The Surrealkatewillomina Project- revisions

Hey, would it be okay if I stuck in a scene before you post, Surreal? It shouldnt change any situation stuff from the last scene, except to fit in after James and Elizabeth have their conversation (which I'm assuming you are doing). So it would just happen after Elizabeth comes out from that. I'd like to wreak total havoc on the nice relationship aspects of the story for a moment, which Surreal will probably hate, but I'm bored. This is totally over the top (and the result of a boring meeting at work and then watching a soap) so if it doesn't work, just leave it out. Things have just been a bit too easy for everyone so far.

Elizabeth slips out of the cabin, and Jack saunters up, a bottle of rum in his hand.

Jack: Have a nice talk with your earliest fiancé?

Elizabeth just smirks. Jack tries again, obviously trying to make small talk.

Jack: So, how are you enjoying married life?

Elizabeth: Sailing around the ocean with numerous dangerous figures chasing us hardly qualifies as married life, Jack.

Jack: I’d bet that’s the only reason it’s lasting.

Elizabeth: I don’t care to discuss my personal life with you. I made my decision.

Jack: (softly) Aye. You did.

His softness catches her off-guard and she turns to look at him, met with Jack-like enigmatic intensity. A clear message is there: Your decision cost me my life once.

Elizabeth: Guilt doesn’t work on me anymore.

Jack: Never did. You didn’t come after me because you felt guilty.

Elizabeth makes to protest but can’t think of anything to say. Jack grins dangerously and leans forward, pinning her against the railing. In reversal of the “curiosity scene”, Jack is in control, and Elizabeth is struggling to hold herself together.

Jack: Do you want to scream? Maybe call for your husband? (Elizabeth shakes her head, lifting her chin proudly).

Elizabeth: I can look after myself.

Jack: (clearly admiring her) Yes you can. (he leans in, catching the scent of her hair, allowing his mouth to come dangerous close to hers. She struggles to keep herself aloof). It’s been a strange journey since the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow saved you from an untimely (though dramatic) death that day, in the water. (His hand inches up her arm and neck, tracing the features on her face). Back when you were still wearing those silly corsets. (they both laugh lightly, and Elizabeth winces as Jack places both hands at the small of her back, clearly doing everything she can not to respond to his touch.) And here you are, shackled again, when I was ready to brave everything and… (trails off, his hands through her hair now.)

Elizabeth: What? Give up your glorious freedom for me after I left you for dead, and married another man? Will is—

Jack: Leave the whelp out of this for a moment. This is between you and me and the horizon. (Elizabeth bites her lip, finally allowing her hands to hold Jack’s face, the physical friction almost painful. She traces over his lips, the scar on his jaw, down his neck and to the gunshot scars across his chest. Jack closes his eyes, soaking in the pleasure of her touch.)

Elizabeth: (murmuring, anguished) Jack, why are you doing this to me? I’m happy, don’t you understand? I’m married, I’m…

Jack’s had enough. Roughly he pulls her in and kisses her passionately. She responds with equal passion, in a release of pent-up emotion. To be polite, we’ll just say it’s an intense few minutes for them both. Elizabeth begins pulling Jack towards the cabin; she’s fully committed now. However, as Elizabeth opens the door, Jack suddenly pushes her away. He stands in the doorway, and unlike her, he seems fully cool and collected, almost amused by the situation.

Jack: My, my. I was right about you, after all.

Elizabeth: Right?

Jack: Pirate. Ready to bed me with your husband a breath away. I know I am difficult to resist, but honestly darling, have some self control.

Elizabeth: (shocked and furious) What do you mean? This has just been a game?

Jack: Maybe I’ll call it revenge. It sounds better. At any rate, I respect the whelp far too much to let his hussy wife betray him like this. Though I know it is a strong suit of yours, betrayal.

Elizabeth: (ready to murder him, but suddenly masters herself and lifts her chin proudly again.) It seems I have no choice, surrounded by the likes of you.

Jack: I’ll make a deal with you. I won’t tell dear William of your… eh… weakness for me, and…

Elizabeth: Weakness? You were deliberately seducing me!

Jack: (grinning) Don’t fool yourself, darling. You’ve practically thrown yourself at me since I got back from the locker.

Elizabeth: Which is where it seems you left your black heart.

Jack: (annoyed) Along with your fashion sense!

Elizabeth: (really insulted) Smelly Pirate!

Jack: Murdering wench!

Elizabeth: I hope you never find love again and all the rum in the world suddenly goes bad!

Jack: I hope you grow a beard and Will leaves you for a midget!

Elizabeth: Oh, you think you’re so clever. A true gentleman would never speak to a lady like this.

Jack: Then I’d say it’s a very good thing I’m not a gentleman, eh?

Elizabeth: Mr. Sparrow, considering the circumstances I think it best if we never speak to each other again.

Jack: That’s fine by me, if you truly think you can resist.

Elizabeth: You’re despicable.

Jack: Ah, ah, ah. No more talking!

Elizabeth: Fine.

Jack: Fine!

Elizabeth: Fine!

Jack: Fine!

For dramatic effect, Elizabeth whirls around and marches into Jack’s cabin, slamming the door behind her. Jack looks at the door for a moment with an angry look on his face. A minute passes. Elizabeth re-opens the door and marches back out, and Jack nods as if to say “that’s what I thought! MY cabin.” He, in turn, whirls around, goes into his cabin, and slams the door angrily.

Suddenly, Will turns up.

Will: Is there a problem?

Elizabeth: (completely flustered) No, I mean, yes, but nothing important. Mr. Sparrow and I—

Will: (reminding her) Captain Sparrow.

Elizabeth: (angrily) Very well, Captain Sparrow and I were just resolving never to speak to each other again.

Will: (amused) Still stubborn as ever, I see.

Elizabeth: Yes, he is.

Will: I meant you.

Suddenly, Jack pokes his head back out of the door. He smirks at Elizabeth, then turns to Will.

Jack: William, will you please tell your wife that she is on duty and Gibbs is waiting for her at the helm?

Will: (turns to Elizabeth to repeat the message, she interrupts)

Elizabeth: Will, you can tell MR. Sparrow that I will be spending the evening with my HUSBAND, and he'll have to come up with another plan.

Will turns to Jack, looking severely annoyed, and shuts the door.

Well, what you wrote doesn't quite fit with anything I've written, but since you already wrote this....I tweaked my post a little, and tada!!! A not-quite-what-you-were-thinking moment occurs.

Sorry, Kate! 😄

-------------

THE INTREPID -- THE DECK -- MORNING

(Jack is staring dreamily into space, his lips moving slightly as if he's speaking to someone. He enjoyed his last daydream of getting kissing Elizabeth and getting revenge on her, and now he was currently envisioning himself and--)

Will: Jack!

Jack: Aaah! (jumps about a foot in the air, then glares at Will while simultaneously looking panicked.)

Will: Got something on your mind?

Jack: I am not thinking about anything!

Barbossa: (joining them) That's usually a given.

Will: (innocently) You two aren't going to start arguing like an old married couple, are you?

(The two pirates bristle.)

Will: Right then. (watches them with a mild expression.) Well, I'll just leave you two alone then.

(He saunters off.)

Barbossa: Kids these days...they got no respect.

---------------

---THE INTREPID – CAPTAIN’S CABIN --- MORNING

(The cabin door is unlocked and opened. Elizabeth slips into the room and James closes the door for her. He goes over to a cabinet and pulls out a bottle that looks suspiciously like rum and opens it. Green eyes fasten on Elizabeth.)

James: I was beginning to wonder if Anne had bothered to tell you that I wanted to talk to you.

Elizabeth: (looks James over and frowns. He doesn’t look healthy.) Should you be up?

James: Oh for the love of God, not you too! (he slouches into a chair and rubs his eyes tiredly) Probably not. Why haven’t we set sail?

Elizabeth: I wanted to talk to you before we left, and besides, I wanted to make sure that you had proper medical treatment. (she watches him take a healthy swig from the bottle.) Are you trying to get drunk?

James: Yes. (squeezes his eyes shut) Absolutely.

Elizabeth: Is the pain so bad?

(When he doesn’t respond she sits in the chair opposite James and motions for him to show her his arm. James grimaces and holds it out for her, and she carefully peels away the bandages to reveal a bloody burn surrounded by swollen flesh. Elizabeth can’t help it; she gasps in shock.)

Elizabeth: James! (James looks away and clenches his jaw.)

James: I will heal. I always do. (there is a brief, awkward pause and then he quickly changes the subject.) Fill me in on what’s been happening. I remember most of what’s been going on, but I think I’m still missing bits of memory.

(As Elizabeth works on cleaning the burn, James listens to her attentively, focusing on her words instead of the pain in his arm. When she’s finished explaining the past few hours to him, James leans back in the chair.)

James: What about Cho? Is he dead?

Elizabeth: (looks startled) I don’t know…I don’t think anyone saw him after the battle.

James: Damn. (he pinches the bridge of his nose as he thinks through a strategy) We need to set sail as soon as possible. The tides should still be on our side if we are ready within the next hour and a half. Have you briefed the crew?

Elizabeth: (shoulders drop slightly) I did last night…

James: (sighs and speaks gently) Elizabeth, surely you could have made these decisions without me.

(Elizabeth finds the salve on the table and bends over his arm to hide her face while she gently dabs it on the burn.)

Elizabeth: You were so ill last night James. If we had left port, there’s no telling what might have happened. You’ve already done so much for us that it didn’t seem to fair to –

James: (takes another drink of the rum) Elizabeth, over-compensating for mistakes of the past only leads to trouble. (he sighs) I know that well enough. Now, have you put any thought into who should crew what ships?

Elizabeth: (looks up at him and smiles) Actually…

-------

CUT TO CHO’S SHIP – MORNING -- ON DECK

(Cho is pacing on the deck of his ship, glaring into the distance at the seven other ships following in his wake. They are two miles off the coast of Singapore, following the coast line as closely as possible. They are about three hours away from our fleet of heros. Jei is the first mate of Cho’s ship.)

Jei: What are your orders, captain?

Cho: We go after the fleet, first.

Jei: (looks worried) But master, even if we out-number them, they still have a British first-rater. We’ll be lucky if --

Cho: (impatiently) There are valuable prisoners on board that are worth their weight in ransom.

Jei: (sneers) Don’t you mean that there is one in particular that you want for yourself?

(Cho snarls and slams a dagger into Jei’s gut. The man collapses onto the deck and Cho turns to look at the rest of his crew.)

Cho: Does anyone else have any objections to the plan?

(The crew shake their heads.)

Cho: Now someone clean this mess up! And clean my dagger! (he holds up the bloody dagger, frowns and pulls out his other dagger.) And someone clean this too...

(Crew members scuttle about on-deck, most of them well-versed in their master's demands.)

Cho: My swords and pistol must be cleaned as well. Send for hot water to my cabin, and I need new clothes.

(He stops the person gathering up his weapons.)

Cho: All of these weapons must be spotless before the battle, or I won't fight, do you hear me?

Li: Yes master.

(He bows low and waits until Cho walks off to continue gathering the weapons. Cho stalks off to his cabin, and grabs the arm of an attractive young man and drags him into the cabin.)

-------

CUT TO THE INTREPID -- CAPTAIN'S CABIN -- THE BALCONY

James: ...and we can put a contingent of soldiers on every ship to help keep order.

Elizabeth: I think that would be a good idea. What happens if not everyone agrees to the plan?

James: (shrugs and takes another drink from the bottle, which is now nearly half-empty) What do you think?

Elizabeth: Right. (she takes the bottle and tucks it behind her back) No more until after we talk to the crew, James. It wouldn't be right to be drunk in front of them.

James: Why ever not? Sparrow does it all the time.

Elizabeth: (laughs) Let's go talk to the crew, and then you can nap.

James: (grumbles) I don't need a nap...(follows Elizabeth out of his cabin.)

------

DECK OF THE INTREPID

(The crew has all been gathered, and they wait to hear what their new captains have to say.)

James: We are sailing within the hour, and we will stay as close together as possible. We are being hunted by Lord Beckett, and possibly by other enemies.

Elizabeth: Captain Norrington and I have decided how we shall split up the crews, and who gets to captain a ship.

James: Jack, Will, Elizabeth, Barbossa, Groves, and Qiao of the Sima clan will be captains on this voyage.

(Will and Jack both made to protest, but Elizabeth stepped forward after getting a nod from James.)

Elizabeth: Either accept our decisions or step down. We don't have time for arguing.

(Everyone is silenced for a moment but then Will grins and bows his head slightly. Jack seems a little more put off but he too falls silent.)

James: You have a half hour to pick your crews. Elizabeth and I sail on the Empress, Groves takes command of The Intrepid. Captain Sparrow (he pauses to let Jack revel in his title briefly), you have first choice out of the remaining four ships.

Barbossa: (to James) You be wantin' to speak with me, I suppose.

James: Indeed.

(He and Barbossa step off to a small alcove to speak. Murtogg and Mullroy flank James, while Pintel and Ragetti flank Barbossa. The 'guards' glare at each other, and Barbossa sighs while James rolls his eyes. The two captains look at each other, and they both smirk.)

James: (struggling to maintain a straight face) These fine gentlemen, along with 18 other marines will accompany you on your ship. Every ship will have them, but...

(James speaks softly but firmly to Barbossa, his face stern and serious.)

James: One wrong move, one hint of betrayal, and I will kill you. Understood?

(They stare each other down, as do their escorts. Finally, Barbossa nods.)

Barbossa: Agreed. One favor though, captain.

James: (raises his brows) What can I do for you?

Barbossa: (motions to Pintel and Ragetti) Take these two with you. You know, clean them up and make them proper sailors.

(Pintel and Ragetti look horrified. James looks amused.)

James: I shall endeavor to do my best.

(Meanwhile, at the same time Barbossa and James are talking, Will is standing with Elizabeth, his arm around her waist. Elizabeth is leaning comfortably against him while she speaks to her father.)

Elizabeth: James and I have a rather important task for you, father. We want you to be on Barbossa's ship, acting as the Purser.

Swann: And to keep an eye on Barbossa, no doubt.

Elizabeth: I knew you'd understand! Yes, if it pleases you.

Swann: I would be happy to do so. (he looks at Elizabeth's happy face and smiles) Look at you. My pirate lord daughter.

Elizabeth: (laughs) Are you disappointed?

Swann: No. I could never be disappointed with you, Elizabeth. I'm proud of you...of both of you. I wish I had told you sooner than this.

(Will is startled that Swann has included him, and he swallows with difficulty and nods. Elizabeth beams.)

Will: Thank you, sir.

Swann: It's Weatherby, Will. You are my son-in-law now. (he glances over and sees James has finished speaking to Barbossa.) We had best be off now.

(Swann politely walks away to leave Will and Elizabeth to their good-byes. Jack, meanwhile swaggers down the gang-plank, giddy over getting a ship, even if it isn't the Pearl. James goes below-decks to fetch Anne, Pintel and Ragetti following him.)

------------------------

That should give you a lot to work with, I hope, to whoever posts next. 😄 And sorry for the delays. I will kill my computer....

Kate, you know what's next. I'll bounce off you.

working on it. please prepare for mass chaos.

nearly done. I've trampled all over any "happy family" vibe there may have been, sorry. 😉

Alrighty. Something of a battle begun. Willo, I’ve left the majority of the fighting up to you. 🙂

Cut to Tortuga. Beckett is walking off the gang-plank of the Endeavor, followed by Jones, when Mercer runs up to meet him.

Mercer: Milord, we’ve found someone in this miserable town who might be able to help us.

Beckett: Unless they are a good looking female, lock them up until I’ve slept and eaten.

Mercer: You’re in luck, milord. (gestures behind him to reveal Scarlet and Giselle) Shall I have them sent up to your cabin?

Beckett: (looking the girls over) Indeed.

Cut to a few moments later. A lavish dinner is set out, and Scarlett and Giselle are whispering in each other’s ear as Beckett enters.

Beckett: Ladies. How good of you to join me.

Scarlett: We heard there was a reward out for news concerning the ship or crew of Captain Jack Sparrow.

Beckett: There is. What can you tell me?

Giselle stands slowly, reaching into her cleavage and removing a small envelope. Inside is a ring and a scrawled note.

Beckett: (unimpressed) the trinkets of an unfaithful lover?

Giselle: (leans over and slaps Beckett, who shuts up) None of my lovers are ever unfaithful! (clearly that’s braggadocio) These belonged to Captain Sparrow. Some voodoo hag gave them to him.

Beckett: (bored) And he was foolish enough to allow them to fall into your hands?

Giselle: (angrily) Perhaps I should take my business elsewhere.

Beckett: (sucking it up) My apologies. Please continue.

Giselle: The ring was meant to be given to Jack’s most faithful friend. It leads you to his exact location, and no matter how far away he is, you will arrive within 7 days.

Beckett: I’m assuming this is how you maintained your relationship with him.

Giselle: (pouts) Not anymore. The ring stopped working for the longest time. Now it’s begun working again, but the reward was too much to resist.

Scarlett: You might well say the revenge was too much to resist…

Giselle steps on her foot and Scarlet shuts up. Beckett picks up the ring.

Beckett: Convenient that Sparrow leaves a trail of broken hearts after him. (glances at Scarlet and Giselle, who don’t look pleased) Convenient for me, anyway…

Cut to
Wherever it was the Intrepid and suddenly-obtained-other-ships were docked. Everyone’s loading up.

Pintel: So, what’s our mission this time?

Ragetti: To become proper sailors.

Pintel: That weren’t what I was asking.

Ragetti: Maybe this is just a practice run.

James walks by, clearly exhausted and in pain. Jack saunters up and claps him on the back.

Jack: Still sick, then?

James: (adjusting his posture) Hardly.

Jack: Good. I’d hate to think you were on of those men always coddled by women and laying about, mate.

Elizabeth strides by, but can’t resist butting in.

Elizabeth: James, you may tell Captain Sparrow that some men are secure in their masculinity and don’t have to make any outrageous statements to prove it.

Jack: Well, mate, you can inform Mrs. Turner that she’ll never know anything about THIS man’s masculinity, if you know what I mean, and to her loss.

James: You two are ridiculous. In other news, we’re setting sail shortly.

Suddenly, Will runs up.

Will: We’ve got a problem. (whispers something into Elizabeth’s ear. Elizabeth looks extremely pissed off.)

Elizabeth: Bloody pirate!

James: Problem?

Elizabeth: Mr. Sparrow has loaded his ship with a cargo of rum. I suppose he was planning to sneak off and make a profit while the rest of us do the dirty work.

Jack: (to James and Will) Maybe I was planning to share it with the crew.

Will: Not even you, Jack.

Jack: (tries again) I was planning on donating it to a nice blind and deaf charity I know.

James gives him a look of pure disgust like, “are you even kidding? Do you really think we’re going to buy that?” Jack can’t help grinning, heck, that was the least believable excuse he could have come up with.

James: Elizabeth, what do you think we should do?

Elizabeth: Strap him up by his elbows and leave him.

Jack: What are you, a bloody judicial system? I’m free to do as I please and I defy any of you to try and part me from my rum. (whips out pistol and aims it at each one of them in turn, then gets a better idea, and pulls out two more pistols, aiming one at each of them.)

Will: Well, personally, I think Jack should be allowed to smuggle rum if he pleases.

James: I agree. Ahem. Let’s get moving.

Elizabeth rolls her eyes—clearly, she’s the only man in the situation. Jack puts away his pistols, pleased.

Cut to TIA’s SHACK Twilight, but it’s stormy on the horizon. Suddenly, Tia hears a knock at the door.

Tia: Come in.

No response, except another knock.

Tia: COME IN!

Another pause, followed by another knock. Tia frowns. She stands, picking up a lantern, and then leans against the door for a moment, listening to the breathing pattern of the person outside. Heavy, slow, with a slight hiss of pain at times. Finally, her face changes as she recognizes who it is. She swings open the door for a heavily hooded figure, limping, face hidden. Ah, they must be deaf, the audience deduces. That’s why they didn’t hear Tia say Come In. Immediately, Tia takes the person’s hand and leads them inside.

Tia: (to herself) Just the person I was wishin to see…

They sit down at the table, the person removes the hood of the cloak. It’s a remarkably young man, clean fresh skin, intent blue eyes. Definitely not an average human. Something very mystical.

Tia: (making signs on the boy’s hand as she speaks) The ships are comin soon.

The Boy reaches into his cloak and pulls out a letter, which he hands to Tia. Tia doesn’t read it, but seems to know instinctively who it is from.

Tia: (continuing to sign on the boy’s hand) It be a hard time for young lovers.

In response, the boy stands and leans to kiss Tia. An eerie music plays as their lips meet, Tia’s dark mouth and the boy’s thin pink one, in what seems a foreboding and fearsome moment, until they both break away from each other’s mouths, breathing heavily, and staring directly in each other’s eyes, as though speaking silently.

Tia: (softly) young hearts become like ours, and who is to say which love is strongest?

Cut back to the middle of the OCEAN. Elizabeth stands alone at the helm of her ship, the rest of the ships fanned out behind her. She is humming a familiar song (take a wild guess) and twisting her wedding ring on her finger. James approaches.

James: This is a familiar sight.

Elizabeth: You’re a good man, James Norrington. (sighs) I used to think there was an absolute right and wrong to everything. Now… it’s complicated. Now it looks like many rights, just a matter of making one choice and fighting for it.

James: Shouldn’t be hard for you.

Elizabeth: Do you never wonder what would have happened if I had married you?

James: (after a pause) Yes. Some dreams you learn to let go. And then new ones come, and you realize you’ve become a different person anyway, and the new dreams fit you better now. The past will always be beautiful, but you can’t sacrifice the possibility of the present for it. That’s not living.

Elizabeth ponders his words. Dramatic, foreshadowing music plays. James puts a hand on her shoulder.

Suddenly, Jack’s ship glides next to theirs. Jack’s got a telescope in one hand and looks very agitated.

Jack: (shouting over) Ahoy! We’ve got a problem!

James: Did you run out of rum already?

Jack: Asian ships on the horizon, and they don’t look friendly, mate!

James: (seizes a telescope and sees an approaching number of ships) Bugger!

Elizabeth: (snatches the telescope from him and confirms) Bollux!

Jack: (re-checks his telescope) Blackbeard!

The other two look at him. He grins and shrugs.

Jack: We were doing so nicely with the B words.

James: How do we tell if they want to fight?

At that moment, a canon rips past close-by on the left.

James: Oh. That’s how.

Elizabeth: All hands to deck! Man the guns and get the fleet in a defensive position!

The crew scurries into action, as news is shouted to the other ships. They swing around and run out what weapons they have. Except, there’s a small hitch. Barbossa’s ship seems to be sailing in the direction of the Asian pirates, instead of into fighting position. Elizabeth notices.

Elizabeth: James! What is Barbossa doing?

James: (after eyeing the situation) Most likely betraying us. We’ll have to open fire and hope the crew catches on.

Elizabeth: My father’s on that ship! We can’t open fire!

James: (desperate) You want me to follow them right into range of a vengeful clan?

Elizabeth: Anne’s on the ship too.

James looks at her, startled, when suddenly Will sails by on his own ship, clearly following Barbossa’s trail.

Elizabeth: Will! What are you doing?

Will: Barbossa said he had a plan!

James: Which was probably to get us all killed…

Elizabeth: (still looking through the telescope) Jack’s heading east, and Groves seems to be following. What the bloody hell is going on here? I thought we were in charge!

James: Only of our own ship apparently. Well, shall we dive into the fray or take a side journey after Sparrow?

Elizabeth:Head on! (The crew bustles as Murtogg steers the ship)

Mullroy: Faster!

Murtogg: I'm doing my best!

(Cho's ships are in a diamond position. On one side, Barbossa and Will's ships have flanked them. On the other, Jack and Groves have flanked them. The rest come straight across)

James: To the guns!

(the crew mans the cannons)

James: Fire!

(heavy cross fire continues. A cannonball sweeps by Murtogg's head, luckily landing into the sea)

CUT TO...below decks

(Anne along with the rest of the crew fire the cannons. She covers her ears after each one, but keeps loading.)

CUT TO... (Cho's ship)

Cho: Never mind them! The Intrepid!

(Cho's and another ship head straight for the Intrepid. The rest begin to attack Will and Barbossa's ships. Cho's is the closest. The crew begins shooting flaming arrows over onto the Liz and James' deck.)

(From behind Cho's ship, we can see Will's ship maneuver towards them)

Barbossa: Crazy kid. (steers his own ship straight for the attacking ships. He laughs)

CUT TO...Liz and James

Elizabeth: Will! Murtogg, stay up there! (to some crewmen on deck) You all, ready your rifles. (they scramble to their guns) Ready.....fire!

(several attacking pirates are taken out.)

CUT TO...Jack and Groves' ships

(Jack and Groves manage to sink an attacking ship)

Groves: (shouting over) One would think you take out pirates all the time, Sparrow!

Jack: (shouting back) I can see how it could get addictive!

(They start on another ship)

CUT TO...Liz and James

(Cho is close enough now to see them. His eyes burn with fire when he sees James. He takes a rope)

Cho: (points to 1st mate) You! Take over! The rest of you, follow me!

(Liz and James' ship is being boarded by Cho and some of his crew. Heavy gunfighting is soon replaced by close-combat swords. James and Liz join in.)

CUT TO...Will's ship

(Will is finally close enough to Liz and James' ship. He swings over and quickly boards the ship. His sword drawn, he takes down a pirate right behind Elizabeth. Elizabeth manages to kiss him quickly before running past him to take out more pirates)

CUT TO...Jack and Groves

(The ship they are against returns heavy fire.)

CUT TO...Jack's ship

Gibbs: (on deck) It's not the Pearl, is it?

Jack: Not nearly. (looks over, sees Will, Elizabeth, and James) Take over!

(Gibbs runs up and takes the helm)

Jack: Don't disappoint Mr. Groves now. Starboard!

(Jack's ship edges closer to Cho's. Jack boards it and moves his way onto James and Elizabeth's ship)

CUT TO...James and Elizabeth's ship

(It is nearly mass chaos. James, Elizabeth, and Will stay fairly close together. Suddenly, a large wave washes over the deck. Many sailors from both sides are taken overboard. Elizabeth and Will move to the opposite end of the deck)

Cho: Now I have you, James Norrington.

(Cho makes a move to strike. James blocks)

CUT TO...Opposite end of deck

(Will and Elizabeth are starting to be overrun. Jack quickly joins them)

Jack: Just when I was beginning to think you could take care of yourselves. (takes a swing at an attacking pirate)

(Elizabeth looks to see James fighting alone. She runs over to him. Will and Jack follow.)

(James shows off his swordsmanship, almost disarming Cho. He switches arms and fights left-handed for a short while. Elizabeth joins up with him.)

Elizabeth: Call off your men! Now!

Cho: Such a pretty flower. You can die next to him.

CUT TO...Barbossa's ship

(Barbossa's ship is not doing well. It has suffered massive cannon fire. It quickly sweeps around getting closer to Groves.)

Barbossa: We'll need to come aboard, lad!

(The crew of Barbossa's ship manages to board Groves' ship just as it starts to sink. A strategic shot almost splits it in half. Within minutes, the ship is sunk.)

CUT TO...Liz and James' ship

(Will and Jack quickly switch sides, each dodging a sword coming their way. They practically bump into Elizabeth, who is still fighting Cho with James. It is eerily similar to their battle with Sao.)

Cho: I shall enjoy having you back in my control, Norrington.

(Norrington finally disarms him and takes several steps back in pain from fighting. Elizabeth rams her sword into Cho's gut. It is agonizing to watch her put more of her weight on it, sinking deeper into him. Just when he looks like he cannot be in any more pain, a last look of agony takes over his face, and then goes still)

(Rain starts to pour down as we hear a roar of thunder. One ship was sunk. All but two of the enemy's are sunk. A white flag waves across one.)

Elizabeth: Now that is a beautiful sight to see.

(A white flag waves across the other. The ships in James and Elizabeth's armada come close)

Will: (to James) Are you all right?

James: Fine, fine. Is he?

Jack: That's very dead.

(The four of them look up at each other and then out to the remaining ships. It is a clear victory.)

Nicely done, Willo, as usual. 🙂 "very dead"... good one. And all the Cho evil declarations were a nice touch.

Thanks! I'm thinking they recover and we get them to the Caribbean soon.

CUT TO...deck of James and Elizabeth's ship.

(There is a long line of seaman waiting to be seen by Anne, Dr. O'Doyle, and Zian. Fortunately, most just have minor injuries. Swann is close by, recording any problems. Moving down the line, we see Jack and Gibbs side by side.)

Gibbs: The hulls of these vessels, not near to what the Pearl was.

Jack: Is, mate. Is. I know she's not torn to pieces yet. (sees Anne has finished) Just the one I wanted to see.

Anne: (sarcastically but in a good-natured way) You flatter me. Let's see.

(Jack lifts up the back of his shirt. He has a nice cut)

Anne: Ooh, let's take care of that, shall we? (gestures for him to come closer) Fortunately it's not much.

Jack: Doesn't look like much either. No story there.

(Elizabeth walks by after checking on the sailors in line)

Elizabeth: Father?

Swann: Elizabeth, according to Sao's inventory, we should have enough supplies to fix everyone, bandages, a few things for pain. Next port we stop at we should probably look into buying a few more.

Elizabeth: (looks back to see her crew) And to give them a short rest. We'll stop somewhere for a few hours to let them have some fun. (hugs her father and starts to leave, sees Jack) What's wrong with you?

Jack: Not much according this one (points back to Anne)

Anne: Try not to act so disappointed.

Jack: You're not the one making a living off these stories you know.

Anne: You're about done anyway!

Elizabeth: (goes behind him) You weren't lying. (pause) You came to help.

Jack: So I did. Goes right into your "good man" theory, unfortunately.

Elizabeth: (leans down) Jack, I'm so sorry.

(He looks up at her, knows what she's talking about)

Jack: All over, love.

(Elizabeth smiles and heads back)

Continue the scene!

Oh, me, me!

I'll work on it and should have something up in a few hours, but right now, I'm going back to bed since I got absolutely no sleep last night.

Funerals, more Evil Plans, getting drunk at the victory party, and arriving at Tia's.

How does that sound? 😄

Good posts, btw Willo, but one nit-pick for the edited version; it should be Pintel and Ragetti on board with James and Elizabeth. 😉

Oh, I forgot about them. And where's Cotton been? Minor characters-the bane of our existence.

Seriously, maybe we should write a fanfic with absolutely no minor characters, in protest of them. except Gibbs, but then, he's not a minor character. i dont know about you guys, but i only throw in minor characters because i feel i HAVE to. I'd rather just write endlessly about the mains and their drama.

If you use only the main characters then you don't have any depth to the story. Don't worry, I've got you covered for the more minor characters. Besides, in the final version we can through and add in what the other minor characters are doing. 😄

Post should up shortly. Or in Surreal time, whenever I have time to finish typing without the dogs trying to climb in my lap. I'm watching four at the moment, and one is a great dane who thinks she's a lap dog. 😛

I'm a just waitin' to run something by Willo, and then I'll be posting. 😄 Sorry for the wait.

Willo was ok with my plans, so I changed the last bit of her post where she had Elizabeth walk off.

Be warned, much angst is ahead, including a minor character death. Two parts, for length.

PART ONE

--------
THE EMPRESS -- ON DECK -- AFTERNOON

Anne: Well, Captain Sparrow...you'll live. I must see to Ja-- to the others.

(Jack and Elizabeth exchange grins as Anne makes a bee-line for one person in particular.)

Jack: Do you think he knows?

Elizabeth: Knows what?

(In the background they can hear James' voice.)

James: For God's sake, woman, leave me be!

(They watch as James stubbornly shakes his head as he continues to argue with Anne.)

Elizabeth: Oh...THAT. I don't think so. For all that he's a brilliant commander, James is appallingly dense when it comes to romance.

Jack: He just doesn't know how to have fun. Methinks he'll need a bit of help.

(Elizabeth looks at Jack sharply.)

Elizabeth: Do you think it's wise to get involved with the commodore's life?

Jack: Darlin', we're already involved in his life. We're just goin' to help him along, savvy? Make up for all the times we've...ah...

Elizabeth: Taken advantage of him and ruined his life and career?

Jack: (considers) Yep, that about sums it up.

Elizabeth: (suspicious) Jack, why are you suddenly so interested in helping James?

Jack: (maintains an air of injured innocence) I have always cared about the commodore's well-being.
(
Elizabeth raises an eyebrow at him.)

Jack: Ah, well, perhaps when I was watching over the good commodore last night his journal suddenly, and might I add, without any provocation, may have accidentally fallen from it's hiding spot and opened.

Elizabeth: (amused, but tries to mask it) You are incorrigible!

Jack: Oh, I hope so...Now, here’s the plan…

(They lean in closer together and speak quickly. Elizabeth seems to be shooting most of Jack’s ideas down, but finally she laughingly agrees to something and they pull back just as Will approaches them, a grim expression on his face.)

Will: Jack…

Jack: (becomes serious) You look like you’re the bearer of bad tidings.

What have you been doing?

Will: (hesitates) I was working with Groves on tallying up the injured and the dead. Jack…It's Marty – we lost him.

(Elizabeth wraps her arms around Will, and he hugs her tightly to him, his arms trembling slightly. Jack bows his head.)

Jack: How?

Will: (swallows with difficulty) I don’t know exactly. A canon on board exploded. I thought we had all cleared it fine, but after the battle I realized he was missing. I found him under – under a beam. Jack –

(Will looks like he’s going to collapse, and Elizabeth gently pushes him onto a crate while Jack squeezes his shoulder gently.)

Jack: Not your fault, son.

Will: (seems almost bewildered) He was under my command.

Jack: (firmly) Not your fault, Will.

(They sit in silence together for a few minutes, Will’s head resting on Elizabeth’s shoulder while she rubs his back, with Jack lending silent support.)

---

CUT TO JAMES AND GROVES – DECK OF THE EMPRESS

Groves: We lost fifty-five sir. Twenty pirates, thirty-four marines, and one of Sparrow’s crew.

James: (heavily) I see. Will’s ship took the most damage, aside from Barbossa's?

Groves: Aye, sir, and the heaviest loss of life.

(James looks over to where Will, Jack and Elizabeth are, and sees their dejected faces.)

James: I need to speak with Elizabeth, and then, I think I will speak with young mister Turner.

(James stands and spots Anne standing off to the side, watching the growing number of bodies being laid out on deck.)

Anne: I will help prepare the men for burial.

James: (looks her over) Then you need to rest.

Anne: Only after you do.

(They glare at each other, then Anne flounces off. James watches her go and he smirks briefly, but then the weight of the moment settles back down over him, and he walks over to the mourning trio.)

James: Elizabeth, I hate to intrude, but may I speak with you?

Elizabeth: Of course, James.

(She makes a move to stand, but James puts his hand out.)

James: No, please. You’re fine. I just thought we should go over what we will do.

Elizabeth: (realizes he is waiting for her to give orders.) We should…we should take care of the funerals first, and then go to port. There’s one that’s less than a day here.
J
ames: (nods in approval.) As for the prize, I believe the spoils should be split between Barbossa and Groves.

(Elizabeth nods in agreement. James looks at all of them again, then motions to Will.)

James: Captain Turner, with me, please. (Will stands, his face still pale and wan. James begins to lead Will away, but turns back.) Elizabeth, give the orders to set sail as soon as possible. At least we’ll be prepared then.

(James grips Will’s shoulder in a manner similar to the way Jack had, and steers the younger man to his cabin. Elizabeth and Jack watch them go, and they look at each other in silence for a few minutes.)

Elizabeth: (touches his hand gently) Jack, I’m so sorry.

Jack: (smiles faintly) ‘S not your fault either, Lizzie.

(He watches her for a moment and smiles.)

Elizabeth: What?

Jack: I was just thinkin' what a good job yer doing. You should be proud of yourself. (Elizabeth blushes at the praise. A few more moments of silence pass, and then he gets up) I need to speak to my crew.

Elizabeth: Do you want me to go with you?

Jack: (smiles and shakes his head) No, this is something I need to do alone. But thanks, love.

--------

CUT TO THE ENDEAVOR -- THE DECK -- AFTERNOON

(Beckett and Davy Jones are on the deck of the Endeavor. Jones looks intrigued. Beckett is smirking. They are staring at a small rose quartz ring in Beckett's hand.)

Beckett: What we have here is a way to track Jack Sparrow. Not as useful as the compass, I daresay, but it should be useful when we really need it.

Jones: And the little blonde just offered it to you?

(Mercer comes up behind them, carrying a large, bloody bundle. He pitches it over-board.)

Beckett: I wouldn't go so far as to say that.

Jones: So...how does it work?

Beckett: I'm not sure. The whore said it lets you know when Jack is near you, but I think that it's possible there is another way of using it.

(Beckett pulls out the slip of paper and reads it over, frowning as he does so. Mercer tosses another bundle over the railing. He nods, pleased with his work, and goes to lurk in the shadows.)

Jones: It's written in Spanish.

(Beckett hands the paper to Jones. Jones looks it over and begins to smile.)

Jones: We'll need a chart.

---

CUT TO BECKETT'S CABIN

(Jones and Beckett have spread out a chart of the world on the desk. Jones motions for Beckett to place the ring on the map, and then he reads the spell out loud. There is a faint humming sound, and then the ring slowly moves across the map. Beckett is obviously stunned, but then a sly smile spreads across his face.)

Beckett: (satisfied)Looks like the world's just gotten a little smaller for Jack Sparrow.

----------

End Part One

Here is Part Two. More angst, with a bit of fluff at the end.

PART TWO

--------

CUT TO THE EMPRESS -- CAPTAIN'S CABIN

(James pours two glasses of brandy, and offers one to Will. Will accepts it gratefully, but he doesn't drink right away. He looks haunted, and a bit lost. James seated himself across from the younger man, but he didn't speak right away.)

Will: How--how do you handle this?

James: (he takes a swallow of his drink) Losing men under your command? Losing someone you care for? (he pauses) You don't.

Will: (fingers tighten on his glass) I should have --

James: Done something different, noticed sooner that he was missing, seen it coming...

Will: (bows his head) It should have been me.

James: We all feel that way sometimes, Will. It's part of being a leader. It should have been them. It should have been them and not you, because you're still responsible for making sure the others live. There is no rest for those in command.

Will: (finishes his drink and looks at James.) Right...what do I do now?

James: (drains his glass) Bury the dead. Care for the living. Learn from past mistakes without dwelling on them. It's a hard lesson to learn, even for those who have been doing this for far longer than you.

(Will sees the spark of understanding in James' eyes, and nods.)

Will: Thank you.

James: Anytime, Captain Turner.

---

CUT TO DECK OF THE EMPRESS -- LATE AFTERNOON

(Jack's crew, along with Will, Elizabeth and Barbossa are gathered on the deck, apart from the Naval officers. On the other ship, the Chinese sailors are holding their own service for the dead. James approaches Jack.)

James: We are to begin the service in a few moments.

(He looks down at the still form sewn neatly into the sail cloth.)

James: I will understand if you wish for a private ceremony for Marty, but I wanted you to know that we've included a place for him in the service, if you wish it.

Jack: (is stunned at the offer) I think he would have enjoyed that.

James: (smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes) Then let us begin.

---

(The service begins with a reading from the Bible. Governor Swann reads the verses to everyone gathered, and finally, it is time to lay the fallen men to rest. James steps forward and begins to read the names outloud. Thirty-five names. Will and Elizabeth hold hands, their heads bowed. All the sailors, even the pirates, have removed their hats for the dead.)

James: (is just finishing reading the names)....Thomas H. Potter, Able Seaman. John E. Exeter, Landman. John R. Hatch, Leftenant. Marty, crewman of the Black Pearl, Able Seaman. We commit the bodies of these brave men to the deep. May God have mercy on their souls. Amen.

(Everyone mutters an Amen along with James and watch as one by one, the shrouded bodies are committed to the sea. Silence falls across the deck after Marty's body vanishes beneath the surface. James allows everyone a moment of quiet reflection, then speaks up.)

James: We are about thirty minutes from port. Tonight is yours to do with as you please, but prepare to set sail at dawn.

(There is a muted cheer from the men, and they scatter, ready to finish the last leg of their journey.)

---TWENTY MINUTES LATER

Elizabeth: (whispering) I don't know, Jack...

Jack: (a little louder than necessary) It'll be fine, you'll see.

Elizabeth: (motions for him to quiet down) Is this really the proper time for such a thing?

(Will spots his wife and his friend leaning close together, speaking urgently. He can't help but grin at the frustrated look on Elizabeth's face and the purposefully comical expression Jack bore.)

Will: What are you up to now?

Elizabeth and Jack: (leap apart) Nothing!

Will: (snorts) Unlikely. You both have that LOOK.

Elizabeth: What look?

Will: The I’m-plotting-something-and-up-to-no-good look. The thought of you two working together on a project is a bit frightening.

(Elizabeth looks guilty, Jack, of course, looks unperturbed that he's been found out.)

Jack: (waves hand dismissively) Nonsense. We were just pondering a particular Naval officer and his love life. There’s nothing scary about that.

Will: (warily) Do I want to know about this?

Jack: Oh come, William. It’ll be fun!

Will: I can't help but question that...

(Jack simply snorts and pulls him closer so that three of them form a small huddle while he explains his plan.)

-------

Whew...my posts are regular little marathons, aren't they? 🙄

Marty AND Giselle killed off? Woah, Surreal. Easy there! hahahaha, no that was great. the story feels like its moving along well. 🙂

^^And Scarlett. 😉 Yes, I'm evil. 👿 I told you I would help with the minor characters. 😉

But thank you. 😄

My turn!

CUT TO...Madagascar port. (It is Tortuga-Lite. Foreign music and exotic smells fill the air. Men and women of all colors, shapes, and sizes walk around, eating and talking in several languages. In other words, our heroes feel quite at home.)

(James and Elizabeth exit the Empress. The men run out in front of them, almost like children.)

James: This should raise some spirits, don't you think?

Elizabeth: I think so. (looks to see where everyone is) I think the pirate captains deserve a drink on us, eh?

James: Splendid idea. (extends his arm to her for her to take it)

Elizabeth: And you know who else has worked so hard? Our physicians and our surgeons.

James: No doubt about that.

Elizabeth: (breaking away from him) Why don't you find our crew while I round up the doctors and Anne. (hurries away from him before he can reply)

(James searches the area, sees Will and Groves talking. He smiles to see Will looking more cheerful.)

Gibbs: Who ya lookin' for, Commodore? (has full flask) Some ravishing delight?

James: Our captains. You should join us for a drink, too.

Gibbs: Why, I'd be delighted. Jack! He's over there, sir, pr'y talkin' some sense into Barbossa.

James: Sense?

CUT TO...Jack and Barbossa. (Jack seems at home, more relaxed but Barbossa looks restless.)

Barbossa: Don't s'pose no one would notice if I were to sneak off for a respite, hmmm?

Jack: Asking me for advice? I think I'll savor this.

Barbossa: You got to be feelin' it too.

Jack: S'cuse me? (preparing for a laugh)

Barbossa: (whispers) There's but two ladies in our company, and I ain't fancyin' either one, but so help me...there's, there's urges, Jack.

Jack: Can't help you. I don't take to masculine propositions. (decides to milk it) Don't really know what you want.

Barbossa: (sighs) A brothel, Jack! I need to slake me....

(James and Gibbs approach)

James: Evening, gentlemen.

Jack: Evening, Commodore. Barbossa was just telling me about all the amusing things to do in Madagascar. Would you care to elaborate?

Barbossa: Bah!

James: The co-captains of the Empress extend an invitation for drinks. Knowing Sparrow, he'll be coming. What about you?

Jack: Yes, what about you? (loving this)

Barbossa: Is that an order?

Gibbs: Most definitely.

Barbossa: Not as if I had anything else to do....

(Jack catches Elizabeth bringing Zian, Dr. O'Doyle, and Anne with her.)

CUT TO...inside of the bar. (James, Elizabeth, Will, Jack, Gibbs, Groves, Barbossa, Qiao, Dr. O'Doyle, Zian, and Anne sit around a crowded round table)

Elizabeth: Will, would you care to make a toast?

Will (raises glass): To Marty! Faithful, brave, heart as big as the sea.

(All drink. Barbossa looks towards the door.)

Barbossa: Well, I best be gettin' some rest.

Jack: That's not what you were telling me. You had a whole night planned.

(Barbossa glares at him)

Barbossa: It's all good for a man that don't have nothin' else to occupy his time. (looks at Qiao) You there, fella, stout little heart you have. What say we go amble through the port?

Qiao: (decent English) Women should be escorted in place like this, captain.

(Barbossa sees she's a woman)

Jack: He was looking for someone to escort him.

Barbossa: Do you never keep your mouth shut? Good night. (squeezes past half the group to get out.)

(Elizabeth gives Will a prodding look)

Will: Well, now this isn't a very civilized little party, is it? Commodore Norrington, I'm technically not supposed to sit next to my wife. Would you mind switching places with me?

(James gets up, squeezes past the others to switch with Will. Elizabeth is now on one side of him, Anne on the other.)

James: Proper enough now, Mr. Turner?

Will: (blushing slightly) For pirates, yes. I think that about does it.

(Smaller conversations begin and it's quite a lively table. People are exchanging stories, reminscing, comparing drinks.)

Will: A second home to you, Jack?

Jack: Why not a fourth or fifth home? (suddenly looks taken aback. A tall, beautiful, African woman pushes her way over to their table)

Gibbs: Why that's---

Jack: Shh!

Prostitute: I thought I said I never wanted to see you again! (slaps him and storms out)

(All conversation stops)

Jack: Been here once or twice before. Reputation kind of fell out of favor, however.

(Conversations resume. Camera pans to the door. A familiar looking, hobbled man limps in. Will stands and runs over to him.)

Will: You!

Old man: Saw you, Beckett's ship. Didn't...forget

(The party rises to help him sit down.)

Dr. O'Doyle: He looks exhausted. Bring him some water!

Will: How did you escape?

Old man: (wheezes) Not important.

Gibbs: Go on.

Old man: (struggles for breath) The last thing before I escaped...

Will: What? What happened?

Old man: I heard him say, boy, heard him say...

Anne: (reachign him first) We're losing him.

Old man: I heard him say, (barely whispering) he'd be waiting for you.

Will: Waiting?

Old man: Beckett. Waiting for you. (slumps down in his seat)

Elizabeth: Is he dead?

(Anne checks for signs of life)

Anne: Yes. Poor soul. Care to explain, Will?

Kate? Surreal? Want to get them to Tia?

Yeah, I'll do. Give me a little bit.