Coming Along

Notice on the AU: I'm looking for one or two people willing to go over the opening for me. And later on to help work through ideas. No exactly a beta, since it'll really be just acting as a person to tell me whether or not ideas I have are decent without acting too 'yes-man-ish'. I have no deffinate plot worked out, just a few things that could be interesting to try. But I'm nervous about it, since it would seem to be one of few, in any, AUs dealing with the characters. If anyone's interested, just send me a mail at 'nimcuran_aithilin@hotmail.com'.

And this is deffinately for Nicole, who sent me an email review that had me grinning for hours!

Sandrine Black: Believe it or not, I forget to sleep. Eat too. Hmmm... After posting new chapters, I sit here for about half an hour refreshing until I see new reviews. ;)

Mel: 'Glorious'? Heehee, take that evil english teachers... Anyway, thak you for reading!

Madoushi Clef: If that's too angsty, you might not want to read the coming chapters. ;) I conr thr that as fluffy as the little pink plot bunny gnawing away at my ankles. *huggles freshly made Jack and Will stuffies* Last chapter's choppy because I was half asleep, was planning on having it go longer, but figured Jack was already insane enough.

D'Artagnan: More here. I still say that I'm not that good a writer, but, hey, what do I know?

Nita: Should take an interesting turn. Still debating who to kill off. *goes to hide while that sinks in*
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~Pendulum~

Bootstrap frowned, the Pharaon was ahead of them, setting anchor for the night and there was no sign of any other ship. He didn't like the quiet, the too-peaceful water ahead. And everything in him screamed that trouble was coming.

"Cap'n," one of Norrington's appointed came up to him; "Are we dropping anchor for the night?"

"No. Turn us around, we return to PRoyaRoyal."

"But the orders-"

Bootstrap narrowed his eyes, "I know what the orders are, and I'm saying that we're going back. Nothin' will happen to the Pharaon, it's well armed and the only real threat won't be botherin' for a while."

The other man frowned, "Commodore Norrington is not going to like this."

"I'll deal with the Commodore. Now, turn the Pendulum around, or you can follow the Pharaon in a nice little row boat."

Biting back a complaint, the man turned and went to relay the order. Bootstrap turned back to the water, his mind returning to the almost continuous thoughts of his son. He knew he should have done more to get Will off of the Pearl, but if he had stayed a minute longer, Bootstrap knew that he would have tried to kill Jack. And more than likely ending up dead himself.

Guarding the Pharaon was useless, as it could defend itself from any attack. And the Pearl would most likely ease off any attacks for a short time. Bootstrap knew better than anyone, if Jack didn't want to be found, he wasn't going to be found.

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

~Black Pearl~

Will tried to hide his amusement as he watched Jack try to appologize to Anamaria. The woman was making sure her captain chose his words very carefully before even making any movement to stop the little game. Jack was quickly getting frustrated and Will wondered how far Anamaria was willing to push him.

"Ana..." Jack's tone had taken on an edge, but Anamaria simply smiled sweetly.

"Yes, Jack?"

Will started to get up from his seat at the low growl coming from Jack. Finally Anamaria sighed.

"Teach that bird one more song, and I swear I'll kill you," Anamaria said.

Immediately losing any air of tension, Jack grinned. "Fine by me. Of course, do that again, and you'll not be doin' much else after."

"Deal."

Will relaxed, "At least Cotton can stop worrying now."

***********

"So what are we doing?"

Jack looked at Will from across the table, "Eh?"

"You had to have thought up a plan by now."

The captain grinned, one of those expressions that told Will that Jack not only had something planned, but it was a particularly dangerous 'something'. "We're goin' t' keep hidden, right in front of 'em."

"And how do you suggest that?"

"Stay near the main ports. Without the black sails, we're not that different at a distance."

Will frowned, "You want to go to Port Royal."

"Or Tortuga."

"Jack..."

The captain raised an eyebrow, "Too dangerous?"

"You know it is."

"An' you don't think we should do it."

Will nodded, wondering where Jack would go with it.

"Won't be hard, love. We keep the Pearl off shore, take the small boats. And land out of the town. Easy enough."

"And if someone recognizes us? In Port Royal, that will happen."

"Money is enough to keep anyone quiet. A sword for those that don't."

Sighing, Will looked at Jack, knowing that anything he said now would not change the captain's mind. "...Fine."

Jack stood, moving to draw Will out of his seat. "Relax, love. Have I ever steered you wrong?"

"Yes."

"Okay," Jack frowned. "Have I given you reason not to trust me?"

"Jack, you're a pirate."

Before Jack could say anything else, Will gave him a quick kiss. "But I'll trust you on this. And I'm not saving you again."

"Knew you'd come 'round, love."

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

~Port Royal~

Elizabeth pulled at the stiff dress, alreay hating it after only a few minutes of wearing it. The day was starting to cloud, and she could see dark clouds already gathering on the horizon. However, now was not the time to worry about that. She would soon be faced with standing in a church for at least an hour in this uncomfortable dress.

She smiled, she knew exactly how to have Norrington retract the reward for the Pearl now. And she had every intention of making sure it was dropped.

A maid popped her head into the room, "Miss Swann? Are you ready?"

Elizabeth stood, "Yes, yes. Let's get this over with."

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Shorter than I would have liked, but more to come. And it's official, Blind Guardian has the perfect description of Jack in the song 'The Soulforged'. It's "I'm not insane. That's how it seems though."