Usual blasted disclaimers – Pah!

With thanks to Hilary :p Miss Sophia, Ginny, beatlechicksteph, Mrs. Deep, SapphireSparrow (welcome), Sparrow'sLover, Orlando's Hot Chick, A Depp Girl and Mrs Sparrow for your reviews.

Y'know, I realised that I while thank everyone for reviewing, I never thank you all enough for your kind words. It really does mean a lot to me – so thank you! XX

Hilary – Jedi marine…? You're weird woman, weird!

…

Chapter Twenty one: 'Ye want me ter be ye, yes?'

'Jenny…'

Jenny opened her eyes wearily, blinking in the strong sunlight. 'Who is it?' she whispered, not wanting to exert herself by turning her head and looking.

'James… Governor Norrington.'

'Got my father with you?' she retorted, slowly moving her head to the side and glaring at him.

The Governor gasped at the sight of her, scarcely believing her pallor. 'I-I… of course not,' he replied, clasping his hands behind his back. 'What happened, Jenny? In England?'

'Ask Luke, he will tell you. I can't be bothered.'

'Luke? The surgeon, Luke Martin? Very well… is there anything I can get you before I leave?'

'The keys to the cell would be nice,' she sniped, turning her head away from him again.

'I could almost hear Sparrow there,' he half-smiled. 'I shall have a word with the Commodore, see if we can move you to the sick quarters, with a guard of course.'

'Of course…'

'I will see you as soon as I have arranged it.'

…

'So how are we goin' ter rescue her?' one of the crew asked as they all crowded on the deck, at anchor in a small cove around the coast from Port Royal.

'We can't risk blowin' th'gaol,' another put in, his mates murmuring their agreement.

'I'm goin' on my own,' Jack informed them, ignoring the gasps of surprise.

'Alone? Is that wise, Jack?' Mr. Gibbs asked.

'They are goin' ter be expectin' th'whole crew ter be roamin' th'streets of Port Royal. What they won't expect, I hope, is fer me ter go in on my own.'

'I don't like it, Jack. It sounds far too risky,' John Williams put in.

'Wouldn't it be better if there was a diversion?'

'We could start a riot in town…'

'Yeah, burn th'bleedin' place ter th'ground…'

'Hold th'Governor ter ransom…'

The ideas flew thick and fast across the deck until Jack held his hands up for silence. 'I agree with th'diversion idea,' he announced. 'So th'Pearl can sail into th'harbour, blast whatever ship is or are there and generally fire at th'town, out of reach of th'fort's guns.

'But Jack,' Gibbs protested. 'Even with a commotion going on, your face is too well know around Port Royal. Every man, woman and child knows who you are. You need someone else to go, someone who isn't known there. Someone like Shay…'

Jack looked from his quartermaster to his young friend, a smile spreading across his face and a gleam in his eyes. 'Have I told ya recently that yer a genius, Mr. Gibbs?'

'Ya want Shay ter rescue her?' Patience asked, looking horrified. 'He don't know his way 'round th'town.'

'No, I'm rescuin' Jenny, Shay can be part of th'diversion… follow me.'

Shay and Patience followed Jack to his cabin. 'What have ye got in mind?' Shay asked, although he had a pretty good idea. The crew had mistaken him for Jack from behind many a time, when he had his hair tied in a bandana thanks to them both being of similar height and build.

'Ya'll have ter cut ya hair,' Jack said, rummaging around in the drawer of his tallboy for a sharp knife.

'Ye want me ter be ye, yes?'

'Yes.'

'An' do what?' Patience asked, getting more uneasy with the idea every second.

'An' pretend ter be me in th'town…'

…

The crew looked on in astonishment as Shay re-emerged from below, swaying and staggering across the deck, his hands flailing about before him in a perfect imitation of Jack.

'Oi! There's no need ter take it too far…' Jack warned, a grin splitting his face as he looked at his doppelganger. Shay had his clothes on, including his bandana and hat and his black hair had been cut to more or less the same length as Jack's and braided with his beads.

Jack was dressed soberly in a well made, but worn coat, well cut breeches, a clean linen shirt and his unadorned hair was tied back in a sailors plait and topped with a large, wide brimmed hat, giving him the air of a reasonably respectable gentleman.

'Ya are good, I'll give yer that,' Patience admitted grudgingly, looking her lover up and down.

'Just don't go confusin' us, will ye?' he laughed.

'How can I? Ya don't reek o'rum,' she retorted, smiling and reaching up to give him a kiss. 'Keep safe,' she whispered.

'Gibbs, yer know what ter do,' Jack barked. 'We'll meet ya back here at sun down, savvy?'

'Ya know I will Jack. Good luck both of you and bring her back safely.' Joshamee Gibbs shook the hand of his captain, then watched as the two men climbed over the side of the ship and into a waiting boat, picking up the oars and starting to row towards a sheltered cove.

'C'mon lads, we've got a diversion to make,' Gibbs yelled, amid cheers on board The Black Pearl. The ship became a hive of activity as the crew set a course for the nearby harbour of Port Royal, whilst Patience disappeared below to clean the cabin up and put fresh sheets on the bunk in anticipation of Jenny's return.

…

'Ya ready Shay?'

'Aye Ca… Jack,' he caught himself with a shrug.

'Ya remember th'way back to th'boat?'

'Aye Jack,' Shay Connelly was beginning to get impatient, eager to start running rings around the marines.

'Fer gawds sake, don't get caught. If ya do, yer own yer own, savvy?'

'I know Jack. Can I go now please?'

Jack waited for a few moments until the first boom of cannon fire came from The Pearl and nodded, shooing his friend on his way and grinning in spite of himself at the sight of the Irishman swaggering down the street, looking for all the world like himself.

…

James Norrington stormed into the Commodore's office, his face like thunder. 'What is going on?'

'It's The Black Pearl, Sir. She attacking the town.'

'I know it's The Black Pearl and it is quite clear she is not attacking the town. The ship is too far out to sea for the shots to do any damage, so what is going on?' The Governor tapped his fingers against the table impatiently.

'I-I'm not sure Sir,' Commodore Booth admitted. 'Come,' he called as a knock sounded on the door.

The officer bowed to both men, then addressed the Commodore. 'I'm sorry to interrupt Sir, but Jack Sparrow has been spotted around town.'

'Where?' both Governor and Commodore chorused.

'He was last seen near Turner's smithy. I have posted men there, so if he returns he shall be captured.'

'Despite appearances to the contrary, Jack Sparrow is not a stupid man. He knows the first places anyone will look is Turner's workshop, then his house.' James Norrington pinched the bridge of his nose 'Where was he heading?'

'Towards the docks, Governor.'

'I shall return to my house and send the men posted there out to help search for him.' He turned and faced Booth. 'I suggest you do not waste manpower by trying to fire at The Black Pearl and instead concentrate on searching the town for Sparrow. The ship firing is just a ruse to distract our attention from his obvious rescue attempt.'

'A good idea Sir. I shall see to it at once.' Commodore Booth hurried out of his office, leaving the Governor to find his own way out.

…

Jack waited patiently in the shadows, watching the gate to the fort and shrinking back as another troop of marines jogged past, then broke into a trot as yet another 'sighting' of him had been made. 'Good man, Shay,' he thought to himself. 'Extra rum rations fer you.' He rolled his eyes as a carriage pulled up outside then grinned to himself and darted out from his hiding place and dived beneath it, clinging to the underside as the vehicle started to move again. He grimaced as he recognised the voice of James Norrington as he alighted the carriage but waited until all went quiet. Still clinging on, he bent his back so that he could peer from beneath the carriage, relieved to find no-one about, and dropped to the ground, scrabbling out and hurrying for cover, tensing for the cry of alarm that never came.

…

Shay grinned to himself as he ran along the rooftops, waving at the persuing marines in the street, but careful not to show too much of his face. The whole ruse relied on them thinking that he really was Jack Sparrow and he was determined to make the most of it. He looked in alarm as a pistol shot whizzed past his head and decided that it was time to disappear again, lie low for a few minutes until the marines went to another part of town. He spied an open window in the next street and leapt from one building to the other and into the window, his grin broadening as he came face to face with a pretty young lady in a state of undress.

'Pardon me, miss,' he grinned, doffing his hat and running from the room and down the stairs, her shriek of alarm following him.

'Bang goes disappearing,' he thought ruefully as he ran down yet another alley, the heavy footfalls of the persuing troops following him. He darted into an empty building and up the stairs, wanting to be on the rooftops again and shot across them and down a drainpipe until he was in a quiet lane and he walked nonchalantly along it before running down another alley at the end, relieved to not hear footsteps behind him any longer.

…

'Damn!' Jack sighed heavily as he saw the cells empty, wondering where Jenny was. 'The sick quarters!' he thought, mentally kicking himself for not realising earlier. He knew James Norrington cared about her and if he could not get her released from gaol and into his custody, he would at least make sure she was cared for. 'Where th'hell are th'sick quarters?' he wondered, going through what he knew of the layout of the fort in his mind, until he came upon the most likely place, well away from the officers living quarters. He crept around the fort, shaking his head at the fact that all the marines seemed to be out in the town chasing 'him', whilst the object of his being in Port Royal was only guarded by a skeleton watch and in one of the most accessable areas of the fort. Jack smiled sardonically as he spied a single guard outside a door, giving away the location of Jenny. He snuck up and clubbed him with the butt of his pistol, catching the man before he fell to the floor and made a noise, then dragged him to a nearby alcove and out of sight. Jack pressed his ear against the door, grimacing as he heard the voice of James Norrington, then slowly opened it, sending thanks as he saw that he had his back to him. The Governor spun on his heel as he heard something, freezing as he came face to face with the wrong end of Jack's pistol.

'How on earth did you find your way in here?' he asked, without surprise.

'Ways an' means, my dear James. Ways an' means. Sit on th'chair an' don't do anything… stupid!'

James Norrington complied, wincing as Jack yanked his hands behind the chair and tied them with a length of rope he had brought, just in case he needed to tie someone up.

'Ya all right luv?' Jack asked, going over to Jenny lying on the bed, taking in her pale, drawn face and black rings around her eyes. 'Oh Jen…' He held her tightly as she reached up for him, her tears soaking into his shirt.

'J-Jack,' she sobbed. 'Oh Jack…'

'Shh. C'mon luv, let's get ya out of here, eh? Can ya walk?'

'I'm not sure I can,' she whispered.

'That's all right, I'll carry ya.' He pulled the covers back, relieved to see that she was at least wearing a night gown. 'Here, put me coat on. Don't want ya gettin' cold now, do we?' he smiled, taking his coat off and wrapping it around her shoulders.

'You won't get out, Sparrow,' the Governor said. 'The marines will capture you both.'

'No they won't, mate. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow…' He fetched some lengths of rag, obviously intended for use as a bandage, and wound it around James Norrington's mouth. 'Don't want ya tellin' everyone what has happened now,' he chuckled, tying the other rags around the Governor's feet, anchoring them to the legs of the chair.

'Come on luv, time ter go.' Jack picked Jenny off the bed, shocked at how light she was, and carried her from the room, shutting the door behind him.

'I-I'll try to walk,' she offered. 'I'm slowing you up.'

'Yer that light, I could probably climb th'riggin' with ya,' he joked, the humour belying the anger he felt inside.

'Did you bury him…?'

'Aye luv, I'll take yer back an' show ya where.'

'All right,' she choked, biting her lip to stop from crying.

'Hey. Come on Jenny Wren, we're almost out of here,' he chivied, heading for the carriage which was still waiting, unattended, where it had been before.

Luke Martin faltered in his step as he saw a man, Jack Sparrow, he presumed, carrying Jenny across the yard of the stables, praying that his companion, Captain Gillette, would not notice them, but it was not to be.

'Halt!' Charles Gillette cried as he spotted the fugitives, drawing his pistol from its holster and running towards them. 'Stop them,' he called to the few marines that were on patrol within the fort.

'Oh God, what do I do?' Luke asked himself, before drawing his own pistol and running towards them himself.

'Gillette!' Jenny exclaimed, trying to reach Jack's pistol from his sash.

Captain Gillette stopped and took aim, having a clear shot of Jack's back, smiling as he knew he finally had the pirate.

'No!' Luke Martin screamed inside his head, flinging himself towards his captain, knocking his arm as he squeezed on the trigger, making him shoot wide.

'You fool! Gillette spat, looking with a mixture of bewilderment and fury at his surgeon and throwing down his spent weapon, pulling another from its holster around his waist before giving chase again, realising that Jack meant to use the carriage as a means of escape. He cocked his pistol again. This time he would get the pirate as he put Jenny into the carriage.

Luke Martin also cocked his pistol, taking a deep breath, then running faster to catch his superior up, grabbing his arm and stopping him, aiming his pistol at Gillette's head. 'I will not let you do this, Sir,' he said. 'Jenny does not deserve this.'

'You will hang alongside them,' Gillette shrieked, outraged that his own surgeon had turned against him, spluttering as his pistol was snatched from his grasp.

'Get in,' Jack called from the driver's bench. 'We can use him ter get us out of here.'

Luke shoved his prisoner towards the carriage, then into it, half smiling at an astonished Jenny.

'Luke! What have you done?' she worried, taking the pistol that Jack had left her and aiming it at approaching marines, ready to fire if needs be.

'I couldn't let him kill you,' her friend replied simply.

'Stay where ya are,' came Jack's laconic voice from above. 'We'll kill yer captain if ya try an' stop us, so don't do anything stupid. I know it's hard fer gentlemen of yer limited intelligence…'

'Kill them!' Charles Gillette screamed at the marines. 'Never mind me, just kill them all.'

Luke pistol whipped his former captain as best he could in the cramped space, staring with horror as Gillette lost his balance and fell against the side, a loud crack sounding out as his head connected with it and he slid down until his head was resting in Jenny's lap. She tentatively placed a hand on the striken man's chest, gasping as she felt no heartbeat, no rise and fall of him breathing.

'Sweet Jesus,' Luke swore, sagging back in the seat. 'I've killed him,' he whispered.

'Sit him up,' instructed Jenny. 'Sit him up so the marines can still see him. They won't know either way. Luke!'she urged.

'Wha…? Oh yes, of course.' He hauled the body upright and held onto to it, with his pistol pointing visably at the head.

'What goin' on in there?' Jack asked from the driver's seat, grateful that the marines had backed off and were opening the gate as they approached.

'Later Jack,' Jenny called weakly, feeling drained.

'Are ya all right luv?'

'Fine, just get us out of here quickly.'

'What am I going to do?' Luke asked aloud. 'They'll hunt me down.'

'You can come with us, you'll be as safe on board The Black Pearl as anywhere else,' Jenny reasoned.

'The Black Pearl?' Luke echoed. 'But… it's a pirate ship.'

'Very observant,' she replied tartly. 'Just until you find a safe haven, if you like.'

'Will I be safe from the pirates?'

'I'll make damn sure you will be and I'm sure Jack will as well.' Jenny looked out of the window, relieved to see the gates of the fort going past as Jack urged the horses on faster, sending passers-by scattering and diving for cover as the carriage hurtled past them.

…

Jack dodged as a shot flew past him, knowing the luck that had seen them get a mile or so away from the fort, had finally run out. He glanced behind, grimacing as he saw a large group of marines giving chase, some on horseback, and he urged the horses on some more, feeling nervous at the speed they were going. He jumped as a sharp whistle sounded somewhere to the left of his head and looked round, sighing with relief when he saw Shay.

'Slow them down, I'll jump,' the Irishman said, running along the rooftops alongside the carriage.

'How?'

'Pull on the reins a little – not too much.'

Jack did as was instructed, jumping again as his friend landed on the roof of the carriage.

'What the hell was that?!' Jenny shrieked from within.

'Only me.' Shay leaned over the side and peered in through the window, a big grin on his face.

'Will ya bloody well hold them off?' Jack yelled.

'How about I have th'horses an' ye hold them off?' Shay offered, sitting beside Jack and taking the reins, controlling the horses with more expertise that his captain had done.

'Much better,' Jack agreed, firing his pistol towards the gaggle of men, taking one of the horsemen down, then hurling the weapon at the other mounted man, grinning as he too, fell.

'Ah, sod it!' Shay swore, clutching his arm, but keeping tight hold of the reins with one hand.

'Ya hit?'

'Just a scratch, I'll live.' He pushed the horses harder as he spotted a shepherd with a large flock of sheep just ahead. He got past them in the nick of time and whooped as the sheep surrounded the pursuing troops, holding them up.

'Clever boy,' Jack grinned. 'D'ya want me ter have th'reins back?'

'Nah, I'll be fine,' he replied. 'Th'carriage won't go down th'track to th'cove, ye know.'

'I know,' Jack sighed. 'Any suggestions?'

'We could take th'horses… who's that in th'carriage?'

'Gillette an'… I dunno… Jen, who's yer companion?'

'Luke Martin, the surgeon I told you about,' she called. 'Gillette is dead.'

'What?! What happened?' he exclaimed in shock.

'I hit him,' Luke replied. 'He overbalanced and hit his head.'

'Unlucky,' Jack sympathised. 'But at least it saves us havin' ter deal with him now.'

'I'm glad it pleases someone,' came the riposte.

'Patience'll be delighted,' Shay chuckled. 'This is as far as we can go. Jenny,' Shay called. 'Are ye up ter ridin' a horse?'

'How far is it to walk?'

'Too far fer you in your state,' Jack informed her, jumping down from the carriage as it slowed to a halt.

'I suppose I will have to, won't I?' she replied, carefully getting out of the carriage with his help.

'Are ya comin' with us?' Jack asked Luke. 'Or ya goin' ter take yer chances here?'

'I'd be hanged within a day,' the surgeon snorted. 'Do I have your assurances that I will be safe on your ship, at least until we reach somewhere that is safe for me?'

'Of course ya do.

Luke Martin took a last look at his former captain, then climbed out of the carriage, going and helping Shay unharness the two horses, glancing from time to time at Jack fussing over Jenny, smiling to himself.

'I'll take Jenny with me,' Shay said. 'I've ridden with two to a horse before. Will you two be all right sharing?'

'Yes, I've ridden as well,' Luke informed him. 'Have you?' he asked the pirate captain.

'Twice,' he replied dryly. 'Although, with a saddle,' he frowned as he realised they would have to ride bare back.

Shay mounted his horse first, holding onto Jenny as Jack lifted her up in front of him. Luke gave Jack a leg up before mounting himself with the aid of the carriage steps, then the Irishman took up the makeshift reins and led the way down the track, reaching the small cove where The Black Pearl was anchored, an hour later.

…