Violent Rain
Jack practically prayed to return to the island after Norrington rescued them in the morning. Elizabeth had burned all their provisions to create a signal, a decision which left Jack sputtering. Even worse, her plan had worked. They'd been rescued, Elizabeth had promised to marry Norrington to save Will, and Jack was forced to give them the location of Isla de Muerta. Now, Jack wandered the deck of the Dauntless as he waited for them to reach Isla de Muerta, where he would… Well, Jack was not certain what he was going to do, but he had the outline of a plan forming. Or at least, the silhouette of an outline for a plan. He slowed his pacing when he spotted Ginny standing by the railing of the ship. Her hair reflected the red glow of the setting sun. Jack felt himself approach before he even decided to step forward.
He joined her by the railing. Ginny glanced at him. He offered the tiniest twitch of his lips. Ginny returned it, but looked away. "You didn't tell them about the curse." Her voice was soft.
"Neither did you or Elizabeth, I noticed," Jack answered, staring straight ahead. "Same reason, I imagine?"
"Norrington wouldn't have risked it." Ginny raised her chin.
"Aye. He's not a man willing to take such risks. Unlike you, though. I get the impression you've had to take many a risk to get where you are now." Jack looked at her.
Ginny crinkled her nose. "You say that with such disdain."
"Don't get me wrong, love. I admire a person who's willing to do whatever is necessary."
Ginny peered at Jack, her eyes an ocean of grey thoughtfulness. "You're a smart man, Jack. But I don't entirely trust you."
"Thought you did?" Jack asked, tilting his head.
"I trust you to do what's best for you. I trust you to keep us alive." Ginny murmured.
"Peas in a pod, darling." Jack shot back. "Do you trust me to save William's life?"
"Yes." Ginny smiled softly. She met Jack's gaze, the grey in her eyes sparkling gold in the sunlight. "I think you're a better man than you're given credit for, if a self-serving one."
Jack grinned, though his stomach twisted and the hairs on the back of his neck straightened. "You're learning, love."
The apples of Ginny's cheeks popped with her barely contained smile. It faltered after a moment. "I want to go with you to Isla de Muerta."
Jack frowned. "Perhaps it's best that Norrington won't let you tag along, love."
"I've come this far. I can handle myself. Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on you." Ginny winked.
Jack smiled. "Well, I'm sure you'll do what needs to be done."
Ginny nodded. "Of course I will."
They gazed at each other for a moment. Jack's eyes flicked to Ginny's lips for the briefest second. He jumped when he heard Governor Swann's shrill voice. "Ginny? Goodness gracious, you look like a pirate dressed like that! Where on Earth did you acquire those clothes?"
Ginny glanced down at her seafaring garb. "Tortuga."
"The well-known pirate port? Why am I not surprised you took her there?" Governor Swann nearly spat the words at Jack, who raised his eyebrows. "Come, we're going to get you changed into something clean and respectable."
Ginny's face darkened with a shadow. She glanced at Jack as Governor Swann turned away. Jack offered her smile that resembled a grimace more than anything else. Ginny returned it and followed Governor Swann into the captain's cabin.
…
Ginny scratched her legs through the stockings. She wore the white breeches and redcoat of a soldier, along with an ill-fitting pair of buckled shoes and stockings to hide the skin of her legs. She missed her boots. She missed her sword, too.
Elizabeth huffed. "Would you please stop scratching? It's annoying."
Ginny stopped. "How're you so calm? We've been locked in here while everyone else is either negotiating or about to fight."
"Well, if you'd help me, I'm sure we could tie these sheets together and get out of here."
Ginny raised her eyebrows. She stiffened at a knock on the door.
"Elizabeth?" called Governor Swann. "I know you're displeased with being locked in here. But… I just wanted to say that I'm proud of you."
Ginny scrambled to help Elizabeth knot sheets together as Governor Swann rambled. They tossed their makeshift line overboard, where a longboat waited. They climbed down the Dauntless and into the longboat, which they rowed off toward the Black Pearl.
"We'll need the whole crew if we're to help Jack." said Elizabeth, huffing a little.
"Agreed," Ginny muttered. They reached the Pearl and climbed the ladder onto the deck of the ship.
"I expect that they'll have left at least a few guards on board…" Elizabeth whispered.
A skeletal monkey shrieked as it dropped in front of them. Ginny yelped slightly. Elizabeth jumped and scowled at it. She grabbed it and tossed it over board. Ginny and Elizabeth peered over the side of the ship at the monkey. Two heads poked out of one of the cannon hatches. Two of Barbossa's men turned their heads toward Elizabeth and Ginny.
Ginny squinted. "What the hell is wrong with their heads?"
The heads ducked back inside. Elizabeth grabbed Ginny's hand. "They're skeletons! We have to hide!"
"Right." Ginny followed Elizabeth. They hurried down the stairs and hid behind a few crates and barrels. The two guards ran up the stairs and onto the deck above. Ginny and Elizabeth then hurried down the stairs to the brig.
"It's Elizabeth and Ginny!" hissed Gibbs, his face pressed against the bars.
"Stormmare!" grinned Anamaria. "I thought they killed your sorry arse."
"I'm not that easy to kill, turns out." Ginny returned. She grabbed the keys hanging on the wall and unlocked the cell door. Together, Ginny, Elizabeth and Jack's crew hurried to the upper deck, where they knocked the skeletal crewmen overboard with the longboat.
"We'll need all of you to save Will, and we don't have much time," said Elizabeth. Ginny stood with her and grabbed the rope to heave the longboat. "Ready? And pull!"
They pulled, but the boat only inched. Elizabeth and Ginny looked at the others. Ginny's heart shriveled. The corners of her mouth fell. "We need your help, come on!" Elizabeth insisted.
Cotton's parrot squawked, "Wind in the sails!"
"Mr. Cotton's right, we have the Pearl." said Gibbs.
Ginny frowned. "But Jack…"
"Jack owes us a ship!" Marty snapped.
"We're not obligated to die for this quest." Anamaria added.
Ginny exchanged a glance with Elizabeth, who looked as if she'd been punched. Ginny turned to Mr. Gibbs. "Jack and Will could both get killed!"
"They know what they're getting into," said Gibbs, "and we're following the Code."
"The Code?" Elizabeth hissed. "You're pirates! Hang the Code, and hang the rules! They're more like guidelines anyway!"
"I'm sorry," said Anamaria. She looked sincere with the twist of her lips. "We'll help you get the boat into the water. But that's as far as we go."
Ginny heard Elizabeth's intake of breath and shot her a warning glance. Ginny faced Anamaria. "Thank you."
Anamaria nodded. "I hope you're right, that you're hard to kill."
Ginny snorted. "So do I."
The crew kept true to their word. They lowered Ginny and Elizabeth in the longboat. Ginny took one oar and Elizabeth took the other. "Bloody pirates." she gritted out.
"They're doing what's right by them." Ginny muttered. They rowed quickly, and by the time they reached the Isla de Muerta's black sand, Ginny's arms ached. They entered the caves and found the main cavern in good time, as they had both traveled the caves before.
The clang of metal on metal indicated a battle. Ginny eyed the treasure mounds. She found a golden staff. She picked it and its longer twin up and handed the latter one to Elizabeth. "Let's get to work."
…
Jack glanced back when he heard in an explosion. Will and Elizabeth scurried toward the chest. Ginny knocked out one of Barbossa's men with a golden staff. Jack's brow twitched. When did those two get here? He sliced his palm, coating his stolen Aztec piece with his blood. He tossed it to Will, who caught it. Ginny ran toward Elizabeth. Jack pulled out his pistol just as Barbossa did. Barbossa aimed at Elizabeth and Ginny. Jack pulled the trigger.
The boom resounded in the cave. Chills rippled down Jack's spine and lifted the hairs on his arms. Barbossa sighed and lowered his pistol. "Ten years you carry that pistol, and now you waste your shot?"
Jack said nothing. He didn't even smirk. He had expected peace. Instead, he felt a weight released from his shoulders. He could breathe properly at last. Will's voice rang out in the cavern: "He didn't waste it."
Barbossa's eyes widened. He looked toward the chest. Will held a bloodied knife in one hand. In his cut hand, he held the two Aztec pieces. He dropped them into the chest. Barbossa lowered his head and opened his coat. Blood seeped through his shirt. He raised his eyes to meet Jack's. "I feel… cold." He fell back into the mound of gold, staring at the cavern ceiling. Already, the dryness of death began to coat Barbossa's eyes.
Jack put his pistol into his waistband. His gaze traveled to Ginny, whose brow wrinkled. Elizabeth embraced Ginny. Jack turned away. He wandered to a pile of treasure. He figured he might as well build his wealth now. He sifted through items for a few minutes before Ginny's soft footsteps sounded behind him. He ignored her for a moment.
"You looked worried there for a moment." Ginny murmured.
Jack paused. He straightened and looked at her with a furrowed brow. "When?"
"When Barbossa aimed at Elizabeth and me. You looked a bit worried." Ginny replied, her eyes sparkling.
The corners of Jack's mouth pulled downward. "You have no proof."
Ginny grinned, and Jack couldn't help but return the gesture. They stared at each other for a moment. Jack's gaze flicked to Ginny's lips. Neither of them moved. Jack glanced toward Will and Elizabeth, who also stood within close proximity. Jack withdrew from Ginny quickly. He swallowed the lump in his throat. He strode toward Will just as Elizabeth turned away. He leaned in toward Will.
"If you were looking for the opportune moment, that was it." He sauntered toward the exit as Will scowled. "Now, if you'd be so kind as to take me to my ship."
"Jack," Ginny called, falling in step with him. Elizabeth and Will followed suit. "The crew- Gibbs and Anamaria -took the Pearl. Elizabeth and I tried to stop them, but… They said they were keeping to the Code and that you owed them a ship."
Jack stopped in his tracks. Nausea riddled his insides. A sharpness in the back of his throat prevented him from swallowing. He choked for a moment. He started when he felt a hand on his arm. He glanced at Ginny before walking forward. They climbed into the longboat in silence. Jack stared ahead, not even bothering to help Will row.
Elizabeth cleared her throat after several moments. "I'm sorry, Jack."
"They've done what's right by them," Jack replied quietly, "can't expect more than that."
Aboard the Dauntless, soldiers worked to remove the bodies. The bodies of pirates were thrown overboard, while the bodies of soldiers were carried below deck. Norrington approached Jack, Ginny, Will and Elizabeth immediately.
"You knew those pirates were cursed." Norrington accused Jack.
Jack shrugged. "Didn't seem appropriate to mention."
"Didn't seem appropriate?" Norrington hissed. He looked around, his cheeks flushing. "All of you, into the captain's cabin. Now."
Ginny led the way, her arms folded across her chest. Once inside the captain's cabin, Elizabeth said, "What do you think is going to happen now?"
"I'll be executed," Jack said flatly.
"Ginny and I might join you at the gallows." Will added.
Ginny shook her head. "I don't think we'll be executed."
"I will." Jack insisted. "I've a longer black record than you do, love."
Ginny shook her head again. "You've done a good thing. They can't execute you. Just… try not to be an arse, all right? Explain why you didn't tell him about the curse. Elizabeth and I will, too."
"Of course," said Elizabeth with a nod, though her face was pale. "We kept it a secret, too."
Norrington and Governor Swann entered the room. Norrington closed the door behind him. He peered at Jack with fevered eyes. "I lost many men tonight because of you."
Jack remained silent, but Ginny did not. "I knew about the curse as well."
"As did I," said Elizabeth.
"We didn't say anything because we felt you wouldn't have risked saving Will." said Ginny.
"They were going to kill me to lift the curse," Will added. "Jack was buying me time."
Norrington glared at them, outnumbered. Governor Swann stepped forward. He eyed Norrington and wiped his brow before facing Jack, Ginny, Elizabeth and Will. "Well, the matter of punishment remains. Mr. Sparrow, Mr. Turner and Miss Stormmare all engaged in acts of piracy, and that is not tolerated by the law."
Elizabeth stepped forward. "You can't punish them! They did it to save me! Father, please. You can't hang them. I'm sorry, but if they hadn't come after me, you and James would've been too late to save me. They did what they had to."
"Ginny and William did what they had to," agreed Governor Swann gently, "but Sparrow did not. He did this for himself."
"Sparrow's lived a life of piracy," muttered Norrington. "The law cannot abide that."
"But you can," said Ginny.
"Miss Stormmare, you are in enough trouble as it is. Hold your tongue." Norrington snapped.
Jack glanced at Ginny. Her cheeks flushed, though Jack sensed it was not embarrassment that reddened his friend's skin. She crossed her arms and leaned back with Jack. Her shoulder brushed his.
Norrington pinched his brow while Governor Swann sighed. "I can grant clemency to William and Ginny. They acted rashly out of care for their friend, and their intentions were pure. Neither of them have a history of criminal activity. But I cannot do the same for Sparrow."
Jack poked his cheek with his tongue. His heart beat slowly, but each pump hurt. He gripped the edge of the desk that he leaned against until his hands ached. Norrington eyed Jack with an expression akin to pity. "When we arrive in Port Royal, Sparrow will hang for his crimes against the Crown."
Heat prickled Jack's back. He swallowed, wincing at the soreness in his throat. He nodded, his heart beating dully in his chest. Ginny straightened. Norrington poked his head out of the cabin and summoned Gillette. The other man entered with a pair of shackles. Jack pushed off from the desk and held out his wrists. He felt Ginny's eyes on him but ignored her.
"No! This isn't fair!" Ginny cried.
"Miss Stormmare, the count of crimes on Sparrow's ledger are innumerable. He must face the consequences." Norrington sighed.
"But he has risked his life to save others time and time again! This is wrong, and you know it!" Ginny argued.
"Ginny," Governor Swann hissed, "watch yourself. Do you have any idea the kind of strings I will have to pull to make sure you and Mr. Turner are safe from the gallows?"
Ginny flushed. "And I'm eternally grateful. But Weatherby, this is wrong. I know you are reluctant. Jack has saved your daughter's life twice now. He's saved Will's and mine more than I care to admit!"
"We're all bound by the law." said Weatherby grimly.
Ginny looked at his and Norrington's faces. They both refused to meet her gaze. "But…"
"Gin," Jack murmured, his wrists now shackled. Ginny looked at him. The tears in her eyes struck Jack breathless.
"Jack," Ginny choked.
Jack felt his lips twitch with the phantom of a smirk. "It's all right, love. I've squared with it."
Ginny shook her head. "No."
Jack smiled softly. "Gin. I don't want there to be two nooses instead of one, savvy?"
Ginny backed away. She turned on her heel and stormed out of the cabin, but not before Jack caught a glimpse of the tears on her cheeks.
…
Okay, so shorter chapter, but I couldn't stop writing it. I didn't want to end COTBP in this chapter, so I divided them in half. I won't end The Sparrow and the Storm with COTBP, though. I'm going to add to it, then move on to the next installment of DMC. Anyway, thank you for your support for this story! The reviews had me grinning ear to ear! The next chapter will be posted within the next few weeks… I have 2 projects coming up and then final exams after that, so I'm about to be pretty busy with school. Anyway, please review!