Pirates of the Caribbean - Blood is thicker than Rum

By Princess-Pirate

Email: lz_iceprincess@yahoo.co.uk


Summary: What if Jack and his friends got betrayed by someone they thought they knew. An old friend returns to help and they must rely on a woman and superstitious crewmate to save them. But the question is - Will they be in time to keep someone from death?


Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and places belong to Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer, I don't own any of them. Some of the new characters are my own creations and therefore I have some ownership over them.

A/N: By the way this is NOT slash. Just so you know! This is my first fic, so cut me some slack. But reviews and ideas on coming chapter are most welcome.

The fic starts somewhere in the middle of the journey. But the characters have flashbacks about what happened to give it an interesting twist.

Chapter 1 - In the Devil's Claws

Captain Oxford looked up from his desk as the door to his cabin was flung open. The guard at the door still protested but shrank away under the glare from the woman standing in his doorway. He had to admire her beauty when she came stalking in and stopped in front of him.

"I demand to see my husband and Jack Sparrow!" she said as she looked at him, anger burning in her eyes.

"I'm afraid you're not in a position to demand anything Mrs. Turner" he said not even looking up from the map he was studying "And there is not a chance in hell that you will be going into the brig to even see them."

"Well if that is the case" said Elizabeth as she turned to leave "I was hoping we could keep the Commodore and my father out of this but you leave me no choice. I will just have to report everything that has happened so far to them."

"You wouldn't dare," he said as he got up. "Just watch me captain" she said "Oh and I have my informants ready. All of your sailors know me. If you so much as touch me my father and Commodore Norrington will find out whether I'm still alive or not."

The captain stared at her and she just glared at him defiantly.

He feared her at the moment, knowing that she could cause a lot of trouble if she wanted to.

"All right" he said as he motioned a guard closer "Take Miss Sw.., I mean Mrs. Turner down to the brig to see the prisoners." The guard nodded and he and Elizabeth left.

Oxford just sighed and sat down in his chair, not knowing what to do.

*****

"How is he holding out Jack?" asked William as he looked at his best and closest friend.

"Not ta good mate" sighed Jack as he once again held his hand against Will's forehead. His own back was also beginning to bother him although Bill did his best to take care of them.

~~~~~~

Will was tied to the mast and Oxford walked around holding the whip and smiling at all of them.

"You'll be next Sparrow" he snarled and then brought the whip down on Will's back. Will screamed in pain and Jack knew that the scream would haunt him always.

Then another sailor poured saltwater over Will's back, doubling the torture even more.

He heard Elizabeth sobbing next to him but William moved and took the lass in his arms.

"Shh" he whispered "He'll be alright lass, 'e's a strong one." Finally after about 40 lashes Will gave up and surrendered to the darkness.

Oxford had him taken down and left him lying in the sun. Elizabeth wanted to go to him but William kept her at bay.

"You bloody bastard" she yelled and he flinched hearing her swear for the first time since they had met.

He looked at William and saw the look in his eyes. But before he could say anything he was grabbed and tied to the main mast.

"Now Mr. Sparrow" said Oxford as he raised the whip "We shall see how you fare." Jack just grinned but winced as the whip tore away at his flesh.

But Oxford was tired and could only give him about 15 lashed before he ordered Jack, William and young Will to be thrown in the brig.

Bill had then used his jacket as a cloth and had cleaned Jack's back and helped him put his shirt on.

Then they did their best to take care of Will but the gashes on his back just kept on bleeding until William only pressed his coat on it and hoped it would stop during the night.

~~~~~~

It was three days since the whipping and neither he nor William had any sleep. Will's fever grew with the onset of infection and he became restless. They had their hand full keeping him on his side.

He was now lying on his side with his head in his father's lap. William was wiping his face with a wet cloth, trying to bring the fever down. His back had gotten infected from the brig and Oxford had refused them any medical supplies.

They were beginning to face the reality that Will wouldn't make it to Port Royale.

"Has his." William began but Jack motioned for him to keep quiet since he heard footsteps on the stairs. They both sighed as they saw Elizabeth walking through the door.

"Good ta see ya lass," said Jack as she stood in front of them. Elizabeth smiled but her gaze swept to Will lying unconscious in his father's arms. William held him for all he was worth knowing the floor was too dirty. His shirt was stained with blood but he had to keep Will off the floor.

"How is he Jack?" she asked and the Pearl's captain shook his head. "He's getting weaker lass. His wounds have infection in them and yer Navy's good ole Captain Moron refuses te give us some medical supplies."

"He won't make tomorrow morning lass," said William as he looked at Elizabeth. She gasped at him and he saw the tears shining in her eyes.

But she swallowed them and that untamed spirit was back in her eyes again.

"Give me ten minutes" she said as she looked at the guard "I'm going to go and pay Oxford another visit again. He's already granted my previous wish due to the fact that I threatened him with my father and James."

"Ye did what?" asked Jack and Elizabeth smiled.

"Now if you'll gentlemen will excuse me I got an appointment with the devil himself."

"Go get 'im love" smiled jack as Elizabeth walked away, the guard running to keep up with her. She stopped at the door and looked at them. "Take care of my husband, savvy?"

Jack smiled and nodded. "Always" he said as she left.

"She's a wild one," said William.

"Bootstrap, ye 'ave no idea" said Jack as he grinned.

~~~~~~

"What wasat for?" Jack asked as he rubbed his cheek "ye could give Scarlet a run for 'er money."

"That's for the time you tried to kidnap me and that's" she slapped him again "Is for all the dangers you put me and Will in."

Jack looked at Will and he just shrugged.

"I knew nothing about it mate. This is between you and my wife."

"Well thank you for the welcoming Mrs. Turner" said Jack " and if ye are completely finished the I would like to make ye and the whelp a proposal."

A/N - Sorry to leave you like that. Please read and review so that I know if you like it or not. I'll try to update as soon as possible, but college is hell and takes up a lot of your time.