Chapter 38

The Ties That Bind Us

Jack slowly got to his knees and crawled to the side where Rena had been thrown into the water. Paula was busy holding back the rest of the crew so she didn't notice him making his way slowly to his love. He made it to the side quicker than he thought he would and pulled himself to his feet.

"Jack," Paula screamed as he jumped overboard. The shot in his leg burned as he hit the water, diving deep to find Rena. He couldn't see anything in the darkness of the water. He closed his eyes and swam down, hoping he was in the right spot. He thought Jake had to drop her rather close to the ship, he had after all dropped and not thrown her. He swam deeper, his lungs screaming at him to turn around and go above. He ignored it, after all what was life without her.

He reached out, his arms flailing around him, when he felt the slightest of touches. He found her. He reached out and grabbed her arm, tears running into the water as he pulled her close and turned around, swimming back to the surface. He swam not for his life, but for hers. He had to reach the surface so she could live. He opened his eyes and swam quicker than he ever had before. His fingers hit the cool Caribbean air and he surged forward, taking a deep breath as his mouth surfaced.

He looked at Rena and realized in shock that she wasn't breathing. He wasn't fast enough.

"Daddy," he heard Jessie scream and looked up. His daughter was leaning over the side of his ship pointing at him. He had no choice, if she didn't get to a flat surface he couldn't save her.

"Here," he yelled, splashing around.

"Throw 'em a rope," he heard someone yell, and waited as a rope was thrown to him, he grabbed it with one hand and wrapped it around Rena, then grabbed a hold and pulled twice to let them know to pull. Pull they did. He felt himself fly through the air and land on the deck, on top of Rena. She suddenly coughed as he landed on her back and he watched as water hit the deck. Jack rolled off her and picked her up, holding her close to him.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered as he rocked her back and forth. He laughed suddenly at the irony, him, Captain Jack Sparrow apologizing.

"Jack?" She whispered.

"I'm 'ere me pirate Princess," he whispered. She looked up at him quickly, trying to focus.

"What?" She croaked.

"My pirate Princess," he smiled, holding her tight. She burst into tears and held him back as he rocked her, not letting each other go ever again.

After Jack had jumped into the water after Rena the crew had surged and taken back the ship from the witch. Jake was killed, as were everyone else involved in the mutiny, except Paula. The crew had tied her up for Jack and Rena to deal with when they returned. Mutiny was not accepted on the Pearl. After all the tears had been spilt and the storied told they stood, hand in hand, in front of her to pass their judgment.

"Paula-" Jack started but was quickly cut off by her.

"It's Catherine or Captain Cat. That's my real name; if I'm going to do you might as well know the truth. At least I'll die on my own ship," she declared.

"Yer ship?" Jack asked, studying her carefully. A look of recognition lit his features as he scrutinized her. "Ye knew all along an' ye didn't tell me," he stated more then asked. She nodded her head, a smirk on her face.

"Why would I tell you, you always were an excellent lover Jack Sparrow," she grinned, earning her a kick in the face from Rena.

"That's Captain Sparrow bitch," Rena growled.

"Well love what should we do with 'er?" Jack asked.

"Do only that which she would do to us," Rena whispered sullenly. "Toss her." Jack nodded and picked her up.

"Jessie, go to your room," Jack ordered.

"But daddy, what's going to happen to mom?" Jessie asked, her face white.

"Jessie listen, please just go to yer room. We're givin yer mother a boat and food and making 'er row te shore, that's all. Now say yer goodbyes." Jessie walked to her mom and kissed her on the cheek.

"I love you mommy," she said.

"I love you too baby," Catherine whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek. Through all of this she had forgotten her daughter, now she had lost her. Jessie ran off to her room. Jack looked from Rena to Jessie's closed door, and back to Rena, a look of sadness in his eyes. He had changed so much.

"Rena I-"

"Do what you must Jack," she cut him off, smiling slightly. The woman would live, for now at least. Jack nodded and went to a rowboat, dumping her in.

"Jon get enough food for her to last a few weeks, water too. Hurry," Jack ordered. Jon nodded and ran off while Jack cut Catherine's ropes.

"Thank you for your mercy Captain," Cat whispered.

"Listen Cat, if I ever seen ye again ye'll be killed on sight. Dun' come after us, and if yer lucky Jessie 'el write te ye," Jack growled and stepped aside as Jon dropped the food and water into the boat. Cat nodded and grabbed the oars, smiling brightly.

"You'll never see hide nor hair of me again, Captain," she said as the boat was being lowered into the water. Jack watched as she rowed away, hoping that he never would.

Wow it's coming up to the end... Can this really be? (Sniffle) I think one more chapter maybe and it's done, maybe two but I think more like one. (Cries) BUT WAIT! I plan on writing a sequel to the slave girl, probably right after I'm done with this one. Keep your eye out for it everyone, review please, I want everyone to review at least this chapter or the last, just once. This way you all can say, hey, I reviewed her story! Thank you all!