Hello, everyone! Sorry if I haven't got much to say, I've been kinda spacey today . . .

The Flying Breadstick- Thank you very much, truly. Jack's gonna owe Alex a lot though, by the way . . . And I hope anything's possible; I have trouble with restrictions. (On certain things only, of course.)

Cornishxxxpixie- Truly, I didn't expect that either . . . And I'm not sure what's gonna happen at the end. (Still trying to figure out how to get Alex on the Pearl, or if she's gonna get on it at all.) And thank you for the reply, it was much appreciated.

Tori- I'm glad you love it! It took awhile to update, yeah, but the last few chapters are proving to be increasingly harder.

Queen.Bowie.Jack.Sparrow.Lover- Thanks so much, I'm so glad you thought it was great! I thought the whole Barbossa things might be pushing it, but it was a shock, so I did it anyway.

Chapter thirteen: Push the Limits

Barbossa had already begun to try and seduce Alex in the few moments he had been with her, but secretly, all it was doing was making her sick. His arm was wrapped possessively around her waist, and he had draped several large strands of pearls around her neck. 'Once the curse is lifted, I'll make yah the richest lass in the Caribbean,' he promised, his eyes drifting over Alex's body.

'I bet you will,' she smiled, draping her arm over his shoulders.

'Of course, yah'll 'ave t' stay on me ship. I don't want t' 'ave t' share yah with Sparrow,' he murmured in her ear. She could not refrain herself from shooting a glance at Jack, who had purposely turned his back, unable to stand the scene.

'You don't have anything to worry about. Jack offered me nothing,' she said. 'He is a mockery of his former self. No longer is he the pirate captain he used to be.'

Jack glanced over his shoulder, but Alex was watching Barbossa, whose lips were hovering dangerously close to hers. Jack saw her hand slowly moving to her sword, and a grin twitched at the corners of his mouth. Suddenly, the cursed captain looked up at Jack.

'I admit, Jack: I thought I had yah figured. But turns out, yah're a hard man t' predict.' Barbossa paused, his hand running down Alex's side. 'Back before I marooned yah fer the second time, it seemed yah 'eld missy 'ere in high respect, instead of seein' 'er fer what she is.'

He thinks I'm a whore, Alex realized, swallowing as if trying to swallow her fear. That's what he'll do to me . . . Jack . . . And if he tries to kiss me again . . .

'Me, I'm dishonest. A dishonest man can always be trusted t' be dishonest. It's the honest ones yeh 'ave t' look out fer. Yeh can only lay out a course, and hope for the best.'

He met Alex's gaze, and she knew it was time for her to make her move. She lightly put her lips to Barbossa's cheek and somehow managed to coax the man to turn around, placing his back to Jack. She felt as if she was going to vomit . . .

'When we get out of here, I want to celebrate,' she purred, running her hand down his chest. Jack flipped a sword from the ground with his toe so that it flew to Will. Will spun around, catching the sword with his bound hands behind his back despite the shock.

'Use it well,' Jack stated, catching Barbossa's attention. Barbossa turned, and Alex took several quick steps backwards and into the shadows, hoping to sneak over to Jack before she was noticed.

'Dammit, Jack - I was almost likin' yah!' Barbossa hissed, and Jack merely shrugged, drawing his sword. Barbossa followed Jack's lead, holding his sword in stiff hands. Jack stared at Alex until she met his gaze, and he nodded to the side, motioning for her to join Will instead of himself. She glared at him and reversed, trying to make it to Will's side while the blacksmith, who had freed his hands during one of his attacker's blows, fought a ragged man called Jacoby and two others.

'Will, need help?' she asked, drawing her sword.

'It would be helpful,' he stated, and rolled his eyes at his response while he parried a blow. Jacoby turned from Will, grinning viciously at Alex, and she prepared herself for the first blow – which never came. Alex glanced at her feet, and got away as quickly as she could before the bomb exploded.

'Now that's cheating,' Alex growled, throwing her sword at Jacoby with all of her might. It hit him in the back, threw him off balance and he fell, lodging the sword in the ground.

Alex turned to see what was going on, and gasped softly. Barbossa stood before Jack, with Jack's sword jutting out from his stomach.

'Yah can't beat me, Jack.'

Suddenly, Barbossa dislodged the sword from himself . . . and stuck it through Jack.

'Jack!' Alex felt fear pour through her, so strong it made her nauseous. Jack stumbled backwards, into the moonlight –

And became a skeleton.

Alex was relieved and slightly angry at the same time. He was alive, but he had created his own curse. He seemed to take advantage of everything. But the curse kept him alive, she reminded herself. I cannot get mad over that.

'Well, isn't that interestin'?' Jack muttered, the piece of Aztec gold clicking over his skeletal fingers. 'Sorry, mate – couldn't resist.'

Barbossa let out an angry cry and grabbed his sword, rushing Jack. They were in the moonlight, both cursed, both immortal . . . And Alex couldn't help but ask herself, What's the point? Neither could die, so why fight?

Jacoby grabbed Alex, and she squealed, caught off guard completely. He was about ready to thrust his sword through her when she was finally able to try and break away, but Jacoby was too quick, and he grabbed her hair, forcing her to her knees.

'So wha' now, Jack Sparrow? Are we t' be two immortals, locked in epic battle 'til Judgment Day 'n the trumpets sound?'

'Or yeh could surrender.'

Everything felt slow . . . Alex looked up at her attacker, his sword's tip now pressed to her neck. Her arms were limp by her sides, and she couldn't seem to process a thought. Jacoby grinned and increased the pressure on his sword.

Alex saw, out of the corner of her eye, the stone chest. She slowly became aware of what was happening, and lunged towards the chest, barely able to wrap her fingers around a piece of gold before Jacoby's sword stuck through her chest. But she had become a skeleton, like him, in the moonlight.

'Thank you, Jack,' she muttered under her breath, stepping into the shadows as Jacoby ran towards Will, giving up on the now immortal woman.

'I'll teach yah da meaning of PAIN!' Jacoby cried.

'You like pain?' Alex spun around. It was Elizabeth, and she swung a long gaffe at Jacoby, knocking him aside. 'Try wearing a corset.'

Alex smiled gently and looked down at the medallion in her hand. She could feel the affects of the curse already . . . and she hated it. She picked up her sword and pressed it to the palm of her hand, creating a thin cut. After the medallion had her blood on it, she dropped it into the chest with a relieved smile, her relief greeted with a loud bang.

Jacoby's head landed in a pool of moonlight, and Alex walked to Will's side, staring at it with a look of disgust. 'That's cheating!' Jacoby exclaimed.

'I didn't have much incentive to fight fair,' Will stated, glancing over his shoulder and walking off. Alex turned the opposite way and walked forward, watching the battle between Barbossa and Jack, but as she was doing this, she noticed Elizabeth. The governor's daughter had gingerly picked up Jacoby's spine with two fingers, and flung it into the water, wiping her hands fervidly on her jacket, like the spine had been a diseased rat.

'What's yar play, Jack? You're t' clever fer this. Yah can't kill me, I can't kill yah –' suddenly, he paused and grinned. 'But I can take me satisfaction elsewhere.' He pointed his pistol at Alex, who froze, knowing her danger. A shot echoed through the caves, and both Alex and Elizabeth gasped. Jack had fired his pistol at Barbossa, and the man slowly turned.

'Ten years yah carry that pistol, 'n now yah waste yar shot?' Barbossa asked.

'He didn't waste it!' Will exclaimed, standing dutifully at the chest, his arm extended and the gold chain dangling from his hand. Slowly, he dropped the medallion, and Barbossa's gaze fell to his own chest. He ripped back his vest – blood was blooming onto his shirt from the bullet wound, beginning to run heavily down his front. He looked up at Jack, who slowly lowered his arm.

'I feel . . . Cold,' he muttered, slowly sinking to the ground. Jack tossed his pistol away, and took Alex's side. She was staring at Barbossa's dead body, and he lifted her gaze, pressing a kiss onto her forehead.

'I kept me promise,' he said, and she smiled softly.

'That you did . . . But all that acting made me sick,' she admitted. 'I hope I never have to do that again.' He pulled her closer, embracing her without speaking for a long time. He placed his hand on her neck, but jumped away and stared furiously at his palm.

'Damn curse,' he growled, marching forward and taking the dagger from the chest, slitting his palm and covering the medallion he had stolen with his blood, dropping it with relief into the chest. 'Although, the Immortal Cap'n Jack Sparrow 'as a ring . . .' He paused, thinking over his decision. 'Nah, not worth it.'

Will went to close the chest, but it slammed shut on its own. The young blacksmith spotted Elizabeth and hurried off, while Jack returned to Alex's side. Alex sighed gently and rested her head on Jack's shoulder.

'It's over,' she whispered. 'I'm so glad it's over.' She met his gaze, and suddenly broke out into a grin, throwing her arms around him. He couldn't help but smile. 'You did it, Jack! How does it feel, to be avenged?'

'It feels great.' He rested his forehead against hers, slowly allowing himself to kiss her lips, keeping the kiss soft and simple, but he was unable to mask the emotions in it.

'Oh, and Jack,' Alex stated, meeting his gaze sternly, 'you owe me for that stunt you pulled. And I don't mean one polite day. He almostkissed me.' He chuckled gently at the look of complete disgust on her face and nodded.

'Fine by me, love,' he murmured. 'Anything yeh want, yeh get.'

'We should return to the Dauntless.' Alex looked up. Elizabeth was right . . .

'Jack, do you think the Pearl will be there?' she asked softly.

'I don't know, love,' he stated truthfully, looking apprehensive to find out. 'Hold on a moment.' Jack suddenly began to rush around, gather pieces of gold and treasure, finding a bag and eagerly using it. Alex laughed gently and rolled her eyes.

'You're fiancé will be wanting to know you're safe,' came Will's reply, and Alex cringed. Not the best thing to say right now, Will, she thought, watching Elizabeth walk away. Jack walked up to Alex and lifted the pearls, which were white and pink in color, from her neck, and replaced them with a strand of black pearls.

'There we go,' he mumbled, grinning. She embraced him and he took her hand, leading her to Will.

'Yeh know, if yeh were waitin' fer the opportune moment – that was it,' Jack muttered, and it was obvious Will knew. 'Now I'd be much obliged if yeh'd drop me 'n Alex off as me ship.' They walked to the boats and climbed in, with Will volunteering to paddle. Jack narrowed his eyes as they came into view of the ocean, and his shoulders slumped.

The Pearl wasn't there, or anywhere in sight.

'Jack, I'm so sorry,' Elizabeth stated gently, but Jack only slumped a little further and rested his head against Alex's.

'They did what's righ' by them – yeh can't expect more than that,' Jack muttered. Will glanced at him, not believing a word he had just heard. Alex merely stroked Jack's wild hair, fingering one of the braids absentmindedly. He would go to the noose. She sighed and closed her eyes, hiding her tears. She couldn't loose him. He had come to mean too much to her.

But escapes had always been narrow . . .

Sorry it's so short . . . I wanted to get it updated, and then the Harry Potter book came out . . . Let's just say the book completely shocked me. (Yes, I finished it.) Please review . . .

I have a bio up, by the way. It's not much, but it's more than I had.

LiM