Disclaimer: Not mine

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Jack felt as though he should be running faster. Will's and Elizabeth's lives likely depended on him and James but it was almost as though they were running in place.

"How much further do you think it is?" he asked.

James looked as though he was feeling no better. He was terribly out of practice when it came to running long distances (not as though he ran much to begin with) "The man just said that they were straight ahead so I know scarcely more than you."

"How could you know more than me?"

James was inching ever closer to finally letting loose and punching Sparrow right in that golden, bothersome mouth.

"We don't have time for this. Just keep going," James said.

"Then why are you yelling at me?"

"I'M NOT YELLING AT YOU!" James needed a few seconds to just stop and breathe.

"That's not running," Jack said, leaning against a tree to catch his breath.

"What made me ever think I could work with you?" James muttered.

After another minute (that they would unfortunately never get back) the two continued to run.

Will and James were in the middle of daytime duties two days later. Will looked as though he'd keel over with a strong enough wind.

"You look like sh-"

"I know what I look like James. I don't need you to remind me everyday thank you very much."

Word had gotten around the night before that they would be at the island where everyone was to be sold within the next few weeks. Everyone was on pins and needles and even though land would be a welcome stop, no one wanted to go. An end to this never-ending, horrible journey meant a real lifetime of servitude the likes of which there would be no escape from.

While Will stopped for a moment to sneeze, James thought his words over very carefully. "William, I've been thinking..."

Will sneezed one more time. "What?" he asked wiping his nose with the back of his hand.

James looked momentarily disgusted before shaking it off. "I've been working on a plan Turner and I need a little help with it," James said, lowering his voice with every word.

Some of the crew was looking at them suspiciously so James went back to scrubbing.

"What've you got in mind so far?" Will asked once the coast was clear.

"We have to lead a sort of revolt."

The two of them were silent for a moment.

"And..."

"And I need help. I need someone with a past in this sort of thing. I need..."

Will caught on by the end. "You need Jack."

"Look, Sparrow is the one who's best with this sort of thing. I thought that maybe on night shift he's noticed something that we can use to an advantage and..."

"I don't know James," Will said shaking his head, "it seems sort of risky."

James looked at Will like he had five heads. "And I'm sure that you, Mr. Turner, know nothing about risk. Freeing pirates from jail to save the governor's daughter don't constitute enough risk for you Mister Riskless Turner."

"No, I know that James. It's just...I just...fine, I'll talk to Jack about your idea tonight and see what he thinks of it."

"Thank you. By the way you've missed a spot."

Will looked and James quickly wiped it away for him. Will thanked him with the nod of his head and continued working.

James could finally see the clearing in the distance. "Maybe they're somewhere up here," he said pointing.

They arrived and immediately saw that Will was hanging from the chained pillar unconscious.

"William, come on mate," Jack said lightly tapping the boy's face. He didn't as much as move.

James turned to see Elizabeth on the table similarly out cold. "Elizabeth," he said gently shaking her. Her skin was hot to the touch. The two younger ones did not move and unfortunately James and Jack didn't have anything that could be used to take the chains off of them.

"What're we going to do Jack?" James asked.

Jack walked back and forth a few times while mumbling to himself. It was then that he noticed that the rays on the sun medallion of Elizabeth's necklace came to a point. On the manacles which held her wrists and arms above her head, there was a tiny hole just large enough for the spike of the sun to fit inside.

Not willing to waste another second, Jack ripped the necklace off and tested his theory. The spike was a perfect fit! After a soft click, the restraints came free. While James picked her up into his arms, Jack went and freed Will.

He positioned Will's arm over his shoulder because, obviously, Will was too heavy for him to carry. Jack placed a hand against Will's forehead and the boy moaned. "Come on, we've got to get them to the water."

"Indeed," James said. "Elizabeth's burning up."

"William isn't much better."

They decided without words that James should lead the way seeing as Jack was going to have to basically drag Will to the water.

"I don't think we're too far..." James pushed back a tree branch and there was their beautiful lake.

"Hurry, we've gotta soak 'em down," Jack said. He cupped his hands together and brought out some water before dropping it on Will and spreading it around. James began to do likewise for Elizabeth (taking care not to touch her in any way deemed inappropriate) as Will's eyes slowly began to open.

"Jack," he asked faintly.

"Just hang on Turner; you're both safe for now."

The boy turned his head to see Elizabeth beginning to wake as well. "Will is he..." she asked.

"Over here Elizabeth."

It seemed as though things were finally going to go right...until a shriek in the distance caused everyone to stop cold.

"Uh oh," Sparrow said.

I can never resist having Jack/James banter. Always something comical to add when things are looking down. Thanks for reading. See you all in a week. :)