Chapter 21
Paul just stood there in shock for a minute, watching as one of the officers picked Allie's limp body off the ground and carried her away--most likely to the prison cells. He followed discreetly behind, mapping out the path in his mind as he went so that he could lead Captain Sparrow quickly and efficiently there when the time was right.
After that, he headed back to Pearl as fast as he could.
Jack was in his cabin, drinking a bottle of rum and wondering what was taking the girls so bloody long, when both Paul and Will came bursting in.
"They've taken them! We must go after them! We've got to rescue them!" Jack looked up at his first mate, confused.
"Slow down there, whelp. Who's taken whom, who do we need to go after, and why do we need to rescue them?"
"Liz and Allie! The navy arrested Allie and threw her in prison, and who knows what they've done with Liz!" Paul jumped in at this point.
"Allie's slated to be hung tomorrow at dawn," he said. Jack's eyes grew wide and he leapt up from his chair, knocking it over in the process, and spilling rum everywhere, but he didn't even notice.
"What?! On what charges?" he demanded. Paul sighed.
"Piracy, of course, but mainly for the kidnapping of Liz." Jack started to pace around the room.
"Alright gentlemen; we need a plan."
Liz had long since given up struggling. It was no use. She was now sitting in the parlor of the officer's home. A maid had given her a cup of tea, which Liz hadn't touched. She was too busy worrying about her friend. She was sure that Jack and Will would come to their aid, but would they come in time? Just then, the officer returned.
"I apologize for my lack of manners, miss. Lieutenant Samuel Grima at your service," he said, taking her hand and kissing it. Liz fought back a face of disgust. She didn't want anyone kissing her hand except for William Turner.
"What is to happen to my friend?" Liz asked, somewhat timidly. Lieutenant Grima made a face.
"The pirate?" he asked. "Not to worry, milady, she will be hung at dawn," he said with an air of triumph. Liz sucked in a breath.
"Excuse me?" she asked after a moment. The Lieutenant smiled.
"You needn't worry about her kidnapping you ever again." He reached over and took her hand in his, lacing their fingers together. "You will be safe here, with me." Liz looked down at their entwined hands distastefully. She pulled her hand away.
"Excuse me, sir," she said, standing up and moving away from him. "But you are very much mistaken if you believe for one minute that she kidnapped me, or that I am attracted to you in any way. Just you wait until my boyfriend gets here." To her annoyance, he only smiled softly.
"You poor thing," he said, reaching out to try to take her hand again. Liz took a step back. "That pirate must have brainwashed you into thinking that she was your friend or that she wasn't a criminal." It was taking all of Liz's self control to not hit the man.
Oh Will, she prayed silently. Please hurry!
Allie was scared. She didn't even try to deny it. She had woken up to a pounding headache and discovered that she was in a jail cell. It was obvious what was going to happen. They were going to hang her, most likely at dawn tomorrow. And for what? A crime that she did not commit. But what respectable man would listen to her? She was dressed as a pirate. What's more, for all intensive purposes, she was one. She had been sailing with Jack and his crew for about a year now. She knew how to sail and how to fight--both with and without a sword. However, she hadn't been pillaging and plundering with them--Jack had absolutely refused to allow it.
Not that that small fact would matter to the Royal Navy. Allie highly doubted that they would believe her, even if they would listen.
She looked out the small window, and saw that the sun had gone down, probably a few hours ago, due to the position of the moon. While on the Pearl she had learned how to tell time judging by the position of the sun or moon. It was most likely around 2:30 in the morning.
Allie couldn't hold back the tears any longer. She started sobbing silently. Jack's not going to come, she thought to herself. Any man who falls behind, is left behind. I've fallen behind. He's going to sail away and never think twice about it. I was a fool to think that he, Captain Jack Sparrow, the most feared pirate in the Caribbean, could possibly fall in love with me.
She cried not only for herself, but for Liz as well. Allie had no idea where her friend was, or what was going to happen to her. Not that it mattered any more. She was going to be executed tomorrow, and there was no way she was getting out of it.
Dawn came all too soon for Allie. She had spent her last night on Earth huddled in the corner on the hard, cold floor, thinking of Jack and how he must be long gone by now.
She looked up when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Her heart sank when two naval officers came into view.
One officer opened the door to the cell and motioned for her to come out, while the other had a musket trained on her. Allie got up and slowly walked out of the cell. She didn't fight when they tied her hands together with a piece of rope. She tread listlessly in between the two officers as they led her towards the gallows.
With each step she took, her heart sank more and more. She tried to fight back tears as the gallows came into view.
Liz was starting to get scared. The hanging was fast approaching, and there was no sign of Jack or Will. She was sure that Will would at least come and get her. Lieutenant Grima was getting increasingly touchy. At every opportunity he was either kissing her hand or trying to slip an arm around her waist. And every time Liz would pull away in disgust.
A minute later, Liz saw Allie come into view. Her friend was walking with her head down and shoulders slumped.
What can I do to save her? She briefly thought about offering to marry Grima if he stopped the hanging, but that thought was gone in about half a second. She turned to face him.
"Isn't there anything you can do to stop this?" she cried. The Lieutenant smiled.
"Oh, there's plenty I can do," he said. "But why should I? Why do you seem to care for this piece of filth that deserves what she's going to get?" Liz was outraged.
"She is not some 'piece of filth' as you call her! She's not even a pirate! For the millionth time she did not kidnap me! She really is my gardener!" Before Lieutenant Grima could get a word in, there arose a great shout.
Allie looked up when she heard shouting, thinking that it sounded almost…familiar. She was astonished to see the crew of the Black Pearl fighting off all the naval officers that were in the square. Her face lit up into a huge smile when she saw none other than Captain Jack Sparrow running towards her, sword drawn, a look of murder in his eyes.
When he reached her, he immediately stabbed both officers, and they fell to the ground. With one quick stroke, he slashed the bonds that held her hands together. After that was done, he swept her into his arms.
"Are ye alright, luv?" he asked, pulling back a bit to look at her face. She nodded.
"I am now." She buried her face in his chest. "I was so afraid that you wouldn't come," she said. Jack pulled back again, and delicately lifted her chin so that she would look at him.
"I would never leave me bonnie lass at the mercy of the King's Navy, savvy?" Without giving her a chance to reply, Jack captured her lips with his.
When Liz realized what was going on, she tried to run. She hadn't taken more than two steps when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist and held her fast. She looked over her shoulder. When she realized that Lieutenant Grima was holding her, she started struggling. It wasn't doing any good.
"And just where do you think you're going missy," Grima said with a malevolent smile.
"I swear, when my boyfriend finds out about this, he is going to be very angry!" Liz said, still struggling.
"Then it's a very good thing that he won't find out, huh?" Grima said, pulling Liz closer and nuzzling her neck. He felt someone tap his shoulder behind him. When he turned his head, he found himself face to face with a very livid looking man.
"That's where you're wrong, mate," Will said, and threw all his weight and power behind a furious blow to the Lieutenant's left temple. Lieutenant Grima slumped to the ground. "Nobody touches my Princess but me," Will growled at the prostate form. His look turned to one of concern as he faced Liz, who was staring at the still unconscious officer. She looked up at him relieved and threw herself into Will's open arms.
"I thought that-" Will cut her off by placing a finger on her lips. Without saying a word, he leaned in and gave her a blazing kiss, which Liz returned full force. A minute later, Liz pulled away with a gasp.
"Allie! Where is Allie?" she asked frantically. Liz had lost sight of her friend when the commotion began. Will smiled and placed a stray lock of her hair behind Liz's ear.
"She's alright. Jack got to her right before I came to you." He quickly pulled them over a few steps as a falling redcoat landed on the ground where they were standing just seconds before. "Now we must be getting out of here. The boys have been instructed not to leave until you and Allie are safely away and I'm sure they would love to be out of here before more redcoats arrive. C'mon now."
They ran through the brawling men, every once and awhile Will having to punch a man blocking their path. Liz and Will kept running until the Pearl was in sight. He rushed her onto the ship and into their room. He kissed her then turned to leave. She grabbed his hand.
"Will, where are you going?"
"I have to go back and give the crew the signal that it is safe to pull back. I'll be back in ten minutes. Stay in here so I know you're safe." He hugged her then turned to leave again. But once more Liz held his hand. He looked at her questioningly. She stared him straight in the eyes. He smiled at her then tried to leave again. Her hold remained firm though. Liz didn't want him to go back to the battle, but she knew that he had to go relieve the crew. She took a deep breath and spoke with all her heart.
"I love you," she whispered. He looked at her surprised but didn't answer because Liz was continuing, this time with more control over her voice. "Please be careful and come back to me in one piece," she said letting go. Will now, however, was not ready to leave just yet.
He tilted her head up so she was looking at him and nothing else. She was a little pink from her slight embarrassment at admitting her feelings not only to Will but to herself as well. Liz wasn't sure how Will would take this declaration. All her worries were washed away when she saw the look of joy in Will's eyes.
"You don't know how long I've yearned to here those words from you. I love you so much it hurts me inside when I'm not near you." He kissed her then, not as passionately as previous kisses they had shared, but lightly and full of love. He slowly pulled back. Liz tried to protest but he stopped her. "I have to get back to the crew. I'll be careful I promise. Just stay here so I absolutely know you are safe. I'll be more prepared if my brain is not worrying about you." Will hugged her. "I love you." With those last words he walked out the door. Liz watched him leave with a smile on her face.
After a few moments, Jack pulled away from the kiss and grinned.
"As much as I'd like to continue this little reunion, luv, I must insist that we be off," he said, taking Allie's hand and starting to pull her along.
"Wait!" Allie cried, suddenly stopping in her tracks. Jack stopped as well and turned to face her.
"What? What's wrong?" he asked. Allie was looking around frantically.
"Where's Liz? I've got to find Liz!" She pulled away and started running back towards the square where the fight was going on. Jack ran after her and caught her around her waist.
"Calm down, luv!" Jack yelled when Allie started struggling. "She'll be fine! Will went after her. We're to meet them back at the ship," he said, hauling her away again. Allie looked up at him as they ran.
"Are you sure?" she asked worriedly. Jack smiled at her reassuringly.
"I'm positive, luv. Duck!" Allie flung herself to the ground as Jack's sword swung over her, blocking a blow from an officer. "Run, Allie!" Jack yelled as he deflected another blow. Allie shook herself, picked herself up off the ground, and started running in the direction they had been going. Jack caught up with her a minute later. He grabbed her hand and together they ran towards where the Pearl was still docked.
Allie almost started crying in relief when the Pearl finally came into view a few minutes later. She was overjoyed when she saw Liz and Will running up the gangplank. By the time Allie and Jack got there, Will was heading off the ship to go and tell the rest of the crew to pull back.
The moment they got on the ship, Jack rushed Allie to their cabin. He sat her down on the bed.
"Stay 'ere, luv," he told her, heading back out the door. "I need to ready the ship so that we can get out of 'ere as soon as the crew gets back." With that, he was gone.