Jack meets with the deputy who saved Kate and her mother

"Land ho, Captain!" Ragetti, the fellow with the wooden eye shouted. Jack took out his telescope and looked off into the distance.

"We're in luck, me hearties. We have officially reached England!" Jack told everyone. We cheered in relief that we'd reached our destination alive. As the land came closer into view, we saw magnificent cliffs and rolling hills of beautiful, lush green grass that covered the continent as far as the eye could see. My heart soared with awe. We were really here, the birthplace of Miss Elizabeth and myself.

The British country was breathtaking and so serene with its peaceful moors, cozy towns, and humble but well-kept cottages. In a few hours, we came up along a long strip of city stretch as it were. Jack steered the ship through the water as the channels became smaller and more narrow than out on the open sea. Large, tall buildings and bustling commotion filled our five senses with captivation as we sailed to a port. Jack finally found one that he wanted, that he thought would prove satisfactory and we anchored in and tied the Black Pearl to the dock of Jack's choice. "Welcome to London, mates." Jack said.

Elizabeth and I dressed in our usual attire, our day dresses, as disguises to any prying eyes. Will dressed in his normal clothes, but was disguising as Elizabeth's escort, which I noticed that neither one of them minded at all! In fact, they both seemed quite pleased. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as I watched them. I'd often wondered what it would be like, to be fancied by a young man, someone whom made one's heart flutter and in your soul you just know it's the one. I wondered if I would ever find someone of my own, as loyal and brave and thoughtful as Will. If he was anything close to being like my brotherly friend, I knew he would be someone special! But who was I to hope to find a person like that? I was a servant girl.

My said smile was annoyingly interrupted when Jack summoned me aside. He spoke in hushed tones. "All right, we're here now." He leaned in closely. "As you can probably imagine, your father's upstanding reputation was sadly tarnished around here, especially in the political circles."

My face grew hot with anger when he said that. My father was a hero, and I was deeply proud of him. How dare those horrid men make him the 'bad guy' and then make him pay for it, maybe even at the price of his life! My wish was that they would be the ones paying for it before my journey with Captain Jack Sparrow was through! "No thanks to Briggs and his cronies." I curled my lip.

"Quite right." Jack nodded. "You must not, under any circumstances, tell anyone your real last name, who you really are. Unless I tell them first."

"Jack, you keep saying that." I groaned. "It's not that I don't believe you. But...I would like very much to know just what very bad things could happen if I were to reveal my true identity. You say that it could end up very bad for all of us. How bad?"

"Some books are better left on a shelf, unopened, luv." Jack said solemnly. If he was trying to keep me safe, I felt grateful. But I was still irritated that he wouldn't tell me everything.

"Look, if I'm the one who stands between my friends' lives and trouble, wouldn't you think it'd be wisest for me to understand everything that we're up against?" I asked firmly. "Suppose you don't tell me, and then I end up spilling it out to the wrong person, and under non-provocative settings? Then I would say, 'If I'd known, I'd have been more cautious.' I don't think any of us want that to happen!"

"The fact that I keep pressing you to keep your mouth shut about this should be reason enough to keep your secret." Jack said. I pursed my lips.

"I'm tired of being in the dark, Jack." I sighed heavily. "I appreciate you're trying to protect me, and the crew. Don't think I'm ungrateful for that! But I can't help but feel that the truth would keep us safer than not knowing all the details. Won't you please tell me?"

Jack opened his mouth, looking as if he was about to answer me with what I wanted to know. But he looked very conflicted though, and I could not understand what was so horrible that he felt he had to hide it from me. We were in danger just attempting this voyage to save Father. I knew that! He tried to speak again but faltered. His face was drawn with an emotion that I could not read clearly: concern maybe? He'd never given me this kind of look before. It was almost as if, he was being asked to make a choice between a bribe or a friend's life. The uncertainty in his features made me very uncomfortable! Jack was always so sure of himself, and just seemed to meet whatever came his way with a reckless attitude of the thrill of a challenge. The fact that he could not seem to make a sound decision here was alarming to me. And, he wasn't saying anything! Had I crossed the line? I only wanted to know the truth! Would he become very angry with me?

Jack finally made a sound! He sighed. I watched him warily. "If you spilled the beans," he said lowly, "your friends would most likely end up killed, or end up in a fate in which they'd wish to be killed!"

"I already perceived that." I replied. "But..."

"That's all you need to know." Jack cut me off quickly in a stern tone. I huffed heavily. This man was very stubborn! I suppose he sensed my disappointed defiance. "In good time, luv." He said. "There are some things I believe that you should hear from your father, God willing we find him, and from his lips alone. Not me. It would do no good for me to be the one to tell you the ugly facts."

"But what if you not telling me prevents us from even finding him?"

"It won't." Jack shook his head. I winced and sighed loudly in aggravation. "Look, I know it's difficult for you, luv, but have I ever given you reason not to trust me? Do us all a favor and try not to do anything stupid." He walked passed me toward the crew. I stood there, brooding and my eyes felt hot with tears trying to come out.

But, Jack! I have this feeling that we'll be in more danger if I don't know! My mind screamed at him. I'm not a child. I'm a grown woman! And I've seen my share of ugliness in this sorry world. What exactly are you trying to shield me from? You've been acting odd, ever since the day you interrupted my conversation with Miss Elizabeth and Anamaria. Something's eating you, and I want to know what it is. It's something to do with my family, isn't it? I breathed to try and calm myself. How do I know that? Maybe he's worried about the weather or other possible sea monsters we may encounter. He has been doing this much longer than I have. Maybe I'm overthinking this. Am I so anxious to find Father that now I think everything negative that vexes my friends has to do with us? How should I know? I don't know! But how am I supposed to if no one will tell me? I wonder if Anamaria or Mr. Gibbs knows. Maybe I could ask them. Jack is captain of the ship. He must have a good reason for accomplishing our goal this way.

Then I got an icy knot in the pit of my stomach as a chilling thought flooded my mind. What did he mean about some things only Father should tell me? Did Father do something wrong? Did he commit something unforgivable and that's why he's gone? NO! That can't be! Jack has countlessly told me of what an upstanding man my father was. I wanted to gag at the thought and didn't realize I was clutching my necklace for dear life. Could it be that...no, no! Is Jack lying? Has he been lying to me all this time about Father, just to humor me, and make me feel better? Surely not! Jack wouldn't do something like that...would he? He is a pirate. Is my father the real criminal here, and Jack just invented that whole big tale about the marquis and all, just so I wouldn't feel bad? My heart raced wildly as my mind continued to whirl. I'd rather Father die a dead hero than to know he wasn't the man I always thought he was! Oh, what should I do? I wasn't sure what to believe or think now! Can I really trust Jack?

"Did you hear that, poppet?" Pintel asked me, startling me. I jumped and whirled around to face him.

"W-w-what?" I sputtered. "I didn't hear what you said."

"The cap'n's got a plan." Pintel said.

Jack did indeed have a plan. His first order of business was to track down the deputy who'd helped my father and sent Mother and me to Jamaica. But his elaborate way of arranging this meeting was I felt quite unnecessary and rather drastic. Elizabeth agreed with me. However, the rest of the crew did not question Jack's scheme and sounded as if they were looking forward to it! "Is it always this way?" I asked Will and Elizabeth.

"What? You mean scatter-brained methods with everyone involved save himself on the border of incarceration?" Will huffed sarcastically.

"Yes." Elizabeth muttered.

Inside London's Prison

A middle-aged man in a police uniform was patrolling the cell block on the lower floor of the jail. He'd been serving in this place for sixteen years, and after his first four years, he'd been promoted from a mere deputy to a Lieutenant on the force. But today he was on guard duty, seeing as his fellow officers were tending to business in the city or were under the weather. He thought he heard a loud scuffling noise inside the prison's sorry excuse for a kitchen. Curious, he turned on his heel and made his way to the rustic little room. Crashing noises that sounded like pans falling reached his ears and he picked up speed. Someone was definitely messing in this place. The officer drew his rifle, ready to fire if necessary and flung the kitchen door open.

A figure in a worn brown coat, with a red bandanna, a chocolate tricorn hat, and dark braids was recklessly rummaging through the cabinets, obviously searching for something, and tossing out everything that didn't meet up to his expectations. "Oui! You there!" The officer growled at Jack, raising his firearm. "Thief! Get out of there! If you're lookin' for something to steal, you chose the wrong place, fellow." Jack ignored him, pretending to be deaf, waiting for the opportune moment. "Stop right there." The officer warned him. Jack continued to clang the dishes around, making a painful ruckus. "All right, you asked for it!" The policeman growled and snatched Jack by the shoulder. Jack whipped around and conked him on the back of the head with a rolling pin. The policeman froze dizzily and collapsed to the floor. Jack looked at the rolling pin.

"I need to get me one of these." He smirked to himself. He lightly tapped his own head with it, but not too lightly, and groaned. "Ow." He muttered.

Jack nearly drowned the Lieutenant when he dumped a bucket of water on him. The man choked and spat, aiming his side pistol in the air, but there was no pistol to grab. "Thief!" He blinked and shook his head, which made him very dizzy. "What the devil?" He groaned belligerantly. "Best not to play games with me, you rat. I am the law!" It was very dark and he had no idea where he was.

"Now, now, no need to get all worked up there, mate." Jack said as he stood in front of him. "Here. Rum, fellow. Rum's good, and it's amazing how much better it'll help that sore head of yours feel." He knelt down next to the man, offering him a bottle of whiskey.

"I don't take bribes from scum like you!" The officer hissed and arched the bottle back to slug Jack in the face with it. But Jack held his arm back.

"Good old Barnaby." Jack smiled. "Always on his toes and ready for a fight." The man squinted suspiciously at Jack.

"Who are you?" He snarled. "How do you know me?"

"Why, Barnaby old friend! Do you not recognize me?" Jack asked 'hurtfully'. "I'd think you wouldn't be able to forget an unforgettable, so likable face like me own."

"Well, excuse me if my mind is in a tizzy at the moment." The officer retorted. "Thanks to you, I have one heck of a splitting headache!"

"Oh, yeah. Sorry about that, mate. Couldn't be helped." Jack shrugged.

"Wait. I know you from somewhere. W-Jack! Jack Sparrow!" The officer's eyes bulged.

"Captain. It's Captain Jack Sparrow, old man." Jack sighed. "I see you've made pretty good for yourself, eh? Deputy Barnaby Wood, now a Lieutenant on the British police force."

"Don't try to change the subject. Want do you want, Jack? I can see you haven't accomplished much in thirteen years." Barnaby said coldly. Jack bit his lip.

"I'm a very wanted unwanted man." Jack pouted. "The people who want me call me unwanted. I believe they would be in your lavish line of work. And the people who call me wanted, treat me unwanted." His thoughts went to his old girlfriends who slapped him around every time he showed up.

"Where am I?" Barnaby asked dangerously. "What do you want with me?" Jack smirked, which set Barnaby's hackles aroused. Jack's crew appeared from all angles in the dark, damp place they were in. They held clubs and swords and sneered at the officer. Jack had invited them along for dramatic effect. Now that Barnaby's mind was beginning to clear, he realized he heard water nearby. They had to be in one of the underground tunnels, near the water front. Barnaby glared at the crew and tried to clasp his weapons, but...they were gone!

"Oh, would you be looking for these?" Jack asked, holding up the officer's sword, his pistols, and his belts. "So sorry. Afraid it was necessary to remove them off your person. A matter of leverage."

"D- you, Jack Sparrow!" Barnaby cursed.

"Captain Jack Sparrow!" Jack rolled his eyes.

"Do ye know what we do to dogs who insult the captain of the Black Pearl?" Gibbs asked slowly, pointing his sword at the officer. Barnaby just realized he was tied up! He could move his right arm which was free, but that was all.

"You're pirates!" Barnaby spat. "To h- with the lot of you! You'll suffer for this, you will!" The crew laughed mercilessly at him.

"Have a sip there, mate." Jack poured some rum down his throat. Barnaby angrily spat it back in Jack's face. Jack cringed, but smiled.

"Easy there, matey. You'll be relieved to know that we didn't come here for you." Jack assured him. "Once we're done here, you're free to go back to your boring old life."

"And why should I believe you, you dirty-minded mugs?"

"Barnaby, old friend, have I ever steered you wrong?" Jack asked dramatically.

"State your terms, Sparrow. I'm fed up with this d- nonsense!"

"Captain Summers." Gibbs remarked. "We be a-lookin' for Captain David Summers."

"Savvy?" Jack asked.

Barnaby's face clouded over from dark to pained. He glowered at Jack with a face full of deep regret. "You're about thirteen years too late, Jack!" He accused.

"Aye." Jack mumbled. This was one time he felt that he had truly wronged someone. When he'd had the chance to be free, he could've went after his friend. Instead, he'd gone after his ship. "I realize that...regrettably, lamentably."

"Don't be cute, Sparrow." Barnaby glowered with tearful eyes. "No amount of apologies will change what happened to him!"

"Not from anyone." Jack agreed. "Give us a minute, lads." He told the crew. They all shifted back into the shadows, all except Gibbs. Gibbs already knew bits of this, and he knew who Kate really was, so there was no point in keeping him out of it. "As you recall, I only saw the tiniest glimpse of his consequences. But you, Barnaby, you were his confidant. What did you see that night? What exactly happened to him? It's very important that you tell me."

"You ran out on him, Sparrow." Barnaby said sharply. "You could have gone after him when you had the chance. Instead you went off searching for your stupid ship!" Jack stiffened angrily when he heard that.

"Insult me all you want, man. But you keep the Pearl out of this." He warned. "Savvy?"

"I'm sorry, Sparrow. I realize all of our hands were tied. And you were a criminal. It's not as if you could've done much to save him anyway." Barnaby sniffled. "It's just...he was a good man. He didn't deserve what he got! His whole life was thrown away all because he tried to honor what the people counted on him for. And they turned their backs on him."

"Not all, apparently." Jack complimented him.

"Aye. If all had betrayed him, it wouldn't be eatin' at yur gut so hard after all this time." Gibbs added.

"I failed him."

"That's where you're wrong, mate." Jack said encouragingly. "You got his family out of danger, just like you promised. And a man of his word is hard to come by these days."

"That didn't bring him back." Barnaby muttered flatly.

"No. But I have seen Summers' daughter in me travels. She's alive, and well. That has to count for something." Jack told him.

"She's all right?" Barnaby's face perked up a little.

"Aye, matey." Gibbs nodded. "Pretty little lady, she is. Not wealthy, but she is well to do for a lass on her own."

"What about her mother?"

"Took ill, I'm afraid. The girl says she died of scarlet fever eight years ago." Jack sighed.

"Ohh." Barnaby hung his head. "Dreadful."

"So you see? You didn't fail your good friend! I'd think he'd like to thank you for that, if he could." Gibbs smiled.

Barnaby's face lit up with possible hope for the first time. "Sparrow, if I tell you everything I know, you must swear on your life to me that you will do everything in your power to find him!" Barnaby begged.

"Of course." Jack grinned.

"I do not really trust you. A pirate, and a wily old scalawag. But, I know that if anyone in the world could find my dear friend, it's you! Do we have an accord?"

"Aye." Jack shook his free hand.

"Would you mind unbinding me, if it's not asking too much?"

"Oh, yes. Mr. Gibbs?" Jack tilted his head. Gibbs released Barnaby and the man made no attempt to escape.

"Mind you, gentlemen, I wish I could tell you more, but I will share everything that I can tell you about Summers' lamentable fate." Barnaby spoke lowly. The men huddled closely around the lantern so no one could hear them. "So, I was there the night of the 'test'. Such a ludicrous venture that was! As you know, the army vessel returned. Summers and I with our fellow officers, returned to our headquarters as quickly as possible. Summers implored me to go immediately to his family's home, which I did with all possible speed. We had small doubt that the Summers' ladies would suffer too, especially at the hands of you know who."

"Briggs." Jack snarled.

"Aye, the low down b-! Madame Summers had been warned beforehand that there could be trouble. She was ready and packed just in case. Sadly, it turned out to be true. The child was sleeping and we didn't wish to frighten her. We fled in a handsome to the docks, before the fog thickened, where there was a ship bound for Jamaica. The little girl woke up. She was frightened and confused. We tried to explain it vaguely to her without scaring the poor thing to death. Madame Summers and her daughter were granted passage and were safely on their way out of London.

'When I returned to headquarters, Briggs and his men were there. My good friend and mentor Summers was shackled in chains on his hands and his feet. They dragged him away. I protested and threatened them. But they had d- stupid legal technicalities on their side. I followed them. I don't have to remind you, Sparrow. You were already in hot water. I watched them take Summers away. Tossed him in the back of a darkly covered wagon, they did, like a piece of driftwood! I rushed up to him before they departed. I've never seen a man look so afraid. As you can imagine, I was willing to take his place if he asked, though I didn't think I could ever fill his shoes! But all he wanted from me, all he wanted to ask was the safety of his family. I told him they were safe. He thanked me and shoved me out of the wagon before I could get caught. They drove away swiftly in the dead of night. I followed them as best I could. But the fog became so dense that night that I lost my way through the city.

'That was the last I ever saw of Captain Summers.'"

"So, you don't know exactly what became of him after that night." Jack suggested.

"No. I don't dare imagine what Briggs meant by a 'fate worse than death!"

"Just one more question before ye skedaddle off, mate. Briggs. Do you happen to know if he's still in business?"

"I do not know, Sparrow." Barnaby pursed his lips. "I wish I did! I'd like to belt him with his own bullwhip! Once the charges of treason were dropped against the Marquis Louis, he's kept up appearances throughout London and the rest of the country. As for Briggs, the dirty dog? He hasn't been seen or heard from since, seeing as he was directly on the Cartwheel with slaves and evidence at the time he was investigated. He was involved during the case, but seeing as the testimony about the marquis being there was thrown into the rubbish heap, the marquis gets off Scott free but Briggs is forbidden from returning to England."

"A trifle of small glory on our part, I suppose." Jack said dryly. "Do you know any whereabouts of where we could find Briggs and his gang of cockroaches?"

"Sorry, Jack. I do not know. I've looked into the matter over and over again. But if Briggs be alive and well-I pray not!-, then he is a h- of a chameleon staying off the maps where no one can locate him. But, if you were to venture after him, you might try Lisbon. According to the records, they did quite a bit of their exchanges there."

"Uh-huh. Well, thank you, man." Jack smiled, shaking his hand and pulling him to his feet. "It's been a pleasure to visit with you again, Lieutenant."

"I wish I could say the same." Barnaby said. Jack just chuckled at him. "Mr. Sparrow. My effects, please!"

"Captain Sparrow, my good man." Jack shook his head. Gibbs returned Barnaby's possessions to him.

"Gentlemen, might I ask a question?"

"As you wish."

"What possessed you to search for the good captain now, Jack? After all these years? You know what they say about the number thirteen!"

"Aye. Fortunately, those tales don't tangle with me! After seeing the Summers girl, it pressed upon me conscience that she's had to live without her dear father all this time. And I may have felt a smidgen ashamed that I never tried to find out." Jack said dramatically. Gibbs gave him the look. Jack did care about people, but he rarely ever stuck his neck out for someone without seeing the first the benefit he'd get out of it. "Besides, there be a favor long overdue between old Summers and meself."

"I see. Well, that's uncommon decent of you, man. You being a pirate and all. The best of luck on your journey. If you find Summers, please tell him I'm truly sorry for not getting him out of the mess."

"That we will." Gibbs nodded. "Yur a not about to be blowin' the whistle on us now, would ye Lieutenant?"

"Nay. Let's just pretend like I never spoke to you."

"I can live with that!" Jack announced. "Well, goodnight, Lieutenant, and thanks. Nice chatting with ye again. I'm sure we'll be seeing each other soon."

"I pray not! And if we do, next time, I won't be so forgiving."

Jack ordered the crew back to the Pearl. He and Gibbs marched along after them. "Jack, ye didn't tell Barnaby that we had the lass on the Pearl." Gibbs spoke up in confusion.

"Must have slipped my mind." Jack said casually.

"But I'm sure she'd like to thank him personally for his good deed."

"Mph." Jack grunted. "That wouldn't do for now. We still have a sewer rat to track down, Gibbs. And until we've set him punished, none of us are safe. The less people know about her and this case, the better." Jack pulled out a faded brown piece of canvas paper and looked at it.

"Aye." Gibbs sighed. "That was a lovely little lie you cooked up back there. About what stirred yur motives on this excursion."

"Who's to say I was lying?" Jack asked quietly. Gibbs gaped, dumbstruck by Jack's unusual devotion to the Summers family and this mission.

"Ye mean, you did mean what you said? I mean about, why you agreed to this in the first place?"

"I may be like a clam at times, Gibbs. But that doesn't mean I got nothing on the inside going on." Jack said in a serious tone.

"What's that, Jack?" Gibbs asked, glancing at the paper.

"My dear Mr. Gibbs, you didn't really think that I'd fritter into the good officer's establishment without first 'borrowing' our biggest clue, do you?" A little snooping through

records had done the trick.

"You got a map!" Gibbs exclaimed.

"Aye. This map was confiscated during the investigation. It contains all of Briggs' used-to-be routes and favorite resting places back when he was on his deliveries. With it, we

can track him down that much faster! I doubt even after all this time, that he'd be willing to give up his biggest 'gold mines'! Savvy?"

"Aye, Jack!"

Elizabeth tended to her father's political matters at the embassy, then she and Will returned to the Pearl, along with Kate. They waited anxiously for Jack and Gibbs to return. Fortunately, they didn't have long to wait.

"Were you able to the acquire the information you were hoping to find?" Elizabeth asked as they boarded the ship.

"Indeed." Jack nodded.

"Was his testimony helpful?" Kate asked.

"Aye, lass. It was."

"So now what?" Will shrugged.

"Now, we find Briggs." Jack narrowed his eyes.

Unfortunately for us, we hadn't very long to wait on that score! Briggs was much closer than we thought!