Chapter 21 – The Plan

Jack entered the dining room humming softly, a huge grin splitting his face. The pirates ceased their boisterous conversation to stare at the captain in awe as the officers continued pushing the food around on their plates with disgusted looks on their faces.

"It's about time Pirate. I thought you'd jumped ship to swim to the island I believe you've called home twice now. Surely you've realized it's close by," Norrington sneered, looking down his nose at Jack.

"Aye. Not without your fiancée to keep me company. Oh that's right. You' haven't got one," Jack teased crossing his arms. The commodore's face reddened as he remembered Jack had spent the night there with Elizabeth. "Shall we get down to business then?" Jack proposed, taking his seat.

"I thought it would be too much to ask for," Norrington mumbled.

"Are you enjoying Cole's cooking?" Jack wondered, raising an eyebrow at the commodore's nearly empty plate.

"Of course. I wouldn't have expected differently. 'Tis not the only your sister does well," Norrington smirked suggestively.

The amused glint in Jack's eye suddenly turned dangerous as he grabbed the commodore by the front of his uniform. Everyone in the room held their breath, waiting to see if the pirate would kill the commodore. No one made any attempt to help either man.

"I would watch yourself if I were you Commodore. I may be but a humble pirate, but I will not tolerate you speaking of Cole that way. I would also like to thank you for letting my entire crew know that she's a woman when I've done everything in my power to let them think otherwise. If she is harmed it will be on your hands," Jack warned quietly then shoved Norrington back into his chair.

Jack's grin returned and there was no sign of the ferocious man Norrington had just been accosted by. "So mates. The word is out. Cole is in fact a woman as well as my sister. If any one of you gets any funny ideas, you'll have to deal with me. Savvy?"

The crew began nodding their heads, dumbfounded at the news. Norrington was attempting to straighten his uniform while presenting Jack with a dirty glare. A smile touched Will's lips as he silently ate his soup, his eyes on his spoon. If the pirates had a single brain amongst them, they would realize that Cole was not Jack's sister, or that the Sparrow
family was a little too close for society to deem appropriate. Will only wished that Norrington knew Cole and Jack's true relationship.

"All right, everyone calm down," Jack commanded, as the men became rowdy. "If only to get this insufferable clout off my ship, we shall tend to the issues at hand. We are sailing to San Juan where King Daniel has been
spotted by my sources. As the king disappeared just prior to Autumn, it is my speculation that he at least has an idea as to her whereabouts if he's not in fact her captor." Jack stopped speaking to take a large bite out of his bread and savor the taste before washing it down with a swig of from his tankard.

"And what exactly do you plan on doing once we've reached San Juan?" Norrington asked.

Jack held up a finger as he ate some more bread, grunting with satisfaction. "You'd do well to tell your crew that they're missing out on a fine meal," Jack said with his mouth full as he gestured towards their full plates.

"I cannot help that they find it distasteful to dine amongst such scalawags. Get on with it Sparrow," Norrington barked.

Jack swallowed hard and let out a mighty belch. Will was near rolling on the floor with laughter while Norrington looked ready to retch. "As I was saying. Once we reach San Juan, my crew and I will determine the princess's whereabouts and take her with us, probably by force," Jack continued.

"That's about the worst plan I ever heard of," Norrington commented.

"Well you see my dear Commodore, it matters not what you think for it is I the prince has called upon to find his love. Not you," Jack pointed out.

"He's obviously made a very poor choice. We will follow you to San Juan and take over once you've made a mess of things. The princess will be returned to her prince by any means possible," the commodore decided.

"There will be no mess in San Juan except for you and your crew. Now, if you don't mind Commodore, get the hell off my ship. Gibbs, please see the commodore and his men back to The Interceptor," Jack dismissed them with a flick of his wrist as he drank from his tankard.

The salty men filed out of the room until only Jack and Will remained. "How's Elizabeth?" Jack managed to say between mouthfuls of food.

"She's been feeling a little seasick," Will replied with concern.

"I believe they call it morning sickness when a babe is involved," Jack offered with a chuckle.

"Yes, well it's really awful. I don't think we should have made this trip," Will muttered.

"You did it for Cole. For me. I admire and appreciate that. There are not many people in this world I can call my friend, but you Will Turner, are a very honorable man. Anyone would be proud to call you their friend," Jack spoke sincerely as he clapped Will on the shoulder.

"It's lovely to see you in love my dear Captain Jack Sparrow," Will mused.

"Aye. Pity it won't be lasting much longer," Jack replied sadly, removing his grip on Will.

"Perhaps Prince Jonathan would be willing to let you marry Cole instead of whoever it is he has set aside for you," Will thought hopefully.

"Nay. Jonathan would not for a minute believe that I'd become a landlubber with Cole at my side. The man is no fool," Jack reasoned. "Besides, Cole deserves better than a seasoned old pirate."

"Cole deserves to be with the man she loves. You could just forget this whole rescue mission and sail around with Cole at your side for the rest of your life," Will suggested.

"I'm getting too old for this Will. Cole deserves someone who's alive at least. Deserting the mission to find Autumn would surely bring death upon me," Jack argued.

"Then perhaps it is best for you to find the princess, and once that's done, Elizabeth and I will bring Cole with us wherever it is we decide to go," Will stated.

"I would appreciate it Will," Jack thanked the younger pirate.

"Captain! The Interceptor is sailing away!" Joel called from the upper deck.

"Elizabeth!"

"Cole!"

Will and Jack exclaimed at the same time. They both raced up the stairs. The Interceptor was too far to reach by anything other than boat or swim. Jack began tearing off his coat. "Jack wait!" Will interrupted. "Look! There, in the water!"

Jack did look. He saw what could only be two human heads bobbing up and down near The Interceptor. Jack's heart pounded in his chest as he thought of the two women in the water. He was very thankful that the water was smooth as glass. "My god! Elizabeth! She's insane!" Will fretted.

"Insanity would be staying with that idiot Norrington," Jack corrected as he finished undressing. Will didn't even bother as both of them leapt into the water as the crew watched.

"Men overboard!" Gibbs yelled.

Jack and Will quickly made it to the women who were both quite amused at their gallant attempt at rescue. They were giggling as the men reached their side. "You realize we know how to swim," Cole's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Elizabeth, I don't think you should be in the water in your condition," Will worried as he wrapped an arm around his wife.

"Nor you," Jack added looking at Cole sternly.

"What condition am I in?" Cole queried.

"Your "boy condition". You've lost most of your facial hair and I doubt your wet clothes would do much to hide your womanly figure," Jack answered lazily in an attempt to hide his concern for her.

"I suppose 'tis just as well that the commodore blew her cover," Will put in.

"Did he now?" Cole laughed. "Let's see how he feels about me being aboard a ship of randy pirates who know I'm a woman. If only he'd realize I'm not Jack's sister."

"What happened? Why did he take off like that?" Will asked Elizabeth.

"We don't know. We were in the cabin talking when the ship started to move. We looked out the porthole and saw The Pearl was still there, so we jumped ship," she replied.

"I think it's best for you to be aboard The Pearl anyway," Jack interjected. "He's about as untrustworthy as a bad pirate."

"Welcome back Captain, Colet, Mr. Turner, Mrs. Turner," Gibbs greeted, more cheerful than he'd ever been at seeing women board his ship. Stench and Joel leaned down to help the women climb onto the ship, as Will covered Jack's eyes to keep him from looking up Elizabeth's skirts.

"He won't look if he knows what's good for him," Cole said under her breath as she glared down at the captain.

"I only wanted to look at you darling," Jack teased. He managed to smack Will's hand away so he could do just that. Cole had the most scrumptious looking behind.

"Yer sister, is she?" Gibbs asked.

Jack just chuckled as he and Will began their climb. Once on deck, Jack began herding the women to his quarters for dry clothes. Cole offered Elizabeth the dress she'd borrowed and Jack gave Cole and Will some of his own clothes. The women changed first and Cole found Jack's breeches a bit snug on her hips and his shirt tight across her chest.

"Oh love. That simply won't do around the crew," Jack grinned suggestively when he saw her. "You'll just have to stay in the cabin until your clothes dry."

"Okay," she replied and shut the door in his face.

Elizabeth attempted to hide her laughter with a cough as the smile slid off Jack's face. Jack turned to look at her through narrow eyes. "Let me show you to your cabin my lady," Jack offered snidely.