7. Commandeer—Nautical Term

Disclaimer: Thank you to Sentinel Sparrow for your reviews! They are VERY much appreciated! For new readers--this story takes place after the first movie and before the second movie. The only thing different is that Will and Elizabeth ARE married. Also, if you are confused at all with the story line, just email me and I can catch you up from the first part of the story! Enjoy! And go see Dead Man's Chest! It's SOOOOO good! Chances are I will continue the story through DMC and probably the 3rd as well. Who knows!

We slept that night on the dock, and right before sunrise, Jack awoke us all to begin our journey for finding the Pearl. I looked out at the warming sky as the sun peeked out over the horizon from its slumber. I turned quickly to Jack and grinned, knowing what lay in store for the day: some sort of commandeering of a ship, preferably one from the British Navy, I assumed.

The four of us marched quickly through the misty morning streets of Port Royal, cautiously avoiding any main roads in which waking citizens may have spotted us.

"So Jack, what's your plan for finding the Pearl?" Elizabeth asks.

"Commandeer," Will and I reply in unison. We both look at each other and laugh at the jinx.

"Commandeer?" She asks.

"Nautical term," we both reply in unison again, this time with Jack. The three of us laugh at the second jinx of the morning.

"I see," she says with a chuckle, "I assume you have all done this before,"

"Yes," we all reply again.

"Okay, this unison thing has got to stop!" Elizabeth exclaims with a laugh, "I'm beginning to feel left out. I'm just as much a pirate as the three of you—aren't I, Jack?" She stops suddenly, right in front of him and raises an eye brow.

"Uh, yes, luv. We've been over this! Peas in a pod, remember?" he asks, nervously, glancing over at me.

"That's what I thought," she replies, and resumes walking.

I glance over at Will and mutter to him under my breath, "that was a little awkward,"

He looks over at me and nods, "I know,"

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Finally we reached the port that kept the British Navy ships. We crept around so to not be seen by any navy sailors and/or officers until the "opportune moment", as Jack put it.

"Okay, we're going to commandeer that one," Jack points to a ship. "Now follow me," The three of us quickly follow Jack towards one of the grander ships.

"Déjà vu," Will says quietly as we continue following Jack.

"Alright, there's no turning back. Are ye sure ye want t' continue on?" Jack says as he quickly turns to us.

"Yes, Jack! We just need a ship, that's all!" Elizabeth exclaims.

"Alright. Then follow my lead. Will and I have done this before, so we each have to take a boat…"

"Elizabeth, you come with me," Will says as he takes a gentle hold of her hand.

"Actually I'm going to go with Jack," she says quickly and runs after him. I pause, frozen in disbelief with Will.

"Did you just see that? Are my ears deceiving me?" I ask Will in complete awe.

"Yes I saw and heard that," he replies quietly. "Come on, follow me," he says as he gets a row boat for the two of us to walk beneath the water in.

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Once on board the ship, Elizabeth and I hid below the main deck, while Will and Jack took the main deck.

"This is ridiculous," I say, pacing.

"Just be calm and wait like Jack said," Elizabeth replies, sitting on a wooden stool.

"Jack doesn't always know what he's talking about," I say impatiently. "I'm going up there," I frantically search the lower deck and find a sword hidden amongst some barrels. I unsheathe it, glance over at Elizabeth and run up to the main deck.

"Jack, you fool! You can't keep me down there like some mistress in waiting!" I exclaim running towards Will and he, really prepping myself to fight any British Navy sailors. Suddenly, I stop in my tracks and look around me. There were no sailors. Jack and Will just stood smiling at me.

"Where the fuck are the sailors!" I shriek, dropping my sword. Jack slowly approaches me and comes up behind me.

"We took care of that, luv," Jack whispers over my shoulder as he brushes my hair back. I angrily slap his hands away from me.

"Don't touch me!" I shout, grab my sword and walk away from him. I lean over the wooden rail searching in all directions for navy officers.

"We're not commandeering, are we?" I ask slowly, as I notice we are getting further away from the port.

"Not a chance, pet," he replies with a grin. "a good pirate is never predictable," he winks at me as he and Will begin tightening ropes on the mast. Incredibly peeved at Jack, I sit down on the wooden floor and slowly vent out my anger. There was no way I was letting Jack get the better of me. And what of Elizabeth? I quickly turned to see where Will had gone and noticed that it wasn't where Will had gone…but rather Jack. Will was at the wheel steering the boat and Jack was no where to be seen on the main deck.

I quickly stood up and ran to Will.

"I can take that!" I say, grabbing the wheel.

"What's going on?" He asks suddenly.

"Nothing. Just thought I'd let you take a load off," I say with a fake smile.

"I've been at the wheel for less than 10 minutes," he says with a smile and a slight chuckle. Not even Will could hide his inner torment. I stared long and hard at his glassy brown eyes.

"Will, I know what's troubling you. Go below deck and talk to Elizabeth and send Jack up here with me," I say, putting a compassionate hand on his arm.

"I suppose," he says quietly. "I just don't understand what's gotten into her,"

"I know how you feel, Will, trust me," I stare hard into his eyes trying to make him remember how much I was in love with Jack.

"Okay, I'll go. I'm sure it's nothing," he says with a smile. "Let me know if you need anything,"

"I will," I say with a smile. I watch him disappear below deck and I breathe a heavy sigh as I gaze out at the unfolding sea before me.

"Where'd Will go?" Jack asks suddenly from behind me. I turn quickly, shocked.

"Jack! Where…? I thought you were below deck!" I shriek.

"Nah. I was just seeing the view from the crow's nest," he says, pointing up.

"Oh jeez," I say, rolling my eyes, trying to seem like I didn't care where he was.

"Ye can roll yer eyes all day long. I know that ye were lookin' fer me, pet," he says softly into my ear. Chills went down my spine and goose bumps covered my body

as he passed by me down the stairs to the main part of the deck.

I wasn't getting over Jack any time soon.