Johnny Depp got nominated for an Oscar. Johnny Depp got nominated for an Oscar. Johnny Depp got . . .

Cast of thousands: Yes, very nice. Shut up and tell the damn story.

Me: Alright, alright. JohhnyDeppgotnominatedforanoscar.

Cast of thousands: Warning you mate. You're seriously screwing up the whole authors' mystique thing.

Me: I apologise, but he really was so good in that movie. And I don't think I have a mystique thing. Anyway, this chapter is written in honour of that fact. As ever, thank you to everyone who reviews me. I'm glad your glad Stenson's dead; so am I, the space he was taking up in my mind was getting positively freaky. Now I only have Masters there . . . not that that's any better you understand.

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Will had seen it coming; this Masters seemed to know Jack too well and was too intent on hitting the nerve. All the same, he was unprepared for the look in Jack's eyes, not the almost-sorrow of Barbossa's death in the cave but a sudden and passionate anger that drove the pirate to act - for once - apparently without thought. He feared for Jack and not only because of the probability that he would be hurt, but for the possibility that this had finally caused his friend to irrevocably lose his mind.

He watched Jack surge forwards, avoiding the pirates that swarmed to meet him with a single-minded grace that caused Will to question whether the man was even fully aware of them. He hung back from getting involved; much as he longed to help Jack, he would not abandon Elizabeth for what was so obviously a hopeless fight. He could see Masters, out of the corner of his eye, just standing there, apparently enjoying every second, his whole attitude denying that he was in any danger. And unfortunately he was correct, Will winced as Jack was intercepted by Masters' hefty quartermaster and flung on the deck at Masters feet.

"You see Jack," Masters said gently, punctuating his words by kicking the dark haired pirate in the ribs, "you care about things, and so you will always lose." Jack moaned and rolled away. He ended up lying half across Stenson's body. Will presumed he was insensible as he made no immediate move to get off the corpse. Masters followed and raised his foot once again.

"Leave him alone!" Will's voice was in perfect unity with Norrington's and Elizabeth's.

Masters looked at them. How was it that the slightest glance from that man could send shivers up Will's spine? Perhaps it was because he was so familiar and yet so utterly alien.

"Well, well. Loyalty to a pirate. Surely law-abiding citizens like yourselves should be ashamed to admit to knowing the likes of him," he sneered

Looking past Masters, Will saw Jack, half sit up. Then, to his astonishment, he saw the glint of something metallic vanish up the pirate's sleeve. The pirate, seemingly aware of his gaze, gave him a quick wink. Legerdemain.

Quickly he looked at Masters. "There are very few people I can say I'm prouder to know." He was aware, without looking, of Elizabeth smiling at his words.

"Ah, but you're a pirate, Bootstrap." That was the second time he'd been addressed by his father's nickname. It felt . . . wrong. Uncomfortable. He opened his mouth to correct the mistake, but the pirate continued speaking. "And you were always ready to follow him on one of his crazy schemes." Masters looked round to where Jack was. Or rather where Jack had been. Will found it hard to stifle a smile at the look on Masters' face when he realised his adversary was gone.

Unnoticed, the first drop of rain fell.

"Looking for something, mate?" a somewhat amused voice said. Masters spun round even faster than Will did. Jack was leaning against a mast. On seeing he had caught everyone's attention, he started forwards. "That, dear William, is exactly why I am always telling you not to do anything stupid. Never ends well."

Will could swear that he actually heard Masters growl beside him. "I think, maybe it would be easier on everyone if I just shot you. Put you out of your misery."

"Well, you could do that. But I wouldn't recommend it."

"Oh wouldn't you?" Somehow the dynamic had changed. Jack seemed to be filled with confidence, or possibly just recklessness, it was difficult to tell. But Masters was standing there, listening as Jack paced up and down, peering at parts of the ship as though he had never seen them before. He had a plan; Will knew it. He only prayed that he would recognise the moment when it came.

"You see, Robert - You don't mind if I call you Robert of course - you see, the treasure you've got all these people looking for so diligently . . ." he paused, his head tilted back as though in welcome to the gentle rainshower.

"Yes, what of it?"

Jack wore a sad expression and Will was sure that if he hadn't been paying attention he would have missed the malevolent glint. "It isn't there, mate."

"What!" Masters roared, and Will could see the listening crew shift and murmur among themselves. He also saw what he was sure nobody else did; a very quick movement, another glimpse of a metal blade and a small piece of rope falling at Jack's feet.

"Bootstrap Bill knew where it was, and he told Barbossa, who had it all moved to the Isla de Muerta, savvy?" Will watched Jack's hands. He wondered how much effort the pirate was investing into keeping them still.

"You're a liar!"

"Well, yes. Undeniable that. But not on this occasion." Jack's smile was, in its own way as unnerving as Masters. As if preparing to continue his pacing he turned his back on Masters so he was standing right in front of Will, looking directly into his eyes. Will felt the pressure of the knife in his hand. He grasped it quickly. It was still warm from its proximity to the pirate's flesh. Jack's eyes passed sideways indicating Norrington and Elizabeth, who were regarding him with a mixture of bewilderment and contempt. Aware of Masters looking over Jack's shoulders, Will hid all trace of an acknowledgement. He knew that Jack would count on him understanding.

The sails billowed as the wind began to gather speed and strength, the rain fell ever heavier.

"So give me the bearings," Masters demanded. Jack continued his wandering and his talking, providing a welcome distraction for Will. Cutting the rope your hands were tied together with wasn't easy. He bit his lip hard as he jabbed the knife into his hand.

"Are you really so slow-witted that you'd be expecting to get them for the asking?"

"What are your terms then?" This was snarled; Masters seemed to be losing patience.

Relief spread through his body as the rope finally fell apart. He glanced round quickly; all eyes were on Jack and Masters. As discreetly as he could, he passed the knife to Elizabeth. She flashed him a quick look of astonished understanding. She seemed to manage to cut her bonds much easier than he had. He forced himself not to stare as she passed the blade to Norrington.

The rain was falling very heavily now, soon it would be difficult to see.

"My terms," continued Jack "would be the release of me and my friends as well as all of the people working on that island and the return of my ship - that is this ship, the Black Pearl in case you've forgotten - and our guaranteed safe passage without interference from you or any of your crew, or any allies you might have." By the time he'd finished that he seemed almost out of breath. He was once again staggering more than usual, as if exhaustion and his injuries had caught up with him.

"It seems to me, that it would be far easier, far more profitable and far more . . . satisfying, to force you to talk. Do you doubt that I could do it?" Will hoped against hope that Jack's plan would work, the alternative was getting bleaker by the minute.

"I thought that'd be your answer," Jack mumbled. Suddenly he fell heavily against one of the pirates. The man was taken by surprise and the two went down in a twist of arms and legs. Will heard Elizabeth cry out Jack's name, but he himself was already moving. He had grabbed the sword of another inattentive pirate and booted the man overboard by the time that Jack leapt to his feet, holding a sword of his own.

Masters grinned. "Now that is interesting. I've seen this scene before."

The storm finally broke.

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Sorry for the length of this. I'm not that impressed with this chapter actually, what does anyone else think?