Coming Along

For reviewers on FF.net: As much as I appreciate the encouragement, could you please do more than just say 'good' and 'write more' (that's over-simplifing, by the way), pe? Ie? I'd like to hear what you like about the story and anything that you want to see that can be considered filler. Thanks.

Mel: heehee, I was up 'til about 1:40 am writing. So anything that doesn't make sense, not my fault. ;)

Cassandra: I think I'm updating once or twice a day right now. Depends on my muse.

Funduilas: Just testing the waters for slash right now. Working on increasing it, and tossing in more angst. Glad you liked those chapters, Jack was fun to write in them. :) But he's fun to write in any chapter. ;)

SanelyChallenged: Yep, I'm on there, thinking about posting this there too. Thanks! :D

Nita: *huggles* Yay! I'm deffinately starting to think of you as my favourite reviewer. :D I really wasn't sure what to put for Bootstrap (it took me long enough to decide on a name to call him), so I kinda went with my gut instinct. Glad you like him. I like the idea of him threatening to castrate Jack, heh, maybe I'll put that in. More fluffy stuff with Jack and Will, not that it'll last too long. ;) Heehee, I like Anamaria. *huggles and kittens* (don't ask where that came from).

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Jack made sure Will got back to his cabin almost immediately after eating. Bootstrap went to his ship to tell his crew that the parley was still going. Jack expected that they wouldn't be moving in another day or so, unless something went wrong with Will.

"You okay?" Jack asked, sitting on the edge of Will's bed.

Will nodded, "It's just odd..."

"I thought you would be used to things like this happening by now."

"I think there's a difference between what happened with Barbossa, and this."

Jack shrugged, watching Will take off his shirt before making sure the wound was still closed. He grinned as Will's muscles seemed to flutter under his touch.

"Never thought you to be a gentle one," Will muttered, laying back.

Jack's grin became feral, "I could be a lot less gentle, mate. But you're in no condition to experience that."

In response, Will sat up and wrapped his arms around Jack's shoulders, pulling the captain down. Jack moved quickly to brace himself with his arms to avoid putting weight on Will.

"I'm not going to break, Jack. You know that."

Rather than say anything, Jack just kissed him, forcing the kiss deeper by pushing his tongue past Will's lips. "Ye might not break, lad; but I'm not takin' any chances."

"Never figured you to be a sweet one either."

"How do y'think I get all those women to slap me?"

Will grinned, "I maintain my argument."

Jack opened his mouth to say something, but it came out a growl as there was a knock on the door. He quickly kissed Will as the younger man let go. "Rest, I'll be back later."

"Preferably in sooner than half an hour."

Jack smiled and left to see who wanted what. Anamaria was there, a smirk playing on her lips. Jack sighed.

"What?"

"Just the crew wonderin' how long we'll be keeping those buccaneers company."

"Until the parley's done."

Anamaria nodded, "That's the kid's father, isn't it?"

Jack nodded, "Bootstrap Bill Turner."

"Heard he was dead."

Jack smiled and started to walk ahead. "He was."

************

Bootstrap paced, though the truce was still set in place, he wanted to be able to talk to his son without Jack watching his every move. It wasn't like he would hurt his own child; so he had to wonder why Jack was so intent on 'protecting' Will.

Almost as if he had heard his name, Jack appeared with the woman, Anamaria, from the little stairwell. Anamaria went off to do whatever it was she had been assigned and Jack swaggered over. Bootstrap shook his head, the way his friend moved had never failed to amuse him.

"More talking?"

"I want to talk to Will," Bootstrap said. Jack's smile faltered.

"Sorry, Bill. He needs rest. Fresh wound and all that."

"The wound hasn't affected his speech this far."

Bootstrap made a move to the stairwell and Jack stepped in front of him. "You're a guest here, Bill. And we're still under the Code. I can call off the agreement and send you on your merry way."

"And I can arrest you and bring you to Port Royal for trial."

Jack grinned, "Tried that already, very interesting. Your boy seemed to be more than wng tng to get me out of that. And I know you wouldn't do that."

Bootstrap narrowed his eyes, "I'm a changed man, Jack."

"So am I. Strange nea near, or in your case actual, death can do to a man."

Bootstrap made to go below deck and Jack blocked the way by putting out his arm. "I know you want to take him with you Bill. But you don't have a say in the matter. He was, what? Eleven when you sent him that medallion? You barely know each other now, and Will has been quite comfortable here on the Pearl."

"You turned him into a killer, and a thief."

"You mean a pirate? He did that on his own," Jack said, starting to sound bored. "He's not so much a killer, as the one that found ways to make sure little killing had to be done. He helps secure the ship, then is usually off of it by the time we lay the gunpowder down."

"You should have left him to an honest life, Jack."

Jack smirked, "Sorry, Bill. But he found me, both times. I think he was more willing the second time around though. The first was all for this lass that had caught his eye. Sickening in a sweet kind of way."

Bootstrap frowned, "And what happened to that 'lass'?"

"You'll have to ask him," Jack paused. "Tomorrow."

Bootstrap scowled at Jack, while the latter smirked.

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Sorry it's so short, the next one should be longer.

FF.net reviews:

Sorry, I'll get to 'em next time. FF.net's acting up and they've been deleted from my email already.