A.N.: I own Potc not.

Chapter IV


Drip drip drip

Where was the water leaking?

The dirty smell from the dungeon was slowly growing into my tolerance.

This wasn't too good.

Richard

Where was he?

Drip drip drip

"SHUT UP" I barked in frustration

Drip-

I jumped up, searching for the leak.

Where-

I spotted a small crack from the corner of the ceiling, small spidery line cracks formed around the corner, water occasionally dripping out.

Without a look at my silent companion, I grabbed hay and began stuffing the hole, "Stupid- annoying-" muttered I.

"Talking te yerself?" a soft question from the other side

Pirate.

I jumped at the sound of his voice.

I was alone with a scoundrel.

Who was chewing hay lazily.

Watching me carefully and shamelessly.

If this could get worse….

Well it couldn't.

Sweat poured from my forehead, I will never ever deny a marriage request ever again- if I ever get out of this mess.

I shall never throw away the man who confesses his love for me.

I swear.

So get me out of here- I cursed.

I let out a yell and ceased my feeble attempt to keep the dripping water out.

"Jessica, love"

My patience was wearing thin. "What?"

I stopped a silent scream to realize he was there standing right behind me, the same half-lidded eyes expression.

His slightly bared chest lightly pressed against my back.

His breath on my neck. So close.

Unable to control the crazed uneven beats of my pounding heart, I slowly clenched my fistful of hay.

His rough long hand grabbed my own fist.

"What the hell-" I started

"Give me the hay"

I obeyed releasing the withered straws to his hand, my eyes caught by his glowing rings.

"Aye love, this is how ye do it" he lightly pushed me impolitely aside, bending and weaving the hay. He then carefully filled the crack.

Oh God.

Get me out of here.

Leaving him fixing the bloody crack, I rushed to the iron bars and shook it hard, "So how do you properly break out of here mister pirate?"

The pirate turned from his work and looked at me with a serious expression; "In all my years of in a wide variety of prisons" he jabbed in the direction of the gates with his ring finger, "that- I haven't figured out yet, lass"

I did not know whether to curse or praise the blacksmith who made these cells.

A cloaked figure suddenly appeared before me.

I rubbed my eyes, hallucination?

But there he was in a black cloak.

"Jessica?" the familiar voice asked from the other side of the bars.

"You blasted idiot of a brother-" my eyes widened.

"Sorry" an urgent whisper from the masked man, "Jessica- I have ill news"

My mouth opened.

"Two local witnesses claim that you rolled Hemmingway to drown" Richard said in a hush sound, "They think you're mad- insane. They say you laughed hysterically after you drowned him"

My mouth moved wordlessly.

"Many men want you hanged in the gallows by tomorrow"

No. It couldn't be.

"I'm not insane!" I fiercely whispered, "I did not laugh- I was screaming cause that bloody Hemmingway drowned his own self!"

"No respect fer the dead- eh love?" a soft chuckle from behind.

"Silence you" Richard glared at the pirate, who bowed his head- the same stupid smile still plastered on his face.

"Get me out of here now" I spoke through my clenched jaws.

"That's why I'm here" Richard slyly grinned.

I stared blankly at my brother who revealed that blessed key.

Suddenly, the pirate energetically jumped next to me, "Aye! Let us spring out from this bloody cell"

Behind the shadowy robe I could see my brother roll his eyes.

With a quick movement, Richard began to study the gate looking for the keyhole-

"Right here!" the joyous pirate pointed with animated excitement to the far right, "Right here"

Stopping to give the pirate a stern look, Richard opened the rusty gates.

"Hey! They're getting away"

"What?"

"Them! The lad's freeing them!"

The prison was now loud and murmuring at the sight of us.

"Get us out too!"

"Wait!"

Ignoring their desperate pleas, my brother turned to embrace me.

"Wait- you" Richard's hand shot out to grab the pirate's shoulder.

He then unceremoniously heaved the pirate back into the cell.

"Yes my good man?" the pirate slowly rising and brushing his sleeves from unseen dust.

Richard blocked the opening, not allowing the pirate to go free, "You stay here"

The pirate closely studied my brother- his nose centimeters from Richard's.

"Do ye know my good sir that ye are freeing a criminal- which makes ye a criminal…?"

"I'm aware"

"Well…good" the pirate sidestepped my brother, his beaded hair swinging.

Richard quickly stepped to the right to stop the pirate, "Stay put…now"

The pirate turned his gaze from him to me.

"Well love- it was nice meetin' ye"

I coldly spoke, "I'm innocent- but freeing a guilty scoundrel like you would claim me guilty"

"Wait love- wait-wait!"

Richard swung the gate closed and locked.

The pirate's hands stuck out from the bars, "Wait- hold it hold it! Wait- Jessica love" reaching for me.

Instantly my brother's sword was out pointing at the pirate's throat, "Stay away from sister"

The pirate stopped short, his hands up in defeat.

But his eyes were wide and almost looked…desperate.

I almost pitied him.

"Let's go" my brother's furious gaze did not leave Jack's as he slowly sheathed his sword.

Richard grabbed my hand and pulled, "Come- we must leave this island"

"Wait!" Jack waved his hands wildly, "I'll make a deal with ye boy"

Richard seemed to consider this for a moment, "What"

"I have a ship- fastest ship ever" Jack's golden teeth gleamed, "I could help ye two escape"

"If ye spring me from the cages" Jack continued before adding, "me…new best friend"

I spat, "How do we know if you are lying or not"

His smile widened, "I swear by-by-" his voice low in mystery, "the Black Pearl"

Richard scowled, "Don't waste our time"

"Did I mention that ye have nice shoes?"

Richard groaned in disgust and turned, "Come Jessica"

"Wait, wait…"

I stopped to turn at the pitiful gangly pirate, his head lightly tapping on the cold bars.

"Perhaps we should let the pirate-"

"Pirate" a look of loath was etched on my brother's fair face, "He's a pirate?"

"Aye" replied from the distance Jack wearily tipping his worn hat

Fully facing me now, Richard growled, "We must flee now Jessica-"

Without another glance at Captain Jack Sparrow and the loud bustling neighboring prisoners.

We fled.