Chapter 3: Return

"Jackie. Wake up...Jackie!"

Jack felt his shoulders being shaken. He opened his eyes. He was lying roughly in the same position he remembered himself being, except that Giselle's lap under his head was replaced by her large, red coat.

"Jack?" said Giselle seeing the required response she was looking for, "I've borrowed a cart. I'll take you to Anamaria."

Jack's pupils widened as he slowly sat up. "Anamaria? Since when do you two talk to each other?"

Giselle performed a half laugh, half smile, "well, I...I have nothing against her! Especially that she's not the one who's keeping you away from me anymore."

Jack stared at her for a few seconds, "Giselle," he started, "I don't know what you're trying to do, but the Pearl..."

"You are in no position to have a go," she interrupted, "besides, she's away by now." She looked away and sighed, "on the other hand, the Interceptor can take you to safety! To your beloved!" She shouted on top of her voice, angry, which brought Jack's lips to curve to a tiny, but noticeable smile. But what was she talking about. The smile over her jealousy was washed off his face, "whhatt?? What beloved?"

"Na the girl you've been seen with? Gibbs told everyone the story how you've voted her the pirate king!"

He looked her in the eye. "I had my reasons, darlin, but I can assure you none of them had anything to do with pistillate sentimentalism! And you can't just haul me over to Shipwreck Cove! What should she do with a stranger like me?"

"I'm sure you can use your Captain Jack Sparrow charms or something. Want the help or not?"

In his present condition, it was the best offer he had. "Go?"

She helped him up, "Anamaria!" She welcomed her old arch enemy with Jack staggering bent down, held by Giselle at waist level. "Great you got my message!"

Grabbing him by his other hand, Anamaria noted that he did not seem as if he was completely aware of what was happening to him, although he just about stood by own effort. They stopped by the cart, where they eased him down into it. She too, was overwhelmed by her concern.

"That's the end of the road for me," Giselle stepped back and addressed Anamaria, again forgetting all animosity. "He'll be safest were he belongs to, he needs a powerful witch to eliminate the effects of a weakening spell," she explained quickly and as efficiently as she could, "tell him that I lo…that I'll always be here for him. " Already backing out, she looked at Jack for one more moment and gave him a good hand squeeze. Then she disappeared with a faint smile on her face.

Tbc