Disclaimer: I don't own Potc Stuff: you guys know that by now!

Note: Hey peeps, sorry this took so long! If you only knew how busy I am...anyways, you will be happy cuz this chapter is extra long! Enjoy! R&R! I'll try to bring up Ch. 10 asap!

CHAPTER 9 - The Rescue

"Is everyone clear on this?" Jack asked to the group, as he stood addressing them.

"Jack," Gibbs retorted. "It's madness, it's insanity. It'll never work, lad."

"But we have to try!" Elizabeth spoke up.

"Exactly," Jack replied. "We've been on more dangerous missions, Gibbs, 'n you know it. We will do this. It's orders. Now, all ya, get out of 'ere, I need to chart our route. Anamaria, our navigation specialist, will accompany me."

Everyone was surprised by Jack's forcefulness towards his closest alias. He obviously trusted Anamaria the most out of the group, surprisingly. The rest of the crew filled out of Jack's cabin. He turned to his large collection of maps, removing the one of the southern Caribbean. Anamaria came to his side, concentrating on the latitude and longitude of the ship's location.

"Jack," she spoke out to him and he busily studied the coordinates of Port Royal.

"Yes?" he replied as he continued to stare at the map.

"There's something different about you right now. What is it, what's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, Anamaria. You are looking at a man who is determined and willing to get a mission completed," he said, straightening up to look at her. Jack clasped his hands on her narrow shoulders. "Not only am I doin' this for Elizabeth, but I am doin' it for myself."

"Ahh!" she smiled as she looked up at his face. "I knew it, I knew you would! Even though she is a little prissy bitch at times, oh Jack, when did you realize?"

He blushed slightly and turned away from his friend.

"I am not goin' to reveal such information!" he said as he laughed.

She hit him lightly on his arm and he pretended to be hurt and fell to his bed.

"I got to be goin', Captain; Cotton can't man the helm for much longer,"

"Alright," he replied as he continued to lie on his bed. Quickly he rubbed his eyes and the bridge of his nose.

"Why do I love that prissy bitch?"

APL4F

"Welcome back to Port Royal, Miss," Gillette said as he opened the door for Victoria. She stepped into the staggering morning sunlight and took to her father's arm, since he was waiting outside the door. Although he had fussed that his daughter would not look presentable in port, the crew of the Dauntless could find no women's clothing on the ship, and the navy was far too lazy to go to the nearest dress shop and purchase something.

"This will have to do," she said to herself that morning as she had looked in the small mirror on the Commodore's desk. As this thought flashed back through her mind as she accompanied her father down the gangplank, she realized how vain she truly was.

Everything she had always wanted was usually hers. She studied at the finest academies in England as well as Port Royal. Her clothes were always made by the finest tailors and seamstresses around. She had a diamond bracelet that had belonged to the previous Queen. Victoria clearly lived the life of luxury. And how she had taken advantage of it all of these years! Now, she could see why her appearance had mattered to her so much. She was so used to looking well dressed when she was in Port Royal or England.

It hadn't mattered on the Dauntless.

Or the Black Pearl.

At both of those locations, she was truly a different woman. Happier, kinder, better. Better than she was looking and acting now.

She and her father had reached inner port, welcomed by a large crowd of civilians. Women of her class scowled and looked down upon her for her appearance. Young men around her age pointed and joked. Men of power cupped their hands and whispered to one another. She looked up at her father and saw shame on his face. He quickened his step to get farther away from the crowd faster.

Victoria bent her head and quickened her pace as well, so as not to be dragged by Jonathan. They made their way about another hundred feet where a coach was eagerly waiting for them. Jonathan practically shoved his daughter inside and pulled the door shut.

"We are going home immediately," Jonathan ordered to both his daughter and the driver. Victoria turned and looked out of the window to watch other people around the cobblestone street corner. Many were common; some were upper class. She noted the significant differences between each class. After her past few experiences, she was now beginning to realize that people were people. Nothing more, nothing less. This stayed on her mind until she reached her home, which looked dark, gray, and gloomy.

"Now you're truly home," Jonathan said awkwardly.

Hmmm. Home sweet home.

APL4H

Norrington popped open the little velvet box. Inside revealed a large princess cut diamond set in 18 karat gold. Set within the gold were smaller round diamonds scattered within the band. This piece of jewelry was exquisite, and meant for an exquisite lady.

I.e., not Victoria Carlynton.

Granted, Victoria was a looker. She had a beautiful body, yet seemed so untouched and pure. But inside was a cold, cruel, heart. Not a warm, sensitive, kind heart beat inside Victoria's breast. No, that heart only beat within Elizabeth Swann.

Elizabeth Turner, as she now called herself.

Norrington had loved Elizabeth for a very long time, in fact, he still did. This really would affect his marriage to Victoria. But like all bad things, good things came too. In this incident, it was money. Lots of it. To be honest, Jonathan Carlynton had given him a sufficient lump sum that gave Norrington the balls to even propose to Victoria in the first place. That lump sum had bought the diamond ring he was holding in his hand.

Although it wasn't customary to wed with an engagement ring, Norrington thought it would be much better than just a plain wedding band. More extravagant, more devotional, a better cover-up of his true feelings.

Yes, he still thought of Elizabeth. Almost every waking hour. There wasn't a time where she didn't fit into his lifestyle. She would have been so much better off with him than with that wretched blacksmith.

But he was marrying Victoria, and that was alright. She would be good for a few things, of course. Keeping a nice home, giving him a son, looking good on his arm. But what mattered the most would never exist with Victoria.

Too bad.

APL4H

Jack stood at the helm, guiding the Pearl through the murky darkness of the sea. According to his calculations, they should reach Port Royal by 1900 hours. That would give them sufficient time to get into the town itself and rescue Victoria. Jack had gotten word from a mole that Victoria was to be married at eleven the next morning in a courtyard in the middle of the town square. If they were lucky, they could get Victoria out of Port Royal that night.

His mind drifted back to his dream, picturing Victoria in her wedding dress. How stunning she would look. Jack would have liked to see Victoria walk down the aisle. But not to that bastard Norrington. Anyone but him. Well, not anyone.

Revisiting the plans in his mind, Jack reviewed and found no possible flaws. The crewmembers taking part were asleep. Hopefully everything would go according to plan.

APL4H

The grandfather clock in the Carlynton foyer struck 3 AM and immediately woke Victoria from her shallow slumber. Rising from bed, she opened her window and looked out to the ocean. The sea was fairly calm, but a stiff breeze had churned things up a bit.

Re-closing the window, Victoria light a few candles to illuminate her large bedroom. She thought of waking up her maid to have a midnight chat, but lately, Jenny hadn't been herself. She attended to her duties, but was no longer friendly to Victoria as she once was. She was all business. Victoria then began to pace the floor, not thinking any general thoughts.

"It must be pre-marital nerves," she said to herself.

Without any thought, she glided to her screen and lifted up the heavy white box from the stool behind it. Carefully placing the box on her bed, she removed the lid and revealed her wedding dress. Her mother had placed the box it was kept in in her hands as soon as she entered her home.

Like Jenny, Victoria's mother had also acted differently than she usually did. Due to her recent adventure, Victoria was in no position to ask about it.

The dress had belonged to Victoria's grandmother, who apparently had the exact shape Victoria now possessed. They hadn't lied, the dress fit like a glove.

Impulsively Victoria lifted the fragile gown from its container and undressed, replacing her clothes with her white gown. She spun around, feeling like a princess as she looked in the mirror at her reflection. Although she didn't want to marry the Commodore, she would love an occasion to wear this dress more than anything.

From her left, she heard a 'bump' at the window. Victoria ignored it and continued to admire her regality in the mirror. She heard the 'bump' again, this time a little louder. Now Victoria was getting a little worried. Was it an animal? A man? Something else?

Reluctantly she moved to the window. When she reached it, she lifted the curtain to barely pear outside. It was pitch black. There was no one.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Victoria let the curtain fall back into place as she turned to remove her wedding dress. With her back facing the window, she heard the 'bump' again. This time, Victoria went back to the window and held the curtain in her hand. She would wait to lift it exactly when she heard another noise.

As soon as Victoria heard the light tap of knuckles on the windowpane, she pulled the curtain back at lightning speed. Reveling the face of her favorite pirate.

"Jack!" she mouthed through the glass, wondering how he had climbed all the way up to her 3rd story window. He motioned for her to lift the latch on her window, and she dutifully obliged.

As he climbed through her room, she looked below to see a ladder being held by Gibbs and Will. They both charmingly waved up at her.

"'Ello Luv," he said, looking her over in her wedding dress. Victoria smiled and curtsied to him, letting the gown drape across the floor. She stood up and began to say, "What are you doing here?", but instead, Jack moved to her in one step and put a finger over her lips. "There's no time for chat," he said quickly. "We are getting you out of here."

"But how-" Victoria again began to say, but Jack interrupted her, sighing and looking exasperated.

"Do you want to marry Norrington or not?"

"Well…"

"'Well…'if that is your answer, than I have no business here. Have a lovely wedding," he said, his back turned and ready to climb back out the open window.

"Jack, wait, I," Victoria spoke as she reached for him. Just as he had turned and began to climb out the window, she attempted to stop him again. "Please wait!" she cried out. Lifting the window more, and bringing her whole upper half out the window, she could see that Jack had jumped down the rest of the way and Gibbs and Will had removed the ladder. Jack looked up at her.

"Anythin' else you've got to say?" he asked quizzically. He watched in amazement as the little woman stood on the windowsill and balanced herself atop it.

She was going to jump.

He watched as the graceful white cloud fell slowly from the window. He moved beneath it and waited.

She landed in his arms a second later. Smiling, Victoria wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.

"You are a great friend; I've missed you," she said happily. Jack frowned over her shoulder. He let his arms down to motion for her to get out.

"Come on, now, we've got t' go!" Gibbs said impatiently, passing the ladder to Will, who winked at Victoria when she looked.

"Alright, lets!" Victoria replied, beginning to follow Gibbs and Will around the corner of the house. They slipped across the front lawn, ducking under windows where it was necessary. The gate still had the wrench Gibbs used to pry it open attached to it, but it was slightly opened none the less.

"So, how many of you are in port?" Victoria whispered as she clutched the train of her dress as she walked.

"Oh, about 20. The rest are on ship," Jack said from behind.

"I'll go get the rest of them. They are no doubt walking the streets, and I'll need to round them up," Will offered.

"Uhhh, I think I'll go with ya, lad. Some of them might not want to listen t' ya at this hour," Gibbs inquired and the two men left Jack and Victoria in the middle of the deserted street.

"Come on, we can get into one of the boats early," Jack said and took Victoria's free hand, leading her through the shadows and into port.

Next to a few other fisherman's ships were the five small boats. They blended in as if they were actually registered at dock. Reluctantly Victoria slowly stepped in the boat, careful not to let her dress drop into the sea. Jack got in in half the time.

"Ready?" he asked her as he reached for the oars.

"Just us? Won't the other men need a boat?"

"Oh, they can well fit into the other four. I want t' get ya on deck first."

"Alright…" Victoria replied, searching the nearest coves for the Pearl itself.

"Ya won't find 'er, she's hidden. You'll see her when we get about 20 feet away. But she blends in so well with the night, don't bother lookin.'"

Jack rowed fast and strong, Victoria noticed as she watched his strong forearms and shoulders pull the oars back and forth.

After about 10 minutes of sitting in awkward silence with Jack, Victoria could make out the shape of the Pearl in the moonlight. The ship itself was wrapped up in a thick fog.

Beside the ship, crewmembers dropped down pulleys that Jack connected to both sides of the boat. Then they were pulled up. Almost the whole crew was at deck waiting to see Victoria brought back. She looked at each face, each looking back at her. They were obviously stunned to see her in a stunning white gown on the ship. A door opened down the side and Elizabeth quickly walked out. Seeing Victoria's face, she ran past everyone and made it quickly the boat. Victoria immediately jumped out and rushed to her friend. They embraced, and the men all around muttered and turned back to work.

"Vicky, darling, you're back, you've returned to us! Oh I was so worried about everything!" Elizabeth enlightened her.

"Yes, I am back, and here to stay, I think," Victoria replied. Looking over Elizabeth's shoulder, she saw about 20 barrels lined up in a row, each steaming thick fog. "Dry ice. How clever."

"Oh yes, Anamaria thought of that. Great concealment, don't you think?" Elizabeth noted.

"Where is she?"

"Asleep. She's actually been cleaning your cabin."

"Really?" Victoria said, surprised. She and Elizabeth walked to Victoria's former cabin, and stepped inside.

The cabin was spotless. There were new sheets on the bed. Curtains on the porthole. Victoria also saw new additions to the room: a screen, an armoire, and another trunk. Victoria flew the armoire doors open, revealing at least 10 new dresses.

"She got all of these things in Tortuga for you," Elizabeth added as Victoria felt the fabric of each one.

"She is one of the kindest women I know; I'll make sure to thank her the minute she wakes up."

"Good. Speaking of waking up, I need to get to bed," Elizabeth said.

"You're not going to wait up for Will?" Victoria asked.

"No, I'm too tired."

"Aren't you worried about him?"

"Yes, but I know he's fine. He's a strong, smart man. He can take care of himself. I trust him to," Elizabeth reminded her. "Good night, Vicky. Sweet dreams."

"Good night," Victoria said as she went to the door. If Elizabeth wasn't going to wait up for the rest of the crew, Victoria would. On the way to open deck, she ran into Jack.

"Luv, shouldn't you be in bed?" he imposed.

"I want to wait 'till the whole crew comes back," she replied

"Luv, even I'm not doin' that, an I'm the Captain. They'll probably stay out for a long time. But when they do get back, we've got to get far away from here. They'll be looking for you, Luv, and this will be the first place they'll want to."

"Jack, they won't find me. I trust you with my life."

"Do you now? You might want to rethink that," Jack ended the conversation and walked away.

Confused, Victoria thought nothing of it and looked over the side of the ship. In a barrel was, oddly enough, a fresh bouquet of flowers. Taking them in her hands, she began to take the straight walk to the stern. If this was the only walking down the aisle she was ever going to do, she might as well do it with her dress on.

Hope it was okay! Please review, I want to know what you think! ;)