And the evil cliffhanger is ended.

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"Your drawing out of the deed only serves to waste everyone's time," the Governor admonished Jack. Norrington held Will tightly so he couldn't do anything. Elizabeth looked genuinely frightened by now. Jack straightened his pistol's aim and fired. It made a dry clicking sound and nothing more. He had removed all the cartridges. Jack dropped it to the ground and released Elizabeth. She ran to Will and they embraced. The governor motioned toward Jack and two men came forward with shackles. Jack sighed and held out his wrists. Will and Elizabeth came as close as they could to support their friend as his wrists and ankles were clasped in irons.

"Will, such a pleasure to see you again and under such excellent circumstances. You wouldn't happen to have a drink on you?" asked Jack.

Will shook his head, but smiled at Jack acting his normal self.

"Nothing further to see here. Move along, citizens," cried Rookwood near the fringe, wanting the crowd to disperse. Grant motioned for the shackle men to leave.

"I suppose drinking is one of your family's main traits. Is it not, Jacques de Bourbon-Conde?" asked the Governor, softly so that only Jack, Will and Elizabeth could hear.

Jack grew pale and quiet. The Governor smiled at the sight and ordered, "Take him away!"

They led Jack to the jail with Will, Elizabeth and Norrington followed. The jail-keeper locked in him as Norrington turned to Grant.

"I believe that we are entitled to interrogate the prisoner alone."

Grant thought this over and nodded, "I'll return in ten minutes."

Norrington agreed to this and the Governor and his men left. Norrington made sure that they were out of earshot before his next words.

"I'll expect a full report later."

His actions baffled the other three.

"Where are you going?"

"There are some recent facts that have come to my attention," he said, curtly, and took his leave.

They watched silently, each wondering what was causing Norrington's odd behavior, but Will and Elizabeth saw a change in their other old friend. Jack was thoughtful and subdued which made sense if it were anyone else behind bars, but not the great Captain Jack Sparrow.

 "What is it?" asked Will.

"He knew my real name."

"Jacques de Bourbon-Conde? That is your real name?"

"Yes," and he motioned with his hand and mouth for them to be quiet about it, "but I've only told three people in the Caribbean."

"Who? They must be related to the leak."

"No, that's not possible."

"Why?"

"I told Captain Hyde first."

"Well, where is he now?"

"Dead for thirteen years."

"Who's the second?"

"Barbossa and I believe he's dead also."

"Yes, he is very, very dead."

 "What about the third person? Would he tell?"

"I trusted him completely. He wouldn't tell a soul, that was Bootstrap's way."

Will nodded at the mention of his father.

"Should we be worried?" asked Elizabeth.

"Why?"

"All your confidants end up severed off the mortal coil."

"My mama still breathes…as far as I know."

"Nothing further to add to help your case or ours?"

"No, but I dislike the Governor. He's not a very good sport and he reminds me of someone I grew to hate."

"Which one?"

"Aye, that's the rub. That's the part that escapes me, but I had forgotten another that I told: Mr. Gibbs."

Rookwood escorted them out of the jail and then the Governor turned to the jail-keeper, "Give Mr. Sparrow thirty lashes."

The jail keeper smiled and went to retrieve his favorite whip.

"I heard tell that you were forgiving to pirates," said Jack.

"Some pirates I forgive and some I will never forgive," said Grant, his tone becoming icy. He gave Jack a hard stare and quickly left as the jail keeper returned. Jack looked at the jail keeper, caressing his whip like a pet.

"That's a big whip, mate. What do you plan on doing with it?"

The keeper only smiled wider, revealing his absentee teeth and said, "Shuck your shirt if you plan on keeping it intact."

Anamaria looked at the shore with a forlorn look. Mr. Gibbs spotted her.

"He'll turn out. He always does," he reassured her. She nodded and said, "I know."

Gibbs studied her, frowning, "Ye best be getting over yourself and admitting what's actually in your heart."

He left her alone then.

"What are you thinking?" Will asked his wife.

"My father has spoken of the French Bourbons, that they were trouble for England."

"Why? Is he representative of all his kin?"

Elizabeth made a face.

"One Jack is more than enough."

"Who's Mirielle?" asked Luisa in the cell next to Jack's, noticing the tattoo on his chest, "Some lass you loved and left behind at some port?"

"Something like that, senora," replied Jack and she decided not to press the issue. He had scars all over his chest and arms as well as a brand and two tattoos. She knew better than to look, but the little heart on his chest had attracted his attention. Then someone entered the jail. Rookwood carried a velvet suit down the stairs and opened the cell door a crack to hand it to Jack. Jack wasn't having it.

"You come for my opinion? The black looks nice but I feel blue would better compliment your eyes."

Rookwood narrowed his eyes.

"The suit is for you. The Governor requests you wear it to dinner."

"It seems a tad dressy for this situation, don't you think?"

Rookwood was getting quite annoyed.

"You are to have dinner with the Governor."

Jack looked things over.

"I prefer to pick my own wardrobe."

"Of course, you may wear this or a noose."

"Well, when put that way, perhaps velvet can suit me."

"The Governor told me you could be managed."

Jack took the suit roughly and put on the white undershirt. Luisa noticed that the fabric stuck to his back so that the red shone through. It was only visible a moment before he put on the coat and she had to look away as he changed his pants. Jack bent to get his belt.

"Such weapons for polite company? I must insist that they are left behind in this place."

Jack grudgingly left it and followed Rookwood out, but not before Luisa looked at him and said, "Cuidado!"

"Where is Norrington presently?" asked Will to Gillette when they reached the boat, er…ship.

"He's not with you?"

"No."

"He's not checked in since this morning," said Gillette, "and the H.M.S. Charles appears to be preparing for battle."

Will and Elizabeth could see for themselves that men were readying the cannons.

"Then we must protect it, with or without Norrington," said Will. The men nodded and continued their work. Elizabeth already knew what her husband was going to ask.

"Surely, the Black Pearl won't make a play for it without Jack. I'll ask for their assistance."

She started off, but Will called, "Elizabeth" and she stopped to acknowledge him.

"Be careful," he said and she knew that he meant for the baby as well as her. She smiled.

Norrington snuck past the jail-keeper who was asleep in his chair, but still clutching the used whip in one hand. The jail was filthy and the light was patchy, but he strived to be on top of any situation. He crept until he reached Luisa's cell. She eyed him suspiciously and he put a finger to his lips.

"I want you to tell me what happened that day," he told her.

"What? You haven't heard the rumours? We found the treasure, loaded it into hold and I killed Phillipp Marley in cold blood. Then I acted as if I only found him and it was all a master plan to kill my husband."

"A true Commodore of the British Navy neither takes idle gossip as fact nor tall tales as true. Now tell me what really happened, starting with the finding of the gold."

"Dios mio," she said, softly. She studied his face and could find no dishonestly so she acquiesced.

"Rookwood found it. He seemed to know exactly where to look."

"Rookwood was there?"

"Yes, I was," said Rookwood from behind Norrington.

Jack had been led to a large dining room where the doors had been locked behind him. It was just him and Governor Grant in a cavernous room.

"Please sit down, Captain Sparrow," he said with a chair pulled out that was close to him. Jack reluctantly obeyed.

"Now eat," he ordered.

"How about you taste first and then the plates are switched when you look away? Savvy?"

"I have no interest in poisoning you, Sparrow. I have a fascination with pirates. Every since I was small, I tried to learn all I could about them. Tell me all you know. Tell me about your sea-faring career."

"It is a strange request, but I suppose I'll oblige it."

Elizabeth made her way to Mr. Gibbs and Anamaria saw her and came for the impromptu meeting.

"The H.M.S. Charles is preparing for battle, but it would easier with your men."

"No," said Mr. Gibbs and Anamaria.

"Why is that your choice?"

"I spied earlier through the scope that the H.M.S. Charles has a large hole above the water line in the hull. The treasure will be found wanting."

"That's all the more reason for you to be needed. Their blood will be hot for gold or at least crimson."

"I have too many lost souls on my head already without adding to the tally. The answer is no," said Mr. Gibbs.

"Please stay though. The battle is not for you either especially in your condition," said Anamaria. Mr. Gibbs nodded as well, but Elizabeth shook hers.

"Will's battles are my own. I'll not leave him alone."

"Hopefully the next time we meet will be under better terms," said Anamaria and an annoyed Elizabeth left.

"The governor has ordered Luisa to be punished for her crimes tonight so there is no chance of her jeopardizing the treasure's safety. You should never trust a woman especially a pirate as her father was before her"

Norrington nodded and allowed Rookwood to unlock Luisa's cell door. As soon as the door was open, Norrington cold cocked Rookwood. The chubby rascal went down and Norrington smacked him against the wall, holding him there.

"You neglected to your being on board that day because you knew where the treasure was prior to the trip. You insinuated to the crew that Luisa was having a liaison with Marley and then made sure that Luisa would discover the body. Later, you came too quickly and from the wrong way to my aid after being shot at. You wanted Luisa locked up. Why? Does she know too much?"

Rookwood screwed up his face and glared angrily at Norrington.

"Did you actually believe you could fool me? I've had the wool thrown over my eyes by the best and this is not of that skill."

"I am one of the best pirates ever," cried Rookwood.

"No. Jack Sparrow is a pirate. You are a merely a mangy cur."

That was too much for Rookwood. He went for his concealed pistol without Norrington noticing, but Luisa did. She ran and knocked the Commodore down, but not before Rookwood was able to get off a shot and get away. Norrington yelped in pain and Luisa carefully rolled him over. His right side was bloody, but it was both sides so the bullet had passed through. Luisa began taking off his coat and shirt. In any other situation, Norrington would have stopped her immediately, but he was in too much pain to care. The bullet had hit his right side below his lungs. She ripped her outer skirt off and tied it around him, putting pressure on the wounds. Then he passed out.

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Thank you, Majcarter101 and Miss Maru for the encouragement. Hope this one was worth it.