Chapter 2

While Jack caught up on his lack of rum (he hadn't had any real rum for three days, (he decided not to count Gibbs disgraceful self-distilled stuff…), Elizabeth was standing on the porch in front of her house, watching the sunset, not knowing that Jack had done the same thing just yesterday. She had refused to join Will and Jack, which is why it was half the fun for Jack, but he hadn't said anything, determined not to let his emotions get to him.
Elizabeth couldn't help smiling, she was so happy Jack was back! She had to admit she missed the rough life of the sea; all the adventure and action had made her realize that there was something better in life for her than sitting at home, knitting and cooking. She longed for the adrenaline rush, the excitement she had experienced on their adventure with Barbosa. Now, with Jack back, more adventures were sure to follow soon. Life was always exiting with Jack. 'One thing is for certain', Elizabeth thought, 'the next few days will definitely not be boring!' That thought placed a smile on her beautiful face and she turned, heading into the Swann residence. Tonight the mansion was empty: her father was out to dinner, expecting her to be with Will, and the servants had their day off. With one more wistful glance at the beautifully colored sky, Elizabeth's slender fingers seized the silver doorknob. As she opened the door she only had time to stare into a grotesque grimace before she was hit by something hard. Then she blacked out.

Jack was holding a wobbling, unsteady Will just barely upright - obviously the whelp wasn't able to hold his liquor very well. "Now, now, it's only a'couple o'steps to Lizzy's house, even a eunuch should be able te make that!"

Jack hissed a curse and lifted Will back up, as he was about to fall again. He rolled his eyes dramatically as Will pointed to something apparently very exiting ahead of him and giggled madly. He had decided to bring Will to the governor's house instead of the forgery, as it was closest, and Elizabeth had said that she would be there alone tonight.

Finally they reached the pompous mansion. Breathing heavily Jack lay Will across the front steps and opened the door, not bothering to knock. He wondered why it was unlocked - was Elizabeth still awake at this late hour? Jack called into the empty house, hearing his voice reverberating through the rooms. "Elizabeth!" His footsteps echoed in the empty halls.

"Lizzy…darling, come out, there's no time for hide'n' seek, your Will has some…eh…problems."

He waited for an answer, but when he heard none he dragged Will into the living room, grumbling all the way. "Gotta do everything all by me onesies", he muttered, letting Will's feet drop to the floor with a thud. Jack made his way up the stairs, but Elizabeth was not in her room. Growing slightly worried, he made his way to the porch - possibly Elizabeth had a favor for sunsets as well and she had just fallen asleep outside. He slowly opened the porch door, not wanting to wake Elizabeth if she was out there. But she wasn't. Jack looked around hastily - he was really worried now: he had searched the whole house and he couldn't imagine Elizabeth leaving the house this late. As he hastened back into his house he heard something crumble beneath his boots. Bending down he picked up a ripped dirty piece of parchment, quickly trying to decipher the scribbles on it. He gasped.

"Bloody hell ---Elizabeth!"

Will opened his eyes excruciatingly slowly, wondering who in the name of all that is holy kept slapping him. His head started spinning, and he quickly closed his eyes again.

"Jack, what the bloody hell are you doing, let me have my sleep!"

"Mate, I think ye'd be interested in this." Jack's voice sounded strained and Will quickly opened his eyes for the second time, surprised by this unnaturally serious tone of voice. The first thing he saw was a piece of what was probably paper once, filled with some black smudgy scribbles. He blinked and took the note from Jack. On the 'letter', obviously scribbled by a someone not very skilled in the art of writing, it said
WE got YeR daugter mr.swanN
ye hav to waigh her up'in goLD
if ye want to see her aliv again
lEaVe the gold under the brige of the estern port
tmorow night

Will jumped up and was suddenly totally sober.

"You're not playing a trick on me, are you Jack? Because if you are..."

"Does it look like it?!" Jack snapped. "Instead'a makin yer smart comments, don't ye think we should be goin?"

"Going?" Will's expression was dominated by confusion.

Jack sighed - who did Will get this slowness from? Couldn't have been from his father. Poor ole Bootstrap.

"Yes, GOING", he exclaimed, as if talking to a child. "Or don't ye want to save yer bonny lass?"

He found it unnecessary to point out that he was at least as worried about Elizabeth as Will was. Just imagining what those pirates could do to her made his blood run cold.

"Bloody pirates…" Jack hissed and quickly turned and left the house, not even looking back to see whether Will was following. He was focused on only one thing – Elizabeth was endangered, she had to be saved! He hastened down the street to the Black Pearl, followed by a breathless Will, and as he boarded it he was surprised to see most of his crew was actually aboard ship.

"The Arrow has just left port", Gibbs exclaimed excitedly. The Arrow - that was Barbossas crew's new ship, or so Jack remembered.

"Raise anchor!" he barked, shoving Will on board. "We're followin' 'er!"