Chapter Six: A needle in a haystack
"A man can hide anywhere in Tortuga," Jack said as they started down another alleyway. "This is like searchin' fer needle in a hay stack."
"Then what do you suggest we do, Captain? Those are Will's and my children," Elizabeth said in a rush, her eyes angry.
Jack rolled his shoulders, trying to release some of the tension from them. "Luv, yer not 'earin' me."
"I'm hearing you loud and clear, Jack!" she yelled. Will tried to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, easing her away from the pirate, but she tugged free. "What on earth would possess you to bring them with you?"
"Listen, 'Lizabeth, as much as I'd just love to sit about and talk this over with ye, we need to find yer treasure snipes, eh?"
Her hand connected solidly with Jack's face, the force of the blow sending him stumbling back, his head spinning. He'd lost far too much blood several hours before and being thrown off balance was not what he needed. He looked over to see Elizabeth looking slightly shocked. "Jack... You're bleeding."
The pirate looked down to see the crimson liquid soaking his shirt once again – why did stitches never stay where they were put? - and sighed. Ana was at his side a moment later, mumbling something. "Protecting yer children," she said quietly to Elizabeth. "If ye were wonderin' 'ow 'e was hurt."
"I'm so sorry, Jack..." the young woman mumbled. "I just..."
Will embraced her from behind until she turned into his arms and let out a muffle sob. Ana took hold of Jack's hand tightly and he pulled her close until Elizabeth had had her moment. To see a strong woman break down in such a manner was never a pretty sight, but she had good reason. Ana was sure that if things had been different and she hadn't lost her and Jack's baby, she would cry for that child's safety.
Elizabeth picked herself up off her husband's shoulder and gave him a weak smile. He leaned down to kiss her gently. "We'll find them, Elizabeth. I promise."
She nodded. "Then we best continue looking."
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"Jack!"
Jack turned his head toward where Ana was hollering at him. "What'd ye find, luv?"
"Call the Turners over 'ere, Cap'n."
The small group came to the first mate who was holding up a doll that made Elizabeth gasp. "That's Kathy's..."
"Thought so," Ana remarked, handing the little doll up to the worried mother. "We're on the right trail then."
"On the right trail, but would be unable to find him without more clues," a new voice said. A young man stepped out of the shadows and smirked. "You've taken my brother hostage on your ship, Captain Sparrow. I ought to kill you now, and would do so if there weren't a bit o' money in on the other end for me. Orders from Captain Tyler are that if you come quietly, the children will leave with their parents, unharmed. Otherwise... Need I say more or shall I let your creative minds wander?"
"If you lay a hand on either one of those children," Will growled, stepping forward.
"Don' be hasty, lad," Jack said quietly from behind, placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "'ow do we know you'll let the whelps go?"
"What choice do you have?" Christopher's brother asked.
Jack nodded his understanding. "Ana, take Will, 'Lizabeth, and our unnamed-for-his-own-sake friend back to the Pearl." Norrington glared slightly at Jack's light tone of voice.
"No," the young man before them said. "They'll come with us."
"And we have no choice in this, I would assume?" Elizabeth asked heatedly.
"None at all, Mrs. Turner. Come along now."
Go along they did, down alleyways upon alleyways until they reached a place at the far edge. It was away from everything. Jack didn't like it one bit, but, as the boy had said, what choice did he have?
"I'd very much appreciate it if you'd unarm yerselves," Tyler said from the doorway. "'specially you, Jack. Yer a deadly aim."
Jack glared as he reached for his pistol and dropped it out in front of him. He heard the sound of Ana's cutlass dropping to the ground, followed by Norrington's pistol and sword, and finally he dropped his own cutlass to the ground, sliding it over to Tyler. Elizabeth and Will were both unarmed after leaving in such haste.
"C'mere, Jack," Tyler said quietly.
The pirate captain stepped forward, eyes narrowed but revealing nothing. "The kids?"
Tyler clucked his tongue in disapproval. "Jack Sparrow, I do believe you've gone softer than ever. I know that you've always avoided unnecisary death, but sticking your neck out for a couple of brats that aren't even yers. You've lost yer touch, Jack."
"Tha's not the real reason you wanted me 'ere, though, is it?"
"No. Ye've been takin' out other pirate ships, Jack." He stepped closer until he was only inches from the other pirate. "You don' look so well, Captain. A bit pale under tha' tan 'o yers. Lost a bit of blood, by the looks of yer shirt."
Jack didn't risk a glance down to see just how much blood had seeped through. He knew it was enough. He grit his teeth together in annoyance, but said nothing.
Tyler smirked at him and rammed an elbow into his gut before Jack could respond. The smaller man gasped in shock and pain as he doubled over and slowly knelt to the ground, hand grasping the gash along his side where the bullet had left its mark. He glared up at Tyler defiantly.
"No deals to be made, Jack Sparrow."
"Wha'? Lyin' son of a-"
"I'm a pirate, what'd ye expect?"
Jack allowed a very small smirk to cross his face. "No more 'n tha'," he said as he lunched upward. Tyler didn't see the dagger in the other captain's hand until it was too late for him. His eyes widened and he stared for a long moment before dropping to the ground, dead. Jack picked up his gun from the alleyway and aimed it at the nearest pirate from Tyler's crew. "If ye don' take us to those kids now, it'll be yer life, mate."
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"Momma!" Katherine squealed as she launched herself into her mother's arms. Elizabeth grasped her child to her and embraced. "I've missed you so much, Momma!"
"I've missed you too, little one," she whispered. "Bill?"
"'m fine, Momma," the lad answered. "We're both fine." He glanced up at Jack. "I lost yer bandana."
"S'okay, lad," the pirate captain answered with a small smile. He was leaning heavily on the doorframe to the room. "Gibbs 'as it. It's fine."
Will had hold of his son in the next moment, the boy hugging him back but then squirming free. He ran to his proclaimed uncle and held onto him. "I thought you were dead."
"Wha' made ye think tha'?"
"You got shot."
Jack smirked and ruffled the boy's hair. "'m fine, lad. Little off me balance at the moment, but fine enough."
"Sure?"
"Aye. Now let's get back to the Pearl before anyone decides to poke into this lovely matter."
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"Jack?"
Jack turned to see Elizabeth Turner standing in the night air, hair loose around her hands clasped in a slightly nervous manner. "Wha's it luv?"
"I wanted to apologize for slapping you tonight."
"Don' worry 'bout it, luv. 've been slapped too many times for me to worry about one more."
"Don't laugh it off, Jack. I'm apologizing to you. You were trying to help us and I was ungrateful. Ana told me what you did and how you got that gash in your side. Did you let her stitch you back up?"
"Aye, 'Lizabeth, don' worry 'bout it."
She nodded and stepped forward, gripping the railing. "I was so scared... I never... I never thought anyone would go after my children."
Jack shifted uncomfortably. Comforting Elizabeth was Will's area, not his. "Where's yer husband, Mrs. Turner?"
Elizabeth smiled. "Asleep. With the children."
"Ah."
"You should get some rest, Jack."
"Aye, luv, I was headin' tha' way. Don' worry 'bout it."
"Then... Good night, Jack. Sleep well."
He gave her a lopsided grin. "You too, 'Lizabeth."
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"Uncle Jack?"
Jack cracked one eye open to see Bill standing next to his hammock that he had opted to sleep in that night. "'allo, lad."
"Can I sleep with you?"
Jack couldn't repress a smile as he nodded and the boy piled into the hammock, all the while careful not to hurt the pirate. He watched the lad settle in and lay his head back against his rolled jacket, dreamless sleep claiming him.
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A/N: It's not over! Don't go away! There'll probably be one more chapter to wrap things up. Poor Marie's still having a mild heart attack b/c the kids were gone. Hehe... I feel kinda bad about that...
Unplugged32: Ah! I'd never hurt the kids! Jack yes. Will possibly. The kids, no. No worries!
Flute Damioh: 's been acting weird to me too. Not letting me load stuff on and such. Maybe they're having difficulties again....
JackFan2: Haha! You like Tyler about as much as I do! I'll tell you a secret, mate, I actually based him off another villain I created for a Gundam Wing fanfic of mine and the villains name was Roland Tyler instead of Dalton Tyler, but I thought I might let him make an appearance in one of these fics. Lol. Glad he was as hateable here as there. Believe me, I know about knee problems. Ehhh... I've had bad knees for several years and back when I was still in sports, a much taller girl (I'm only 5'2" and she was like...5'6'' to 8) fell on my bad knee. Never been the same since. Running on it really hurts sometimes. But typical Jack though, eh? Fight through injuries. Poor Ana who has to deal with him in the aftermath...
LaVieSansAmour: Glad to see ya here! I'm glad you're liking it! And don't worry about missing the story, all that matters is that you see it eventually :)
Kungfuchick: Don't worry! They got them back! :) You just barely caught me to respond to you b/c I was loading this one when the alert came through email that you'd reviewed. So yay! lol.