Dead Men Tell No Tales

Disclaimer: I write about pirates and the things that they do. Their life can be rough but adventuresome too. Disney still owns Jack and Will Turner. When I figure out how, I'll be their new owner.

A/N I hope you enjoy this chapter, I have to say I really enjoyed writing it. Please read, review and tell me what you think. I can't believe I have been writing this for over a year. Of course my updates have been slow, I am sorry for that. I really love this story and I am attached to Jack and Jem. I have to admit Jem was my beta's idea, I love my beta. I want to thank all of you for your wonderful reviews. I want to thank my beta. She informed me this is my best chapter yet, I have to believe her because she knows her stuff. I usually put my notes at the end, but I just had to let everyone know how much I love writing and how much I love hearing from you and how much I love my BETA. Even if you have never read my story, read this chapter, it will make you laugh. Please enjoy and please review. Life is way to short.

Let's Get Married

Hours had past and I was snuggled in my bed, dreaming about skeletons, when a hand clapped over my mouth. I woke with a start and I saw William standing over me.

A curious look crossed his face as he looked down at me and Jem then he placed a black sack over my head. He picked me up and shoved me over his shoulder. I tried to yell but my mouth would not work. I felt myself being taken out onto the deck and deposited on a hard wooden seat and then my feet and hands were tied.

Will removed the sack and a sudden rush of sea air settled in around me. As I looked around I saw Jem sitting on a similar chair and she like me had been tied up.

Will smiled at the both of us as he motioned for the crew to gather around. He looked down at me. "Ready to get married?"

I shook my head in shock as Elizabeth passed him the bible.

"Will, Elizabeth have you gone mad? What on earth are you doing?" Jem asked as she squirmed to get untied.

Elizabeth went over to her and placed a white veil on Jem's head and Kat placed a beautiful bouquet of flowers into her lap. Then Elizabeth waltzed over to me and placed a black tie around my neck. She pulled out a large comb untangled my hair and pulled it all back into a braid. I was going to object but then I decided to go along with it.

"Dearly beloved---" Will grinned as he looked at all the mates.

"Will, stop it right now!" Jem was now yelling at him.

Will pulled my sword from my belt and pointed it at Jem's neck. "We have gathered here today to witness the bonding of this pirate to this pirate."

"Will," I interrupted. "It is traditional for the bride to stand next to the groom during a wedding. I'm not sure what the etiquette is about holding a sword to the bride's throat, but I'm going to go out on a plank here and say it's not quite savvy. Especially when it's the groom's sword."

Will withdrew the sword tip from where he had pressed it against Jem's neck and handed it to Elizabeth. "Now I want the both of you to listen to me. I'm sorry for the sword Jem. I had to do something dramatic to make you pay attention."

"Err alright William; you may be on to something. You got my attention." Jem looked up a Will and then over at me. "How much has he had to drink?"

"Shall we continue," Will said, as he pushed our chairs together and untied our hands. He placed Jem's hands into mine. "Jack hold on to her and don't let her go. You two are going to get married." Will winked at me and then glared at Jem.

"No we shall not. I did not tell Jack I would marry him." Jem tried to pull away but could not.

I looked at her and gave her an evil grin. "Don't pull that, you said you would and anyways you lost the bet. I am a better swimmer than you and we are now on The Pearl." I looked up at Will. "William, please untie the both of us so we can stand to say our vows."

"Jack no, I cannot marry you. What would my father say?"

"Jem, I could care less what he had to say. He is no threat to me and I want you to be my wife."

"Very well then," Will completely untied the both of us. Elizabeth stood behind Jem and held her still. Will smiled at Elizabeth. "Now where was I? Oh yes, as the midnight blue water of the seas flows eternal, so shall the love of these two people."

Will looked directly at me and nodded his head toward Jem. "Jack, do you take this fine woman to be yours?"

"I do." I said grinning over at Jem.

"No he doesn't," she said moving away from Elizabeth and hitting me with the flowers.

On the main deck a collection of men began to laugh. "Captain you sure picked a lively one. Do you want us to hold her?"

Will rolled his eyes and looked at me. "Jack, do you promise to stoke her guns and her guns only?"

"I do." I repeated gently pulling her over to me until I could pull her no farther.

She glared at me. "No one stokes my guns without my permission."

I laughed, "I'd never think of stoking without your express consent Luv."

"Jack," Will continued. "Do you promise to hoist no other mainsails than hers?"

"Oh for crying out loud." Jem now smacked Will with the flowers. "This wedding is ridiculous! I never said I'd marry you Jack!"

I took the flowers out of Jem's hand and tossed them back to Elizabeth. I turned to Will and answered his question. "Aye, I do so promise."

"Good," Will now directed his eyes on Jem. "Jem do you take this man to be yours?"

I clasped my hand together and turned to Jem. "Please don't say anything stupid."

She glared at me and then at Will. "No, I most certainly do not. I would never marry a man who doesn't listen to me."

"Aw, sweetheart, don't break me heart" I grabbed her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze.

Will looked at Jem. "Do you promise to climb no masts other than his?"

Jem looked at Will and her mouth dropped open. "I am beginning to think you have been with Jack a little to long. I can't believe you even said that." She grabbed the bible out of Will's hands. "Did you really just say what I think you said?"

I smiled at Jem and my legs felt like they were going to collapse under me. Her eyes were almost luminescent in the glow of the oil lamps and the moonlight. I leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "Well do you promise?"

She pulled back and cleared her throat. "Well, I'm not saying no to that. In fact, I'm starting to think that that might be a good idea, although…"

She looked into my pleading eyes and then at Will. "I'm sorry, Will. I want to talk to Jack before we discuss terms of marriage."

Will just smiled at her and continued. "Do you promise to load his guns with your finest powder?"

"William Turner you are deranged. This has gone on long enough I think the both of you need psychological help. Elizabeth please talk some sense into your husband."

"I'll take that as an aye, shall I?" Will beamed at me and I nodded my head yes. Jem yelled "No!"

"Aye," everyone else on board yelled back.

"Then by the powers vested in me by being the captain's first mate on board The Black Pearl, I pronounce you pirate and pirate, bound together so long as the sun rises and the moon sets. Or until you kill one another, whichever comes first."

"Yarr!" Shouted the crew.

"Ye can kiss your pirate bride," Will looked at me. "Anything else you want to do is up to you two."

I ran my thumb over her chin, tilted her head back. The warmth and desire in her eyes called to me. I wanted her. I pulled her close to me. My head was spinning. I kissed her my lips tingling, my body demanding hers. I started to skim my finger down her neck and along the swell of her breast when I heard.

"Jack…Jack…what are you doing?"

All of a sudden I felt the pain in my gut and I remembered the day's events before. I opened my eyes and I could see the moonlight spilling in through the window, I gazed at Jem as she lay looking at me.

Nestled against my side, her head in the crook of my shoulder, her hand curled just below my pounding heart. Her eyes fluttered up at me. "What are you doing?" She asked again softly.

"Watching you sleep."

"Sure you are Jack." She took my hand and removed it from her breast. "Aren't you tired?" Sighing, she snuggled closer to me.

"I can't sleep, I have to much on me mind."

She yarned. "I should probably get back to the helm. You have been through a lot and you need your rest." She started to stir and pull herself away from me.

"No stay a little longer." I pulled her back and she did not give me a fight.

She started tapping her finger on my chest. "Jack Sparrow, I don't want you misbehaving."

"Depends on your definition of misbehaving Luv." I rubbed my bare feet on her smooth calves.

"That there seems like misbehaving to me."

"What if I do this?" I kissed her lower lip, and then began to nibble on her ear. "Fair warning Jem, I've fallen in love with you. I know this isn't the best way to say it, or even do it, but I can't help myself. You're all I can think of. You make me happy and I just want to be with you. If you'll have me, I'll do my best to make you as happy as I am."

She now sat up and her eyes were bright and full of emotion. "Jack Sparrow!" she cried out.

I looked at her with alarm. I did not expect her to sit up and yell. "Err, Captain Jack Sparrow if you please."

She pulled me up off the pillow and threw her arms around my neck. "How could I refuse such an offering of your heart?"

My eyes began to water and I started to cough. Little did she know she was choking me. "Does that mean… yes?"

"Yes Jack that is exactly what it means. When you are able to get out of this bed and stand on your own two feet we will be married."

My eyes grew wide and I jumped out of the bed. "Rum for everyone!" I yelled. Then the pain gripped me, I looked down at the bandages and they were soaked with blood. I began to feel dizzy at the sight of me own blood and I lost consciousness.

XXXXXX

When I woke I saw Jem sitting on the floor in front of a chest full of jewels. She had a blanket draped around her; her clothes were still strewn on the floor beside her. I thought about letting her know I was awake and how much I loved her and how much I wanted to make love to her, but I decided to just lay there and watch her.

She just sat there going through the trunk and then she pulled out an old leather bound book and started to write in it. I moved slightly to get a better look. The pain shot through me and I moaned. If she heard me, she gave no indication, she just sat there writing.

Finally I couldn't take it anymore. "Jem, what is it you are writing? Your memoirs? Are you writing about me?"

She turned her head and gave me her beautiful smile. She then turned her body around to face me. She remained on the floor but now she had one leg raised, resting her wrist on her knee and gazed at me. "Yes, you could say that." She closed the book and dropped it back into the chest.

I inched myself up in the bed and laid my head back on the wall. I looked up at the ceiling and watched a small spider building a web above me.

"Jack, what are you thinking?" She asked.

"How funny life is. You think you have it all planned out, that you know what you want, then just like that'---I snapped my fingers---"you don't know anymore."

She stood up and came over to me. She took several strands of my loose hair and tickled my nose with it. "What don't you know, darling?"

I looked at her and then I looked around the cabin. "Let's see there is much I don't know. I would like to know what the future holds for you and me. My ship I fear is crippled, and you and I both know I am not in the best of health." I hit my stomach and then I winced. As I moaned the small spider fell on me and I noticed the web was broken.

"Now that was stupid." Jem laughed and sat next to me. She saw the spider and killed it.

I pulled back my lip and looked at her. "Easy come, easy go hey?"

"Jack it was only a spider."

"Yes but the spider has a family, a large one I am sure. You see my dear I know I love a woman whose father wants me dead and somehow she got possession of me ship. I have two beautiful children and…"

"Three," Jem said nonchalantly then she looked into my dark eyes. "I'm sorry you are correct, two. Did you know that Raven had a twin brother and I had named him Jack? I named him after you."

"Yes and I was informed that he had died in child birth and he almost took you with him."

Jem returned to playing with my hair. "As you were saying, you have two daughters…" she prompted.

"Yes," I looked at her for a long time before I continued. "One is a beauty and all the men want her attention and then the other." As I spoke we heard Raven's cry. "The other, has a set of lungs on her that won't quit. I can see why your father did not want to keep her."

Jem scooted up against me, laid her head on my shoulder and stretched her arm carefully around my stomach. My chest tightened at her touch. She skimmed her fingers along my side and then rearranged the bandages. Sighing, she snuggled closely against me. "My father appreciates family Jack, so he could not take your daughter. I must admit Raven is a nuisance."

"Jem!" I looked down at her. "You are her mother; you should not say such things."

"If I can't, who can?" Her eyes flickered at me and her lips tilted up into a smile. "Jack, you worry too much. The Pearl is damaged and we are currently limping around to the far side of the island so we can fix her. Now I should go tend to Raven, it is not fair of me to shrug my motherly duties onto Elizabeth and William so I can lay here with you."

"I will go with you." I attempted to move but the pain was excruciating and I yelped.

"Jack you have to take it slow." She wound her arms around my neck, pressed her body against mine and kissed me softly. Raven screamed again and Jem pushed herself off of me. "I'm sorry darling, but you will have to wait here."

She stood up and put on her clothes and then looked over at the large wooden chest. "Jack in that chest are many of the jewels from the Treasure of Revere. My father, due to his misfortune and our good luck, did not take it off the ship. So you see, you got what you wanted from the very beginning."

"Jem, how did you get the ship?"

"My father wanted me to have it."

"He did?" I looked at her skeptically. "Why, prey tell?"

Jem went over to the desk, picked up a crystal bottle, dabbed a few droplets of expensive perfume behind her ears and smiled at me. "Alright, I stole it. Does that make you feel better? I stole it for you my Luv."

"Jem please, don't play games with me, tell me what happened. The last I saw of you, you were on Justin's ship. I saw you fighting beside William and then you disappeared. The ship eventually exploded and I feared you had gone with it. My fears were not worthy of thought after I found out about Raven, but then I heard you had jumped ship."

"Yes Jack, I went with Will and Justin to get you but while I was fighting with Will I was attacked and stabbed. I began to bleed and I felt I was going into labor. It was too soon, and I did not know what to do. I doubled over in pain and I decided for the safety of myself and the baby I would go below. I felt like a trapped animal waiting below the deck so I lowered a boat off the side. I felt it was a safer place to wait. I did not go far. I saw what my father did to Justin's crew and to you and Will. I really did want to help you but every time I felt I was better I had another contraction. I cursed the babies inside me when I saw Will kill his father. I couldn't believe Will killed him. He killed his father for you, which says so much about William. Of course when Barbossa blew what was left of Justin's ship out of the water it threw debris everywhere and it hit my small craft. For some reason I thought you were on The Pearl but later I found out you were blown up with Justin's ship. When I woke up I was on James Norrington's ship. He had captured The Black Pearl. In my father's defense The Pearl was damaged and she had to be hauled in to the nearest port."

"Aye, I can see that but I would never let Norrington claim her." I gritted my teeth as I said his name.

"James had witnessed what had happened and he was not the slightest bit upset that you and William were gone. He was lenient and let my father continue to stay on The Pearl even though she was in tow behind us. He was taking all of us to Port Royal to hang."

"I understand you tried to bribe him with treasure?" I gave her a questioning look.

"Norrington was kind to me and he offered to let me live. He wanted my company but I could not take his advances. I did try to bribe him but he would have none of that. All he wanted was me. I tried to kill him several times. That is when he tossed my crew into the brig and took to tying me up. He saw me as his toy. I spent many days and nights shackled to his bed. I was tied to his bed the night I went into labor. I screamed for help but nobody came. Jack it was horrible. I was so alone and I hate to say afraid. When I woke up I was lying on Norrington's bed and my father was with me. I guess Norrington thought it wise to have my father close by in case I died."

I could feel the rage building in me. "Damn Norrington hurt you and he kept you tied up like an animal. Did he touch you? Did he rape you? I'll kill him."

"Jack please, I am a pirate. I can take care of myself and as far as killing him, Will already has."

"Did he?"

"Yes, Will killed James."

"That is not what I meant. Did James rape you?"

"Jack, you already know the answers so please stop. You really don't want to hear me say it. Now, it is true I did throw myself off of Norrington's ship to save The Pearl and the crew. The water's were rough but I knew I could swim to The Pearl and if I couldn't well then I couldn't. I knew I was not going to stay with James and I knew I was not going to do the hangman's jig."

"You thought nothing of leaving your daughter motherless?" I raised an eye at her.

"Jack, do you ever think about leaving your daughter's fatherless? Pirate."

I closed my eyes and shook my head. "Point taken."

"I did make it to The Pearl and I remained hidden for quite awhile. I wanted to save The Pearl and I wanted to get revenge on my father. I believed you and Will were dead and he thought I was. Norrington's men searched and searched the water and as they did so my father and The Black Pearl got away. Norrington is not the brightest man around but he really did want me."

"Jem, you could have died!" I motioned for her to come back to the bed but she sat down in the chair at the desk.

"Jack, I thought you were dead. What did I have to live for? Sure, I had Raven and Jack, I mean…"

"I know what you mean." I looked at her, longing for her to come over to me so I could console her.

"Jack, all I wanted was you and you were gone. Life without you was meaningless." She looked over at me and I could see the tears running down her checks.

"But as fate would have it, my father did pull Ragetti, Pintel, One Eyed Joe and Peg Leg Chester out of the water. He was surprised they had Raven with them. He heard that my final wish was to give Raven to you if you were alive, or to Elizabeth Turner. He did not want her for she was noisy and female, so he sent Ragetti to the island of Santa Maria to take our daughter to Elizabeth. Shortly after that he found out you and Will were still alive and that you had somehow gotten yourself free from a small spit of land inhabited by ugly women?"

"ARRG! They were more then ugly. They were…I don't even want to remember that."

Jem smiled, "Fine, we will talk about them some other day."

"No, Jem I will never mention them again. Please tell me how did you get the ship?"

"Well, after my father heard that the two of you were alive he decided to send an antidote to Will. I didn't even know Will had been poisoned but obviously he had been for my father sent a boat along with his monkey to find Pintel and Ragetti and to give him a letter and a bottle for you. Before the monkey left, I managed to put my necklace around his neck. I told him to give it to you. I can only assume he did, since you had it around your neck. I wanted to let you know I was still alive. Did it work?"

"Well yes and no Luv. I could not believe that you were dead but we did have a fine funeral for you. Please continue."

"I stayed in the hold for a long time living with the rats. I wanted to check the lay of the land." Ravens scream echoed over the ship and Jem covered her ears. "My father truly did think I was dead and the baby was driving him crazy. Lord I wish she would be quiet."

"I thought you said Barbossa gave Raven to Pintel and Ragetti to give to me?"

She looked at me confused, "I did. I'm sorry; Raven's crying is distracting me."

Jem got up and started pacing the room. "Like I said, I laid low for awhile to watch and see what Barbossa would do. I grew sick and weak living below the ship and eating rats. I needed some real food and fresh water, so one night I went up on deck to find some. As I wandered the deck I fell due to weakness. Barbossa found me lying next to the helm. He took me and The Black Pearl to another one of his beautiful homes and to another woman. I have no idea how many women or wives my father has. To my surprise Jack, she was beautiful. She and he nursed me back to health. He asked me to stay with him."

"And you said, yes?"

"Well yes I did. I had my reasons."

"Jem, you knew I was alive and you said YES?"

"Jack, he is my father after all and I am his blood. It wasn't like he ordered me to stay. He really did ask."

"Great, well obviously something changed because you are here. Do I have to look over my shoulder to see if he will be attacking me again? What is it you had to give him for you to get The Black Pearl and for you to be here with me?"

"Jack."

She looked at me, placed her gun and sword into her belt and headed for the door.

"Jem, I asked you a question? What is it you had to give him or did you really steal it back?"

"Jack I did answer you. I told you, his blood runs in my veins and I am his daughter. I promised him I would stay with him and I would carry on the name of Barbossa. I am his daughter, I am a pirate and, needless to say, I am dishonest just like he is. I could not hold to my word. I was missing you, I needed you. I gathered myself a crew and I took the ship. He will not be coming after us."

Jem walked over threw everything back into the wooden chest and closed it. "Needless to say, I once again crossed paths with Norrington and his fleet and they followed me here. They decided to take it upon themselves to destroy the island and to take on The Pearl. I am sorry, I would not have shot at you if I had known you were not the enemy."

"Jem, back to Barbossa, what makes you think he won't come after you or The Black Pearl?"

"He won't Jack." She sat down on the old chest and leaned forward toward me. "Jack, he was there when our children were born. He took care of me and of them. He truly does love me. I know he does, I felt it. He is my father Jack and maybe due to a sense of honor or maybe just deep down in my heart, I felt I owed him something. All he wants… all he wanted was…he wants me to be happy."

She waved her hand into the air. "He wants the name of Barbossa to live on and it will. You see you have your ship, I have you and..." Raven's cry reached our ears again.

"And what? What?"

"Jack, I really should go, this is not fair to Will and Elizabeth. I have to agree with Elizabeth, we really should not have any more children. You and I are rotten parents."

"Jem, speak for yourself. Tell me about our son."

She looked at me startled and then looked at the floor. "What of him, I named him Jack after you. He died two hours after he was born. He was small and his heart just couldn't make it." She glanced at me, "I am sorry."

"So you held him and you held her at the same time?"

"Yes Jack, I named them at the same time also."

"That is not what I was told." I narrowed my eyes on her. "I was told he was born dead."

"Well you were told wrong my Luv. He was born after Raven. I held them both and then I took on a fever. I was sick for many days. When I woke up there was only one child alive and it was Raven, now I must go."

She stood up and walked over to the bed. She gently laid one hand on my head and the other on my chest. "When you are felling better and you can stand by your self, then and only then can you join me at the helm. Then and only then will I marry you and then and only then you can have some rum."

"Jem please," I wasn't finished and I did not want her to leave.

"Very well then." She pulled out a bottle of rum, pulled the cork out, took a swig and gave me the bottle.

"Jack Sparrow I love you with all my heart and I want you to know I would do anything to make you happy and to be with you."

"Anything Jem?"

"Yes, anything," she bent down one more time and kissed me passionately on the lips. Before I could wrap my arms around her to pull her down on top of me, she was out the door.

TA FOR NOW

Lovely Raven Sparrow