Alternative Ending - Chapter Two: The Split

The sun was setting. Tristan waited anxiously for some sign of Jack or his mother. What he didn't expect was to see the Black Pearl first. From Captain Jack Sparrow's commandeered ship, Tristan could see those infamous black sails approaching the harbour. He tugged at Ragetti's sleeve and urged him to meet the ship.

Barbossa was pleased to see his grandson safe but when he was told of the series of events which led to this moment, Barbossa was ready to dart off to the Crestcastle plantation himself to settle the score. Jack's vendetta never even crossed his mind.

The sight that no one had ever expected to see appeared before them. A grey horse came down the road. Amelia rode side-saddle in front with the reins. Jack sat on the back, trying not to look as afraid as he felt. He had wanted to get off when they reached his ship, but when Mr. Gibbs explained that Tristan ran to the Pearl, Amelia wasted no time in turning the horse back around and charging along the waterfront. The crew stood and watched in disbelief, trying to decide whether Jack had rescued the girl or whether she had rescued Jack.

Tristan recognized his mother immediately and rushed down to meet her. "Mum!"

Amelia steadied the horse until it came to a full stop. Ragetti held out his arms to help her off of the animal. As she slid into his grasp, he was better able to see the markings on her cheek. He glided his thumb over it.

"It's nothing," she said, brushing him off. She then turned her attention to her son. He clung onto her tightly. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his hair.

Jack was left to dismount the horse on his own. He stumbled a little but not overly noticeably. He quickly stood erect in attempt to compensate.

"See," he said to Amelia proudly, "the boy's fine, like I said."

Amelia turned to Jack. He smiled, anticipating her gratitude. What he didn't expect was for her open palm to strike him across the face.

"Where the hell have you been? Why aren't you dead?" Amelia scolded.

Tristan had to throw his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. He had never heard his mother use such language before.

Jack felt his stinging cheek in disbelief of what just happened.

"You're welcome?" he said. He was glad to see that his chivalrous attempts were being appreciated.

"Don't get me wrong. You saved my son and for that I do thank you. But why now? Why are you here?" she continued to shout.

"I was trying to rescue you," Jack said modestly.

"Why didn't you come sooner?"

"Hmm, let me think," he said mockingly, "perhaps because I was marooned!"

"For twelve years, Jack?"

"Don't you turn this on me. You got married!"

"After you sold me like chattel for your stupid Aztec gold! The nerve of you, Jack! You knew I was pregnant!"

"No I bloody well didn't!"

"I told you!"

"You beat around the bloody bush about it and by the time you finally spat it out there was nothing that could be done, now was there?"

"That's it, was it?" Amelia's voice was changing from anger to sadness. "There was nothing you could have done? Nothing at all?"

The crew remained dead silent. They watched the debate go back and forth like a tennis match. The silence was staggering and eventually, when the argument became less heated, both Jack and Amelia finally noticed the attention they were receiving.

"We should move before his men stir up the guard," Amelia said.

"Exactly what I was thinking," Jack said. "Get the boy," he said ready to make his way back to his ship.

"Jack, we're already at the Pearl," Amelia said, confused at Jack's wish to depart.

Jack paused for a moment but then dismissed the attempt of trying to explain it, "Long story, love."

Barbossa took hold of his grandson, "Let him go, Amelia. Apparently he has his own ship to tend to."

"But the Pearl is Jack's ship," Amelia said. "If he's alive then –"

She looked at her father's unwavering expression.

"You knew that he was alive," she said.

"I most certainly did not."

"You most certainly hoped not," Jack corrected.

It was obvious that this wasn't the first time that these two men had re-encountered each other.

"Amelia, come with me, love," Jack begged.

"Amelia, don't be daft girl," Barbossa interrupted.

Amelia took hold of her son's hand and looked up at her father.

"I have the charts, we don't need the Pearl," Jack said.

"Charts? Another escapade?" Amelia asked.

"Jack, ye be a fool if ya think I didn't get a good glimpse of the map, 'nough to know where lies the fountain."

"I'll see you there, then," Jack said, untouched by Barbossa's failed attempt at intimidation.

"Jack," Amelia said, leading her son in front of herself, "take Tristan with you."

"What?"

"I'm not entirely sure what's going on at the moment, but if the crew is split between two ships and no one can trust either captain –"

"Hey now!"

"- then I want to be certain that nothing goes awry. You've brought Tristan this far, as you say."

"Why not just come with me?" Jack asked her.

"Jack, right now I can't guarantee that I won't just kill you myself."

"Oh, and Barbossa will help that a great deal, I'm sure," Jack said with irritation.

"Why would we shoot your ship with my son on it?" she said calmly to him.

Jack got the idea. It was the only way to ensure that Barbossa wouldn't blow Jack out of the water. Regardless of charts, the two ships were both bound for Florida, but the disunity would only allow for one party to succeed.