Chapter 14

'Is it mine?' Jack whispered in a sarcastic tone, mixed in with something that looked like true confusion.

'What? Of course not' Elizabeth almost seemed irritated while holding her hands against the baby in her belly, but soon she saw Jack's sleek smile, and a laughing sigh came from her lips. Cutler had moved himself into his chair again after rolling his eyes at Jack who was now standing in front of Elizabeth.

'I'm not sure if I can handle the sight of Will. If we'll go to the Locker, there's a big chance we will see him' Elizabeth whispered. It seemed as if she still wanted to come, Cutler was confused as for just some moments ago he was sure she wouldn't cause of her being pregnant.

'If Will sees I'm carrying his child, he might do something that will ruin our chance of ever being together. After the ten years of his curse that is, of course' Elizabeth too moved down in her chair again. Jack nodded, and so did Cutler.

'But I owe it to Kate to at least try' Elizabeth continued after a little pause in between, where the rushing sound of the curtains in the open kitchen window welcomed in a warm breeze.

'Are you sure love?' Jack whispered and moved down his hand upon hers for a slight moment. Elizabeth nodded, her brown eyes moving to both men. For a moment Cutler remembered the resemblance in Elizabeth he saw before, resembling Kate, the same headstrong determination to not just wait around and be rescued, like a damsel in distress.

'I'm tired of sitting around and waiting' she whispered once more. Elizabeth was not going to wait out her husband's curse. Just like Kate she always felt like there was a way out, a hope and it needed to be tested for every possibility. That, besides Elizabeth felt like she missed the adventure, and looking into the dark brown eyes of the man who had never failed to expose her to that kind of adventure, she again felt like the little girl from years ago.

A few days later everyone had settled aboard the ship again, the ship along with the crew Jack and Cutler had recruited at Tortuga. Elizabeth standing at the helm next to Jack watched the sunrise in the early morning, dawn just setting in the ocean's weaves were beautifully lit up by the orange rays.

'I still don't understand why we wouldn't sail the Black Pearl. She can withstand a lot more than this.. wreck' Elizabeth spoke while Jack watched her fingers touch some of the worn-out robes that held together the poorly sown sheets of the ship's sails. Cutler, who was steering the ship now, had to lower his face not to smirk. Jack seemed almost proud for a moment when Elizabeth seemed to miss his beloved ship so much too, but he soon lowered the corners of his mouth as he realized the Pearl was impossible to find.

'She's.. gone' Jack whispered while taking a sip from his morning rum, as he had called it, like there was a difference between any of the rum bottles he opened during the day.

It had been two days since they had sailed after leaving Elzabeth's home island. They knew the destination, but by hearing Elizabeth's directions, it seemed like knowing the destination, was only going to make things worse. They needed to be lost, in order to find the Locker. And that was something that almost seemed impossible with both Cutler and Jack aboard. They both were the most genius sea navigators Elizabeth had ever encountered, she had to admit. So now just drifting along the weaves of the ocean was what they were doing, trying to think of a plan.

'I wouldn't be so sure about that.. Captain' Cutler suddenly spoke after a moment of silence. Jack looked at Cutler still steering the wheel of the ship, as he had finally been allowed after almost two days of discussion with Jack. But Jack too had noticed it seemed as if Cutler had a plan. And even though Jack didn't like to admit. When Cutler had a plan, it most of the time meant something was going to help them. Cutler always thought everything truly through, before acting up on his plan. Cutler had been taking over the ship for the whole night by now, and Jack for a moment seemed curious as where to he had led them and watched Cutler pointing his index finger at something in the far distance, appearing on the horizon, just barely touched by the first rays of the morning sun.

'No, impossible' Jack whispered and moved to the side of the ship. Cutler was smirking as he noticed Jack's big brown eyes staring in the distance, he seemed to recognize the shape of the ship that formed upon the shoreline.

'How did you.. find her?' Jack now jumped up and down, looking from Culter to the shadow of the ship coming closer. But before Cutler could answer Jack suddenly rushed towards the wheel of the ship, he pushed Cutler aside, almost making him trip, and he took over the ship. Shouting commands towards the crew, screaming to make haste to the starboard side.

'How did you know?' Elizabeth watched Cutler still smirking in Jack's direction, after her eyes had recognized the Black Pearl, sailing into their direction, its dark hull being touched by the light of the sun now fully.

'By knowing who commands the ship, one can figure out its destination' Cutler shrugged his shoulders without looking at Elizabeth.

'And what makes you think I will grant you access to my ship?' a loud voice hallowed across the ocean's waves as the Black Pearl, only an hour later, had moved her hull as close as possible next to Jack, Cutler, and Elizabeth's ship.

'Hector, please, let us aboard' Jack spoke almost desperate while looking at the infamous Captain Barbossa, who had been able to capture the Black Pearl from Jack's possession, just after the Pirate war.

'How did you even find me?' Barbossa almost screamed now, and too seemed to realize that he was not going to shake Jack off. He was always going to chase him no matter the most, to get his beloved Pearl back. And so they met aboard the Pearl a moment later.

It was dark inside the Pearl's captain's quarters, as Cutler moved inside slowly, still weary of the pirates he was surrounded by. He watched the closet curtains of the room inside the ship's stern, and wondered why Barbossa wouldn't let in any light as it almost felt like midnight again. But Cutler soon figured Barbossa wasn't the kind of man to enjoy the bright sunlight, touching your face while enjoying a cup of tea while sitting at your desk. He was still a dirty pirate. Looking around Cutler recognized the inside, not because he'd been aboard the Pearl before, but because he had seen the inside of the Wicked Wench for more times than he could count. His stomach turned a little thinking back to the dinner he once had with Kate when Jack had invited them. Cutler was staring at the large dinner table he recognized to still be there. He followed Jack and Elizabeth, moving down the dinner table where Barbossa had seated himself in his big captain's chair, boots on the table, and apple in hand.

'What is it yur lookin' for Jack? And don't think I'd be givin the Pearl back' Barbossa growled and took a bite from his apple. Cutler felt like lowering his tricorne hat a little more as he wasn't sure Barbossa had recognized him yet. They had shared a few glances, but he didn't seem to know who he was just yet. But before Cutler could even hope he wouldn't recognize him he saw every single soul in the room staring at him. It was Jack, still not knowing why in the first place Cutler would have let them to Barbossa himself, that was staring at Cutler with big eyes.

'Well 'Milord', why is it, without asking Captain's permission, that you brought us to our dear old apple-loving friend?' Jack spoke half sarcastic, half annoyed, crossing his arms, staring at Cutler. Cutler had to swallow as he hadn't thought this far ahead. He'd known how to find Barbossa, as these pirates were all very predictable. And after all, he had been chasing pirates for years, so Cutler was a master at it. But he had no idea how to even start now, as even Jack didn't know of this plan. Cutler almost broke a sweat while watching the eyes of everyone in the room. If he wouldn't be able to convince Barbossa, he might be dragged along the kiel. And this morning would might have been his last. Cutler's thoughts raced through his brain once again.

'I know, Captain Barbossa, we might not have left on good terms, after the Pirates war and such. But after the war itself, the Company has decided it might be best we, both sides, pirates and Company. Might work together on making the sea a safer place' Cutler started, sitting up straight while stirring his cup of tea slowly, while adding two sugar cubes after the pirate that had brought in a silver plate full of tea cups, it seemed Barbossa had a little more taste than Jack, Cutler thought for a slight moment.

'Together we might be a strong team' Cutler had to drag the words from his mouth and he couldn't believe what he was saying. And so did Jack and Elizabeth when he saw their confused but surprised faces for a moment, before he looked back at Barbossa, with a business attitude written on his face.

'And so, I, Lord Cutler Beckett, director of the East India Trading Company, are hereby sent, by King George of England himself. To recrude you, Captain Hector Barbossa, for a mission, approved by the King and him councilmen himself' Cutler spoke, bluffing as if his life depended on it. Jack's mouth was open by now.

'I thought you were dead?' Barbossa seemed to listen, but after taking another bite from his apple he moved the rest of the fruit on the table with a soft pound and watched Cutler dead in the eye.

'I'm.. not' Cutler spoke, a little more softer. He had to swallow, the tea nips he had taken earlier didn't make his mouth and throat wet, as it had felt like he'd been drinking sand, instead of Earl Grey tea. That was it, he was caught and Cutler knew he was going to pay with his life. And both Jack and Elizabeth wouldn't stand a chance too. Soon Cutler's mind started racing again. He pulled something from his coat's inner pocket as he remembered it was still there. He took out a parchment, folded up neatly. And unfolding it he gently placed it in front of Barbossa. It was a large parchment with a big red candle wax seal, next to it Cutler's graceful signature, and next to it the King's as well. Barbossa's eyes seemed to grow big, this was his sweet spot. But before Barbossa could read any of it, Cutler quickly pulled it back.

'It's a pardon letter, from the King himself. It might be able to carry your name, at the very bottom of this valuable parchment Captain. And thus you'll be sailing in the King's name, safe from everything and everyone' Cutler folded back the parchment back into his coat. Barbossa seemed intrigued, but maybe not completely convinced yet.

'Oh, and the King wants to meet you personally Captain Barbossa, he told me himself. If you, that is, are able to complete our mission' Cutler almost bluffed too much, as it seemed he was not going to get away with it once Barbossa would be asking for more effidence. Barbossa stood straight from his chair, after Cutler had moved up before him, and acted out as if he was in a hurry. Barbossa stood tall before Cutler, as he almost seemed a whole head bigger than him, and suddenly started shaking Cutler's hand enthusiastically as if his life depended on it.

'You have yourself a deal. Sir, Lord' Barbossa's rotten teeth seemed to genuinely smile in Cutler's direction.

'I do want one of those very curly wigs once we'll meet the King' Barbossa continued and started smiling even more, looking at Cutler's own wig for a slight second.

'That'll be arranged Captain' Cutler spoke. Not much later Culter, Jack, and Elizabeth moved out of the quartes, and on deck they noticed their own crew carrying all their belongings and provisions from the damaged ship to the Pearl. It seemed like Barbossa had arranged it, and for a moment Cutler felt a relief.

'I don't like to admit it.. but sometimes you're ideas, are alright' Jack looked like he was smiling in pain towards Cutler.

'It's genius. With that floating rapid we wouldn't even make it to the next port, let alone the Locker' Elizabeth looking at their old ship she seemed to genuinely smile for the first time since this trip, and was happy to be aboard the ship that had been her home for more times than she could count.

'Welcome home love' Jack moved his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders and walked with her towards the other side of the Peal's deck. For a moment it seemed Jack was letting Barbossa take the lead and let him be Captain. As they were all happy to continue their mission with the ship that had been to the Locker itself before, it was more of a guarantee they'd even make it there. Cutler lowered his shoulders as he watched the ocean's weaves being touched by the brightest sunrays he'd seen in a while, it made the water a green mixed with blue, emerald, like the eyes he longed so much to see..