Ch. 5

Blackbird searched the darkness around her, searching for any movement. Someone laughed coldly. She knew that voice. Suddenly, a figure emerged out of the darkness. Menacing yellow eyes stared malevolently at her. "Barbossa," she whispered, uttering the name like a curse.

"The one and only," he replied, smiling sinisterly.

"You died," she said in disbelief.

"Aye, a most unpleasant experience, that," Barbossa said. "But enough about me. How are ye, Miss Turner? You know, I find your little situation quite amusing. Blackbird Turner, the woman who eluded me for ten years, is now willingly going to face my son, and not even for herself!"

"I have my own reasons," Blackbird replied angrily.

Barbossa laughed. "So ye say, Miss Turner, so ye say. Y'know, I had so much fun killing your father. I hope my son enjoys killing you equally as much." Blackbird had had enough. She lunged angrily at Barbossa, only pass right through. She winced as her left shoulder slammed against a hard surface. Still laughing, Barbossa slowly disappeared into the dark.

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"Blackbird," Will said, grabbing her shoulder to shake her awake. She winced in pain and shot him a dark look as she sat up and got out of her hammock. "Sorry," he apologized. "I forgot that was your bad shoulder. Is it hurting again?"

Blackbird shook her head. "It's just a bruise," she said dismissively, heading up the stairs. Wait, why did she have a bruise? Was it possible…No, she told herself firmly. It was just a dream…Wasn't it?

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The Black Pearl was enveloped in a dense fog so thick that everyone's clothing was soaked. "This fog is the first sign we're nearing Isla de Muerta," Will commented as they leaned again the rail. "It shouldn't be more than a few hours now."

"I know," Blackbird said. "I've been here before."

"When?" Will asked in surprise.

"Shortly after your little adventure with Barbossa," she explained. "Jack wanted to get his hands on some of the uncursed treasure, so off we went. I explored most of the caves while we were there. There's a passage that branches off of the room where the gold is, and it would seem like a good place to keep prisoners. That's where I'd look for Elizabeth, if I were you."

Will just nodded absently and stared out into the fog. "You know I don't expect you to come with us," he said after a while. "You reserve every right to stay at the ship if you want."

Blackbird shot him and incredulous look. "And miss all the fun?" she asked. "I'm not that crazy!"

"Had me fooled," he muttered under his breath.

"Hey!" she exclaimed, hitting him roughly on the arm. A strange look came over her face as she grew more serious. "I'm a lot more involved in this than you know, Will. I have my own motivation to come."

Will cocked his head questioningly at her. "And what would that be?" he asked curiously.

"Not right now," she muttered, shaking her head. "Maybe some other time." She turned and walked away so quickly that Will could only stare after her and wonder. What wasn't she telling him?

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Elizabeth looked around as they slowly rowed through the cave. Other than a few obvious transactions by Jack, it looked just as it had ten years ago. Hands bound, she was lead through a series of winding passages until they came to the cavernous room where the gold was located. From there they went through a narrow fissure in the far wall that lead to a winding path. When they finally reached the small room, Elizabeth was ready to collapse from all the walking after being on the sea for days. A guard was posted at the end of the tunnel, but other than that she was alone. Resting her hands lightly on her stomach, she thought of the baby that was due at any time. What would happen if Will didn't get there in time? Would their child survive?

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Will hurriedly prepared the rowboat to lower it into the water. "What are you doing, Daddy?" Marie asked, curiously peering into the boat.

"I'm getting ready to go into the cave," he replied, double-checking everything.

"Can I come?" she pleaded.

Will smiled and gently pushed her hair out of her face. "Not this time, love," he said. "You need to stay here where Aunt Blackbird can keep an eye on you. I won't be very long."

"And who says I'm staying here?" Blackbird interjected, putting a foot firmly on the rope he was untying.

"We already had this conversation, Blackbird," Will groaned. "This is my fight. I appreciate your concern, but I need to do this alone. The only reason Jack's coming is because he's the captain and can order things like that."

"For crying out loud, this isn't all about bloody you!" she exclaimed in exasperation. "I've already told you I have my own reasons for coming. Jack, you understand, right?" she pleaded, turning to the captain.

Jack shrugged. "He's right, luv," he replied quietly. "I need someone to stay behind and guard the Pearl. I know this is going to be hard for you, but stay here this time. If we're not out in an hour, leave." Blackbird nodded sullenly; she couldn't defy a direct order. Jack smiled grimly. "That's a good lass," he whispered. "Would you mind lowering us down?" Obligingly, Blackbird gently lowered the boat into the water and watched them row away. The second they had disappeared into the fog, she let the other boat down, careful not to make a sound.

"Just where do ye think yer goin', lass?" Gibbs asked, stopping her.

"Not right now, Gibbs," she muttered crossly. "They're going to need me in there; I can sense it. I know something that they don't."

"Cap'n Jack said you were to stay here," the pirate replied doubtfully.

"Well, then Cap'n Jack should know me better than that," she said, starting to climb down to the boat. "If we're not out in an hour, get out of here."

Gibbs started to argue, but thought better of it and simply nodded. "Good luck."

A/N: Sorry for the delay in getting everything up. I've been really busy lately due to school starting, and today was the first chance I'd had to write in over a week. As always, please review! I want input! (And don't forget what the 10th reviewer gets to do!)