Disclaimer: Would I be writing a fic if I actually owned Pirates of the
Caribbean? (laughs insanely and then becomes serious, shaking her head)
No, I think not.
Author's Notes!
Each reviewer gets a pistol with one shot, but it can't be used on people. (a bullet goes whizzing past her head) Hey! Watch it! Okay, I revoke all your pistols. How about water guns? They are much safer. (Hands each reviewer a Blaster 5000)
Now I just want to say that the reviews make me write much faster, and you fill me with such inspiration, it is so wonderful! I wanted to do this chapter as fast as I could, because I know all of you want to kill me because of my cliffhangers. (hee hee sorry) Well then, Disney shot me with a dart gun and tried to get Jack Sparrow back yesterday, but they did not prevail. (In your eye, Mickey! BOOYAH!) But right now he is taking a bubble bath and singing along to "Baby Got Back," and playing with a rubber ducky. (I'm trying hard not to peek, woowoo!)
I was wondering, perhaps maybe I shall do a sequel? (smiles evilly) but it matters what you all think of this one first.
I think the next chapter I shall thank each person individually, so if you want me to do that, let me know! Because I know when I review, it makes me feel all fuzzy inside when the author acknowledges me. :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author says in a creepy powerful voice: We shall now go back in time and go to the last chapter to get back our memories, for we have drank to much rum! (echoes: rum.....rum.....rum....)
"WAIT!" I shouted, "SHADOWS! I have a proposition for yeh!"
"Hold it, men," Shadows sighed and turned to me, "What do yeh want now, Gallagher?"
"I can make a deal with ye."
"And what would ye want from me?"
"Let the Black Pearl go, as well as Jack and Will. I never want to see ye near Port Royale or within a mile's range of their ship again."
"And what would be the exchange?" Shadows asked, clearly amused at my sudden act of desperation.
"Me."
NOW ON WITH CHAPTER NINETEEN! (does the Macarena while winking at Jack Sparrow, who looks extremely frightened and inches away)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Shadows was silent, his black eyes darkening from thought. The whole crew grew hushed, and Jack stared up at me as if I had grown tentacles out of my eyeballs.
I glared at Sparrow for a second, silently telling him to keep his mouth shut. He glared back defiantly, gritted his teeth and his eyes grew steely.
My gaze met Shadows' and he studied my determined expression before letting out a bark of laughter. "Yeh aren't that valuable, Gallagher," he scoffed, wringing his wrinkled fingers together with the anticipation of being able to torture Sparrow.
"Hold on, Shadows. I'm not finished," I said angrily and Shadows let out a low growl.
"I don't give a damn what ye have to say. Yer desperate attempt is quite humorous, though. I'll give yeh that."
I wrenched myself away from the pirate that was holding me captive and I stood tip toe to him, narrowing my eyes. "Now ye listen to me, and listen good, yeh ugly git!" I snarled, "Yeh haven't found the treasure, have yeh? I wonder where all that precious gold is."
Shadows blinked a couple of times, then with one swoop, backhanded me, causing me to hit the ground, immediately tasting blood.
"Do yeh think it wise, missy, to be callin' the man that could put ye to death with a simple snap of his fingers an ugly git?"
"I cannot lie," I replied sweetly and he drew back his leg and kicked me in the abdomen, causing me to double over at the sharp pain it produced.
"Shadows! Leave the lass alone! Can't we discuss this over a bottle o' rum?" Sparrow suggested and Shadows cast him a murderous look.
"Yeh deserve no hospitality from me, Jack," Shadows said evilly, "Ye managed to handicap me. It is only polite of meself as a pirate to return the favor. Men, begin the thirty lashes!"
The man in charge of the cat-o-nine tails let out a grunt of satisfaction and raised the leather straps, and brought it down hard on Jack's back. He winced as his tanned skin began to welt, the steady smack smack growing louder.
I spat out blood and managed to cry out, "I shall have yer guts for garters, Shadows!"
Shadows suddenly held up his hand and laughed in amusement. The straps paused midway.
"Jack means a lot to yeh, aye?" he asked me, leaning over me, his shadow blocking the glaring sun from my eyes.
I glared at him and spat out, "Go to hell."
"Five more lashes," Shadows ordered and Jack began to be lashed again. Sparrow gritted his teeth, never moaning from the stinging whips.
My eyes widened as Shadows replied, "Do yeh love yer captain, Gallagher?"
I bit my lip and when I didn't answer, Jack was lashed again. I cried out as I watched the pain pass through Jack's face, the sweat dripping off of his body, the blood beginning to pour.
Shadows asked, "Why don't yeh answer the question, lassie, so I can stop torturin' the pathetic whelp? I'd like to see yeh lose some of yer dignity as yeh confess in front of me 'hole crew."
The leather was raised high into the air once more and I watched Jack as his eyes squeezed shut. I whispered softly, "Yes."
Everyone was quiet and Captain Jack Sparrow's head shot up, staring at me with wild eyes.
"What was that, Gallagher? I couldn't quite hear yeh," Shadows said with a sneer, knowing he won, finding himself bloody brilliant that he was humiliating me.
I stood up slowly, holding my bruised side and I shouted fiercely, "YES, DAMMIT! I AM FALLING IN LOVE WITH JACK SPARROW."
Sparrow looked like he was going to pass out from shock, his mouth agape. At least, he managed to look bewildered until he grinned and replied, "It's CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow. Captain. And no one can resist the charms of Captain Jack Sparrow, luv."
My eyes rolled skyward, wondering why I had just blurted it out in front of the whole crew. Oh yes, to save his ass, of course.
"Shut the hell up, Sparrow," I seethed. I turned to Shadows and said seriously, "There. Yeh have the truth. Now it's my turn to talk. Let my crew go. Let Will and Jack go. I shall stay. Think about it, Shadows. Two wise captains looting and pillaging together."
"Yeh mentioned the treasure. Yeh know where it might be, aye?"
Jack stared at me and pleaded, "Don't do anything stupid!"
"I have an idea, Shadows. I can help yeh get it back. After all, Snidely himself left me the map."
Jack and Shadows combined shot me a look of surprise. "Yeh knew the infamous captain Snidely?"
I nodded and Jack asked, "Why didn't yeh bloody tell me this before, Gallagher?"
"Yeh never asked," I replied sweetly, and Jack let out a growl of frustration. I continued, "He was the one that showed me the ropes. He told me about his loot, and would leave it to me to find it if he perished. It would be at one of the two locations." I turned on Shadows and asked suddenly, "Why the hell did yeh know about the treasure?"
"Let's just say Snidely managed to tell me himself before he died," Shadows said devilishly.
"Yeh killed him," I whispered, "I should have known."
"Quite sickening fellow," Shadows said, "The way he begged for me to let him live. Of course, after he told me of this island I slit his throat anyway."
"Bastard!" I screamed and lunged at him, managing to punch him in the face, swinging my arms, blinded by rage. Two bulky men picked me off of him and flung me to the floor.
Jack watched all of this with quiet speculation.
Shadows nursed his split lip and said to Jack, "I bet yeh care about the lass deeply, aye?"
"What are yeh getting at, Shadows?" he asked with annoyance, looking angry, probably half at Shadows and half at me for withholding information from him.
Shadows turned to me and grinned. "We have an accord, lassie. Yeh stay with me, and on pain of death, I swear to let yer crew go and put the Black Pearl to our rudder and ne'er return."
Sparrow stared at me with rage and said, "I thought I told yeh not to do anythin' stupid."
"When have I ever listened to anythin' ye said, Sparrow?" I asked with disgust.
"I guess ye'd be glad if I took the difficult strumpet off of yer hands, Jack," Shadows said lazily, "After all, she would cramp yer style. Pirates don't love."
My eyes met Jack's and he said, "Aye, pirates don't do anythin' of that sort."
I cringed inwardly and shot Jack a look that could cause one of Governor Swann's soldiers to piss his pants. "I'm glad to take this burden off of yer hands, Sparrow," I said coldly, "For yer strumpets in Tortuga will be waiting."
Jack's face grew scarlet and Shadows laughed, replying, "Then everythin' turned out well, don't yeh agree? It will be a pleasure havin' yeh as a first mate, Gallagher. It has been a long time since I've had a woman."
The crew let out a bark of laughter and Jack began thrashing wildly in his captor's arms, clearly upset at his words.
I curled my lip, feeling as if I were going to heave but forced myself to say, "All right. By nightfall, I want the Black Pearl sailing off into the horizon."
"Agreed, Miss Terrence. Agreed."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Captain Shadows locked up Jack Sparrow with Will, and he gave in to my request to be able to stay with them until night fell so I could say my goodbyes.
I sat outside of the cell and Jack sat in the corner, staring off into space, not glancing my way once. Will had his face pressed against the bars and we talked quietly. Fortunately Shadow's crew went back up to the top deck so we could talk privately.
"Damn them," I muttered, "They hurt ye."
"It's just my arm, Terrence. Nothing but a gash. It will heal in due time," Will said softly and I put my arms through the bars and examined the wound. When my fingers came in contact with the dried blood, he let out a slow hiss of pain.
"We have to dress it or it shall become infected," I said matter-of- factly and tore the cuff off of my breeches, then began to wrap it around his arm.
"Why are you doing this, Terrence?" Will asked.
"I said it would become infected if I don't," I replied, concentrating on my work.
"No, I mean leaving with Shadows. Giving yourself up to him."
"Because I want to fall to the same level as Shadows," I said sarcastically, "I love killing innocent people and raping and setting things aflame. Yeh stupid idiot, why do yeh think I'm going?"
Will stared at me with a look filled of sadness.
"I don't want to see the Black Pearl and crew hurt," I replied quietly, "Yeh all mean so much to me."
"Gallagher...." Will said with emotion, but I cut him off: "Shhhhhh, now, hold still as I bandage this," I said with a weak smile and tied the cloth.
I glanced at Jack and it unnerved me to find him staring at me with an expressionless face.
"Yeh are awfully quiet, Sparrow," I said, trying to hide the uneasiness his gaze was giving me, "Usually yeh are makin' some crude comment or whatnot. Out of wits?"
Sparrow didn't answer me.
I felt a pain in my body, and I knew it wasn't a physical pain.
"Will, can yeh please tell yer captain that he is actin' like a pansy?" I asked.
Will grinned and turned to Jack, and said, "Jack, Gallagher says you are acting......"
"Shut up, lad," Jack growled, his piercing eyes cutting into mine. Will grew silent as he watched Jack stand up and walk up to the bars, wincing because of his sore back, and wrapped his fingers around the cold metal, his face inches from mine.
Will slowly backed off and went to the other side of the cell, knowing that he should give us some room.
"Yeh are daft, woman," Jack said seriously, in a hushed tone, his voice like I have never heard it before, "Giving yerself to Shadows. We would have made an escape somehow, and here ye are jumping to conclusions."
"Ye are the one who's daft, Jack," I answered quietly, "For he would have killed ye if I hadn't spoken up about knowing the whereabouts of Snidely's treasure."
"Why did yeh never tell me there were two places the treasure could have been? Didn't ye trust me?"
"Perhaps not in the past, Jack."
"Ah," he said coldly, "I thought that was it. Yeh didn't trust a bloke like me, now did ye? Thought me an untrustworthy cad, is that it?"
"Yeh blame me for jumpin' to conclusions, when here yeh are, placing words in my mouth that I had not spoken."
"Tis the truth though, aye?"
I sighed and said, "I cannot lie to you, Jack. When I first met ye, I wouldn't have told ye diddly squat. But why say such things now when you know I trust yeh with me heart?"
He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. I leaned in and placed a soft kiss onto his smooth, delicious lips and then broke away, turning around and saying, "The sun should be setting. Ye shall be freed soon," and walked up to the top deck in search of Shadows, leaving Will and Jack utterly speechless.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We were reaching the Black Pearl. The sun was again turning the sky into a portrait of colors, but considering the circumstances, it was no longer a beautiful sight to behold. It reminded me that in a few minutes the people I cared about would leave me and I would be cast into the hands of demons. I had not yet soothed my soul about the Dancing Horizon, but perhaps saving another crew's lives would ease my pain. I would find Snidely's soon enough, but Shadows was too greedy a man to share any with the likes of me. I was his informant, and quite possibly his pleasurable company. My stomach rolled with queasiness as I thought about his hands on me.
At that moment I vowed that if he so much as touched me, I would chop off his hand. I would only be satisfied by the touch of one man, and that man was the one who was leaving me in the dust. Like he had a choice! I was giving him a free ticket out of there and he would be a fool to turn it down.
"Any last words, mate?" Shadows asked giddily, proud to have agreed to such a brilliant accord, "Any goodbyes to your strumpet?"
Jack didn't answer and Will gave me a hug. I struggled to not become all emotional as I watched them prepare to leave The Ghost.
"We shall figure something out," Will whispered, "Jack and I have already talked about it."
"Don't," I whispered back fiercely, "Yeh will surely die if yeh do. Don't worry. I can hold my own."
Will nodded and soon we dropped the anchor, landing parallel to the Black Pearl. The crew and Elizabeth were on top deck, staring at us in bewilderment, their weapons bared as a precaution. They did not know what was going on.
A board was set up so Jack and Will could walk from one boat to the other. Shadows bared his sword in case they tried any funny business.
"See yeh in hell, boys," Shadows laughed, "I shall enjoy Gallagher immensely."
I watched as Jack stiffened but forced himself to keep walking, not looking back. I bit my lip. Elizabeth greeted Will on the other side, pulling him into a loving embrace. We lifted anchor and Shadows yelled, "We be off to Tortuga, gentlemen! We best be needin' more supplies if we be goin' on another goose chase!"
I turned and stared at the sunrise as we began to drift off, away from the Black Pearl. Now I was stuck with the monsters.
"All right, missy, welcome aboard The Ghost," Shadows said and bowed, "For yeh will be me first mate. At least, until we find the treasure. Then yeh will be of no further value to me."
" I have conditions," I replied with mock politeness.
"And those are?" Shadows asked, eyes twinkling.
"One, I want me effects back. Two, yeh lay a hand on me, I'll kill yeh," I snarled.
Shadows laughed and said, "If yeh do not wish to please me, I'll leave yeh with me crew. The men have spent many months without pleasure."
"Yeh cannot do that!" I cried, "For if yeh do, I will withhold the information from ye!"
He grabbed me by the hair and pulled me close. "Don't try my patience, missy," he growled, "For I am tempted to just beat it out of yeh."
He handed me my dagger and kept a hand on his sword, prepared if I attacked him. "Hope yeh enjoy yer night, Miss Gallagher," he said with a chuckle and walked into his cabin, then slammed the door shut. I stared at the crew, who were licking their lips and staring at me with unnaturally hungry eyes. I pointed my dagger at them, scowling. It was going to be a long night.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Whew, another evil cliffie! HAHAHA! Sorry this chapter was a bit of a downer, but at a time like this in the story yeh have to add a bit of a dramatic flourish! Will the Black Pearl crew save her, or leave her? After all, the pirate's code says, any man that falls behind is left behind. (grins) Well Gallagher isn't a man, now is she? Review, scoundrels! (does the Macarena again and Jack runs away in panic, for my spazzy moves are enough to make a strong bloke seasick.)
Author's Notes!
Each reviewer gets a pistol with one shot, but it can't be used on people. (a bullet goes whizzing past her head) Hey! Watch it! Okay, I revoke all your pistols. How about water guns? They are much safer. (Hands each reviewer a Blaster 5000)
Now I just want to say that the reviews make me write much faster, and you fill me with such inspiration, it is so wonderful! I wanted to do this chapter as fast as I could, because I know all of you want to kill me because of my cliffhangers. (hee hee sorry) Well then, Disney shot me with a dart gun and tried to get Jack Sparrow back yesterday, but they did not prevail. (In your eye, Mickey! BOOYAH!) But right now he is taking a bubble bath and singing along to "Baby Got Back," and playing with a rubber ducky. (I'm trying hard not to peek, woowoo!)
I was wondering, perhaps maybe I shall do a sequel? (smiles evilly) but it matters what you all think of this one first.
I think the next chapter I shall thank each person individually, so if you want me to do that, let me know! Because I know when I review, it makes me feel all fuzzy inside when the author acknowledges me. :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author says in a creepy powerful voice: We shall now go back in time and go to the last chapter to get back our memories, for we have drank to much rum! (echoes: rum.....rum.....rum....)
"WAIT!" I shouted, "SHADOWS! I have a proposition for yeh!"
"Hold it, men," Shadows sighed and turned to me, "What do yeh want now, Gallagher?"
"I can make a deal with ye."
"And what would ye want from me?"
"Let the Black Pearl go, as well as Jack and Will. I never want to see ye near Port Royale or within a mile's range of their ship again."
"And what would be the exchange?" Shadows asked, clearly amused at my sudden act of desperation.
"Me."
NOW ON WITH CHAPTER NINETEEN! (does the Macarena while winking at Jack Sparrow, who looks extremely frightened and inches away)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Shadows was silent, his black eyes darkening from thought. The whole crew grew hushed, and Jack stared up at me as if I had grown tentacles out of my eyeballs.
I glared at Sparrow for a second, silently telling him to keep his mouth shut. He glared back defiantly, gritted his teeth and his eyes grew steely.
My gaze met Shadows' and he studied my determined expression before letting out a bark of laughter. "Yeh aren't that valuable, Gallagher," he scoffed, wringing his wrinkled fingers together with the anticipation of being able to torture Sparrow.
"Hold on, Shadows. I'm not finished," I said angrily and Shadows let out a low growl.
"I don't give a damn what ye have to say. Yer desperate attempt is quite humorous, though. I'll give yeh that."
I wrenched myself away from the pirate that was holding me captive and I stood tip toe to him, narrowing my eyes. "Now ye listen to me, and listen good, yeh ugly git!" I snarled, "Yeh haven't found the treasure, have yeh? I wonder where all that precious gold is."
Shadows blinked a couple of times, then with one swoop, backhanded me, causing me to hit the ground, immediately tasting blood.
"Do yeh think it wise, missy, to be callin' the man that could put ye to death with a simple snap of his fingers an ugly git?"
"I cannot lie," I replied sweetly and he drew back his leg and kicked me in the abdomen, causing me to double over at the sharp pain it produced.
"Shadows! Leave the lass alone! Can't we discuss this over a bottle o' rum?" Sparrow suggested and Shadows cast him a murderous look.
"Yeh deserve no hospitality from me, Jack," Shadows said evilly, "Ye managed to handicap me. It is only polite of meself as a pirate to return the favor. Men, begin the thirty lashes!"
The man in charge of the cat-o-nine tails let out a grunt of satisfaction and raised the leather straps, and brought it down hard on Jack's back. He winced as his tanned skin began to welt, the steady smack smack growing louder.
I spat out blood and managed to cry out, "I shall have yer guts for garters, Shadows!"
Shadows suddenly held up his hand and laughed in amusement. The straps paused midway.
"Jack means a lot to yeh, aye?" he asked me, leaning over me, his shadow blocking the glaring sun from my eyes.
I glared at him and spat out, "Go to hell."
"Five more lashes," Shadows ordered and Jack began to be lashed again. Sparrow gritted his teeth, never moaning from the stinging whips.
My eyes widened as Shadows replied, "Do yeh love yer captain, Gallagher?"
I bit my lip and when I didn't answer, Jack was lashed again. I cried out as I watched the pain pass through Jack's face, the sweat dripping off of his body, the blood beginning to pour.
Shadows asked, "Why don't yeh answer the question, lassie, so I can stop torturin' the pathetic whelp? I'd like to see yeh lose some of yer dignity as yeh confess in front of me 'hole crew."
The leather was raised high into the air once more and I watched Jack as his eyes squeezed shut. I whispered softly, "Yes."
Everyone was quiet and Captain Jack Sparrow's head shot up, staring at me with wild eyes.
"What was that, Gallagher? I couldn't quite hear yeh," Shadows said with a sneer, knowing he won, finding himself bloody brilliant that he was humiliating me.
I stood up slowly, holding my bruised side and I shouted fiercely, "YES, DAMMIT! I AM FALLING IN LOVE WITH JACK SPARROW."
Sparrow looked like he was going to pass out from shock, his mouth agape. At least, he managed to look bewildered until he grinned and replied, "It's CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow. Captain. And no one can resist the charms of Captain Jack Sparrow, luv."
My eyes rolled skyward, wondering why I had just blurted it out in front of the whole crew. Oh yes, to save his ass, of course.
"Shut the hell up, Sparrow," I seethed. I turned to Shadows and said seriously, "There. Yeh have the truth. Now it's my turn to talk. Let my crew go. Let Will and Jack go. I shall stay. Think about it, Shadows. Two wise captains looting and pillaging together."
"Yeh mentioned the treasure. Yeh know where it might be, aye?"
Jack stared at me and pleaded, "Don't do anything stupid!"
"I have an idea, Shadows. I can help yeh get it back. After all, Snidely himself left me the map."
Jack and Shadows combined shot me a look of surprise. "Yeh knew the infamous captain Snidely?"
I nodded and Jack asked, "Why didn't yeh bloody tell me this before, Gallagher?"
"Yeh never asked," I replied sweetly, and Jack let out a growl of frustration. I continued, "He was the one that showed me the ropes. He told me about his loot, and would leave it to me to find it if he perished. It would be at one of the two locations." I turned on Shadows and asked suddenly, "Why the hell did yeh know about the treasure?"
"Let's just say Snidely managed to tell me himself before he died," Shadows said devilishly.
"Yeh killed him," I whispered, "I should have known."
"Quite sickening fellow," Shadows said, "The way he begged for me to let him live. Of course, after he told me of this island I slit his throat anyway."
"Bastard!" I screamed and lunged at him, managing to punch him in the face, swinging my arms, blinded by rage. Two bulky men picked me off of him and flung me to the floor.
Jack watched all of this with quiet speculation.
Shadows nursed his split lip and said to Jack, "I bet yeh care about the lass deeply, aye?"
"What are yeh getting at, Shadows?" he asked with annoyance, looking angry, probably half at Shadows and half at me for withholding information from him.
Shadows turned to me and grinned. "We have an accord, lassie. Yeh stay with me, and on pain of death, I swear to let yer crew go and put the Black Pearl to our rudder and ne'er return."
Sparrow stared at me with rage and said, "I thought I told yeh not to do anythin' stupid."
"When have I ever listened to anythin' ye said, Sparrow?" I asked with disgust.
"I guess ye'd be glad if I took the difficult strumpet off of yer hands, Jack," Shadows said lazily, "After all, she would cramp yer style. Pirates don't love."
My eyes met Jack's and he said, "Aye, pirates don't do anythin' of that sort."
I cringed inwardly and shot Jack a look that could cause one of Governor Swann's soldiers to piss his pants. "I'm glad to take this burden off of yer hands, Sparrow," I said coldly, "For yer strumpets in Tortuga will be waiting."
Jack's face grew scarlet and Shadows laughed, replying, "Then everythin' turned out well, don't yeh agree? It will be a pleasure havin' yeh as a first mate, Gallagher. It has been a long time since I've had a woman."
The crew let out a bark of laughter and Jack began thrashing wildly in his captor's arms, clearly upset at his words.
I curled my lip, feeling as if I were going to heave but forced myself to say, "All right. By nightfall, I want the Black Pearl sailing off into the horizon."
"Agreed, Miss Terrence. Agreed."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Captain Shadows locked up Jack Sparrow with Will, and he gave in to my request to be able to stay with them until night fell so I could say my goodbyes.
I sat outside of the cell and Jack sat in the corner, staring off into space, not glancing my way once. Will had his face pressed against the bars and we talked quietly. Fortunately Shadow's crew went back up to the top deck so we could talk privately.
"Damn them," I muttered, "They hurt ye."
"It's just my arm, Terrence. Nothing but a gash. It will heal in due time," Will said softly and I put my arms through the bars and examined the wound. When my fingers came in contact with the dried blood, he let out a slow hiss of pain.
"We have to dress it or it shall become infected," I said matter-of- factly and tore the cuff off of my breeches, then began to wrap it around his arm.
"Why are you doing this, Terrence?" Will asked.
"I said it would become infected if I don't," I replied, concentrating on my work.
"No, I mean leaving with Shadows. Giving yourself up to him."
"Because I want to fall to the same level as Shadows," I said sarcastically, "I love killing innocent people and raping and setting things aflame. Yeh stupid idiot, why do yeh think I'm going?"
Will stared at me with a look filled of sadness.
"I don't want to see the Black Pearl and crew hurt," I replied quietly, "Yeh all mean so much to me."
"Gallagher...." Will said with emotion, but I cut him off: "Shhhhhh, now, hold still as I bandage this," I said with a weak smile and tied the cloth.
I glanced at Jack and it unnerved me to find him staring at me with an expressionless face.
"Yeh are awfully quiet, Sparrow," I said, trying to hide the uneasiness his gaze was giving me, "Usually yeh are makin' some crude comment or whatnot. Out of wits?"
Sparrow didn't answer me.
I felt a pain in my body, and I knew it wasn't a physical pain.
"Will, can yeh please tell yer captain that he is actin' like a pansy?" I asked.
Will grinned and turned to Jack, and said, "Jack, Gallagher says you are acting......"
"Shut up, lad," Jack growled, his piercing eyes cutting into mine. Will grew silent as he watched Jack stand up and walk up to the bars, wincing because of his sore back, and wrapped his fingers around the cold metal, his face inches from mine.
Will slowly backed off and went to the other side of the cell, knowing that he should give us some room.
"Yeh are daft, woman," Jack said seriously, in a hushed tone, his voice like I have never heard it before, "Giving yerself to Shadows. We would have made an escape somehow, and here ye are jumping to conclusions."
"Ye are the one who's daft, Jack," I answered quietly, "For he would have killed ye if I hadn't spoken up about knowing the whereabouts of Snidely's treasure."
"Why did yeh never tell me there were two places the treasure could have been? Didn't ye trust me?"
"Perhaps not in the past, Jack."
"Ah," he said coldly, "I thought that was it. Yeh didn't trust a bloke like me, now did ye? Thought me an untrustworthy cad, is that it?"
"Yeh blame me for jumpin' to conclusions, when here yeh are, placing words in my mouth that I had not spoken."
"Tis the truth though, aye?"
I sighed and said, "I cannot lie to you, Jack. When I first met ye, I wouldn't have told ye diddly squat. But why say such things now when you know I trust yeh with me heart?"
He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. I leaned in and placed a soft kiss onto his smooth, delicious lips and then broke away, turning around and saying, "The sun should be setting. Ye shall be freed soon," and walked up to the top deck in search of Shadows, leaving Will and Jack utterly speechless.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We were reaching the Black Pearl. The sun was again turning the sky into a portrait of colors, but considering the circumstances, it was no longer a beautiful sight to behold. It reminded me that in a few minutes the people I cared about would leave me and I would be cast into the hands of demons. I had not yet soothed my soul about the Dancing Horizon, but perhaps saving another crew's lives would ease my pain. I would find Snidely's soon enough, but Shadows was too greedy a man to share any with the likes of me. I was his informant, and quite possibly his pleasurable company. My stomach rolled with queasiness as I thought about his hands on me.
At that moment I vowed that if he so much as touched me, I would chop off his hand. I would only be satisfied by the touch of one man, and that man was the one who was leaving me in the dust. Like he had a choice! I was giving him a free ticket out of there and he would be a fool to turn it down.
"Any last words, mate?" Shadows asked giddily, proud to have agreed to such a brilliant accord, "Any goodbyes to your strumpet?"
Jack didn't answer and Will gave me a hug. I struggled to not become all emotional as I watched them prepare to leave The Ghost.
"We shall figure something out," Will whispered, "Jack and I have already talked about it."
"Don't," I whispered back fiercely, "Yeh will surely die if yeh do. Don't worry. I can hold my own."
Will nodded and soon we dropped the anchor, landing parallel to the Black Pearl. The crew and Elizabeth were on top deck, staring at us in bewilderment, their weapons bared as a precaution. They did not know what was going on.
A board was set up so Jack and Will could walk from one boat to the other. Shadows bared his sword in case they tried any funny business.
"See yeh in hell, boys," Shadows laughed, "I shall enjoy Gallagher immensely."
I watched as Jack stiffened but forced himself to keep walking, not looking back. I bit my lip. Elizabeth greeted Will on the other side, pulling him into a loving embrace. We lifted anchor and Shadows yelled, "We be off to Tortuga, gentlemen! We best be needin' more supplies if we be goin' on another goose chase!"
I turned and stared at the sunrise as we began to drift off, away from the Black Pearl. Now I was stuck with the monsters.
"All right, missy, welcome aboard The Ghost," Shadows said and bowed, "For yeh will be me first mate. At least, until we find the treasure. Then yeh will be of no further value to me."
" I have conditions," I replied with mock politeness.
"And those are?" Shadows asked, eyes twinkling.
"One, I want me effects back. Two, yeh lay a hand on me, I'll kill yeh," I snarled.
Shadows laughed and said, "If yeh do not wish to please me, I'll leave yeh with me crew. The men have spent many months without pleasure."
"Yeh cannot do that!" I cried, "For if yeh do, I will withhold the information from ye!"
He grabbed me by the hair and pulled me close. "Don't try my patience, missy," he growled, "For I am tempted to just beat it out of yeh."
He handed me my dagger and kept a hand on his sword, prepared if I attacked him. "Hope yeh enjoy yer night, Miss Gallagher," he said with a chuckle and walked into his cabin, then slammed the door shut. I stared at the crew, who were licking their lips and staring at me with unnaturally hungry eyes. I pointed my dagger at them, scowling. It was going to be a long night.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Whew, another evil cliffie! HAHAHA! Sorry this chapter was a bit of a downer, but at a time like this in the story yeh have to add a bit of a dramatic flourish! Will the Black Pearl crew save her, or leave her? After all, the pirate's code says, any man that falls behind is left behind. (grins) Well Gallagher isn't a man, now is she? Review, scoundrels! (does the Macarena again and Jack runs away in panic, for my spazzy moves are enough to make a strong bloke seasick.)