Part Three
A/N: Sorry this took so long to update. My internet was down for five days, then I got it finished on my laptop and brought it down here to update and my internet crapped out again! It turns out our first fix was just a temporary solution to a bigger problem. But alas!here it is, finished for you! A note about last chapter: Sorry if I may have confused some of you with the whole Will being selfish, Jack's not. I didn't explain it (duh on my part!). The reason behind the madness was that Will's intentions were solely for himself and his father. Jack made it seem like his plan was going to benefit everyone. Sorry for the confusion! Well, here it is, the last part. Happy Reading!
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Sunlight streaming through the window was the first thing he awoke too. Then the sounds of the crew bustling about on the deck brought him to full consciousness. For a moment, he forgot about the previous night's events and shot upright in the cot. The room tilted dangerously for a moment as pain stabbed his head and his chest. His breathing sped up as he gripped the edge of the cot, willing it all away.
When the room righted itself once again, he pulled himself to a standing position and made his way over to the door. He was pleased to find that his body hurt less than it did the night before, though his ribs still pained him a fair amount. It was much easier to move about as the cuts had started to heal and scab over.
He made his way over to the cabin door and pulled it open to see the crew shuffling about. Some going about with their normal chores while others were preparing boats. Stepping out into the bright sunlight and on the deck, the movements stopped as all turned to look at him. He became keenly aware of just how bad his battered body must look, especially with nothing to cover his top half. Swallowing thickly, he looked around at all the faces that were plastered with concern and awe. None of them had seen him, many not even knowing the extent of his injuries. No one had expected him to be awake and walking on his own so soon.
That was how Jack, Elizabeth, Norrington, and Gibbs found him as they came up from the ships hull. They emerged upon the deck to find him standing just outside the cabin, the center to the silent crew's attention, clad in naught but his breeches. The whip marks on his body had healed well since yesterday, though the dark bruises over his cracked ribs had not faded in the least. His face was flushed, though whether it was still from the fever and burns or embarrassment, Jack could not tell. When those dark eyes met with his, they seemed to go cold and his body tense.
"Back to your duties!" Jack called out and the crew reluctantly turned away from Will. They set about their duties again, though a quiet murmur rippled through them, each giving their own thoughts to the new turn of events. Will, too, turned and made his way back into the cabin.
Jack left Norrington and Elizabeth on the deck while he and Gibbs entered the cabin to see Will sitting silently on the edge of the cot. After the door was closed, he looked up, though still remained silent. Gibbs went over to the table, searching about for another flask of water and the bandages he needed to wrap Will's chest. Jack, however, made his way to where the young man was sitting and knelt down beside him.
"What are you doing up?" He reached a hand out to feel Will's head, wanting to check the progress of the fever. Will, however, jerked his head away and glared at Jack for a moment. Seeing the confused and hurt look, Will's glare relented and he gave into Jack's ministrations.
"You are going after the chest soon, aren't you?" Will took a long draught from the water flask, answering Jack's question with his own.
"Yes, though that doesn't explain why you are up and about. You are not to be going with us. You are to stay here, out of trouble where you can't do anything stupid." Jack gave him a meaningful glare, though it was lost on Will who stared down at him blankly. "You still have a touch of fever and you've only started to heal yesterday."
"This involves me just as much as it does you. I have every right to be there, to help." Will winced when Jack pressed on one of his sore ribs.
"That is why you can't go. You are of no use to us injured."
"I'm going! If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have the key." Jack froze at that, knowing that the kid had a very valid point. Looking back up into his eyes, Jack could see how desperate Will was to do this. A determined light shone in his eyes, one that said he would do something incredibly reckless and stupid in order to get his way. And from past experiences, Jack knew it wasn't beyond the young man to do so.
"You would defy the direct orders of your captain?"
"Yes. Please, Jack. I need to do this!" Jack just sighed and shook his head.
"Gibbs, bind his ribs and see to his other injuries." Gibbs nodded and started to gather up his supplies where he had dropped them on the bed. "You can go, but there are conditions. You will eat and drink before we leave. You will not be doing any thing other than walking along with us. You won't be carrying a weapon, for if we meet any danger you won't be fighting. And you will follow all other orders given to you. Is that understood?"
Will just nodded mutely as Gibbs began checking over his ribs before he bound them tightly. After a few more minutes of his ministrations, Gibbs stood up and handed Will a new shirt to put on as well as a new pair of boots. A tray of food was brought into the room and two sets of eyes watched as eagerly as hawks at every move Will made while he ate. When most of the food was gone, he was forced to drink another flask of water before he was allowed up and out of the cabin. Once out on the deck, he followed Jack to where the rest of the group was getting ready to climb down into the boats.
Will nodded at each of the group until he got to Norrington. He cast a confused glance at Jack who just smiled. "Will, meet the newest member of our crew, James Norrington."
"It's good to see you again, Mr. Turner", came the snide and sarcastic reply from dirty and bedraggled man standing next to Elizabeth. The look of disbelief on Will's face said it all. "Shall we?" Norrington gestured to where the boats were waiting before he started to climb down the rope ladder.
Norrington, Elizabeth, Jack, and Will were in a small boat with Ragetti and Pintel rowing. The boat next to them held Gibbs, Anamaria, Cotton, and a few others. The row to shore was made in almost complete silence, save for the mumbled debated between Pintel and Ragetti. Normally these debates amused Will, but he found his attention constantly drifting to Elizabeth and what he had seen last night. He knew he shouldn't be mad at Jack, especially when he didn't know the whole of the story, but all rational thought had fled his mind when they had kissed.
If anyone noticed the unusual silence and tension between the three, wisely no one said anything. It wasn't until they reached shore that anyone spoke. "Norrington, Gibbs, Will, and Elizabeth, you are to come with me. The rest of you are to mind the boats. If anything happens, get back to the Pearl and defend her. We will make our way back when we have the chest."
Jack climbed out of the boat, reaching his hand in to help Elizabeth out. Gibbs then climbed out followed by Norrington. Will was last, knowing that all were watching him, waiting for him to slip up or look weak. He stood up confidently, willing his vision to clear, and climbed out of the boat, ignoring the hands that had extended to help him. They waded ashore and up the beach, until they had come to were they had found Will the previous day. Elizabeth pulled out the compass and watched as the needle whirred around, jumping from Jack to Will, then back again.
Growling in frustration, she tossed it over to Jack and scowled. A smile just upturned the corners of his mouth as he tried, but he found that it only pointed at the beautiful woman next to him. Closing it, he tossed it to Will. If anyone would be able to locate it now, it would be Will for he was solely focused upon the chest and keeping his promise to his father. Will caught it with ease and cleared his mind. He knew all about the compass, so knew he needed to get thoughts of all else but the chest out of his mind. Looking down, he watched as the needle whirred about until it stopped, pointing to the west, leading into a dense forest.
Everyone else followed his gaze and nodded. Jack led the way, followed by Will and the compass. Elizabeth was in the middle while Gibbs and Norrington took up the end of the line. It was cool in the shade, and almost completely silent save for the squawks of birds and the rustling of small animals in the underbrush.
Will never took his eyes from the compass unless it was to cast a glance around at their surroundings. Every once and a while, when his concentration would slip, the needle would spin, pointing back to the beautiful woman traipsing through the jungle behind him. If she noticed his glances back to her, she didn't show it. When this would happen, Will would shake his head and think of his father once again.
After about half an hour of following the jungle path, the needle whirred and pointed off north again. "Jack!" Will stopped in his tracks as he saw the small path that led off from the one they had been following. It was well hidden, swerving around trees and covered almost entirely with underbrush. If one wasn't paying attention, they would have missed it completely.
Everyone drew up at Will's voice. Jack spun around; a look of concern flashed across his face but was quickly masked. He walked back to Will and peered down at the compass, then followed Will's gaze down to the path that led northwards. "Good job, Will. Off north we go!"
They followed the new path for about a mile before the dense forest opened up to a valley. Ruins of white and grey flagstone were littered all over the valley. Two pillars lined the path opening; the great archway once in place lay in shambles yards away. A tall building, decrepit and barely standing, was off to one side with a small river trickling through, leading to the waterfall on the other side. It was peaceful and blessedly quiet save for the rush of the water, the land undisturbed and untouched.
Will followed the compass, carefully stepping around the rubble. The others stayed behind, opting to look around the area, searching for any present dangers. Jack kept a close eye on Will as he maneuvered behind him, eagerly anticipating the discovery of the long sought out chest. Elizabeth sat down upon part of the once magnificent archway, earnestly watching the men that had torn her heart in two. Gibbs, too, took a seat upon a chunk of stone, though his mind was on nothing else save the heat and the flask of rum in hand. Norrington seemed to be the only other besides Jack that was on alert, scanning the surrounding trees and the abandoned building for anything that may move.
The compass in his hand ticked east for a few paces, then turned him south. Will followed the curving path, zigzagging around the random obstacles littering the ground. He was unaware of the eyes upon him, his sole focus was on finding the chest that would buy their freedom. As he was walking north, suddenly the compass spun towards the south. Growling low in his throat, Will spun quickly on his heel and headed back the direction he came. After two paces, the needle whirred north again. Back and forth, Will paced over the same spot until he found himself lying flat on his face in the dirt.
Jack watched amused as Will followed the compass's direction, curving around the shambles of rock, traipsing back and forth across the valley. When Will started pacing back and forth across the same spot, Jack sat down up the nearest rock, waiting to see in which way the compass would finally lead him. He could tell by the sweat trailing down the younger man's face and the lines etched around his eyes that Will was tiring. He was about to suggest, or rather order, Will to take a break and drink some water when the kid fell flat on his face. Jack jumped to his feet, calling his name, believing that he had collapsed from exhaustion.
"Will!" "WILL!" "Turner!" "Where did he go?" All four of their voices rang out at the same time. Jack stood up from the rock and quickly stalked over to the downed man. Elizabeth screamed his name as she ran over the valley, heedless of anything else. Norrington just stared at the spot were Will had been walking, face devoid of any emotion save curiosity. From where Gibbs sat upon the rock, sipping his rum, things were pretty funny; Will disappearing suddenly from sight, Jack jumping up with concern on his face, Elizabeth screaming and running towards the other two, and Norrington staring with a small curious grin on his face. It was only an after thought to his alcohol-absorbed brain that the kid could be hurt, or have worn himself to exhaustion. Thinking this, Gibbs got up and rushed over to where Jack was leaning down, peering at something in the tall grass.
Will shook his head and looked around for a moment, trying to discern what had happened. His ribs burned with a fire, and his head throbbed in time with his heart, but other than that, he seemed other wise unharmed. Gently rolling over onto his back, he peered up at the sky for a moment, watching the grey clouds rolling in while trying to will the pain in his body back into submission, when Jack's face appeared in his line of sight.
"You okay, mate?" Jack knelt down by Will's side and let his gaze do a quick once over, checking for any sign of new injury. Seeing none, he reached his hand down and helped Will into a sitting position, leaning against a large piece of stone behind him.
Raking his gaze over the ground, Will saw the scuff on the toe of his boots and a small, innocent looking rock not far from him. He cast a scathing glare at it for a moment, before he looked up at the sound of rushed footsteps. Elizabeth came rushing over, her face alight with worry, and for a moment, Will allowed himself to be moved by her concern. Gibbs was closely on her heels, breathing heavily as he came to a stop near where he was. Norrington was a few paces behind, seeming unconcerned and rather bored with the whole situation save for his piercing gaze that continuously darted about.
"I tripped." Will motioned to the small rock before a small grin split his face. Jack handed him the water flask and watched as he took a few swallows, then returned it without a word. He picked up the compass and cleared his mind once again. As the picture of his father's face, eyes full of sorrow and worry for his son, drifted into his mind, the compass suddenly snapped closed.
Will looked up, startled. Jack, however, smiled widely and pointed to where Will was sitting. "We're here."
They all looked at the ground around them, looking for the tell tale signs of where something would have been buried. As Will shifted his position against the stone, intending to stand, he heard a slight creak. Quirking an eyebrow, he looked down at the ground he was sitting on then realization struck. He quickly scrambled off the area and they began to dig through the grass until they uncovered a board. When they tried to lift the board, however, they found it to be stuck under the large stone.
Growling in frustration, Will began pushing on the rock, hoping to move it enough so they could uncover the hole. Gibbs and Elizabeth quickly joined him, but Jack's hand quickly landed on Will's shoulder. "I said you were not to work. Move!" When it looked as if he were about to protest, Jack cast him a withering glare and moved passed him to help the others.
Finally, it rolled away, revealing the wooden planks that covered a shallow hole. Eagerly, they pulled up the planks, tossing them carelessly to the ground until they revealed a large chest. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they hauled it out of the ground. It looked like a normal chest any ship would bear, save for the initials engraved on the top. 'D.J.' It was enough to make a shiver scuttle up Will's spine, but he nevertheless pulled the top open to reveal letters and journals, drawings and random pieces of jewelry. All normal things one would keep of their lover, or get rid of after their lover had left them. Sifting through all of the contents, though, revealed a smaller chest in the bottom. It was a fair amount larger than a trinket box and intricately carved with mysterious sea life and a gleaming silver lock fasten of a crude looking crab in the shape of a heart.
Jack grinned as he pulled out the key and slid it into the lock. All held their breath as he turned the mechanism, hearing the clicks of the bolts moving to allow them access to the contents inside. When the last bolt slid away, Jack slowly lifted the lid revealing a beating heart inside. While Jack smiled triumphantly, Will quirked an eyebrow in curiosity. Elizabeth looked confused and partially terrified and Gibbs and Norrington looked almost awed.
"Well, let's get this done so we can be rid of him." Will reached down to his belt to retrieve his knife, only to find it missing. Looking up at Jack, it dawned on him that Jack had different plans for it. "Why?"
"Sorry mate, but killing him isn't in the best interest of all of us." Jack looked at Will, hoping that they wouldn't have to bandy with words here. He just wanted to get what they came for and leave, they could deal with everything else later.
"The best interest of us or the best interest of you!" Will glared at him accusingly. "I led you here. I brought you the key!"
"If we kill him now, who will control the Kraken?" Silence answered Jack's question and he could see the spark of reasoning flicker in Will's eyes for a moment before the determined light drown it out.
"And what of my promise?"
"It was a promise you had no right to make." Elizabeth stepped up to Jack's side. "You shouldn't have made it so lightly, not knowing what others planned to do with it. You are being selfish Will, you never thought of anyone else."
"Selfish? Selfish! The only reason I ever agreed to do this for Jack was because he said it was the only way to save you! Can't you see? I did all of this for you." Tears pricked in his eyes as he looked at her. She never knew. Never would have known if he hadn't told her. Taking a deep breath, he turned to where Gibbs and Norrington were standing, only to look around confused. "Gibbs, where is Norrington?"
At this, they all cast a look around the valley though he was nowhere to be seen. They were closer to the other side of the area, near where the forest met the decrepit building. He could be anywhere they realized. Will was about to call out for him when they heard shouts and calls coming from near the building.
"He's here." Jack closed his eyes for a moment then looked back up at the others. "We need to get out of here now!" He reached down in the chest and pulled the heart out, nonchalantly stuffing it into the interior of his overcoat as one would place a letter of importance or a bag of shillings. The look the others cast him was shrugged off as he said, "We need it to ensure our safety. Now let's go."
"What about Norrington? We can't just leave him here." Will declared as they stood up, and once again cast a look around the valley. The shouts and cries of Davy Jones' crew steadily grew louder and louder as they rapidly approached upon their position.
"Yes, we can. Now move it Will!" Jack began to push him forward but Will resisted. Just then, a gunshot rang out clear in the air, followed quickly by a muffled cry of pain. Jack watched in horror as Will's face crumbled in agony as he sank to the ground, blood blooming on his shirt near the shoulder.
"Go." Will pushed himself up and started to stumble along, back towards the path. Gibbs and Elizabeth ran passed him when they realized that Jack was trying desperately to help Will run along.
"Go back to the Pearl and tell them to make ready to sail." Elizabeth pushed Gibbs forward as she turned around and made her way back to Jack and Will. She slung his injured arm over her shoulder as she wrapped her arm around his waist. Together they drug him to the jungle path before he collapsed. "Come on Will, get up. Fight this! You are not going to die here."
"You need to get back to the ship. I'll be right behind you. Make the ship ready to sail, get aboard with the heart. I'll hold them off until you are ready." Just then, on the other side of the valley, the pirate crew of Davy Jones broke through the tree row, led by Norrington. Will glared, but Jack and Elizabeth didn't notice what he saw. "I'm slowing you down. Go!"
Will snatched the sword from Elizabeth's side and forced himself to his feet again. "No, I will not leave you again! Please, don't leave me." Her voice was pleading as she looked into his eyes, hoping he would understand.
"You don't need me anymore. Just promise me you'll do the right thing when the time comes." Jack nodded, but Elizabeth shook her head, not willing to let him risk his life for her again. With that, Will snatched Jack's sword as well, then rushed back into the valley.
"No! Will!" Elizabeth tried to run after him, only to be stopped by Jack. She turned cold eyes upon him, but was only met with love.
"He's right. We have to go. He'll be okay in the end, you'll see love." Jack pulled her along after him as they ran down the jungle path, not stopping until they hit the beach. Just a few yards down the shore, they could see the outline of the Pearl where she was moored in the shallows.
Jack looked at Elizabeth to see tears streaming down her cheeks. She cast a sorrowful look back at the forest before she stated coldly, "You sent him to his death." She took off running again, with all haste, towards the rowboats.
Gibbs was standing near one of them, shifting nervously when he saw two figures running post haste towards them. Sorrow welled in his heart when he noticed that Will wasn't there. As Jack and Elizabeth neared, he could see the tears on her face and the unshed ones in Jack's eyes. Silently, he cast a prayer for Will, hoping he found peace, before they loaded the boats and started to head back to the Pearl.
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As Will rushed into the valley, he locked eyes with Norrington. While a few of the pirates stooped down to retrieve the chest, the others came rushing towards him. The ones with the chest fled back the way they came, making the group charging him less by three. Carefully gauging how many there were, Will decided that eighteen healthy to one injured didn't sound like a very fair fight. Turning on his heel, he fled through the woods.
His flight was slower than it normally would have been, but he was making progress nonetheless. The beach was just coming into sight when he heard the footsteps behind him grow closer and closer. Chancing a glance back, he saw how close they actually were. When he looked out at the beach, he had seen the small outline of the rowboats as they rowed back to their ship. He needed to buy them more time so they could safely board.
Once he broke out onto the beach, he turned around and swung his two swords at the nearest pirate. The squid like creature shrieked as it stumbled back a few paces, crashing into two of its comrades, knocking them to the ground as well. Two more came charging at him, the first blow aimed for his head was blocked, before he spun to thrust one sword through the second's abdomen. As the first pirate attempted to swing at him again, Will quickly dispatched it of its sword arm, and then its head.
Creature after creature rushed towards him, until finally Norrington stepped forward. At first, Will thought it was so he could call off the attack; that was until he raised his sword. "Let's see, Turner. How well can you fight me?" As Norrington moved, Will was sharply reminded of his first encounter with Jack and fervently wished he had a pistol on him.
Will backed up the beach a few paces as he continued to parry blow after blow the Commodore dealt him. He knew his strength was waning and he wouldn't be able to fight them off for much longer. Now that he was here, he wondered how he would escape, wondered what Jack would do were he in the same situation. That thought was briefly cut short when Norrington knocked one of his blades out of his grasp. It went flying through the air, gleaming brightly in the sunlight before it landed in the sand.
Down one weapon, Will readjusted his grip on his remaining sword before he charged at Norrington. The blow was easily deflected, but it gave Will a few more seconds to contemplate his plight. If he fled, the pirate crew would most likely catch him or worse, reach the Pearl before the heart could be dealt with. If he stayed here, however, he would either be taken prisoner or killed, neither of which particularly appealed to him. Deciding he had no other choice Will charged headlong at Norrington with desperation written all over his countenance. He charged for Norrington's unprotected left side, and as he moved to protect it, Will switched hands and jabbed for the right.
Unfortunately, Norrington saw the move and was able to block it quickly. Will's movements had been just a tad too slow and a tad too early, giving Norrington enough time to deflect it. The sword had ended up in Will's injured arm and the vibrating of their swords connecting sent a painful jolt up his arm, causing his grip on the weapon to falter. A sinister laugh left Norrington's lips as he thrust he sword into Will's unprotected abdomen.
"And you thought you would win." Norrington shook his head in mirth as he ripped his sword free. With no strength left, Will fell to the ground, landing hard on his back. Closing his eyes for a moment, he forced himself to breath, though it suddenly felt impossible. When he opened his eyes again, he was looking up into the other man's cold eyes. "You should learn never to tamper in someone else's relationship."
"That's not why." Each word in the sentence was punctuated by a sharp intake of breath that seemed altogether too inadequate.
"You're right. This was the only way to ensure that the likes of you and Jack no longer exist. With his heart, Davy Jones will have to cooperate with the East India Trading Company or perish. Either way, we gain control of the seas." Norrington looked too smug standing there and it irked Will to know that this man was insulting his friend. As he moved his head slightly, a glimmer caught his eye. His sword was lying very near his head so he slowly moved his hand towards the hilt.
Norrington's attention was elsewhere however, as he continued to speak to Will as if they were long time friends. "It is such as shame what you have done to her. Elizabeth used to so proper, now she is no more than a whore for pirates. Shame she will have to perish just like the others, but if I can't have her the way I want, then none shall have her at all."
Rage built up like a towering inferno inside of Will as this man dared to talk that way about the woman he loved. With lightning fast moves, Will grabbed the hilt of the sword and swung it, catching Norrington in the back of the leg. As he fell, Will glared at him with the promise of death swimming in his eyes. "I only wish she knew what you were really like at heart." Will spat before he swung the sword again, relieving Norrington's body of his head.
The commodore's body fell lifelessly to the ground and for a moment, no one moved. The pirates seemed confused as to what had transpired before they began to stalk up to the injured man. Will just swallowed thickly and readjusted the grip on his sword as the enraged pirates edged closer.
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As the boats were halfway to the where the Pearl lay anchored, Jack and Elizabeth cast a sorrowful glance back towards the beach. A flicker of hope could be seen in both of their eyes as Will came rushing out onto the beach, fighting the other pirate crew with all his strength. The rowers, too, were distracted by the fight on the beach and their progress stopped. They all watched in amazement as creature after creature was cut down by Will's blade. That's when Will's fortune took a turn for the worst, however.
Out of the crowd of pirates came Norrington, his self worthy strut carrying him with confidence where Will was barely standing. Jack and Elizabeth looked on in horror as Norrington dealt blow after blow to Will, who fervently blocked them. Much to their horror, they watched as Norrington struck again, this time though, one of Will's swords flew up in the air, catching the sun for a brief moment before it fell to the ground.
To Jack, it looked like a beacon calling for help from a ship lost in a storm. He knew Will needed help, but if they went back, they were opening themselves up to the attack and could possibly lose the heart. Looking around him for a solution, he saw a thick fog creeping over the waters, heading straight for them, just like the storm clouds in the sky above were beginning to hover over them.
"It's Jones." Jack's whisper broke Elizabeth's concentration on the fight as she followed Jack's gaze. She couldn't see what was shrouded by the fog, just knew he had to be right by the cold, ominous feeling that suddenly swept through the air.
As she turned back to the beach, she saw Norrington stab his sword through Will. "NO! WILL!" She tried to lunge out of the boat as she watched him fall to ground. Jack's hands, however, stayed her movements as he pulled her close.
"No. We have a promise to keep. We can't let him down, Lizzie." At his strained voice, Elizabeth turned to see the tears glittering in Jack's eyes. But behind the tears shone a determined light as he pulled the heart out from his jacket.
The rest of the crew in the boats looked on in disbelief as the beating heart was laid down upon one of the seats. The fog started to creep closer and the wind picked up. Jones' was getting closer to them; they had to be rid of it now. Jack pulled out Will's knife and let a small smile breakthrough as he poised it above the heart.
Casting a look towards the beach again, he watched as a sword came up from the ground and cut the back of Norrington's legs. The Commodore's legs crumpled and as his body fell, the sword struck again, decapitating the traitorous man. Will was still alive! That move, however, would cost him as the rest of the pirates began moving closer, weapons poised for the kill.
Jack turned back to the heart and raised the knife when a hand stopped his movements. He looked up at Elizabeth in confusion until she wrapped one of her hands around his where it was holding the knife's hilt. Together they drew the knife up high then plunged it down into the living, beating muscle.
A sharp shriek filled the air, the winds picking up as the clouds above them roiled. The thick fog cleared away and they watched as The Flying Dutchman came into sight. It kept creeping closer and closer until ripples began to surround it. Large tentacles shot out of the water and coiled around the evil ship, breaking it in half as it was pulled under the waves.
Jack and his crew held onto the sides of their small rowboat as the waves knocked them about. For a moment, they forgot about Will and his dangers on the beach until more shrieks took up in the howling wind. All snapped their head towards the shore again to see the pirate crew as they crumbled to the ground then altogether disappeared.
That relief was hardly lived, however, when Gibb's voice broke through the howling winds. "We've only condemned ourselves. What of the Kraken?" Jack closed his eyes as if forgetting of the terrible monster that would now wreck havoc on the open seas.
Shaking his head, he said, "We go back to shore. Will is still alive; we need to get him. We will worry about that later."
At this, Pintel and Ragetti turned their small rowboat around and started making their way through the wind and waves back to the shore. Their progress, however, wasn't fast enough for Jack as he took off his overcoat and belts then jumped into the waves. His head popped up a few yards in front of them and they watched as he swam to the shore.
As he was swimming, a loud groan filled the air and the water rippled precariously. Jack chanced a look back and watched in amazement as the Kraken started to rise up out of the water. The groaning continued to get louder and louder until it went eerily silent. The winds stopped and the ocean stilled as the beast suddenly exploded. Parts of tentacles and teeth flew everywhere, though only one body was cast out of the dying beast. It floated face-up in the water passed the small rowboat.
Gibbs and Pintel reached down and pulled Bootstrap's body into their boat. He was dead, that much they could tell, but the curse of Davy Jones had been lifted. No barnacles or other sea creature inhabited his body, nor did he look as old and gaunt as when his son had seen him. He looked like he always had, the same way they had last seen him as they had thrown him overboard.
Jack continued his swim towards the shore, ignoring the bits of the Kraken that floated passed him. Once on shore, he ran up and collapsed at Will's side. For a moment, he thought he was too late, seeing the kid's eyes closed and his breathing shallow. When Jack brushed the younger man's cheek, the dark eyes fluttered open and a small smile broke out on his face.
Looking down at his wounds, Jack grimaced. They were serious. The wound on his shoulder still bled freely as well as the wound where Norrington had stabbed him in the middle of his abdomen. He pulled off his vest and placed it firmly on Will's stomach, casting a quick glance out at the ocean, watching as the rowboat inched closer and closer. Hurry up, he thought, row faster. Please! No amount of thinking though would make them get there any faster, so Jack turned his attention back to Will.
"Looks like you did the right thing." Will chuckled slightly, before he closed his eyes in pain.
"It was only because of you." When Will opened his eyes again, there were tears shimmering there, ones he was trying desperately to keep in check. Jack knew what was coming next, but was helpless to stop it. He would listen to the dying man's last thoughts, knowing there was little else he could do for him.
"I'm sorry, please tell her." Will coughed lightly, his breathing strained as he fought to stay awake. "I shouldn't have left her."
"You saved her. You saved all of us. Don't belittle the gift that you have given us, Will. Your father would be proud. He is proud, wherever he has found peace." Jack watched with growing dread as a small amount of blood tainted Will's lips.
"Do you love her, Jack?" When Jack closed his eyes and nodded his head, Will smiled. "So did I. Does she love you?"
"She loves you more, she told me so last night. I was just a passing thing, like the wind in her hair. You are the one that holds her heart." Jack cast another glance out at the waters; the boat was just coming ashore. Elizabeth was hastily climbing out and running up the beach.
"Not anymore." Will closed his eyes and murmured quietly, "Tell her that I love her."
"You can tell her yourself, just fight it for a few more moments." Jack watched as she neared them. His eyes urged her to hurry, but his heart knew she was already too late.
"Take care of her for me. I love . . . her." Will's voice faded as his last breath rushed out of his lungs, his head falling to the side where it was propped in Jack's lap.
Jack closed his eyes and let a tear slip down his cheek when Elizabeth fell into the sand next to him. He couldn't look at her, knew his resolve would break and he wouldn't let that happen, yet. She sobbed softly as she framed Will's face in her hands.
"Will? Will, please. Open your eyes. Please." Her tears fell freely onto his lifeless face as she sobbed uncontrollably. Gibbs, Pintel, Ragetti, and the others came up just in time to hear her whispered pleas to her dead lover. "I love you, Will. I'm so sorry." Her head dropped down until her forehead rested upon his. Closing her eyes, she brushed her lips lightly across his in a gentle kiss. "I love you."
When she looked up, trying to control her emotions, she saw Jack. He sat their silently looking out at the ocean, tears quietly slipping down his cheeks. Gibbs, too, was shedding a few silent tears while the others looked deeply sorrowful. Will's head was still gently cradled in Jack's lap, his one hand still resting on the wounded stomach, while the other lay gently upon the side of his head.
Laying her hand atop of Jack's, she whispered softly, "Jack?" He turned those sad onyx eyes on her and she could clearly read his loss. "What do we do now?"
"We bury him at sea. He once told me that was where he felt the most alive." Taking a deep breath, he adjusted the man in his arms as he stood. He cradled the lifeless body close, Will's head resting upon Jack's shoulder as if he were merely sleeping. Then, he silently made his way to the rowboats.
When he reached them, he looked down and an odd sorrowful smile crossed his face. There lay Bill, finally peaceful in death, looking as he always had. Though the usually warm eyes were closed in eternal rest, Jack could clearly remember the life and happiness that once sparkled there. The same look he had seen so many times in young Will's deep brown eyes. It only seemed fitting that father and son should finally be laid to rest together after being separated from each other for so long. He would not deny them this, no one could.
Very gently, he climbed into the boat still holding Will close. Gibbs climbed in next; he would bear Bill's body for the ride. Elizabeth sat next to Jack; her head resting upon Will's the entire ride, letting her tears fall silently. Ragetti and Pintel rowed the boat back to the Pearl, not once saying a word.
Once upon the deck again, the crew bustled about to make the ship ready to sail. The sails were hoisted and the anchor pulled back up. Soon, they were back out on the open ocean, sailing into horizon where a bright red sun was setting. Jack stood alone up on the quarterdeck, thoughts wandering aimlessly. He watched the solemn crew as they bustled about quietly, performing their duties as if nothing had happened. But one look at their faces gave their feelings away. Sighing, Jack turned his gaze back to the sunset. It was almost completely below the horizon when there were two bright green flashes. They only lasted a split second a piece, but the crew had seen them and knew that two souls had found peace at last.
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A/N: That's the end! I hoped you all like it! Just so you all understand, it heard it said that it was an old sailor's belief that the only time a soul can transition world's is at sunset and that when it happens a green flash appears on the horizon in the setting sun. Hence why the crew saw two green flashes, Will and Bootstrap going on to another world and finding peace. My wayof creating a semi-happy ending after a tragic ordeal. Well, I hoped you liked it. Don't forget to leave a final comment, it will help feed my muse for my next story. Thanks again!