Hello and welcome back! As always, I do not own anything related to Pirates of the Caribbean.

And I want to thank jtcat305 for adding this story.

This chapter was a little harder to write than I expected. It somehow ended up with a lot of short scenes, but I hope you like it. Enjoy!

Chapter 9

The sun was shining brightly over the Black Pearl as it sat in the ocean, just off the shore of a small island that could be seen a distance away. It was here that fate chose to drop Jack, Caroline and Elizabeth. Barbossa and his crew were gathered around the three, held captive as they stood in wait. Just off to the side, held by the crew, was Will, apparently there to see that Barbossa upheld his side of their deal. Caroline found plenty of room for debate. Being plunged into the ocean was not fitting her definition of being set free.

Elizabeth, being the first to go down, stood at the beginning of the plank, yet to be forced out there.

"Barbossa, you lying bastard! You swore she'd go free!" Will shouted, struggling against the men holding him.

"Don't dare impugn me honor, boy!" Barbossa snarled. "I agreed she'd go free, but it was you who failed to specify when nor where!" He paused as he looked back at Elizabeth, considering. "Though it does seem a shame to lose something so fine, don't it lads?" His attention turned towards Elizabeth then as he spoke with sneer, "so I'll be having that dress back before you go."

Hesitation stalled Elizabeth before she removed her outer red dress, throwing it towards Barbossa. "It goes with your black heart."

Catching it, Barbossa held the dress. "Oh, it's still warm," he grinned as he tossed it towards his crew.

Caroline could only watch in disgust at such an act. Cursed or not, Barbossa and his crew were revolting. There was nothing she could do as she watched it all unfold, cursing internally.

With focused steps, Elizabeth moved towards the end of the plank. She paused, looking back as if to say something, but it was cut short as the pirate nearby had enough waiting. Moving quickly, he stomped down on the end of the plank as he shouted "too long!" And Elizabeth was sent tumbling over. It was only from the sound of the splash that Caroline knew she had hit the water.

Caroline cringed as she listened to the laughter surrounding them. Just as quickly as it started, it died. Pushed forward, she had to move to catch her footing as she stumbled onto the plank.

"Yer next, miss," grinned Barbossa as he watched her step forward.

Glancing over her shoulder, she glared at Barbossa. There was little point in remaining there though. "Happily," she said under her breath, shuffling forward a few more steps, looking down as she peered into the waters. She could already see Elizabeth swimming toward the island. Taking a deep breath, she cast one last glance back, catching Jack's eyes before she closed her eyes and jumped.

Caroline kicked the sand as she walked out of the water, catching her breath as she did. Elizabeth stood just ahead of her with Jack following, standing in a similar matter as they watched the Black Pearl setting off.

"That's the second time I've had to watch that man sail away with my ship," Jack said as he stared out towards the ocean.

Thinking back to what she had been told before from Gibbs, she couldn't help but step towards him, placing a comforting hand on his arm. For a while, they all stood there, eyes trailed out, watching despondently as their only way out disappeared. Eventually they all started to drift apart, finding their own things to focus on. Glancing a few times towards Jack, his first focus had been the pistol he had come out of the water with, carefully checking it over.

After that, time ticked by slowly. Jack had stalked off a short distance down the shore, muttering as he went. Based on the few words she had caught, she thought it best to leave him be. Glancing towards her other company, she linked her arm with Elizabeth's, leaning against her some.

"While I'm glad I found you, I have to admit, I did not see this coming."

Elizabeth laughed as she glanced sideways at her. "I don't think anyone would have seen this coming. Though I'm glad you're here as unbelievable as that is that you came all this way."

Caroline leaned back in mock offense, pouting. "As if I would leave you to those pirates?"

"No, I suppose you wouldn't. I wouldn't either." She glanced at her friend as she continued, "Dressed as a pirate though?"

"Lizzy!" she shot back in mock defense, "I will have you know that I brought these from my home, therefore it is not pirate attire."

An eyebrow raised in doubt, Elizabeth said, "no, but only because you are missing a sword and pistol."

A sheepish looked crossed her face then as she considered her friends words. "Well, I did have a sword with me for a while." For just a moment, silence followed before laughter broke it as both girls clung to each other, supporting each other before they dropped to the ground, sitting in the sand. "This is much better than fighting in a dress, so I will remain dressed as such."

"I know," Elizabeth cried as she brushed down the shift she was left in, ridding herself of some of the sand and salt. "I've spent enough time these last few days running around in dresses."

"I suppose things could be worse," Caroline admitted as she dropped back into the sand, ignoring that it was surely sticking to her clothes. Still damp from their swim, she knew it would be terrible. Especially if her hair wasn't fully dry yet. But relaxing felt wonderful after having to swim to shore.

The waves crashing along the shore filled the air as the friends sat, taking in the scenery, lost in thought. Eventually they would need to figure out a plan. Sitting there forever wasn't an option.

"Lena?"

"Yes?"

Elizabeth didn't reply immediately, still looking down the shore line. "What happened back at Isla de Muerta?"

Caroline sat back up, slightly brushing off the sand as she looked at Elizabeth. "What do you mean? I went there with Will and got caught by Barbossa's crew. Not much to it," she shrugged.

"Prior to getting back to the Interceptor, I didn't even know you had been there. When Mr. Gibbs asked where you and Jack were…" she trailed off as she shook her head. "I know something else happened. You have been travelling with Will and Jack for days now. What don't I know?"

"Honestly?" Caroline hardly knew where to start. She didn't know what Will did or didn't say. And everything was a blur at this point. "I've learned that Will and I… have different approaches to… many things," settling on the simplest way to explain it, she continued. "And that became apparent on Isla de Muerta. He knocked Jack out and I wasn't going to just leave him."

"But he was going to trade Will for a ship!" Elizabeth cried as she turned to fully face her.

A sigh escaped as she recalled this same argument not very long ago, on numerous occasions. "Was he? I don't know what he was planning. I know he was hiding some sort of plan but there's no way to know for sure what he was going to do. Jack told me himself that there was more than one way to get his ship. Maybe it wouldn't have been too bad," she finished with a shrug.

The look of disbelief was one Caroline recognized well. It eventually melted into a pensive one as Elizabeth crossed her arms. "You really trust Jack?"

"I suppose. In a way." As she watched Elizabeth, she could almost see the thoughts going through her head, but she didn't say a word. She could imagine at least some of those thoughts. After all, they had known each other for years. The conversation hung there as they let it drop. And before long, the subject of said conversation plus the final member of the island's population showed up.

The trees rustled occasionally on the island as the ocean breeze swept through. Aside from a few signs of life here or there, the island was quiet, aside from the footsteps kicking up sand and dirt as they moved. One after another, Jack walked purposely across the island, Elizabeth stalking behind him, and Caroline was left with no choice but to follow. The afternoon seemed to be passing by with nothing to show for it. No rescue, no plan of escape, or even a plan of survival. They were off to a good start.

It wasn't for lack of trying, but Jack was less than helpful, shooting down any idea or question concerning previous escapes or what might be of use now. But Elizabeth wouldn't take no for an answer. The back and forth had lasted ten minutes already with no end in sight.

"But you were marooned on this island before, weren't you?" Elizabeth pushed as she followed Jack. "So, we can escape in the same way you did then!"

Whirling around to face her, Jack asked shortly, "To what point and purpose, young missy? The Black Pearl is gone. And unless you have a rudder and a lot of sails hidden in that bodice…," a quick glance over her found his answer, "unlikely; young Mr. Turner will be dead long before you can reach him."

"Jack," Caroline scolded, walking up to him. "We're trying to get out of here. You could at least help."

Continuing his walking, he said nothing as he spotted a palm tree that caught his attention. Then with careful strides, he began walking off, tracking his steps.

Unperturbed by his response, Elizabeth kept going. "But you're Captain Jack Sparrow! You vanished from under the eyes of seven agents of the East India Company! You sacked Nassau port without even firing a shot! Are you the pirate I've read about or not?"

"Wait, what?" Caroline couldn't help but watch her friend dumbfounded. Perhaps she should have been paying more attention to all those times Elizabeth tried to share her stories about pirates. It had never been something she had listened closely to. Perhaps catching a few daring tales and crazy adventures, but she hardly ever remembered listening when she rattled off the names of pirates.

Each still seemingly having their own conversation, no one responded to each other. Jack stopped as he found a particular area of sand. Jumping a few times for whatever purpose, his focus never wavered from his goal.

"How did you escape last time?" Elizabeth pleaded.

Finally answering as he crouched down, he began, "Last time... I was here a grand total of three days. All right? Last time…"A pause followed as he lifted up a trap door, revealing a stash underground. "the rumrunners who used this island as a cache came by, and I was able to barter passage off." Adding as he stepped inside, "from the looks of things, they've long been out of business." Out of sight for just a moment, he returned with bottles of rum, apparently one for each of them. "Probably have your bloody friend Norrington to thank for that."

"Obviously not sea turtles then," Caroline muttered, getting a bewildered look from Elizabeth. "What would you have us do then, Jack?"

"Sit back and enjoy it," he said as he pushed a bottle into her hands. As he took off again, back towards the beach, Elizabeth and Caroline shared a look before following.

"So that's it, then? That's the secret grand adventure of the infamous Jack Sparrow? You spent three days lying on the beach drinking rum?"

With a sarcastic grin, he opened his arms wide. "Welcome to the Caribbean, love."

Caroline sat along the beach, staring out at the water and occasionally glancing at her untouched bottle of rum that sat beside her. Elizabeth had walked off, claiming to need a break from Jack. So, she was currently off walking around the island. Jack on the other hand had just finished tossing down a pile of wood haphazardly, which would eventually be used for a fire. Taking a swig of his rum, he dropped down beside her, brushing his arm against hers in the process.

She glanced towards the pile as she stretched her legs before looking back at Jack. "You know, it might help to organize them before we need to start a fire. Is that that beneath the infamous Jack Sparrow?" She chuckled slightly as he rolled his eyes. "I must admit, I didn't realize I was traveling with someone so well known. I guess I always imagined that any pirate with a reputation would be more… I don't know, like Barbossa? Nasty? Villainous?"

"Well, we can't all be like him. Can't help my charm." With a wink, he slung an arm over her shoulder. "Would you have run off with me if you had recognized my name?"

"I believe I've said this before. I did not and will not run off with you. But regardless, I wasn't going to wait on the Navy to save her. So yes."

"I see, so it was my charm" he said with a grin as he took a drink.

Caroline rolled her eyes at the statement. "In case you forgot, Mr. Sparrow, you threatened me the day we met!"

"And you still came along!"

Turning to sit cross-legged and facing him, her eyes narrowed on him. "And now I'm starting to regret it."

Glancing sideways at her, his grin slowly twisted into a sly smirk. "I thought you said you had grown attached to me. Changed your mind?"

She crossed her arms and looked away, mortified those words had ever escaped her mouth. "That was before you got us marooned. I liked you better when we weren't stranded."

"Then I have just the solution!" Reaching over, he startled her as he grabbed the abandoned bottle of rum and opened it. "Nothin' like a little rum to make everything better!"

Looking at the drink in hand, she couldn't hide the look of distaste on her face. "I somehow doubt that."

"Come on, Lena," he encouraged with a laugh. "What better way to pass the time?"

Doubtfully she glanced at him before slowly lifting it towards her lips, pausing before she finally threw it back, taking a gulp. Immediately she cringed upon the taste, dragging her hand down so quickly the liquid in the bottle splashed out onto her.

Jack burst out laughing as he smacked her on the back. "You'll get used to it."

"I somehow doubt that," she said, eyeing the bottle with disdain. With a little more hesitation, she brought the bottle back up, taking a tentative sip this time as it settled on her tongue. "I also doubt this will make me like you any better."

He just shrugged and drank his own, "You never know what rum can help with."

Caroline studied the bottle in her hand, thinking everything through as the tension slowly left her. "Do you honestly think we'll get off this island?" She didn't know if she would prefer the truth or a lie, but either way, it was too late to take the question back. The idea of being stuck there, waiting until they couldn't any longer didn't seem like an option. There had had to be something they could do.

"Give it time. Eventually, you'll see a passing ship and we may just have some luck," he said with a sweep towards the ocean, though Caroline had to admit he didn't sound convinced himself.

"Then we just need to make it until then." Trying to keep her mind off negative thoughts, she pushed herself up and brushed off the sand. "There must be something to eat on this island. Any idea where to start?"

With one bottle of rum left sitting in the sand and one still in hand, the pair walked off, Jack leading the way towards whatever food could be found nearby.

An orange glow covered the sky as the sun slowly made its descent, disappearing off the horizon. Elizabeth and Caroline walked side by side along the edge of the water as they waited for Jack to finish building the fire. Glancing towards the pirate, it was clear that his attention was held at the moment. And it was the perfect opportunity for the girls to talk. Elizabeth had dragged her off, eager to share something but was reluctant to do so in front of Jack.

"I have an idea," Elizabeth whispered as she looked inland. "The Royal Navy must be covering the entire Caribbean looking for us. We just need to create a signal they will be able to spot."

Catching on, Caroline nodded as she glanced towards the pile of wood Jack stood by. "Such as a nice fire, big enough to be noticed?"

"Exactly," she said eagerly. "We can use that rum to help make a fire. There will have to be enough smoke from it to be seen by someone."

"Then we will need to find as much wood as we can to burn along with it." The plan would work so long as there is, in fact, a ship nearby to see it. But they also had an obstacle to get through. "We have one problem though… I somehow doubt Jack will just let us burn all the rum. He seems a little too attached to it," she confessed.

Elizabeth let out a breath as she considered that. "We need him distracted…" she trailed off as she looked back towards him. "Maybe," she started to herself.

"Distracted or not, he's going to notice a giant fire being built. Even if he is asleep, I'm sure that is something he would notice."

The younger girl's eyes lit up then as she looked back at Caroline. "Unless he's passed out. We have enough rum on this island to knock the entire crew out if they drank enough. We just need to get him drinking."

The ease of that statement made Caroline laugh as she agreed. "Getting him to drink shouldn't be much of a problem, but I've also seen him drink quite a bit while with him. Getting him passed out may be harder."

"Not with a little encouragement!" Elizabeth countered as she stopped their walking and grabbed Caroline's hands. "Hear me out."

Those words filled her with reluctance to hear Elizabeth's idea. "Why do I get the feeling I am not going to like this?"

Shaking her head at her friend, Elizabeth explained her plan. While Caroline had to admit going along with the act would keep Jack drinking, she didn't know how she felt about getting him that drunk. Thinking back to all the drunks from Tortuga, she knew there was a variety of ways this could turn out.

The dark night was lit up by the fire blazing beside the group as they laughed and sang as loud as they could. Trading between each other, they all spun arm in arm, while singing. One moment it was Elizabeth and Caroline, next was Jack and Elizabeth, then Caroline and Jack. Giggling as they went, Caroline couldn't believe how much fun she was having. At some point, the slow sips and fake drinks of rum she had originally been taking turned real as she forgot all about the plan.

"We're devils, we're black sheep, we're really bad eggs. Drink up me hearties, yo ho. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" They all sang, oblivious to how off key they might have been, continuing their lively steps around the fire.

"I love this song! Really bad eggs!" roared Jack as he stumbled over his feet, falling onto the sand, dragging Caroline with him in a fit of giggles. "When I get the Pearl back, I'm going to teach it to the whole crew, and we'll sing it all the time!"

Laughing at the image in her head, she couldn't help but think of her earlier comparison to Barbossa. Suddenly picturing his crew singing as well, it became clear that they were very different captains. "You're certainly… the most fun captain," she said to Jack before she held up the bottle of rum, pointing it at him as she tried to focus her vision on him. "I think. You were right." She stumbled, faltering over her words. "The rum did make things better."

"See!" he slurred as he turned towards her just as Elizabeth dropped down on his other side. "Never doubt Captain Jack Sparrow."

"Not only that," Elizabeth cut in, serious and sure as she continued, "you'll be positively the most fearsome pirates in the Spanish Main."

"Not just the Spanish Main, love," Jack corrected as he looked back at Elizabeth. "The entire ocean ... the entire world. Wherever we want to go, we go. That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs … but what a ship is… what the Black Pearl really is ... is freedom."

Caroline took in his words as he leaned back and placed an arm around her shoulder, pulling her up against him. "It sounds amazing," she admitted as she closed her eyes briefly. "I'm sorry you lost it."

"Just temporarily."

"Jack," Elizabeth added, "it must be really terrible for you to be trapped on this island."

Relaxing against him, content with not moving to stop the slight swaying that seemed stuck in her head, Caroline thought over her words. "I couldn't imagine. I thought it was bad when I heard about the first time, but now? Stuck here again?"

"Ah, yes...but the company is infinitely better than last time," Jack said as he seized the opportunity and ran his hand down Caroline's arm before adding, "and the scenery has definitely improved."

"Mr. Sparrow," Elizabeth said as she sat up, putting space between her and Jack as she lifted her bottle. "I'm not entirely sure I've had enough rum to allow that kind of talk."

"I know exactly what you mean, love."

"Well, I have," Caroline muttered as cast a glance at her own bottle. Unfortunately, Jack was set on the idea of another drink as he sat up, bringing Caroline with him. Left with little choice, she grabbed her bottle but settled back against Jack's chest, unwilling to hold herself up.

With bottle in hand, Elizabeth raised it up to toast. "To freedom!" she called, receiving a mumbled echo from Caroline.

"To the Black Pearl!" Jack shouted back.

And with a tap of their bottles, they all took a drink. A quick drink went and Caroline dropped the bottle to the ground, ready to be done with it for the night. Then suddenly, she lost her support as Jack dropped back to the ground. Quickly catching herself with her hands, she glanced between Jack and Elizabeth, blinking as she tried to stay focused. "You know," she started to Elizabeth, "I think the plan worked." She giggled then and didn't listen to Elizabeth's reply as she dropped down herself, back to her previous spot against Jack, eager to rest her eyes again.

Hope you all enjoyed this! With the end drawing near, I've been tossing around the idea of writing a sequel to go along with Dead Man's Chest though I'm not sure what I would do at the moment. Let me know if you would want to see this continue. Thanks!