Alternative Ending - Chapter Nine: Making Things Clear

Amelia had no idea why her son went to bed early that day. She was worried that he wasn't feeling well, but all Tristan said was that he was tired. Knowing that he had spent quite a few hours with Jack, she already assumed that they had been up to no good. It was more surprising when she couldn't find a trace of alcohol on either of their breaths. She was going to question Jack about it but he was already gathering the crew together to explain how things would be done in the morning. Jack emphasised the obedience he expected from them, else there would be no eternal youth for betrayers and backstabbers. Everyone seemed to be in compliance for the most part.

"Jack," Mr. Gibbs called, taking the captain aside, "are you certain we should be trusting 'em, even now?"

"Not an inch," Jack replied. "That's why I need you to stay with the ship. The last thing we need to have Barbossa on the loose."

"Stay with the ship, Captain?"

"Aye."

"By meself?"

"If there's a man aboard you trust, then by all means."

"Aye, Captain. I understand yer meanin'. I just wonder about…"

"Your share?"

"Aye, in so many words."

"When's the last time I've ever denied you a share?"

Gibbs thought I moment. He couldn't recall, not because of Jack's generosity, but because it had been so long since anything of real value had been retrieved. The Aztec gold was confiscated by the royal guard of Port Royal, Davy Jones' heart went to young William Turner, and there really hadn't been much else in between. Nonetheless, there was no doubt that Jack would share once he had something that was worth sharing.

"And how long should I be waitin' 'fore I assume the worst?"

"If I'm not out in three days, come find me," Jack said.

"And who will care for the Pearl?"

Jack laughed, "That's easy, need you even ask."

Gibbs smiled knowing his loyalty as first mate made him the solid choice.

"Should I be unfit or unable for any reason," Jack explained, "naturally Amelia will take command."

Gibbs's expression glazed over. Jack could tell.

"The woman, Captain?"

"Did I not just say that? I swear I just said that."

"Captain, by your account she be the daughter of Barbossa."

"Yes."

"Would not Barbossa's daughter have allegiance with Barbossa himself?"

"Not at the moment. Besides, we had an agreement years back. She sails under my colours, no question."

"I see," Gibbs said though he was still fairly confused.

"Should she be otherwise incapable –"

Gibbs anticipated the answer, "Aye, Captain."

" – the boy should do well enough. He may need a hand on some of the technical aspects, but it should come fairly naturally to him."

"The boy?"

"Yes."

"The young Barbossa boy?"

"Yes," Jack replied, starting to become frustrated by his friend's inability to comprehend the obvious.

"Jack, I'm afraid I don't follow your logic. Why the boy?"

"I can't have my son stuck as a powder monkey while his father's away. What would that say about me?"

Jack shook his head and walked away.

Gibbs stood for a moment longer with a puzzled expression. "Son?"

Now that Jack was alone, Amelia finally felt able to approach him.

"Jack, Tristan's lying down early," she told him with concern.

Jack just looked at her as though he had no idea why she was telling him so.

"He was with you last!"

"Kids get tired don't they?" Jack said.

"Jack!" Amelia cried with frustration knowing that he was being intentionally difficult.

Jack dropped the façade.

"Look, I've decided to take him with me tomorrow. I told him to get some rest so that he's ready bright an early."

"Jack, you can't take him out, he's not ready for that yet," Amelia said.

"I remember when they used to say that about you," Jack said coyly.

"How many years had I been on your ship prior?" Amelia retorted.

"He'll be fine. Besides, between the two of us, how much trouble could he get into?"

"Jack, we don't even know what's out there."

"Hardly matters now does it? I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, love."

"That's what worries me. You might always get out of things, but not always the people around you."

"Amelia. I know it's a lot to ask after all of these years, and everything that's happened, but, this is important to me, and I would like the boy to be there with me. He wants to go."

"Why?"

Jack shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe he's bored. Thinks it might be fun."

"Not that. Why is this so important to you?"

"This is the greatest treasure there is. Immortality," Jack said, surprised that he was asked to explain himself.

"It's always the greatest treasure, Jack. What will it be when you have this one?"

Jack could tell that she was upset. There was more to this than a treasure hunt. He placed his hand on her hip and pulled her into him. With his other hand he held her chin and brought her eyes to his.

"What's this really about, now?" he asked.

Amelia sighed and looked away from him while forming her thoughts.

"I won't go with you in the morning," she said quietly.

"What? You can't be serious. You hate being left behind."

"Normally, yes, but this is no treasure hunt, Jack. This is something much bigger. And to be honest, it scares me," she confessed. "I also wish that you wouldn't go for it either."

"Amelia, I've had my heart on this for a while now."

"I know. I just don't see why."

"Amelia, I don't know if anyone told you, but I've already died once. I'm not going back there again. If that was just the locker, I can't begin to imagine what hell must have in store for me."

"I heard about that."

"But I doubt that you heard all of it," Jack said. "When I first arrived, I almost thought that I was in heaven. I opened my eyes and you were there. You were smiling and laughing - everything was perfect. Then you ran out of the room, out onto the deck. I heard you scream again and I knew exactly why. I watched as you were taken from me again. And then again. And again after that. I tried to stop it each time, but it always happened so fast and I just couldn't move. I watched Barbossa maroon me. I watched him as he lied to me. Everything was playing out as it had before, but this time I noticed everything I failed to before, but I was just as helpless. Eventually you disappeared for good. I endured every defeat for a second and a third time. I watched my ships sink. I watched men die, ones I killed and ones I couldn't save. When there was nothing left for memory to offer, I was forced to see myself, forced to live with myself, every part of myself.

"Don't ask me to go through that again. Don't ask me to lose you any more. Think about what this could mean. Not just for me but for us. I could protect you. I could protect Tristan. We would never have to be separated ever again."

"So that's it, then?" Amelia said unconvinced. "We just roam around perpetually? What of Tristan? Where does he fit in this equation? Do you honestly think that keeping him young forever will make up for the time you've already lost? Besides, I won't do it. I don't want to live forever, Jack. Nature has a course that must be abided by. I won't try to make you change your mind, Jack. You'll do what you will, as always."

Amelia slowly turned to walk away. Before she was too far ahead, Jack called out to her, "I'm still taking the boy in the morning."

Without looking back at the captain, Amelia replied, "As you wish, Captain."

This was not the way Jack had hoped she would react to this pursuit. If she chose to stay, that was her decision. Jack would continue on as planned. He had to.