Author's Notes: I'm back! And just a warning on this chapter...because I don't know the exact years in which this story takes place, I may be changing history a bit. I think I heard the film-makers say it takes place in the 1800s...but, since this is an AU, I guess it wouldn't hurt if I made it a bit earlier...but it won't affect anything, I just wanted to get a small scene (involving chocolate) in that had to fit with the dates...you probably won't even notice it...
Part 6: By Blood Undone
Jack groaned and leaned back against the edge of the ship as he finally managed to stuff down yet another bowl of soup while under the watchful eye of Elizabeth. After the fourth bowl his stomach had no trouble telling him that it didn't want anymore, but the girl just kept on carving information into more bowls, each different than the last. She never even gave him more than one sentence at a time! When he had hinted at this using the disguised words they used to fool the soldiers into thinking it was just simple conversation, Elizabeth had just taken his bowl, and brought yet another one out with the answer that "It is a necessary precaution." Backwards, as always. He sorely wanted to ask why she couldn't just carve the words into it forwards to make it easier on him, but he was afraid that she would just decide to answer it with another bowl of soup. That, and he guessed that her answer to that would probably also be that "It is a necessary precaution."
Jack rubbed his poor stomach, wondering how much more he could take. This bowl better have been the girl's last message or all of her cooking was going to come out over the deck and ruin the shoes of about every one of the men guarding him. Even they were giving him awkward looks now and then, surprised that he could consume so much.
The girl's plan could use some work too, as far as he was concerned. She planned to feign sickness, but how the devil she was going to convince everyone on the ship that she was that ill when she was standing there with naught but a slight cough was beyond Jack. Unfortunately for them, even though the Dauntless couldn't match the speed of the Pearl or Interceptor, it could hold it's own in a race against any other ships, and was fast closing in on the leagues towards Tortuga. They would pass it well before the sun would even begin to sink towards the horizon. The girl had better start gaining fever damn quick.
Elizabeth caught his gaze, and raised her left hand to her collarbone, resting one finger on it. He gave a sigh and stared at the swirling liquid in the bowl he held between his hands.
One more, Jack, he told himself, just one more to go after this. Joshamee Gibbs, I could really use that appetite of yours right now, mate.
Fighting back a grimace, he plunged the spoon into the soup and choked down the last few swallows. His stomach felt like it was about to burst, but he forced himself to ignore it as he deciphered the words in the bowl before him.
Agutrot ni seil epoh ylno ym – bloody hell that girl is going to give me one wallop of a headache – erodommoc eht ecnivnoc ot gniog er'ouy....which means...You're going to...con...con...convince, that's it...convince the Commodore...my only hope...lies in Tortuga. He looked up at Elizabeth again. And then I suppose you'll be wanting me to turn coal into gold, build us a ship made of water, and then we'll fly away into the sun to have hot steamy sex, eh? This should be interesting.
Thankfully, Elizabeth didn't bother to wait for him to signal her before she walked over and took the bowl from his hands. "Another one?" she asked, giving a barely distinguishable smile.
"If you please," Jack replied, though on the inside he wanted nothing more than to dump the next bowl over her head. As she walked away he idly wondered if he'd ever felt that way towards a woman before. Well, there was that one whore in that brothel in England... He grimaced. Best not think about that now.
Not more than a few minutes later Elizabeth returned with another bowl of heated food and put it in his reluctantly waiting hands. She then went back to her usual spot where she stood watching him. Jack gazed at her hopelessly. He couldn't take another bite, he just knew it. Turn around. he silently willed her. Turn around, please, turn around. Luck must have been on his side, because after a moment a light entered her eyes as if she had just remembered something, and then she hurried away.
Yes!! Gazing at the soldiers around him to make sure no one was looking, Jack swung the bowl over his shoulder and dumped the contents overboard. Bringing the now empty bowl back into his lap with a grin, Jack proceeded to read the last message. And then...we im...provise. Rolling his eyes, Jack leaned back again and reread the message to make sure he had read it correctly. 'And then we improvise?' Sailing into the sun to have hot steamy sex suddenly seems more plausible...it's certainly more appealing. But then, I've gotten myself out of worse scrapes. He didn't bother to tell himself that during those times he wasn't making his escape in the company of a young and demanding woman – or anyone, for that matter. So is that it? Is she going to go and get herself sick now?
Elizabeth was shortly once again in his sight, and her eyebrows shot up in surprise when she saw the empty bowl. Her eyes were suspicious when they met his, and Jack summoned up his most innocent face as she approached.
"Finished already?" she asked, her voice holding an undertone that matched her eyes.
"It was such good soup," Jack said, "are you sure I can't have another bowl?"
A small smirk lit her features. "Well if you want it, I could–"
"No!" Jack said abruptly, and the smirk on her face grew. The woman looks absolutely evil like that, Jack decided. "No, I couldn't possibly have you make anymore. There'll be no rations left for the rest of the men if you do."
"I suppose." she said, thankfully taking the bowl from him. "Good day, Mr. Sparrow."
"Good day, Miss Swann."
He watched her back as she left, closing his eyes briefly as another stab of intense discomfort hit his overstuffed stomach. And good riddance. I may never eat soup again. Hmm...so now I wait.He shook his head. This will be a tale for the books, for sure.
*********
Dark and wary eyes were ever watching, which made Captain Barbossa unable to resist the temptation to continue smiling at his to-be lover. He could tell that this expression on him chilled the boy, for whenever he did it Bootstrap's son could never make eye contact for long. For all his defiance and hate, the boy was not as brave as he made himself out to be. Barbossa wondered how much it would take before he had the lad begging.
The captain of the Black Pearl had decided that as a small apology to the boy for letting the crew get away with playing with him a bit, he would allow Will to eat on his own. Of course, he'd had the boy bound to the chair by his legs and chest, but it was more of the fact it reminded the lad of his position on this ship than for safety purposes, which he knew the boy hated. The captive's hands remained free, giving him the privilege to use utensils to eat the food set before him on a plate. As was to be expected, Will was extremely hesitant while eating, obviously uncomfortable in Barbossa's presence.
Reaching over to a tall pitcher that had steam billowing from it, Barbossa moved it over and began pouring the liquid within into a silver goblet, much like he'd done with the wine when the lass had been onboard. But it wasn't wine he'd be giving the boy to drink.
Leaned over slightly with a fork in his right hand, Will's forehead creased when the boy saw the dark brown colored liquid being poured into the cup. Raising his eyebrows, Barbossa set the pitcher aside and took the goblet in his hand, setting it where the lad could easily reach it.
"Drink up, boy. T'won't kill you."
Will's eyes moved from between Barbossa and the goblet for a moment, but he eventually reached out and grasped the cup, bringing it close so he could examine the contents. Barbossa enjoyed the prisoner's look of curiosity, confusion, and apprehension at the sight of the liquid. But undoubtedly the sweet scent of the drink had reached him by now. It was a fragrance that, besides the smell of the sea and apples, Barbossa badly missed.
"Go ahead." Barbossa urged. "Taste it. I guarantee ye won't be displeased."
Both of Will's hands lifted the cup, and Barbossa felt a thrill to see again the red marks adorning his wrists where the rope had sliced into the fair skin. The pirate captain's eyes were riveted to the boy's face then as he prepared to take a drink, and Barbossa found himself a bit disappointed that he could not see the boy's lips as they sipped the liquid. Will's eyes widened ever so slightly, signaling that the taste had reached his tongue. After taking a mouthful, the boy set the cup down again, looking up at Barbossa and licking his lips.
"Like it, do you?" the pirate captain said, nodding to the cup.
"What is it?" Will asked, his voice barely louder than a whisper but carrying perfectly through the silence of the cabin.
Barbossa smiled. "The Aztecs called it 'chocolatl,' and it was the favored drink of the Emperor Montezuma. Was yet another treasure Cortez discovered. He took it with him back to Spain, and added some ingredients to make it sweeter. Very expensive, it is, but worth the money."
The boy said nothing in response, lowering his eyes back to his food. Barbossa should have expected as much. He was surprised that Will had even spoken a question to him, as the boy always seemed to find himself stronger when silent. The boy seemed to have no compunctions about shouting his head off when angry, however, and Barbossa found himself getting annoyed even at the memory of the lad's yelling. He expelled his irritation with a loud sigh, pleased when Will's eyes shot up at the noise. The pirate captain nodded, indicating for the boy to continue eating, although it seemed that the lad was not far from finished for this meal.
There was a loud knock at the door then, and the boy placed his recently grasped fork down and sat back in his seat, tensed. Barbossa exhaled in a huff at Will's reaction, shaking his head in amusement.
"Come in!" the captain called.
The door was pushed open and the large bulk of Bo'sun stepped in. Barbossa's eyes moved to Will to watch him grasp the arms of the chair in a white knuckled grip. Bo'sun sneered at the boy, but made no contact with him as he walked past the chair in which the prisoner was seated.
"The winds have changed, Captain." Bo'sun's deep voice rumbled. "They are with us again."
Barbossa's spirits lifted with this news. "Good, good. I'll be wantin' to be rid of this damned curse as soon as possible. It will be quite sweet to indulge in mortal pleasures once again."
Bo'sun laughed at the captain's words, his eyes moving over to where the prisoner sat. Barbossa watched as his first mate met the boy's eyes head on, and not a second later Will averted his gaze to the plate before him. The pirate captain laughed at this scene while Bo'sun sneered at the lad's weakness.
"There's somethin' else, Captain." Bo'sun growled tilting his head towards the captive. "There's talk among the crew about the boy. Many have said they cannot wait until we reach Ile de la Tortue for their piece of flesh."
Barbossa chuckled, picking up a knife and studying it in the candle light of the cabin. "Aye, I was expectin' it after that little display you put on earlier, Bo'sun." He nodded at his first mate. "It appears ye don't have much restraint yerself."
Bo'sun only bared his teeth. Setting down the knife with a cling, Barbossa stood from his seat and walked over to his new consort. Distrustful chocolate eyes watched his approach, and when he reached out he was not surprised when the boy pulled back. This time Barbossa did not press, instead turning around to face Bo'sun again, smirking.
"I'll think about it." He reached over and picked up the knife again, handing it to his first mate. "Ready the boy."
He then turned and left the cabin without another word.
**********
"Ah! Oh God, that's hot!" hissed Elizabeth as she poured hot wax from a recently blown out candle onto her forehead. Inhaling sharply, she waited impatiently for the heated substance to cool, and luckily it wasn't too long before it did.
She hurried over to grab a small mirror, holding it up to see that the white wax had hardened on her face. Reaching up, she peeled the material from her skin, looking in the mirror to make sure she got every last bit of the stuff. Opening the back window and disposing of the evidence, she reached up to feel her forehead, pleased when she found it hot to the touch. She rubbed hard at her eyes to make them appear red and watery, then spit on her hands, rubbed them together and held them out the window to let the wind blow against them, making them cold and clammy.
"That should do it." she said as she drew her hands back in. "Norrington's going to love this."
With determination in her eyes, she put on her best sick face – which was not entirely all too hard since she'd gained plenty of experience with this as a child – and then stepped out of the Governor's cabin.
**********
The Dauntless was making good time, and Norrington did not doubt that they would be reaching Port Royal nearly half a day sooner than expected. Everyone, especially Elizabeth, would be back home and safe, and Sparrow would no longer be a threat to innocent people. Not to mention the wedding that was to be planned. A broad smile lit Commodore Norrington's face. He must have been the happiest man alive at the moment. It was unfortunate that Will would not be making the trip back with them, for under his law-abiding demeanor Norrington was actually extremely thankful that the boy had decided to interfere. If he had not, there was no guarantee that Elizabeth would have survived long enough for them to rescue her.
Speaking of Elizabeth, where was she? He had seen her only in passing since morning, and it seemed as if she had been avoiding him. Norrington would not blame her if this was the case – she had a right to be angry with him, after all. He knew that she would recover from it eventually, and then they would happily spend the rest of their lives together.
"Commodore!"
Turning at the sound of the voice, Norrington's gaze came to rest on Lieutenant Gillette. It was clear through the man's eyes that he was a bit restless. But Gillette was always a bit restless in Norrington's eyes. He possessed very little of the cool calm that the older man had prided himself on when he was that age. Despite this, Gillette was learning, and remained a great asset to Norrington and Port Royal.
"Gillette." Norrington acknowledged with a nod.
"Sir, I think you should come with me right away." The younger man's voice was thick with unease.
"What's wrong?" Norrington asked.
"It...It's Elizabeth, sir."
That got Norrington's attention. He turned fully to Gillette, his voice rising in concern. "Where is she? What's happened?"
"She looks like she's falling ill." Gillette explained, pointing his finger in the direction behind the older man.
Norrington didn't hesitate to turn around, and he looked just in time to see Elizabeth collapse upon the deck in a dead faint. His heart immediately began pounding in his chest as he cried out "Elizabeth!" and then hurried over to her side, pushing aside the men in his way. Governor Swann was already there, cradling her head in his lap. His face sported a look of intense worry and bewilderment. He looked up when he was aware of Norrington's presence.
"She seemed fine this morning," Weatherby insisted, moving to allow the other man room.
Norrington knelt down swiftly, taking in Elizabeth's pale and flushed face. Without a second thought he moved his hand to her forehead, and held back a cry of dismay when he felt the heat radiating from it.
"She's burning with fever!" he said as calmly as he could manage. The fact was, he was nowhere near calm any longer. His concern for Elizabeth was escalating to unbelievable heights; he had never felt a fever so severe before! He couldn't lose her...not now, just a day after she had accepted his proposal! "Let's get her back to the Governor's cabin." He looked up at the men around him, continuing in a commanding voice, "I want every man capable of medicine at her side."
"I beg your pardon, but if I might say something?"
Norrington's eyes blazed with fire as he whirled around to see Sparrow sitting on a box, one leg casually crossed over the other and both hands resting upon his knee. The rogue pirate's mouth held that seemingly ever-present self assured smile that made Norrington need to restrain the urge to clout him.
Sparrow didn't even wait for him to respond, just pushing himself in with words once more. "I've seen this type of sickness before, mate." he said, and Norrington noted that his voice was solemn despite his expression. "It's called Agutrot among the sailors out here. Strikes bloody fast and hard. I'm sorry to be sayin' this, Commodore, but she won't be making it all the way back to Port Royal without the proper medical attention."
Norrington's heart sank, and he said nothing for a long while. "How does one get...Agutrot, Sparrow?" he asked at length, glancing back at his fiancÉ and desperately wishing she would wake up and tell him that she was fine.
The pirate fingered the beads on his beard. "It comes from eating bad cabbage."
"Bad cabbage?" Norrington had never heard of such a thing before, and he turned to the Governor. "Did she eat anything today?"
Governor Swann looked thoughtful for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Yes, as a matter of fact, she asked if she could make some soup for herself this morning."
If Norrington had been looking, he would have seen the look of disgust that crossed Jack Sparrow's face at the mention of soup. But he was staring at Elizabeth, his features filled with grief. Please God, don't let her die on me. Placing his arms under her limp body, he gently lifted it.
Before he could head towards the Governor's cabin, Sparrow spoke up once more. "You want her to live, don't you, Commodore Norrington?" he asked. "You're goin' to have to get her on land and in a hospital as soon as possible. Otherwise, she's going to be pushin' up daisies faster than you can say 'I do.'"
Norrington closed his eyes, thoughts racing. The pirate was right, but Norrington would have much rather gotten her safely back in Port Royal. She may die before then. he reminded himself. I cannot chance that. I cannot lose her now.
"Gilette, summon the navigator." Norrington commanded. "Ask him where the nearest Port lies."
"Actually, Commodore," Sparrow interrupted with a raised hand and a large smile, "I know the answer to that."
**********
The wind was blowing gently through his hair, it's cold fingers caressing his cheeks where it managed to sift through the curled locks that adorned on his head. Will kept his head held high and forced his face to remain stoic as Barbossa circled behind him. Forced himself to not flinch or react with anything but silence as deceivingly gentle hands moved his hair aside. He felt the light chain of the medallion necklace brought about his neck, the medallion itself settling against his chest, a cold reminder of how he got into this mess in the first place.
He didn't know who to blame: his father for sending the piece to him in the first place, Elizabeth for having kept it hidden from him all these years, Jack for planning to use him for his own benefit, or himself for all of the foolish mistakes he had made along the way. But, standing on a ship miles from home, hands bound securely behind his back and surrounded by men who wanted nothing more than his suffering, he knew that none of those causes mattered. He was here, and there was nothing he could do. Yet, as soon as the curse was broken, the pirates around him would be flesh and blood once more. Mortal. When he got his chance, he would go for Barbossa first, and then see how long it would take before he went down himself. With any luck he would be able to end the life of the captain's foul first mate as well.
Will stared straight ahead, not meeting any of the pirate's eyes as one at his side wrapped a harsh hand around the crook of his arm. Another hand was placed between his shoulder blades, and then Barbossa was walking by him. The hand behind him gave a hard shove, pushing him forward to where the boats were being lowered. Before him loomed Isla de Muertes, the island appearing as menacing as ever with the seemingly omnipresent fog that swirled about. The wind suddenly began blowing violently against him, as if it, too, was trying to force him into the caves ahead.
Barbossa boarded the boat, and Will was forced in after him, then pulled down into one of the seats. The pirate holding him did not release his grip, and Will seethed as the pirates around chuckled and murmured their pleasure at the sight of him. A hand trailed up his left forearm, and with a growl Will swung his elbow back. He felt it crush against cloth, and then there was a splash as the pirate he had attacked tumbled out of the boat.
Barbossa, who had been standing at the head of the boat with the monkey on his shoulder, whirled around at the sound in time to see the felled crew member splash for a moment before he sank, the weight of the accessories he wore dragging him down. Will met Barbossa's eyes, and could tell that the pirate captain knew he was the cause of this. Strangely, the pirate holding his arm stepped in with an explanation before the captain could say anything.
"Scarus was teasin' him, Cap'n." the pirate wheezed.
The pirate captain looked at Will for a moment longer, then nodded. "Scarus can walk the rest of the way." he said, turning back to face the front of the boat.
A few of the pirates around him took up oars and began paddling, moving the boat along towards the giant cave that stood some distance away. Glancing behind him, Will could see several other boats already following, and others still being lowered. His heart began pounding in his chest as they moved into the darkness of Isla de Muertes. One of the pirates behind him held a torch, and its light panned out to reveal the trinkets submerged in the water. They flickered and shined like stars as he looked.
You know, for having such a bleak outlook on pirates you're well on your way to becoming one.
Will blinked, the memory of his first encounter with this place surfacing unbidden. He had been so sure that when he had rescued Elizabeth and gotten her back on the H.M.S. Interceptor that it would have been the last he would have seen of these pirates. And now he was back, except he was the one who was now in need of rescue. He knew it would not be coming.
Will may have had the blood of a pirate, but he still was adamant in the belief that he would never willingly live the life of one. Adrenaline rushed through his veins at the thought of attempting to kill Barbossa, and the likely outcome of such an action. He did not wish to die, but he did not wish to live out his entire life on a ship as a mere slave, either. And at the moment, death was looking to be the preferable fate. Jack would probably think him mad for that thought.
The boats came to the shore within the cave, and Will was dragged to his feet and pushed out of the boat. He stumbled over the edge of the craft and onto the shore. The short and pudgy pirate named Pintel was at his side then, throwing an arm around him like he was an old friend. Pirates flooded out of the boats around him, and Barbossa stood side by side with his first mate. The pirate captain reached into his pocket and pulled forth a green apple, grinning at Will as he did so. Will felt a surge of disgust and looked away, staring at the wall of the cave.
Barbossa's voice rang out with unconcealed joy. "Onward!"
The pirate at his side moved him forward, but was more gentle than Will's previous handlers. Another pirate carrying a torch placed his free hand on Will's shoulders to help herd him along and provide cautionary restraint should the blacksmith try anything.
"Hope we didn't hurt you too bad earlier." the pirate Pintel said conversationally. "The crew can get a bit carried away at times."
Will felt the hand at his back pat him a few times. He stared downwards, focusing on the ground on which he was walking. He had seen the area where the gold was littered up ahead, and more importantly, the place where the hill of treasure topped with a stone chest stood. But Will did not need to gaze up for a second look; he'd already been here before.
"It was all in good fun. All you should really have to worry about now is givin' the blood to break the curse." the pirate beside him continued on. "But...no reason to fret. Just a prick of the finger, a few drops of blood–"
Another, harsher hand was suddenly on his shoulder, putting enough pressure to bruise. "No mistakes this time. He bleeds until the curse is broken." Will turned his head to find Twigg's menacing face pressing close to his own. The hatred in the pirate's eyes was such that he could only meet them for a moment before he was forced to look away as Twigg continued. "Then we'll have ourselves a new cabin boy, and I have every intention of seeing this rat get what he deserves."
And then he was being pushed along once more. Behind him he could hear the voice of Pintel. "Guess there is reason to fret."
Will clenched his teeth and closed his eyes, hating the feel of helplessness now more than ever. The pirates began taking their places at the front of the mountain of gold while he was made to climb it. Barbossa was already standing at the top, watching him with a small smile as he drew the stone lid from the chest and dropped it aside. The crew of the Black Pearl began to chant then, their voices growing as Will was taken closer to the chest. Barbossa was waving his hands about, urging his men louder.
When Will was finally at the top and facing the crowd below, he found his eyes widening under the enormity of the situation. So many people calling for his blood, and yet he knew none of them. He had done nothing but exist to gain their hatred, which had seemed to grow every minute longer he was their captive. They wouldn't have cared if he was killed, and they were ecstatic that they would be able to torment him as long as he was their prisoner. The thought sent a wave of dread coursing through his being which settled uncomfortably in his gut.
Then a hand was at his neck and he was forced to bend over the chest. The many faces of the Aztec coins grinned up maliciously at him from where they lay, and he struggled for a moment to remove the hands holding him down. They held fast, and he watched with undisguised fear as Barbossa reached over and picked up the knife from amongst the coins. Blood already stained the edge of the strange blade. Elizabeth's blood. And soon his own would join it.
The pirate captain waved his arms around again, encouraging their continued corrupted litany. Then he held his hands up, his voice loud enough to be heard over the crew's cries.
"Begun by blood, by blood undone!"
The blacksmith's tunic and vest were stretched over his shoulders, baring his upper back and arms. Will thrashed again, but the hand on the back of his neck only tightened in warning. The blade flashed across his vision, and then he felt the cold edge against the skin of his right shoulder. It sliced in deep, and Will hissed in pain, jerking against the hands restraining him. The medallion around his neck was pulled off and pressed against his wound, which had begun to gush forth warm blood.
Barbossa withdrew the medallion, swinging it in front of his eyes so he and the pirates below could get a good look at the way the gold was completely bathed in his own blood. Silence suddenly reigned as the anticipation in the room became nearly palpable. Then, slowly, Barbossa released his hold on the chain and the medallion dropped to join its brothers once again. Will stared as the coin bounced once before settling, spreading droplets of red to the gold around it. Out of the corner of his eye he could see more red blossoming among the gold, and when he turned fully he realized that it was dripping down from his shoulder.
"And now the test." Barbossa said, reaching into his pocket and once more retrieving the apple he had brought.
Will was drawn upright again, and he felt slightly weak as the blood continued to flow down his arm, sticking the sleeve of his shirt to his skin. He forced back the moans at the agony of his shoulder. If someone did not bind the wound soon, he could very well bleed to death.
Through hazy vision he watched as Barbossa lifted the fruit to his mouth, the eyes of his crew below still locked onto their captain. Barbossa opened his mouth and bit into the apple, then let out a moan of ecstacy, followed by a chuckle after he swallowed.
"It is done!" he cried, and a round of cheers went off among the crew.
The pirates beside Will released him to cry out their own joy, and the blacksmith suddenly felt his legs could not support his body anymore. The reality of what was happening coupled with the blood loss and the pain he was still experiencing from his shoulder was enough to undo him. He fell to his knees, letting out a small cry as his head unexpectedly banged violently against the stone chest and sent his world into darkness.
TBC...
Next Chapter: Jack and Elizabeth's plan continues, Norrington realizes something, and Will gets his first taste of his new role as Barbossa's consort.
**NOTICE: Since FF.net decided to go crazy after I posted chapter 5, about 5 of the reviews I received got erased, so I couldn't reply to them...because I don't have them. I apologize to those people and let them know it's just FF.net screwing up again...**
Seiko – Yes...it's an AU, and my plan was to stray from the original plotline...and I'll be straying even father in the chapters to come...ha ha. So, how'd you like Elizabeth's plan? And yes...poor Will...too bad I'm far from through with him!
Feckless – Torture is good...torture is good!! ::grins:: Thank you for reviewing!
Lady Surreal – Sorry for taking so long to update! And next chapter a lot more things will happen...but I'm gonna have to do some tweaking of that chapter because of the restrictions on FF.net...or I might just leave out parts entirely, but that wouldn't do for some people because it'd be annoying to have to go back and forth between websites...
Race Ulfson – Well, now you know why she wrote it backwards. "It is a necessary precaution." Ha ha...poor Jack. Will shall be going through much more "all in good pirate fun" torment, also...the unfortunate lad...::grins evilly::
Leap of fate – Yes, Jack is a great character...and Elizabeth is smart, if not a bit desperate...I based that idea of getting sick off one I did in the past...and I have one thing to say after doing it – Hot wax is HOT!! And poor Will indeed...the boy is going to get it in the next chapter...
ElfGirl4 – I'll try and begin updating my other stories as soon as I can, but right now the bunny gnawing on my ankle is for this story, and I might as well wring it for all it's worth before I start having to work really hard to get the chapters out...
Exrated – I'm glad you were able to reach the chapter! Sorry I took so long to get this one out...
True-Slytherin-gurl – Thank you!
Maikafuiniel – Ha ha...I guess you liked chapter 5, eh? I hope you liked this one too!
Megami Riley – Sorry for taking so long to update! Glad you liked the fic...thanks for reviewing!
Alisha B – It seems the people who read about Elizabeth's plan either think she's a weirdo, or extremely intelligent. Which reminds me of that scene in the movie where Will says: "This is either madness, or brains." and Jack replies, "Funny how often those two traits coincide." And of course I'll let you know when the chapters at FF.net I post are different...I think the next chapter will be the first, but I'll let you know when I post it on FF.net.
Pointy-Eared Archer – Ha ha...I'm afraid that probably won't be the last of the "Poor Will." comments...well, if I get so many, then I guess I'm doing my job properly!! ::grins:: I think I did get your review in an e-mail because I get Review Alerts, but I delete all of them soon after reading them so they don't take up space... And thanks for the comment on the characterizations again...I don't think anyone would be able to get inside Jack's head, however...no telling what goes on up in that mind of his... And the idea for this story...I don't really remember where it came from...It was sometime right after I saw the movie for the first time...and I thought about what would happen if I decided to write and screw everything up and put in a few characters of my own...(yes, there are Original Chars on the way, but as of now no major ones are female...except one...but she's not human anyway...ha ha...) Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter!
Mercuria – Don't worry – I find that more than a few of the people who review this story comment on the unexpectedness of the quality of it. It's probably mostly the fault of my summary...I'll have to try and change that one day... And yeah...I could never feminize a character if they aren't shown that way in the movie...the only OOC things I'm trying for are the slash pairings... Anyway, I'm glad that you like the story and hope that I can continue to meet up to your expectations!
Iblis – Done and done! ::grins:: A few flamers aren't going to torch my inspiration! Ven though I only received one...