Ch.41 Madelin

It was all around the town—the most recent message. The commodore put soldiers around the governor's house with the instructions that they were supposed to follow Josephine wherever she went.

A few days later, another robbery occurred. Josephine got more and more spooked as the days went on.

Then one night, she went to bed, and then woke again to loud exclamation in the hall. Josephine put on her dressing gown, and stepped out into the hall.

A maid ran towards her in excitement. "They've caught the robber!" she exclaimed loudly.

Josephine ran towards her and grabbed her shoulders. "Where?"

"They caught him scaling the house…they're leading him away now!"

Josephine rushed to her window. She saw the soldiers leading a man away. She stared at the man oddly. Something was familiar about him…too familiar…his gait, the way he walked. She shook her head and stared as the man disappeared into the distance. No. She has mistaken what she had seen. And Jack was dead.

The next day the governor's house received another hanging invitation-this one for a pirate called Patrick Madelin.

Josephine took one look at the notice and her breath caught in her throat. Madelin.

The governor noticed this. "My dear, if you do not want to go, you do not have to."

Josephine looked at him. "No, I want to go. I want to see the man whose trying to kill me," she stated firmly.

The governor nodded.

A few minutes later all of them—the governor, will, Elizabeth, and Josephine left the house by carriage and went down to the commons.

Upon reaching the commons, Josephine went immediately to Commodore Norrington. "Commodore, I was wondering if I could have a word."

The commodore nodded his head and led her over the side. "Yes?" he asked.

Josephine cleared her throat. "I was wondering if I could have a word with the prisoner?"

Norrington sighed. "Josephine, I do not feel comfortable…"

"Commodore, please, I want to see the man who was trying to kill me."

The commodore sighed and waved to two guards. "Bring out the prisoner."

He turned to Josephine. "I do not think you know the wait of what you are asking."

"I do, Commodore."

"Against my better judgment, you understand."

"Thank you, Commodore."

The commodore inclined his head and then backed away to inspect the area.

The two soldiers entered the commons with the prisoner between them.

The two soldiers brought him over to Josephine and then backed away. He couldn't escape; there were guard at all the exits.

Josephine looked at the prisoner; there was no doubt. She tilted her head towards the wall. The prisoner nodded and followed her.

"Jack," Josephine breathed. "I was so afraid that…" She held back the tears.

"Josephine," Jack responded, "I'm so sorry…" he raised an arm as if to hold her.

Josephine backed away. "We have to stay in character, Jack." She regained her composure. "Look, I'm supposed to be talking with you because you were trying to kill me."

"What? I did no such thing…"

Josephine smiled. "I know. But we all thought you were Barbosa, and that you were coming after me, and well, with that last message…."

Jack nodded. "Okay. So interrogate me." He smiled secretively.

Josephine caught the smile and gave him a dirty look because she knew what he was thinking.

"Did you get my letter?" Jack asked her suddenly.

Josephine nodded. "Yes."

Jack smiled. "And?"

Josephine looked into his face and smiled. "Yes."

Jacks smile broadened.

The soldiers came back over. "We are supposed to take him. The commodore ordered it."

Josephine nodded and backed away. She watched them take him back below. Then she hurried over and pulled Will to the side.

"Josephine, are you okay?" Will asked her. "You look…happy."

"Will, shut up. Patrick Madelin. What's Madelin Will?"

"A name?"

"Think about my past Will."

"Oh…OH! So Madelin is…"

"Jack. Exactly."

Will thought for a moment. "So I…need a sword."

"What are you planning?"

Will considered. "I could get Elizabeth in on it too, I guess."

"Will, WHAT?" Josephine exclaimed.

"You need to distract the commodore, so I can fray the rope. And then I'll slip a chord under the platform. And then Elizabeth needs to draw the soldiers away from the balcony…so she needs to…"

"Fall and hurt her ankle. She'll need to be carried…"

"And then I'll fight with Jack out to the balcony, and then you and Jack need to jump off…"

Will glanced at Josephine. "I guess we're all pirates in the end, huh?"

Josephine smiled. "Runs in the family."

Will hugged her briefly. "I'll miss you."

Josephine played with his hair. "I'll visit."

Then they broke and began their operation.