(no subject)
Title: The Games We Play.
Prompt: Guilt.
Characters: Elizabeth, Gibbs, Jack, Norrington.
Pairing: Norrington/Elizabeth.
Rating: PG, I think.
Spoilers: Up to Dead Man's Chest.
Word Count: 394
Author's Notes: Came up with this in Biology earlier today.
“But you’ve no gold…” Jack hummed, idly fingering the money he had won. “What’s your bet?”
Elizabeth didn’t want to admit it was guilt that motivated such a rash decision, but it was undeniable. Her eyes met James’ for the briefest of moments before returning them to the Captain’s face. “Me.”
“Beggin’ your pardon,” Gibbs started, brows knitted in confusion, “you bet…yourself?”
“Aye, sir. Myself. For the night.”
A hush fell over the table, each man considering what he could lose, but more importantly...of what he might gain.
“I’m all in.” Jack murmured, dark eyes glinting in the lamplight as he pushed his winnings into the center of the table.
Gibbs tapped out, not wanting anything to do with the game; while Elizabeth had, indeed, become a woman, he still saw the curious child fascinated by pirates that sailed with him on the Dauntless. He stood and turned to leave when Jack shot him a scathing glance. With a heavy sigh, Gibbs sat back down.
James faltered. This was ridiculous-insane. The part of him that remained devout to his honor protested most fervently. But she was looking at him, hazel eyes wide and expectant, daring him-begging him-to play the game. This might have been the opportune moment he had been waiting for.
“Well, mate?” Jack prodded, flashing a bit of teeth in a challenging smirk.
Norrington's gaze met Sparrow’s, and without another word he dropped the few remaining coins he had into the kitty. “All in.”
“Very well. Mr. Gibbs?”
“Aye, Cap’n?”
“Deal the cards.”
The man did as he was told, dealing five cards to each player.
All three looked at each other suspiciously before picking up their hands.
***
Elizabeth looked off into the distance, a clouded expression masking her face; a storm was quickly gathering on the horizon.
She felt his presence behind her, and allowed him to wrap an arm around her waist, hand splaying over her stomach, pulling her flush against his body. He breathed obscene things into the curve of her neck; her eyes fluttered shut in response. Who was this man in ruined brocade making her swoon and beg? Desperate to know, she turned and kissed James eagerly, fingers tangling themselves in his hair.
For the night, she was his, and the guilt that had twisted inside her for almost a year had started to subside.
Prompt: Guilt.
Characters: Elizabeth, Gibbs, Jack, Norrington.
Pairing: Norrington/Elizabeth.
Rating: PG, I think.
Spoilers: Up to Dead Man's Chest.
Word Count: 394
Author's Notes: Came up with this in Biology earlier today.
“But you’ve no gold…” Jack hummed, idly fingering the money he had won. “What’s your bet?”
Elizabeth didn’t want to admit it was guilt that motivated such a rash decision, but it was undeniable. Her eyes met James’ for the briefest of moments before returning them to the Captain’s face. “Me.”
“Beggin’ your pardon,” Gibbs started, brows knitted in confusion, “you bet…yourself?”
“Aye, sir. Myself. For the night.”
A hush fell over the table, each man considering what he could lose, but more importantly...of what he might gain.
“I’m all in.” Jack murmured, dark eyes glinting in the lamplight as he pushed his winnings into the center of the table.
Gibbs tapped out, not wanting anything to do with the game; while Elizabeth had, indeed, become a woman, he still saw the curious child fascinated by pirates that sailed with him on the Dauntless. He stood and turned to leave when Jack shot him a scathing glance. With a heavy sigh, Gibbs sat back down.
James faltered. This was ridiculous-insane. The part of him that remained devout to his honor protested most fervently. But she was looking at him, hazel eyes wide and expectant, daring him-begging him-to play the game. This might have been the opportune moment he had been waiting for.
“Well, mate?” Jack prodded, flashing a bit of teeth in a challenging smirk.
Norrington's gaze met Sparrow’s, and without another word he dropped the few remaining coins he had into the kitty. “All in.”
“Very well. Mr. Gibbs?”
“Aye, Cap’n?”
“Deal the cards.”
The man did as he was told, dealing five cards to each player.
All three looked at each other suspiciously before picking up their hands.
***
Elizabeth looked off into the distance, a clouded expression masking her face; a storm was quickly gathering on the horizon.
She felt his presence behind her, and allowed him to wrap an arm around her waist, hand splaying over her stomach, pulling her flush against his body. He breathed obscene things into the curve of her neck; her eyes fluttered shut in response. Who was this man in ruined brocade making her swoon and beg? Desperate to know, she turned and kissed James eagerly, fingers tangling themselves in his hair.
For the night, she was his, and the guilt that had twisted inside her for almost a year had started to subside.