As fine a Pirate

"All ashore! Ravage, plunder and pillage to your black little hearts' content. And not just the women!" Jack's usual speech before letting the crew off for leisure time always got a bout of laughter.

It was only after the charge towards the boats had subsided that he was able to see the glares directed his way by both Anamaria and Will. After a seconds consideration he realised what his mistake had been.

"Not me of course. Wouldn't dream of doing anything dishonorable to a lady. I love women, I do; buy them presents!"

Anamaria slapped him hard as she marched past, and he was left with William and an aching jaw. "You did deserve that," said the young man coolly.

Jack held his hands up in mock defense. "Now, young whelp." He saw Will grit his teeth and changed tactics. "You have to be willing to bend a few rules to be a pirate, boy. It's all about freedom, you know? But you do what you feel is best, make your own choices, live your own life, stay clear of all the monkey shit."

He backed off towards the dock as he rambled.

Will actually gave a fairly creditable growl, so he reconsidered. Looked like the son had just as much of a dark side as the father was rumored to. That was interesting. Young Turner drew his sword. That was very interesting. Also mutiny again, but for some reason he found it amusing from this lad and tolerated it – perhaps because he knew in his gut that Will would never go against him.

"And I'll stay here with you. Wouldn't be right of me, to leave you by your onesies. I can teach you a song!"

Will lowered his weapon with a skeptical look, and sat himself down on the nearest pile of wood that had been taken on for repairs. He gave a little smile. "You sing?"

Jack had an innate sensor that told him when he was being mocked, and a far more important constant measure of alcohol and foolery in him that allowed him to ignore it. "Aye, I can sing. I'm as fine a sinas eas ever you'll find. And this song, my laddie, was taught to me by..." He stopped his tongue just in time. "I can't remember," he finished with a convincing half-frown. Which he then shook off and assumed a dramatic pose. "It matters not. This song will make me the most fearsome captain in the entire ocean! So you have to learn it, savvy."

He got nothing but a doubtful look in return. "I think this is something that only makes sense when you've drunk a lot of rum," muttered Will.

Jack brightened. "That's the spirit, I'll get you some."

"No! No, that's all right."

"You don't want rum?" Jack repeated slowly, trying to process the idea. It was so alien to him that it took a long time. "How can you be a pirate if you don't want rum?"

Will blushed. Jack noted in an interested manner that the reddening trail led all the way down the boy's half open shirt front. He didn't know a single other pirate whom he could make blush like that, or at all, and found that he rather enjoyed doing so.

"It's just... when I have rum I end up acting..."

"Remarkably less stupid than otherwise? Like a pirate?"

"Like last time!" Another growl, but there was a great deal less feeling in this one. "Fine, give me the rum."

"That's a good lad," Jack said enthusiastically, and they headed for the stores.

Will didn't have a half bad singing voice either, Jack thought reflectively half a bottle of rum later. "Drink up me 'earties yo ho! Yo ho yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" And he learned fast – not only about the rigging, which was a very important.

He was also a very, very good dancer. In a drunken, weaving sense. There was something about the way the young man's body moved when it was totally relaxed that was amazingly sensual. Very unusual in a man. Definitely not to be found in any other member of the Pearl's crew. No, William Turner was a rarity, true treasure, and Jack had no intentions of letting him go.

For a while longer the captain watched as his latest crew member swayed around the deck, his movements becoming less and less uncertain. It was like watching the realisation of true potential, and it made Jack grin. He jumped off his perch and moved into the moonlight next to Will, then began his own cavorting and twisting motions.

When the younger man laughed at him, Jack couldn't bring himself to shoot him, and instead grabbed Will's hands to drag him along on the wild caper.

Both of them ended up in a heap on the floor, hands still linked, and Jack smirked up at the stars. This night was turning out almost as satisfying as if he'd gone ashore, and it definitely had more potential for the future. He had also been slapped a great deal less times tha wou would have been had he dared the town, which was a change for the better. Looked like young William Turner was good for him.

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