A/N: I know I don't normally do this before the chapter, but I feel it's necessary. Nuriel, the reason you didn't know anything about Blackbird is you didn't read my first fanfic. I would advise reading the other before going any further on this one (although most of the surprise is already ruined)
Ch. 10
The Jolly Roger flew high on both masts as the Black Pearl approached the Phantom. The only difference was that the Phantom also bore the red flag of no quarter. Gripping the rope tightly, Blackbird stared at their opponent. "They mean to defeat us," she laughed to Will.
Will grinned cockily. "Well, then, we'll have to teach them not to tangle with Captain Jack Sparrow," he replied. "Although, some kind of battle plan might be nice. Do we have any idea how we're going to beat them?"
"Simple," Jack interrupted, leaning on Will's shoulder. "Obviously they can't die, and most of our crew can, so our only chance is in numbers. She looks like a fairly small ship; what we saw in the cave is probably the extent of their crew. All we can do is try to get them over onto our ship and overpower them."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Will said, turning to leave. "I'll go get my weapons."
As soon as she was alone, Blackbird stared again at the ship. Nathan was close; she could feel it. I will have my revenge, she vowed silently. And you will pay.
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Elizabeth hurriedly loaded the pistol and checked it.
"And what do you think you're going to do with that?" Will asked, grabbing it out of her hands.
She tried to get it back. "I'm going to fight," she replied plainly.
"No, you're not," he said, shaking his head. "You're still too weak. I won't risk losing you again."
"At least give me the opportunity to defend our children, Will! I know my physical limitations better than you."
Will seemed to hesitate, looking over the pistol. Suddenly, he pointed it at his own chest and fired. Elizabeth gasped before realizing it had no effect. "See that?" he asked, indicating the already closing wound. "That's how much you can harm them with this. They won't even pause." He turned around a grabbed a lightweight sword. "If you're going to fight at all, use this. I still ask that you stay down here, though. I don't want to lose you."
Something in his eyes made her pause. A tenderness was there that she hadn't seen in days. "Alright," she yielded. "I'll stay down here. I promise."
Smiling, he paused to gently brush a wisp of hair out of her face. "Then I'll see you in a little while. This shouldn't take long."
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"Prepare to board!" someone on deck shouted. Will grabbed onto one of the ropes and swung across the gap to the Phantom, already fighting as he landed lightly on the deck. Picking out one of the weaker fighters, he began slowly working him backwards across a narrow plank that connected to the two ships. As soon as the pirate was across, Will left him to Gibbs and hurried back.
---
Blackbird moved quickly across the deck, her sword a blur of motion as she pushed through the chaos. She was helping here and there, but she had one objective: Nathan. Striking one of her opponents with the hilt of her sword, she finally spotted him. As their eyes met, she saw for the first time anxiety; he knew they were losing. She had almost made it over to him when the fighting stopped. "It's over, mate, we won," Jack was saying loudly. "I gotta hand it to ye: your crew is a regular bunch of imbeciles. They can't die, and yet they surrender to mere mortals. I can tell ye put a lot o' thought into choosing 'em. Now, if you'll be so kind, we have unfinished business."
Nathan looked steadily at Jack. "Maybe I don't surrender," he said coolly. "I can't die, why should I let myself be captured? I can single-handedly wipe out your crew, save the two stupid enough to take a piece of the treasure. There's no reason for me to submit."
"Except for this," Blackbird said, clamping a pair of cuffs around his wrists. He'd been too busy talking to even notice her approaching. "Captain Sparrow gave you an order. I suggest you yield."
Their eyes locked again as Nathan was led away by several of the men. Hatred flashed in his eyes before he smiled coldly. "So be it, Raven," he said, not even struggling against his captors. "But I promise you this is not over. In fact, it's far from it."
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Elizabeth winced as Will dabbed the cut on her arm with a wet rag. "Sorry," he said quietly. "We don't want it to get infected."
"Thank you," she muttered. "I know this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't insisted upon fighting."
Will just shook his head. "I stopped trying to argue with you years ago," he said, laughing slightly. "You always end up being right."
"I can be wrong, too," Elizabeth pointed out. "Sometimes I don't wait to hear both sides of a situation…jump to conclusions…I was wrong to doubt you, Will. I should have known by now that you'd never do anything to harm our family."
"You know, as much as I love hearing that from you, you were right. Piracy is taking over my life, Elizabeth; I'm seeing that more and more as this journey progresses. Things will change when we get back to Tortuga. You have my word." Gently wrapping her arm, he stood up from the table he'd been using as a seat. "My watch is about to start," he explained. "I'll be back down in a few hours."
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Blackbird sat in a dark corner of the brig, keeping an eye on the prisoners. Even though they were locked in the cells, Jack had ordered that someone be down there keeping watch at all times. He had been hesitant to allow her to go, but she'd finally convinced him.
She'd been down there for over an hour, and not a word had been spoken by anybody, but she felt their eyes watching her.
"So, Raven, you must be rather satisfied right now, aye?" Nathan finally said breaking the silence. She sat there silently, refusing to acknowledge him. "Come now, luv, there's no reason for the silent treatment. We're more mature than that." Still no response. "Surely yer not still sore about our little argument ten years ago?"
"That was not a 'little argument', Nathan Barbossa," she replied tonelessly.
"And she speaks!" he said sarcastically. "Honestly, luv, I think that's the longest sentence you've uttered to me since we last met."
Blackbird shrugged. "I have better things to waste my breath on."
"Ah, so cold," Nathan tsked. "Although, I think I like you better this way. You sure it's too late to start things over?"
Blackbird stood up with surprising speed and brought her face close to the bars of his cell. "I would die before wasting another minute of my life on you," she said fiercely. Spitting at his feet, she strode off and hurried up the steps.
---
Out on deck, Blackbird leaned against the railing and stared out at the thin fog. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't even notice Jack coming up behind her.
"Excited about getting near Isla de Muerta?" he asked, sitting on the rail next to her.
"Not so much excited as ready," she replied. "It's been over two weeks, and I'm ready for this to be done. What I wouldn't give for a decent meal and a nice, stiff drink."
Jack grinned. "It's been over a month for me. I think I'm the most ready of any of us."
"You know, it's weird…I'm almost getting used to the curse," Blackbird admitted. "Although I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing."
"Well, either way, it's only a day or two before we reach Isla de Muerta. It won't be much longer," he said, sliding off the railing. "Try to get some rest, Blackbird. You're going to need it."
A/N: Okay, got this one up pretty fast, actually! Not much to say...keep reading...I love you all...review! Okay, that's all for now.