Pirates of the Caribbean – The Secret of Hell Water

(A/N- Arr!! Another chapter do be up— so read it or walk the plank! And review your weasely black guts out! ^^;;)

Chapter 6- To Pillage and Plunder

There was a crowd on the starboard side of the boat.  People shuffled out of the way to make a clear space for Jack Sparrow to move to the railing.  Mr. Gibbs was peering out at the distant horizon with a telescope.

" Do we know what vessel it is yet?" Jack asked, holding his hand out for the telescope, which Mr. Gibbs gave over with a shrug.

" To far to tell yet, Captain… but one thing be for sure, it ain't no pirate vessel."

Jack looked through the telescope, and found the ship in question sailing downwind from them at, he guessed, about 15 miles due east.  True enough to Gibbs' proclamation; the ship was lacking the defining skull and cross bones flag that declared it a pirate vessel.  He squinted, and made out a flash of red and blue in the sails.

" It's from Britain." Jack said, "It's probably on its way home."  He turned his back to the horizon and gave the crew a roguish smile, resting the telescope over his shoulder. "What do you say mates?"

Smiles alighted the faces of several of the pirates at this fortunate news.  The ship was probably laden with goods from the Caribbean islands, and making its way home for distribution.

" Pieces of Eight!" Squawked the parrot perched on Cottons shoulder. " Wind in the sails!" Several of the pirates shouted encouragements to this remark.

" Arr! That ship is right for the picking!" Yelled Ladbroc.

" Cotton's Parrot is right!  t'would be a shame to let all that fine booty go to the Brits!" asserted Quartetto.

There was another round of agreement from the pirates.

Captain Jack Sparrow regarded all the faces around him. By this time, Emma had joined the throng; she had anticipation written all over her face.  Elizabeth stood next to Will, her mouth turned down in displeasure.  Jack took a deep breath.

" On deck ye raucous pack of seadogs!  Full sails! Rack out the oars! Ready yer cutlasses!  Moises, get the grappling hooks out of the hold!  We'll board her and take her for everything she's worth!"

An enormous cheer went up from the assembly with the sole accept ion of Elizabeth. She gave Will a dark look, and the cheer on his lips died instantly.  The crowd dispersed, eager to fulfill the Captains orders, leaving Elizabeth, Will, and Emma as the only stationary people on deck. Elizabeth glared at Jack, Will hung by her side, not sure what to do, but knowing danger when he saw it. And Emma, because she wasn't sure what she was supposed to do, and she was still too flustered over the unexpected kiss to think of much else.

Jack regarded the dark look on Elizabeth's face with little concern.

" Jack Sparrow!" Elizabeth marched up to him and tossed her head of beaded braids in defiance. "Do you sincerely intend to prey upon that trading ship?"

" Aye." Jack said, completely unabashed. 

Elizabeth stepped closer to him, staring into his coal-rimmed eyes with as much determination in her countenance she could muster.  " A treasure greater than any you could ever imagine is sitting in Hell Water as we speak," She gesticulated angrily.  "And you're risking your life and those of your crew for a measly ship filled with who knows what? Don't you think that's getting off track from our goal?"

" Off track?" Jack repeated, he thought over this for a moment, and then shot her a roguish grin, displaying all the varieties of metal decorating his teeth. " We're pirates, love!  It's in our blood!  When you see a dress you like, don't you want to buy it?"

Elizabeth blinked, taken aback at the change in subject, and after a moment answered, "Yes?"

"Well, the same rules apply! When we see a ship we like, we want to pillage it!"

"That's completely different! I'm not hurting anyone when I want to buy a dress!" Elizabeth said angrily.  " Can't you just leave it alone?"

 Jack's smile faded off his face and was replaced with a contemplative frown. "Leave it alone?" He turned and looked off towards the speck in the distance that was by now a tiny bit bigger. Then turned back on his heel to look at her, swaying dangerously as he did so. " But… it would be so much fun. I would hate to let this opportunity pass us by." He said with sincerity. "I'm sorry, love, but I'll have to refuse your request. Besides… I've already given the orders. What kind of a Captain would I be if I didn't stick to what I said?" He shrugged as if to say, "That's how it is!" And dismissing the argument from his mind, started to make his way towards the helm.  Elizabeth cut him off instantly.

" If you do this, I'll take no part in it!" She replied vehemently.  Will glanced from one face to the other, not sure if he should get involved. Emma, in an effort to look like she was not eavesdropping, had managed to find great interest in tying and retying all the knots in the ropes attached to the grappling hooks, which sat in a neat arrangement on the starboard side of the ship.

Captain Jack Sparrow shot an obvious look of annoyance at Elizabeth. Then rolled his eyes and gestured to Mr. Gibbs, who came to stand before them in a sprightly manner.

" Aye, Captain?"

" Take Mrs. Turner and lock her in the brig until we're through with our little 'side trip.'"

" What?!" Cried both Elizabeth and Will simultaneously.  Emma's head jerked up, all her attention on Jack in that instant.

Jack turned on his heel to regard them both.  " You both agreed when you came aboard that you would follow my orders. Aye?"

Elizabeth and Will glanced at each other, then looked back at Jack, who waited patiently with hands held up to his chin, palms pressed together. 

" Yes…" They both agreed half-heartedly.

"Then…" continued Jack, directing his intense gaze to Will.  " If you remember correctly… when we first set sail all those years ago, I said that there are only two rules in this cruel, heartless world that matter... What a man 'can do' and what he 'can't.' And so—" Jack gestured to Elizabeth.  " I can let her ignore my command and do as she wishes…" He nodded to Elizabeth curtly, who gave a snort and turned her head away. Jack shrugged and returned his penetrating gaze to Will. " But I can't risk loosing the respect of my crew, who would see such an act as a weakness of my upstanding immoral character and thus, risk mutiny and the fate of my ship… again. Savvy?"

No one spoke, and after a moment, Jack glanced at Mr. Gibbs, who nodded solemnly and took a step towards Elizabeth.  Will quickly drew his sword and stood in front of her.

"You will not lock Elizabeth in the brig!" He said with a ring of challenge in his voice.

Jack rolled his eyes and gave a vague but angry gesture with both hands.  " Fine! Where would you have me lock her up then?"

Will blinked back startled. " Where?"

" Yes, if not in the brig, then where?"

" It's okay, Will." Elizabeth put a hand on his shoulder, and Will reluctantly lowered his sword.

" Don't worry, darling." Jack said with a flourish.  " We wouldn't dream of leaving you all alone while we have all the fun, Emma can keep you company."

" Me?!" Emma said loudly and everyone turned to look at her startled.  She took a step back, flustered and embarrassed at her outburst.  She'd given away the fact that she'd been eavesdropping the entire time.  " But…uh…" She bit her lip, then took a deep breath and looked at Jack angrily. "I want to help you pillage that ship!"

" Arr… You may be a strong young woman, Miss Emma…" Mr. Gibbs interjected.  "But yer no pirate! Ye don't know what's on that ship; it could be dangerous for ye. And what's more… if ye do find yourself in a pinch, you could put the lives of the mates in danger."

" I…!" She tried to argue, shifting her gaze to Jack's face. " …But!!" She trailed off, grinding her teeth in frustration. Mr. Gibbs had a point, as much as she hated to admit it.

Jack Sparrow regarded her with an amused expression. " Yes, and you see… you're also a guest aboard my ship, love. I have a responsibility to see you safe to Hell Water and back. I can't be allowing you to take such risks, it's against the Pirate Code."

"It is?" Gibbs looked at Jack confused. Jack shot him a look of warning, and Gibbs quickly recovered, coughing slightly. "It is! Yes—of course! I'd almost forgotten…"

Emma pursed her lips, thinking, "Now he's rubbing in the guest thing again… that bloody rascal!" She straightened her posture, "Fine…let them think they're so smart." Then she spoke aloud. "Okay, do what you wish, I only have one request."

" What is that, love?" replied Jack

" If you insist on treating me as a guest," she said the word acidly.  " The least you could do is lock us somewhere comfortable, like your cabin."

Jack glanced at Gibbs, who shrugged and said, "It's yer call, Captain."

Jack looked back at Emma, and then glanced at Elizabeth, who was staring dagger eyes at him. Then opened his mouth to give his reply when a voice from above interrupted him.

"Captain!"

Jack looked up to see Cursar, who was perched on the Main Top.

" Captain! We're coming up on her, starboard side!" he called down excited.

Jack glanced over his shoulder to confirm, and a smile broadened his face.  He shouted orders to the crew.  " Rack in the oars! Stand by to board!" He shouted.

There was an audible confirmation from the crew.  Jack glanced back at the two unsettling female countenances, both looking at him with loathing.  He gave an audible sigh, tapping the telescope against his shoulder impatiently. "Mr. Gibbs? Please see the ladies to my cabin and make sure they're secure."

" Aye, Captain."

Jack watched as Mr. Gibbs led Elizabeth and Emma away. Then turned to Will.

"Will…"

 Will snapped his gaze away from Elizabeth and regarded Jack. There was a worried frown decorating his handsome features. 

Jack tossed back his head and stared at him down the bridge of his nose. The wind blew in a sudden gust, setting his wild hair in motion about his face.  The loose ends of his red bandana fluttered frantically behind him, and the sun glinted brightly off the medallions in his hair, as well as his metallic teeth when he finally spoke.

" I've asked you before to trust me." He said.  "But it seems I've yet to reach through that thick skull of yours. If we're going to get through Hell Water alive, I'll need the cooperation of every hand on my ship.  It will do no good for any soul on board if there's any discord. I'm quite sure none of us will survive if that happens. And so I'll be asking you the same question I asked four years ago… can you sail under the command of a pirate, or can't you?"

Will returned Jacks gaze steadily, and nodded. " Aye."

" Good!" Jack's frown turned to a grin.  "Then, if you pull your sword on me again in such a manner, I'll see ye walk the plank. Savvy?"

" Aye, Captain." Will said without hesitation, his hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. " And if you threaten Elizabeth again, I'll kill you…Savvy?"

"Aye, mate." Jack held out his hand, which Will took and they shook their silent bargain. 

"Well, with that business all taken care of…" Jack turned away, trailing off as he spoke partially to himself, and partially to Will.  He walked with a dancing, swaggering stride up the steps to the Helm, swinging his arms about carelessly as he did so.   He took the wheel from Anamaria with a roguish grin.  She rolled her eyes and stalked away to find her cutlass in preparation for the boarding. 

Will watched Jack saunter up to the Helm.  He didn't regret what he'd done, it was a natural reflex to protect Elizabeth when any sort of threat loomed.  But now, he did see Jack's point. They were crew on his ship, and he was Captain. Will and Elizabeth had agreed to sail under his command with full knowledge of Jack's disreputable character.  They knew his colorful list of crimes, but the strange thing was, Will trusted Jack, probably more than any other man he knew.  Jack was smart.  Will didn't know if all the swaying and staggering about was really part of his character or a ruse that he used to throw off his enemies. But whatever it was, it made you weary of him.  He was unpredictable, dishonest, a scoundrel, a rogue and a pirate… but he was also a good man where it counted. Will found that he admired him more than he would care to admit.  By use of his wit and unusual grace, Jack had managed to quell the dangerous argument with little difficulty.  He brought Emma into it as a source for distraction from the challenge that Will had wrought. And in the end, Jack did not loose face in the eyes of his crew because the matter had been resolved to his own liking, with little in the way of consequence for those who had caused the discord.  The two women were only temporarily locked in his cabin until the pillaging was complete, and Will had been saved from a one-way ticket to a deserted island in the middle of the Caribbean.   Yes… Captain Jack Sparrow was a brilliant man.

 His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a loud call from above.  " READY THE HOOKS!" Someone shouted.  There were loud-voiced responses from the pirates that had taken up position on the starboard side of the ship. 

The Black Pearl was almost upon its prey.

Will saw people running about the decks of the helpless little ship to and fro.  It seemed that they had given up hope of outdistancing the pirate vessel, for no ship in the Caribbean could match The Black Pearl for speed, as it was well known. So instead, they appeared to be trying to ready their canons in a last, desperate attempt at the defense of their cargo.

The suspense was building to a climax.  The pirates were poised in the rigging with boarding ropes entwined around one hand and a cutlass in the other. Those on deck held grappling hooks with ease, swinging them about their shoulders in dangerous arcs with daggers between their teeth. The air was ablaze with anticipation.  It sent Will's heart pounding in his chest.  He never thought in all his life that he would pillage a trading ship.  Especially while sailing under the flag of a pirate. But here he was.  And he had to admit, as much as it was frightening, it also sent a tremor of excitement through him that he couldn't quite describe.

" READY TO BOARD ME MATEYS!?" Captain Jack Sparrow's voice shouted above the roar of the waves and the blood pounding in Will's ears.

The pirate's voices rose in thunderous confirmation. Will was among them. "AYE CAPTAIN!"

Jack shouted again. "TAKE WHAT YOU CAN!" And he threw the helm hard to the left, The Black Pearl pulled alongside the small, helpless ship

" GIVE NOTHING BACK!" They roared with elation as they descended on their prey like vultures to the kill.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

Emma and Elizabeth sat with ears pressed against the door of Jack Sparrow's Cabin, listening intently as the Pirates yelled their challenge to the ship.

" I can't believe that Jack Sparrow!" Elizabeth said angrily.  "That ship has nothing to do with Hell Water or the treasure."

Emma looked at Elizabeth, not wanting to excite her anger, but also feeling slightly defensive of Jack's stance.

" You can't say that you couldn't see this coming… Jack is a pirate after all." She said, trying to sound innocent and conversational.  "If you know his character as well as you claim, why did you come on this voyage?"

Elizabeth shot a look at Emma. For a moment, Emma thought she would say something nasty in return. But Elizabeth caught her breath, let out a long sigh and shook her head.

" Honestly… he can pillage to his black hearts content for all I care… it's just that…" She trailed off, biting her lower lip, then glanced at Emma and finally said.  "I have a bad feeling."

"A… what?"

" A bad feeling! Okay?" Elizabeth said heatedly, and then looked at Emma with determination.  "Something bad will happen… Or is going to happen. I'm afraid that they shouldn't be pillaging that ship."

Emma paled. "How do you know?"

She pursed her lips, regarding Emma carefully, and then said.  " I don't know, things don't feel right.  You—"

Emma stiffened.

" You… there's something different about you—just who are you?"

Emma swallowed hard. She had intended for Jack to be the first one who knew the truth… but maybe if she told Elizabeth, then Elizabeth would be able to bring better incite into how the crew might react.  Or, would she even believe her?

" Well… you see—I---"

Suddenly, a giant BOOM was heard and both girls lost their balance, falling on the floor hard as the ship rocked perilously back and forth.

" Oh no!" Elizabeth cried.

Emma scrambled to her feet and peered out a tiny porthole on the starboard side, standing on her toes. She craned her head and gasped

"There are English soldiers on that boat!!"

"What!?" Elizabeth lunged for the window next to Emma's and peered out. "They weren't there when we were approaching! There was no sign of them!"

" Jack's crew is totally outnumbered!"

Shouts and sounds of metal clashing against metal could be heard, and the occasional gun shot. Elizabeth jumped back from the window with an exclamation of dismay.  "Oh God! It's him!"

"Who?"

Elizabeth's face had drained of color; she looked at Emma with horror-filled eyes.  " Commodore Norrington…"

Emma stared at her as Elizabeth ran to door and rammed into it with all her might.  It didn't budge.

"Who's that? Elizabeth! Tell me!"

Elizabeth banged her fists against the hard wood, pulling and pushing at the latch on the door, while saying in a hurried manner…"Ever since Jack Sparrow gave him the slip twice, all those years ago, he's been absolutely obsessed with capturing him!  He would go to every length to get his hands on that pirate." She grabbed a chair and threw it against the door, the chair broke apart, but the door still didn't budge. Elizabeth stamped her foot in frustration.  " Damn that bloody pirate Jack Sparrow! He had to lock us up… Norrington must have used the trade ship for bait in the hopes of luring him. I bet the people on deck trying to get their canons ready so last minute was all just a big ruse too.  He new The Black Pearl would catch up… Oh God! What if he captures Will?  He might hang him this time! Emma! Help me, maybe if we both run at the door then we might be able to--"

Elizabeth looked behind her and trailed off as she noticed Emma wasn't where she'd last seen her.  For a moment, she appeared to have vanished, but upon a slower scan of the room, Elizabeth saw her perched on the far windowsill. The window had been unlatched and now was wide open. The girls' shoes and stockings were in a scattered pile on the ground beside her.

A gust of wind sent Emma's skirts whipping about her in a frenzy.  She had a dirk in one hand that she'd snatched from the top of Jack Sparrow's desk and slid it securely into a garter on her left thigh.  Her long honey colored hair danced about her face wildly as she made ready to jump.

" Emma!" Elizabeth lunged forward with one arm outstretched.  "What are you doing?"

Emma didn't hear her. All the thoughts in her head were focused on one thing.  Jack and his crew were in trouble.  Without hesitation, she dove out of the window, angling her body downwards with toes expertly pointed and palms pressed together over her head.  She landed in the water with barely a splash.

Elizabeth reached the window just a heartbeat later.  She watched desperately for some sign of the woman to surface, but none came.  Then another canon boomed and rocked the ship, almost sending her through the window after Emma.  Elizabeth managed to regain her balance. Then she shook her head in frustration.  "Emma must know what she's doing." she told herself.  " I have to trust that she'll be able to take care of herself."  As far as she knew all the pirates had boarded the trade ship, so there was no one on The Black Pearl to return the canon-fire except her.  Desperately hoping that Will was okay, she leaned out of the open window and caught hold of some of the scaffolding decorating the stern of the vessel.  With a grunt, she hoisted herself up and out of the Captain's Quarters, and began a perilous ascent towards the gallery above.