Title: Sense of Demand
Rating: R
Summary: A year after Calypso's rage, Elizabeth had been working on a project to make the cove a better place. Jack had been looting and pirating in the Caribbean Sea, his father's words still ringing in his ears.
Beta: The wonderful and lovely florencia7!
Chapter Nine
Jack took the extra minute to make sure the chains were tight around Jim's ankles and wrists. He stepped back, stretched out his muscles again. He was feeling stronger and was ready to venture out into the unknown.
As he buckled a stolen weapons belt to his waist, Jack heard Jim moan in pain.
"Morning star shine." Jack smiled maliciously. "Thanks for the grenades." He held one small bomb up.
Jim shook his head, and then winced at the pain. "Don't. You'll need help. This place is a labyrinth."
"Oh no! Well certainly I will let you down." Jack proclaimed, sarcasm dripping on every word. "It's not like I've ever been through a maze before where a dragon chased after me." Jack shook his head.
"This is different. Bartibus knows things, knows how to use people. He puts a spell on people and then makes them go after the people who care about them."
Jack was silent, processing this information. "Elizabeth."
Jim nodded.
"Who did he take from you?" Jack held up the golden locket Jim always wore. "The owner of this fine piece, I presume?"
Jim nodded. "Katie. Now give that back."
"No. I think I will keep it."
Jim struggled against the chains. "Sparrow!"
"I have a first name, ye know." Jack muttered to himself, thinking of how many times creatures and such cream his name out in anger. "You really think I'm going to trust you?"
Jim's struggle slackened off. "No."
"It's a pity. I did like ya, lad." Jack pocketed the necklace. "So I'll make a deal with you. If what you say is true, then I will let you live."
"Are you going to let me down?" Jim asked.
Jack sighed. "You seem to know the way around here, and I'm not good with mazes."
"Then how come you were able to get out of the last one?"
Jack lowered his eyes. "Elizabeth."
"She really means a lot to you."
Jack smirked. "Stop it."
"Stop what?" Jim was confused.
"Making me care. You already are getting down, no need to butter me up." Jack said, unlocking Jim from the chains. "Now where do we go?"
"Let me go first."
"No argument there."
Jack followed Jim, keeping a look out for any random daggers that could possibly find their way to the first person to walk out. "Tell me more about what happened."
"Well after you were knocked out-"
"No, no. What happened to Katie?" Jack said, prying for information. The more he knew the more he could use it against Jim, when the time was right. It would be easy to get a lot of stories, as Jim would want to prove that he was trustworthy.
"Well, I went to visit her one day, but her father said that she wasn't in. Then I came back later, after dinner, and she still wasn't home. Her parents didn't hear from her, and they were sick with worry. We looked everywhere.
Then, the next day, I received a note. 'If you want her, do something for me. Meet me at the tavern; eight in the morning.' So I went."
Jack nodded his head in understanding. "What did they want?"
Jim hesitated. "The three idiots took me to Bartibus. He knew my uncle was first mate on the Black Pearl."
"First mate to me." Jack quickly made the connection. "Why did he want me?"
Jim shook his head. "Not you. The Pearl." They stopped to look around a corner before continuing on. "The plan was to kill you and take the Pearl."
"And when that failed they took Elizabeth as a back-up plan."
"I guess. But Bartibus said that when he got the Pearl, Katie would be free. We could leave. He reneged on his promise."
Jack heard the pain underneath the frustration and despite himself, felt bad. "Why does he want the Pearl?"
"That, I do not know."
"Great." Jack murmured under his breath, "Another thing to figure out."
Jim looked around another corner. "What should we do first?"
"I know." A dainty voice sounded at the end of the hall. "You can die, and my master will steal your ship, and we can all live happily ever after."
Jim blanched. "Katie."
Jack puzzled. "We?" Footsteps sounded behind Jack and Jim and Jack stiffened. "Ah. We."
A delicate laugh flittered out of the semi-darkness. "Hello, Jack." Elizabeth greeted. Jack slowly turned around. "Time for you to come with me."
"Lead the way." Jack said, and allowed Elizabeth to grab his arm. She started pulling him down the hall, and soon, Kate followed with Jim.
"Where are we going?" Jim asked.
Jack rolled his eyes. "To see their master, of course."
Jim looked at Elizabeth, and frowned. "Should we fight them?"
Jack snorted. "And be killed? Besides…" He looked at Elizabeth, a soft touch in his eyes. "Do you want to fight them?"
"None of this makes sense."
"I know, but I'm good at improvising, no worries."
The grip on Jack's arm loosened, but he did not break free or even mentioned it. It might play to his advantage. It could also be proof that Elizabeth was still in there, somewhere.
