(A/N – Yes! Study Hall! I come to the library so I can type this story for Study Hall… in reality if I had one, I would not skip lunch on Fridays to come here and work on this. But hey, that's life… Jack! Quiet! Don't jump off the balcony!)

My preciousssss Reviewers!

x) Raina and Nayana - Ok, you have mad Jack really mad by taking the cheesecurls... BEG FOR MERCY!!! lol... I read the second chapter of your LOTR story and reviewed (very cool), and I'll check for another update soon! I'm starting one myself... Well, I'll let you read now! Thanks for reviewing!

.:: It's getting really cold up here in Connellsville, people! Low 40's for highs! ::.

- Disclaimer, disclaimer, dis- JACK!!! Err… right. Disclaimer…

- I claim/ own/ copyright/ created/ love/ hate/ can't stand/ feed/ shelter/ provide clothing for/ buy candy for/ sing lullabies to/ hug Lindsay, Jessica, Arielle Faye Turner, Rebecca Barbossa, Paige Castrella Madrine (Lillian Paige Barbossa), Thomas Pikes and Meridian.

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CHPATER TWENTY-FOUR: "Screw the code!"

All day, the five of us stayed together walking aimlessly around the Dauntless about fifty times talking about Jack, and at other times, not saying a word for as long as a half hour.

Before we knew it, it was six at night, and we had been awake for fourteen hours. It didn't seem that long, but after all we had went through, it was a lifetime. Still, none of us could sleep although we'd crash at the chance of grabbing a pillow since we were so upset about Jack.

"Girls?"

The five of us stopped walking, and Elizabeth came up behind us.

"Yeah?" I muttered.

"We're almost in Port Royal," she said. "Father has given you three rooms to share – two for the for of you girls to split, and one for you, Mr. Pikes."

"That's kind of you, but I'll stay on the Black Pearl once we dock," Thomas said.

Elizabeth nodded.

"Well, we'll be having dinner when we arrive, and my father is having dresses pulled out for your use tomorrow," she said.

We nodded still walking as we looked at the deck.

"I'm sorry my father did that to you, Paige," Elizabeth said. "If you'd like, I'll tell him not to give you a party because I know you most certainly aren't going to be up for it after… today…"

"That's ok," Paige said. "We can still have it."

"Are you sure?"

"Why not?" Paige asked quietly with a brief smile.

"Well, all right," Elizabeth said. "We'll be on land in a half hour."

She touched Lindsay's shoulder, and we all stopped as she pulled Lindsay into a hug.

"Everything will be all right," she said. "Different, but it'll turn out fine."

Paige, Stewy, and I moved in on the hug, too.

"He can't die," Stewy said, starting to cry again. "He just can't."

I looked up at Elizabeth, but she didn't answer for a moment.

"Jack is so proud of you all," Elizabeth said finally. "He would always look at you filled with pride. He lives through you, just remember that."

"We will," Lindsay muttered through a sob.

Elizabeth let us go, and she wiped away a few of her own tears.

"I can't imagine how horrible this is for you," she said. "Will and I will always be here if you need to talk."

We nodded as we wiped our eyes and sniffed, and Elizabeth folded her hands together and turned to go. I put a comforting arm around Lindsay and Paige, and Lindsay did the same for Stewy. Thomas felt out of place it seemed since he was quiet most of the day except for shooshing us when tears ran hard and fast. Good ol' Tom…

- Port Royal – 9 pm -

Once we had reached Port Royal, the Governor had invited us to dinner as Elizabeth had told us on the Dauntless. We refused however, Thomas ran off to the Black Pearl for the night, and Norrington and Governor Swann led us to our rooms upstairs. Lindsay and I shared the first room, and Stewy and Paige had the door next to us.

"Oh god, a shower for the first time in how long…" Lindsay sighed, going into the bathroom. I sat at the vanity staring into space, and when she shut the bathroom door, I came out of it… sort of…

I looked down at the jewelry laid out for tomorrow. Joy… I get to get up three hours early to get ready for a party. Just when I thought I'd get a nice long rested slumber after crying myself to sleep…

Then my gaze fell upon the dresses hanging on the wardrobe doors. Lindsay's was gorgeous, dark red with golden accents here and there. Mine was less elaborate, navy blue with a white train. I still thought it to fit my look, though.

I went back over to the big bed and fell on my side looking at the nightstand that was empty except for a vase of flowers and candle. I had an idea… I dug my hand deep into my book bag by the bedside and pulled out the DVD player. I moved the vase and candle, opened the DVD player, sat it down, and I lay back on my side watching Jack. It wasn't going to replace him, no doubt… but it was the smallest bit of comfort I could obtain at the moment.

After a half hour, Lindsay came out of the bathroom in her pajamas, drying her hair with a towel.

"Whatcha watchin'?" she asked, diving on the bed behind me.

I didn't answer, and when Lindsay saw the screen, she knew why. She laid her head down on my shoulder and we watched it until I just couldn't bear it anymore. I sat up, and I snapped the DVD player shut.

"I'm going to the Black Pearl," I said, grabbing my pirate dress and throwing it on. "I wanna go see Anamaria and Thomas and them."

"You're sneaking out?" Lindsay asked.

"Sure, why not?" I asked. "It's not like we've never snuck out before…"

"Yeah, but this is Port Royal, not Connellsville…"

"So? Are you coming or not?"

I went over to the mirror and brushed my hair waiting for her answer.

"Well?" I asked.

Lindsay jumped up instantly, threw her dress over her, and I handed her the hairbrush with a small smile.

"I knew I could count on ye, mate," I said, patting her on the back.

There it is again… my stomach felt like it would fall out again.

"Are we getting Stewy and Paige?" Lindsay asked, pulling on shoes.

"Yeah," I said. "No, wear the slipper shoes… if we get caught and we're wearing tennis shoes, we just might be burned at the stake for witchcraft or some goofy oddball of a thing like that…"

Once we were geared up and ready to go, we snuck up the hall to Jessica and Paige's room, and Lindsay knocked on the door quietly. Paige answered it.

"Oh, come in," she said, pulling us into the room.

"We're going to the Pearl," I said. "Where's Mary?"

"She was so upset, poor girl," Paige said, motioning to the bed where Stewy lay all discombobulated. "Took two aspirin and cried herself to sleep."

We approached her, and Lindsay and I shook her awake.

"Jessica? Jess?" I asked. "Wake up."

"Uhh…" she said, sitting up.

"Stewy, we're sneaking out to the Black Pearl to see Thomas and Anamaria," Lindsay said. "Wear your pirate dress, and Paige, wear the one from the day we met in Tortuga."

Paige nodded, and in about ten minutes, we were on our way out. We crawled our way along the hall where the dim candlelight from below poured through the banister poles. We saw Elizabeth and Will talking to Governor Swann when Norrington entered the house through the giant front doors. We stopped, laying low on our stomachs watching on.

"How is he?" Elizabeth asked immediately.

"His condition is worse than expected," Norrington said quietly. I listened for a hint of fakeness in that, but there was none. His was sincere. My god, the man did have a heart… and who would've thought he could learn to cope with Captain Jack Sparrow?

At the same time, the four of us were in total shock. Just ho bad was he?

"Oh god," Elizabeth said, gripping Will's hand tightly and laying her face in his shoulder. Will hugged her, and the conversation continued.

"He was shot thrice, and one of the bullets may have pierced his lung, but we can't tell…" Norrington said.

Every word Norrington spoke tore through me. And I was just ripped more.

"What-what are his chances?" Will asked quietly.

"He… he has none," Norrington said heavily.

Stewy was lying next to me now in full blown tears. I rubbed her back, but she just got up and leaned against the wall out of sight, face in hands. Lindsay sat up and hugged her, and Paige and I were about to go over when Governor Swann spoke.

"And how much longer does Mr. Sparrow have?" he asked.

My eyes widened in fear. Oh, God…

"An hour," the Commodore said. "Two if he's lucky, but I… I doubt it."

Paige covered her mouth, and we crawled out of sight to where Lindsay and Jessica were.

"Jessica, let's – let's get to the ship," I said, holding back my tears.

I reached for her arm with Lindsay, but she pulled away, stuffing her face in her hands. I couldn't hold back after watching Stewy cry like that, and soon we were all sitting their crying our eyes out again as quiet as we could, but it wasn't working.

"Guys," I said. "Someone's coming upstairs."

We got up quickly and ran into Jessica and Paige's room, shutting the door quietly. Stewy lay down on the bed clutching her pillow tightly to her body, and before me or Lindsay could hide, Will opened the door with Elizabeth.

"May we come in?" Elizabeth asked.

Lindsay, Paige, and I nodded, and the came in. Will walked over to the bed and sat down by Stewy who sat up and cried into his chest. I looked away and down at the floor again tearing up.

"Um…" Elizabeth said. "J-Jack –"

"We heard," Paige said. "We tried to sneak out to the Pearl to see Anamaria and Thomas…"

"You know," I said. "Be with them and stuff."

Elizabeth nodded understandingly. We sighed in relief that they weren't mad or anything. Come to think of it, why would they be?

"If you wanted to go to the Black Pearl, you should've just told Will or me and we would've told Father or the Commodore."

"Yeah, but we didn't wanna be followed or escorted or anything," I said.

"Well, if you want to go, go now," Will said. "Tomorrow will be a long day, and you girls need your rest."

I nodded, and Stewy sat up away from Will wiping her eyes. She got up and stood beside Lindsay, Paige, and myself putting on a tight smile.

"Promise you'll be back before midnight," Elizabeth said.

"After that, the doors will be locked to the house," Will said. "So unless you wish to be locked out…"

"We'll be back," Lindsay said. "If not, we're on the Pearl."

There was an awkward silence somewhere in there before I reached for the door and Lindsay, Paige, and Jessica followed me out.

"Be careful," Elizabeth whispered after us.

"We'll cover for you," Will said.

With that, we crept up the hall again and down the staircase with little sound. We made sure the coast was clear before running out the big front doors. From there, it was down the path, through the gate (which was open this time, thank god), and follow the salty aroma of the docks to the ship.

Once there, we crouched over and scurried up the gangplank after making sure it was the right ship. We didn't really know how to navigate around the ship too well since we had been used to the Meridian, but we had a shot at it til we were caught at the stairwell.

"Who'd be there?" someone yelled from the wheel. We jerked our heads up quickly, but as the voice spoke more and the figure got closer, we found it only to be Anamaria.

"Ana!" I said as she stopped in front of us.

"Ah, just you four," she said. "What are you doing here?"

"We wanted to talk," Paige said.

"And we've got to talk," Lindsay said very seriously.

"What's going on?" Anamaria asked.

"Let's go below, first," I said.

Anamaria nodded, and she led us down into the old and weathered ship. We saw Thomas along the way, and we told him that he must come with us, and we insisted he did this instant, so he came along. Then, we were led by Ana into what looked to be her room with the hammock and sword hanging about. I just assumed it was her room…

"Sit," she said.

And so we did; Stewy and me in the hammock, Lindsay on a chair, Paige, a crate, and Thomas just stood next to the hammock. We sighed heavily. Here we go…

"Now, what be the reason for your comin'?" Anamaria asked.

No one spoke right away.

"Well, answer me," Ana said.

"It's… about… Jack," Stewy got out. I looked at her in awe; she was the last person I expected to speak first.

"How is the captain?" Anamaria asked shakily.

"He's… he…"

"He's not going to make it!" I shouted, finishing Paige's stutters. "He won't live longer than an hour all because of his stupid plan and all of his stupidness and WHY DID YOU DO IT, JACK?!?!?! WHY?!?!?!?"

I was so upset. I buried my hands in my face, and Jessica pulled me into a hug, shooshing and rocking me as I let my tears get the better of me for a few minutes. I felt so horrible…

"I-I'll be right back," I heard Anamaria say as she left the room. I sat up, wiping my eyes, and I sniffed and felt a bit better after getting that out of my system. Ana came back a few minutes later with a large drinking mug, and she drank from it as she returned to her seat.

"Ana, how did you meet Jack?" Paige asked. Ana looked a bit surprised by the question for just a moment, but that was all. I was eager to know how, too, and apparently so were Lindsay, Stewy, and Thomas seeing as they shifted themselves into more comfortable positions.

"How did I meet him…" Anamaria began, standing up and walking around slowly. "Well, you all know the story I suppose, the one of Jack escaping the island after Barbossa first marooned him."

We nodded, and she continued.

"Well, instead of admitting that a girl, namely myself, saved him from that island, the stupid prat would rather give the credit to himself, his back hair, and a few worthless sea turtles."

I managed a sound between laughter and a snigger like Lindsay had, and then they faded away quickly as they came.

"You saved him?" Thomas asked in surprise.

"Damn right," Anamaria said. "Me and my boat he stole."

"Tell us more," Lindsay asked.

"Yeah," I said quietly.

Anamaria sighed, and she began.

"Well, I'm sailing round this little chain of islands when I spots this man yelling and making a ruckus on the beach about helping him because he's been marooned. I sail up and asks his name, and he tells me. I had heard of him before that, but I says nothing to him. I asks how long he's been there… three days he tells me. He asks where I was headin', I say, Tortuga, he asks for a lift there but I only take him if he promises me a pint and he does. So, he gets aboard and round midnight he's just sittin' and watching the stars. I ask why and he says no reason, but I don't buy it. He's an odd one even after you get to know him. By early morning we reached Tortuga where he got me my pint and waltzes off to steal a boat, not mine yet, but he steals one and I only run across him one other time a month before joinin' his crew, and that's when he stole my boat."

"Whoa," Lindsay said. "Cool."

"No one knows that you saved him?" Thomas asked.

"I made him promise to tell people the truth if he borrowed my boat, but he gets all proud and goes and steals it," Anamaria said. "Stupid blighter."

"Won't you miss him?" Paige asked.

Ana sighed.

"It's a hard life for a pirate," she said. "And the code has us bound to walk away and forget him, even if we try not to."

"Then I don't wanna be a pirate," Stewy said, getting up and walking out of the room. "Screw the code!"

"Jess…" Lindsay said as she, Paige, and I went after her. She leaned against the wall starting to cry again, sliding down to the floor. We crouched beside her.

"Do you wanna go back to the mansion?" I asked.

Jessica shook her head.

"I wanna die," she said.

"Don't say stuff like that," Paige said.

"Maybe we should go back," Lindsay said.

"I'm staying here," Jessica said.

"You can't," I said. "We're getting up in the morning to get all fancied up. You'll have to go."

Eventually, we got Jessica back in Anamaria's room and we talked even more as the night went on. When we saw it was midnight, we bid Ana and Thomas goodbye and dashed back to the mansion. We slid back into our rooms quietly as we could, and tears succumbed me since this was the first time I actually had time to think the day over. Lindsay was sobbing next to me, too, and the both of us listened to each other's sobs grow softer as we fell into a sleep that left us still drained and exhausted the next morning.

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- BRRRINGGG!

Yeah! School's over! Well, for today anyways…

Please Review! Time to get the rum and hit Stewy's house!