CHAPTER FOUR
Bargaining

Jack staggered to his feet with an undignified sway, soon plastering a charismatic grin across his face as he watched Davy Jones. "Would you look at that?" he said cheerfully, patting his drenched torso with his grubby hands. "I'm alive!"

"Aye, you won't be for long if you keep this up," grumbled Davy Jones, his quivering nostrils giving a quiet squelch. "How the blazes did you escape?"

"Well, see here," said Jack, leaning in towards Davy Jones, poking his chest with the two forefingers of his right hand and speaking in a hushed tone like he was about to divulge some very secretive information. "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow," he then announced, his wild grin happily stretched across his stubbly face.

Davy Jones narrowed his eyes, turning his head to scan his crew before looking back to Jack. "Just so you know, I am going to kill you, Sparrow. But first of all, ye' better start tellin' me.. where's my heart?" But Jack wasn't listening; he too was looking over the Flying Dutchman's crew members, and spotted Bill Turner. Jack gave him a wave. Bill remained silent, staring at Jack, silently communicating that he was not helping himself. "Jack!" cried Davy Jones. "Where is it!"

Jack turned his head to Davy Jones, blinking as though he had only just noticed him. "I've absolutely no idea," replied Jack, straightening his hat upon his head. "I don't have it."

There was a soft, wet snort as Davy Jones continued to glare at Jack. "Well, then.." he said slowly, in a low, threatening tone. "Ye' be no use to me, or this ship. Send him down!" The ship suddenly lurched downwards to crash through the surface of the water. Jack whirled round at the motion, grabbing tightly onto the nearest part of the ship to hold on literally for dear life as the nightmarish vessel plunged into the dark depths once more.

Only as Jack's blurred vision corrected itself did he realise that not only was he on the bottom of the ocean, but he was somewhere he definitely didn't want to be. A looming rocky wall towered above the ship, as black as night and sinisterly deserted of any marine life. Jack felt Davy Jones' hand on his shoulder as he pushed him forward.

"This is where ye' be spendin' the rest of your life until ye' have some use," he said with an unpleasant smile on his face. "If you're lucky you'll die soon.." And with that, he pushed Jack into the tight grip of his crewmates who marched Jack off the ship and towards the cavern that led into the dark beyond. Jack had only stepped over the threshold and into the black cave before he struggled, receiving a horrifying glimpse of his fate and span round to look at Davy Jones.

"I've had a change of heart," he said quickly, with increasing panic.

"I thought you might," Davy Jones replied with a nonchalant shrug. "So have I, boy. And I want my heart back."

Jack wriggled a little in the grips of the crew members, but their hold did not relent. "Now, look, I don't have your heart, alright? But, what if I got the heart for you, eh? I have a hunch on who's got it, and they will destroy it." Jack smiled uneasily as he watched Davy Jones.

A cruel laugh sounded from Davy Jones. "I'd rather do it myself and see you suffer in here."

"Aha!" said Jack with a note of excitement as he found his leverage. He attempted to raise his arm to point in indication, but found it held firm by one of the crew. Jack looked at the man for a moment, before he tugged his arm free and stepped out of the tight hold to gesture flamboyantly. "But I know more about who's got it, not you! And anyway, you can't step on land!" Jack continued, talking quickly and fervently with a gleam of excitement in his eyes as he bargained with his life. "So, I nip off to fetch it, and I run to bring it back to you, savvy?" There was a smile, "And in return, the debt is nulled. What do you say?"

"I say kill him now!"

The crew murmured excitedly.

"And after that, my crew will find the heart for me."

"Problem," said Jack with a casual nod. His interruption was given a glare. "These fine men," he patted the shoulder of the nearest crew member, and grimaced as flaking seaweed stuck to his fingers, ".. will not get very far in this task, see? They can't wander round looking like that, can they, eh? They'd be dead before they even left the shoreline."

Davy Jones was silent for a moment as he stared at Jack, who was now picking the seaweed off his hands with a mutter. "And why shouldn't it be any different for you?"

There was a charismatic smile on Jack's lips as he lifted his head. "Because, mate, I'm – "

"Captain Jack Sparrow," Davy Jones growled, "We know."

"So.. if there's a deal.." said Jack, "I'll be needin' me ship back if you don't mind.." Jack then looked around, spotting Bootstrap Bill. "And a man to crew with me, cos I can't sail all by me onesies can I?"

Davy Jones looked round at Bill Turner, studying him distastefully before whirling his tentacled head back to Jack. "Very well," he growled deeply, "he's useless to me anyway. But let me assure you, Jack.." he stepped forward with a clunk of his wooden leg, ".. should you fail me I will spend my remainin' time scourin' the oceans and take something very important from you."

Jack studied Davy Jones carefully, leaning in as he suggested, "My life?"

"No," replied Davy Jones with a dark smile, "Much more important than that."

Looking genuinely bemused, Jack glanced about thoughtfully before his face lit up in realisation. "Rum!" he announced.

Davy Jones studied Jack for a moment before he chuckled. "Let's hope you never have to find out the answer, because after that, you're next."

Jack eyed Davy Jones, slipping by him and wandering over to Bill Turner. "Are you ready to sail to Tortuga?" he asked him cheerfully.

Bill still looked rather uncertain about the whole proceedings, and spoke quietly, "Tortuga?"

There was a confirming nod from Jack as he placed an arm about his former first-mate's shoulders. "Tortuga."

I wanted Jack's usual charm and humour in this chapter, but also his understandable panic at the situation. I hope he's in character! I could imagine his behaviour and tone of voice anyway! ;)