Disclaimer: I don't own anything created by The Mouse.
A/N: It's good to be back, folks! sobs I've missed Terrence and Jack!
The ocean was unnaturally calm the next day. There wasn't a cloud in sight and the wind was steady as both crews found themselves being pulled closer and closer to Oxbay.
Terrence, on the other hand, wasn't feeling calm. When she had woken that morning, she was thrown through bouts of chills and waves of nausea.
Stumbling into her desk chair, she let out a strangled sigh. Could it be the curse giving her such unexpected sickness? Even though the key wasn't touching her flesh, she felt its lingering presence grasp her and hold her close, calling her guardian. Terrence's senses grew keener by the day, and she could already feel the ripples of its power wash over her like rough waves during a squall. It was intoxicating, stomach-churning…when she found it again, she wanted to throw it to the depths of Davy Jones', yet at the same time hold it close to her breast in selfish distrust to all those around her.
"Captain!" Brookes called from behind her closed cabin door.
"Enter," she croaked, holding her head with her hand and leaning back in the chair.
"Captain, Oxbay is on the horiz…Are you alright?" he questioned with eyebrows, "You look extremely pale."
"I think it's the key, Brookes. That damn curse is doin' something to me…" she spat..
"Do you need anything?"
"No thanks, mate. I've got it under control." Another cramp seized her abdomen and she winced. "Did Sparrow apologize?"
"Yes. He was very noble about the whole thing. It was a complete misunderstanding." Brookes grinned, adding, "It was kind of flattering, really…that people would think a man like me could steal Jack Sparrow's gel."
Terrence rolled her eyes and asked, "Who's at the helm?"
"Jacobs. He'll be docking us. The crew's prepared to help unload the goods off of the Pearl."
"Good. I want this to go as smoothly as possible. The faster we finish, the faster we reach Madrid where we can end this whole mess."
"Aye," Brookes nodded, "I'll be out on deck helpin' if you need me, Captain."
"Thanks." She watched him close the door and instantly felt like she had to vomit. She staggered to the window and hung her head out, desperately trying to breathe in the fresh, salty air. Great. The last thing she needed was to get sick during this 'mission' of sorts. Now was a time to ignore it and focus on the more important things that needed to be done.
But deep in her gut, Terrence couldn't help but feel that something was terribly wrong.
Jack hoisted a large crate of goods over his shoulder and began to swagger towards the pile they were making by the dock. As he clumsily dropped the crate labeled 'fragile', a carriage rolled up beside him and jolted to a stop. The door was opened, and the ominous Governor Crowe stepped out, head high and a French poodle lounging in his arms. Jack couldn't help but snicker.
"Governor Crowe, how lovely to see you again," Jack said with a grand sweeping bow.
"Is this all of it?" Crowe asked in displeasure, not even bothering to feign a warm welcome.
"That it is. All 132 crates of it. I think the last ones are on their way as we speak," Jack replied, his dislike for the man doubling with every second passed.
"Where's the woman?" Crowe questioned with a glare.
"Woman?"
"That woman pirate you're so fond of."
"Terrence is at the moment helping with the last of the unloading."
"Ah yes, Terrence Gallagher," Governor Crowe said instantly, stroking the poodle yawning in his arms, "I'm surprised she tagged along."
Jack Sparrow raised his eyebrows. "Why, Governor?"
"She's trouble, Mister Sparrow. I would love to see her hanging in my gallows." Crowe watched as Sparrow clenched his teeth and rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. He smiled coldly.
"To each his own," Sparrow remarked, eyes blazing. Stay in control, Jack, he thought to himself, Now is not the time to slaughter a Governor. He would be in way over his head.
"You are quite lucky, Mister Sparrow," the Governor continued, "Walk with me as I talk, please. It's such a dreadful waste to just stand here on a day like this." Jack forced himself to relax and keep up with Crowe's steady gait.
"What is this about me being lucky?"
"Oh yes. As I was saying, Gallagher is a gem of sorts. Beautiful specimen, intriguing…she loves getting her nose in other people's business, wouldn't you agree? You, after all, are her escort."
"She is quite the troublemaker," Jack agreed, "But I don't see how this has to do with anything."
"The British Royal Navy would love to get their hands on her."
"I know that," Jack said in annoyance, "I've seen her papers."
"As you have seen yours, I imagine. You're quite notorious around these parts, Jack Sparrow. I hear your name on everyone's lips. They make you out to be a god. How you're on the run from the law. A dead man walking. And here I am, the Governor of Oxbay, taking a walk with you like we are the closest of friends."
Jack stared at him quizzically. "What is it that you want, Crowe? I've already gone out o' me way to help you and your alliance with Port Royal."
"I want Terrence Gallagher to finish the rest of the voyage alone."
"What? I can't do that, mate." Did Crowe know all about the Curse? Malvado?
"Which means that I need you dead." Out of nowhere, Jack found himself being yanked into the nearest alley by three men as Crowe stood by, watching the desperate struggle. The largest of the three sent a severe blow to the back of Jack's head, knocking off his tricorne hat and making everything swirl to black.
"Act lively, men," Crowe ordered quietly, "I want this to go unnoticed."
Terrence watched as the last of her men boarded the Dancing Horizon, just in time for the sun to set. Her sickness had long since faded to a dull ache that covered her body.
"Are we ready to depart?" she hollered.
Pete hobbled up to her, breathless. "We can't, Captain."
"And why not?" Frustration edged her tone.
"We don't know if the Pearl is ready yet."
"I'll go check myself," she grumbled, grabbing a rope and swinging gracefully over onto the Pearl.
"Gibbs!" she called, beginning to walk up towards the helm where he stood, "Are we ready?"
Gibbs stared at her and asked, "Where's Jack?"
"What do you mean, 'Where's Jack'? I thought he was aboard!"
"I thought he was with you!" Gibbs confessed.
"Jack's missing?" Terrence cried, a headache threatening to start pounding away at her skull.
She glanced around and the crew shrugged helplessly.
"Where did you see him last?" she demanded.
"He was walking with Governor Crowe," Anamaria hollered.
Crowe. Dammit! Everything came flooding back to her and filled her with a sense of dread. Malvado and Crowe knew each other personally…
…Crowe thought Jack was going to be the sacrifice that would save the world. Without Jack, Crowe thought she would be left with nothing. This had been a trap all along.
Terrence instantly paled. "We have to go inland. We have to find Crowe."
"What? Why?" Gibbs questioned.
"Jack might be killed."
NO! JACK, LIVE! If you clap your hands and believe, he will LIVE!
P.S. Review please. They are ever-so-wonderful.