Surrealkatewillomina's AWE: Final Cut

CUT TO...inside James' cabin

(Elizabeth can hardly get through the door. Anne and the surgeon are standing directly over James on either side of the bed. Will, Groves, Murtogg, and Mullroy bustle as best they can, often running into each other. Swann is just in the door, sandwiching Elizabeth between himself and Barbossa)

Elizabeth: All right. I think we need to give him some room to breathe.

Murtogg: That's a right good idea, miss. I mean, captain.

Mullroy: It's what I've been suggesting.

Elizabeth: You two, go check to see where Mr. Gibbs is. Groves?

Groves: Captain?

Elizabeth: (smiles at the title) Supervise the deck? (Groves leaves, Murtogg and Mullroy follow out) (to the surgeon) How is he?

Mullroy: Told you we shouldn't have stayed in here.

Murtogg: Sh!

Dr. O'Doyle: (Maneuvers to Elizabeth, whispers to her) We'll be giving him some laudanum here soon, small dose, mind you. It should do wonders for him. (sees her worried face) He'll live. Don't worry.

Elizabeth: Why don't you take some well-deserved minutes rest?

Dr. O'Doyle: Don't be sayin' anything to upset him or get him worked up now. (leave)

Elizabeth: Of course not. (she edges closer to James. She, Swann, Barbossa, Anne, and Will are in there with him) You got the collar off already?

Will: It didn't take too long. You look upset.

Elizabeth: Just concerned how my co-captain is doing.

James: (eyes are half-closed, feverish. He has a little bit of trouble focusing on her) Much better now that I have some privacy (looks around and sees everyone) Oh. (turns to Will) Thank you.

Will: We should probably chart a course, shouldn't we, Elizabeth?

Barbossa: All the time without the missus cleared your head, didn't it, boy? (Will gives him a dirty look)

(Jack enters. Everyone looks at him)

Jack: Oh. Well, this little shindig will just have to be postponed. (looks right at James) We have a situation as it were (eyes everyone suspiciously)

James: (sits up a little. It's a strain) If you know about it, it must be a crisis. (falls back. Anne rubs a wet towel over his forehead)

Will: Maybe this isn't the time.

Jack: I would think he would want to know about a change of course. (really hated saying that in front of everyone)

Barbossa: What did you do?

Jack: That's a fine first thought.

Barbossa: I know from experience.

Jack: Might I have a word with the captain, sorry, captains, alone?

James: (smirks) You forget, Jack Sparrow, that until I or Captain Turner (looks proudly at Elizabeth) say otherwise, you are a humble member of our crew, subject to do whatever we tell you (coughs, exhales deeply.)

Elizabeth: Everyone in this room needs to know, Jack.

Jack: Fine. (mumbles) We need to see Tia Dalma.

Will: The witch? Why?

Jack: Beckett, uh, is going to kidnap her and use her to lure Davy Jones to him whereby he will use the heart of said evil doer to control the ocean.

Swann: Witch?

Elizabeth: But how could...(she looks at Will and James. All their eyes suddenly go wide) What did you do?

Will: You said something!

(James tries to laugh but can only smile.)

James: If it's not one thing it's another...how in the world did you manage to get Beckett bait?

Jack: It was a ruse! (tries to wave it off)

Will: Probably using me.

Barbossa: Probably.

Jack: Now I didn't know you had your own plan up your sleeves, did I? It was to get you off the ship.

Elizabeth: Let that be a lesson to you. You can't make up these elaborate plans and then not tell anyone about them!

Jack (glares at her): I think you should take your own advice.

Swann: I'll have you not speak to my daughter and your captain in such a manner.

James: Anne, Will, bring the imbecle over here. I'm going to (gestures his hands strangely) use my last breath to strangle the life out of him.

Anne: As your physician for the moment, I can give you orders, don't forget. Lay back down! (to Elizabeth) You want to take your problems somewhere else?

Elizabeth: (picking up the collar) (to everyone) Stay with him. He might go out of his head soon. (to Jack) Outside. Now.

Swann: We'll take care of him.

James: (laughing weakly) If the two of you wanted to be alone, she has her own cabin now. (passes out)

Jack: Sick captains don't get to talk.

Elizabeth: Now!

CUT TO...(outside on deck)

Elizabeth: (walks close to the railing, stares at the sea for a moment) Do you know what this is? (holds up the collar)

Jack: I have a guess.

Elizabeth: You always have a guess.

Jack: Comes with being captain. You'll pick that up on of these days.

Elizabeth: I don't think you appreciate everything James has done for us. You have no idea, do you? This is what they put on James, when he gave himself up to get the information to bring YOU back. (pause) I think Sao Feng was more interested in James' torture than in getting his brother back.

Jack: (long pause) You'd probably be right about that, love.

Elizabeth: (looks at the collar) And after that, he drew them off.

Jack: I knew there was a reason I rooted for him. How long was I there?

Elizabeth: What?

Jack: Gone. (not looking at her)

Elizabeth: (disappointed laugh. She toys with the collar and sets it down on the railing in front of him) Hopeless. (walks off)

(Jack glances down at it. He watches her leave, then turns back to it. A scolding, yet thoughtful expression appears on his face. He holds the collar for a brief second and then pockets it)

THE INTREPID – EVENING – CAPTAIN’S CABIN

(Barbossa is bent over the maps spread out on Norrington’s table. Will is standing next to Barbossa, watching and listening as the older man explains how to chart a course. The door opens and a Chinese man enteres.)

Zian: (nervous as four unfriendly gazes fix on him) Ming asked me to come and assist you in the treatment of our new captain.

Barbossa: And why should we be puttin’ out trust in ye?

Zian: (licks his lips) I was Sao Feng’s personal healer.

Anne: I saw you. You entered the room right after they dragged James in. What role did you play in his torture?

Zian: I was there to make certain that the pris – that the captain, I mean – did not die.

Swann: (disgusted) Don’t you mean that you were there to help extend his suffering by preventing them from killing him too soon?

Zian: (quite nervous) I was simply following orders! Now…now I am here to help.

(Anne considers this offer of help. She glances at Barbossa.)

Barbossa: It be your choice, missy. The commodore is under your care.

(It does not go unnoticed by either Anne or Zian that Barbossa and Will have both casually laid their hands on their weapons. Anne reaches a decision, and levels James’ pistol at Zian.)

Anne: No tricks, no games. He dies, you die. Understood?

Zian: Yes, yes. I understand. May I? (he indicates that he’d like to examine James.)

Anne: (reluctantly moves away.) The brand is the worst. Unfortunately, we have almost nothing to put on it to prevent infection.

Zian: (politely) The western world does not have the herbs that we do. I have something that should help.

(Zian and Anne bend to the task of caring for their patient. Swann stands nearby and fetches them whatever they need. In the middle of cleaning the burn, James stirs and awakens. When he sees who is bending over him, he struggles weakly to get away.)

James: Keep – away.

Anne: (smoothes his hair back to comfort him) He’s here to help, James.

James: No…he was there…here…where…

(James turns his head away and his eyes start to slide closed again. Distantly, he thinks he can hear Anne calling his name, but he’s caught in a dark mist.)

(When it clears, he is standing on the deck of the Dauntless. He sees Elizabeth standing before him, dressed in nothing more than a white shift. She smiles at him and begins dancing in the sunlight, and for a moment James is lost in the vision. Then the world begins to grow dark, and a cold wind begins to blow.)

James: Elizabeth?

(She is nowhere in sight. He can’t find her. The sky becomes almost black as he races across the deck. Somehow, it feels as if arms are trying to hold him back from the edge of the rail. He struggles, and suddenly he’s falling into the sea. A wave crashes over him and when he breaks the surface, he sees Elizabeth. She opens her mouth as if to scream his name, but she is sucked under a red wave.

James looks around. The whole sea is crimson and close by the Dauntless is breaking apart. His men are falling into the red sea that is tainted with the blood of the many lives he is responsible for. Lifeless bodies float by him, but their eyes are all open in accusation. There is a final scream as the ship splits in half suddenly, and James is sucked under, and the screams follow him into darkness.

Floating, disorinented, his body aches and sweats. Whispering all around him, James tries to listen but the words are distorted by the pounding in his ears. He tries to move only to discover that he is bound, bound by ropes of human hands in this hellish place. The heat grows more intense, the screams grow louder, drowning out the whispering. Burning – he is burning, and suddenly realizes it is his own voice screaming, his heartbeat throbbing with each wave of pain. Faces float before him, fade from sight until only one remains. A woman with red-hair and green eyes.)

James: (weak, raspy voice) Anne?

Anne: Oh, thank God.

(Will and Barbossa cautiously step away from Norrington. They had been holding him down, trying to keep him from injuring himself further as he thrashed from the fever. Swann hands Anne a mug and he removes the warm rag from James’ forehead to soak in cool water.)

Zian: The tea is beginning to work, but he is not out of danger yet. The toxins in his body must be fully driven out before he will be well again. (He goes to the table and puts a small muslin bag of herbs in some hot water. Then he measures out a careful dose of laudanum.)

James: (obviously not fully conscious) What…happenin’?

Anne: You’ve been ill, James. We’re going to give you something to bring the fever down, and to ease the pain.

James: (squeezes eyes closed) No. Please…not…not…him.

Zian: (hesitantly) When he was –with us – we gave him a few draughts to –

Anne: (coldly) I don’t want to know. Just give me the mug. I will see to it that he takes it.

(As Anne turns her attention to James, Will glances over at the others. They look as pale and worn as he feels.)

Will: I’m going to get some air. Anne, I’ll stay close. Just send for someone if you need me.

(Anne looks over and nods as she coaxes James to take a few sips of the tea. Will exits, much relieved.)

Anne: I think the worst is over now. You all can leave, if you like.

Swann: (touches Anne gently on the shoulder) Thank you for helping him. I too am leaving, but only briefly. I’d like to speak with my daughter, but I shall be back soon.

Anne: Thank you. (she nods at Barbossa, who says nothing, but simply grabs Zian by the arm and jerks him out of the room. James barely seems to notice. Finally, the room is empty save for James and Anne, and the commodore begins to fall into a more natural sleep.)

CUT TO…(Elizabeth’s cabin. Will has shut himself away inside it)

Will: (to himself) I dance and breathe and can even deceive
I am not alive, but watch how I thrive
Do not come too near
Or I will consume you, my dear
(fingers his necklace as he thinks)

(Elizabeth enters)

Elizabeth: Will? Are you all right?

Will: Fine.

Elizabeth: (notices he looks troubled) What are you thinking about?

Will: Nothing. How is Norrington?

Elizabeth: Dr. O’Doyle said he would live, but it’s hard to tell when you’re actually close to him to see him. (wraps her arms around him. He seems distant) Nothing’s troubling you?

Will: (pats her hand) No. Do you need help on deck?

Elizabeth: No. I've actually come in to retire. We'll be leaving early in the morning. (sees familiar object on her desk next to Will) Where did you get that?

Will: (glances at the compass) Jack wants me to use it, says it points to what you want.

(Before Elizabeht can respond, Swann enters the cabin)

Swann: It looks like James is doing much better. Eastern medicine, I'll never understand it, but it's done wonders for him. I expect him to be at least walking around in the morning.

Elizabeth: That's good to hear. I don't know how much more I can handle by myself. Not that you two haven't been any help (goes over to her father to kiss him)

Swann: You know, I'm actually having a bit of fun.

Will: The pirates would be proud of you (smiles at him, still seems far away)

Swann: My only regret is not being able to see your wedding. (Elizabeth opens her mouth but he raises his hand slightly) I'm sure it was lovely. Goodnight, children. (exits)

(Elizabeth stands over Will and puts her arms around him, she presses her forehead into his back, as if ridding herself of a headache. He reaches back to caress her.)

Will: You look ready for bed.

Elizabeth: Oh yes, more ready than you'd believe.

CUT TO...(upper deck. A few pirates are keeping a night watch. Gibbs walks up and down the deck, obviously on the first watch)

Pirate: All well, Mr. Gibbs?

Gibbs: All well.

(He takes a quick drink from his flask. He glances up at the sky. He sees Jack up in the crow's nest, seated comfortably, but not asleep.)

Barbossa: (coming from behind him) I'm takin' the next watch.

Gibbs: No surprises there. You're not to be left alone.

Barbossa: Oh no. I'm separatin' the captain and her "cabin boy" and having her do the second watch with me. (laughs. Gibbs joins in. Maybe it won't be such a long time until dawn.)

CUT TO THE ENDEAVOR – BECKETT’S QUARTERS -- NIGHT

(Beckett is seated behind his desk, reading a missive that seems to be annoying him. Davy Jones stands before him.)

Jones: (sardonically amused) Things not going well?

Beckett: (looks up) Actually, yes, things are going well, with the exception of two things.

Jones: Sparrow and (his tone turns dark) Turner?

Beckett: (waves hand dismissively) Sparrow? No. I know better than to trust him. As for Turner, I expect he has run back to his wife. (Jones shifts slightly, and Beckett smirks at the tell) No, the difficulty lies in the absences of the governor and commodore of Port Royal.

Jones: Ah, politics.

Beckett: Yes, politics. The King will not be happy if he finds out I’ve lost not just Weatherby Swann, his old friend, but also my newly re-appointed Commodore. It doesn’t look good to misplace two important people. The goal therefore is to capture them alive, if not entirely well. Once that is accomplished, I leave it to your discretion what happens to the remaining prisoners.

(Jones smiles unpleasantly. Beckett looks at him thoughtfully for a moment and gets up to go to a chest, where he pulls a smaller, more familiar chest from its depths. Davy Jones looks at the object with loathing as Beckett places it on the desk.)

Beckett: What has my curiosity piqued is your interest in young Turner? Surely you don’t find him much of a threat, do you?

Jones: (reluctant) Every fifty years a possible heir is born for the Dutchman. It is their destiny to stab the heart…or to die trying.

Beckett: And young mister Turner is this new heir.

Jones: (snarls) He is nothing! A mere child. I will enjoy his slow death.

Beckett: And yet you have failed to kill him. My, that must be irksome. How do you know for certain that he is the heir?

Jones: (shrugs) I just know. Destiny has a way of letting you know these things.

Beckett: (mildly) So you intend to kill Turner?

Jones: I will sunder him from the life he has known, and claim his soul.

CUT TO THE INTREPID – CAPTAIN’S CABIN – NIGHT

(James is lying on the bed, cheeks flushed, his breathing slightly heavier than it normally would be, although he seems to be resting quietly for now. Anne is seated on the bed beside him, brushing a cool cloth over his bare chest and face. He has no clothes on, but the sheets are more than adequate. Swann is also present, seated on a chair near the bed while he reads some papers.)

Swann: (looks up in time to see Anne yawn) Anne, why don’t you go get some sleep? I can sit up with him now that the worst is over.

Anne: (smiles and shakes her head) Thank you, but no. I would like to see his fever break before I seek some rest.

(James murmurs something, his lashes fluttering gently, and Anne softly hushes him, brushing back a few damp strands of hair from his face as she speaks to him. Swann hides his smile behind the documents.)

Swann: Very well. This gives me a little more time to go over Sao’s accounts as Elizabeth requested of me.

Anne: You can read Chinese?

Swann: No, but Sao did keep his records in three other languages, including English. He was quite the businessman.

(The conversation is interrupted by an agitated knock on the door.)

Anne: (reaches for James’ pistol and Swann tenses.) Enter.

(Barbossa enters, quickly followed by Jack. When Anne and Swann see who it is, they both relax. Annoyed, Barbossa turns around and glares at Jack.)

Barbossa: What do you want?

Jack: (looks affronted) I’m just here to help, mate.

Barbossa: (skeptical) Unlikely.

Jack: What, you don’t think I can help in a sick room? I’ve been told I have a wonderful bedside manner.

Barbossa: Comforting the distraught and disappointed, no doubt.

(He lets his gaze drift down meaningfully on Jack before he turns back to Swann. Jack seems confused for a moment, looks down as well. Understanding dawns and he looks outraged.)

Jack: You –

Swann: (goes back to reading and speaks over Jack.) Is there a problem, captain?

(Jack is about to respond, since he’s a captain, but Barbossa cuts him off.)

Barbossa: Ye could say that, governor. Your daughter is showing a distinct lack of respect to her elders.

(Anne muffles a laugh, and even Swann seems highly amused. Barbossa gives Jack a look that promises severe retribution. Jack looks as innocent as possible and begins to wander around the room, opening drawers and looking in them.)

Swann: Is that so? Well, tell me what she’s done now, and I will see if there’s anything that can be done.

Jack: Why should she listen to a quodam captain like you? You're about as useful as a brass monkey that's had its balls frozen off.

(Barbossa suddenly seems embarrassed, and he mutters his reply under his breath.)

Jack: (cups hand to his ear) Beg pardon, Captain?

Barbossa: (does his best to ignore Jack) She won’t come out of her cabin. I knocked and that upstart whelp that you call a son-in-law had the audacity to say that she wasn’t there.

Swann: (choked voice) I see. And, forgive me for asking, but how do you know that Will is being less than truthful in this matter?

Barbossa: She ah…was giggling in the background.

(Anne and Swann can’t help it; they both snicker. Jack, who had been wandering aimlessly through James’ cabin and looking through things. He looks up.)

ack: Probably because he’s a eunuch.

(The silence that descends on the room is a mixture of amusement and embarrassment.)

Barbossa: How do you know that? (knowingly) Ah, it takes one to know one, aye?

Jack: Is this really worth troubling the younger, stronger men of the ship?

(Barbossa growls in response and his hand moves toward his gun, Jack's hand moves toward his sword, and Swann jumps to his feet quickly.)

Swann: I think perhaps maybe I’ll join you on watch, Captain Barbossa. My eyes are tired of reading the reports on Sao’s noodle factory.

Barbossa: (shakes head) A pirate with a noodle factory…what’s the world coming to?

Jack: Shhh. You're going to wake them up.

(Swann and Barbossa turn back to see that Anne, despite her best efforts had finally fallen asleep, slumped over slightly on the bed. The men look at each other awkwardly, not quite sure if they should move her, and if they did, who would do it. Anne settles the matter herself, adjust her position so that she is lying on her back, snuggled up slightly to James, who is breathing far easier now, and he is far less flushed.)

Swann: (presses a palm to James’ forehead and smiles) The fever’s broken. I suggest we leave them to rest.

(Barbossa scowls jealously at the sleeping pair. He and Swann exit. Jack remains, a knowing expression on his face. He sits in a nearby chair and begins reading James' journal.)

THE INTREPID -- CAPTAIN'S CABIN -- PRE-DAWN

(Jack is still seated, reading James' worn journal. He occasionally glances up from the book to check to make sure James is still sleeping. Finally, he reads the last entry.)

Jack: You're too serious, mate. You need to have more fun. (He looks from James to the journal, and his face softens.) Maybe the world's already taken that from you. We'll just have to fix that now, won't we?

(James sighs and stirs. Jack realizes the man is beginning to wake, and panics when he realizes that Norrington would probably kill him if he saw him with his journal.)

Jack: Bugger.

(He looks around frantically for a good place to hide it, but James' eyes are already fluttering, so he tosses the book over his shoulder and poses in the chair, smiling brightly when James looks at him sleepily.)

James: (groggy) Sparrow? (he blinks at Jack, turns his head and sees Anne lying beside him. This propels him into motion, and he sits up suddenly, then hisses as his body protests.) What are you --

Jack: (puts a hand on James' non-injured shoulder) Easy, mate. You've been ill. You remember what happened?

James: No...It's all hazy...

(His hand flies up to his neck. Jack hesitates, then pulls the collar out from the pocket of his coat and hands it to James.)

Jack: Remember now?

James: (turns the collar over in his hands) Some. (he looks over at Anne) But not everything.

Jack: Oh, that. Don't worry, you didn't do anything fun (under his breath) As usual.

James: (narrows eyes) What was that? What have you been up to?

Jack: (brightly) Nothing. Why would you assume I was up to anything?

James: You're always up to something.

Jack: I should probably be going.

James: What did you do? (he moves to get up and realizes he's naked) Where are my clothes?

Jack: (backing away) Happily, nowhere near you. Bye!

(Jack flees with more speed than dignity. James, completely suspicious now, looks around and sees his journal on the floor near the window seat.)

James: Bastard! I'll kill him!

(He pulls the sheet back, intending to get up, but Anne stirs and he hurridly pulls the covering back down.)

Anne: Where do you think you're going?

James: (attempting to remain dignified) I intend to dress and speak with Elizabeth. I seem to recall that we are heirs to a pirate now.(he pauses, then adds) And I'm going to throttle Sparrow.

Anne: I don't think so. You need to stay here and rest.

James: (annoyed) No!

Anne: (equally annoyed) Yes!

James: (leans closer) No!

Anne: (leans in closer as well) Yes! Besides, you can't get up.

James: (leans in even closer) Oh, and why is that?

Anne: (sputters and pulls away) Because you're naked, that's why!

James: (smirks) Why so shy?

(He tosses back the covers and gets up. Anne gapes at him, then remembers finally to cover her eyes.)

James: It's not like you haven't seen it before.

Anne: Oh you -- that was different! You were --

(She peeks out from behind her hand in time to see James pull up a pair of breeches.)

James: (looks over his shoulder and smirks) I was what?

Anne: ...distracting me.

(James laughs. Anne is simultaneously furious and embarrassed.)

Anne: I meant that you were ill.

(James grabs her arm and gently but firmly pulls her from the bed.)

Anne: You still are. What are you doing?

James: Getting some peace and quiet.

(He pulls her to the door, even though she's putting up a mighty struggle.)

James: Find Elizabeth for me and tell her I would like to speak with her.

(With that, he pushes Anne out the door and closes it firmly in place. There's a click as the door is locked from the inside.)

Anne: Ooooh, that -- that -- scoundrel!

(Inside the cabin, James leans wearily against the door and closes his eyes. It takes him a few moments to straighten back up and make his way over to the water basin. It's quite obvious that he is in pain.)

-----------

THE INTREPID -- ON DECK -- DAWN

(Anne glares at the closed door. A shadow looms over her, and she looks up to see Groves, Barbossa, Jack and Governor Swann standing behind her.)

Groves: I'm impressed, milady. You've only known James for two days and you've already been thrown out of his cabin. Usually it takes at least a week or more before he does that

Jack: (to Anne) Ah, not good enough in bed for him, were you? I know he's quite well-end--owww!!

(Jack rubs his shoulder, where Groves had just hit him.)

Jack: (sullenly) Don't see why you had to hit so hard, mate.

Swann: (ignores Jack and Groves) How is he?

Anne: Stubborn as ever.

Swann: He's a man's man. If his arm fell off, he'd claim it was just a scratch and that he's fine.

Anne: Well, he's not fine, I can tell you that. He is going to wear himself out.

Barbossa: Don't worry yerself about him, missy.

Anne: (shrilly) I'm not worried! I'm just...(before anyone can 'help' her, she changes the subject.) Where is Elizabeth?

Swann: (before Jack can speak up) I believe she is still with Will.

Jack: Yes, probably still waiting in vain for him to -- ooof! Stop doing that!

(Will and Elizabeth exit their cabin and approach the group as Groves attempts to look innocent. Jack makes a face at him.)

Will: You aren't still making eunuch jokes about me, are you Jack?

Elizabeth: (eyes widen) Eunuch? (she looks at Will)

Jack: You see love, a eunuch is when a man (this time, Jack is ready for Groves' elbow and dodges out of the way. Unfortunately, Barbossa is there to slap the back of his head.) Owww!

Elizabeth: I know what a eunuch is, Jack. (begins to giggle) You think WILL is a --? (she really starts to laugh, and she hangs onto Will to keep from falling over, especially when Barbossa indicates a small length with his finger and points to Jack.)

Jack: I can see you, Barbossa! (looks at Will, who is grinning at him, and at Elizabeth, who is still laughing) So...not a eunuch then?

Elizabeth: (shakes her head) Really Jack, you think some of the most outrageous things.

(Jack looks like he might respond to this, but Anne finally speaks up.)

Anne: (primly) The commodore is wanting to speak with you, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: He's up?

Anne: (her eyes flash) Unfortunately. Maybe the idiot will listen to you if you tell him to rest. His burn needs tending to; wash it and put some salve on it, and cover it back up.

Elizabeth: Don't you want to --

Anne: NO! (takes a deep breath) I'm going to go rest. Good day to you.

(Anne walks stiffly below-deck while everyone watches her go.)

Jack: Is it my imagination, or am I sensing a bit of tension between her and the commodore?

Barbossa: Who knows what goes on in that sun-addled brain of yours?

(As the two captains start sniping at each other, Elizabeth presses a kiss to Will's lips before parting with him. She presses a kiss to her father's cheek, and then she knocks on James' door.)

CUT TO Caribbean, Tia's shack

(There is more activity in the swamp than we have ever seen. People are bustling all over the place. The boy we saw earlier runs as fast as his little legs can carry him to Tia's shack)

Boy: Ma'am!

Tia: (coming from behind the shadows) I tol' ya and tol' ya not to be bodderin' me. What is it?

Boy: The riddle you gave me! I solved it! I know what it is.

(He opens his mouth, but Tia covers it)

Tia: Don't even speak it. Remember da ships I said would be comin'? (waits for the boy to nod) T'will be in a matter of days.

Boy: Do you know if...if...(too nervous to say what's on his mind)

Tia: Yes. I tink he'll be wid dem by now. Listen to Tia. Dis is da most important ting you have to know. (so close she's almost whispering) Don't ask for him, but wait for someone to address William Turner. Can you remember dat name?

Boy: William Turner. Yes.

Tia: Good. Now run off.

(The boy hugs her before he goes, but loses his balance. He accidentally tears a piece of jewelry off her neck. It falls to the floor)

Boy: I'm sorry! (picks up the locket and looks at it. It plays a familiar tune)

Tia: (closes it rapdily, fighting back tears) Dat will do. Go on now. Go one now and wait, little one.

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.

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.)

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.)

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)

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.

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.)

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?

--TWO DAYS LATER –

THE INTREPID – CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS – AFTERNOON

(( All the captains of Elizabeth and James’ small fleet are gathered in the room. There is an air of tension in the room, and by the expressions on people’s faces, there is a disagreement among them.))

James: And you couldn’t have mentioned this when we were in port yesterday?

Qiao: I hadn’t taken the vote until today.

James: (face darkens) I see.

(Jack smiles brightly at everyone and raises his hand, stepping forward so that James can ‘see’ him better. James’ locks his jaw in annoyance. Will and Elizabeth seem simultaneously amused and dismayed that Jack is about to open his mouth.)

Jack: If I may just interject my professional opinion –

James: If I said ‘no’, would you be quiet?

Jack: No. Now, as to this matter of pirating, I think that Captain Qoe—Quincey—Quiche--

Qiao: (annoyed) Qiao!

Jack: That’s the one! Is right. The crews will be much more settled if we find a ship that needs to be relieved of its excess accoutrements.

(James blows out a breath and scowls. Elizabeth seems uncertain, but then she nods in agreement with Jack.)

Elizabeth: I think Jack is right, James. We’re going to have to do something to appease the crews.

James: (sharply) We are not appeasing anyone, Elizabeth.

(Elizabeth looks annoyed.)

Elizabeth: What choice do we have?

James: (coolly) We do NOT appease the crews, Elizabeth. I will agree, however, that in order to reach our destination we will need certain provisions, and therefore, when we come across some French ships, we will take them.

(There is startled silence in the room as they realize that James has not only agreed to do some pirating, but has also chosen their target.)

James: Any other concerns that need to be addressed?

Qiao: (looking at James in a new light.) No.

(She bows to him and leaves. Elizabeth looks furious, and she storms out after Qiao without saying good-bye. Will shrugs apologetically at James and goes after his wife.)

Barbossa: (admiringly)You’ve got stones, I’ll give you that, commodore.

Jack: Is this what they call teamwork in the navy?

(James turns slowly towards Jack, a murderous glint in his green eyes.)

James: Do you have a problem, Sparrow?

Jack: Not as such, only Elizabeth –

James: Is perfectly capable of defending herself. She has to learn quickly, or would you rather she learned the hard way, as you yourself did?

(There is silence from Jack.)

James: As I thought. Good day, gentlemen.

--

THE EMPRESS – JAMES’ CABIN

(James is taken back to The Empress. He keeps his stone-faced expression as he walks across the decks and into his cabin. There is a knock on the door.)

James: (sighs) Enter.

(Anne enters the cabin, and James suppresses another sigh. He doesn’t want to deal with another moody female.)

James: What can I do for you, Anne?

Anne: (looks him over) You look awful.

James: (flinches) Then I look better than I feel.

(He sighs, offers Anne the chair in his room, and slouches onto the hard mattress on the floor that serves as his bed. Anne smiles sympathetically.)

Anne: I saw Elizabeth return.

James: How did she seem?

Anne: (pulls a bottle from the satchel she wears to carry medical supplies) I think you might need this before you face her again.

James: (smiles wryly and takes the bottle) Thank you.

Anne: My pleasure. (she smiles and stands) I should…probably go.

(James stands and nods. After she leaves, he looks down at the bottle, then at the door, and he smiles.)

--

THE EMPRESS – ON DECK

(James leaves his cabin and looks on the crowded deck until he spots Anne. She is sitting down, attempting to splice ropes together to make them stronger.)

James: Keeping yourself busy, I see.

Anne: (tartly) Some of us enjoy staying busy. Why aren’t you resting?

James: (dryly) Some of us enjoy staying busy. (Sits down beside her and watches) You’re doing it wrong.

(Anne shoots him a glare and scowls. James chuckles and reaches over, his hand brushing hers accidentally. They both flush and draw away at the same time.)

James: I’ll show you…

(He shows Anne how to splice the rope in a way that keeps it from unraveling itself. She watches him, as he patiently explains the process to her. Then she reaches over and snags the rum bottle, and opens it.)

Anne: You’re looking peaky. Drink.

(James hesitates.)

Anne: You need it. I know that you’re in pain, James. If you won’t accept the laudanum, at least take the edge away. You aren’t going to do us any good if you fall flat on your face, commodore.

James: (reluctantly takes the bottle, takes a swallow of rum, then offers her the bottle) Care to join me?

(Anne looks around the ship, filled with pirates. She looks at her dirty clothes, then at James’ unshaved face.)

Anne: Yes, I think I will.

(She takes a sip as well. Having struck an accord, they sit together, drinking rum and talking while they splice ropes.)

CUT TO THE ENDEAVOR – ON DECK – NIGHT

(Beckett is glaring at Davy Jones, who is looking a smug, but sheepish.)

Beckett: (ominous voice) So my captain tells me we are nearly at Florida.

Jones: Yes, indeed.

Beckett: Correct me if I’m wrong, captain, but isn’t Tia Dalma located near Venezuela?

Jones: (looks up at the rigging) No, no. You’re quite correct.

Beckett: How exactly did this happen?

Jones: Ye see, Beckett, I be a cursed pirate. I am only allowed to see Tia Dalma but once every ten years.

Beckett: (annoyed) Yes, I know. But that doesn’t explain why we’re at Florida instead of Venezuela.

Jones: Well, this curse prevents me from finding –

Beckett: (dangerously) I order you to set course for Tia Dalma! Now!

(Jones seems to struggle against the instructions, but it seems to cause him pain. He glares at Beckett.)

Jones: One day, Beckett…I will own you.

--

CUT TO THE EMPRESS – ON DECK – DAWN

(Anne is looking over the railing at the ocean. Elizabeth joins her, and pulls out a scope to scan the horizon.)

Elizabeth: There’s three ships to the west of us.

Anne: What colors are they flying?

Elizabeth: French. They look to be merchant ships. Go tell James –
Anne: I’m not playing messenger for you. You want to tell him something, you have to do it yourself.

Elizabeth: (looks annoyed) I’m not speaking to him at the moment. He’s the one who wants to run the entire fleet, as if it’s all his to command.

Anne: Don’t be ridiculous, Elizabeth.

(Elizabeth opens her mouth to protest, but Anne continues speaking)

Anne: (rolls eyes) Do you believe he would have left you in charge while he rests if he truly thought that you were incompetent?

(Elizabeth considers this, then looks back through the scope.)

Elizabeth: Then he won’t mind if I order an attack.

Anne: Well –

(Elizabeth rushes off and begins shouting orders. The ship changes course, and the signal is sent for the rest of the fleet to follow suit. Anne sighs, then becomes alarmed as a sleep-tousled James exits his cabin just as Jack Sparrow comes up from below-decks.)

Anne: What is he doing – (shaking herself, she rushes over to James) You should be resting.

James: (brushes off her attempt to distract him.) What’s going on?

Jack: (comes up behind them grinning) Old Lizzie just ordered an attack on some French ships. Nothing to worry about.

James: (darkly) Sparrow, what are you doing here?

Jack: It’s captain, Jamie-lad. Captain Sparrow.

James: (about ready to strangle him) Very well, captain, what are you doing here?

Jack: (suddenly looks shifty) Just thought I’d see how you children were getting along, make sure you hadn’t blown any holes in your ship with your arguing…

James: (sighs) If you’re going to lie, Jack, at least attempt to lie well.

(Jack looks affronted. Elizabeth races by, then stops when she sees Jack and James. James raises an eyebrow at her.)

James: Hullo. Remember me? Co-captain?

Jack: Co-captain doesn’t have as nice a ring as captain.

James: Yes, thank you for that, Sparrow.

Elizabeth: (glares at James, then looks at Jack) What are you –

(She is cut off as the first sound of cannon fire reaches their ears, and they all race off to battle stations.)

THREE DAYS LATER – THE EMPRESS – ON DECK

(The fleet grew by two ships after the battle with the French. Now, three days later, they have just finished battling some Spanish traders. Four ships are seen smoking in the background. They are connected to the other ships in the fleet by ropes so they can be towed behind.)

Will: I like rum. (looks intently at the other men) Don’t tell Elizabeth.

Jack: Wouldn’t dream of it. She’d toss it overboard, or set it on fire.

James: Rum’s good. Good painkiller. Not too bad tasting either, once
you get used to it.

(James is seated on a barrel, leaning against the railing with a rum bottle in his hand. Jack is lounging artfully on some crates, also with a rum bottle, and Will and Barbossa are leaning against the railing. Barbossa is taking a swig from a bottle of rum, which he hands back to Will.)

Barbossa: Arm still bothering you, commodore?

James: (growls) Oh, not you too.

(He scowls as Barbossa laughs at him. Then he finishes his bottle of rum and looks at the smoldering ships.)

James: So we’re up to eleven ships now?

Will: We might be down to ten soon. My ship took a lot of damage today.

James: (reflects on this for a moment) Yes, I saw.

Barbossa: It’s all right lad. Happens to the best of us. That maneuver
you used today was tricky. Very piratey.

Will: (grins) I saw James use it against the French ships.

Barbossa: Well now, I say we’ll make pirates of both of ye yet.

Jack: Not dirty enough yet. And they need some rings. Shiny ones. (eyes James and Will critically) Eh, but they’ll do for now.

(He and Barbossa toast the ‘new’ pirates. James and Will are about to toast them in return, but then Elizabeth and Anne walk up to them. They both look annoyed.)

Elizabeth: What are the four of you doing?

Jack: We are engaged in secret and manly rituals the likes of which are not appropriate for ladies’ eyes or ears.

(He gives Anne and Elizabeth a bright smile, but falters under their stern glares.)

Jack: (holds out bottle) Ah, of course. How rude of us. Would you like some?

Elizabeth: (eyes blaze) No! Do you realize how close we are to Tia Dalma’s?

Will: Um…(tries to figure out where they might be.) No. Pretty close, right?

Anne: (smothers her laughter) We’re going to drop anchor in twenty minutes.

Will: Oh.

Jack: I knew that.

Elizabeth: (is glaring at James, then at Jack) You can’t go to Tia’s drunk.

Jack: Of course we can. I’ve done it plenty of times. And anyways, I’m not dru—

(Jack tries to sit up and ends up rolling off the crates and falling behind them. Everyone winces as there is a loud crash.)

Jack: I’m good!

(A hand appears over the edge of the crates, waving a rum bottle triumphantly.)

Jack: And I saved the rum!

Elizabeth: (exasperated) I suggest that you four get yourselves together and meet me at the longboat in ten minutes.

(She smiles at Will and kisses him briefly, glares at the other men, then stalks off with an amused Anne in tow.)

Barbossa: (admiringly) She’s a pistol, that one is.

Jack: Or a fire-starter. Take your pick.

(They all snicker, and get up, all in various states of inebriation. James is swaying slightly and needs to be steered gently by Barbossa, who is only slightly drunk. Will is pleasantly buzzed, and Jack is…Jack.)

Will: (suddenly serious) James, you’re bleeding.

(James looks down at his injured arm. Blood is slowly running down his arm from under the bandage.)

James: It's nothing.

Barbossa: Ha! We'll have Tia look at it. She's bound to have something that can help.

James: (snorts) No thank you. I already know all about her ‘help’.

Barbossa and Jack: You do?!

Will: (interested) What? What’s she do?

(The three older men suddenly get shifty-eyed and look at each other warily before looking back an inquiring Will, who raises his brows.)

James: Absolutely nothing you need to know about.

Barbossa: Never you mind, boy. Forget we even mentioned it.

Jack: I agree with them.

Will: (totally unconvinced) Right.

(James casts about for a change in subject before Will asks Possibly Embarrassing Questions ™. Luckily, Elizabeth calls over to them again.)

Will: Women. (looks to make sure Elizabeth hadn’t heard him.) Don’t tell my wife I said that.

Jack: (pats him on the shoulder) Welcome to indentured servitude…I mean, wedded bliss of course.

(They all pile into the longboat and wait for Elizabeth to join them.)

CUT TO...

(Jack, Will, Elizabeth, James, and Barbossa are in a longboat, making the long, winding way towards a familiar shack. The little village is quiet. A few of our heroes are still a little tipsy.)

Will: Just when did you meet Tia? I don't think we heard you say.

(All eyes turn to James)

James: (tipsy) Much happened between meeting up with Beckett again and landing this new position. Elizabeth, your father probably should have come with the (loses balance slightly) four, five....all of us.

Elizabeth: (stifling a laugh) Why don't you just turn around and be on your guard? I'm sure Father's fine.

James: Should have had some with us.

Elizabeth: You should have left it for the crew.

James: Excellent idea! Sparrow, Captain Turner and, well, I, appoint you to deal out the only substance that manages to kill my pain. (laughs at his own sarcastic remark)

Jack: You may tell the captain that I am disinclined to acquiese to her request. (to Elizabeth) Really should have joined us, love. Would love to see you drunk. Or are you still a believer that it turns respectable men into complete scoundrels?

Elizabeth: Just a few.

Will: (sobering slightly) What's that over there?

(they look to the side of their boat. A little reed winds around out of the water towards them.)

James: (gets pistol out) That reed looks suspicious. (hiccups)

Will: You're suspicious. (He leans over and fingers it. Suddenly, a little boy pops out of the water, coughing slightly)

Jack: Remy!

Remy: Jack! (the longboat pulls up to outside Tia's shack. Jack gets out and picks the boy up in his arms) You be wantin' to see her?

Jack: Unless you think that's a bad idea? (eyes him)

Remy: Not at all. She's expectin' you, she says.

Will: That's never good. How did she know we'd be coming?

Jack: You haven't seen anyone else, have you? Possibly a giant bluish-green man with tentacles for a beard and an ill temper, eh?

Remy: (laughing) I'd let you know. (hand unconsciously taps the pocket the tiny scroll is in) I come in with you?

Elizabeth: I'm not sure that's a good idea... (Remy runs into the shack before she can finish) Well, we might as well follow suit. (enters)

CUT TO...inside of Tia's shack.

(Tia is at her table with her crab claws. She looks much cleaner and her teeth are whiter, as if some of her as melted away)

Tia: Didn't know if I'd be seein' y'all again, least not all together.

Jack: (ducks under her hanging jars) A pleasure as always. Glad you decided to send this motley crew for me.

Tia: (rises and heads toward them) Yet ye be standin' in the doorway. Sit down. You too, captains. (lets her hand glide across James' chest as she goes back to the table) What ya be needin'?

(Jack looks at everyone else. They usher him to start. He makes a face.)

Jack: Well, ahem, you may be receiving more visitors in the near future. (sits across from her. The others follow)

Tia: Dead or alive? (looks up at Barbossa, he avoids eye contact)

Jack: Oh, very much alive and craving power. (sheepish grin disappears) The East India Trading Company, Tia.

Tia: (stands quickly. Her chair falls to the floor) What? Not here, they ain't. What did you say, Jack Sparrow? What did you do?

Will: Please, we came here to warn you. Cutler Beckett has the heart of Davy Jones.

Tia: The heart belong to him now?

Will: Yes. He'll be coming to take you to Davy Jones. (Tia looks at him intently) If you forgot to tell us anything the last time we were here, we need to hear it now.

Tia: It does beg da question, how all came to be here at da same time?

(Elizabeth looks at James. He seems reluctant to even look at her.)

Elizabeth: Captain Norrington and I command the late Sao Feng's ships. We have 11 ships now. We could protect you and your village from him. It's not hopeless, especially if we have your help. (leans over the table, gaining confidence) You really don't want Beckett to control the sea, do you?

Tia: Sao give ya his Piece of 8? (Elizabeth nods) What a lovely gift. Which one he give it to?

James: Both of us. We were meant to share it.

Tia: Fitting, but not in either of ye's nature. One must be in control. (nears James, coyly lets her lips hover all around his face without touching him)

Elizabeth: I share the Piece of 8 with James.

Tia: That's not all he's shared. (grins at him) Had no idea you'd take to likin' sailin' wid da little pirate.

Will: (losing patience) Is there any way to destroy the heart? Tell us all you know about that.

Tia: Da way to destroy da heart'a Davy Jones is ta stab it.

Barbossa: There be another way, I heard.

Tia: Legend. Legend covered in deep myth. (to Will) Now if you were to retrieve him heart, bring it here...

Jack: Do you want me to tell them about all the horrors you can pull without it? We're not bringing you the heart.

Tia: You want me to tell dem all 'bout what ya dream in da Locker and here on world? (sees Jack shut up) If one of ya would stay, I could take him to da Flying Dutchman...

Elizabeth: You could have done that in the first place.

Tia: But da heart was not dug up then, was it? I thank ye for findin' it, Captain of Sao Feng's assets, but you be busy lookin' after James Norrington I see.

(James and Elizabeth glare at her.)

Will: Is there something you're not telling us?

(Remy, who has been listening to all of this, edges his chair closer to Will)

Will: Why did you bring back Barbossa really? Why did you send us to Jack?

(Tia says nothing. She opens her hand and reveals several Pieces of 8)

Barbossa: Good God! These folks'd give their dead bodies before their coins!

(Tia smiles up at him)

Barbossa: Oh, you ain't gettin' mine, madam. Thanks for bringing me back to life, but this stay with me.

James: You could have taken it off his body.

Tia: But then who would lead ya to Jack? (smiles at Jack, then stands up and goes to James) Who would bring ye back to me?

Jack: So it's all true. (she turns to him. Jack quickly takes Remy and points his pistol at her)

Remy: What are ye doin'?

Jack: What's this boy have, Tia? What's he have?

Tia: I don't know what you mean?

Jack: Why do you need all the Pieces of 8, hmm? I know a lovely little sea goddess who's rumored to need them all to leave her body. Tryin' to get out of a cage, are you?

Elizabeth: Goddess? (looks at Tia)

Tia: Let me take William Turner. Let me take him to da Flying Dutchman to get da heart. No need to be shootin', Jack.

(Jack lets Remy sit back down.)

Will: (takes compass out of his pocket and dangles it in front of Tia) We both want to find the Flying Dutchman. So tell me, is it what you want most?

Tia: Don't try to outwit me, William Turner. Your destiny is locked in place, already in motion. A little touch of destiny is now draped over you, and you cannot be free of it.

(Will looks disturbed.)

Tia: Pardon me (goes back further into her shack)

Elizabeth: (whispering to James) Why on earth did you come to see her?

James: (whispers back) Speed up my ship.

Jack: Don't worry, mate. We won't say a word to any gorgeous widows about the fun you had here. (pats him on the shoulder. James groans in pain) Sorry.

James: Will all of you...(Tia comes back. She carries a hulking, furry cat in her arms)

Tia: Take dis wid you, James Norrington. She protect you. (shoves cat into James' arms.) You not give me William, not Pieces of 8, you face Beckett soon. You face him and all you will die.

Cut to…
James, Barbossa, Will, Elizabeth, Tia, Jack, and the cat are in a longboat, heading back towards the ship.

Barbossa: I’m feelin slightly claustrophobic. Jack, would you mind squeezing over a bit, or maybe just swim alongside?

Jack: Listen mate, it’s the cat. I’m telling you, that cat is trouble. (the cat hisses at Jack, and Jack hisses back.) What happened to the good old days of harmless jars of dirt?

Elizabeth: (whispers to Will) What’s all this about a touch of destiny?

Will looks away, but Tia seems to have heard the question.

Tia: (to Elizabeth) Sometimes Fate intervenes…

Elizabeth’s face shows recognition—she heard the same phrase from Cutler Beckett. Before she can comment, however, Tia turns away. Foreshadowing music plays.

Cut to, the ships, all fanning out across the ocean yet again. It’s a clear night. Tia stands at the helm of Will’s ship, with the compass, while Will steers behind her. Next comes James and Elizabeth’s ship.

Elizabeth holds the helm, her eyes fixed ahead on Will. But now and then, she glances back behind them, where Jack’s ship follows. Jack is clearly staring at her through a telescope. Elizabeth rolls her eyes, pulls out her own telescope, and stares back. Jack grins, then notices Will watching through his telescope. Jack puts his telescope away and tries to look nonchalant.

James approaches Elizabeth, who shoves the telescope into his hand.

Elizabeth: Well, Captain Norrington, I’m turning in.

James: Oh, now that you’re tired, I’m the captain?

Elizabeth smiles, shrugs, and leaves. James adjusts the wheel, then stoops to retie a knot, the cat curls against his leg. Anne approaches.

Anne: Don’t trust your sailors?

James: (grimly) Years under His Majesty’s Navy made me a bit of a perfectionist. (winces as his muscles strain).

Anne: You ought to be careful…

James: (exploding) I’m fine! Why must you incessantly worry about me?!

Anne: (tips her chin in anger) Well never mind then. What do I care if you drag yourself around when you’re in pain, or put yourself in danger without thinking of anyone else’s feelings? What do I care if you kill yourself, for that matter?

Anne turns away to hide the tears slipping down her cheek. She brushes them away, mastering herself. James suddenly understands—she worries because she’s lost someone before.

James: Anne, I’m sorry.

Anne: Don’t apologize to me.

James smiles at her tenderly, and reaches for her hand. She stiffens, but he remains relaxed, leaning against the railing.

James: You know, Annie… (she hides a smile at the term) I’d guess you used to laugh more. Back before you had to protect yourself all the time. Hmmm?

Anne: (wryly) I suppose.

James: And I’d guess you were a bit of a mischief maker. Am I right?

Anne: (smiling now) You have me pegged, captain.

James: (turning to face her, softly) I wonder if there is a chance to see that side of you again. What do you think, Annie? If someone else were there to protect you, would you laugh more?

Anne: …I don’t know.

James: (begins winding his hands around her waist) You don’t think there’s the smallest chance you could start laughing… (she shrieks and giggles as he begins to tickle her, and then pulls her in a few fast spins around the deck.)

Anne: (gasping for breath, still laughing) Let me off!

James: (triumphantly) Aha!

The stop to look at each other, and Anne quickly looks down, serious again.

Anne: James… I… This isn’t going to work.

James: No?

Anne: No. Not with you always on the brink of dying or being captured. Not with all of us outlaws, chased around the Caribbean with no idea where tomorrow will find us. We’re just asking for heartbreak.

James: (sighing) Perhaps you’re right. But even pirates deserve to be loved, don’t they?