OK, thanks for the reviews guys, I grovel at your feet in my imagination.

I'm updating this for two reasons. First, I'm still avoiding my essay and second, I'm slightly disturbed by how vehemently some of you are reviewing. I mean I've got multiple exclamation marks, which always worry me. I don't want any of you to hurt me if I don't update, or if I write something you don't like.

Cast of thousands: Maybe you should stop hurting Jack then.

Me: No.

Cast of thousands: (pause) You really are a little weird you know.

Me: I resent that!! I'm totally weird. Gah, multiple exclamation marks.

Me: (again) I'm still pathetically grateful to all reviewers. I love all reviews, even bad ones with multiple exclamation marks and herrings!

Cast of thousands: (ignoring the herrings) We know, we've seen you alternately maniacally giggling and weeping with joy in front of the computer screen.

Me: Would be all right, but I write in the library and I have to keep running away from irate librarians.

Unexpected Monty Python and the Holy Grail cast appear: GET ON WITH IT!

Me: I wonder why you're still reading this and haven't scrolled down to the story?

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By the way I've done with the flashback now. I think. For the moment anyway.

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The sun had set at last. Will and Elizabeth had spent the day alternately plotting and fretting. They had come up with a number of plans, varying from borderline genius to utterly crazy. The trick, Will thought, was telling them apart.

The problem was not going to be breaking Jack out of jail, but doing so without getting caught. The other problem was what happened next. Jack and Will may have been able to commandeer and sail a ship all by themselves. Will and Elizabeth could not.

"Neither of us knows enough about boats." Elizabeth said firmly. "We'd be caught, or shipwrecked, or lost, or killed. Or all of them. And any boat small enough to sail with two people could be caught by the Dauntless within half an hour."

"So, what then? We can't stay here, Norrington will have the whole island searched as soon as he finds Jack's gone. And I think we'll be the first on his list."

"So, we need to get out of Port Royal, but we can't steal a boat ..."

"Commandeer a ship .." Will corrected, absently.

"So we'll simply buy passage on one."

"What?" Will looked at her as if she were mad. "Buy passage? When we have a notorious pirate with us? No sensible captain would let Jack anywhere near his ship."

"They would, if the price was right. I still have the gold that Jack took from the cave. I've been keeping it safe for him." Her face flushed as she thought about the number of times she had stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a crown, "This seems like a good reason to spend it."

Will nodded slowly. "That might just work. We'd need to negotiate it before we go to rescue Jack. I don't fancy arguing while being shot at."

"Where's your sense of adventure?"

Will ignored that. "And we'll need to keep Jack quiet, relatively sober and away from the helm and the rigging while we're on the ship." He smiled, "That should be a task."

"I hope so." Elizabeth said softly. "She still hadn't gotten over how hurt Jack had seemed when she'd seen him.

But the sun had set now, and Will and Elizabeth were moving through the fort as quietly as they knew how towards the cells. They were finding it more difficult than they had anticipated to dodge the groups of soldiers wandering the corridors. Three times they were nearly caught and had to run into nearby rooms, or duck into the shadows, hold their breath and hope that sailors of the royal navy were as stupid as pirates maintained. Finally, they arrived at the door that led down to the cells but were brought up short at the sight of the man guarding the door.

"What do we do?" Elizabeth whispered as they peered round the corner at him.

"You distract him. I'll hit him before he knows what's going on." Will whispered back. She nodded, and was about to walk out to confront the guard when Will suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Someone was shouting something.

"Hey, Coll. Want some brew?" The guard immediately straightened up. He looked around the corridor, and seeing no one there, headed off in the direction of the call.

Will grinned. "luck's on our side. Come on."

They ran over to the door, then quickly down the stairs. Jack was lying face down on the ground. He wasn't wearing a coat and his once white shirt was bloodstained and torn. Cruel wounds could be seen through it. He appeared to be unconscious - at any rate he hadn't reacted when they had entered - and although it was a warm day, he was shivering.

Will gripped Elizabeth's hand tightly. "Someone will pay for this." He said tightly.

"Not very practical at the moment, Will." She answered, running over to the bars. "Jack!" she called gently. "Jack, wake up."

The pirate moaned and muttered something but didn't move.

Will joined Elizabeth. "Jack, its us. Come on." No reaction.

Suddenly, the two heard the door above them open. They stared at each other in horror for a second, then Will grabbed Elizabeth's hand and pulled her further along the jail and out of sight.

Keeping as silent as possible, they watched in surprise as Commodore James Norrington walked slowly down the stairs and stood in front of the only occupied cell.

"Come to gloat." Will thought savagely. But, he stayed where he was, still holding Elizabeth'' hand, and the two of them prepared to wait out Norrington.

Norrington stood, a safe distance from the bars, looking down at the pirate, his enemy. He winced, as he saw the man's injuries. To his surprise, he felt angry about that. Sparrow was a worthy adversary, and seemed, in his own slightly twisted way, and honourable man. He didn't deserve this.

He was surprised, when the pirate's body tensed and squirmed as if he were trying to get away from something.

"Stenson, you bastard .. no, please, .... don't hit me again, don't."

"Captain!" Norrington said loudly. Jack sat bolt upright before he knew what he was doing, and couldn't suppress the cry of agony that the movement provoked. He half moved and half fell back against the wall. He glanced round to see where he was and who had woken him. He saw Norrrington standing there stiffly, staring at him. Oh. His head dropped forwards onto his chest.

"Captain." Norrington said again.

"What do you want." Jack asked, his words more slurred than usual. "I hear I've got a big day planned tomorrow. Need my rest if I'm going to look my best for it."

Norrington refrained from pointing out that the sleep he had interrupted had seemed far from restful. Or that the amount of bruises the pirate had would make it difficult for him to look even human.

"I want to know how you got those injuries." He surprised himself by saying. Actually, he had surprised himself by even being here, but he had been wondering, and worrying about Jack Sparrow all day.

Jack looked up at him, a curious expression on his face. "What difference does it make?"

"I don't understand." Norrington said carefully.

"What difference does it make?" Jack repeated. Norrington continued to look at him "You're going to hang me, right? Why does it matter whether I'm healthy or dying."

"You're not dying." Norrington said automatically. Jack started to laugh, but it quickly turned into a painful coughing fit.

When it had abated he said. "This time tomorrow I'll be dead. If that's not dying I don't know what is."

"You didn't answer my question."

"No." Jack said simply. He started coughing again. His eyes were streaming. Angrily he dashed the tears away, daring Norrington to say anything. He swallowed painfully and looked up at Norrington again.

"Can I have a drink of water?"

Norrington was so taken aback by the request that he just stood there. Jack misinterpreting the silence, looked down and asked, softer.

"Can I have a drink of water please, sir."

"Of course, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that you had to, I'm sorry." Norrington floundered, then walked over to where there was a jug of water and poured a cup of it.

He brought it over and, carefully handed it through the bars, ready for the slightest hint of an attack. None came. Jack drank the water greedily.

"Slow down, you'll make yourself ill." Norrington protested.

"What difference does it make?" Jack said again. He dropped the cup, which clattered against the bars.

"Thank you." He said, far too wearily. Then his eyes closed and he slumped over sideways.

Norrington looked down at him, a painful lump in his throat. Stooping he picked up the cup, and a tiny movement over to his right caught his eye. He frowned, then actually smiled a little. He straightened up deliberately, then said out loud.

"The guards in the fort will be called for an immediate, emergency weapons inspection and will be occupied for the next fifteen minutes at least. Don't get caught." He walked towards the stairs, astonished at his rash actions, but determined to keep his word.

Behind him, Elizabeth and Will looked at each other, both completely lost for words.

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Hmmmmmmh, rather an odd chapter that if you ask me. Imaginary traffic cones to anyone who spots the Catch 22 influence.

I'm not totally sure that I'm succeeding in keeping the characters right. Any advice gratefully received. Oh hell, any reviews gratefully received.

Also, I promise, that sooner or later, I'll get round to explaining what's going on. There is a point to all of this.

Cast of thousands: Yeah and its on the end of Jack's sword.

Me: Oh god, that's why I don't write comedy.

Anyway, please review.