Disclaimer: Nope. I own a copy of the film, a poster and lots of pictures, but unfortunately Pirates of the Caribbean is the property of Disney. No matter how much I wish for Johnny Depp or Orlando Bloom.

A Sparrow & A Barbossa

Chapter Ten

I had always known that pirate hangings were popular events. Attended by almost everyone, but it appeared as though the whole of Port Royal was here to watch Jack and me die. Some people have no shame.

Jack and were bound and placed in front of our nooses. The Official spoke up.

"Katrina Barbossa, be it known that have been arrested for your wilful commission of crimes against the crown. Said crimes being numerous in quantity and sinister in nature. The most grievous of these to be cited herewith: piracy, smuggling, arson, looting, pilfering, prostitution…"

"That was never proved," I cry to the Official. Unfazed he continues.

I turn as best I can to face Jack. "I think before we die I should tell yer somethin'." I pause, "I love yer Jack."

Jack smirks, arrogantly, from his spot. "I know."

"That's it?" I growl. But the executioner shushes us.

The Official has now moved on to Jack's list, which is a little longer than mine.

"…And for these crimes you have both been sentenced to be on this day, hung by the neck until dead. May God have mercy on your souls."

The executioner fits the nooses around our necks, none to gently. The soldiers start to beat on their drums.

I take one last look at the crowds. Only to be greeted by Will in a feather hat, pushing his way through, towards us.

The drummers reach the crescendo. The executioner reaches to pull the trap door from under our feet. As Jack goes plunging through a sword is thrown into the wood. A temporary foothold.

I look down. Surprised that my door didn't drop. Will must have done something.

Will races up to the scaffolding. Fighting with the executioner. Jack struggles to remain on his foothold and I struggle to remain unharmed. The Navy officers start to get closer.

It appears as though our hope is fading as Will looses his sword. But when he ducks to avoid the executioner's axe swing he causes our nooses to be cut. Jack plummets to the ground, whereas I have to jump over the railings. I drop down to see Jack cutting his restraints free. I struggle to find my dagger, to cut my own.

Pulling the noose from his neck Jack throws the opposite end to Will. Together they use it to trip up several officers. And even knock two out against a brick wall. Catching up with them I punch one guy before Jack pulls me around one pillar.

And despite all our best efforts to escape we are surrounded. Norrington steps forward, clearly displeased.

Pointing his sword at Will he says, "I thought we might have to endure some manner of ill conceived escape attempt but not from you."

By this point Swann and Elizabeth have arrived. "On our return to Port Royal, I granted you clemency. And this is how you thank me? By throwing in your lot with them?" Governor Swann rants, "They are pirates!"

"And good people," Will declares. Jack points to himself proudly. I hit him over the head. "If all I have achieved here is that the hangman will earn three pairs of boots instead of two, so be it. At least my conscience will be clear."

Norrington moves his blade closer to Will's throat. I'm starting to feel sorry for the boy, first Barbossa tries to split his throat, now Norrington.

Angered Norrington growls, "You forget your place, Turner."

Defiantly Will says, "It's right here, between Jack, Katrina and you."

"Stop calling me that," I mutter under my breath, it goes unheard by everyone.

"As is mine," Elizabeth admits, stepping forward. I watch as she laces her fingers with Will's.

"Elizabeth!" He father gasps. "Lower your weapons. For goodness sake put them down!" The soldiers comply, albeit hesitantly.

Norrington focuses his attention on Elizabeth. "So this is where your heart truly lies, then?"

"It is."

"Well! I'm actually feeling rather good about this," Jack suddenly announces. He turns to the Governor, "I think we've all arrived at a very special place, eh? Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically." Next he goes to Norrington, "I want you to know that I was rooting for you, mate. Know that. Elizabeth, I liked your song. Will. Nice hat. Kat," He pulls me flush against his body and claims my lips in a kiss. Pulling back he smirks. "Ye've gotten better."

Grabbing my wrist he pulls me on to the battlements with him. "Men!"

"And Liz!" I add.

"This is the day that you will always remember as the day that you…" Jack's voice is lost to the wind as he pulls us both over, into the sea.

I come up, sputtering and choking, to hear the cry of "Sail ho!"

Looking to the horizon, a new white sailed Pearl sails into view. Jack smiles at me. "Race ya?" I challenge. He agrees. Pushing him under the surface I swim for the ship.

I've gotten quiet close to the ship and Jack's nowhere in sight. Then suddenly from under the surface he appears. "That wasn't nice, Kat," He growls.

A rope is thrown over the side of the Pearl. Jack secures a firm grip on it, then wraps an arm around my waist. I reach a hand up to cup his face. He leans down again and our lips meet in another kiss, this one more fierce, more passionate.

As we hit the deck, he doesn't relent. It's not until Gibbs coughs from somewhere above us do we, reluctantly, pull away.

Looking up at his old friend he says, "I thought you were supposed to keep to the code?"

Gibbs offers his hand to Jack, "We figured they were more actual guidelines."

Jack in turn helps me up. I smile; Elizabeth made some impact on them. Taking his hat from Cotton he thanks him and moves further along, towards the wheel.

Anamaria speaks up, "Captain Sparrow," She places his coat around his shoulders, "The Black Pearl is yours."

"Katrina," I look up at the sound of my name. Gibbs is holding out a sword. I smile gratefully as I accept it off him. "I seem to have lost mine," I say, thankful for a weapon.

I watch from the crowds as Jack walks over to the wheel and looks at his ship fondly. When he notices the crew watching he starts shouting orders, "On deck you scabrous dogs! Man the braces!"

The crewmembers start running about, not wanting to displease their Captain. He gazes at me when he notices I haven't moved. "Yes, Miss Barbossa?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Nobody but Norrington's ever called me that," I tell him. "But is there anything I can do, Captain?"

I saunter forward. When I'm close enough Jack pulls me in front of him. I lean back against his chest. He wraps his hands around the wheel. I place my much smaller ones over his.

I sigh in content as I look out over my home. I smile as I feel Jack's chest rise and fall behind me. Everything I had wanted since I was younger, I now had. My life was complete.

"Now...bring me that horizon," He mutters to himself, more than me. He pulls his compass out and begins to hum a familiar tune.

He sings, "And really bad eggs. Drink up, me 'arties yo ho."

There it is the end! I mightwrite another, but I'm going to focus on my other stories more and my school work, cause I've got exams soon.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. Ercassiel xx