Sayonara, Mr. Governor.

[bringmethatnpc]

Their plans...are not proceeding apace.

"Bloody hell," Beckett murmurs, surveying what's left of the latest ship, "there's nothing left."

Mercer observes, "Jones is a loose cannon, sir."

There's a long pause: Lord Cutler Beckett is thinking. Finally: "Fetch the chest."

"And the governor?" Beckett looks over his shoulder at Mercer. "He's been asking questions about the heart.

Beckett's eyes narrow. "Does he know?"

Silence from Mercer is, apparently, a yes.

"Then perhaps," Beckett says peaceably, "his usefulness has run its course."

Comments

[mr-mercer.livejournal.com]

"You're to be taken across," Mercer says, nodding in the direction of the Company ship they so recently departed, as he closes the door behind them. "Lord Beckett's orders."

"He seems to think your curiosity would get the better of you."

[governor-swann.livejournal.com]

"Oh, does he?"

He follows along, not realizing they're going around the opposite way of where the boats are.

"He's probably right. I was wondering what would happen if that beastly heart were removed."

[mr-mercer.livejournal.com]

"You don't seem to be the type to turn pirate, gov'nor," Mercer says with a hint of that nasty grin, again.

However, then piracy may turn out to be an inherited trait, after all.

"Thinking it'd be an easy way to get a ship of your own?"

[governor-swann.livejournal.com]

"No," he says. "I was thinking that would be a good way out of all this. What do you mean it would get me a ship of my own?"

[mr-mercer.livejournal.com]

Mercer gives him a sideways glance. "The one who stabs that heart and ends its beating gets the Dutchman. Gets to sail the seas forever."

"Only," he says, turning to the Governor, "the one who stabs the heart must replace that heart with his own. The Dutchman must have a captain."

[governor-swann.livejournal.com]

He shoots a horrified glance at Mercer.

"How ghastly."

It's about then, on this side of the ship where the noise and bustle is absent all of a sudden that he notices the lack of boats.

"Why have you brought me this way? The boats are on the other side, aren't they?"

[mr-mercer.livejournal.com]

"They are," Mercer nods. "Then again, you've made it a habit of being observant."

The knife that Mercer keeps concealed about his person is always kept within quick reach. So it is only a split second later that Mercer is stepping close to plunge his knife through the thick layers of the Governor's clothes, striking just under the ribcage at an upward angle, to pierce the heart.

[governor-swann.livejournal.com]

There is no pain, at first. There is pressure, though, and most of all, there is shock.

His mouth forms an "o" and he stares at Mercer, unbelieving.

He is aware, somehow, of the smell of the sea. It is sharp, salty, and tears form in his eyes.

[mr-mercer.livejournal.com]

Mercer's face doesn't change as he leans his weight against the knife, pushing the Governor against the low railing that edges the side of the Dutchman. The Governor's own weight pulls the knife free of his chest, leaving it in Mercer's black-gloved hand as he watches the Governor topple overboard.

The business of getting the boats ready for Lord Becket to return to the Company ship, mostly out of sight on the other side of the Dutchman, covers the sound of the splash neatly. Another body sinking to join those from the destroyed ship is of little note, as it is.

Mercer pulls out his hankerchief to clean his knife of blood as he steps away from the railing, heading back to report.

[governor-swann.livejournal.com]

Blackness slides over his vision as the sun is blotted out. Night falls, and he cannot catch his breath, and he's falling, Dear Lord, he's falling overboard and-







Elizabeth...







Caroline...







He's gone before his body hits the water.




When his eyes open, it's night still, but it's peaceful. Calm. The row boat rocks gently on the waves, and the stars illuminate the dark sky.

Caroline awaits him, but the journey to her is long yet. He patiently sits in his boat, no longer needing to catch his breath, and he waits.