CUT TO...Jack's ship
(Gibbs is walking on the deck to Jack's cabin. He knocks, no answer. He tries once more, but there is no answer. Shaking his head, he opens the door and walks in.)
(Inside are several empty rum bottles on the desk and on the floor. The cluttered space is a mess.)
Gibbs: Cap'n?
(Jack has a slight stagger getting up from his bed. His eyes are bloodshot, but he appears more hungover than drunk.)
Jack: Tell me, do all old salts like yourself enter rooms when your knocking goes unanswered?
Gibbs: Cap'n, I was thinkin' since it's after the funeral and all, that we need a plan.
Jack: And?
Gibbs: And I have one.
Jack: (sputters out a laugh) Really? (crosses arms) Do share.
Gibbs: We have to find out first what happened to Calypso, by my reckoning. (sees Jack nod but doesn't catch it's mocking) Then, we best be findin' a way to keep Beckett off our backs. He won't be givin' up even with the Dutchman no longer on his side.
Jack: All spot-on points, Mr. Gibbs. Really. Now, what should the very first thing we do be?
Gibbs: That's where you come in. We figure you're so good with the details...
Jack: We?
Gibbs: We meanin' myself and the crew.
Jack: Ah. Well, (escorts him to the door) I'll leave you and the crew to your thoughts.
Gibbs: Jack! We need you out there. The captains need you. It's... (places his hand on the cluttered desk. He looks down on it and sees a familiar letter) Is this...is this Will's note to you?
Jack: Maybe.
Gibbs: It's not even opened! (picks it up) You have to read it. It might be important.
Jack: I'd rather not.
Gibbs: Are you afraid he'll tell you? (sees Jack's annoyance begin to boil) But, all fears aside, you have to read it.
Jack: The addressee determines when parcels and the like shall be opened, not shameless ne'erdowells who come up with half-done plans. Shoo! Off you go! (waves at him to go)
Gibbs: Jack. (shoves the letter in front of him) It was a dyin' man's wish you read what's on here. It can't be that long, can't take too much of your time.
Jack: Fine. (opens it and takes out the letter, sees it's not an exceptionally long letter. He looks up and sees Gibbs lingering)
Gibbs: Got to make sure it don't get lost in the mess.
(Jack pushes the mess on the desk aside and sits on top of it. He reads silently, but we can hear Will's voice)
Jack,
By now, if you're reading this, it means I have died. Hopefully you have spared James' life, at least long enough to allow him to hand out the letters I entrusted to him. Don't be too hard on him. Everything he did- I take full responsibility.
I knew he could probably restrain Elizabeth if she were able to come onto the Dutchman, but I am sure you will make an attempt to help me. You have been quite a handle to help, but then again you always manage to help me to some degree. I meant what I said that day at Port Royal when I said you were a good man, and you are, just an impossible one as well.
(Jack flashes a small smile. We haven't seen a smile on his face for a while. He continues to read)
Your friendship has meant more to me than I care to let on, and with that said, I feel I know you on a level most people do not. For example, I know you're in love with Elizabeth.
(Jack coughs. He almost fumbles the letter)
Gibbs: What is it?
(Jack lifts a finger to shush him. The letter continues)
If there is a person whom you've been there for more than me, it's her. I don't blame you. In fact, I compliment your taste. I've finally had the pleasure of being her husband, even if it was only for a little while. I know she's been faithful to me in mind and body, but I know she feels a closeness and devotion to you. I entrust her protection to you, even though she rarely needs protecting, and even though you're a self-serving, manipulative ass. If you wish to pursue a relationship with her, and if she comes to love you, I give you my blessing.
Take care of her and yourself and the crews. I thought I would never wish good fortune to a pirate, but if one needs to have it, it is certainly you.
(Jack folds the letter and sits with wide eyes. We can almost see the wheels turning. He leaves the desk and begins to pace around the room. Gibbs follows him around the cabin.)
Gibbs: What is it? Is it good news?
Jack: In a way.
Gibbs: What did it say?
Jack: Shh! Thinking... (dashes out of the cabin. Gibbs follows him out. Jack shouts orders to the crew.) Bring us around to the co-captains' ship.
Gibbs: Ah! A captains' conference. This is a good start.
Jack: You're in charge until I get back.
Gibbs: Can you at least tell me the gist of it?
Jack: Permission. It's new. Never usually have permission.
CUT TO...James and Elizabeth's ship
(James shifts slightly, his arms still around Anne. They are silent, but share warm carresses and, well, snuggling. James traces her hairline with his fingers as they lock eyes.)
Jack's voice: Commodore! Lizzie!
James: (furious) What the bloody hell does HE want? (starts to get up)
Anne: You don't have to speak to him if you don't want to.
James: (putting on his pants) And then he'll come looking for us and I'd rather the whole crew not...(looks back at her. His face softens somewhat as Anne scrambles to her clothes)
Anne: Run up before I do. I'll come up later. (she rushes to him to give him a short but passionate kiss and watches him go to the deck)
ON THE DECK
James: What do you want, Sparrow?
Jack: Ouch. What happened to your face? You look bloody awful.
James: I swear to God...
Jack: Was I interrupting something? (can somehow see the signs) Or were you still being a smug, self-righteous git?
(James starts for him. Elizabeth finally comes out of her cabin.)
Elizabeth: James. (to Jack. She looks like she hasn't slept in days. It is worse than how she looked at the funeral only earlier that day) Did you come for a purpose?
Jack: Just the captain I wanted to see. (to James) Fare thee well. (back to Elizabeth) I had a thought.
(Anne rushes up. She is fully clothed, but her hair is disshelveled)
Jack: Ahhhh, hello. (Anne looks flustered) Grief feels so good, doesn't it, Annie?
Elizabeth: Back to that thought.
Jack: Cabin?
Elizabeth: (weary) This way. (looks back at James. She bites her lip, a hard decision on her mind. A thousand thoughts are in her head) James, are you coming?
(She and James share an understanding but hesitant smile as he approaches her)
James: I couldn't ask you to forgive me.
Elizabeth: Someday I will. Not today, though.
Willo and I have discussed a sequel. *bats lashes* We shall see if this huge project ever gets done. *pets thread*
I'm actually working on translating the script into 'novel' form so we can post it on ff.net, since I am a review whore and we're bound to get good reviews there once it is in legal form. *ggg*