Chapter 8: A Small Respite

Elizabeth Swann was a young woman who prided herself in maintaining her composure in a crisis. She was the daughter of a Governor, a noblewoman by birth and rank. She was expected to have grace, dignity and poise befitting her station. All of it cemented with years upon years of training and education.

Yet, as she sat in the rowboat and saw the caves of Isla de Muerta become smaller and smaller with each pull of the oars, all her strength seemed to drain out of her like water through a large sieve.

With a heavy sigh of exhaustion and relief, she slumped in her seat, earning herself worried looks from her two rescuers.

"Lizzy?" a hand reached out to touch her shoulder gently. "Are you alright?"

Elizabeth looked up into the concerned freckled face of Peggy Blake and gave a small smile.

"I'm fine." She mumbled, vaguely aware of the way the oars stilled for a moment as Will Turner paused his rowing to look back at her. "Really, I am…I…I'm just relieved…and a little tired."

Peggy sighed in relief and gave a pointed look over Elizabeth's shoulder. At once the oars started to rotate once more, though Elizabeth could not help but notice their pace was a lot faster than before.

She winced as she felt her hand throb and looked down to see a very red and angry cut on her palm oozing blood down her wrist.

"Here." Peggy quickly took her hand, being careful not to speak too loudly.

There was a rip of material, and Elizabeth stared in surprise at the now torn hem of the long dark blue and white sash wrapped around her fellow woman's waist. Her eyes then drifted down to her legs, garbed in what had once been cream trousers that were now greyed and looking rough, and then up to her body where a man's white shirt that was much too large for her had been tucked into her pants held up by belts on which a cutlass had been stowed at the ready. Her hair too had been tied back in a long fishtail plait with a blue bandanna covering the top of her scalp.

Elizabeth blinked. In all the excitement to escape the pirates of the Black Pearl, she had not noticed her friend's strange appearance. She looked almost like a pirate in that getup. But no that was silly.

Peggy flushed with embarrassment as she noticed her stare.

"I know…not quite the outfit of the season" the redhead mumbled as she hurriedly finished tying her wound shut.

"I don't know I'd say you're better dressed than I am for the occasion." Elizabeth smiled, though it came out more as a grimace as she remembered the night she had received the garment she now wore.

Captain Barbossa's sordid tale and the curse she had seen under the light of the half-moon.

She shivered as she glanced over her shoulder at Will. He was sitting with his back to her as he rowed, the wet sleeves of his shirt clinging to his muscles that flexed with each row.

Elizabeth blushed and turned her face back to Peggy.

To think that of all the people who would come to rescue her from the clutches of such foul and wretched men it would be William Turner.

It was not Commodore James Norrington or the Royal Navy.

It was Will. Her dearest friend…the man she…no…she was being silly again. Even if William did care about her as she did for him it would never be possible. Their station in life could not allow it.

And yet…he had still come for her…to save her.

With Peggy. Elizabeth had to remind herself firmly as she attempted to school her expression back to something more acceptable.

Yes, she could not forget Peggy, another dear and fiercely loyal friend who was smirking at her with fond amusement.

Elizabeth felt her cheeks darken to crimson. Goodness, she must look such a soppy fool mooning over Will so blatantly. It was shameful, what would her father say?

Thankfully Peggy was tactful enough not to comment on the matter and instead turned back around in her seat to face their destination with a small call. "Don't worry, we're nearly there! Hey! Throw us a line!"

It was, to Elizabeth's tremendous surprise, the Interceptor, docked a few meters away.

Had Norrington and his men come for her after all? If so, then why had he permitted Will and Peggy to go into the caves without him or his officers? Why not just storm the pirate's ship with all his men?

Unless he was aware of the dreaded curse and did not want to take such a massive risk of casualties?

Her surprise only mounted as she caught sight of a few very scruffy faces over the side of the ship throwing a heavy rope over the side for Peggy to grab and tow them in.

Just what was going on?

Her questions were answered as Peggy clambered up a rope ladder and held out a hand to pull her up while Will gave her a boost from below, being careful not to touch her anywhere inappropriate.

It took Elizabeth a couple of tugs, her waterlogged red dress weighing her down so much that she needed another set of hands to help haul her aboard.

A very grubby set of hands.

Elizabeth gasped as she took in her new surroundings.

It was the Interceptor; she knew the rigging and the deck well from her father's inspections. But who were all these shabby, ill-kept men? And woman. There was one woman of African descent there too, with very sharp wary eyes and a large floppy hat.

They look just like…oh no…

"Not more pirates." She clung tight to Peggy who sighed and petted her arm even as a new voice called out and made her jump.

"Welcome aboard Miss Elizabeth!"

Elizabeth turned to face the man who so brazenly addressed her and was met with the familiar face of…

"Mister Gibbs?" She frowned. Could it be the same scruffy, rough-spoken officer that had sailed with her and her father on the crossing from England? His mutton chops and hair had gone grey and his brow was more weathered and wrinkled.

But the kind twinkle in his eyes was still there, though it dimmed slightly as he looked down ashamedly at his toes.

"Aye, that be me! Hey boy where be Jack?!" he called as Will finally clambered up onto the deck panting for breath as he leaned against the railing to catch his breath.

Elizabeth looked at Will in shock.

Jack? Jack who?

Wait a moment…pirates…the Interceptor…Oh good lord William what did you do?

"Jack? Jack Sparrow?" She stared aghast at Will who for some reason, had a lot of trouble meeting the older sailor's eye as he muttered:

"He fell behind." he glanced sidelong at Peggy.

She too was looking quite uncomfortable but hid it better as she turned her face down to the ground, her lips pursed sadly.

There was silence as the crew digested the grim news, their faces contemplative as they turned to look at Gibbs who sucked in a deep bracing breath.

"Keep to the code!" he shouted looking hard at Peggy who nodded resolutely.

"Keep to the code."

Sighing with relief, Peggy wrapped an arm around Elizabeth and began to steer her below deck as the dark-skinned woman in the hat began barking orders to weigh anchor and get a move on.

"Come on Lizzy, you must be tired."

"Wait just a moment Peggy." Gibbs grabbed Peggy by the arm. "You and I need to talk."

Elizabeth frowned in worriment at the stern tone in Gibbs's voice. Just who did he think he was to manhandle a woman in such a way?

She opened her mouth to speak but Peggy quickly cut over the top of her with a pointed look at Will who likewise seemed very concerned for her welfare.

"Take her to the galley Will. I'll join you in a bit."

Will nodded, though he seemed hesitant to leave as he watched Gibbs steer Peggy away towards the captain's quarters and out of sight.

"What was that about?" She whispered to Will who bit his lip anxiously.

"I have no idea." His brow furrowed as he caught sight of her hand bleeding through the hurriedly tied makeshift blue binding. "Your hand-"

"Barbossa he…during the ritual," Elizabeth sucked in a deep breath as she tried to squash down the horrible memory of Barbossa holding that bloodstained stone knife. "It's not too deep I don't think. He only needed a few drops of blood."

Will's nostrils flared, his usually tender brown eyes flashing with wrath she had never seen before. But to his credit, he steadied himself as he placed a gentle hand on her back and steered her below deck, neither noticing a pair of blue-grey eyes staring forlornly at their backs as they descended out of sight.

So that's it then…

Peggy sighed as she watched Will and Elizabeth disappear out of sight. The blacksmith's eyes were the most tender and warm she had ever seen as he worriedly hovered over his shaken and injured lady love.

She knew it was foolish. She had known for a long time she never stood a chance with him. She had resigned herself long ago to the truth that she would always and only ever be his friend.

And yet despite all her attempts to steel herself, her heart ached to see him like this.

It did not help that memories of that morning were flooding her brain. She had woken up curled over his chest, her head over his heart, his arm wrapped around her keeping her close, his nose buried in her hair and his lips against her brow as the morning sun shone through the window and bathed them both in its warm glow. It had been so long since she had felt so safe and close to anyone. For one moment, one small shining moment, she thought maybe, just maybe, everything she had been through, all the hell and torment from the devil, all the lunacy with piracy, it had all been just a dream. A silly, absurd dream that would melt away as she woke up in the arms of the man who loved her.

Get yourself together Peggy! She snapped at herself mentally as she shook out her shoulders You always knew this would happen so suck it up! Suck it up and deal like you've always done. He's never loved you that way and he never will. It's always been Lizzy. You're just his friend and that's all you'll be. You've got to accept that and move on.

She was almost grateful for Gibbs's rough handling as he dragged her into the captain's quarters and shut the door with a hard snap.

At least it gave her something else to worry about.

And boy did her heart hammer as she caught sight of the suspicious gleam in Gibbs's eye as he looked her up and down.

She was in trouble now. Gibbs must have suspected something was wrong, she could see it in his face. Somehow he knew she and Will were up to something.

This wasn't good. The other pirates of the Interceptor might be willing to let bygones be bygones, but she had watched Gibbs and Jack closely over the last few days. They were not just allies but actual good mates, and Gibbs was a loyal man. He did not strike Peggy as the sort to take a slight to him or his friends lying down.

If she did not figure out something fast she and Will might both be locked up in the brig…or worse.

"Yer left Jack behind didn't ye?" the man grunted gruffly as she shut her eyes.

"Yes." Damn, and he was not the type for a preamble either. Fortunately for Peggy, she had busied herself thinking of excuses on their journey back to the Interceptor. What point was there in her and Will ditching Jack only to get killed by the crew? "As was planned."

"Planned?" Gibbs rubbed a hand on his jaw and Peggy nodded, hoping her face betrayed nothing of her nerves as she took the half-finished bottle of rum off the table and corked it as usual.

"We needed to save Elizabeth, but if Jack and Will went in guns-a-blazing there was too big a risk of Will getting killed off and Jack losing his leverage against Hector. While Jack kept Hector busy, it bought Will and me time to get Elizabeth to safety. Once Jack is captured, he should be able to board the Pearl and strike a bargain with Hector for Will's life without anyone else getting in the way."

"Ahh…" Gibbs nodded, and Peggy was relieved to see the older sailor's shoulders relax as 'comprehension' settled in. "Of course…makes sense I suppose. By Jack's standards at any rate."

Peggy nodded. Even she had to admit she was impressed with the lie. It did sound like something Jack would do on purpose. One could argue that it was perhaps a bit too self-sacrificing on his part but so long as she made it sound like he had a greater enigmatic scheme in mind Peggy knew no one would question it further…hopefully.

"I guess that's what you and Jack were arguin' about while at the helm." Gibbs quirked a brow and she shrugged.

"Bits and pieces. But I know Jack well enough to guess his intentions...or some of them." She muttered. This was true so she was safe on this front, but still, she had to be careful. She had to tell Will everything she said here so he could keep his mouth shut and not ruin everything. He was sometimes a bit too honest for his own good.

"It's a risky move. Lettin' himself get captured by that scurvy dog." Gibbs grunted running a hand through his greying hair. "You sure Barbossa wouldn't order his men to kill him?"

"Positive." Peggy nodded, "Hector might be bloodthirsty, but he can't resist a mystery. He'll keep Jack alive to figure out how he survived his marooning. Once he realises Jack has the final piece to ending his curse he'll keep him alive. But we need can outrun them today if we want to get out of this with our lives."

"Aye! I was worried about that." Gibbs rolled out a map onto the table and pointed at a spot in the open ocean far-far away from the mainland. "From what Jack showed me this mornin' this is where the Isla de Muerta is. As ye can see here our choice in hideaways is slim next to none."

"No small islands?" Peggy frowned. "Even a sandbank with shallow waters will be good for us. The Pearl will have trouble following us at speed."

"Only one. But we're already sailing in the wrong direction."

"Then we best change course as soon as possible. Once Hector and his men return to their ship they'll be after us like hunting dogs." Peggy muttered.

"Aye, I'll tell them now." Gibbs nodded, though he hesitated for a second. "Look Peggy-"

"Jack will be fine. He's gotten himself out of worse scrapes before. Speaking of scrapes I should…I should go make sure Will and Lizzy are both alright" Peggy gulped down hard on her semi-constricted throat, painfully aware of his sympathetic and pitying gaze.

"You sure you want to do that lass?" He muttered.

"Of course, why shouldn't I?"

"Because I saw the look on yer face, and, well, it's probably not my place to say this lass-"

"Then don't!" Peggy snapped; eyes fixed on the floor as she felt her eyes burn with the familiar sting of tears. "Look Gibbs…I… I know I probably look like a pathetic mess right now, but I don't need anyone's pity. Will's made his choice, and I'll respect it…no matter how much it stinks."

Gibbs opened his mouth to object but seemed to think better of it. Instead, he swallowed and nodded, patting the top of her head gently.

"Then all I'll say is this. I've been around the block a few times lass and I can tell ye, there are many a man out there who would kill to have a woman like ye by their side, bloody red hair and all. If Turner can't see yer value then he's one of the biggest, blindest fools I ever did meet."

"I don't know about that." Peggy snorted "I mean, I fell in love with him so I must be an even greater fool."

"Ehh, yer still young." Gibbs waved her off with a comforting smile "There's still time to find someone better. And yer will. Jack always said yer was a good lass worth the fight."

"He did?" Peggy blinked in surprise. "When was this?"

"Years ago, it was." Gibbs shrugged. "Around the time we first met. He had just escaped that blasted island. He spoke so fondly of ye, almost as fond as the Pearl. Said yer would've been a brilliant pirate if Barbossa had not killed ye and he was a fool for not listenin' to ye. Never saw a man look so guilty in his life."

"I…I never knew that" She mumbled hoarsely. "I mean he's always saying pretty words to get people on his side."

"Aye, he does, lass." Gibbs agreed with a fond roll of his eyes "But not when it comes to ye, I can tell yer that. He may not say it to yer face, but he's been happy yer back by his side. Perhaps the happiest I've seen him in years."

Now Peggy could feel her heart clenching for a completely different reason.

Jack saying it to her face was one thing. He had a way with words, and he knew how to smarmy up to people, especially women.

To hear him speak so highly of her to someone else like that…It did not sound like Jack. But Gibbs did not seem the sort of man to lie about something so personal like this.

It was so confusing.

There was a soft knock at the door and both Gibbs and Peggy looked up just in time to see a blonde head of hair poke through the door.

"Excuse me," Elizabeth mumbled with a surprising awkwardness as she slipped inside. "Forgive me. The crew said I was to take the captain's room to rest."

"Ah yes, Jack did say that." Gibbs straightened up, patting Peggy consolingly on the shoulder as he straightened himself up to leave. "I'll leave you two ladies to it then. I'll go see Annamaria about changin' course."

"Aye, you do that!" Peggy coughed, grateful her back was facing Elizabeth so she could wipe her eyes and nose as Gibbs left the room.

"Changing course?" Elizabeth frowned and Peggy forced a small smirk onto her face, hoping none of her earlier strife was visible.

"Yes, we need to chart a different path if we're going to be able to outrun the Black Pearl. It might take us a few extra days to get you back to Port Royal, but it will be safer." She straightened up and beckoned to Elizabeth to follow her. "Come, the bed's this way. Don't worry, I changed the sheets this morning, you won't smell Jack anywhere." She added with a small chuckle as she led Elizabeth towards a double bed built into the wall of the cabin towards the back, opposite a small wooden door.

"Thank you," Elizabeth sighed in relief, her usually poised and perfect posture relaxing into a small slouch of exhaustion as she sat on the edge of the clean bed "That cretin Barbossa locked me in this tiny room inside his quarters for most of the voyage-"

"The cabin boy's quarters." Peggy's eyebrows rose and Elizabeth nodded, only to stop in surprise.

"Yes, how did you know?"

Peggy paused. Well, if she had told Will then she supposed she ought to tell Elizabeth too, since they'd be sailing together for a while.

"They used to be my quarters." She gulped, keeping her face as neutral as possible. "Back when I used to sail on the Black Pearl."

Elizabeth stared at her, doe brown eyes widening.

"So…it's true…What Will said…" she trailed off and Peggy nodded, lips pursed as she felt irritation bubble in her gut.

So, Will just thought he could spread her secrets without her consent?

"Yes, it is true."

Elizabeth instantly became apologetic.

"Don't be mad at Will. I overheard a couple of the men talking as we went below deck. They said something about how you were the captain's favourite and of course he'd save your…um, behind…among some other…disgusting things that I am sure are not true. I can't imagine you ever being in such a way with a man like that." Elizabeth blushed a little and Peggy guessed she was desperately trying to forget the litany of swears and vulgarities she had just been exposed to. "Will, however, said none of those were true. He said that you were only Jack Sparrow's cabin girl a long time ago and that you only came back to help rescue me."

"Well, I don't know what the crew is saying about me behind my back and nor do I care." Peggy snorted in amusement at her friend's innocence, as she sat beside her on the bed. "But Will is right. I was Jack's cabin girl before I came to Port Royal."

"That must have been an, uh, educational experience." Elizabeth gave a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"It was interesting I'll give it that." Peggy accepted the olive branch. "Until Hector took charge."

"Hector?"

"Barbossa."

"Oh…oh right of course." Elizabeth bit her lip, her injured hand flexing and curling at the mention of the man. "You knew him rather well then."

"He was Jack's first mate." Peggy sighed. "Bastard took us both for a bloody spin," she added bitterly. "Sorry, sorry-last thing you want to be is reminded of him after all this."

"No. Don't be. I am sorry for bringing it up." Elizabeth reached out to grip her hand reassuringly. "Though…actually, I am rather grateful. With your knowledge and your relations with Sparrow, you and Will were able to find where I was before Barbossa or his men could kill me…or worse." She shivered and Peggy grimaced in sympathy giving her friend's hand a small squeeze.

"I must say, you're taking this a lot better than Will did." She smirked lightly and was relieved to see Elizabeth chuckle lightly.

"Well, it does explain why you knew so much about sailing and sword fighting. Besides, I always used to think it would be rather exciting to meet a pirate. Never did I think I would become friends with one…or fall for one…" she added in a mumble, her smile falling as she looked away down to her toes.

"You should get some rest," Peggy mumbled rubbing her friend's shoulders soothingly. "I'll bring up some food later. Since I'm cabin girl here my room's just in there if you need somewhere safe to hide." She pointed to the door opposite the Captian's bed. "I'll have to lock you in while I'm gone though. Just for safety. This lot are not like Barbossa or his men, but you can't be too careful. Gibbs has the spare key in case of an emergency." She pointed to the door to her nook and Elizabeth smiled weakly.

"Thank you, Peggy. You're a good friend."

"Anytime Lizzy." Peggy stood up, forcing herself to smile as she quietly padded out of the room.

She sighed heavily as she locked the door behind her with the key she kept around her neck.

Gods that was…awful. Peggy felt her heart sink even further into the hollow hole that had once been her chest.

Seeing Lizzy and Will moon over one another from a distance was one thing, hearing it from her friend's mouth was almost like being stabbed in the kidney by a knife made from ice so cold it burned.

If she had heard the words from any other woman she might have been able to shrug it off.

But this was Elizabeth, dear Lizzy. Lizzy was her friend whom she had spent sunny afternoons walking and talking about everything and nothing while the washing had been drying on the line. Her friend with whom she had helped sneak out of boring social activities with those fussy aristocratic ladies so they could explore the town. Lizzy was her friend who had stood up to her father on her behalf when she had been wrongly accused of stealing from his house. She was her friend who had held her as she had cried about being rejected by her first love when she was sixteen.

Lizzy, who was always more beautiful than her, richer than her, more refined, polished and genteel. A woman who would not swear like a sailor or punch like a ruffian. She was strong in her own way and intelligent, but she had never learned to lie and cheat to survive or deal with a drunk lecherous landlord. Lizzy, who had a loving doting father and grabbed the attention of men instantly whenever she entered a room. Lizzy, a woman who was free to be with the man she loved if she was brave enough to take the leap because her soul was not sold to the devil himself.

Peggy was unsure how she managed to keep a straight face around the crew as she descended below deck when all she wanted to do was scream. It did not help that some who did pass her shot her looks of pity or patted her on the shoulder as she passed by. Gods, whoever thought women were the worst gossips in the world had never lived on a ship with pirates. Or were they consoling her for the loss of Jack?

Either way, she hated it.

Why couldn't everyone leave her alone?! She had made her bed, she had accepted her fate, why couldn't everyone just let her be?! It was easier being alone! No one could break her heart any further if they just left her alone!

Just sing. Do something. Anything. Look busy. Don't give them any chance to talk to you.

She gritted her teeth as she finally found her way into the galley and began to sift through their supplies. All able hands were above deck rushing about as they tried to put as much distance between them and the Black Pearl, so no one was in the kitchens. Luckily for her, a couple of chickens had been freshly slaughtered and plucked that morning, ready to cook for the evening meal.

Some soup might be good, or stew. Yes, stew…then we can use some of this fowl. Something thick with some vegetables. She thought as she picked out a small sack of potatoes and loaded them into a large pot along with some preserved carrots and peas and cabbage.

She felt her mind begin to relax as she set all the ingredients out on the table in the small kitchen and began to sort them out for preparation.

"Oh, gather 'round, ye sailors bold, and hear a tale of love grown cold, of two who vowed on shore to meet, of faithless hearts led to deceit."

She sang softly to herself as she began chopping carrots on a board, the thud of the knife against wood soothing in its violent way.

"She was a goddess of the sea, and he, a pirate, wild and free. They pledged their love, their souls entwined, to meet again, in ten years time."

She threw the carrots into the pot such was her ire, but little did she care. If she could not scream at the world, then she would vent some other way.

"Ten years he waited for the shore, with dreams of his love, his spirit soared. But she, so fickle, did not show, their vow was broken, tears did flow."

She was vaguely aware of footsteps coming down into the galley, but she ignored them as she started to chop more vegetables.

"Another decade came and went; she never came, and more tears were shed. And on that day, his heart did break, and mortal form he did forsake"

How many times had she heard her mother sing that song? Too many times that was for certain. It was hammered into her brain like a long sharp nail.

"In rage and sorrow, he did swear, to curse her name, his vengeance bare. He carved his heart out from out his chest and hid it where they had first met."

She was not sure why she sang it now. As a child, she had been so horrified that anyone could feel so miserable that they could carve out their own heart. Now she understood the feeling only too well.

"Now cruel and cold, he haunts the sea, a heartless man, in agony. Yet deep within, he yearns for death, to find her arms in final breath."

Kathunk!

She stared at the point where she stabbed the knife into the cutting board. In her frustration, she had managed to make a deep incision into the grain, but she found herself caring little for the casualty of her wrath.

"You'll damage the blade if you do that."

"I'm not exactly in a mood to care." She grunted, barely paying Will a glance as he wrenched the knife from the board with an easy tug, placed it carefully on the table and sat down beside her. "Lizzy's resting in the captain's quarters. And before you rush off to check on her let me remind you that she's locked in good and tight, and I have the key as per our original arrangement."

"I know. Gibbs informed me just now." Will reached to stop her from taking the knife again. "Peggy…what did he say to you?"

"What do you mean?" Peggy mumbled, keeping her eyes fixed on the large hand that gripped her wrist.

"Gibbs, did he say something to upset you?"

"We talked about Jack," Peggy muttered so that only he could hear. "He was suspicious about what happened at Isla de Muerta. So, I told him that Jack being left behind was all a part of the grand plan."

"And he bought that?" Will quirked a brow.

"Yes. Jack's always been one for outrageous schemes. Letting himself get captured by the enemy is one of the least crazy things he's done I can assure you." Peggy snorted again trying to tug her hand away, but Will did not let it go.

"And what else did he say?"

"We talked about what our route should be to escape the Pearl. That's why there's so much chaos above deck."

"You sure there was nothing else?"

"I'm sure. Why are you asking?" Peggy sighed, finally summoning enough courage to look him in the face. He looked deadly serious and concerned.

"Because you're down here decapitating carrots like an angry executioner having a bad day-" Will's hand slid down to grip hers tight "-And because he just cornered me and gave me a lecture to never forget how lucky I am to have a woman like you by my side who was willing to risk the hangman's noose to help me."

Peggy shook her head and groaned into her free hand. Bloody Gibbs. Why was he being so damn nosey? It was a sweet gesture, to be sure, but a stupid one.

"Why the hell did he say that?" She mumbled as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Because he said that Jack ordered him to look after you if something happened to him."

"Jack did?" Peggy frowned. There it was again. First Gibbs and now Will. Was this the same Jack Sparrow they were talking about? The Jack Sparrow that would have selfishly sacrificed Will's life for his ship? The same man that had let her be tossed overboard because he was too proud to listen to her?

"Peg…" Will gulped "Are you angry that I double-crossed him?"

"…no." Peggy shook her head. "I'm just…I'm just confused is all." she rubbed her temple "When I handed you that oar, I didn't just do it to protect you. I wanted to give Jack a taste of his own medicine for once. To be the one who got used and tossed aside for a change, the way I thought he had tossed me aside for the Pearl. But the more I think about what happened that night…Maybe I was wrong."

"What do you mean?" Will frowned at her, his thumb stroking the back of her hand.

How Peggy hated the gesture…if only for how safe and warm it made her feel.

"I was hit on the head; I was so scared. Hector had Jack tied up too and held back. Maybe he didn't say anything not because he didn't want to, but because he couldn't. And now here I've gone and betrayed him…after he's stuck his neck out for me again with this crew."

"Only because I suggested it," Will muttered bitterly, his face just as remorseful as she felt. "I'm so sorry Peg. I'm sorry I put you in that position. And I'm…I'm sorry for dragging you along on this voyage."

"What?" Peggy's brow furrowed as Will let go of her to put his face in his hands.

"I was so focused on getting Elizabeth back at all costs that I pulled you back into piracy without thinking about the consequences you would face. That you could be hung for helping me never did cross my mind until Gibbs told me, and for that, I am a massive fool."

"If you're the fool then so am I," Peggy mumbled elbowing him playfully, unable to bear seeing him so remorseful. "You didn't force me into anything William Turner. If I did not want to come with you on this voyage, I never would have. Plain and simple."

"Still, you risk so much-Ow!" he winced as she flicked his earlobe.

"And I did that of my own volition. I did not want you to get yourself duped by Jack. And there was no way I was going to miss watching you knock Jack out like a fish at market." she added with a small fond smile, the first real one she had felt all day. "Look don't get me wrong, I do feel guilty for betraying him, but I kinda wish I had the chance to take a whack at his noggin, if only to get even for all the times he teased me about hammering away with you."

"He says that, but I think any man that had the chance to be intimate with you in any way would be a very lucky man indeed."

"You're just being kind." Peggy felt her cheeks burn as she looked away, unable to meet his sincere gaze as he stroked the end of her braid as it rested over her shoulder.

"Doesn't mean it's not true. You're loyal, fierce…beautiful. What sort of idiot would not want a woman like you?"

It took Peggy all she had not to snort at his choice of words, though something of her amusement must have shown because when she met Will's eye they both chuckled, only to flush as they realised how close they were sitting.

"That song you were singing before…what was that?" Will coughed as he picked up a potato and started peeling it with one of the smaller knives into a bowl.

"The Torment of Calypso," Peggy mumbled as she returned to chopping up the carrots, though she was a lot less violent than before. "My mother used to sing it. She used to sing all the sea chanteys. I never really heard any proper lullabies until I met you or Lizzy. It's about the sea goddess who fell in love with a mortal man but betrayed him and turned him mad."

"Seems a bit grim for a bedtime story." Will cringed as he remembered the lyrics. "What with the man carving out his heart and all that."

"Yes, well, mother never sang it to me. She always tried to sing happy songs whenever I was around. From what I remember she used to sing it when she was alone and thought I couldn't hear her, whenever she was sad. And she was sad often." Peggy grimaced gloomily.

"How come?" Will glanced at her through the corner of his eye as he began peeling another potato.

"My father…I think." Peggy shrugged carelessly "I don't remember much about the man…he was not around often. Always away from home travelling for his business."

"She must have missed him a lot to be that unhappy without him." Will tried but Peggy just rolled her eyes in fond exasperation. He always was such a romantic.

"It was the opposite. She was miserable whenever he was around, and I don't blame her. She was such a warm loving woman…and he was always so…cold…indifferent...he showed more affection to his coins than anyone else." Peggy sucked in a deep breath to soothe the anger before it could bubble to the surface again "My father and her, they did not love one another. Or if they did it then their love must have died a long time before I was born."

"Oh…I see. Forgive me, I assumed…well, I know my mother missed my father terribly while he was gone."

There was a pause as Will paused in his peeling and drew something out of his pocket.

Peggy stiffened as she caught sight of a glimmer of gold between his fingers.

"Is that…?" She shivered in disgust and Will nodded grimly as he slid the golden trinket across the table for her to look at.

It was the medallion. The same skull medallion Elizabeth had worn the day Jack rescued her. It was even more unnerving now that it had a stain of crimson blood along one side.

"Elizabeth took it from me the day she found me," Will muttered, and Peggy was surprised by the hint of anger in his voice. "All these years I thought I had lost it, but she had kept it all this time."

"She must have thought you'd get hung for piracy if anyone saw you with it," Peggy muttered though she dared not pick it up. "It looks like something a pirate would wear after all."

"That was what she said, but…still…I wish she would have told me. Maybe I would have uncovered the truth about my father sooner…the truth about what I am." Will muttered moodily.

"And what are you, Will Turner?" Peggy murmured putting down her knife.

"…I…I don't know." Will admitted running a hand over his head. "I thought I was just Will Turner, a simple blacksmith with very little prospects and no blood family. Now in the past week, I've found out I'm the son of a pirate whose crew wants to kill me for some sick ritual. I stole a navy ship, freed a convicted criminal from jail, sailed in the company of other pirates-"

"Took a pirate under your roof for ten years," Peggy added and despite his sour mood the corners of his mouth did quirk upwards slightly.

"That's different, I did not know you were a pirate. And in any case, you don't count."

"How dare you, Mister Turner!" Peggy mockingly scoffed earning a small snort of laughter as he straightened up in his chair.

"I don't mean it like that." He nudged her gently with his elbow. "It's just, when I found out about you being a pirate I wasn't just angry. I was scared. I thought as soon as we got out there on the open ocean you'd change. That the girl I grew up with was just a lie and you'd end up being this vile, nasty creature. But you haven't changed a bit, you just wear trousers and perhaps you swear a bit more. If anything, you're more like yourself out here, more than I've seen you be in a long time."

"I guess I have missed being out on the ocean," Peggy mumbled glancing at the ceiling through which they could hear many booted feet stomping about far above. "Though the cursed pirates hunting us down is something I could live without."

She and Will managed a small chuckle, though unlike the others this one quickly died off as he stared at her intently.

"If you didn't have to live with it…what if…what if you were free to do whatever you wanted? Would you still be a pirate? Or would you stay in Port Royal?"

"I…I don't know." Peggy felt her chest constrict on her once more, the mark on her right wrist tingling uncomfortably. It had been so long since she had thought about the future, if only because her future was so set in stone. It had been so long since she truly had a choice in her life that she could not imagine what she wanted. "So far everything I've done has just been to survive, I haven't thought about what I'd do if I had free choice. Why? Do you want me to leave so you and Lizzy can sail off into the sunset in one another's arms and enjoy your happy-ever-after while I rot in the bottom of some old, leaky tub?"

"What? No!" Will's eyes widened in alarm, and Peggy was surprised as he reached out to grab her hand again, as if terrified she was going to vanish instantaneously like a magician. "Not at all! I…I just-I didn't mean-That's not what I-I would never ask you to-" he spluttered desperately as he did his best to compose himself.

Peggy cursed herself. She hadn't meant for it to come out so bitterly, but she couldn't help it. All the hurt and anger had flown out of her mouth before she could stop it. Even so, it felt good to get it out of her system…if only for a moment.

"Relax dummy, I'm only teasing you." Peggy pulled her hand out of his and tweaked his nose, hoping he would not notice how she forced herself to smirk. "You get so intense and serious sometimes."

"That may be so." Will pouted swatting her fingers off his face and gripping them tight in his own once more. "But that's only because I care about you. I may not love you like I do Elizabeth, but you are very dear to me. I just…I want to see you happy."

Fat chance of that ever happening. Peggy said in her head, remembering the sneering pair of blue-green eyes as they flashed in the dark of night and lightning. He wondered what Will would think if he knew she had a sentence of two hundred years of misery at the hands of the devil himself. Would he rush to save her as he had done Elizabeth? Perhaps he would at first, but he would soon give up when he realised it would take him away from his precious beloved.

"We should keep cutting these up." She mumbled; ears pink despite her attempt to keep a stoic face as she peeled away from him and began carving up the chicken to put in the pot. "Dinner won't make itself…and Lizzy will be hungry after she finishes resting."

Will nodded silently as he picked up his knife and continued peeling and cutting the potatoes, eyes fixed on her face.

There she was again, deflecting to either a joke or the mundane as soon he brought up something important. How many times had she done that in this conversation alone? Why? What had he done?

What had he done to hurt her in a way that would make someone like Gibbs so mad at him?

Will could sort of understand Jack being overprotective. The man was childish, possesive and immature, and he seemed to see him as some rival for Peggy's attention.

But Gibbs had no prior connection with Peggy before this week. Why would he be so fierce in setting him straight? Was he truly that loyal to Jack, that he would take such a task so seriously? Or had he grown fond of Peggy that fast?

Granted she had proven her mettle time and time again each day despite the scepticism thrown at her because of her hair and gender. And then there was the fact she was so trusted by the captain and had stayed loyal to him despite a mutiny against him.

And here Will was, dragging her into the dangerous situation of betraying the captain who had vouched for her.

Had Gibbs guessed his actions? Was that why he was on thin ice with the man?

If the crew find out we betrayed Jack I must take the blame. Will decided firmly as he carved off a piece of peel with such intensity he almost sliced the top of his thumb off. It's the right thing-No! It's the only thing I can do.

"So you expect to leave me standin' on some beach, with nothing but a name and your word it's the one I need and watch you sail away in my ship?"

Jack Sparrow grinned as Hector Barbossa glowered suspiciously at him.

He was back on the Black Pearl. Against all odds, the universe had presented him with in the last few days he had done it.

And all he had to do was get whacked over the head by the goddamned whelp and his old cabin girl.

Those two did not know how to double-cross, did they? If they had they would have made sure that Jack would not have a ticket back to get revenge on them.

Amateurs! Ah Pegsy I'm gonna have to drill those lessons of piracy into yer head again ain't I?

He mused, a wary eye drifting over to the hanging perch near Barbossa's seat where an adorable, but wicked-eyed capuchin monkey was perched in a little white shirt and a red vest. The creature bared its teeth at Jack as he stalked around the circumference of the table between them.

"No. I expect to leave you standing on some beach with absolutely no name at all, watching me sail away on MY ship, and then I'll shout the name back at you, savvy?"

"That still leaves the problem of me standing on some beach, with naught but a name and your word it's the one I need." Barbossa sneered, eyes following Jack's hands as they reached to pilfer through a pile of juicy and fresh green and red apples amassed in the fruit bowl before them. "Then there's the matter of the little witch. How do I know you'll tell me where she is?"

"Of the two of us, I am the only one who hasn't committed mutiny. Therefore, my word is the one we'll be trusting." Jack finally plucked a slightly small green apple from the bottom of the pile and slithered into a wooden chair, his leather booted feet plonking languidly on the table as he took a chomp from his bounty "Although, I suppose I should be thanking you because in fact, if you hadn't betrayed me and left me and Pegsy to die, we would have an equal share in that curse, same as you. Funny ol' world ain't it?"

"Hmm." Barbossa's lip curled with anger. He had been saving those apples for after that ritual. It was to be his first taste of food and joy for the past ten years! And of course, Jack Sparrow had to dip his filthy hands into the pot first.

"Captain!" his bosun grunted as he thudded in through the door. "We're coming up on the Interceptor."

Jack flinched as the monkey screeched and ran across the table and his lap to scurry out the door. Gods he really despised the little primate already.

Wait we can't have caught up that quickly could we? he thought as he followed Barbossa's hurried footsteps out the door and up onto the deck.

Sure as eggs, Jack could see the familiar white sails on the horizon as he poked his head over the side.

Ah…not good. If we attack her then I'll lose that Turner brat and my leverage! he snarled as he drew back and clambered up the stairs onto the poop deck to pop his head in front of Barbossa's telescope.

"I'm havin' a thought 'ere Barbossa!" he smiled as Barbossa lowered the device to glower waspishly at him. "What say we run up a flag of truce, I scurry over to the Interceptor, and I negotiate the return of your medallion. Ey? What say you to that?"

Barbossa only smirked with fond exasperation, mixed with cruel vindictiveness. "No, you see Jack, that's exactly the attitude that lost you the Pearl in the first place. People are easier to search when they're dead, and as for the little witch you brought along, oh yes," his grin grew wider and more malicious as Jack's cheeky expression fell ever so slightly "I know you brought Pegsy along Jack. Who else would risk their hide to save yer ungrateful arse from a prison cell? Don't worry." Barbossa added flicking his hand to two of his beefier men who grabbed Jack by the arms and held him fast "I won't kill her. That little wretch thinks she can curse me and me men and get away with it? No…not I have something much better in store for her. Lock him in the brig!" He commanded loudly, for all his crew to hear.

Jack gulped as he was dragged off, Barbossa snagging his unfinished apple from his fingers and tossing it through one of the ripped sails and into the oceans as hard as he could.

"Waste of a good apple," Jack mumbled, eyes straying to the white sails on the horizon.

Well, there went that grand plan.

There was silence as Will scraped his whetstone against the blade of the kitchen knife, as Peggy began putting together some scraps from the table to feed to the livestock in the galley.

A couple of hours had passed since their talk. He and Peggy had just finished making and serving the hot chicken stew to the rest of the crew, who wolfed it down gratefully before returning to their frantic sailing.

Peggy had taken some to Elizabeth who was glad for the warm meal before she settled back down to sleep some more.

Will was glad. Despite her attempts to stay ladylike and stoic, Elizabeth did look like she had hardly slept a wink since her abduction. Some sleep and respite were exactly what she needed.

And so, while she slumbered he had settled for staying with Peggy in the hold, helping her take stock of their supplies and look after their tools.

Will looked up as the familiar head of copper hair sidled back into the kitchen carrying a small bucket of water, some soap and a mop to clean the floor. Whoever had been cooking down here the day before had not bothered to clean any spillage so she had taken it upon herself to do the task. As she busied herself she continued humming softly under her breath as was her custom while cleaning.

It was The Torment of Calypso, though this time she only hummed the melody and sang it at a much slower tempo than before, making it sound far more melancholic than her first rendition.

I knew it. he thought glumly as her face settled into a sombre expression.

Peggy might think she had distracted him, but he could always tell what kind of mood she was in from her songs. Something was wrong in her heart. Something was tormenting her and eating her up from the inside. He just wished he knew what it was so he could find a way to get rid of that misery he saw reflected in her eyes even as she glanced up to the ceiling.

"Did you hear that?" Peggy frowned

Will followed her gaze. The footsteps of the crew above were far louder and more frantic than before. Gibbs was almost hoarse from the volume he projected as he roared:

"STEP TO IT LADS SHE'S ON OUR STERN!"

Peggy and Will looked at one another, the colour in their faces draining as horrible realisation kicked in.

"The Pearl-You don't think she's-" Will started to say but already Peggy was scrambling to her feet, neither of them realising what precious golden trinket they had left behind on the table.

Will followed her lead, all thoughts flying out the window as they rushed through the ship at top speed and arrived on the deck.

It was utter bedlam. The crew of the Interceptor nearly flew across the deck in their haste to keep everything running smoothly. Gibbs and Annamaria were both shouting orders to the men from the helm while Paulie the Parrot flew between the rigging shouting random curse words and phrases like:

"Batten down the hatches! Sqwaaak! down the hatches!"

It would have been comical had the sight beyond the stern not filled Peggy's heart with dread.

While the Black Pearl was a terrifying sight in the night, under the light of day she was just as fearsome.

The black hull and sails stood out starkly in the sunlight as a wall of grey smog and mist billowed around her from behind as if it were a massive ghost pushing the boat along.

Peggy would not be surprised if the mass behind the ship was indeed alive or somewhat sentient because there was no way in any layer of hell they should be catching up so fast.

"This is the fastest ship in the Caribbean!" a voice called out and Peggy was surprised to see Elizabeth out on the deck storming up to Annamaria at the helm.

"You can tell them that after they've caught us! Now either you can make yerself useful or you can take your noble hide back to your hole and stay outta our way!" Annamaria snapped waspishly earning herself a brief look of shock from Elizabeth. As a noblewoman, she was not used to being spoken at so viciously or bluntly by anyone.

But what else did Elizabeth expect? Peggy snorted to herself as she helped Gibbs secure the shrouds nearby.

She was a guest aboard a pirate ship under chase from a deadly enemy, there was no time for niceties. Had she expected every man or woman aboard the ship to fawn over her like Will or be as polite as Gibbs while they were in the middle of a crisis?

Peggy had no time to appreciate the serving of humble pie as she looked towards the waters beyond the bow, scanning them for any hopeful sign.

"There!" she breathed in relief as she caught sight of shallow churning waters. "We're shallower on the draft right?!" She called to Annamaria who nodded with far less hostility than she had shown Elizabeth.

"Aye?"

"Then can't we lose them amongst those shoals?!" she pointed to where she had spotted said shoals.

Gibbs quickly took a small spyglass from his belt and looked where she directed him. It was a bit far out but not unreachable if they put their backs to it.

"We don't have to outrun 'em long. Just long enough!" He grinned.

"Lighten the ship! Stem to stern!" Annamaria commanded.

"Anything we can afford to lose, make sure it's lost!"

"I'll tell the men to prep the cannons!" Peggy called to the two pirates. "Just in case!"

"Aye, you do that lass. Take Turner with ye!" Gibbs smiled gratefully grabbing Elizabeth and leading her to the stern and giving her his spyglass. "Keep an eye out on the Pearl Miss Elizabeth! Keep us abreast of how far away she is!"

It was chaos after that. Peggy and Will were going between men and ordering them to load cannons while they simultaneously helped carry barrels of gunpowder and cannonballs to each gun.

It was a hard task, especially since some panicking crew members had accidentally thrown several barrels and crates of much-needed ammunition over the sides.

"Look out!" Will pulled Peggy back as a heavy cannon ball almost fell on her foot as it rolled out of an overturned crate.

"Sorry lass!" Marty shouted but Peggy was already rushing over the mess to look over the side.

She cursed as she looked at the Pearl. It had barely been twenty minutes and already it was close enough that Peggy could see its oars as they poked from the hull. Wait oars?!

"SHIT!" She swore loudly Will came up behind her to see what she was looking at. "I forgot about the oars! They'll be on us in no time!" She dashed up to the helm barely heeding his shouts.

"Gibbs the oars!"

"I know we just saw them!" Elizabeth called out as she handed the spyglass back to a dismayed Gibbs. There was no point in using it now that their enemy was getting so close.

"How far till the shoals?!" Peggy asked Annamaria, but her fellow pirate just shook her head in defeat.

"Too far. It was a good plan up till now." She admitted.

"Gibbs!" Will called as he clambered the stairs, his brown hair almost completely windswept about his sweaty face. "We have to make a stand! We must fight!"

"With what?" Annamaria sighed as Peggy ran a hand over her face.

"Anna's right we barely have enough ammo left!"

"Everything! Anything! Anything we have left!" Will looked at Gibbs for backup and the man sighed heavily.

Well since they really did not have an option left…

"Load the guns! Case shot and langrage, nails and crushed glass!" Gibbs ran down on the deck, missing the way Elizabeth and Will stared a look of intense longing and admiration before the latter rushed down to help the quartermaster in his duties.

But Annamaria saw it. She also saw the stricken look on Peggy Blake's face as she turned her face away to bark orders at the men on deck.

Annamaria did not like drama aboard any of her boats and she sure did not appreciate it in this moment of crisis, however, she did feel some pity for the young red-haired woman. She had strengthened hands that knew hard work and Annamaria could respect that.

"You lady! Get below deck!" she barked at Elizabeth who was startled at the roughness of her voice.

"Anna's right, you need to go!" Peggy grabbed Elizabeth and began pushing her towards the stairs before she could argue with the helmswoman.

"But Peggy, I can't just do nothing! Let me go, this isn't any way to treat your friends!" Elizabeth growled as she shrugged her friend off only to blink in surprise as Peggy snapped at her:

"We're not friends right now Lizzy! We're crew! That means we need to pull together and follow orders. If you want to stay on the poop deck be my guest, you'll be the first to get shot at along with me and Anna! If you really want to help then go below deck, arm yourself and then start handing out the guns to the men! Can you do that?"

Elizabeth was about to shout back and argue but was stopped by the fierce expression on her friend's face. She had never seen Peggy get this forceful before, her red hair was a mess, loose strands flying about her freckled face as her nostrils flared and her blue-grey eyes flashed like steel. Honestly, it was a little frightening. It eerily reminded her of the way Barbossa snarled out orders on the Black Pearl.

"Lizzy!" Peggy repeated, lowering her voice a fraction but still maintaining intense eye contact. "Can you do that?"

"Yes…yes I can!" Elizabeth nodded and was rewarded with a grateful smile and a comradely tap on her arm, not dissimilar to how the men usually thanked one another on deck in passing.

"Good then get moving!" Peggy then pushed her towards the stairs, but Elizabeth did not argue any more as she followed her new directive. She was so unused to being manhandled and shouted at, but Peggy was right. This was a crew and if she wanted to be of help in this oncoming battle she needed to pull her weight.

The smiles and firm nods of gratitude she received as the men took the guns from her, were strangely heartening. All her life Elizabeth had been expected to sit back and let other people do things for her. It was a charmed life to be sure, but it was also stifling and unfulfilling. What had she achieved in her life apart from being a poised and well-read lady?

Now for the first time in her life, she felt somewhat useful…and it was on a pirate ship about to be attacked by a crew of cursed sailors of all things. It was both terrifying and thrilling at the same time. She wondered if this was what fresh recruits felt like in the Navy when their sergeants yelled at them.

"The Pearl's gonna luff up on our port quarter!" Gibbs shouted as he and Will returned to Anna and Peggy on the poop deck. "She'll rake us without ever presenting a target!"

"Then we need to turn around and get back our advantage!" Will shouted above all the cacophony of sailors and the crashing of waves below.

Peggy snarled as she looked back at the Black Pearl.

She was so close they could see the pirates jeering at them from the bow just beyond her beautiful black wooden womanly figurehead.

"Lower the anchor on the starboard side. On the starboard side! The only way we'll get out of this is if we club haul!" She shouted to Gibbs's, Will's and Annamaria's surprise, the lattermost gaping at her as if she had just sprouted another three heads and a lizard's tail.

"It certainly has the element of surprise." Will agreed with a small shrug.

"You're daft Peggy! You both are!" Annamaria added with a glance at Will, but this only had the effect of making Gibbs's face light up with glee.

"Daft like Jack!" he grinned, squeezing Peggy's arm bracingly before turning to order the men "Lower the Starboard anchor! Do it yer gobs or it's you we'll load into the cannons!"

"Well done!" Will grinned at Peggy who managed a small smile as she gripped his arm.

"Keep the flattery for later, we need to get armed." they rushed down the stairs and towards the lower deck where Elizabeth was busy directing a chain of men to hand out guns and swords.

"Here!" the noblewoman shouted at Peggy whom she threw a firearm at as another sailor handed him a linstock for one of the cannons on deck, just as a splash was heard from the prow of the ship.

"Brace yourselves!" Gibbs shouted at the men even as Peggy dashed back towards the upper deck.

There was the groaning of wood, and a snapping sound and Peggy squeaked as she felt the floor beneath her tilt ominously.

"Not again! ACK!" She cried out as she flailed widely to grip one of the shrouds for support. "LET GO!" She yelled at Annamaria who was trying to hold on for dear life to the helm's wheel.

Annamaria let go at once, hitting the deck as the boom of the backmost sail swung over her head almost knocking off her hat as the entire ship swung around in a very sharp jibe.

"Keep her steady man!" Will barked at the crew as they struggled to realign their cannons at the Pearl, which was being pulled hard to port to avoid a crippling collision.

The shouting was at its peak now. Peggy could hardly hear herself think for all the screams and gnashing of teeth as the crews of both pirate ships snarled and jeered at one another from across the watery divide.

One drop in there and her last secret would be blown.

No! Don't think like that! We might not be able to win this fight but we can at least cripple the Pearl and snag an escape!

She looked over the tattered sails and mist curling about the hull of the haunted vessel.

Despite its impressive speed, the Black Pearl was a taller vessel than the Interceptor and slightly bulkier than one would expect of a ship made for swiftness.

Peggy gripped her gun tighter in her hands. She had almost forgotten how intimidating it was up close.

Then again she had never expected to be on the receiving end of one of its attacks. During those two years sailing her she had lost some of her fear of the vessel for it had been her home.

Even now the little girl inside her felt a strange pang of homesickness as her eyes drifted from the cannons being readied in the portholes up towards the helm.

"Hector!" She hissed.

There, leaving the wheel to his bosun, Hector Barbossa, Captain of the Black Pearl, stalked towards the railing, his long dark coat billowing in the wind along with the feather in his big-brimmed hat as his gaze roved with amused disdain over his adversary's ship, only to stop dead in his tracks as he caught sight of her.

For a split second, she saw astonishment flicker across his face as if he was unsure what he was seeing, then his eyes roved over her messy red braid and freckled face and his mouth split into a venomous sneer of sadistic glee.

With a condescending smirk, he tipped his hat to her in gentlemanly fashion, chuckling as she bared her teeth at him, gut broiling with fresh unfiltered fury.

She had not felt a bloodlust like this in years. Not since that night Barbossa had left her stranded out there in the middle of the ocean as a little girl. For so many years she had kept her fury in check. Will and Jack liked to joke and say she had a hot temper, but he had no idea how much she had been holding back all these years.

But now as she stood there faced with the man that had betrayed her trust and hurt her and her friends, all the pain and heartache of the past few days, all the indignity all the rage, it was all too much. It hit her with the full force of a cannonball, and she could not hold it back any longer.

This bastard! This greasy, grimy traitorous old codfish! He made a grave mistake tossing her to the sharks.

She inhaled sharply as she raised her gun and pointed it at the Barbossa's chest, keeping her eyes locked with his.

"NOW!" Will shouted from somewhere on the deck.

"FIRE!" Barbossa roared from his ship as he unsheathed his cutlass from his belt.

"FIRE!" Gibbs shouted on the Interceptor.

"FIRE ALL!" Someone roared.

It was as if the entire world had gone still around her as Peggy locked eyes once again with Barbossa once more.

Sounds were muted, and the world slowed to a crawl. She could see bullets sailing little by little through the air as muzzles of muskets, flintlocks and cannons were fired from both sides. The force of the artillery created disturbances in the air that blew past her face like tiny gusts of wind, dislodging many locks of copper from her already messy braid.

If anyone had bothered to look closely at her face, they might have noticed the redhead's canines were longer and more pointed than before, looking more like fangs as she snarled. They also would have noticed her pupils narrowed to pinpricks as her eyes shimmered silver in the sun with wrath upon her prey just as her nails extended into sharp claws that left long scratches in the metal and wood of her weapon as she squeezed the trigger.

There was a bang!

A flash of white.

And a bullet flew out of her rifle, straight towards her enemy's heart.

And there we have it Chapter 8 is up and the Battle with the Black Pearl and Interceptor has just begun. and yes I'm leaving it on a cliffhanger. The best kind of hanger. Really, if I went any further and did the entire battle in this chapter, it would be over 20,000-word long so this felt like a good place to stop.

So Peggy is feeling guilty about betraying Jack and Will is getting a little lecture from Gibbs. Looking back on the films it kinda feels strange that Gibbs of all people is so accepting of Will ditching Jack in the cave. I always felt that even if the rest of the crew were okay with leaving Jack behind, his first mate might get a tingle that something was wrong. Also, it kinda feels good to make Will face a little bit of guilt and fret about the consequences for his actions since he tends to get away scott-free in the Curse of the Black Pearl.

As always please fave, follow and review if you enjoyed and I'll see you in the next chapter.

Thanks

FuzzyBeta