Chapter 21:

I said my goodbyes to Jack, and he still held me to him. "Come back after everyone has gone to sleep. We shall continue our discussion." I knew what he meant and blushed, nodded and he released me. I did as Barbossa instructed as the Captain, even though Jack and him kept bickering over it like kids. Once the crew had went below to sleep, a few remained and I found it simple to sneak passed them. I wasn't sure if it was a good thing or not, I mean we should not be so easily fooled by people sneaking about, but it was a good thing because no one could know about Jack and I just yet. I was hoping once this whole thing was settled, that he and I could be together.

I was at the doors, about to slip in when I heard voices that I knew all too well. "And how does your dearly beloved feel about this?" I caught a glimpse of Jack walking down to Will and a body attached to a barrel. I stayed low, unsure of what was going on between them. "Ah, you've not seemed fit to trust her with it." "I'm losing her, Jack. Every step I take toward my father, is a step away from Elizabeth." "If you choose to lock your heart away, you'll lose her for certain." I slipped down closer, it was odd for these two to be so friendly when they have been at each others throats for a while, betraying each other over and over.

"If I might lend a machete to your intellectual thicket…Avoid the choice altogether." I eyed Jack close, hearing a tone to his voice that I didn't like. "Let someone else dispatch Jones." "Who?" Will didn't notice how Jack's tone changed just slightly, but I could tell Jack was making a plan in his head as he spoke. Finally Will caught on and turned to Jack, "You?" Jack shifted his eyes, clearly giving away his answer, making me realize that he wanted to be Captain of the Dutchman…and I wouldn't be able to follow.

"Death has a curious way of reshuffling one's priorities. I slip aboard the Dutchman, find the heart, stab the beating thing, your father goes free from his debt, you're free to be with your charming murderess." Will didn't believe he was being completely honest, so he voiced it. "So you're willing to cut out your heart and bind yourself to the Dutchman…forever?" "No, mate. I'm free forever." I blinked, completely shocked by Jack's decision, after we just decided to stay together, he wanted to go off and sail the sea forever.

"Free to sail the seas beyond the edges of the map. Free from death itself." "You have to do the job though, Jack." Will shot, knowing the Captain had to ferry the dead. "You have to ferry souls to the next world. Or end up just like Jones." He made a gesture to show the tentacle beard Jones had and that shook Jack a bit. "I don't have the face for tentacles. But immortal has to count for something, eh?" he took his compass and gave it to Will, telling him to think like Jack and it'll come to him. He got really close and breathed his rum-soaked breath at Will, causing him to lean back and fall overboard.

"My regards to Davy Jones!" he shouted and I ran down to see Will grabbing the body and barrel to keep himself afloat. "Will!" I shouted and Jack grabbed my arm, holding me in place. "What the hell Jack! He's going to die!" "He'll be fine, don't worry." "Don't worry! What are you planning now? Tell me or I'm going over with Will." he let me go and stepped back. "I guess your choice is stay with me and be protected…or jump over and hope the barrel holds you and him long enough for you to be captured and branded…or hung."

I blinked, unable to speak. Jack was being so heartless at the moment and I couldn't understand why. I tried to think quickly, but all my mind could come up with was it was a choice between Will and Jack…which it would always be Jack. I sighed and stepped back down from the side and he nodded, opening his arms for me to go to him. I rolled my eyes, shook my head and shoved passed him. "I said I would trust you, yet you can't trust me with your plans. So forget it, from now on…I am just a crewmember and you are just my Captain…goodnight, Jack."

I went to my bunk and laid down, thoughts making it impossible to sleep as I tried to figure out what he was thinking, doing, anything that would give me a chance to forgive and go to him. I didn't want to be without him, but I couldn't let myself get this involved with someone that wouldn't trust me enough to tell me the truth. I let a few tears escape before finally giving in and sleep took me. I woke the next morning and did my duties as quickly as possible, wanting to be done and get away from the eyes of Jack as he continued to watch me every time I was in view.

I continued to refuse his talks, avoiding his eyes, not wanting to have anything to do with him until he realized he would just have to trust me like I used to trust him. Gibbs was telling the crew about Shipwreck Cove as we approached, wanting to keep the Pearl in ship-shape. Jack was awful close as he took Gibbs off to prepare, I turned away as he brushed against me, instead seeing Tia and Barbossa arguing about something. They then took her to the brig, as a prisoner this time, which was confusing but we had no time to deal with that as we prepared the boats.

It was nightfall as we arrived, seeing all the different crews from all the different pirate lords. It was beautiful and unique in it's own way, we were all in awe. "Look at them all!" "There's not been a gathering like this in our lifetime." Barbossa said and Jack added, "And I owe them all money." I smiled, knowing that would have to be true, but hid it a bit as they became to make their way down. "Saw that…" Jack breathed as he passed me, his fingers brushing against my thigh, making me shiver.