Title: Sense of Devotion

Sequel to Sense of Demand

Rated: R (Violence, sensuality, sexual practice and language)

Summary: After then events on The Isle, Jack has parted ways with Elizabeth. Just when he was forgetting everything, the recent past catches up to him and things will never be the same.

CHAPTER TEN

Bartibus stepped over the two dead bodies and headed towards the window. This is where Sparrow had escaped.

Sparrow. The thought of that meddlesome man made bile creep up the back of his throat. That Sparrow had intervened with his plans too many times. Bartibus had believed that the curse would have subdued him, or would have driven him insane. Insane enough to take his own life; or for him to be caught and hanged for his actions.

But it seemed like none of those things had happened. Instead, Jack Sparrow had proved that he was intelligent and was one step ahead of him.

He now had the witch. The witch would not tell Bartibus anything, that was why he imprisoned her and tried to peel back her mind. He hoped she would let the location of Swann and her chest slip, but the witch was powerful. After a year, Bartibus was no closer to either.

Sparrow would receive her help. She would lead him to Swann.

He had to find Sparrow and kill him with his own two hands.

(J)(E)(J)(E)

Mary was confused but wanted to help the Captain. However, she needed a couple of days to rest and regain her memory.

Jack Sparrow was on pins and needles waiting for her. Mary had proven that she knew Elizabeth and she was fairly certain that she knew where the Pirate King was. Mary had to remember; yet she had spent over a year being a little forgetful.

One day, when the Pearl had caught a good wind, Jack found Mary standing on the deck. The red head was staring out into the sea, twiddling her fingers.

"Good day." Jack greeted the woman.

Mary sighed. "I remember."

Jack felt his spine straighten. All of the sudden he was full of energy, ready to swim a hundred laps around the Black Pearl. He motioned that they should have this conversation in private and when they traveled her waved to Gibbs to follow.

Once enclosed in the room Jack sat Mary on the most comfortable chair then sat right across from her. The Captain leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees. Gibbs simply looked curious, standing behind his friend.

"Please tell me what you know." Jack asked, kindly.

Mary sat straight in the chair and closed her eyes, recalling all she knew. Her mind was not as it once was. She took a deep breath.

"It was about a year ago." Mary started. "I was on a little isle off the coast of Jamacia. I am a witch... or was... and I tried to keep it a secret. Though there were those who would ask me for help."

"Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?" Gibbs asked, a dozen superstitions running through his head.

"No interruptions mate." Jack reprimanded.

Mary, for once, smiled. "I believe there is no full good or no full bad in humanity. I try not to use my powers, if I can help it."

"Was that a wise choice?" Gibbs asked the beauty. Jack threw a warning glance at him, and Gibbs had the respect to look ashamed.

"Again, I try not to use my powers if I can help it. For the most part I am alone. Happily so. But there are times when someone finds me and pleads with me to help with their problem. Sometimes I can't turn them away."

Jack nodded. "Elizabeth came to you."

"How came yer allowed to talk?" Gibbs muttered, but Jack only waved him off with a hand.

"She did. I was intrigued by her. For a pirate, and a politician at that, she was very honest. Asked me if I would hear her out before I turned her away." Mary shifted in her chair to be more comfortable. "I said that was fair. Then she told me about a man, a good man, a man she loved and needed help."

Jack felt his heart constrict. He remembered Elizabeth's tears when he turned her away. It seemed like with even that happening, she never lost her faith in him.

"She told me that in order to protect her late husband, this man damn near sacraficed himself. For her. They got mixed up, then crossed, a powerful warlock named Bartibus. Once she said that name I felt obligated to help."

"Why?" Gibbs asked.

Mary smiled sadly. "I once looked at the man as a mentor. I admired him, trusted him. He became insane. Tried to take my power and failed to take it all. He left me to die."

"Revenge then." Jack commented.

"For you, an act of love. I assume you are the man Elizabeth wants to protect." Mary smiled. "She also told me that things can sometimes get tense between you."

"Oh, yes!" Gibbs rolled his eyes in mock annoyance. "These two go constantly back and forth, and back and forth, and ba-"

Jack glared at the First Mate as he laughed. "Thank you."

Gibbs quickly stopped. "I'm not surprised Miss Swann wanted to help out Jack. When we went to get him ou' of the locker, she was only talking about getting him..." Gibbs trailed off, noticing that his Captain was about to hurt him.

"So my assumption is correct." Mary said, turning her attention back to Jack. "I know where she is in the Caribbean. But it is a little tricky to get to. Once we are back in the Caribbean I'll give you the coordinates."

Jack nodded and thanked Mary, who looked like she was coming down with a sick headache. She excused herself and turned to walk back out into the sunshine.

"This is great news!" Gibbs bursted out, smiling. "She is alive!"

"Yeah." Jack rubbed his stomach. He had an unsettling feeling. "For now."

"Oh stop being so melodramatic. This is a good lead. In a few weeks, we'll be home. We will go where Mary tells us to and then we get out of trouble."

"We?" Jack looked over at his friend, who nodded. "You have a plan on how to get 'us' out of trouble, then?" The Captain leaned back in his chair and rested his hands on his stomach.

"Maybe." Gibbs gave a non-chalant nod. "Let us hear it then." Jack said, giving his friend his full attention.

"Oh! Well, uh..." Gibbs looked flustered and stared back down at Jack. "Well. I don't have an-"

"- idea just yet." Jack joined in and finished his sentence. "I figured."

(J)(E)(J)(E)

It took a few weeks to return to the Caribbean instead of a few months. Many believed that it was a divine intervention. Many believed that the winds were just in their favor.

Jack briefly thought it was because the Pearl just wanted to be home.