Thank you for reading, but I'd really like some reviews! Please! Well, here's the ninth chapter, and hey, why not let me know what you think?

Disclaimer: Ol' Disney owns POTC…

Chapter Nine: Love's Ultimate Test

Davy Jones snored and mumbled in his sleep. His music box chimed a beautiful sound that he just couldn't get enough of. The music gradually got slower and soon came to a complete halt, waking Davy up. He gave the music box a tender look, wishing the girl who possessed its twin would come back and finally end his misery. Why had she left him? Why hasn't she said anything to him? Didn't she realize he had… he had… loved her? He had been unshakably, undeniably in love with her… and she left…

The soreness in his empty chest raged and he instinctively reached for his key to remind him that he owned a heart. But his tentacles couldn't find the cool metal. The key wasn't there. Panic tore at him and he threw himself from his chair at his organ and dashed from his cabin to the deck. Who did this! They'll wish they never set sails on the sea once I'm through with them! Then it's the locker for them! The boy. The boy, the one in… love with the pirate girl. He had been acting strange and quiet lately. It had to be him. Davy seethed and pounded the mast that stood before him; the crew sent him worried looks. Will obviously wanted to help his little fiancée who was unfortunately in the hands of Jack and- Jack. Jack Sparrow. Davy Jones's eyes squinted in anger, a horrific smirk appeared on his face. Day three, Captain Sparrow. Where are my souls?

--

"Jack?" Gibbs stood besides his captain, the lifeboat was ready and Gibbs was trying to prod Jack into the lifeboat, but so far to no avail. Jack knelt besides the bed Elizabeth lay in, her fever hadn't worsened but neither had the chills and coughing fits that ailed her. The island waited for them, and Jack knew he had to find the chest, for Elizabeth. The trouble was he couldn't pry himself from her side. Her wound looked incredibly painful as well and he was worried that wouldn't heal, which would pull Elizabeth further into her illness, leading to… death. Jack swallowed hard brushed Elizabeth's damp hair out of her closed eyes.

"Jack, it will be quick, we'll scurry onto the island snatch up the chest and scurry on back here before Miss Swann misses us, besides she'll 'ave the 'hole crew watchin' over 'er." Gibbs smiled encouragingly and gestured to the door. Jack nodded, kissing Elizabeth lightly on the lips and pivoting on his heel and speeding out of the cabin before he could change his mind. Jack's knuckles turned white as he clutched his compass, he knew that in the past it had pointed to Elizabeth, he only hoped he could get it to seek out the chest. This was his only option, if this didn't work, what would?

The sun glinted brightly in the sky, emitting a happy light, an atmosphere completely different to Jack's emotions. Pintel and Ragetti rowed the boat as Gibbs eyed Jack, concerned. Finally reaching the island Jack turned to view the Pearl. It swayed and rocked in the green and blue waves, if the love of his life wasn't lying in agony on it, he would be in awe of its beauty. Love of his life? There was no denying it now, Jack was unmistakably in love with Elizabeth, who was regrettably in engaged to a dreadful eunuch.

Jack sighed and snapped his compass open watching the needle spin in circles, it was time to get to business. He closed his eyes and whispered for the location of the chest, the object that would get them out of this mess. Chancing a peek Jack slowly opened his eyes and watched as the needle spun once more before stopping, pointing to his right. Breathing a sigh of relief that it wasn't pointing to Elizabeth, but the chest, Jack began running, keeping his eyes on the needle and yelling to Pintel and Ragetti to mind the boat. Gibbs looked up and dug a shovel out of the lifeboat before running after Jack. Pintel and Ragetti watched the two speed off and groaned.

"Those two always get to 'ave all the bloody fun!" Pintel muttered plopping down in the sand. Ragetti mumbled in agreement and took a sit next to Pintel.

"Wait, wot's that?" Ragetti breathed pointing down the shore to another lifeboat gently floating in the shallows. Pintel jumped up and gazed at the abandoned lifeboat.

"Someone else must be 'ere?" Pintel wondered, he took a step forward but stopped as a loud burst came from the ocean. The monstrous Dutchman surfaced, causing water to cascade off its slimy, salty sides, and bobbed as it began gliding towards the Pearl. Pintel and Ragetti gazed at it in amazement before exchanging scared glances and dashing off after Gibbs and Jack.

--

Beckett smiled contently to himself. The attack earlier had been brilliant; he couldn't have done a better job. Elizabeth finally got the punishment for running around with those ruffians and now she would go back to Port Royal where she belonged. All his stab wound would do is put Elizabeth in intense pain and possibly inflict her with an illness. Beckett chuckled to himself as he thought of the immense joy in Governor Swann's face as he gave his daughter away to a Commodore. Life would be great, it would be exactly how he wanted it he always got what wanted.

Which was why the Navy ship was hiding on the other side of the island. They were wanted for the right moment to spring back onto the Pearl, Beckett would follow Jack back to Port Royal, because he was sure Elizabeth would see the error in her ways, and then he'd be able to finally kill Sparrow.

Beckett walked across the deck; hands clasped firmly behind his back, he sighed happily and gazed at the island. Was that movement? Beckett walked up to the railing peered closer to the island. Someone was there. He quickly opened his telescope up and peered at the figures. A Mr. Gibbs could be seen sweating and shoveling away as Jack stood off to the side, nervously tapping his foot and watching his compass.

"What are you up to this time, Mr. Sparrow?" Beckett murmured, slipping his telescope back into his pocket and striding off, with a delightfully evil smirk, Beckett headed for the helm. Maybe killing Sparrow would be easier than he previously thought.

--

Will stumbled over a giant root and barely stopped himself from smashing his face into a large stone. No words can explain how utterly stupid he felt. Yes, he was in fact, free of the Dutchman, but was stuck on some deserted spit of land. And how was he suppose to find the chest? It would take him years to dig through all the sand with… with what? His hands? Will moaned and ran his hand through his hair, agitated. He suddenly jerked around as he heard low voices shouting just beyond a line of trees. Grabbing his dagger from his pocket he began stalking towards the voices, darting his eyes around for an ambush. Hesitantly pulling back a branch to peer at the strangers, he let out a gasp and flung himself through the vegetation in glee.

"Jack! I'm so glad I found you!" Will yelled, smiling in absolute relief as he strode over to Jack and his first mate. Will's breath nearly left him as he witnessed the chest itself sitting daintily on a pile of dug sand. Gibbs threw down his shovel and sent Jack a knowing look; love could lift you off your feet or slam you to the ground, and right now Gibbs felt love was smashing Jack down with a brute force. He was sure Jack wasn't enthralled to see the whelp, especially when the whelp's fiancée was lying in what could be her death if they didn't hurry. Jack stared at Will in disbelief and shock, making no move to speak. Will stopped walking and raised his eyebrow in confusion, giving Gibbs an expectant look.

"Mr. Turner, what brings ye 'ere?" Gibbs finally broke through the unsettling silence and greeted Will with a friendly smile.

"Yes, whelp, what brings ye 'ere, I thought ye were stuck with ol' squid face?" Jack questioned, his voice obviously disproving. Will cocked his head; he hadn't been expecting such hostility especially from the man who was watching over his fiancée. Wait, where was Elizabeth?

"Where is she, where's Elizabeth?" Will asked excitedly, he decided he shouldn't let Jack in on his plan to find the chest, which wouldn't be too hard now that it was lying in front of him. Besides he missed his fiancée. Jack's face feel slightly, and his stature seemed to shrink, Will noticed and was frightened by this. Jack looked back up to him and smirked, trying pull his wit and arrogance back out.

"Ye bonny lass wanted to come on this little adventure, but I ordered 'er to stay in me cabin." Jack's voice was incredibly weak and Will didn't buy his poor lie.

"Jack, don't lie to me. Is she okay?" Will started to worry. What had happened to his fiancée to cause such reluctance from Jack?

"Cap'n!!" Pintel panted, he stumbled to Jack's side, huffing and gasping to catch his breath, Ragetti close behind. Gibbs, Will, and Jack eyed them in curious expectation, but both pirates were too out of breath to say anything.

"Out with it!" Jack finally yelled he didn't like the urgency that hung in the air. In fact he felt himself unconsciously edging towards the Pearl that lay behind a thicket of palm trees. Pintel coughed and pointed towards the Pearl, this simple movement caused Jack's heart to pound painfully and he took off running. Gibbs started after him, leaving Pintel and Ragetti lying on the ground in exhaustion and Will staring at the chest with raw hunger.

--

No! No, this isn't happening! Jack's lungs ached and burned as he sprinted franticly towards the lifeboat. He pushed it into the water and jumped in shoving the oars into the water and rowed like mad. Gibbs caught up and hopped in grabbing another set of oars and joined Jack in the panicked rowing. Jack was oblivious to everything around him, he had his mind set on one thing: Elizabeth. The sight of the Dutchman sliding in gently next to the Pearl nearly gave Jack a heart attack, and his stomach churned in unease. His fingers trembled in fatigue as he gripped the oars with unnecessary strength. He clenched his teeth and growled in frustration, they weren't moving fast enough!

Finally after the continuous rowing, the Pearl loomed right behind them and Jack didn't hesitate as he climbed the side and jumped on deck, Gibbs on his heels. Davy Jones 's crew had the Pearls' crew in their hands, knives and pistols at throats and heads. Elizabeth was standing in front of Davy a knife at her throat. Jack clutched the railing in fear and rage as he watched Elizabeth shake and cough, barely able to stand as Davy gripped her arm without mercy and dug his steel into her neck, hard enough to create a slight cut. Jack felt his whole being slip away as he realize he was all alone in this, Gibbs had been snatched up by a crewmember of the Dutchman.

"Mr. Sparrow, how nice of ye to join us." Davy sneered, smiling darkly at the helpless Captain. Jack looked Davy straight in the eye and stood taller.

"What do I owe this abrupt meeting?" Jack smirked and stepped closer, the gears turning in his mind as he tried to devise a plan.

"I'm just here to collect the soul ye promised me? Davy answered; he was elated to see the extreme anger displayed on Jack's face. Jack looked to the ground then back to Davy.

"Listen mate, ye can't 'ave 'er." Jack informed, his voice low and serious. Davy felt a bit annoyed.

"Jack, ye should have thought about that before ye promised her soul to me." Davy replied, pressing the knife harder against Elizabeth's pale skin. She tried half-heartedly to struggle but stopped, not having enough energy to move. Jack walked easily up to Davy and glared deeply into his eyes.

"Ye can't 'ave 'er. Take me. Just let 'er go." Jack declared, he no longer feared death, if he had to die in order save Elizabeth, then that's what he'd do. This got Elizabeth's attention, her eyes widened in fear and she tried to reach for him, but Davy grabbed her arm and pinned it to her side.

"Jack, no, don't." Elizabeth whimpered in a hoarse voice. The sound tore at Jack's heart, Elizabeth was clearly still sick she needed rest. Davy watched them gaze longingly into each other's eyes, it hurt to watch, he remembered doing that with his lover once. Heaving an irritated sigh, he threw Elizabeth into the hands of his crew and stalked towards Jack.

"If ye want to die, then I have no problem arranging that." Davy backed Jack into the main mast and handcuffed him there, laughing in pure delight. Davy signaled for his crew to board the Dutchman and he looked once more at Jack.

"Watching ye go down with ye ship and lover," Davy threw an amused look at Elizabeth," will be fun." Davy boarded his ship and the Dutchman began to inch away slowly. The Pearl's crew watched, still shaken by their experience, as the Dutchman drew further and further away.

Jack leaned his head against the mast; he hated himself for getting Elizabeth into this mess. How could he put her life on the line like that! He felt cold hands on his cheeks and looked into Elizabeth's curious eyes. She trailed her fingers across his face before dropping them to his handcuff.

"Where are the keys?" She whispered, she stroked his hand and then looked up when there was no answer. Jack watched the way the wind ruffled her blonde hair and the sun glinted in her eyes. He was going to miss her so much.

"There are none, dearie. Never used these, didn't think there was any use 'aving keys." Jack's voice was soft and Elizabeth began tugging gently at the metal surrounding Jack's wrist.

"Ye need to leave, luv." Jack whispered grabbing her arm tenderly in his free hand.

"What? Why? Maybe if we use-"

"Luv, get into a lifeboat now." Jack's voice was a shade harsher. His grip turned into a caress as he brushed his fingers slowly against her skin. She looked at him in confusion before turning away as rough coughs tore up her throat. Jack blinked back tears that had started to form. He had to stay strong, for her.

"Gents! It 'as been a pleasure working with ye, as my last order as captain, I want ye all on that island, as soon as possible." Jack yelled above everyone. They stopped their nervous muttering and stared at Jack. Last orders? What did he mean? Elizabeth began crying, she understood completely.

"No Jack, please, I'll get you out and we can all go-"

"Lizzie, I want ye in a lifeboat now. Ye'll be okay." Jack brought her into a crushing embrace, breathing in her scent one last time and allowing a few tears to be shed. The crew averted their eyes, everything became clear, and began lowering a lifeboat; they weren't going to disobey their captain's last orders. As the crew filled the boat Jack pulled Elizabeth's chin up and kissed her hard and passionately, everything dropped away and for a moment they were the only one's alive.

"Lizzie, go." Jack breathed onto her lips as they separated. She shook her head and buried her face in his chest. Jack's heart gradually picked up speed; she had to get off the ship now.

"Lizzie luv, now, ye 'ave to go now!" He tried to pry her off of him, but he froze as he heard a familiar click. She looked at him innocently; tears glistened in her eyes and down her cheeks. Jack's heart broke and she was dooming herself to stay with him. Death, love's ultimate test and Elizabeth was willing face it with him. He grabbed her face and began kissing her again and again. There was no use prodding her off the ship, she was now handcuffed as well, and he wasn't going to waste their last moments arguing.

All too soon they felt the expected and unpleasant jerk of the ship. Elizabeth gasped and looked to the ship's side, tentacles slowly slithered on deck. Jack pushed Elizabeth's face into his chest, hiding her eyes from the monster. He watched the beast slowly clamber up the ship and stop, its mouth just a couple feet away. It let out a boisterous roar, shaking the Pearl. Elizabeth let out a small cry and pressed herself tighter against Jack, he squeezed her tightly with his free arm.

"Hello Beastie." Jack greeted it, staring at it intently, with blazing confidence in his eyes. He wasn't scared, not when he had Elizabeth in his arms. The beast lunged at the two and Jack turned his face into Elizabeth's hair as it closed its mouth around them.

This isn't quite the end, FYI. Now please send reviews and I promise to update soon, I know this cliffhangers are painful, but you have to admit they build suspense and keep you reading. REVIEW, please?