The Map

A/N: WOOHOO! This is the last chapter. I never thought I’d get here…. See what you think…

Usual Disclaimer: Own nothing, earn nothing, want everything.

Chapter 49

Endings.

Jack saw Benjamin give a flick of his hand that told Jack they needed to head back to the Pearl as quickly as possible. Jack gave a slight nod and tightened his hold on Nell who had fallen silent in his arms after telling him what had transpired.

“We need to move along, Mister Turner,” Benjamin spoke softly to Will in his heavy accent. “We need to bring the babe into the dry and warmth of the Pearl; not to mention your good wife.”

Will looked down at where Elizabeth had fallen into a sleep, her dark lashes accentuating the paleness of her face. He could see the dark blood that had soaked her skirts thoroughly; he wasn’t a stupid man and it frightened him to see her this way.

“Will she be all right? She’s lost a lot of blood.”

Benjamin eyed the younger man and took a deep breath. “I won’t lie to ye,” he whispered, certain that Elizabeth was asleep. “That’s a lot of blood she’s lost. I know of a few tricks that’ll restore her blood; but I need a good supply of food and there’s not a lot here or on board. She’s through the worst but we need to build her blood back up as quickly as possible.”

“We’ll make sail for Santiago with all speed,” Jack spoke up the usual slur still present. He staggered to his feet, bringing Nell with him. She looked across at the sleeping form of Elizabeth and sighed. She knew nothing about these matters and while she had been shocked at the amount of blood that had left Elizabeth, she had no idea whether this was normal or not. Now, with a chill seeping into her soul, she realised it was not normal.

“Maybe some of the pews in the church could be used to make a raft or something…”

“We have the long boats, Nell,” Jack replied vaguely, his dark eyes still resting on the white face of Elizabeth.

“No, I mean to carry Elizabeth on, like the thing we used for Will on… on the…” Nell faltered, still not really able to mention aloud Benedictus.

“A litter!” He turned to her and smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes and Nell saw it. “You mean a litter; excellent idea, use a couple of the pew seats and something to cushion the hardness. Slip down to Mister Hock, Nell darlin’ and relay said idea to him.”

Nell nodded and with a last look at the baby lying in Elizabeth’s arms she went through the door and down the steps that lead below.

“Miss Nell!”

Soames and Dwent greeted her with a happy grin, glad to see she was alive and well. They chuckled when they saw her hair but said nothing that would embarrass her. She relayed the information to Hock and Norrington who immediately began to work on the idea with the others. Nell, unable to do anything but watch, decided to cross to the doorway to look for the return of the red coats and Timms.

Seeing the carnage from above was nothing to seeing the carnage from a level. It became clear to Nell just how much had been lost, not only in terms of possessions but more importantly life. With a quickening of her breath she turned to where Norrington was with Bryant and Hock ripping at the soaking wet pews with their bare hands.

“James…” She moved towards him already knowing the answer to her question before it left her lips. He looked at her and instantly knew why she had called him; he touched Bryant’s arm and moved towards her leaving the other men to the task at hand.

“Nell.” He reached out and took her hands into his. “I’m sorry, Nell, we looked; the entire street is submerged. I do not see how he could have survived; he rarely left the house as you know…” his voice was soft and etched with regret and his own personal pain in losing a friend.

Nell bit her lip, feeling her heart pitch slightly. Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to shed them; not yet anyway. She inclined her head at him, her fingers clutching his hands tightly.

“Thank you for trying,” she whispered. “I know that you were close friends.”

“He was a good man, Nell.”

“Yes, you’re right, I rather think he was.” She drew in her breath and smiled sadly at him.

“Commodore!” Gibbs strained voice could be heard from where he and the others were trying to pry a pew seat loose.

Seeing that another pair of hands was required he squeezed Nell’s hands gently before letting go and rejoining the group of men. There was nothing she could do so she turned back to the door and gazed out over the ravaged landscape with jaded eyes.

Break

It didn’t take them long to make a litter for Elizabeth and the baby; and once they were joined by the others, they were soon leaving the church behind them as they made their way back down to where the long boats were being guarded.

Nell kept her hands tightly clenched by her side and her eyes averted as they began to move past the unlucky drowned towns’ people. Her breath hitched as the stench from the unearthed graves hit her and for one embarrassing moment she thought she was going to faint but she stumbled through, her eyes lifted away from the scene towards the fort ahead of them. Hands settled on her waist and she knew that Jack was behind her.

“Don’t look, luv,” he whispered into her ear.

“I’m trying not to…” she muttered but it was unavoidable and she stumbled to a complete stop when she saw the little girl directly in front of them. She was buried to her arm pits in the sandy soil, her arms out stretched in a grotesque appeal for help; her head was tilted to the side, her eyes wide open in death. Nell turned her head away, a sob leaving her throat; Jack’s hands tightened on her and pushed her sideways, to all but carry her past the child. He stopped suddenly and swept her up into his arms.

“Keep your eyes closed, Nell, and don’t open them until I tell you to!” His voice was firm and she obeyed him instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into his shoulder.

They made slow progress through the carnage; but eventually Jack put Nell back on her feet and she opened her eyes seeing only the open waters and the Pearl anchored further out.

Break

Stephen puffed out his breath; weary with more than just pain he had realised that trying to talk Davenport out of anything was futile. But sheer survival instincts insisted that he continue to try.

“What are you’re plans?”

Davenport looked down at him and it seemed to Stephen that for a few moments he had forgotten he was even there.

“Plans?” Davenport sneered down at him. “There will be no plans for me here.”

“They will re-build,” Stephen puffed as he struggled to keep up with the man who was dragging the chains.

“I shall return to my estate in England; at least that should hold.” He frowned as he thought over his options. “My wife’s estates are now in my name…” He faded out when the sight of the fort came into view.

“Bloody hell, how did we survive?” Stephen muttered as he took in the state of devastation.

“Divine intervention for my part;” Davenport replied completely seriously. “You were just lucky.”

Stephen couldn’t help the snort of laughter that left him. “You arrogant idiot,” he spluttered and regretted it when Davenport sent him a kick to his already damaged ribs. He was about to say something when two people came stumbling from the fort and Davenport recognised one of them immediately.

“Commodore Gillette!” He dragged on Stephen’s chains making the younger man wince in pain as he was pulled along.

Gillette saw the men and confusion showed clearly in his face and stance. “What are you doing?”

“We were looking for survivors,” Davenport replied and eyed the military man with nervous eyes; he could see quite clearly that Gillette had lost his nerve.

“None, there’s no one…” the solider beside Gillette shuddered and looked away. He could find no place to look that held no death.

“We must head towards the port; we might be lucky in finding some form of boat that remains intact enough to take us around the cay,” Davenport said firmly, aware that he would have to take charge as Gillette was too broken for anything constructive. He would stick with these men while it aided him and then when the time came he would just walk away. But it really was a problem having Stephen Wearing along in chains. He felt no compassion for the man; but he realised that he would hold them up.

“Do you have any means of releasing these chains? I see no reason why they should remain now there is no danger from pirates.”

Davenport’s words surprised Stephen but he was wise enough to keep quiet and just be thankful when Gillette produced some keys from his waistband. He was relieved to feel the heavy weights gone from his ankles and wrists; he would still find the going tough, but at least not as hard as it had been.

Break

“Look!” Gillette pointed forwards with something close to excitement and then he cupped his hands around his mouth.

“Commodore! Commodore Norrington!”

Davenport looked at Gillette as if he’d lost his head, but then the red coat with him also came to life and began shouting too.

Norrington had been in the process of climbing into the long boat when he heard his name being called. He hesitated and almost toppled into the water; but Hock’s quick hand caught him and righted him.

“Bloody hell, it’s Gillette!” Bryant called out. “And he’s got some people with him…. Lord, Nell! It’s Stephen, you’re brother, Stephen!”

Nell looked up quickly from where she was helping Elizabeth to sit propped up with Will at her back and her father at her side. She made certain Elizabeth was settled and then she clambered back out of the boat.

“Wait, Nell!” Jack caught her arm before she could race towards where she could now see her brother.

“Jack, it’s Stephen! He’s alive!” She turned to Jack, her eyes shining brightly with happiness.

“Just wait, Nell,” Jack spoke quietly, his eyes on where the group of men were making their way more rapidly towards them. He had no idea what they would try; he didn’t recognise any of the men except Gillette, and he really didn’t want to take any chances now.

“Stephen!” Norrington got back out of the boat followed by Hock, Jack and then finally Nell. “By God, I’m glad to see you made it!” He made his way towards Stephen with a wide smile on his face. He caught him carefully in a hug and then moved him away from Gillette with apparent negligence.

“Commodore!” Gillette stood with his hands wringing together. “Thank goodness we’ve found you.”

“You’re the Commodore, Commodore, not me,” Norrington spoke softly, his weary eyes on where Davenport was eyeing the boat with interest. “Lord Davenport, I see you made it too.” Norrington felt Hock tense beside him and realised that things could get ugly.

“Stephen, are you hurt?” Nell was trying to take a look at Stephen, but Jack who had heard everything was trying to push him into the boat.

“Spencer is dead,” Gillette replied as if that would answer all the questions. “You are Commodore…” he faded out when he saw Bryant come forwards with a sneer on his face. “We need all the help we can have here. We will need to search for survivors, rebuild…” He turned to the desolated port behind him. “Leadership from you will…”

“I am not the Commodore anymore; I was legally stripped by the acting Governor of Port Royal. Strictly speaking I am not part of the Navy any more and frankly, that thought does not worry me in the slightest. You will find that people will arrive from Kingston and the surrounding parishes very shortly; all the help you need will come with them. I’m glad to see you are alive and wish you God’s speed in all you do.” Norrington climbed back into the boat, aware that Hock and Bryant were watching his back.

“Well said!” Jack announced gleefully and grinned at Nell before once more shooing her hands away from Stephen as he tried to help the pain filled man into the boat.

“I do not wish to stay here, I would ask for passage out of here.” Davenport’s voice was sharp and brooked no disagreement.

Jack lifted one eyebrow at him and shook his head, beads flying as he watched the others getting into the boat. They were all accounted for and he wanted to be leaving.

“I have to decline your request, we have not the space.”

“You would leave us here? To an uncertain fate?” He drew a pistol from his waistband and aimed it towards where Elizabeth was lying with the baby wrapped in her arms. Her face was deathly white as she stiffened in fear for her baby. “I think not!”

“Don’t be stupid,” Gillette cried out and grabbed Davenport’s arm, a shot rang out, quickly followed by another. Davenport’s shot had gone wide, but Hock’s had been true and Davenport slumped to the floor blood pouring from the wound. He was dead before he hit the floor, his face under the water as he floated back and forth on the ebb and flow of the water.

“What have you done?” Gillette shrieked and tried to turn Davenport over, but he was too heavy and Gillette was too undone. The red coat with him backed up at the chaos that had ensued and with one last look of fear at the pirates he turned and raced back the way he had come, leaving Gillette in the water by Davenport.

“You’ll hang for this!” Gillette shouted at them.

“If you can catch me,” Hock laughed but it was bitter. He turned away from them and sat down in the boat not looking at anyone but staring straight out at the Pearl.

“Cast off,” Jack said quietly and he and the others began to haul on the oars as they drew away from Port Royal.

Nell stared around her, a little shocked by the turn of events. She looked at Stephen beside her and shook her head slightly.

“He was a bastard, Nell,” Stephen spoke quietly. “Shed no tears for him.”

“I won’t…” She sighed heavily and cast a quick glance at Hock, but he was still staring at the Pearl, a muscle working in his jaw.

The trip back to the Pearl was as quite and restrained as the trip to the long boats. Nell was relieved by the fact that they had survived and Stephen was with her, but she also knew that nothing would ever be the same again for all of them. She looked across at where Elizabeth was sleeping, she had lost more blood and it was clear that Benjamin was worried for her. The baby was sleeping in her arms and looking quite content; oblivious to everything around it. Nell envied it.

“What do we do now?” Bryant looked at Norrington before looking back at the port. It was starting to sink in just how much he had lost.

Norrington looked at Jack, lifting one eyebrow in silent question that Jack understood perfectly.

“It still stands, James, it always will,” Jack replied, the usual slur present but no other emotion.

“Things are changing; they will always change. Nothing stays the same for long, it’s life I’m afraid.” Governor Swann spoke up for the first time since the shore; the fatigue and worry for Elizabeth was clear in his tone.

“And the trick is to change with it.” Norrington nodded at Jack smiling at him. “I think a change is in order, Josh, what say you?”

Bryant blinked and looked back at them both for a few seconds before a smile grew on his tired face.

“I’m with you.” He looked at Norrington and then at Jack. “I’m not certain that red suits me anymore anyway.”

Jack threw his head back and roared with laughter.

Break

Two Years Later

“What do you regret the most?” Nell stood behind Jack as he navigated the Pearl into the bay ahead of them.

“Regret?” She could hear the grin in his voice even without looking at him. “I don’t regret anything, Nell, I’ve never made a mistake to regret.”

She snorted and turning leaned back against the railings and stared up at the sky. “Do you regret that you have no son?”

“Nell,” he sighed her name and shook his head. “The Pearl is no place for a babe, you know this. Elizabeth and William haven’t been to sea since they set up here two years ago. Could you live that long without the sea under you?”

“Yes, I could.” She stood up and came to stand behind him; wrapping her arms around his waist she rested her cheek on his back. He moved one hand to cover hers briefly before going back to the wheel. “But I couldn’t live without you for two days.”

“I don’t need anything except what I have, Nell,” he spoke softly, his love for her showing clearly. “You, the Pearl and a bloody good crew; oh and the knowledge that I can annoy the hell out of Norrington and his sidekick whenever I want.”

Nell sniggered against his back and tightened her hold on him. “In that order?” She teased.

“Pretty much,” he replied with a laugh. “Except for the days that I could cheerfully kill you for being so bloody annoying; and then my crew overtake you in order.”

“Is that so, Captain Jack Sparrow?” Nell slid one hand inside his shirt and grazed her fingers over his warm flesh. “And would the crew be willing to wash your back for you? Or lie next to you every night while you snore loud enough to wake the dead?”

“I’m sure one or two could be persuaded, if I were to ask… Lint seems to have a tendency that way, judging by his actions in Tortuga.”

“Jack Sparrow!” She pinched his skin sharply, satisfied when he let out a yelp of pain.

“You’re for it now, lass, as soon as this wheel is tied off you’ll be paying for your insubordination.”

Nell drew the spyglass from his pocket and danced back from him, laughing as he cast her a lurid look that promised of punishment indeed.

“They’ve spotted us, Capt’n!” Hock’s cheerful voice called from the rigging.

“I don’t envy James or Josh,” Jack said semi-seriously. “All those brats running around them.”

Nell looked out over the island that held all of her friends and family. It had taken awhile after the devastation of Port Royal for any of them to settle to anything. They’d had to dock for awhile at Santiago as Elizabeth had been too ill to move for a long time. But eventually she had regained her strength and they had all set sail again, with plan to find an island that they could settle on and build a life. They’d found just the place and they’d settled everyone, including re-locating Tilly who was pleased to be with Elizabeth.

“Norrington’s made it before us!” Hock called again and began climbing down the rigging at speed.

“Bloody bastards!” Jack was scandalised. “How the hell has he made it before us?”

“Maybe the Achilles is faster than the Pearl,” Nell said nonchalantly.

“Mutiny!” Jack hissed. “You will walk the plank for that one; nothing is faster in the water than the Pearl.”

The Achilles Heel was the ship that Norrington and Bryant had commissioned shortly after settling on the island. Sea water flowed through their blood and being on dry land could only be suffered for so long; the Achilles scratched the itch that they often felt. Even Stephen had joined them a few times; and Tilly had been known to spend a few days at sea with Hock on the Pearl; the sea was integral in all their lives and Nell would have it no other way.

“Tim is playing with Weatherby,” Nell murmured as she watched the chubby arms and legs of the two year old as he danced in and out of the waves with Elizabeth’s father with him.

“Nell,” Jack’s voice held none of its usual slur and made her look back at him again. “It pains you, doesn’t it? Seeing Elizabeth’s son and knowing you can’t have any of your own.”

Nell frowned and looked back at the distant beach before crossing back to him. She let him pull her between him and the wheel, glad of the comfort his arms brought her.

“Sometimes, just sometimes I wonder what it must be like; to hold a child and know that it belonged to us.” She sighed and took a deep breath. “But it won’t happen and I know that. The wondering is not that often, Jack, and to be honest, I’m too selfish to give up what we have. Do you really have no regrets that I can’t give you a son?”

“No.” He shook his head. “Nell, I never thought I’d marry, let alone have children; I have everything I want already. I just don’t like you hurting.”

“It’s not a hurt, not really. It’s more like a pang; but it goes the minute young Tim won’t leave me alone for five minutes.”

Jack chuckled as he thought on how the child loved to attach himself to his “ant ‘ell” whenever they were there.

“Life’s good isn’t it, luv?” Jack looked out over where they were preparing to drop anchor. He hollered out some orders, chuckling when Nell winced at the noise in her ears.

“Life’s bloody brilliant, Jack Sparrow.”

“Captain, darlin’, it’s Captain Jack Sparrow.”

“I’m not crew!” She skipped away from him when the anchor held fast. She could see the long boats being sent down. “I’ve never signed the Articles.”

“What are you then?” he asked her as he tied the wheel off. A glint had entered his eyes that Nell knew well and loved.

“Me?” She backed away from where he advanced on her slowly, aware of Hock coming up the quarterdeck steps. “I’m the Goddess of this little boat and all who sail in her.”

“Oh is that so!” Jack grinned over at Hock who had caught the last part of Nell’s words and was laughing.

“Goddess Nell!” Hock bowed to her. “What are your orders for us lesser mortals who serve you?”

“Bloody traitor!” Jack roared with mock anger. “Don’t make her worse; there’ll be no living with her! And this is not a “little boat”.”

“Sorry, darlin’,” she mocked his slur. “This little ship.”

“Right, that’s it! Run out the plank, Mister Hock, I’ve a mind to make her walk it!”

“Shouldn’t we be scared of a Goddess, Capt’n?” Hock asked laughing.

“What that little thing?” Jack made a quick dive for Nell, but she was expecting it and dodged out of the way, scaling the rigging out of his way quickly.

“Come down here and I might make your punishment easier on you!” he called up to her.

“Oh, promises, promises!” Nell called out cheekily. “In order for you to punish me, Captain Jack Sparrow, you’d have to catch me first!” And with a cheery wave she turned and executed a perfect dive into the clear blue waters beneath her. Jack and Hock crossed to the side watching as she struck out for the shore with strong, sure strokes.

“Who, the bloody hell, taught her to swim?” Jack groused pride clear in his voice.

“Er, I believe that was you, Capt’n,” Gibbs spoke up as he joined them on the quarterdeck. “She’s come along quite well for a woman,” he added gravely.

“High praise, Mister Gibbs, high praise indeed,” laughed Jack. “Excuse me, gentlemen, I have a mutinous non-crew member to catch!” He climbed nimbly onto the railings and dived in, arms and legs at odd angles.

“How did she become so graceful, when old gangly taught her?” asked Gibbs curiously.

“One of life’s mysteries,” Hock replied. “Come on, I’ve got me a woman to find and claim again.”

“Did you have to give me that visual?” Gibbs groused.

“You want visuals?” Hock turned back to him from where he was heading for the deck and the long boats.

“No, I do not want bloody visual!” he muttered and with a satisfied grin he followed Hock down. Life was indeed good.

THE END!!!!

A/N: Well, only a hundred years later and I’ve finally finished it. It may be rushed; it may not, it was just how it flowed and to be honest I’m glad it’s done. I’m half way through Hock and Tilly’s chapter so that should be up soon. ;-)

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, read and generally kicked me up the behind on this one. If you wonderful people out there hadn’t kept me going, this would have stopped a long time ago, to remain a niggle in my conscience and nothing more.

I want to say thanks to Hils and Anisparrow who for many months inspired and helped me through this. I haven’t asked the lovely ladies to proof-read this as I just want to get it off my hard drive; but I know that over the months they did a stupendous job. Thanks ladies.

To those of you who have read my Harry Potter story; it will be finished. I wanted to get this one out of the way and then I’ll finish that one. It needs major restoration on every chapter so there’s a lot of work to be done and no time in which to do it.
But thanks again and if you’re interested in Hock and Tilly, watch this space….