Freedom's Slave

ShadowSpirit: Will is the one that does stupid things. And of course 'cute' is the word for Jack, just make sure he doesn't hear it. ;)

Pookie: I don't make you suffer! *looks innocent for a full two seconds* I'm going to put in flashbacks and narrative past sequences, so that should sate your curiosity in time. ;)

Christine C: Glad you like it. Sorry 'bout the short slave stuff, I'm not one that's really big on those things. But there's plenty of things coming along later on.

Sandrine Black: More here. :) Plenty of past stuff, some just with Bootstrap and Jack (you'll just have to wait and see what their relationship was).

SwordsNSparrow: Thanks! *hands a lolly*

Datiye: Heehee, I like you. And luck? Who needs luck?

GypsyJ: Thanks.
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"So what do you know 'bout your father?" Jack asked, taking more interest in the tankard of rum he had than the stew. Will sat across from him, doing the opposite.

Will shrugged, "I just know he had been a sailor."

"Is that it?"

Will nodded, "Why?"

Jack silently debated how much to say, taking a swig of his rum in an effort to keep Will from pressing again. "I knew a man named William Turner. Good man."

"You knew my father?"

"Might've been 'im. If I did, I never knew he had a son."

"Would you tell me about him? I've already figured him to be dead."

Jack winced, flashes of memory crossing his mind. "You're not wrong there, lad. When we get out t' sea, we'll 'ave plenty of time."

"For what?"

Jack grinned, "Can't have a pirate not knowin' how t' sail or fight."

**********

Gibbs kept half an eye on the docks while he showed Anamaria how to work on some of the rigging. He already knew that Jack was going to take the boy under his wing, he just didn't know why.

"So what's the lad's name?"

"What?"

"The boy," Gibbs clarified, tugging a knot into place; "that you seem so intent on protecting."

"Oh," Anamaria copied the movement. "His name's Will Turner."

"As in 'William'?"

Anamaria nodded, glancing about the deck. There were several crew members bringing the new supplies aboard, and the rest preparing the ship. She knew she would need to learn their names soon.

"That explains it then," Gibbs muttered, earning a confused look from Anamaria. "A man named William Turner, or Bootstrap Bill, used t' be in the crew. A good man, an' a good friend."

"So they have the same name. Don't see why it means anything."

Gibbs frowned, "I knew ole Bootstrap longer than Jack. He had a son. This boy is 'im, I'm guessing. Great friends wit' Jack, Bootstrap was, an' I don't excpect Jack t' let the lad out o' his sight."

Anamaria frowned at that, "We'll see 'bout that."

"Easy, lass. Jack won't hurt the boy."

"I don't care," Anamaria gave the rope in her hands a violent tug. "I'll be damned before I let anyone get close enough t' even consider hurtin' Will."

"And why's that?" Gibbs asked, more than a little curious.

Anamaria saw Jack and Will finally coming towards the ship. "'Cause I owe 'im that much."

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Jack sat at the small desk in his cabin, twisting a dagger point down on the hardwood. His mind turned from the noise of the crew members on deck and those he couldn't hear, but knew were eating their dinner. He wondered if Will was getting to know at least Gibbs, or if Anamaria was still trying to 'protect' him. He had to smile at that thought; the woman was fearless, he could give her that.

He wanted to know what had happened; and more importantly, why Bootstrap never told him about Will, or any other family. He frowned, Bootstrap had never kept anything from him before. He could still remember the last time they were together; in Tortuga, at that tiny tavern...

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*yawns* What a great place to leave off! Well, I'm off...

No, not really. Just thought the flashback should have a chapter of its own. Sorry it's short!