Disclaimer: The Mouse is taking over! Run!

AN: Wow I know it's taking a long time in between updates. I'm just so very busy and now my Sands muse is growing more insistent. Ah well, I have a feeling this story is drawing to a close. No more than two or three chapters left. So enjoy this one!

Chapter Fourteen

When Jack listened to what Nora had to say, he looked at her thoughtfully for a moment.

"You're right." He said finally. "That's just something your father would do. I suppose there's nothing to lose."

"Aye, and everything to gain." Replied Nora with a mischievous smile and a glint in her eyes.

The next morning they once again set a course for the island. Gibbs and a number of others looked skeptical, but they knew better than to question orders from Jack.

They were three days out from Tortuga by now, and it wouldn't be long before they once again reached the island. Excitement was building in Nora once again, because she knew this time she had it right. But the excitement was tempered by trepidation, because Nora was dreaming again.

It was the same dream she had had during her convalescence after her stint as Blackheart's prisoner. Jack, grappling with Billy, and she, Nora, powerless to prevent the inevitable. She didn't discuss these nightly disturbances with Jack, and he didn't ask questions. When she woke from these nightmares, he would merely hold her until her breathing returned to normal. She rarely got back to sleep, but she was comforted all the same, not to mention a little surprised. She had never known Jack to be particularly caring, but somehow she felt safe in his arms, as she hadn't felt safe since before her father died.

They reached the island much more quickly this time, since Nora wasn't purposely leading them astray. It was sighted at dusk their fourth day out from Tortuga, and they decided to wait until morning to go on their search.

"We can row around to the cove, check things out, and then we can always come back for help if we- Jack!"

"Nora love, let's not worry about tomorrow, when there are so many other things we might be doing."

"But…Jack…mmmmm…maybe...maybe you're right…"

Pounding on the door. Jack muttering a vehement curse under his breath. Gibbs' voice.

"Cap'n! Cap'n!"

The sound of cannonfire. Nora grabbed her cutlass and pistols, running out of the cabin as quickly as she could, Jack right on her heels.

"Well," Jack said, somewhat sardonically, "you wanted a chance for revenge. It seems now is the opportune moment."

It all happened in a matter of minutes. Nora was almost completely unaware of her surroundings as she sighted Billy, boarding the Pearl.

This is it, she thought, it's now or never.

She fought like she had never fought before, for the Pearl, for the Maiden, for her father. For Jack. He was working his way towards Billy, and was getting there faster.

Always has to be in the middle of everything, Nora thought to herself. Then she paused. The dream! She was assailed by an image of Jack falling under Billy's blade, and her blood froze as she saw, as if in slow motion, Jack engage Billy with his cutlass.

"No!" she screamed, but she was detained by several of Billy's men. She fought frantically, trying to get closer.

No, not Jack, anyone but Jack! He's all I've got left!

A triumphant yell assailed her ears as Nora turned around, afraid of what she would see.

She almost collapsed with relief to see Jack still standing. But he was hurt. Blood poured from a gash in his side, and he had been captured and was being held by two of Billy's men.

"Now, Miss Williams, mayhap ye'll be a little more open to my proposal."

"Captain," Nora growled through her teeth.

Billy must not have heard her, for he ignored it. "You take meself and me men to that treasure, and then we let you and the Sparrow go. Do we have an accord?" He was leering at her.

She considered a moment. Her life, Jack's life, was more important than some treasure on some island. Her cutlass clattered to the deck.

"Good girl," whispered Billy, "and I'll be needing yer pistol as well."

She pulled out her pistol and tossed it to one of Billy's men. A small glimmer of hope flared in her as she felt the comforting weight of the second pistol she always carried hidden in her breeches.

Jack was forced to give up his weapons as well, though a glint in his eye assured Nora that he wasn't entirely without a means of defending himself either.

Billy and four of his men, two to each of them, escorted Nora and Jack into one of the boats. Nora already had a plan forming.