Chapter Fourteen
Tortuga
Jack smiled a toothy grin as the famous pirate haven, Tortuga, came in to view. It was his home away from home and he missed it. He only hoped that he didn't run in to Giselle or Scarlet. He didn't want to deal with them today of all days. They had to gather Barbossa and the crew of the Black Pearl and get to Singapore as soon as possible. Jack watched as Will lowered the Empress' anchor into the sea. AnaMaria was getting the yawl ready. In Jack's opinion, this was the best choice. He didn't want any no good pirates thinking the Pirate King was around. From where they were, the ship couldn't be identified. Once the yawl was lowered into the ocean blue, AnaMaria approached to talk to Jack.
"I'm going with you, Jack," AnaMaria said. Jack shook his head. He wouldn't hear of it. He needed someone to watch the children. Jack replied, "No, AnaMaria. Will and I will go by ourselves." AnaMaria sighed and sulked. She snapped, "But, Jack..." Jack shushed AnaMaria by covering her mouth with his hand. "Listen," Jack ordered. "We can't risk putting the children in danger. Yer good with a pistol and a sword. Bella will be able to help you defend the others if needed. She's a good swordswoman, AnaMaria." There was a pause from Jack before he finished, "But she's an even better pirate." AnaMaria nodded. She knew that Jack was right.
Will approached Jack and AnaMaria. He asked, "Am I interrupting anything?" Jack shook his head and AnaMaria stomped off, upset that she couldn't go along. "What's wrong with her?" Will asked Jack. Jack shrugged and replied, "Ye know how women are, mate. Always emotional." Will smirked and went over to where the yawl was located. He began climbing down into the yawl and waited impatiently for Jack. Bella and Willy glanced over the side down to Will. Willy wore a scowl while his twin wore a smile. "Bye, Papa!" Bella called down. Will smiled up at his children and called up, "Listen to AnaMaria. Help her take care of Lizzie." Will paused as Jack made his way into the yawl. "We'll be back soon." Bella nodded and pulled her brother away from the side of the ship.
Minutes later Jack and Will pulled the yawl onto land and made their way to the loud shouts and music. "Sounds like a party," Jack said, sarcastically. "Drinks all 'round!" Will chuckled to himself. The lights of Tortuga were bright on this particular night. Whores wondered the streets, trying to make money. "Ah ha!" Jack called out, spotting a few members of the Black Pearl. "I'll get me hearties. Ye find Barbossa." Will nodded and took off to find the aging pirate captain.
Of course within minutes, both Jack and Will were engaged in sword fights with drunken pirates. Jack being one of the drunken pirates. Will kicked a drunken man away and stabbed another when he noticed Barbossa drinking some rum. Will Turner fought his way through and only escaped the brawl with a few cuts and a black eye."Barbossa," Will addressed as he approached the old pirate captain. Captain Hector Barbossa looked up at the younger captain and grinned. "Ah, Captain Turner. So nice of you to grace me with yer presence here in Tortuga," Barbossa greeted. Will put his sword away and took a seat in front of Barbossa.
"We have to go, Barbossa," Will explained. "Jack's rounding the rest of the crew. We must flee to Singapore. The East India Trading Company are after the children." Barbossa let out an annoying and loud laugh causing Will to look at him strangely. "Why should we sail with ye, Captain Turner?" Barbossa asked, mockingly. Will pulled out his pistol, pointing it at the unexpecting Captain Barbossa. Will snapped, "Because they are my children. They want to use them as leverage to gain control of the seven seas." Barbossa slammed down his empty cup of rum and met Will Turner's eyes.
A defeated sigh escaped Barbossa's lips and replied, "Alright. Ye win, Turner." Will smiled triumphantly but still didn't move his pistol out of Barbossa's face. "Let me guess, Barbossa," Will began. "You weren't planning to return to pick of Jack and his family in a month, were you?" Barbossa chuckled and shook his head. "Why should I?" Barbossa asked. Jack was approaching Barbossa from behind. "It's my ship." Jack cleared his throaght and only then did Will put his pistol away. "Correction," Jack said. The pirate leaned close to Barbossa's ear and continued, "It's my ship." Jack stood straight again. "Ye just took it from me." Will chuckled and stood, noticing the rest of the Black Pearl crew behind Jack. Will nodded to them and headed in the direction of the Empress.
Will Turner stopped walking when he didn't hear any footsteps behind him. He turned around and laughed, seeing that Jack had been stopped by Giselle and Scarlet. "This never gets old," Will mumbled to himself. He moved closer to the group of three so he could hear them. "You said you'd come back for me!" shouted the blond haired wench, Giselle. Will winced when he saw Giselle slap him. Giselle's slap was followed by one from the fiery red haired prostitute, Scarlet. No words came from her though. "I'm going to go back to me ship," Jack said turning on his feet. The crew of the Pearl followed Jack and Barbossa was busy making fun of Jack. It was obvious to everyone that Jack could never escape Giselle and Scarlet without getting slapped.
The men returned to their families nearly thirty minutes later aboard the Empress. With them were Gibbs, Marty and Cotton. They had volunteered to help control the Empress on the way to Singapore. The rest of the men decided to stay with Barbossa, fearing that if they went with Jack and Will they would be shot dead or face the cat. Jack and Gibbs prepared to make sail once more. Bella and AnaMaria helped fix Will up of the cuts he had earned in Tortuga. "Papa," Bella began once AnaMaria left them alone. "I heard you talking to Uncle Jack and Aunt AnaMaria this morning. Are we really going to see Mama again?" Will turned to look at Bella. He couldn't help to think of how his children would react to see their mother again or how much his daughter looked like Elizabeth. Willy even looked like Elizabeth. "Papa?" Bella asked. Her soft voice brought Will out of his trance.
"Yes, Bella," Will replied. "You'll see her again... soon enough."
A/N: I wanted to post a chapter tonight so I can start on Chapter Fifteen - Reunited in Singapore. 100 points if someone can tell me what happens! lol Even though I basically said in the last chapter in an author's note. I'm growing more and more attached to Beautiful Miracles as I write each chapter. The next chapter should be out sometime tomorrow. PLEASE review. Also, I'm all for constructive criticism so please don't review if it's going to be completely rude. I got a very rude comment yesterday for Chapter Thirteen which I deleted because it was uncalled for. So please review kindly. Thanks and stayed tuned!