That night, I sat at my window staring outside. I wore a thin dress compared to earlier today. I watched as a thick fog blanketed the entire bay and the town. The only structure visible was Fort Charles, high on the bluff, like a tall ship sailing a sea of grey. Above the Fort was a clear black sky sprinkled with stars. A waxing moon shining, giving both Fort and fog an eerie glow. I'd taken a bath earlier and felt completely relaxed and a bed warmer was in the fireplace. I slid into bed as a maid came in and removed the bed warmer and slide it between the sheets at the end of my bed.
"Nice and toasty. Thank you, Estrellia." I said smiling at her, picking up a book I'd started last night. The maid nodded to me before leaving. I opened my book and began reading where I'l left off, toying absently with the medallion chain around my neck. The lamp flame began to diminish and I tried to turn it up. No good. The flame went out and my room went black. I got up from my bed and walked back to my window to see the fog lighting up around something in the port. suddenly I heard the boom of the cannons and ran to find Lizzy. I ran to her room and banged on the door.
"Lizzy! Lizzy!" I called to her.
"What is it Nicole?" she asked me and I pushed my way into her room. Suddenly we could hear buildings explode beneath an onslaught. "What's going on?" she asked me and I pulled her to the window. We looked at the scene below and even through the fog, multiple fires were visible, and ships burned in the harbor. Shouts and cries of pain could be heard through the cannon fire.
"Lizzy, look." I said pointing to movement directly below her window. Two shadowy figures approached the house. I tried to see the invading ship but it was useless. We immediately bolted from her room. We reached the railing overlooking the foyer, and Lizzy cried out, just as the butler opened the door. There was the boom of a gun and the butler crumpled in the entryway. I pulled Lizzy down in horror, and peered through the balusters. I moved away from her to get a better view of the men in our doorway. They were pirates, by the look of their clothes, and the leader was a sallow-looking pirate with a bald head. Suddenly I saw him look up to where Lizzy was. How could he know she was there?
"Up there!" he shouted and pirates rushed for the stairs. I followed her into the sitting room. We closed the door and locked it before listening as the pirates pounded up the stairs.
"Miss Nicole? Miss Elizabeth?" Estrella said making us jump. "Are they come to kidnap you two, miss? The daughters of the governor would be very valuable." she whispered. I looked at Lizzy and realized she was right. Suddenly there was the slam of a body against the door.
"Listen, Estrella - they haven't seen you. Hide, and first chance, run for the fort." I told her and she nodded as another slam hit the door.
"Nicole you have to run also." Lizzy told me.
"I'm not leaving you." I told her and she pulled the medallion from my neck before another slam hit the door and we watched as it gave a bit. Lizzy shoved us into the corner and Estrella held me back from going to her as she ran to a side door. When the door smashes inward, it slammed into the wardrobe, and we couldn't be seen. The pirates run in - spot the open side door, and ran for it. The first through got the pan of the bed warmer in the face for his trouble - he staggers back, holding his nose and Estrella grabbed my hand and broke cover, running for the hall unnoticed. We ran to the fort and found my father before hiding until we were told it was safe to come out.
That morning we were in Norrington's office and I was dressed in a bright red dress and accented my natural looks beautifully. The men were talking about what to do when Will burst in, armed with a sword and boarding axe.
"They've taken her! They've taken Elizabeth!" he stated and we all stared at him.
"We're aware of the situation." Norrington told him.
"We have to hunt them down - and save her!" Will ordered.
"Where do you propose we start? If you have any information that concerns my daughter, then share it! If anyone does, tell me!" father shouted at him and I looked down as Will said nothing. "Leave, Mr. Turner."
"That Jack Sparrow... he talked about the Black Pearl." One of the navy men said.
"Mentioned it, is more what he did." another told us.
"Still -"
"We can ask him where it is - maybe he can lead us to it!" Will suggested.
"That pirate tried to kill my daughter. We could never trust a word he said!" father said pointing to me.
"We could strike a bargain -" Will said.
"No. The pirates who invaded this fort left Sparrow locked in his cell. Ergo, he is not their ally, and therefore of no value." Norrington said. We will determine their most likely course, and launch a search mission that sails with the tide." Will slammed the boarding axe into the desk, through the map.
"That's not good enough. This is Elizabeth's life!" Will reminded everyone. Norrington was quick to react; he threw a strong arm across Will's back, and guided him roughly to the door.
"Mr. Turner, this is not the time for rash actions. Do not make the mistake of thinking you are the only man here who loves Elizabeth. Now, go home." Norrington ordered opening the door and turning away from the younger man.
"Father, I'm going to see if there is anything I can do to help the towns people." I told him, following Will as he left.
"Why are you following me?" he asked me.
"You're going to see that pirate, Jack. I'm coming with you." I told him.
"No. He's already threatened to kill you once why give him another chance?" he asked me.
"I'll have you with me, plus this is my sister. I may not be blood kin to the Swanns' but they have taken care of me all my life and I will not see any harm come to her." I told him before making my way to the cells. When we got to the cells Will opened the door and Will and I slipped in. We looked around to see Jack lounging on the floor of his cell, apparently relaxed and unconcerned. Will marched straight up to the bars and I walked behind them.
"Are you familiar with that ship? The Black Pearl?" I asked him.
"Somewhat." he told us.
"Where does it make berth?" Will asked him.
"Surely you've heard the stories? The Black Pearl sails from the dreaded Isla de Mureta... an island that cannot be found - except by those who already know where it is." Jack told us.
"The ship's real enough. So its anchorage must be a real place. Where is it?" Will asked him.
"Why ask me?" he asked us.
"Because you're a pirate." I said.
"And you want to turn pirate yourself?" he asked me, raising an eyebrow.
"Never." Will told him. "They took Miss Swann."
"Miss Swann is standing next to you." Jack said looking at me.
"My sister. They took my sister." I told him and Jack smiled at us.
"So it is that you found a girl. Well, if you're intending to brave all and hasten to her rescue and so win fair lady's heart, you'll have to do it alone. I see no profit in it for me." Jack said and Will slammed his fist against the bars in frustration.
"We can get you out of here." I told him.
"How? The key's run off." Jack said looking the other way.
"I helped build these cells. Those are hook-and-ring hinges. The proper application of strength, the door'll lift free. Just calls for the right lever and fulcrum. . ." Will said catching on with my though.
"Your name is Turner." Jack said looking to him. I looked at him strangely before looking to Will.
"Yes. Will Turner." Will said and Jack grinned at him.
"Will Turner..." Jack said standing up. I'll tell you what, Mr. Turner, Miss Swann. I've changed my mind. You spring me from this cell, and on pain of death, I'll you to the Black Pearl. Do we have an accord?" Jack asked sticking out his hand. I looked at Will and he gave him a suspicious look. The deal seemed too good to be true. I grabbed his hand and shook it.
"Agreed." I told him.
"Agreed!" Jack said grinning at me. I looked to see Will grabbed a chair and levered a long bench on it and stuck it under the door. He pushed the bench down and the cell door rose and then fell forward, crashing down on the bench and chair.
"Someone will have heard that. Hurry." Will told him and we headed for the door.
"Not without my effects." Jack said and I turned to see him searching through the cupboards looking for his things.
"We need to go!" I shouted at him as he found his pistol, sword belt and compass. He strapped on the belt, check the shot in the pistol and looked up at me. "Why are you bothering with that?"
"My business, Nicole. As for your business, Will -one question, or there's no use going. This girl - what does she mean to you? How far are you willing to go to save her?" Jack asked Will.
"I'd die for her." Will said without hesitation.
"Good." Jack said and we left.
We were standing on the docks looking down at a very sad boat with four inches of water in the bottom.
"Ah, now there's a lovely sight!" Jack said hopping into the boat and preparing to make way. "I knew the Harbormaster wouldn't report her. Honest men are slaves to their conscience, and there's no predicting 'em. But you can always trust a dishonest man to stay that way..." Jack looked up at us, standing on the docks. "Come aboard." he told us. I sat on the docks and he grabbed my waist while I grabbed his shoulders and he helped me into the boat.
"I haven't set foot off dry land I was twelve, when the ship I was on exploded. It's been a sound policy." Will told us.
"No worries there. She's far more likely to rot out from under us." Jack told him.
"Is that supposed to make him feel better?" I asked him.
"Yes it is." Jack answered and I rolled my eyes at him. I felt the boat move and turned to see Will watching the boat. "Besides, we are about to better our prospects considerably."Jack nodded to the H.M.S. Dauntless, which was looming in the harbor.
"We're going to steal a ship? That ship?" he asked Jack.
"Commandeer. We're going to commandeer a ship. Nautical term." Jack told him.
"It's still against the law." I reminded both of them.
"So's breaking a man out of jail. Face it, Nicole, Will: you may say you'll never be a pirate, but you're off to a rip-roaring start." Jack said smiling at us. "My advice - smile and enjoy it."
"I just might." I told him, making them both look at me surprised. The small boat bobed its way across the bay, dwarfed against the H.M.S. Dauntless. Will held a stay line with iron fists.
"This is either crazy, or brilliant." Will said.
"Remarkable how often those two traits coincide." Jack said.
"Only with you, I imagine." I told him as we neared the rudder of the much larger ship. We climbed up the larger ship, don't ask me how I did it in a dress but I did, and hid from the officers on board. Jack nodded to us and he and Will jumped out, into the open brandishing pistols with me at their backs.
"Everybody stay calm. We're taking over the ship!" Jack called to them.
"Aye! Avast!" Will said and Jack gave him a look, shaking his head. the sailors looked at us then burst out laughing. They grinned, shacking their heads and Jack stood there, grinning with them but his gun was still level. The lieutenant, Gillette, stepped forward.
"You're serious about this." Gillette said, looking Jack straight on. Jack moved his pistol so it was pointed at the other man.
"Dead serious." Jack told him.
"You understand this ship cannot be crewed by only two men and a woman. You'll never make it out of the bay." Gillette said, his smile still dancing on his face.
"We'll see about that." Jack told him. A couple sailors moved forward, hands on swords but Gillette held up a hand to stop them.
"Sir, I'll not see any of my men killed or wounded in this foolish enterprise." Gillette told him.
"Fine by me. We brought you a nice little boat, so you can all get back to shore, safe and sound." Jack told him.
"Agreed. You have the momentary advantage, sir. But I will see you smile from the yard arm sir." Gillette told him with a smile.
"As likely as not." Jack told him before calling to Will. "Will, short up the anchor, we've got ourselves a ship!" The sailors made their way down a rope ladder and crowded onto the small boat. Will pushed hard against the windlass, to no avail. The anchor was too heavy for one man.
"A little help?" Jack asked Gillette who shrugged and told two officers to help Will. The three of them threw their weight into the windlass, and it turned with Jack's pistol on them the whole time.
"I can't believe he's doing this." one of them said.
"You didn't believe he was telling the truth, either." the other said.
"Do you have any idea, boy, what you're doing?" Gillette asked Will.
"No." Will said and I looked behind me to Jack.
"Jack and Will cranked a capstan, raising the forward jib sail. It luffs and billows out. The huge ship inched forward slowly, pulled by just the one sail and Jack grins.
"Lookee there, mate! We're underway!" Jack said. Once we were in the open sea, Jack leaned on the wheel, relaxing just following the wind.
"You look very comfortable." I said to him and he smiled at me.
"They're coming!" Will said and we looked back at the Interceptor filling out its sails and cutting through the water to us. We put our plan into action and hid in the water. After the Interceptor stopped close to the Dauntless we climbed aboard the Interceptor and Jack tackled the Sentry from behind, covering his mouth.
"Can you swim?" he asked the man as he struggles. "Can. You. Swim?" he asked again removing his hand.
"Of course, sir. Like a fish. I grew up summers living in Dover, with my uncle -" the man told us but Jack interrupted him.
"Good." he said before lifting the man up and throwing him overboard. We all quickly untied the ropes to the grappling hooks. Will cranked the capstan bars, raising the foresail and we were on our way.
"Thank you, Commodore, for getting our ship ready to make way! We'd've had a hard time of it by ourselves!" Jack called back to Norrington. I smiled at the view from the ship. The view of the ocean from my room had always been my favorite. "So I understand why Will broke me out of jail, but why you?" I turned to see Jack looking at me.
"I was found on the doorsteps of the Swann's house back in England and they took me in with no questions asked. I have to find Elizabeth for him." I said looking back to the ocean.
"What will you do after that?" he asked me.
"What do you mean?" I asked him.
"They way you're looking at the view makes me think you might want more from your life than just those fancy dresses and your high-class life." he told me and I stayed silent.
"What else is there for me?" I asked him.