DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything POTC related except my own characters.

EXTENDED SCENE

CHAPTER 10

Commandeering A Ship

When Hope awoke, she rubbed her head and then struggled to stand up. When she realized where she was, she ran outside. Opening the door, she shielded her eyes from the sun. She caught her breathe seeing the destruction around her. Several people were lying on the ground as others were cleaning up. Ahead of her a man pulled a flatbed cart with three bodies on it. She then realized she didn't see Will. Thinking the worst she searched for him. When she turned the corner, she saw Will lying flat on his back in the middle of the street. She ran up to him and began to shake him.

"Will! Come on, wake up." He slowly came too.

"Hope?"

"Yes."

"Elizabeth!" he yelled jumping up.

"What are you talking about?"

"The pirates. They took her."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I saw her myself right before I blacked out." He then looked up at the fort. "Come on," he said grabbing her arm as they ran towards the fort. When they reached the fort, Will sprinted ahead of Hope, towards an overhang where the governor, Norrington, Gillette, another officer, and Murtogg and Mullroy stood looking at a map. She stopped hesitantly. "I'm going to be in so much trouble after this. God help me, give me strength," she said continuing. When she neared she saw Will push away Murtogg and then the governor speaking.

"If you have any information concerning my daughter, please share it." Before he turned away he saw Hope run up. Everyone looked at her in shock. "Hope?" the governor asked. Norrington's eyes were wide at her appearance. Gillette had a combination of everyone there as he went to her.

"Hope! My god, what happened to you?" Gillette cried going to her. Hope was silent as she looked down at herself. "You're bleeding, dirty, and…why are you dressed like that?" Hope swallowed hard at the stares she was receiving. She knew she would have to tell them the truth.

"I guess there's no more hiding it. I was helping the town when the pirates attacked." Everyone but Norrington, Will and Gillette chuckled. "It's true. Why else would I be dressed like this, looking the way I do?"

"Hope, you're the daughter of a minister. Such behavior is unheard of," Governor Swann said.

"Stephens! Get me a wet cloth." Gillette asked as one of the guards did so.

"If that is what you believe then why would I lie or make this up?" Everyone was silent as they comprehended this. "For the past five years I have been receiving instructions on how to handle a sword. These are the clothes I wear during a lesson, and the blood is obviously from where falling debris hit me."

"Prove this," Commodore Norrington said.

"How?" Commodore Norrington turned towards an officer.

"Mr. Nelson, would you mind sparring?"

"No, sir."

"Very well. Miss Danforth, if you please." She glared at Norrington.

"Fine." Hope walked out to the courtyard of the fort, followed by Nelson.

"Care to make the first move, lieutenant?"

"You're a lady. It's only right you go first."

"I insist." Hope bowed at him just as he lunged at her. She quickly stepped to the side as he stumbled a bit. "I know you can do better than that." They faced each other again and engaged each other again. Hope easily blocked the thrusts as he did to hers. When he lunged at her again she caught him and threw the sword from his hand. "Well, it appears you have no weapon." He glared at her before going over and picking his sword up and they continued again. Seeing no end in sight she decided to end it there. Throwing off his last lunge, she bent down and swung her left leg around, catching him. He fell to the ground and dropped his sword. Seconds later, Hope stood over him with her sword to his throat. "I believe that is the match." She smiled before backing away and over to where the others were standing. They were all shocked. Governor Swann came hurrying out.

"This is unheard of. A woman of your status has no business handling a sword or fighting," he said.

"Granted. I agree with you completely on that but, I just felt that I should learn, for my safety."

"With whom have you been receiving these lessons?" Norrington asked. Will closed his eyes thinking that she was going to tell them.

"A local. Right now that doesn't matter, we have to find Elizabeth, someone has to know something."

"She's right," the governor defended as Norrington went back to looking at the map.

"That, Jack Sparrow, he talked about the Black Pearl," Murtogg interjected.

"Mentioned it, is more what he did," Mullroy said rephrasing it.

"Make a deal with him he can lead us too it." Will said as Gillette pulled Hope away as everyone continued talking.

"Why didn't you say anything to me about this?" Gillette asked.

"And what would you have said if I had?" He was silent. "Exactly. You would have told me not too anymore or you would have spoken with my father about it."

"Yes, I would have. It's dangerous. Look what happened to you," Gillette said as Stephens returned with a wet cloth and handed it to him. She was about to speak again when Will yelled out and threw his axe into the table.

"That's not good enough!" Everyone stood back surprised. Norrington didn't seem to be fazed by this as he removed the axe from the map and walked around the table.

"Mr. Turner, you are not a military man, you are not a sailor, you are a blacksmith." Norrington said grabbing Will and pulling him to the entrance. Hope watched the two as Gillette started to clean her head wound.

"Do not make the mistake of thinking that you are the only man here who cares for Elizabeth," he said as he pushed Will out the entrance. Will glared back as he left.

"He's right, Commodore. Sparrow is the only…" she stopped as Gillette's coat cuff blocked her view. She reached up and moved his hand away so she could see. He ignored the gesture and continued when his cuff blocked her sight again. "Sparrow is the only chance you have right now of finding…" She reached up again and pulled his arm down holding it with both of her arms as she continued to speak. "He is the only chance you have of finding her. Sparrow knows the Black Pearl and he probably knows where it is. If you search for her your way it could take months and by the time you do find her she could be dead. There are thousands of places she could be," she said finishing as she let go of Gillette's hand.

"Miss Danforth. I understand what you are trying to say. Do you not think we have considered that option?" She was silent. "As I said to Mr. Turner. This is not the time for rash actions."

"Fine. Have it your way." With that, she left angrily and ran to catch up with Will. Norington hung his head with a long sigh.

"She's changed. I've never seen her this aggressive before," Norrington said.

"Nor have I. What would you suggest? I highly doubt she would listen to me," Gillette said.

"Maybe I should have a word with her father. He could possibly talk some sense into

her. Either that or find out why she is behaving like this," Governor Swann said.

"That would be best," Norrington said looking to her departure point before he turned around and went back to the map.

SCENE CHANGE

Hope ran off down the road to the entrance of the fort. She didn't see Will anywhere. She figured he went to the find Sparrow. As she went down to the dungeon she heard talking. When she emerged she saw Jack in mid sentence. He smiled as he caught sight of her.

"Hope, darling. What a wonderful surprise. That's a good look for you."

"Hold your tongue." Jack did just that.

"And the point of this would be?" he said, his voice muffled.

"Honestly. Can you stop being a pirate for one moment?"

"Sure, love. Now as I was saying. Captain Barbossa and his crew of miscreants sailed from the dreaded Isla de Muerta. It's an island that cannot be found, except, by those who already know where it is."

"The ship's real enough. Therefore it's anchorage must be a real place, where is it?" Will asked a little impatiently.

"Why ask me?"

"Because you're a pirate."

"And you want to turn pirate yourself, is that it?"

"Never!" Will hesitated. "They took Miss Swann."

"Oh! So it is that you found a girl. I see. Well if you're intending to brave all hasten to her rescue and so win fair lady's heart. You'll have to do it alone, mate. I see no profit in it for me."

"I can get you out of here."

"How's that? The key's run off?"

"I helped build these cells. These are half-pin barrel hinges. With the right leverage and the proper application of strength the door will lift free."

"What's your names?"

"Will…"

"Not so fast, mate. Ladies first."

"Danforth, my father is the minister here."

"Danforth, aye? Hope Danforth. That's very interesting." She looked at him confused.

"Now, you may go."

"Will Turner."

"That would be short for William I imagine. Good strong name. No doubt named for your father, aye?"

"Yes." Jack looked away for a moment.

"Well, Mr. Turner, Miss Danforth, I've changed me mind. If you spring me from this cell I swear on pain of death I shall take you to the Black Pearl and your bonny lass. Do we have an accord?" Jack said looking at Will during the last bit and stretching his hand through the cell doors.

"Agreed."

"Agreed. Get me out." Will removed the cell door within a few seconds.

"Hurry, someone will have heard that."

"Not without my effects." After Jack grabbed his things, he bowed to Hope. "Ladies, first." Hope looked at him before all three headed out.

SCENE CHANGE

Once they were out of the fort, they made their way to the bridge, heading under it to avoid detection. In front of them, the Interceptor was being loaded with supplies. Hope looked to the Inteceptor for Norrington and Gillette. She only saw Norrington.

"Commandeer. We're going commandeer, that ship," Jack said pointing over to the Interceptor. Hope looked at him as if he were crazy. Jack quickly turned towards Will and asked him how far he was willing to go to save Elizabeth.

"I'd die for her," Will shot back.

"Oh, good. No worries then. And as for you, Miss Hope. Same question."

"She's my best friend. We grew up together, enough said." Jack smiled

"A fine reason but this adventure is not made for a woman of your… stature. You would only slow us down."

"Slow you down? If that is the way you see it Captain Sparrow, then let me see if I know what your intentions are. One, you want to sneak upon the Dauntless; two, when the commodore sees that he will send the Interceptor to stop you; three, once the Interceptor is side by side with the Dauntless, you will swing over, cut the ropes, and kick away the ladders the sailors and marines used to board the Dauntless, and finally, sail off. Am I correct?" Jack's smile faded quickly and Will laughed to himself.

"Exactly. You know, love. I think I'm starting to like you." Hope smirked.

"Nice try, but I'm still going with you. There's nothing you can say or do to change my mind. You think I will slow you down, well, then, I'll just find my own way to the Interceptor."

"How are you going to do that?" Will asked.

"Just watch me work. See you onboard." Hope said smiling before she ran back and disappeared. Jack smiled.

"Wonderful girl, but she doesn't know what she is talking about. Oh well. Women on board ships are bad luck anyway." When he saw it was clear they ran out from the bridge and hid under one of the turned over long boats on the beach.

SCENE CHANGE

Hope doubled back to town and went to stand by one of the arches of the building adjacent to the Interceptor. When she saw that the way was clear she hopped down onto the beach and walked calmly to the water. If anyone saw her, she hoped that the fact she had on her brown breeches, black boots, and white shirt, would cause them to overlook her. She then quickly waded out into the bay and began to swim towards the starboard side of the ship carefully watching above her for anyone to see her. Surprisingly she made it to the ship with no problems. The gun holes were low enough she didn't have to climb much. She grabbed one of the ropes and climbed. When she was even with one of the portholes she looked to see if anyone was there. When she saw about four marines inside, she quickly ducked back down into the water. She waited there impatiently until she heard distant shouting.

"Sparrow and Turner have taken the Dauntless!" She climbed up again, looked through the porthole, and saw no one there.

"Finally," she said as she climbed through and hid in a corner under some burlap bags in case someone came back down. She waited in that corner until she heard Norrington give an order. She peeked and when she saw no one around she crawled to the other side. She saw Norrington's men boarding the ship and then saw Jack and Will swing over. She smiled as she got up and headed to the main deck. She heard Jack shouting something and when she emerged Will saw her. He smiled and laughed a little.

"I told you I would find my own way." Just as she spoke, marines started to fire upon them. After they stopped firing, Jack stood back up and turned to face the Dauntless smiling.

SCENE CHANGE

From the Dauntless, Norrington watched the Interceptor sail out of reach for the ropes.

He turned to his other lieutenant

"Set topsails and clear up this mess," he ordered.

"With the wind a quarter astern, we won't catch them."

"I don't need to catch them just get them in range of the long nines."

"Run out the guns!" his lieutenant shouted. As Norrington watched he saw a third member onboard the Interceptor. He reached for his telescope and saw that it was Hope.

"Hope. What have you done?"

"Commodore, he's disabled the rudder chain, sir."

"That's got to be the best pirate I have ever seen," his lieutenant said.

"So it would seem."

SCENE CHANGE

Jack had his head turned away from Hope and Will as he watched the Dauntless.

"I've got to hand it too you, Captain. I think Commodore Norrington will think twice about calling you the worst pirate he has ever seen again." Jack's smiled faded and he turned around and saw Hope standing before him and Will grinning behind her.

"I knew I'd like you," he said realizing he had underestimated her. Gradually accepting that a woman was on board, they set out into the open sea.

NOTE: Well? I know I took a long strip from the movie word for word but it was a scene that I couldn't find a way to shrink. I also know the Hope is not the norm for women back then. So, just think of her as a rogue. Her role here plays the crucial part in understanding her role in Books 1 and 2

ArianaielNightstar

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