Chapter 14

Blackbird opened her eyes and looked around her. She was back on the Black Pearl, in Jack's cabin.

"Feeling rested?" Will asked. "You gave us quite a scare." He was sitting on a low stool next to the bunk she was lying on.

Blackbird attempted to sit up, which was difficult with her left arm in a sling. "What happened?" she asked, rubbing the back of her head.

"We were almost out of the fort when I heard gunshots behind me. I turned around to see you collapse. Jack and I carried you with us until we reached the Pearl. Fortunately, Gibbs already had everything in order and we were able to set sail within moments. I think they were took shocked to chase after us. After we were on our way, we brought you in here and Jack carefully extracted the bullet. You were incredibly lucky; it wasn't much more than an inch from your heart."

"How long have I been unconscious?"

"About two days," Will said.

"I must've hit my head going down, or something," she mused. "That would at least explain my pounding headache."

The door opened and Jack sauntered in. "Oh, good," he said. "You're awake. Maybe now Will can get some sleep; he's hardly left your side. How do you feel?"

"Like I got shot in the shoulder," Blackbird said with a slight laugh. "Other than that minor detail, I'm great, how about you? I'm certainly well-rested."

"I should hope so," Jack said. "You've been occupying my bed the last two days."

Blackbird raised a challenging eyebrow. "I wouldn't have needed to if I wasn't saving your life, yet again."

"You two are unbelievable!" Will exclaimed. "She's not been conscious five minutes, and already you're arguing!" They both smiled, and the mischief behind those smiles was eerily similar.

"Well, I'd better get back out there," Jack said. "I only came to check on you. I'm glad you're feeling better, Blackbird."

Blackbird and Will sat in silence for a while after he left. "You know you broke the Code by saving me," she said suddenly. "Any man that falls behind stays behind."

Will gave her an odd look. "That rule hardly applies to friendship. Anyway," he added, "I do believe you're a woman."

Blackbird had to laugh. "Yeah…I guess there are a few advantages to that detail…Thank you."

"I owed you one," he replied. "I wasn't about to let you have anything over me when I got back to Port Royal."

Blackbird smiled and attempted to get up, wincing as her left shoulder hit the low top of the bunk. Will reached out to steady her, but she waved him away dismissively. "I'm fine," she said. "I just haven't used my legs for two days."

"I don't know that you should be moving around so soon," Will said in a concerned tone.

"Relax. I'm just stretching my legs. I won't start working until tomorrow."

"That's not what Jack told me, and he's Captain," Will argued. "Just give yourself time to heal."

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Blackbird strode restlessly around the deck. Jack was treating her like a child again, ordering her not to work. It was her business whether or not she was capable of doing her job. Of course, she knew she wasn't in any condition to be climbing up in the rigging, but she still did little jobs here and there to spite him. Looking up from the rope she was splicing, Blackbird noticed that not even half the current watch was on deck. Concerned, she went up to the helm.

"Jack," she said. "Where did everyone go?"

Jack looked around the deck. "I don't know…" he muttered, half to himself. "They seem to have just…disappeared…All hands!" he shouted suddenly.

The entire crew rushed onto the deck, but not in response to his call. Every one of them had his sword drawn or pistol loaded, and all of them were pointed at Jack. "What is the meaning of this?" Jack asked loudly, though he knew the answer all too well.

Ewing stepped forward out of the group. "We're doin' what shoulda been done a long time ago: we're takin' what's rightfully ours!" he said angrily. "Already we ain't been gettin' the kind of respect we deserve from th' likes o' you, and now we're expected to twice the work for 'alf the pay!" Several angry affirmations came from the crew. "Everythin' you've ordered 'as cost us more work and less profit!" he continued. "We're only doin' what's right by replacin' ye 'ere an' now!" The crew pushed forward angrily, still pointing their weapons at Jack.

Suddenly, Blackbird stepped between Ewing and Jack, her sword drawn. "If you want a piece of him, you're going to go through me first," she said, looking Ewing in the eyes.

"And me," Will added, stepping out from the crowd.

Gibbs took a big gulp out of his flask and stepped forward. "My loyalties lie with Jack."

Ghost hesitated before taking his place beside Blackbird. "Ain't nobody gettin' to him without dealin' with me."

Joe crossed over to where the small group was standing. "I'd choose this side in a fight any day," he said. Slowly, one by one, men started to join the group, until Ewing stood almost alone.

Ewing looked around at what he had thought were his "loyal" supporters. "Fine!" he said angrily. "I don't need any of ya; I can do this myself!" he drew out his pistol and aimed it at Jack. Before he could even cock it, Jack had removed it from his grasp and positioned it next to Ewing's head.

"Don't even try that, mate," he muttered. "Blackbird, Will, would you be so kind as to escort Mister Ewing to the brig?" Each grabbing him by one arm, the twins dragged Ewing away. He could still be heard spewing curses as they locked him in one of the cells.

Jack looked around at his crew thoughtfully. "Let Ewing be an example to you; my authority goes unquestioned. Perhaps if he had listened to me, he would have found out that we lost none of our cargo in the battle and that you will all still be receiving your fair pay. Next time I hope it won't come to this…Everyone go back to your work."

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It was still dark when the Black Pearl pulled into Port Royal. Between the dark and using the smaller east port, they hope to go unnoticed. Goodbyes had been said the night before, so Will didn't bother to tell anyone he was leaving. His bag slung over his shoulder, he made his way down the gangplank. He was almost all the way down when he was stopped by a hand on his arm. Blackbird surprised him by hugging him wordlessly and trying to smile. "Take care of yourself, mate," she whispered. Though she didn't cry, Will knew he wasn't imagining the tears this time. Smiling, he whispered goodbye once more and turned to leave. He was home.