Again, thanks to everyone for reviewing, but as for Not a Bot, I don't think you had any reason to be so harsh in your criticism. There are some amazing fanfiction writers and I know I'm not one of them, but writing fanfiction is strictly for enjoyment, at least for me, and I don't care if the story idea has been used a million times. I wanted to write my own version. I'm fine with constructive criticism, but if it's just plain criticism and you don't like the story, don't review. And just to clear things up, I am a much better writer than this, I just don't have nearly enough time to put as much effort into this as I'd like to. I would rather have fun doing what I can, than not do anything at all.

Chapter 16

Isla de Muerta had a way of putting a chill in one's body even when the air was not cold. Grace wrapped her arms around herself, hugging the leather coat that encased her body close as she paced back and forth along the deck of the Dauntless, waiting for Jack to return. He had gone out in a boat with Norrington and some soldiers to assess the situation. They had been gone a while and Grace was feeling impatient. Every minute that went by brought Will closer to his death . . . if he was still alive. Grace wouldn't let her mind go that far.

Finally, after making it all the way back to the stern of the ship for the countless time, Grace looked into the fog and saw the boat returning. Now maybe they would finally do something. As everyone climbed aboard, Grace noticed what looked like a smirk on Jack's face that made her suspicious. She watched him carefully and didn't notice Norrington giving his men quite orders. Two of the men walked up to Grace as two others approached Elizabeth.

"Miss Morgan, for your safety, we are instructed to take you to the Commodore's cabin," one of the soldiers said.

Grace made a face. "No, I'm going to help rescue Will."

The two soldiers took her by the arms. "Sorry, Miss, but these are our orders."

They pulled Grace towards the cabin even as she struggled against them.

"Let me go," Grace demanded. "I don't need to be protected!"

Elizabeth was also struggling and yelling at the soldiers. Grace looked over her shoulder as the neared the cabin. "Jack Sparrow, you tell me to let them go now!"

With a sudden burst of strength, Grace yanked herself away from the surprised guards. Before they could catch her again, she ran over to Jack who was just about to climb down into a small boat.

"I am coming with you, Jack," she said firmly.

"I think we've been through this kind of argument once before," Jack replied. "Stay here, where it's safe."

"I don't need to stay where it's safe. You know I can fight," Grace said. "Besides, you can't expect to go in there alone and come out alive unless you're planning to betray everyone just to get back your ship."

Jack made a slightly sheepish face and Grace looked at him accusingly. "Is that what you're planning?"

"No," Jack replied hastily. "But what I'm goin' to say in there is goin' to sound like I'm betrayin' everyone. Just so you know, I do have a plan and you have to trust me, understand?"

"Trust you?"

"Yes, either that or you're stayin' here."

Grace sighed heavily. "All right, fine."

"You gotta promise me you'll do exactly what I tell you and not do anythin' stupid."

This was even harder for Grace. "Okay, I . . . I promise."

Jack grinned. "All right, good. Follow me."

Jack climbed down into the boat and Grace eagerly went to follow him.

"Miss Morgan, where are you going?" Norrington asked, coming quickly to her side.

"I'm going to help Jack," Grace answered.

"He is going into a cave full of pirates. I cannot let you endanger your life like that."

"I am very efficient in protecting myself, Commodore, and I will not sit here and do nothing while Will's in there."

Grace quickly stepped over the railing and climbed swiftly down the side of the ship to the boat before Norrington could say another word in protest. Jack picked up the oars and rowed away from the Dauntless. As they rowed into the blackness of the cave, Jack cast one last look at the ship.

"Ya know, Elizabeth's gonna throw a royal hissy fit when she finds out you came along."

Grace shrugged. "I'm sure she's thrown royal hissy fits about a lot of things."

Jack smirked and continued rowing in silence.

When they made it inside, Grace and Jack quietly left the boat and pulled it onto the rocks. Grace could hear the murmur of pirate's up ahead. Jack led her to the place where the two of them and Will had watched Elizabeth before rescuing her. Grace could see Barbossa's men leading Will up the pile of gold towards the Aztec chest. At least he's alive.

"You stay right here and keep out of sight," Jack ordered. "Do not show yourself, under any circumstance, until it's time."

"When is that?" Grace asked.

"Trust me, you'll know. All bloody hell 'ill break lose." Jack turned to leave, but quickly turned back to her. "And remember, no matter what I say, do not come out."

Grace nodded and Jack scampered away. Grace turned her eyes to Will who was now standing over the chest. Barbossa pulled out a knife and Grace had to work hard to control her heart beat.

"Begun by blood . . ."

As Barbossa began the chant, Grace noticed Jack making his way through the crowd of pirates.

". . . by blood un—"

Jack made it up to the front.

"Jack!" Will exclaimed.

"S'not possible!" The size of Barbossa's eyes said everything.

"Not probable," Jack corrected with a grin.

"Where are Elizabeth and Grace?" Will wanted to know.

"Elizabeth's safe just like I promised. She's all set to marry Norrington just like she promised; you get to die for her just like you promised; and Grace is following orders just like she promised. So we're all men of our word really, except for Elizabeth and Grace who are, in fact, women."

Grace almost chuckled to herself from her hiding spot, but her amusement left the second Barbossa said, "Shut up! You're next," and put his knife to Will's throat. Do something, Jack!

"You don't want to be doing that, mate," Jack told Barbossa.

"No, I really think I do," Barbossa replied.

Jack shrugged. "Your funeral."

Grace held her breath. Finally, Barbossa turned back to Jack.

"Why don't I want to be doin' it?"

"Well, because . . . " Jack slapped the hand of the pirate who was holding him back and proceeded to climb the mound of treasure. "the HMS Dauntless, pride of the Royal Navy, is floating just offshore, waiting for you."

Murmurs swept through the group and Barbossa's eyes grew again.

"Ya filthy bilge rat, you led them here!" he accused.

"Yes, but just hear me out, mate. You order your men to row out to the Dauntless. They do what they do best. Robert's your uncle, Fannie's your aunt, there you are with two ships, the makings of your very own fleet. 'Course you'll take the grandest as your flagship, and who's to argue? But what of the Pearl? Name me Captain, I'll sail under your colors, I'll give you ten percent of me plunder and you get to introduce yourself as Commodore Barbossa. Savvy?"

Grace shook her head. Jack had warned her that he was going to sound like he was betraying them all, but she hadn't expected it to be so convincing. She couldn't help be wonder if he wasn't really betraying them. You have to trust him, Grace, she told herself. You can't go in there and expect to save Will alone. You need Jack.

"I s'pose in exchange, you want me not to kill the whelp," Barbossa said.

"No, no, not at all. By all means, kill the whelp."

Grace groaned quietly. At least he could have guaranteed Will's safety.

"Just not yet," Jack continued. "Wait to lift the curse until the opportune moment. For instance . . ." Jack picked up a few of the medallions. "after you've killed Norrington's men . . . every . . . last . . . one." One by one he dropped the medallions, but Grace thought she saw him hide one is his sleeve and she desperately wondered what his plan was.

"You've been planning this from the beginning," Will accused. "Ever since you learned my name."

"Yeah," Jack replied.

"I want fifty percent of your plunder," Barbossa said.

"Fifteen," Jack replied.

"Forty."

"Twenty-five," Jack said firmly. "And I'll buy you the hat. A really big one . . . Commodore."

Barbossa thought it over carefully and then extended his hand. "We have an accord."

Jack smiled and turned to the other pirates. "All hands to the boats!" When no one moved, he noticed Barbossa looking at him with narrowed eyes. "Apologies," he said quickly. "You give the orders."

"Gents, take a walk!" Barbossa ordered.

The pirates turned and left the cave with evil intent. Grace watched carefully, waiting for Jack to make his move, but instead he began exploring the cave, admiring different pieces of treasure. Grace sighed as one by one the minutes dragged passed. Jack what are you thinking? The longer time went on, the more Grace had to wonder if he'd lied to her. She was starting to get impatient and desperate when Barbossa spoke.

"I must admit, Jack, I thought I had ya figured, but it turns out that yer a hard man to predict."

"Me?" Jack replied, sounding surprised. "I'm dishonest and a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest. Honestly, it's the honest ones you want to watch out for, because you can never predict when they're going to do something incredibly . . . stupid."

Grace was suddenly on high alert and a split second later, Jack pulled out the sword of one of the pirates who had stayed behind and tossed it to Will. Grace jumped up, pulling out her sword as she scrambled over the ledge in front of her.

"Dang it, Jack! I was almost likin' you!" Barbossa shouted as he and Jack clashed their swords.

Grace ran towards Will and quickly took on one of a couple of pirates who were attacking him.

"Grace," Will said in surprise once they had a second.

She gave him a quick smile and continued fighting. Side by side they faced their attackers, which, unfortunately, they had no way of defeating. All they could do was fight to stay alive themselves. Several minutes later, Grace happened to glance up at Jack just in time to see him shove his sword into Barbossa's chest. For a tiny moment she had hope, but of course, Barbossa could not be killed. In the next perilous instant, Barbossa pulled the sword out and in turned, stabbed it into Jack. Grace gasped at the same time Jack did. He staggered back into a shaft of moonlight. His whole body turned instantly to a rotting skeleton. Grace grinned and had to turn back to the pirates she was fighting.

On and on they fought with no victory in sight. What did Jack plan after this? Grace wondered. The couldn't go on fighting forever. As soon as the rest of Barbossa's men murdered all of Norrington's men, they'd return and kill her and Will.

Suddenly, there was an explosion. Grace turned quickly to see Will laying defenseless on the rocks and a pirate was about to run him through with his sword.

"I'm gonna teach you the meanin' of pain!"

Before Grace could rush to his aid, Elizabeth appeared.

"You like pain?" She swung a heavy gaff at the pirate. "Try wearing a corset."

Elizabeth helped Will up and they smiled at each other. Grace felt her heart sink. All three pirates attacked Will and Elizabeth and Grace watched the two of them fight together. They stuck the gaff through all three pirates and Will put a lit grenade into the middle pirate's ribcage. He and Elizabeth pushed the pirates into the shadows where they turned back to flesh. The two of them quickly ran and the pirates exploded. As Will ran towards the Aztec chest, Grace saw Barbossa pull out his pistol and aim it at Elizabeth. She skid to a halt and the cave echoed as a shot went off. Grace's mouth dropped open, wondering if Elizabeth had been shot, but she realized it was Jack who had shot at Barbossa.

"Ten years you carry that pistol and now you waste your shot," Barbossa said.

"He didn't waste it."

Everyone looked up at Will who was standing over the chest. He opened his cut hand and dropped two medallions into it. Barbossa dropped his sword and pulled back his jacket just as blood started flowing from the wound in his chest.

"I feel . . . cold."

Barbossa fell back into the gold and a green apple rolled out of his hand. He was dead. The curse was lifted.