Aaaah! Freaky Fish People!
By: SilverstartheWaterbender
Silverstar: Here's Chapter 8!
Myri78: You'll see soon enough. Happy birthday! Thanks for reviewing!
kiri268: Thanks for reviewing!
hikishianara: SCARY SQUID THING! Thanks for reviewing!
Wolfen-Ways: I know! The beard plays piano…it freaks me out! Thanks for reviewing!
Midnight226: Thanks for reviewing!
spirochick39: Thanks for reviewing!
Illandrial: Ditto. Thanks for reviewing!
X5-452-54: Thanks for reviewing!
CaptainSparrow-luv.: Sorry, but I have enough trouble trying to fix in two characters.Thanks for reviewing!
GigglesforJohnnyDepp: Thanks for reviewing!
Cat18: Thanks for reviewing!
HoodiesRsoft: Not me, that's for sure. Thanks for reviewing!
Disclaimer: I don't own POTC or Toby, who belongs to Wolfen-Ways.
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Chapter Eight: Two People I Hate in the Same Town
(Mary's POV)
Later that night, Jack, Gibbs, and I were stationed in the Faithful Bride, "recruiting" members to our crew. Actually, that's not entirely accurate – Gibbs was recruiting, Jack was trying to fix his compass, and I was observing from a corner, on the grounds that if the men knew a girl helped crew the ship, they would be reluctant to join. I tried to make myself invisible, but they apparently saw me anyway; the line was very short. Sexist pigs.
I sighed and sat down beside Jack. He smiled at me briefly, before turning back to his compass.
"And what makes you think you're worthy to crew the Black Pearl?" Gibbs asked.
The man smiled apologetically. "Truth be told, I've never sailed a day in me life. I figure I should get out and see the world while I'm still young." I snorted. His hair was all white, and he walked with a large cane.
"You'll do," Gibbs consented. "Make your mark. Next!" I turned to Jack. He closed his compass, shook it, and opened it again.
"My wife ran off with my dog," the next man said, "and I'm drunk for a month, and I don't give an ass rat's if I live or die."
"Perfect!" I called from my seat. Gibbs agreed.
"I know what I want, I know what I want!" Jack muttered. I smiled sympathetically at him.
The interviews continued. "Me have one arm and a bum leg."
"It's the crow's nest for you."
"I know what I want!" Jack opened the compass and gave an exasperated sigh. I stared at the compass, praying it would point in only one direction – and not towards Elizabeth.
"Next!"
The final man grinned like a little kid. "Ever since I was a little lad, I've always wanted to sail the seven seas…forever."
"Another picture-perfect entry!" I said, smiling.
"Sooner than you think," Gibbs said, smiling. "Sign the roster."
"Thanks very much," the man said, grin growing wider.
Once he walked away, Jack asked, "How we going?"
"Including those four?" Gibbs asked. We nodded. "That gives us…four."
I winced. "I think I can safely say…we're doomed."
Jack looked at me. "Don't say that, luv!"
I rolled my eyes. "I didn't say you're doomed. What I'm saying is that if we don't find some more men fast, the whole crew will turn into pre-heated fish sticks."
"Nonsense!" Jack argued. He put his arm around me. "I'd never even dream of letting you go."
I ignored images of Elizabeth and smiled. I glanced down at the open compass. I caught my breath. For the briefest instant, it had been pointing at me!
Light-headed, I looked up to see my old buddy Norrington in line. I grinned and stood.
"And what's your story?" Gibbs asked, not recognizing him.
Norrington looked at him coldly. "My story…It's exactly the same as your story, just one chapter behind. I chased a man across the seven seas. The pursuit cost me my crew, my commission, and my life."
Jack, finally recognizing the voice, closed his compass and started sneaking off. He gestured frantically for me to follow. I shook my head and whispered, "I'll have some fun with ole Jimmy first." Jack frowned but snuck off anyway.
As Norrington took a swig of rum, Gibbs finally recognized him. "Commodore?"
Norrington's face clouded. "No, not anymore. Weren't you listening?!" He leaned in closer, his voice deathly quiet. "I nearly had you all off Tripoli. I would have, if not for the hurricane."
"Lord," Gibbs whispered. "You didn't try to sail through it?" Norrington didn't answer. He didn't have to.
I stepped up beside a stunned Gibbs. "James Norrington," I said, looking him up and down. "It's been a while. I'd say I'm glad to see you, but I pride myself in being one of the more honest pirates in this tavern."
Norrington's face became, if possible, even angrier. "Mary Anderson," he hissed, putting a hand on his cutlass. "You and Jack Sparrow cost me everything."
I shook my head. "Don't you go blaming us, Jimmy. If I recall correctly, you resigned. You chose to give up."
Norrington was silent for a long moment. He didn't ask how I knew so much, and I didn't explain. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jack grab a plant and try to walk away, hiding behind it. Finally, he asked stiffly, "So do I make your crew or not?"
Gibbs and I exchanged a glance. I cleared my throat. "Well…"
"You haven't said where you're going," Norrington interrupted. "Somewhere nice?!" He tipped the table over, sending Gibbs sprawling. I leapt over the table and pulled my sword out. "Easy, Jimmy, I don't want to hurt you." Actually, I did. A lot. But he didn't need to know that.
Norrington looked around the tavern, and the music stopped. "So am I worthy to serve under Captain Jack Sparrow?" He pointed his pistol at Jack. "Or should I just kill you now?"
Jack slowly lowered the plant. He tried moving his head to the other side of a pole next to him. Norrington moved his pistol. Jack moved back to his original position. So did Norrington.
"You're hired," Jack said finally.
Norrington smirked. "Sorry…old habits and all that."
Two of our newest crewmates grabbed on to Norrington's arms. "Easy, sailor!" "That's our captain you're threatening!"
One of the sailors pointed the arm with the pistol up at the ceiling. The gun fired, and the shot bounced off a chandelier and shattered a guys rum glass. I laughed, and the man tossed another glass at me. I ducked, and the glass broke against the wall. Within seconds, the band was playing, and the entire tavern was up in a full out bar brawl.
"Sweet!" I laughed. "Tortuga in all it's glory!"
Jack put the plant back in its pot. "Time to go!"
"Aye!" Gibbs agreed.
We maneuvered around bar patrons and quickly made our way upstairs, Jack trying on hats all the way. Through the chaos, I saw Elizabeth make her entrance and join the fight. I halted, seething.
"Let's go, lass!" Gibbs shouted, shoving me forward. I jumped and continued moving, trying to ignore the pit in my stomach.
Jack grabbed a hat off someone's head and tried it on. "Thanks, mate," he said. He gave the man a friendly push, sending him falling down the stairs.
"The hat's too small!" I called over the din.
He frowned and turned to see a group of men about to throw another man off the balcony. He stepped in front of the group, put the hat on the unlucky man's head, and stepped aside. "Carry on." They did.
Jack turned to me. "Would you believe this is one of their quieter nights?"
I peered over the balcony. "Yup."
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(Toby's POV)
The sound of an organ was background for the work of the damned. I threw myself at my work with wild abandon, clenching my teeth. I can't believe Jack traded us to Jones! I was just starting to like him, too…
Will and I pulled on the rope that was raising a cannon onto the upper deck. I didn't know why it was need there, and I didn't want to.
"Secure the mast tackle, Mr. Turner!" the bosun called from the helm.
Will looked up and raced to the upper deck. Strangely, another sailor – this one more man than fish – did the same. Strange, he looked sort of familiar…
I shook my head and continued working. Suddenly, the cannon dropped at an alarming rate, sending us sprawling.
I groaned. "Wonderful job, Will," I muttered, rubbing my head. "I never thought the way to secure the mast tackle would be to let go of it."
"Haul that weevil to his feet!" the bosun shouted.
I stood, ran up the stairs and helped Will up. The other sailor was gaping at him, shaking his head in shock. Two monsters grabbed Will and held him against the side of the mast (facing it).
The bosun came over, holding a whip. "Five lashes will remind you to stay on 'em!" He raised the whip.
"No!" the other sailor shouted, grabbing the bosun's arm.
The bosun smirked at him. "Impeding me in my duties? You'll share the punishment!"
"I'll take it all." Wait…could it be?
"Will you, now?" I jumped as Jones came out of nowhere. He stood before the sailor. "And what would prompt such an act of charity?"
The man hesitated. "My son…he's my son."
Will stared at him over his shoulder, eyes wide. Of course! This was Bootstrap Bill Turner, the man Barbossa sent to the depths for standing up for Jack! I hadn't recognized because I hadn't seen him in eleven years.
Jones stared at the two Turners and laughed. "What fortuitous circumstance be this?" he said, smirking. He took the whip from the bosun. "Five lashes be owed, I believe it is." He held out the whip to Bootstrap.
Bootstrap looked at the whip. He looked at Jones. "No. No, I won't!"
"The cat's out of the bag, Mr. Turner!" Jones replied. "Your issue will feel its sting, be it by the bosun's hand or your own." I took a step back in horror. In truth, I considered Will a friend now.
Bootstrap stole a glance at Will. "No…"
"Bosun!" Jones called.
"No!" Bootstrap objected. He took the whip and slowly walked towards Will. I took another step back.
The monster's ripped Will's shirt, leaving his back vulnerable to the whiplash. Bootstrap hesitated for the longest moment, but snapped the whip onto Will's back. Will gave a loud grunt of pain. I winced. What was with my emotions lately? Had removing the curse removed the greater part of my stoniness?
Eyes wide, Bootstrap commenced with the punishment. Once finished, the monsters tossed him over the balcony to the lower deck. Bootstrap and I rushed down the steps to him.
"You had it easy, boy!" one of the pirates called down. I looked up and bared my teeth at him. I snarled, wolf-like. The monster shrank back.
"Will," Bootstrap whispered.
"I don't need your help!" Will snapped, standing shakily.
I smiled weakly at Bootstrap. "Nice to see you again, Bootstrap. Remember me?"
Bootstrap frowned for a second, and then smiled. "Toby…you've grown. You look so different than when I saw you last."
"Thank you…you too."
Bootstrap snorted and looked me up and down. "I'm glad the curse was lifted. Every man should know a free life…at least for a while." He turned to Will, who was leaning against the rigging. "The bosun prides himself with cleaving flesh from bone with every swing!"
Will stared at him. "So I'm to understand what you did was an act of compassion?"
Bootstrap nodded, looking hurt. "Yes."
"He was trying to ease the pain, Will," I explained. Will just looked at us, surprised.
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A little bit later, the three of us were walking below deck, catching up. "One hundred years before the mast," Bootstrap said regretfully, "losing who you were, bit by bit, until you end up…end up like poor Wyvern here." He gestured at what looked like a sailor carved into the ship, the figure sticking out of the wall slightly.
I cringed. "And I thought I'd been part of the worst curse in existence. Apparently I was wrong."
Bootstrap nodded. "Once you've sworn an oath to the Dutchman, there's no leaving it. Not until your debt is paid."
"Toby and I've sworn no oath," Will told him.
"We were tricked on here," I added, a flash of anger blinding me momentarily.
Bootstrap looked hopeful. "Then you must get away."
"We can't," I told him. "We're here to look for something. We might as well get our job done."
Will held out the cloth and showed it to Bootstrap. "The key," he explained.
Suddenly, there was a loud creaking. I turned to the source of the noise and gasped. Wyvern had slightly pulled himself away from the wall! "The Dead Man's Chest!" he gasped, his voice no more than a whisper.
Will and I looked at each other, shocked. "What do you know of this?" Will whispered to Wyvern.
Wyvern leaned back slightly. "Open the chest with the key, and stab the heart…no, don't stab the heart!" he corrected himself. "The Dutchman needs a living heart, or there'll be no captain, and if there's no captain, there'll be no one to have the key!"
"Now we're getting somewhere!" I exclaimed. "So Jones has the key?" Wyvern's eyes widened as he realized what he said. He leaned back against the wall. I tried again. "Where's the key?"
"Hidden," he answered.
"Where is the chest?" Will asked.
"Hidden." Wyvern closed his eyes and became part of the ship once more.
I stared at Will. "Was that supposed to help?"
"Yes."
"Did it?"
Will smiled. "Yes."
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(Mary's POV)
Ten minutes later, we met our crew at the dock. I stared fixedly at the ground, hoping Elizabeth would somehow miss us.
Jack looked at me, worried. "You seem awfully quiet, luv."
I blinked. "So?"
Jack gave me a look. "With you, that always means something's troubling you. Please tell me what's wrong this time?"
I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, I heard the voice I'd dreaded the whole night to hear. "Captain Sparrow!"
Jack looked back, not recognizing Lizzie. "Come to join me crew, lad? Welcome aboard."
"I'm here to find the man I love," Lizzie told him. Norrington staggered behind her.
Jack threw me a disgusted glance. "I'm deeply flattered, son, but my first love is the sea. My only other would happen to be standing right next to me." I grinned, feeling my heart soar.
Lizzie looked surprised, but clarified. "Meaning William Turner, Captain Sparrow." Norrington leaned over the railing on the dock and vomited. I had no choice but to look at Elizabeth.
Jack turned and looked at her. "Elizabeth," he breathed. "Hide the rum," he ordered Gibbs.
I rolled my eyes and gave Elizabeth a hard, fixed smile. "Hello, Elizabeth. How are you?"
Lizzie sighed. "I've been better. And you?"
I gritted my teeth, trying to remain civil. Thankfully, it worked. "Same."
Jack finally cut short our reunion. "You know, those clothes don't flatter you at all. It should be a dress or nothing. I happen to have no dress in my cabin."
I looked at him. "You change your mind quickly, don't you?" I expected to feel angry at Jack, but I didn't – my voice, like my heart, was hollow and defeated.
Jack gaped at me, shocked at what we both were doing. I fixed him with that same empty stare and started walking back down the pier.
"Mary?" Jack called, his voice sounding panicked. "Mary, come back! I was only kidding, luv! Really!"
I stopped and looked over my shoulder. "Were you, Jack? Were you?"
Jack nodded. "Yes! I was!" I looked at him for a long moment before walking back to him. He tried putting his arm around me, but I stepped back, leaving him looking hurt. I sighed. I could forgive him this time, as Lizzie wasn't playing along. I stepped forward again and slowly held his hand. I gave him the smallest of smiles. He smiled back, looking greatly relieved.
Lizzie cleared her throat, impatient. "I know Will came to find you, Jack. Where is he?"
Jack and I exchanged a glance. "Who?"
Lizzie stared at me. "Will Turner?"
"Oh, that Will!" I said. "Funny story about that…"
Jack smiled weakly at her. "Darling, I am truly unhappy to have to tell you this, but…through an unfortunate and entirely unforeseeable…" He glanced at me, and I nodded. "…series of circumstances that have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with me…" I snorted. "…poor Will has been press-ganged into Davy Jones' crew.
"Toby as well," I added. "You know, the werewolf."
"Davy Jones?" Elizabeth echoed. We nodded.
Norrington stopped vomiting and looked up at us. "Oh, please. The captain of the Flying Dutchman?"
"Unless you know any other Davy Jones," I said to him.
Jack looked him over. "You look bloody awful, mate. What are you doing here?"
"You hired me. I can't help it if your standards are lax."
"You smell funny," Jack retorted lamely.
"It's true," I added.
"Jack, Mary," Lizzie interrupted. I smiled apologetically. "Sorry."
Lizzie gave Jack a long look. "All I want is to find Will."
I could practically see the proverbial wheels in Jack's head turning at top speed. "Are you certain? Is that what you really want most?"
Lizzie nodded slowly. "Of course."
"Don't worry," I told her. "This time, it'll work. Trust me." Lizzie looked at me, and then nodded again. I blinked. That bitch actually trusts me!
"Because I would think," Jack continued, "that you'd want to find a way to save Will most."
"And you'd have a way of doing that?" Lizzie asked skeptically.
"As a matter of fact, we do," I told her.
"How?"
"Well," Jack began, "there is a chest…"
"Oh, dear," Norrington groaned.
I glared at him. "Norrington, SHUT UP!" He stared at me in shock. So did everyone else. I'd never lost it this much before. But then again, I'd never been this angry before.
Jack gave me a last, deeply concerned look before continuing. "A chest of unknown size and origin."
Pintel and Ragetti came up to us, staggering under the weight of a large box. "What contains the still-beating heart of Davy Jones," Pintel said in a spooky voice. Ragetti alternately contracted and flexed his fingers, making thumping sounds.
"And whoever possesses that chest," Jack went on, "possesses the leverage to command Jones whatever it is he or she wants, including saving brave William from his grave fate."
"You make it sound so simple," I grumbled. Jack leapt back, expecting another outburst. I rolled my eyes and looked at Elizabeth. "This sounding pretty good so far?"
"You don't actually believe them, do you?" Norrington asked Lizzie.
I put a hand on my cutlass. "What did I just tell you to do?" I said in an icily calm voice. Norrington took a step back but looked expectantly at Lizzie.
She hesitated, but asked, "How would we find it?"
Jack smiled and pulled out his compass. "With this. My compass…is unique."
"'Unique' here having the meaning of 'broken?'" Norrington asked cynically.
I glared at him. Suddenly, I had an idea that may hinder Lizzie's cause. "Perhaps a demonstration is in order. Compass, please." Jack handed me the compass. I opened it and held it out in front of me. All eyes were on it. Sure enough, the compass needle pointed straight at Jack.
"Thank you," I said, handing back his compass. Jack, mouth open, looked behind him, and then looked at me. A smile appeared on his face, and he took a step toward me. "Mary…"
"The compass," I interrupted, "points at whatever the holder wants most in the world. Elizabeth, it was already established that what you want most is to find Will, which means you want to find the object that assures Will's safe return. Therefore, when you hold it, the compass will point at the chest."
"Are you telling the truth?" Lizzie whispered as Norrington vomited again.
"Yup."
"Every word, luv. And what you want most in this world is to find the chest of Davy Jones, is it not?" He pressed the compass against her palm.
"To save Will," Lizzie finished.
"By finding the chest of Davy Jones."
I sighed. "We already established this twice, Jack. Weren't you paying attention?"
Jack looked at me, that distracted look in his eye once more. "No…I was a bit…preoccupied." He looked at me, then at the compass. Me, compass. Finally, he shook his head, snapped open the compass, and backed away quickly.
I peered over Lizzie's shoulder at the reading. "Northeast," I reported.
Jack peered at the compass reading. "Mr. Gibbs!" he called.
Gibbs rushed over. "Cap'n."
"We have our heading."
"It's about time," I laughed, uplifted by the prospect of the open sea.
"Aye," Gibbs agreed. "Cast off those lines! Weigh anchor and crowd that canvas!"
"Miss Swann," Jack nodded, gesturing at the gangplank.
Elizabeth nodded and boarded the ship. Norrington started to follow, but Pintel handed him a goat. "Welcome to the crew, former commodore." Staggering under the goat, Norrington boarded the Pearl.
I was about to follow when Jack put his hands on my shoulders. "Mary," he whispered hoarsely. "The compass…did you…did you r-really…?"
I smiled, butterflies in my stomach. "The compass never lies, Jack," I murmured. I leaned in closer. "And neither do I." I smiled and walked onto the Pearl.
"'Scuse me, Mary," Gibbs said, rushing back down the plank. I leaned over the railing to see Jack slumped against a box, a wide smile on his face.
Gibbs helped him to his face. "Jack, what happened? What's wrong?"
Jack looked at him, still grinning. "Nothing, Gibbs. Nothing at all is wrong."
Gibbs blinked. "Are you sure?"
Jack sighed. "She's wonderful, isn't she?" I caught my breath.
"Who? Elizabeth?"
That got Jack's attention. He glowered at Gibbs. "No, not Elizabeth, you ninny!"
Gibbs looked confused, and then looked up at the ship. Our eyes locked. Gibbs smiled, shaking his head. "Good God, lass, what did you do to him?"
I smiled slyly. "Nothing, Gibbs. Absolutely nothing. Nighty-night." Waving, I walked away from the railing, grinning.
Tia's words about changing the plot came back to me. "I just might pull this off!"
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Silverstar: Phew, that was long! Aw, nice moment between Mary and Jack. So, with a lovestruck Jack and a short-tempered Mary, how long can the crew keep their sanity? Who knows? R&R!
Revised 10/28/07