I just thought that I would announce that I am writing the final chapters of this story! I'm on chapter twenty-nine right now, and I'm thinking it will go to around thirty-one, maybe thirty-two. I was just real excited about that so thought I would share! I'll be sad that this story is ending since this is my baby, but all the same I'll be glad I'm done. Haha, only seven years in the making! :P

Enjoy!

Chapter 25: The Deadly Race

It was on the third day that they spotted Raney's ship. It was about a mile to the west of them, riding in a parallel direction. Jack was intently looking through his telescope, a frown fixed on his face.

"How the bloody 'ell has he caught up to us?!" Jack complained to Gibbs, who was hesitantly standing near him. Gibbs wisely didn't answer. Jack moved his telescope slightly and raised an eyebrow. "The bugger's not deep in the water at all. He must've jettisoned the majority of his ship!" He scanned the top deck. "An' crew, it seems. What the 'ell is going on?"

He snapped the telescope shut, and focused his attention on Gibbs. "I'm not letting that man who calls 'imself a pirate to get to my treasure first. Lighten the ship, throw off everything we don't need!" He commanded, and then added as an afterthought, "Except the rum. Save the rum."

Gibbs quickly relayed the captain's message. Immediately, the crew began to throw the extra cargo overboard.

Emma was in her shared talking with Ana Maria when one of the crewmember's burst into the room. "Throw anything extra overboard, cap'n's orders!" He left as quickly as he came.

Ana Maria glanced around the scarcely furnished room. "Not a whole lot to dump in here." She admitted. She kicked open the trunk at the foot of her bed. "How much stuff have ye got in yours?" She asked Emma.

Emma opened hers and shook her head. "Nope." They quickly combined the two trunks and Ana Maria hefted the empty trunk into her arms. Emma opened the door for her and followed her up to the top deck.

The rest of the crew was busy throwing various boxes and trunks over with Jack watching each one carefully, not wanting any of his precious rum to accidentally be sent overboard. Noticing Emma, Jack pointedly walked to the other side of the ship, putting more distance and people between them.

There was a grunt and a resulting splash from behind her. Ana Maria proudly was wiping her hands off. "Dunno why that was so heavy." She muttered. She turned in time to see Emma's gaze across the boat at Jack. "Oi, now what's the problem between ya two? Ya call 'im a drunk an' he call you a wench?" She chuckled at her own joke.

"I dunno what his problem is." She replied angrily. "If he wants to make things into a big deal, he can, but I've more important things to worry about."

Ana Maria decided to let it be. "Peter's looking for ye." She said, pointing at the skinny man walking their way.

"Good, a man sensible enough to focus on the treasure." She quipped.

"Ana Maria!" Jack shouted from the helm. "Get back ta work!"

Emma rolled her eyes. "What, I'm not allowed to talk to anyone else anymore?"

Ana Maria patted her on the back. "You got Peter."

"Emma!" Peter greeted. "How is your arm?"

"Still hurts like hell and I still can't stab Jack with it." She replied tersely, wiggling her fingers and instantly regretted it as pain shot up her arm.

Peter pretended her remark was anything but unpleasant. "Good. You've noticed Raney's ship, I take it?"

Emma looked over her shoulder at the dark ship on the horizon line. "Bit hard to miss." She replied.

"He knows the location of the treasure." His voice was flat; it wasn't a question, but a statement. Emma nodded. "How does Jack feel about that?"

"Ask him yourself." She grumbled. Peter crossed his arms and waited for her continue. She sighed. "He doesn't like it one bit."

"Nor do I." Peter replied. "This makes this whole thing more complicated."

"Well I think some parts of the riddle are more obvious than they were before." Peter raised his eyebrows. "Well," she continued, "the betrayal referred to in the riddle is obviously going to be Raney. Me and you are in it with Jack." She shrugged.

Peter didn't reply for a few moments. They both watched Raney's ship in silence. "I don't want you to take my next words harshly, for I mean no harm. But I think that you and Jack should reconcile before we reach San Andres. I feel if you don't, things will only become more complicated."

Emma sighed. "I wouldn't know where to even begin."

"How about with the truth." He said gently.

Emma gazed at Jack. He held his telescope up to his eye and was watching Raney's ship intently. Gibbs was hovering hesitantly nearby. "What if I don't know what that is?" She whispered, not loud enough for Peter to hear. He left moments later, leaving her time to collect her thoughts.

What if they did it? They found the treasure of Vespera and Emma held more than a penny to her name. She would probably be wanted, but that didn't mean she couldn't relocate elsewhere from Port Bain. She could start up a life somewhere new and be happy there. But as she gazed at Jack, her stomach twisted in a knot, and she realized that she had no idea what she wanted anymore.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Two more days passed slowly by. The crew was anxious to reach the island, but dreaded what they may find there. Emma kept herself secluded from the rest of the crew, opting to spend most of her time in her room trying to sleep or in the galley drinking more than her stomach could hold. Her arm still gave her pain, but it was healing slowly. At least that's what Gibbs said. She wasn't quite sure how reliable his word was.

After recovering from a particularly bad hangover, Emma made it to the top deck and instantly noticed that Raney's ship was much closer; it sailed before about a mile away, but now was riding happily amongst the waves a half-mile closer. She narrowed her eyes, wondering what his game was. She figured he didn't really know where he was going, and was sticking closer to the Pearl so as not to get lost.

Jack was stationed at the helm, and taking a quick swig out of the rum bottle in her left hand, she marched towards him.

At first, Jack pretended not to notice her. He stared directly ahead, the wind whipping his locks behind him. Emma cleared her throat, taking another swig of the rum to give her confidence.

"Emma," he acknowledged stiffly. He shifted uncomfortably.

"Jack..." she trailed off with a sigh. She tossed her rum bottle over the side of the ship and waited to see how he reacted. A disapproving look crossed his face, but a moment later, it was blank. She shook her head. "How did we get like this?"

Jack looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "Don' speak in riddles." He said gruffly.

"You know what I mean! I just tossed a half-full bottle of rum overboard and you didn't even yell at me or protest!"

"Yer loss." He mumbled.

"And it's yer rum I'm drinking!"

"What's yer point! I don' need all this shoutin'!"

Emma looked down at her scarred hands and felt tears well in her eyes. She quickly blinked them away. "I hate this." She whispered.

Jack glanced over at her and misunderstood her. "Well scars aren't so bad. They tell a story, a story of how ye became who ye are."

Emma stifled a laugh and shook her head. "No, it's not the scars… it's us."

Jack was silent for a few moments. "I never wanted this. I tried to work it out."

"Please," Emma held her hand up. "Don't put the blame all on me. I don't need that. I'm standing here before you, swallowing my pride and, and, and my embarrassment, so don't point fingers at me! I'm trying to fix a problem I created for one of the first times in my life!"

Jack's hand slowly slid down from the wheel. His eyes scanned the half-deserted deck to make sure no one was eavesdropping. The closest person was Gibbs, who was finding a box of crates a few yards away particularly interesting. Jack ignored him. "How's it doin'?" He asked quietly, tenderly reaching out to touch her arm.

"What?" Emma asked, confused at the shift in the conversation. "Oh, it's, well, it's healing."

Jack opened up the palm of her left hand and examined the healing cuts that would certainly scar. He gently traced one. Emma shivered. "How do you feel about me, Emma?" He asked quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"Ye said ya hated how we were, how we are. What do ye hate? I need to know if it's worth fixing by how ye feel."

Emma swallowed nervously. "Okay. But I want your answer in return." She said. "It's only fair."

Jack agreed with a nod of his head.

"Well," Emma began slowly. "I think you are the most infuriating person I've met. You're an irrational drunk who has problems controlling his temper and talking civilly. You do what you want, with no regard whatsoever as to how it might affect other people." She held up her hand for him not to interrupt. "But, you're the most fascinating person I've ever met. You're charming, and caring, and the only person I've been able to truly open up to because I know that you care…and I care in return. It seems like my whole life is off on the wrong foot without you in it." She bit her lip and dropped her gaze.

"You are the most stubborn person I know," at this he stopped and chuckled, "and I know most pirates. I've never had someone so blatantly defy my orders, by throwing rum bottles at me or by sewing pink thread into my black sails." Emma smirked at this. "And even though you drive me utterly crazy, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Jack slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "Have I passed your test?" Emma smirked.

Jack smiled, the sun glinting off his gold teeth. "I think we're worth fixing." With that he stooped down and kissed her. Emma seemed to melt in his arms and wrapped her good arm around his neck, deepening the kiss. Jack, excited by her enthusiasm, pulled her even closer to her body and she gasped in pain. Jack froze.

"My arm," she explained with a sheepish smile.

"Go get some rest, love." He said, kissing her on the forehead.

Emma closed her eyes and smiled. With a small nod, she went to her quarters.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

"Cap'n!" Gibbs shouted from the deck.

"Get it out!" Jack said impatiently.

"Raney's ship! It's headed straight at us, cap'n."

Jack swiveled around and his eyes widened at the fast approaching ship, which was indeed heading straight for them. "What the bloody 'ell is he doin'? We've another day before we even reach San Andres!" He pulled out his telescope and raised it to his eye. As he looked through, he frowned. "Why isn't he turning?" He asked aloud.

"Ana Maria! Bring Emma to me cabin!"

Ana Maria rushed to her quarters and found Emma sitting at the small desk, writing a letter and chewing her lip simultaneously. "Raney's ship's approaching. Cap'n wants ye above deck." Emma quickly finished the letter, shoving it into her trunk and followed Ana Maria to the top deck.

Jack frowned and closed his telescope. The ship was close enough now to see without its aid. "Something's not right." He glanced down at the idle crew members on the deck. "What are ye doin'! Man the guns, all hands on deck!" The crew below ran to obey his orders.

"Emma, to me cabin. Gibbs, find Peter. Send him to my cabin as well." He ordered.

"Excuse me?" Emma asked, folding her arms across her chest. Gibbs didn't linger.

"Not now," he said impatiently. "It's for your safety."

"I can handle myself thank you." She replied tersely. "I've done as much work on this treasure hunt, if not more, than you have. I deserve to be involved in this parley, or whatever it may be, because it's going to concern the treasure. Therefore, it concerns me."

Jack balled his fists and raised them in the air in frustration. "You can't even swordfight!" She did not budge. "Can ye just not wait in the cabin until I come get ya?" She pursed her lips. Jack threw his hands in the air in exasperation. "Fine! Just stay by my side, aye?"

"Aye," Emma agreed triumphantly.

Jack stood at the starboard side of the ship. Raney's ship now turned aside the Pearl. "Raney!" Jack shouted, one hand on his pistol. "What's yer game?"

Raney walked towards the side of his ship, his boots thunking against the wood ominously. "Game? I'm not playing a game here, Jack." He said regally. His eyes shifted from Jack to Emma. "Ah, I should've known the lass wouldn't be far behind."

Emma scowled. "The lass has a name."

Raney grinned. "My apologies, Emma."

Jack was growing impatient. "Get ta the point."

"I think we should speak privately. Perhaps in your quarter, Jack?" He proposed.

"Anything you have to say can be said in front of my crew."

"Ah, but you see Jack, you may trust them, but I don't."

"Are ye tellin' me that my crew isn't loyal?" Jack accused angrily.

"On the contrary. They'll be loyal to you, not to me."

Jack was growing agitated with this banter. "Let 'im over." He growled.

Minutes later, Raney was aboard the Pearl. Peter and Emma moved to join them as they headed to Jack's cabin, but Raney held up his hand to stop them. "Captains only, I'm afraid." Jack raised his brow in curiosity but didn't object.

"Well that's me." He grinned, waltzing into his cabin. Emma noticed that he still had his hand upon his sword though. Raney followed after him.

The two crews waited anxiously, eying each other with scowls and raised swords. "I don't like this," Emma murmured to Peter.

He shook his head in agreement. "Nor do I."

But they needed not to wait any longer as the two captains emerged from Jack's cabin. Raney looked satisfied and Jack slightly puzzled. "Now get off me ship." Jack ordered.

Raney chuckled and seemed to finally notice Emma's arm. "What did you do to your arm, dear?" His words seemed innocent enough, but his eyes were calculating. "I hope you're okay."

Emma narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "I fell." She said simply. "And I'm healing."

Raney's mouth fell slightly open and his eyes gained a glazed tint. But the moment passed quickly and Emma wondered if she had actually seen his reaction. He rubbed his chin. "I imagine it's hard for you knowing you can't fight."

Before Emma could respond to his threatening words, his crew gave a great roar, waving their swords and pistols in the air, and rushed towards the Black Pearl.

"What the-!" Jack drew his sword just as a cannonball smashed into the ship. All of Raney's cannons were now proudly displayed from the gun deck. Jack wildly began to shout orders. Some of the crew ran to the gun deck and drew the cannons, firing back. Others eagerly clashed swords with Raney's men. The ship was madness.

Jack slashed at the man in front of him and whipped around, searching for the man he particularly wanted to murder. And just as he wondered where Emma was and spun around, trying to located her and make sure she was safe, a particular voice raised itself above the others. As Jack recognized the voice, his heart sank.

"Until San Andres, Sparrow!"

Jack found Raney, holding Emma close to his body, and swinging across to his ship. Jack was just about to order the crew to fire, when Raney yelled once more. "I wouldn't harm my ship, Sparrow! There's special cargo aboard!"

"Bloody 'ell!" Jack pulled out his pistol and aimed at Raney's head. Thinking better of it with Emma in such close proximity, he shoved the pistol back into its holster. "Unfurl the top sail! Full speed ahead!" He barked, his eyes never leaving the brunette.

She struggled against Raney's firm hold, but only managed to hurt herself instead. She cried out in pain and cradled her right arm with her left. Raney took a few steps back in surprise, intending her no harm. He put an arm gently around her shoulder, and she tried to shove him off, but it remained and he steered her towards the captain's cabin.

Just before she entered, she turned toward Jack, their eyes connected, and she mouthed a single word. "Help."

DUN DUN DUN! :D Any thoughts as to why Raney's kidnapping Emma? Or what was your favorite part of this chapter?

As always reviews make my day - and my days are pretty dull with working and university! ;) Plus, it's been a while since I've updated so I'm not sure anyone is even reading this anymore, haha. Anyone out there? Helloo? :P Just a few words would be such an encouragement to know that I have readers! Thanks!

-Becca