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DISCLAIMER:

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Chapter 4: Living Nightmares

Jack felt his gut sink with fear. He could see Davy and the eunuch standing triumphantly at the helm of the Flying Dutchman. Jack shot them a black look through the new hole in his cabin. The boys were up, startled and scared. Jack wanted to curse and swear but refrained from it in front of his boys. Instead he grabbed Lizzie by the shoulders. He looked at her intensely in the eyes

"Take one of the long boats," he said to her seriously and quickly, glancing quickly over her shoulder, keeping an eye on the Dutchman's progress, they had little time. She started to shake her head but Jack interrupted before she could say anything "Take one of the long boats, row away with our boys! I'll come and find you later!" he pleaded with her.

"No!" Lizzie whispered, tears in her eyes, shaking her head "No Jack! I can't leave you! I won't!" she cried. Jack embraced her tightly as she buried her head in his shoulder.

"Lizzie, luv, you must! For the boys!" He said urgently, the Flying Dutchman was now close enough to see the detail of the head mast carving. Lizzie wasn't saying anything just clutching to him desperately. He pushed her away from him. He gently took her face in his hands; using his thumbs he wiped away the tears on her face. Smiling gently he kissed her on her forehead, each cheek and finished with a light caress on the tip of her nose.

"I love you Lizzie, more than anything. I can't see you hurt. You must do this for me, or else we'll all die!" He said quietly just to her, holding her tight again and speaking into her golden hair. "Use what you feel inside, get safe, and keep our boys safe. I'll find you, can't miss you usually!" Lizzie was crying silently into his shoulder, and Jack gently stroked her silken hair "I'm in your heart, in your soul, don't be scared luv, keep believing and we'll be together," Jack wondered which love song he pulled that from, and even though it was soppy beyond imagining he felt it was true, his heart quickened in his chest, and tightened. Jack soaked in and enjoyed the moment knowing it would be the last time that he would ever hold her like this. "Look how far we've come, from that damned island…" he smiled and she gave a wet choking laugh "You and your obsession with destroying Rum, I think you did it to spite me!" He said cheerily. Lizzie was sniffling against his shoulder; he could feel her tears soak through his shirt and vest and onto his skin. But knowing that she was safe was enough for him to fight for his life; even if he didn't keep it he would fight long enough to give the love of his life, and the product of it, a head start for safety. Lizzie just looked up at him and cried some more.

"No Jack" was all she was whispering to herself. Holding onto him tightly again. Jack rocked her slightly but looked over hear head and saw the ever approaching Dutchman, he could hear noise on the deck outside and knew that they would have to move soon if his plan was to work. The window for escape was fast closing on them.

"Lizzie, you must go now! " he said, she didn't answer just kissed him desperately and ran to the boys, gathered them up and ushered them outside, giving Jack one last sorrow filled look. Jack felt his heart break and had half a mind to stop them. He gave a brave smile back and waved to the boys. Harry looked back at him and waved, Charlie was in his mothers arms looking at his father over her shoulder, thumb in his mouth. Jack waved to them back in turn. It was John though who ran to his father and flung himself around his legs trapping Jack where he stood unless he wanted to harm the boy. It was John's favourite trick, and Jacks heart compressed at the thought that he'd never see his sons grow old and into good ole pirates.

"Don't go daddy! Don't make me go! I can stay and fight!" he said from somewhere near Jacks knees. Jack felt himself torn, he held the boy close one last time.

"Be brave for your mother Johnny, she needs you more than me son! Make me proud and see her to safety!" He said down to the boy. He knelt down so that he was at eye level with his oldest son. He looked just like him, and Jack felt his own tears. "Be strong for your mum." John nodded and gave his father one last hug then ran back towards the deck.

Jack turned back towards the new hole in his cabin and almost fell backwards.

The Flying Dutchman was no-where to be seen. Noise outside the cabin increased, the cries became louder, and there were screams and splashes. Jack's heart sank and fear coursed through him.

Oh no. He thought to himself. Little John was toddling towards the door, and was almost out there "STOP!" Jack yelled after him and John stopped just as he was about to go out the door and Jack ran after him. Just as he almost had his hands around the boy something snatched him out of reach. John let out a scream of surprise but then there was no more sound. Jack felt his world stop, his life filled with a sudden fear.

"NO!" Jack yelled and ran out of his cabin. The deck was chaos of men and creature, blood and water. Men's dying moans echoed through out Jacks ears and all he could think about was Elizabeth. A scream from somewhere in the thick of battle told Jack where she was. Drawing his sword Jack ran into the fight, but not engaging anyone just pushing past them to get to Lizzie. He didn't know where his sons were, but saving Lizzie would mean saving them Jack was sure.