Okay, first off I want to say sorry that I kinda dropped off the edge of the earth...I was so busy with everything. Junior year's a beast! Let me tell you! I hope no one hates me.

Here's the second to last chapter! I've had it written for a loooooong time, just cleaned it up a bit. sorry it's kind of short.

I don't own the pirates. Sorry again for this taking so long!! And, yeah I know I promised SLASH, but you just have to be patient. I promise there will be some.

Thanks for the reviews!

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The watchman snored loudly. Jack didn't like that. He turned slowly, being careful not to bump his injured shoulder.

He sighed. Although the 'Sails Mishap' had slowed them down greatly and delayed their arrival by a few days, replacements had been found eventually. They'd be reaching Marie Galante tomorrow morning. He didn't plan on being hung anytime soon, so this was a problem. Deep in thought, he drifted off into an uncomfortable sleep.

The sound of keys in his cell door woke him. He kept his eyes closed, seeing this as one of his last few chances for escape. As he heard soft footsteps approach he braced himself. When he felt a gentle hand placed on his face, he took the opportunity, turned his head quickly, and bit down hard.

A quickly stifled cry reached his ears. He opened his eyes but didn't take the few precious moments to take in his surroundings. He quickly grabbed the bitten arm and swung it up behind the owner's back, about to break it. A surprising sight met his eyes.

"Anamaria?" Jack blurted. She was standing at the door to his cell, her arms crossed over her chest in amusement. "But...I thought..." he stammered, sure that every one of his crew had died.

"You thought wrong," she said, a rare smile gracing her face.

Jack frowned and turned his prisoner around. "Oh!" he exhaled in wonder.

Will grinned back, his eyes quickly taking in every feature of the battered pirate in front of him. Seeing his shoulder, Will frowned. "You're hurt," he said in concern, touching Jack's bloody shoulder.

Jack's eyes suddenly filled with tears that he desperately tried to hide. He hadn't realized until now how desperate he was for escape, or how much he'd missed the boy Will. He buried his head in Will's shoulder so the other wouldn't see the tears. He didn't make a habit of crying and he didn't intend to start now.

Will's eyes widened in surprise. He put his hand underneath Jack's chin and lifted so he could see his face.

"No! We don't have time for this! C'mon!" Anamaria whispered harshly, yanking the other two into reality. They quickly scrambled after her.

"S'bout time you showed up," Jack said, grinning, sounding much like his normal self again.

Anamaria rolled her eyes and led them back up the stairs and over to the edge of the boat. Jack didn't think to ask where everyone was, he figured that would just waste time. After Anamaria climbed over the side and began her way down, Jack started to swing his leg over and got an unexpected surprise.

A dagger hilt sprouted in his upper thigh and dark blood quickly soaked his right pant leg. Jack grimaced as he quickly pulled out the knife.

Will's mouth fell open and he swung around to face Jack's attacker. He found himself staring down the barrel of a gun pointed straight at his face. He swallowed and slowly raised his arms to show that he had no weapons.

Jack's forehead dripped with sweat from the pain of pulling his leg off the side of the ship so he could stand properly. He wasn't really standing on two feet, though, as he had to lean against the rail so he wouldn't fall over. He looked up to see Captain Siyamak holding a gun an inch away from Will's nose.

Jack raised the knife, dripping with his own blood, into the air, gripping it by the blade. "Lower yer pistol," he growled. He tried to blink spots out of his eyes, tried to fight the dizziness that accompanied so much blood loss.

Siyamak laughed softly. "Who's faster Jack? You?" His thumb moved as he cocked the gun. "Or me?"

Jack blinked grimly as he stared back at the other man. He didn't answer.

More laughter. "Oh, Jack, I would'a expected more from you." His voice dripped with mocking disappointment. Jack's eyes darted to the gun as Siyamak tightened his grip on the trigger...

Siyamak was shot in the head from behind at the same instant that Jack threw the dagger. As Siyamak fell, the knife Jack had thrown firmly implanted in his heart, Jack saw Anamaria from where she had been standing behind him.

Will let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. He nodded his gratitude to Anamaria and turned to find Jack swaying in his boots.

"C'mon Jack, let's get you home," Will soothed as he stooped to pick up the pirate.

"You 'ave lovely eyes," Jack slurred. Then he passed out.