Chapter IV of “Return to the Sea”
** Find the other chapters on my blog
The sight gave her a morale boost as she slashed her stolen sword with more strength than before. She shouted at her family, who was trying to stay out of the fight since they were unarmed, unexperienced, freaking out, and handcuffed. Perfect combo.
"Guys we're getting some back-up! Hang in there!" Laila pointed towards the incoming ship.
Confused by what she meant, the British that were away from her looked up only to find the Pearl within 20 feet. The confusion soon turned into panic, as they had to recapture Laila before Captain Jack Sparrow could get his hands on her. Because once he does, they all knew she'd be even harder to catch.
Even faster than before, and somehow with even more strength, they all ganged up on Laila. She tried to fend off as many of them as she could, but they were freakin' British soldiers. With professional training. All of seven of them since she pushed three off the cruise. Badass, I know.
Just as her arms were about to give out on her, she heard different loud, masculine voices soar several feet above her head. Laila soon recognized them to be the crew. As the soldiers became distracted, she made a run for it. As she ran towards her family again, she saw crew members swinging onto the cruise to cover for her. But where is Jack?
Right before she reaches them, someone swings into her and grabs her waist! At this point, Laila was annoyed at the fact she couldn't get to her family, so she elbowed them before looking at who it was. As she turned, her fury turned into tenderness and her eyes softened at the sight of Jack holding her. He smiled at her, "I've missed you, love. Are you alright?"
It took her a minute to gather herself. She was at a loss for words. Without thinking, she cupped his cheeks and pulled him into a hard, passionate kiss. He gasped slightly at the unexpected act of affection but then tugged her closer by her hips. For a moment, she allowed herself to become lost in the kiss. Allowing the memories to come flooding back; the feel of his beaded hair against her fingers, the taste of his rum-soaked lips, the briny smell of the sea, and the sound of his heart beating against her chest. As they pulled away, his stubble tickled her chin.
As they came down from the clouds, the sounds of thrashing swords and battle cries grounded them. "Jack, Beckett wanted to use me as leverage to get to you. I have no idea how he found me. My family is on this cruise. Please, help me get them to safety." Her eyes were pleading even though she knew he wouldn't say no.
When he heard about Beckett trying to hurt her, something glimmered in his eyes. Anger. But he quickly snapped out of it as he placed his hands on her shoulders. "Love, get on the Pearl and send the longboat. Turner and I will help them board. I'll come back for their things. Don't worry, just get to safety." He ordered softly as he used his thumb to caress her cheek in a downwards motion.
Laila nodded and said "Thanks babe. And by the way, I missed you, too." She gave a small smirk as she hurried off to one of the Pearl's ropes tied to the railing by a crew member. Before she swung, she looked back at her mother and shouted over the brawl "I'm getting you guys to safety! Give me like five minutes!"
She swung across to the ship and headed straight for the helm. "Oi! Get the longboat! To the cruise!" The crew complied and Pintel and Ragetti jumped down into the boat to row it towards the cruise. At least they'll be safer now.
As the knuckleheads went to retrieve her folks, she steered the ship around the cruise and next to where the Interceptor was stationed. It seemed as though they had dropped anchor, which was pretty stupid considering it's a full blown battle at this point. No pun intended.
"Prepare the cannons!"
"Aye!" Came from all different directions.
As Laila barked out orders, she saw people climb onto the side of the Pearl. First she saw May, Cameron, then Zack and Ethan, then her elders, and then came the pirates. She saw Ragetti and Pintel clumsily stumble onto the main deck only to return to the longboat. Jack entered and behind him came Will. She hadn't seen her friend in what felt like decades. As she noticed him, she caught Will's attention too.
"Laila!" He ran up the stairs to the helm to meet Laila halfway and trapped her in a bear hug. They laughed as they pulled away. "It's been so long, Will!"
The reunion was cut short as Gibbs shouted across the deck, "Can we bloody fire yet?!!"
Jack and Laila both yelled in unison "Fire!!" Jack looked at her with that cute toothy grin of his as he probably thought that's my girl.
Once again, it was cut short thanks to the sound of cannonballs flying over to the Interceptor. As the enemies opened fire as well, debris spread everywhere. Everyone on deck ducked. It then occurred to Laila that her family still wasn't safe on board.
