Greetings all! Here is the last main chapter to this story...the only thing left to do now is the epilogue, and hopefully you won't have to wait as long for it as you have for these last few chapters. Again, my apologies for the delays, and I thank you for being patient.
Chapter 23: Final Showdown
The guards at the main entrance of the warehouse eyed Jack warily as the pirate strolled casually up to them, seemingly unperturbed by the presence of the assault style weaponry the men carried with apparent ease.
"The name's Captain Jack Sparrow, mate, and I was wondering if you could tell me where I might find an old comrade o'mine by the name of Barbossa---tall fellow, bad teeth, feathery hat, has a fondness for apples?" His friendly, golden tooth grin didn't fade when one of the guard rolled his eyes and caught him by the arm. "Oi, easy on the goods there, if you please." Jack sputtered as the other guard slid the metal doors open a few feet as the first roughly shoved the dark eyed man through the opening, prodding him forward with the business end of the rifle. Jack eyes swept the building as he moved forward toward the long car, his gaze hardening when they encountered Michael, who strolled over to meet them halfway with a triumphant expression on his still slightly bruised face.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Jack Sparrow, a miracle waxwork come to life." He smirked as he came to stand face to face with the glowering pirate. "At first I thought it was just an amazing look-alike Jo hired to pull a prank on me, but when I heard your voice and saw the surveillance video, I came to the conclusion that something truly amazing had happened."
"I came to a conclusion about you as well, Michael---you're a dickless mama's boy who gets his jollies by beating up on helpless women in order to feel manly. I wouldn't even keelhaul a worthless bastard like you…your carcass would sicken the fish." Jack only grinned when Michael swore and hit him with a right cross. Michael stepped back and cursed, shaking his injured hand. Jack realized that he might have spoken a bit rashly, but boldly continued to taunt his adversary anyway. "What…haven't had much practice intimidating a real man before, you bleedin' fop?"
Michael just laughed and nodded at the guard, who sucker punched Jack in the stomach with the but of his gun. "We'll see who's intimidated once you see what's in store for you, pirate. Oh, and if you're thinking of trying to take me down, don't bother. Barbossa needs me alive and well, so if you value your hide you won't touch me. " He straightened his collar and tightened his elegant tie. "Speaking of touching, you might be interested in knowing that the last time I saw your girl, she was flat on her back underneath our mutual friend . I must say, the bitch didn't look too happy about it either, poor thing. Mmmmm, it makes me hot just remembering that." Michael evil chuckle was cut short as he stepping back when Jack lunged at him, held back only by the rifle pointed at his chest.
"Be warned, Dixon…..once I finish my business with Barbossa, you and I will finish this. That's a promise, and Captain Jack Sparrow always keep his promises." The pirate's cold eyes were full of hatred, and Michael smirked, trying to hide the shiver that ran through him at Jack's deadly words. "Now if you don't mind, I've a bit of parley-ing to do with my former first mate, so make like the good little lackey you are and tell 'im I'm awaiting his pleasure, ay?"
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Meanwhile, a dark figure slipped silently through the shadows of the loading docks, his CO2 powered tranquilizer rifle held tightly to his broad chest. The former Navy Seal also carried a Beretta with several spare clips and several silent weapons that he would use without hesitation should the need arise. Max wasted no time in taking out the first guard, who slipped to the ground unconscious without making a sound, as had the second. He tossed a rock against the metal wall near the office door, and when the 3rd guard came to investigate, he took him down after a brief but satisfying scuffle.
Pulling out a pencil thin flashlight, he sent a signal burst of 3 brief flashes into the night, and a few moments later the two women emerged from the grass lot. The trio entered the building and slipped up a short flight of stairs to the main office. Holding the flashlight in his teeth, Max quickly made short work of the lock. Glancing up, he noticed Bethany watching him, one eyebrow raised suspiciously. "I didn't think they taught lock-picking in the Navy."
Max only grinned and opened the now unlocked door, stashing the tools back in his pocket. "They don't. It's just one of the many handy talents I've picked up here and there."
Misty and Bethany exchanged glances and grinned. "I've always admired men who are good with their hands." Misty murmured as they moved into the office, locking the door behind them. Max smirked but said nothing as he moved to the long window overlooking the nearly empty warehouse. Spotting Michael and Jack, he turned back to the women, who were busy unloading Misty's satchel. "Michael is taking his frustrations out on our friend, ladies…..you'd better make with the mojo pronto if we want him back in one piece."
Misty had already cast a circle of salt around her makeshift altar and had made a cleansing pass with her smoking incense sensor. Invoking the presence of the elements, she took up Michael's nametag that Bethany had retrieved from his desk earlier that day and placed it on her pewter pentacle. She lit a charcoal tablet inside her small cauldron, then gestured for Bethany to be seated opposite her. The two women joined hands, then closing her eyes, Misty began to speak.
Lord and Lady of Moon and Sun
Spirits of fire, earth, water, and air
Let thy will and mine be one
I beseech thee, grant now my prayer
Evil to this plane is bound
Darkness seeks to vanquish light
Let for wickedness no sanctuary be found
We seek your aid in this noble fight
As these words of power are spoken
We sever the ties of blood that bind
Let this dark-wrought spell be broken
Release bound spirit, body and mind
As I will it, so mote it be.
As she spoke the final words, Misty and Bethany flung up their hands to release their combined energies. Picking up her athame, Misty made a swift cutting gesture on all sides of the nametag before casting it into the burning cauldron. There was a noticeable change in the air, and Bethany could almost swear she heard a psychic scream of rage as the plastic smoked and melted. Dismissing the circle, the women took several deep breaths before crawling over to where Max waited at the window. An amused expression crossed his face as he turned to them and cocked his head in a "see for yourself" gesture. "I may have been a bit skeptical before, but I'd say your prayers have been answered. I think it's time I joined in the fun."
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Michael watched with sadistic glee as a guard punched Jack in the jaw while a 2nd held him from behind, followed by another punch to the gut. "Not so cocky now are you, Sparrow? Well, you'll be crowing soon enough, especially when I'm plowing between Jo's sweet thighs and showing her what a real man is like." Jack snarled and was struggling to reach for his hidden pistol when the door of the limousine opened and Barbossa emerged, dragging a bound and struggling Jo with him.
"Now, now, Dixon, that's no way to be greeting our guest. It's not sporting to be hitting a man that can't hit you back." Turning his attention to his fellow pirate, Barbossa grinned, cocking his head arrogantly as he acknowledged his nemesis's presence. "Ahoy there, Jack…why, it 'pears you haven't changed a bit in o'er four centuries since we last crossed blades. You're.still the same runty scallywag I marooned on that godforsaken island on two separate occasions, and on neither occasion did you oblige me by dying. Well, you can be sure I won't be making that mistake again. Now stop that!" Barbossa growled at Jo, who was kicking him and fighting to get to Jack. He jerked her in front of him by the arm and backhanded her hard across the face, releasing her to sink in a limp heap of satin skirts on the cold concrete floor.
Jack looked down at her tearstained face and locked down his growing rage. "You've got what you wanted, Barbossa…I'm here at your mercy, so take your revenge. Just let the girl go."
"Now Jack, why would I be wanting to do a fool-hearty thing like that? You're a sly fox, a damned good pirate through and through, and if I was to let this pretty bird go, there wouldn't be anything stopping you from slipping out o'your cage and flying after her. I admire your taste, boy….she's beautiful and spirited too. Breaking her will take time, and that's something I've plenty of. Besides," Barbossa grinned, reaching down to run his fingers through Jo's short curls. "T'would be a shame to let go of something so fine…waste not and all." A moment later he was howling as Jo turned her head and bit him on the hand. He retaliated by pulling her to her feet by her hair, kissing her brutally and laughing when she choked and gagged. "Oh, I like this one, Jack….she's much more lively than Turner's bitch." Still chuckling, he pushed her down again, and followed that action up with a brutal kick, the brunt of which was luckily absorbed by her skirts. Barbossa turned to Michael with a grin. "It appears you got your wish, lad….broken and on the ground, just like you wanted to see her. Maybe I'll let you have a taste o'her once we're through with Jack."
Jack was about to leap to her defense when he felt a strange current of energy pass through him that made his hair stand up on end. From the expression on Barbossa's face, he felt it too, and it made him uneasy as well. Michael made a strange sound, and they both turned to see him swaying slightly and clutch his hand to chest, his face suddenly quite pale in the dimly lit warehouse.
"The spell….something's happening with the spell…" Michael choked out, lowering his hand and howling as he looked at his left palm, where the slash made by Remy had begun to bleed copiously, running down his arm and soaking into his expensive suit.
"Bind his wound, fools, else he'll bleed out a'fore we're through here!" Barbossa growled at the two stunned guards, who quickly glanced around for something to wrap the wound with. Rolling his eyes, the older pirate stepped forward and pointed at Jack. "Remove his belt and use his bloody sash---he'll not be needing it any longer."
Jack cursed and fought the guards, hoping to prevent Barbossa and his gang from noticing Jo, who was edging backwards with crab-like slowness while their attention was on him. She happened to glance over to her right and froze, spotting the handle of a dagger hidden in the pirate's left boot. Before she lost her courage, she slipped the slim stiletto from its hiding place and secreted it in the folds of her skirts as she continued to scoot silently along the floor back towards the limo.
The timing of the next sequence of events couldn't have worked out better if they had been choreographed by an expert. The guards had removed Jack's belt and were about to remove his faded sash when the sound of running footsteps and gunfire distracted them long enough for Jack to break free. Abandoning Jack, the two hired guards took off after Max, who quickly took them down. Hearing the shots and fearing for both his life and his job when one bullet cracked the supposedly bullet proof glass on his door, the limo driver hit the gas and took off. Barbossa reacted immediately by reaching down and grasping Jo by the hair, pulling her up to use as a shield as Jack removed his pistol from its hiding place and held it to Michael's head.
"Seems each of us has what the other wants, doesn't it, mate? What say you let go of Jo, I'll let this puny excuse for a man live and we'll be square, savvy?" He looked at the bleeding man beside him and raised one eyebrow. "Looks like Dixon here is in a bad way….you'd best come to a decision quick like, old man. Do we have an accord?" Jack was cool as a cucumber, although inside he was desperately afraid---the gutsy artist that he loved was in a perilous position.
"Oh, aye, I've come to a decision, Jack…..I've decided that this piece o' fluff isn't worth bedding for revenge on you after all, so I'll just send you both to hell right now and be done with it, damn your accord!" He placed one hand on Jo's forehead preparing to twist and break her graceful neck but stopped suddenly, a stunned look on his face. He stumbled back, releasing Jo as he looked down at the dagger sticking out of his belly, the dark blood shining wetly as it quickly soaked into the faded black fabric of his coat.
"In art school I had to study human anatomy, and if I'm correct I just spitted your liver, shit for brains! You cut my friggin hair, asshole….and ain't payback's a bitch?" Jo snarled as she stepped back as the pirate fell to his knees. "Oh, and one last thing….you're a rotten kisser." She spit on him contemptuously as Jack strode over to join her, removing a brace of pistols and the cutlass from the mortally wounded pirate's belt. He used the sword to free her bound hands before kissing her briefly but hungrily, as if assuring himself that she was all right. Stepping back, he unwound his sash and handed it to her with a gesture towards her swaying former employer.
"Best take care of Dixon 'fore he bleeds to death. I was going to kill the bastard but I'm sure the authorities are going to lookin' for the ones responsible for this mess. Being that I'm not too fond of lockups meself, I'd rather it wasn't you, love." Picking up his belt from the ground where the guards had dropped it, he rebelted it in place, grinning at her and nodding in a friendly manner as Max and the two women converged on the scene. "Ladies, I am in your debt. Fine spell work, though hopefully it's the last I'll ever experience, unless you 'ave a spare love potion you need testing out." Jack winked saucily. "Think you lot can handle getting this prat fixed up? No need to be gentle…he did punch me, after all."
Turning to Max, he grinned and reached to shake hands. "Right nice timing there, mate…I'm looking forward to sharing tales of past exploits with you at your leisure." His grin faded slightly and his voice lowered. "Think you can get them out of here? I have some business to conclude with my old ship mate, and it won't be pleasant." Max nodded, and Jack began to make his way toward the fallen pirate.
Jo remained behind as Misty and Max hustled a half-conscious Michael towards the doorway as Bethany went to secure the unconscious guards for apprehension. Jack still held Barbossa's cutlass in his hand and was stroking it almost reverently. She caught his arm and stopped him a few yards from the pirate, who had fallen onto his back on the concrete floor. "Jack?" she questioned softly, concern evident in her voice.
"You shouldn't be here for this, sweet. I'm going to make him pay for what he's done to you. He put his filthy hands on you, and I intend to relieve him of them." His demeanor was hard, his voice gruff with unrelieved tension and fury as he looked at his enemy, who lay helpless before him.
As much hatred as she had for Barbossa, Jo was still horrified at his intentions. "Jack, no! He's already dying, lover…..I hate him too, believe me, but what you're suggesting is…well, gross and too mean even for you. I already have his death on my conscience, Jack…..don't add accessory to torture to that burden. Please Jack, for me?"
Jack stared at the dying man for a long time before he raised his eyes to the teary eyed woman at his side. She had been through hell in the past few days, he couldn't bear to put her through any more anguish. With a sigh and nod, he acquiesced to her relief, and slid the blade into his belt. Her face fell as she saw him pull out the pistol which he had tucked in his shirt while removing his sash, and looked at him with hurt in her eyes.
Jack sighed and rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to shoot him, love….I'm going to give him the gentleman's option of eating a bullet or bleeding to death, same as he done me on more than one occasion. It's the pirates way, poppet…..all part of the Code. Run along now and let me say me farewells to the bloody rotter, ay?"
With a sweet smile, she threw her arms around his neck. "Have I told you lately that I am the luckiest damn woman on the planet and that I love you with everything that I am, Jack Sparrow?" Placing her hands on either cheek, she pulled his head down and kissed him passionately, before releasing him with regret. She looked at him for a long moment before stepping back with a sexy smile. "Don't be long….as I recall you still have some serious making up to do to me, and if you don't hurry I might just have to start making a new wax man. Maybe I'll try Antonio Banderas…he's kinda cute."
Jack growled and lunged at her as she giggled and evaded his arms, heading toward to door where Bethany waited. Turning back to the pirate, his face became solemn as he and his former first mate gazed silently at one another. It was Barbossa who finally broke the standoff.
"Well, Jack, I guess you've managed to do it again---walk away with nary a care in the world while I die. Oh wait, that's right, you did manage to dangle at the end of the rope for a bit, now didn't ya? They just don't train executioners like they used to, more's the pity."
Jack merely smiled. "You keep forgetting one very important thing, mate."
Barbossa snorted. "Not that "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow" claptrap again? Go ahead and shoot me now, if you please…better that than have to listen to you talk about yourself."
Jack's smile widened and he crouched down next to the dying man. "Not at all, mate…I was just gonna say that you forgot that a man will go to extreme lengths to protect his treasure. Besides, much as I'd enjoy it I can't shoot ya….promised Jo I wouldn't, and Jack Sparrow always keeps his promises. So, here ya go," he placed the pistol in Barbossa's hand with a cocky grin. "One shot, just like you gave me. It's Saturday, and I reckon that there won't be anyone here until Monday at the earliest, so I wouldn't count on being rescued. Don't wait too long, or you won't have the strength to pull the trigger. It's more than you deserve, but I gave my word." Getting back to his feet, he turned his back and walked toward the door, away from his past and toward the future with the woman he loved.
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Jo and Bethany were discussing the particular of Jo's kidnapping and subsequent rescue as they walked away from the warehouse when they heard the echo of a pistol shot. Both women flinched and froze in place, looking at each other as they realized that a man had just died. They both turned back to look toward the warehouse, waiting expectantly for Jack to come through the doorway at any moment. Moments passed and there was no sound, no movement at all, and Jo became worried. Bethany tried to calm her, but Jo broke free and flew down the lane as fast as her silken skirts would allow.
Halting in the open doorway, she was relieved when she saw Barbossa's body and the familiar figure standing in the dim light not far from the door, a smile on his face and his eyes full of love and promise. "Jack, I was so worried….why didn't you come…." Her voice trailed off when she realized that he was too still……
"NOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
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Epilogue to follow……..(…it's not over by a long shot, so don't throw rotten vegetables at me just quite yet, folks!)