A/N: I just realized my story's on the community It's a Sparrabethical World. Thanks! And thanks for the reviews!

Disclaimer: PotC (as always) belongs to Disney.

I crept to the hole in the hull, in the cell next to mine and tried to peer through it. Another loud shot rang through the air, and I held on to the bars. I pulled back and reached for my sword on instinct.

I was surprised that Norrington had not taken my weapons away, but I did not know why I would need it at the moment. Without thinking I stuck it through the bars and hacked away at the wood but did not manage to get more than a few chunks off. There was not much else I could do.

If only I can open the door… I knew how Will had done it before—and Jack had always talked about leverage. But I had no leverage, and I certainly did not have much strength.

I had not taken much time to consider who might be firing on the Dauntless. Now I felt my heart leap a little.

Can it be Jack? Oh please be Jack, please...! I wished desperately that I could escape and find out what was happening.

I could hear Norrington shouting orders to the extra men aboard the ship. Apparently they were going to swing aboard the other ship and capture it.

I dreaded hearing this. Norrington couldn't be that senseless—even he knew he could not capture the Pearl without reinforcements. The ship that was firing could not possibly be the Pearl.

I'm still stuck here. For certain I would be here for a few days before the ship reached Port Royal. Perhaps I could escape there… Or if the other ship won the battle perhaps they could set me free. But though the other ship could only be a pirate ship, it was definitely not a guarantee that they would help me. I remembered the words Barbossa had said on our journey to the end of the world—The only way a pirate can earn a living now is by betraying other pirates.

Where is Jack?! Again I thought that perhaps he had simply left. I had to try to get out. I had to warn him… or Norrington would capture him as well.

I pulled my sword out again and sawed at the wood. Water leaked in as the ship rocked , and it almost reached my ankles, though the hole was considerably small. A small chunk of wood plunked into the water with a soft ripple. I sat back hopelessly, watching the wood bobbing on the surface of the water.

Heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs. I hastily pulled my sword back and sheathed it as quietly as I could, and sat down on the barrel with the most bored expression I could manage. Norrington strolled down the aisle, leading Royal Navy men, all of whom were holding various pirates who I had never seen before.

I'm doomed, I thought, unless I can strike a bargain. I pretended not to look too interested in the pirates as they were locked into the cell on the other side of me. They appeared to be rather rich, wearing fine clothing with bits and pieces of valuable-looking jewelry hanging on it. Norrington looked at these disapprovingly as he passed the cell, pausing for a fraction of a second at mine. I glared at him with a set jaw through the bars, and he moved away.

As soon as all the men had gone upstairs, I spoke.

"Where is your ship?"

"Lady of the Sea? She's being towed," said a man in the cell next to mine. I looked around at the men.

"We have to get out," I said desperately. "Who is your captain?"

"He was killed in the battle," said the same man. "And how did ye get in this bloody ship?"

"He captured me even though we won. I'm being used as bait, and it's luckily not working, but I have to get out. Will you help me?"

"We don't do anything unless there's a profit for us," he said. "I'm Henry--first mate o' the Lady. And you?"

"Elizabeth," I said. "And I know exactly what pirates do. I will get your ship back for you, and you take me to the Black Pearl."

"Agreed--" said Henry, smiling coldy.

"No, we don't even know where the Black Pearl is!" said one of the men. "And how can we catch up with her? She's the fastest ship in the Caribbean!"

"Do you want to get out or not?" snapped Henry, and turned to me. "As I was saying..."

"The Pearl is the fastest ship in the entire ocean," I said, smirking, "but I will make sure you take me to it. Do we have an accord?"

"Aye, we do," said Henry, and we shook hands through the bars.

I sat back down and held my head in my hands as I searched my mind for an escape plan. I had exhausted my energy source and I had no desire to think. After ten minutes I my mind was more than weary and I wanted nothing more than to sleep. Bloody Norrington! And Jack... the Pearl's faster than the Dauntless. He could have attacked if he wanted to--he would be able to keep up... and he's not attacking. He's not firing. Stupid Norrington--why couldn't he submit to his 'love'?! Oh, damn it! Why can't another ship just fire another bloody hole into this hull?

Fire another hole...

I sat up. It was worth a try.

"I haven't got any strength left," I said, "but if any of you could carve a hole into the hull, right where the bar divides our cells..." I showed them where, and they immediately set to work on it. In hours there was a sizeable gap exactly where I had wanted it, and water came in in a rush.

They must be desperate for their freedom... Freedom made me think of Jack, and I did not want to think about Jack.

"We've got to climb up the side of the ship," I said. "And go across the deck to your ship."

"And if anyone's on deck?"

I hesitated. "I'll distract them," I said, not quite knowing what to do, "but don't you dare cut the ropes without me."

"Of course," said Henry coldly, and I hoped desperately there wouldn't be anyone on deck.

I climbed through the hole, found footholds, and climbed easily up the side of the Dauntless. I raised my head carefully above the railing. The deck looked deserted under the silver moonlight. Holding on tightly, I looked down and whispered to the men clinging onto the hull.

"It's safe."

I raised my leg over the railing and landed quietly on the deck. Quickly and silently, the pirates clambered up. The ship tilted ominously.

"Hurry," I said, and we rushed across the deck towards the stern. Sturdy ropes connected the Dauntless to the Lady of the Sea. The pirates held onto the ropes and inched cautiously towards their ship. Most of them were on the other side now, and I grabbed a rope myself.

"Very clever," said a voice behind. "But it's a little late."

I turned, terrified. It was Norrington, holding a gun pointed at me.