Chapter 28

Gibbs and Marty watched in horror as Moonie was hanging. They nodded to each other and quickly stormed into the cavern. They fought with the men that were holding her up. They quickly defeated them and made their way to the last man left holding the rope. Scared out of his wits, he let go of the rope that was holding Moonie.

"Marty!" Gibbs screamed.

Marty ran to the rope and tried to grab it, but it ran through his hands at lightning fast speed. Giving him severe rope burns.

Gibbs ran over to where Moonie was now plummeting to the ground.

Jack sliced open Barbossa's arm. "I swear I'll kill you for this," he hissed. He turned when he heard Moonie's blood curdling scream. It was a mistake as he felt Barbossa's sword slice into his leg. He lunged at his nemesis, shoving him to the ground. He ran as well as he could to where Gibbs was standing, ready to catch Moonie as she fell. They held their arms out as she came crashing down on top of them.

Moonie was sure this was the end, screaming until she landed hard. She was silenced as the wind was knocked out of her.

Jack and Gibbs were crushed by Moonie's weight. "Moonie, love, answer me," Jack said frantically as he and Gibbs crawled out from under her. He pulled her into his arms, on the verge of tears.

Marty came running over, his hands bloodied by the rope. "Captain?"

Jack gently slapped her cheeks. Trying to revive her. He bent and kissed her cheeks. "Love wake up, please," he pleaded.

Barbossa stood back, watching the scene before him. "Isn't that sweet," he said.

"Shut up you bastard," Gibbs yelled.

Barbossa moved forward, ready to get rid of Jack one last time.

"Hector, dat is sometin ye don't want to be doin'"

Barbossa turned suddenly as Tia Dalma appeared in front of him. "Tia!" he exclaimed.

Jack heard Tia's voice and turned his head towards her. "Tia Dalma!"

Tia smiled at Jack. "Aye Jack, 'tis me. Did ye miss me?" she asked.

Jack couldn't help but smile but turned back to Moonie who was now moaning. "Love wake up, please."

Moonie took a gasp of air like she'd been underwater. She looked at Jack, "Jack," she whimpered and curled up in his arms shivering with fright.

"Thank God," Jack gasped and held onto her tight.

Tia Dalma moved so that she was standing next to Jack and Moonie. "Jack, 'tis time," she said softly.

Jack shook his head. "No, I can't. I promised her."

Moonie looked up to see Tia, "No...," she turned and buried her face in Jack's chest again, "No," she sobbed.

Jack held on to her more tightly than he had ever before. "I won't do it Tia, I can't!" he said angrily.

"Jack," Tia said putting her hand on his shoulder. "Ye have to send her back."

'I won't Tia," he hissed. "She's mine."

"If ye don't, then ye know what will happen." Tia said.

Moonie looked at Jack, "What will happen," she asked terrified.

Jack looked at her and stroked her face. Tears forming in his eyes. "Ye won't exist love," he said in a whisper.

Moonie looked at Tia, "What do you mean, I'm here I'm alive aren't I," she asked panicked.

Tia looked at Moonie. "Ye won't exist at all ifin ye don't return to yer time," she said. "Not in this time or yours."

"I've waited so long for her," Jack said. "Isn't there any way?" he pleaded with Tia.

Tia sadly shook her head. "No Jack."

Moonie clung to him, "I don't want to live without Jack, I'd rather be gone then to live a moment without him," she told Tia. "Leave us alone," she said.

Tia looked at the woman in Jack's arms. "Only for a moment Moonie, but 'tis Jack's destiny to let ye go." She stepped away from them. Gibbs and Marty moved away as well.

Jack buried his head in Moonie's shoulder and sobbed silently.

Moonie pulled away from Jack and ran after Tia, "I won't accept this, there has to be a way... we love each other, he's my husband, how can you just stand there and tell us we can't be together you... you witch! You just want him for yourself I don't believe you," she hissed.

Tia's eyes flamed red and she seemed to tower over Moonie. She then smirked. "I may be a witch, but I don't want witty Jack," she said.

Jack rushed after Moonie and pulled her to him. He turned her to face him. "I will find a way to return to you. I swear it. I can't live without you Moonie. I swear I'll find you."

Moonie clung to him and sobbed helplessly. She looked at Tia, "Help us," she pleaded.

Tia smiled sadly and reproached them. "The only way dat I can help you is for you to go back," she said. "Ye must believe him dat he can find you again."

Jack looked at Tia. "You said that I had to let her go."

Tia nodded. "Aye, I told you dat ye needed to let her go, what I didn't tell ye is dat ye need to let her go to find her again."

Moonie looked at Jack tears running down her cheeks, "You better find me Jack Sparrow, you belong to me and I'll never let you go no matter where I am," she cried. She pulled his head down and kissed him deeply. "I love you," she said. She looked at Tia, "Tell me how to go home," she said.

Jack held onto her fiercely. "Give me yer hand love," he said.

Moonie took his hand, "No goodbyes... you hear me Jack Sparrow, you say those words and I'll kick your ass when I do see you again," she warned.

Jack couldn't help but smile at her. He took her left hand in his and removed her wedding band. He heard her gasp. "I'm sorry love, but this has to be done," he said. He left her engagement ring where it was. He turned to Tia and she nodded.

Tia moved to where the sunlight was streaming through the cracks in the rocks and began chanting.

Jack moved Moonie so that she was in the streams of sunlight and Tia was moving around them. He took her face in his hands and kissed her as if there were no tomorrow. "I love you Moonie Sparrow," he said breathlessly. He placed her hand on his heart. "You are my soul," he whispered.

Gibbs and Marty moved closer to them. Marty held up his hand to her in a farewell wave. His own heart saddened.

Moonie closed her eyes and tried not to cry but it was useless, "I love you," she whispered, She looked at Tia, "I'm ready," she said not really meaning it.

Tia nodded to Jack and he stepped away from Moonie. "I will find you," he whispered.

Tia threw handfuls of dust over Moonie until she disappeared. Jack fell to his knees as he watched her dissipate into nothing.