Note: Because last chapter was so long, this part at the beginning takes place a bit before the last scene in chapter 10, and then it will get there. FF is giving me problems, so instead or the star, I'll put STAR and instead of the beginning and end of a flash back I'll put FLASHBACK, stupid ff....
STAR
"Beth! I was just coming to see you!" Elizabeth said brightly, as she made to enter the woods and met up with the woman.
"Are you ill?" The older woman asked worriedly, as she closed the gap between them. "You look a tad green."
"I do?" Elizabeth asked concerned. She shook her head and plastered her most winning smile back on her face. "I feel fine, I just thought... I was hoping I could spend the afternoon with you. You see, I've been with Will and Jack for so long, I miss being around other women..." Elizabeth said sadly.
"I'd like nothing better, except I'm off to a gathering of sorts and I'm already late." Beth said urgently, as she left the woods. Elizabeth thought quickly and followed her.
"Well, perhaps I could join you, would that be alright? It's just... Jack and Will are off and after recent events I don't care much for being alone..." Elizabeth stammered, close to tears.
Beth's motherly instincts kicked in and she wrapped her arms around Elizabeth. "Of course you can come, but I'm afraid it's nothing fancy or terribly interesting, just a few old ladies getting together for some tea."
"It sounds wonderful," Elizabeth said brightly. "I could use a nice relaxing cup of tea, I've been so stressed lately..."
"We all have, my dear." Beth said, as they both made their way into town.
STAR
"Well, this is fun," Elizabeth muttered to herself. She was standing in the kitchen, watching over the kettle, while the rest of the ladies chatted about knitting and cooking. Neither held any interest whatsoever for Elizabeth.
She was beginning to worry that she wouldn't get much information regarding the murders. She knew she had to keep her ears pealed for any rumors or gossip on the Van Brunts, but other than that it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Even though the Van Brunts were not attending (some excuse of feeling under the weather, though they seemed fine earlier), the group seemed determined not to say anything behind their backs.
Elizabeth sighed and watched as the water boiled in the teakettle. She had to do something soon, if she had to listen to a bunch of old women talking about the best way to stitch up a dress, she'd-
A sudden brilliant idea struck Elizabeth. A simple, yet devious plan that worked in the past. Elizabeth glanced into the other room, made sure no one was paying any attention and started rummaging through the cabinets. After a short while she found what she was looking for. She opened the lid and sniffed it, immediately making a face. She poured a generous amount into the water and put the bottle away right as the lady of the house arrived.
"I see the water has boiled," Mrs. Van Garrett said cheerfully, as she reached out for the kettle.
"NO!" Elizabeth cried, startling the woman. "What I meant was, there's no need, and I can bring the tea in."
"But you are my guest, I wouldn't put you to work." Mrs. Van Garrett laughed and reached for the kettle again. Elizabeth placed herself between Mrs. Van Garrett and the kettle.
"But... You mustn't work so hard! You look so ragged and tired-" Elizabeth said frantically.
"I do?" Mrs. Van Garrett asked horrified, her hand touching her weathered face. "It has been a few difficult days..."
"Please, your health means more than some courteous behavior, and it is costumed where I come from for the guests to help with preparations." Elizabeth said quickly.
"It is? How strange," Mrs. Van Garrett said frowning. "Very well then, I wouldn't want to insult your ways, you may bring in the tea."
"Thank you so very much!" Elizabeth grinned, practically jumping. "I'll prepare it right now, why don't you wait in the room, I wouldn't want to keep you from your other guests."
"You're such a nice young lady," Mrs. Van Garrett said, touching Elizabeth's cheek. "Thank you for all your help." Elizabeth nodded her head and bit her lip in self-reproach. She felt bad about taking advantage of Mrs. Van Garrett's kindness, but she had a job to do and she will not rest until it is completed. Or until she absorbs so much liquor she passes out, whichever happens first.
STAR
"Have you seen Reverend Steenwyck at church the on Sunday? If he wasn't a man of the cloth I'd-"
"But he's a man of God!"
"More like a Godly man."
"It wouldn't have stopped me none, I'll tell you that."
Elizabeth gritted her teeth as the giggling girlish conversation went on. She had no idea old women could be so... Dirty! She was right; rum does bring out the worst in people. Now if she could move the topic of conversation to something OTHER than perverted fantasies of unattainable men in the town...
"Has anyone heard any good gossip lately?" Elizabeth asked as innocently as she could, while pretending to sip her tea.
"How about that Reverend Steenwyck's ass-"
"Any rumors?" Elizabeth asked in a slightly shrill voice. She looked around the room- Beth was fast asleep on the couch, but Mrs. Van Garrett was wide- awake and animated.
"Oh yes!" Mrs. Van Garrett said conspiratorially, glancing around, making sure no one was listening. "I heard that young couple that came into town the other day are married! She seems very aggravating, I think she had something to do with that injured hand!"
"I did not! A rat did that!" Elizabeth protested indignantly, before taking a few deep breaths and trying once more, with a forced smile. "Any rumors about the Van Brunts?"
"What HASN'T been discussed about them?" A woman Elizabeth didn't catch her name laughed, leading the rest in a laughing fit.
"Well this is my first meeting, I must have missed out. Would you care to fill me in?" Elizabeth asked hopefully.
"Well, they don't sleep in the same bed any longer!"
Elizabeth's face fell. "That would be because Mr. Van Brunt is dead."
"Oh, I thought they were having marital problems, what with him sleeping around and all..."
"He was having an affair?" Elizabeth asked, curiously.
"Not "an" affair, "affairs"- too many to count, except for Mr. Van Brunt senior, now he counted-"
"With whom?" Elizabeth asked, leaning forward, her cup of tea forgotten.
"Almost any lady in the town, married or not- as long as she was decent on the eyes." Mrs. Van Garrett said, leaning back and closing her eyes. "He sure was a looker, shame what happened to him..."
"Does Mrs. Van Brunt know?" Elizabeth asked disgusted. To her a marriage was a holy matter, a bond, trust between two people committed to spending the rest of their lives together. She could not even conceive the notion of cheating on will, or vice versa and was appalled to hear about an unfaithful husband.
"She knew all along, didn't do a thing. Don't know if Mary knows yet, though the word has spread around. Women would come up to him, say they were carrying his child and demand support, something he was more than willing to give in order to quiet them and get rid of the 'problem'." The first woman said and glanced at her empty cup of tea. "I could have sworn I still had some tea left. It's really good Lotti, what did you put in it?" She asked Mrs. Van Garrett, who was fast asleep.
"He paid them?" Elizabeth asked once more.
"Paid them good in gold, why do you think the Van Brunts are living close to poverty now?" The woman said, before dropping her head on the table and falling fast asleep. Elizabeth contemplated what she just heard, when screaming and an odd odor drifted towards her. It was familiar some how...
"Oh no!" She yelled as she hurried to her feet and rushed out the door. She had enough sense to rush back inside and dump the tea outside, making sure to leave no evidence. Then she ran back outside in the direction of the screaming.
STAR
"What happened here?" Elizabeth whispered out of breath, as she arrived to find the Church building burning, men and women passing buckets with water, trying to put out the fire. She found Will helping out with the buckets, while Jack was sitting under a tree, obviously not phased by the events. She stormed over angrily.
"Well?" She asked him incredulously. "Aren't you going to lend them a hand?"
Jack tilted his hat long enough to stare lazily at Elizabeth, before shadowing his eyes again. "I could ask you the same thing, love."
Elizabeth muttered angrily and rolled up her sleeves, ready to charge the fire, when Jack spoke up again: "It would be useless to try and save the Church, its foundations have burnt down, there's nothing to save. The area is fairly deserted, far away from any crops or wildlife." Jack took off his hat and looked directly at Elizabeth with a smug smile and motioned with his head. "Not to mention it seems like they have it under control."
Elizabeth turned around and saw true enough that the fire was beginning to die down. She huffed and put her hands on her waist, wishing to wipe that smug smile off his face.
"Have a seat? There's plenty of room." Jack said seductively, patting the ground next to him.
"I think I'd prefer to stand, thank you." Elizabeth said and started coughing from the smoke.
"Suit yourself, love." Jack said, leaning back against the tree. "But there's fresher air down here."
Elizabeth bit her lip and crossed her arms, before coming closer and sitting next to Jack under the tree.
"Care for an apple?" Jack smiled, as he offered her a juicy red apple from the tree.
"I don't care much for worms." Elizabeth said in disdain.
Jack took a bite of the apple and inspected the inside. "I don't see any worms."
"I wasn't speaking about the apple." Elizabeth smiled pleasantly at him.
Jack's eyes twinkled. "I'd take off my hat to you if it wasn't already off. But I will shake your hand." He said and grabbed her hand, giving it a good shake.
"Jack!" Elizabeth said disgusted. "There's mud all over my hand!"
"How did that get there?" Jack appeared confused, though his eyes betrayed him.
"Children," Will said, coming towards them. "Must I separate the two of you?" Elizabeth walked over to Will and enveloped him in a hug, making sure to get the dirt off her hand and on his back, to Jack's great amusement.
"Are you alright?" Will asked worriedly. "How did it go with old crones? We met a very own crone of our own, mind you."
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked.
"Not here," Jack said, standing up. "Let's go regroup on the Pearl, no one will bother us or listen in on us there."
"You just miss your ship," Will chuckled.
"Aye, that as well. I've been neglecting my poor Beauty, must not let her feel she's second best." Jack said, rushing ahead of them.
"If only he'd treat ladies the same way he treats his ship." Elizabeth sighed and shook her head. They boarded the suspiciously clean ship and gathered in the Captain's cabin to discuss their findings.
STAR
"You did what?!" Will and Jack asked simultaneously. Will seemed in a state of shock, while Jack was enjoying Elizabeth's conniving mind. Aye, she'd make a fine Pirate indeed...
"I had no choice!" Elizabeth defended herself. "You wanted me to get information for you and I did. What would you have me do?"
"Not intoxicate half the town!" Will raised his voice in frustration, trying very hard to calm down.
"Well, the next time you try to pry information out of sick old ladies who, when sober, only speak of cleaning, cooking, mending and knitting-"
"So you learned a new craft, I take it?" Jack asked hopefully.
Elizabeth smirked. "Hardly. The closest you will see me to a needle is when I hand you one in order to mend my clothes."
"Will you now?" Jack asked with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I'd very much like to see you try."
"Alright!" Will said, his head throbbing. "What did you find out?"
"Listen to this- there's a juicy rumor going around town about our dearly departed Brom Bones..." Elizabeth said in a whisper, building up the suspense. "Apparently he hasn't been exactly faithful."
"Oh?" Jack asked with a cold smile.
"Oh." Elizabeth agreed. "He's been sleeping around with practically half the town- all women and fine on the eyes, naturally."
"Naturally," Will said sarcastically. "But I still don't see how it connects."
"Jonathan Masbath said something about 'the children'," Jack said nodding. "Could it be his rascal children?"
"No, Brom paid the women to be quiet and to get RID of the problem," Elizabeth said disgusted. There was a moment of silence while they all digested the news.
"The old crone said the first murder was out of revenge, the rest greed." Will supplied.
"We'll have to put our heads together," Jack said decisively. "Figuratively speaking, of course. I don't want to catch your lice." Both Elizabeth and Will ran a hand through their hair subconsciously. Jack stood and started pacing the confined space. "What do the murders, Brom Bones, infidelity, greed and revenge have in common, if any?"
"A woman scorned wished to get her revenge on Brom and so she had him killed?" Will suggested. "That would also make Mrs. Van Brunt a suspect, if she knew about them-"
"She did," Elizabeth nodded. "Though it is not clear whether Mary knew about them or not."
"But what does it have to do with a last Will and Testament and money?" Jack asked, shaking his head. "There's a piece missing in the puzzle, and we know the monkey didn't steal it. We need to figure it out...," he continued pacing, his mind trying to understand their clues. "If old man Van Brunt figured it out with whatever brains he has left, between the three of us we should manage to piece it together!" He sat down on his chair angrily and pouted. "I need my rum."
"And I need a bath, some clean clothes and a hair brush- we don't always get what we want," Elizabeth said aggravated. "We must be missing something!"
"It's going to be dark soon," Will sighed and rubbed his eyes. "We should think about how we're going to survive the night."
"The Church is out of the question," Elizabeth said with a grunt. "You know he may not even strike tonight."
"I'm not going to take the chance that he will," Will said seriously. "I will not allow him to come anywhere near you."
"Your concern touches me, to be sure," Jack said with a fake grin. "We could stay on board the Pearl."
"How would that help?" Will asked, confused.
"He can't follow through water, remember?" Elizabeth said.
"As far as we know," Will argued. "But he wasn't after you in the first place."
"Do you have any better ideas, now would be the time." Jack said with a grin, glad to be back on board his ship.
"What about the rest of the town? What about the children?" Will asked. "We can't abandon them."
"Can't they come as well?" Elizabeth asked Jack hopefully. "Just for the night, tomorrow we will solve these killings."
"No!" Jack said emphatically. "I will not a bunch of children running amuck on MY ship. Besides, there isn't enough room for everyone."
Elizabeth was about to argue, when a noise from outside startled them. It sounded like someone was boarding the ship. They glanced at each other before rushing out, nearly toppling the table in the process. They ran out with their swords drawn, ready for trouble.
STAR
The figure stood in the forest, clutching a sack to its chest. The figure had to keep it close at all times, lest the Horseman found it. Perhaps when everything was finished, the figure would return the head to its rightful owner. Then again...
The figure smiled an evil smile. All was going well and soon it will all be over, if only those Pirates would keep their noses out of the Figure's affairs for a few more days... If not, heads will be rolling, quite literally. It wasn't simply the money, far from it. It was about getting what is rightfully yours. Sure the first murder was not planned, out of anger and vengeance, but the rest were organized and meticulously planned and executed. This is beyond petty money, beyond merely vengeance, this is-
FLAHBACK
"-Justice," Jack said seriously, as he retrieved his gun and sword.
"Oh?" Bill asked dubiously. "How exactly is going after Gonzales anything other than stupidity?"
"He's killed numerous Pirates, he's notorious for that," Jack explained, subconsciously fingering his left arm. "And don't forget about Shortie."
"So is this about seeking justice for your fellow Pirates, or about making a name for yourself?" Bill asked accusingly.
"Neither and both, 'sides, it's the deed that counts." Jack said lightly, heading off the ship.
"I always thought it was the thought," Bill said, tired of trying to follow Jack's logic. "You'll be going alone, we will not risk any crew member on this crusade of yours."
"WE?" Jack asked with a bitter grin. "I thought you got married while I was away, not promoted to Captain."
"I did warn you that we'd be starting the ceremony without you," Bill said fiercely, though he regretted doing so. Jack had no control over his imprisonment and obvious torture at the hands of Gonzales. Though if he had not been so greedy in the first place...
"Aye, that you did," Jack agreed with a forced grin. "And we would not have you a man who can't keep his word. That's the important thing, a PIRATE'S word." He spat as he left the ship.
"Jack!" Saunders called from the helm. Jack turned around, ready to defend his departure. "Bring us back his head."
Jack smiled and nodded, heading into the small village.
STAR
"Mr. Smith, is it?" The Innkeeper asked skeptically.
"Aye, that would be me," Jack put on his most winning smile.
"You must pay in advance for the night," the Inn Keeper said with disdain, glaring at Jack's filthy attire and disheveled looks. Jack handed him a bag of coins, immediately brightening up the man's demeanor. He counted the coins and bent behind his desk to retrieve the keys. Jack used that opportunity to snatch a sack of gold coins from the man's belt, without him noticing.
He quickly placed it in his shirt and wore a pleasant smile on his face, trying to appear innocent. The Inn Keeper led him straight to his room, casting strange glances in his direction constantly. Jack walked into his new room and closed the door behind him. So far the plan worked- the man obviously recognized him from the posters Gonzales' men put up in town. It was only a matter of time before Gonzales would come marching in here, preferably alone, though that was doubtful.
Jack examined his room carefully, making sure he knew every nook and cranny in the confined space. He locked his door, barricaded the window and the door, and hid behind it. He drew his sword and his pistol, making sure all the bullets were there. His main hope was that Gonzales would be so ashamed of how Jack embarrassed him; he'd want him all for himself. One on one, in fair conditions, Gonzales was no match for him. Jack waited for several hours, growing impatient with the delay. Surely the Inn Keeper went to get Gonzales, what was keeping him so long and what was that odd smell...?
Jack's eyes widened as he realized what it was- smoke. That could only mean-
Fire.
Jack flattened himself on the floor and peered from under the door. He could feel the heat from down the hall- that crazy bastard set fire to the Inn! And Jack was on the top floor!
"SPARROW!" Gonzales' muffle yell from the window barely reached Jack. "There's no escape, you'd best surrender now. I'll make it quick, I promise."
"Right," Jack rolled his eyes and then squinted them, as they started to tear up. He could feel the heat from just outside his door- even if it wasn't barricaded, he wouldn't survive the flames. And Gonzales and his men were probably wait just outside his window...
There was no escape.
"There has to be," Jack muttered as he began to cough. He crouched low on the floor in order to inhale fresh air. But that fresh air will run out more quickly now that the window is barricaded...
He started crawling on the floor, deciding to take his chances with the window and the firing squad, when he stabbed his toe. He cursed quietly and held his foot, when his eyes caught what it was. It was small, barely noticed, but it was there nonetheless. It looked like a tiny hook peeking through the floor. It was a trap door and it probably led downstairs.... Somewhere.
Jack tried to yank it, the air thinning and threatening to collapse his lungs. He drew his sword, but the cracks were too thin. He then remembered that when Ragetti mended his shirt, he left one of the pins in. Jack reached out and grabbed the pin, using it to dig out the outlines of the trap door. Once done, he used his sword to lift the door and peered beneath him.
He couldn't see anything in the dark, but that was better at the moment that the light of the flames. He jumped down, his sword drawn and ready to sprint away. He looked around, trying to tell how to get out. He turned around and found a window covered with a sheet. He lifted the sheet from the window, and was surprised to notice no guards outside.
"Hello, Sparrow." A voice drawled from the depths of the room.
Jack turned to face Gonzales, when three shots pierced the air, rendering him in a state of shock, and flinging him backwards through the window. Jack fell a short distance that appeared forever and hit the ground hard with a final stop. He grunted and closed his eyes, as darkness overwhelmed him. He barely even registered the three bullet holes in his chest, or the blood seeping from them.
Gonzales jumped from the window and slowly walked over to Jack, his pistol smoking. Jack was sprawled on his side, one arm clutching his chest, the other at an angle under the body. He didn't move and did not appear to be breathing, Gonzales noted to his satisfaction. He dropped his pistol and drew his sword, deciding to add his head as a souvenir. He lifted the head from the hair, his sword to Jack's throat. "This is the end, MATE."
A shot was fired and Jack's eyes flew open, a painful sneer on his face. "My thoughts exactly, MATE." Gonzales was completely shocked as he fell back dead, a bullet piercing his heart. Jack dropped his pistol and tried to remember how to breathe again. He gritted his teeth and attempted several times to rise, knowing Gonzales' men would surely come.
He drew his sword with a shaky hand, having to stabilize it with both and whispered. "I promised a friend, I hope you don't mind." He lifted the sword and cut off Gonzales' head, allowing it to roll a few feet away. He took Gonzales' jacket off and wrapped the head inside. He tore a piece of fabric and tried to stop his flowing blood, before staggering in a drunken gait towards his ship.
STAR
"Where am I?" Jack asked groggily as he opened his eyes.
"Bleeding all over the Pearl," Saunders answered with a grim smile. "But at least you're still bleeding."
"I brought you a gift," Jack muttered, finding his throat dry and his lips cracked.
"Yes, thank you very much, I found the head in the uniform, Ragetti actually fainted." Saunders said with a bright smile. "Only Jack Sparrow can get shot three times in the chest and STILL manage to kill Gonzales, it's miraculous."
"Doesn't feel miraculous," Jack muttered, fingering his bandaged chest. "How long was I out?"
"Several days, lad." Saunders said, suddenly seriously. "You gave us quite a scare."
"Brings back memories, though- doesn't it?" Jack grinned despite himself. "Me being unconscious for days, you taking care of me..."
Saunders snorted, but his eyes twinkled. "You've got quite a name for yourself now, you know. Jack the invincible Sparrow; I believe that's what they call you. Some even think you can't be killed."
"Then I need something done," Jack said, trying to sit up, but falling back down.
"Anything," Saunders said curiously.
Jack rolled up his right sleeve and showed his P tattoo. "I need something added to here, so that when people meet me they'll know I'm not just any Pirate, but I'm Jack Sparrow, THE Pirate."
"You think you have enough room on your arm for all that in writing?" Saunders asked jokingly. "I can barely write and most of the men here can't even read."
"I don't want writing, just a drawing, a symbol." Jack said, lying back down. "I want it in white, can you get me someone?"
"Aye, what symbol does the Invincible Pirate want?" Saunders asked, halfway out the door.
"A sparrow."
ENDFLASHBACK
"Be quiet," Jack warned Will and Elizabeth, as they crept along the deck, looking for their intruder. "Yell if you see anything. Though not if it's a rat, or an upturned bucket."
"Thanks for clearing that up," Will whispered, as they covered the deck from one side. The sun was beginning to set, making it even harder to see. They started with the other half of the ship when Elizabeth stopped dead, causing Will and Jack to bump into her. All three of them stared with glared at the intruder, sitting in the dark and drinking from their rum.
"MY rum," Jack mumbled, before drawing his sword. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"
The intruder put the cup down and rose to its feet. "You're not happy to see me?" A rough voice said.
"We can't see you," Elizabeth said dangerously. "Come into the light, slowly." The person laughed and with a quick stride was in plain site. All three gaped at the intruder and cried at the same time:
"SAUNDERS!"
END PART 11
Author's note: Not much of a cliff hanger, I know, but I decided not to leave you hanging too much, considering how long it takes me to update. Only several more chapters to go, but there's a twist: In exactly two months time (unless I can change it) I'm going into the army, which will make it most difficult to update and write. Ye be warned!
Bluekrystal1- Glad you loved him in a dress, I know I did! I love giving cameos, or explaining stuff from the movie! And somehow Ragetti got mentioned twice more! LOL, dunno how...
Katana- I hope your instincts are right and this will get better and better! The plot will soon be revealed fully and hopefully the pace is still fast, considering the length of chapters... And look how much time I've spent on Elizabeth in this chapter; I normally pay more attention to Will and Jack... I should split them all up more often!
IST - Not much humor in this chapter, hopefully will return soon. I hope the voice is still there! That crazy little Sparrow voice in the back of my head giving me insane ideas!
Ivy