"How far are we?" Violet shouted over the storm around the Pearl that rocked her mercilessly. Samuel turned to her from the helm, scrunching up his face into a scowl against the rain that pelted down with anger.

"An hour... probably less!"

Violet nodded, brushing a wet, blonde strand that had plastered itself to her forehead away briskly. Her thoughts traveled for millisecond back to the twelve women below decks, whom she was none to sure about, keeping an eye on their captives. She felt a chill tremble down her spine as she pictured them, their unseeing eyes cold, their mouths pursed and silent, their stances ready and firm. It was as though they could see revenge itself before them and knew that no mere mortal could stand between them and it.

"This treasure had better be worth it, Sam!" she called out over the sound around her.

Samuel didn't respond.

XxXxX

Elizabeth cocked her head, her honey eyes studying, scrutinizing. She bit her lip in thought, silently debating her opinion on the matter. Undecided, she tilted her head the other way again, as though changing her point of view in such an insignificant way would somehow benefit her decision making. No such luck. She was still at a loss as to what she thought. Not a very good place to be seeing as one should know what one thinks. Trying again, she narrowed her eyes, focusing completely on the thing that had her so involved.

Her eyes widened and a smile brightened her face. She had decided.

"I really like that dress."

Will turned to look at his wife, a confused frown on his face, "What?"

Elizabeth pointed discreetly at the midnight blue dress before her, "I said I really like that dress." The dress was currently being worn by one of the Brides, who, upon hearing Elizabeth speak, spun around to face her. Catching sight of the finger pointed at her, she glared ferociously, striding towards her like a lioness preying.

"Why are you pointing your finger at me?" she growled.

Elizabeth gulped up at her, slowly putting down her hand. She motioned at Will, "I was just telling my husband... how I fond I am of your dress. It's stunning."

The Bride lifted her brows in graceful suprise. The crew stared back at her in fear, their eyes wide with foreboding. Elizabeth may have just singlehandedly brought about their annihilation over a stupid dress. To everyone's great shock and relief, a pleasant smile slowly spread over the Bride's face as she stood back and swirled the skirt, eyeing it with humility, "Do you think so? I thought it might be a little out of date these days."

Elizabeth, eyes wide, continued, "Not a chance! That style has just come back into fashion in Paris."

"That's what I have been trying to tell her," another Bride piped up to everyone's suprise, "Fashion goes out only to come back in. Not a new thing under the sun."

"Exactly. It won't be long before everyone is wearing them," Elizabeth agreed, feeling completely at home in the conversation despite the fact that the other participants were her undead, cursed captors.

The Bride in the midnight dress looked up in suprise, "You're joking? They are so uncomfortable!" She readjusted the front and sides with a frown on her face but laughing.

"Like that's ever mattered to what's in fashion," yet another Bride put her word in, rolling her eyes.

"Corsets," Elizabeth stated, none of the Brides having a clue what she was talking about but nodding anyway.

"I see not much has changed-"

The smiling Bride was cut off by a fierce snarl, "Marie!"

Instantly, the Brides swapped their smile with a menacing scowls as another approached. The new Bride swept her eyes from Elizabeth and the crew to the one she had called Marie, the one wearing the topic of conversation, "Why are you speaking with the prisoners?"

"I wasn't. I was in the middle of telling them to keep quiet," Marie lied, her unfaltering scowl making it believable. As a strong wave hit the Pearl, none of them seemed to have any trouble keeping their balance, barely moving as the ground rocked under their feet.

"I heard laughing," the Bride stated bluntly.

"I heard naught," Marie replied, looking straight ahead.

After studying her for a moment longer, the Bride turned to the other two, "Alexandra? Jasmine?"

The two stared straight ahead and both in unison answered, "She speaks the truth."

The Bride stayed a moment longer, glaring at them and then Elizabeth before turning on her heel and walking slowly away.

Marie continued looking straight ahead, expressionless.

"Sorry," Elizabeth whispered.

"Be quiet,"Marie the Bride answered stiffly.

Elizabeth arched a brow at her response and obeyed. It was when all was silent that all made the observation that there was no more sound outside. The rain, the waves, the wind, the lightning and thunder, all gone.

The storm had finished.

XxXxX

Jack stared at Christina who in turn averted her eyes as she put her arms back through the sleeves of her shift. He smirked as, under his gaze, her cheeks turned a crimson red. He would've said something to attract her anger and hence distract her from her apparent and intriguing embarrassment had he not been distracted himself.

Standing to pull on his trousers, he peered out the porthole. After stepping into his boots, he paced the room to look outside and was disheartened by what he saw. The sea was calm, deadly so. He knew that had he been standing at the helm at that moment in time, he would've been able to see the stunningly dark sand beaches of the island. It was unknown to him why the land was only referred to as the island, but, he supposed it made sense seeing as the only thing on it was a tomb. People only named things that they were proud of and who could be proud of the tomb of twelve murdered young women? He also knew that if he had been standing at the helm, he would've been able to see the small, quaint island named Ludernway, fading into the distance on his port.

With a long sigh, he turned away from the sea and back to Christina, who sat on the bed, looking at anything but him as she raked a hand through her disheveled hair and pulled it back into a presentable bun. Smirking, Jack strode slowly and purposefully towards a chair that faced the bed and sat down, training his eyes solely on Christina as she pretended not to notice. He stared as she daintily retied the front her her dress and did not change tacts in the least as she made the bed for reasons that evaded him. Finally, mid fluffing up the pillow, she paused.

"Would you please stop that?"

Jack hid his grin and lifted his brows innocently as she turned to frown at him, "Stop what, luv?"

"Staring at me," Christina grit impatiently.

"Why, what ever for?"

"You're making me uncomfortable."

"How so?"

"You're staring at me!" Christina cried, flinging her arms up in frustration.

"Sorry," Jack chuckled.

"Liar," Christina accused, flopping onto the bed that she had just made so neatly.

"Ye do remember what happened last time ye called me names, luv."

Christina bristled and closed her mouth, making Jack laugh. After a moment of glaring at him, Christina gave in and laughed with him. As their faces became solemn again, Christina swallowed, trying to fight the fear and foreboding that was gripping her tighter with every passing minute. Jack noticed her change in mood and after contemplating the most appropriate thing to say to a woman who was under the distinct impression that she was to be sacrificed to a dozen zombie brides in but an hour or two, stood from his chair and sat on the bed beside her, offering no words at all as he took her hand.

Silence reigned for a few moments before footsteps were heard traveling down the hall towards them. The door unlocked and opened, revealing Violet.

"All cleared up then, Jack?" she inquired with mocking sweetness as she motioned for them to leave the room.

"Impeccably so," Jack replied lightly as he followed behind Christina with Violet on his tail, "There was laughter, there were tears, there was name calling, there was-"

"Jack," Christina cut off sharply without turning around.

"Aye," Jack smirked in response.

XxXxX

Christina could feel the cold eyes of the Brides on her back as she stepped out on to the dark shore. Elizabeth trod beside her as they were led by Violet and Samuel towards the centre of the small island.

"I spoke to them," Elizabeth whispered to Christina and Jack who swayed behind them.

"Congratulations. Charming lass', I assume?" Jack replied sarcastically, looking back at a Bride who glared fiercely at him. He bared his teeth in a nervous smile and turned back around.

"Actually, yes," Elizabeth continued, "We spoke about one of their dresses and fashion today." Christina could not help but to roll her eyes. Trust Elizabeth Turner to steer any conversation with any participants towards the most bizarre subject for the situation at hand. "I get the feeling they really are quite lovely women," Elizabeth commented.

"I must have missed that feeling," Jack grimaced.

"You spoke about a dress? Liz, we've been kidnapped by a dozen undead women and you discuss a dress with them?" Christina frowned.

"That's my point," Elizabeth insisted.

"Oh, so there is a point to the madness," grumbled Jack, attracting a scowl from Elizabeth before she explained.

"I understand that they were all just young women who happened to have a lot of money while they were living. I honestly don't believe that being murdered changed them that much."

"Apart from the dying?" Jack offered.

"Yes, apart from that," Elizabeth nodded.

"And the whole out for terrible revenge for the spilling of their blood thing isn't that much of a big difference either. Aye, they've hardly changed at all," Jack added with mock agreement.

"Let her finish, Jack," Will said, trudging behind the skeptical pirate.

"As I was saying, I think they're pretty much the same people they were when they were alive, once you get past the scary revenge aspect. They're just young women whose lives were cut short. They still have the same interests, fears, desires, weaknesses, pain and joy. They're just... dead," Elizabeth shrugged.

"I'm afraid I'm missing the point," Christina mused, "What are you wanting us to do, have a big talk about how we understand them and why they're angry before they kill me?"

"No, I'm saying that we take into account that we're dealing with mostly normal young women here and form a plan around that," Elizabeth finished. Everyone nodded, mulling over the idea in silence for a moment. Jack looked at his boots as he walked, thinking about the ridiculous observation skills the Governor's daughter had. When he looked up, he was surprised to find the others' eyes on him.

"What?" he frowned at their thoughtful gazes.

XxXxX

"This is it?" Violet asked of the large, cavernous space she found herself in.

"Some of it," Samuel replied, his coarse voice echoing off the damp stone walls dully. Violet nodded, her blue eyes roaming the area until they came across a carved border around a gaping hole that led into inky black.

"Is that the tomb?" she asked, trying to force the apprehension she felt out of her voice so that it wouldn't shake. She looked around when she got no answer and saw that Samuel was already headed towards the thoroughfare she had referred to. That's a yes. She turned back to the crew and Brides. Her eyes narrowed upon falling on Elizabeth, Will, Christina and Jack who seemed to be having a small argument. Jack being the minority. As she started towards them, Christina looked up and fell silent, shooting looks at Will and Elizabeth that beckoned them to do the same.

"I won't do it," Jack was insisting when Violet came into earshot. He stiffened and closed his mouth into a tight smile when he saw her edging up.

"Won't do what, Jack?" she asked suspiciously.

"... Fish. I won't fish."

"You won't fish?" Violet repeated in astonishment.

"Aye... Christina 'ere wants me t'catch her a fish. Dying wish sort of thing, ye know. I've tried t'explain t'these three that it's bad manners t'just go off fishing when ye've been kidnapped but they won't have any of it," he rolled his eyes, getting into his story, "So, out of pure obligation ye understand I'm sure, is there any way that I could go catch a fish fer Christina here, it bein' her dying wish an' all."

Violet stared blankly at the pirate before looking at Christina who nodded encouragingly along with Will and Elizabeth. She shook her head slowly, "No, y'can't go fishing."

Jack motioned at Christina, "What'd I tell ye?" Christina tried her best to look as disappointed as possible and Elizabeth patted her on the back in an effort to comfort her cousin.

"We're going in," Violet told them, a frown still creasing her brow as she turned on her heel to herd up the crew.

Once she was safely out of hearing distance again, all three turned back to Jack purposefully.

"It's the only way," Elizabeth insisted.

"It's not like you haven't done it before," Will reasoned.

Christina only gazed at him pleadingly.

Finally, Jack flung up his arms in defeat, "Fine. I can't believe I'm bein' used like this."

Decided, the four started towards the hole into which the others had disappeared. Jack slowed behind, stealing a glance at a sole Bride who had been keeping close watch on them throughout the interaction.

"So," he started with a charming smile, "How many times have ye been awoken this year, luv?" The Bride frowned at him menacingly and Jack tried to steel himself against being deterred. He continued slurringly, "Must be a pain, havin' a couple of gits disturb ye t'get their paws on the treasure, eh?"

The Bride blinked at Jack, at a loss as to why the mortal was speaking to her. She tried to stare him down but he only returned the eye contact with a dashing smile. A smile that taunted her silently, suggesting he knew that she was secretly attracted to him in a way she couldn't resist. She smirked mentally. Confidence did terrible things to men.

"I have t'say, luv, ye haven't changed at all since I las' saw ye. Still the prettiest one, I see," Jack drawled, edging suggestively closer to her. She turned her head and pierced him with a scowl so deathly that Jack's eyes widened and he stepped away without a word. He quickened his swagger and entered the tomb.

XxXxX

"I see yer still the prettiest one."

The Bride the words were aimed at almost blushed. This was the most progress Jack had seen the words evoke and it excited him. He had tried to seduce several of the other Brides in the last five minutes with little to no notable luck. So much for them being 'pretty much unchanged' since they had died. Any sensible soul would know that had these women been alive and in their right minds, Jack would've bedded at least three of them by now.

Jack smiled as the Bride ducked her head shyly at the compliment he had fed to the others but a few moments before. "Aye, 'tis true," he continued brazenly, "the others dim in comparison to yeself."

"Be quiet," the Bride scolded playfully, motioning to the middle of the small, dark room where Christina stood, frightened and anxious. The rest of the crew crowded in the small room, watched in fear as Samuel prepared for the sacrifice and Violet watched on. Jack forced his eyes away and back to the brunette he now leaned towards.

"What ye say t'forgettin' all this an' gettin' out of 'ere, lass."

Wide brown eyes turned to him, "What do you mean?"

"I mean ye call off yer friends, we dispose of our kidnappers an' I sail ye all off," Jack brushed a strand of hair from the girl's pretty face, "to me island paradise."

"You have your own island?" the Bride smiled, raising a disbelieving brow.

"But, of course," Jack smiled confidently, "Ye wouldn't be missin' much here. I have me doubts that the lass is even Sarbaous' blood as it is."

"You're crazy," the girl accused although her eyes shot to Christina questioningly.

"To the contrary, ye are, luv, if ye say no. An' it would be a shame t'be killin' an innocent fer no reason."

The girl rolled her eyes at him though a playful smile still graced her lips. She wanted to believe him desperately and Jack knew the fact like his own name. He gave her the clincher; a lopsided, cocky grin that he imagined to be unimaginably irresistible judging by it's success in the past. Presto. Slowly, the brunette turned to the Bride closest to her and brought her lips close to her ear. Jack tried to hide his delight as the other Bride's face was masked with confusion and then, secretive desire as her eyes found Jack. Jack fluttered his fingers at her and she grinned before turning to pass the news on to the next Bride.

XxXxX

Samuel didn't notice the secret being passed along the walls of the tomb as he tied Christina's hands behind her back. Finishing the knot so tightly that he heard her pull in a sharp breath at the pain, he motioned for her to kneel. Glaring at him, Christina obeyed, her knees finding the cold, wet floor with a soft thud.

"In accordance with the legend of the curse, I have brought you one from Sarbaous' bloodline," Samuel announced to the Brides. The Brides looked on eagerly, save for the two that were in the middle of exchanging hushed whispers and glances at the dreaded haired pirate across the room from them. Jack willed them to hurry it along, smiling and waving subtlety although his mind screamed at their slow pace. Slowly but surely as Samuel gave his long speech about how much he had been through to get Christina where she stood and how he was worthy of the treasure, the secret reached the last Bride.

"And so I give you, Christina Lacimore of Sarbaous' bloodline. Do with her as you wish," Samuel finished as Violet watched on enthusiastically, seeming not to notice that she had not been given any credit whatsoever.

There was a deep silence that followed as the Brides stood still and unflinching. No one moved or made a sound for the fear that the slightest motion would set of the fiery rage of hell itself. Jack resisted a grin as a puzzled frown creased Samuel's brow.

"Here is your blood," the man repeated, motioning at Christina as though the Brides had not realized the favor he had done them, "Your revenge is waiting."

Still, no one moved. The Brides stared, expressionless as Samuel frowned more, becoming impatient. The crew exchanged baffled looks, wondering why Christina was still standing before them, well and alive but not daring to utter a word about it. Violet shifted her eyes from Bride to Bride, waiting for some sort of reaction to Samuel's words. Samuel now scowled at the Brides, "The legend states that whoever brings you a sacrifice of Sarbaous' blood will be given the treasure!"

The Brides stared at him blankly, offering no retort or correction.

Slowly, a seemingly drunken pirate sauntered confidently through the crowd towards the centre of the tomb where Samuel stood.

"Seems they changed their minds, mate."

Samuel turned now to glare at Jack, "They want revenge. I gave it to them on a platter. Why would they suddenly be changing their minds?"

"Desire is a very powerful thing," Jack replied with a raised finger.

Samuel rolled his eyes at him, "Fill me in, Jack, like I know you're dyin' to. What 'ave ya done t'make them change their minds so suddenly?"

"Well, if ye insist," Jack smiled obligingly, his eyes narrowing with all knowing, "I simply gave them the choice of something more... alluringly attractive than killin' the lass." He motioned at Christina who stared at him blankly, not quite sure yet if all had gone to plan but having to go along with it all the same. The Brides watched on now, the slightest hints of smirks on some of their faces. "Ye've always underestimated me, mate," Jack sighed, examining his nails nonchalantly.

"Is that so?" Samuel hissed.

"Aye, 'tis," Jack nodded, "But yer mistake cost ye a lot more this time."

Samuel cocked his head in confusion, not noticing the Brides slowly moving in. Violet did, her eyes growing wide at the sudden change of tune the situation rang. The crew stepped back as the Brides came through and no one did anything to stop Jack as he went to help Christina up.

"Did it work?" Christina whispered as she was gently pulled to her feet and her hands were untied.

"But of course, luv. Who could resist?" Jack smirked. Samuel watched, agape and filled with rage and foreboding as his captives filed out of the tomb quietly until the only fourteen people left were the Brides, Violet and himself.

"This is absurd! I gave ya the blood!" he shouted angrily at the unhearing women. Violet could not find the words to speak as her doom circled closer around her.

The crew heard faint echoing of terror filled screams as they hastened towards the Pearl.

"What did you promise them, Jack?" Will puffed as they ran.

"A holiday t'me island with me charming self," Jack replied over his shoulder.

"Nice," Ana Maria commented sarcastically.

"I thought so too," Jack agreed.

They were only at the shore for a few seconds before everyone was in the rowboats and rowing madly towards the faithfully waiting Pearl. Christina saw the storm that they had sailed through to get to the island still waiting a mile or less away.

"We're going back into that?" she asked. No one answered. She nodded, taking the silence as a solemn affirmative.

They stepped foot on the Pearl within a few minutes of leaving the island and Jack was instantly at the helm, barking orders to the crew who obediently got to work with urgency rarely witnessed in their actions. The Pearl heaved into motion as the Brides could be seen pouring out onto the sand, their seething able to be sensed as far away as they were.

"Why are we in such a rush? They won't be able to get off the island, will they?" Elizabeth questioned Jack.

"They're dead, Miss Turner. They can get off the island however the hell they please an' when they do, they'll be coming straight after us," Jack replied grimly as the first rain drops splattered onto the Pearl's wooden deck.

"Oh," Elizabeth offered numbly.

"Aye," Jack nodded.

Behind them on the island, the Brides started to disappear from the shore, straight into the sea. Christina watched, immobilized by the sight until she could finally tear her eyes away and close her gaping mouth, "Where are we going?"

"Ludernway," Jack answered, starting to struggle to steer the Pearl as the storm raged with increasing force, "It's not far."

"And then?" Will asked hesitantly.

No one was surprised that there was no answer.

I'm thinkin' this'll be the las' chapter t'this story an' I'll start up a next one. Sorry it was so long. Well... not really but I feel the need t'be apologetic when... I'm not. I would be much obliged if ye took the time t'review, but, if not, suit yerself.

wayunlucky13: Ah! Quizilla! Back in the day, eh? Cheers fer trackin' down me story 'ere an' reviewin'. I'm glad ye like it.

Spilt Glass: I'm glad ye love me 'beautyful' fanfic, luv. Aye, ye did review twice an' nay, I don't mind. An' I am really rather fond of yer memory. 'Tis amusin'. I do realize how hard it is t'remember the names of people's characters so I am flattered tha' ye remembered ol' Christina. See, they got together! Hoorah. Ha. Hope ye liked the chapter an' wasn't bored t'death by the sheer length of it.

TheSiriusSparrow: Aye, I made up the Terrified Brides idea. A bit far fetched an' all but that's pretty much POTC. Finally caught up, eh? Congratulations. Take good care of tha' cat, aye? Very precious t'me. An' it's wounded too so don't go takin' it swimmin' or skippin' anytime soon, savvy?

Rhiana: Thankye so very much fer yer kind review! I really, really, really appreciated it t'the greatest extents. The whole night, aye? I'm very flattered but sorry tha' I kept ye up tha' late... or early, whichever way. I'm pleased ye like the humor, I do try me best t'keep it light no matter the situation (as I'm sure ye notice in this one). An' it's 27 chapters now, luv. But tha's it fer this story I reckon. I'll start a sequel within 2 weeks. Tasteful writin' is good! Thankye. An' tha' scene with Jack an' Chris? All fer yerself, lass. Ha. I don't think Jack got picked on in this chapter TOO much. Apart from bein' used t'seduce a bunch of women. But he's been doin' tha' all too voluntarily his whole life so I figured it wouldn't be too tragic fer him. Glad ye liked tha' quote. I remember tha' line. It jus' came t'me an' I thought the same as yerself so I typed it in. Again, thankye kindly fer yer review an' I hope t'hear from ye again!

Sparrow's Lovely Lass: Aye, the fake Violet deserved wha' she got, I reckon anyways. Thankye fer yer review, luv.

The Flying Breadstick: Will an' a fetish fer possums, eh? Aye, I think tha' was quite the genius idea meself. We 'ave possums in our roof at the moment an' with the noise they make, the only fetish I imagine someone could have would be t'stomp on 'em repeatedly but, eh, Will's always been an odd one. Ha ha ha, a furry animal on Jack's back? Tha' is such an' amusin' thought tha' I may jus' 'ave t'do somethin' with it. I'm patiently awaitin' fer yer return from yer holiday (which I hope yer enjoying immensely) an' fer ye t'update! So hurry up, aye?

Queen.Bowie.Jack.Sparrow.Lover: Thankye kindly fer the review. I think tha' if the plot keeps yer involved, it doesn't matter if yer on yer toes or on the edge of yer seat... as long as yer comfortable.