Twilight Poet: Woah! So finally the end has come... This is for all those poor dying orphans out there that managed to get to a computer to get word to me. Hehe

Disclaimer: ...indeed. And you still own nothing but your character.

Chapter 16 - Yo ho, yo ho a pirate's life for me.

--Ruby--

In her rush to get out of the cold dark water and on to the boat, Ruby completely forgot about the monkey that jumped out the moment she climbed aboard. Startled, she acted before she could think, grabbing a wooden plank and whacking the beast as hard as she could. With a muffled squawk, it went flying over the rail and landed with a heavy splash in the water.

"What was that?" cried a voice from downstairs.

She had just enough time to duck into the shadows as two undead pirates stormed past, both smelling faintly of cake and chicken.

Shaking her head, she crept down the stairs.

"Shh!"

Recognising the voice with relief, Ruby worked her way over to the cell.

"It's Ruby!" Gibbs cried in surprised joy.

--Gin--

Back in the cave Barbossa was laughing, "You can't beat me, Jack." Jack impaled him only causing the living corpse to sigh and, taking out the sword, driving it through the stomach of everyone's favourite Captain.

Despite herself, Gin cried out at the sight – her stomach twisted in a mixture of nausea and fear... and something else.

Jack staggered backwards in mock defeat, into the moonlight only to reveal his skeleton self. He looked over his hand, surprise written over his dead features, "That's interesting." He revealed the medallion, "I couldn't resist, mate."

Barbossa growled and rushed Jack, pushing him backwards and knocking the table that Gin was hiding under, "Sorry!"

With a squeak, the small pirate disappeared under the table, "uh oh..." Gin tried to stand only to have the chain attached to the collar she was wearing pull her back down. Panicking, she pulled at it, but it was stuck tight. "not good... NOT GOOD!"

Barbossa swung his sword, "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." Jack smirked

With a roar, the dead pirate charged, sword held ready to strike.

--Ruby--

Ruby didn't bother to embarrass herself by thinking the pirates would actually help her, but she tried asking for the sake of the story plot, "Won't you help me get them back?"

"Any port in the storm." Squawked the parrot

"Cotton's right," Gibbs murmured, "we've got the Pearl."

Elizabeth stood deflated, "And what about Jack, you're just going to leave him?"

"Jack owes us a ship." One sailor piped up

"And what of Gin?" Ruby asked, her voice barely a whisper, but it rang clear over the deck, "Does she deserve this fate too? What are her sins?"

Gibbs paused, but shook his head, "She chose Jack, Lass. Ain't nothing we can do about that now."

"Sorry Sarah," Anamaria whispered, helping her old friend with the boat so she could go alone, "...there's the code to consider."

"The CODE?" Ruby let her rage show, "Aren't they more like guidelines? You're pirates! Hang the code, and hang the rules! …or stop calling yourselves pirates."

Rowing the boat fast and silently towards the caves, she looked back at the ship, "See you soon Aleana... wish me luck."

--Gin--

"Do you like pain? Try wearing a corset!"

Gin lifted her head at the sound of Ruby's voice

She was looking up at the newly dead Captain, "Whose side is Jack on?"

Will shrugged, "At the moment?"

Gin watch with silent surprise and pride at how Ruby fought. Well, she only watched the show about a hundred times. Ruby and Will strung 3 pirates together and, sticking a grenade into the middle one, they pushed them out of the moonlight.

"No fair." The pirate cried, before all three exploded.

Gin grimaced, "…ew."

"WILL!" cried Jack cutting his hand and tossing the medallion to the ex-blacksmith.

Confused, Barbossa aimed pistol at Ruby. Jack spotted his chance and shot his arch rival while he was distracted. Gin gave a silent cheer.

The dead man just scoffed, "Ten years you carry that pistol, and now you waste your shot."

"He didn't waste it."

Everyone turned to see Will, his hand posed over the ancient chest. With a smile of satisfaction he dropped the cursed gold, stained with the blood of both himself and Jack, returning it to its finally resting place once more.

"…at least until the monkey takes it again," Gin giggled.

Barbossa stumbled backwards, dropping his sword and pulling apart the piece of his tattered vest to watch the blood pooling on his shirt, "I feel…cold." With a thud, he fell dead on the mountains of gold, the apple rolling from his hand.

Ruby smiled, "We should return to the Dauntless."

"Your fiancé will be wanting to know you're safe."

Gin wrinkled her nose, and glared at Will as Ruby walked away "Jealous much?"

Jack swaggered over to Will, "If you were waiting for the opportune moment…that was it. Now, if you'll be so kind, I'd be much obliged if you'd drop me off my ship."

Gin rested her head on her hand as she watched the three walking off into the night. "Aww, this has turned out so well... wait... WAIT!" She pulled hard at the chain and tore at the catch to unlock the collar until it cut into her neck tears formed in her eyes. Defeated, she slumped to the ground, deciding instead to chew pitifully at the metal, "This is so not cool ...ooh, metallic...hehe, it hurts my fillings."

Suddenly she noticed dusty old boots in front of her face.

"What are you doing?"

Gin looked up, wiping her eyes, "I didn't help, Captain."

"I know."

Together they pushed the table out of the way and headed out of the cave.

As they went, Jack picked up the chain still dangling from Gin's collar and held it over his shoulder, "Hm, it is a pretty collar after all, ain't it?"

Yanked forward by his movements, Gin sneered at his toothy grin, "I think you're enjoying that a little too much."

Not long after, Will was rowing them in a boat to the Dauntless.

"Jack? Gin? I'm sorry," Ruby murmured

Jack looked sullen, "They done what's right by them. Can't expect more than that."

--The Gallows--

Gin stood in silent shock as the rope was measured to her size, and then removed to be placed on again later, "...my, my this IS unpleasant."

The Official read aloud the proclamation, "Jack Sparrow, be it known that you have-"

"Captain," Jack hissed, "Captain Jack Sparrow."

The Official continued, "for your willful commission-"

"WAIT!"

There was an awkward pause as everyone looked at Gin. Taking a deep breath Gin turned to Ruby's 'Father', "Hey! Hey you! The one with the really big, mouldy wig!"

"I beg your pardon-"

"Oh Good, now listen. Isn't it so, that when a man is to be hung and he has not been stripped of his title before said hanging, he is to be announced with that title intact upon the pronunciation of said hanging?"

The governor pondered, "Well.. I suppose-"

"RIGHT!" Gin turned to the Official, "Now if you will, please start again with the correct title of Captain Jack Sparrow, thank you kindly."

Received a eye roll and a nod from Governor Swann, the Official turned to the small girl, "and your title miss?"

Gin snigger, "Gwah, don't give me that. I'm a foundling, as far as I can see-"

"First Mate Gin Hawkins."

Everyone turned to Jack. The infamous pirate raised an eyebrow and the Official just nodded. On the stands, Ruby smiled.

Once again the Official read aloud the proclamation, with the correct adjustments made, "Captain Jack Sparrow and First Mate Gin Hawkins, be it known that you have committed many a crime against the crown. Said crimes being numerous in quantity and sinister in nature, the most egregious of these to be cited herewith – piracy, smuggling…

While Gin was wondering why she was being hung for all these unknown events, Ruby looked on with a strained expression, "This is wrong."

Governor Swann brushed her comment aside, "Commodore Norrington is bound by the law. As are we all."

"…impersonating an officer of the Spanish Royal Navy, impersonating a cleric of the Church of England…"

"Ah, yes." Jack chuckled, looking over at the executioner who glared daggers at him before continuing.

"…sailing under false colours, arson, kidnapping, looting, poaching, brigandage, pilfering, depravity, depredation, and general lawlessness. And for these crimes you have been sentenced to be, on this day, hung by the neck until dead. May God have mercy on your souls."

"Wait, I didn't do ANY of that!" Gin cried, "...at least I don't think I did..."

Ruby laughed, the energy building for the nearing escape. But the smile didn't last as she watched her old friend struggle out from under the noose (which hadn't yet been tightened properly) and stood staring into the shocked crowd.

"Alex... what are you doing?" she whispered

Gin glared at the audience, "BEWARE!" she shrieked, making most of them jump, "for today you have dared to try and hang me! A GREAT AND POWERFUL SORCERER!"

Ruby hung her head in her hands, "she's lost it."

"And for this evil deed I will PUNISH YOU! I shall make THE SUN DISAPPEAR!"

The people gasped and gazed fearfully into the sky. Jack just stared as his crazy friend as the noose was tightened around his neck. Gin spotted the blacksmith walking quickly through the crowds and hurried her performance, doing everything possible to stop that rope being put around her neck. For it was a very simple fact that Will had only one sword to throw – and that was to save Jack. If the rope was around her neck before then, she was as good as dead.

Ruby's eyes widened as she figured out Gin's plan. She turned to face Will.

"Governor Swann. Commodore. Ruby. I should have told you every day from the moment I met you. I love you." Will bowed before hurrying off

"I hope he was talking to me," Ruby laughed nervously, spotting Cotton's parrot, she held her chest, "I-I can't breathe."

"Ruby!"

"Move!" cried Will, throwing his sword just in time, as Jack fell through luckily to land on the sword sticking out of the wood.

Will fought his way to the gallows and cut Jack free, beckoning to Gin, and cutting the ropes binding her hands.

"Good acting," he smirked

"Who's acting?" Gin asked, tipping her head in confusion, "COME ON!"

Grabbing a pan, Gin helped the guys fight their way to the top of the tower where Norrington's men soon surrounded them.

Norrington sneered, "I thought we might have to endure some manner of ill-conceived escape attempt," he glared at Gin, who stuck her tongue out at him. He turned to Will, "but not from you."

"On our return to Port Royal," interrupted Governor Swann, "I granted you clemency in the memory of my lost daughter. And this is how you thank me? By throwing in your lot with him? He's a pirate!"

"And a good man." Will added fiercely

Jack pointed to himself proudly, mouthing, "That's me."

Gin pouted, "Yeah, yeah. Bet he can't block out the sun though..." she pulled at the collar that even the guards couldn't get off.

Will continued, "If all I have achieved here is that the hangman will earn two pairs of boots and a jewelled collar instead of one and a jewelled collar," he looked poignantly at Gin's recently bare feet, "so be it. At least my conscience will be clear."

"...but we'll still be dead," Gin muttered. Jack pocked her in the ribs and Will stepped on her foot, "OW! …w.t.f mate!"

They raised an eye brow each and Gin shrugged and looked back at a Norrington that was turning slightly pink with rage.

"You forget your place, Turner." The Commodore finally managed to growl.

Will glared, "It's right here... between you and Jack."

"and Gin..." added a quiet voice

"As is mine," Ruby stated, "beside Will."

"and Gin..."

Governor Swann gasped, "RUBY! Lower your weapons. For goodness' sake put them down!"

The weapons were lowered and Norrington's face fell, "So this is where your heart truly lies, then?"

"It is." Ruby couldn't help but feel a little sad for the man.

Jack, finally, noticed the parrot himself and grabbed Gin's hand, "Well! I'm actually feeling rather good about this." He turned to Governor Swann, "I think we've all arrived at a very special place, eh? Spiritually…Ecumenically…Grammatically?"

Gin smirked at his expression before looking at Norrington, "I want you to know that I was rooting for you, mate."

"Know that," Jack nodded, making the Commodore cringe. Jack turned to Ruby, "Ruby ...it would never have worked between us, darling. I'm sorry."

Ruby pulled a face before hugging Gin, "We must meet again."

"A fortnight from now," Gin whispered, "I'll come to you."

Jack meanwhile was up to this blacksmith friend, "Will …nice hat."

Proudly, he swaggered backwards towards the wall, his hand still holding tight to Gin's, "Friends! This is the day that you will always remember as the day that–"

Gin's eyes widened, "Oh SH-"

With a shout he fell over battlement, dragging Gin with him. Her voice bounced around the fort.

"Such unlady like language," Gillette muttered, looking over the wall, "Idiots. They have nowhere to go but back to the noose."

"Sail ho!"

Everyone (but Will and Ruby) stared in a mix of horror and shock at the pirate vessel parked practically in their backyard.

"What's your plan of action?" Gillette cried, "Sir?"

Governor Swann mused for a moment, "Perhaps on the rare occasion pursuing the right course demands an act of piracy, piracy itself can be the right course?"

Norrington gave a strange smile, "Mr. Turner"

Will took a deep breath, "I will accept the consequences of my actions."

"This is a beautiful sword," Norrington stated casually, unsheathing it, "I would expect the man who made it to show the same care and devotion in every aspect of his life."

Even Will was touched, "Thank you."

Gillette, however, was getting annoyed very quickly, "Commodore! What about Sparrow?"

"Well," Norrington grinned, "I think we can afford to give him one day's head start."

Some frustrated, some amused - the soldiers followed the Commodore away from the battlement to prepare for tomorrow's chase.

Governor Swann paused for a moment, "So, this is the path you've chosen, is it? After all…he is a blacksmith."

"No," Ruby blushed, taking off Will's hat, "He's a pirate."

--Ruby--

Not so far away two water logged bodies were heaved onboard the Black Pearl.Jack wiped the water from his face, "I thought you were supposed to keep to the Code."

"We figured they were more actual…guidelines." Gibbs responded, helping his friend to his feet.

"Thank you." Jack nodded as Cotton handed him his hat.Gin watched on, resting against the side of the ship.

"Captain Sparrow," Anamaria put his coat around his shoulders, "...the Black Pearl is yours."

Jack walked over to the helm and looked around fondly, running his hand across the wheel. Catching the crews' happy faces, his attitude changed, "On deck, you scabrous dogs! Man the braces! Let down and haul to run free. Now...bring me that horizon."

As he looked into his compass, Gin strolled over and leaned against the rail, sadness etching every inch of her face.

"What's troubling you, wench?"

Gin sighed and took off the bandana around her head, pushing her wet hair back from her face. To both of their surprises, the movement caught the latch of the collar and it popped undone and dropped into Gin's hands.

"Jack," she murmured, "I can't stay."

"And why not?"

"Cause..." she paused, trying to think of something, "...'cause I think the only way I'm going to remember my past is through that Swann girl. I know her somehow and..."

"I'll take her to shore," They both turned to see a crestfallen Anamaria on the deck, a boat ready and waiting.

Gin nodded and pushed the bandana and collar into Jack's hands, "Th-they're not a gift." She stuttered, trying to keep a straight face, "They're just for you t-to look after 'till I come back and get them. So don't you dare sell them or anything!"

Jack was silent for a moment before he pocketed the items, "We'll just see about that then, won't we luv?" He winked

"Why you!" Gin grabbed onto his jacket, "I swear, if you don't have that in your possession when i-"

It took her a moment to realize the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow was hugging her.

"...so out of character," she smiled to herself

The moment was quick, and just as fast, she was standing beside him again and he was ruffling her hair, "Don't get killed and I'll save your stuff. Deal."

"Deal!" Gin laughed.

Gin and Anamaria rowed to shore, but just as they stepped on the bank, the strangest thing happened. Anamaria seemed almost to split in two, the real Anamaria – in a daze – got back in the boat and rowed towards the Black Pearl without even a word.

"I guess it's really ending," Aleana sighed, watching her 'otherself' drift away.

"Yeah," Gin sighed, "Come on, we have a fortnight to blow before we go and find our dear 'Ruby' so let's get out of the pirate garbs and explore."

--A fortnight later--

Sarah, now looking like her normal self, met with her two friends on the beach near the battlements.

"I can't believe it's really over," she sighed after hugging them both.

Alex (having lost her pirate name with her bandana) pulled out a single fortune cookie.

"Has that been in your pocket this whole time?" Aleana asked, a little frightened, "'cause I think it just winked at me."

Gin held up the soggy, sad looking thing, "Haha, I guess so... the paper's still good though." Pulling the fortune and tossing away the inedible shell, she read allowed, "every beginning has an end. ...oh"

"Not very poetic," Sarah smiled sadly

"No, not really..." Aleana agreed.

Sarah took the paper and mused, the sun's setting light casting her face into shadows of orange and purple. "We're devils…" she whispered in a sing-song voice

"And black sheep," Aleana chorused

"AND REALLY BAD EGGS!" Alex cried, loud as she could.

As the tower guards gave shouts of alarm and rushed down to the beach, the girls grabbed each other's hands.

"Drink up me 'earties yo ho!"

The world around them began to twist and spin, the guards' bodies vanishing into the darkness as the girls began the strange journey home.

"Yo ho, yo ho a pirate's life for me."

VWVWVWVWVWWWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWV

Twilight Poet: And that's it, I'm afraid, my kittens. And I must say I'm sad to see it go. I'm so happy to all the wonderful people that supported me through this fun endeavour. As for the future… all I can say is, Gin will want her stuff back, right? –wink-

So farewell from me and my good friend 'Disclaimer'. And remember – never throw away a fortune cookie, 'cause you never know what else you might be missing out on.

This is Twilight Poet signing out of REALLY BAD EGGS for the last time.

-Complete-