Chapter 26-Three Ships
Jack stood at the helm of The Black Pearl, wind whipping at his hair and coat. He stared straight ahead, his kohl-lined eyes unblinking as his mind went running wildly. This was all he'd ever wanted. The waves rolling beneath his firmly planted feet, the smooth wood of the wheel beneath his fingertips, and the sun kissing his face as he sailed off into the horizon. He'd had all of this. He'd had Freedom for nearly two years.
He did not have any serious regrets that he could think of. Surely his promise to find the missing princess was not going to end up in his best interest, but without doing so he never would have met Cole. He gave The Pearl's wheel a loving stroke as if in apology for being unfaithful. The ship was no longer his first love.
Jack smiled wryly as he wondered if Cole, Will, and Elizabeth were in pursuit of him yet. He'd known when he'd written the letter to Will that the young pirate would pay his words no heed. Will had no doubt convinced Norrington to chase after The Pearl – and quickly at that. The Pearl was not willing to be caught, however. She was sailing more swiftly than she ever had before and for that Jack was grateful. He had no intention of letting Cole see him die.
"Sparrow," Princess Autumn spoke snidely from the entrance to the belly of the ship. "Have your men prepare me a bath."
"We're moving too rapidly to stop," Jack answered, offhandedly.
"Why on earth would we have to stop?" Autumn snapped, her foot tapping an angry rhythm as her arms crossed her chest. Jack lowered his hat sensing the princess's oncoming temper tantrum.
"To bathe o' course," Jack explained with a thickened accent. "We 'ave to stop the ship in order to go swimmin'."
"Swimming? I want to bathe not swim," Autumn insisted.
"Swimming is bathin' on this ship, Princess," Jack said.
"You people disgust me," Autumn spat.
"Same goes," Jack muttered under his breath.
"What did you say?"
"I said we're pirates m'lady. We were born disgusting," Jack smiled.
"Keep in mind Pirate. Half of your wages will not be paid unless I'm satisfied with your services," Autumn threatened.
"Then I'll just have to pillage and plunder ye if yer not satisfied," Jack decided, grinning ruefully.
"Despicable!" Autumn exclaimed then disappeared in a huff.
Jack chuckled then began to sing about pillaging, plundering, and of course – rum.
Norrington left half a dozen men in San Juan, which more than satisfied Will. Surely Cole would be found if she still lived. Will tried not to think about Cole too much as it saddened him. He would not allow himself to think her dead.
"We will catch that rat bastard before he reaches land. That is a certainty," the commodore promised as he looked through the spyglass.
"A ship does not exist that can out sail The Black Pearl, Commodore," Will argued.
"That is all in the past, Mr. Turner," Norrington insisted. "When The Interceptor was rebuilt, a few changes were made. Not even The Black Pearl stands a chance when it comes to speed."
Will had to hope that was true, and it did feel as though they were moving at breakneck speed. Perhaps the ship could sense the urgency of the situation, or perhaps it was just the wind blowing in the right direction at the right speed. Whatever it was, he hoped it would be enough to save the eclectic captain.
Cole spent the two days prior to her departure from San Juan being fitted for dresses and shoes. Harold had warned her that she was to act like the queen that she was while they were out at sea. Harold refused to see the heir to King Daniel's throne disrespected by his mother's actions while he still grew inside her.
Cole didn't argue or complain. She would do whatever was necessary to help get them out to sea as soon as possible. Over those two days, she had a lot of time to think. If Cole made it to shore without being killed, if she was unable to save Jack; then she would say good-bye to her father just before killing her sister. Autumn could not be allowed to live if Jack was killed or even hurt for that matter.
So when they finally boarded The Runaway Princess, Cole's mouth was set in a firm line and she was determined to follow through with her decision no matter what. A change had come about her since she'd been called Adrian for the first time in so many years. She was no longer the carefree, jovial girl in boy clothes. Now she was laced into a gown with her hair plaited neatly by the woman Harold had appointed Cole's maid. She felt very cold inside, like she would never truly smile ever again.
At night when she lay in her bed aboard The Runaway Princess, Cole could not sleep for her heart was in so much pain. She would lie on her side looking towards the porthole as she stroked the beads that Jack had returned to her the night she'd killed the king. She would cradle the compass in her arms, rubbing it against her face and lips wanting it to be Jack. Oh, but those hurtful words that had spewed from her mouth the last time she'd seen him. Tears stung her eyes as she remembered telling Jack she didn't love him. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Being away from him for only two days felt like someone had ripped her heart out of her chest and eaten it.
"Please don't die Jack," Cole whispered as tears rolled down her face onto the compass. "I'm so sorry for what I've done."
Cole was bound and determined to survive the next 40 days. It was hope, she decided. The hope that everything would work out in the end. That would keep her alive.
Jack drank rum the night before The Black Pearl was scheduled to reach Britain. An unbelievable quantity of rum. It did nothing to ease his pain, however. This was it, he decided. The end of Captain Jack Sparrow. When he realized his bottle was empty, he threw it against the wall of the dining room and attempted to stand. He swayed, yet this was not abnormal for him. He always swayed.
Jack staggered to the helm where Gibbs stood eyeing him warily.
"Captain, ye sure ye should be in such a condition? We have a big day tomorrow," Gibbs reminded Jack.
"I miss Cole, Gibbs. I don't suppose I'll ever see her again," Jack murmured looking out to sea.
"Anything's possible Captain. Jack, about tomorrow –" Gibbs began.
Jack stiffened, sobered at Gibbs' words. "I don't want to talk about it Gibbs. You know how it will go," Jack promised placing his hand on his first mate's shoulder. "It's been an honor sailing with you, and Gibbs I want you to know that you've been a dear friend."
"Will ye be thinking the same thing after the sun goes down tomorrow?" Gibbs wondered.
"Of course I will. You'll only be doing what I ask. What we both know is the right thing," Jack assured him.
"We're pirates. We know nothing of the right thing," Gibbs protested.
"That may be, my dear Gibbs," Jack's hand squeezed Gibbs' shoulder before he turned to stroll away whistling a little tune.
"Until tomorrow then," Gibb's murmured.
Jack did not sleep that night. He was on the deck when the sun came up in a glorious blaze of red and gold. The light reflected in his deep brown eyes. These eyes had seen so much, and he hastily tried to see as much as he could before the end came. Only Gibbs and Jack knew about Autumn's less than secret ploy to have the captain killed. Jack prefered it that way, as he knew the other pirates would lose their lives in order to defend their captain's life. He did not want anyone dying for him.
The Black Pearl would arrive in Britain just after nightfall when she would witness through the cloak of darkness Captain Jack Sparrow's demise.
The Interceptor was only a few short hours behind The Black Pearl. Will had never truly thought they'd be able to catch up to The Pearl, but he had dared to hope. He'd spent most of the days tense with worry about Jack, Cole, and his wife whose midsection had begun to thicken. Elizabeth did not feel well the entire trip, and she'd proclaimed many a time how ugly she felt.
Will, on the other hand marveled at the elasticity of his wife's stomach. He would murmur and coo to the baby held inside her, patiently awaiting their child's arrival into the world. In about six months, Will Turner would be a father. He thought of Jack's warning that the baby would look like The Black Pearl's captain. A very sad attempt at humor as the idea did not amuse Will in the least.
When Norrington advised Will that The Interceptor would be arriving in Britain the following day, Will began packing. He and Elizabeth had decided they would make their home in England at least until the baby was born and Elizabeth would be in better condition to travel. Will was somewhat excited at the prospect of starting somewhere new. Uncertainty, however was not something Elizabeth thrived on.
Will kept Cole's belongings close, especially her sword. He had the feeling he might need to use it. He realized that he was fully willing to die in order to save Jack, as Jack had saved Will's life on more than one occasion. He knew this idea would not sit well with his pregnant wife, so he made no attempt to share it with her. Elizabeth had relatives in the area she could stay with should it come down to that. Will refused to worry about her future without him.
He mentally prepared himself for battle. He willed The Interceptor to reach land before it was too late.
Cole was still alive when The Runaway Princess was only three days from Britain. It was a miracle that she hadn't had her monthly cycle. A miracle because that meant she was carrying Jack's child. Cole was happy once again with the realization that part of Jack grew within her everyday. There was a purpose for her to continue on with life now.
As she strolled the decks of The Runaway Princess, a wistful smile graced her lips. She looked out into the sea, imagining she could make out the shape of The Black Pearl on the horizon. She imagined Jack and his crew had sailed off where no one could touch them. Jack was finally truly free.
Then her thoughts would come crashing back to reality. Jack was not sailing towards freedom. He was sailing towards death. Cole would do everything in her power to see that Captain Jack Sparrow lived. Unfortunately, from where she stood now, she didn't have much power at all.