Disclaimer: I still don't own Jack or William.
The Grim ReaperCommodore Norrington escorted Elizabeth to her home. The curtains were drawn and the house looked cold and forgotten by time.
"James, I want to thank you for seeing me home but you can take your leave now. My father and I will have a lot to discuss."
James bowed and turned to go and then thought better of it.
"Elizabeth I should warn you. Your father is dying. My dear, he has had doctors tending to him day and night. Perhaps I should go in with you."
"No James, I will be okay. He will be okay. My father is a strong man and I know the minute he sees me the life will come back to him."
"Elizabeth, your father was often found awake at night walking up and down the streets into the small hours. I would find him sometimes and take him back home."
James reached for Elizabeth's hands and continued.
"I know you and your father had a falling out, I can only assume it was over the Blacksmith, William Turner. He told me that you and Mr. Turner had gone separate ways and you were heading to England to visit your Aunt. On your return from England you were going to do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Norrington. I must say I was pleased. No, not to hear of yours and Mr. Turner's misfortunes but that you accepted my proposal. I must say I was taken by surprise but also very happy. Of course Elizabeth, I would like to hear the news from your own lips."
Elizabeth looked into James's eyes and saw the warmth he held for her.
"Elizabeth, several months ago your father came to me asking for my help. He was informed you never reached England. He practically ordered me to take the fleet out to find you. He was sick with worry that pirates had abducted you. Especially that infamous Captain Jack Sparrow.
"Really Commodore, my father can come up with some elaborate stories. I did travel to England. As you can tell from my appearance, I never did make it, but thanks to Captain Thornway and the crew of the Jamaican Queen I have arrived home safely."
Norrington raised his eyebrow and questioned her last remark.
"Elizabeth, I did not see The Queen in the harbor when I found you and not to be critical of what you select to wear, you are dressed as a pirate. Did you go off with Captain Jack Sparrow? I felt your heart belonged to Mr. Turner but you did save that scoundrel pirate."
Norrington slapped his hand to his forehead. "Oh! How could I have been so stupid? Did he hurt you? I will find that Mr. Sparrow and hang him. I will hang him until he is dead and then I will let his body hang in the harbor as a symbol of what I will do to all pirates. I will rid all pirates from these waters."
Elizabeth pulled her hands away from Norrington.
"Really James, don't jump to such conclusions. Now I must go see my father."
The large door creaked as she opened it. A blast of warm air hit her in the face and she saw many candles lit and a nurse running up the stairs. The doctor's voice came booming from the master bedroom.
"Nurse you may want to get his family and friends. His time is close."
Elizabeth stood in horror looking into Norrington's eyes. "No, he can't die. I must talk to him. There is so much I have to tell him. I must…"
She turned from the Commodore and raced up the stairs. She stopped at the bedroom door and stood motionless, listening to her father's breathing. The doctor had stopped talking and everyone was silent. The clock on the mantel started to chime. As the clock rang it's last stroke the Governor heard his daughter's footsteps. She now stood thirty steps away from him and he called out her name.
"Elizabeth? Elizabeth? Is that my little girl?"
The moon shone full on her face. He raised his arms to her and called her to his bedside. The air in the room was like the breath of a furnace. The full moon shone in through the open window, laying a white square of light upon the floor. Elizabeth walked directly through the light to her gaunt father.
Elizabeth leaned towards her father; he ran his hands down her tear-streaked face.
"Oh my precious Elizabeth. Is it really you? Your face was once round and rosy and now it is thin, pinched and haggard. Are you sick my dear?"
She knelt beside his bed and held his hands in hers. She looked into his aged face. He looked so much older then she remembered.
"Father, it is not I who needs caring for. Let me take care of you. Let me come home. Please forgive me, please don't die."
Norrington had softly closed the front doors behind him and followed Elizabeth up the stairs. He stood outside the door in order to give father and daughter private time together. As he stood silently in the shadowed hall he could hear Elizabeth and the Governor's every word.
"Now Elizabeth, let a father worry about his daughter. It should not be the other way around. I will be fine now that you are here. I have had hard times since you left. The winter passed, spring had passed and summer had come and I heard nothing from you or about you."
Tears sprang to Elizabeth's eyes remembering her troubles.
"Did you go off with Mr. Turner?" He asked in a low but abrupt voice.
"Father! NO, I did not go off with William Turner. I dare not tell you where I have been and what has happened to me or you would hunt…Father, let us speak of this later. You must get your rest."
"Elizabeth my dear, there will be no tomorrow for me. The kind doctor has done everything he can for me but my heart is failing. Please my dearest; tell me where you have been. Tell me you are no longer burdened."
Father, I am no longer pregnant if that is what you ask. If I tell you something will you promise on your oath not to breathe a word to any living soul?"
Her father nodded and the doctor unhurriedly left the room.
Elizabeth slowly looked around the room wanting to make sure she and her father were alone.
"Then I'll tell you, but if Norrington finds out he'll murder him as sure as I'm standing here. Come nigher, I've got to whisper it." She raised her lips to her father's ear and whispered. She told him everything. She started from the day Jack and she took their first drink of rum on the small island.
Elizabeth rose from the floor and walked over to the open window. She was looking out into the harbor in hopes to see Will. She knew he wanted to be with her but she feared Jack had other plans. She turned back towards her father.
"Father it was the most terrible and the most wonderful thing in my life. Your granddaughter is beautiful. She has her father's coloring and her hair is raven black. Her eyes are round and full of wonder and charm. Her lips are pursed like a rose bud. I named her Katheryn after mother. You could not ask for a dearer, sweeter, prettier child then my Kat.
Don't worry about Captain Sparrow. If you only knew what I know about him. You wouldn't ask anything about him. He may be a pirate but he is truly a good man."
Elizabeth went back over to her father and lie on the bed beside him. He gave a small groan and he put his arm around her. He was happy to have his daughter back. Elizabeth fell asleep next to her father, cuddled up in his arms. Her final thought as she drifted off was where was her daughter. She should also be cuddled up in her father's warm loving arms.
The doctor said he died peacefully in his sleep, heart attack for all he could tell. Elizabeth locked herself in her room and threw herself on her bed and sobbed into the pillows. Feeling an ache deep inside she was certain it was her heart truly breaking in half.
"Why?" She wept softly. "Why?"
Norrington knew better. The Governor had died of a broken heart. How could the Governor's daughter, father the child of a pirate? How could she let the notorious Captain Jack Sparrow get that close to her, and soil her being? It may have been the rum; it may have been the heat from the sun or even the longing for Mr. Turner and Sparrow was there. It did not matter to James Norrington. The thought of Jack Sparrow caressing his dirty hands over Elizabeth's beautiful body made his skin crawl. He took an oath to rid the sea of all pirates and he was going to stand by it. He was bound by the law to serve others not only himself and he was going to make sure he followed this law.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
I knew it was going to be a long road to recovery. AnaMaria and Will hadn't left my bedside since they soaked me in the bath. I heard Will tell AnaMaria to get her rest but she always objected. I even heard her say, I must stay because if he dies I want to be there with him. Yea, that made me feel real good. Did she really think I was going to die? Gibbs and Cotton had offered to sit with me, but she declined. She slept in a chair by my bed holding my hand. I wanted to respond but I could not move. She forced that wretched water down my throat to keep me alive hoping eventually I would show some sign of recovery.
The bleeding just would not stop and the bandages were continually soaked. I knew I was probably delusional at times and I would thrash about and fight off my invisible demons and mutter things only I would understand.
I was loosing a lot of blood and I could feel myself getting weaker.
AnaMaria was sitting there watching my chest rise and fall as I slept. She shot off the chair as I moaned and rolled over in my sleep.
Jack? Jack? She stood over me and stroked my forehead. She was relieved to feel my temperature was normal. I opened one eye and looked up at her languidly.
"The Pearl?"
"She is fine Jack. Mr. Gibbs has held her position."
"Aye Mr. Gibbs. His a good mate. Why?"
"Why what Jack?"
"Why bother…can't give up… not allowed…" My mumbled words came out distorted and haltingly.
"Why not? Why not? I continued to ramble. "I should just let go and none of it will matter any more. None of it will hurt anymore."
I felt drained and exhausted the black numbness was creeping back into my limbs, making its way to my heart. It would be so easy to stop breathing and to take away the fiery pain. Yes, so easy.
"Jack!!!!"
AnaMaria's scream of grief traveled all over the ship. By the time Will, Gibbs, Cotton and the rest of the crew reached the cabin they found AnaMaria draped over my body, sobbing. Careful not to disturb her, Will lent over and felt for a pulse. Nothing. AnaMaria raised her head and there were tears running down her face. Her eyes met Will's.
"How could this happen? He…He…He is Captain Jack Sparrow. He can't die."
She looked at me one last time. I was lying there so still, she felt that if only she could lean over and give me a shake or a slap I would wake up. My lax features and still chest belied her wishful thoughts. Her heart finally accepted what her mind already knew.
"Jack is not coming back."
Looking past her tear-streaked face Will would not accept that. He came over to me, and he quaked the life back into me.
"Jack! Jack! You cannot do this to us. You must fight!! Stop resting and fight!! Don't let go." Will picked up my body and shook me. He shook me so hard I felt I was taking a journey from heaven to hell.
I don't know if I should have thanked him or killed him. The numbness and peace I was experiencing was replaced with blinding streaks of fiery pain that were racking my chest again.
Gibbs approached Will from behind and put his hands on his shoulders.
"Mr. Turner, Jack is going to need a doctor. You and I both know that. We will have to take the Pearl into the harbor and take Jack ashore."
Will turned and faced Gibbs, knowing what he said was right but it was a fool's errand.
"Mr. Gibbs, that would be just like taking Jack to the gallows. He himself told you they would rather hang him then help him."
"We can't let Jack die Mr. Turner!" AnaMaria looked as if she was on her last legs as she pleaded with him. "You must help him. You are his only hope. You know the town. You know the doctors."
Will looked at both Gibbs and AnaMaria. They both looked so forlorn and lost. They truly believed he was Jack's only hope.
"You are right. Jack needs a doctor and we must take the Pearl into port. Prepare to sail in Mr. Gibbs and load the cannons. I have a plan."
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Morning was quite different in Port Royal. There became a large commotion when The Black Pearl appeared, sailing gracefully in the harbor amid cheers and whistles from all the pirates present. The anchors splashed down into the water and The Pearl fired a lone cannon by way of greeting.
The Royal Navy greeted them of course. Gibbs stepped on the deck and addressed Norrington.
"Ye might as well let us dock. Captain Sparrow is dead."
Norrington stood shocked at the news and then a smile spread across his face.
"Well Mr. Gibbs I would be lying if I told you I am sorry to hear the news. How he died is of no interest to me. I am sure Mr. Sparrow just does not die. Did he meet his end in the heat of some massive battle or even in a great storm, claimed by the ocean? Or maybe he wasted away from a fever caused by a wayward bullet. A dishonor, it wasn't mine. No, I am sure however Mr. Sparrow died it was quite extraordinary. Jack Sparrow is similar to all the other pirates and rogues of the sea and he will soon be forgotten. But Mr. Gibbs, if indeed your Captain is deceased, I still don't understand why you are here and why I shouldn't hang the lot of you?"
Gibbs stood his ground and the crew became restless behind him.
"Commodore, the crew of the Pearl and I are here to see Mr. Turner and Miss Swann. Jack said he wanted to be buried on land, even though he lived for the sea. His closest friends are Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann and they are to bury him for us."
"Indeed Mr. Gibbs. That is the most preposterous story I have every heard. Take your ship, your crew and your dead captain and put your rudder to our port."
Norrington locked eyes with Gibbs.
"For your information Mr. Gibbs." Norrington added. "Mr. Turner no longer lives in Port Royal. He has strayed like the rest of you miscreants and has followed his father's footsteps I presume. Perhaps you can find him on the high seas and he and his friend, Jack, can be buried together, or become fish food. Either way I do not wish to be bothered by you or your crew anymore. Set sail immediately or surrender to the gallows. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
AnaMaria approached Gibbs's side and looked Norrington over from head to toe. She sniffed and wiped a tear from her face.
"Commodore, if you are one of the finest representatives of Her Majesty's Royal Navy could you not show us some compassion. I do not see what harm it would be to have a word with Miss Swann. There is nothing I can do to help my captain now, except abide to his last wishes."
Norrington was taken back that an unfamiliar pirate was questioning him. He was also amazed the particular pirate was a woman and she was covered with dark rich blood. He could only assume it was the blood of Jack Sparrow.
"Very well Miss?"
"AnaMaria."
"Very well than AnaMaria. I will have my men take you to see Miss. Swann. You may have words with her but don't expect them to be kind. If she will abide the captain's final wishes, that will be between you and her. Her father has passed away and I am sure she will not want to have any dealing with the likes of you. The rest of you heathens will stay on The Pearl. If you dare to come on land I will order my men to shoot. Do we have an agreement?
"We do." AnaMaria and Gibbs said in unison.
"Very well then, you will stay here until my men come to gather you."
Norrington turned and walked very slowly for several paces and then turned towards AnaMaria.
"My sympathies to you, Miss AnaMaria."
Evening came and Norrington was true to his word. AnaMaria was delivered to the governor's mansion. She had her words with Elizabeth and was then returned to The Pearl. She immediately reported to Will and told him the plan was in motion.
"Yes Mr. Turner, Elizabeth will be waiting for you. Her heart is heavy with grief and she needs you now. Remember Jack needs you also and so do we. Good luck!"
AnaMaria hugged Will around the neck and he accepted it graciously. She then placed a kiss on his lips and told him to give it to Jack.
The town was very active with soldiers everywhere. Will knew he had to be careful. The sun was sinking low on the horizon and the ensuing dusk made it easy for him to take the back roads to the governor's mansion and carry his dying friend.
Elizabeth did get a doctor, as AnaMaria had instructed her to do. The doctor could not believe how deep the wound was and that I was still alive. He tended to the wound but he gave me slim to no chance of surviving. He told them to keep me cool as possible and make sure the wound didn't re-open. He even told Will and Elizabeth that if I didn't improve soon I would die.
Norrington was told that Miss Swann wanted nothing to do with the pirates. She wanted to be left alone in her time of grief and she had to straighten out her affairs.
Mr. Gibbs weighed anchor in the small hidden cove once again. AnaMaria under the cover of night rowed herself and Mandy to shore to join Will and myself at Elizabeth's home.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
For the first time in over a month I woke up knowing where I was and who was with me. I looked over to my side and noticed AnaMaria and Mandy asleep on the floor next to my bed.
"AnaMaria, I called to her hoarsely. Now what're doin down there? Come an keep ol' Jack warm." I patted the mattress beside me.
"I've been keeping you warm for a while Jack Sparrow. You stay right where you are and don't move. I'll fetch you something to eat first then you can think about getting up."
"That's Captain Jack Sparrow if yer please missy"
AnaMaria smiled and then laughed lightly. "I'll go fetch that Mr. Turner also."
"Bossy Las" I retorted, a grin coming across my face as I lay my head down on the soft pillows.
Will entered the room. He looked rested and happy. Obviously he and the bonnie Miss Swann have struck an accord. He came over and touched my shoulder.
"You'll be alright Jack. AnaMaria has already told me you propositioned her."
"Aye mate, you can't keep a good man down." I said this with a sly grin on my face, which faded fast. "Will, I'll be honest with you. I was shocked but I can't blame ya lad. I'll leave you two alone. I know yer don't understand why I did it, but yer didn't know what it was liked fer me."
Will stood and fixed his eyes on my face.
"Maybe I do understand you Jack and that is what scares me. Jack I have changed and I know I am not the same Will Turner that left Port Royal more than a year ago. I have grown ruthless. I have become a pirate."
"D'ya mean it lad?" I said to him as I attempted to get comfortable.
Will frowned; he was unsure where this conversation was going.
"I think I do Jack, but it will take time for me to come to terms with what happened and with what you did. There is one thing I can promise you. I'll never draw my sword or pistol on you again."
"Aye, it was so unlike you William." I looked tenderly at Will wishing I could do more to take away his guilt. I squeezed his arm gently in thanks.
AnaMaria watched the scene, smiling to herself.
Over the next few weeks I got out and about the house and wanted to go to my ship. I did go and I was doing fine. Occasionally I felt faint but I had been having those feelings a lot over the past weeks. When I tried to do the rigging I collapsed. This came to no surprise to anyone. I wanted to get back on the sea but physically I was not ready yet.
Will watched over me and cursed himself for not making sure I was in better health before he let me go back to The Black Pearl. As the weeks past, AnaMaria and Elizabeth also watched me like a hawk. They made me eat and drink with them. They bathed me the pampered me. I knew I possessed a devilishly smile and I could get use to being treated so well. But I also knew there was a reason Elizabeth was nursing me back to health and in the back of my mind I knew what I had to do.
It was late in the evening and I was in my cabin stretched out on the bed with AnaMaria. Will remained up on deck with Elizabeth enjoying the balmy air blowing off the bay.
"AnaMaria?" I winked at her. "Please do me the favor of fetching Mr. Turner away from Miss. Swann. There is some urgent business I must discuss with him."
"Jack I would rather do other favors." She looked at me longingly.
I ran my hand up and down her dark, slender, and bare back knowing what she was offering and then smacked her on her thigh. "Not now Luv, there will be plenty of time for that later. Please, do as I request. Go now."
She got up complaining all the way. "I don't know what you are up to Jack Sparrow but I can tell it must be something good if you are turning me away from your bed."
"Captain, Captain Jack Sparrow Luv, and aye, it is good. You to Mandy." I glanced over at my furry friend lying on a rug. "Get yer mangy tail up on deck, what I have to say is between Mr. Turner and me."
Will came down to the cabin and found me sitting at my desk. I brought out two bottles of rum and asked Will to join me.
"Will, listen I want ya ter be on me crew again. Yer the best man fer the job I have in mind."
Jack are you sure?
"Are ya questioning me already?"
"No, no of course I'm not Jack."
"I am going to leave this here place day after tomorrow. I am well now or well enough and I am going after Barbossa and getting Elizabeth's, Katheryn. To my calculations she must be six to seven months of age. Are we together lad?
"Yes Jack, I will tell Elizabeth. She will want to come with us." Will stood up abruptly and headed for the door.
"William NO!" My voice sounded harsher than I expected it to be.
"No lad, Miss Swann will not be joining us. Aye, She will be disappointed but mate that's the way it goes sometimes. We could go all the way and come back empty handed or we will come across Barbossa and the treasure. Either way Katheryn is in danger and why should we place Elizabeth in danger. Savvy? That's my life Will, dangerous and unexpected."
"So why do you choose it?" Will looked at me quizzically as he returned back to the desk.
"Freedom Will, Yes I'm a pirate and you are too. We both have different goals mate and we both have different treasures. What I value more than anything is me freedom and me ship she is important to me because SHE is my freedom. All the riches in the world are no good if ya don't have the freedom ter enjoy em?"
I stood up and faced Will. I looked deep into his eyes as he did mine.
"Do we have an accord Mr. Turner?"
"Agreed" Will answered as he hoisted his rum bottle.
"Agreed" I replied as I held up mine.
"Take what you can," I said squinting my eyes. "Give nothing back." Will countered, as he thought of how Elizabeth was going to handle this turn of events.
Will and I both hit our rum bottles together and the sound gave an eerie reverberation through the cabin.
A/N Well another chapter finished. As you can see William's plan to save Jack did work. Now the question is will Jack's plan to save Katheryn work. I guess you will just have to wait for an update. Please read and review. I want to thank all my loyal reviewers and say hello to my new ones.