DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl or any of the characters included in the package. I do like to play with them and often end up giving them back worse for the wear. (Especially Captain Jack Sparrow!) ;
CLAIMER: I do, however, own the plot of this story and all my OC therein. Some stay around, some don't. That's life, ne?
Part 4: Plots Upon Plots
Chelsea nodded sourly, knowing her uncle was right.
"One thing first," Mark muttered, reopening his medical bag and pulling out a small vial. Chelsea recognized the tincture immediately, but was unsure of how to react as Mark forced a few drops into the pirate's mouth. Once the vial was corked and returned to its place in the bag, the three left the cell. Hunter rose and joined them, still keeping his distance. Mark closed and locked the cell, then rested his hand in his jacket pocket.
"Don't worry Chelsea. We won't let him hang."
- - - - -
"You caught Jack Sparrow?!"
"Apparently so."
"But that's impossible!"
"What? How is that impossible? I find it quite possible. He's only a pirate." The younger redcoat looked at his senior with a questioning glance.
"He was hung a little over three weeks ago, then his body disappeared."
The young redcoat's jaw dropped and his grip on the mug of ale noticeably slackened as his face paled. "Hung!?"
"You must've been chasing a ghost."
"No, h-he was solid flesh and blood sure enough. Had a wench with him too." The younger stuttered, still turning over what he had been told and trying to make sense of it.
"But how could he still be alive?" The older pondered.
The younger shrugged, deciding on using a common phrase, "He's Captain Jack Sparrow, common sense doesn't apply."
- - - - -
Ana and Gibbs threaded their way through the back streets of Port Royal, searching out Will and Elizabeth's home. They had neither directions nor any past experience of where to go, but they felt they would find it out of sheer necessity. At one bend, two dark figures were coming from the opposite direction followed by two enormous dogs. Ana's hand gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, removing it as quietly as possible from the scabbard.
Gibbs stretched his arm out, blocking Ana's imminent charge. "Wait lass,"
"Why? So we can wait e'en longer fer th' lovely commodore t' hang our cap'n?!" Her accent grew heavy as her anger at the world flared.
Gibbs remained silent, his gaze fixed soundly on the figures just a few yards away.
"Ana? AnaMaria?"
Ana straightened unconsciously at the questioning tone in the familiar voice. Her mind frantically searched for a name to put together with the innocent face and voice. Unable to remember, her brow furrowed in irritation.
"I don't know if the two of you remember; I'm Chelsea and this is my uncle, Dr. Mark Sage."
The memories clicked.
Ana nodded, allowing a smile to form. She was grateful for reuniting with old friends and maybe, just maybe, they could help free Jack. "Do you know where Will and Elizabeth's place is?"
Chelsea nodded. "Yes, come with us."
Chelsea and Mark led the pirates through Port Royal, being careful to avoid any guards. Eventually they found their way to a quaint little house tucked in amongst the rest of the city. It wasn't anything grand, in fact it was quite small, only a few rooms. Probably good for a newer couple. Mark rapped lightly on the solid wood door of Mr. and Mrs. Turner's home. A few moments later, the scraping of the bolt being drawn rang clearly and the opening of the door followed.
"May I help yo—Ana! Gibbs?!" Will exclaimed in shock, jumping back from the door and waving them in. Mark led the way in, followed closely by Chelsea and the dogs, and finally the pirates. Will shut the door clumsily behind them, wariness evident on his features. "What's wrong? Why are you here in Port Royal? Where's Jack?"
"Jack's th' problem," Ana muttered angrily, glaring at the floor.
Will quirked an eyebrow at Gibbs, silently asking him to explain.
"Jack got caught." Gibbs said, not seeing a point in saying anymore. From his past experiences with the Turners, neither was hesitant about helping a friend.
He was sorely disappointed.
"I'm sorry Gibbs, but you can't expect our help." All eyes turned to Elizabeth who was standing just outside the bedroom door.
"Wha'?! Why not?!" Gibbs' shock dawned on his face, followed shortly by distress.
"We just can't. We're in enough trouble with the navy, as they're blaming the disappearance of Jack's body on us."
Ana looked up with sharp eyes, sensing there was something else. Something more. "What is it? I know there's somethin' else."
Will looked down, embarrassed with his wife's words, but believing in them none the less.
"You saw him three weeks ago!" Elizabeth snapped, using their last meeting with Jack as all the reasoning necessary.
"Aye. But tha' wasn't him-"
"Precisely! We can't go risking ourselves and our unborn child for the sake of a madman!" Ana glared at Will, who shrunk back slightly, ashamed at the strength of his own words.
Ana's face lightened. "'Unborn child'? Since when?"
"We just found out a week ago."
Looking Elizabeth up and down for the first time in almost four years, Ana took note of the other woman's rounding abdomen. "Well, congratulations." Her tone implied she despised the child simply because it was the reasoning used to deny Jack the help of friends.
"Very well. We'll not force ye t' 'elp," Gibbs said slowly, taking hold of Ana's arm and turning her to the door. "We'll jus' be going now."
- - - - -
What was wrong with the man?
James shook his head. It was no concern of his whether the pirate was well or not; after all, Jack was scheduled to hang the next day. Although, there was one little problem: hanging an unconscious man is a might difficult.
Despite his military upbringing and personal loathing for the actions of pirates, he couldn't help but fret over Jack's well-being. It was nearing the four-year reunion of Jack's legendary escape from the gallows and, somehow, the man had managed to disappear after being hung and pronounced dead a few weeks back. The fact that the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow was still alive, breathing, and lying motionless in a cell before him was altogether a relief and a disaster.
Why couldn't the man decide on accepting death or staying clear of the law?
Norrington shook his head. In his opinion, it was a simple choice. But now it was too late.
This time, there would be no escape for Captain Jack Sparrow.
- - - - -
"Dr. Sage! Dr. Sage sir!"
The small group froze in their places, but not a moment after the shock of the call Ana and Gibbs melted into the shadows of the room and watched as Will admitted the messenger. After a short exchange with Mark, the redcoat turned and ran back to the fort.
"What was that about?" Elizabeth inquired gently.
"It seems Captain Sparrow isn't doing too well. The Commodore has called me back."
Ana and Gibbs appeared from the shadows instantly, both ready to fight for captain and ship should it come to that.
"Let us come with you," Ana ordered, her hand tightly gripping the hilt of her cutlass.
"Actually, I was going to send Chelsea and the dogs with this." Mark withdrew a set of keys from his coat pocket and shook them, sending a cascade of sounds throughout the room.
"Where'd you get those?" Gibbs questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Just because I'm a doctor does not mean I'm the most honorable man in the world." Mark winked and handed the keys to Chelsea, along with the medical kit.
"Why me? Surely they won't allow me to take your place, I-"
Mark held up his hand, effectively silencing her. "If you'd hear me out, you'd hear me tell you that I told the guard to tell Norrington to expect you and two other novice surgeons to tend to the pirate. After all, how important is he when he's going to hang tomorrow?" His mischievous smirk removed the sting from his words. Leaning close to Chelsea, he whispered directions to her and she nodded her comprehension.
"Alright, I understand. Ana, Gibbs, follow me." Chelsea headed out the door, followed closely by Kona and the pirates.
"Hunter, you go too." Mark pointed out the door and the dog grudgingly obeyed.
- - - - -
"Now, the two of you wait out here,"
"I can go in, they won' recognize me if I keep my face hidden," Ana put in quickly.
"Ana's right an' you may need help. I'll wait out 'ere," Gibbs agreed.
Chelsea nodded and proceeded to lead the way into the fort, leaving Gibbs alone on the street. The two women got past the guard without a hitch, Ana keeping the brim of her hat low to cast her face in shadows. Once inside, Chelsea led Ana down towards the cells and they were soon standing in front of Jack's chamber. He hadn't moved an inch since Chelsea last saw him.
"Jack," Ana called lightly, not wanting to alert any guards, but still wanting to catch his attention.
No response.
"Jack!" The call was louder, but still the pirate captain didn't stir. Ana turned worried eyes on Chelsea. "What's wrong with him?"
"No time to explain; we have to get him out of here somehow."
Ana looked at Jack once more before scanning the cellblocks to take an inventory of their assets. Her gaze stopped on the two large dogs and a very Jack-like grin lit her face. "I think I've got just the thing."
[a/n: Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed, and also to those who just read. I really appreciate that you'd spend your precious time evaluating/enjoying my story. Also, to all who reviewed the last chapter, Captain Jack Sparrow plushies and drinks all around! ]