Ok, now many of you were asking why Jack didn't just follow Gemma when she rowed away from the Pearl. Well, that's because it's not in Jack's character. He's not the type of person to run after women. It's not suitable for him to do so in my opinion. Therefore, I have created a different solution to the problem. Just go ahead and read the chapter to find out. Also, thanks again to Hilary, you are the absolute best, babe! Love ya! Anywaddles, and I did that just for you Hilary, here's the story:
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Gemma moaned as she rolled onto her back and winced as a bright light pushed through the barriers of her eyelids. Her throat closed momentarily causing her to sputter out some seawater. Another groan escaped Gemma's parched lips as a seashell dug into her side. Using all the strength she could muster, she attempted to lift her limp self from the water that was rushing up to her knees. Her salt encrusted eyelids struggled to open, making Gemma wonder how long she had been out for. She took in her surroundings and crawled up to the beach for drying. By the time she reached the sun soaked sand, all strength exited from her body and Gemma slipped into darkness once more.
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Her body was covered in what felt like silk as Gemma regained consciousness. A soft padding was underneath her, supporting wilted spirit. Where was she? She dug her hands into the bedding in effort to sit up but a voice halted her actions.
"There will be none of that. We don't want you moving too much after all."
"Where…where am I?" Gemma mumbled.
"Oh, silly me. I'm Elizabeth, or Lizzie if you like, and this is my house." She said perkily.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Gemma," she grumbled. Her entire stomach was shaking in hunger and Gemma wondered when she had eaten last.
She looked around her at the beautifully furnished room and was in awe at he sight before her. "Anyways, my husband Will, you'll meet him later, saw you washed up on the shore and brought you to me. You were a frightful mess." Gemma just raised her eyebrows in curiosity and Elizabeth was about to speak again when the doorbell rang.
"I'll be right back." She said hurriedly before scurrying out the door.
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Elizabeth raced down the stairs as quickly as possible in her current ensemble and stopped abruptly at the front door. She opened it to reveal Commodore Norrington of all people.
"Top of the morning to you Commodore." She greeted the man (A/N: sorry, I know its Irish, but I couldn't help it!)
"Mrs., er, Turner, how many times must I plead with you to call me by my given name?" he asked.
"Not once more James. It's so good to see you again. But to what do I owe this visit?"
"Not what exactly, but whom Elizabeth." She furrowed her brow in confusion before looking outside the door more, presumably searching for another person.
"No, the person is not here, he is in jail."
Of course that only could mean one person to Elizabeth so a small grin spread across her lovely face. "What did he Jack this time?" she asked playfully, knowing full well that he was the biggest troublemaker of their time.
"I'm afraid this time is of no joking manner. He is to be hung in a few days time."
"What? You can't be serious James. Why in the heavens would you condemn him to death? After all he's done to help us lately!" she exclaimed, clearly irked by the newly revealed information. In truth, Jack had done quite a bit in helping the commodore with a few catches. Together him and Jack had caught some of the most sought after pirates in the Caribbean. They actually made quite a good team. Her mouth was still hanging open as Norrington began speaking once again. Quickly she shut it, not wanting to be rude.
"Mr. Sparrow made it perfectly clear what he wished to be done before turning himself in." he explained.
"The Jack I know would never turn himself in. What have you done with him?" she yelled in his face.
"I tell only the truth Elizabeth. He wished for me to give you this." Norrington handed over the letter to her with a bored expression on his face as she examined the words written, for he had previously read it on the ship when his curiosity got the better of him. Elizabeth held an undeterminable expression on her face as she looked down at the paper.
Dearest Lizzie and Will,
By the time you receive this letter, I am to be in jail awaiting my death by the noose. Don't you dare risk anything by trying to rescue me because I no longer deserve to live. I have only one thing to ask of you and that is to find my lady friend. Miss Gemma Doyle, being the stubborn woman she is, decided to hop off me ship for a swim after a mere argument between the two of us. Now of course I couldn't have gone after her because I am Captain Jack Sparrow, a man who doesn't chase after women in frilly dresses, although she got rid of that attire after a week aboard the Pearl. Anyways, as I was saying, she got into one of the boats and rowed away leaving me quite speechless. Gemma headed east right off the coast of Haiti. I would be much obliged if you would set out on your ship in search for her. I don't know what I would do if I thought I lost her once more. If, I mean when, of course, you find her, she deserves the best of care. Give her my love and apologies. You two are the greatest friends a pirate could ask for and I know you wont let me down. Goodbye to you both.
Captain Jack Sparrow of the Black Pearl
By the time Elizabeth had finished reading, Will was standing by her side gazing at the words himself. Neither of them could speak and only looked at Norrington for an explanation.
"Well, uh, he gave himself up in order to save the one he loves. Although, I do feel rather guilty in sentencing him to death, it is my duty as a law enforcer."
"Jack can write?" Will asked, very much amused, but still upset about the news.
"You traded his life for a delivery!?!" screeched Elizabeth.
"I assure you, it was in all fairness. He gave himself up without my asking even."
" I always considered you smart James, but I guess I was wrong when I thought that you had a heart as well." She huffed out at him before stomping into her foyer, Will following closely behind. Norrington just nodded with a straight face before taking his leave. Sure, he felt bad, but what choice in the matter did he have? Will wrapped his arms around the shuddering Elizabeth as she resisted the urge to cry. He kissed her on the forehead and gazed into her eyes.
"It will be ok Liz, we will get him out. After we do that, all three of us can set out for the search." He assured her, hoping to provide any sort of comfort for his wife.
"Will, there's no need. I already found her, but we can't say a word about this to her." She whispered before running upstairs into the spare room that held Gemma. He stood there in confusion before deciding to follow after her.
Gemma's head turned towards the door as it opened and offered a warm smile at Elizabeth's entrance. The smile grew even bigger at the sight of, who she assumed to be, Liz's husband. They both returned the friendly gesture and sat down in chairs across from the bed.
"Gemma, I'd like you to meet my husband, Will."
"Tis a pleasure to meet you Will."
"No, I assure you, the pleasure is all mine." Will smiled.
"Now Gemma, you have to go back to sleep for a bit so you can be nice and healthy for our trip to the town."
"The town?"
"Yes, Port Royale. I want to take you shopping!" Elizabeth said excitedly.
Gemma just nodded her head in approval. Will and Liz se out of the room to give her some peace for sleep, but all she could do was think. 'Why did I leave Jack?' she wondered. 'It's not entirely his fault for not knowing it was me, but I still couldn't help but feel hurt. Not to mention his was being stubborn and pig-headed. At least I have some friends here in Port Royale now.' Pretty soon, she felt exhausted, not that she did anything, and fell into a wonderful dreamless sleep.
Elizabeth moved stealthily around the room, trying her best not to awaken her guest. She halted all movement as the form under the covers began to roll around and twitch every so often. Ears perked up and ready to listen, Elizabeth scooted over to the bed in order to hear the soft words slipping through Gemma's parted lips.
"Why didn't he come after me?" she mumbled, still asleep.
"I love you Jack, I don't want to lose you again."
A smile couldn't help but be conceived as Elizabeth heard the words from her newest friend's mouth. Everything was going to be okay, she hoped. They would go to the hanging and escape like they did last time, only having Jack take Gemma with him. Only, he specifically said to not rescue him. But they do love each other, so he wouldn't mind, right? 'We'll figure that out later. Its time for some shopping!' she said happily in her head.
Gemma awoke as something weighed down the bed on her left. She opened her eyes and saw Elizabeth sitting next to her, smile in place.
"Time to get up!"
"I have nothing to wear…" Gemma groaned. All her muscles were disagreeing with any type of movement.
"Don't be silly, you can wear one of my dresses."
The two of them went behind the dressing screen and looked through all sorts of dresses before finding one suitable.
"This one is lovely, it will do just fine."
"I agree." Gemma said, not wanting to waste any more time on getting dressed.
Dust flew up around their faces as a carriage drove past on the dirty road they were currently walking on. Liz's face lit up as she found the dress store they were migrating to in the first place. She grabbed Gemma's hand and dragged her into the small shop.
"I haven't worn dresses like these in so long now." Gemma commentated.
"Oh? Where have you been that did not require such attire?" Elizabeth asked, wondering is she would reveal anything.
"Oh you know, out and about…on the ocean."
"The Ocean? You mean, like on a ship?"
"Um, yeah, yes, a ship."
"What were you there for?"
"For work."
"Ahhh" Elizabeth answered, not wanting to push Gemma any further since she began to squirm a bit.
They picked through tons of dresses and tried them all on, and when Gemma thought she just about had it, Elizabeth squealed in delight. She held up a deep green dress that matched perfectly with Gemma's emerald eyes, with golden trim, and square neck. Liz ushered her into the dressing room for a final time, believing that this was the dress.
"How does it look?" Liz asked
Gemma stepped out and twirled for fun like she used to and her companion's mouth dropped open.
"Oh my, it is perfect! Oh Gemma, you look absolutely spiffing!"
"Don't you think the neck line is a tad too low?" she asked.
"No, not at all. Now come along, we don't want to be late."
Elizabeth paid the cashier and once again took a death grip on Gemma's wrist and ran towards the fort. Panting, Gemma stopped behind a crowd where Elizabeth was tapping her foot impatiently. 'Not used to these bloody corsets anymore!' Gemma thought in anger as she clutched her side.
"Where are we going Lizzie?"
"To the hanging of course!"
"Who's?"
"That pirate, you know, the infamous one. Jack Sparrow I think his name is." Elizabeth said, turning her back in order to find Will and the Commodore.
"Jack…" she whispered.
"Come on Gem, there's Will." She said, pointing.
When the two of them reached the little secluded area where Will, the commodore, and the governor stood, Liz's brow wrinkled in confusion at the sight of her husband in handcuffs.
"James, what's this?" she asked, demanding to know what was going on.
"You see Elizabeth, we thought it best to restrain Mr. Turner in case of an ill-conceived escape attempt like last time."
Her eyes widened as she realized her plan wouldn't work. What was to happen to Jack then? She turned to study Gemma who was looking at the gallows with a sorrowful expression on her face. 'Of course she's upset, the love of her bloody life is about to be hung!' Elizabeth growled in frustration which brought all eyes on her when it was louder then expected. She raised her eyebrows and smiled, going for the innocent look. It seemed to work and Norrington's eyes shifted back to the noose.
"Commodore, I would like to introduce to you our guest, Miss Gemma Doyle." Will stated. Elizabeth looked at him with bewilderment.
"Miss…Doyle. Er, how nice to meet you." Norrington said, a slight stutter present in his voice.
"Nice to meet you too Commodore." She said simply, and without a second thought, went back to staring at the door, which Jack just exited from.
Will looked over to Elizabeth was having trouble controlling herself at the moment and looked at her in a way that said 'What do we do now?'. She caught her husband staring at her, and Elizabeth mouthed 'I don't know' back to him.
Gemma was biting her lower lip so profusely it was threatening to bleed. Jack was walking up the steps to the gallows and his eyes caught hers for only a moment before he went back to looking at the ground. Norrington scooted towards her, preparing to speak, but was beaten by the man standing in front of Jack reading all his 'evil doings'. Gemma blinked a few times trying to hold back tears. 'How can I let this be happening? How can a stand by and watch the man I love die?' she asked herself. Her bottom lip began to tremble as the drum roll began. Gemma shut her eyes not wanting to se this but turned to face Norrington as he started to converse with her.
"He gave himself up for you, you know. Made a deal with me. Said he would walk himself to the noose if I would send out a search party for you. I'd say I got the better end of the bargain, seeing as you're here already." Norrington whispered in her ear.
Shivers ran up and down her spine as his words hit her. Gemma held her breath as the drums ceased to make noise.
"Oh my god…" she whispered.
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YAY! I finished another chapter! And it was only two days after the other one. Aren't all of you proud of me?!?! I know I am! Sorry, I know cliffhangers are evil, but I enjoy writing them. Besides, they usually make people review, and that is one of my goals. So, I don't feel like writing a long author's note, so im just gonna end this chapter right here and right now. Hope you enjoyed!