Sorry it took me so long to update. I've been out of town and there were #gasp# no computers! It was torture.

Well, here's the next chapter. Now, the real problem gets kicked off. Yes, the child being kidnapped was NOT the big problem. Hehehe.

You know what I realized? This chapter only ends on page 54 out of 207. We've got a ways to go yet.

Anyways thank you to everyone for their reviews. I love them all.

Williz – Sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. #gives light pat on shoulder# All better! Have another cookie and enjoy this chapter! And little Jack will have his moment.

Staci – Thanks for the compliment. Hopefully you'll like this chapter as well. Keep reading, and everything will come together.

Trinilee Greenleaf – Welcome, and thanks so much for the review. I love new reviewers. I love you! Oh yeah, there's plenty of Will torture. The child torture should pretty much be over. I'm glad you like the story. Here's the next chapter.

Sanquinedarkness666 – Weee. We like child torture! And torture in general… Yes, I do like making friends pissed at each other. It makes me happy. …Whatever happened to spikey anyways…? It's not often you find a band instrument capable of inflicting that kind of pain… And well, my family IS going to Alaska next year, so I'll be able to steal my uncle's plane then and THEN we can kidnap Johnny and Orlando! HAHA!

Whatever happened to Smithy and Obliviongates? I hope they're okay. Although… if last chapter gave them problems, the next several are even heavier one the torture… Hopefully all readers will make it out okay.

Okay, I've blabbered enough. Onto the story!

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BlackSword

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Chapter 5

He hurt… he hurt and he was cold; that's all he noticed. The hunger and exhaustion had disappeared under the assault from these two feelings.

He hadn't slept in a week, at first because he been afraid the others would eat him, then because his hunger had kept him awake, and now the pain that had engulfed his body refused to release him from its hold, even for only a few hours. Jackie moaned and placed his head against the cell wall.

Finally- about two days ago- Blacksword had realized the lack of sleep was severely affecting the boy's health, so he had put him in a cell to himself with the hopes of him getting some sleep, but it wasn't helping.

Jackie's head throbbed constantly due to the cuts and minor concussion he had. The cut on his lips hadn't healed and was probably going to leave a scar. Then there were the whip marks on his back, deep and instantly painful, along with the serious burns on his neck and wrist. He also suspected that at least one rib was broken because something kept shifting every time he moved.

"Hey, Jack, are you awake?"

"Yes," Jackie answered quietly. Chris was the only prisoner who seemed to care about his condition.

"You need to sleep. After all, when your father and captain and Captain Sparrow come to rescue you, you want to be able to walk, don't you?" Chris pointed out.

"I can't sleep," Jackie said, unable to control the quaver in his voice as his shivering grew stronger. "It's too cold and I hurt too much."

"Your ribs again? Or your back this time?"

"Both. And my neck and wrist," he admitted. As he did, he gently ran his hand over his wrist. He grimaced as a wave of pain rolled through him.

Suddenly, another wave of pain racked him, and would have sent him to his knees had he not already been on them. As it was, he couldn't control the half-scream that escaped him.

"Jack, are you there."

His half-moan told the man more than his words could have. His head felt as if it might explode and the pain combined with his concussion was causing him to see stars. He started crying.

"Jack, be quiet. If Blacksword hears you crying, he'll beat you again," Chris warned.

"I don't care, why can't he just kill me?"

"He wants you to be here for when Captain Sparrow and your father get here."

Jackie sighed, hoping to dull the pain in his body. "Dad and Captain Sparrow are going to kill Blacksword."

"We'll see about that."

Jack smiled; Blacksword's ship was in sight. He knew exactly how they were going to get Jackie back and now the only thing that remained besides the actual rescue was convincing Will to go along with his plan. He hadn't yet gotten a chance to apologize to the blacksmith and it now seemed as if he wouldn't until they had saved the kid from Blacksword. Jack could only hope the small argument they'd had wouldn't affect their rescue of Jackie.

He turned and saw Will, standing and staring at The Assassin- Blacksword's ship. Jack edged closer to him and softly asked, "Are you ready?"

Will nodded curtly and Jack sighed. He had been hoping for more of an answer, anything that would indicate Will was no longer upset about what he had said.

Miguel slowly approached them. The crew had sensed the tension between the two, so they had been careful not to bother either. "Captain?" he questioned uncertainly, ""What do you want us to do?"

"You," Jack instructed without looking at the man, "will stay here. Will and me shall be going by our onesies." He was carefully watching his friend, trying yo gauge his reaction.

Miguel nodded and walked away to tell the rest of the crew. Jack continued to watch Will until it was time for them to go. "Come on, let's go and find your son."

They had anchored the Pearl next to the Assassin and now Jack and Will had to quickly sneak on board, get Jackie, and get back on the Pearl before Blacksword and his crew realized they were there.

Jack quickly led Will aboard and down inside the ship. The Assassin, compared to the Pearl, was huge. Fortunately Jack had been aboard ships of this design and since most were eerily similar, he was confident he could find the brig with no problems.

It took him a few more minutes than he'd brag about to find it, but when he did, he couldn't help but smile. Will began to push past him, but Jack quickly stopped him. "Will," he whispered, "stay here and keep an eye out for his crew. I don't trust this, it's been too easy."

Will shook his head, "Jack he's my son. I-"

"Will, you're just going to have to trust me. Stay here!" Jack said.

Will trusted Jack, honestly he did, but for some reason, hearing someone tell him that made it seem like trusting the pirate was a mistake. Will started to protest but it died away as he caught sight of the look in the older man's caramel eyes. Slowly he nodded in agreement.

Jack relaxed and started into the brig. He stopped for a moment and quietly said, "Be careful Will. Keep a good eye out."

He quickly entered the brig, closing the door behind him. The door was yet another testament to just how much bigger the Assassin was then the Pearl.

Jack wouldn't tell Will, but the reason he had been against him coming with him into the brig was because he was afraid. Afraid of what would happen if when they got there, Jackie wasn't or was dead. He wanted to find out the state the boy was in first.

He carefully studied the cells and realized in dull alarm that Jackie wasn't there.

"What are you looking for?" one of the prisoners asked,

Jack turned to him, "I'm looking for a kid. Jack Turner, do you know where he is?"

The man nodded, "Sure, he's over there.' He pointed to the side and towards a door on the other end of the room. "There is an isolated cell in there. Blacksword put him there this morning."

Jack nodded and quickly went to the second door, then hesitated slightly. He was slightly afraid of what he would find. Finally, taking a deep breath, he slowly opened the door and walked in.

Jack stopped as he caught sight of the hunched figure of Will's son. The boy was huddled over on his knees, back towards Jack. He stared at the boy in shock. His clothes were in rags and Jack could see the boy's injuries through the tears in his shirt.

"Jack?" he whispered, "Jackie, are you okay?"

The boy's head snapped up and he turned. "Captain Sparrow?" Jackie's voice echoed his surprise

Jack Sparrow stared at him, unable to take his eyes off the child. Jackie's face was a mass of bruises and the split lip provided the blood that covered his chin. He could also see the deep burn on the boy's neck and wrist.

"What happened? What did they do to you?"

Jackie's brown eyes filed with tears, "He beat me, Captain Sparrow. He wouldn't stop. He said it was because he wanted leverage over you and my dad. He wants to kill you." With that he burst out crying. "He wants to kill you," he repeated miserably.

"Don't worry, Jackie. You'll be fine. Blacksword won't be able to hurt you anymore. Your father and I are going to get you out of here."

Jackie continued crying but stood up, his legs shaking uncontrollably as he gripped the bars. "Dad's here? Where is he?" e asked in between sobs.

"He's outside, keeping watch. Why does Blacksword want him, or do you know?"

"He… he's jealous of him. He wants to… reclaim his title as… best swordsman in the Caribbean."

Jack's face tightened. Will was in danger solely because he was an extraordinary fighter. That wasn't right; even he as a pirate recognized it. Trying to hide his anger from the boy, he turned and began searching for some keys to release him. There were none.

"Jackie, I'm going to pick the lock, so hang in okay?"

Jackie nodded, "Hurry, Captain Sparrow. There's no telling when Blacksword will get here."

"Don't worry. I am."

Something wasn't right, he could feel it.

Will shifted anxiously, eyes darting to the left and right. He was having a difficult time suppressing the urge to go into the brig, despite what Jack had told him, and see his son.

He sighed softly. He wasn't mad at Jack, not really. A little upset, yes, but mad… no. But he didn't understand why Jack hadn't allowed him to be the one to get Jackie, though.

The wood of the ship creaked slightly, causing Will to jump and spin around. Nothing. Will slowly let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd held. If only Jack would hurry, they could off this death trap. Slowly he relaxed and started to turn back when the cold, steel tip of a sword came to rest on his back directly behind his heart.

"Well, well, Mr. Turner. I didn't expect you to get here so soon," a voice hissed from behind. "Where's Captain Sparrow?"

Will didn't answer, didn't even move, except for his hand, which slowly inched closer to the sword strapped to his side. "You wish to fight?" the voice asked, seeing his movement. "Very well. I so wanted to face off against you.

"Got it," Jack whispered as the lock clicked open.

Jackie- still holding on to the bars of the cell for support- quietly walked out as fast as his exhausted, beaten body could move. When he was out- to Jack's ultimate surprise- the boy hugged him. "Thank you."

Jack didn't exactly know how to respond to the child's affectionate display so he just stood there for a few seconds before slowly hugging him back. "You're welcome," he said, his voice still carrying hints of surprise.

After a few more seconds, Jackie pushed away and asked, "Where's dad? Don't you need to get him so we can leave?"

Jack didn't bother to tell the boy he had already told him where Will was, instead he simply told him again. "Now look," he continued, "I'm going to go outside, find Will, and then we're off this matchbox."

"Matchbox?"

"Never mind." Jack went to the door but stopped and turned back. "If I have to go find him, stay here. I'll be back soon." He started to open the door but he paused. He heard something, and it was coming from outside.

There was the sound of something hard and sharp sliding through something soft, followed by the sound of something hitting the ground.

He waited, wanting to see if the sounds continued. They didn't. He waited a few more seconds to give whoever was out there the chance to leave and Will to… do whatever. Finally he pulled the door open and stepped out of the brig-

And found himself staring into a pair of hard green eyes. Jack completely froze for a moment, and then quickly slammed the door behind him, so Jackie would be safe inside.

"Hello, Captain Sparrow. Fancy meeting you here."

"Hello, Blacksword," Jack said, is voice reflecting his contempt and his lip curling into a snarl.

"You know, I don't take kindly to people sneaking aboard me ship."

"Well, since I didn't sneak, we shouldn't have a problem." He glanced around and suddenly realized he didn't know where Will was. "Where's Will?" he asked, his heart twisting inexplicably inside.

"He's not here."

Jack's fear heightened a few more notches. "What do you mean?"

He knew Will wouldn't abandon him, especially since Jackie was with him. Blacksword had to be lying, or at least twisting the truth, but he still could not control his fear as it filled him, no matter how irrational it might be.

"He's not here," Blacksword repeated, lips twisting into a heartless smirk.

"Where is he?" Jack demanded again. He would not be put off by Blacksword. He was going to find Will.

Blacksword shook his head with a soft snort. You're not going to stop are you? You can't talk to him?"

"Why not? What did you do to him?"

Blacksword's smirk grew wider. "Although," he continued, ignoring Jack's most recent question, "I could probably arrange for you to be with him again. It wouldn't be too difficult."

"What are you talking about?" Jack asked. His fear was now reaching the breaking point and he was beginning to become anxious to find the blacksmith.

Blacksword grinned and stepped forward, letting his sword come to rest on Jack's throat. "All I'd have to do is slit your throat."

Jack froze, his heart stopping completely. "Wh… what?" he stammered when he finally regained his breath.

The evil pirate removed the blade from Jack's throat. "Though, part of me wonders whether or not you'd see him at all. You'd rot in hell, and somehow I doubt he is," he didn't answer Jack's question directly, but indirectly he did.

Jack stared at him, blinking, not comprehending- or rather not wanting to comprehend.

Blacksword suddenly stepped to the side and, for the second time in less than as many minutes, Jack's heart stopped. "Oh, God no."

Will was sprawled face down on the deck, lying in a pool of blood. Or rather three pools of blood. Jack stared, hoping to see some sign of movement from the younger man. There was none, nothing at all to ease his worry.

The pools of blood scared Jack, more so than he'd imagined possible. One centered under his stomach, one under his chest, and the last… under his neck.

Jack rushed forward and dropped to his knees, ignoring the threat Blacksword still posed. "Will?" asked Jack, panic evident in his voice, "Will!" His fingers came to rest on Will's neck, desperately searching for a pulse… anything to tell him Will was alive.

Jack couldn't feel anything and his fingers started shaking. It was a strangely horrifying feeling; his hands covered in the blood of his best friend, who, as far as he can tell, was dead. He looked up and stared at Blacksword. "You bastard," he hissed.

Blacksword smiled, "Now all I have to do to complete my revenge is kill you."

Jack slowly gained his feet, his hand reaching for his sword, when suddenly he remembered Jackie, still in the brig, waiting for him to get back. He hesitated for a moment, wondering what he should do.

Quickly, Jack dodged around Blacksword and, jerking the door open, darted inside. He quickly slammed the door behind him, locking it. As soon as he had, there was the sound of Blacksword slamming into it in an attempt to break it down. "Get back here, Sparrow!" he yelled.

"Captain Sparrow? I thought you were trying to find my dad?"

Jack glanced at the boy and noticed that the child seemed even more exhausted than before. "Jackie… I… uh…" he stopped, realizing he didn't know how to explain what had happened. How was he supposed to tell an eight-year-old his father was dead? "Will… he uh… he's going to meet us later," he quickly lied.

The boy nodded, then flinched as Blacksword again threw himself into the door.

Jack looked around, desperately trying to find a way out. Finally, his gaze came to rest on a small porthole. "Jackie, can you fit through?"

Jackie nodded again. "Easily."

Jack didn't waste any time. He quickly pushed the boy towards the window, giving him instructions as he did. "Look, climb outside and hang on. I'm coming right behind you."

Quickly obeying, the boy clambered through and called back, "It may be a little tight, but I think you can make it."

Jack pulled off his tri-pointed hat and slowly wiggled through. Finally he popped out, but he couldn't grab onto the side of the ship and he fell into the water.

He bobbed back up and quickly stuffed his soaked hat back on his head. He looked up, his eyes spotting the boy still balanced on the ledge. Jackie was swaying slightly, and had turned several shades paler. "Jackie?" he asked in concern. "Jackie, come on, jump."

The child obeyed, but it was about as much falling as it was jumping. Jack's eyes widened when the boy didn't immediately pop back up. "Uh, that's not good," he muttered. He dove under the water and struggled to see in the salty water. Jack soon spotted him, slowly sinking into the depths of the Caribbean.

He swam down, grabbed the boy, and pulled him to the surface. Part of him had begun to panic- there was no way he was going to lose his best and only friend and his best friend's son in one day. He checked the boy's breathing and was relieved to find it strong and steady. Jackie had merely passed out, the stress of his injuries and the lack of sleep finally caught up with him.

Supporting the boy, he swam to the side of the Pearl and waited. Miguel, Paul, and several other crewmembers tossed him a rope and carefully pulled him up, still holding Jackie. Paul took the boy and put him in Jack's cabin while Miguel and the others quickly made sure the Pearl got clear of the Assassin before picking up speed.

Once they had put some distance between themselves and the other ship, Miguel turned his attention to Jack. Jack was staring at his hands, despite the fact the water had washed the blood off.

"Uh, Captain?" he began uncertainly. "Where's Mr. Turner? Wasn't he with you?"

Jack looked up and his eyes told Miguel everything. "He's dead," he whispered brokenly. "I shouldn't have left him alone. He's dead. Good Lord, what am I going to tell Elizabeth and Jackie?"

Miguel stared sympathetically at him. "Tell the boy now. The truth, too. Let him go ahead and get over him."

"I… I can't tell him. If he starts crying… I can't," Jack was shaking his head. The pain inside was beginning to eat him up. Will was dead. The one person who didn't judge him because of what he was, the person who actually cared about him, was dead.

He could still see Will's body, lying motionless, face down on the deck of the Assassin, his blood covering the deck and Black Andrew's sword. He remembered the shock and denial that had swept through him as he'd searched for a pulse and found none.

Jack closed his eyes, trying both to close out the images and suppress the overwhelming urge to cry. This couldn't be happening, it just couldn't.

"Captain, you must tell the boy," Miguel said. "You were there, he trusts you. It has to be you."

"Why? Why can't you tell him?"

Miguel looked pointedly at him. "I just told you. It's your responsibility."

"My responsibility?" Jack asked bitterly. "You know what just happened because it was my responsibility to lead? We now have an eight-year-old without a father because I thought it was my responsibility to tell him what to do."

"Will accepted your leadership. He knew the danger involved before he got into it. It's not your fault he's dead," Miguel informed him.

"I told him to stand watch!" Jack shrieked. "He wanted to come into the brig with me but I wouldn't let him. It's my fault!"

Miguel sighed angrily. He needed to find a way to convince his Captain that it wasn't his fault. But how could he reason with someone who wouldn't listen to him?

"Captain, you have to tell him. No one else will."

Jack sighed miserably. The sadness that consumed him threatened to cause him to cry. "Fine, I'll tell him. Set the course for Tortuga, I need a drink."

"Uh, Captain? Did you mean to let Sparrow get away?" Ricky asked uncertainly.

Chris, who was no longer in the brig- since Jackie wasn't there, there was no need to be- elbowed him, trying to get him to be quiet.

"No," Black Andrew admitted. "I assumed he would demand revenge for young Turner's "death" immediately. I did not expect for him to try to save the boy."

Chris fought down the urge to say, 'Well, you know what happens when you assume.'

"But," Black Andrew continued, "We now have an even better opportunity to defeat him."

"How do you know he'll come looking for us?" Ricky asked.

"Because I "killed" his only friend, if what that whelp told us was true," Blacksword patiently explained. "Sooner or later, he'll come for us, and then…" a cold smirk flashed across his face, "we'll destroy him."

"Wouldn't sooner be more preferable than later?" Ricky asked.

"Of course," their captain said, "but we don't have control of when he gets here."

"Yes we do."

Black Andrew stared curiously at him. "What do you mean? If you have an idea, please, do tell."

"Yeah," Chris snickered, "it'll be a first, and probably the last."

Ricky sneered at him, then turned back to his captain. "Tell Captain Sparrow the truth. Tell him the blacksmith is still alive. It'll bring him running."

Andrew was greatly intrigued by the idea, and his sadistic mind had already started working. "Yes, but we tell him in a way to make it seem like his fault, make him feel guilty. Yes, we could even set a deadline and if he doesn't make it in time, we'll kill Will."

"Captain, but what if he escapes again?" Chris asked. "What if he takes Turner and runs?"

A twisted smile formed on his face then. "Wouldn't it be a shame, if he manages to rescue him, but is unable to keep the young man fro dying of his injuries."

Both Ricky and Chris laughed; it sounded wonderful. "Jack Sparrow won't stand a chance," Ricky said. "If he fights you when he comes to rescue Turner, he'll be filled with the… absolute guilt at abandoning him, and if he does it later, he'll have the death of his best friend on his mind. It's perfect."

Black Andrew grinned, but it was a grin full of hate. "Bring Mr. Turner to me, I'd like to "talk" to him."

Chris laughed, "Of course." He quickly left to find the prisoner.

Ricky glanced at Andrew, "How are we going to let Sparrow know? We have to be careful of whom we send or he'll be suspicious."

Andrew pondered it for a second or two. "We'll send Chris. He has gained the trust of Jack Turner; that could help convince the Captain of the Black Pearl."

Ricky nodded and turned to the door as it opened. Chris came in, dragging the prisoner behind him. Chris stepped to the side and forced him to the ground on his knees.

Will was on his knees, eyes squeezed shut. His chest was being pressed painfully against his knees, and the wounds from his fight with Blacksword were screaming in agony. His breathing started coming in ragged gasps. The sword wound in his neck had come dangerously close to killing him, and at the moment he was regretting that it hadn't.

"Well, young Turner. How does it feel to know you are going to play a key role in the defeat of Captain Jack Sparrow," Black Andrew asked, coming closer to Will so he could see his reaction.

Will's brown eyes widened in horror. "Where… where is he?" he rasped. The last time he's seen Jack, the pirate had left him and gone in the brig. Jack couldn't have been captured! Could he?

"He left you, he abandoned you," Andrew said, smirking. "He has left you to a fate worse than death; for that's what you'll beg for before I'm done."

'Abandoned me?' Will wondered dully. 'He wouldn't do that!' "Where's my son?"

"Captain Sparrow ran off with him. Took your kid and left you. Probably planning on stealing your wife as well."

Will stared at him, his mind trying to process what Chris had said. 'Jack took my son. Thank God, neither of them is here. They're both safe.' Suddenly a thought struck him, 'Take my wife? Jack… Jack wouldn't do that. He'd… he'd never take Elizabeth.' In his mind though, he remembered the way Jack had always watched Elizabeth and his conviction wavered.

The young blacksmith felt his fear rise but he couldn't do anything as Ricky forced him to bend over on his knees, pressing his wounds further into his legs.

"This is going to be a living hell for you," Blacksword sneered, placing his face mere inches from Will's. "I hope you're ready."

Will's heart tightened in apprehension, unsure of exactly what to expect. He couldn't help but twist his wrists in the shackles in a desperate attempt to free himself.

"Chris, let him up." Chris pulled him into a sitting position.

Andrew slowly pulled out a knife and let it rest on Will's chest mere inches from the previous wound. The one from earlier had missed cutting the main artery by only a few centimeters and he was afraid of what would now be done to him. He was already struggling to breathe and remain conscious.

"I could murder you now," the pirate sneered, "but I think it'll be better to keep you alive." He slowly let the knife drift down, tracing down to his prisoners ribs. Slowly, deliberately, he forced the tip in between two ribs, but being extraordinarily careful not to hit any of his main organs.

Will squeezed his eyes shut and it took all of his control not to scream as the knife slowly slid into his body up until the hilt was pressed against his side. Black Andrew then slowly twisted it and pulled the serrated blade out, doing as much- if not more- damage then.

Will slumped over, despite the agony that swept through him as his body pressed against his knees. The blood was slowly seeping through his shirt, leaving a growing bloodstain.

Black Andrew started to put the blade through Will again, but stopped. "Ricky," he said "put him in the brig. I'll continue with him after I bring Chris up-to-date on our plans."

Ricky nodded and forced the prisoner to his feet. Will stood there for a moment, swaying unsteadily, before his knees buckled, sending him back to the ground. Pain lanced through his awareness and threatened to overwhelm him. He remained on his knees, trying to dispel the nausea and weakness that had consumed him.

Blacksword's third-in-command-Ricky- didn't give him the time he needed and instead pulled him up. Will's body had been jerked up and down to many times in the last few minutes and he blacked out, his mind being thrown into blessed oblivion.

Ricky groaned and picked the young blacksmith up off the ground and slowly carried him out of the room and to the brig.

Chris watched then carefully turned towards Andrew. "What do you want me to do this time, Captain?"

"You are going to tell Sparrow that Mr. Turner is still alive."

"If I may, Captain? Why me?" Chris asked when his captain nodded in response to the first question.

"Because you have gained the trust of the child. Captain Sparrow will believe you if only for that reason," Andrew reasoned. "Besides, I'm the Captain. I said you are, therefore, you will."

Had it been any other captain, Chris would have continued to press the matter but his fear of what Black Andrew could do to him stopped him. In honesty, had it been anyone other than Chris- and perhaps Ricky- Andrew would have killed them for questioning him.

"Pretend you're the prisoner. If Sparrow knows you're my first mate, he'll be suspicious. He could suspect a trap."

"Yes, sir."

Black Andrew smirked. "He's a dead man. He just doesn't realize it yet."

"Both Sparrow and Turner are."

"Yes," Andrew agreed, "but Will realizes it. And he will continue to realize it. With any luck," a smirk flicked across the tan face, "he'll die in Sparrow's arms after the captain of the Black Pearl gets here."

TBC

Hehehehe.

Yes, I like to pick on Will. He's just so… pick-on-able… Wow, that was pathetic…

Anyway, I look forward to hearing from all of you again. See ya later!