"The Return"

AUTHOR: Melissa (otherwise know as, JohnnyDee)

RATING: PG-13

EMAIL: melismelli_101_@hotmail.com

DISCLAIMER: I don't own POTC. Nor do I own Titanic or any resemblance this chapter

may have to elements in it.

TIMELINE: 13 years after POTC.

DISTRIBUTION: johnnydeppzone.com, fanfiction.net, and other sites.

CHAPTER: 20.You're Worth It

Barbossa paced the cave impatiently, waiting for his men to arrive.

"Where be the scabbards?" he shouted to himself angrily. Catherine looked at him, still

mourning the death of Jack. It seemed just a second ago, there were aboard the Dauntless,

listening to Jack swap stories with her Father about the golden days of the Pearl. She

blinked back a tear, trying to hold in the pain she was suffering. Was it possible she loved

this Jack fellow? He seemed so kind, yet he didn't show it outwardly.

Her attention was brought back to Barbossa who stopped his pacing.

"What are ye' lookin' at, Miss Turner?" Considering there were three Turner women in

the room, neither responded. Elizabeth looked up from her forlorn position to see

Barbossa staring at Charlotte was in turn staring back. "I'm just thinking." she said,

with no emotion.

As if an amazing revelation was brought to her, she turned to Will.

"Father, didn't you say that Annemaria was on the island with Commodore?" she

questioned. Will nodded, wondering what she was getting at. "Well..what if she comes?

I mean, she's fairly smart. If she could figure out where we are then--?" "It wouldn't

work Charlotte," Catherine said, her head hanging low." How do you know? Did you all

of the sudden receive every piece of knowledge in the world? You know, it's your fault

we are here. If you weren't."

"Charlotte!" Will said sternly, looking at Charlotte then Catherine. "You

will never speak like that to her again. She is your Aunt and you must respect her!"

Charlotte rolled her eyes as she responded to Will's critiscm. "It's not like she's been

here forever. You just met her!" Will looked at Catherine sympathetically. It was hard for

him to take everything in. Never did he get the notion of having a sister and now that he

had one-well, it seemed strange. He hadn't been able to talk to her yet but he hoped the

opportunity would be soon.

The family's bickering ended when Barbossa spoke up. You know, this all

seems so ironic. Ye all be waiting, waiting for a certain death that would be expected,

although it's not what you think. Instead, Jack here sacrifices his life for you others.

Hopefully ye won't take this for granted and will be glad with what you have!" he smiled

after this. Will swallowed hard as his mind flashed back to when Jack helped him rescue

Elizabeth. He risked his life for him, knowing the chances he was taking.

A wave of guilt spread over Will as he thought about the last thing he said

to Jack. 'I hope you have a plan in mind!' Everyone expected him to save them, or rescue

them, but never would they expect him to die. Jack did die though, and he died for all of

them, desperately stalling Barbossa from his fateful plan. Will's thinking was interrupted

when a small jungle of gold was heard from behind the stone chest. Catherine peered

down and gasped as she quickly looked back to Barbossa.

Barbossa's eyes searched the cave, looking for the origin of the noise, but

looked back to Catherine. Walking towards her, he stopped as he heard the cock of a gun.

Quickly turning behind himself, he looked at the four below; he remained still,

wondering what was also going on. Still staring at the four, a shot fired and cleanly blew

the hat off Barbossa. Turning behind himself, he was met by Annemaria and Charles,

Annemaria who was holding the pistol and Charles who was sporting the sword.

Jumping forward, Charles met Barbossa' already withdrawn sword with a

fierce blow. He silently chuckled to himself as he silently thanked Jack for all of the

training he had received that was now becoming handy. Annemaria slipped past the two

who were parrying around the cave, and ran to Elizabeth and Will. "Where's Jack she

quickly asked from behind Elizabeth as she cut open their bindings with her knife.

Elizabeth threw the rope from her hands but stopped and turned to

Annemaria. Just by the solemn look in her eyes, Annemaria backed away. "No.." she

said, looking now at Will. Returning Elizabeth's look, Will bowed his head and silently

nodded to where Jack still lay. Annemaria's eyes slowly traveled to that place, and she

winced at the site. She ran next to him and knelt down, taking his hand in hers. "Jack!"

she whispered, shaking it lightly. "Jack? Wake up!" she whispered again, her voice

breaking. Tear welled up in her eyes as she now shook his shoulder, begging him to

wake.

"Jack!" she yelled a final time, now unable to control her emotions. She

silently sobbed as a single tear fell onto his face, slowly rolling down his cheek. She

looked at his face one last time, searching for the deep, brown eyes that she couldn't find.

She went to leave when she suddenly looked back. Jack's face twitched and she stopped

her sobbing as he opened his eyes and winked at her, and then closed them again.

She stood there for a moment, unable to comprehend what happened.

Looking at his face again, she watched for any movement. Could he be alive? Annemaria

watched his chest, and waited when it began to rise and fall. Trying to contain the joy

inside her that wanted to jump out, she stopped. Maybe that's not want Jack wants. He

has always been the man with the element of surprise, she thought to herself.

Slowly standing up, she walked back to others, continuing the sobbing she

had started. Elizabeth went to comfort her while Will quickly picked up his sword and

went to help Charles. Charlotte walked over and stood next to her Mother who was

currently embracing Annemaria. Whispering to herself, Charlotte said, "I told you so!"

(Thus the origin of snotty teenagers!! Lol!).

Will came from behind Barbossa and lunged at him, swiftly slicing his

back. Barbossa turned and met Will's sword, leaving Charles alone. He quickly ran to

Catherine who still remained tied up and cut her ropes. quietly thanking him, she backed

away from the fighting and crept towards Jack, who was far from the others. She stared at

his face and brushed away a stray lock of hair from his face. Looking at him one last

time, she crept into the corners of the cave, waiting for an absolution that would never

come.

Meanwhile.Will struggled with Barbossa whose footing was quite

advanced for him. Swiftly moving his sword in time with his feet, Will advanced, setting

Barbossa in an awkward position. However, Barbossa was too quick. Taking advantage

of Will's forwardness, Barbossa struck low, catching Will off guard, then struck a blow

at his arm, sending Will into a reeling pain. Slowly dropping the sword, Will grabbed his

arm in pain.

Pressing forward, Barbossa inched closer and closer until Will was up

against a wall. "Well, how the tables have turned, Mr.Turner!" Will looked for a way out,

frantically searching for a weapon. Looking behind Barbossa his search stopped. Looking

in confusion at Will, Barbossa went to turn but instead was stuck in the back by Charles,

who crept up behind the man, thrusting his sword into him.

Barbossa slowly turned to face Charles. "Young boy.do you think it wise to encounter me? A pirate of immortal means?" Charles, realizing what a mistake he

made, slowly walked back, laughing uneasily. "Ummmmm..sorry about that. I'll just

be--!" "You won't be going anywhere!" Barbossa finished, as Charles backed up against

the cold cave wall.

Pulling out his pistol, Barbossa lifted the weapon and aimed it at the boy's

heart. Gulping in terror, Charles closed his eyes, waiting for the blow. As he cocked the

pistol, Charlotte cried out "Don't!" While they had been comforting Annemaria, none of

them realized the danger Charles was in. Barbossa smiled at Charles and placed his finger

on the trigger. "I wouldn't be doing that Barbossa!" came a voice from within the cave.

Quickly turning around, Barbossa was face-to-face with Jack. Elizabeth and the others

gasped, while Annemaria smiled to herself.

"It can't be true!" Barbossa said in disbelief, watching Jack pull his pistol

out, aiming it at the man himself. "Mate, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!" Jack said as he

cocked his pistol. "Savvy?" he concluded aiming it at Barbossa's face. "Yes, Jack.

However, there be one minor detail you'll be missin'. You see, you are engaged in a

battle with an immortal man, which mean I can't die!" Smiling and flashing his gold teeth

at the same time, Jack said, "I know, mate! That's what brings the challenge!" Quickly

throwing his pistol down, Jack withdrew his sword and met Barbossa's, thus beginning a

fight among the cave. Jack's new plan was to stall for as long as possible until Catherine

and the others were able to get out. Though he didn't know how Charles and Annemaria

arrived, he'd wait for them just the same. Carefully placing his steps, he blocked

Barbossa each time, clanging the sword with a forceful strike each time.

* * *

Bill and Elizabeth rushed to Will's side who was currently groaning in

pain. "Will, what's wrong?" Elizabeth asked, kneeling next to him. "I'm fine really. How

is it that Jack always gets by though?" Bill laughed as he said, "Well, Jack be a funny

one. I knew all along that something was up with him. He can never die that man!"

Helping Will up, they crept deeper into the shadows. "Let's get Catherine out of here

before he can finish the plan," Will said.

"Where is she?" questioned Elizabeth, searching the cave. Bill looked to

but she was nowhere in sight. The three ran back to Annemaria and Charlotte, dodging

Jack once or twice. "Where's Catherine?" Bill asked Charlotte who simply shrugged. He

turned to Annemaria who shook her head. Searching the cave again, Bill saw nothing.

His search was interrupted by Annemaria who gave a loud gasp.

Jack lay up against the stone chest, with Barbossa's sword aimed at his

throat. "What'll it be now, Jack?" Jack simply looked at Barbossa, struggling to get away

from his reach. Barbossa laughed loudly as he started again. "I'll not the same mistake

last time and I'll make sure that I finish you right, with a swift thrust to the heart."

Jack winced as Barbossa said this and slowly whispered, "I had hoped we were past this,

Barbossa. The constant battle between us. It's a pity we couldn't overcome this!"

Barbossa placed the sword closer to Jack's throat as he slowly said, "I'm

'fraid not! However, there is something I must tell you before you die.I'll be sure to

finish your little lass over there, nice and slow. Perhaps, though, I'll wait till I'm rid of

this curse, that way I can use her a little first!" Barbossa said, chuckling. Annemaria

looked to Jack and searched his eyes, desperately thinking of what to do. "Goodbye

Jack!" Barbossa said, his eyes twinkling.

"Wait!" said a voice from the corner. Rolling his eyes, Barbossa turned

form Jack and looked to Catherine who crept from the corner. "What is it, missy?"

Catherine paused, as if reconsidering what she said. Looking to Jack for reassurance, she

looked back at Barbossa. "Hurry it up, then?" Barbossa said, becoming irritable. "You

can't die, but I can!" she said, her voice breaking as she took the pistol she found and

raised it to her throat. Swallowing hard she looked at Barbossa who's face changed.

"No!" Bill yelled out, watching his daughter raise the pistol. "Catherine don't do it. I'm

not worth anything!" Jack said, desperately trying to strop the girl from what she was

about to do.

Looking to Jack, Catherine cocked the gun, which emitted a cry from

Will. Swallowing again, she managed a weak smile while her eyes welled up with tears.

Her voice breaking, she softly said to Jack, "You are worth it, Captain Jack Sparrow!" As

she closed her eye with Jack's image frozen in her mind, she slowly pulled the trigger

while her body fell to the floor. The pistol thudded to the ground, and so did Elizabeth

who fainted with shock. Will yelled out while Charlotte screamed, who presently gripped

Annemaria's arm, who could only stare in shock.

Jack couldn't think as Catherine's hand rolled to the side, her palm face-

up, her small fingers curled together. Barbossa watched as his last chance of life faded

away to nothingness. Bill, still overcome by the shock, soon became overwhelmed with

anger. Pulling his sword out, he neared Barbossa, who was still muttering to himself.

"No, no. This can't be happening. I need that girl's blood!" Barbossa yelled, cursing

loudly. Angry, he turned to Bill who stood before, his sword drawn.

Barbossa reached for his, but he was too late. Bill's sword tip now lay near

his throat, prepared to end this man's life. "You killed my daughter!" Bill said, clenching

his teeth. Barbossa only laughed. "She killed herself, Bill! Admit it! She was a lonely

woman with nothing to live for, so she ended her life. Thanks to her, my plan is ruined.

But there be others ways to rectify this mishap!" Barbossa said, stretching out the latter

while he glanced at Charlotte who still stood in shock near her Mother.

Bill stepped forward, placing Barbossa under more tension. "You think

you can kill me, eh Bill?" Bill swallowed hard as the cave fell silent, both waiting for

blow. In a sudden second, Barbossa's hand swiftly reached for the pistol while Bill

lunged is sword. Barbossa aimed the pistol at Bill but stopped. Slowly, he looked down at

himself to were the soft trail of blood began to flow from the wound in his gut. Looking

back up to Bill who stood with the sword still in hand, Barbossa moved his mouth to

speak, but was unable to do so.

Bill pulled sword from Barbossa and stepped back as Barbossa collapsed

in a heap on the cave floor. Bill stood their for what seemed like a eternity, watching

Barbossa's sharp intakes of breath die to nothing as he finally released the pistol he held

in hand. Along with the clatter of the pistol, Bill's sword fell as he leaned against the

chest, sobbing to himself. Jack had slumped to the floor, his head in hands, while the

others still stood in shock, staring at the two bodies that lay on the floor.