Gradually your tears subsided, and your breathing became less erratic. Jack wove his fingers through the hair on the back of your head, and continued to rub your back soothingly. Occasionally the haunting image and ghostly touch would return, and you would clench your fist around a handful of Jack's hair. You could feel Jack's breath on your neck, the sensation of him around you helped to comfort you.

"There. Yer alright...." murmured Jack in a hushed tone. You sat up, and Jack carefully tucked his fist into his sleeve, and used it to wipe your face. You sniffed and gave him a weak smile. He smiled back and pushed your hair back from your face. You let out a shuddery breath, and stood up. Jack stood up alongside you, holding onto your elbow. You shook him of with a small wave of your hand.

"Don't be fussy, Jack." You said in a wavery voice, and then cleared your throat. You patted your belt and made sure everything was present. Your pistol, your sword, your dagger... all were still there. You slipped off the navy officer's pants, and threw them on the ground.

"We're not doing that again." you said jokingly. Jack only grinned uneasily; his hand still lingered on the small of you back. Gabriele stood on your other side, clutching tightly to your upper arm. You forced a laugh, and shook them off.

"For goodness sake! Don't fuss!" You sniffled once more, wiping your cheeks with the back of your hand hastily. You cleared your throat and tossed your hair over your shoulder swiftly. You took a deep breath and gave the best grin you could.

"Let's go get that treasure now, aye?" Jack nodded and Gabriele bounded on ahead. You walked steadily, considerably more wary, and you could feel Jack's eyes bore into your back.

"Love.." he bean quietly in a concerned tone. You cut him off unconsciously.

"--not love--" You heard him falter, and you mentally smacked yourself for the bad timing. It was habit by now though. But Jack continued.

"Are ye sure yer...?"

"Yes, Jack, I'm fine."

"We could do this another day..." You heard something in his voice, and edge perhaps, or a slightly pleading tone. You stopped and turned around, suddenly suspicious. You saw Jack fidgeting uneasily, his hands even more restless than usual.

"Why?" you asked sharply. He looked up quickly, and for a moment you caught a glimpse of fear in his eyes. But then it was gone.

"Because..." he motioned vaguely to the alley behind you, then eyed you nervously. You shrugged and turned around, setting off once again.

"I told ye millions of times Jack, I'm fine." You heard him begin to say something else, but he fell silent.

'This is not normal Jack Sparrow behaviour...' you thought warily. Something was... off. Just...not right. You could feel it in the air and in the silence that hung around. You frowned. Maybe you weren't the only one who had made plans...

You shook off the uneasy feeling with a quick shake of your head and a shrug. You continued towards the church, trying to catch up with Gabriele. You heard Jack tread along behind you. soon the building was in view, not 200 metres ahead of you. Gabriele was already squatting, excited, in the shadows. You hurried forward to join her. You kneeled down on the wet grass next to Gabriele, and peered though an arched window. Jack crept up behind you.

"Ye know why the window's arched?" he asked quietly. You shook your head.

"Cuz o' the horseshoes. Ye were supposed t' put horseshoes above the doorway. If ye put them facing upwards, like a U, then its supposed t' catch the devil as he tried to come in the room. If ye put them facing down, then it pours out its magic an' creates a barrier, see? So the devil can't walk though the door. So, some French guy or summat figgered that if it worked for horseshoes, then if they made arched windows, it should work too. And there ye have it; arched windows." [true!]. You turned around to look at him incredulously.

"How did ye know that?!" Jack shrugged and grinned.

"Ye gotta know these kinda o' things when yer a---"

"PIRATE!" yelled a voice nearby. Your eyes widened, and Gabriele nearly jumped out of her skin. Jack, however, held up a finger pointedly.

"Pirate Captain, mate." You smacked him around the head, shushing him. Casting a glance over your shoulder, you saw a young man in a plain brown habit. He was pointing directly at you. You sighed and stood up. No use hiding now. He had spotted you. He was seemingly speechless now, and made a quick sign with his hands before crossing himself. You waltzed over, Jack behind you. You held out your hands to show him you meant no harm, but he yelled out again.

"Pirates! In the garden! PIRATES!" You sighed and pulled out your pistol, placing it to the side of his head.

"Look, mate. I don't like hurtin' people o' the cloth or whatever. Please don't make me hurt ye." He made to run back inside, but Jack caught his arm and held him still. You cocked your pistol.

"Please. C'mon mate, I don't look like such a bad gal, now do I?" He cast you a terrified look before bowing his head and mumbling what you could only imagine to be prayers. You looked at Jack, who wouldn’t meet your eyes. More oddness....

"Alright. Here's what gonna happen, savvy?" Jack did glance up when you used his word, but you ignored him. He was avoiding you, you could avoid him. Besides, you couldn’t even spend two minutes around Jack without picking up something he does or says. It was inevitable. The priest or monk or friar or....or whichever he was, looked up obediently.

"We're not gonna hurt ye. We jest need t' get summat. An' since yer being so bloody loud, we're gonna have t' knock ye out. Just a little knock on the head, and that's it." You thought for a second. "Actually.... it might hurt. But on'y a little." You grinned persuasively. The poor guy didn't look very consoled. Hmm. You certainly would have been in his shoes. People these days. So desensitized by those bloody players [actors] and silly theatre groups. Oh well. Jack brought up his pistol, ready to knock the guy out. The young man glanced at it frighteningly, then began to mutter yet another prayer. You sighed.

"Alright. Let him finish his bloody speech." You and Jack waited until he had said 'amen' and crossed himself, the Jack took him out with one swift blow to the back of his head. He crumpled, and fell to your feet. You sighed and pulled him into the brush.

"Jack, now we gotta figger out how t' get in there."

"Pet, do ye know what a confessional looks like?" asked Jack suddenly. You stopped brushing off your pants to glance up sharply.

"Well, yea! It's...uh, it's kinda like...well, actually, no. Don't ye?" you asked hopefully. Jack shook his head sullenly.

"Craptastic." you mutter, glancing around for Gabriel. Maybe she knew what a bloody confessional looked like.

"Craptastic?" repeated Jack faintly. You chuckled absently.

"Aye. Or craptacular. Whichever fits yer fancy. Floats yer boat. Flies yer flag..."

"Alright, pet, I think I get the picture." interjected Jack. You grinned. Gabriele came bounding out of the bushes as usual, turning up at the most random times and from the most random places. You shook your head.

"Gabriele, do you know what a confessional looks like?" She thought for a moment, before shaking her head no. You sighed. Oh well. You'll just.....improvise. Yea. Improvise. Ok. This can work.....

"Jack, were gonna jest have t' make things up as we go 'ere. And we still need a way to get inside." Jack was looking down at the unconscious monk/priest/bishop/ whichever he was, then up at you again. Your eyes widened, and you backed off, holding your hands in front of you.

"Jack.....no....no way...don't even think about it...."

* * * *

"Fuckin' hell, ye bloody scoundrel. Bloody bilge rat, ye are. Fuck, let's see ye try wearing one o' these, fucking hot...." you muttered as Jack looked on gleefully.

"Well he was too small fer me, pet--" Suddenly another member of the church looked curiously around the edge of the building, eyes widening when he saw you struggling to pull up the brown habit over your belt. He gasped, and you and Jack both looked up.

"Shit..." you heard Jack mutter under his breath while walking towards the man. This man was older, in his forties perhaps, and much larger. He had broad shoulders and a strong, muscular look to him. Yet, under that silly habit, he looked mousy and frail. In a moment Jack was at the man's side, pistol held behind his ear.

"Ah, fuck it. Knock 'im out too." You called out. Jack nodded, and the man lowered his head and began to mumble hastily. You sighed and raised your eyes to the darkened sky in frustration.

"Honestly. It's not like they're not waking up. Jest hit 'im Jack." Jack obliged, and the man collapsed onto Jack. He grunted and pushed the man off of him. Glancing down at the still body, you grinned mischievously.

"Ey Jack!" you called, walking over to him, rolling over the monk guy with your toe.

"This guy's big enough." Jack's eyes widened, and you grinned slyly. "well? Ye said ye would if he was big enough. And he's big enough! So c'mon now. Let me help." You pulled off the outer robe on the man, leaving him in some sort of weird white dress. Hmm. Questionable, but you didn't have time for that. You held out the garment for Jack. He hesitated, absently running his fingers along the edge of his long jacket.

"C'mon Jack!" You shook the puke brown colored garment enticingly. Except you didn't think Jack was enticed. You threw it at him, and he caught it, looking you over dubiously, as if thinking 'my god, I have to look like that?????' You grinned and patted him on the back heartily. You snuck around to where the second man had appeared from, and peered through. It was a short, lighted hallway, with more brightness spilling in through various doorways off to the side. At the end, you could see the wooden decorations of the altar. You turned around to find Jack hovering right behind you, frown set firmly in place. You looked him over and stuffed your fist into your mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Goodness did he look ridiculous! He scowled and smacked your head with his hand, pointing an elegant finger in your face.

"I'll have ye know, I looked much better the last time I did this." You raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Dressing up as a man o' the cloth is a normal thing fer ye?" he chuckled and looked over your shoulder eagerly.

"It's in there?" You nodded in response. You crept in, right up to the edge of the first doorway, then stopped. You carefully shot a glance into the room, and pulled back immediately.

"There someone in there! Jest kneeling right on the floor!" Jack frowned and took a peek himself. He looked back at you, chuckling.

"He's praying, love. Never seen a man pray?" You shot him a withering glance, and turned back to decide how to get past all these crazy praying people. You saw a shadow pass across Jack's face, and you looked up. Gabriele was simply waltzing down the hallway, happy as can be. And no one was running to tackle her. You followed hesitantly, but when you looked into the rooms as you passed, the people didn't even look up. You shrugged and continued along to the end of the hallway. You came out behind the altar, which was deep wood. It had been gilded in gold paint some years earlier, but it was chipping and fading away quickly. Rows of pews stood before the raised stage at the end of the room, where you, Jack and Gabriele now stood. Looking behind you, the platform was covered in intricate carvings and in the center of it all was a strange, musical-looking thing with pipes and keys. You looked around the empty room, your eyes falling on a series of small cubicle-like rooms on the left side of the room. There was nothing else in the room, so you figured it was your best bet that that's were the treasure was. Those had to be the confessionals.

You motioned to Jack and Gabriele, who crept behind you as you made your way towards the small door to one of the stalls. You cautiously opened it, and found it to be empty. You whispered to jack to stand guard and keep n eye on Gabriele. He nodded shortly, and you closed the door behind you. The room was tiny; it was a good thing you weren't claustrophobic, otherwise you'd have a heart attack. A small bench stood across the back of the room. You turned around a few times, looking for placed where the treasure could be hidden. You eyes caught the slight vicissitude in the floorboards, and you bent down on your knees. A board in the back was pried slightly up, revealing a small black hole underneath. You reached for it eagerly.

"My child, how long has it been since you last confessed?" You jumped about three feet, smacking the back of your head on the underside of the bench. You stood up, cursing wildly under your breath. Who was that?

"My child, thou should not use such words. Ten Hail Mary's. Now sit, and speak to me." You bit your lip to keep from cursing more, and sat cautiously on the bench. You saw a meshed window on the side of the room that you had not noticed before. Behind it, you could see the faint outline of a man. He spoke solemnly and hushedly through the mesh.

"Speak, child."

"Uhhh..." You heard the priest sigh deeply.

"How long has it been since you last confessed your sins, child?"

"Uh....never?" you replied tentatively. The man responded with another sigh. You wrung your hands in your lap.

"Very well." He said in his hushed tone. Silence followed, and you waited expectantly. The prist cleared his throat.

"My Child... your sins...." he prompted you. You jumped.

"Oh, yea, about that...uh, well, last week----" you were cut off by Jack's sharp rap on the door and urgent tone.

"Guards, pet! Seven o' them! Hurry!" You jumped and stood up.

"Fuck! Keep 'em off!" you hissed. The priest gasped.

"Such language! Ten more Hail Mary's!" You ignored him, falling on your hands and knees again to find the board. Before you could reach for it and pry it up, the door burst open, hitting you right in the ass and sending you toppling over.

"Got another one, sir!" you heard a male voice cry out. You growled and stood up, hand on the hilt of your sword. You found the points of three such swords at your throat, held by three guards that looked identical to the one you had killed earlier. Behind them stood a tall man with an extravagant moustache, his hand firmly on Gabriele's shoulder. She looked terrified. Jack was being held by the other four guards, but eh was putting up one hell of a fight. You ducked out from the bayonets, weaving between the guards to stand beside Jack. It took a moment for the three to realize what had happened, and by then you had grabbed Gabriele's wrist, and kicked down two of the soldiers holding Jack. You whirled around and made for the door. You had not taken two steps, when suddenly the whole bloody National Guard was lined up in front f you, all with their bayonets leveled at you three. You set your shoulders and made to barge through the, but Jack grabbed your upper arm tightly.

"No, pet." He whispered harshly under his breath. You growled and turn to face the Commodore. He was smiling faintly. He motioned to one of the guards that you had kicked, who quickly stood up and grabbed Gabriele by the wrist and pulled her away fro you. You frowned, confused.

"Take them to the lock-up." You frowned.

"But we 'aven't done anthing1" you protested. It was a lie, but he didn't know that. The man grinned.

"You are pirates in my town, you have killed two of my soldiers, broken into the home of a citizen, and, by the looks of it, defiled the sacrament of the Church." You snared, and his grin widened. The soldiers began to lead you and Jack off, before the Commodore called out one last thing, his hand now back on Gabriele's shoulder.

"Oh, and you kidnapped my daughter."

* * * * *

CHAPTER 17 - Sometimes Silence Is Better

You gasped and looked at Gabriele once more before being dragged out of the church. Her eyes looked desperate now. You saw her open her mouth before you were dragged forcefully along the streets to the cells. They were much like the ones in Port Royal, or so Jack claimed.

"You shall be tried in the morning." stated a guard briefly before walking away, the keys jangling at his hip. You growled shortly and sat down in the corner and drew one knee up, wrapping your arm around it. Jack avoided your gaze and stared resolutely through the bars.

"Jack, what're ye up t'?" you asked suspiciously. He whirled around, eyebrows raised. You narrowed your own eyes and waited for an answer.

"Tryin' t' figger a way outta 'ere, what do ye think?" He stared at you for a moment, before swallowing nervously. Boy was he a bad liar.....

* * * *

Jack hated to lie to her, but he had to. Since...since she had pushed him aside, things had changed. Jack no longer felt like he was being controlled, and he was slightly resentful to find that part of him reveled in it. He was not a man built to be tied down. And nor was he a man to share.....

'Gotta take care o' yerself in this world...' he thought to himself, casting another glance at the shadow sulking in the corner. She was still eying him curiously, and he quickly looked away. Under normal circumstances, he was one of the best liars across the seven seas. He could convince even Will if the occasion arose.

'And that Turner boy is sharp...' he thought lightly, feeling smug. He could be millions of things, rich, poor, noble, scum, young, old, become so nondescript he was almost invisible... Jack Sparrow wore many faces. But with her... with her it had always been the one, he had always been himself. Of course he had put on a bit of an act when he met her, not knowing how things would end up. But after that, he had been himself; he had played it true. This was only the second time he had been untruthful to her.

'And it's fairly easy...' he though hesitantly with a twinge of guilt, but shook it off as quickly as it had surfaced. The man in the pub had been less than willing to agree, but that changed when Jack had shown the old guy a few gold coins, and whispered conspiratorially, "..and there's plenty more iffen ye get the job done..." The gold exchanged hands, and Jack pulled back, smug. The other man had quickly hidden the coins in his jacket; a pub was no place to be waving about gold. The place was decided on, and the men were hidden, waiting for Jack's signal. All that was needed was a casual flick of his hand - which he'd have to be careful not to do on accident - and it was in the bag.

Literally.

She'd be in a bag in seconds, the treasure his. He'd be gone by morning on his Pearl...or at least that had been the plan. This was a definite hitch.... He sighed and lounged as casually as possible on the ground, purposefully avoiding the dark lump now stretched out in the corner.

Yessir, the next few hours would definitely be interesting... and if, when they got out things would get a whole lot more exciting....

* * * *

Only about a half an hour since you were thrown into the cell, you heard voices raised down the hall, and hurrying footsteps approaching. You were surprised to see Gabriele run into the cells, and peer through the door. You stood up and went to see her quickly, and Jack stood behind you.

"Gabriele! He's your father! How did ye---"

"GABRIELE!!" boomed a deep voice across the stones in the lock-up. Her eyes widened and she whirled around. You look over her shoulder and saw her father standing in the doorway, a rather strained smile on his face. This man was relatively young, dressed in a teal uniform and wearing a ridiculously tall hat atop his square head. He waltzed forward, replacing his sneer with a false smile. He placed a hand on Gabriele's shoulder and drew her away.

"You worried me, dear. Don't do that again, alright sweet?" he cooed in a sickly sweet voice. Gabriele stood firm and refused to be moved more than a few steps away from you. A few more guards ran in, apparently they had been following the Commodore. He acknowledged them with a casual flick of his hand. He turned to you and Jack, hand still on Gabriele's shoulder, smile still in place.

"Your trial will be held tomorrow."

"Yea, we heard." you spat out venomously. Gabriele's father tsk-ed and shook his head.

"Such anger. You're wasting your breath. You'll be here a while. We have yet to have a hanging, although myself and my men are fairly excited." He grinned sadistically, and Gabriele winced as his knuckles turned white on her shoulder. You bared your teeth and clenched your fists around the bars.

" 'As to hanging, it is no great hardship. For were it not for that, every cowardly fellow would turn pirate and so unfit the sea, that men of courage must starve.' " intoned Jack under his breath. You glanced at him curiously.

"Mary Read, one o' the first women pirates." You smiled slightly at his hidden intellectual. The Commodore spoke up again, destroying the moment.

"Although I must thank you for returning my daughter to me." His grin widened. You tried to calm your breathing, focusing dimly on the feeling of the air rushing in and out of your lungs.

"Come now Gabriele." He started to move off, but she stood firm. The Commodore's smile faltered for a moment, you could see anger flare behind his eyes.

"Gabriele, come dear. Let us leave." He tugged at her, but she still refused to budge. Her father breathed deeply and tried again.

"Gabriele, dear---"

"No."

Your head snapped up, and you felt Jack step forward, shocked. The Commodore was looking at his daughter with an expression akin to distaste and resentment upon his face, but you could not believe it. You looked at her; she was completely different. She stood tall, her shoulders thrust back, chin held high. Her eyes were no longer soft and innocent; they were stormy and filled with anger.

"Dear, come now, don't be contrary..."

"No." There it was again. This time you saw her say it. It was amazing. Jack moved to stand as close to the bars as he could, his eyes wide and mouth slightly open. You were the same. Gabriele pried her father's fingers from her shoulder, and strode over to stand protectively in front of you and Jack. She placed her hands on her hips.

"Gabriele, I am you father, and I demand you stop this nonsense!"

"I am not your daughter anymore. You left us. You left me and mum to die! You left us to starve by ourselves while you chased after your fortune across the sea. Mum died, did you know that? Mum died. Broken heart, the midwife said. You killed her...you killed my mother; your wife. Then it was only me. I worked the streets for years after her death. I picked pockets. I did odd jobs. I tried my hand in prostitution. I was ten, daddy. I was ten."

The Commodore stepped forward as if to say something, but Gabriel held a hand up. She was still going.

"Some ladies threw coins at my feet as they passed, others threw garbage and rocks. Those women with children took pity and gave me clothes, while others passed by; carefully avoiding me as if I was nothing more than something unpleasant you would step in on the street. I stayed in that hell hole; I stayed in hopes that you would find me, that you would come back and take me away.... After years of living off of what I could steal and barter for, I stowed away on a ship. I was still blindly confident that you would find me. The ship I ended up on was called the Hellfire." Your muscles tightened and your breath quickened at the mention of the damned ship. When Gabriel spoke next, it was somewhat wryly.

"Apparently it wasn't the best kind of ship I could stow away on. They were pirates. The really horrible kind. I was beaten for stowing away on their ship, and then forced to work for them. Every night I was whipped until I lost consciousness. If I spoke, I was beaten. So I learned not to speak. One night I was caught trying to sneak off. We were docked at some port, and the crew had slipped off to do whatever they do in those kinds of towns. The man who caught me was the Captain. I said nothing as he dragged me off by my hair, nothing as he beat me.... and not a sound when he raped me." A flush of colour tinged her cheeks and you heard her voice waver ever so slightly. You bit down hard on your lip, and Jack automatically wrapped an arm around your shoulder protectively. Gabriele continued.

"I was held on the ship for another year. I was beaten less, but I was taken almost nightly to the Captain's Quarters. Finally they were forced to stop on an island due to a leak. The night before they were to set sail again, I managed to slip off unnoticed. I hid on the island until they left, only then realizing my situation. I was stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere. I explored the entire place, and found an abandoned town along the beach on the opposite side. I brought the gardens back to life, and lived off what food I could grow. For a whole year I sat on that island. Each day I would think to myself 'today's the day, surely daddy's looking for me, how could he not be? Today he will find me. It's a big world out there. He's probably been looking for me all these years, and this will be the day he finds me.' As it turned out, it wasn't you who found me. It was them." She turned momentarily to cast a small smile at you and Jack, and then she turned back to her father, who was speechless.

"They rescued me, and they took me in. I still said nothing. Over the years, I had learned to appreciate silence more than words. With silence you can learn things; things are clear. I learned a great deal aboard the Pearl with them. They taught me things like how to tie a knot, how to drop a sail, how to plot a course. And they taught me things no one should even have to be taught. They taught me how to love, and how to be a friend. They showed me friendship, accepting me with their arms wide open. It was this way that I learned that there was more to life than cruelty and horror. There are little things in life that make it all worth living for. The little girl, Anabelle is one of them. I would fight for her to the death. And friends are another. I stand here ready to die to save those who saved me. I can appreciate the gentle slap of waves on the hull of a ship; I long for the carefree tug of the wind at my body, the feel of a ship rocking below my feet. I am no less a pirate than them. Hang them, and hang me." She strode forward, suddenly with a small blade in her hand. You raised your eyebrows.

'Now where'd she get that?' you mused silently. She pointed it at her father's chest, who back up against a wall, fearful.

"Keys, if you will." The large ring with several keys hanging from it was tossed towards her, and she grabbed it quickly. She looked over and tossed it to you. You caught them deftly in your hand, slipping them into the lock until you found the right one. It gave a satisfying click, and the door swung free. None of the other soldiers dared to move. The Commodore was sanding right next to both your and Jacks' weapons and belts. Jack cleared his throat.

"My effects, if ye please." The Commodore nervously reached up and took his down from the hook they were hanging on, and handed them to Gabriele. She tossed them over to Jack.

"Mine too while yer at it." you piped up, and Gabriele tossed yours over as well. You pulled out your pistol and cocked it, leveling it at the three guards standing in the doorway. Jack followed suit. The three of them quickly stepped out of your way, and you grinned, racing through them.

"Meet ya back at the Pearl!" you heard Gabriele call out as you sped back to the church. Jack was right behind you. Soon you were facing the grand doors of the church where the treasure was hidden. You hastily pushed them open and ran for the confessional as fast as you could. You quickly shoved aside the lone bench, getting down on your knees. Jack hovered impatiently behind you. You pulled at the board, gritting your teeth as it squeaked and groaned, but didn't give. Exasperated, you stood and motioned for Jack. He bent down and pried back the board to reveal a large black space. Eagerly he stuck his hand down into it. You were shifting your weight from one foot to the other as Jack felt his way around the dark cavern. Suddenly he stopped, his eyes growing huge. You stared at him, eyes equally wide.

"Jack! What is it? Is it there?" He stared at you for another moment before remembering to breathe again.

"Sure as hell it is!" he exclaimed, moving back to pry up more of the boards. Basically the entire confessional was now a mess, with no floor to speak of. But when Jack stood back.... goddess it almost brought tears to your eyes. Almost being the operative word here.

You were staring down at a chest about the same size as the room. It was probably four and a half feet long, two feet wide. It was a deep brown colour, and the gilded gold along the outside edges and latch were barely visible anymore. There it was. Captain Jamison's treasure. And it was yours. And Jack's.

Not wasting any time, Jack bent down and picked it up with a grunt.

"Heavy?" you queried eagerly. He shot you a look that seemed to say 'ye think???' You grinned.

"Good. More treasure fer us." Jack winced at that, but you ignored it, making your way quickly from the church. Amazingly there was no one to stop you. One of the robed men stood hesitantly by the door, as if contemplating trying to stop you, but he decided not to, and simply watched as you rushed past with Jack staggering after you. You stared heading off towards the Pearl the way you came, purposely avoiding the route you had planned out with the woman in the back of the bar. Jack called out.

"Oy! Not that way! We're goin' this way!" You turned and frowned.

"Why does it matter? We're gonna end up in the same place...." Jack frowned and thought for a reason.

"Uh, because, well, it's quicker. And, uh, there are no guards." He nodded acutely, as if the decision was already made. Then he turned around and started to stagger down the opposite street.

"Jack, how do you know it's faster!" you cried out as you ran to catch up with him. He didn't answer, but walked faster, trying to stay ahead of you. Something was wrong.... something was terribly wrong....

"Jack! Stop right now and tell me what the fuck is going on!" He again refused to respond as he turned down a narrow street. There were none of the lamps that had lighted the previous one, and for reasons unknown you felt a cold chill run down your spine.

'Oh no, oh no.... something's off... shit, what's happening....' you thought frantically, still trying to keep up with Jack. For a man carrying a large chest, he sure could walk pretty fast... and he really knew his way around here.

"Jack! I demand that ye tell me what the hell---" you stopped as you caught the glint of a pistol flash in front of your head. Somewhere a match was struck, and the scene before you was played into light. Directly in front of you stood a rather old and sorry looking man with a pistol aimed directly at your head. To his side stood two amazingly dense looking thugs, holding a large burlap sack between the two of them. And behind them all stood Jack.

Anger flared up inside of you as you realized what was happening. And to think that you had planned the exact same thing... but had decided to call it off. That thieving, cheating, sadistic, bloody....

"Fucking pirate!" you finished your thought out loud. Jack winced and looked away. This was hard for him, and you could see that. The two men with the burlap sack were slowly approaching, and the pistol at your temple never once moved. You decided to take advantage of Jack's difficulty with doing this.

"Jack. Come now, don't be ridiculous, aye?" You saw his eyes shift uncertainly below his kohl-rimmed lids at your words. The man holding the pistol shot a look at Jack over his shoulder. Quickly, you pulled out your own pistol and held it against his head. You twisted his pistol from his hand, and pointed it off to the side without even looking. The two men who had began to rush forward with the bag halted immediately.

"Jack, don't make me do it...." you warned, finger on the trigger. He didn't move or make a sound.

"You know I will." you said quietly, and he looked up at you slowly, blankly. And yet still he didn't move. Without a moment's hesitation, you pulled the trigger. A shot sounded along the street, and the old man before you crumpled and collapsed at your feet. You still held the smoking pistol in one hand, the other one cocked and ready to shoot in the other. You saw Jack's eyes widen slightly as you turn the barrel of the still hot pistol towards him.

"Bring it here Jack. Bring it here and we'll leave, and forget all about this." You persuaded him in a soft quiet voice. The two men began to advance once more with their bag, but you fired a warning shot above their heads and they stopped once more.

"How about it Jack? Nicest offer yer gonna get t'night." He sighed and glanced towards the two men. They lowered the sack, and after a moment, hurried away into the night fearfully. You tucked the old man's pistol into your belt, and lowered your other one. You walked towards Jack quickly. He stared resolutely past you. You were fuming mad, but determined not to show it. This had definitely changed things. Perhaps there would be a change in the route...

"What the fuck were ye thinking?!" you hissed and you grabbed the chest from him and placing it on the ground between you two. You pointed your finger in his chest threateningly.

"We 'ad an agreement, Jack, and where do ye get off breakin' that agreement? Where the fuck do ye get off??!" He waved his hand feebly at his side, searching for words. You growled and bent down to pick up the chest. It was really heavy, and you had to bite your lip to keep from grunting with the effort. Jack was still mouthing soundlessly. You kicked him in the shin to get his attention, since your hands were full.

"C'mon. We're leavin' now." You turned and headed off down the way you came, but you didn't hear Jack follow. Turning on your heel, you glared at him.

"Well....? Are ye comin' or not?" He fingered his sword daintily.

"This way's still faster." you heard him mumble. You smiled coldly and waltzed up to face him.

"Ah, but I no longer trust ye. We'll be goin' my way, seein' as I'm the only one of the two o' us who hasn't betrayed the other. Savvy?" You threw his own word back at him, and he smiled nervously.

"Aye..." You spun around again and marched down the street. Moments later you heard him following in his trademark uneven steps. You headed straight for the arranged spot, along the docks by the Pearl. You scanned the side of he streets carefully, checking for the woman. In the distance, the docks were becoming visible against the early morning fog. You walked steadily, with Jack behind you. You were leading him to his death, and you knew it.

"C'mon Jack. Keep up. Someone would have heard that shot; we'll be surrounded by guards soon enough." You heard him quicken his pace behind you. How amazingly different he seemed now from the man you knew; the old Jack Sparrow was strong, he was determined and coy. He knew exactly what he was doing, and all of his actions, though they may have seemed random, had some meaning in his larger plan. Despite the illusion of being perpetually drunk, he had been sharp as a tack. And now.... Well, now he seemed like a lost puppy. Confused, unsure, unsteady. He was completely blind to all that was going on around him. He had lost his edge. And soon he would pay for it.

You saw a glimpse of a dark green cloak whip around a corner ahead of you, and you quickened your step twofold. You just wanted this over and done with....

You turned into the side alley purposefully, and when out of sight quickly hiding in a nearby doorway. The alley smelt strongly of fish and discarded food, along with alcohol. The woman with the green cloak acknowledged you with a slight tilt of her head, but kept her eyes trained straight ahead. As Jack drew closer, you could hear his footsteps falter, unsure of why you had turned into an alley. The hooded woman stepped quickly of the shadows, and with a sharp flick of her wrist Jack was surrounded by red-suited guards, all with their bayonets trained on him. One man stepped into the circle and roughly put Jack in irons. You watched all this from the hidden doorway. Jack was frantic and confused, eyes scanning for you, almost worried. The soldiers lowered their guns when the woman stepped up to whisper something in the ear of the Lieutenant, who nodded and smiled. She turned and swept away; her job done. You suddenly felt a terrible rending of your heart, and had to draw upon every ounce of your willpower to not run out to drag him back with you. As it was, you only took one step out of the doorway. The moment was enough o catch the sharp eye of Jack, and his gaze fell on you. His confused eyes grew clear, and his mouth parted with a silent 'oh.'

"Gotta take care o' yerself in this world, pet..." you murmured, echoing his words from days ago. He stared at you desperately, eyes not clouded in pain, as he was dragged away forcefully; back in the direction of the cells. Soon he was out of sight; gone forever. You did not cry for it.

You swallowed hard, adjusting the heavy chest in your arms. Then, flipping your hair over your shoulder defiantly, you stalked back to the boats. Gabriele was waiting in one of them impatiently. She opened her mouth to say something when she noticed Jack wasn't with you, but closed it again immediately. You placed the chest down, and rowed out to the Pearl. With the assistance of Will and two more men, you managed to get the chest on board. None of the crew said anything at all, which you were grateful for. They no doubt noticed your expression, and decided it would be wise not to question you. after the treasure had been placed in your quarters, however, Will pulled you aside.

"Where's Jack?" he asked in concern. You looked him straight in the eyes before replying calmly:

"He fell behind." You turned on your head and strode to the helm. In a manner of minutes the Pearl had been carefully navigated out of the cove that she had been hidden in and was headed back to Port Royal to drop off Will and Anabelle. In front of you lay the future, rich and prosperous. Behind you lay Jack. You sighed, looking over your shoulder at the shrinking island of Cayman.

"May the Gods be with ye, Jack." you whispered, the turned back to the wheel and the rest of your life.

* * * * *

CHAPTER 18 - Like The Calm Before A Storm

The cell Jack had been thrown into was small, cold and dank. It was obviously underground, because water was seeping through the walls slowly, leaving a slimy, pungent smelling trail of mould in its wake. It was pitch black, with no window at all. Three guards stood alert outside the one small door, rotating shifts every few hours. Jack had stumbled in, something he had never done in a sober state before. Jack Sparrow never stumbled. After defiantly standing in the cell, then leaning against one of the walls, then sitting against the wall, he retreated into the corner, eternally grateful for the dark so no man could see his shameful defeat. So he sat for days, never making a sound, not moving except when he slumped asleep, and jerked back awake uncomfortably. The guards talked in muted voices outside his cell, and occasional bouts of laughter met his ears. Jack could no longer tell day from night, as the darkness was complete 24 hours a day. One day a key grated in the lock, and Jack looked up hopefully. A large guard motioned with his hand, and Jack scrambled up, trying his best to maintain his dignity. The guard only guffawed and shoved him into the hallway. It was dimly lit, but even that burned Jack's eyes. The guard shoved him quickly along the corridor, and into a side room. Once Jack was in the room, the guard backed out and closed the door behind him. Jack heard a key turn in a lock, and despite his best efforts his heart pounded against his ribs. He lifted his head, and found himself face to face with a small man. He was dressed in a straight beige uniform, adorned with various badges, flags, medals. He was strikingly tall, skinny, and pale looking. In other times, Jack would have chuckled, and considered the best way to 'relieve' him of a few gold coins. But not today. Jack realized that this man was probably his only hope of getting out, so he kept his mouth shut and hands clasped behind his back.

The man grinned; or more accurately, stretched his thin lips over his startling white teeth. He walked towards Jack, still grinning sadistically. Jack shifted his weight onto his other foot.

"Jack Sparrow, isn't it? My, my." The man said in a cold, biting voice that echoed thinly against the walls. Jack replied under his breath; he couldn't stop it, it was an instinct.

"CAPTAIN Jack Sp---" he was cut off by a blunt blow to his jaw. He groaned and placed a hand to his bleeding lip, feeling his jaw moving out of place. He shot a look at the man, who was stretching his fingers lazily and massaging his knuckles. He saw Jack's glare, and laughed icily.

"MISTER Sparrow, you will speak when spoken to. You are not here for tea, as you may have guessed. I am Commander Borlande, and you will call me Sir. You are scum, mister Sparrow." He walked slowly over to Jack, still smiling that hideous, lipless smile. Jack looked up at him, still holding his jaw. Borlande drew a dagger, toying with it between his fingers. Despite his efforts to remain nonchalant, Jack felt his pulse quicken and his eyes widen. Jack wouldn't put torture past this cruel man...

"Why don't you tell me why you were in the wonderful town of Port Cayman, Sparrow? Don't forget to mention any....accomplices..." He still played with the dagger, drawing even closer to Jack. Jack dared not tell the real reason, or mention your name once. He knew that in a moment this man would have troops on you, troops who wouldn’t rest until they had you dangling at the end of their rope. Jack decided to test this man's limits, something he was very good at.

"Jest...jest came t' see the lovely scenery...heard it was a new settl'ment, figgered I'd come take a look..." he tossed a lopsided grin at Borlande, who continued to advance.

"Wrong answer, Mister Sparrow. Wroooong answer." He placed the dagger at the crook of his elbow, pressing down enough to draw a small pool of blood.

"I don't tolerate ignorance or impertinence, Sparrow." He slid the knife quickly, slitting Jack's arm from elbow to centimeters above his wrist. Jack hissed, but made no move at all. Borlande bared his teeth once more, before motioning to the door. On cue, the guard unlocked the door and opened it up.

"We'll see about this in a few days Sparrow." He turned to the guard.

"Feed him. I want him alive. Bread, water, no more than two slices a day." The guards nodded and shuffled off, thrusting Jack ahead of him. Jack clutched his arm, wincing and biting his lip to keep from making a noise. He was thrust once more into darkness, and the door banged shut behind him. A few minutes later, a tray was shoved through a flap in the door, and Jack greedily lunged forward to grab the hard, stale bread. He sat back down in the corner, and dropped the bread on the ground next to him. He dropped his head into his hands, completely defeated.

"Oh, luv. I'm so sorry....."

* * * *

The torture went on for a few weeks before Jack was able to overhear anything from the guards. He had taken to sitting close to the door, in order to grab the food was it came through, and to hear anything he could. Most times it was just about their families, their exploits at taverns with whores, getting drunk. Simple pleasures. One day was different though; Jack could tell the moment the shift changed.

"Did ye hear?" asked one guard excitedly.

"What?"

"They're buildin' a gallows in the middle of town!"

"No! Really? That's great!" Jack grimaced.

"Fer this guy?"

"Yep. Supposed t' be hung on the twelfth of January, next year, they say." Jack's heart pounded. He had no idea what day it was, much less what month it was.

"That's a good three months away!" exclaimed one of the guards. Jack breathed a silent sigh of relief. Three months. Maybe something would happen between now and then...

"Well, they have t' build the entire gallows, jest fer him. Said they're starting right away. My boy's getting a job building it. First job fer Pete." Jack could hear the pride in the man's voice. The guards moved on to other topics, and Jack slunk back into the corner.

* * * *

The torture became steadily worse over the weeks. On one particular day, Jack was headed back to Borlande's room, walking slowly in front of the guard, who no longer needed to shove him along. He had a maze of scars cross his arms and back by now, the ones on his arms and been opened again and again as the tip of Borlande's dagger found the same path. The pain of that was far worse than a fresh cut; he was slitting through already tender skin, reopening wounds. Some of them had even stopped bleeding when they were opened; they had no more blood to give. Jack felt the effects constantly now, he would get dizzy after standing for more than a few minutes, he saw double constantly, and never seemed to be able to stand up without swaying slightly. As the door swung open, Jack resigned himself with a sigh. He was met by the same sight everyday, Borlande's stretched and pale face shining out of the darkness, the dagger glinting in his belt. The past few days he had not even said anything to Jack, just stepped forward with an expectant look on his face. When Jack stood stubbornly silent, he reached out with the dagger. Today he spoke.

"This will be just over a month that you have been here, Mister Sparrow." Jack digested this slowly. A month? That was all? It felt like years.

"Would you like to tell me anything today?" Jack grit his teeth and clenched his fists at his side. Borlande nodded knowingly, and advanced like so he had so many times before. The dagger was soon cutting open intricate paths on his back, while Jack stretched every muscle, trying to hold in his pain, and hold back the cries forming in his throat. He forced his thoughts on you, his love. He watched the wind whip your hair at the helm, your laughter light your eyes like no fire could, he saw every delicate and beautiful curve of your body before his eyes. Gradually the pain subsided until it was only an annoying disturbance in the background. He watched your face, so full of love, turn into one full of hate and despair. Hate for him. Will had indeed warned him: "don't break her heart." He had done just that, all for his reputation; his image, and a bit of gold. He had completely destroyed her. Now the pain returned tenfold, except this time it was deep inside his chest instead of across his back. Jack couldn’t help it; he dropped to his knees like a martyr with a low moan, eyes closed and head hanging. Borlande stopped the torture and walked in front of Jack, grinning.

"I see. We shall continue tomorrow." He had luckily mistaken Jack's agony for physical pain, not emotional. For the next couple of months leading up to his hanging, the only thing that kept him alive; the only thing that kept him from dropping to his knees and surrendering shamefully, was the thought of you. You were constantly in his mind, flashing before his eyes, taunting him with riches he could never have. The night before the day of his hanging, he lay in a pitiful heap on the ground. He no longer cared about his dignity; he only cared about you and his life, living to see you one last time. As the realization struck him, realization that he would never stand at the helm of a mighty ship, never feel sand below his feet, feel the harsh taste of rum sliding down his throat, and worst of all, never hold you in his arms ever again, he closed his eyes and resigned himself to what was coming. He would die, of that there was no doubt. But he was determined to die well, die with you in his heart. He thought ruefully of the love stories of nowadays, in the end, as Anabelle said "the man always marries the princess." This story was different, he decided sadly. This was a real story. This had no fairy tale ending. It was real; the truth was that that didn't happen in life. And it hurt much worse than anything he had ever felt before.

"Knew she'd be the death o' me..." he whispered harshly before closing his eyes to embrace sleep one last time.

Like the calm before a storm.

* * * * *

CHAPTER 19 - The Female Of night

It has been a year since I left Jack to rot in the cells in Port Cayman. He was scheduled to hang, but it would be a while. The small port had no gallows, and construction was underway just for him. That would have made him proud, no doubt. A gallows built for him, just for him. A letter had recently arrived from Gabriele, dated two month earlier. Post was hard to get when you were at sea.

My dear Friende,

Gabriele

I smiled. I was glad she was getting along with Liz, not that I had had any doubts. I folded the letter up, and reached for the papers that had fallen out when I received it. They were colored with age; no doubt they had sat for ages in various pubs, passed along by friends of friends of friends until they finally found me. Unfolding the first one, I scanned it quickly:

MARVELOUS CAPTURE OF NOTORIOUS PIRATE         August 14, 1678

Cayman, printed text dated August 14

I smiled sadly as I read through the charges. I thought about the world; how quickly it was degrading, a town seeking enjoyment from the killing of a man. Most of the crimes on the list were fabricated, or otherwise very much elaborated on. A few hadn't been committed by him, but by me. I tossed that paper aside and picked up the last one. It was more recent, the date on top reading January the Eleventh.

A DAMNABLE TALE OF ESCAPE AND WITCHCRAFT

January 11, 1679

With the First Towne Hanging so close, Citizens were Excited and Carefree. The new Gallows erected in the Towne Square stands tall, but with no one to Hang. The Infamous Jack Sparrow escaped during the Night of January the Ninth, presumably helped by an Accomplice. The Guards described the person as a Female of Night; she Appeared from Nowhere and Lured them away using her Spells. She is Believed to be a Witch, and if there is anything Known about this Woman, they should come Forward and tell the Authorities. If found, she will be Hung or Burned at the Stake for her Dark Practices and Evil Ways. The two Guards stand Trial for Lenience while Working, and we may see a Hanging yet.

Cayman, printed text dated January 10

I grinned. Yes, my sweet Gabriele, I had indeed been the Female of Night, stealing through darkness and alleys to his cell. It was simple really; a flash of leg, a bit of sweet talk, and the guards groped blindly behind me as a led them far away. Once far enough, I knocked them out, dragging their bodies into a nearby alley. As I walked back to Jack's cell I went by the gallows; so sad that they had been built for the one man they would never hang. I picked the lock, my eyes scanning the darkness for Jack. I found him, curled in a lump on the floor. He hid his face from me when I drew near. I knew he had been tortured, starved, and probably beaten. He looked haggard, not anything like the man I once knew, the man who had been my friend and lover for so long. I lifted his face to examine him in the moonlight; I was not surprised at the bruises and cuts he sported. Carefully I lifted him up; he had lost considerable weight, and I silently stole away back onto the Pearl, with him in my arms. It began to snow lightly the moment I stepped out into the street with him, a light dusting that softened the edges of everything. When I got to the Pearl, everything was covered in a fine layer of white powder. I looked down at Jack. He had dropped off into unconsciousness, his head leaning against my chest. Snowflakes caught in his hair, which was even more disheveled than ever. A few precious flakes landed tenderly on his eyelashes and along his neck, hiding his haunted look. He was still beautiful.

I don’t know why I went back. All I know is that I'm glad that I did. I folded the last paper, and placed it on the table beside the bed. The newly refurbished Captain's Quarters I was in was lavish, paid for by the late Captain Jamison and his riches. My eyes wandered over to the chest, filled still with golden treasures and jewels at the foot of the bed. Then I turned and adored the man lying peacefully beside me, his face relaxed and carefree, much like before Cayman. His face kissed copper by the sun, his hair a tangle of dark dreads, his chest adorned with a multitude of scars and tattoos. Pearls of sweat lingered on his stomach and neck; reminders of our earlier lovemaking. A few months earlier I had discovered the scars on the insides of his arms; he had hidden them from me for over two months. I was appalled at how they came to be, and as I glance down at them, I can't help but feel a vicious stab of guilt at the knowledge that I was the one who placed him in the grasp of that evil man. In fact, the Pearl was headed back to Cayman right now. Jack didn't know of course, he would object, but I felt it necessary. I had to deal with the man who had dared to touch Jack. Only with than man, Commodore Borlande was his name, surrendering to my sword could lessen the awful feeling in the pit of my stomach every time I caught a glimpse of those horrible scars. Jack was much better, his eyes no longer reflecting the darkness and horror of that cell, his face no longer sunken, body no longer too lean. He was perfect once more. I lay down under the covers, and pulled him close to me; my lover, and my friend.

"To whatever comes."

* * * * *

EPILOGUE

Many Years Later.....

You braced yourself against the railing as yet another wave rocked the Pearl. You carefully made your way to the helm, where the love of your life still stood, proud and tall. The sight of him had never ceased to fill you with joy and completeness. You hurried up to stand next to him.

"There's a gash in the port side of the ship, Jack! We won't make it!" you called loudly over the vicious winds. He turned to look at you, seeming to make a decision behind his chocolate eyes.

"Go. Get in one of the boats. Keep safe, find a way back t' the shore." He looked at you, eyes filled with desperation. You felt your heart tear at his despair, and your eyes stubbornly filled with tears.

"I'm not leaving, Jack." you shouted through the pounding rain. "Why don't ye get in a boat? Take care o' the crew.... get a new ship. I'll try t' pull 'er outta this." Jack shook his head and stroked the wheel lovingly.

"Captain goes down with his ship, my love." You took a deep breath. He wasn't leaving.

"And I go down with you, Jack." He turned to you and started to protest, but you held your hand against his mouth.

"Jack, I love ye. I'm staying with you. Better to die next to my love than old and alone." He looked at you, and slowly nodded. You stood next to him, and faced your death. You turned to look at each other. You whispered quietly, but he heard you.

"Thank you for loving me....” The roar of the storm faded until it was nothing. He whispered back, eyes filled with love and sadness.

"and thank ye...." There was nothing except for you and Jack. You felt another wave pound against the ship, and the Pearl started to descend slowly into the abyss. You leaned over and kissed Jack one last time. As you pulled away, a towering wall of water descended upon you two. You stood tall, took Jack's hand in yours, and breathed in your last breath. The last thing you thought of before being thrown into the endless depths was Jack, of the man you loved with your body and soul. And you felt happy. Happy to have had such a full life. Happy to have a man love you so wholly and tenderly. The water crashed down on the both of you and you were swept away, but your grip on him never lessened. You felt your limbs numbed by the water, and closed your eyes. You breathed out your remaining air and drifted into the timeless ocean.

* * *

So ends the tale of two pirates. This was not a story about adventure. This was not a story about war. This was not a story about tragedy, or loss or of pain.

This was a story about Love; the substance that binds us, that breaks us, and ultimately shapes what kind of person we are. Your life begins the moment you fall in love, and without it you must surely die.

"There are only four questions we must ask of life: What is Sacred, of what is the spirit made, what is worth living for, and what is worth dying for. The answer to all is the same:

Only Love."

fin