Disclaimer: You would think after 30 chapters I would own Jack and Will.

Final Wish

Norrington took me to The Dauntless. The walk was long and tedious especially with the cuffs around my ankles. There was no way he was going to let me escape this time. As we set sail I stood on the starboard side of the ship, my arms positioned on the rail and my head held high. I was not going to let Norrington detect any sign of defeat. This was most likely my last time to see the open sea, my last bit of freedom.

Yes, five years ago to this date was the day I stood on the wooden gallows with a hangman's noose around me neck. The young William Turner saved my neck then, but alas he is not with me now. My luck has run out and I am on me onsie.

Aye show me the horizon. Yes, that is what I like to see. The dark blue ocean and the sun playing on the small white caps. Of course this would be a better site if it were from me own ship The Black Pearl. Like I said, I knew Commodore Norrington would come after me but I had no idea it would be so soon and I really was not prepared. As I stood on the deck of the Dauntless with shackles on me wrists and me ankles I was deep in thought and did not hear the sailors talking to me. I was thinking of Will, Jem, Elizabeth, AnaMaria and my Kat. I did fall in love with her the first day I saw her and I will love her until the day she takes her final breath or until I take mine. Which it appears if the Commodore has his way my date with death will be coming very soon. I came out of my daze when I felt a sharp pain across my back as one naval man struck me with the butt of his gun.

"Sparrow if you continue to give us problems and not listen, I will strike you again." I looked at the man and without thinking of the consequences, I spit in his face. He instantly threw me against the rail and started beating me. Norrington came up and took hold of his hand.

"Vincent he may be a pirate but we are civilized men and we do not take to flogging our prisoners. Do you understand?" Vincent glared at the Commodore and then me. "Yes Sir."

Norrington waved his hand. "Lucias, Vincent, take him to the brig. I'm having no Sparrow filth on my decks."

The two men seized me firmly and pushed me towards the hatch that led to the brig. Vincent clearly irritated I could not move as fast as he wanted me too, shoved me hard.

"I'll get you Sparrow. Nobody spits at me." He pushed me again causing me to lose my balance and fall down the stairs. He immediately followed me down and kicked me in the ribs. As I lay there bruised and bleeding from the mouth, he and Lucias roughly pulled me to my feet and started to yank me across the floor.

"Wait!" Norrington said calmly as he stood at the top of the stairs. He descended slowly looking at the men then me.

"Can't you stand on you own two feet Sparrow?"

I swallowed my blood and glared at him. "Apparently not Commodore." I said sarcastically.

Norrington signaled to the sailors to release me. As they let me go I fell back to the ground.

"On your feet, Sparrow. Are you drunk?" He now grabbed my sore black-and-blue arm and tightened his grip as he pulled me up. "It appears your crew and ship have left you once again, Sparrow. You are without a doubt the worst pirate I have ever seen and you know nothing when it comes to riding horses." Norrington taunted.

"Aye, but you still want to hang me." I winced as I tried to pull from Norrington's strong hold. "Really mate, you should worry about your own skills." I retorted in pain as I attempted to stand straight. "My crew did what was right by them. I couldn't ask for anything more."

"Indeed." Norrington grunted. "Sparrow, you will hang when we get to Port Royal. I have had enough of you and your pirate ways."

He released my arm and looked at his men. "Search him and make sure he has no weapons. Also confiscate his coat, shirt and boots. If he does try to escape, which will be very unlikely, he will at least not have the proper attire and no protection for his feet."

"Norrington, I thought you claimed to be a civilized man?" I sneered at him as I backed away from Vincent and Lucias.

Vincent pulled me towards him and started to feel me up for weapons, while Lucias began stripping my clothes off of me back. I could not stand the humiliation anymore and with lightning-quick speed I turned around and hit Vincent in the face with my wrist manacles. Then I turned on Lucias and threw my irons around his neck. This worked very well for me five years ago when I had made my escape from saving Elizabeth and I could only hope it would work again.

Norrington pulled his gun and aimed it at my head. Lucias struggled and his eyes began to bulge.

"No don't shoot Commodore." Lucias gasped.

"I knew you'd warm up to me, Useless." I whispered in his ear. "Now please Commodore. Release my irons and I will spare your man Lucias, unless you find him as I do, Useless." I smiled at Norrington hoping he would present the keys.

"Sparrow I will not let you go, and I will shoot you where you stand. I will guarantee you I will not shoot to kill. You see I do long for the day to see you hang from your neck until you are dead, so you may as well free him. Either way you will die. I care not if you have a bullet in you or not. If you wish to hang with your man hood in tack I would advice releasing him." He then lowered his gun even with Lucias's and my crotch.

"Commodore, if you're intending to kill me anyway and not let me go, I see no profit in letting him go." I pulled the chains tighter around Lucias's neck. "Mate if you value your goods, I would be pleading with Norrington about now. Savvy?"

"I can't breath." Lucias moaned.

All of a sudden I heard a gunshot and pain raked through my leg and my head. Norrington, the bloody bastard, shot me and Vincent pummeled me over the head with the butt of his gun.

"Excellent work, Vincent. Now take him away and do away with his belongings."

My grip around Lucias's neck was now non-existent and I struggled not to lose consciousness but I was unsuccessful.

When I woke up I was lying on the floor of the cell. Every part of my body hurt, evidently the men had continued to beat me after Norrington left.

"Jem, Will. I'm glad you got away. Take care of yourselves mates. Will take care of me Black Pearl, Elizabeth and Kat." I moaned out loud as I pulled my battered body off the floor and examined the bullet wound in me leg. The bullet was still deep in my thigh. I thought to meself were else would it be? The blood was oozing out slowly. I removed me bandana and tied it around me leg. There was nothing else much I could do about it.

I had lost all track of time in the darkness of the brig. I'd no idea how long I'd been there. It could have been minutes or hours. I looked around the prison and saw a tray of congealing food. It did not interest me in the least. I walked over to the far corner and sat down, resting my back against the damp wall. There was little I could do. I harbored dreams of escape but my fortunes had run out. The undeniable truth of my fate and the thought of never seeing my sweet Kat and beautiful Jem sent me into a deep depression.

The sounds of footsteps brought my desperate thoughts to a halt. My first instincts were to curl up in a ball in the farthest corner of the cell. Somewhere deep inside me screamed out. "Bloody hell, I won't let them win, I am Captain Jack Sparrow."

I stood up and faced Norrington as he stood next to the cell. "What do you want with me James? Are you here to abuse me again? I did not think that was your type of sport?" I cocked my head and gave him a crooked smile.

Norrington jutted out his pompous chin and put a whip behind his back. "Sparrow, I wish you to tell me more of Miss Elizabeth and her wedding to Mr. Turner. I also require information on Miss Bar-Bar."

I sauntered over to the bars and wrapped my fingers around them. I looked into Norrington's cold eyes. "Barbados?"

I examined his face and his arms, which were now positioned behind his back. "Commodore, I see no profit in it for me." I smiled and tilted my head.

"You want my neck and it appears you will have it. You can't have everything your way mate."

He pulled the whip out and struck the bars. I cringed as the leather stung my hands, but I did not pull away. "Commodore, is that what you call being civilized?"

I then looked closer at him and noticed his hands were cut and he had a deep gash down his check and there was blood stained on his shirt. I must have been so concerned with my own affairs I did not note Norrington's battle wounds earlier.

"Aye so I see you have seen the true colors of Miss Barbados. She is a beauty, but mate I think you should find you a new woman and leave Mrs. Turner and Jem alone. Apparently, Jem is too much of a woman for you." I rubbed my hands up and down my face. "Ouch mate that must hurt?"

"So Jem, that is her name?" A smile broke over Norrington's face and his eyes seemed too take on a cloudy appearance.

I laughed out loud and I could tell this disturbed Norrington greatly. "Oh, so it is that you've found a girl but you don't know where to find said lass."

Norrington surveyed me, starting from my bare toes and ending at my kohl-rimmed eyes. "Do you know where I can find her?"

"Aye, I know where she is, because she is a…."

All of a sudden The Dauntless rocked from left to right. I held onto the bars to stable myself and so did Norrington. We both heard a sickening crunch as Lucias came down the stairs. "Rocks, we've hit rocks!"

The air froze with tension as Lucias faced Norrington.

"How did this happen solider? Who was on watch?" Norrington yelled.

Lucias backed away. "I'm sorry Commodore but I thought I saw a ship on the horizon and then she disappeared. I could not make out what type she was and by the time I turned my attention back to my duties, we were among rocks."

Norrington turned back to me. "Tell me where I can find Jem and I will give you my dinner and a bottle of Rum."

I lowered my eyes to the ground and then looked up into his. "If you must know. Her name is Jemima, Jemima Barbossa. She prefers to be called Jem. She is Captain Barbossa's only daughter. She is ruthless as well as attractive and if you have crossed her in anyway I would be looking over my shoulder constantly."

I smiled as I remembered my first encounter with Jem and how she poured the rum down my throat and then licked it from my lips.

"Yes Commodore, the beautiful young lass, Jem, is the daughter of a PIRATE." I raised my hands and rattled the chains in the air to express shock. "She has a temper and a tongue. Her tongue is sharp but her sword is sharper. I guess you have already learned that." I gave him a golden grin. "The hard way I must add."

Norrington struck the bars again but I anticipated his action and moved back slightly.

"You watch your words Sparrow."

As I glanced at him I observed a glimmer of light coming from the stairs and a slight breeze caress me skin, which sent a chill up my spin.

"Begging your pardon sir. You were the one whom asked me about Miss Barbossa. I myself would not want to cross blades with her, but by the looks of you, you already have."

Norrington backed up and started to laugh. "Sparrow, you really don't expect me to believe such tales? As far as my cuts, remember I do serve others, not only myself."

I leaned back on the bars and placed my forehead on them. "If I may be so bold as to inject my professional opinion. Jem Barbossa met you at the Faithful Bride and she beat the bejesus outta ya."

I pulled away from the bars and lay on the floor. "I wouldn't want to be you mate, especially after you hang Jem Barbossa's lover. She will come get you in the middle of the night. You won't hear her approach but you will know it is she. Aye, she will stroke you with her gentle touch, hypnotize you with her dark black eyes and captivate you with here beauty and in the end, she will drive a sword threw you. She will get revenge." I did not look back at him, I lay on my back studying my nails and sensing that Norrington, Lucias and I were not alone.

I raised my head and looked over at Lucias. "I would recommend you drop anchor if you did indeed hit the rocks. By the sounds of it, I would assume you have a hole in the side of your ship and she will need to be repaired."

Norrington sneered at me and then turned to Lucias. "You best inform the captain to check for damages but by no means stop the ship." He then turned to me. "You Sparrow are a bloody pirate. I can't even consider you a man and why I would believe anything you tell me is beyond my wildest thoughts. Lucias send Vincent down to keep Mister Sparrow company. I would hate for him to get the idea of attempting to escape or better yet have his" Norrington laughed, looked at Lucias and then back at me. "LOVER, sneak on board, cut our throats and set him free."

Lucias left and within five minutes Vincent was standing next to Norrington. James handed him the whip and gave me a cynical smile. "I promised Mister Sparrow…"

"Captain Sparrow, if you please." I raised my head and shoulders up from the floor to look at them both.

Norrington's eyes narrowed as he looked at me and I could see all the years of hate in them. "Vincent, please forget our civilized ways. This creature lying in front of you is not a man, it is a pirate and there is nobody who will care or miss him when he dies. Teach him some manners before he meets his maker. If you have to beat it into him then do so. After you are finished I promised him a fair dinner and a bottle of rum." He handed Vincent the keys to the cell. "When my men are finished with you CAPTAIN, you won't want either."

I pulled myself off the floor and backed up, my eyes focusing on Vincent as he approached the cell door. "Norrington I have come to accept I will not see the ocean again or the horizon from my ship. I have come to terms I will hang the day after tomorrow and twist at the end of a hemp rope until I stop twitching." I waved my hands and the air and shook them violently.

"I do not regret that I will never see you again." I gave him a toothy smile. "But I will live on James Norrington, for I have something you do not. I do have a young woman who loves me and who will revenge my death. I also have a daughter and I promised her one-day I'd give her the horizon….and the finest ship to sail it with. She deserves nothing short of The Black Pearl."

The tone of my voice changed and I could feel myself being taken over by despair again. I raised my bound hands. "The first time she wrapped her little hands around my neck and pulled on my hair. I just wanted to give her everything." I gave a short laugh that was in no way meant to be humorous. "I hope she remembers me. I hope she remembers her father, Captain Jack Sparrow. It is said no one remembers anything from when they're young but I am sure Elizabeth and William will tell her stories of me that will make her laugh."

I shook my head and smiled. "I always love to hear her laugh, James." I could now feel my soul crashing. I lowered my eyes, the smile faded from my face and I put my hands back down in front of me.

"Norrington, she is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. So lovely I can't stop looking at her. When I hold her in my arms I never want to let her go. I do regret I will never see Kat again. I won't be able to hold her and keep her safe from the rest of the wicked world and people like you." I directed my dark eyes onto Norrington's arrogant face.

Norrington's eyes changed from anger to pity, then his mouth turned up into a genuine smile. "Captain Sparrow, if you love your daughter the way you claim, you should want her to meet me and men like me. Not murderous, thieves like you and your crew."

I closed my eyes as I spoke. "Norrington, you do what you must but you will never know the true meaning of love, as I do. I have lived many adventures and you mate will never experience the thrills I have. If I had but one wish I would want to see my darling Jem and Kat one more time. I would want to dance with Jem in the candlelight, while my daughter sleeps in the next room. I would want to stand at the helm of the Black Pearl with Kat on my shoulders and Jem's arms around my waist. I can see her auburn hair blowing in the balmy winds and salty water splashing on her face."

"Yes but you don't get one final wish." Norrington snapped back at me. I could tell I had struck a sore subject with him. Clearly the man did not have a woman and he had no idea what love was.

I opened my eyes and my gaze met his and then Jem's as I saw her standing behind him. I could see her heavy gold earrings and her fine plum colored coat furbished with tarnished lace. I saw her chestnut brown hair falling to her waist and it was held back by a red and white piece of cloth. I blinked and she was gone. I rubbed my eyes and tried to look in the dark shadows behind Norrington. I could see nothing and figured my eyes were playing tricks on me. I looked back at Norrington. "When I hang in the gallows of Port Royal there will be at least two people in this world who cared about me, who loved me. When you die sir, will you be able to say the same?"

Norrington pushed Vincent toward the cell and turned to leave. "Take care of him and shut him up."

"No Commodore, I will not be by my onsie. I am the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy? Yes after dawn on the day after tomorrow it will all end for me with the simple pull of a lever but your hell will just be starting." I gave him a roguish smile and then went to the far corner of the cell. I slid down the wall waiting for whatever punishment Vincent would bestow on me for speaking the truth. He and his cronies did beat me up and tried to teach me a lesson on love and respect.

I fought my attackers, Vincent and the other sailors, in which I use that term loosely. They were heartless monsters and beat me to the ground. They wanted to see me suffer and they were jealous of my love for Jem, or was it that Commodore Norrington was envious. Either way, I suffered the consequences.

My back was slashed and looked like ribbons of raw meat. I had red round welts on my body from cigarette burns and my ribs were bruised if not broken. I could feel my eyes closing as they swelled from the many hits I received from Vincent's fist. I never felt so helpless in all my life. Especially when they started burning me with their tobacco smokes. With my hands and feet bound tightly I was helpless and fair game to their tortures and abuse they bequeathed on me. When Vincent and his buddies finally left he had unchained my wrists. There were raw marks on them and my elbows. He left the shackles on my ankles and bolted it into the wall.

Norrington was true to his word, and also correct with his prediction. I was given a fine meal and a bottle of rum but my stomach rebelled. I pushed the food and drink aside. I tried to dwell not on death but on life.. Kat's life with William and Elizabeth and Jem's life with… I sat on the floor with my back against the wall. I curled into myself with my head between my knees. I felt so alone. I closed my eyes then spoke out loud.

"Jem darling, I hope you find a good man to love and one who will love you in return." Just as I was about to nod off to visit my demons in my nightmares, a faint sound caught my attention.

"Captain Sparrow, are you talking to yourself again?"

I lay still not wanting to move, every part of my body was in pain. I felt I was at my breaking point and I was hearing voices. I was unable to take any more punishment and I feared if I spoke the torment would begin again.

"Dear God Jack! Answer me." Jem's voice came from the other side of the bars. "What has Norrington done to you?"

"Jem? Is that you?" I could barely talk; my lips were bruised and swollen. The sweat was beading in hundreds of tiny pearls on my skin. I was near to fainting.

"Yes Jack it is Will and I. Are you all right? Come here so I can see you."

I continued to lay in a heap back in the dark corner of the cell. Trying to be certain I was not hallucinating. "Jem, I am as well as can be expected. I do have a horrendous headache. I sustained that from falling off a bloody horse."

"Jack I am sorry I had to leave you behind." I heard Will's voice coming from the darkness. "After we get you out of here, I will personally teach you how to ride a horse."

"You've nothing to apologize for Will. They would have captured you also if you hadn't gone then."

"Jack, we are here to get you out." Will said with confidence.

I attempted to get up but I was too weak and injured. I fell back down and groaned as a stabbing pain shot through me. "Will?"

"Bloody hell." Jem winced and I could see the horror in her eyes as she now saw me clearer. "What in Gods name have they done to you Jack?"

I crawled across the cell until the chains were pulled taught and I couldn't go any further. I put my hands threw the bars. Reaching for Jem's warm touch.

"Norrington plans to hang me and use me as an example of what becomes of Pirates. Obviously the more beaten up I am the better the show. Savvy?" I coughed and brought up a little blood and vomit.

"Norrington told his men they could have their way with me. They are even rougher then you Luv, if you can believe that?" I tried to give her a smile but my lips would not cooperate. "As long as I remain alive Norrington just turns his head to what his men do to me." I looked into Jem's dark eyes and then over to Will who was standing close behind her. "Will I don't think I can take much more of this. Please, get me out of here."

Jem knelt down to the floor kissed my hands and ran her fingers threw my sweat-drenched hair. She looked into my ashen face and sealed, bluish eyelids. "I'm going to kill him for this."

"I'll hold your coat." I whispered. My mouth twitched slightly as I attempted some humor.

"Jack we are going to get you out of here and take you home. The Black Pearl has been sailing through the cover of darkness. I took over the helm and Will has been standing on the deck scanning for any signs of ships. We had a good idea where The Dauntless would be heading and we are determined that she will never arrive."

Will pulled out a knife and started to work on the lock. I saw the way he looked at Jem and then at me. "Jack you really do look rough around the edges. Have you been shot?"

"Whelp, really I will be alright. I just need some fresh air and a good woman. Do your magic on the lock and get me out."

Will smiled at me as he continued on the lock. He then spoke softly. "Jack we could not believe our luck when we saw The Dauntless hit the rocks. We were sure they would stop and weigh anchor but they continued. It was Jem's idea to come get you before daybreak. Gibbs has the helm now and is keeping the Pearl steady and out of sight."

Jem smiled at Will and then at me as she continued to stroke my hair. I did not want her to let me go. I closed my hands around her wrists. "Please Jem don't leave me here. Take me with you."

"Yes Jack, I will. Remember when I paid you a midnight visit once and tried to get you to come with me to my ship? I would have been successful if it wasn't for William and his swordsmanship. I figured if we worked together we could bring down the Royal Navy and save you. Will and I have come over on a long boat from the deck of the Pearl and we will take you back to your ship. I promise you, I won't leave you."

There was a clatter of footsteps on the stairs.

"Shhh." Will warmed. "Someone is coming. Move away from the bars Jem."

"I can't Will, I promised." She looked at me and then at him. My hands grasped her hands and my knuckles began to turn white. I did not want to let her go and I did not want to face any more torture.

Will knelt down and pried my hands from Jem. I pulled my arms back to my side reluctantly. "Go, the both of you. Norrington will kill you. You must not be caught." I moved away from the bars rolling over and facing my back to them.

Jem saw the lashes on my back. There was barely a hand's thickness separating the welted cuts, inflicted with a regularity that boggled her mind. "Jack, you must have stood up for this ordeal and not struggled. How could you bear this?"

"By knowing you and the rest of me crew were safe. Now leave before your back looks like mine."

"B-but Jack…" Jem whispered.

"No Jem come, Jack is right. We cannot help him if we are caught." Will's voice of reason came through loud and clear.

Jem unwillingly went with Will. "I'll be back Jack Sparrow and I won't let anybody touch you or hurt you again, I promise."

To my disappointment it was Vincent again and not Norrington. I could feel his gaze on me as a lay on the floor. I simple refused to turn around and face his wrath. I was hoping if I pretended to be asleep he would leave me alone. I heard him rattle the keys and then bang them on the bars.

"Is this the best you can do Sparrow? Your luck has run out and good wins over evil. Captain Jack Sparrow. Captain of the infamous Black Pearl, the terror of the oceans, the name that makes people quake. There will be no escape for you. None what so ever."

He opened the cell and approached me. I could hear him smacking a large stick in his hand. I could feel my whole body tense up as I rolled over to face him. I saw Jem coming up behind him. She moved like a cat slinking in the shadows of tall grasses getting ready to pounce on her prey. She had her dagger drawn and a look of sheer determination in her eyes.

I sat up and gave Vincent my renowned grin.

"Well Sparrow, I'm glad to see you are not going to give me a hard time tonight and you are willing to play now. You know it really is not much fun when you fight me all the time."

I looked into his evil eyes. "I don't see as I have much choice. You have already condemned me and my fate is bleak. What is another whipping to a pirate like me? After all, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."

He pulled the heavy piece of wood back over his head and was about to bring it down on me when Jem caught it. "That mate is not very nice."

As Jem stood there Will also came up from behind and pulled his sword.

Jem was now holding the blunt weapon tightly as Vincent turned around to see who was behind him. His face broke into a wide smile. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Jack Sparrow's lover. You are tampering with Norrington's property? That is an offence punishable by law, you know? To say nothing of attempting to aid a dangerous prisoner in escaping."

As he yanked the wood out of Jem's grasp, Lucias came from out of nowhere and hit Will over the head with his gun. Will fell to the floor and Vincent glared at Jem. "Now we will have to arrange something suitable for you." He swung the wood down in Jem's direction knocking the dagger from her hand. He missed hitting her head by half an inch as she dodged the blow. As she turned to retrieve her dagger he grasped the wood with both hands and put it over her neck. Pulling it and choking her.

Struggling was fruitless so she stomped on his foot as hard as possible, and then kneed him in the groin. He doubled over releasing his grip. "Ouch you…bitch!"

Lucia's went for his gun.

"No!" Vincent yelled, "She is mine."

I attempted to get up to help Jem but fell back to the ground. I looked at Vincent and sneered. "Good luck mate, she will never be yours. She belongs to herself. Always has and always will."

He shoved her hard and she fell to the floor almost landing on me. He stared angrily down at her and gave a short laugh.

"You're no coward, I'll give you that. In fact, you're a fit match for him." He nodded at me. "I can't give you a better compliment then that." He tenderly fingered his throat, where a darkening bruise showed in the open neck of his shirt. "He tried to kill me when I unchained him."

"How unreasonable of him." Jem said as she pulled herself off the ground and picking up her knife unnoticed.

"Quite," Vincent said with a nod. "I don't suppose you'd be so impolite after you'd gotten to know me. Let me entertain you in my quarters and I will leave Captain Sparrow alone for the night. You're a very lovely woman, shrewish tongue notwithstanding."

Jem looked down at me and then at him. "I may have unnatural tastes but give me credit mate."

He kept his eyes firmly on her. "I might be persuaded to make a bargain with you." He said abruptly.

She laughed bitterly. "You think I would put my trust in you? You the pride of the King's Navy? An officer torturing a prisoner. Even the Royal Navy must have standards."

Vincent raised both eyebrows. "Torture? Oh that." He waved negligently at me. "That was an accident. He fell down the stairs and was trampled by the men. It's rather crowded on this ship." He laughed and threw the heavy piece of wood at me, hitting my leg and causing me to yelp.

Jem lunged at him with all her weight and knocked him to the floor. She pulled her dagger on him and drove it into his chest. She immediately threw her fist into his mouth to prevent him from screaming and having more men come down.

They struggled and he pulled the knife out of his chest. He rolled over on top of her and held the dagger to her neck. He jerked Jem's sword from its sheath and tossed it across the cell and also pulled her pistol, placing it to her head.

"Stop! I yelled." Let the woman go, you have me. Do what you wish to me if ye think it needful but let her go."

"Oh so now Captain Sparrow has something to say. Lets see will you allow me a brief test of you sincerity?"

I kept my voice steady as I lay on my side with my back against the wall looking up at him.

He smacked Jem across the face and threw the gun to Lucias. "Shoot her if she tries anything." He then got up and walked over to me. He took my chin in his hands and turned my face up to him.

"Alright Captain Sparrow to save your young lass, I want you to kiss me." He said softly and lowered his head to my mouth.

As he lowered his head the whole thought sickened me. He had not seen me snatch Jem's sword and I pulled it from behind me and ran him threw. As I did this I heard a gunshot and looked towards Jem. I saw Jem with the pistol in her hand and she had shot Vincent in the head the same time I had stabbed him. His heavy body fell on top of me and his warm blood began to spread. I noticed Lucias was lying on the floor in a heap with Will's sword in his back. Will was now helping Jem to her feet and directing her towards the stairs. "Jem, go and see if the coast is clear. Someone was bound to have heard that shot."

Will came to my side and rolled Vincent's lifeless body off of me. He removed the ring of keys from the dead man's belt. "Now Captain Sparrow, if I can find the right key I will get you out of here."

Jem came back and looked at the both of us. "There is nobody in sight. We should be able to make a quick escape. Hurry Will, get this off of Jack."

Will rolled his eyes at Jem. He was working as fast as he could.

Jem knelt beside me and looked into my pale face. "Are you alright?" She casually rested her hand on my bare flayed back. The effect felt like electricity and my back arched sharply, all my muscles clinched tightly and I let out an involuntary sound of protest.

My eyes closed and I began to shake. Her touch triggered bad memories. I started gasping and then I looked at her. "I've maybe six square inches of skin left that are not bruised, burned, or cut. Am I alright?" I said somewhat crossly.

I startled Jem and she drew back. "I meant-"

I blinked hard and raised my hands towards her. "I know what ye meant Jem." I drew her toward me. "Come here I want to hold ye a moment. I did not think I'd ever see you again." I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and buried my face into her beautiful hair. My voice was low and a bit hoarse. "I'm glad you're here."

Will pulled the chains off me ankles and tossed them away. "Not see us again! Why? Did you think we wouldn't' get you out?" He smiled and extended his hand toward me in order to pull me up. "Come now, your Captain Jack Sparrow, there is no way we could let you die."

I grimaced. "I didn't know William. I've never felt like this before. I actually thought I wanted to…" I looked into Will's dark brown eyes.

"Jack, stop talking like that." Will frowned at me and he could sense I was quite serious. "Jesus Jack, what have they done to you? You will not die and you know you don't want too."

I then looked carefully into Jem's beautiful, concerned face. "Luv, I want to hold you hard to me and kiss you, and never let you go. I want to take you to my bed and love you until you beg me to stop or, till I forget that I exist. Don't worry the six inches that are not bruised are between my legs." I slapped my mouth lightly at my feeble joke. "Really Jem, I want to put my head in your lap and sleep like a child. I know that my heart has at last found a home. But first." I looked back at Will. "I want to get out of here and run as fast and as far as I can."

Jem smiled at me "Six, eh?"

"Aye well maybe seven, then." I laughed and then stopped abruptly. "Jem Luv, don't make me laugh again, my ribs won't stand it."

I saw tears running down her check. "I've missed you Captain Sparrow." She gave me a light hug in order not to hurt me.

I wiped the tears from her check and gently kissed her with my bruised lips. She pulled back and looked at Will. "Come William, we must go. Lead the way and if we must, we will fight. Remember, if worse comes to worse we will die and will not be taken as prisoners."

Will helped me to my feet. My leg had gotten severely infected and I had a hard time standing. Will pulled me close to him and held me in his strong arms.

"Lean on me Jack, you are way too weak to get out of here on your own. Can you climb the stairs?" Will inquired.

"I think I can manage Lad, there's only one way to find out, isn't there?" I made my way up the steps but I did have to lean on Jem and Will. We kept to the shadows and hid when anyone approached. I was moving slow. I barley had enough strength to put one foot in front of the other. As we approached the back of the ship, Jem stopped and cursed under her breathe. "Bloody Hell, Will they have taken our boat."

Will looked at Jem in disbelief. "We're about half a mile from where we left The Pearl. We will have to swim and make our escape. They will be looking for you Jack. Do you think you can make it?"

"I'd rather die trying, then stay here any longer mate."

Will looked at me with uncertainty. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather go up into the rafters and fight for our freedom?" He gave a slight laugh and Jem looked at him as if he had lost it.

"Will we are talking about the ocean, my friend, not about riding off on a horse. I know I can make it, there is no other choice."

We made our way to the rail. Norrington stepped out of the shadows and he had his gun pointed at us. "Miss Barbossa, leaving so soon?" His smarmy accent ran chills down my back.

To my shock I saw AnaMaria standing behind him. I noticed two strong men were holding her and they had a knife at her neck.

Her eyes met mine and she gasped. "I'm sorry Jack, I came here to save you. Norrington told me I could have you in exchange for Jem Barbossa."

AnaMaria pulled her hair back and I could see she was missing an ear. "Jem tried to kill me and only spared my life when I told her I was going to have your child."

I looked at Jem and grimaced. "Luv ya should have gone lower and taken her neck." I scowled at AnaMaria. "You betrayed me and the crew. I have no sympathy for you and I believe you tell lies to save your neck."

Jem and Will both pulled their swords and held them up to Norrington. Will stepped forward leaving me to lean on the railing "You will never take us alive James, and as far as having woman you will never have mine or Jack Sparrow's."

Jem approached AnaMaria. "AnaMaria you are the one who made the deal with Norrington, you stay with him." Jem sauntered over to Norrington and took the gun from his hand. "I understand you've been looking for me and it's not because you wish to kill me." She then turned and without warning she lunged at AnaMaria.

The men who held AnaMaria let her go quickly and pulled their swords only to end up fighting with Will.

Jem drove the sword into AnaMaria's stomach. "This Luv, is from Captain Jack Sparrow." Her eyes stared into AnaMaria's shocked face as the blade went through her.

"I spared you because you told me you were going to mother Jack's child. I did not want to kill something that belonged to Jack. If you are indeed with child, in which I now truly doubt, I would have to take pity on him or her for having you as a mother." Jem then pulled the sword out and jammed it in again. "And this is from me, Captain Jemima Barbossa. Say your prayers." Jem pulled her weapon out and AnaMaria fell to the ground. "Pirate."

By this time more men had gathered and they were surrounding us. I was not going to let my friends or myself be taken again. I was still leaning against the rail trying to stand up and take control of my pain. Realizing there was only one way of escape, behind me, I grabbed Will by his arm as he flung his sword towards Norrington's men. He turned around in shock, wondering what the hell I was doing. He lost his balance and with all the strength I could find in me I pushed him over the rail.

I then saw Jem with her sword crossed with Norrington's. She slashed down on him and he fell to his knees. He raised his sword on her and she flipped it into the air and cut his neck from left to right. I intervened and I scooped her up into my arms and threw her overboard.

I looked down at James as the blood seeped from his neck and he was making an odd gurgling sound. "I told you she would come and get you in the middle of the night. She would strike you with her touch and then run her sword through you. You see she does not take kindly to what you did do her…." I gave him the widest grin I could. "LOVER. I told you she would get revenge." As Norrington's men tried to grab me I went to the rail. "Sorry mates, the party is over. You will have to find another toy to play with." I tuned and did a spectacular dive off the deck into the dark rough waters.

As I hit the water the salt stung my back, and my injured leg rendered itself useless. I struggled to find my way back up to the surface. I started choking and I could feel myself sinking down to Davey Jones's Locker. I then felt William grab me. He pulled me up with all his strength. "Are you alright Jack?"

My answer was a nod of my head with a bout of spluttering salt water and blood.

Jem swam up beside us. "You know Captain if you had wanted to go swimming all you had to do was ask."

Will and Jem looked at each other and then at me. They started to laugh and I could feel the warmth overcoming my body. I knew I was safe and with my friend and my lover beside me. The pain and tiredness overcame me and I lost consciousness.

"Jack!" William yelled. He turned on his back and laid me on top of him, holding me as he kicked towards The Black Pearl.

When I woke up I was in my bed, covered with my red silk sheets and lying in Jem's arms. My head was in her lap and she was gently caressing my hair and shoulders. I smiled up at her.

She smiled back. "So I see you have fought your demons and won. Welcome back Captain." She placed her hand on my forehead and then kissed me. Softly she whispered. "I'm sorry Jack. I did not mean to kill yours and AnaMaria's child."

As she said this Kat and Amber came running into the room. Amber slid into the desk knocking maps, instruments, pens and paper to the floor. Kat collided into the dog and she shook her curly raven head. She looked at the mangy dog and then looked up at the bed with her dark brown expressive eyes. "Jem, I'm sorry but Amber took my…" She stopped talking when she saw me smiling at her. A beautiful grin spread across her face as she started to laugh. "Daddy your awake, I hope I did not wake you up or Will and Jem will kill me."

She then looked at Jem. "I'm sorry Jem but…but your dog is stupid and she took me cookie. I was only trying to get it back when she ran in here and hit the desk and made this big mess." She then fixed her eyes back on me. "I will go tell Will and Mommy that your eyes are open, even though they are still black and blue. Will has been asking about you every…I don't know it seems like minutes? I love him but he can be a real pain. You just don't know Daddy, you just can't imagine." She stood up and wiped her white shirt and breeches off. "Will told me you would probably like some rum. He says it is your favorite drink and if you ask for it then he knows you will be fine and you won't leave us. Where would you be going?" She asked with all sincerity but did not wait for an answer. "Mommy says rum is a vile drink that turns even the most respectable men into complete scoundrels. What ever that is? She also said there was no hope for you and that is why you liked it so." She furrowed her brow and put her hands on her hips. "You won't leave us, will you Daddy? Promise me you will never leave me."

I smiled at her realizing that she definitely got the gift of talking and I could only assume it came from me. "I promise Luv, I will never leave you."

Jem climbed out of the bed making sure she did not pain me as she climbed over my bruised and beaten body. She picked Kat up off the floor and bought her over to me. Amber stood up shook herself and followed Jem over to the bed. Jem put Kat down on the bed, very gently as not to aggravated my injuries. Kat, however, not knowing how fragile I was, threw her arms around my neck. The pain was excoriating as she clung to me and kissed me with all her might, but it was worth it and I wasn't about to push her away. It told me I was alive and yes I got my wish.

Jem noticed how wide my eyes got when Kat threw herself at me and she kindly pulled her away. "So your mother says rum is a vile drink and I am a lost cause? And what else did your mother and William tell you?"

Kat then looked at me. "Daddy, Will tells me you are going to get me a horse and you will teach me how to ride. He told me you love all animals and you have a real talent with them. He said you would get me what ever I want because I am your princess and you are the KING OF PIRATES. I can't wait….I can't wait." She jumped off the bed and ran out of the room yelling at the top of her lungs. "WILL…WILL…Daddy's awake. Get the rum."

"Captain, Captain Jack Sparrow is awake." I called after her.

I laughed out loud and then grasped my ribs. "I knew I could count on William to fill my daughters head with stories. I can see if I were to die today, tomorrow or next year, William Turner my true friend, my guardian angel, will always keep me alive for her."

While I talked Jem opened the heavy red curtains allowing the last shimmer of sunlight into the room. The sky was alive with fire and the glorious light scattered on the mist of the ocean's white caps. Through the window I could see the horizon. It was glowing magenta as the clouds lifted long enough to let the setting sun shine on the turquoise water. The colors of the sky grew to a soft watermelon pink then salmon orange. Light pierced through my dusty salt washed window and flooded the room. I looked upon the scene and thought to myself how lucky I was to be seeing and living another day. The past few days of my life had been full of pain and nightmares. As the sun hit my body it drove the chill away.

"Jem." I looked at her. "Come back to bed Luv. I need your warmth. No, what I really need is you Luv."

She came over and once again she climbed behind me and cradled me in her embrace. She wrapped her arms about me and I just melted. I found myself lying helpless in her arms, knowing I really loved her and for some reason at this opportune moment, I loved the feeling of vulnerability. Now all my wishes had come true. I sank down into her embrace and moaned out loud as I cuddled close to her. Jem could tell it was a sound of content as she pulled my hair back from my check and kissed me.

Then I spoke softly. "Jem, I love that little girl with all my heart and she is the only child I need. If I be having another offspring I'd want it to be with you and nobody else. So don't you be feeling guilty. My life begins with you and without you it will surely end. Savvy?"

"Captain Sparrow. I'm a Barbossa, you know I wouldn't feel at fault for long." She ran her fingers threw my hair and then tuned my face up to her. "Jack, I do believe you are feeling better and I will take you up on that offer, IF you ever want another child."

"Luv, you have showed me the horizon. I will always remember this as the day Captain Jack Sparrow, almost got away…. but Jem Barbossa, stole his heart and now he will forever belong to her."

The End

"Aye Show Me The Horizon"

By: Lovely Raven Sparrow

A/N I have really enjoyed writing this story. I have to thank my daughters Katheryn and Samantha for introducing me to Fan Fiction. If it were not for them I would not have written my story. I must admit it seems strange that this is my final chapter on this particular day, February 28, for today is Kat's birthday. Happy Birthday Katheryn. I also have to thank Disney for introducing me to POTC. Last, but certainly not least I want to thank all my reviewers. As all Fan Fiction writers know we love to get reviews and feedback. Now I must ask for your help. I have many more ideas and adventures for Jack and Jem, but I must know if you all want to read about them. Send me reviews and let me know. Let me know how you liked my story and let me know if I should write a sequel. If you liked my story I am glad I could entertain you. If you did not I hope you stopped reading and went on to watching TV or maybe had a hot date at the movies. I must say it is a perfect waste of a mind to watch TV when you can get lost in your imagination with words. I loved writing this, I hope you all enjoyed reading this. R/R

TA for now:Lovely Raven Sparrow