Disclaimer: Don't own anything except original characters. All material (c) to respective owners. I write these for fun and make no profit. They're just random plot bunnies that live within my strange mind. A/U Story

Title from a song by The Hoosiers

Chapter 9: Everything Goes Darker

"You underestimated me Jack. I like the idea of a slow death." She managed to scramble to Jacks side seeing him examining the scrape from the blade on his arm, she could smell something and judging by Jacks expression it wasn't good.

"Poison and I thought you better than that." Jack smirked darkly seeing Maddison's expression turned frightened.

"That is where you assume I'm a better man than I pretend. We both know how far that got you the last time on all accounts." She watched Jack examine a familiar 'P' brand before wincing at the stinging sensation of his arm.

Becket ignored her like she was some sort of insect and reached down taking the crystal vile she had seen Jack collect. He swirled the contents examining it before pocketing it himself, she didn't like that and judging by the worried look Jack had it wasn't a good thing that Becket had that.

"Do enjoy watching him die miss." he walked over past her and began to follow a path.

"Maddie that will stop the poison."

That's all she needed to hear, she bolted after the smug bastard. He had suspected her to be a weakling, regardless of what he had seen. She wasn't though and made sure to prove it. Becket turned briefly at a sound behind him before running for it, she managed to gain and finally at the beach tackled him into the surf.

The saltwater momentarily blinded her, but she made sure to punch Becket even though she wasn't sure where and reached in snatching the vile from his jacket. She punched him again and then kicked before running from the water and glancing up in time to dodge some wild horses that had been scared off by the people among the island.

Maddison was soaked, uncomfortable and rubbing water from her eyes as she ran back to Jack. All she cared about was that he was still alive when she found him, but she knew just by his expression Becket intended for the poison to torture him. Jack would be alive and in a great deal of pain by the time she found him.

"Jack!" she saw him staggering slowly to his feet holding his wound, his hand was soaked in red.

"I'm fine Maddie, did you get the…good." She held the vile up for his examination before he staggered.

"Caves." She whispered gently guiding an arm around him and helping him to the caves behind them.

Jack didn't take the time to argue, he knew the poison was going through his system and he had no idea how long it would be before he lost his ability to walk. Once inside the cave she did her best to navigate in the darkness, finding a small hidden crevice and pulling him into it with her. His legs gave out and he fell to the musty damp floor.

"Are you alright?" Dark eyes scanned hers a sour look taking over his expression but he nodded in spite of his feelings over her obvious care for him. "I have the vile, what do I do?"

He handed her the small flask of rum he had on him, he wasn't sure what kind of need would surface, but kept himself one and the treated one he intended to give to her once he sorted this mess he found himself in out.

"One drop, it will stop the poison and make sure to kill off whatever is left in my system." Maddison took the flask, she loathed the idea of the liquid but she didn't want him to die and was left with little choice but to take his word for it.

The face he made up when sipping the treated rum made her smile, he just ignored her leaning back on the ground where he fell. She eased her jacket off propping his head up on it, she ignored the evil look she received. She knew Jack didn't want her to care, she knew she would no matter what he wished and she had to hope that Anna-Maria had been right. She knew it was useless to hope but at present his life was all she cared about.

"I won't ever change Jack, even if you keep giving me those looks."

"Aye, that's what bothers me." She smiled again seeing at least he was regaining some of his humor again. "Oiy that hurts." She ignored him before gently pulling his jacket down and ripping his shirt to better examine the sword slash. She undid her bandanna wrapping it and tying off the wound to stop the blood flow. Her hair now wildly fell about her face, she moved it behind her ear before seeing the signs that the liquid had worked, he regained movement in his legs and sat up slightly.

"Rest, I did hit him a few times." Jack lay back again before arching a brow her way. "The killing him is your right, not mine."

"What about Mercer?" She shrugged, she hadn't seen the evil man anywhere and was very sure she wouldn't have gotten off smacking Becket around if he was nearby. "That's strange, that man is always around his master." she didn't like the concern in Jacks voice, he was never worried when he had a plan.

"Jack it would probably be wise to clear out of here if your worried." He glanced up at Maddison before nodding, he very much liked that idea.

Outside the cave she was still helping him both of them easing quietly into the open and hoping to see no signs of trouble. They began to head back toward the path and to the Pearl when Jack paused resting against a tree. He handed Maddison the rum he stashed, it was a good time to do it. He was wise to the fact she needed a good drink and he watched her eye the rum before meeting his gaze.

"What?"

"I don't know, I haven't decided yet." Jack examined her expression seeing she knew something but wasn't sure what it might be.

He urged her to have a drink and like usual she complied. He watched her like he was waiting for something, slowly realization dawned on her but before she said a word she leaned back against the tree behind her. Her vision blurred before she closed her eyes, shaking her head she breathed deeply for a few minutes.

"You poisoned her."

"He didn't, she's just learning to forget."

"How do you know?"

Jack was having his doubts, his voices making them much worse. After a few minutes he watched her slowly open her eyes, starting at the sight of him watching her. Something was different, it wasn't his intention and at present something seemed to register with him. He remembered what the rat had done, he wondered then if he should have watched it more closely.

"Maddie?"

She focused on his dark eyes, her mind feeling oddly like she was drunk, almost like her memories had been wiped from her mind. "Who?"

"Maddison?" his voice turned alarmed.

"Who is that and who are you?" Jack didn't like the results and went to reach out for her, she pulled away. "Don't!" she sound frightened, whatever the liquid did, it had done the opposite of what he wanted.

"Seems whatever you gave her backfired Jack." He turned at the smug tone seeing Becket standing there with his constant protector.

"Help!" to Jacks dread she ran right to both his enemies, whatever had happened she definitely didn't know what was going on anymore or who anyone was.

Becket smiled watching Mercer eye the girl attached to his arm with disgust. Before Mercer contemplated something unsuitable Becket lifted a hand stopping him. Slowly he glanced at Jacks reaction seeing something that the pirate would not admit, he knew of his freedom and self preservation. This girl was something and he had the perfect way to turn her against him.

"Don't worry, you're safe." Jack froze not liking the tone the man had. "Mr. Mercer deal with him, I'll take her back to our ship and tell her what's happening, she must have had a horrible ordeal with such a fiendish pirate."

Jack knew he couldn't do anything, in favor of his own well being he bolted. He wasn't giving either of them the option of finishing him off. Maddison regardless of how much he disliked the situation would have to wait, he only hoped that the liquid would keep her safe due to her memory loss.