Thicker Than Water – Chapter Nine – Jack, You Idiot

Jack turned to his crew, still standing behind him. "I want everyone out searching for her! Find out anything you can about Dawn Elliot! Report back here later tonight," Jack shouted. The crew dispatched and Jack started walking to the nearest tavern. He needed a drink. No, he needed rum. Lots of rum.

After his third mug, Elizabeth Swann came barging into the tavern. Elizabeth was Jack's other newfound friend and almost love interest. Turns out she had just been trying to kill him, though.

Elizabeth rushed over to Jack and shouted in his ear. Taverns in Tortuga were loud from all of the crashing glass and shouting.

"I had to check every tavern in Tortuga to find you! I've got information!" Elizabeth shouted.

"What! You've got constipation? There's nothing I can do about that, love." Jack said, and turned back to his drink.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and grabbed Jack's arm. She dragged him outside, where it was much quieter.

"Jack, you idiot, I said I've got information."

"Oh."

They were silent for a moment and then Elizabeth sighed, "Would you like to know what it is?"

Jack waved his hand carelessly, "Do tell."

"I found Dallin Elliot, Dawn's brother. He works at a Tavern down the road." Elizabeth's eyes softened and she hesitated. "Jack, Dawn was shot after destroying the map fifteen years ago."

Jack nearly fell over. "WHAT!"

Elizabeth held him up, "Don't lose it yet. Wait until I'm done."

Jack was slumped in Elizabeth's arms. He sadly looked up at her, "There's more?"

"Before Dawn died she ran to Dallin in a sort of mad state and ordered him to tattoo your map onto her daughter's back. That way her daughter will someday get to meet her father."

"Her father?" Jack could see where this was going.

"You."

Jack completely passed out and didn't wake until later that night when the rest of the crew had gathered to report any information they found. They hadn't found anything useful, except for Elizabeth who still had more to tell.

"What did this Dallin person do? Tell you his whole life story?" Jack said, much cheerier and showing no remaining shock from his last conversation.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and ignored him. "Your daughter's—"

"Say Dawn's daughter. Sounds better." Jack said and waved his hand for Elizabeth to continue.

"Dawn's daughter's name is Rebecca. She is currently attending Walters-Churchill School for Girls in Port Royal."

"To Port Royal, then."

Jack started walking away. Elizabeth caught his shoulder.

"Jack, you don't plan on giving Blackmore your daughter do you?"

Jack put his hand on his chest, pretending to look appalled. "Elizabeth, how could you think such a thing?"

"One can never tell with you."

"Well, of course I'm not going to give the girl to Blackmore. I'm smarter than that." Jack tapped his head and continued walking away.

Elizabeth watched him go, not completely satisfied with his answer.

The next morning, the crew was about to sail out of the harbor when Blackmore's crew boarded, carrying guns pointed at Jack.

"Trying to sail away, are we?" asked Blackmore.

"Oh, no! As it turns out, the map is in Port Royal." Blackmore raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Here—" Jack grabbed Will, "Take him as collateral." Jack threw Will into Blackmore's crew.

"What? Jack!" Will shouted.

Blackmore examined Jack's face. Jack was grinning broadly. Blackmore frowned. "Fine," said Blackmore, and his crew left the ship, carrying Will. "If you don't come back, Captain, I will have no sympathy in torturing this man."

"Of course! See you in two days, Will!" Jack waved to a struggling and shouting Will as the ship started to sail away.

Elizabeth ran to Jack and started pounding on his shoulder. "You can't do that! They're going to kill him! Turn around and go get him! Turn around NOW!"

"Love, I'm not turning around so go sit your bum down someplace and be a good girl until we get to Port Royal." Jack said as he steered the Pearl into the open sea.

Elizabeth whacked Jack on the head, causing his hat to fall off. Jack looked at Elizabeth, appalled. He stuck out his finger to the front of the boat. "Corner! Now!" He said.

Elizabeth stomped off to the front of the boat and huddled herself in the corner, sulking.

Jack fixed his hat on top of his head and began his journey to Port Royal.