AUTHORS NOTE IMPORTANT:

This is a sad chapter, a long, painful, sad chapter. Just warning you…it gets worse from here! Thank you to all my reviewers again! All your kind words are very inspirational! And I know that Jack gets a little out of character in this chapter, and it seems rather un-believable for awhile, but please I beg you to forgive me! Gets on knees you'll have to trust me that it's worth it for later I swear! So I apologise for that bit of poor writing!

DISCLAIMER:

I don't own POTC or any of the characters…as much as I would wish too…the old stinky men at Disney own them…but it's all good cos they can't own my dreams!! Mwhahahahahahahaaa

Chapter 6: Jacks choice

Lizzie gave a scream, though it came out muffled and wet when she saw her baby boy, her precious Johnny thrown violently onto the bloody deck of the Black Pearl. She struggled against Davy, driven by an overwhelming motherly instinct to protect him against harm and to hurt those who did the harming. Her efforts were fruitless though but she watched as Johnny regained himself and ran towards his father, the only free member of the family despite Harry. She was so proud of him in that moment, he didn't cry or cringe, just got on with it. So like his father. Lizzie soared with hope as she saw Johnny make a run for it, but was bought crashing down when Will caught on to him again effortlessly.

Lizzie looked up at Jack and saw that they had finally pushed him over the edge his face was a cloud of anger and hatred, which Lizzie could feel from where she was. Lizzie was scared out of her wits. She had no idea what was going on, what they wanted. All she wanted was for it all to go away and for them to leave her baby boys alone. She could feel bruises all over her body from her efforts against Davy, but he held her tight. His tentacles slithered over the top of her head, and their movement and the feel of them against her sensitive scalp would have made her sick if she wasn't more concerned with other things. Like the violent treatment of her children and the taunting of the man she loved.

Just as Jack was about to throw a punch, Lizzie saw a flash from behind Wills' back fear sank in her belly, a mothers fear for her child, an overwhelming feeling for the need to protect and the pre emptive feelings of devastating grief. Lizzie screamed and struggled harder, trying to get her arms free, she was going to tear them all apart and re-arrange them and do it all over again. And then she felt the cool press of metal against her tender, silking skin at her throat. At first she didn't care but when it nicked her neck and blood spilled out onto the blade Lizzie stilled. Jack had stopped dead and was looking like a trapped animal, backed up against a wall.

"Well Jackie boy! What are you going to do?" Davy slurred over Lizzies head.

Lizzie felt sick.

Ilovejack,ilovejack,ilovejack

This was the second time in Jacks life where he had been asked to choose between Lizzie and Johnny. And he was going to tell these bastards what he told that old mid-wife.

Both were going to live. His brain seemed to be working again; he could see the patterns shifting.

"Well Jack, now you choose. Your wife or your child?" Will said with a devilish smile on his face as he slid the blade gently across Johnny's neck, Johnny didn't flinch or move, stayed still and fearless. But he looked up at his father, and the look there sank Jacks gut. It wasn't fear, or pleading, but a look of pity.

"What's the matter Eunuch? Couldn't father any of your own so your stealing mine?" Jack snarled. Will shrugged and flicked his knife, nicking Johnny's soft check. Blood welled and spilled down onto the blade, glistening there before dripping onto the boards of the Pearls Deck. Which was already soaked in the blood of Jacks crew. How had it gone so wrong? Had Jack become soft in his years of safety? Whatever it was it was cost Jack his family. Johnny did flinch at the action but he didn't cry or move any more, except that Jack noticed his hands moving ever so slightly. Just a small movement, hardly noticeable but the boy was untying himself. Jack would have smiled but that would have given something away.

"Jack," Davy said. Jack looked up at him. Thunder rolled overhead and the rain started to fall again. Jack looked up at the sky and felt the raindrops rolling down his face and through his hair. Lightning played on the horizon and another clap of thunder bought Jack back from his moment of peace. Davy knew he had Jacks attention again and he jerked his head to the side and two of his crew stepped forward holding shackles…. with cannon balls attached. Davy smiled again. Jack was ready to hit that smile right of his face, and he would carve it off when this all ended. "Jack" he drawled again "Jack you are going to choose between Lizzie and your precious son Johnny. And then you are going to attach these" he nodded towards the shackles " To the one you choose" Davy smiled over Lizzie's head. Lizzie looked at Jack, fear in her eyes. Jack looked at Lizzie, trying to find an answer.

Davy was getting impatient with Jacks' silence and seeming indecision

"To which of your family members do you wish to attach these? Who do you want to tie up? You choose Jack, or I'll get Will to do it for you" Davy snarled impatiently

"None," Jack replied. He needed time. Johnny was untying himself, so maybe if Jack chose Lizzie he could tie her loosely enough, Johnny

"Fine. Will, Shackle the kid and throw him overboard," Davy said tonelessly. Jack saw though that Davy looked slightly disappointed with the decision. Will looked more than disappointed. He looked annoyed. He shot Davy a look and Davy just stared back. Finally Will was subdued and he nodded then went over to collect the items dragging Johnny, who was now kicking and screaming, behind him.

Jack watched all of this, trying to see the patterns shifting and forming around him. That wasn't the outcome that they had hoped for, not their ultimate goal any way. Jack doubted that they really cared in the end. As long as they made him suffer, but this wasn't there plan a.

Lizzie was going hysterical in Davy's arms, and Jack could see he was having a little trouble holding on to her. Well that was what happened when you threatened a child's life with their mother in front of you. She gave Jack a glare that told him everything he needed to know about how she felt about the situation.

Jack thought fast. Johnny was getting himself free, he was also young and as far as Jack knew the boy didn't know how to swim very well. So throwing the boy into the water would be a death wish as it was, not to mention that Lizzie would kill him herself if he chose that path. Johnny would get himself free. Jack ran over the offer that Davy had made him. Chose between them…there was something that he said that Jack knew was the loophole he was looking for. And it was right on the tip of his tongue he just couldn't place it.

Will was struggling with a now fighting Johnny. He was trying to get the shackles around the boys' slender legs but Johnny was kicking him any time he got near. Jack could see that Will was getting frustrated and was very proud of his son then. That's the way lad. Piss of the eunuch. It's fun isn't it? Jack thought and had a small smile. But it was no time to be getting distracted. THINK Jack THINK he yelled at himself.

What was it that he said? Jack was almost hitting his forehead, but he knew that that would give him away. "Then you'll attach these…." No that wasn't it…at least it wasn't all of it. Jack was getting frustrated with himself now. "Or I'll get Will to do it for you…" YES that was it! That was the ultimatum. Davy wanted Jack to shackle someone he loved; he had wanted Jack to shackle up Lizzie. And so had Will. That was why they had had that mini challenge. It could work.

"Wait!" Jack stepped forward.

"What?" Davy snapped.

"I'll tie up Lizzie." Jack offered weakly. Almost too weakly for them to hear. "I choose Lizzie. My son is only young, and I think she'd kill me herself if I let our son die"

It wasn't obvious but Davy was happy with it. Will was ecstatic, and hadn't learnt yet to hide his emotions. He was almost laughing with joy and Jack looked at him in disgust. He had always dis-liked the whelp. Too goodie-two-shoes for Jacks liking, that and he had had Lizzie for a great deal of time. Too much time in Jacks mind. But this was just cruel. How could any human being take enjoyment out of watching the one he loved die? Jack could understand why Davy wanted to do it; he was just evil and thrived off the suffering and pain of others, especially if they were in love.

Will tossed Jack the shackles, which he caught effortlessly. He looked at Lizzie, suddenly frozen. He knew in his mind that this was the only way to go, but he couldn't bring himself to threaten Lizzies life…. again. Lizzie gave Jack a look of love, understanding, it didn't make Jack feel any better. Davy finally un tentacled her and shoved her forward. She stubbled and then practically flung herself into Jacks arms.

During all this, Will had forgotten about Johnny who was slowly making his way back towards his brothers. His hands now completely free, though with the appearance of being still bound. Jack noticed his slow movements but shifted his eyes back to Will.

"I know this is the only way to go. I love you Jack, always have and always will," She whispered tearfully in his ear.

"You won't die Lizzie. I won't let you." Jack whispered back, making an effort to keep his voice down as he held her tightly in his arms. He promised himself it would not be the last time. He was not about to kill the love of his life. She sniffled into his shoulder.

"You get the boys safe Jack, if I met any of them in the afterlife, I'm coming back for you!" she joked; Jack gave a wet, short laugh.

"Get on with it Jack, or I'll do it for you!" Davy called. Jack kissed Lizzie than, deeply, passionately, savouring the taste, smell and feel of her against his lips, skin, hands. He knew that Lizzie did the same thing. Finally they detached. Jack gave her a short kiss on the forehead and then knelt down to attach the shackles to her legs. He made it look like he attached them tightly, they were tight enough that they wouldn't fall off straightaway, but they would with a little bit of encouragement. When they were locked on he stood and gave her a tight embrace.

"When they are off, swim under the boat, to the other side, climb up onto the mast head, and hide there." He whispered quickly into her ear before she was yanked away from him.

"Now, you'll have the pleasure of walking the plank for the second time thanks to the pathetic man you see in front of him" Will said triumphantly to Lizzie. "You're going to die for him. What a waste" Will ran his hands over her body, feeling her. Lizzie felt sick to her stomach at the feel of his hands caressing her, even over clothes. He breathed into her ears and then licked her check Lizzie felt like throwing up. Lizzie was about to make a snarl remark back but Will seemed finished with enjoying her body and took her by the hair and threw her foreword onto the deck. She landed with a dull thud and crack as her head hit the deck.

Un-controllable anger, rage an insatiable lust for blood and destruction flared in Jack, almost burnt him with its intensity. The sight of the eunuch caressing his wife, in such an un-loving way, the way he did it, was almost like a torture. It was an evil caress. Like he was spreading an evil over her body. He wasn't going to take that sort of abuse to his wife. He wasn't going to stand having any other man touch her, let alone like that. Jack gathered the hatred and anger and swung a punch at Will. The feel of Wills face giving way under the force of Jacks punch flared happiness in jack momentarily. Satisfaction flared as Jack felt bone crunch and Wills nose broke.

"It's not enough that she's going to die! You have to hurt her more?!" He demanded as Will wiped blood from his nose. He nodded to two men behind Jack who promptly and gladly took a hold of him. Jack struggled against them. He wasn't finished with the eunuch yet. Will ignored Jack.

Will advanced on Lizzie who was crawling away, at least attempting to because the shackles were weighing her down. He leant down and yanked her head up by her hair. She gave a scream of pain.

"This is what you get for choosing a pirate over me you bitch!" He snarled into her ear. "You were mine, you un-faithful whore. You played me and I feel for it. Now I get to harm Jack the way he hurt me. Die in the knowledge that you'll have killed him." Then Will shoved her head hard into the deck. Lizzie stifled a yelp of pain and kept herself quiet. She didn't want to give the ass-hole the satisfaction of seeing her in pain.

He finally pulled her up onto her feet and hauled her off towards the side of the ship where the crew had erected a plank. He nodded to the men and they bought Jack after them. The kids they left where they were.

Will threw Lizzie up onto the plank and Jack struggled some more against the two men holding him. They had gagged him on the journey over and he was yelling something in coherent too Lizzie.

She looked back at him, blood covering her face. There seemed to be a seren about her, no fear, no regrets. She mouthed to him I love you and Jack struggled harder. This was a bad idea. This was a very bad idea. Jack had decided that he didn't like this any more. He didn't like these men. He was going to be causing a lot of pain soon.

Lizzie gave him a weak smile and then walked down the plank. Looking back at him one last time she smiled then jumped. Jack yelled through the gag, something in his heart breaking, felt like something was being torn from him and burnt. Tears welled in his eyes and he continued to struggle against the bounds. He was going to jump in after her, save her, go away far away with their boys and leave the sea behind. If only he could get these creatures of him.

Davy came through the crowd laughing at Jack. The look in his eyes and on his face made Jack fill with rage. Why wouldn't they let him go? Lizzie was gone, what else could they want. Even though Jack knew that she would be free now, swimming to safety he couldn't shake the feeling that something went terribly wrong.

Ilovejack, Ilovejack, ilovejack

Lizzie took one last deep breath, looked back at Jack, taking in every detail of him. His deep dark eyes framed by the kohl that was now running down his face from the tears, his strong body. In her mind she held the memory of the night she ran her hands over his candle lit body and then jumped.

The water was freezing, it took the breathe out of her lungs as she gasped when she hit the water. The shackles and cannon balls were weighing her down quickly, much quicker than she thought they would. Her lungs already began to fight her for control. She desperately clung to sanity as the surface of the water was fast disappearing above her head, she couldn't reach it with her out stretched arms. She desperately tried to swim up just a little bit more she needed to be close to the surface, she needed time to get the balls off her legs. She tried to calm her thoughts, which was relatively easy at this early stage.

Her lungs began to hurt, start to struggle for air. She had to keep herself under control. Her body would try to take a breath and inhale water instead and then she would die. But if she didn't get air soon she would pass out and die any way.

What ever she did she would not inhale the water. Giving up on trying to swim for the surface with the balls still attached she reached down and tried to slip them off.

Jack had done them up loosely, and the water should have lubricated them. Lizzie's body and mind started to panic when the shackles didn't come off immediately. She fought for control. She needed to be calm so she could take the balls off. Yet every moment the balls didn't come off her mind and body began to panic more, a bit like being claustrophobic.

She had drowned before, when the kraken had attacked the Pearl. That had been many years ago and she had passed out quickly. Lizzie knew what was coming and thought she knew how to counter act it. She must not pass out. She must not inhale. She must stay calm and under control otherwise she would die.

As she sank deeper the pressure became stronger, Lizzies ears burst with it. Her mind was telling her to breathe; she was fighting it, and fighting her instincts and fighting her doubt. She must be calm to take the balls off. She couldn't do that while she was fighting herself.

She pushed on the shackles and felt them begin to move, that bought her slight peace, and she stopped panicking as much, at least it stopped the doubt in her mind. But she still fought with her instincts. As the shackle on her left foot slipped off, Lizzie felt the darkness come over her.

No, no no no no She fought with herself. Stay awake. Just one left to do we can do this.

The Pressure was becoming un-bearable. Her lungs fought her, her instincts fought her and just as the right shackle was about to slip off Lizzie passed out.

P.S ok that was very mean of me. I'll up-date as soon as I possibly can, I can't leave you with such a bad cliffhanger!