I wanted to give you this so you wouldn't panic about the cliffhanger.

Disclaimer: POTC isn't mine… duh.

Chapter Eight: Hope?

Jack gripped Elizabeth's hand as hard as he could. He stared intently into her pale face. As Jack examined Elizabeth's wound, he realized that it wasn't going to heal well. He didn't want to even think about it but his knowledge of stab wounds was telling him it was infected. This meant that Elizabeth's shivering form, clammy palms, and pale complexion wasn't in his imagination. She was ill.

The enormity of this situation hit Jack hard. He released Elizabeth's slender hand and began furiously pacing the cabin. No, this isn't happening. I won't let her- no, no, I can't let her. His thoughts were fast and desperate. How was he to cure her when he was in the middle of the blasted sea with a squid face following them and a giant beastie on their tail- wait? Jack had completely forgotten that predicament. Three days. This was the third day. Davy Jones wasn't one to forget debts, especially ones made with a certain Captain Jack Sparrow. Not to mention his precious jar of dirt was no longer with him. Jack swallowed and clutched the back of a nearby chair in frustration. This was bad news, very bad news.

Elizabeth started coughing violently, her eyes scrunching in pain and her body curling up as she heaved. Jack immediately knelt beside her taking one of her trembling fist and wrapping both of his hands around it. He closed his eyes and placed soft kisses along her clammy forehead and cheeks. He stroked her hair with a shaky hand, willing her pain to disappear and for her to open her hazel eyes and smile up at him. The thought of never seeing her eyes gleam with excitement for an oncoming battle or roll with exasperation when he made a crude joke was too painful to bear.

Jack gasped out and buried his face in her hair. Who knew a pirate could cry such heartfelt tears?

--

Will slowly swung the heavy wooden door open, revealing Davy Jones slumped over his organ, the music box chiming away. Taking careful, deliberate steps Will knelt besides Davy Jones, staring up into his massive tangle of tentacles. He squinted and ducked his head lower peeking through the slimy, squirming mess and saw a silver glint: the keys. Tentatively lifting the tentacles up and over with a couple of old chopsticks he found hidden in the kitchen, he saw the keys perfectly. He gingerly reached out and uncurled Davy's tightly wound tentacle, allowing the keys to clank as they fell to his waiting palm.

Will eagerly left the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. He held the keys up to a torch, smiling in triumph as they gleamed in the dim light. With quick light steps he dashed on deck and met his father who was readying a lifeboat.

"In case I don't see you again-" Bootstrap began before his son interrupted.

"No, I will see you again. I'll make sure of it." Will's eyes were dark and they held a determination that Bootstrap had rarely seen. Looking Will up and down Bootstrap couldn't help the surge of pride he felt. He had a brave boy and he felt grateful for the short reunion they had.

"Still, William, I want you to have this." Bootstrap laid a dagger in Will's hand and smiled sadly at Will. He hoped his son would be able to escape all of this, marry Elizabeth, and create a family Bootstrap wished he had. Something tore at his heart when he realized he had had a family, he just didn't stick around for it.

"I will not rest until this goes through Davy's heart." Will declared meeting his father's eyes. They nodded and Bootstrap patted Will on the back as he jumped into the lifeboat, lowered the boat and began rowing away. Bootstrap stood at the railing watching his only son his only remnant of his human life sail away. Good luck dear William.

--

Jack was drained of all emotions he stared down at Elizabeth's sickly body and wished more than anything for port, or doctor, something that would free her from this pain. He had a bowl of water and cloth to wipe to keep her cool, though her burning fever was making that near impossible.

A light knock on the door brought Jack out of his depressed gaze. He looked to the door and waited for whomever it was to just enter, he didn't have enough energy to answer. Slowly the door swung open and Gibbs walked in timidly, throwing a frightened look at Elizabeth.

"Cap'n, the island is up ahead. Do ye want us to make for it?" Gibbs voice was too gentle. Jack wondered if it showed that he had been crying. Any other time he would be demanding to know what had Gibbs looking so shaken, but Jack was too far gone in his own worry to care if Gibbs saw him in this fragile state. Jack knew that this island contained the chest; as for medical help he was sure nothing of that sort occupied the island. Still, maybe if he were to take the chest and threatened Davy with it, maybe just maybe he'd be able to escape and take Elizabeth somewhere safe. As for the beastie, Davy would call it off if he discovered Jack had the chest, right? This would work, it had to. He could make it happen, after all, he was Captain Jack Sparrow. But a heavy feeling resided in his heart as he thought that, suddenly that name didn't seem as glamorous.

Jack groaned in irritation, he felt at a loss. He had to try though, even if went down trying. He wasn't going to sit back and let Elizabeth die.

"Cap'n?" Gibbs called to Jack who seemed to have zoned out for a moment. Jack warily looked to Gibbs and nodded, hoping Gibbs could take of the crew and the Pearl for a while. Gibbs nodded his head to show he understood and strode out, quietly closing the door as he left.

"Lizzie luv, what am I to do with ye?" Jack breathed as he picked the damp cloth back up and swabbed at her forehead. He could feel the slight tilt of the ship as the crew changed course and made for the island. Sighing heavily he hoped his new plan would work, but he was deathly scared it wouldn't. Davy was just as clever as he was, not to mention evil, and he might lash out in unpleasant way if Jack were to obtain the chest. If only someone could help…

--

Will's arms ached and his breath was short. He had been rowing for hours on end and he was exhausted. Davy's keys were tucked away in his pocket along with his father's dagger. After what seemed like an eternity, an island cropped up in the distance. Will's hopes soared and he began rowing fiercely. He would finally be on land again to soak up the sun, run through the sand, and breath in the tropical scent. It frightened him a little when he realized what only a few days of being on that ship had done to his spirit. Gripping his oars he rowed harder yet, an image of his father sending him off to live a life he wanted flashed through Will's mind. Davy Jones's days were numbered.

This chapter, though extremely short, was full of vital information. I hope you found a little solace in finding Elizabeth alive, just in poor shape. The next chapter will be longer and will hold loads of action, so don't be deterred by this snippet. Please review, it will do you good.