Freedom's Slave

Chapter Two

Elizabeth stood to the side after nearly wrenching the door from it’s hinges, to let her father enter ahead of her. As the governor entered she followed and quickly took in the scene about to play out. She gasped at the sight of Will’s back. Her hand fluttered at her throat.

“Good Lord man, what is going on here?” Governor Swann demanded.

Norrington must have really believed himself when he had said the governor could not stop this because he genuinely looked surprised to see him standing there demanding answers. He quickly took control of himself and stepped in front of Will’s prone form.

“The boy is a pirate and I am meting out his punishment. As in his piracy he rescued my fiancé, I can not in good conscious see him hanged. As Captain of this vessel it is my command that he be punished for his crimes by flogging.” As he spoke Norrington was attempting to usher the Swann’s back out the door.

Jack smirked as Elizabeth ducked under the extended arms of the Commodore and rushed to Will’s side. She stopped just short of touching him though, as if afraid to cause him anymore harm. But he could tell that she was in shock. Her eyes glassed over as she took in exactly how tore up her childhood friends back was. Jack watched as she realized how far back the abuse must have gone, and he saw the exact moment when the guilt found a home. It might not have been her fault, but she should have known. He was half afraid that she had, he released a breath he had held, realizing that if she had known about it he would have had to add her to his list of people to kill.

He glanced back at Governor Swann, Jack saw his eyes glance at his daughter and search Will’s back for any new lashes. What he didn’t see was surprise, right then, the Governor was on the list. He saw the look that passed between the two supposed gentlemen before they spoke in tones too low for Jack to follow. When they had come to some sort of agreement they separated a bit and spoke in normal voices.

“We will discuss this tomorrow, when we have all had more sleep. I will hear no more about this tonight. Put him back in his cell.” Governor Swann said before he half turned to leave. “Elizabeth, come now. It’s time for bed.”

She slowly walked backward unable to take her eyes off the naked back. Her breath coming out as low and ragged gasps, as if she were holding back tears. She turned to Jack and held his eyes for a bit before nodding once, straitening her shoulders, taking a deep breath and turning back to Norrington.

She walked right by the smug bastard without looking at him, her head held high. She stopped at the door turned and quickly walked back to Jack.

“I almost forgot,” she said as she passed a small flask through the bars. “Try to have a good night Jack.” One last glance to the back of the room but not actually looking at Will, and she turned and left. Old man Swann followed along behind her whispering about unseemliness and propriety.

“Ta Luv,” Jack muttered as he drank the rum, it was a small flask but tasted much finer than normal just for knowing that it might be a while before he would have any more.

Covenant, who had stood still through the entire episode finally moved back to his place behind Will.
“Sir, do I continue?”

“No, not tonight. But be ready at first light. We’ll make a show of it.” Norrington grinned at Jack. “We’ll strap him to the mast. Hmm, how many lashes do you think he can take, Covenant?” The man was evil incarnate Jack decided, far worse than Barbossa.

“If’n ‘e stay’s like ‘e is now, I’d say bout twenty sir. Anymore than that’d kill ‘em. If ‘e wakes up proper like, I’d say ten sir.”

Norrington’s grin widened, “Right then. We’ll make it an even fifteen then. Just to be thorough.” The Commodore laughed. “Put him back in his cell.” he turned to leave, “Oh and Jack, try to have a good night!” And then he was gone.

Covenant pulled Will along after him and pushed the boy back in his cell and locking it before gathering up his whip but leaving the bucket. He put out the lamp and plunged them into darkness before makiis wis way topside. Leaving Jack alone with Will.

Jack put his back to the bars separating his cell form Will’s and slid down with a sigh. Damnation how did he always end up here. All he wanted was his ship, his freedom, and yet somehow he always ended up in the worst kinds of messes. Young William Turner was one fine mess. There was no way he could spare the man come morning and if they kept them in separate cells the entire trip back the young man might die from the wounds a cat o’ nine could inflict. Infection, fever, blood loss, any number of things could kill a man after being thrashed by one of those torture devises.

Jack settled in for a long night of thinking up ways to kill the Commodore, and of finding out who had broken the man next to him so thoroughly.

*

A soft voice woke him several hours later.

“Hello, is anyone there? Where am I? Please, I can hear you breathing. Hello.”

“Aye whelp, I’m here.”

“Jack? Jack where are we?”

“What’s the last thing you remember boy?”

“We were in a small boat, headed for the Dauntless.”

“Aye that’s where we are. In the brig.”

“Oh. We are to be hanged then?”

“I am to hang as soon as we reach port, Aye.”

“And me? What is to become of me, Jack?”

“You are to be flogged at first light. Then set free when we reach land.”

“Oh.”

“You’d best rest while you can, lad. Tomorrow promises to be not much of a good day.”

“Right.” “Jack?”

“Yes whelp?”

“Tell me about my father.”

And so the night passed Jack spinning tales of the pirates life, the life of a good man, a father, a pirate. And Will listening to Jack spin his tales, knowing they were mostly blarney, but not caring. His mind needed a distraction. He didn’t want to think of Commodore Norrington or the conversation they had. Didn’t want to think about what awaited him with the dawn’s light. He knew he would live through it, he had before, but the memory of the pain he knew he would experience again held him in it’s grip. He hated this weakness in him that made his mind retreat like a coward. Hated that he had learned this lesson so well so long ago that it was now ingrained in him that the mere threat of it could send his mind back to that first time.

Mr. Brown had caught him sneaking a drink of the rum. He had been told repeatedly not to touch the man’s drink, but the curiosity of an eleven year old really outweighed good sense. The old smithy had immediately tied him to one of the rafters and left him there for several hours. When he returned Will had been attempting to sleep. It was the first of many whippings the boy would receive at his hands. Will had learned never to go to sleep in the middle of one of his punishments, no matter how long they lasted. Waking up to the skin being ripped off ones back was not pleasant to say the least.

But the time that he had been punished by not being allowed to eat for three days was the worst. Elizabeth had brought him some food, and he had eaten. He knew better, he really did, but he had not wanted to hurt her feelings so he had eaten. He should have thrown the roll down and not taken it with him. But she looked so pleased that she was taking care of him. He had not the heart to refuse. Mr. Brown had found the roll later that night and Will had refuse to involve Ms. Elizabeth as he called her in private. So he had said that he had stolen it from the baker.

That was the worst memory. The one the Commodore had reminded him of tonight. His punishment for stealing. A roll then, a ship now. What punishment would the commodore use this time? Before he had been locked in a cell with four pirates for an entire night. He had been whipped and was without a shirt when Norrington had thrown him in that pit. He had been passed around from cutthroat to cutthroat. The next morning when Mr. Brown had come to release him, he had been almost unable to walk. Only his stubborn pride had allowed him to make it out of there on his own two feet. He had decided right then and there to practice with the blades he was quickly becoming adept at making. For the next pirate to touch him would be run through on his blade.

The silence was deafening when he realized that Jack had stopped speaking. He almost panicked again, almost sank back into that pit of cutthroat bastard.

“Jack,” he knew his voice sounded like a child but he was unable to help it. He felt lost, alone.hatehated the darkness. Imagine that. A pirate afraid of the dark. When had he begun thinking of himself as a pirate? Sometime between the time on the Interceptor when he realized that he truly did fit in with the new crew and the cave when he had missed his chance to tell Elizabeth that he loved her. Sometime in between the adventures he had realized maybe he didn’t love her half as well as he thought he did. He loved her more like a sister than a lover. Had never really thought about her that way. Maybe it was just as the bird said. Any port in a storm. For so long she had been his lifeline. The only person who truly cared what happened to him. But now, he knew if he decided to go with the crew of the Pearl, he would be cared for there as well. Oh yes it was a different kind of caring to be sure. No one there would give their life for the other if it wasn’t necessary. But at least he would be living his life, his way. No more missed opportunities.

“I’m stherehere. You gonna tell me about it?” Jack answered.

“Not if I don’t have to. No.” He didn’t ever want to talk about it. He knew Jack was referring to the time he had blanked out.

“You don’t have to, but one day, I’d like to know.”

“Why?”

“So I know exactly why I am killing them.”

“Oh Jack. You don’t have to do that. Not for me.” William laid his head on the bars, inches away from Jacks beaded hair.

“No, I don’t. But no one messes with Captain Jack Sparrows friends and lives to tell the tales. Savvy?”

“So, we’re friends now?”

“Yeah, I reckon.”

“Take me with you. When we get out of this mess I mean.”

“William Turner, you will always have a place on my crew. Whether I have a ship or not.”

“Thanks Jack.”

“Don’t mention it. So, how do you think we are going to get out of here?”

“I don’t know. You?”

“I’m working on it whelp. I’m working on it.”

They lapsed into silence the rest of the night. And dawn came too early.


***

Jack stiffened when he heard the first stirrings of the crew above him. He figured Will had been asleep for about an hour he needed to wake him so the man could prepare himself for the coming ordeal. It was hard to tell night from day in the bowels of a ship like this but he reckoned he could let the lad sleep another few minutes. When he heard voices start to raise he turned and whispered.

“William, it’s time lad.”

“I’m not asleep.” A lesson well learned.

The door swung open with a creak and light flooded the room causing both men to flinch away. It was Covenant again, must be the best with the cat’ then, Jack thought. Will stood and walked to the door silently. Jack had to had it to the rascal he had balls.

Will stopped at the door and untucked his shirt from his breeches, he shook it out some then turned and knelt back where he had been sitting. He pushed it half way through the bars then nodded once to Jack, stood exited the now open door. His heart was in his throat as he was lead up to the deck. His breathing became ragged when he saw the assembled sailors all gathered by the mast. Waiting for the days entertainment.

The old sailor that had come for him lead him over to the center of the group right up next to the mast. Another crewman tied his hands together with a long piece of rope, the long end he threaded through a ring about two feet above his head. Then he pulled. It stretched Will up but not as far as Mr. Brown used to. His feet were still firmly planted on the deck. The murmuring of the crew grew louder as he refused to struggle against the rope or his handlers, but quieted down as the Commodore made his way out onto the deck. The crowd around him parted to let Norrington through, then closed behind him.

“ Seaman Covenant, are you prepared?” The Commodore spoke harshly.

“Yes sir, just let me shake out my lady.” The sailor who lead him from his cell answered as he emptied the bag at his feet. The whip snaked out onto the deck.

Remember that name. Will told himself. Shouldn’t be to hard. Covenant. And so begins my own death list then. Aye, a pirates life for me! Oh dear Lord in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Will continued to pray as the charges against him were read. Piracy, theft, helping a prisoner escape, treason. The list went on. He didn’t know he had committed that many crimes, he had a vague thought that the Commodore might be making a few of those up or listing them twice. Wouldn’t simply stating Piracy assume all of those other crimes? I’m losing my mind, he thought.

His mind wandered until the first crack of the whip brought reality into sharp focus. Then pain exploded through his body. He felt like he was being flayed alive. Each blow came with the sting of salt water as the whip was dipped back into the bucket of brackish water. Intellectually he knew it was for his own good. Insuring a swifter healing and less of a chance of infection but just then he didn’t care. He gritted his teeth through the pain. The whip Mr. Brown had used had been a simple one, not like this. Not this tearing of the flesh, blow after blow. He tried to keep breathing but with every sing of the whip he tensed and held his breath.

No one could say that Will Turner was a weak man, the crew standing there baring witness to this ghastly display knew they would never again look at this man in the same light. He stood firm on his own feet for longer than most men and it was not until the eighth blow of the might cat o’ nine tails that the Commodore finally got his screams. And not until the tenth that he used the rope to support himself when his legs gave out. By the fifteenth blow everyman on board had found respect for the small scrap of a man. When they finally splashed a full bucket of sea water over his back there was only a hissing sound from a raw throat, but Will Turner covered in blood was still standing on his own.

Most of the crew would never lay eyes on young Mister Turner again save for when he walked off the ship. More than half would resign from the navy in memory of the look on the Commodore’s face when William, bloody from head to toe had walked away from the mast that day. Those men went on to tell the tales all across the Caribbean. Tales of a hatred so black as to make the devil fear, and a man so strong and proud he walked away from being kissed by the cat fifteen times. The Commodore had lost the respect of his men for they all knew William Turner was a good man who had risked his life to save the Governor’s daughter.

Will stood still for a moment after seaman, ’Call me Griggs, Sir.’ had released him. Griggs stood by his side and waited patiently for him to gather his bearings. His entire body was on fire. He had almost passed out when he had lowered his hands. Only the fear of what was to come next kept him on his feet. Would he end up in the hold with Jack, or would Norrington throw him in with the crew? Granted he was not on a pirate ship but sailors were sailors, and being offered a chance at a good rutting with no consequences was usually enough incentive for any man. He nodded once to let Griggs know that he was as ready as he would ever be, then turned slowly to face the men.

Will tried to move slowly as the crowd parted, the pain was making him nauseous, and he really did not want to humiliate himself further by being sick all over the deck. Finally he reached the end of the men. The crowd had parted for him, all of the seamen stepping back enough so that he would not be jarred by them accidentally. When he looked up to see how much further he had to go, his gaze met with watery blue eyes.

Elizabeth. She had seen his humiliation. He stopped breathing. His mind went wild. No, why? Why was she out here. She was not supposed to see this. He forgot himself for a moment stepped forward and reached for her. His back screamed and his knees almost buckled. Seaman Griggs immediately stepped forward and held him up. He was grateful. He would not let the bastard Commodore see him fall.

“I’m sorry.” his voice cracked. He didn’t know what else to say.

“Oh William. What ever for?” She gasped out through her tears.

“I broke my word. I am a Pirate.” his voice was only a harsh whisper, but the silence made it carry to her. The sound of it deafening. There was innocent confusion in his eyes as he tried to convey what was in his heart to her. No more missed opportunities. He hadn’t meant to become a pirate when this adventure had begun, but it seemed fate had other plans for him.

“And a good man. William Turner don’t you ever doubt that.” She made as if to come to him. He stiffened and tried to pull away despite the pain.

“Please Ms. Elizabeth, don’t.” He fell into old childhood habits while pleading for her to understand. If she touched him now, he would break. “Later. We’ll talk, later.”

“I understand,” she took a deep steadying breath, then turned to the seaman holding him up. “Seaman Griggs, is it?”

“Aye Miss.”

“Take care of him Griggs. Pirate he might be, but he is still my brother. Do you understand.” She spoke sharply, willing the quiver in her voice to go away.

“Aye Miss. I won’t let nothing else happen to ’im Miss. You have my word.”

Elizabeth looked to Will again then turned and walked slowly back to her cabin. Her father and the Commodore would pay for this. This heinous act would not go unpunished. She sat at her dressing table and stared at her reflection. She knew pirates now, was friends with them even. Maybe when they got back to Port Royal and this mess was straightened out she could look up Anamaria and learn how a female became a pirate. Revenge needed to be planned, but first an escape.

*

Will’s screams carried through the entire ship. Jack could feel some small part of him almost breaking inside. Bootstrap would kill him if he were here. Letting his son fall into this mess. He sighed, and prayed to a god most sailors refused to admit existed. Just let him be okay. Let them put him in with me so I can fix him. Just let him be okay.

He jumped to his feet as the door swung open slowly. A seaman he had not seen before opened the door and stepped to the side. Will walked through, dripping with blood and sea water, dazed but walking on his own. Jack had never been more proud of anything or anyone than he was right then. Will met his gaze head on.

“I told you everything would be alright.” Will gave a small smirk through gritted teeth.

“Aye mate. Never doubted you for a minute.” Both knew the other was lying. Things were not all right and Jack had doubted. When he had heard how many lashes, he doubted. When he had heard the screams, he doubted. But after Will walking in on his own covered in his own blood he would never doubt again.

Griggs walked around Will making sure not to bump into the other man and walked to Jacks cell.
“Move back a pace.” Griggs said gruffly. No one had specified what cell to put him in and he needed to be cared for. None of the other sailors would move him. The only worry would be the Commodore.

Jack leaped back not wanting the man to change his mind. Soon Will was standing in front of him with the door locked soundly behind him. Another sailor came in bearing a largish bucket of water and a small bundle of cloth. The door was unlocked and relocked with the items safely on the floor and still neither man moved. Jack could see Will’s throat working over time and knew he was about to loss what little was in his stomach. The presence of the crewman the only thing holding him back.

Finally they were alone again, this time at least the Griggs had left two lamps lit. It was dim, but they could see.

“Whelp, it’d be best if ya could lay down.” Jack had still not seen his back, was almost afraid to see the mess that it must be in. He took off his outer vest and shirt and did his best to make a pallet in the floor.

“You need any help getting down luv?” he asked trying to keep the worry out of his voice.

Will chuckled painfully, “It isn’t the getting down that worries me Jack. If I go down. I might not make it back up again.”

“No worries there mate. On my honor, I’ll get you back up.” Jack waved his hands in his trademark way. It always seemed to make Will smile a bit, even if it was just with his eyes. Lord this man amazed him. Jack thought as he looked into those chocolate eyes, still to much innocents to be real. And laughter, even while in pain enough to bring down most men, his eyes where laughing.

“Come on then. Let’s see about those scratches of yers.”

Will gritted his teeth to keep from screaming as he lowered himself to the ground. His throat hurt from screaming earlier but found it could still make an awfully loud noise as he settled himself on Jacks shirt.

“Scratches? It feels more like they skinned me alive.”

“Nay, naught but a few scratches.” Jack lied. In truth he was dangerously close to loosing his non existent breakfast. “Just lay still for a mo’. I’m gonna check out what goodies the laddie brought us.”

Bless the blighters they brought rolls and a bit of dried meat, clean rags for bandages, needle and threat, and the bucket contained clean fresh water. Jack removed his leather palard ard as he settled every thing around Will’s prone form. Then sat down and surveyed the mess.

“’ere mate bite down on this.” he said as he shoved the bit of leather in between Will’s teeth. “Alright prepare yerself. This ain’t gonna feel none too good.”

Jack chewed on the ends of his mustache as he silently cleaned the blood from Will’s back. Several of the cuts would require he use the needle. Thankfully Will passed out with the first touch of the cold metal against his skin. Jack stretched tired muscles as the day wore on, but he never moved from his task.

Finally when the last stitch was complete he washed his hands and stood. He walked over to the nearest wall and pounded his fist into it. Cursing every naval officer in Her Majesties Fleet he swore revenge. He might not be responsible for the flogging but by God that man was his friend. He shook the bars in a frenzy, hitting, kicking and cursing in every language he knew. Finally exhaustion caught up with him. He looked back at his unconscious cell mate, he hadn’t moved through Jack’s out of character tirade against the stupid iron bars. Good, maybe he wouldn’t move in his sleep and rip the stitches Jack had just sewn.

Jack stretched out beside Will careful not to touch the boy, but placing himself in between Will and the door. If Norrington wanted to come back after Will he would have to go through Jack first. Jack drifted off into an uneasy sleep.


***


Chapter Three


The week passed by in a fitful haze for Will, he only woke when Jack forced him to. Either for food or drink. His back was stiff and painful but he had managed to keep all of the stitches intact. Norrington had not come back and Elizabeth only once. That was fine with Will he really didn’t want her to see him like this. But he had to much time to just sit and think.

And that was never a good thing. Too much time thinking got him in trouble usually. Not as much trouble as this one time when he had acted first and thought later. He looked to Jack who was casually leaning back staring off into space. Jack who had nursed him back from the brink of madness in the middle of the night when the dark took him and the nightmares became too much. Yes Will had had too much time to think on this trip.

He thought he might know why he had never desired Elizabeth as more than a good friend and perhaps a sister. He thought maybe he knew why the whore’s in Tortuga had turned his stomach and the whore’s in Port Royal had only ever stirred his interest in the vaguest of ways. Not like Jack. The man had effected him somehow. Even before Tortuga when they were alone on the Interceptor, he would watch the man move about the rigging high in the air and his loins would stir.

More than stir when Jack would strip down out in the sun and weave to a song only he could hear. Several times Will had to find an out of the way cabin and stroke himself to completion after watching Jack work. He had to find a way to get Jack out of this. He would not see the man hang, it was a promise to himself. He swore, he would free Jack, no matter the cost.


*

Will stood on the balcony of the Governors mansion just outside Elizabeth’s room. He stared out at the horizon, he understood the longing now. Understood that the sea was in his blood. He had always thought it was a mistake, denied to the very last that pirates blood ran through his veins. He rubbed unconsciously at the bandana he always wore around his wrist, and flexed his almost healed back and shoulders.

Elizabeth was just taking dinner down to the goal were Jack was being kept. Will was waiting for her to return. He had come to some decisions while on the return trip to Port Royal, all that time to think about his life. Time to think about Jack and his reactions to the older man. He might not like all of the things pirates did, couldn’t understand why they did most of them but also couldn’t deny that now that he had had a taste of that life he could ever go back to being a humble blacksmith. Elizabeth needed to know before the morning, before they hung Jack. She needed to hear it from him.

He saw her carriage pull up and she stepped out. Their eyes met, she nodded briefly then turned her attention back to her maid. He stepped back into the shadows and waited for her to be able to break away from the hustle and bustle of the Governors household.

*

“Will? Will are you out there?” Elizabeth called out softly.

“Aye, join me. The bay is beautiful this night.” He whispered from the shadows.

She laughed delighted at this sign from their childhood. He always used to say that. She would find him sitting on her balcony in the middle of the night and she would call out. ’Boy, why are you here?’ and he would say, ’The bay is beautiful this night.’ It never failed to make her feel better, so she laughed and replied.

“It’s the Caribbean Will, it’s always beautiful!”

“Yes Ms. Elizabeth, it is.” Will walked out of the shadows.

They stood in silence side by side for a while before either spoke again. Dusk was truly upon them when Will finally broke the silence.

“How was he tonight?” He turned slightly to face her. He drank in her beauty for a moment before lowering his eyes. It would have been the perfect romantic moment if his heart had not belonged to another.

“He’s Jack. He’s amazingly fine.” She turned to him, watched his face as she spoke, “He asked about you.” He was looking down but the blush spread high across his cheeks. “Why won’t you go see him Will?”

“I can’t, I can’t face him yet. Has there been any word at all? He hangs tomorrow noon.” he finally met her gaze.

“Yes, I met with Anamaria today. They will be here and ready. Tell me Will, what have you planned?”

He sighed and turned back out to gaze at the horizon. “I think it is in my blood Elizabeth. Maybe not being a pirate but the sea. I loved it when I was out there. The wind, the sea, the , I don’t know how to explain it. The freedom I guess.”

“You’re going with him. Aren’t you. That’s it you’re going to leave me here and go off pirating with Jack Sparrow.” she sounded slightly miffed, and he might believe it if not for the smile on her face.

“That’s Captain Jack Sparrow luv!” he said in his best Jack impersonation. They laughed freely for a few moments before they returned to their plans.

“You know Elizabeth. I do love you.” Will took a deep breath and continued. “I don’t wish for you to marry the Commodore. He is not a good man.”

“Will, I’ve made plans of my own. I’m glad we are speaking of this now, because you need to know before tomorrow. I’m going to be a pirate. Anamaria is going to teach me. She says that I would make a fine pirate. Did you get to talk to her much on the trip Will? Oh she is wonderful, she’s very smart. And funny, she does this impersonation of Jack that is just..” she stopped her babbling for a moment when Will snorted. She smiled up at him knowingly. “She is very beautiful to me.”

“Why Ms. Elizabeth, I do believe you are in love.” Relief filled him, If she was going with Anamaria they would be together for a while longer and he didn’t have to worry about her if Anamaria was watching over her.

“Is that Okay? You’re not upset or anything are you.” she asked the worry in her voice was almost not there.

“Of course I’m not upset. I mean I never pictured it, had no clue really, but , I am happy for you! I’m a bit relieved actually. I love you like a sister, but I would marry you to keep you from Norrington.” his eyes were bright when he looked back to her.

“I know you would Will, but then what would we do with Jack?”

“W-what do you mean?” he stuttered.

“Your in love with him. Aren’t you.” she asked softly.

“I, I don’t know. I think maybe I am. I just, you know, I’m not very good at this type of thing.”

“What type of thing? Love? What is to be good at? Just be yourself, if he can’t love you for yourself then he isn’t worth loving anyway. But I don’t think you will have anything to worry about.”

They stood smiling at each other for a minute before bursting out with laughter.

“Imagine both of us falling for pirates. I’m going to have to change my name you know. Ana says Elizabeth Swann will be too well known. I need a good piratnamename.”

“Oh aye, we’ll have to think of a good name. A name that says grr, I’m a pirate!” Will laughed.

“Yes, you’re right. What think you of Killer.” She said with a perfectly straight face, then promptly lost the effect by laughing again.

“I don’t know about that but I think Lizzie Turner is a fine pirating name.” Will said between the laughter.

’re ’re right. Liz Turner, I think I could live with that.”

“Liz the Lesbian, Liz the Lesbo Pirate! Has sort of a ring to it don’t you think?” She laughed.

Will gave her a confused look. “What is a Lesbian?” Liz busted out laughing again.

“A lesbian is what you call a woman who appreciates the company of another woman, rather than a man.”

Will blushed scarlet. “Oh! And what do they call a man who appreciates the company of other men?”

“Why a pouf of course!”

“Oh unfair, you get an exotic name like Lesbian and I become a pouf. Hm, I don’t think I like that.” Will turned away slightly and pouted.

“Oh alright since you are going to be all pouty about it how about we just call you a pirate. They all seem to prefer men over woman. When they are on board ship anyway!” They laughed together at the truth of that.

The mood was still light when Will noticed the time, he hated to bring up serious matters again, but needs must be met.

“Liz, we must make ready. Are you sure about this? Silly question of course you are! Is there anything here that you cannot leave? If there is we need to take it to the docks tonight.”

Liz looked around her bedroom then back to Will. “I have everything I need right here.” She said simply as she laid her hand against his chest right above his heart.

He agreed but laughed out loud. “We are becoming overly sappy. Like two old woman mooning over there lives and lost loves!”

“Yes we are, but soon there will be no time for it. Will they accept us do you think? The men, the crew I mean.”

“Jack said there was always room on his crew for me, whether or not he had a ship. He is my captain, I don’t care what the rest of the crew think. But I don’t think we should worry. I think after a few days at sea we will fit right in.”

“But the actual Pirating, Will. Could you loot and plunder, rape and pillage? Could you do that Will?”

“I don’t think I am capable of rape. But yes I could plunder a ship, kill it’s crew if they resisted. I don’t really think Jack is that kind of pirate though. He has plenty of treasure now. I think if he were to sink a ship it would be for a purpose. The rest of humanity might not understand that purpose,” Will laughed, “ but there would be one for Jack. And I think right now, that’s good enough for me.”

“Your right we sound awful! First we have to get him out of there. Then we have to get away.” Liz turned to look out over the bay again. It really was a beautiful night, she sometimes took it for granted, this view.

The breeze was blowing from the south warmly and the stars were just starting to peek through the blazing purple sky. The sea gulls and ships in the distance gave relief from the endless sea. The sounds from the town below where muffled and indistinct blending smoothly with the sounds of the tide rolling endlessly in and out. The wind rustled the leaves of the large palm trees surrounding the estate, it was a sound no other tree’s around made. After ten years listening to the tree’s here speak to her, Liz almost called this place home, but no she had never really considered Port Royal her home. And now she never would. Home would be were ever her new brother and their captain was.

“Yo ho, Yo ho, A pirates life for me. We’re rascals and scoundrels, villains and knaves, drink up me hearties yo ho, We’re devils and black sheep, really bad eggs, drink up me hearties yo ho!” Liz sang quietly. For once the song didn’t grate on Will’s nerves. “You know I was singing that when I spotted you in the water,” Liz said quietly. “It was like I brought you to me with my song. Norrington talked about hanging pirates and Gibbs talked about the bad luck a woman brings to a ship, but I didn’t care. I was in love with the sea even then. I turned back to the water and sang some more, then there you were, floating on a small piece of wood. I was singing about pirates and I found you. Now look at us.”

“Ms. Elizabeth be quiyouryour getting sappy again.” Will whispered. “Let’s enjoy the night while we can. For tomorrow we sail.”

“How do you plan on getting him out of there?”

“I don’t. I’m going to let Norrington do that. I plan on stealing him right out from under their noses.”

“Oh good, they moved him you know.”

“What? Where?” a shiver of fear shook him.

“Just down to the last cell. He is with a couple of other cutthroats all set to beged ged at noon,” she turned to look at Will when she felt him tense at her side. “Will, what is it.” His face was drawn, and he had lost all color. “Will don’t do this to me. Don’t you dare blank out now. What is it? What’s wrong.”

She watched as he fought whatever memory it was that caused this reaction in him. Too many times he lost this fight and she had to watch as he folded in on himself. Not this time damn it! She slapped him hard across his cheek. Finally life returned to his eyes. He turned to her, she had never seen his eyes look so lost.

“I have to go. I can’t leave him alone tonight. Norrington planned this, I am very glad you will be going with me Liz. Norrington, he is an evil man.” Will swung his legs over wrought iron balcony as he spoke. “I will see you tomorrow Elizabeth. Be sure to wear your breeches under your dress, and wear a dress easy to remove.” He was babbling and he knew it. He was trying to keep himself from thinking about what he was about to do.

“I’ll be fine Will. Just go. Whatever it is that has you troubled so, just go and make sure Jack is alright.” she threw her arms around him quickly and kissed his cheek. “Now go see about our Captain.” she spun on her heals and fled into her room. Will would be faster if she were not watching him.

*

Will walked as slowly as a man in hurry could walk as still draw no attention to himself. He took short cuts through alley ways thatnk onk of decay and excrement. Cobble stoned streets covered in filth made it hard to hurry anyway, there was always the possibility of loosing ones footing on the slick stones. He passed behind a tavern just receiving its shipment for the evening and nicked two bottles of halfway decent rum. He was sure Jack would appreciate them. Will was quite proud of himself actually, his back only gave a slight twitch as he pocketed the ill gotten drink. Jack was right, he was well on his way to being a pirate.

Imagine, he had been so wrapped up in his own drama with learning about the medallion Elizabeth had taken from him as a child and his new feelings for Jack that he never even noticed the relationship between the two woman develop. What kind of brother was he, that she had fallen in love and he had never even noticed. He wondered what in the d twd two woman would do with each other. The thoughts made a general stirring in his cock, hmm. Well it might make a fine show anyway. If it weren’t Liz his was thinking of anyway. Oh hell who are you kidding Turner, it isn’t like she is your real sister. You know you would watch any thing Liz or Ana wanted to show you! He grinned to himself. Pouf he might be but some things transcended preference!

He stopped walking when he came to the back of the jail. He opened a bottle of rum and took three huge swallows, nearly choking himself in the process but making sure to get enough on him to make it smell as if he had been drinking for a while. Finally he marched in and headed straight for the prisoners. The guards managed to stop him about halfway down the narrow steps.

“Sir, you can’t go down there.” Lobster one said.

“And why not? They are all still locked away aren’t they. They’re not a danger to me, not going to kill me or anything.”

“No, sir. But they aren’t allowed any visitors.” Lobster two replied.

“I just need to go down and have a word or two with one of them. That’s all. That Captain Sparrow chap. And look I’ve come to taunt him.” Will brandished the bottle of rum around for all to see, all the while taking small steps downward. “An entire bottle of rum, all for me. He’s not getting any of this bottle. No, Sir. I’m going to drink it in front of him.” By the time he had finished slurring his words properly and nearly tripping over his own feet the two soldiers had decided that he must not be a threat this time. Though they knew he was the one to break the Captain out the last time.

Will stopped and took a deep breath as the soldiers walbackback up the stairs. This was the first time he had been back down in the lower levels of the jail since he had swore to himself to kill all pirates. And now look at him back inside the dungeons a pirate, come to help another pirate. He swallowed another mouthful of the burning liquid and this time it was not an act. Liquid courage, he had heard it called. He breathed deeply as he slowly made his way to the last cell.

Jack was leaning up against the cell bars wedged into a corner as far away from the other men as he could get. He knew the whelp had a plan to get him out of this, he just wished the lad would hurry it along just a bit. Those cutthroats were looking at him as if he were a prime steak. He didn’t like the odds here, not one bit. He stood when he heard Williams voice, slurred speech had never sounded so . An. And the man had brought rum. Ah, a Godsend from above. Rum. The devils drink it might be but tonight it was heaven sent. What was that? Not gonna share, well we’ll just see about that. Although getting drunk while locked in with those two creatures might not be wise, it would definitely pass the time quicker.

Finally Will came into view, all thoughts of rum fled at the look oe boe boy’s face. He was pale and shaky, his eyes were wild almost panicking. The look brought back memories of the cowering boy on the ship. Jack had hoped to never see that look again. What ever had happened to Will it must have happened here, or in a jail at least.

“Well well well look at wot the cat drug in. Hey boy, How’s the Missus?”

Will blinked his entire body seemed to shudder but finally he focused on Jack.

“She’s fine. As you well know.”

“Ah, yes. So I do.” Jack gave a grin. The boy was still with him, he had not retreated too far. “Well lad, wot have you got for ole Jack then eh? I heard talk of rum.”

Will couldn’t help the grin that stretched across his face as he proudly showed Jack the bottles. “This one is mine. You’ll not be having any of that. But this,” he held the full bottle aloft, “this one is all yours.”

“You are a good man William Turner, a good man indeed.” Jack said as he grabbed the bottle and pulled the cork out with his teeth.

“I’m becoming a good pirate too, Jack.” Will spoke softly as he approached the bars separating them. “That is stolen drink, grabbed it before it even got to the tavern.”

Jack looked, well dibut but good. His hair was still adorned with bone and beads but Liz had his bandanna and Anamaria had his hat. The kohl smudges where almost gone and he needed a good bath, but there was still laughter in his eyes. And it had been over a week since Will had seen him. His eyes ran hungrily over the other man. Will watched Jacks throat as he threw his head band and guzzled the drink. He wondered what the skin, just there at the adam’s apple, tasted like. A drizzle of rum escaped Jacks mouth and ran down his chin and stopped just were Will was staring. As if daring him to find out. Will unconsciously licked his lips.


“Well, whelp, are ya stayin’ for a while or are ya just droppin’ off me drink?” And what had prompted this visit after a week, he wondered. He watched as Will’s eyes flickered to his cellmates and back to him.

“I’m staying. Till first light anyway.”

So that was it. The whelp was worried about him. Will didn’t want him left alone in a cell with these two? That was strange. These were the same two gents he had been hold up with for a week now. What was so different tonight? The new cell maybe. He did notice they were well away from everyone else, earlier when he had begun to worry about the looks those two were exchanging. Hm. Interesting, very interesting.

“Well then, ya might as well sit.” Jack motioned to the corner where he had been sitting before, only this time he was facing the bars and not away from them. He knew the boy, the man, Will, would watch his back. Will sat and drank deeply. After the first few swallows it wasn’t so bad really.

“Not too much of that now lad. You don’t want to be sick all morning tomorrow now do ya?” Jack whispered.

“Right, sorry.”

Several hours later when the soldiers came to put out the light for the night Will hid behind some discarded hay used by the prisoners for their beds. The soldiers didn’t even notice that he wasn’t there. They just did a head count and headed back up the stairs after putting out the lamps. Will cautiously made his way back to Jack’s side. It took a while for their eyes to adjust to the low light coming in from the high windows, but when they did Will ned Jed Jack staring at him.

“Something to say, Jack?”

“How are ya? Really.”

“I’m fine Jack.”

“Really, then that wasn’t panic I saw in yer eyes when you first got ‘ere. Ah, my mistake then.” Jack slurred as he took another drink.

It was killing him to not know what monsters haunted this boy in the dark. He now had a better clue in fact he figured he had it just about right, just not the particulars. And that is what he wanted. He wanted the why’s and wherefores. He wanted names, places, dates, and damn it all he wanted reasons. He was harboring a black hatred for the Commodore the likes of which he had never had for anyone save Barbossa and even then he had gotten over the all consuming need for revenge as soon as he had gotten off of that damnable isle. Ohwantwanted revenge but when he had finally gotten off the island he made his way back to the island home a dear friend had left him when they had passed and found that there was more to life than revenge. Not much more, mind, but more. He had been young, not much older that young Mr. Turner was now.

He had turned his thirst for revenge into a thirst for knowledge. He had read every book in the library, studied swordplay with masters, even went to Singapore for an extended stay learning what they would teach to foreigners of fighting. It wasn’t much but it put him in good standing in a fight. It was in Singapore living with the sake drinking monks that he had developed his style and flair for the dramatic. Never underestimate and adversary, even if they were drunk, is what he had learned. Though most people did just that. Ah yes Singapore, those were good times!

“So what’s the plan for tomorrow then?” he asked willing yet again to change the subject.

“What you expected me to have a plan?!” In the dark Jack could not see Will’s smirk, but he heard the humor in his voice.

“Ya can’t very well expect me to come up with the plan now can you? I’ve been locked up in this hell hole for the better part of me vacation in lovely Port Royal.”

“Well the best I can think of is to let the Commodore hang you.”

“I really hope that isn’t all of the plan whelp, cause I’m really not liking it none too well.” Jack growled.

“Well I’m not going to let you die. Just fall. They won’t be expecting a rescue attempt ‘after’ they hang you now will they.” Will did laugh after that, just thinking of the look on Jack’s face!

“Tha is either sheer madness or brilliance. I can’t figure which.”

“Remarkable how often those two traits coincide innit!” Will chuckled.

“Oi, Whelp no throwing me own words up in me face!” Jack laughed.

“Seriously Jacon’ton’t panic. I won’t let you hang. And after that we play it by ear until we can get to the docks. Elizabeth and I have, Eli Elizabeth has been in touch with the Pearl. Anamaria says, they didn’t want to leave you but the Dauntless was making the crew nervous. At noon tomorrow they will be waiting just around the cliffs. It is up to us to make our way to them. They will wait two hours, after that we meet in Tortuga in one week.”

“So what you are sayin’ is that I’ve just got two new members of me crew!”

Will swallowed, “If you’ll have us, then yes. If not then Elizabeth will get off in Tortuga with Anamaria.”

“O’course I’lle yoe you whelp, but wot’s this about Ana leavin’?”

Will blushed again, he was very happy it was too dark for Jack to see him and tease him. “They are, together now.”

Jack raised both eyebrows and cocked his head back and to the side an effect that was lost in the dark of the dungeon. “I’m shocked to be sure, well not really at ole Ana, but I would never have thought it out of Ms. Swann”

Will sighed, “I know I was too busy thinking about yo..err ..you know, everything that was going on to notice that she had fallen in love. What kind of brother does that make me? That I was too wrapped up in ..other things to notice something that important.” Will babbled on after his almost glaring admission. He hoped Jack wouldn’t notice.

“And ’ere I thought she was your lady love.” Jack questioned.

“I never said she was my lady love, I only said that I would die for her. I still would. For all that we are not blood, we are family. Savvy?” Will grinned.

“Grr, Aye whelp I savvy! You were the poor orphan boy and she was the daughter of the governor. It’s like a really twisted love story. Could have been the stuff of legends, ’spect for the fact that you’re a eunuch! I ’spect that is why she fell for Ana. She figured as long as she was gonna be without a cock.”

“For the last time, I am no eunuch.” Will protested laughingly.

“Aye lad, so you keep sayin’” Jack laughed with him. It was really lovely to listen to the man laugh in the dark, knowing that it was the only thing keeping the demons and monsters that haunted the night around them at bay.

The rest of the night passed quickly for Jack, between the laughter and the rum it was a good way to spend the night before he was hanged. And if ever he was hanged for real he hoped he spent his last night just like this.

Will left with the first stirrings of the gulls outside, neither man had slept but at least the night was restful. Jack hadn’t had to worry about the two idiots in the cell with him and for the first time in weeks he was able to relax. But the day had to be met, they both stood as Will prepare lea leave.

“Well then, I’ll see you at the gallows.”

“Yeah, the gallows mate.”

Will gave a small grin, the Captain was worried and he knew it would keep him on his toes.

“Just be ready Jack.”

“Yer fergetten whelp. I’m Captain Jack Sparrow,” Jack spun in place with a flourish of his hands. Jack waggled his eyebrows playfully. “I’m always ready.”

Will bit his lip to keep from laughing, “Aye Jack. Indeed you are!”

***