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*~ Disclaimer ~* I do not own any of the characters, language, plots, or locations from Pirates of the Caribbean. Disney holds all rights to Pirates of the Caribbean and this story is only created for pleasure, not profit.

Author’s Note: This is what happens when I put off my final papers. Please enjoy my procrastination techniques. (pre-Pirates II)


Flooded in Riches

Jack Sparrow grinned at the helm as he watched his crew scramble over the deck. Kohl-lined eyes kept a particular eye on one crewmember, no… temporary crewmember. The lad had not been pleased when Jack denied him the position of ship’s blacksmith, insisting that Will should be kept in sight as much as possible to prevent possible sabotage. Will had grumbled, but had to acknowledge the common sense in the captain’s logic. Jack had truly enjoyed the pout that graced the young man’s face when he directed him topside rather than into the bowels of the Pearl where the smithy was located.

And the topside certainly appreciated him there. The crew had been somewhat leery of the young man, many of them not having had the pleasure of knowing him during their adventures with the cursed pirates beforehand. It would seem, however, that the story had spread about the lad and his role in Captain Sparrow’s reacquisition of the Black Pearl, and the crew began to look more favorably at him. Their looks turned toward respect as they saw Will match paces with the best of them through the rigging and taking up some of the heavy-duty work. After only a few days Jack was pleased at how everyone took to the Pearl’s new shipmate. Will had established a camaraderie with several of the other crewmembers from those with the most menial tasks to those among the under-officers. Not only was Will adapting to the pirate life, but he effortlessly held one of the best positions that a pirate could ask for: a well-liked and respected friend to all.

One of the crew, however, was still skeptical about Will’s place on the ship. Jack took his eyes off the lad to glance over at his first mate.

Gibbs was off-duty for the moment, but was watching over the crew from the forecastle steps. His hands were working on knotting a strand of rope, but his eyes were roving over the deck. The expression was mild enough until his gaze lit on the young Turner. Then his brows lowered and Gibbs’ looked disturbed, or perhaps a bit perplexed. Like he couldn’t really acknowledge the lad’s presence here on the ship once more.

Jack looked off toward the horizon once more, but his thoughts mulled over the situation. Obviously Gibbs wasn’t troubled that it was Bootstrap’s son; Gibbs had heard the stories of the elder Turner’s and Jack’s adventures from before Jack had lost his position as Captain and Gibbs had enjoyed hearing about the spirited accomplice. Will had sailed with Gibbs during their own troubles with cursed pirates, so Jack knew that Gibbs knew that the lad was useful on a ship. So what could be bothering his first mate? …

“Captain!”

He turned to look at the temporary crewmember currently coming up the steps toward him. The young lad wore a roguish grin, wonderfully similar to his own, and Will stepped right up to him in an exuberant mood that Jack found himself responding to, though he refused to show it.

“Captain, the crew is requesting a short reprieve while the sails are slack,” Will gestured to the still canvases. They had been stuck in a slump for a few minutes and there were no indications that it was about to change anytime soon.

Jack turned his imperious gaze on the crew down below, who were sneaking expectant looks at him and Will by the wheel. He impressed them with a glare that made them get back to work and his grin was smug as he shrugged back at the lad. “Doesn’t look like any of ’em are interested now. Look at ’em! Hard at work, like a good crew.”

Will, exasperated, rolled his eyes. “Yes, we know, you’re very intimidating. But nonetheless, I’m sure the crew would appreciate a short break to cool off. It’s midday, after all.”

Jack looked over him. Will’s shirt was sticking to him with sweat and Jack could see smudges of dirt from his work over the deck. He was dirtier than when the captain had found him in the forge, and among the fire and the dust, that was saying something. Still, Jack preferred to torment him a little more.

“Now, I don’t know if tha’s the proper way to make a request of your captain, now is it, lad?”

The blacksmith blew out an annoyed breath and swept a hand across his forehead to rub away the sweat building. Looking out over the deck and the working crew, Will clasped his hands together in a mock-plea. “Oh honorable Captain Sparrow, please grant us a short reprieve before the winds pick up again.”

Jack raised an eyebrow. “And what do I get in return for this generous favor, Mister Turner?”

Will laughed outright and spread his hands. “What do you want, Captain Sparrow? It’s your ship.”

A smirk was his response. “I’ll take that as consent for a return favor later. Attention, you mangy loafers!” Jack called out over the deck as heads snapped to look up at him. “Derrick and Garrett, take over watch. The rest take a half hour.”

A whoop went out over the crew and many went below for a drink while others clambered down from the rigging to gather mid-ship for a game of cards. Will gave a pleased smile as Jack turned to him with an expression saying, ‘see how generous I am?’

With the formalities over, Will clapped a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Thanks, Jack. I appreciate it.”

Jack simply shrugged, with a devious smile of his own, “You owe me one, Turner.”

Will laughed as he turned back down the stairs, “Aye, Captain.” Jack watched him head to the front of the ship, apart from the crew. Curious, Jack kept his eyes trained on Will as he drew off his sweat-soaked shirt and walked over to the rail. The lad took a look back at Jack before grinning and leaping over into the ocean. For a moment, Jack’s amusement was gone and he thought the lad had actually jumped ship. But then he saw a rope tied securely to the rail hanging overboard and realized Will was just taking a dip. A few of the crew noticed and ran over to join him in the water. Shaking his head, Jack turned back to the wheel before noticing his first mate’s gaze on him.

Gibbs noticed Jack’s look and stood up to walk over toward him. Jack leaned against the wheel without acknowledgement as Gibbs walked up the stairs and stood next to him in silence for some moments.

“What’s he doing here?”

Jack felt his eyebrows raise in surprise before taking on his relaxed expression once more. That was certainly more up front than he had expected from his first mate, even as a friend.

“He’s being a helpful captive, that’s all,” Jack responded, mildly enough.

Gibbs shook his head a little, frowning, “Nay. Why is he our captive in the first place? There’s no reason to go to Port Royal just for the lad, and isn’t even one o’ your whims, is he?”

“I told yeh, I’m settling a debt with the young Miss Swann,” Jack said, a little sharper.

His mate remained silent for a while. Jack glanced over to where the shipmates were swimming in the ocean, far out enough to spot, but not too far from the ship. He could see Will racing with one of the younger lads, a boy named Zeke, he believed. A smile grew as he saw Will outstrip the young lad and then turn around to give some remark.

“I don’ think tha’s the whole story,” Gibbs stated, slowly. “Won’ pry more, but I jus’ want ta make sure yeh know who’ll be after ’im soon enough.”

“Not very soon,” Jack replied, watching as the crew returned up over the rail. A laughing, dripping Will grabbed hold of Zeke and pulled him up, talking animatedly. “Won’t be much of a rescue mission, anyway.”

“What makes yeh so sure, Captain?”

“A good hunch, Gibbs,” Jack clapped him on the shoulder with a returning grin. “A good hunch. Just trust ole Jack. It’ll be fine.” With that, he gestured Gibbs to the wheel while he marched out towards the stairs to belt out directions to the suddenly scrambling crew.

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A knock sounded at Jack’s quarters, and Jack shouted expectantly, “Enter!”

Will opened up the door and came through with the satisfied look of a hard day’s work. Jack looked him over and was pleased with what he saw. “Good day, today?”

“Yes,” Will nodded as he slumped into a chair. “Jib caught some fish earlier so we had a fresh dinner tonight. It was a nice change of pace from the hardtack.”

“Glad to hear it, though you could always eat here, lad.”

“That’s alright, I like eating with the crew,” Will demurred. “It’s only fair, as a temporary crewmember.”

“Well,” Jack swung himself into a chair and propped up his feet on the table, “as yeh like. Seems a waste of a good offer, though.”

Will seemed to mull this over a bit before sobering up a little. He looked over at Jack. “Well, if I could ask… I’d like to sleep in the bunks rather than here. I’ve already promised not to try to escape.”

Jack hid his smirk. “Well, William, yeh didn’t want to sleep out on the deck where Anna-Maria could keep an eye on yeh at night. An’ I’m sure yeh don’ want ta see the brig again anytime soon. So restraining yeh here is just good security, savvy?”

“But I’d be surrounded by the crew in the bunks… it’s not like I can slip away so easily!”

Jack leaned forward with an evil glint in his eye. “I happen to know for a fact that those lazy dogs can sleep through anything. Not about to take chances that you’ll be sneaking about, especially with your experience with escapes, aye?”

Will sighed and nodded to a triumphant Jack. Their arrangement was a simple one, really. The lad was allowed to sleep on the sofa in Jack’s quarters, tied around the waist with a rope that stretched back through the cushions where Will couldn’t reach to untie the knots. He was tied fast and his knife was taken away until the morning, when Jack woke him up to get on deck. It allowed him to sleep in some comfort, while assuring the suspicious captain that he would not be escaping while his back was turned.

“Still…” Will muttered. “It’d be more restful if I could move around a little while I slept.”

“Hmmm… quite a predicament,” Jack drawled, enjoying the quick glare that Will shot his way. “Of course…”

Will perked up a little, leaning over the table toward Jack. “What is it?”

Jack smirked, “I could always just keep you in reach.”

The young blacksmith blinked. Then looked properly skeptical. “You mean… share your bed? That’s ridiculous, Jack!”

Jack leaned back and looked at the ceiling. “Well, if yeh prefer ta be tied up on the sofa to a nice, comfy, warm bed, tha’s your business. Forget I offered.”

Will sat back, looking a little confused. Jack didn’t say anything, but watched the entertainment out of the corner of his eye as he twiddled with his knife. His companion began to bite his lip and fidget.

“It wouldn’t really be… proper. Would it?” Will finally mentioned.

The captain shrugged in response. “If yeh say so. S’pose not.”

With a shake of his head, Will muttered, “No, it wouldn’t be.” More to himself than to the captain, Jack noted. With a gesture toward the sofa, Jack stood up.

“It’s bout that time, then, Mister Turner. If you would be so kind…”

Looking a tad reluctant, Will moved over and lay down on the cushions. Jack took up the rope and wrapped it around the lad’s stomach, winding it behind the sofa to knot it tightly in the back. He swaggered around to the front, tugging to test the rope and admire his handiwork. With a grin, he bid the uncomfortable blacksmith goodnight, and sashayed to his own, softer accommodations in the next room.

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It was a few nights later. Things had been going well, Jack was appreciating having such a handy crewmember on hand for now. Will had shown himself to be quite efficient and the rest of them were beginning to listen to his suggestions to keep everything moving. He had even made himself useful in his spare time, catching a few fish and one time Jack even noted him gesturing wildly in a discussion with a few shipmates. It seemed that he was explaining some sword techniques. Jack definitely approved of this development; he wanted a well-prepared crew for when they ran into trouble, and trouble typically found them very quickly.

Jack had retired to his room as usual and all seemed well until he found himself suddenly awake before the sun came up. He looked around, eyes adjusting easily to the dark room, trying to find what had woken him. A rustle in the other room and a soft whisper, “Jack!” reached his ears. Jack’s face was nearly split in half with the smirk that appeared as he lit a candle and entered the anterior room.

The lad looked miserable, squirming beneath the rope. The friction had opened a small tear in his shirt and it showed the irritated skin beneath. Will looked up at the approach of the light with an apologetic expression.

“Sorry to wake you,” he whispered. “Do you think you could let me out?”

The pirate hummed as he stepped closer. “And what would yeh do, once yeh were out?”

A quick grimace flew over Will’s face. “I could go take the watch with Derrick,” he suggested.

“Yeh don’t look very awake for tha’” Jack said, doubtfully. He brought the candle next to Will’s face and brushed his fingers beneath the bags under the lad’s eyes. “Don’ think yeh’d be awake at all if it weren’t for the rope, here.”

Will’s eyes were slow to follow his movements, but widened a little at Jack’s touch. Blinking, the young blacksmith thought for a moment before giving a sigh. “Then… I suppose I could stay in reach, if the offer is still open? …”

He almost looked as though he wanted Jack to say that it was a one-time deal, but instead the captain nodded and moved to untie the rope. As soon as he was loose, Will let out a relieved sigh and sat up, rubbing his sore skin.

Jack grasped his shoulder and gave a tug. “C’mon, then. Ole Jack could use his sleep too.” Will followed him into the bedroom with trepidation. Jack noticed this and lightly chuckled, “I’m not gonna eat yeh, lad.”

Will’s face was flushed but he moved determinedly onto the bed. He mumbled a thanks and lay down, facing the wall, away from Jack.

Jack laughed again and lay down next to the lad. The bed was against the side of the ship and if Will wanted to escape, he’d have to climb over Jack to get out. The pirate didn’t make any other moves, and the tension in Will’s back slowly eased as nothing happened. Soon, Jack could hear Will’s deep breaths as he fell back to sleep. Jack’s Cheshire grin remained as he too drifted off to sleep, with the warm blacksmith at his side.

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