This is an explanation for the lack of updates. I haven't been able to because I have parents who decided that I was incapable of managing my own time, and ripped out my internet access card until the weekends. I will do my best to update as often as I can, as with all my other stories. So please review and keep reading, please be patient, I'm doing the best I can!!!

A/N: Thanks Noble Platypus: Your reviews make me *put a smile on put a smile on everybody come on put a BANG* Ronald McDonald collapses with a thud.

Me: Jack!

J: He was getting on me nerves, savvy?

Anyway, also to Pineapplelint: You guys are like my: Legs, lifting me UP OVER! *Click*

Me: Don't shoot!

J: Luv, you best start running, cuz I'm counting to three.

Wesset was now halfway in the boat, and Ashley gave another sudden jerk as she was pulled down more by her mother. Jack was torn. He was the captain, he was supposed to look out for his crew. Even though Ashley wasn't one of the original crew members, she was co-captain, sort of. And she had saved Jack from wallowing in self-pity, which would have caused his demise.

~~**Since when 'as that ever mattered?**~~

Looking back at Will, he saw the boy get that look in his eyes. The look he always got right before he was about to do something unbelievably stupid.

~~**He always makes that same face. When he made that deal with Barbossa, when he wouldn't let me pass in the smithy, when he . . .**~~

Jack froze. ~~**The smithy! That little trick thingy 'e does with the sword an' the lock an' . . .**~~

"Will!" He cried against the thunder as the storm raged on. "Throw yer sword over there!" Frantically, he pointed at the escaping form of Wesset. He could only hope the boy understood him.

~~**~~ At first, Will was very confused. Jack was pointing as if his life depended on it, at Wesset and then mentioned his sword.

~~**Why would he want me to throw my sword at Wesset? Unless . . . he doesn't want me to throw it AT him.**~~

Understanding was etched across his face. Will squinted against a fresh gale of wind, and threw the sword. It seemed to move so slowly as it spun in many rotations, and then connected with the rope attaching the boat to the ship. Silently, the rope snapped in two, and the boat dropped onto the deck crashing into pieces.

~~**What about Ashley?**~~

Ignoring the cursing and panicking Wesset, Will turned back to Jack. He had pulled out his pistol, and was carefully aiming towards the sky. Squeezing the trigger before Will could even blink, it traveled upward, connecting with Betty's leg. Will turned back to Jack, to see him still standing, transfixed by the scene. He had never seen Jack so focused, save for the time when he had shot Barbossa and protected Elizabeth in the process.

Jack abruptly turned to Will, and immediately gave him a dark look.

"Stop starin' and go get 'er." He mumbled, before turning his attention to Wesset.

Will sprinted to the rigging and began climbing, hoping that Ashley would still be there when he reached the top.

~~**~~

Ashley did not fear death. She was prepared to welcome it with open arms. Just as she readied herself to let go, she felt the weight slacken beneath her. In disbelief, she looked down. Her mother was barely hanging onto her now. Something had made her let go.

Gripping the dagger, still embedded in the wood, she had a plan. It might still cost her her life, but she had to try. She wraped one arm around the wood, and the other pulled out the knife. Her face contorted in grief as she realized she was about to kill her own mother.

"Wait for me'n 'ell." And she lifted the weapon high, and with all the force she could muster, thrust it into the other's skull. Blood oozed slightly out of the fresh wound as the legendary Bleedin' Betty went limp and fell to the ground. She was a legend no more.

She remained there, hanging for what seemed like years. Mesmerized by the mangled body far below. A voice she recognized broke her from the trancelike state.

"Grab my hand, Ashley." Numbly, she allowed herself to be hoisted up by Will, and then began to carefully make her way towards the rigging. She refused to speak the entire way down, and Will didn't say a word. The two made there way down very gradually because the winds had picked up, and the rain was unmercifully pounding down on them.

~~**~~

Jack approached the man. His body soaked by the rain, and his toothless sneer taunting

"'Ave yeh come to avenge yer ship then? Yeh plan on killing me?"

"No." Jack answered, issuing a challenge. "I plan on making yeh suffer the worst pain imaginable, then lettin' yeh beg for a little while, then I will kill yeh."

"What did yeh have in mind?" Wesset drew his sword, and leered.

They began circling each other, waiting for an advantage. Wesset snarled and lunged, Jack back up, and let the other man teeter, slightly off balance. Jack tried to knock Wesset down, but missed as the other man ducked and rolled. Following him, Jack slashed madly, and missed his target. Ducking, cutting, running, the two men battled furiously for what seemed like hours, until Jack had ended up pinning Wesset against a wall. His arm was bleeding heavily, but Wesset was left unmarked. Jack could barely wait to cut the other man up.

"Yeh know, we're both pirates, we should make an accord." He suggested lazily. Jack's eyes blazed.

"Yeh, know yer right. I kill yeh while yeh beg for mercy."

And he stabbed the other man, letting his fury fly. He would avenge his beloved ship, and nothing would stop him.

~~**~~ It was over. Armed with only galley knives and their wits, Jack's crew had succeeded in surviving and taking over the ship. Everyone, who had managed to stay alive, cheered loudly. But the celebration was short lived for two reasons. The first was the number dead, they were unceremoniously shoved off of the deck, to be rest forever in the sea, a pirate's final request.

After that, there were the injuries. They were countless. Annamaria was the most knowledgeable, and she had barely bandaged herself before attending to everyone else. Others tended to themselves, and then did their best to aid the other woman.

Jack surveyed his crew, and noticed a staggering Ashley approaching him. He stared at her as she croaked,

"Did yeh get 'im?"

"Yeah."

"Good." Suddenly she groaned and clutched her stomach. Waving away Jack's hand of assistance she muttered,

"'S nothing 's . . ." Her eyes widened in horror as she stared at her palm. At first Jack didn't understand until a single drop of crimson dripped down her wrist and met her elbow. Looking down, he saw more seeping through her shirt.

"Ah . . ." she moaned, falling to her knees. Concerned, Jack kneeled in front of her, gripping her shoulders. She stared up at him for only a moment longer before her eyelids fluttered shut. Falling forward, her forehead collided with his chest. He scooped her up and began to carry her.

The last thing she remembered was hearing him call for Annamaria.