"It's no use," Norrington said. He withdrew his knife from the lock, sighing slightly when he noticed that its blade had been scratched and dented.

Jack looked up from where he had been dozing against the back wall. "That's it?" Jack asked, getting to his feet. He crossed the cell and frowned down at Norrington as he sheathed the knife. "You're giving up already?"

"Finally, is more like it," Norrington replied, standing up, and grimacing as his side started hurting again. He sat down in the place Jack had vacated, and leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. "Your turn, Sparrow."

Jack made a face. "And what options, exactly, am I to explore what haven't already been exhausted by you?"

Norrington looked over at Jack in bemusement. "Well, how did you get out last time?"

"Last time?" Jack repeated, turning away to stoop and inspect the lock. He wiggled his little finger into the lock, pulled it out and licked it, and frowned. "Last time was different."

"How did Turner get you out, then?"

"You'd like to know, wouldn't you?"

Norrington only frowned, though he really was more than a little interested in knowing how, exactly, Turner had managed to break the pirate out of prison without attracting the Commodore's notice.

"Wouldn't work, anyway," Jack muttered, straightening. "No leverage."

Gillette was still sitting in the corner of the cell, resting his head against the wall and observing with mild indifference. "Well, then, I suppose we'll just have to resign ourselves to the fact that your first mate will soon meet the gallows, if he hasn't already, and likely look forward to a similar fate ourselves," he commented.

Jack threw a glare over at the lieutenant. "You're not being very helpful."

"Just returning the favor," Gillette replied. "It's a wonder you - "

"Wait." Jack froze suddenly, his eyes wide. A grin crept across his face, and his posture relaxed. "Beckett can't hang Gibbs," he said confidently, almost laughing, and gesturing dismissively. "Because then he'd never see his - " Jack stopped, catching himself.

Norrington jumped on the hesitation. "His what?"

"Oops."

"Why can't Beckett hang Gibbs?"

Jack shrugged. "Just can't, that's all. Wouldn't be in anyone's best interests."

"In the spirit of serving one's own best interests, Mr. Sparrow, I suggest you do yourself a favor and answer the question."

"I've always admired your persistence, and I for that I shall indulge you." Jack held up both index fingers for a pause. "But not yet. For now, let it suffice to say that - "

There was a loud clang as a door somewhere down the corridor opened and then slammed closed. Footsteps echoed on the stone floor, drawing slowly closer. The prisoner in the opposite cell pressed his face to the bars and peered down the corridor for a moment, then turned to Jack and said, "They're comin' for you. For your questioning."

"Questioning?" Jack repeated.

The man nodded, his eyes wide and still glancing towards the source of the approaching steps. "Everyone's questioned," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "No sense hangin' you before he's seen if you can be of any use."

"Ah," Jack replied. He turned to face Norrington and Gillette. "See, then? No worries. Just let me do the talking."

Gillette rolled his eyes. "You're going to save us? You couldn't even get us out of this cell."

Jack was spared the effort of coming up with a fitting retort when two uniformed guards stopped in front of their cell. The door screeched on its hinges, and Gillette winced. The guards stared down at the prisoners with menacing indifference.

Jack greeted them with a grin. "Hello, my good men," he ventured. "If you're looking for which of us what holds the power of bargaining and extending useful services, that'd be me, though I'd be much obliged if you'd - "

"Quiet," one of the guard barked. "You're all comin' with us. Lord Beckett likes to welcome the guests in person."

The other guard chuckled.

"Come on," the first ordered, gesturing with his rifle.

Norrington hesitated, exchanging a glance with Gillette. The guard grunted impatiently, and they obeyed. Gillette steadied himself against the wall for a moment, still a bit unsteady due to the blow to his head, but then he nodded that he was all right and followed Norrington out of the cell.

The three prisoners were led down the narrow corridor by the first guard and followed by the second. Norrington tried to ignore the stares of the prisoners in the surrounding cells as they made their way through the long walkway. He reflected that a face-to-face meeting with Cutler Beckett was probably the absolute last item on his list of desirable activities, and even thought that the gallows would be a more pleasant experience. Hadn't he agreed to join Sparrow on this absurd rescue mission in order to avoid that very thing? He threw a glance of displeasure over at Jack.

Jack only replied with that infuriating grin of his, and mouthed the words, "No worries, mate."

Norrington only looked away, thinking that if, by some miracle, they managed to escape this imprisonment, he would love to have the satisfaction of arresting Jack again, himself.

Sorry for the wait. This probably wasn't quite worth it, but thanks for reading! I hope you'll all stick with me. Reviews are appreciated! :)