Chapter Six - At World's End

Elizabeth woke and saw the sun had risen. She was leaning on Will's shoulder, who looked like he'd only just woken up. She looked up and saw land in the distance. Relief filled her as she realized that Barbossa had been right: they had found Davy Jones' locker. Will looked down at her. "Good Morning," he said quietly.

Elizabeth returned a small smile. "Is that Jones' locker?" she asked, pointing her head in the direction of the land.

Will looked at Barbossa, who was floating along beside them. "I guess."

"We have found the World's End," Tia Dalma said with a toothy grin, looking over at the couple.

"So how long is it going to take to get there?" Pintel muttered grumpily.

Elizabeth looked up and saw Ragetti was staring with wide, panicked eyes behind them. She turned around and saw a wave rapidly increasing in size and speed moving towards them. "Will," she said worriedly.

Will looked at her and turned around. "Oh God," he said. "Barbossa," he said louder, turning back and looking at the old Captain.

"I suggest you all hold on," Barbossa said with a cackle.

"Again!" Ragetti yelled angrily, turning away from the wave and holding onto the front of the boat.

Elizabeth bent over and held onto the side of the boat, feeling Will putting his arm over her back as he gripped the boat, his hand next to hers, both their knuckles turning white.

Within seconds the wave hit and the boats went soaring up into the air, before smashing them back into the water. Elizabeth felt this crash more than she had in the large ship; the smaller boat didn't really take any of the impact. She hit the water, her arms taking the brunt to protect her face. She plunged into the water, but luckily this time she wasn't sucked down with the boat. She surfaced quickly, hearing Will behind her. She turned to make sure he was okay.

"We're here," Will said, looking over her shoulder.

Elizabeth turned and started swimming towards the sandy shore, seeing no signs of Jack or anything other than sand for miles. The whole crew clambered onto the shore, everyone soaked and tired.

"This truly is a godforsaken place," Gibbs said, panting and looking around at the debris of the ship and longboats.

Elizabeth walked up beside him, looking around for a sign of life.

"I don't see Jack," she said, finding herself losing hope. "I don't see anyone."

Will walked up beside her and put a hand on her back, the small gesture giving her some comfort.

"He's here," Elizabeth heard Barbossa say. "Davy Jones never once gave up that what he took."

"And does it matter?" Will snapped in irritation. "We're trapped here by your doing. No different than Jack."

Elizabeth felt her stomach tighten, realizing this was all her fault. She looked at the ground and saw small crabs scuttering towards Tia Dalma, even crawling under her skirts.

Tia Dalma was holding a crab in her hand and stroking it. "Witty Jack is closer than you think."

The Black Pearl suddenly appeared over the top of a large sand dune, sailing through it as though it was on water. Elizabeth watched with the crew in amazement as Jack stood on the mast and sail with the Pearl down the dune. Elizabeth squinted as the bottom of the ship hit the beach and pushed into the water, seeing that there were thousands of little crabs under it, moving with the Pearl into the water.

As the crew started walking towards the ship, Gibbs said, "Slap me thrice and hand me to me mama. It's Jack!"

Elizabeth smiled with relief, then recovered herself when she felt Will's eyes on her. She looked up at him and he smiled at her. Elizabeth returned it and he took her hand. They walked behind the crew towards Jack, who had gotten into a longboat and rowed to shore.

The crew were talking and cheering excitedly as they approached the Captain.

"Mr. Gibbs," Jack said abruptly as the Captain reached the man

"Aye Cap'n," Gibbs replied.

"I thought so," Jack replied, looking Gibbs square in the eye. "I expect you're able to account for your actions, then."

Gibbs looked confused. "Sir?"

Jack, who looked very annoyed, replied, "There's been a perpetual and virulent lack of discipline upon my vessel. Why? Why is that sir?" The usually easy-going Captain looked positively livid.

"Sir you're..." Gibbs swallowed. He added quietly, "You're in Davy Jones' Locker, Cap'n."

Jack looked around, slightly embarrassed, and answered quickly. "I know that. I know where I am. And don't think I don't."

"Jack Sparrow." Jack turned when Barbossa said his name.

Jack grinned and waltzed over to him. "Oh, Hector. It's been too long." He paused and added, "Hasn't it?

"Aye, Isla de Muerta, remember?" Barbossa answered in his gravely voice. "You shot me."

Jack just smiled and shook his head. "No I didn't," he returned matter-of-factly. He moved on to Tia Dalma. "Tia Dalma, out and about, eh? You add an agreeable sense of the macabre to any delirium."

Tia Dalma was clearly confused by his strange words and just gave him an unsure smile.

Will looked at Elizabeth and said, "He thinks we're a hallucination."

Jack looked at Will with irritation, walking over to him and saying, "William, tell me something: have you come because you need my help to save a certain distressing damsel, or rather, damsel in distress? Either one."

Elizabeth blinked a few times, staring blankly at the pirate. The Locker had made him even less coherent than she'd thought possible.

Will just looked back at him and said calmly, "No."

Jack looked smugly at the younger man and replied, "Well, then, you wouldn't be here, would you? So you can't be here. Q.E.D., you're not really here."

"Jack," Elizabeth interrupted, drawing the Captain's attention to her. "This is real. We're here."

Seeing Elizabeth seemed to make something click in Jack's mind, as he stared at for a second then walked over to Gibbs. As he walked over, Elizabeth looked over at Will, who seemed very irritated by Jack's behaviour. She put a hand on his arm as she watched Jack whisper to Gibbs.

"The Locker, you say?"

"Aye," Gibbs answered.

Getting fed up with the eccentric pirate herself, Elizabeth took a step towards him and said, "We've come to rescue you."

Jack looked back at Elizabeth and replied condescendingly, "Have you, now? That's very kind of you." He starting walking towards her and continued. "But it would seem that as I possess a ship and you don't, you're the ones in need of rescuing, and I'm not sure as I'm in the mood."

Elizabeth glared back at Jack, knowing he had reason not be happy with her but she didn't appreciate his attempts to intimidate her.

"I see my ship." Barbossa said. "Right there." He pointed to the Pearl and everyone looked at the ship.

Jack walked closer to the water and put his hand to his forehead, looking in the direction of his ship. "Can't spot it. Must be a tiny little thing hiding somewhere behind the Pearl."

Will walked towards Jack and Elizabeth followed him. "Jack," Will said impatiently. "Cutler Beckett has the heart of Davy Jones, he controls the Flying Dutchman."

Elizabeth pulled on his elbow as Tia Dalma walked to the other side of him. "He's taking over the seas," she added, pleading.

"The song has been sung. The Brethren Court is called," Tia Dalma said from the other side.

Jack looked from Tia Dalma to Elizabeth and says, "Leave you alone for a minute, look what happens. Everything's gone to pot."

Jack started walking away from them and they followed him, Gibbs calling out to him, saying, "Aye! The world needs you back something fierce."

"And you need a crew," Will added, making Jack stop. Elizabeth stood behind Will, waiting for Jack's reaction.

The Captain turned around and looked at them. "Why should I sail with any of you?" he asked, glaring at them. "Four of you have tried to kill me in the past. One of you succeeded."

Elizabeth felt a wave of guilt shoot through her and watched the crew all stare at her. Will looked briefly back at her then looked back at Jack. "She did what she had to do."

Jack's smile didn't reach his eyes as he said, "Ah, so she did tell you." He glared at Elizabeth. "We can't all be as forgiving as your William."

Will took a step towards him and snapped, "Whereas everything you've ever done has been honourable."

At that moment Elizabeth was completely overcome with emotion. She really didn't deserve this man at all. Not only had he forgiven her actions but he was actually defending her.

"Well at least the two of you will have fun together while you're here." Jack said, before turning to Tia Dalma. "As for you..."

Tia Dalma gave him a charming smile and said, "Now... don't tell me you didn't enjoy it at the time."

Jack smirked and said, "Fair enough. Alright, you're in."

He moved to Ragetti and said quickly, "Not you, you scare me." He continued moving along the group. "Gibbs, you can come. Marty. Mm...Cotton. Cotton's parrot, I'm a little iffy, but at least I'll have someone to talk to. Who are you?"

Jack stopped in front of Tai Huang who was in front of his group of Asian pirates.

"Tia Huang," he answered. "These are my men."

Jack put his hands on his hips and asked, "Where do your allegiances lie?"

Tia Huang smiled and replied, "With the highest bidder."

Jack smiled back and pointed to his ship. "I have a ship."

"That makes you the highest bidder," was the reply.

"Good man," the Captain said happily, he turned and started walking towards his boat. "Weigh anchor, all hands. Prepare to make sail."

While Jack spoke, Elizabeth had walked up beside Will and taken hold of his hand. He looked back at her surprised and she gave him a thankful smile. He squeezed her hand and looked back at Jack, who was staring at his compass.

"Jack," Barbossa called out, causing the man to turn around. "Which way are you going, Jack?"

Jack groaned and turned to Barbossa's group. "All right, all right. But I'm Captain."

Barbossa just laughed.