Pirates of the Caribbean: Bloody Water

Disclaimer: I have no rights to POTC. This story is for personal enjoyment only and not for profit. Please don't sue.

Rating: M

Chapter 27: Tomorrow, We Fight

It was about midmorning the following day, and Cecily was again sitting in her office, this time staring at the map laid out before her. Beckett's ships appeared to still be in the harbor, but she had no idea how long that would last. She was waiting on intelligence from her spies to decide exactly when to order the attack.

So the knock that came on the door at that moment was very timely. After giving her visitor the okay to come in, a young soldier entered the office. "What do ye need, lad?" she asked.

"I have news of Beckett's convoy, Commodore," he announced.

"What o' it?"

"We believe they're setting sail tomorrow morning," he said. "They're preparing their ships now."

Cecily absorbed this new bit of information. If her fleet hurried, they too could be prepared by the following morning – and when Beckett's ships pulled out, her ships would attack.

She nodded at the soldier. "All right, lad, thank ye. Get on yer way."

The soldier scurried out of the office, and Cecily stood up. She marched out on deck of the Sunrise, calling, "Marjorie!!"

Her first mate raced over to her captain. "Aye, Cap'n? What is it?"

"Pass the word along," she ordered. "I want e'ery captain in the fleet aboard me ship in under an hour. We have matters o' importance to discuss."

"Aye, Cap'n," Marjorie acquiesced. Then she ran off to fulfill her captain's orders.

Cecily grinned slightly as she watched her first mate race off. The end of this venture was upon them at long last.

Cecily stood at the end of one of the long tables in her ship's galley, watching the pirates file in. Anamaria Freeman was one of the first to enter, and she gave her commodore a friendly nod, which Cecily returned. The woman sat near the head of the table, and was soon accompanied by Jack Sparrow, who she cast a dark look at. Barboussa followed, and Cecily shared a nod with him as well. He also sat close by her. Norrington and Matthews took their seats by the head of the table, Matthews greeting her and Norrington ignoring her. Cecily rolled her eyes.

Easton also ignored her, as did Vontoya, Turner, and Elizabeth. Cecily considered throwing Will and Elizabeth out – there was no real reason for them to be at the meeting anyway – but decided to let it slide. Skip, Ronan, and Jim, however, seemed friendly towards her, and when Tanner entered, he gave her his usual smug smirk, so she knew he was on her side. But Sao Feng, the last to walk into the galley, cast a dark look at her as he took his seat, and Cecily knew that when it came to the pirate lord from Singapore, it was imperative for her to watch her step.

As they all took their seats and began to fall quiet, Cecily cleared her throat to signal the start of the meeting. Every face assembled at the long table before her turned to look at her. "Good news, ladies and gents," she announced. "I have intelligence that Beckett plans to pull out tomorrow morning. That means the conditions are perfect fer a battle. We must attack as they leave harbor. Tomorrow, we fight."

Silence descended in the galley. Finally, Skip announced, "What, just like that? Don't ye maybe want to talk about this?"

"Talk about what?" Cecily returned, raising her eyebrow. "We've been waitin' all this time fer exactly this – an opportunity to attack. And I see no better opportunity than the one we just stumbled upon. Do ye have an idea o' yer own, Captain Worchester, that ye think to be better than mine?"

The last question sounded vaguely dangerous. Skip didn't back down though. "Not all, Cap'n," he replied. "I just think we ought to discuss a course of action, is all."

"Well, o' course we ought to discuss a course o' action," Cecily responded. "I was gettin' to that. Have some bloody patience fer once in yer life."

Before Skip could reply, he was cut off by Captain Sparrow. "So ye plan to set sail fer the opposite side of the island in the wee hours of the morning in order to cut off Lord Beckett, supposedly takin' him by surprise, and blow his ships to bits, while, of course, findin' some way to sneak aboard the main ship of the eight ships, where, presumably, the heart of Davy Jones is hidden, in order for ye to nick it just in the nick of time, and then race back aboard yer ship in order to complete yer mission and finish, well – blowin' Beckett's ships to bits. Do I understand yer plan?"

"Aye," Cecily returned without skipping a beat. "Do ye have a problem with said plan?"

"No, no, no problem at all," Sparrow replied. "Excepting, of course, exactly how ye plan to execute said plan, particularly the part where ye manage to get on Beckett's flag ship, steal the heart, and, of course, the most troublin' of all – how ye plan to blow said ships to bits."

Cecily raised her eyebrow at him. "Well, me good commodore?" Jack pressed. "Thoughts?"

"Why do ye ask?" Cecily said back. "Have ye thoughts, Captain Sparrow?"

"Why, yes, as a matter of fact, I do," he replied. "But I wouldn't presume to step on yer toes, commodore. Please, do go on."

"Thank ye fer yer encouragement, Captain Sparrow," Cecily returned dryly. "Me plan is exactly this: we will split into two convoys, six in each. Each convoy will sail round the island, coming from opposite directions, and meet outside the harbor, where Beckett's ships will be sailin' from. We will then attack said fleet on both sides without warning. As soon as the battle starts, I will navigate me ship to come up beside the Endeavor – and I will not leave that ship until her master is dead, and the heart is in mine hands. How does that sound, Captain Sparrow?"

"A tad more detailed than expected," Jack retorted. "However," (here he stood and approached the pirate commodore) "I must say, I approve of yer plan most mightily. Excellent work, commodore, and I defy anyone here to say otherwise!"

Cecily stared at the pirate captain beside her. He gave her a rather cheeky grin – something Cecily was accustomed to giving, not receiving – and then quickly turned away from her. There was no sincerity in his eyes, and Cecily found herself not believing him in the slightest. Trust did not exist between Cecily and Captain Sparrow – and she'd be damned if she let him get the best of her. Something was percolating behind those dark lined eyes, and Cecily knew she'd have to keep her eye on Jack.

After a few short exchanges among the gathered captains, their plans were finalized, and it was agreed that they all would sail into battle early the next morning. That gave them near the entire day to prepare their vessels for war.

Cecily adjourned the meeting and followed her troops on deck. "Sao Feng!" she called after the pirate lord, who was fighting his way towards the gangplank.

Sao Feng paused on deck, turning slowly to look at her. "Come here, lad!" she called. "I got someone I want to introduce ye to."

Barboussa attempted to slip past Cecily unnoticed, but failed. She caught him by the arm and yanked him back to her side. "What's yer hurry, Hector, darling?" she asked with a smirk. "I got a new friend fer ye."

Sao Feng approached the pair of them. "Ah, Sao Feng, darling," Cecily greeted him, far too friendly. "Meet Hector Barboussa. Hector, this is Sao Feng."

The two pirate men glowered at each other. "Oh, dear, how silly o' me," Cecily said, feigning embarrassment. "Why, o' course the two o' ye already know one another. Well, good, this ought to be easier fer ye then. Sao Feng, Captain Barboussa here is one o' the very few pirates blessed with the knowledge o' the location o' the famed goddess Calypso. He will be yer personal escort on the road to findin' yer sea goddess. The two o' ye will set sail with one another the day followin' tomorrow's battle, and may ye have much luck in yer venture."

Sao Feng cast a dark and dangerous look Cecily's way. "I beg your pardon, Commodore," he murmured. "But I thought you would be the one to take me to Calypso."

"Ye thought wrong," she replied. "I have far too many important things to do. However, Captain Barboussa has graciously offered to go in me place. Have fun."

Sao Feng glowered at her. Cecily smiled back. He turned on Barboussa. "Well, then, Captain Barboussa," he growled, leaning into the sea-wizened old pirate's face. "I suppose I will look forward to our voyage together."

Barboussa smiled nervously, managing a weak chuckle. "As will I," he replied.

Sao Feng stormed off Cecily's ship. Barboussa turned on her. "Makin' sure I keep me end of the bargain, I see," he drawled, his face uncomfortably close to hers. "Sad circumstances, these, when an accord struck between two honest pirates fosters doubt, and not even the code itself can reassure a member of the brethren. Brings tears to an old sea dog's eyes to know a man can't trust his brother."

Cecily snorted. "Trust me brother? When me brother is one of the brethren, I can't help but doubt his trustworthiness. A lass got to watch her back with brothers like these."

"Well said, Commodore," was Barboussa's only reply. With that said, the pirate captain turned from her and headed to the longboats.

"I see you've managed to wriggle out of one of your many predicaments," a snobby, dreary British accent sounded in her ear. "I suppose congratulations are in order."

"Well, knock me o'er," Cecily replied, rounding on James Norrington. "He speaks. And here I thought I'd been dropped from yer list o' conversationalists, and demoted to receiver o' surly looks. Ye havin' some sort o' problem, Norrington?"

"Not at all, Commodore O'Connor," Norrington replied, a small smile playing around his lips. "So, Barboussa accepted your deal."

"Aye, that he did," Cecily replied.

"And you expect him to honor it."

"Aye, that I do."

Norrington stared at her for a while. Cecily tried to ignore him, but finally couldn't stand it anymore. "What?" she demanded. "Do ye have somethin' ye'd like to say?"

He shook his head. "No," he replied. "Nothing."

As he said this, Captain Hartford passed by the pair of them, and caught Cecily's eye before following the other captains off the ship. Barely conscious that she was doing it, Cecily watched him cross the deck and leave the Sunrise. Suddenly, Norrington cleared his throat in her ear, and she rather guiltily swung her head back to look at him.

He stared at her, and then cast a glance in the direction Hartford had gone. Then Norrington shook his head again. "I see you're happy to see Captain Hartford again."

Cecily wasn't sure what the appropriate reply to that was, but she spat one out anyway. "Just glad the idiot didn't die savin' me neck, s'all."

Norrington nodded, but Cecily wasn't convinced he believed her answer. "I'd best be going," he said. "I'll see you in battle tomorrow." Then he walked away, and left the ship, leaving Cecily feeling very confused all of a sudden – and not sure why.

She strode into her office, closing the door behind her, and sat down at her desk. No sooner had she taken her seat, but her door opened again and Marjorie strode in. "Ye all right, Cap'n?" she asked.

"Did ye forget how to knock?" Cecily groused.

Marjorie smirked, knowing better than to take offense. "Ye looked troubled out on deck there, Cap'n, is all."

"Should I not be troubled?" Cecily returned. "Tell me ye're not, and I'll call ye a liar. I got the bloody most difficult fleet in all the world's waters under me control, and they ain't givin' me a moment's rest. And tomorrow, I go up against a mad man who's in control o' the sea. I am most certainly troubled."

Marjorie nodded, taking a seat across the desk from her captain. "I know all that," she replied. "But… ye look as though there's more to trouble ye than even that."

Cecily rolled her eyes. "I'm fine, Marjorie."

"Nothin' ye want to talk about?"

"No offense, but I'd rather have me eyes taken out with spoons," Cecily snapped.

Marjorie smirked again, not bothering to reply. She just sat there, across the desk from her captain. Eventually, Cecily sighed and said, "I don't know, Marjorie. Ye ever… ye ever just wake up one mornin' and realize ye've fucked yer life up all to hell?"

Marjorie gave a slight chuckle. "All the bloody time, Cap'n."

Cecily gave her first mate an amused smile. "I don't think I care fer the feeling," she announced.

"I don't think ye're supposed to," Marjorie replied. The two of them were silent for a moment, and then Marjorie asked, "Ye slept with Norrington, didn't ye?"

Cecily looked up at the other woman in shock. "I don't know what ye're talkin' about," she replied, sounding offended.

Marjorie snorted. "Ye slept with him," she said, answering her own question.

Cecily huffed, staring indignantly at her first mate. "I did not!"

Marjorie raised an eyebrow. Cecily sighed. "All right, I did," she muttered. "What's it to ye?"

"Nothing, Cap'n," Marjorie returned. "Just thought that might have somthin' to do with yer mood, especially now that Hartford's back and all. Bound to be a li'l confusing, what with…"

"I ain't confused," Cecily snapped. "Sex is sex, and that is that. It's nothin' to get confused o'er."

"Of course it's not," Marjorie agreed, although Cecily knew she didn't mean it. "I'll just leave ye alone then."

Cecily grunted at her first mate, who strode out of the room, rather smugly if truth be told. What did she know anyway, Cecily thought grumpily to herself.

A loud noise outside distracted her. Frowning, she stood up and went out on deck to investigate. After a few minutes of fruitless searching, Cecily gave up and headed back into her office and sat back down at her desk. As she began to rifle through her desk drawers for her map, she heard a pistol cock in her ear.

Slowly, she turned to her right side to see Will Turner standing beside her chair, holding his pistil steadily at her temple. "Well, well, Mr. Turner," she grinned, seemingly undaunted by the gun at her head. "I was wonderin' when I'd be seein' ye."

"I'm here to speak to you about the heart of Davy Jones," Will said in a low, threatening voice, his grip on the gun tightening.

"I'm afraid ye're too late on that point," Cecily returned, leaning back casually in her chair and propping her feet up on the desk. "The heart's already been promised to someone. Ye'll have to discuss it with Captain Barboussa."

"I don't intend for it ever to get to Captain Barboussa," Will returned. "I want that heart, and you will give it to me."

"No chance, Mr. Turner," Cecily replied evenly. "I may not be the most honest o' women, but I ain't ne'er been the type to violate the code, either."

"You are exactly the type to violate the code!" Will nearly shouted. It was with great difficulty that he managed to keep his volume low. "You've double crossed nearly everyone you've brought on this venture – what's one more going to matter?"

"I have not!" Cecily exclaimed. "I've upheld me end o' e'ery bargain I made!"

"But not in the way it was meant to be upheld," Will pointed out.

"Darling, haven't ye been payin' attention?" Cecily returned. "That's the way all pirates uphold their end o' a bargain."

Will was clearly furious at this response, but could think of nothing to say in return. "Besides, Mr. Turner, if ye will recall," Cecily went on. "Ye are the one who made a deal with Sao Feng that ye had absolutely no intention o' upholding. Not even in the smallest way possible. So tell me, darling, who's the actual code-breaker here – ye or me?"

Will slowly lowered the pistol. "Is there any way to convince you to give me the heart?" he asked.

"Absolutely not," Cecily returned.

Will began to pace the office, still gripping the pistol. Cecily examined her nails, casually saying, "However, I could be convinced to give ye the opportunity to stab the heart."

Will looked up with interest. "Go on," he said.

She smiled slowly, glancing up at him. "I have me doubts that Barboussa will actually stab the heart," she murmured. "I believe he'll be more inclined to take what I like to call… the 'Beckett route.' So, since I know that ye will stab the heart – and let's face it, if nobody stabs heart, I'm up shite creek without a paddle – there may be a way to give Barboussa the heart and allow ye to stab it."

Will took a seat across from Cecily, interest peaked. "I'm listening," he announced.

Cecily grinned. Soon, all her bases would be covered. She was going to come out of this venture the way she came out of every venture – squeaky clean, and with all her body parts in tact.