Coming Along

For Aly, who helped find the crew names and sent a cool mail. Endless huggles! And I figured out who the woman was, I found her lines, after smacking Jack around. ;)

Thanks so much for the help Cassandra, Kethry and Chiri! And the same for all the encouragement. I'm prolly going to go see the movie for my second time soon, just need the ride to the theatres. Time to go begging my friends.

And this will get to Jack/Will slash, but I want to build up a plot too, so no random sex scenes (I really suck at writing lemons). Will's father will most likely get a nice little place in it too. ;) I like angst, so much fun.

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Will was certain that he had slept no more than two hours when he was roused by the pounding on the door. The pounding was followed by Jack's voice.

"Get up, whelp. I won't hesitate to dowse you, either with a bucket or off the side of the ship."

Will smiled and pulled on his boots, opening the door just before Jack could bring a fist to the wood again. The Captain looked him over and smiled.

"You look like a mess."

"I can fix that with a brush," Will said. "Unfortunately, I doubt your problem is so easily mended."

Jack frowned, "What problem?"

"Well, there's the hair, the clothes, the-"

"Whelp."

Will chuckled and Jack pushed him ahead. "Might as well eat in the city. No point in wasting supplies."

The city was a little less crowded than it had been the night before, most likely because most of the inhabitants kept nocturnal schedules. Jack led Will to another small tavern/inn, talking about how this place had some of the best rum. The young woman, Anamaria, was already at a table and waved the pair over.

"Anamaria, my dear! You remember Will," Jack said as he pulled a chair away from the table.

Anamaria smiled, "How could I forget the boy that gave us all that trouble last year?"

Will just smiled and took the third chair. Jack 'tsked', "Is that anyway to treat the new First Mate? Really Anamaria, I thought you had some manners left."

"First Mate, eh?" the woman looked Will over, then nodded. "As long as ye can still fight, I have no problem."

"Glad to have your approval," Will muttered, accepting the mug of ale from the wench bringing the drinks to the table. Jack ordered them a plate of whatever was for breakfast and turned to his only female crew member.

"Well, thanks to the boy, we have a complete schedule for the next ten months of shipments."

Anamaria's eyes widened, "Now that is quite useful. But business shouldn't be discussed here. There are several H.M.S.s in town."

"H.M.S.s?"

Jack frowned, "Approved piracy. Crews that are too stupid to avoid getting caught cut a deal with British courts. Apparently, England doesn't like France or Spain."*

Will nodded in recognition, "I think I've seen a few in Port Royal."

"Don't like 'em," Anamaria said. "Cause trouble and signed on to catch the 'unlicensed' ships."

Will looked at Jack in question and the Captain smiled wryly. "Us. A pain, they are. Not much experience, but good weapons and supplies. Hard to take though, a real bugger."

Jack indicated a burly man at the bar with a nod of his head, "That one's the Captain of the 'Raven'. Strong, but about as bright as a block of wood."

Will snorted, "Of course, you've never gotten caught, or nearly hung, or-"

Jack punched Will's arm, "Mind yourself, boy."

The young man smiled and Anamaria laughed. Jack shook his head and settled back in his chair. Three plates of what looked to be bread with sausage were placed in front of them and Jack payed the waitress.

Anamaria lifted he mug, "To the cheeky First Mate. If only to keep Cap'n Jack on his toes."

Will grinned and lifted to the toast while Jack groaned. "Don't encourage the boy."

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Jack jumped onto the part of the rail of the Black Pearl, watching what the crew was doing. Will was with Cotton and Anamaria, learning whatever new information he could. After a few days rest, they were eager for the open sea, and the freedom it offered. The crew had already taken to Will from their first encounter, and most seemed happy to have him back amongst them.

They would spend the night on the ship in the docks, and leave at first light. The little gift of the trade ship schedules had been revealed and Jack found the crew in agreement with him on the targets. Any grumbling complaints were silenced quickly with a hard look from the captain.

Gibbs had apparently volunteered to pick up the food for the evening meal after the ship was restocked and Jack could see him coming now.

"Kursar, Matelot, go help Gibbs," Jack ordered the two nearest crew members. Nods were the only response before the two left to obey.

Will was pulling a rope into place now, tightening the hold it had on the cannon. Jack jumped from his perch and walked over, taking the rope from Will and handing it to Cotton.

"Tonight, Will, you dine with me. We have matters to discuss."

"And what matters would those be, Captain?"

"Private matters concerning the conversation from last night."

Jack had led Will away from the rest of the crew now, while Jack trusted them not to intrude on any conversation that didn't concern them, certain things would not be discussed in front of them. Going through another of the doors that led below the dias where the wheel was placed, Will was greeted with the sight of a dining room, furnished with a large table and several chairs. Slots were carved into the table that were about the size of plates and Will remembered hearing last year that they were to keep plates and trays in place when eating when out on the sea.

Jack extended a hand to indicate that Will should sit and waited for the younger man to comply before speaking. "Your theories of your father; they may hold some merit."

Will brightened and Jack sighed. "I'm not saying much merit. But there may be a ghost of a chance you could be right."

"What do you suggest, Captain?"

"Put it out of your mind," Jack said simply. "Keep yourself focused on the tasks at hand. I will keep alert for any news, but I want you to stay focused. The first ship I targetted are to give you the chance to gain some experience. In a month's time or so, we'll be going for bigger ones. You train, and you learn, nothing more than that until I say. Keep near to me and I'll teach you what you need."

Will nodded, "Aye."

Jack smiled, "Good. You'll have a month before I start giving you duties that fall under your title."

Another nod and Jack lay a hand on Will's shoulder. "I know you can handle this. And I want you to ask questions when you don't understand things. You have potential, boy, and I intend to make sure you live up to it."

Will smiled, "I'll try."

"Good."

Jack too the seat at the head of the table and steepled his hands in front of him. Will realized that his friend seemed much less manic now. He assumed that it was because the Black Pearl had been restored to Jack, and a new crew that was loyal was behind him now. A year could change much, but Jack still had his moments of oddity, and Will was almost positive he would find another opportunity to do something 'stupid', as Jack liked to phrase it, when things started up.

"You asked about your father last night," Jack said suddenly. "And for what it's worth, I must say that you are far too much like him."

Will cocked his head, "What do you mean?"

"Any other man would have dropped the thoughts you brought up. Your father was like you in that respect; he looked for hope. He was a smart man, and a good friend. I'm not entirely convinced you can keep your wits when faced with certain situations, but you are a good man."

Will smiled, "And a pirate, now."

Jack grinned, "Glad to see you've accepted that. But that leads me to the question: why?"

"I told you..."

"You told me that you weren't happy settling into a 'normal' life. But not why you chose to seek me, or why you even considered this path."

Will shrugged, "I couldn't forget what happened last year. It had been enough to satisfy Elizabeth, but not me. You wehe ohe only person I thought I could consider to help me."

"So you came with soldiers?"

"Swann sent them with me. To give me a chance to back out."

Jack nodded his understanding. He could hear the crew heading below deck to the small dining area near their bunks. "Go get whatever food there is for us. Gibbs should have put some aside."

Will nodded and stood, leaving to obey. Jack wondered how a boy that had not known his father could be so like the man. Must be in the blood.

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All for now. Hope you're enjoying. I'm really ready to toss in some major angst soon.

*Actual historical facts. Though I'm not entirely sure of the years this took place, starting with British colonies in the Caribbean, pirates not only had their own cities and havens, but were given permission to pirate by the Nobles of the English court. Mostly targetting Spanish merchants and carriers from South America, it was completely legal for English pirates to do this, as long as they had permission and flew the Union Jack.