Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates.

Updates coming up might be slow. I have a few things to work out in the ending, which is coming fairly soon. "It's the most important part of the story, the ending."-Mort Rainey

But please keep up on reading and tell me your thoughts! Thanks for all your lovely reviews!

Chapter 20: Last Request

"Sparrow, wake up."

"I'd rather not," Jack mumbled.

"Get up, we've arrived," said Norrington sharply.

Jack sat up. He had fallen asleep? Gibbs and Ana Maria sat up as well and rubbed their eyes. Norrington unlocked the cells and ordered them to walk ahead of him. They all obeyed. Jack noticed his two crew members glancing furtively at him. He knew they were checking to see if he had a plan. He winked to reassure them, but the truth was, he had no plan at all. Everything he thought of had a flaw. But then something came to him.

"Commodore," said Jack, turning around abruptly to face him. "I was thinking, I know I'm goin' straight to the noose, but can I at least keep my dignity and not be 'anged in these 'ere clothes?" He indicated his Navy uniform. The Commodore glared at him.

"I was rather thinking the same thing. Wouldn't want you disgracing that uniform," He answered coldly. "And by the way, you're not going straight to the noose."

"I'm not?" Jack asked, taken aback.

"No," said the Commodore. "It is now nearing dusk. As much as I'd like to hang you immediately, you will all be hanged tomorrow morning, for all the town to see."

Jack felt a surge of hope. Now he had more time to think at least. He put his hands together like you'd do in prayer and gave the Commodore a small bow. Then he and his crew led the way to the room Elizabeth had stayed in, where their clothes were hidden. They walked into the room to change while the Commodore waited outside, though first he insisted on checking the pirates' clothes for weapons, which he found and confiscated.

"Great," whispered Jack, as he pulled the Navy clothes off himself. "I was rather 'oping 'e wouldn't take my weapons."

"Jack, do you have a plan or not?" Ana Maria whispered from across the room. She had her back turned to the boys and they had their back turned to her while they changed. Or at least, that's what Ana Maria thought until she considered who she was undressing with. "And don't you dare sneak any peeks, boys."

"I wasn't," Jack lied. "Me neither," Gibbs lied as well. Their eyes went quickly to the wall opposite. "An' of course I 'ave a plan," said Jack, slipping his shirt on.

"Well what is it, Cap'n?" asked Gibbs, pulling on his trousers.

"You'll see as it…unfolds," Jack responded.

"That's comforting," said Ana Maria sarcastically, putting her hat on. "Is changing our clothes part of your unfolding plan?"

"Not really," Jack answered as he slipped on his boots. "I just want a bit o' dignity is all. If I'm to be marched to the prison by a bunch o' bloody Navy soldiers, I at least want t' look like a pirate, savvy?"

"Hear hear," said Gibbs as he, too, put his boots on.

Elizabeth stood on her balcony. She had been standing there for about an hour, and night had fallen. Her face was tearstained. A warm night breeze blew.

"Elizabeth," Will said softly from behind her. She didn't answer him.

"I think you should go to bed," he said gently.

"I can't," Elizabeth said quietly. "We have to save Jack, Will. I can't just go to bed knowing he's going to hang tomorrow...and Gibbs…and Ana Maria." Her voice cracked as she finished. Will walked up to her and held her. She cried into his shoulder. He was not as worried as she was. He knew they'd find a way to get Jack out of this. He knew Jack had been in worse situations. Then he realized…these tears of Elizabeth's were not just tears for Jack, but tears for everything. Everything that had happened over the past few days.

"Jack's not going to hang," said Will confidently. "He'll get out of this, I know he will."

Elizabeth pulled away from Will, sniffing.

"Don't worry about me," she said with a small smile. "I'm just…an emotional pregnant woman."

Will's eyes smiled. "I would just go and get them out of there," he said, "but there are sure to be guards at Jack's cell." He walked into the room and sat on the bed. Elizabeth sat next to him.

"There's got to be a way," she said.

"I'll think of something," Will replied.