The Second Swann ---///--------

Chapter 27

*Rough Draft 4*

"They're coming." Will informed, approaching Jack, who captained the ship's wheel, and Charlotte, who was watching him. They turned to look back.

Sure enough, the Commodore, along with his men, gained after them in the Interceptor. Charlotte turned back to see Jack grinning. Everything was going exactly as he planned, it seemed.

When the Commodore's sailors began to swing onto the Dauntless, Jack lead Charlotte and Will up towards the back of the top deck.

"Search every cabin, every hold, down to the bilges!" Commodore Norrington's orders roared out from behind.

Jack stopped at the rail and peered down, assessing the distance from above. Charlotte already knew what he wanted to do.

"This was your plan?!" she hissed.

Other than making a grin, Jack said nothing. He climbed onto the rail and held the neck of the ship's lantern for balance.

"You can't be serious," Charlotte said, stepping forward. When Jack only looked at her questioningly she turned her head down, "I can't swim" she mumbled.

"Aye?"

"I can't swim." Charlotte said again, this time more sternly.

Jack stared at her for a moment.

"You can't swim," he repeated. "Well, Miss Swann," he said, holding out a hand, "let this be your first lesson, then!"

"What are y-"

Charlotte gasped at the sudden force he had on her. Grabbing her wrist and yanking her up onto the rail. She stares at him. "What the hell are you doing!"

Jack looked at her with wide eyes "such language! I thought you'd know better, Miss Swann."

She glared at him "I'll use whatever language I wish. I am NOT jumping."

"Suit yourself then."

And with that, Jack leapt over board, joining Will. Charlotte gawked at them. Then turned to see the men searching.

Heart hammering she had to decide. She grabbed hold of the (net) and glanced down and her breath caught in her throat. No WAY was she going to jump. She'd rather die by a sword than have her lungs drown in the sea.

Then she saw a rope. It was loose, but following it up she could see it was secretly tied. It was long enough to reach the other ship.

That's it!

She grabbed the rope, looked back to see if anyone spotted her then took a few steps back. She paused, gaining momentum. She could see the ship ahead of her.

"Just run, jump and swing. Right? Simple enough..."

But a thought in the back of her mind asked her 'was she realy about todo this?'

She then answered her own question as she charged forward, making a swing.

The sea blurred and sparkles beneath her and she was airborne. Al she saw was blue and the ship. How sublime to feel as though she were flying!

She reached the ship and tbats when she didn't know when to let go.

With a quick decision she let go of the rope and her feet pointed forward. Straight into the back of a man's head, knocking him down instantly.
She landed on top of him, a soft cushion for the fall.

When she opened her eyes she saw the man and squeaked, scrambling up.

Oh god...did she kill him?

She gingerly nudged him with a boot and quickly withdrew and waited....but he didn't not respond.

She looked around in panic and found a bundle of rope at the base of one of the masts. With her effort she bent down and grabbed the man and dragged him towards it.

She sat him up and tied him with the rope, tying a knot with a sigh.

"Charlotte?!"

Charlotte turned around to see Will staring at her, flabbergasted. "Charlotte did you-"

Jack stared at her with wide eyes as well. "Well, you made it here somehow after all!" He leaned over to Will "remind me not to get on her bad side."

Will just rolled his eyes and looked at Vharllte with worry "Are you alright? Did he attack you?"

Charlotte blinked, not realizing how much her hands shook from the adrenaline. For the first time...she felt *good* "Fine."

"How'd you manage to even get here?"

Charlotte pointed at the rope from the other ship "I swung."

"Hold that thought." Jack suddenly interjected and quickly made him way forward. Charlotte and Will both stepped away and watched as he stopped and leaned over, grabbing hold of another sentry.

Charlotte's eyes went wide how did e not see her?!

And just as quickly as she noticed him he was tossed over board, supposedly midsentenxed as well.

"Pirates..." Will muttered.

Jack looked up at them and waved, indicating it was safe to come out.

"Will, hoist the sails." Jack ordered when they were close enough, then turned to Charlotte, "you," he grabbed Will's hand ax as Will passed him, "cut the lines."

Charlotte took the axe, relieved to distract her anxious fingers with something and jogged to where the cords were stationed.

With short chopping motions, the blade struck through them. Jack spun the wheel and Charlotte turned to see the Dauntless shrinking away slowly. Commodore Norrington saw something was wrong he yelled at his men who ran towards the edge of the Dauntless but stopped when the distance was too much. One brave sailor risked the swing, and fell short, plunging into the water with a loud splash.

They had done it.