The Fine Line Between Legends And Lies

Chapter 22:

A/N: Okay Jack is going to be captured heading back to the Pearl, Gibbs will escape so that he can later try and free Jack from prison in Port Royal. Upon seeing how heartbroken Elizabeth is from Jack’s impending execution Will makes the ultimate sacrifice and decides to help her and Jack escape from Port Royal. Please read and review, the feedback is much appreciated!

Jack dug his heels into the horse’s sides once more to urge the animal to run faster. Looking back over his shoulder he could see the group of red coated navy soldiers chasing after them. Up ahead of him Gibbs shouted back. “Jack, we’re nearly t’ the beach!”

“Jus’ hurry up an’ get t’ the Pearl mate, they’re catching up t’ us!”

Gibbs moved to make his horse run faster onto the sugar white sand beach leaving Jack behind. Knowing that the soldiers were quickly catching up to him Jack grabbed his pistol and maneuvered his horse back around so that he was facing the soldiers. Firing into the group he watched as one of the soldiers fell to the ground dead from the shot that had pierced his chest. Then shots started firing in his direction causing his horse to get spooked. Jack held onto the stallion’s black mane as the horse reared up in panic as the bullets pelted the sand around them. One of the shots hit too close to the horse’s foot making it buck wildly throwing Jack from it’s back. Jack gave a groan as he landed on the beach flat on his back knocking the wind out of him. His pistol went flying out of his hand and he looked up to see that his horse had taken off running down the beach. Lifting himself to his knees he reached for his pistol but was stopped by the feel of a blade poking at his back just between his shoulders. Slowly he raised his hands in defeat.

From the pier Gibbs watched as Jack was hauled to his feet and shackles placed on both his hands and feet. Lowering his head sadly he quickly dismounted his horse and climbed onto the Pearl. Shouting orders at the crew they quickly made ready to weigh anchor and make a hasty retreat from the harbor. Down on the beach Jack was being escorted none too gently back towards the Interceptor. Officer Wilkes had a rough grip on his shoulder as he pushed him forward up the gangplank leading onto the ship. Glancing back at the young man who looked to be no more than maybe twenty one or twenty two years old. His hair was a sandy blond color and his eyes were a warm brown. “Don’t suppose ye could loosen yer grip eh lad?”

“I don’t think so Mr. Sparrow.”

“Captain. It’s Captain Sparrow boy.”

“Right. Captain Sparrow. Sorry.”

Jack chuckled at the young man’s politeness towards him. He was led up the gangplank onto the very familiar ship the Interceptor. Smiling as he remembered how he had conned young William into helping him commandeer the vessel when they had first met. The smile soon melted from his face as he was led into the dark brig. Wilkes pushed him forward into the brig and locked the door securely behind him.

“I don’t suppose ye could remove these shackles being that I’m not quite incapacitated lad?”

“Sorry Captain Sparrow, Commodore Norrington’s orders that you stay shackled.”

“No worries lad, yer jus’ doing yer job.”

“I’ll see if I can get clearance to remove your shackles once the Commodore returns to the ship.”

“Ah yer a diamond mate.”

Wilkes left Jack alone in the brig to return to the main deck to await Commodore Norrington’s return to the ship. He didn’t have to wait long seeing Will Turner boarding the ship carrying a young woman with caramel colored hair in his arms. She must be Elizabeth Swann. Behind him followed the Commodore carrying a baby wrapped in linens. His eyes followed the group as they headed into the Commodore’s quarters. Inside Norrington’s quarters Will placed Elizabeth down onto the large bed carefully. He pulled the blanket up over her. Norrington approached the bed and leaned down to place her infant son in her arms. Norrington left Will in the cabin alone with Elizabeth so that he could get a report from his soldiers on Jack’s whereabouts.

“Officer Wilkes, what’s the status on Jack Sparrow?”

“Captured sir, he’s in the brig as we speak.”

“Ah excellent.”

“Might I remove his shackles being that he’s locked up in the brig sir?”

“Absolutely not! Do not underestimate that man, it’s how he managed to escape the last time.”

“Yes sir.”

Back inside Norrington’s cabin Will sat on the edge of the bed watching Elizabeth try to comfort her crying son. He cleared his throat making her look up at him. He smiled but she only scowled at him in return.

“Elizabeth I…”

“Don’t Will! Don’t you dare tell me that you’re sorry!”

“Elizabeth, it’s for the best.”

“Is it? Best for whom? For you? Norrington? My father? Because it certainly isn’t best for me or my son!”

“Elizabeth you know that the life that Jack leads in no place for a woman and a child.”

“No Will, that’s what you think to be true! Jack loves me and he loves our son! How can you play a part in keeping a child away from their father when you grew up without your own?”

Will lowered his head before speaking again. “This isn’t about me Elizabeth.”

“No it isn’t but it is about me. Will you loved me once…..”

“Elizabeth please, don’t……”

“Do you love me still?”

He looked up at her with tears glistening in his dark brown eyes. “You know the answer to that Elizabeth. I will always love you.”

“Then help me, help me to get out of here and free Jack?”

“Elizabeth!”

“Will please, I’m begging you!”

“I…..I can’t Elizabeth!”

“Can’t or won’t? Is this your way of punishing me for leaving you to be with Jack? Will please, I love him. He’s Jacob’s father! If you won’t do it for me then do it for Jacob.”

“Elizabeth I…..just let me think.”

He stood up and left the cabin before she could say anything else to him. Tears burned her eyes as they started to slip down her cheeks. He just had to help her rescue Jack from the gallows. She would never forgive him if he turned his back on her and allowed Jack to be executed. Jacob gave a small whimper causing her to look down at him. He cried up at her reaching out with his tiny hands. Elizabeth sobbed as she held out her finger for the little boy to grasp onto. He clutched her finger tightly wrapping his tiny little fingers around it making her sob again. Oh she just had to find a way to get off the ship with Jack at her side. The door to the cabin creaked open making her eyes shift to the door. Norrington smiled at her as he shut the door behind him. He sat down in the chair at his desk waiting for her to speak first. When she said nothing he cleared his throat to speak.

“Elizabeth I want you to know that I’m going to do everything I can to take care of you.”

“Really? What about my son?”

“And your son as well.”

“That’s very kind of you James, but I don’t want or need your help.”

“Come now Elizabeth, is that any way to talk to a man that you were once engaged to?”

She laughed remembering their brief engagement before speaking. “That wasn’t an engagement James, it was a way of guaranteeing my place in life for my father.”

“I’m sorry that you see it that way.”

“Is there really any other way to see it?”

“I could give you everything Elizabeth, if you would just allow yourself to care about me.”

“You can’t make yourself care about someone James. You either do or you don’t. In this case I don’t. My heart belongs to Jack and only Jack.”

“You could learn to love me.”

“No I couldn’t.” She looked over to the door to see two soldiers carrying in a small wooden cradle for her son to sleep in. They placed it beside the bed and then left as quickly as they had come. “Where is Jack?”

“Safely locked away in the brig.”

“May I see him?”

He sighed in frustration at her desire to see the pirate scoundrel that had ruined her life single handedly. “You may.”

Norrington watched as Elizabeth kicked back the quilt and carefully stood up out of the bed. She eased her way over to the door of the cabin with Jacob still nestled in her arms. “Do you want me to look after the boy?”

“No. I’m taking him with me.”

“Down to the brig?”

“Yes, to see his father.” She marched out of the cabin and headed to the steps that led down into the lower decks where the brig was located. Will and Norrington watched her as she grabbed a lantern from where it hung on the wall beside the steps. She then descended the steps and headed for the brig. Elizabeth shivered as she walked down the walkway towards the brig. It was much cooler down here than it had been on the main deck of the ship. She stopped when she reached the iron bars of the small brig where she found Jack sitting on the floor his head bent resting against his arms which were folded across his knees. Standing in front of the brig she placed the lantern on the hook that hung from the wall. Elizabeth shifted Jacob in her arms causing the baby to whimper softly. Jack looked up to see Elizabeth standing outside the brig holding a little bundle wrapped tightly in linen in her arms. He stood and approached the bars looking down at her.

“Elizabeth?”

“Oh Jack, what have they done to you?” She looked at the iron shackles that were clasped around his wrists and ankles. “Did they hurt you?”

“No love m’ fine. Are ye alright?”

“I’m fine.” Lifting Jacob up so that Jack could see their son she smiled at him. “I want you to meet your son.”

“Son? I have a son? Oh love, ye had the baby?”

“Yes, Margaret helped me to give birth. We have a son Jack!”

Jack looked down at the little baby wrapped in taffeta linens. He had lots of dark brown fuzzy hair and alabaster skin like his mother. His eyes opened to reveal dark coffee colored orbs that resembled Jack’s. Smiling Jack looked up at Elizabeth who smiled back at him, unshed tears glistening in her eyes. Jack reached through the bars and gently brushed his fingers along the baby’s head.

“Oh love he’s beautiful. Does he have a name?”

“Jacob. Jacob Teague Sparrow.”

“Jacob Teague Sparrow. Hmm I like it.”

“I thought you would. Jack, we have to find a way to get out of this. They’re going to hang you when we get to Port Royal.”

Holding up his hands showing off the shackles that were on his wrists he spoke. “I know that love, but I’m a bit incapacitated at the moment.”

“I’m trying to persuade Will to help us.”

He frowned at the mention of the young man’s name before replying. “What kind of persuasion? Friendly?”

“Decidedly not Jack! No I’m trying to play on his feelings for me.”

“Ah trying t’ make the whelp feel guilty for betraying his lady love eh?”

“I know it’s not the most honorable thing I’ve ever done, but if it gets us out of this then it’s worth it.”

“Pirate.”

She smiled at him before looking down at Jacob who gave a cry of what she guessed was either hunger or exhaustion. “I have to go back to the cabin. Just leave everything to me Jack.”

“Don’t really have much choice love, being locked up an’ all that.”

He watched as she leaned forward to place a chaste kiss on his lips before grabbing the lantern and heading back up to the main deck. Jack sighed heavily before returning to the floor to sit back down. A smile stretched across his face as he thought about his son. He had a son, he Jack Sparrow, was a father. Elizabeth placed the lantern back on it’s hook beside the steps and returned to the cabin to place Jacob in his cradle. She rocked the cradle gently humming the silly pirate song that she and Jack had sang on the rum runner’s island. Jacob’s dark brown eyes grew heavy and soon were drooping shut. Elizabeth climbed into bed and pulled the quilt back up over her. She was just about to close her eyes when she heard the creaking of the door to the cabin opening.

Will entered the cabin carrying a tin cup over to the bed handing it to her. She looked down at the cup then up at him before looking back down at the cup. “What’s this?”

“A spot of rum, thought it might help to calm you a bit.”

“Oh. Thank you.” Taking a sip she looked back up at him before speaking again. “Why are you here?”

“I’ve been thinking about what you said Elizabeth.”

“About helping me?”

“Yes. I want to help you.”

“But?”

“I don’t see how we’re going to get off this ship without being spotted. The Hesperia is following closely behind to keep watch for any escape attempts.”

“I see. Well then I suppose we will just have to try and escape once we arrive in Port Royal.”

“Yes. I will try and think of a way to get Jack out of prison and help the two of you get out of Port Royal.”

“Thank you Will.”

“Don’t thank me yet, Jack’s not out of danger just yet.”

She nodded finishing the rum and handing the tin cup back to Will. He took it and stood up to leave.

“Now go to sleep and we will talk more tomorrow.”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight Elizabeth.”

Will left the cabin shutting the door quietly behind him. He took the cup back to the galley and then returned to the main deck of the Interceptor. He walked to the rear of the ship and stared out at the dark sapphire waves of the ocean. Thinking of what he was getting himself into he shook his head. What was he doing? He was helping the woman he loved most in the world. That’s what he was doing. He was doing right by her and her son. Will sighed heavily thinking of how much he still loved Elizabeth. It hurt to know that she didn’t feel the same about him but it hurt worse to know how much she would lose if Jack was executed. He was everything to her and it would kill her to watch him die by a hangman’s noose. Will decided that the risk of getting caught helping a fugitive was well worth it to make Elizabeth’s dreams of a happy life with Jack and her son come true.

A/N: Okay this is another stopping point. Will decides once more to betray Norrington to help Elizabeth free Jack from certain death. Please read and review!!