Coming Along

Mm. My updates are getting a little slower. I'll prolly ignore my FF.net one for a bit, the reviews from there are kinda bringing me out of my mood to write.

Raz Gaiale: Thanks! It's hard remembering some of Jack's characteristics, but I'm glad you like how I'm handling him. I just don't see why some people don't like female characters. I mean, it's the same thing in the Lord of the Rings fandom, people don't like Arwen for seemingly no reason.

clonesofconfusion: More coming. :) Thanks. Ooh! And please, PLEASE, write more on 'Barbossa's Boys'! I like it, you got all those evil non-con gears in my head working all of a sudden. And you made me hate Barbossa more than I already did. :D

Mel: I don't mind one-liners los long as they actually say something. It's hard writing Norrington, it's just too easy to make him an asshole. ;)

Datiye: Heehee, thought it might add a bit more of a conflict. I hope your writer's block goes away! Evil, evil blocking of creativity. :P

For-Chan: Hmmm...I have a pretty bad thing planned for them all, and it'll get really angsty. But there'll be plenty of fluff between and after. Glad you like it, and since you missed 'em last chapter...*holds out a lolly* Enjoy!

Jane Silver: heehee, he'll take it seriuosly in time. And that is a good idea. :)

Nita: *shudder* Mention Norrington as a stripper, and you lose all privleges as favourite reviewer... Heehee Hard to think of how others would see the Pearl, eh? Is savviest a word? Hm. Thanks. More parrot coming too, he has a very important role to play yet. *nods sagely and takes out another lolly* Oh! I'll give you a whole box of lollies if you get rid of that 'dow' pw' person on FF.net. Grrr...Not a flamer, but as annoying as hell.

Ash: Thanks! More here. *hands a lolly*

Paige: Hmmm...What kinda cookies? Thanks for the compliments on my writing style, very much appreciated. *hands a lolly out*
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~Port Royal~

"How could you allow this, Norrington?" Elizabeth demanded. "What happens to Will should the Black Pearl be caught?"

"He has chosen his lot, Elizabeth. He has joined a crew of pirates, knowing full well that he could be hung when captured."

Elizabeth frowned, "And what about Captain Turner? Surely he has objections to this."

"Captain Turner has only asked that his son is given to his custody. However, he has agreed that if William refuses to leave Sparrow's crew, he will recieve the same fate."

"I don't believe this. You know both Will and Jack are good men. Can that not mean something in this?"

Norrington stood from where he had been sitting at his desk. "Elizabeth, piracy is piracy. A crime. Just because two people helped you a year ago. Sparrow is a pirate by trade, and young William has chosen the same path. Good men or not, both are in violation of the law."

Elizabeth frowned and left the study quickly, ignoring Norrington's efforts to call her back. She didn't understand how Bootstrap would agree to this, this was the life of his son. She walked the streets from the protective walls to her home quickly, passing the docks where she knew the Pendulum was preparing to leave.

The servants had taken their break from their chores when Elizabeth arrived, leaving only Bootstrap and her father in the main hall. Holding out the now-crumpled paper, she moved to stand in front of her father; right between Bootstrap and Swann.

"How could you approve this?"

Swann looked taken back while Bootstrap looked slightly amused. "Elizabeth, dear, this is hardly proper-"

"How could you? After all that Will has done? And Jack! If it weren't for Jack, I'd be dead."

"Since when was Jack ever helpful?" Bootstrap muttered. Elizabeth turned on him.

"He is your friend! They'll kill him, and Will."

"Will is going to be released to my custody."

Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth turned to completely face Bootstrap. "Rather than let him come to you? What happens to Jack than?"

"Does it matter?"

Elizabeth slapped Bootstrap, the action surprising them all. Storming away, she left the two men to their shock.

Swann stuttered, "You'll have to excuse her, Captain Turner. She's never behaved like that. Well, maybe once."

Bootstrap raised a hand to stop the governor, "It's alright, governor. No harm done."

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

~Port City~

There was a light rain starting as the Pearl's crew began to prepare the ship for departure. The last of the supplies were being put in place under Gibbs' watchful eyes and Jack was pleased to note several crates of bottled rum was added to listlist. Will was working with the crew on deck to make sure everything was ready and that there would be little to no problems with the rigging.

The crew had seen the reward, but none seemed worried. Gibbs continued on that having Anamaria onboard was bad luck, but was silenced by a hard look from the woman. Cotton's parrot had taken to being a lookout, happily sitting on the rail of the crow's nest, singing. More than once had Jack noticed Will giving him a glare before the captain finally pulled him away from the rigging that was being worked on.

"What did I do now?"

"That damn bird is driving me insane," Will said. "I swear, I will shoot that thing if it starts up again."

Jack grinned, "Oh, come now, love. It's not that bad."

Will gave Jack a wry look and went back to work. The ship was ready to go before the rain became any heavier and Jack quite happily tirned rudder to port. But after, maybe, half and hour, even Jack thought it would be best to drop anchor and wait out the storm.

Rather than go to the more private dining room, Jack opted to eat with the crew in the commons. Most of the crew had already taken places at the small tables or on their bunks, most happily teasing the cook, who happened to be Anamaria that night.

"Find a job ya like, milady?" Quartetto teased from his seat, turning to laugh with Crimp and Matelot. He jerked forward when a soup ladel hit the back of his head.

"Another like that, mate; and this 'lady' will see to it that you know what it's like being part of the 'fairer sex'."

There was laughter as Quartetto visibly paled and Anamaria smirked. Jack grinned.

"That threat sounds familiana."na."

"Don't you dare start, Jack."

Will smiled and continued his task of helping Anamaria. The woman ged aed and drapped an arm over Will's shoulders, relishing the look on Jack's face when she pulled the young man into a loose hug. "Now, this is true gentleman. You filth-ridden scalawags could take a lesson from dear Will."

Jack stood, "An' if they did, then Will wouldn't be such a jewel. And you'd be wearin' a dress, Ana."

The woman made a face and released Will. Smiling, Jack pulled Will onto his lap when the younger man made to take the empty seat next to him. Since Bootstrap left on the Pendulum, Jack had openly shown affection for Will, and practically daring the crew to say anything about it. Of course, there had been a few jokes, all taken in stride; and mostly done by Anamaria. The crew had long since leaned how far they could push Jack before they found a sword at their throat, or a pistol aimed at their heart.

Jack kissed Will's neck, "An' what did I say 'bout people touching you?"

"I don't think that counts, Jack."

"Yes it does."

Anamaria hit Jack's shoulder as she passed to drop of the two bowls of soup. "Not here, Jack. Not polite."

"And since when were you concerned about bein' polite, Ana?"

"I'm not, but the crew should be allowed to keep their food down."

Will chuckled and moved from Jack's lap to the chair he had intended to use. Anamaria grinned, passing out the rest of the food before taking her own seat next to Gibbs.

**********

The pounding of the rain, combined with the rocking of the Pearl and the warmth of Jack next to him, was enough to let Will drift off to a daze as he lay in his bed. Jack's arms were around him.

"Comfy, love?"

Will smiled and nodded, half asleep. Jack grinned and gave Will a soft kiss, letting the sounds and movements lull him to rest.

***********

"Ye 'eard of the reward?" Duncan asked quietly, settling into his bunk.

The other crew members nodded and the man continued. "A pretty penny, they offerin'. Might be trouble."

A few of the crew nodded, and Anamaria propped herself up on her elbow.

"Don't be stupid. Jack's not worryin', neither should we."

Crimp frowned, "But that kinda money..."

Matelot nodded, "Buys a lot o' stuff. Nice house, for an 'onest man."

"Ana's right," Gibbs piped up. "Now get yer eyes shut. Work tomorrow, an' we need to make way to sea fast."

There was a silence between the crew members before Moises spoke. "Since when is Ana right?"

Anamaria threw her pillow at him and settled back down after hearing the satisfying contact between the two. Smiling, she pulled her hat down. Grinning at the muffled 'ow'.

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Sorry it's short. Working on more now. :D Remember, anything you want to see happen that could prolly fit into the plot, let me know, it'll kepp the fic going a bit longer. And Nita; I already know, more parrot. ;)