Dead Man's Chest I Jack Sparrow

Chapter Seventeen

Jack POV

      The farther he got from his beloved Pearl, the more he questioned himself. All he ever did in his life was try to survive for himself. That was what he had been doing now. He rowed away from the danger, but still, his heart ached. He imagined Jacqueline, peering over the rail, disappointment etched on her face. She would be so ashamed of him. His mind and heart battled with every row. He loved Jacqueline, so why did he leave her? He thought about all the things that he admired about her. Her smile that brightened the entire world, her courage that rendered her stronger than anyone, and her untamed spirit that made her so perfect. But going back would only end in his death. And with that, he came up with the idea of how to know what he wanted to do. He flicked out his compass, and opened it hesitantly. He waited until the red arrow stopped, and he gazed upwards at the Black Pearl. He shouldn't have needed the compass to tell him what he knew all along.

      He loved Jacqueline Everleigh more than anything in the world, and he would die for her in an instant. 

~~~~~

Jacqueline POV

      Another fit of chaos erupted when the Kraken struck again. She knew it targeted the cannons, as she heard commotion from the lower deck. Her free hand clutched the ring that draped around her neck, the one that served as a reminder of who she strived to make proud. If her father were to look at her now, he'd probably call her a fool. She was brought out of her thoughts as the tentacles at last made it to the main deck. They slammed into the wooden floor, and she witnessed one grab a man and whisk him away. She poked at one tentacle with her spear, and dodged another as it lashed by her. She watched as the net sunk lower to the ground instead of rising, and the distraction cost her. She felt force on her ankle and was swept off of her feet. A shriek escaped her lips as she was dragged towards the edge of the Pearl. A million different things flooded her mind; her death, Jack leaving, the Pearl crew dying, her crew, her father, and a load of memories. She hadn't accomplished everything she wanted to in life, but she had a damn good legacy that would carry on after she's gone. When she was inches from being swept into the ocean, the pressure ceased, and she looked up, finding Ragetti with an axe. She sprung upwards with empty hands, having lost her spear after being grabbed.

      She nodded to the man whom she once despised. "I owe you my life." She then dashed towards the nearest person who needed aid.

      "Come on!" Her ears picked up on Will taunting the Kraken. Jacqueline found Elizabeth, shotgun aimed at the net. 

       "Elizabeth! Shoot!" Will commanded, and the blonde appeared ready to do so, until she fell backwards. Jacqueline's legs moved as fast as they could, taking her from one end of the ship to the other. The Kraken had done to Elizabeth what it did to Jacqueline, and she unsheathed her daggers while running. Elizabeth clawed at the floor, trying to stop herself from being taken overboard. Jacqueline dove forward, sinking her daggers into the scaly flesh of the Kraken. It recoiled, dumping Elizabeth in the process.

      "Where is the gun?" She wasted no time getting to the point, as the lives of everyone on the ship depended on that net. Elizabeth pointed out to the main deck, and Jacqueline hurried out there, searching for the shotgun. She noticed another man pick up said item, only to be snatched up by a tentacle. The weapon soared through the air, landing at the staircase. Jacqueline raced after it, knocking into the wall at the impact of the Kraken's blows. She fell at the stairs, and when she outstretched her arm for the gun, a foot stepped on it. She tried to pry it out from under the boot, and she tilted her head upwards to yell at the man. But no words came out of her mouth as she realized who the man was. She smiled at the sight of Jack, and he gazed down at her. Jack bent down and picked up the shotgun. She clung to his leg and observed as he aimed the gun towards the net. In a swift movement, he fired off one shot, which landed dead in the center of explosive barrels. They blew up, along with the tentacles. The Kraken's limbs returned to the sea once more, and she at last allowed herself to sigh of relief. She let go of Jack and scrambled upwards, not meeting his eye. Instead, she viewed the sad sight of the Pearl. The deck was in shambles, large gapes in the floor and burning patches spotted the area. Posts had been destroyed, along with sails and everything valuable. Her heart went to a dark place seeing so many memories ruined.

      "Captain, orders!" Gibbs rushed up to them, and the remainder of the crew all stared at Jack expectantly.

      "Abandon ship. Into the longboat." She desired to cry out, but she knew that wouldn't help. She had loved the Black Pearl as if it were her own and she understood how Jack must have been feeling.

      "Jack. The Pearl." Gibbs protested, also perceiving how much the Pearl meant to Sparrow.

      "She's only a ship, mate." Jacqueline took Jack's hand, recognizing how pained he must have been to have to say those words. They weren't true at all; the Pearl was his home. The Pearl was years on end of memories. He squeezed her hand tightly in return. 

      "He's right. We have to head for land." Will said, and the crew left her and Jack alone on the Pearl.

      "Are you two..." Will asked as he readied himself in the rowboat.

      "Just give us a minute." She smiled softly at William, who gave them the space they required. She broke away from Jack, her decision on where they stood clear.

      "I'm sorry Lin. I should never have—" 

      "I'm proud of you, Jack." His jaw snapped shut, and his brows furrowed.

      "But I left. I abandoned you." She shook her head. In other scenarios, she would have been livid with Jack. But now, after her life had almost ended, she felt different.

      "You also came back. I never would have thought you to do that. Ever." Jack grinned at her, and Jacqueline could feel her heart pounding in her chest, beating quicker as he stepped closer.

      "Jacqueline, when I was rowing away from you, I realized something." She cocked a brow, but remained silent. "I realized that I couldn't leave you. The only thought running through my mind was you dying. I would never be able to live happily knowing I didn't try to save you." She tried to process his words, yet she found herself lost.

      "Jack, what are you saying?" She noticed that he was closer than before.

      "What I mean is I love you, Jacqueline. You stole my heart all those years ago, and you kept it even after you were gone. I can't live without you." Her heart melted in that moment. Jack loved her. He felt the same way she did.

      "Jack..." She whispered, and it became difficult to speak. But she knew she had to say it. "I love you too." With that, she closed the distance between them. Their lips met, and a fire in her sparked. She was finally completely reunited with her old flame. Jack's arms wrapped around her waist, and her hands clasped around his neck. The two didn't break apart until a voice sounded out.

      "Jack? Jacqueline?" She tried to pull away but Jack clutched her tightly. She laughed loosely and turned her head to Elizabeth, who had climbed on deck.

      "I have to talk to Jack." Elizabeth didn't meet either of the captain's eyes as Jacqueline at last detached herself from Jack. She gazed at him pleadingly, begging him silently not to make her go, as she didn't want to leave him.

      "Go, I'll be there in a moment." He placed a kiss on the top of her head before she obeyed and lowered herself into the rowboat. Will stared at her with somewhat of a knowing look. She winked at him, then sat by Gibbs. A minute or so later, Elizabeth returned to the longboat, and Jacqueline glued her eyes to the Pearl. When Jack didn't follow, she frowned.

      "Where's Jack?" Elizabeth glanced at her with sorrow.

      "He decided to stay behind." She rapidly swung her head side to side. I'll be there in a moment. Jack's words rung through her mind.

      "No, he said he was coming. Jack!" She exclaimed, and made to leave the dingy.

      "Jacqueline!" Hands grabbed her arms, keeping her from the Pearl. From Jack. She snapped her head around and glared at William, whose eyes shone with pity. 

      "Jack Sparrow! Get down here now!" The rowboat began to move, and she struggled in Turner's grasp.

      "Let me go. Jack!" She screamed once more before coming to the conclusion of how pointless it was. Jack was as good as dead. She didn't peel her eyes away from the Black Pearl, not even as the Kraken destroyed the ship and sent it to the depths of the ocean. For the first time since that day in Jack's cabin, tears streamed down her cheeks. She had no care if the crew saw her, and she wrung her body around. Will held onto her, and she sobbed into his chest. Jack was dead.

      She would never see her beloved captain again.