One More Taste of Freedom

12 welcome back will

Disclaimer: See the previous chapter.

Author's Note: As promised, the return of the whelp. Many, many thanks to all my reviewers so far!

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Morning in Tortuga was not nearly as exciting or loud as the evening. Mainly because all the pirates who had been out drinking and whoring the night before were now either very sick or very tired. Sun poured through the 'curtains' that covered the windows of their cell and shone on Elizabeth's face, causing her to wake.


She was still more or less in the same position she'd fell asleep in, except of course, that she was now lying down, though still on Jack's shoulder. The previous night he had wanted to move her once his arm started to tingle, but she'd looked so content he didn't have the heart to wake her.



But now it was she who was awake, while he slept.



Propping herself up on her elbow she watched the pirate sleeping, he appeared strangely innocent. After a few minutes, somewhere he must have sensed someone staring, and stirred. Opening his eyes, the kohl that lined them now smudged, he sat up and looked around, apparently annoyed that their capture hadn't been a dream. Elizabeth moved back, so that she wouldn't crowd him, and he too propped himself up.


"It is good to wake up and find that you aren't up to no good."



She smiled at the memory.



"Somehow, I don't think burning rum would help us out of this one."



"And it's a good thing too. Because I don't see any lyin' around `ere."



The lack of rum seemingly being the only thing Jack could find wrong with the situation. He rose and began to pace around the room, it seemed to calm him, or possibly it was something to help him think. The Captain appeared to be having a conversation with himself; hands waving every so often as if he'd made some sort of point. Elizabeth just watched him from her position on the edge of the bed, still trying very hard not to laugh.



Finally stopping at the window, Jack moved back the cloth covering it and let more let stream in, both had to adjust to the new light. Squinting, he looked out the window and down to the street, tapping the glass he pointed below.


"Looks like we're going to have company soon."



She guessed he saw their kidnappers returning. She shrugged and asked hopefully, "Do you think if we pretend that we're not yet awake they'll leave us alone?"



She could have sworn she saw him begin to laugh, but then he simply shook his head.


"Unlikely."



"Ah well, it was worth asking, right?"



He didn't get a chance to answer as the door was thrown open and their captors entered. A great deal of them appeared to be annoyed by the light, one walked over to the window and pulled the curtain closed, grumbling about the damned sun. They'd no doubt been drinking all night, and therefore they probably weren't in the mood for taunting, torture, or vengeance, but the pessimistic side of both Jack and Elizabeth doubted it. Pintel stepped forward, now accompanied by Ragetti - his presence only meant one thing to Elizabeth.



"We've brought you a present, Miss."



The one eyed man began to laugh, but his friend elbowed him in the ribs lightly and he fell silent. Still smiling to himself. The sea of pirates parted and there, held by Bo'sun, was a very worn and wounded looking Will Turner.


He was suddenly released and thrown to the floor, Elizabeth made a quick movement from the bed to catch him, his head now resting on her shoulder, he looked at her as she tried to lift him and smiled weakly - it was clear he'd been beaten. She glanced over at Jack in a silent plea for help, but he had started over to his friend almost as immediately as Elizabeth. The two struggled to lift Will to his feet and lead him over to the bed, where he'd slumped over onto his fiancée. She shot the remains of Barbossa's crew a glare; her upbringing kept her from saying the words that were swirling in her mind. Pintel, hand still on his pistol as if he was expecting an escape attempt, chuckled.



"Well I suppose we'll give you all time ta catch up, while we sleep off the night. But don't none of ye worry, we've got good games for everyone."



Once again turned to leave, the rest of his crew in tow, and slammed the door. As soon as they were alone again Elizabeth kneeled in front of Will, placing her hands on his knees she looked up at him and attempted to get him to look back.


"Will? Can you hear me?"



She was certain he could, he was conscious, but the lack of response she'd gotten worried her. There was at least one very obvious gash on his head that she noticed, probably the way they'd gotten him there without a fight. But by the way he was moving she was sure there was more beneath his clothes, which were in tatters. His upper half swayed a bit and he nodded.



"Elizabeth -" was all he managed before he began coughing.



"Shh, shh, its alright, don't try to speak now. Just rest."


Before Will could lye down Jack protested.



"I wouldn't be doin' that if I were you, mate."



Elizabeth looked in the pirate's direction, a questioning look on her face, and he continued.



"Obviously the lad's had a sharp blow to the head. Don't let him sleep or he may not wake again. Seen it before, I have, too many times."



Will gave a strange laugh before beginning to cough again, his eyes rolling back in his head as if he were going to pass out. Elizabeth made a move to slap him lightly a few times. Jack nodded in approval –


"Just keep `im talkin', luv."



She gave a small nod and quickly began to keep Will interested in conversation.



"Will. Will? Tell me what happened? Can you do that?"



The blacksmith took a few deep breaths and attempted to steady himself before speaking.



"I had found a replacement, a young man who'd just made the crossing from England, and I was trying to barter passage onto one of the ships coming this way." He paused for a minute, saying even that much had been tiring, "But before I could, they," all present understood 'they' to mean Ragetti and the others, "came to the room I'd rented until my ship sailed. I tried to fight them off, but there were too many, and I was caught off guard."


Elizabeth closed her eyes and sighed, she knew that since Will had already found a replacement no one would think it was odd that the two had left. No one would come looking for them.



"And then what happened? Do you know what their plans are?"



He nodded and began his tale again.



"When I was on their ship I overheard some things. They beat me every day, trying to get me to tell them where you were. They apparently searched your house, but you had already gone. The beatings got worse, as did their attempts at starving me to death - but in the end they decided to worry about you later and come to Torutga to capture Jack."


It was her fault. At least in her mind it was, had he just of told them where she was, he wouldn't be in this state. But he was fiercely loyal. Her eyes brimming with tears, for both fear and gratitude, she urged him to go on.

"They're going to bring Barbossa back." He said plainly. Jack and Elizabeth both looked at him confused, and he began to explain, "from what I know, they went to see a man who was heavily into the dark arts. They were told that if they got all involved in the death of their Captain, that they could bring him back."



"All involved meaning - all of us?" Elizabeth questioned.


"Meaning, mainly me." Jack said solemnly.


"They don't care that it was you who pulled the trigger. They blame all three of us. We all took part in the events of last summer." Will placed a hand over Elizabeth's, squeezing it reassuringly. "And now, with all of us here." He hesitated, "they're going to raise the dead."