A PIRATES TREASURE

Disclaimer:- POTC belongs to the Disney Corporation along with it's characters. I have no claim to any of their work and make no money out of my stories. I have introduced some characters that belong to me to fit with the story.

A Pirates Treasure

Chapter 19

"It can only b' one thin', luv." said Jack. "The map! He must have t' map!"

Jack had told Elizabeth about Mr Gibbs' interesting disclosure as soon as she had woken up and he had now had time to digest the information and had reached a conclusion.

"But, Jack! He wouldn't…would he…? After all that he's done? All the help he gave me? He got what he wanted…being made a Pirate Lord…and I gave him The Empress too…!" Elizabeth was becoming distressed. "Surely he wouldn't steal from me…from us?"

"Pirate, luv!" declared Jack somewhat sarcastically. "Tis what we do. He wouldn't miss an opportunity like that! Not a scallywag like Tai Huang! The man'd slit 'is own mother's throat fer a map like that…thin' is…why's he sailed south? Does he know where t' island is…or is he hopin' that he can find someone who does?"

"Oh, Jack! This is entirely my fault! If I hadn't stowed away and got sick, we'd still have the map and have a chance of finding Captain Lexus's treasure! I'm sorry! So sorry, Jack…!"

"Nay, darlin." Jack was quick to allay her fears. "Tis me own fault, if anyone's. I should 'ave kept t' bloody thin' safe an' I shouldn't 'ave ev'r put ye in t' situation where ye thought stowin' away on The Pearl was yer only option! Don't cry, luv…please." Jack implored her, "We'll get t' map back…we've got the fastest ship in t' whole of the Caribbean an'…well…I'm Captain Jack Sparrow! We'll be bestin' some upstart from Singapore. I promise!"

As he enfolded her in his arms, Jack prayed that what he had told her was right…but…truth be told he hadn't a clue as to how he would get the map back…or if his intuition was right and Tai Hung had the bloody thing to start with!

JEJEJEJEJEJEJEJEJEJEJE

Jack had been making plans all day.

After accompanying Mr Gibbs to the harbour and taking stock of the storm damage to The Pearl, they had decided to, as soon as possible, sail her up the coast a short way to an isolated bay and careen her while the damage was repaired. Jack knew that to stand any chance of finding the map, she would need to be at her fastest, and a clean hull was essential. Mr Gibbs was taking her there on the next high tide and was now busily ordering supplies and restocking her hold. Although Jack estimated that she wouldn't be ready to set sail for about a fortnight, he knew that, when they found The Empress, they would need speed and great manoeuvrability. It was their best weapon.

So, Jack mused, that would give him no more than a fortnight to get Elizabeth fit enough to sail with him. He had no intention of leaving her behind this time and there was no way The Pearl would be setting sail without him…without both of them on board.

JEJEJEJEJEJEJEJEJEJEJE

Jack was pleased with the progress Elizabeth had made. She was gaining strength every day and no longer needed his help to attend to her needs. Indeed, she had started to cook meals, (to his eternal relief) and had even been to the market once or twice. The colour was fast returning to her cheeks and her eyes were once again starting to sparkle. She was excited to be returning to sea in a few days time and Jack knew exactly how she felt. The ship and the open expanses of the ocean were just what she needed to complete her recovery, to feel the weathered planks beneath her feet, the salty spray in her face and the warm, welcoming and healing embrace of The Black Pearl. Hell, he needed it too, desperately.

All in all, everything was slowly returning to normal…well as normal as things ever got where Captain Jack Sparrow was concerned…and Jack could actually feel the tension within him starting to wane, his life taking on a more even keel.

That evening, whilst sitting quietly by the roaring fire, Jack noticed that Elizabeth looked pensive. She had been quiet all day but he had assumed that she had a lot to do, organising a caretaker for the house and preparing her personal effects.

Reaching forward, Jack lightly gripped her wrist and patted his lap as she looked toward him. Elizabeth quickly joined him and snuggled into him, arms wrapped around him as her head lay on his shoulder.

"Come on then, luv. Out with it."

"Beg pardon?"

"Let m' in on t' secret, luv. Somethin's bin botherin' ye all day. So spit it out."

Elizabeth hesitated before taking a deep breath. Well, Jack…I would very much like a cat."

Jack pulled slightly away from her, causing her to lift her head, and looked at her quizzically.

"What…? A cat? Where on earth did that spring from?"

"Yes, Jack. A cat. My cat. My very own cat to live with us on The Pearl, to stay with me in the cabin and to kill any rats."

"Oh." said Jack, immediately realising where this request stemmed from. He thought for a moment. "Yep…alright…a cat ye shall have, Lizzie. But think on…cats tend t' be lost at sea. Don't be makin' it a pet. We had two on T' Pearl last year but they wer' swept away in a squall. Tell ye what we'll do…we'll have two cats. One fer the ship an' one fer ye…backup if ye please."

"Oh, thank you, Jack!" said Elizabeth in delight and squeezed him as hard as she could, cuddling close. "I'll find two tomorrow. Now…I'll need a carrying basket, two water bowls and collars…a bed…"

Somehow, Jack got the fleeting idea that he was fighting a losing battle.

OK guys, that's it for now.

I'll try to update a little more regularly now. I've really had some s*** to deal with at home so writing had to go on the back burner for a bit.

Thanks to everyone who has stuck by this story…the good news is we're not too far away from some fun and smut!

Anyway, hope you enjoy…now please review ;-)