Chapter Six: A Lovely Day for a Hanging

A/n: Sorry for such a short chapter..... My brain is shutting down early today.... .

"What's this wonderful plan?" Ana Maria asked.

Jack continued to smile as he heard raised voices down the hallway. Screaming about treasure and the like. "Why kill your enemy when they'll kill 'emselves?" he wondered aloud.

She raised an eyebrow. "I 'ope this doesn' backfire on you."

"It won'."

"And you're sure of this?"

"Aye."

"How?"

"Luv, I'm-"

"Captain Jack Sparrow, yes I know."

He grinned, pulling her close. "Then why ask, luv?"

"Because someday that won't be enough."

Jack blinked and released her. "All right, luv."

"Jack..."

He forced a smile and leaned his head back against the bars. "You just wait 'n see, darlin'. We'll be outa 'ere before ye know it."

Ana Maria shifted in her seat. She would be more comforted if she felt like he was trying to convince her instead of himself.

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"How many days until we reach the destination?" Will hollered across the deck to Mr. Gibbs.

"One if weather permits," Gibbs answered, taking a swig from his rum bottle. "Don't worry, lad, we'll reach 'em in time."

Will nodded and looked over the railing. "I hope you're right."

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"Is that all you could do? Tell them the bearings and send them on their way?" Elizabeth demanded.

Norrington sighed slightly. "I can do no more for them, Mrs. Turner."

"Don't give me that, James! You can do more and you know it. What of the truce you and Jack signed at the wedding? Is it void now?"

"Captain Sparrow's and my truce said nothing of saving him if anyone else were to catch him."

"But it would have weight if you were to tell the East India Company that he helps Port Royal! I know it would."

"Elizabeth..."

"Do Will and the others have any hope in saving them? I want the truth, James."

The commodore looked down for a moment, seemingly fascinated with his boots or perhaps just not meeting Elizabeth Turner's intense glare. "They'll more than likely get what they want out of them and then hang Jack," he said at last. "He's been branded before and they have the full right to do so."

"And Ana Maria?"

"I don't know, Elizabeth, I'm sorry. They may let her go with punishment, they may..... I don't know."

Elizabeth nodded. "Thank you, James."

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Jack stirred as he realized he'd fallen asleep. He blinked the sleep from his eyes, wondering how long he'd been dozing. Ana Maria was asleep next to him, her face peaceful. His senses jumped to life when he heard the guards coming towards the cell.

"Eh, luv?" he whispered, shaking her slightly. She came too slowly, grumbling about being to early and just leave her be for a bit. "You need to wake up, Ana."

Ana Maria blinked her eyes open just as the door to the cell swung open. Anderson walked in. "We got our information elsewhere, Sparrow," he said tightly.

"Really? Didja now? So I guess we're free to leave then, eh?"

"Not quite," Anderson answered with a smug smirk. "Today's a lovely day for a hanging, isn't it, Sparrow?"

Jack starred up at him. He didn't say a word as two men hauled him to his feet and dragged him out of the cell. Ana Maria sat back in horror. She knew he was waiting for his "opportune moment" that he was so fond of, but that could be damned now. She didn't want to see him die.

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Kungfuchick: Well.... He WAS planning something.... Poor Jack! I'm so mean to him....

LaVieSansAmour: Ah yes, Jack's grin... ::melts::

Queen-Misift-01: Ah! Poor you! I feel so bad for you! Well I hope you do awesome on your tests! I'm sure you will.