Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Jack, Ana, or even Norrington. Darn.
A/N: Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews. Sorry, I took a bit longer to update than I have been, but this chapter is definitely longer than the last few have been. I hope that makes up for the delay.
"What makes you think I have any intention of breaking Jack Sparrow out of prison?" Anamaria still could not believe what Miguel had just said. He was Don Antonio Cornado's son. His father had beaten Jack within an inch of his life only to patch the pirate up and start all over again. His father hated pirates. His father hated Jack. How could Cornado's son, his own flesh and blood, be so drastically different?
"Am I mistaken?" Miguel asked. A slight smile crossed his lips and his black eyes were almost playful.
He really did not look at all like his father. If it were not for the scar that ran the length of his face, the Spanish captain probably would have been very handsome. Ana did not imagine than Don Antonio had ever been handsome.
"I do not wish to see any man suffer," Ana answered being deliberately vague. She wanted to trust Miguel. He had given her no reason not to trust him, but Ana was still wary of the man. She could not see any benefit for the Spaniard if he helped her get Jack out of prison. Instead, he would be charged with criminal actions and most likely have to face the wrath of his Don Cornado. Why would he voluntarily risk these things, for a pirate?
"You do not trust me, Señora."
"Should I?" Ana asked, defiantly, "Miguel, I do not wish to be impolite, but what reason do I have to trust you? You're in the Spanish Navy. Your father wants nothing more than to see Jack Sparrow suffer."
"I am not like him." Miguel's visage darkened at the mention of Don Antonio.
"I have seen that," Ana said, wondering what sort of relationship a man like Cornado could have with his son, "but he is your father. How will he react if he finds out that you've broken the law to free a pirate from prison?"
If Don Antonio finds out what I have done, I think he will react very differently than you anticipate." The Spaniard smiled as he spoke. It was a smile that Ana recognized. It was the same smile that her husband wore in their portrait in the study. The smile that said he knew something that the rest of the world did not.
Anamaria raised an eyebrow. "What are you not telling me, Miguel?"
Something flickered across the captain's face but was gone again before Ana could be sure of what she saw.
"I keep nothing from you," Miguel said, "I promise."
"What use do I have for the promises of the Spanish Navy?"
"I do not give you the promise of my country. I give you my promise."
Miguel stared into Ana's eyes as she fought her inner battle. As usual, her head told her to be suspicious of the Spaniard and his motives. Her only experience with the Spanish military had been at la Cerradura. Needless to say, she had formed a rather negative opinion based on what she had seen at the prison. She had watched Cornado's men blindly follow his orders and torture Jack. Never once was his brutality questioned. On the other hand, her heart screamed that Jack was now in the fort but would be sailing to Spain by midday tomorrow. If she did not act, she may never see the intrepid captain again. She shook her head. No matter how hard she tried to fight her feelings, she did care for Jack. In the split second that he had let her see past the mask he usually wore to cover his emotions, she had seen so much more than a pirate. She could not just stand idle and watch that monster drag Jack to Spain to endure more cruelty. She was responsible for his capture in the first place. If he had not gone to her house to find her a dress, then he would be safe now. She had to do something.
"How do you know we could even get him out? It's a fort, you know, Captain. There will be guards."
"Your friend Capitán Norrington has told the guards at the prison that I am Don Cornado's son. He has told them that I am responsible for seeing that Sparrow is successfully conveyed to Spain. They will let me into the hold. I will let you in."
"James Norrington has been in the Navy since he was a boy. He does everything according to protocol. He will not let just anyone in and out of the hold, no offense."
"None taken. Under the normal circumstances, I would agree with you. For the past few days, he has been most unwilling to let me out of his sight. However, he does not much care for me or my views concerning pirates. He tires of spending time discussing the morality of condemning a man based solely on that man's chosen occupation. I think, he will decline accompanying me to the hold if only to be rid of me."
Ana remembered how uncomfortable James had been that morning at the harbor, when she had first met Miguel. He was clearly opposed to the Spaniard's thoughts regarding pirates.
"Alright, so James will let you enter the hold because he does not wish to spend time with you. How am I to get in? You said yourself that everyone there thinks I am dead. If I am seen, then . . ." Ana imagined the chaos that could ensue. "Certainly, someone will alert, Prescott."
"Your brother?"
"Yes."
"Then, go yourself to your brother. You should tell him what has happened to you, since you are unwilling to tell me."
Tell Prescott what happened. Ana could hear in her head how that conversation would go. Yes, Prescott, I know that you thought I was dead, but that's preposterous. Don Cornado merely stabbed me in the study and left me bleeding. No big deal. Oh, and did I mention, Jack cut my dress in half? No, telling Prescott was not a good idea. Her brother would point out that none of this ever would have happened if she had not decided to hide Jack in her house. She would, of course, tell him not to blame Jack. She would say that Jack found her wounded and actually saved her life. However, this news would not make Prescott happy. Instead, he would be furious. He would say that her life would not have been in danger in the first place if not for Jack Sparrow.
"Don Cornado stabbed me."
"Why?"
"Because, I threatened to tell Admiralty what he had done to Jack at la Cerradura."
Miguel nodded. "He would kill a woman to save himself." The Spaniard's voice was flat. He did not seem at all affected by Ana's admission. Almost as though he had expected her to say that Cornado had been the one who hurt her. "You should go to your brother. Assure him that you are alright. If he asks what happened –"
"He will ask," Ana interrupted.
"Then, when he asks, you will lie." Miguel was not looking at Ana anymore. He was gazing out the window and his fingers were tracing the scar on his cheek. "You could always tell him that the pirate kidnapped you. Everyone already thinks that, anyway," he continued, "on your way out of the fort, stop at the hold. I will see that you get inside. There is another door on the opposite side of the hold. It is barred from the outside and locked, of course." Miguel dug into his pocket and pulled out a key. "I will make sure the door is open. Sparrow is a very clever pirate. He will be able to get you the rest of the way."
"Why not come with me?"
"Where?"
"To see Prescott. You could say that you rescued me."
"No."
Ana's eyes narrowed. Miguel was definitely keeping something from her. "If Jack Sparrow does not get to Spain, your father will be relieved of his position at la Cerradura."
"Probably." He still did not look Ana in the eye.
"Why do you want him to fail?"
"You know what kind of a man he is."
Ana searched the Spaniard's stony expression. Suddenly, understanding dawned in her own eyes. "Miguel," she started, "what happened to your face?"
He looked at Ana then down at the floor. "You should get dressed," he said, "we do not have much time."
Less than twenty minutes later, Ana stood in one of the corridors at the fort. She was in front of the office her brother was occupying. Miguel had ridden with her in the carriage from her house. He had not said a word regarding the scar on his face. The silence was unnerving. His eyes had been haunted when she asked about that scar. For some reason, she was certain Don Cornado had been behind the blade that disfigured Miguel's face. The man's callousness seemed to have no bounds.
Miguel had disappeared as soon as she entered the fort. Most of the men were unable to hide their shocked expressions as she asked where to find Prescott, like they were seeing a ghost.
She had never been so scared to see her own brother. She had never lied to him, like she was about to. But, she had to free Jack. She could not be responsible for causing him more pain. Ana knocked on the door.
"Come."
Prescott was sitting behind a desk writing a letter. He did not look up as Ana entered the office. Much to her dismay, Don Cornado sat in one of the chairs opposite her brother. "Prescott?"
"Annie!" His eyes were wide with concern as he rushed to her side. Cornado rose to his feet. Clearly, he was unhappy to see her . . . alive. His anger was almost palpable. "Annie, where have you been?" Prescott asked.
She sighed. "You were right about Sparrow. He kidnapped me." She heard her voice, but the words sounded like someone else. The Spanish commandant had to know that she was lying, but he would not challenge her story. To do so would incriminate himself. Prescott wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He was telling her not to worry, that Sparrow had been arrested and would be out of her life by tomorrow afternoon. Her brother loved her so much, and she wanted desperately to tell him the truth. She had to tell him, but not now. She had to wait until she knew Jack was safe. Then, she could tell her brother the real story. He would be angry with her, but he would understand. At least, she hoped he would understand.
"I am glad to see you safe, Señora," Cornado said tersely.
She smiled coldly at the Spaniard.
Prescott glared in Cornado's direction. "Don Antonio, I do not wish to place blame, but how can I rely on the competence of your men after this? They gave my sister up for dead, when she obviously needed their aid."
Cornado pursed his lips. "I will find out where the blame lies, Capitán Tarret." The Spaniard nodded curtly and left the siblings alone.
"Where did Sparrow take you? How did you get away?" Prescott asked.
Ana thought of Miguel. The man deserved some recognition for his good heart. She thought of Don Antonio and his maliciousness. Miguel was helping her because he knew it was the right course of action. He expected nothing in return, and he was willing to face Cornado's anger. "Captain Cornado found me."
Prescott stepped back from Ana. "Who?"
"Don Antonio's son."
"What are you talking about? Don Antonio does not have a son."
Okay, I know Jack still hasn't reappeared, and I left you hanging with this chapter, but you still want to review right?