Chapter 5

Jack Sparrow wasn't the romantic type. He liked things fast, violent and fun. When Elizabeth was around these adjectives could always be applied to whatever was going on around her. Unfortunately frustration and annoyance were in large supply as well. And Will would get all sulky, and people were bound to get pissed off. But then violence would ensue and it would be interesting again.

Like now. On arrival in Tortuga Jack had left Will and Elizabeth in hopes of finding a colorful little strumpet in hopes of making Elizabeth jealous (or at least get her to call him names--he liked that) but instead he nearly ran into the blue uniforms of the royal navy.

At first sight of the two men Jack threw himself into the space between two buildings, as they walked down the street. Every once and a while they stopped to talk to someone. Jack couldn't hear what they were saying over the din of the street, and he inexplicably, desperately wanted to know what could possibly bring the powdered-wig wearers to the rough little port-town.

Finally he lurched out of his hiding place directly into their path, knocking into one of them and nearly falling to the ground. "S' sorry," he slurred, hanging on to the man he'd almost knocked over.

"If you'll excuse me," the man said, shoving him away, looking as if he was unable to decide whether to shoot him or run in the opposite direction.

"My apologies," Jack said. "I dinnin mean to."

The other man, looking far too proper for his own good, replied. "Are you too drunk to speak to us for a moment?"

"No one can ever be too drunk," Jack assured.

"We're looking for information on a man, a pirate, he goes by the name Ely the Gent. Have you heard of him?"

"Heard he's hung like a horse, that's what I heard." Jack laughed, while the man looked at his companion.

"There's a reward out for his capture. Five hundred pounds."

"That's a prize that's a bit superfluous. What'd he do to merit such a price?"

"He's wanted for the murder and decapitation of Lord Charles Harrington, the king's nephew. Have you any information for us or not?"

"I don't associate with pirates. An uncleanly lot, they are."

"I'm sure," the pompous man said.

"Well, have you seen the head?" the meeker of the two said, but the other man hushed him. "Thank you for your time."

As soon as they were gone Jack sobered and hurried off to the pub he had left Elizabeth and Will at. In doing so he passed three more royal navy men. Elizabeth had made through a good portion of a bottle, and Will sat on the floor at her, staring at her adoringly. Jack resisted the urge to kick him in the head.

"Elizabeth," Jack said, coming up to the table. "We need to get moving, pet."

"I like it here," Elizabeth replied. "I'm not your pet." She finished off the bottle in one long drink.

"Go away Jack," Will said, immediately defensive. "We're busy."

Jack's eye twitched, his nostrils flared. He took a step towards and away again, intent on killing Will where he sat. "You'll be busy hanging from a noose if you don't listen to me for once. Elizabeth." He said her name again, hoping it would get her attention. It worked.

She stood on wobbly legs. "My name, Mr. Sparrow," she said her voice rising as she spoke, "is Ely the Gent!" The whole bar went silent at this loud exclamation, the noise returning to normal when she fell back into her chair, passed out.

"I'm never letting you drink again," Jack said decidedly. "Will, we need to move, now. This place is crawling with the royal navy, and they're looking for the man calling himself Ely the Gent."

Will didn't need any more explanation, scooping Elizabeth into his arms and starting towards the door. Jack scanned the room for signs of his crew. "Mr. Gibbs!" He quickly crossed to where he was drinking with two others of the crew.

"Aye, Captain?"

"We have an emergency. I need as much of the crew as possible on the ship in two hours time. Anyone we don't have we sail without. Understand?"

He caught up with Will, trying to move with his arms full of passed out pirate. "Aren't you getting tired of rescuing her all the time?" Will didn't answer, but outside he shook the near-passed out captain awake.

"Elizabeth, you're going to have to walk. It's time to go back to the Pearl. Jack--a little help here." The two men flanked her on either side, more carrying than supporting her.

"What's she being accused of?"

"Killing some high to do relative of the king. Truth be told, I think they have the wrong man."

"How's that?" They passed a group of navy men on their way to the docks.

"It's not her style, the way he died."

"You don't know her style." The edge of jealous anger had come back in his voice.

"Yes I do. Her style is my style."

"You think the two of you are alike."

"In this instance, you want her to be." He looked at Will over her bobbing head. "This man weren't just killed, he was butchered."

"Elizabeth wouldn't do something like that."

"I know. But right now we just got to get her out of here. Lots of people know her as Ely, and she just announced it to the whole bloody pub. I just hope no one's questioned the crew."

"You think our men would tell?"

"We're pirates, Will. And there's a five hundred pound reward."

"Right."

Back on the ship Elizabeth woke up long enough to empty her stomach over the side, Jack holding her hat so it wouldn't fall overboard, Will holding her hair back. She fell against Will. "I don't feel very well," she moaned.

"Let's get you to bed then," Will said.

"C'mon, in my cabin. She'll be safer there."

Elizabeth was out within seconds, laying on Jack's bed, using Will's lap as a pillow. "I'm trapped." Will said a little ruefully.

"Completely unintentional, I'm sure," Jack said, pacing the cabin. When the crew started to return Jack left to deal with them, not returning until they were heading back to open waters.

"Well," he said, collapsing next to Will in the only space left on the narrow bed. "The Pearl's crew is all accounted for, but we only got Elizabeth's Mad Mary back. He said they have not beheaded a lord anyone, but there's a few of her men that wont hesitate to turn her in anyway."

"So what's the plan?"

"Find the other Ely the Gent and turn him in, effectively clearing Elizabeth's name and collecting five hundred pounds."

"You say that like it's so easy."

"He's out there, I'm betting. Maybe he took the name from Elizabeth, maybe she took it from him. In any case, there are obviously rumors circulating about a second Ely. We just have to separate one from the other, and when we do, we'll find this man." He stroked Elizabeth's hair. "You know this was her fault from the very beginning when she stole that medallion from you. Nothing but trouble ever since."

Will smiled. "I know. I wouldn't change it though."

"Neither would I."