Freedom's Slave

Nicole: Heehee, just remember, do not drink anything while reading this story. ;-) *gasp* Since when do I torment you?! I mean really! And after writing that one line that both set us off ("Wait 'til you see what I can do wit' strawberries"). heehee Awww, don't worry, they still have to get through the slavers before Barbossa, and there's still London to think about. ;-) For you! All for you! *huggles even more and buries in pile of lollies and kissing Jack/Will plushies*


hellsangel25: Wasn't the promise to let her have fun? Eh, if you want to see a truly p.o.ed Ana, it'll be in one of the endings.

Nemesis27: 'Brilliant'? I'm hardly that. But thatnks! Much appreciated.

Anon/Borris: Sorry, mate. Jack uses the word 'savvy' because it means understand (well, technically understanding). He uses it in quite a few serious situations, such as when he's saying that he can't bring the Interceptor into Tortuga 'all by me lonesome, savvy?' I don't know about you, but while that part was funny, he was making a point, not being a smartass. I'm glad to have your forgiveness for the OOC bits seeing as how I neither know you, nor from the looks of it at the moment, I wouldn't care to. And in your seeming expertise, what exactly would you put in that little section? And the romance, or at least the intimate version of the word; it's already been a month, Jack likes Will, and it hasn't gone between putting it out in the open. I'm sure as hell not having Will and Jack sleeping together before they even know what it is they're feeling. And didn't I cover this before...

Kary_Asakura: It's okay. :) I think I'm just frustrated with the pressure to write graphic scenes. *kicks random over-sexed fangirl* Sorry to get angry at you, by the way. No hard feelings?

Akurei: The soundtrack's great. I think the humour in Anamaria's slap was the reaction to it ("I suppose you didn't deserve that?" "No, that one I did deserve.").

Datiye: For some reason I just expected you to offer to buy drinks. ;) heehee I got tired of Jack being so confident if he really cares about someone, and Will knowing what he's doing. Not quite the real revenge yet. That's reserved for Barbossa. Ana's just letting off some steam.

***********************************************************************

The crew moved quickly, setting everything into place in a fraction of the time it would take any other ship. The Black Pearl was famous for its speed in all things, including quick and effective attacks.

Jack let Gibbs keep control of the ship, manuevering so they had come within cannon distance of their target.

"I want it dead in the water," Jack called to the crew, there was a resounding reply of 'Aye, Cap'n' and the first of the cannons were fired. "C'mon scalawags, get 'em before they get a clear shot."

Half the crew worked on reloading and firing at alternate times, their target only getting off two shots before it was forced to drop anchor. Both ships were less than ten feet away from each other now, and Jack gave the signal for the other half of the crew to prepare the ropes to board.

"Stay on and make sure no one but us cross," Jack told Gibbs, jumping from the bridge to find Will and Anamaria.

"You two alright?"

Both nodded and Jack noted the eager look Anamaria had. He wondered just what these slavers had done to her, or Will, he reminded himself.

Will grabbed Jack's arm after Anamaria had gone to join the ones already crossing and engaging the other crew in the fight. "Are you sure? I don't know-"

Jack quickly kissed Will, "You'll be fine, love. I'll keep an eye on you."

Wrapping a rope around his hand and wrist, Jack made sure Will was going to be to to him before pushing away from the Pearl and onto the slavers' ship. A quick look over what was happening, revealed another reason Jack shouldn't try too hard to get on Anamaria's bad side.

The woman was more experienced with a blade than Jack had thought. He watched as she seemed quite happy to slice her way through attackers. Jack even winced as she gutted a man in a particularly violent way.

"Where'd you say they got 'er from?"

"I heard Barbados."

"Well," Jack looked around again, seeing most of the target crew focused on Anamaria; "Though she's doing well on her own, I think it's time we helped 'er out."

Diving into the fray, Jack wondered how many of these slavers were trying to get away from Anamaria. He kept sight of Will, jumping in to skewer one man that had managed to get past Will's defense. "Don't worry 'bout what's goin' t' happen, lad. Only what is."

Will nodded, his concentration focused on his current attacker. Theas aas a flicker of recognition in the other man's face and Will pressed that second to swipe his blade across his foe's throat. Unfortunately, as he did that, his centre of balance was thrown off and another of the slavers managed to knock him down.

Jack was there instantly, burying his blade in the man's gut and pushing the dying bulk away. Helping Will up, Jack saw the fight dying down, along with most of the slavers. Will immediately went to check on Anamaria and Jack noted that for all the slaughter, most of the slaver crew was subdued, some bleeding to death, but still alive for the moment.

Taking a glance at Will, Jack saw the recognition flicker through the younger man's eyes as the faces of the slavers brought back memories. He turned to three members of his own crew, "Go below and make sure they didn't have any 'cargo'."

The three nodded and rushed to do as ordered, not entirely sure if they wanted to be around. Jack turned to the captive slavers and looked them over, wondering if he should let Anamaria and Will do what the they wanted. Something around one of the slaver's necks caught his eyes.

Narrowing his eyes, Jack walked up to the slaver. The taller man was sneering, defiant even in his position. Using the tip of his sword, Jack drew out the small pendant.

"An' where did you get this?"

The slaver was silent but his eyes darted to Will and Jack growled. "Well, that 't v't very nice, now was it?"

Tearing the chain from the slaver's neck, Jack stepped up to Will. "I don't know if you remember anything like this, but this is yours."

Jack turned to Anamaria, "They're yours. Th' one I just took this from, bleed 'im t' death. He deserves no less."

Anamaria smiled, "I think I like you now."

Jack pulled Will with him, returning to the Pearl and letting Anamaria have her revenge.

**********

"Jack," Will said, following the older man over the deck of the Pearl. "this... I do remember it... But how did you know?"

Jack waved Gibbs away from the wheel, turning slightly to watch as the crew killed off the slavers. "I knew your father, Will. An' he had one like it. You're mother's, I'm guessin'."

Will nodded, turning to watch Anamaria throw a bleeding slaver overboard. The blood had already attracted a few sharks and Will winced before blocking out the scream.

"How do you know?"

"The other was shown t' me, lad."

"Jack-"

Jack turned to face him fully, "Later, savvy? Right now, we need t' wait out Anamaria's little bout o' fun and head out."

Will frowned and walked away. Jack sighed and looked at Gibbs. "I suppose you found that funny?"

"Not 't all, Jack. But ye might want t' fix it before it gets t' far wit' th' lad. Don't need 'nother reason for Ana t' be hittin' ye, eh?"

Jack frowned, "She wouldn't."

"Ye just 'urt Will."

"Good point," Jack straightened, "Take th' wheel."

***********************************************************************

Explanation for melancholy Jack for those who haven't caught on yet; the pendant is yet another symbol of his failure to honour his promise to Bootstrap. Got it? OOC, but, heh, he might've just lost Will, so I think it's justified.

Ooh, Datiye, you're getting a tavern. Nicole is a waitress there. You both get to make appearances later! *huggles*