Chapter 11

Margot spun around to see the Captain sizing her up. When he noted her furious gaze, he motioned for her to sit down.

Margot crossed her arms over her chest and refused to budge. The Captain sighed and called out orders in his language. Two bulky men entered grabbing Margot's arms and forcing her to sit on the cushion.

The men stayed on either side of Margot, forcing her to acquiesce to the Captain's demand.

The Captain joined her, settling on a cushion across from her, "Much better."

He looked around the room and nodded at one of the harem women who brought over a tray with two goblets and bowls of food.

"Please, drink, eat. You must be famished," commented the Captain as he picked up a goblet.

Margot ignored his attempt at hospitality and leaned in angrily, "What do you want with me?"

The Captain met her glare for glare and reached out, his fingers brushing her necklace. He snatched them back with a yelp.

Margot glanced down at her glowing necklace and smiled smugly, "Too hot for you? Shame that."

The Captain sat stiffly on his cushion, looking at his reddened fingertips, "No matter. You'll lead us to the treasure. My sultan will be very pleased."

Margot picked up her goblet and chugged the wine down. She swiped her hand across her lips, "Too bad I won't be meeting this sultan anytime soon."

With that said she swung her goblet into the crotch of the closest guard, causing him to double over in pain. She grabbed his sword and fought off the other guard, disarming him and knocking him unconscious with the hilt.

The Captain stepped aside as she waved the sword at him, and she ran above decks, heading for one of the rowboats. The men on deck were so surprised, they let her pass without incident.

Just as she reached the rowboat, the world around her began to spin. She clutched at the deck railing and felt herself collapsing to the ground. The last thing she remembered was the leering face of the Captain.

"You drugged the wine," she whispered before losing consciousness.

Margot came to on a hard stone floor. As the fuzziness in her head receded, she heard a steady babbling of voices. She slowly opened her eyes, wincing at the bright sunlight.

When her eyes adjusted, she realized she was seated in a large receiving chamber. It was ornately decorated and sunlight streamed in through the open windows. She was behind some sort of throne and she watched as people milled about, one by one requesting things of the sultan.

She tried to brush her hair out of her eyes and realized her arms and legs were bound. As she struggled, the Captain came from behind and stuffed a gag in her mouth, shutting off her protests.

At a signal from the sultan, the guards standing at the walls began forcing the sultan's subjects out of the chamber. When the chamber had been cleared, Margot was picked up and dumped at the sultan's feet. He grabbed her chin and tilted her face up to look at him.

He said something to the guards in their language and they laughed. He turned his attention to Margot, "Very beautiful."

She glared at him as he reached for her necklace, 'accidentally' brushing the tops of her breasts.

The Captain shouted a warning before the sultan could touch the necklace. They spoke in hoarse whispers to one another for a few minutes.

When they had finished, the sultan's gaze fastened on Margot, "You will take us to Ali Baba's treasure. And then you will join my harem, to enjoy the riches."

Margot's thoughts about this were muffled by the gag, and the men around her laughed. The sultan made a hand gesture and Margot was slung over the shoulder of the nearest guard and carried out of the chamber.

She was dumped onto a set of cushions in a small room, the door locked as the guard exited. Margot set about trying to loosen her bindings.

Several hours later she had managed to barely loosen the knots tying her hands together. Exhaustion set in and she gave up, settling back on the cushions. She fell into a fitful sleep and when she awoke, the window in her room showed that night had arrived.

Just then she realized there was a rustling at her door. It opened slowly, and the dark silhouette of a man filled the doorway. Margot froze and prepared herself to fight as he stepped into the room.

The light from the wall sconces illuminated his face and Margot's eyes widened.

"What in God's name are you wearing?" whispered Johnny as he stared down at her in disbelief.

Several Hours Earlier…

Back at the cave, Johnny, Will, and Jack had managed to finish off the fifteen guards rather quickly. Only a few scratches testified to their struggle. They grabbed a rowboat and exited the cave, pausing in horror at the destruction of the Black Pearl.

Captain Jack Sparrow paled as he took in the state of his beloved ship and took a deep breath, "No matter. We must rescue Margot."

They climbed aboard the Pearl and as Jack interrogated his men to what had happened, Will pulled Johnny aside.

"Tis good to see that Jack cares for someone besides himself."

Johnny nodded, "He loves the lass. As do I."

Will clapped a hand on his son's shoulder, "We'll get her back son."

Jack Sparrow walked briskly over to them, "It seems a ship of the Sultan of these waters engaged the Pearl and took my bonny lass aboard. Do you know where he resides?"

"Aye. I can take you there. But we must be stealthy. The sultan has many men in his power and would not hesitate to use them all to get to the treasure."

"But how will the Pearl sail without her mast?" inquired Johnny.

Jack grinned, "That's what the oars are for lad. Below decks ye scurvy dogs!"

Johnny walked slowly over to Margot and kneeled in front of her, his eyes searching her face, "Did they hurt you?"

Margot shook her head and Johnny reached behind her, unfastening the gag.

"How did you find me?" she asked quietly as he used his knife to saw through the bindings on her hands.

"My Da knew of this sultan. We snuck into the palace in water barrels," replied Johnny as the bindings fell away.

Margot reached up and pulled him close, kissing him hard. Johnny responded, thrusting his tongue into her mouth as their kiss grew heated. He pushed her back onto the cushions, his need hard against her leg.

Margot attempted to wrap her legs around him then realized they were still bound. She pushed Johnny back, panting heavily, "My legs."

Johnny shook his head to clear it, "Right. Sorry. I blame the outfit."

Margot laughed as he started to untie her feet. Suddenly there was a commotion outside. Johnny froze for a moment and then quickly cut through the ropes on her legs, lifting her to her feet in one smooth movement.

He put his finger to his lips and motioned for her to follow him into the hallway. The voices grew louder the closer they got to the entrance hall and Margot heard the faints sounds of swords clashing.

"Shite," muttered Johnny as he withdrew his sword from his scabbard, "Wait here."

"Like hell I'll wait here," whispered Margot furiously, "I'm handier than you with a sword."

Johnny started to argue, when a guard came barreling around the corner and upon spotting them withdrew a scimitar. Johnny easily relieved him of his weapon and rendered him unconscious. He tossed Margot the scimitar and she caught it, brandishing it in front of her.

"Happy?" he asked.

"It'll have to do," shrugged Margot as she set off down the hall towards the commotion.

When they reached the entry way, they found Jack and Will fighting off a wave of armed guards. Margot jumped into the fray swinging her weapon at all who dared come near.

Johnny sighed and joined them, trying to protect Margot as best he could without her realizing it.

"Lass, what is that you're wearing?" questioned Jack as he thrust his sword into a man's leg.

"Don't be mentioning it if you want to live," growled Margot.

Suddenly, the four realized they were surrounded, with no possible means of escape, as more guards rushed in. The circle around them grew 10 men thick.

A voice carried over the sounds of the fighting, "Put down your weapons. You have lost the fight."

"I'd rather die fighting," muttered Will as he gripped his weapon more firmly.

The others seemed to echo his sentiments, until Margot, with a strange look in her eye, shook her head slowly.

"Put them down," she murmured. When they continued to stare at her blankly she let out an oath and ordered, "Put them down!"

They released their weapons, watching them clatter uselessly to the ground. The guards parted as the Captain and the sultan made their way towards them.

Margot took a deep breath and then pulled the gun from her father's belt.

"They go free."

The Captain smirked at her, "You kill us all with one gun? Unlikely."

He repeated his witty remark in Arabic and the men around them guffawed.

Jack Sparrow sighed, "Don't do anything stupid."

Will looked from father to daughter and grinned, "This looks familiar."

Margot pointed the gun at herself, "If I die, you lose your treasure."

Jack groaned, "Like that."

Johnny stared in horror at the barrel pressed against Margot's throat and whispered, "Don't.Margot, love, please."

Margot stiffened but ignored him as she stared at the sultan, murder in her eyes. Her intent had been communicated to the surrounding men and they conversed in raised voices.

The sultan silenced the babbling of his men with a hand motion and looked at Margot, "Your terms girl?"

"They come with us. To the treasure. If they are harmed, Ali Baba's treasure is lost forever."

The sultan and the Captain spoke to one another in low Arabic before the sultan ordered the guards to move away.

"We leave now," ordered the Captain, pointing to his ship anchored in the harbor.

"Jolly good," smiled Jack clapping the man on the shoulder, "Need a first mate?"