The Pearl was under bloody battle, each of her loyal crew released by Anna Maria as soon as she could find Little Jack and hide him away. The boy had little idea of what crime was being committed about him and kept quiet aside from a few tears of wanting his mummy. All had broken loose as Sparrow's mates battled the filthy dogs of Barabas, none aware of the quickly approaching second ship.
"Back off, you yellow backed excuse of a sea worm, or I'll take the little hangin' between the leg you got left!" Anna Maria cried to the peg-legged Fifty. Her sword had been knocked away after the cheating rogue had thrown her a strong punch. She was backed into a corner, still struggling to hold the old ripped dress which had distracted them all. Just as his sneering shadow was about to overcome her, the body doubled over and fell to the ground with a heavy thump. Lory stood behind him, grasping and wielding her cutlass now dripping with blood. With a deep sigh, she scrambled forward.
"Here," Lory squealed, handing her the hilt.
"Better stick to your dagger, Lory," she smiled in return, facing the rest of the fighting crew. He half-smiled in return, pulling his knife from his boot. As he stood, he saw the shadow of Barabas' ship of hounds drifting in the distances. He gasped, running to the side of the elegant Pearl.
"Look! They're here!" The action paused as Jack's loyal crew finished their victory. "Who's at the helm?"
"Sparrow," Anna Maria muttered through clenched teeth, "It has to be Sparrow!"
"Hardly!" She yelped as a strong arm cut across her neck. "Hello, my little bird," Pup growled as he dragged her back towards the main mast. The Pearl's crew carefully surrounded the devious dog with his blade at her chin. "All of you, just stay where you are," he barked, waving his free hand to Lory, Cotton, Gibbs, and the others, "and maybe your little sea maid here will live long enough to see her good old captain!" The boat rocked heavily as Barabas' ship beamed the Pearl's right shoulder. Each lost their footing at the sudden jolt, but Pup still had his hold on his fellow navigator.
"Let her go!" Lory forcefully shouted, rushing forward before Gibbs grabbed his arm.
"Careful, lad," the old first mate warned, "that blade's quicker than ye." A heavy plank dropped over the side of the sleek Pearl and a lanky shadow passed over the dark waters. Pup blinked, trying to make out the figure as if he could not guess who might have returned to his own little girl. With a brief leap, the silhouette was clear. Another was quickly arriving behind it.
"You just can't keep your hands yourself," a cool voice slurred along with a sly smile. Pup frowned, nervously moving back with Anna in his grasp.
"This isn't your boat anymore, Sparrow," he cried. "What have you done to Barabas!"
"How about a navigator for a captain?" Sparrow rapidly offered. Pup scowled. "Will, go get our guest." A bleak shuffling echoed in the still silence before Will Turner returned, pulling a gagged Barabas with him. "Now, we're going to stop this right now," Sparrow angrily explained. "You're going to give me the boy and my navigator, get on your God-awful boat with your God-awful captain, and never see any of us again."
"A fine plan, Captain, but I won't be following it!"
"Jack!" Anna Maria struggled, "Little Jack's in the cabin!"
"What shall you take, Pup?" Jack roared once more, "Your captain or your death?" Pup threw her to her knees and rushed towards his drowsy captain. Will was more alert than all three and took them both in seconds. "Keep the captain," Jack muttered. The crew had thrown Pup onto his rightful vessel in moments with Elizabeth frantically returning to the ship that was once her hostage home. With time suspended, she threw open the door to the dusty cabin and found her precious child waiting quietly inside. Will clumsily followed behind, embracing them both as he found them on the cold floor.
"My God…"
"Mummy!" the boy wept, "I was so scared!"
"My brave little boy," she sniffed, "don't worry any longer, we're going to take you home and everything will be all right."
"Everything was all right," Little Jack echoed, reaching for his ripped collar, "I had my sparrow!" Elizabeth glanced to the charm about his neck as she stood, her child once again in her arms.
"Did they hurt you, Jack?" Will immediately inquired with a hint of rage in his tone, "Are you all right?" The boy only outstretched his arms to his father with a quivering lip. Will took him securely, rushing back to the deck where Jack paced about a tied and defeated Barabas. The entire crew softened as soon as they witnessed the Turners together again. Jack stopped, smiling and rushing over.
"Little Jack!" The boy blinked, wiping his eyes. "Hello again! Remember me?" He nodded slowly. Jack beamed, satisfied. With a grunt, his attention was turned back to the prisoner.
"Thank you," Elizabeth pleaded. Jack only raised a hand, staring at the struggling captain. "Captain, I…"
"Shhh," he hushed, striding forward. "Not now."
"Jack," Will began.
"Not now, Bill!" The crew was silent as the color left all expression. He kneeled next to Barabas, focused on his frantic eyes. "Why would you want a little boy?" he asked. Barabas fought the ties more, sneering. "Why would you want to take a man's little boy?"