Dislclaimer: I don't own POTC. Title is from my absolute favorite cartoon, Cowboy Bebop.
Chapter 52: Ballad of a Fallen Angel
While Camille lay there, Morgan was still in danger. Long John had blood all over him, so she could only assume that he'd killed Jack in the maelstrom. But there was so much more going on around her. The sea creatures were infiltrating the ship, and everyone was fighting for their lives. His grip on her was monstrously strong, and she began trying to twist away from him. Morgan looked into his eyes, and his malicious grin only grew wider.
"Long John, let her go! If you're going to kill someone, than I suggest you finish the job!" Jack yelled. He was just climbing over the side of the ship, and he looked badly injured. But he was still walking towards Silver and Morgan. Morgan was released, and she staggered back.
"Oh no," Long John said. "Not without that ring."
Morgan just held it tighter. "You'll have to kill me first."
"All right," Long John said, putting his sword right through her. She gasped, and fell to the deck as Long John took the ring from her, laughing. Jack continued to advance towards him as Adrienne shouted something.
Long John put the ring on his pinky finger, fitting it as far down as it would go. But the minute it touched him, what had been decomposing became real flesh. "What?" he cried, confused. He was becoming human! The somewhat handsome features of his human face were beginning to return to him, but he was horrified.
Jack did not wait for him to become entirely human, nor did he hesitate to shoot Long John Silver in the head for a second time. He did this and then pushed him overboard with only a yelp of realization from the other pirate. He was also quick to recover the Sullivans' ring.
He made his way over to Morgan, ignoring everything else going on around them. She was still alive, but barely. He knelt down beside her, spilling more blood on the deck of The Pearl. "Morgan, why did you do that?" he asked. She had obviously known that Long John was going to kill her, and that the ring would make him mortal and vulnerable.
She looked at him, her face white. "For Camille. Better that I die than you," she said with her last couple of breaths. She died in his arms.
Camille awoke to Ana Maria's voice. She and Adrienne were speaking softly to each other below deck. It was now nighttime, and Camille was laying on blankets.
"How's your head?" Ana Maria asked.
Camille groaned. "I don't know what they did to me," she said, feeling it. There was a very large lump on the back of it. "What happened? Are we still in that maelstrom?"
"No," Adrienne said. "It's all over. Jack killed Long John, and the creatures disappeared along with him. We are sailing back to the Fuego, and then to Celebros."
Camille sighed. "Well, that's good. Where is my mother?" she said, getting to her feet. "I would like to spend as much time with her as possible."
At this, both of the women looked down. They had been trying to decide how to break the news to Camille before she woke up, but they still weren't sure. Adrienne looked like she was about to cry, so Ana Maria took Camille's hands in hers.
"Camille, there's no easy way to say this. Morgan was killed by Long John while you were unconscious."
"What!?" cried Camille, pulling her hands away. She ran above deck, with Adrienne and Ana following close behind. She could see a figure wrapped in cloth lying there, and stopped. "My God," she said, needing both of them to keep her on her feet. "Mother," she sobbed.
They brought her over next to Morgan's body and let her kneel there, bent over her mother. "There was so much that I never got to say to her," she wept.
Adrienne nodded, bowing her head. "She was a good woman, as fine a shipmate as I ever did sail with."
Ana Maria put her hand on Camille's shoulder. "We've all said our goodbyes. We left the decision for burial up to you, Camille."
Camille nodded. "Her body belongs at sea." Adrienne nodded again. They cast off the body shortly, because Camille didn't wish to say anything else. Ana and Adrienne left her to herself after a bit.
She felt a slight touch upon her shoulder and turned around to see Will. "William!" she sobbed, hugging him. He returned the embrace with just as much enthusiasm.
"Will, I am so sor-"
Will put his hand up. "Silver fooled all of us, and I know that you had absolutely no intention of handing me over to him. It's behind us now."
Camille nodded. "Yes. Thank you, Will." She took his hand. "You will always be one of my dearest friends."
"I certainly hope so. I'm sorry about your mother. Are you all right?"
"No, of course not. I've just come back to the world with a lump on my head to find my mother dead for real. I don't know if it's even hit me yet. I don't know that when it does, I can handle it."
"Camille, it'll get easier. If you ever need anything, I am always here for you. Just let me know."
She sniffled. "Thank you Will, but I just want to be alone right now with my thoughts."
He nodded. "I understand. Try and get some rest," he said, hugging her again and leaving.
Jack watched the two of them from the helm, and even though he and Will were past their differences, he still couldn't help feeling that twinge of jealousy that he usually did when the two were together. Jack was feeling pretty weak himself, not yet fully recovered from his injuries. He'd been trying to occupy his mind with other thoughts to keep them off his final encounter with Silver.
"Mr. Turner!" he shouted, catching Will's ear. "Take the helm!"
Will took his place. "Aye, Captain. You know, you really should talk to her."
Jack only shook his head. "No, mate. I may not know much about women, but the one thing that I do know about that one is that when she is ready to be comforted, she'll go to the right person." He patted Will on the arm, heartbroken. "Take care of her for me."
Will turned around as Jack made it up to his cabin. "What is that supposed to mean?" But Jack didn't reply. He was much too troubled and exhausted from everything.