Here is one VERY long awaited chapter. So sorry it took me so long. I went on vacation to Idaho...to see my cousin, who is Ocean Rider here on fan fiction. I have been writing this chapter for so long now, but its only been posted today because ive only been able to type for about 15 minutes each night thanks to my lovely parent, and I really am stressing the word lovely. Chores are the devil. Really they are. "No reading or writing until your chores are complete" I mean come one, im feelin like Cinderella here! But my chores aren't just any chores here, because I have a page long list. It sucks big time. Anyways, I don't have any responses to reviews because my email somehow deleted ALL of my messages including all the reviews from the previous chapter I had saved. I am so sorry. Please forgive me! Also, if you haven't already checkout out my little parody, you should. I wrote it with my cousin. But anyhoodles, don't know how exactly we're gonna finish it as quickly as we wrote the first chappie because im in cali and shes in Idaho. But whatever, it shall be done. I am almost done with this story, maybe one or two more chapters, but I will probably be writing a sequel if you guys want one. So be sure to tell me, otherwise I may not. Hopefully it will not take as long for me to post the next chapter as it did this one, but it all depends on my schedule, so please bear (hahahaha …bear) with me here. Gracias amigos!
Disclaimer: Do not own any of the POTC characters, sniff sniff, but I do own Gemma, and I shall do to her what I like with whom I like snicker snicker
It was so dark and eerie that Gemma felt herself shivering. She walked through the seemingly endless tunnel watching as a light began to shimmer more and more as she walked on. There was a turn up ahead, and before she walked on, she peered over trying to see what was there. Cells formed rows. A man was crumpled on the floor in one of them, blood spouting from all over, cuts and bruises present on almost every inch of visible skin. His mangled hair shielded his surely hurt face, and she found herself moving forward with anticipation wanting to know who this poor man was. He turned as Gemma stepped forward, revealing his once hidden features. Jack started to crawl towards her and all she could do was stand still.
"Help me…please." He whispered hoarsely.
Gemma didn't say anything, she was completely frozen. Suddenly she felt herself moving forward towards Jack. Her knees bent as she kneeled down to help him up. Beads of sweat were building up on her forehead. Does he know who she is?
"Its ok, I'm here."
With her help, Jack stood up and the two began walking out of the caves. Once outside, the Black Pearl stood outside floating in the glistening waters. Gemma carefully led Jack to a rowboat down the shore and they climbed inside.
"I never did catch your name luv," he stated
It was then that Gemma knew he didn't recognize her. Tears began to well up into her eyes even though she knew it was not his fault. Why should he be aware that it was her? For all he knows, she's dead. So why was she getting so upset?
"My name is, uh,…" she trailed off.
Eventually he would be able to figure out it was her…right? If he couldn't, then he never actually loved –
clink clink clink
Shivers ran up and down her cold body. Gemma's emerald eyes opened revealing a very ugly man standing in front of her. She jumped a bit, realizing that it was just a dream. She wasn't with Jack. She wasn't free. She was a prisoner. The man unlocked the cell door and motioned for her to follow. Gemma did so as well as possible. Her side was giving her a great deal of pain. With every step she took, she winced more and more. Blood was seeping through the material of Johnny's shirt. Johnny…where had he gone? When she fell asleep, he was in her arms? 'Well' she thought, 'at least he kept hidden.'
They walked into a room full of the color red. Everything was red. In the corner of the room was a cage. But it has something in it. As she looked at it more closely, it was Johnny's little body that was curled up in the corner. She kept a straight face even though it practically killed her to see that he had been caught. After all, it was her fault.
"Does this happen to belong to ya?" Tempest growled.
"Yes sir, he does." Gemma feared what they would do to the little boy.
"If that be the case, then…kill him."
"No!" she shouted without thinking. She brought her hand to her head and slapped it for her outburst. Who knew what this man was capable of?
"Good thing ye instantly knew ya shouldn't ha' said anything'" he snickered.
"The boy will be under your care. You feed him, clothe him, and care for him. Understood?"
Gemma nodded her head, wondering what he was getting at. There is no reason for him to let them off the hook so easily. The air around her became incredibly cold as she thought about Tempest.
"We will be at ther caves soon. Be ready to go ashore lass."
Tempest shoved her out of the cabin without letting Johnny loose. A look of confusion spread across her face and she nearly had a heart attack when Henri came up behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder. He looked tired, she noted, not to mention hungry. The thought of food made her stomach queasy.
"Don't think Tempest will be lettin the boy out any time soon, little one. He's in there fer the remainda of ther trip."
"What did he mean by me being responsible for taking care of him?"
"Ye don't want ta know, little one."
A cold breeze shot past them as they walked to the brig and she quivered a bit before Henri had his strong arms around her for comfort.
"Don't ye worry, I will keep the lad safe. You too."
"Thanks Henri, I really appreciate your efforts, but I don't want to get you into any trouble with Tempest."
"Theres nothin' fer ya to be afraid of. He cant 'urt me."
"Don't be so sure of yourself. Just watch your back."
Henri nodded and the reached Gemma's cell. He opened it and she walked inside slumping her tired body into the grungy corner. After he toddled away and she closed her eyes, memories of the previous night's dream came barreling through her head. 'Once I find him, knowing that he wont recognize me, he will wonder why I am saving him. What shall I say?' she wondered aloud.
"Tell him the truth…" whispered a voice belonging to none other than the devil himself.
"Tempest"
"We just arrived at the island. Pick up your feet and lets get a move on."
"You insufferable fool! I can do whatever I bloody well please!" Gemma's hand flew to her mouth, regretting the words that had just exited from it. She had never said anything horrible in her life, and when she finally did, it just had to be said to the entirely wrong person.
"Yer not in the best of positions now lass, best not be scewin with your chances of livin." He growled, walking away without releasing her.
Gemma remained seated, her pants becoming wet from the apparent leak in the brig. She cringed in disgust as a rat scurried its way past her and her knees scrunched up against her chest. Resting her head upon them, Gemma figured it would do her some good to get some rest while she could, not knowing what was to happen next.
Large hands yanked Gemma awake, and it was clearly dark outside, she realized, as she opened her eyes, trying to figure out who had awoken her. The hands latched onto her ripped shirt and pulled her upwards to her feet, brushing her side and making her hiss in pain. Not even a word was said as she was hauled off the ship and onto the island, presumably being led to the cave where Jack was being held. Fire lit the night sky as torches illuminated the pathway for the traveling pirates. Irons were placed around Gemma's now bruised wrists as she was dragged through the jungle with bare feet. Usually she wore boots, but after finding a dagger in them, Tempest took them away.
"Insolent cow," she muttered underneath her breath, praying that no one heard her.
"Quiet wench!" one of the crew yelled at her.
Deciding it would be rather wise to follow their directions, Gemma obeyed the man and walked the remainder of the way without a peep. The entrance to the cave was amazingly small, making her wonder how on earth some of these robust men were able to fit. She squeezed her body into the hole following the first man, and then noted how no one else came in after. Taking this opportunity, she slid out of the hole back to the outside. Bad idea. Once she climbed out of the cave, Gemma was surrounded by men, all who were pointing their swords at her.
Gemma batted her eyelashes and grinned innocently, hoping it would help in any way. The men only stepped closer, the swords tips practically embedding themselves into her sides. With her current condition, Gemma didn't think she could make it out alive if she ran for it, but was there any other way?
" What were ye tryin to do lass?" Tempest asked.
"I was, um, lost?" she replied, more of a question than anything. A few sticks could be heard crunching as someone walked across them in the trees behind them. All eyes focused towards the creepy trees. Being agile could never have been such a good quality to own at that point. She dove in-between one of their legs and scooted past them into the forest.
"That was easier than I had imagined," Gemma chuckled.
She patted her hands together in effort to clap the dust away and hid behind one of the trees. Gemma peered over the edge and spotted the entrance to the cave.
'Just have to wait until they are gone' she thought.
Knots were used as steps while Gemma climbed skillfully up the tree in order to get a better view. The leaves rustled a bit, and for a moment, she thought they were going to come see what was making the noise.
"Just an animal" said one of the crew.
Instead of shrugging it off, one of them suddenly realized that she was no longer there. He hollered orders for a search party at once, leaving the entrance to the cave unguarded.
"Idiots," she laughed.
She leaped out of the tree and onto the ground, almost doubling over from the searing pain exiting from her wound.
"Forgot about that…" she hissed.
She rewrapped what was left of the cloth, and made her way towards the entrance. Looking around before she went in, Gemma brought her hands into the small hole and began crawling forwards. After what seemed like ages, she saw a faint light at the end if the tunnel. She cautiously stepped out, and examined her surroundings. So many different ways she could take! Gemma, being smart as she is, knew it would not be wise for her to shout out Jack's name and therefore take the easy way out of this. She walked forward in front of three more openings. Using an old family game, eeney meeney miny moe, she chose the left one.
Her feet made a pitter-patter noise as she quickly pranced, trying to be especially quiet, down the hallway. It was so dark and eerie that Gemma felt herself shivering. She continued walking down the seemingly endless tunnel, watching as a light began to shimmer more and more as she walked on. At the end, Gemma could see cells of some sort. Her heart fluttered at the thought of Jack, as she swiftly moved along the walls in front of the cells. Nothing was in the first one, a dog it looked like, was in the second, nothing again in the third, but in the fourth cell, in the corner, laid a man obviously in incredible pain. Gemma glanced both ways before crossing over to the bars, hoping none of the crew was near.
The man moaned, then rolled over revealing Jack's once tanned face. His hair was disheveled (not that it already wasn't), blood was spouting, and cuts and bruises ran all along his body. No shirt exposed some burns and whip marks, which only made Gemma recoil with pity. She looked along the cave walls, hoping to find some sort of key, but to no avail. Her hand patted her pants, forgetting that she was indeed weaponless. She grunted in frustration, which happened to make Jack open his eyes and stare into hers.
"Help me…please." He whispered hoarsely.
It was just like her dream. The thought of that made her freeze up inside, and she stood there motionless and expressionless until noises could be heard coming from down the hall. She moved towards Jack and bent her knees as she attempted to lift the bars from the ground. Beads of sweat began forming around her temples and across her forehead.
'I have to get him out of here' she kept chanting to herself.
"Use the bench lass…" he grumbled
Gemma glanced behind her and saw a bench leaning against the wall. 'How did I not notice that before?' she asked herself. After picking it up and bringing it over she asked him what to do with it.
"Use it to yank the bars. Set it up vertically and push down on the other end, savvy?" He replied.
She did as was told and the cell door came flying down on top of her. Gemma flew backwards with the weight of it and hit her head on the floor, knocking her unconscious.
"Great…" muttered Jack.
He leaned against the wall for a moment, contemplating whether or not he should help the poor lass. After all, she did help him escape. But it wasn't like he could just pick her up, what with his strength and current condition. It was no time to be carrying someone else. Eventually guilt won him over and he painfully leaned over, tossing her over one shoulder.
Jack stumbled down the hallways trying to find the exit when he heard voices up ahead. He stopped, waiting to see whom they were coming from. Shadows of people danced across the sides of the cave as men traveled with torches. He slipped Gemma's body from off of his shoulder and leaned her up against him.
"Find that girl!"
Assuming that the currently unconscious girl he has in his arms was in fact the one that man just shouted for, he lifted her up once more, and began walking, to where he did not know. Just as he was about to give up hope in finding a way out of the cave, God himself answered his prayers by leading him to the exit. A gust of wind blew at Jack the moment he stepped outside into the fresh air.
There was a clearing all around the entrance and was surrounded by torches lighting up the trees behind them. Jack staggered towards them, hoping he could escape that way, but he was stopped by an icy sword at his neck. He walked backwards into the clearing and stood still in the middle.
"Put the girl down, Jack." Whispered Tempest.
"What importance is she to you mate?"
"That is none of yer bloody business!" Tempest shouted.
"Tell me and I will let her go"
All swords were pointed directly at his head, though they were all standing pretty far away. Jack set Gemma down and there she laid on the cold ground while he was protecting her.
"I shall ask only once more Jack. Put her down."
"That's not even a question Tempest" snickered Jack.
"Tis not in your favor to be laughing at me."
"Actually mate, it is," he said.
A puzzled expression spread across Tempest's face, but was soon replaced with a shocked one as the entire Black Pearl crew stepped from out of the shadows encircling them both. Tempest began to shout out for his men, but was stopped by Anamaria's hand as she slapped it over his mouth, hard.
"It would be wise to disarm yerself Tempest." Jack said.
Tempest dropped his sword and it clanked when it hit the ground. He smiled and evil grin and soon enough, his crew came pouring out of the cave ready for attack. The two crews broke in an all out war, Gemma still unconscious in the middle of it. People of both parties were injured and killed, and before long, only ten from each side were standing.
Jack killed one of Tempest's men, and then spotted him sticking his sword through Anamaria's stomach. His eyes grew wide as she fell back, and he ran towards her with rage built up inside. Jack kneeled down and picked her upper half up, looking into her glossy eyes.
"I'm not dead, Jack." She halfway laughed.
"I can see that."
"Well then, leave me be and go after Tempest who just took Gemma away!"
"Gemma?"
"No, no, I meant the girl. Just go!"
Jack left Anamaria and set off after Tempest who was carrying Gemma through the trees. He looked all around trying to spot them, but it was too dark. A mysterious fog that only dimmed what light he had covered the moonlight. Jack's knees began shaking as he ran, and his lungs felt as if they would collapse at any time. A shriek in the distance made him speed up, hoping that the girl would be ok.
Gemma's head began thumping up and down as she was being carried away by Tempest. Her eyes fluttered open, but she shut them again, her head spinning. The sound of running feet brought her eyes back open and she found herself draped over a man's shoulder. Jack? Gemma tried to turn around to see who it was that was carrying her, but she could not see. 'If it is Jack, he must be dying of exhaustion!' She thought.
"I insist you put me down at once!" she commanded.
"No can do lass."
"Tempest?"
"Aye"
Her face paled, and a sinking sensation entered her stomach as she worried about Jack. Where was he? Is he alive? Where is Tempest taking her? What should she do? All these thoughts danced across her vision, blocking out anything that was happening.
"Aaaaahhhhh!" she screamed as loud as possible, hoping someone ought to have heard it.
"Shut it ye twit!"
She minded his orders, but brought her foot directly up to make contact with his family jewels. He howled in pain, and threw her forwards, making her land on her ankle. A snap made Gemma's eyes grow large as she quickly tried standing, but failed miserably landing on her butt with an 'oomph'. Ripping some material from her pants, she made a splint around her ankle, wishing that it would be of some help. She stood once again, but this time without falling, and leaned against the tree for support while searching the trees for Tempest. She saw shadows moving in and out from behind the bushes and she hobbled forward in effort to get away.
Someone grabbed her arm, which made her scream, but it was muffled by a ring-adorned hand. After she calmed down, Jack brought his hand away from her mouth. He brought his finger to his lips as an indication she should remain silent. He looked behind her then pushed her through the trees carefully, but she stopped, pointing to her ankle. Jack understood and picked her up, cautiously making his way to the path without a sound. Gemma was dropped to the ground as Jack was pushed forward by Tempest.
"Get up you mangy cad. Tis time fer us ter finish this once and fer all Jack" he snarled.
Jack got up, stealthily placing a dagger into Gemma's hand before rising completely. She scooted back watching with anticipation. Jack drew his sword to prepare to fight and Tempest ran his along the edge of Jack's.
'Where is help when we need it?' she wondered.
The two men circled each other four times before starting to fight. Swords crashed against one another, making sparks fly everywhere. One caught a leaf, and it erupted in flames. The fire began spreading through the entire tree. Smoke caused blurry vision for all of them and Gemma coughed a bit. Tempest and Jack were fully at it now, and even with Jack's disadvantageous health, he was still keeping up with him. A large rock was situated right behind Jack's foot and he fell backwards, letting down his guard enough for Tempest to have him cornered.
"Ye can't win Jack."
Jack didn't say anything, but just stared him in the eye. Tempest, getting somewhat angry and or nervous, put the tip of his sword against Jack's throat, intimidating even his own self.
"Figures ya would give up. Ya never were a much of a fighta. Always relying on others to help yer. When will ya learn mate?"
Tempest brought his sword up, intending to end the life of Jack, but was interrupted as a dagger flew into his stomach. He fell sideways, sword nearly slicing Jack in half. Gemma stumbled over to him and collapsed into his arms.
"Thank you love. Never could have done it without ya."
Gemma just smiled and inhaled his familiar scent. Oh how she missed him!
"Lets get us back to the Pearl, huh?"
She nodded and they walked towards the shore where the victorious, hopefully, crew awaited him.
Gibbs sliced through the last of Tempest's men, when Jack and Gemma came walking through the trees. He was carrying her, although he did not know how he managed it. Anamaria called Gibbs over to her side and whispered into his ear.
"Take a good look at the girl."
Gibbs stared at the female resting in Jack's powerful arms and his mouthed turned into a big 'O'.
"Can it be?" he asked, amazed to see that Gemma was actually alive.
"Seems she lived through it. Jack don't recognize her though."
"How could he not? She's a beaut!"
"He saw her different than us. Remember that night we were dancing, and everyone complimented on how beautiful she looked except for him? Tis cus she was under a curse. I remember her saying somethin' about it when she first arrived. Don't you? The lady said she would stay that way until one man proclaimed his mutual love for her."
"That's somthin special all right. Jack's in love. But what are we supposed ter do bout it?"
"Let him see her for himself. Just give it time. Until then, do not address her as anything."
"Got it."
Just as the two of them finished speaking, Jack and Gemma came up beside them. He set her down gently and she thanked him.
"Jack, so nice of ya to join us," Anamaria shouted.
"No need to shout love. Im not deaf."
"Nor am I" explained Gemma, "although I might be now." She added.
"Sorry bout that."
"No worries. How's yer side Anamaria?"
"Its seen better days, but nothing we cant fix. How did you manage to get out alive?" she wondered.
"Thanks to this beautiful lass right 'ere. She saved me life."
Gemma looked over to Anamaria and Gibbs, and then smiled. Ana winked and turned to Jack.
"Jack, what's her name?"
"Uh, her name? Um…I don't know."
He turned to Gemma and, with his puppy dog eyes, asked, " Im terribly sorry love. What is it?"
Gemma's smile faded away and she turned to Ana, preparing to bite her head off for asking such a question.
"Why didn't you just ask me yourself Anamaria?"
"You two know each other?" Jack asked, amused.
"Yes we do. We're old friends. But even so, you've already mentioned her name…" Gemma smiled.
"Looks like you've been beat Jack. Yer getting old, just like me!" laughed Gibbs.
"Oh my! I have to go get Johnny! And, where's Henri?" exclaimed Gemma.
"Whos Johnny? And Henri?"
"Im right here little one. So is the boy." Replied Henri who was walking up the shore towards them all. He was holding Johnny up in his arms while he lay asleep peacefully, undisturbed by anything. Gemma smiled and ran to them both, almost knocking Henri over with happiness.
"Henri my good man!" shouted Jack. He walked over and greeted Henri with a nod, trying to hide his excitement from seeing his crewmember.
"Well, now that we're all here, lets just head back to the Pearl, savvy?"
"Savvy," they all replied in unison.
There you have it folks! The next chapter. My longest one yet. Its not exactly what I had in mind, but it will do…for now. I hope you enjoyed it. REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
Jackie