Chapter 3: Chess Piece

Elizabeth was watching the parade uninterested. Of course, she wouldn't have been there at all if not for little William, who was looking forward to the navvy's march for a few weeks now, ever since James told her about it. And then there was her ex fiance requesting her presence as well, the commodore had to be there in front of the troops, but was hesitant to leave her alone as he feared she would take the first chance to rush off to the ghost ship. As far as they knew, the Pearl was still standing anchored the same place for the last week and if nothing else happened James would order the search of the pirate ship tomorrow. If Jack was alive, he would be captured as the crown required it, it was one thing to overlook the law in private, but James could not afford to grant any privileges for any pirate in public any more. All in all, she would have to get there first, row away with Jack, whatever, if he was alive. She had to know. Although she stood on the steps of the town hall in James' direct sight, she knew he could hardly do a thing if she took off under the circumstances. She was contemplating the right moment when she saw the rows of the cavalry bunch up, horses jump up and the music disturbed by the chaos. She looked to see what caused the disturbance and she couldn't believe it! Not that he was daring to come into town, not that he was trotting right through the middle of the whole army unit, not that he was heading straight towards her, but...where did Jack learn to ride so well? Some kind of seahorse??

He stopped the horse before the steps, his face eye level with hers. "I really don't have much time for the fuss," he started. He'd been recognized, the curse of being so famous. His name was hailed, but who did he have to thank for that? Did he really have to make that entrance? "Opportune moments and all that. I love you, coming or not?"

Elizabeth shook her head nervously, "what about William?" She held the boy's hand.

"Pass him over!"

Elizabeth lifted him and Jack put the child in front of him while helping Elizabeth up at the back. "What are we doing?" She asked as Jack jumped over the podium and round a couple of soldiers.

"The usual," was the answer and Elizabeth's eyes went wide as they were heading to the edge of the wall full speed, "trust me, I've got you both."

There was no time to oppose, the horse finally realized the destination and came to a sharp halt at the very edge, sending the three flying into the ocean. Elizabeth remembered to take a big breath this time before hitting the water, during the time she had spent with Jack water became her second home. She opened her eyes below the surface and saw Jack holding William tight. He motioned her to swim round the rocks and then she saw the ropes already. They were on board the Pearl in no time.

"Captain, orders," Gibbs requested immediately, smiling happily at seeing Elizabeth and William. They were pretending to be a ghost ship for so long, but now the navy knew they weren't.

"Tortuga, we need some crew!"

"Not so much, Jack," Gibbs answered, "look who's back now that we're all clear."

Jack made a displeased gesture at Pintel, Ragetti, Marty and Cotton, "aye, ye can come."

William was looking at the large moving sails mesmerized. He just wanted to see a parade and now he was in the middle of an adventure. "Where are we going, mum?"

"Wherever Jack takes us sweetie."

"Captain Jack Sparrow?" He asked with dreamy eyes, running after Jack. All those tales he heard from the fishermen down the shore, were they true? He was going to ask that pirate.

"Yes, Jack," Elizabeth stopped him as well, "you two have not officially met yet. William, I want you to meet your father."

The End.