The Map

Author’s Note:

Okay this one is not up to strength. I apologise for that but I hope you like it anyway. We’ve had Chicken Pox here, well my little girl has and everything grinds to a halt to tend to the sick and poorly!
Then…. I tipped an entire mug over coffee over my oardoard when it was switched on. Cringe…. But guess what! My hubby is a gem! An absolute gem… he rolled his eyes told me I was silly and then laughed. I honestly thought he was going to have a real go at me as he’s always telling me not to drink when I’m typing… but he was so good about it and yesterday… he came home with a new keyboard for me… and it’s even better than the last one. I love him to bits… But he has laid down the law…. NO MORE COFFEE MUGS AT THE COMPUTER TABLE…. I think he has a point.

Oh…. Not beta-read. So sorry for mistakes, I do proof read but there’s also one or ten that slip through.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Beaumont stood at the helm with D’Mornay beside him. His arm was bandaged after Benjamin had taken the shot from his arm and then they had both been manacled with their hands in front of them. Chains ran from their hands down to the manacles around their feet. There was no doubt that Jack Sparrow was not going to take any chances with them.

“Find North and keep going.” Beaumont said casually.

Jack looked at him and rolled his eyes. He looked down at his compass and then across at Hock.

“Mister Hock, your compass please.” He said and shutting his own put it back into his pocket.

“So it’s true; your compass doesn’t point North.” D’Mornay said suddenly and earned a shove from behind by Dwent.

“Captain didn’t ask fer yer comments.”

Jack took the offered compass from Hock and opening it adjusted the wheel slightly before looking across at Beaumont.

“I really don’t need to impress upon you two gentlemen just how precise your directions are going to have to be do I?” he smiled at them, but it was not a nice smile and came nowhere near his eyes, which were dark and hard.

“It’s been a long time…” Beaumont spoke coldly, a tiny smirk forming on his face. He looked across at where Norrington was stood with Will and Bryant, close to the bulwarks.

“But not long enough to erase it from your mind I trust.” Jack said casually.

“Do you have Helen’s beads?” Beaumont asked after staring at the Norrington for several seconds.

Jack took them out of his pocket and looked across at Gibbs.

“Take the wheel Mister Gibbs.”

Gibbs obeyed him and Jack moved to stand in front of Beaumont with the beads in his hand.

“Find the tie.” Beaumont instructed grudgingly “Work three beads forward and the next three beads will be your compass bearing.”

Norrington cleared his throat and looked at Bryant in horror.

“Jack.” He stepped forward urgently. “A moment please.”

Jack looked up surprised at Norrington using his first name and in a tone so urgent.

Jack mockingly bowed at Beaumont and moved across to stand in front of the Commodore.

“We have a slight problem.” Norrington said quietly anxiety clear in his voice.

Jack frowned up at him and shook his head for him to continue.

“We used the twine holding the beads to stitch your young man up.”

Jack stared at him for several seconds before lookingk dok down at the beads strung on the gold chain before closing his eyes “An “And I take it you didn’t really watch which way the beads came off or which way you re-strung them?” Jack’s voice was low and heavy.

“It wasn’t high on our list of priorities.” Bryant spoke up defensively.

Norrington placed a hand on his arm in reproach and waited.

Jack suddenly looked up and grinned at them.

“Oh well…” he shrugged and turned back to Beaumont and D’Mornay placing the beads into his pocket.

“Beaumont.” Jack grinned at them slyly “You’re going to do all that’s necessary to steer this ship towards the island and make berth there without so much as a scratch on her hull. Savvy?”

Beaumont looked at him silently for a few seconds, his eyes narrowing before he frowned at him.
“Give me the beads then.”

“Now that’s something I can’t do.” Jack shook his head, the beads and dice in his hair clanking together.

“Then I can’t get you onto that island.” Beaumont replied coldly.

Jack frowned and tapped his fingers against his chin as he watched the taller man.

“That’s really not the answer that I was looking for. Let’s try again shall we and this time you give me the answer I require.”

“Are you insane?” Beaumont spat out “I can’t do it without the compass points.”

Jack watched a thin line of sweat break out on his forehead despite the coldness of the air.

He turned and looked across at Gibbs.

“Drop anchor and wait for my orders.” He instructed and then looked back at Beaumont. He heard a movement behind him and saw Norrington step forward with Will and Bryant.

“I can not find the way without those compass points.” Beaumont repeated himself.

“You’re going to have to then aren’t you mate.” Jack replied lazily “You see there are a lot of my men, and a few that remain from the Ardent I might add, that would just love to make you and your friend hurt a little.” His head bobbed as he spoke “Now you see I understand your position, but my men? All they really want is to have a taste of that treasure. If they thought that there was a chance you weren’t going to get us in there… well…” he looked down at his dirty fingernails and then back up at Beaumont “I wouldn’t like to say what could happen to you and your good friend.”

Beaumont looked from him to Norrington and blinked.

“And would you stand to one side and let this happen?”

Norrington cleared his throat and looked at the dark haired man.

“Certainly not.” He replied and Jack looked up at him with exasperation on his face. “I’d most probably find myself a seat somewhere and let it happen.” Norrington said dryly.

Jack’s face broke out into a wide grin and he laughed before looking back at Beaumont.

“You call yourself a man of the navy? Of the crown? You’re no better than a pirate!” Beaumont spat at him.

“That may indeed be so.” Norrington replied completely unruffled by his words “From where you are currently standing.” He smirked slightly “I suggest Beaumont that you do exactly as Captain Sparrow requests of you. Although they are few, there are some of my own men aboard who won’t easily forget having to watch their comrades die because of you.”

Norrington’s face hardened as he looked at him.

“You will die Beaumont, whether it is by hanging or Sparrow’s men. If you wish to prolong your miserable existence I suggest you try harder in remembering safe passage to the island, for you’ll get no assistance from me.”

Beaumont nodded slowly, realising that the only way forward for him would be to do as he was told. He knew that the real time they would need those beads would be on the island. He briefly wondered why Sparrow wasn’t letting him use the beads. Had they lost them and were bluffing about it? Had something happened to them that Sparrow had been unaware of? He hadn’t been able to overhear what Norrington had told Sparrow but it hadn’t seemed to be too bad. He looked at D’Mornay and saw the same puzzlement reflected in his eyes.

“Tristan.” He spoke quietly, aware that both Sparrow and Norrington were listening to them.
“Tristan looked at him and a tiny smirk crossed his face.

“I vaguely remember that there were two or three reefs… I think.” He shrugged.

“I’ll need Helen up here.” Beaumont said quietly.

“No.” Jack said instantly.

“Certainly Not!” Norrington spoke sharply at exactly the same moment as Jack.

“Then the map you copied from her back.” Beaumont said softly.

Jack arched an eyebrow but no other emotion showed on his face.

“And why would you be needing that?” he questioned him.

“The entrance to the bay is etched onto her back.”

Jack narrowed his eyes before taking a step back.

“Shall I go for you?” Norrington asked him.

Jack shook his head and without another word turned away. He swayed across to the stairs and went down.

“I’m surprised.” Beaumont said quietly but loud enough for Norrington to hear.

Norrington arched an eyebrow at him but didn’t say anything.

“Taking orders from a pirate.” Beaumont swayed easily with the rise and fall of the ship, even with his hands manacled.

Norrington lowered his eyebrows frowning at him.

“I will not rise so easily to your bate Beaumont.” He replied smoothly.

“Not a lot you could say in defence really.” Beaumont glared at where Dwent pressed his dagger into his back in warning.

“Must be hard as well… a ship full of pirates and you at their mercy.”
“You would know.” Bryant replied swiftly and grinned slyly at him despite the glare Norrington shot at him.
“But I’m not kissing arse am I?” he said and lifted his head to stare at Norrington with hard eyes “Taking orders from Sparrow must really rankle. Any way you look at it he has you whipped.
You are his whipping boy Norrington. Do you like it that much?”

Norrington moved a step forward but Dwent was quicker. He forced Beaumont to his knees and using the hilt of his knife gave him a sharp crack to his temple that drew blood and made him sway on his knees.

Norrington stared down at him, Beaumont blinked several times from the stunning blow as blood trickled down his cheek. He laughed and licked the drops of blood away from his lips; his eyes never leaving Norrington’s face.

“What’ll the admiralty think of you when they find you’ve consorted with pirates? Whored yourself with the enemy?” he said clearly not in the least concerned of the pirate stood behind him.

Norrington felt Bryant touch his elbow gently, a touch that went un-noticed by Beaumont but not by Dwent or Gibbs. He released his breath on a short laugh and clasped his hands behind his back.

“Do you really think that you can affect me like that?” he intoned clearly and turning he walked towards the stairs; Bryant quickly moving to follow.

Beaumont felt another trickle of blood seep down past his lips; his tongue darted out to stop its progress as he watched the straight backed Commodore and his Lieutenant descend the stairs.

“I know I can.” He murmured darkly.

Dwent didn’t catch his words but any excuse to hit the man was good enough for him. He drew the hilt back and cracked him again.

“Mister Dwent.” Gibbs snapped a warning look on his face “It would be good if we kept him fairly conscious for the duration…” he looked down at Beaumont his lips curling nastily “Once we have no need of him…” he shrugged and the implication was clear enough for Beaumont to feel a shiver of fear run down his spine.

“Jist keepin’ ‘im in ‘is place.” Dwent said casually. “With a promise of what’s to come.” He added with a nasty laugh that served to fill with Beaumont with more apprehension.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Nell was sat with Elizabeth and Lady Clarence in Jack’s cabin. Hock had brought up the rest of the clothes they had taken from her on the Rose and the three of them were busy going through the clothes finding ones that would fit or could be altered for Elizabeth to wear.

Nell had never seen so many beautiful colours or soft materials and she found herself touching them almost reverently.

“There is bound to be something here that will fit you too Nell.” Elizabeth said and held up a sky blue gown of silk.

Nell felt a tremor of excitement go through her as Elizabeth held the dress up against her.

“It’s too long but you can sew a neat enough hem on it.” Lady Clarence said briskly “And I’m certain that you’ve filled out slightly since we came aboard. You were so dreadfully skinny when I first saw you.”

Nell coloured up but took the dress and holding against her looked down at herself.

“I’ve never had a dress….”

“Try it on!” Lady Clarence announced “We can help with the ties can’t we Elizabeth?”

Elizabeth nodded, her eyes alight with humour at the way Lady Clarence took over and ordered everyone around.

“Not here.” Nell said firmly and looked pointedly at the door.

As if on cue it opened and Jack came in banging the door back on its hinges.

“Ladies.” He looked at Nell stood holding the dress against her and then across at Elizabeth. “Leave us a moment please ladies.” He stood to one side and indicated for Elizabeth and Lady Clarence to leave.

Elizabeth frowned at him and opened her mouth.

“Now please Elizabeth.” He said and eyed her carefully.

Nell folded the dress and placed it back in the trunk carefully.

“Go on.” She said and Lady Clarence needing no second telling headed for the door with an imperious wave to Elizabeth.

“Come on Elizabeth.” She called out.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at Jack but went out shutting the door behind her.

“What’s the problem?” asked Nell when Jack just continued to stare at her long after the door had shut behind Elizabeth.

He said nothing and turned to his desk.

“There’s been a little hitch in the proceedings.” He finally said when she came to stand beside him.
“What hitch?”

She watched him unroll the copy of the map on her back. He weighted it down and leaned over it.
“Nell…” he looked up at her sideways and there was no humour in his face at all “I need to see your back again.”

“Why?” she asked him surprised at his request.

He stood back from the map and looked at her; his hands went to his hips as he swayed with the motion of the ship.

“Let’s just say that the vital clues were lost and I really need to make sure that I haven’t missed anything.”

Nell frowned not understanding him at all.

“Jack. Talk in English.” She sighed.

“The beads. Your beads. They were strung in a certain way…” he watched and saw puzzlement give way to dawning horror on her face.

“And we took them off…” she covered her cheeks with her hands and stared at him.
“What will you do now?” she asked finally.

“Take another look at your back.” He waved his hand around “Beaumont claims the compass points are some of the points tattooed into your back. I want to make absolutely certain I haven’t missed anything.”

Nell nodded as she listened to him and then without hesitation turned around. She was quite sure that of all the people on board, Beaumont was the last one she wanted to look at her back.

She undid her shirt and carefully lowered it keeping herself covered. Jack moved and she realised he was comparthe the two.

“Will it possible to get onto the island without the beads?” she asked him as she stood there waiting for him to finish.

“It was possible once before.” He murmured and satisfied he hadn’t missed anything he rolled the map and stepped forward to Nell. “It will be possible again and this time there is an advantage.”

“What’s that?” she asked and gasped as she felt his cool fingers draw her shirt back up. He dipped his head and pressed a kiss to the curve of her neck before heading towards the door.

He looked back at her and grinned.

“Me.”

Nell blinked as she did up the shirt and then laughed as his meaning sank in.

“I think that you think entirely too much of yourself Captain Jack Sparrow.” She grinned at him.

“Ah!” he tipped his hat to her “But it does gladden my heart to know that you do think of me!”

“More than I’d ever thought possible.” She murmured without thinking. She looked up quickly as she realised what she’d said.

He looked at her intently his hand on the door handle. She waited for him to make some smug remark or some witty reply but he merely closed his eyes briefly and opened the door.

“Damnable timing Nell.” He whispered and went out shutting the door behind him quietly.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Beaumont looked at the map and gave a heavy sigh.

“Has been a long time since we set eyes on this Tristan.” He murmured to the man beside him.

“Indeed.” D’Mornay replied, his own eyes greedily taking in every aspect of the long hidden map. “The cove should be due south west of here.” He said looking up at where the island lay in the distance.

“Southwest?” Jack repeated from where he was leaning back against the bulwarks, his arms crossed, and hands still for once.

D’Mornay looked up at him and nodded, his eyes narrowed. “There are submerged rocks that form gullies that guard the entrance to the cove, the only way in is in rowing boats. You’ll need to anchor the ship before you reach them.”

Jack nodded at Gibbs who had listened carefully to the men.

He looked across at where Dwent and Hock were stood with swords drawn.

“One wrong move and you can feed the sharks with them.” He said casually and pushing himself away from the side he swaggered to the stairs, one hand stuck out at an odd angle as he walked.

Jack could see Will sat on a pile of ropes sharpening his sword with Elizabeth sat close to him sewing what looked like a pile of blue cloth.

He made his way over to them silently, swaying as he walked. He stood over them and Elizabeth was the first to look up at him.

“Jack?” she raised an eyebrow at him as he regarded the cloth in her lap.

“We’ll be anchoring off the island early after lunch. I don’t expect it’ll do me much good to ask you to stay aboard the Pearl will it missie?” he looked at Elizabeth and fingered his braid as she smiled sweetly at him.

“Not really.” She said firmly “But thank you for trying.”

Jack shrugged and stepped backwards, hands going at odd angles. He looked at Will and then across to where Norrington and Bryant were stood at the side. Too far to hear what was being said.

“I don’t know what we’ll find on this island, apart from treasure that is, but we can’t discount the stories out of hand. Be on your guard.” He eyed Will carefully and turned away abruptly to cross to Norrington.

“Commodore!” he stopped with his feet apart and his hands on his hips.

Norrington turned and raised an eyebrow at him.

“We’ll be taking the rowing boats. Beaumont and D’Mornay will be split up between two boats. You’ll take Beaumont and you,” he looked at Bryant his hands lifting to dance gracefully “Will go with D’Mornay.”

“The Pearl can not get closer?” asked Norrington.

Jack shook his head and leant his head back to look down his nose at him.

“I expect them to try something. I expect all manner of things will be said or implied. I trust your ‘man’ enough to ignore anything that might otherwise provoke you to do something stupid.”
Norrington arched an eyebrow at him and snorted in reply.

“Good! Good, that’s all settled then.” Jack nodded and turning on his heel he swayed towards his cabin.

“How does he do it?” asked Bryant quietly, his dark eyes following the older man as he almost collided with the capstan before righting himself and continuing.

“I believe that all you see is not all you get with Sparrow. You were quite correct in your observation of him being the best pirate we’ve ever seen, but I believe he is also the most dangerous one.”
“More dangerous than Beaumont?” asked Bryant carefully.

“You think not. Why?” Norrington turned to look down at his lieutenant. He knew by his tone of voice that he wasn’t convinced of his words and he wanted to know why.

“Sparrow won’t kill indiscriminately.” Bryant stated bluntly “He will do all he can to get onto and off that island without loosing a single member of his crew. Beaumont wouldn’t and indeed won’t care. I believe apart from himself, D’Mornay is the only other person he would think twice about.”

“Valid point.” Norrington mused, eyes narrowing “On the surface a valid point. But I’m not entirely convinced that Sparrow is all that different. He may protect his ‘friends and crew’ while the odds are with him. But what about when it actually came down to it; when it came down to choosing between his own life and that of his friends lives? Elizabeth’s life?”

Norrington looked across at where Elizabeth and Will were talking quietly together.

“What ever happens; the ladies come first.” He said quietly.

“Agreed.” Bryant replied instantly.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Nell watched as the pirates followed Jack’s orders and began lowering the small rowing boats down into the waters below.

They were as close to the island as they could safely get. She knew they’d been split up into the boats and it was disconcerting for her to know that she would be in the same boat as Beaumont.
But at the same time she knew that Jack, Norrington, Hock and two other pirates would be in there as well and from an entirely selfish point of view, she also recognised that Beaumont wouldn’t lead himself into danger. At least not in the boat, but she rather expected him to try once they were on the island itself. A shiver of unease ran through her as she watched him being guarded as he began to climb down.

Jack looked across at her and indicated it was time for her to climb down to.

She looked back at where Lady Clarence was stood by the Capstan. She had elected to remain on board with the crew that were remaining to guard the Pearl, something that didn’t surprise her at all.
Lady Clarence gave her a watery smile and a small wave which Nell returned before heading over to Jack.

“Down you go luv, nothing to it.”

She gave him an incredulous look.

“No, not if you’re a squirrel. Which, unless you haven’t noticed, I’m most certainly not!”

Jack grinned at her and leant forward pressing his mouth close to her ear.

“I’ve been noticing what you are just fine.” He whispered wickedly “Although perhaps I ought to just check that you’re not hiding a tail underneath those britches of yours.” He slapped his hand on her rump firmly giving her a squeeze.

She jumped and let out a firm ‘O’ of mixed horror and shock.

“Jack!” she hastened forward trying to move away from his touch, but he kept his hand firmly on her rear.

“Nay!” he shook his head and winked at her “No tail there.”

He used his hand to propel her forwards a little more until she was beside where Hock was waiting to help her down, a wide grin on his face.

Nell was most embarrassed when he kept his hand on her as Hock pulled her up onto the side. She turned breaking his contact and glared down at him. He was laughing up at her, his black eyes dancing mischievously.

She clamped her lips together and began to climb down, all the while thinking what a devil he was.
Hands caught her waist and she realised she was down in the boat. She let Norrington lift her down into the boat and then she settled herself down, as far from Beaumont as she could get.

She looked up as the rope began to shake and then Jack nimbly climbed down and leapt lightly into the boat, not looking at Nell at all as he settled himself right in front of Beaumont.

It was several more minutes before they pushed away from the Pearl and joined the other boats which had already been filled.

Ten more minutes passed before everyone who was going was in a boat and waiting for instructions from Jack who was in the front.

“Well Mister Beaumont, don’t let me stop you from any warnings you remember.” Jack said lazily and indicated with his head for his men to begin to row them fods. ds.

Nell turned around carefully and faced the way they were rowing. The island lay ahead of them; a sea fog covered the lower half of the island, showing only the top of the higher mountains. She watched carefully, trying to make out any shapes in the fog but it was getting denser the closer they got.

“Watch for strong currents, sand bars and submerged rocks.” Beaumont spoke out from behind.
Nell looked over her shoulder at Jack but he merely moved slightly so he could see in front of them better.

“Oh and I needn’t tell you that D’Mornay is in the boat that will be coming through here last.” Jack spoke up without turning around.

Nell looked sideways at Jack but he didn’t move his gaze from the waters in front of them.

“Nell luv, if you see anything that remotely looks like a rock or sand bar on your right sho shout.”

Nell nodded and squinted down into the waters a few feet in front of her.

“Further out darlin’. We need to know before we hit it.” Came Jack’s soft voice.

Nell looked up and frowned as the fog grew thicker and it became practically impossible to see more than six to eight feet in front of her.

“Port!” Jack barked and the men responded immediately by swinging the boat slightly to the left, narrowly missing a wicked looking rock that was completely submerged.

Nell saw a dark shape looming on the right and squinted before realising what it was.

“Right! Right.” She squeaked and pointed almost knocking Jack’s hat off.

“Starboard.” Norrington said instantly and the boat only just responded in time.

Nell bit her lip and looked at Jack who righted his hat, his eyes still on the waters.

“Keep your eyes open Luv, Port!” the boat scraped against the rock this time and Nell grasped the sides tightly as she looked over the edges “And Right is Starboard.” He added “Gets you a faster response without Norrington interceding on your behalf.”

Nell nodded and to her horror saw another rock.

“Starboard.”

“Port!”

They shouted at the same time and Nell saw with horror that the rocks were forming a very narrow channel. The sides of the boat scraped right down both sides as they moved forwards slowly.

“Lost a good six men on this part.” Came a lazy drawl from Beaumont “They didn’t see it at all and hit the rocks head on. Next boat went the same way, fortunately the next boat slipped straight through. Well fortunately for us in the next boat that was.”

“If you aren’t going to warn us in advance I strongly suggest you keep your mouth shut.” Norrington barked at him angrily.

“Or you’ll be swimming ahead of us and showing us the way.” Hock added nastily.

Nell daren’t look back at the two men as they warned Beaumont. Her eyes were on the rocks that were hugging the boat dangerously. Finally they rowed into open water and the fog lifted slightly, enabling them to see the island and the cove in front of them.

She looked at the golden sands and palm trees that lined the edges and gave an ‘O’ of surprise.
“It’s beautiful!” she gasped and gave a scream as the boat was suddenly swept sideways.

“Row into it!” Beaumont ordered sharply and Norrington stared at him as the pirates valiantly tried to row against the sudden current.

“Are you…”

“ROW INTO IT YOU BLOODY IDIOTS!” Beaumont roared and the urgency in his tone was enough for Hock to nod at the other men and they quit rowing against the current.

Nell watched in horror as it looked as if they’d be swept right past the island and onto the line of rocks that were coming closer and closer. She looked sideways at Jack and without realising it, reached for his hand. He looked at her when she touched his hand. He grinned at her and grasped her hand tightly.

Nell stared at the rocks and with a certainty knew they were going to be smashed against them. She closed her eyes and gripped his hand tightly, pressing back against him.

His other hand snaked around her waist and his fingers caressed her hip.

“Open your eyes Nell.” He said into her ear and fearfully she opened her eyes and gave a cry of astonishment when she saw the current had led them past the rocks and closer to the island.

“Row towards the island or we’ll be swept back to the rocks.” Beaumont called, looking over his shoulder at the five other boats that were now being dragged into the current.

The pirates began rowing for all they were worth and Hock and Norrington took oars as well. Nell could see the struggle they had but they managed to pull themselves out of the current and a couple of minutes later they were dragging the boat on onto the sand.

She got out of the boat and watched with anxious eyes as the other boats all had the same struggle but made it safely to the island.

She watched as the men turned the boats over to inspect the undersides for damage.

Every boat was deeply scoured and needed repairs before they tried to use them again.

White faced she turned to where Jack was talking to Will and Elizabeth. Norrington and Bryant were deep in conversation over something and Hock and Dwent were making sure the ropes around Beaumont and D’Mornay.

She looked around her and up the beaches towards the row of palm trees. There was a slight breeze and a lovely smell drifted towards them. Nell took a deep sniff, unable to recognise the smell but realised it was a flower of some sort.

She started to move forwards towards the start of the grassy area.

“Nell!”

She stopped and looked back at where Jack had called her name.

“Stay here.” He said and turned back to Will again.

Nell lifted an eyebrow but realised it was probably safer and turned to cross to Norrington and Bryant.
Norrington moved slightly and looked down at her.

“Are you well Miss Nell?”

Nell nodded and sighed heavily.

“Please just call me Nell, everyone else does.” She smiled at them “I think formality has long been passed over don’t you?”

“Indeed. Nell.” Norrington grinned at her “And Likewise, I’m James and this is Joshua.” He indicated a grinning Bryant.

“Beaumont!” Jack strode towards him and they turned to see what Jack wanted with him.

“Is there drinking water nearby? A place to set up camp?” Jack loomed over the two men who were kneeling on the sand, hands bound in front of them.

“The map.” Beaumont said grudgingly “The bottom left.”

Jack took the map from inside his coat and unrolled it, squinting at it to see what they were referring to.

“Turn it up the other way.” Beaumont said quietly.

Nell watched as Jack turned the map upside down and a sudden wicked thought entered her mind.

Leaving Norrington and Bryant she sauntered up to Jack and lifting herself on tiptoes she looked over his shoulder.

“Told you you had it upside down.” She said casually before smirking at him and quickly making her way back to Norrington. She looked back at Jack over her shoulder and blushed when she saw him grinning at her, a pleased look on his face.

“Indeed you did missie, indeed you did.” He looked back down at the map for a few minutes and then began to give out orders.

“What was that?” asked Norrington as Elizabeth and Will came to stand beside them.

“Just reminding him of something I said earlier.” Nell said airily and with a smug grin looked at Elizabeth.

“Let’s get the supplies up onto the grass before the sand ruins it all.” Elizabeth grinned back at her.

They began to pick up the parcels that had been loaded onto the sand. Timms and Jones came to help along with several other pirates and they began to make their way up the beach slowly. Jones in front and Timms behind him.

“It’s weird how you can’t see the Pearl out there.” Nell said looking back at the wall of fog that seemed to surround the island.

“I’ve only seen something like this once before.” Eliza mus mused “The first time I ever saw the Pearl, on the crossing from England, a fog used to surround the Pearl, never leaving her. Well not until the curse was lifted…”

Nell looked at Elizabeth and sighed.

“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.” She said quietly.

“I would have been worried if you had.” Elizabeth laughed “Not the sort of thing one comes across everyday is it?”

“No and hopefully not at all on this island.” Nell shivered despite the sun shinning down on them.
“I doubt it.” Elizabeth replied in her no nonsense voice “Nothing Jack can’t handle anyway!” she added with a smirk.

Nell opened her mouth to reply but her words were cut off when Jones suddenly gave a shout of fright and before anyone could react it looked as if his legs, from the knees down, had disappeared.

“Get back!” Timms tried to move backwards and Nell realised with horror that his feet were sinking into the sands and then she felt the suction around her own feet. She looked in horror at Elizabeth and then to Jones who was shouting for help as the sand pulled him downwards.

Nell dropped the parcels and lifted her feet scrambling backwards with Elizabeth as she managed to get onto firmer sand, but Timms and Jones weren’t so lucky. They were stuck and going down fast.

“Hold on!” Elizabeth dropped to her knees and then onto her stomach, holding her hands out to Timms who managed to grab them. Nell realised what she was doing and dropped down as well, gripping his upper arms they hauled, but they could find no purchase on the ground and were instead being dragged towards the quicksand.

Hands caught her round the waist and began to pull her backwards.

“Hold onto him.” Someone shouted and Nell gripped his hands tightly as she was hauled backwards, the pull on her arms was tremendous but Timms was able to drag his way through the sand, as she and Elizabeth were pulled back.

Eventually, when she thought she could hold on no longer arms were reaching over her and Timms was hauled out by his collar.

“Throw the rope to Jones!”

Nell was pulled backwards and with her hold broken she slid across the sand quickly until she was caught up and dragged to her feet.

“Miss Nell? Nell?”

She looked up into worried blue eyes, her breathing hard as she used Bryant as a support.

“I’m fine.” She panted and looked back at where ropes had been thrown to Jones who was now up to his arts its in quicksand.

He was struggling valiantly to hold the rope, trying to put it over his head and shoulders, but he was quickly sinking further down.

“Hold on to the rope!” Jack was at the front of the rope, Norrington, Will and several others behind him “Don’t move! Just hold on and we’ll drag you out!”

But panic had set into Jones and he struggled more, the sand dragging his hands down.

“Oh God!” Nell sagged against Bryant watching in horror as Jones slowly sank. He stopped screaming as the sand began to crush his chest but his mouth was open in sheer terror.

“Get him out!” Elizabeth cried out, “Get him out!”

Jones held the rope in one hand unable to bring his other hand round to hold on as the sand crept up past his chest towards his throat.

“PULL!” Jack began to pull backwards but the suction was too strong.

Jones lost his grip on the rope and they fell backwards as the rope slithered uselessly towards them.
Nell watched in horror as the sand crept past his shoulder, his arms completely disappearing as it climbed higher and higher inching up over his chin, his mouth clamped firmly shut. A shot rang out and his head snapped backwards with the force, the sand behind his head staining a blood red until it was sucked down until she couldn’t even see where he’d been.

She stared at the sand which seemed to ripple slightly, almost as if he were still struggling beneath it, but Nell knew he was dead.

Bryant took her full weight as she sagged in his grip, his arms around her shoulders.

Jack got to his feet and replaced the pistol into his waist band. His face was dark and his eyes gleamed as he turned and Nell felt a shiver run up her back. He was furious and it showed in every line of his body.

“Back to the boats and make sure you follow your original footprints.” He barked and set off back to the boats, his usual swaying gait was still present but his back was ramrod stiff and it was obvious that he was furious.

Nell pulled herself away from Bryant and looked up at him, her eyes glassy and her face white.
“What was that?” she asked quietly as he took her arm and began to lead her back.

“Quicksand.” He replied grimly, his eyes watching Will who was holding a white-faced Elizabeth in his arms.

Everyone slowly made their way back to the boats careful to keep to their original footprints as closely as possible.

Jack stopped by the huddled form of Beaumont and D’Mornay and Nell’s eyes widened as she saw him grip Beaumont’s hair and drag his head backwards. He pressed a dagger to his throat.

“You forgot that particular obstacle didn’t you?” Jack asked quietly, his tone dark and heavy with suppressed anger.

Beaumont tried to speak but his throat had closed at the angle Jack had pulhis his head into.
“We didn’t know.” D’Mornay said quickly, his eyes on the blade pressed into Beaumont’s neck.

“Did you not?” Jack looked at him but didn’t move the blade “Now that’s something I find very hard to believe. How many men exactly did you loose on this island?”

D’Mornay shrugged as best as he could with his hands tied.

“I can not recall… but that wasn’t how they died.” He replied and his eyes caught sight of a thin line of blood seeping down Beaumont’s neck.

“What else can we expect then?”

“We lost most in the trip trying to land on the island and then trying to leave it again.”

“And the rest?” Jack arched a black eyebrow, his lips parted in a snarl that revealed his gold teeth.

“We killed them ourselves.” D’Mornay replied without missing a beat “We didn’t exactly want the whereabouts common knowledge.”

Jack released the knife from Beaumont’s neck and stepped backwards wiping the blade down Beaumont’s shirt sleeve.

“Well I’ll just be telling you two things here and now.” Jack leaned forward slightly “If I loose one more man, you…” he pointed at D’Mornay with his dagger “Will be following them to hell.”

“And the second?” Beaumont asked coldly, no indication in his voice or manner that he had even been in the least affected by having the dagger to his throat.

“The packets that went down with Jones were some of our food supplies, you two won’t be eating tonight or tomorrow morning, in fact you won’t be eating until we can find something suitable on this island and maybe not even then.”

Beaumont’s face darkened as he glared up at Jack.

“There is plenty of food on this island.” He said “And there is fresh water further into the trees.”
“I hope so.” Jack said quietly “For your sakes that is, because you’ll be getting none of the supplies.” He stood straight replaced his dagger into his waistband and turned abruptly on his heels and took two steps before turning back again.

“Oh and something else you might find interesting. You’re going to be going ahead of us.” He looked at D’Mornay as he spoke and smiled at him. But it wasn’t a kind smile and it didn’t reach his eyes. It made him look sinister and quite dangerous.

Beaumont looked at Jack with alarm in his eyes.

“You want us to walk ahead of you?” he asked incredulously.

Jack shook his head, beads and dice swinging wildly around his head.

“Oh no mate, you misunderstood. Just your friend there; can’t loose both of you to any other patches of quicksand can we?”

Jack turned on his heel and swayed away from him his eyes hard and narrowed.

“We’ll hold services for Jones by the shoreline!” he called out to the assembled crew that had watched the exchange with hatred on their faces.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Beaumont looked at D’Mornay and saw the panic in his eyes but there was nothing he could do. They had both known the quicksand was there, they both knew that there were numerous patches of it having lost several of their men to them the last time. They also knew that a small area on the map showed where they were.

“Can you remember the map?” Beaumont asked him quietly.

D’Mornay closed his eyes and sweat broke out on his forehead as he struggled to remember.

“No.” he opened his eyes and the panic in them was growing. “No. I can’t.”

“We can’t give away what else is marked on that map….”

“So you’d let me die?” snapped D’Mornay almost forgetting to whisper as Dwent looked at them in interest from where he was standing guard over them.

“Of course not my friend.” Beaumont shook his head “Of course not. I cannot believe Sparrow will let you walk ahead without some means of testing the sand first.”

“And if he does?”

“If he does then we will speak up. But not before. We can’t let them realise how much is on that map. He thinks that it was only the way to the island, he has not seen the bigger picture yet.”

D’Mornay did not look convinced but he said no more as Dwent had stepped closer to them a suspicious look on his face.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Author’s note:

I’m not certain about this chapter at all. I’m not too happy about the way the crossing to the island was so uneventful. But I wanted to get them onto the island where the real fun and games will be. Including a few long awaited interludes between Jack and Nell.

Thanks to everyone who reads this story and likes it, whether you review or not. Although reviews are nice, but I won’t beg, it’s not becoming. ;-)

Creanywhiteskin: Thank you that was a nice sentiment. Made me happy.

Ani Sparrow: Hope this helps.

Netty2: I have to admit that I have been playing with the idea of Nell and Bryant, but I was a bit concerned that it might turn her into a Mary Sue if all the men suddenly starting falling for her. What I actually wanted to do was have Bryant feel gentlemanly toward her and Jack take it the g wag way. Kinda prick him into action kinda thing…. Should I put this here or is it going to spoil things for everyone? Oh well…. Thank you though and I hope you like this one too.

Sugar: Here you go… hope you like it.

KrissXed: I’m glad you liked Hock and Clarence as a pair. I’ve been moddling over the notion as to whether to include it as an interlude. I liked your John Steinbeck quote… but I’m not certain I’ve got the bottle for that. I had a hard time letting Jones sink and he wasn’t even a main character. I also think that Norrington would make a first rate pirate. But he won’t go that far in this story but I so intend to take him to moral places he’s never been before. Test his moral metal a bit. He’s hatless and wigless just for you by the way, so is Bryant! As for the CJS and Norrington pair off…. Well there will be a moment but what happens you’ll have to wait and see. Thank you for your review, you always keep my on my toes. Thanks for that and I hope you like this one too.

Daelyan Sandheaver: I should have included a Jack/Elizabeth face off over him sleeping in the cabin with Nell. It would have been fun really, but it happened in my mind and I forgot to translate the weirdness of my mind to computer screen. Sorry. As for being sad about the Celebrity get me out of here. I was sad too…. Although I definitely thought it lacked a certain something when Johnny Rotten walked out…. Am I the only one here old enough to remember and love the Sex Pistols? I think I still have a few of the safety pins and pin badges somewhere. Now that’s sad!

Braveheart: Thank you. I was beginning to think that maybe Nell was lacking a little. I made a rod for my back when I had her brought up by nuns. She’s going to be so innocent that it hurts. But at the same time I wanted her to start to really discover parts of her character that had been buried on the convent. Also something I try hard to remember but often forget but was the religious climate back then. It was a very strong thing back then, almost a strangle hold over the people and they truly believed that everything that happened and everything they did (an important thing I think regarding to some of the terrible things people did) was God divined. It’s hard to understand when we live in a society where religion and God is a take or leave it thing. But back then you could be burnt for ludicrous things and the bible was something that the average common person just didn’t have. It was only the religious hierarchy that had bibles and the common person was told what to believe and it controlled their very lives… okay I waffle in a history lesson that I’m sure you are already aware of. Apologies… I just hope you like this one too.

Wintermoondancer: Thanks… another round of drinks perhaps.

Nemain: Blushes…. Hope this one is okay too.

Lilitaliandragon: Thank you.

Jess58: Thanks… I’m glad you like Norrington. I can’t leave the poor man alone at the moment. It’s got to be his smile. Hope this goes down well too.,.

Gale Storm: Sorry about the length of update. Hopefully life will leave me alone for awhile…and let me update more frequently.

Spaci: Thanks…. Hope you enjoy this one too.

Twistedwords2003: I do keep dancing around them don’t I? But they will ‘dance’ together soon. Don’t worry. Hope you like this too and thanks for the review.

GylzGirl: Thanks and I’m sorry you haven’t been well. I hope you’re feeling better now. Winter month suck for illness don’t they?

Lady Wolfie: Thanks. Hope you like this one too.

Meg: Thanks… you made me smile. Hope this keeps you going okay.

Eradwyn: A fic for Norrington? There aren’t many of those about are there. He is a cutie too. Thanks for your review… hope you like this one too.

Alina11: Thank you… hope this one is okay too.

Pirate: Thank you. And yes please I’d love to know the site for the sequel poster. I had heard they wanted to but I hadn’t realised it was a sure thing. Squeals in delight…. You have made my year with that news.

Robyn Maddison: Thank you. Hope you like this one too. I’m glad to see you’re still with me, thank you for that! It’s always nice to see new reviewers, but it’s great to see ones that have reviewed from the start.

Ubergrasshopper: Hope this helps your addition. I get like that. I quickly get obsessed over fics. At the moment there’s one on the Lost Boys that I’ve been following and I check every day for updates… I’m so glad you like Norrington now. I was sure on first watching him either, (hubby took me to see it twice, have I mentioned how much I love him?) and second time around I fell for him and then with the extra’s on the DVD…. Well sighs dreamily. Yes! Bryant is the one who said “That has got to be the best pirate I’ve ever seen.” Gillette was okay but he did annoy slightly… hum… hope you like this one though.

Tassos: Here you go… hope it’s okay for you and thank you for reviewing.

Dagzer: Thank you! Hope you like it.

Cat: Thanks…blushes.

Linthilde: Thanks… blushes… I do waffle a bit. I’m envious of authors that can write and keep it short and to the point. Months can pass in the space of two chapters and in my stories, I’m lucky if we get past one day. I just have to waffle and waffle. I find it hard to read when he speaks in slang. (but there are some excellent stories that do have him speaking in slang, far better than mine.) It just didn’t happen in the movie and I think it’s one of the things that set him apart from the rest of the pirates. He’s clever in so much as it’s not how he talks but what he says, how he forms his sentences and which words he uses that makes his speech unique and so utterly Jack. But it also gives away that behind those gorgeous eyes there lies a very sharp, intelligent brain. I mean how many people would form a sentence like this and get away with it:

I think we've all arrived at a very special place, eh? Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically?

Having said that I really think the scriptwriters should be given an award for such skilful writing and such a good command of the Queen’s English. Okay…waffling again. I’ll shut up now.

Thanks to everyone who wished me well on the move. We’ve been in four months and there’s till no stair carpet…. But! I do know what colours I’ll be decorating in… and much to my husband’s horror (but to his credit he’s going to let me do it anyway) I’ve picked out the stencil work that I want to do in each room.

Well… enough waffling. I think my author notes rival War and Peace don’t they?

Have a great day wherever you are and take care of yourselves.