Note: Since ff.net won't allow any stars or signs, a simply star is SSSSS and a flashback is FLSHBCK, enjoy!
SSSSS
"Captain Saunders, you scallywag!" Jack said happily. "What in the name of Blackbeard's flaming beard are ye doing here?" Jack asked as he embraced his old friend. "Besides finishing off my rum?" Jack added sourly.
"This not be the rum I gave you?" Saunders said with a smile. "But no, I did not come to finish your rum. I thought you might need some more, so I brought a barrel with me."
"Oh bless you!" Jack said happily. He looked behind Saunders and found a small ship, barely bigger than a boat, tied to the Pearl.
"You came all this way to restock his rum?" Elizabeth asked dumbfounded. Pirates were strange men...
"Can't an old Pirate see his old friends?" Saunders asked innocently. "So I decided to come and grace you all with my presence. Have you caught the culprit already?"
"Not quite," Will said with a grimace. "We narrowly escaped him once, we have several leads, but the sun will be setting soon..." All four of them looked out with trepidation at the setting sun.
"He only comes out to play at night?" Saunders asked with interest. "What else do you know about him?"
"He does not follow into water," Elizabeth said pointedly at Jack.
"As far as we know, love." Jack returned with a tight smile.
"The church was also only a rumor and it saved us all last night. This Horseman might come after more children tonight, even us Jack. Don't you want to be safe AND on board your beauty?"
"I want to be safe and on board MY beauty," Jack said with a pout. "That doesn't mean I want the whole town on board MY ship!"
"I don't think they'll be room for the entire town on board the Pearl," Saunders said, stroking his beard.
"Thank you-" Jack started.
"But there might be on board TWO ships." Saunders said with a smile.
"Would you? That would be fantastic!" Elizabeth said excitedly.
"We need to plan this out carefully, one of them will try and stop us." Will interjected. "We must do it at the last possible moment-"
"THIS IS MY SHIP!" Jack protested, stumping his foot. "Doesn't my opinion matter?"
"Are you really that selfish as to allow the murders to continue, simply because you wish to keep the Pearl all to yourself?" Elizabeth asked seriously.
"YES," Jack said with a smile. "And since this is STILL MY ship..." He walked into the Captain's quarters and slammed the door.
"Why that-" Elizabeth stammered.
"Let me have a moment with Jack," Saunders said, as he walked past them towards the Captain's quarters. "You have permission to go on board my ship, go see if we have enough room for everyone."
Elizabeth and Will nodded, before going on board the other ship. Saunders sighed deeply and shook his head, before knocking gently on the door.
"Go away!" He heard Jack's muffled voice.
"What's that? I can't hear you, I'm coming in." Saunders said with a straight face, as he opened the door.
"I should make you walk the plank for this insubordination," Jack mused darkly, sitting with his legs on the table and fingering his compass.
"You haven't contracted me," Saunders said easily, as he sat heavily near Jack, feeling his old years.
"Aye, then I should contract you in ORDER to send you to Davy Jones's locker." Jack said, glancing up at Saunders, with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Seems like an awful lot of work," Saunders said as though deliberating the matter. He was used to Jack's tantrums and moods and knew most of them could be subdued with a few words and some rum.
"Aye, why would I want to contract an old former pirate?" Jack asked, not managing to hide his smile.
"We'll see how old I am, you messdeck lawyer, when I punch out your deadlights." Saunders said and they both shared a laugh.
"Why are you here?" Jack asked quietly, studying Saunders intently. "I know you didn't miss me that much nor your rum."
"You wound me," Saunders said with a tight grin. "And I must speak with you and Will later, but right now we haven't the time."
"Now be the time you convince me to allow a murderer and dirty women and children on board," Jack said, pouring himself some rum.
"I will not force you to do anything on board YOUR ship," Saunders said, accepting the proffered rum. "Saving women and children goes against everything a Pirate is. I am not a pirate any more, merely an old man with too many ghosts and skeletons to allow more innocent deaths added. But I will say this much- if you do not save them, how will you receive your payment?"
"Aye," Jack said nodding his head. "But the Pearl's just been scrubbed and cleaned."
"You can always make sure Will Turner titivates the ship," Saunders offered with a knowing smile.
Jack smiled back at him and finished his rum, slamming it on the table. "Don't just sit there, we have work to do!"
Saunders shook his head and followed Jack outside and jumped across to him ship. "We'll split into two groups, Elizabeth- you'll be with Jack, Will- come with me."
"Wait, why can't we be together?" Will asked, implying him and Elizabeth.
"I'm sorry, but you're not my type," Jack smiled apologetically at him.
"That be it Jack's ship, and this be it my ship MY ship, savvy?" Saunders asked, raising a brow.
"Savvy," Elizabeth and Will muttered, sharing a longing glance. Jacked jumped off his ship and started to head into town.
"Where are you going?" Will asked him, puzzled. Jack was already out of earshot, however, and so he did not reply.
"Come, we have work to do," Saunders said to Will and Elizabeth, as the three worked to get both ships ready for many guests.
FLSHBCK
"Where are you going?" Jack asked Bill, as the latter stormed off the ship. "We have work to do."
"I'm going to be with my wife," Bill said somewhat angrily, as he packed his few belongings.
"You've just been with the lass!" Jack said shaking his head. "And we're leaving as soon as the ship is ready."
"YOU'RE leaving, not I," Bill said, as he made to leave the ship.
Jack grabbed his arm. "You and the Captain have a falling out?"
Bill freed his arm and got off the ship. "We've cleared a few things up. Jack... I'm going to be a father soon, Christine is expecting."
"Ah," Jack said nodding. "No, I still don't understand."
Bill sighed and tied his hair. "A pirate ship is no place to start a family, Jack. And Christine... She worries that something might happen to me. I want to be there to watch our baby's first steps. I want our child to have a better future-"
"What's wrong with being a pirate?" Jack asked coldly. "You're a pirate, and what "better future" will the son-or daughter- of a pirate have?"
"She told her family and friends I was a merchant sailor," Bill explained. "Look, Jack, I must be going- best of luck to you, you were always the better Pirate." Bill said sulking, as he headed back into town.
"You'll regret this!" Jack called after him. "Being a Pirate is in your blood, mate, you can't pretend to be respectable!"
"Leave him be," Saunders said tiredly, coming out of his cabin. "He has made up his mind."
"Clearly he hasn't been using his mind," Jack snorted.
"It's his choice to make. Come Jack, we must speak." Saunders said and lead Jack to the Captain's quarters. Jack followed worriedly, something about the entire thing striking him as odd. They both sat down and Jack waited for Saunders to begin. After a while, the wait was unbearable, so Jack simply said:
"What is it?"
"You've been with us for a long time, Jack," Saunders said fondly. "Nearly a year, I believe. I've watched you become one of the craziest and bravest Pirate in the entire Caribbean Sea-"
"In the entire seven seas," Jack corrected with a smile, though he feared where this conversation was heading. "What happened with Bill?"
"Bill came to me earlier and told me that he had two choices: He could either become a captain of a ship, sail whenever he likes and be with his family, or resign from a pirate's life and become a respectable man. He asked to be captain of the Pearl, when I resign."
"Can't see you resigning, Captain, you'll still be sailing the Pearl even after you dance with Jack Ketch." Jack said with a smile.
"I never wanted to wait to be deposed by my crew or for a mutiny to start. I always wanted to leave when I had enough gold to buy myself that island- Sunny Sands, which now I have." Saunders said with a wistful look. "I also wanted to find Isla de Muerta, but that I think will NOT happen."
"What are you saying?" Jack asked with a frown.
"I'm saying that I'm ready to step down. I don't want some Scurvy dog to sail under MY beauty's Jolly Roger. I want it to be someone I can trust to keep her safe."
"Have you told that to Bill?" Jack asked. "I doubt he would have left had he known."
"I told him," Saunders nodded. "I also told him that I was not giving the Black Pearl to him."
"Why not?" Jack asked confused. "He's been with you since he was a lad, he goes with you on every voyage, he's as loyal as a dog-"
"But he's not a Captain. Make no mistake, he'd make a fine First Mate, but he's not a Captain."
"Tell me you're not handing over the ship to Ragetti," Jack said horrified.
"No you Squiffy, I'm handing this ship over to you." Saunders said, rolling his eyes.
"I don't think I heard you right, mate, too much sea water in mine ears," Jack said cleaning his ears.
"I know you've only been with me for a year, but I've never met a Pirate quite like you- you can be as terrifying as Edward Teach, but still be merciful and loyal to your crew. They would respect and fear you, but also trust you, and that will help you stay Captain for a long time."
"I wouldn't know the first thing about being a Captain," Jack said, excited and frightened simultaneously. "Would I need a very big hat?"
"We'll be sailing soon and I'll teach you all you need to know- just remember: Always have a first mate you can trust with your life, they're always the ones to put you to vote." Saunders said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I think the name Jack Sparrow will be known in the pages of History."
"You mean CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow," Jack grinned.
"Aye, CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow."
FLSHBCK
"Captain Jack Sparrow!" Masbath cried out, as Jack entered the Inn. "I have everything set up for tonight, sir-"
"Change of plan," Jack said and he leaned over conspiratorially, before pausing. "Are you sure Jonathan Masbath was your father?"
"'Course he was, who else?" Masbath asked confused.
"Just checking," Jack said with a nod. "I need you to go house to house and gather all the townsfolk in an hour, think you can do that?"
"Yes," Masbath said, still not following. "Where? And what shall I tell them?"
"Tell 'em you want to lead them all in prayer, I don't care. Just make sure they'll all be at the edge of town, near the docks, in precisely one hour."
"You can count on me, sir!" Masbath said determinedly. "I'll start right away!" He said, before leaving the Inn. Jack made sure no one was watching, before reaching behind the bar and grabbing a bottle of rum for the rode.
"Maybe I'll sail away and let them all swim to the Pearl, that'll get them nice and clean..." Jack muttered, as he left the Inn.
SSSSS
"you did what?" Katrina asked her daughter angrily.
"Daniel and I knew you wouldn't approve of our relationship, so we... Sped up our wedding plans," Mary said reluctantly, but with a determined fire in her eyes. "We knew you'd try to talk me out of it, so we were married today in the church. That is before it burnt down..."
"How could you do such a thing? Without telling me? And who were your witnesses?" Katrina was at a loss for words, trying to grasp the situation.
"Mother, Daniel and I love each other and you are wrong about him- he's kind and wonderful with the children... He is NOT interested in my money, not that we have any, and if you can't see that-"
"Who were your witnesses?" Katrina asked again, her cheeks turning red with anger.
"I was," Clara said, coming down the stairs timidly. "And my mother was as well."
"Do not come to work tomorrow," Katrina said to her acidly. "Pack up your belongings and be gone, I do not want to see you again."
"Mother!" Mary said aghast.
"It's alright, Mary," Clara said with a shrug. "I'll just go get my things and go home." She went back upstairs to Van Brunt Sr.'s room.
"I can't believe you," Mary hissed at her mother. "This is my life, not yours and I will marry whomever I please," she shouted, before leaving through the front door.
"Come back here!" Katrina called after her, before leaving the house as well. "I'm not finished with you!"
"But I am finished with YOU," Mary called over her shoulder. "I will move in with Daniel immediately, goodbye mother!" Mary started running into the forest, heading to Daniel's cabin. Katrina simply stood there, before going to Beth's house to give her a piece of mind.
SSSSS
"Mother, there's some kind of gathering soon-" Clara said as she walked into her house. She immediately stopped and took in the mess. Herbs and medicines were crushed on the floor, tables overturned and shattered glass was scattered all over the place. "Mother?" Clara said beginning to panic. She went through the rooms, calling out her mother's name. When she reached her mother's room she paused, took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Widow Van Brunt, what are you doing here?" Clara asked angrily. "And where is my mother?"
Katrina turned around, startled and began to stammer. "I came here looking for her, t-to talk with her. But then HE came." Katrina stifled a shudder.
"He?" Clara asked knowingly. "The Horseman? That's preposterous, what would he want with my mother?"
"What would he want with my husband, or any other victim for that matter?" Katrina asked coldly, before continuing. "We ran out of the house, and he just ransacked the place. But Beth said she couldn't leave without her bag of herbs, apparently someone is sick."
"She went back for the herbs?" Clara asked carefully. "Then what happened?"
"The next thing I know, she's running out with her bag and the Horseman followed her- we split up and she told me to gather all the herbs I can, and we'd meet up at the gathering." Katrina motioned the house with her arms. "I haven't seen her since."
"That doesn't make any sense," Clara sighed, as she helped Katrina gather herbs and medicines, while looking for a bag to store them in. Clara went out to living room and found an empty bag. "My mother's bag," Clara said to Katrina with a shrug. "She must have taken mine accidentally."
"The gathering is soon, we must go now," Katrina said tiredly, as she led them out.
"You go, I must find my mother," Clara said urgently. "I need to make sure that madman hasn't killed her."
"I should find my daughter, I don't know if she heard of this gathering..." Katrina muttered, as she left Clara with her herbs. Clara paused for a moment, glanced at the herbs, before dropping her bag and rushing outside.
SSSSS
"What did you tell them in the end?" Jack asked Masbath, as more and more people poured in.
"Nothing," Masbath said earnestly. "I simply told them there was an emergency town meeting that the Reverend and the Mayor were holding."
"And the Reverend and the Mayor?" Jack asked with an eyebrow raised.
"I told them the town wants to hold a meeting," Masbath grinned.
"Good lad," Jack smiled. The moment people stopped to arrive he told Masbath to make sure everyone was accountable for. Masbath went off to count, and Jack cleared his throat. "Ladies and Gentlemen and friendly canine," Jack said, indicating an old dog that decided to participate. "I'm sure you've all heard that the church burnt down this morning." This was followed by murmurs and mutterings, which Jack took for "aye". "Well, seeing as how we don't have a safe harbor to dock in tonight, and in order for me to be paid I must ensure some of you survive, I've devised a-" Will nudged him from behind. "-WE'VE devised a plan to keep us all safe, god willing, for at least tonight."
He waited until everyone quieted down, before continuing. "Of course they'll be a commission-"
"There will be NO commission," Elizabeth hissed dangerously, before repeating so out loud.
"There will be no commission," Jack said forcefully. "Yet." He muttered to himself. "Now if you would all step on board these two fine beauties..." Jack indicated the two ships behind him. He cringed as everyone began complaining at once.
"Those? You want us to get on board a boat?"
"I get sea sick!"
"What game are you playing at?"
"I'd rather take my chances with the Horseman!"
"QUIET!" Elizabeth said loudly, drawing immediate attention to herself. She sighed in frustration, before moving forth, so she could address the crowd. "We won't force anyone on board, but we believe that the Horseman can't follow in water and this is our best shot. Now these two captains were kind enough to allow us all on board their pride and joy and I'd appreciate it if you show them the same kindness," She smiled at Jack and Saunders. "The sun has already set, we have checked both ships and we can guarantee there will be room for everyone. Now, make your choice." She stepped back a bit unsure, but Will embraced her fiercely.
"It's a ship, not a boat." Jack said, shaking his head.
"Alright all ye landlubbering sprongs!" Saunders boomed at them. "I hope you are all clean, cause the Pearl's nice and shiny and so is the Red Dawn- Let's go, smartly now." Little by little the townsfolk began to gather on both ships.
"Captain!" Masbath said out of breath, as he ran to Jack. "There are five people missing, sir. Widow Van Brunt and her daughter, The School Master and the Killians."
"It's a shame, really," Jack said, as he started to board his ship.
"Jack!" Elizabeth said horrified. "Can you REALLY let them stay here, when the horseman can already kill them?"
"Yes," Jack said frustrated. "Pirate- remember?"
"Widow Van Brunt is missing," Saunders said from on board his ship, as they started to sail. "I thought she was the one paying you!"
"She is," Jack called after him. "But what if she's the killer? What reward will I get then?"
"Plunger the village," Saunders yelled, before leaving earshot.
Jack thought about it for a moment, before smiling. "Aye..." He walked over to Masbath, who was on board the ship and said. "Do you know the Pirate's code?"
"Of course not," Masbath said.
Jack rolled his eyes. "If I am not back by the time the Horseman appear, take her out to sea."
"Take who- take the ship?" Masbath asked confused.
"Aye," Jack said, as he and Elizabeth went looking for the remaining five.
"You can count on me Captain Sparrow!" Masbath said importantly.
"Just don't... Hurt her," Jack said over his shoulder. "She's a delicate flower."
"She won't have a scratch on her!" Masbath said proudly, before knocking a mop over. "Sorry!"
The two went deeper and deeper into the woods, and Jack kept glancing worriedly over his shoulder. "Don't worry," Elizabeth said, rolling her eyes. "Nothing is going to happen to your precious ship."
"It's not that," Jack said quietly. "Do you hear that?" Both stood silently for a moment, holding their breaths. Then they heard it again, someone was running through the forest, the two headed in the direction of the voices, only to be trampled by two figures.
"I'm so sorry!" Mary said, as she helped them to their feet. Clara seemed equally as embarrassed and muttered her apologies.
"Where were you?" Elizabeth asked. "We have a ship about to leave port, we need to get you on board NOW."
"Not without my husband!" Mary said fervently. "We were walking in the forest, heading to his cabin when we just lost sight of each other. I've been searching for him for hours!"
"My mother is missing as well, and I fear she's in immediate danger," Clara said quickly. "Widow Van Brunt told me the Horseman was chasing my mother."
"Where is the dear widow?" Jack asked intensely.
"She was looking for Mary last I saw her, I thought she'd be at the gathering by now!" Clara said worriedly, glancing at Mary.
"If anything happens to her!" Mary said scared. "It's all my fault-"
"Not yet it isn't, but it might," Jack said, continuing to move into the forest. "Be quiet and keep moving."
They continued walking the four of them, quiet as a mouse, walking deeper and deeper into the forest. They could barely see anything in front of them, as none of them thought of bringing a torch.
"It's hopeless," Elizabeth said, as she pulled out more branches from her hair. "We should head back, perhaps they've reached the town already. Either way we must get these two on board."
"Fine by me," Jack shrugged, before reversing directions, and heading in the opposite way. They all sighed a sigh of relief when they left the forest and reached the town. They started heading towards the docks, when they spotted two figures standing near the ship, waiting.
"Mary!" Katrina said relieved, as she hugged her daughter tightly. "Thank goodness you are alright!"
Mary returned the hug, before kissing her husband. "I was so worried about you! You just vanished into thin air!"
"I must have fallen and knocked my head or something," Daniel said, feeling his forehead. "By the time I came to, you were gone and I started searching for you. I was so scared the horseman might have gotten to you."
"We both were," Katrina said, smiling at her daughter. "The fear of losing you... I met Daniel in the woods, we both started looking for you, he's a very nice gentleman." Katrina smiled, extending an olive branch.
"Oh mother!" Mary said, hugging them both.
"Mother!" Clara said, as she spotted her mother, staggering towards them from an alley. She ran towards her and threw her arms on her. "Thank goodness you're safe!"
"Get on board," Jack said seriously to Daniel, Katrina and Mary. "NOW." Elizabeth helped the three get on board, while Jack went to fetch the remaining two.
"Are you alright?" Clara asked her obviously shaken mother. "I'm so glad he didn't manage to kill you."
Beth indicated her bag. "Your bag, not mine..." She laughed hysterically. Clara began to lead her towards the ship.
Jack paused for a moment, before his eyes grew wide and he whispered: "Hoof beats." He pushed Clara and Beth forward and yelled, "RUN!" Clara turned around and saw the black figure from hell, riding on his black horse. She grabbed her mother's arm and started to run towards the ship, following Jack.
"Weigh anchor!" Jack yelled at Elizabeth. "Weigh anchor!" Elizabeth complied, and tied a rope to the ship, before throwing it towards them. Jack caught the rope and turned around to catch the two women.
Clara stumbled and broke contact with her mother, sending them both flying. Clara picked up her bag and turned to help her mother, when she saw the Horseman's chopping her head off. Clara screamed, before turning around and running towards Jack. The Horseman was drawing nearer and nearer and Clara was reaching the end of the dock. She had not choice but to jump- grabbing a hold of Jack's arm.
"You're safe," Jack whispered to the whimpering girl, as he swinged her on board the ship, before climbing the rope himself. He stood on deck and watched the Horseman "watching" him as he sailed far away from his reach.
SSSSS
"Jack's left port as well," Will sighed with relief, as he lay down the telescope. "I was beginning to worry about them."
"Don't, Jack's a big boy, he can take care of himself. I've seen that lad survive three bullet wounds in the chest, he's got nine lives that one."
"I'm glad I can't say the same for Elizabeth," Will said shocked. "I'd hate to see her get hurt, I just... I worry about her."
"Of course you do," Saunders said distractedly. "That's what you do, you worry about your loved ones. And if something should happen to them, you'd want to know right away..."
"Has Elizabeth said something to you? Is she alright?" Will asked confused, as he drew his attention away from several of the sleeping children. His intense gaze focused soley on Saunders, who looked away.
"She has, hasn't she?" Will asked frightened. "Is she hurt? I knew I shouldn't have allowed her to come along-"
"The lass be alright," Saunders said quickly. "And if she ain't, I wouldn't know of it."
"Oh," Will said, relaxing slightly. "I was beginning to worry. Is something on your mind, Captain?"
"Aye, a hat," Saunders said with a grin. "No, there is, it's the reason I came here in the first place, but I'd rather speak of it in the presence of both you and Jack."
"Is it bad?" Will said, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Depends who you ask," Saunders said with a tight grin. "I shouldn't say nothing till we're back at shore."
"Isn't there anything you can tell me?" Will said fishing. "I know you're dying to tell someone and it will be hours before we return to shore..." He ended with a pleading smile and his best puppy dog eyes.
Saunders sighed and rubbed his tired eyes. "Very well then, I'll just say it straight- Bootstrap Bill is still alive."
END PART 12
Author's note: Evil cliffhanger, I know! By the way, there are three more chapters, and they'll probably become shorter and shorter, seeing as how the end is near! It's been nearly a year writing this story and I'm proud of it! I'm going to the states soon for three weeks, then I'm going into the army, so I'll write this whenever I can and hopefully I'll finish by September or so! If anyone didn't understand the Pirate talk, I can link them with the site I got it from, I wasn't sure if to put the translation down or not.cheatachu82- Review soon? I guess you meant update, I hope this is soon enough! It takes a long time until one of these chapters manages to manifest itself!
Bluekrystal1- Aye, that I shall, as I said three more chapters and I'll try to update more often, but I got all these finals going on- I finish on June 21! I'll probably sleep for a week! I had like a semi final in History today, yuck!
Mrs Capt Jack Sparrow- Love the name, I'm glad you like the story, drop by any time.
AmZ- Thank you! I'm glad to hear it's cool! I like it, and that's the opinion that counts! Other than Jack's of course!
ist- Shorter? Yes, I know, only 4,000 words and not 5,000! LOL! Hope the pace and plot are moving forward quickly enough, next chapter things will be REALLY speeding up! This is "going to be good"? I think it already is, hope the ending will be just as good as so far and not disappointing!
Ivy