Disclaimer:  I OWN NOTHING!  Except for perhaps my semi-sanity and a few good books.

AN: once again, I must thank my sister for helping me.  I have been forgetting to thank her for helping my figure out a name for Lor's ship.

PED-sarah:  No, I have not yet brought up the issue as to how Lor and Jack can feel each others emotions.  And I'm glad that you brought that up because I had meant to say something about it in the last chapter.  They can feel each others emotions because of the map on her back.  They couldn't feel it before because no one had been after the map until recently.  They've known each other for so long and she has such deep emotions for him that he has become part of everything that is happening to her.  So now, the map (yes it is kind of a sentient being) has chosen someone that Lor feels close to to help her.  I hope that answered your question, and I'm sorry if it didn't.  I know how they can feel each other's emotions, but I just can't explain it!  ; P

"Those who hate cats will come back as mice."

~message on a veterinarians sign

Sui Generis

Chapter 13: The Final Battle

            "Tell me, Captain Sparrow, do you honestly intend to camp out here until the Sui Generis comes?"

            Jack lifted up his hat to reveal his dark eyes.  "No," he replied.  "I honestly intend to camp out here until the Sui Generis is seen on the horizon, and then hide in the caves where Skinner is going to believe the treasure is."

            "Why do you even believe that this plan of yours will even work?" Norrington asked skeptically.

            "Because, mate, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow," he replied, grinning and then pushed his hat back down, covering his eyes once again, effectively ending the conversation.

            Skinner dragged Lor out onto the deck of the ship.  He stopped as soon as they reached the bow.  In the distance, Lor could make out the small shape of an island.  "Congratulations, Skinner.  You've made it to the island.  You've won."

            "Not yet, I haven't.  I'll win when I hold the treasure in my hands," he turned to her slowly, an evil glint in his eyes.  He trailed his hand down her cheek and smirked as he saw her eyes flinch.  "An' I 'ave you ta thank fer it."

            "Don' thank me too 'ard, yer luck could turn fer the worse."

            Skinner's hand took hold of her chin, forcing her to look him in his eyes.  "Only if ya can perform another miraculous escape, lass, which I don't see 'appenin' since I 'ave you.  Plus, yer in no condition ta fight against me 'n me crew."

            "You mean me da's mutinous crew, correct?"

            Skinner's lip twitched up into a sneer as his left hand hovered over her right shoulder.  Without warning, he clamped his hand down, his thumb grinding into her wound.  Lor whimpered slightly as her legs collapsed underneath her.  She fell to her knees and hunched over, her left hand going to her shoulder.

            Skinner looked down at her, the smirk on his face growing wider.  "Pray to God that I kill you soon, lass."

            "Don' do me any favors."

            Skinner knelt down in front of her.  "You'll beg fer that favor, Adams," he replied, and then grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to her feet.  He pushed her into the arms of one of his men.  "Take 'er ta the brig.  She'll stay there 'til we reach the island."

            "Aye, sir," the pirate replied, and then pulled her below deck.

            Jack sat on the highest branch of the tallest tree on the island, his spyglass in hand.  He squinted into the sunlight attempting to make out the small image of a ship in the distance.  With a sigh, he raised the spyglass up to eye level and stared out it into the distance.  The Sui Generis was almost here, she would most likely drop anchor in two days.

            Jack tucked the spyglass into the sash around his waist and started the slow climb down.  The moment his feet touched the ground, Jack turned on his heel and walked quickly towards the camp.  Skids was the first to approach him, a look of hope evident in his eyes.

            Jack stopped suddenly, his eyes widening.  "Ah, Mr. Skids!  How are you lad?"

            "I'm. . . I'm fine Captain," he stuttered.  "Did you see it?"

            Jack drew back slightly, pursing his lips.  "See what?"

            "The ship Captain!  Did you see the Sui Generis?"

            Jack smiled.  "Aye, lad, that I did," he replied, turning the boy around and placing an arm around his shoulder.  "Now tell me lad, how did you meet up with the great Captain Lor Adams?"

            "Why?"

            Jack waved his other hand in the air.  "Because I'm curious."

            "There's not much to tell, sir."

            "Enlighten me anyway, lad."

            "Aye, sir," Skids replied hesitantly.  "She had given her crew leave in Tortuga.  I met up with the Captain in a tavern, her favorite one actually."

            Jack laughed.  "And which one would that be exactly?"

            Skids looked up at him.  "The Drunken Wench," he replied seriously and then as Jack erupted into loud laughter, a laugh bubbled up into his throat.

            "I'm sorry lad, but ya can't honestly say that name with a straight face, not wit' a captain like yours."

            "No sir.  You're right.  It is funny."

            Jack flipped his hand in the air, attempting to keep a straight face. "Go on with yer story."

            "Thank you, sir.  I met up with the captain in the tavern.  She was drinking amongst a group of her crew, most of them drunk or busy with women of their own.  My mother died five years ago, leaving me on my own.  I made my living pick-pocketing drunk pirates and the street women."

            "Let me guess, you tried to steal from Lor?'

            "Aye, sir.  But she caught me before I even got a step away from her with her change purse.  She had grabbed my wrist and at first I thought that she was going to kill me.  But the hard look in her eyes when she turned to me softened when she looked at me.  After that, she took me in and was like a sister to me."

            "An' now this happens.  I'm sorry lad, I 'ad no idea you were so close."

            Skids nodded slowly.  "Aye, sir.  Now, when. . ."

            Jack laughed again.  "Ah, lad.  Two days from now, the Sui Generis will make berth and we will be waiting for them.  Now, go lad and make ready to break camp."

            "Aye, Captain," Skids replied and ran off to do as he was told.  Jack watched him for a moment and then turned his attention to his crew and the dozen or so Royal Navy officers sitting around campfires.

            "Ladies, gentlemen, and fellow pirates," he called out, spreading his arms out wide.  "Prepare to break camp.  It's almost time to have a little bit of fun."

            The pirates of the group erupted into loud cheers.  They had grown bored with waiting for something to happen.  The Naval officers under the command of Commodore Norrington stared at the group of pirates as if they were crazy.  "You still expect this plan to work, Sparrow?" Norrington asked coming up to Jack as their men set about putting out fires and packing their supplies.

            Jack said nothing at first, merely stood and watched the men.  He turned his attention to Will and Elizabeth as they walked up to him, both wearing grim expressions.  Elizabeth had borrowed a pair of AnaMaria's clothes, and wore a single sword at her side.  "Aye, Commodore, I do," he answered.  "And I believe the second part of my plan will work as well."

            "Second part, Jack?" Will asked.

            Jack looked over at him.  "I never told you? I could've sworn I told you.   I must be losing my mind."

            Norrington, Will, and Elizabeth looked at each other but said nothing.  "Oh, well.  Now's as good a time as any," Jack replied.  "After we run an' hide in the glorious cave, Gibbs will take a group of my men, and a group of yours Commodore, and steal away onto the Sui Generis after Skinner comes to land.  Their main priority will be to rescue young Alex and Emily, since I know that Skinner will not bring them to shore, they would be too much of a hassle.

            "Afterwards, Gibbs and his crew will free the Sui Generis from all of Skinner's men still waiting on board."

            "You say all of this as if you know exactly what Skinner is going to do," Norrington replied.

            "He's a pirate, my good Commodore, and so am I.  We think alike," he paused, staring up into the bright sun.  "Most of the time.  You see, if I were him, that is exactly what I would do."

            "I want to go with Gibbs," Elizabeth said.

            Jack looked over at her, his kohl rimmed eyes staring into hers.  "Elizabeth, love, I'll need ya here.  Gibbs can handle the pirates an' yer kids."

            "My children will be frightened."

            "Aye, lass, they will.  But they know Gibbs an' he'll protect 'em.  Just trust me on this, love, they'll be fine."

            Elizabeth looked up at him and nodded slowly.  Will wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulders drawing her to him to comfort her.  "Just tell us when, Jack, and we will be ready."

            "That's a good lad.  Two days, Will, be ready in two days."

            Lor sat in the small row boat as several of Skinner's men rowed towards the small island, her back facing the island.  She sat in the boat, staring at Skinner as he grinned wildly.  She knew that he thought that he won, that nothing else was going to stop him.  A smirk started to form on her face as she thought about what, and who, would be waiting for them when they reached the caves, but she wiped it away as Skinner turned to looked at her.

            "Look at that, lass," he said, gesturing at the island.  "Yer death is only moments away.  I 'ope ya feel proud."

            "Bite me," she muttered under her breath, turning her eyes away from his.  She lurched slightly as the bottom of the boat ran into the beginning of the sandy beach.  Her left hand shot out as she almost lost her balance.

            Skinner laughed, and then jumped out of the boat, landing in knee deep water.  He sloshed through the water quickly and grabbed hold of her arm, yanking her to her feet.  "Get out," he said harshly, pulling her over the edge of the boat.

            Lor's feet caught hold of the rim of the boat, tripping her as she was pulled out.  She fell head first into the water, exposing her still fresh wounds to the salt water.  She sat up quickly, a hiss of pain escaping from her mouth.  Skinner laughed once more and then pulled her to her feet again.

            "Cross!  Coin!  Scout ahead!  See what we're in for!"

            "Aye, aye, Cap'n!" they replied in unison, and then stalked ahead of the other men, leaving them to pull the boat up on the sandy beach.  Lor watched them go; praying to God that Jack and his crew had hidden themselves well.

            Gibbs knelt down on the sandy ground, hidden amongst the leafy trees and bushes.  He took a quick swig of the flask that hung around his neck, and then held it out to the young boy that knelt beside him.  Skids looked down at the offered bottle and shook his head slowly.  Gibbs shrugged, took another swig, and then tucked it back into his vest.

            A sudden noise caused the small group to look to their left.  They had waited in silence for the better part of an hour after the two scouts had crossed their path.  Gibbs felt the boy next to him tense up as Skinner came into view, pulling a wounded Lor with him.

            Skids attempted to jump to his feet, his hand reaching for his sword, as they caught sight of the wounded captain, but Gibbs stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder.  "Easy, lad," he whispered.

            Gibbs took a long look at the female captain as they walked past.  A thin trail of blood dripped from her right arm.  She held her left arm as close to her body as best she could since Skinner pulled her along by her arm.  In the dim light, Gibbs could make out several other small cuts and bruises through her thin shirt.

            Gibbs sighed, shaking his head.  "Cap'n's not gonna like this," he muttered.

            Jack stood silently in the dimly lit cave, calmly waiting for the group of pirates to walk in through the large opening and enter the cavern.  He held a small torch in his right hand; the only light in the entire room save for a beam of sunlight coming from a large hole in the ceiling.  A smile came over his face as a song popped into his mind.  "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me," he whispered.  "We pillage and plunder, we rifle and loot, drink up my hearties, yo ho!"

            Footsteps echoed in the short corridor that led into the cavern.  Jack stopped singing and placed his left hand on the hilt of his sword.  The footsteps stopped moments later as he heard soft voices speaking.  "They 'ad to've gone this way, Cap'n.  There're lights ahead."

            Jack looked down at the two bodies lying on the cold ground, right where he had left them after they had entered the cave.  There was a moment of silence before someone replied.  "I thought ya said ya 'ad ta open it."

            "It's further in," a strained feminine voice answered.

            Jack's eyes narrowed at the voice.  He knew Lor's voice, and he knew the way she sounded when she was in pain.  His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword.  He clenched his teeth tightly as he fought against the wave of pain that shot up his arm, almost causing him to drop the torch that he held.

            He shook his head slightly as the footsteps started again, coming closer to the cavern that he waited in.  The sound of a pistol cocking made him smile again.  His men would be ready when the time came.  He flicked his eyes to his left to glance at the group of waiting forms that hid behind rocks and stalagmite formations.  Yes, they would be ready.

            Jack's eyes flicked back to the entryway when the group of pirates entered the large cavern.  Immediately, he took in the bleeding form of Lor, and then his anger filled eyes turned to look at Skinner.  A small smile crossed his face.  "'Ello, mate," he said.

            Skinner stared across the cavern at the smiling Jack, a frown forming on his own lips.  He turned his head slightly to look down at Lor.  She stared up at him, a smile crossing her lips.  "Surprise," she muttered.

            "Bitch," he replied, shoving her away from him, causing her to lose her balance and fall, slamming her head into the stone ground.

            The sound of a sword being unsheathed forced him to look up.  Jack held his sword up, the tip of the blade pointing behind him.  As Skinner watched, Jack flipped the sword in his hand, holding the hilt the correct way.  "Should never hurt a lady, mate."

            "No one ever said she was a lady," he replied.

            Jack's eyes narrowed slightly, and then he held up the torch that he still carried.  He threw the torch in the air towards Skinner, the piece of burning wood flipping end over end.

            Skinner watched the torch fly toward him.  His eyes widened as he saw Jack jump into the air and slice the wood in two, sending sparks flying.  Skinner stepped back to dodge the flying sparks and drew his sword as Jack attacked.  A loud crash echoed in the cavern as their two swords met.  Then, a louder noise echoed throughout the room, it was the cry of dozens of pirates and naval officers on the attack.  "Time ta battle," Jack said, grinning.

            Gibbs waited on the top deck of the Sui Generis.  The small group of pirates that had been left on the ship to watch over it and to watch the kids, had been less of a challenge then he thought they would have been.  Some had fought back at first, but then had been bested by Gibbs and the others.  Now, they were busy looking for the two children that had been captured.

            "Mr. Gibbs sir!" Skids called out.  "I think we found them!  There's a locked door next to the captain's quarters, we believe the children to be in there."

            "Aye, Mr. Skids, I believe yer right.  Come, we'll have ta break the door down."

            Skids nodded quickly and followed Gibbs to the small wooden door that was locked.  Gibbs knocked on the door and pressed his ear against it.  When there was no noise coming from behind the door, he called out.  "Alex?  Emily?  It's Gibbs.  Are ya in there?"

            "We're scared," a small voice called out.  Through the door, Gibbs could now hear crying.

            "I know ya are, lad, but yer safe now.  Now, I want ya ta step away from the door.  We have ta break it down."

            Through the heavy wood, Gibbs could make out the sounds of the two children scooting away from the door, moving to a relatively safe distance.  He turned to Skids and jerked his head towards the wooden door.  Skids nodded.  Gibbs looked appraisingly at the young boy.  Even though he was so young, the boy had proven that he could hold his own and that he was going to be a tough pirate when he got older.

            The two men stood side-by-side next to the door, looked at each other, and then ran into the heavy wood.  The door cracked when their combined weight hit it, and then they stepped back and ran into it again.  This time the door flew open, revealing a small room bearing the frightened forms of two children.  Alex and Emily ran at Gibbs as he entered the room and attached themselves to his legs.

            Gibbs bent over as best he could, patting the two children on their heads.  "It's all right now, kids, yer fine," he looked back up at Skids.  "I believe ya know yer way around this ship, Mr. Skids.  Take them somewhere safe."

            "Aye, sir," Skids replied and held his hands out to the two children.  They were hesitant at first, but when Gibbs told them that it was okay, they grabbed hold of his hands and followed the young pirate into the captain's quarters, where he placed them on the bed and sat down next to them, holding one under each arm.

            "Yer good, Captain," Skinner said.  "But ya won't kill me."

            Jack parried his blow and side-stepped as Skinner swung again.  He smiled, revealing his gold teeth.  They had been at this for a little over twenty minutes, each of them blocking the others blows, neither one fighting to his maximum capacity.  "Yer right, I won't," he replied, and then nodded in the direction of the fallen Lor.  "She will."

            Skinner laughed.  "In the condition she's in?  I'm surprised she can still walk."

            He ran at Jack quickly, running him into a wall, both of their sword's pressed against Jack's chest.  "She has a great body, though.  Have you seen it?"

            Jack's eyes narrowed again.  He kicked out with his right foot, making Skinner jump backwards to avoid being hit.  "I'll take that as a no."

            Skinner lunged again, holding his sword at his side.  Jack side-stepped, dodging away from the attack, but a sudden burning sensation in his arm caused him to look down.  A thin line of blood started to form on his arm where the sword had touched him.

            "You drew first blood, mate," Jack said, wiping the thin trail of blood off of his arm.

            "Means I win."

            "No," Jack replied, grinning.  "Just means I went easy on ya."

            With that, he attacked again, sending a flurry of blows at Skinner.  Blows that Skinner found it hard to dodge.

            Lor pushed herself up, shaking the last bit of unconsciousness from her mind.  She looked around her slowly, taking in all of the fighting people around her.  She searched the room for Jack and found him half way across the room, fighting against Skinner.

            She watched as they parried each other's blows, neither one striking a hit.  She staggered to her feet, her eyes glued to their fight.  She watched as Jack danced around Skinner, throwing blow after blow at him.  She started to walk unsteadily towards them, her legs wobbly underneath her.

            Her eyes widened in horror as she watched Skinner reveal a hidden dagger and then slam it into Jack's side.  "No!" she screamed, and then, pooling all of her energy together, ran as fast as she could at Skinner.

            Jack parried the blow that Skinner threw at him, their swords clashing together.  He looked down as he heard a small click amongst the other noise echoing in the cave.  His eyes widened slightly as he noticed the small dagger in Skinner's hand.

            While he watched, Skinner drew his arm back and slammed the tip of the dagger into his side.  He pushed the dagger deeper into his flesh, up to the hilt.  Jack pushed away from his opponent and staggered back.

            His sword dropped from his hand and he fell backwards onto the ground.  Skinner stood above him, his sword held at Jack's throat.  "You lose, mate," he said, sneering down at him.  "I win, just like I said."

            Jack stared up at him, one hand holding onto the dagger's hilt that still protruded from his side.  Skinner raised his arm up slowly, and started to bring it back down.

            "No!" a loud voice called out, and then a small form tackled Skinner from the side.

            Skinner fell to the ground, his attacker's arms still wrapped around his waist.  He rolled over slowly to look up at his attacker.  Lor pushed herself up quickly so that she could kneel above him, her legs straddling his waist.  She swung her right fist quickly, punching him in the face.  Her strength seeped out of her and she fell over him, the hard ground scraping her wounded shoulder.

            She hissed in pain when Skinner grabbed her by her leg and pulled her to him.  She kicked up with her right leg, the toe of her boot connecting with his chin.  He fell onto his back from the blow, a trail of blood flowing down his chin.

            Lor pushed herself up to a sitting position and looked over at him.  Her eyes blazed with hatred and anger.  This man had caused her too much pain already, and now he was going to kill the man she loved?

            She stood up slowly, her anger giving her the strength she needed.  "I hate you, you bastard," she said through gritted teeth.

            Skinner pushed himself up, one hand holding his bloody jaw and the other picking up his fallen sword.  "You bitch," he muttered, and then leapt at her, his sword raised high.

            Lor caught the sword as it came down, the blade cutting into the palm of her hand.  Her blazing eyes stared into Skinner's dark ones, daring him to make a move.  When he didn't, she kicked him again in the abdomen.  Skinner flew back again, landing a few feet away, the sword falling with him, sliding out of Lor's grasp.  Moments later, he stood back up and held his sword at the ready. 

            When she stood there, staring at him, he lunged at her once more, sweeping his blade through the air.

            "Lor!" a voice called out weakly.  She spared a glance to her left to look at Jack.  He threw his pistol at her and she caught it in her left hand.  She raised it up quickly, cocking to gun in the process.  She tilted her head to one side and grinned slightly, then pulled the trigger.

            The shot echoed in the vast cavern, causing everyone else to stop fighting and look over at them.  Lor turned around slowly, turning her back on Skinner's corpse.  She knew she must look a sight.  Her short, red hair was disheveled and her shirt was stained red with blood from her wounds.  Her pants were ripped at the knees.  Blood dripped from her arms and chest.

            She bent down slowly, scooping up the fallen sword.  Her grip on the hilt tightened as some of Skinner's men turned to her, their weapons raised.  "Yer captain is dead," she said loudly.  "Attack me if ya wish, but be prepared for retaliation.  If you are wise, you would surrender now instead of sacrificing yer lives trying to resist."

            One of the pirates started to walk towards her, his sword raised in a defensive position.  A sword held at his throat stopped him.  "I wouldn't if I were you," Will said, and then nodded up at her.  "If she has enough strength to fight him while bleeding like that, imagine what she could to you."

            "Surrender now," Lor said, her eyes scanning the crowd of people.  Only a few men, both pirate and Navy officer, had been killed, others were only wounded.  She could see a small cut through Elizabeth's shirt.  Will had several cuts on his arms and one across his left cheek.  The rest of the men were unharmed.  All except Jack. . .

            Lor turned around quickly, a slight bout of dizziness striking her.  "Jack," she whispered.  The dizziness struck her again, only this time it caused the cavern around her to spin.  Her eyes rolled up into her head, the weapons fell from her hands, and she fell backwards off of the small platform that she had been standing on.

            Will dropped his sword and ran forward to catch her, pushing the pirate out of the way.  She fell into his arms, an unconscious, bloody, heap.

            AnaMaria ran to Jack's side, one hand holding the small cut on her shoulder.  "Captain, are ye all right?"

            Jack clutched the dagger tighter.  "Unh. . . 'm fine.  Check on Lor," he sucked in a deep breath sharply.  "Hurt worse, she is."

            AnaMaria looked over at Will.  He had knelt down and placed Lor's unconscious form on the ground.  Elizabeth was crouched down next to them, attempting to clean and bandage Lor's many wounds.  "She's in capable hands, Jack," she said, turning back to him.  "Worry about yerself."
            Jack flipped his hand.  "Jus' need ta stitch it up.  Be fine."

            AnaMaria touched the hilt carefully, pushing his hand out of the way.  "Gonna hurt, Captain," she said.  Jack nodded slowly, closing his eyes.  Closing her own eyes, she pulled the dagger out as fast as she could.

            Jack cried out in pain.  "Are ya all right?" AnaMaria asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.  He whispered something under his breath.  She leaned in close.  "What?"

            "Bring me some rum," he said again.

            AnaMaria laughed softly, he was going to be okay.  Jack Sparrow, her captain, her friend, was going to be okay.

AN: Chapter 14: Leave Me Waiting.

AN2:   Sadly, the next chapter will be the last one.  But I promise that you won't hate me too much when it's all over.  I also promise to give you a brief preview of the next story.  As long as you help me find a name for the continuation of this story!  XP

Plz r/r!