Untitled

This chapter is solely for Nicole: Thanks so much, I swear, your letters have completely made my day, even if you didn't know it. :D

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Bootstrap smiled at his son, "Good t' see you, Will."

Will smiled and Jack looked around. "Well, all very nice an' good, this little reunion. But I think you're doin' somethin'?"

Bootstrap raised an eyebrow, "Yes, well. There was a little interuption."

The elder Turner produced the parchment Jack had given the parrot, "Creative, Jack." He turned to Will, "And now that I think of it, I could use your help."

"Oh?" Will smirked. "It'll come with a price."

Grinning, Jack patted Will's shoulder. "Good lad."

Bootstrap sighed, "Right. Jack, you're a bloody bad influence."

Jack's grin turned to a smirk and Bootstrap shook his head. "There's one door that doesn't want to open; and, of course, you appear, Will."

With a glance at Jack, Will made his way back to the Pearl to get what he would need. Bootstrap turned to Jack, "On another grand adventure, are ye?"

"Not at th' moment, no," Jack replied. "But where one of ye Turners pops up, there's bound t' be trouble."

Bootstrap was about to reply when Will returned, carrying a familiar little pouch. The crews of both ships had been watching each other warily, more than likely sizing each other up. Seeing the two captains at ease with each other seemed to relax the crews slightly.

No time was wasted with Bootstrap showing Will the stubborn door.

"We've found all of th' crew; some jumped ship."

Will knelt and pulled out one of the tools. "Not expecting anything?"

No answer was expected. Jack leaned against one wall in the narrow corridor, not really paying attention to what was happening, while still being completely aware of what was around him at the same time. Bootstrap had only seen Will's blacksmith talents a few times prior, and was watching his son's actions.

A few seconds of prying at the lock, and Will had the door swinging open. Bootstrap shook his head, "You'd be handy on my crew."

Jack raised his eyebrows, "Will, leave th' Pearl? 'Aven't heard th' stories, mate?"

Will stood, grinning. Bootstrap looked between them and went into the formerly closed off room. "An' what stories are these?"

Jack's sense of drama kicked in. "Oh! 'What stories?' Bill, any port'll be talkin' 'bout th' Pearl! Right famous again."

Both Bootstrap and Will rolled their eyes, knowing that something neither had ever heard of was about to be told.

"Most feared, o' course," Jack started. "But ye already knew that. 'Eard say that Will is a match, with sword, only for me, mate. Once called a shadow, 'e was. Right proud ye should be."

Will sighed, "Never heard the 'shadow' part before."

Bootstrap chuckled and picked up a small item that caught his eye, setting it back down as he lost interest. Returning to the corridor, he smiled at his son. "Nothing of value."

"Pity," Jack said; "But ye still owe for th' service."

Returning to the deck, Bootstrap pulled out a pouch and handed it to Will, rather than to Jack, who was expecting it. Will grinned and pocketed the pouch before Jack could go through it.

Jack waved his crew on, idly watching as Anamaria pushed the men back to the Pearl. Bootstrap's crew still kept wary eyes on the Pearl, unsure if the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow would take what was just stolen.

Bootstrap invited Jack and Will to his cabin to talk in some manner of privacy. Jack had provided a quick run through of the last year and a half of the Black Pearl's adventures, with Will providing any extra commentary. Though sure there had been exagerations, Bootstrap decided against trying to get any details. Instead, he filled the two in on what he had been doing.

As soon as the stories had been exchanged, Jack got one of the looks that both Turners knew meant that he had an idea. Bootstrap sat back in the chair he was occupying, just waiting for whatever new adventure Jack had just thought up to be revealed. Will seemed more relaxed, already familiar with Jack's lines of thought on a more intimate level.

"We should have a fleet."

That caught Bootstrap off guard, "What?"

Jack moved his hands as he tried to elaborate. "A fleet. Well, just th' two ships, but a... An alliance."

Bootstrap raised an eyebrow, and Will looked just as confused. Jack sighed as if he were trying to explain things to two children.

"Th' Pearl has things you use," Jack indicated Will's little bag of tools; "and more eyes an' ears t' th' news in port would be welcome. Gives a reason t' stay in touch, mate. Ye refused stayin' on wit' th' Pearl once; well, captain this ship, but stay near us."

"And answer to ye, I s'ppose," Bootstrap said.

Jack's trinkets jingled as he swiftly shook his head. "We work together, mate. Or not at all."

Will seemed to consider it. "It is a good idea..."

Jack grinned and Will continued. "But it means two crews to look after. And we don't know this one."

Bootstrap nodded, "This one's been with me for under a year now. Good crew, but I still don't know how loyal... Might take the Pearl to keep 'em in line."

Jumping up, Jack offered his hand, "We have an accord?"

Both Turners could see the quick mind working behind the eccentric behaviour, and both knew that Jack was already thinking up plans to keep Bootstrap's crew in line. Nodding, Bootstrap shook Jack's hand.

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Okay, well, that was crap. But at least it started me writing again. I'm just hoping my damn muse stays this time, at least long enough to get this one finished.

Yeah, so, please review. First thing I've written in about a month or more... And I know I really need to get back into it...