes.”
“Farewell for the time being, then.”
“You two sound like yer planning a tryst,” muttered Teague. Elizabeth started.
“For goodness sake, John. I invited Jack to come have dinner with us in the great hall before he leaves us. He’s on his way tomorrow.”
“Don’t give a bloody, bleeding, flying, fornicating…” Teague’s voice dropped off and he fell asleep.
A/N: More to come. Sorry I couldn’t finish in time for the deadline.