"Bugger," Jack said. He frowned at the pistol pointed at his head.

"You're an idiot, Sparrow," Gillette said. "We should let him shoot you and put us out of our misery."

"Cutler Beckett, put that weapon down," the Governor ordered. "You've committed enough crimes already, and I won't let you get away with another one."

Beckett just smirked, holding the pistol casually but firmly, with no intention of yielding to the Governor's demand. "I hardly think it would be a crime for me to shoot a man convicted of piracy," Beckett said. "After all, he's sentenced to die, anyway."

Jack looked nervous for just a moment. The fear appeared so briefly in the pirate's eyes that Norrington almost missed it. Then the fear and uncertainty was gone and replaced by a calm mask of superiority.

"Go ahead and shoot me, then," Jack said, spreading his arms in surrender as he faced Beckett. "See how you like it when every pirate in Tortuga's loading their pistols with bullets just for you." The pirate grinned. "If it's a war you want and the assurance that your little business venture brings you nothing but ruin, then by all means, pull the bloody trigger."

Beckett hesitated, giving Norrington and Gillette just enough time to draw their own pistols.

Jack glanced over at the two officers. "Now that's more like it."

Annoyance flashed across Beckett's face, and his eyes darted from Jack to Norrington to Gillette, frantically searching for a way out. He found none that would not result in his own death by shooting, and so he remained frozen where he was, still holding his pistol to Jack's head, but not daring to make any other move.

"Gillette, take the Governor to the Dauntless," Norrington ordered.

"Do, and your ally dies," Beckett said.

"Lower your weapon," Norrington replied. "If you harm him, I'll put this bullet in your head."

"You're bluffing."

"Am I?" Norrington glanced past Beckett and saw Governor Swann stepping onto the deck of the Dauntless, finally safe and surrounded by armed men who would protect him. Norrington stepped deliberately closer to Beckett. "Since you're so fond of bargaining, I'm going to offer you a deal." He stopped when his outstretched pistol was barely a foot from Lord Beckett's face. "Let us go in peace, and I'll spare your life and your ship. If you attempt to follow us, or harm anyone, the deal is nullified and I will use whatever force necessary to see that you never trouble any of us again."

Beckett managed an unconcerned chuckle. "Because you've been so successful in keeping yourself out of trouble," he said. "Besides, you can't kill me. You'd be convicted a murderer for shooting an officer of the Company without reason."

"I think I'd have reason enough. Especially since you wouldn't be around to spin your clever, convoluted excuses."

Beckett's jaw clenched. He was growing frustrated of the stalemate. "In any case, there's nothing stopping me from shooting Sparrow, if you'll just kill me anyway." His hand tightened around the trigger. "I ought to be allowed one piece of satisfaction before you tear down my glorious plans."

"You're a coward," Norrington said. "The only thing you fear more than ruin is death. And the only thing you want more than power is the promise that you'll be safe from harm. I think that's assurance enough of Sparrow's life."

Hatred flashed across Beckett's eyes, and he looked over at Jack with a violence that made the pirate flinch. Beckett raised his pistol resolutely, ready to impulsively prove Norrington wrong. Jack cringed and looked away from his impending murderer, and Norrington felt his breath catch.

Before Beckett could pull the trigger, there was an eruption from the other side of the ship, and then an impact. Norrington had braced himself just in time, but Beckett stumbled into the railing. Jack took advantage of the opportunity, swiftly kicking Beckett's feet out from under him. Lord Beckett landed on his back with a yelp of surprise, unable to react as Jack snatched the pistol and aimed it down at the prostrate man.

Jack looked up across the deck and grinned. "It's the Pearl," he said.

Norrington glanced behind him to the source of the explosion, and saw that the Black Pearl had arrived and opened fire on the Endeavour. Her cannons flashed again, and half a second later came the sound of splintering wood. Crewmen of the Endeavour ran to their stations to defend the ship against the attack. Norrington turned around again. "Sparrow, back to the Dauntless," he ordered.

Jack wasted no time in obeying.

Norrington stepped onto the plank that stretched between the two ships, keeping his pistol pointed at Beckett the whole time, and pausing only for a moment as the Endeavour was hit once again by the Black Pearl's guns. He stared down at Beckett. The short man looked even smaller than usual from where he all but cowered on the deck of his fine ship. "If you follow us, the deal is off," Norrington said. "Now take your ship and go far away from here."

"Call off the Pearl," Beckett blurted. "Call her off, and we have a bargain."

"I'll put in a word with her captain," Norrington replied, then he hurried across the plank and returned to his own ship.

Lieutenant Peck was waiting for him. "Sir, what are your orders?" the lieutenant asked.

"Take us to the islands," Norrington said. "We'll pick up those who are stranded, then return Sparrow to his ship." He glanced over at the pirate. "Which has miraculously appeared just in time, it seems."

Jack only grinned.

"You're supposed to call them off, by the way."

The pirate's grin disappeared and he pouted. "You spoil all the fun."

Sorry for the wait! I know that schoolwork is a lame excuse, but it's all I've got. And I've got even more of it coming up during the next three weeks, so be patient with me. Leave a review! :)