Yes Yes i know... "Wow what took you sooooo freaking long?" ... well...i'm sorry. Lately i've been stuck between a rock and a hard place with this story. I think i have the main points sorted by now.And my computer has been crashingwhen ever it feels like it.Sorry this particular chapter is so short, i mainly wanted to get another chapter up and on its way.My deepest appologies to my faithful readers. It wont happen again :-)

Jack violently turned the wheel, struggling to manuver the ship to get the enemies in range. The cannonball took a chunk from one of the Pearl's smaller masts. The ship shook and moaned under the added stress. The damage only fueled the captain's anger. Will hung off the portside, waiting for the Pearl's broad side to turn. Once he saw the right angle he gave the order at the top of his lungs.

"FIRE!"

Cannon fire ripped holes in the sides of the ship that was nearing. The crack of the wood from the ship buckling could be heard all around. Jack gave Anna the helm and ran to the side when the Barbossa Boys were approaching. Will quickly found Elizabeth and took her hand. He found his disguarded boots across the ship, after he bundled them under his arm, he and Liz hurridly went below deck. They barged through their cabin door. Will frantically put on his boots then began to rifle through the dresser drawers. Elizabeth changed from her night gown, to the pair of pants and boots that Anna had lent her. Will's shirt was tucked in the front and Anna's belt was slung quickly around her waist. Will found his pistol and put it in his belt along side his sword. He turned to Liz and handed her a dagger and extra pistol. She tucked them both in her belt and gave him an assuring smile.

Will placed his hands on her shoulders and looked her square in the eye.

"Liz I don't know what to expect from this." His grip grew tighter and he pulled her slightly closer. "Just please promise me you'll be all right."

"Yes I promise. And Will –"

"One more thing… If I …if I don't return to you, go straight to Port Royal if you can and –"

"Will"

"Really Elizabeth its important. I trust you."

"Will."

"What?" he asked frantically.

"Do you hear that?"

His eyes went to the ceiling as he anticipated to what she was referring to.

"I don't hear anything."

Liz paused and spoke in a hushed tone. "Exactly"

They both grew silent. The deck above them was stagnant. No yelling, no firing, nothing at all. Neither of them had realized when the commotion had stopped. Will took her hand in his own and slowly opened the cabin door. He glanced about…but saw nothing. He went up the few steps to the top near the deck. Slowly he pushed the door open to the upper level. Andrew stood there with his back to him. The couple's eyes widened as they gazed upon his ghastly figure. Clothes tattered, bones gleaming in the moonlight. When he turned around he revealed his rotted yellow teeth, with his hollowed face around his blue orbs, the light seemed to be sucked from his face.

"Nice of you to join us Will."

Will hadn't noticed until this moment that the crew was gone. Only eight of them stood on deck: Elizabeth, Will, Andrew, Paul, Jack (tied to a mast, bound and gagged), and three huge black men. They were sullen and looked to Andrew and Paul for orders. With the snap of his fingers, two of them came behind Will and managed the throw him to the ground. Elizabeth grabbed on of their arms, without hesitating the man threw his hand back and hit her squarely in the jaw, sending her to the wall. The other large man chuckled as he watched her pain she attempted to conseal. They bound Will next to Jack but didn't gag him.

On of the took Liz by the arm forcefully and pulled her over to face Paul. He stood with arms crossed, looking at her expressionless.

"Paul, why? …why are you doing this?"

He didn't answer

"Paul?" She asked louder

"Take her down stairs!" yelled Andrew from across the ship.

The man dragged her down the stairs and through the hallway to her room.

Andrew camebehindPaul and hit himhard in the back,jolting his younger brother. "If you cant do the job I'll just get rid of you... Rember why we're here. Dont let you're pathetic emotions get inthe way."

Paul merely glared at him, still with arms crossed and walked away before his brother had time to speak lowly to him again.

The large man tossed Elizabeth on the bed, but didnt walk out. Instead,hesaw her eyeing the window. With a gleaming stare he broke the desk chair and took the seat and put it up to the window. With the old nails he pulled from the wood, the pushed them, with his bare hands, into the Pearl's side – blocking the window securely. Elizabeth sat back against the wall and watched him defiantly. Even after the man walked out she stared after him in complete anger.

Jack was mumbling constantly and soon the boys grew irritated and tired of his moaning. "Just take the bloody thing off!" yelled Andrew.

Paul walked over and tore off the piece of cloth.

"Woo! 'bout time mate." Jack breathed. He looked to his right at Will who quite vexed at the situation.

"Hello… nice night, isn't it?"

Will shot him an irritated look. "What in the hell happened to the crew?"

Jack shrugged his shoulder and just looked straight ahead. "Didn't take long… The ship got right up to us – Andrew took out a piece of paper and said this long line of words, it was all strung together I have no idea what it was. That's all it took for the crew to just walk across the galley and onto their ship. I tried to yell at them to stop, I even threatened their wretched lives! But they still walked over there…never looking at me. Then those damned blokes over there – " he said, referring to the black men, standing stoically by Andrew, "Tied me up to my own ship!"

Will looked down, he shook his head and sighed. "Its magic, Andrew cast a spell on the crew… though I don't know why or how he would know how to do any of this."

Jack looked at him as if he had gone mad. "Magic? C'mon now…you can do better than that!"

Will shot a nasty look back at him. "Can you explain it any other way? Besides its not like this is the first time something this strange has happened to us."

Jack complied with a slight nod of his head. They both paused a moment to assess the situation. "So what do you suggest?"

Will shook his head. "I'm not sure… I guess we'll wait for the opportune moment."

Jack looked around him, he turned his head sharply to look at the helm where Andrew was standing, guiding the ship on its course. He saw him point straight ahead, talking to Paul. Jack faced the direction which was drawing their attention. "I don't think they were headed for Port Royal as we thought…. I see land…I believe that's Haiti."

"Prepare to weigh anchor men!"