Jack and I followed his dad's directions and found Shelly, knocking on the door a young woman with fiery red hair appears, she has a young blond haired boy peaking from around her leg.
"Can I help you?" she asks.
"Yes I think you can we were directed to you by Captain Teague." I begin.
"Come in come in I'm Shelly and this is Benjamin my son. Please tell me why on earth old Teague would send you to my humble abode?" she asks.
We enter her home and make our way to the room following Benjamin. Emily hasn't stirred in my arms.
"As I'm sure your well aware Shelly the court gathered tonight and war begins at dawn. My husband and I play a key role in this fight our ship is to be used as the flagship - well we assume so but it means that our child can't stay aboard." I explain.
"What Jaz is really trying to say is, that we need you to look after Emily until we return for her." Jack says in a nutshell.
"Of course, just make sure you both return for her." Shelly says.
"We will." Jack says taking Emily from me and handing her to Shelly who takes Emily.
"We're the black pearl. The only ship with black sails if there's any problems. Please take care of her Shelly."
"Jasmine I'll make sure she's safe I promise."
"If we don't return then Emily is to go with Teague, Will Turner, and if neither of them are available then Elizabeth Swann and Hector Barbossa. Under no circumstances does she go with, Ian Mercer, Cutler Beckett or Ellis Grey, if it's any of those get away from the house as quickly as possible." I list off.
"Jasmine she'll be fine, we have got to go" Jack says as he begins steering me toward the door.
"I know but…"
"I'll look after her I promise." Shelly finalises.
"Right, right, of course you will sorry."
"Jaz the situation you're in its understandable to be worried for her, I promise at the first sign of trouble I'll find you."
"Even if you can't cope, promise me even then that no matter what you'll find me."
"Jaz just leave. I'll be fine." Shelly says to me
"Ok" I say and Jack pushes me out the door Shelly waits on the doorstep with Emily in her arms until we vanish and I hear the door close.
Both Jack and I make our way down to the pearl without Emily and for once our walk is in silence the only thing that happens is Jack slips his hand into mine. I lean into him slightly he seems to understand and squeezes my hand in comfort I return it, we step onto the pearl and I notice Barbossa on night watch. He comes over to us.
"Where did you two head off too?"
"We had business to attend" Jack answers shortly.
"Emily I assume?"
"We have to keep her safe." I whisper.
"And the pearl is no longer safe?" Barbossa asks.
"We head to war at dawn, the pearl is most probably going to be a flagship; Beckett is out there, my dad is out there. So no this ship is no longer safe" I snap wondering how Barbossa can ask that.
"Go to bed you two, we don't need anyone on watch. Not with tomorrow looming."
Jack leads me to our cabin and we both slip our boots off and I slip my corset off, whilst Jack removes his shirt we slide into bed and Jack pulls me to his chest wrapping an arm around my waist whilst he places his chin on my head were both feeling the loss of Emily and I slowly fall asleep to his breathing. Jack wakes me only hours later dawn had approached and the ships were getting ready for war. Stocking up on supplies we really needed. All the pearls rum stock was taken off the ship to make more room for weapons. I was sat sharpening my sword on the whetstone, Jack is stood next to me leaning on the starboard side, Barbossa was ordering the crew around. Slowly and precisely I moved my sword up and down the stone, side to side sharpening the edges with a practised ease. Swinging the sword up I watch as it catches the sun and slowly I bring it down its sharp enough but I want it sharper today is going to be a day where life changes.
"Cast off the lines, let's set her sail" Barbossa screams to the crew and looking out across the dock I notice the ships beginning to move out.
"Jaz… Jaz… Jack" someone screams from the dock.
Looking out I notice Shelly pushing past everyone with Emily in her arms she looks incredibly panicked and as she gets closer I understand why. Her skirt is stained with blood and I grow pale Jack is also looking.
"Wait!" I scream at the crew as they go to pull the gangplank up.
"Stop." Jack screams to Barbossa as he goes to steer us away.
"What now?" he growls.
Instead of answering we both run to the gangplank, descending it we meet Shelly at the bottom she hands Emily directly to me and I clutch her tightly checking her for injuries.
"What happened?" Jack demands.
"Morcer or Mercy, he came for her I didn't know what to do he blocked the exit and then entered my home. I fought back but he was too strong he overpowered me, said if I didn't give him Emily he'd hurt Benjamin but I couldn't give him her so I grabbed her and ran. I ran straight here thank god you've not left." she explains.
"But your leg?" I whisper indicating to the blood.
"He threw a knife at me and it hit my thigh I've pulled it out but it'll need stitching - nothing I can't fix." she mumbles.
"I'm sorry we dragged you into this Shelly. What about Benjamin? Where's he?"
"I split up with him he'll most likely be in Teague's room hiding I'll find him soon, I'm sorry you two but she's not safe with me."
"We understand just make sure your safe and go find Benjamin."
"What about Morcer?" she asks.
"Mercer." I correct "He'll have run back to Beckett once you ran, your safe, though I'd find a new place to stay for a while." I advise.
She nods, turning she begins to walk away a limp taking affect she heads up to the fort.
"What do we do?" Jack asks.
"Protect her, with our lives." I whisper turning I ascend the gangplank.
I'm taking my daughter into battle and neither of us may come out alive. The gangplank is pulled up behind us and Barbossa steers us away from port and out into the ocean. Stopping next to him Jack wraps an arm around my waist and Barbossa looks down at Emily
"Was that the right choice?" he asks.
"I don't know, but Shelly can't die for a child she doesn't know." I answer.
"We protect her with our lives." Jack whispers and all three of us nod.
A ship emerges from the fog ahead of us.
"The enemy is here, let's take her!" Marty yells and cheers ensure.
More ships emerge from the fog and an armada is upon us, my blood runs cold. How are we supposed to come out of this alive?
"Abandon ship. Abandon ship" Cottons parrot squawks.
"Parley?" Jack questions and it's not a bad suggestion a parley is signalled between the ships.
A longboat is lowered Elizabeth, Jack, Barbossa and I enter it. I still have Emily. Elizabeth looks at me with disgust.
"Really? You're bringing her?"
"What am I supposed to do? I can't leave her here Jones men can travel through walls; I'll lose her as soon as I leave." I hiss.
Barbossa grabs the oars and begins rowing, we reach the sand bar and begin walking up the beach toward the three figures at the end. We eventually get there and those figures are Beckett, Will and Jones who's stood in a bucket of water. I notice all three make eyes toward Emily, Beckett smirks and raises an eyebrow, Will looks worried and Jones snorts but doesn't say anything.
"You be the cur that lead these wolves to our door?" Barbossa asks.
"Don't blame Turner, he was merely the tool of your betrayal. If you wish to see its grand architect, look to your left." Beckett directs.
Barbossa turns to Liz and her to me and me to Jack who turns to no one.
"My hands are clean in this. Figuratively." he says raising his filthy palms.
"My actions were my own and to my own purpose. Jack had nothing to do with it."
"What actions be those?" I ask already dreading the answer as I think back to the talk Will and I had about my father and Emily.
"I'm sorry Jaz" he says truly looking to the floor.
I close my eyes and let out a soft sigh in fear and worry Jack decides to interrupt the moment and push the conversation forward.
"Well spoke, listen to the tool."
"Will I've been aboard the Dutchman, I understand the burden you bear, but I fear that cause is lost." Elizabeth pleads.
"No cause is lost if there is but one fool left to fight for it." Will states.
"If Turner was not acting on your behalf, then how did he come to give me this? You made a deal with me Jack to deliver the pirates and here they are don't be bashful step up claim your reward" Beckett says slyly tossing Jacks compass to him.
"Why not claim your own whilst you're at it Cutler sending your little lap dog to kill a new-born." I hiss.
"Nothing personal just good business." he replies.
I hand Emily to Jack and start forward toward Beckett, a hand ensnares my wrist and Barbossa pulls me back toward him as he's now switched places with Elizabeth.
"This is a parley, remember." he hisses.
"Get off." I snarl.
"Don't hit him and I will." he snaps.
"How about I run him through?"
"Jasmine." he warns.
"Fine." I snap pulling from his grip and standing with my arms crossed against my chest.
"Sparrow your debt to me is still to be satisfied. One hundred years in service aboard the Dutchman as a start." Jones growls.
"That debt was paid, mate, with… help." he motions to Elizabeth (after handing Emily to me) who looks sheepish.
"You escaped." he snaps.
"Technically…"
"I propose an exchange. Will leaves with us and you can take Jack." Elizabeth bargains.
"What?" I shout.
"Done." Will agrees.
"Undone." Jack snaps.
"Done." Beckett re-agrees.
"Jack is one of the nine pirate lords, you have no right…" Barbossa informs her.
"Not to mention a father!" I cut in.
"King." she snipes.
"As you command." He takes his hat off to Liz.
"Blackguard." Barbossa cries drawing his sword and cutting of Jack's piece of eight, the monkey runs to grab it Jack is unimpressed - a feeling I mirror.
"If you be saying something I might be saying something as well." Barbossa finalises.
"First to the finish then." Jack proposes.
"Jaz can I?" he asks indicating to Emily "This may be my last chance." he whispers.
I hand her over and he exchanges with Will. Emily in his arms as he goes to stand next to Beckett who steps aside to let him stand next to Jones.
"Do you fear death?" Jones grows putting his face into Jacks.
"You have no idea." Jack answers back cryptically Jones doesn't move as though judging or figuring Jack out.
Emily chooses that moment to come to life, she grabs one of Jones tentacles in his beard and I let out a squeak of fear. Jones looks down at the girl and she begins giggling and pulling on his beard. Jack is trying to pry her fingers off but it's not working and I'm tense with fear she grabs another and I freeze Jones slowly raises his clawed hand and slowly goes toward Emily with it.
"Don't" I squeak out of fear and slowly put a hand out as though it'll help. It does. Jones claw is stopped in mid-air. My magic.
He looks over to me his entire body still as Emily continues to play.
"Release me, witch." he growls.
"Don't hurt her." I whisper. "Please." I beg.
"Do you know nothing? Do you remember nothing of what was spoken on my ship?" he snarls.
I slowly drop my hand the memory of which Jones was speaking of coming back to me. His claw grips my daughters wrist turning it over and slowly with his other hand his tentacle finger tickles the bottom of her palm, she releases his beard, he does the same with her other hand wrapping his tentacle hand around her palm and small fingers. She giggles.
"As lovely as this is." Beckett interrupts "Advise your brethren, you can fight and all of you will die, or you can not fight in which case only most of you will die." he informs.
"You murdered my father!" she snarls.
"He chose his own fate." Beckett tells her.
"And you have chosen yours. We will fight and you will die." she snaps.
"So be it." Beckett finishes.
Will and Liz begin to walk back toward the boat.
"Will?" I ask.
"What?" He questions turning back to me only to have his jaw meet my fist.
"That's for telling my father about Emily." I snarl he stumbles rubbing his jaw and walking away.
Beckett smirks as Jones snorts and Jack smiles proudly.
"I look forward to seeing your death Jaz." Beckett tells me.
"It'll be yours." I inform him.
Walking forward I collect Emily from Jack.
"I'll see you soon, ok?" I whisper to Jack.
"I love you." he whispers in case this is our final goodbye.
"And I you."
Exchanging a quick romantic kiss I turn around and begin to walk away from Jack. Barbossa falls into step with me.
"You're father sent a message." Jones starts and I tense but continue walking "He's coming for her. He's coming for you. Both of you."