Chapter 7: Davy Jones' Locker

The next thing Melinda felt was the cold ocean air as she stumbled out of the ocean. She choked out water and shivered as she rested on the sand of the island. Weariness poked at her eyelids but she forced herself to stay awake. Her husband grabbed her around the waist suddenly and held her to his chest tightly.

The island was a desert and no one was around but the sun shined down on them relentlessly. It was so freaking hot despite just getting out of the ocean.

"This truly is a godforsaken place," breathed Gibbs, standing on the sand.

"I don't see Jack," remarked Elizabeth, shivering. "I don't see anyone."

"He's here," replied Hector, holding Melinda tightly. "Davy Jones never once gave up what he took."

"Does it matter?" demanded Will. "We're trapped by your doing, no different than Jack." His voice sounded cold despite being tired.

"Hey," said Melinda, crossing her arms. "It was your idea that we rescue Jack from this island from hell."

The monkey held onto the charts but he could sense something far away. Crabs began crawling to Tia Dalma and she picked one up, stroking it on the head.

"Witty Jack," she said mischievously, "is closer than you think."

Everyone looked up and saw the ship descending down the sand dunes. On the sails stood Jack Sparrow with an intense look on his face. The ship, The Black Pearl, was being rolled to the sea by the crabs and soon it was in the water. The crew just stared with their mouths wide open as the ship sailed into the water.

"Boat…" said Ragetti, pointing to the ship.

Melinda chuckled. "Is that so?" she asked sarcastically. "Ragetti, you are so smart."

"Slap me thrice and hand me to me mama," gasped Gibbs, "it's Jack!"

Everyone ran towards Jack when he stepped out of the longboat to approach them.

"It's the captain! A sight for sore eyes!"

"Jack!" called Gibbs, running towards him.

"Mr. Gibbs!" he called back, walking towards him.

"Aye, captain!"

"I thought so," he said, stopping in front of Gibbs. "I expect you are liable to account for your actions."

"Sir?" asked Gibbs, cocking his head curiously.

"There's been a perpentuate lack of discipline on my ship," replied Jack, sounding irritable. "Why? Why is that, sir?"

"Sir," whispered Gibbs, bending towards him, "you're…in Davy Jones' Locker, cap'n."

Jack looked around awkwardly before looking back to Gibbs.

"I know that," he said. "I know where I am. And don't think I don't!"

"Jack Sparrow," said Hector, walking towards him.

"Ah, Hector," said Jack in recognition. "Been too long, hasn't it?"

"Aye," answered Hector. "Isla de Muerta. You shot me."

"No I didn't," replied Jack nervously, shifting on his feet. "Ah, beautiful Melinda! Still married to this mutinous rotter, huh?"

Melinda arched an eyebrow irritably. "Whatever gave you that idea, Jack Sparrow?" she demanded, holding on to her husband's arm. "I love him."

"H e thinks we're a hallucination," remarked Will.

"William, tell me something," Jack said. "Have you come because you need help saving a distressing damsel or...damsel in distress? Either one."

"No," answered Will.

"Well then," said Jack, "you can't be here. Q.E.D, you're not really here!"

"Jack," said Elizabeth, stepping forward, "this is real. We're here."

Jack pointed at her and inched away from her cautiously which made the others stare at him suspiciously.

"The locker, you say?" he asked Gibbs quietly.

"Aye," replied Gibbs, nodding.

"We've come to rescue you!" declared Elizabeth, stepping forward.

"Have you now?" asked Jack. "Well that's very kind of you. However it seems I have a ship and you don't. You're the ones in need of rescuing and I'm not so sure if I'm in the mood."

"I see my ship right there," said Hector, pointing to the Black Pearl.

Jack pivoted to look at the Pearl and shaded his eyes with his hand as if to look around.

"Can't spot it," he said. "Must be a tiny thing hiding somewhere behind the Pearl."

Melinda rolled her eyes in irritation, knowing where this was going to lead up to. "Not this crap again," she groaned, slouching in her stance.

"Jack," said Will, interrupting the tension, "Cutler Beckett has the heart of Davy Jones. He controls the Flying Dutchman."

"He's taking over the sea," added Elizabeth, dashing to their sides.

"The song has already been sung," continued Tia Dalma. "The Brethren Court is called."

"Leave you people alone and look what happens," said Jack, shaking his head. "Everything's gone to pot."

"Aye, Jack," said Gibbs loudly, "the world needs you back something fierce."

"And you need a crew," said Will boldly.

"Why should I sail with any of you?" demanded Jack. "Five of you tried to kill me in the past. One of you succeeded."

His eyes fell on Elizabeth, prompting everyone to stare at her. Melinda smiled at her for the first time since their journey.

"You actually killed Jack Sparrow?" asked Melinda, staring at Elizabeth proudly. "Good job."

Jack went down the row of people and choosing who he wanted to go with him. He chose Tia Dalma, Marty, Cotton, his parrot, Tai Huang, and his men. He considered leaving Elizabeth, Will, Hector, Pintel, Ragetti, and Melinda behind but when he pulled out his compass he saw that the needle was spinning out of control. He didn't have a heading so he put the compass away and looked out in the distance.

"Oh, Jack," called Melinda, causing him to turn and look at them.

Hector smirked as he held the navigational charts in his hands. "Which way are ye going, Jack?" he asked.

Melinda smirked too, knowing he would have to take them all with him if he wanted to get out of the locker. Jack frowned, looking visibly disheartened. Things just didn't go his way, didn't they?

A/N: Sorry, it took so long to type this! I've been preoccupied lately but I hope this short as hell chapter make up for it! R&R!