Disclaimer: (Looks around) Shh! I'm hunting for Jack Sparrow! This means he's not mine…yet.

AN: Yay, Jack got a message from Rose! I'm glad that everyone liked that. I also hope that you all enjoy this chapter, too, and will review, since they make me want to write more (hint, hint).

Chapter 26: Messenger Birds:

All Jack could do was stand in the doorway of the cabin and gape. Part of his mind screamed that this had to be a trick, but the other parts said that this was the work of his bonny wife, and that he had to do something before this opportunity fell from his grasp. So, reaching out, Jack grabbed the poor maid and hauled her inside the cabin, the poor thing squeaking in surprise as the door shut behind her.

Once they were safely away from prying eyes and ears, Jack released the maid and gave her a good look. She was a sweet little thing, her grey eyes timid and shy as she looked up at him from beneath stray wisps of thin blonde hair. The rest of her blonde locks were pulled back into a tight French braid, then twisted up into a knot at the back of her head and covered with a white maid's cap. She was petite, too, making her uniform look a bit bigger on her than it should.

'The poor lass deserves a better-fitting uniform, though I doubt anyone could make one that would fit her,' Jack thought with a touch of pity. 'The one she's wearing was probably the smallest size they had in the house!'

Looking at her face, Jack realized that while he had been examining her, the little maid had been returning the favor. She had taken in his unusual appearance and surely recognized him as the pirate he was. However, he saw no hint of fear or panic in her eyes, only curiosity and admiration.

"You're Captain Sparrow?" she asked quietly, as though fearing to be overheard.

"Aye," Jack replied, now frowning in suspicion. Was she going to alert someone to his presence?

The maid bobbed a brief curtsey. "My name is Molly, sir, and I was sent to you with a note from Miss Rose," Molly explained while rising up from the curtsey. "She also wanted to know if you will be sending any reply."

For a moment, all he could do was blink at her in surprise. Of course he wanted to send a message to Rose! In fact, he'd been silently composing letters of love and reassurance to her in the back of his head for days, though he'd never written them down since he thought there wouldn't be a way for her to receive them. Now that there was someone who could actually take a letter to Rose, the unthinkable had happened: Captain Jack Sparrow was at a complete loss of words.

Apparently, his problem was obvious, for Molly gave him a small, understanding smile. "Do you need some time alone to compose a message, sir?" she asked, her voice tinged with good humor. "I can wait outside on the deck, if you like."

Jack grinned. 'The girl's got a sense of humor and wit. Good.' He liked that in a female, because it meant that she was stronger than she looked. If Molly had burst into tears or become hysterical, he would have panicked; the only woman he knew how to sooth was his wife, and that was because he could almost feel Rose's pain and sadness inside his own heart.

"Well, Molly my lass, I'm afraid that if I do that, you'll be in for a very long wait, especially if you expect me to put all of my emotions into one single letter," Jack said, a smile still on his face. "Why don't you help me out by telling me how she's doing so far, locked up in that house?"

He went to the table and offered her a chair. Molly looked at it in surprise, almost as though she had never been asked to sit down at a table like an equal before. Of course, in all likelihood, she probably hadn't. Jack was already piecing together Molly's role in the Nelson household, as well as her life story, and he was pretty sure it was short, sweet, and accurate.

'Probably an orphan from mid-childhood or later, since she doesn't have that roughness around the edges like most maids have,' Jack thought to himself. 'Raised well, taught manners and respect for those higher than she is in society, and learned in the ways of being a lady's maid. Her mother probably taught Molly most of her skills so that she could move up in whichever household hired her.'

The charmingly sweet sparkle in Molly's eyes told him that she also came from a loving home, one where her parents weren't abusive or drunks. In fact, Jack was willing to bet money that, if they hadn't died, Molly's parents might have arranged a good marriage for their daughter.

"Thank you, sir," Molly replied, a small smile on her lips as she took a seat. "I've been running around the docks forever, trying to find this ship. Miss Rose told me that the note needed to be given to a Captain Turner, but when that crewman asked who the note was from, they sent me here to you."

Jack nodded and took a seat on the opposite side of the table. "So, what more can you tell me that isn't here in this note?" he asked, picking up the paper and waving it about. "Rose asks me to help her, and says that something's going to happen fairly soon, but she doesn't say what it is. Of course, if she suspected that the note might fall into the wrong hands, she wouldn't dare include anything particular, for fear of being caught."

Molly bit her lip, nibbling on it nervously before speaking. "Well, sir, I believe that she's talking about the ball that her parents are throwing in honor of Miss Rose coming back," she explained. "All of society's going to be there, dressed up in their fancy gowns and such, and I just know that Miss Rose is going to be miserable there."

Frowning, Jack tapped his fingers on the table as he tried to think. A ball up at the Nelson home would be quite interesting to get into, and he was rather eager to see what his foolish in-laws were like. They might be worth a laugh or two, and he would get to see Rose in the process. It would require a rather convincing disguise, though…

"Is the ball by invitation only?" Jack asked, wanting details.

"Well, in a way, it is," Molly said, happy to be of service. "Most of society will be there, but they will also be bringing many of their friends and family members who are visiting." A smile suddenly lit up her face. "If you wish to attend, I'm sure that you will be able to conjure up quite the convincing story and the proper disguise."

Jack grinned. "Aye, but that's the fun part," he commented. "And I think I know exactly what I'm going to say in that letter now."

I knew it was silly to wait up for Molly's return, but I couldn't help it. I had fully intended on going to bed after she left, hoping to speed the night along by sleeping through it, but rest would not come. Instead, I was up and about, quietly pacing my room as I waited for my maid to return from her errand. It was maddening, but pacing managed to pass the time just the tiniest bit faster.

Occasionally, my eyes drifted towards the window and the sparkle of lights shining from the docks. I longed to light a few candles and lamps so that I could see better, but I dared not risk any other servants discovering I was awake at such a late hour. Worse, if my movements were discovered, the servants were sure to tell my parents, and then I would be questioned as to why I was awake and why Molly was not here to tend me properly. Since the last thing I wanted was an inquisition from my parents, I did my best to stay quiet in the darkness of my room.

Finally, several hours after she had left, I heard a footstep on the threshold of my doorway. A light series of taps sounded on the door, and I was there before I could stop myself. Praying that it wasn't a nosey servant up at this hour, I carefully put my ear to the door.

"It's me, Miss," whispered Molly through the crack.

Quickly unlocking and throwing open the door, I reached out and practically hauled the poor girl into my rooms. I made a brief glance into the hallway to be sure we were alone, then shut and locked the door. Molly stood there with a delighted grin on her face and an envelope in her hands.

"He wrote you back, Rose," she said, keeping her voice quiet. "You're so lucky to be married to such a man! He's just as comical and as dashing as the stories say he is!"

I giggled softly. "Thank you, Molly. I'll be sure to mention that to him," I teased as she passed me the envelope with a blush.

"You won't really tell him, will you, Rose?" she asked, her face turning redder. "I mean, he's a fine man, to be sure, but what if he takes those words the wrong way? I hope he doesn't think I fancy him, because I don't; he's too much of a scallywag for my tastes!"

"Yes, but that's all part of his charm," I said, walking towards my desk while staring fondly down at the note my husband had written me. "That's why I love him so much."

I had kept a single lamp burning near my bed, just in case I needed to get up during the night. I sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at the wax seal. It had no mark, but then, I didn't expect it to. I reached over to the nightstand and picked up the letter opener that I had placed there, just in case Molly brought me a reply. In moments, the note was open, and I was scanning through the document.

My Lovely, Radiant Flower,

I am terribly sorry for not being in closer and more frequent contact with you. Be assured that I will attend the lovely gathering at the Nelson family home in three days' time, for I look forward to gazing at your enchanting face once more. I'm afraid that I might be unable to bring a few of our closest friends, but they will know where I have gone, and will be eagerly awaiting my return to their residence afterwards. I hope to hear from you again soon.

Sincerely,

Your Winged Love

I then realized that Jack did not know of the plans my mother had revealed to me just before I had gone to bed this night. When she was on her way to her own rooms, Mother had stopped by and asked to speak with me. She had been rather upset that my maid hadn't answered the door, but accepted the explanation I'd given her, which was that Molly had gone to town on a personal errand. Mother had nodded, then launched into the news she had for me.

"We are going to have a costumed ball," Mother said, her voice full of joy. "The town hasn't had one of these in years, and I thought it about time we did! Isn't that exciting! The house will be full of beautiful costumes and masks, and I can hardly wait to see the jewelry that our dear friends will be wearing that night!"

I had merely smiled and nodded, pretending to be overjoyed at the prospect of a masked ball. However, I would have to somehow get the new information to Jack. Sending Molly out so soon would get her recognized by the dockhands, as well as alert the spies keeping an eye out for messages being sent from me. Molly might get away with going to the docks once or twice, claiming that she was only doing errands for our cook, but that excuse would wear thin if she were down there constantly. There had to be another way to get a note to Jack.

"You know, Miss, there is to be a monk walking through town tomorrow afternoon, asking for alms for the poor," Molly said, her voice innocent. "Perhaps it would do you good to go out for a walk at that time? The weather is sure to be fair, and that monk would be happy to see you."

Looking up at her, I saw my maid wink at me. Smiling, I nodded. "Yes, Molly, I do believe a walk will do me good. Be a dear and find a good walking gown for me tomorrow, would you? I want to look my best for when we go out."

Molly grinned and curtseyed. "Yes, Miss."

Looking in the mirror one last time, Jack congratulated himself on having such a good disguise. The monk disguise wasn't one of his favorites, but it was one of the few that would get him everywhere he wanted or needed to be. Behind him, Will and Elizabeth were watching him in amusement.

"I still think it funny to see you as a man of the cloth," Elizabeth said, grinning widely. "It's hard to imagine Jack Sparrow as a preacher or a monk."

"Captain, Captain Jack Sparrow," Jack reminded her as he pulled the hood up. "Before I go and visit the lovely sea goddess that is my wife, is there any message you want me to tell her?"

Elizabeth looked as though she had a whole speech ready to blurt out, but quickly changed her mind. "Just tell her that we all love her and can't wait for her to be home on the sea with us."

Grinning, Jack gave her a deep bow. "I shall, Mrs. Turner," he said, rising from his bow. "Now, if there is nothing else, I'm off."

In moments, Jack's feet had carried him down the gangplank and into the town, heading straight for the upper class district. A few soldiers and private guards gave him suspicious glances, but let him pass upon seeing the begging tin in his hand. After all, who was going to stop and question a man of the church begging for money for the poor?

'Besides, I really do plan on giving the money to the less fortunate,' Jack thought to himself as he began to plea for money from passersby. 'Well, most of it, anyway.'

After about an hour, Jack had collected far more alms than he'd anticipated. The nobles of this community were far more generous than most, so much so that Jack was actually beginning to feel guilty about taking their money. This, of course, horrified him, but the concept didn't have long to linger, for at that moment, Jack saw a familiar black pearl ring drop a coin into his cup.

"I hope, good sir, that this money will be put to the greatest of uses," Rose's voice intoned, almost as if she were saying a prayer from the Bible.

Of course, Jack read deeper into her words. "You have my assurances that it will, sweet lady," he replied. "And if I may ask, would you help a poor old man to a bench to rest his weary bones?"

"Molly, be a dear and help the poor man to that bench over there," Rose commanded, sounding every inch the noble.

"Yes, Miss," replied another voice just as a pair of gentle hands gripped him by the arm.

Soon, Jack was seated on a bench and Rose was hovering over him. From deep inside his hood, he couldn't see his wife's face, but he could certainly hear her moving. It was maddening to know that she was so close, and yet so far away. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her until they were both breathless, but he knew it would be stupid to do so in such a public area.

"Molly, keep a look out, would you?" Rose was asking her maid. A shift of skirt, and Rose was sitting next to him. "Jack, please tell me you have a plan for getting me out of here!"

"Easy, luv," Jack muttered to her. "Now, as you know, I have every intention of being at this ball of yours, which occurs in three days, aye?"

"Yes," Rose said, her voice tense. "But what Molly didn't get a chance to tell you was that it's a masked ball! Everyone will be disguised as some sort of animal or creature, so it should be easy for you to get into it!"

A broad grin spread across his face. "A masked ball, is it? Well, that certainly sounds interesting. Any idea what you'll be wearing, though I can imagine you in quite a few things…mostly scandalous and for my eyes only, of course…"

He heard Rose gasp, though he could hear the soft giggle afterwards. "Shame on you, especially when you're dressed as a holy man of the cloth!" Rose chided him. "But I'm glad that you'll be there." Jack could suddenly feel her turn sad. "Jack, my father means to make an announcement at the ball about my…engagement to Captain Hastings."

If Jack had brought a pistol with him, he'd have shot something, right then and there. He didn't know what he would have shot, but it would have made him feel better. Unfortunately, he had no weapon, so that would have to wait. Right now, he had to comfort Rose.

"Darling, I swear on the sea itself that I will not let any sort of marriage take place between you and that bloodsucking wretch," Jack said, his voice hard with determination and anger.

He felt Rose pat his hand in an effort to try and calm him. "I know," she whispered. Just then, he heard Molly walk over and whisper into Rose's ear. "I have to go now, Jack, but I will see you at the ball." She stood from her seat. "I love you." Then with a swish of her skirt, she was gone.

Instantly, Jack could feel an empty place where his heart was, and he hated it. However, now was not the time to get soft; he had a ball to attend in three days, and no doubt the Turners would want to be involved in the rescue attempt as well. Walking away from the wealthy district, Jack soon arrived at the poorer part of the city near the docks, where the lower classes worked for their supper. Taking a quick glance around, he soon spotted a little boy begging for work or money. Perfect.

Grinning, Jack walked over, thrust the dish of coins into the shocked child's hands and walked away.

AN: Yay, a rescue plot is forming! Please review!