Disclaimer: I don't own POTC of related stuff. Actually, I do own a replica medallion. It probably wasn't worth my ten bucks, but whatever...Right. Just don't steal Jessica. Or the woman in black. Srsly.

Chapter Seven: In Which Jessica Becomes Afraid

Puwap, puwap, puwap.

Norrington shut his eyes and tried to block out the sound as he sat tensely in the boat.

Puwap, puwap, puwap.

His eyes snapped open and his brows furrowed in silent frustration, but he controlled himself. Grasping the edge of his seat so tightly that his knuckles turned white, he gazed straight ahead in the distance, watching in annoyance as Sparrow rowed cockily into the caverns.

Puwap, pu-

"Jessica, please do us all a favor and be quiet," he hissed.

Jessica glanced up at him in irritation. She had been sitting very nicely by her standards, making sucking sounds with her lips. Now she puffed out her cheeks in a disgruntled pout.

"This is boring," she announced into the night, resting her cheek in her hand.

"It's just for a little bit longer," he assured her.

He'd forgotten how terribly annoying she could be. Well, no, not really.

"I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves," Jessica began to sing. "I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves and this is how it goes: I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves. I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves and this is –"

"Jessica, I understand that you have the attention span of a gnat, but it is extremely important that you be as quiet as possible for just a little bit longer," Norrington snapped, a little louder than was necessary.

She paused, not quite sure what he had just said. She was positive it had been an insult, though. After a moment or too of being silent, she resumed singing, this time in a much quieter voice so that she was almost whispering.

"I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves…"

Norrington ripped a piece of cloth off of his own shirt and bound it around Jessica's mouth, praying that it would keep her quiet.

She glared holes in his back, willing his jacket to catch fire. The gag smelled and tasted of sweat and salt water. It overwhelmed her, causing her to cough. No one seemed to notice, though, as a little dingy had just rowed out of the caverns. Its passengers appeared to be two women giggling and waving.

"Ngh nwkn hines aht shposhus?" she mumbled, meaning something along the lines of "and no one finds that suspicious", which probably would have impressed at least three people, had they not been too busy being fooled by a blatant trap.

"Hold fire," Norrington commanded softly.

They sat in total silence for mere minutes before faint sounds reached Jessica's ears. She turned her head slightly and started at what she saw. Every few moments, a flash of light would flicker through the sky, followed by a bang. There were shouts and fire could be seen flickering.

She began to struggle against her gag, making muffled sounds of alarm that even attracted Norrington's attention.

"What is it Jessica?" he asked.

Blinking at her own stupidity, she reached up and snatched the gag away from her mouth.

"Someone's trying to steal your boat again," she told him.

As Norrington turned to face the Dauntless, a bell echoed crisply through the night. If the Commodore hadn't been a man of gentlemanly class and respect, he probably would have cursed very strongly before giving his next order.

"Make for the ship!" he yelled. "Move!"

All the boats were quickly turned toward the Dauntless and they began rowing toward it as fast as they could. The water splashed up against the wooden sides, giving Jessica a mouthful of bitter water. Suddenly, there were giant splashes all around. They were being fired upon!

Jessica screeched as a cannon ball landed too close for comfort, but the boats continued rushing forward. Norrington reached down and took her by the hand as they reached the ship. She looked up at him, and had he not been fixated on the battle at hand, Norrington would have noticed a sparkle of fear in her eyes.

"Mr. Norrington," she gasped as he heaved her up in preparation for the fight. "I'm scared."

And then tears began to stream down her cheeks, sobs shaking her body. There was no doubt in the eight year old's mind that she was going to die.


Author's Note: Well this is awkward. I can only hope you haven't lost faith in me. Following is an explanation that, as before, I do not expect you to accept. Please forgive me.

It really started when the second movie came out. I was so excited to start writing the sequel. But then I realized how incredibly difficult it was going to be. I couldn't wrap my mind around it. Every time I sat down at the computer and tried to write something, all I could think about was how this story wasn't going anywhere. There wasn't going to be a sequel.

I have it all sorted out now, though. Everything. I know almost exactly how I'm going to work the sequel (which may take a while for me to start posting).

I would also like to apologize for the shortness and crappiness of this chapter. It's pretty much just filler that leads up to the battle, but you might notice that Jessica's suddenly a lot smarter. Also, sorry about the gag. It just seemed like something Norrington might do in such an extreme case. They WERE trying to hold an ambush, after all...

As always, I love you all. Please forgive me and review.

-Pirate Captain Elk