A.N. Back from the mists like a cryptid, although this is just what I had on this already written. It's not much at all, but it's better than nothing, I suppose. Anyone still there?

Disclaimer: I don't own PoTC, clearly.

OooOooOooOooO (In the "Special Cell")

Jack was the first to wake from the boredom-induced nap, and he shivered harder than ever in the cold cell. 'Maybe falling asleep wasn't the best idea,' he reflected. It had only gotten colder and darker in the cell since he had last looked around, and he could swear that the water level was higher as well. 'Must be night, then. Only reason for it to be worse in here, though there's not much of a way to tell.' His grim brooding covered, the Captain was content to relax and try to figure a way out of his newest conundrum.

'I have no bargaining chips because I have to give up the name to save Elizabeth. I'm sure they'll be here soon to collect that particular payment, and then I shudder to think what they'll do with us. Why did I have to go with such non-specific terms as "stop this?" Barbossa could throw us over the side without ever breaking our bargain, and he very well might. Wouldn't be the first time. This is what comes of doing the noble thing.' He snorted in disgust, but his expression softened without his permission as his gaze drifted to the blonde sleeping almost peacefully on his numb legs. Now that she wasn't crying, terrified, and furious, he could appreciate her beauty a bit more. 'This is the second time I've seen her soaked and in her chemise…' His jacket was actually quite fetching on her, and there was that burst of male pride at the sight of a beautiful woman wearing his clothes.

He shook himself with a grimace. 'This is Elizabeth we're talking about! Sure, she's beautiful, but she would slap me senseless if she heard any of this!' Jack thought back to some of the stories Will had told him about the girl. 'She's even more of a firecracker than he said. But then, he's too proper to really appreciate her spirit and temper.' As he looked back down, the object of his thoughts began to stir. She started to slide off his lap, and he quickly wrapped his arms around her to keep her from splashing down to a rude awakening. She appeared to stare at his arms for a moment before looking up at him sleepily.

"Jack?" She murmured. "Wha's goin' on?" 'She's rather adorable when she's waking up,' he noted. She began to shift off of his lap, touched the water, and rapidly changed her mind. He grinned as she scrambled back into place; she looked much more awake now.

"Nothing, Lizzie. Everythin's just fine."

"It's Elizabeth," she corrected briskly. His grin widened as a thought occurred, one that would probably earn him a swat.

"I thought it was Miss Swann," he teased. She blanched, blushed, and tried to regain her composure in quick succession.

"It was," she finally decided. "But when someone has saved one's life, he should be allowed some level of familiarity, I suppose." Her attempt at nonchalance was a miserable failure, of course, but he chose to let that go.

"Right. So how are you this fine morning? The sun is so bright, and it is positively balmy." The hint of bitterness in his sarcasm did not go unnoticed, and Elizabeth sighed.

"I'm sorry, Jack. This is all my fault; I shouldn't have made that deal with Barbossa in the first place. In fact, I never should have taken that blasted medallion from around Will's neck all those years ago. It's brought nothing but trouble, and now I've done the same for you." Now, it was Jack's turn to sigh.

"'M a pirate, luv. Trouble is something I'd run into with or without you."

"Yes, but you wouldn't have gotten arrested in the first place without me; you wouldn't be here right now," she retorted.

"No, but I'd just as likely be in a jail cell somewhere else, and the company wouldn't be nearly so nice."

"Are you flirting with me, Mr. Sparrow?"

"Well, you are on me lap at the moment," he pointed out with a gold-toothed grin. She smacked his arm lightly in reproach with an answering smile, and he finished his statement. "And it's Captain Sparrow. But no. 'M just joking to relieve the tension."

"Well, stop it. We need to figure out a plan before we both succumb to the cold. I expect they'll be down soon to extract your payment, and then there's no telling what Barbossa will do." Jack fought down another grin at the similarity of her thoughts to his. "Obviously, we'll need to contrive an escape plan before they arrive. Well, Captain Sparrow, I believe it's time for you to do what you do best."

"And what's that, luv?"

"A miraculous, piratical escape, of course."

OooOooOooOooO

A.N. I did say it wasn't much. Maybe I can get myself to write more, but quarantine is a rough time for creativity, so who knows. Sorry about that.