Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Bag

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Chapter 9: Once More Interrupted

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Will and I were manhandled into a little boat with another pirate who rowed us to the cave. Then, we were forcefully shoved out, Pintel leading the way.

"No reason to fret. It's just a prick of the finger, a few drops of blood." He said, morbidly cheerful. Twigg clapped a hand on either of our shoulders.

"No mistakes this time. They're only half-Turner. We spill it all and then we'll make on Turner!" He breathed in my face and I strongly resisted the urge to upchuck in his face. Not that I'm weak of stomach, mind you, bust just so he'd bathe for Christ's sakes.

"Guess there is reason to fret." I heard Pintel say to Ragetti as the other pirates pushed us forward. They made this whole big deal off things and I was to wait beside Will with another pirate making sure that I 'didn't do nothing funny'. Barbossa stood by two other pirates who held Will down. I prayed to God that Jack would hurry up. The pirates began chanting. If you can really call that chanting that is. It just sounded like they were repeating "Hoe!" over and over and over again.

"Beg your pardon." I heard someone say. I looked up and grinned. Speak of the devil.

"Begun by blood…" Barbossa began vividly.

"Excuse me."

"…by blood un-" Everything died down and Jack waved his arms to stop and silence them.

"Jack!" Will and I exclaimed at the same time. I felt a bubble of happiness swell within me. Or maybe it was just indigestion…

"It's not possible." Barbossa's yellow eyes were wide, as if he had seen a ghost. I nearly laughed. And he was supposed to be the cursed one!

"Not probable." Jack quipped. I grinned.

"Where's Elizabeth?" Will demanded. I tutted. Ever the child.

"She's safe, just like I promised. She's all set to marry Norrington, just like she promised. You get to die for her, just like you promised. And Ashlyn has been here for the ride, just like she promised So we're all men of our word really except for Elizabeth and Ashlyn who are, in fact, women." I rolled my eyes. What? Did I not have enough boobage to prove I was female?

"Shut up! You're next." Barbossa sounded like a spiteful child whose party had just been stopped. He leaned forward, the stone blade pressed against Will's throat. I smirked to see the bruises I had made had not faded away yet.

"You don't want to be doing that, mate." Jack suggested.

"No, I really think I do." Barbossa replied, his patience running thin.

"Your funeral." Jack replied in that infuriating way, shrugging to add to the affect. I saw Barbossa roll his eyes before standing upright.

"Why don't I want to be doing it?" He asked, clearly frustrated.

"Well, because," He swatted Bo'sun's hand off his shoulder, "Because the HMS Dauntless, pride of the Royal Navy, is floating just offshore." Jack made his way up towards the stone chest, "Waiting for you."

"Just hear me out, mate. You order your men to row out to the Dauntless. They do what they do best." The pirates chuckled and I rolled my eyes. Suck up, "Robert's your Uncle, Fannie's your Aunt, there you are with two ships. The makings of your very own fleet. 'Course you'll take the grandest as your flagship, and who's to argue? But what of the Pearl? Name me Captain, I'll sail under your colors, I'll give you ten percent of me plunder and you get to introduce yourself as…Commodore Barbossa. Savvy?" Jack was making the idea sound very attractive and I could see from the look on Barbossa's face that he was growing on it.

"I s'pose in exchange, you want me not to kill the whelp and the girl." Barbossa said expectantly.

"No, no, not at all by all means, kill the whelp and the girl." I stuck my tongue out at him. Traitor! "Just not yet. Wait to lift the curse until the opportune moment." Jack looked at the two of us. "For instance…" He scooped up a handful of the cursed coins. "After you've killed Norrington's men," The gold piece clinked down. "Every," Another. "Last." Another. "One." Another. And from the corner of my eye, I saw Jack slip the last coin up his sleeve before flexing his hand. I glanced at Will. He had caught on.

"You've been planning this from the beginning. Ever since you learned my name." Will narrowed his eyes.

"Yeah." Jack had a look of 'Well, DUH' upon his face.

"Wait," Barbossa turned to me, "Then, you're not a Turner?" I shook my head.

"Nope. I just didn't want to go for a swim." Barbossa growled before turning on Jack.

"I want fifty percent of your plunder, seeing the trouble this lass has given me." He jerked a thumb at me.

"Fifteen." Jack countered.

"Forty." Barbossa gave him a challenging glare.

"Twenty-five." He compromised. "And I'll buy you the hat. A really big one…Commodore," Jack grinned. Barbossa returned the gesture.

"We have an accord." And they shook on it.

"All hand's to the boats!" Jack announced. He then saw Barbossa give him a look of askance, "Apologies. You give the orders." And Jack did a little mock Chinese bow. I snorted.

"Gents!" Barbossa paused dramatically, "Take a walk."

"Not to the boats?" Jack looked particularly crestfallen. Will and I were forced to stand, though our guards had lessened to one each.

"Can I sit down?" I was answered with a snarl, "I'll take that as a no," I shrugged.

"I must admit, Jack, I thought I had ye figured. But it turns out that you're a hard man to predict." Barbossa said, giving Jack a slightly backhanded compliment. Jack was busy digging around the ten years hoard of treasure.

"Me? I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest." He threw a golden statue of Amida Buddha over his shoulder, "Honestly." He assured Barbossa, "It's the honest ones you want to watch out for, because you can never predict when they're going to do something incredibly… stupid." And he drew out another pirate's sword before kicking him in the ass and making him fall face first into the water. He tossed the sword at Will who moved his tied wrists awkwardly to catch it. Pushing his guard, he used another pirates blow to slice through his bonds. I kicked up, as high as I could and hit my guard in the face.

"Thank you!" I sang as Will cut through the rope around my wrist while dodging a plow from the bomb pirate, "Poppins, sai!"

"Yes, your strumpet-ness," I raised an eyebrow. It seemed Poppins witty remarks had made their return. I twirled the blades in my hand my hand before blocking and fighting off my guard. I laughed, countering his swipe and side kicking him in the stomach. I glanced over at Jack to see him slice off Barbossa's hat feathers,

"Ha, ha!"

Barbossa snarled and Jack dashed back and turned in time to parry.

"You're off the edge of the map, mate. Here there be monsters." I heard Barbossa say to Jack,

"Yeah, monsters alright," I shouted, "Monsters up your-" but I was socked in the face, "That wasn't very nice," I spat, flicking one of my sai at the pirate. It hit him, dead on the heart. He stumbled back into the moonlight and yanked it out. With a grin, he threw it back. I caught it, used the momentum to spin, and gave him a taste of my hook kick. My knee caught onto his neck and he went down. I looked over to see how Will was doing. He was busy fighting two other pirates. I rushed over to help him before feeling a cold yet searing sensation along my back. So this is what it feels like to be cut open. I thought mildly. I could feel the back of my shirt and bra become loose. The asshole had sliced open my back. Luckily, I had deposited Poppins next to the chest. Growling, I kicked the pirate in the nuts. He went down with a shriek and I was convinced he wouldn't pop back up anytime soon. I looked over my shoulder at my back. Crimson had bloomed over the creamy white fabric. I dropped to one knee, unexpectedly weak,

"Whoa there." I blinked a few times. It was suddenly hard to stay awake. I couldn't have lost that much blood. I pushed myself up and watched as Jack and Barbossa fought their way up the incline. Barbossa kicked Jack in the face and threw down his sword.

"You can't beat me, Jack." The said pirate thrusted and pierced Barbossa in the gut. With a sigh and a roll of his eyes, Barbossa took out the sword and stabbed him in return.

"Jack!" I screamed and I attempted to run over, the pirate, who was still lying on the ground in pain, grabbed my ankle. I land on my stomach. With a snarl I turned around and deftly cut off his hand. I watched with horror as Jackstaggered backwards into the moonlight. His body decayed and his clothes became rags, worn to threads by time. He studied his skeletal hand in the limited light.

"That's interesting." The gold coin filtered between his fingers. "I couldn't resist, mate." Barbossa exhaled sharply and making a rat like face, picked up his sword and tossed some treasure at Jack. They continued fighting and when they ran by me, Jack upset an end table, knocking it into me. "Sorry." He called back. I rolled my eyes and stood. I wavered on my feet but pressed on, running over to help Will.

"So what now, Jack Sparrow? Will it be it two immortals locked in an epic battle until Judgment Day and trumpets sound? Hmm?"

"Or you could surrender." I heard Jack offer before the fight proceeded.

"Arrrrrrr!" I heard a crack as he delivered a fist to Jack's face. He laughed as Jack skirted away. The smoking pirate chucked a bomb in our way,

"Hit the deck!" and I tackled Will into the freezing water,

"What deck?" he asked. I shrugged,

"I've always wanted to say that."

"Ashlyn!" He pulled his hand away from my back. It was stained with blood, "You're hurt!"

"I'm gonna teach you the meaning of pain." Isomersaulted out of the way, pushing Will, but he didn't budge. I refused to have my hide saved by Elizabeth.

"Do you like pain?" I rolled my eyes, "Try wearing a corset." Breathing was becoming harder; so was keeping my eyes opened. "Whose side is Jack on?" She demanded.

"At the moment?" Will mused. I didn't watch as they did whatever the hell they did. I leaned against the pile of treasure where the chest was, a feeling of nausea sweeping over me.

"No fair." And there was a small explosion. I rolled my eyes. Drama queens. Will dashed over to me,

"Ashlyn! You have to-"

"Go!" I shouted, pushing him with what was left of my waning strength. I looked up to see Jack cut his hand, clench the coin and toss it at Will. Barbossa pulled out his pistol and aimed at Elizabeth. "Get down!" she looked at me rather stupidly before seeing down the barrel of th gun. There was a shot and Elizabeth drew in a shuddering breath at the sight of Jack with his smoking pistol.I sighed in relief. Good, I thought, I can finally… Finally go… to sleep… My eyes closed and I felt myself drifting somewhere between conscious and dreaming. I could still hear people talking.

"Ten years you carry that pistol, and now you waste your shot." Barbossa sneered. A smile played on my lips.

"He didn't waste it." And I heard the deafening clink of the last gold piece falling into the chest.

"I feel…cold." I felt sympathy bloom in my heart. After suffering the curse for ten years, not feeling anything, all he finally felt was the freezing hand of death wrapped around his black heart. My breathing had become shallow and my eyes fluttered open slightly; all I could see was dark shapes around me,

"Wake up, you have to wake up," It was Poppins by my head.

"Ashlyn? Ashlyn please. Please don't leave." That was Will, sitting me up. I felt the sai slip from my hand.

"C'mon love," Jack had pulled me in an embrace, picking me up and moving me to a flatter surface.

"Bring… bring my bag," I said weakly. I saw him nod and Elizabeth brought my bag, closely followed by Will, "Go get your treasure Jack," I smiled, "I'll make them play doctor."

"Ashlyn," I ignored him,

"Poppins. Some ACE bandages. Some really, really long ones." The bag complied and Will helped me sit up. I removed my torn shirt and hissed. The fabric had acted as a bandage against the bleeding; the blood and dried somewhat and became sticky, like an adhesive. I took the ACE bandage and began to wrap myself, from my chest to my stomach. Will tried to help but seeing that he could hold me up and bandage me, he told Elizabeth to do so. Surprisingly, she didn't complain. I finally took the three little hooks and fastened the bandaging in place. I felt a little better and my head had cleared a bit. I heard Jack moving around, picking and choosing some treasure rather noisily. I grinned a little,

"I'll be fine. I just have to get to some water," and Will steadied me on my feet.

"We should return to the Dauntless." Elizabeth said.

"Your fiancé will be wanting to know you're safe." Ohhhhh, not smart young William, not smart at all… I splashed my face with some cold water. Jack and I approached Will.

"If you were waiting for the opportune moment…" Jack began, "That was it. Now, if you'll be so kind, I'd be much obliged if you'd drop me off my ship." I rolled my eyes and slung Poppins over my shoulder. We arrived to the little boat and Will rowed us out. The Pearl was no where in sight.

"I'm sorry, Jack." Elizabeth whispered. My brow creased. I felt rather bad for Jack and I held his hand. He squeezed back, but didn't look at me.

"They done what's right by them. Can't expect more than that." I turned to Elizabeth,

"I can't let anyone see me," She nodded.

"The Commodore has surrendered his cabin to me and won't bother me if I ask. You can bunk there."

"When we get there, get out of the boat love," Jack said, "And swim around back. I'm sure 'Lizzie here can lower a rope of sorts." I inhaled deeply and nodded,

"You don't mind getting wet, do you?" I asked Poppins softly,

"Don't have much of a choice but, yeah, I don't mind. Right before we got there," I carefully got out of the boat, not wanting to tip it over. I sucked in a deep breath as my teeth chattered. The water was freezing! I swam over to the hull of the Dauntless and clung to the rudder.

"Hey Poppins?"

"Yes?"

"What happens now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well," I fidgeted in the water, "It's almost over. Am I going to have to return home or what? As far as I know, there's no second movie." A rope dropped down into my view. And it was a good thing too. If I had stayed in that water any longer, I would've frozen my toes off. I'm telling you. Climbing up a rope is far more difficult then climbing down one. When I finally made it to the top, Elizabeth pulled me in and we tumbled to the ground.

"You should change your bandages," Elizabeth sniffed. I scowled. I wish Anna-Maria was here. Sitting up, I asked Poppins for some fresh clothes. The bag popped open and I pulled out underwear and a chemise. Elizabeth's eyes widened as I began shedding my clothes. Her eyes darted away and she turned around. I rolled my eyes. Prude,

"You're a girl too," I shot, "It's not that big a deal,"

"Well at least I have some propriety." She snubbed airily.

"Propriety my ass," I held the chemise up to my chest. "Help me bandage up will you?"

"You should apply some salve," she said quickly. Poppins popped some salve into existence without me asking. I laid down on the bed, hair swept away from my back. She gasped. I rolled my eyes,

"What? Can't handle the sight of blood?" I sneered,

"No," her voice was filled with amazement, "It's your wound. It's halfway healed,"

"What?" I turned slightly and reached to let my fingers skim my back. My eyes widened. It wasn't fully healed, but it wasn't a bleeding like crazy either. It was a little shorter, a little shallower and I glanced at Poppins accusingly,

"How did this happen?"

"Well," Poppins shifted uncomfortably,

"A talking bag?" Elizabeth gasped finally acknowledging it, putting a hand on my back to lean forward to get a better look. I hissed,

"Can't you shut up?" She saw where her hand was and hastily pulled it back,

"Sorry,"

"Go on Poppins,"

"Well," the bag huffed from being interrupted. "Seeing that you're not from this time and these waters have some magic to them, with the cursed gold and all, it's not a surprise that you heal faster."

"So," I frowned, "Only me then?"

"Yeah,"

"And it's because I'm from the future?"

"Kinda," I shrugged, not caring to think about it any longer,

"Go figure." I sighed. Elizabeth began applying the salve; she had gotten over her initial shock. After helping me with the bandages, she changed into a night gown her father had brought her and promptly went to sleep. I walked over to the Captain's office, which had a door leading to the bedroom where Elizabeth was. I found Will waiting there.

"Ashlyn," he smiled,

"Hey," I replied weakly,

"Is your wound?" he trailed off,

"I'm fine," I brushed it off, "Where's Jack?"

"In the brig," he sighed, "Norrington won't let anyone see him," I frowned,

"Will?" I played with the end of my sleeve, "How do I get off the ship?" Will took a deep breath,

"We'll be arriving in Port Royal in a few days. Maids come and clean the captain's quarters when the crew disembarks." He furrowed his brow in thought. "I'll smuggle you out. You'll have to hide in the smithy until you can escape with Jack," my heart stopped. Escape with Jack? I bit my lip. Did Jack even want me to come along?

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When we arrived at Port Royal, Will shoved me in a barrel and asked the Commodore if he could take this 'empty' barrel to put donkey feed in it. The Commodore consented and I felt a little bad for Will. He put me on a cart and after a good fifteen minutes, he tapped three times. The signal that I could come out. I came out and looked around. There was an immense pile of orders on a table. I glanced at Will. He sighed,

"I'm sorry I can't entertain you," there was an apologetic smile on his face, "But I have to complete these orders,"

"Its fine," I waved it off. My wound had completely healed and Poppins was on my back, grumbling about something or other; I didn't ask.

"If you want, you can sneak down to the cells to visit Jack tonight," I looked up from make a hole in the dirt ground with my toe,

"Really?" I beamed. It would be good to see Jack. He nodded,

"My room's over there," He pointed off to some door, "You might want to go in there. It get's rather hot when I'm working."

"I know that for sure," I replied slyly. He colored and I laughed manically as I waltzed off to his room. It was plain and simple with a wooden bed in the corner. I lifted the quilts to see one long pillow and two sheets awkwardly stitched together. I poked and prodded to discover that the two sheets held hay together. I sat down on the edge.

"Now what do I do?"

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Under cover of darkness, I dodged and skirted my way to the holding cells. There wasn't any guards. Good. I straightened and walked calmly over to the descending stairs. Tripping over my fat feet, I stumbled and fell down the stairs.

"Ow," I moaned, "Not again,"

"Who's there?" I looked up. In the candle light stood a single guard.

"I fell," I sniffed. The guard softened and stooped down,

"Are you alright miss?"

"Sucker," I grinned, knocking him out with my fist. "Jack?" I hissed.

"Aye?" I walked over to the middle cell, the same one he was in last time.

"Hey Jack," I smiled,

"Hello love," he grinned, "Just like old times, eh?" I laughed,

"Here," I pulled a loaf of bread and a small bottle of rum that I had nicked from Mr. Brown. His eyes gleamed in the darkness.

"Love, if there wasn't a gate between us, I'd kiss ye," and he devoured the bread. I frowned,

"Are they not feeding you?" he shrugged before taking a swig of the rum,

"Mr. Brown knows his liquor," Jack nodded. I rolled my eyes.

"They're going to hang you tomorrow,"

"Aye," he grinned, "Norrington's a bit sore that I escaped so easily last time," I snorted,

"Easily my ass,"

"Not for you, of course," he took another drink, "You were in a sheet," I narrowed my eyes,

"Shove it." We sat in silence, save for Jack's drinking.

"I meant what I said." He said suddenly. I raised an eyebrow,

"When?" He looked at me with those smoldering chocolate eyes,

"When we were in the crow's nest." I froze. I felt all pigment rush up to my face,

"Jack,"

"It's true. I only would've meant it if I was a scholarly man," I punched him through the weaving.

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Ha, ha. That was funny. Wow, we're just about done.