Gibbs all but pushed Ruby into Jack's cabin, Jack looked up worried as Gibbs let go of Ruby.
"Cap'n we have a ship approachin', it's flyin' flags," said Gibbs quickly.
"What flags?"asked Jack setting his bottle of rum down and getting alert.
"Not the friendly kind,"said Gibbs looking over at Ruby who was quickly catching on that things weren't good.
"Bloody hell,"muttered Jack turning to Ruby," you stay 'ere, didna open this door ta anyone but me, and stay as quiet as possible."
"Jack what is going on?"asked Ruby.
"I'll be seein' ta that,"said Jack,"But fer now, ya stay put." Ruby went to reply but realized he was right, she was in no position to be anywhere but his cabin.
"Fine,"said Ruby quietly. Gibbs left the cabin with Jack following, he stopped quickly at Ruby and before she could protest he cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead. Ruby watched as the two men left the cabin, she could hear the rumbling of chaos starting outside as Jack slammed the door shut and locked it behind him. Inhaling deeply Ruby slowly sat down on the bed, she had no idea what was going on other than a ship was attacking that struck alert in Gibbs and Jack. She hated being in the dark and being pushed aside but reluctantly she had to admit Jack was right and in a situation such as this one she was far better off locked away.
Mr. Gibbs stood next to Jack on the deck watching the ship approach. Jack knew the captain of the ship, Clinton Blackheart. He wasn't sure what to think of Blackheart's arrival, he was no enemy but by no means a friend either.
"Whadda think Cap'n?"asked Gibbs. Jack chewed his lip, he knew he'd do anything in his power to defend Ruby but he didn't want things to get to that point.
"I dunno,"said Jack before turning to bark out some orders at his crew. The orders were useless, the crew knew they had precious cargo on board that was to be protected.
As the ship came closer Jack walked over to the edge of the deck as he seen Clinton Blackheart standing at the edge of his own ship. Inhaling Jack tried to keep himself calm, the last thing he needed was an all out battle, though he doubted Blackheart would know about Ruby.
"Aye Cap'n Sparrow how'd Neptune be treatin' ya?"hollered Blackheart as his ship reared closer. The other captain was a good ten years older than Jack but could hold his own just as well as any young man could and his crew was no different.
"He's been smilin' upon us,"shouted Jack back,"what do I be owing fer yer 'ello?"
"I'll tell ya on deck,"shouted Blackheart as his crew matched speed with the Pearl and a deck hand gave the captain a rope to swing over with. It annoyed Jack slightly that the other captain did not bother to ask for permission to board though Jack was trying to avoid confrontation so he allowed it to pass. The crew and Jack watched as Blackheart and five of his men swung over with ease to the deck of the Black Pearl. Jack approached them with Gibbs and Anamarie at his side.
"Well yer on deck now," said Jack. Blackheart smirked as he nodded at Jack.
"I made a stop in Port Royal and 'eard a rumor that normally I wouldn't be belivin' but the lad who told me was insistin' it t'was true and since I seen yer Pearl I figured I'd be droppin' in ta find out fer meself,"said Blackheart.
"And what be this rumor?"asked Jack waving his hand around.
"That ya've got the Hellstorm Jewel in yer possession,"said Blackheart grinning. Jack was silent for a moment as he eyed the older man up and down, Jack knew it was possible for someone on that dock to have found out about the jewel him and Ruby had done enough arguing out in the open but most men now just believed the jewel was nothing more than a mere legend made up to immortalize Captain Hellstorm.
"Well we've all heard the rumor o' the Hellstorm jewel, seems it'd be nothin' more than a rumor,"said Jack simply as his guard heightened.
"That's what I woulda been thinkin' at first but this boy he told a version like I never have heard,"said Blackheart, "said ya were havin' an affair with a woman who had the jewel, said he seen ya kidnapped her."
"Only woman on board is Anamarie,"said Gibbs before glancing over at Jack who was stiff at how much the other captain knew.
"Well as easy as Ana would be there on the eyes, I'd be doubtin' she's the kinda woman ta 'ave a rare sought after jewel and she's not the kinda ya be wantin' ta kidnap,"snickered Blackheart.
"And what the bloody 'ell's that ta mean?"spat Anamarie stepping forward angrily. Jack reached out and softly pushed her back.
"Not a thing me dear Ana,"grinned Blackheart before nodding his head.
"All yer gonna do 'ere Blackheart is rile me crew,"said Jack calmly,"I didna know who was fillin' yer head with lies, but that's all they'd be, we bother know the Hellstorm jewel nothin' more than a myth otherwise it woulda damn well been found by now." Blackheart nodded as he took in Jack's word but still he raised an eyebrow.
"Makes sense what yer sayin' Cap'n Sparrow but somethin' tell me yer lyin,"said Blackheart before scanning Jack's crew and then motioning over to the rest of his crew on his own ship,"ya sure there's not another female on board? Swear ta the devil I spied a lovely lookin' lass standin' on yer deck." Jack watched as numerous members of Blackheart's crew grabbed ropes and swung over to the Pearl. Jack's crew immediately reached for their weapons but Jack held his hand up motioning for them to cease until he gave order.
"Aye well, the lass she'd be me wife,"said Jack with his hand on the handle of his sword,"now what'd be the meanin' of yer men?"
"Wife ya say?"asked Blackheart slowly,"Where'd she be?"
"In my cabin where she belongs, ta sick fer deck. She's with babe,"said Jack in a determined voice.
"Really, didn't think yer 'ere the marryin' type Sparrow,"said Blackheart suspicious.
"Well never say never,"said Jack,"Now if ya dinna mind we'll be on our way."
"That I do mind,"said Blackheart pulling his sword out.
Ruby sat in Jack's cabin, she knew the scene on deck was not a good one. Things were silent for a while then about ten minutes ago a chaotic roar erupted. Squeezing her eyes shut she silently cursed her situation.
"Goddamn you Jack,"muttered Ruby opening her eyes and exhaling deeply. Ruby slowly glanced around the room, looking for something sharp and metal, something that would kill if for some reason Jack couldn't live up to his word. Looking over the desk she found nothing but papers, empty bottles of rum and maps. Huffing she moved on to a beaten dresser against the wall, yanking open the top drawer she found some clothes. Ruby rummaged through them but found nothing, she moved on to the next drawer and found odd ends such as books, a few more bottles of rum and some coins. A loud thud and clashing coming from the deck made Ruby jump slightly. Standing still for a moment Ruby's eyes shot to the door, her need for a defense heightened.
She looked around the room once more looking for any place Jack may have left a weapon, slowly it went through Ruby's mind that Jack may have rid the room of any spare weapons once she boarded the pearl for his own safety. Her eyes fell on the bed, raising an eyebrow she remembered the knife she had hidden under her mattress at home, would Jack do such a thing?
"Might as well,"huffed Ruby as she went over to the bed and grabbed the corner of the mattress with both hands. She yanked the mattress up and looked underneath, a small knife rested at the edge of the bed.
"Thank God,"hissed Ruby as she grabbed the handle of the knife and let the mattress drop back down. Ruby slipped the knife up the sleeve of her dress, she knew enough not keep the weapon in eyesight but rather keep it a surprise. The noise outside got louder and suddenly there was a thump at the door. Breathing deeply Ruby stepped back farther into the room, her eyes were glued to the door like a scared cat.
Jack swung his sword at Blackheart but was met with the clanging of metal as his blade hit the other men's sword. He was trying to maneuver the battle back to the middle of the deck so the door to his cabin was within eyeshot. His crew was trying to keep members of Blackheart's crew away from Jack's cabin where Ruby was.
Once Clinton had pulled his sword his crew immediately swung over to the pearl in an ambush. Luckily Jack's crew was ready and could put up quite a good fight.
"C'mon Jack I know ya've got it, where's the jewel?"growled Clinton as Jack dodged the swing of his sword.
"In Davey Jone's locker, trust me ya'll be seen it all ta soon,"said Jack.
Ruby closed her eyes and ran her hand over her face. The stress and fighting going on out on deck was getting to her. She exhaled deeply and opened her eyes, maybe I'm worrying, Jack said he'd take care of me. I need to trust him. Slowly Ruby started to pace the cabin, she slowed her breathing as she tried relaxing. She wandered over to the porthole and stared out at the water, soon I'll be home in India and this nightmare will be over. Her mind wandered to her home and how she missed it, just as her mind was relaxinf she was violently jolted back to reality from the slamming of the door opening. Screaming Ruby turned to find her nightmare getting worse.