AUTHORS NOTE:

I hate my mac so much. There have been great curses heaped onto this computer, a great many! I can't believe it deleted my whole chapter! I had to have a short mourning period I am sorry, but I've leapt into it again as fast as I could! So thank you so much, my deepest gratitude to the following people who have followed this story so loyally, it's the only reason I write on! (In no particular order!)

Tinamonic, missrisa77, unwillinglyloved, Zanessa Troyella Perfection, Mony19, Crystalizd Heart, Meredith Jones, Captain Uschi, annepndragon, Roxy M

Oh and this will be shorter than the original I am sorry! And much much worse, but I can't seem to recapture the magic of the first attempt!

DISCLAIMER:

If I owned POTC and it's fantastic characters would I have a laptop, which deletes 3,456 word chapters? No. no I don't think I would. Need I say more?

CHAPTER 7: THE BLACK PEARL BURNS

Jack struggled against the monsters holding him. He knew that Lizzie was going to live, he had made sure that the shackles would fall off, but he couldn't shake a feeling that something had gone terribly wrong. The moment she hit the water Jack received an intense urge that said he should jump in after her and save her from a horrible death. He pushed it aside as best he could, telling himself that it was just a natural reaction to have when one sends ones love to her death. Yet the feelings wouldn't leave him and his heart began ruling his head. Fear sank heavy and sick in his gut, a lump grew in his throat and panic ran through him. He fought harder against the men holding him, but the grip on him was un-wielding.

"Take him back to the mast and tie him there, but loosely and with rope" Davy instructed, smug look on his face. Jack really wanted to pound it right off there. Instead all he could do was fight fruitlessly against the creatures that held him and against his instincts, which screamed at him that Lizzie was in grave danger. The creatures began to drag Jack, because he was through being co-operative, back towards where it all began.

Davy followed, walking right in front of Jack laughing to him self with satisfaction and triumph. Will followed Davy a few steps behind, looking equally smug with his apparent conquest over Jack. Jack was going to kill them both slowly and painfully. A thought of his own revenge filled his head, dampening the screaming of his instincts, with it's all consuming contempt. Yet all he could do at the moment was stare daggers at them.

As the neared the mast Jack noticed that his kids were nowhere to be seen, pride and hope surged through him, cutting momentarily through the searing hatred, for his Johnny and Charlie. They were brave little boys and they could not have made their dad prouder of them, than how they handled this terrible situation. Jack hoped they had not seen Lizzie jump off the plank. That was something no child should ever have to witness. Thinking about the harm these men had harmed to his family, not only physically but also mentally, creating a wound none of them would ever fully heal from, made Jack angrier still. His jaw was clenched so tightly it hurt, his eyes hardened with determination and loathing.

It started to rain again with a deep roll of thunder. The rain fell in big heavy drops and soon the deck was washed clean of the blood that had begun to stain the beautiful mahogany planks of the deck. Jack stood against the mast, his hands being tied behind him with rope by creatures that didn't have hands. Rain poured down his face and into his eyes. It dripped from the ends of his dread locks, and clothes. He savoured the feeling that came with it, like being washed from all un-certainty, rage no longer consumed him, and he quietened the screaming and took a deep tranquil breath. Panic served no one any good. Everything seemed so clear now.

Will came over to Jack, strutting the best he could through the rain, though it made his movements awkward and tentative. He was smiling triumphantly and Jack really wanted to punch him again, among other not so pleasant things. Will stopped a few feet away from Jack, looking far too happy with himself.

Jack had never liked the whelp, had thought that he was far too goodie-two-shoes for his own good. That and he had been with Lizzie for a while, had made her unattainable to Jack, and was another reason why Jack had mis-feelings towards Will. Apparently Jack had been wrong about the goodie-two-shoes idea. There was a pure evil in Will that left Jack confused. He could understand Davy being elated with the proceedings. Nothing made the creature happier than seeing, even more, creating the same suffering he felt in others. Tearing lovers aware from each other was surely Davy's favourite past time. So the compete look of content satisfaction was an expected look on the squids face. But from Will? For him to look so pleased with the proceedings un-nerved Jack. What had happened to turn the innocent boy next door into such an evil bastard? Not that Jack really cared. All he wanted to do was send the useless prick to hell, where he could burn for all time, in fire and brimstone. Yet even that thought of eternal damnation didn't seem like a suitable enough punishment. Jack figured he would have plenty of time though to contemplate the full extent of the bodily and mental harm he would inflict on the eunuch.

Jack looked back at Will calm, yet eyes full of distain. This…Jack hesitated to say man, surely no human with a soul could smile at the horrible death of the woman he loved, was possibly more evil than the creature who looked on with mild amusement.

"Find the kids. Take them onto the Flying Dutchman" Will said to the creatures nearest too him, never taking his eyes from Jacks. Jack stared back in defiance. Refusing to let this creature have his satisfaction. "Then burn the Black Pearl." At the last sentence Will smiled broader, feeling the completion of his ultimate vengeance as sweet. Taking everything from Jack, like the captain had from him. He nodded to the men to un-gag Jack, wanting the captain to be able to reply. He wanted to tease him while the men searched for Jacks children.

Jack stared back defiantly, blinking rain out of his eyes as it continued to pour.

"You've lost your precious Lizzie, your going to loose your first love the Pearl" He leaned closer to Jack. "And I'm going to take your boys and raise them as my own. Your going to live, I don't want you to die, oh no! I want you to live each day with the pain that you caused me. I want you to live and know that I took everything from you, that I have your children! Jack, live with the knowledge that everything that was yours was taken by me. It's a bitter feeling Jack. If you're lucky you'll be a burnt out shell who can feel nothing except the warmth of rum in his belly" Will said, voice thick with his apparent triumph over Jack, Jack could hear the smile in his voice. He was so going to kill this prickles bastard.

"You are a bitch" was Jacks only retort, and hide a smile as he saw that the simple comment hit home. He watched in deep satisfaction as anger flared on Wills face. Watched the jaw muscles clench tight in an attempt to control himself, the vein in his temple pop out, his face turn ever so slightly redder. All this was sweet to Jacks eyes. His last act of defiance against these bastards.

"I am no bodies bitch" Will growled slowly, forcing every word out through gritted teeth, anger clearly fighting it's way through in his voice. Jack watched Will struggle to keep himself from punching the captive. Ahh…some victories are sweeter than others!

"Oh? My mistake." Jack said back innocently "But can we examine your objection? Lets see…I used you to get back the Pearl, Commodore puncy whats-his-face Beckett used you to get my compass, which then led to me using you again to settle my debt with squid face over there. Shall we continue or have I said enough?" Jack asked sweetly. Will said nothing just stared daggers at Jack, his lip curling in contempt. Jack smiled at the reaction, showing off his gold teeth, it was a smile of acknowledge meant.

"Ok. What happened next…ah yes than it was Mr. Puncys turn again to use you to kill me, after that I guess squid face got onto you again and he's been using you for the past six years where you spent large amounts of that time being his personal lap dog" Jack pretended to think for a second "yup, I think by anybodies standards that makes you…every bodies bitch" He finished feeling rather satisfied with himself. Will's face had gone red with anger and he snarled at Jack and stalked away from him. After a few moments he returned to Jack, apparently gotten himself under control again. Jack wondered how long it would last.

"Well it really doesn't matter what you think Jack." Will said quietly, more to himself, "Your going to watch me sail away with your children and then watch your ship die. I think I've beaten you as much as you can be beaten. The infamous Captain Jack Sparrow" He spat, the rain streaming down Will's face contorted his face. Jack just looked back, filling himself with calm. Will snarled and stalked away from him again towards Davy.

Out of the corner of his eye jack saw the crowd part, disappointment sank in his gut. The boys had been found, yet maybe that was better? He thought to himself. He could rescue boys who were alive and well from the hands of Davy and Will later. If they had remained hidden they would have perished in the flames as the Black Pearl burnt, Jack held no doubt in his mind that Will would have set fire to the ship, with or without the boys in his custody. That line of thought led Jack to another. Harry. The boy was still in hiding! Fear rose in him, despite his best efforts, that boy! Oh god, he had to get out of these ropes, he had to find his Harry.

He had to find Lizzie. Admitting the fear for the son meant that the fear for Lizzie was given free entrance back into Jacks consciousness. Panic rose in him again, his calm demure lost forever. It was all he could to keep himself from screaming Harrys name.

Johnny came screaming into view. He thrashed violently against the holds of the creatures, still fighting; it gave Jack a moment of pride before dread filled him again. Charlie was slung over on of their shoulders, but he was beating at it's back, though his blows had no effect on the monster.

Jack was going to skin them all alive.

Once Davy spotted the boys he gave Jack another look and than spat

"Burn it!" before marching off the deck to his own ship. Will followed closely behind. Jack watched as his boys were forcefully dragged away from him

"Daddy!" Johnny screamed back to him, stretching out his arms, as if he could reach him if just tried a little harder. Jack struggled against his bounds, heart tearing at the sight of his son. "Daddy!" he was screaming out for him. Jack could not ignore the parental pull to race after Johnny and save him from his fate. But the monsters had tied him up well enough that he wasn't going to just slip out of them.

"It's alright son! Stay strong! Remember what I've taught you!" He shouted back. Johnny stopped screaming, a brave look taking over his expression "Look after Charlie, protect your brother. I'll come for you! I won't be long. Be brave"

Once on the ship Will turned to Davy

"What about the third son?" he asked worriedly.

"The flames will drive him out, and then you can collect him."

"And what if they don't?"

"He'll burn, along with the ship I imagine!" Davy said impassively. He turned away from Will and strode proud among his mis-shaped crew who were already piling onto the ship. Will looked back at the Pearl and at jack. His revenge had been satisfied and then some, but letting a small boy burn? That was even too cruel for him. He was torn between satisfying the rest of his revenge, in burning the ship, and delaying until the third son was found. His crew gave a short cheer in the rain before three of them came forward with oil and tar. Which they immediately started pouring over the deck of the Black Pearl.

Jack felt a moments pang of regret and sadness as he saw the thick liquid spill out onto his beautiful deck. He had fought so hard to keep his ship, had gone through a lifetime of pain and suffering, it was his life.

It was his freedom.

And his freedom had just been stolen from him in every conceivable way. Let them burn her, let them take his sons. He had already begun to un-tie himself. The moment he was free he hoped that the flames would drive Harry to him, and he would jump into the water and join up with Lizzie.

The thought of Lizzie bought another pang of worry and foreboding. The distinct feeling that screamed at him to get into the water still hovered around the edges of his conscious thought, for it otherwise ruled his sub-consciousnesses and emotions. He was torn between the parental need to find his son, and the lovers want to rescue Lizzie. The feeling that Lizzie was in danger grew sharper by the second, and Jack found himself almost praying that they would set fire to the Pearl so he could get started in his rescue mission.

The last of the barrels of oil was poured over the helm and then the three distorted crewmembers left the Pearl jeering at Jack the whole time. When they were safely on board the Flying Dutchman and heading away from the Pearl Davy stood proudly at the side of his ship.

"Farewell Jackie boy. I'll be seeing you soon no doubt!" He called back before tossing a torch onto the deck.

The flames had no hesitation. They leapt up immediately, spreading along the gallons of Oil and tar that had languidly spread across the deck. Cursing softly Jack removed his hands from the bounds that held him.

"Harry?! Harry lad, come to daddy!" He called over the growing roar of the flames as they begun to devour the Black Pearl. Jack removed his hands finally raced forward towards the helm skidded across the deck on the oil. He collapsed on his face as he lost balance on the oil.

"Harry?" He called again, the heat was growing more intense, rain hissed as it hit it and billows of steam merged with the more thick heavy smoke that the Pearl gave off

"Harry? Lad, please follow my voice, come to the starboard side Harry" He called, the heat started to drive him back and the fire spread further. Soon Jack was retreating further and further as the flames pushed him back towards the starboard. The fire now having a secure hold over the Pearl, which emitted low moaning noises as the fire ate away at hr.

Searching the flames desperately he looked for his son. He didn't hear a reply and fear sank in him, he scanned the flames for a sign of the boy but nothing came. Curse the boy for hiding so well, Jack had no clue where to begin looking and he was quickly running out of time. The Pearl started to moan under the pressure, smoke billowing out in large, thick, black clouds as the flames consumed her. Harry made no more noise. Jack felt tears sting his eyes, and smoke billowed out in big clouds.

The flames advanced across the deck towards him, leaving Jack with nowhere left to go. He searched the flames quickly once more, in a vain hope that his son would come running out of the flames, but there was nothing. There was no sound except for the creaking and moaning of the Pearl and this hissing, crackling of the flames, which enveloped her. Of in the distance Jack could hear the cheers of the men on the Flying Dutchman but he ignored it. Jack too one last look at his Pearl and then was forced to jump over board, his son was no-where to be seen. He swam away from his burning ship and attached himself to a bit of driftwood and watched his beloved Pearl burn to timbers. Timbers creaked and moaned, splintered and cracked under the heat. Jack's heart was numb; he was too overcome with grief. The loss of his son, the loss of his ship. He watched on dejectedly, the Pearl crackling as the flames engulfed it. Jack was waiting for the big explosion that would tear the Pearl apart, and it came quickly as the flames reached the gunpowder hold. Jacks heart sank as chunks of his beloved ship flew past him.

Grief overtook him for a moment and he was ready to let him self let go, he had failed. Harry had died. Only the thought of Lizzie kept him afloat. The Flying Dutchman was far away now.

"Lizzie?" Jack called lightly. Hearing nothing he swam forward, passing chunks of still burning wood. It was pure luck that Jack turned his head and saw a body floating about 100m's from him. At first h thought it was a lump of wood from the Pearl, but a moment latter he realised that it was floating body.

Fear grew in Jack, along side with grief as he swam desperately over to the body. Praying all the time that it wasn't Lizzie, that she was somewhere else.

P.S Ok guys, I really do apologise for bad spelling, bad grammar etc etc, but I wanted this chapter up quickly and have yet to read over it to correct any mistakes…maybe someday!!