Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean(though I wish I did), Jack Sparrow(wish did once again), nor any other character from this kick-ass movie. If I did, I wouldn't be writing this fic; I'd be making another movie. And hanging out with Johnny Depp. I have yet to see a pig fly over my house wearing a tutu either. So, no sueing, please?
Summary: Will is living happily with his newly wed wife, Elizabeth. But when someone from Jack's foggy past comes, sworn to have revenge on Jack Sparrow, he and Jack must stick by the truth and their friendship in order to survive.
~Chapter 3~
~Why The Rum Is Gone~
It was decided. Will, Elizabeth, and Jack were to leave Port Royal in the
dead of night the next day on the Black Pearl and it's crew, in
which they would head to Tortuga and find out where exactly Jones was
planning to go. Will wasn't sure what Jack planned from there, whether to get
himself and Elizabeth as far away from Jones as possible, or go after him
to do some fast-action gut splicing. Jack was very unpredictable with his
true motives. Then, Jack pointed out he still needed supplies for his ship.
After that, Will and Elizabeth had proposed to go and get enough supplies
until they got to Tortuga, because it would be suspicious to get more, at
noon. Jack agreed. "Just get me some rum while yer out," the pirate captain
said gruffly.
"Can't you wait until tonight, Jack? I just cleaned the carpets," Elizabeth replied stiffly.
"No. If I don't get me rum, I won't be held for me actions," Jack warned.
Even afterwards, Elizabeth refused to do so, since Jack so blatantly said before that there was enough rum on the ship to fill up a lake. Even when Will tried to reason with Elizabeth, she said, "I don't get much say in this, so I'm at least getting my way with this."
Noon came, and Jack was mumbling to himself random phrases like 'Why is the rum gone?' and 'Damn Woman'. Will and Elizabeth left saying they would be back within two hours and to not let anyone see him, for reasons you should know. ("Just worry 'bout yerselves, ye rum depriving people," huffed Jack.) They locked the door behind them with a click. Jack paced around the living room, every once in a while stumbling over his thick black boots. "If I don't get me rum, there will be hell to pay," Jack growled to himself. Jack stopped in his tracks, an evil smirk that would make the elder die of fright twisting his moustache. "But. They never said 'don't leave the house' ...heh heh heh."
Will's throat clenched as he walked along the shattered streets of Port Royal
with Elizabeth, one hand clasped to hers and the other held on his sword
handle, which he had started to carry around everywhere since last night
(because you never know). Looking at the once great Port Royal in ruins made
Will feel sick and guilty all at once. He was sure that if he even just
touched an unmarred wall, then it would shatter like fragile crystal in his
hands.
Will hoped that at least the heart of the city was untouched; he hadn't been to he blacksmith shop since that awful day. If the heart was gone, what chance did the rest of the body have of surviving?
But, Will gladly saw that the heart of Port Royal was mostly intact. People were scurrying about, buying supplies from stores to most likely repair their broken property as well. Will pulled Elizabeth along to start their shopping spree; the sooner they got back to Jack, the better.
Captain Jack Sparrow hid in the shadows, hiding from the view of the
citizens of Port Royal. He stole a few steps onwards whenever he was positive
no authorities were around. He barely felt any guilt for leaving the Turners'
residence; they knew Jack couldn't bare to not be without his precious rum.
Jack had already skipped a few days between drinks, which surprised even him,
and now all he wanted was a good hangover, or at least a numbing affect to
get rid of his bad memories of that idiot, Jones.
Jack glanced calculatingly at the bar directly in front of him. The sign, which read Joe's on it, hung by a string in an odd angle from the front. The building had a gapping hole in the side from cannon-fire, and he could see shadows of people from in there; it looked like, despite the damages, business went on and drunkards would continue to fill the streets tonight. Jack frowned thoughtfully. When nobody was looking, he could slip in, buy a bottle of rum, slip out, and be back at the Turners' before they even reached their property. Nothing the great Captain Jack Sparrow couldn't handle, right?
Just then, Jack noticed one particularly flustered man running down the street, being chased by one of Port Royal's Navy Troops. Norrington must be having a field day here, Jack thought with a smirk.
He stole one more cautious glance around, and seeing nobody paying attention to the flamboyant who was hiding in the shadows, slinked through the hole in the side of the building, rounding the corner, back tightly against the wall.
Jack was about to order the bartender to get him a rum when the sound of cocking pistols surrounded him. Jack frowned, getting a good look around him for the first time. Then it dawned on him; the flustered man was the bartender, and he was just chased out of his own bar by the British Navy. Commodore Norrington's face stood directly in front of him, furious, his pistol and the pistols of two other Navy men held point blank at his rapidly beating heart.
Despite he suddenly overwhelming fear for his life, Jack's face remained calm and his voice unwavering. "Commodore," he greeted, "What a pleasant surprise. But I never really thought of ye as the drinkin' type..."
"I'm not," Norrington said flatly, "But it is obvious that your own drinking habits will be your downfall, Jack Sparrow,"
"Captain Jack Sparrow," Jack corrected, his hands held up slightly in defense. He took a small, almost unnoticeable step forward, shifting from his uncomfortable position against they wall. Jack talked casually as if the two men were discussing the results of last night's game, while Norrington talked as if someone shoved a stick up his rear end.
Somehow, Norrington was paying attention enough to notice Jack's slight move. He gripped his gun tighter and growled, "One more move Captain, and you'll perish before you even reach the gallows. Clear?"
"Inescapably," Jack murmured back swiftly, his eyes almost crossed to look directly at the tip of Norrington's weapon. He was beginning to wish he had just stayed back at the Turners' house like he was supposed to. But he had been in worse jams before, so Captain Jack Sparrow could get out of this one, too, right?
"Ye know, it's rude to point at people," Jack said slowly.
"It's also rude to impersonate a cleric," Norrington countered, "Along with piracy, kidnapping, and many other things you've done; plus they're all illegal."
"If I wanted a lecture, I would have gone to church," Jack replied softly.
Obviously having heard enough, Norrington ordered, "Alright, Mr.Sparrow, you're going to come along nice and slowly and spend a night in your reserved cell. Then, you'll be hanged tomorrow. Unlike other times, you won't be escaping your fate. I gave you warning before, and a chance, not to come back, but if you are stupid enough not to listen, you must pay the price."
"Really, now?" Jack inquired, looking up from the gun and at Norrington, raising his voice as he continued, smug, his hand drifting slowly, almost turtle-like to the hilt of his pistol. "Have ye forgotten I'm Captain Jack Sparrow? Nobody gets the best of me, Savvy?"
"I think you've forgotten 'bout us, Sparrow," growled the soldier on Norrington's left, he and the soldier on Norrington's right having their own respective pistols cocked and ready to blow a hole in Jack at a moment's notice.
"No, I haven't," Jack replied, his hand now hovering directly over his pistol, "But ye've forgotten another thing, unfortunate for ye." Jack grinned slyly. "Improvisation." He took one final calculating glance around the room before putting his plan into action.
The pirate captain grabbed his pistol from his belt, and dodge-rolled away from Norrington and the other soldiers' echoing shots. As he rolled, he shot his own pistol directly at a slate of metal(pot) behind the bar counter. Instead of going right through it, it bounced off like a rubber ball, and the bullet shot itself at at Norrington's own gun. It was knocked from his hand and ricocheted over to the display of alcohol. The two other soldiers at that time were beside it and the bullet finally stopped with an explosion; rum burst everywhere and into the soldiers' faces. They recoiled and shouted out in surprise, dropping their own pistols.
Grinning, Jack stood up and dashed to the hole in the wall. "It's been nice talkin' to ye, mates! Never forget the day you yet again almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow!..." He bolted out of the bar, and ran towards the alleyway.
The next thing he knew, both Jack and another man smacked into each other and sprawled out on the ground like limp rag dolls.
"Ow, bloody 'ell," groaned Jack, sitting up and rubbing his forehead. Stars attacked his vision for a few moments, slightly dizzy.
"Jack?!"
"Eh?" Jack lifted his kohl-rimmed eyes up to look forward, only to see Elizabeth and an equally flustered Will on the ground in front of him. "Oh, 'ello, Will," Jack greeted innocently, "Nice weather we're havin', eh?"
"What the hell are you doing-!" Will sputtered, looking like he was trying very hard not to shake Jack silly.
He was cut short by the familiar sound of cocking guns. Will froze when he stood up, Jack following. "Jack, what did you do?"
"Pissed off Norrington. Nothin' new."
Will was about to throw Jack a dirty look, when Norrington spoke. "I thought you were smarter than that to get mixed up with pirates again, Mr. Turner." He scolded. "You're even mixing up fair Elizabeth in this."
Will, who had never told a lie before, bit back a false excuse. Even though Jack had been foolish to come out in public, he would stick by him no matter what.
Then, Jack decided it was a good time to experiment in the wonders of hypocrisy. "Leave the lass out of this," He said defensively, "She's got bloody well nothin' to do with this."
Elizabeth was about to protest when Will squeezed her hand to silence her. As long as his wife was safe, he didn't care what happened to himself.
"Seriously," Jack continued, "She didn't even know I was here. Ye see, I was caught up in a Tornado an'-"
"Tornado?" Norringtion replied incredulously.
"Will ye let me continue?"
"Not if it's a bunch of lies," Norrington spat. "For one thing, there hasn't been a tornado here for many years."
"Did I say it t'was here?"
"No, but I know what's coming. Let me guess- a bunch of seagulls flew by while migrating and saved you, dropped you off here, and you brainwashed Turner into helping you."
Jack stared blankly at Norrington. "How did ye guess?" Will could barely hear the hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Ye must be psychic or somethin'."
Norrington pursed his lips in frustration. "Indeed," he said dryly. "But no matter what tall-tale you tell me, I'm afraid I will have to arrest you and Mr.Turner. Elizabeth, you'll have to come with me, too, until your father can pick you up."
Will snarled and instinctively grasped Elizabeth's tense hand tighter. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Commodore, but you're not getting any of us."
"That's right," Jack added confidently, swaggering even more. "The only way ye can get Jack Sparrow is dead, savvy?"
"That can be arranged, "Norrington said swiftly.
"Ah, ye don't wanna waste a good bullet on me, "Jack reasoned, putting his hands up again defensively, swaying even more. "I hear scurvy is goin' 'round lots lately...ye shoot me, an' I may have it an' not know it. Blood spills an' people'll catch it. Not to mention it'll be a big mess t' clean up. Savvy?"
"Jack, you only get scurvy if you don't eat enough oranges," Will whispered harshly.
"Ah, but does the Commodore know that?'
"He does." The Commodore stated.
"Oh. Well, how 'bout them rabies?"
"Even though I wouldn't doubt it by the way you act, Mr.Sparrow, I know you don't have scurvy or rabies." Norrington snarled. "No more stalling; come along now..."
"Look, it's Capt'n Jack Sparrow!" Jack suddenly gasped, pointing behind Norrington.
Will gave Jack a funny look, Elizabeth frowning. Surely Norrington wasn't stupid enough to-
"Where!?" Norrington swung his head around instinctively, not even realizing he was falling for one of the oldest tricks in the book.
Well, then again...
Before he could react, Jack grabbed Will and Elizabeths' wrists and directed them into the other direction. The pirate captain then threw them that way, and Will had to stumble to keep his balance; Will stopped Elizabeth before she fell on her knees. They began running even before Jack managed to say, "Go to the Pearl! I catch up with ye!"
Will ran faster than he thought he could, Elizabeth in toll. Will heard gun shots from behind but didn't dare to stop nor look back. What bags they were carrying from shopping hung loosely from Elizabeth's arm, flapping in the wind that rushed into their faces. They ran all the way up to the mountain from the heart of Port Royal, and skidded to a halt before they fell over the edge. Will, lost of breath, glanced around. Nobody, but he did hear distant shouting from Norrington. Not much time.
"Look, there's the Black Pearl," pointed out Elizabeth, looking over the edge.
"But where's Jack?" Will asked, not even bothering to look over.
Gun shots. Shouting getting closer. Way less time. "Come on!" Will called, grabbing onto Elizabeth again and leading her down and around the small mountain. He knew Norrington would come right up the middle, so they went down the left side, away from port. They nearly fell down the mountain twice one the way because they were running so quickly and out of control.
They nearly went by the Black Pearl, but stopped just in time to hear Ana-Maria call to them from the ship. Will looked up and saw Gibbs and Mr.Cotton there as well looking over the edge at them, while all of the other crewman readied the ship to leave. The black flagged, almost haunting ship was indeed directly under the mountain; if you were to jump from it, you could have landed right in the middle and start hollering commands. But there was still no Jack to give the orders.
Desperately wanting to see Jack well, but also desperate to save his wife, he pushed Elizabeth towards the ship. "Swim!" he gasped, "Swim for the ship!"
"No, I won't leave you!" protested Elizabeth.
"Just-!" A pistol shot zoomed by his head faster than the Road Runner. Will ducked, rolled, and seeing no other option, headed for the ship. He and Elizabeth dived into the water, graceful as dolphins.
Jack Sparrow found himself dodging bullets, which wasn't very uncommon in his
life. Norrington was on his tail, and his pistol had only two shots left,
which wasn't nearly enough for self-defense. He jumped out of the way of an
echoing shot, graceful as a lizard walking on water, and into an alley. He
glanced around like a wary hawk. Then, he saw two trash cans piled up beside
the building in front of him. Cue another genius plan by Captain Jack
Sparrow.
He dashed for the tower but backed off a step as another gun shot whizzed by him, making his long dark brown hair swirl around him. He continued again and climbed up on the bins. They nearly lost balance when another bullet grazed the side of the tin. But before the cans finally fell over, he leaped up and grabbed the sill of the building. He hoisted himself up, grunting, then continued on, jumping from one building to the next, mildly safe from being shot.
But when I say mildly, don't think I mean completely. He stumbled along, almost to the edge several times. Before he could center himself, yet another bullet snaked it's way up and hit the side, crumbling beneath him. Jack swore as his foot got caught in the gap. He felt pain shoot up his leg as he ankle twisted. His ankle nearby gave way and he almost toppled over the building and straight into Norrington's waiting arms, where he might as well have been hung right then and there. But he wouldn't allow that to stop him. Despite his sudden pain, he knew he had to get back to the Black Pearl and make sure Will and Elizabeth were safe...He needed to find Jones...
He wrestled his foot free, grunting like a wild animal, stumbled back, and ignoring his pain as much as he could(despite his evident limping), ran to his destination from building to building, a sparrow flying free with an injured wing.
Will and Elizabeth swam against the currents towards the Black Pearl.
Will never let go of Elizabeth's hand until they hit hollow wood; the ship.
They broke through the surface, soaking wet, with a deep gasp.
Will saw a ladder lower down towards them by Gibbs. He heard distantly the sounds of shouting from Gibbs and Ana-Maria(Mr.Cotton's parrot squawking about the weather) against the sound of more guns firing at them. Will let Elizabeth go up first, then himself. They climbed up the ladder like frantic monkeys(which reminded Will even more that Jack still hadn't come).
They collapsed on deck, Will's vision foggy with exhaustion. He felt Gibbs help him to his feet, but could only focus on land. The soldiers were still shooting at them, badly aimed. But Norrington, Jack, and the two other soldiers that accompanied Norrington were absent.
Jack was soon on the outskirts of town, a rope swing away from the hill that
hovered over his ship. He was over at the docks, the ropes of the ships
begging to be swung from like Tarzan and his vines. Without thinking, he hit
a lever with his good foot, sending his skyward. He flew up into the air, and
let go as soon as he was in reach. He fell onto his knees, and swaggered into
a standing position. He limped for the top of the mountain and glanced over
to see his beloved Pearl. Was that just Will he saw?
"Hands up, Mr.Sparrow, or we'll shoot!" Gun cocking. Crap. Jack lifted his hands up obidiently, slowly turning towards Norrington and two other navy men's glowering faces. "It ends now, Mr.Sparrow," growled Norrington, "You are cornered. Come quietly."
Jack, showing almost no fear, looked over his shoulder to the depths below. "No I'm not, mate. No one gets Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?"
Suddenly, Will heard a distant, echoing yell. Coming from above him. The ship
lurched forward when a cannonball suddenly shot at the ship and it started to
move from the force of it grazing the side just as Will looked up.
More gun fire. Will recognized the shouting. And the hat that suddenly clouded his vision.
Barely even time to shout out his name. Jack tumbled on deck, landing on his feet and into a kneeling position. He grunted as he stood up straight, and ordered, "Man the sails, ye scurvy dogs! All hands on deck! Hoist the anchor! Ana-Maria, to the helm! We're movin' out!"
"Aye aye, sir!" The crew shouted and went straight to work.
Jack stood stock still, but chuckled when he heard the echoing, "Sparrooow!!" From the mountaintop. Norrington, of course.
"Are you alright, Jack?" Elizabeth questioned.
"Far as I know," Jack replied distantly, but refused to move. Even when another bullet zoomed by he barely flinched; he was willing himself not to move.
"My god, Jack, jumping from that high up, how did you not get hurt?" Will asked, stunned.
"Who said I didn't?" Jack answered gruffly. "M' ankle's throbbing. Not just from that, though. I'll be okay in a minute."
"How did you get away?" Will wondered.
"Trade secret," grinned Jack. He stumbled over to the side of the ship; they were already past dock, but that was expected from the fastest ship in the Caribbean. He shouted back to the fading Port Royal, "Pleasure doin' business with ye! I'll be sure to come back soon, mates!" He turned his head. "Someone! Get me a rum!"
"You know, Jack, that was foolish of you to go out in public like that," Will said crossly, "We weren't able to get the food because we got side tracked, and we were almost killed!"
"Don't ye lecture me 'bout idiocy, lad," Jack said, pointing at Will, "Since yer probably the king of idiocy. Secondly, who ever said the supplies were 'posed to be food?"
"But we thought-" Elizabeth started.
"What I meant by supplies was gunpowder an' such. 'Cause ye never know when we might need it. But," Jack stated, for once not swaying while he spoke, "We're headin' for Tortuga anyway. Ye know, to find out where Jones is. We gotta make sure we're not headin' right up his territory, at least not right away."
Oh, ya. Will had forgotten about him.
"We can always get get 'em while we're there. Savvy? Now, if ye'll excuse me," Someone passed Jack a mug of rum, "I'm gonna go drink meself unconscious. Believe it or not, I haven't had rum for over a week, and it's 'bout time I break the record." Somehow, Will didn't believe Jack hadn't had any rum for over a week. But Jack stumbled off anyway, Will noting that the pirate captain was tender with walking on his ankle. He hoped that Jack would heal quickly, because if they came across Jones, they would have to be in their best shape possible, and he was sure they would because he somehow knew that Jack wanted to know where Jones was for more reasons than to protect Will and his wife.
~To Be Continued...~
Next Chapter: Meet Captain Eric Stevens. Also, cannonballs can be a
pain in the butt, espiecially when you know where they're shooting from.
'Til next chapter! Remember to leave a review on your way out! :D
