Freedom's Slave

Okay, a heads up; I'm in an extrememly pissy mood. My computer is being a pain (again), my mind is working faster than my hands in telling this story (again), and I live in a house where culture means you can speak french (and even that is limited to names of food), and I just sat through an entertain(ple(please note the sarcasm) evening of watching "horror" films (I swear, if a vampire ever got hold of the idiots from Scream, he'd be set for life). Grrrr... In other words, I'm not in a very good mood. And this is coming out way too slow, I'm behind by three days in doing any writing. Oh, and my webpage is starting to get on my nerves too...Stupid html... And on top of all that, there are several idiots on a group I'm in that like to read too much into the simplest of things. If any happen to ever read this; JOHNNY DEPP PLAYED JACK AS A PIRATE THAT SPENT TOO LONG IN THE SUN. ALL OF THE SLASH, IS WHAT WE TAKE FROM IT, NOT WHAT HE, OR ORLANDO BLOOM PUT INTO IT. Yeah, there's historical evidence of homosexuality among pirates; naval officers too, from then, and now.

Sorry for the rant, but that's been bugging me all sodding week.

Insane Pineapple: Don't worry. ;) And the way you tell it, makes me glad I'm tone deaf. Though that reminds me of the army (I signed up in reserves; Canadian reserves get payed for playing on the obstacle course! Join now!). Strange thing is... The trainer was actually named Norrington. Didn't have a stick up his ass though, he got us into a waterballoon fight and blamed it on a ladder (don't ask...). Heehee, glad you like it.

Pookie: Sorry for the wait, too many plot bunnies and websites... Gibbs'll(that sounds weird) get to play apart. I think Ana'll kill Cotton's parrot... Or at least Barbossa's monkey.

sparx: Technically building up to three things, but it might be a bit longer.

Datiye: I'd add you in (I did read that, heh, I really don't think it was the money that was the distraction, now was it?), but you'd end up part of Barbossa's crew and torture Will, or some old lady (or a little kid) in England that Gibbs knew. And Jack gets to have a happy lil bloodbath later (twice in the happy version). And I'm #1?! Who the heck killed off all the other people?!?

Tinnuial: Intriguing AUs? *looks at Black Moon series and so on...* Eh... I should prolly finish those some day...

Sandrine Black: You did hit my head!!! *points at random pink bunny labelled 'Jack/Will fuzzy'* Aim for those things. And I don't think head wounds affect the insane... Do they?

Earen: Hey! *hides all pointy objects in Chichiri's cloak* Jack is perfectly capable of getting the blood flowing on his own, and he has Ana to help with that. On an anime note, a friend gave me an adorable Hamtaro doll, it's that white one with cute ribbons (my friend watches the show though she's 20, I don't, I just think the doll is cute. ;)). This is the same friend that made me kissing Jack and Will plushy dolls. *huggles said toys* I'm such a kid...

SwordsNSparrow: Thanks! I just can't see Jack acting in any way but gentle and kind to anyone he likes. But I can still get him as a killer when someone so much as insults him (unless it's Will, then he'll just go "cute".)

hellsangel25: More here. :) I just had a bout of writer's block, again. I don't mind being pushed, as long as it's more than "write more ASAP" kind of stuff.

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Gibbs had watched Jack teach Will for a good part of the day, amused at how quickly Jack had taken to the lad. The boy was just too much like his father, perhaps a little more serious, but that could be expected. He wondered how long it would take Jack to find some way to make Will feel more comfortable, at least on the Pearl.

A few memories of Bootstrap flew past his mind's eye, including one he was particularly fond of.

~~~~~~Ten Years Ago~~~~~

Jack was planning something, Gibbs just knew it. And so did Bootstrap Bill. It was a slow day, as Jhad had decided to just let the wind carry them to where ever it would. Around noon, most of the crew had gone below deck just to get out of the sun.

"Can't see a bloody thing with the glare," Bootstrap muttered, trying to shield his eyes from the sun. "No wonder Jack's mad."

Gibbs chuckled, "He was mad long before the sun got to 'im, Bill."

Bootstrap grinned and was about to respond when he was suddenly tackled. Regaining his senses, the man looked up to see Jack grinning over him, holding a stick of kohl.

"What the hell are you doin', Jack?"

"Hold still a minute, Bill."

Bootstrap glared at Jack as the younger captain quickly spread kohl around his eyes. Gibbs stood back, biting his lip to keep from laughing. Jack sat back, "There! Better?"

Shoving Jack away from him, Bootstrap just glared. "I really hate you."

"I know, but it's better, isn't it?"

Bootstrap pushed Jack out of his way and went below deck, fully intending to wipe the kohl away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anamaria took a seat on the deck next to Gibbs, giving him an odd look. "What's so funny?"

"Just a memory, lass. Now, help me wit' these."

**********

"Enjoyin' yourself, Will?" Jack asked, moving to lean against the rail where Will had found a place to sit while he enjoyed the small window of time between chores. "Good day. If we were out o' th' straights, I'd just put up th' sails an' let the wind take us."

Will smiled, "I thought you said we'd be out of the straights by now."

Jack frowned, "I said by noon. Only midmorning right now."

"Ah."

Jack gave Will a sidelong look, having the distinct feeling that the boy was making fun of him. "Whelp."

There was a moment of silence as the two watched the crew, most doing light tasks or nothing at all. Cotton was at the wheel. Jack caught the k lok look of pain that crossed Will's eyes when Anamaria came out from where ever she had been hiding to sit next to Gibbs.

"Don't worry, lad," Jack straightened, pulling Will off of his perch. "How long can a woman possibly stay angry?"

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Oh look! An update! Albeit a very short update, still and update none the less. More would come soon, hopefully. And as always (this is getting to be a habit, eh?), this is for Nicole; A- for using the word 'fuzzies' when describing Jack/Will, and B- for putting up with all those weird ideas about new fics I have. ;) Huggles and baby pirates!