Coming Along

Interesting facts (books are fun!): Port Royal was originally a Pirate hold called Roatan or Rattan. An earthquake destroyed it and the British came in and rebuilt, occupying it. Tortuga (de Mar, fully- 'Sea Turtle) was originally the name of the entire island where the city was located, the city itself was fortified and guarded by two ridges that almost closed off the area (you see it in the movie). Buccaneers went from forest thieves to ocean-bound thieves, to hired mercenaries, and then to a general term. A general idea of times (when looking at this story) could start after Sir Francis Drake (circa 1580 at the knighting) and before the 18th century. Okay, I'm done with the geek stuff for this chapter.

Not to all aspiring geeks out there (No offense ;P): Don't go from reading white pring on black bagrounds to the opposite...It hurts. (I found that out while reading an online copy of Wilde's 'Dorian Grey' while writing this chapter)

Akurei: Thanks. I have a nice little plan for Bootstrap. ;)

Mel: Heehee, I like Anamaria, I figure her to be the kind to give Jack a hard time. Don't worry, I know what you mean. ;) Hmm. You'll see what happens soon. I was really unsure how to get the two (Will and Jack) together, but I'm glad it's working out so far. Writing brilliance? Me? Nope. Just a bored geek that likes a story.

Nix: Oh wow! Such a long review! I'm glad you like it so far, and I'm estactic that you took the time to write that review!! Jack's character isn't so much as what he says to me, it's the tone and timing he says it in. He's far more complex than some people give him credit for, and I'm really just trying to play with my own impressions of him. I like Elizabeth, and I think a reaction scene with her would be a great idea in the future. I got the protective Jack idea from a few pictures I was looking at while I started, it just seemed to suit him as a protectorl to me, anyway. :) Anamaria has got to be one of my favourites, I can just picture her saying that, or giving Jack a hard time while helping him too. I really only wanted to put Jack and Will on more level a field to start out with, since they would need to spend time together to get 'involved' and it would help develop Jack's realization of being attached to Will. But I think I might have did that a bit too fast too, thanks tho ;) ;) I'm not good with graphic scenes *pouts*, but I might try a rough draft before posting to see if I like it. I might just leave it with the basic knowledge of you 'know' what they're doing and your imagination can take over, it might be better than suffering my bad writing. And Bootstrap gets to find out real soon *evil grin*. I solved a problem? Damn, I usually try to hinder more than help. ;)

Arabwel: Thanks! Heehee, I'm really getting good ideas from you guys, so thanks! And Elizabeth will make an appearance, but not for a tad bit longer.

Meia: I should have a bit of a story for Bootstrap coming in, but it's not all coming out at once. ;)

melodie: Coming up.

SanelyChallenged: Savvy. Update away.

miranda: Thanks, you're too kind. More Jack/Will coming.

datiye: Thanks. I tend to update as fast as I can soo I don't lose inspiration. I'm going to put in a backstory later too, not all at once though, no fun that way. ;)

Nita: Yay! Long review! I wanted to make Bootstrap like Will, but it's also obvious in the movie that at least a few of Barbossa's crew was afraid of him. You'll get to compare my Bootstrap directly to Norrington soon enough. ;) I really think that eunuch bit was just Jack trying to throw Will off during that fight, or annoy him, can go either way. Cap'n Barbie? Heehee, I like that. *huggles*

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

It was the third day after the Pendulum and the Pearl anchored together that Bootstrap had finally been able to talk to Will alone. It was getting obvious that the Pearl's crew was eager to move on, either to another port, or back to the open ocean; and Jack was no different. Bootstrap could see that he would only have a little time left before the Pearl would be gone, and considering that he had seemed to place the beginning tears in whatever friendship he had with Jack, Bootstrap had the feelingt tht the next time he met the Black Pearl, it would not be on friendly terms.

Will was sitting on his bed, examining a small, locked box Jack had given him. It had been placed in one of the larger chests, so they figured that it carried something of value. The door was open, and Bootstrap leaned against the frame as he watched Will fiddle with a tool, twisting the lock off. Another tool, this one with one end flattened to the width of a blade, was placed in the seam of the box and Will scraped away any built up rust.

"Impressive," Bootstrap said when Will opened the now-compliant box to reveal a few gems and jewelery.

"The box? Or the way I opened it?" Will asked, not looking up from making sure the little chest could easily be opened again.

"Both. Where did you learn to do that?"

"I'm a pirate, and a blacksmith; some skills can cross over."

Will set the box aside, absently rubbing the tools to make sure they were clean as he looked up. "You can come in."

Bootstrap accepted the invitation and sat by the desk, the chair having been replaced after Jack's last visit. There was an uneasy silence while one waited for the other to make a move. Finally, Will spoke.

"I know you wanted to talk, so I suppose you should start."

"I'm sure that you want to know where I've been..."

"It would help."

Bootstrap raised an eyebrow, "Jack is a bad influence on you."

Will smirked, "He's a bad influence on anybody."

"True," Bootstrap leaned forward in the chair, a sign Will had learned that meant the older man was nervous. "My name reached a few privateers in London and I was asked to join a crew there."

Will leaned back against the wall, "I'm guessing they didn't find out about the curse?"

"A few did, and those few offered to help me hunt Barbossa."

"A little late."

"You know I didn't mean to get you involved in that."

"Then why did you send the medallion to me?" Will asked, he could feel himself getting angry. "You must have known that Barbossa would have been looking for it."

"That was why I went to London, I wanted to find you."

Will was silent, both unsure of what to say and not knowing if he could trust his voice right now. He felt that he didn't really have a right to be angry with Bootstrap, but all the times he remembered from his childhood where he didn't have a father kept playing in his mind.

"What do you want?" Will asked softly. "Why are you here right now? Why bother with this? The first time I've seen you since... Well, since I can remember."

Bootstrap sighed, "I want you to come on the Pendulum with me."

Will shook his head, "No."

"William-"

"I'm staying with Jack, as long as he wants me as a part of this crew."

"Why?"

Will smiled, "Jack is my friend."

'If not more,' Will added in his thoughts.

Bootstrap was silent for a minute, then nodded. "You do realize that when we next meet, it might not be on such good terms."

"I never seem to meet anyone on good terms."

Bootstrap raised an eyebrow, but let the topic drop. "Are you really certain of this?"

"Yes."

"Then I guess I should just leave you to what work you have."

"...For what it's worth," Will started; "the reason I came out here to find Jack, was so I could find you too...Father."

Bootstrap smiled, "I am sorry for what you went through on account of me. But I am proud of the man you have become."

Will smiled and Bootstreft.eft. A few minutes later, Jack came in, looking slightly confused. "What has happened? Oh! You got it open!"

Will held up the box for Jack to look through and gathered his tools together before replacing them in the little trunk. Jack put the box on the desk and caught Will as the younger man passed, kissing Will fiercly. "I've missed that taste."

Will grinned and pulled away from Jack's grasp. He sat back on the bed, joined quickly by Jack. The captain pushed Will back and lifted the younger man's shirt to examine the healing wound.

"A few more days, maybe..." Jack said. Will pulled his shirt off and Jack grinned. "Want something, love?"

Will wrapped his arms behind Jack's neck and pulled the captain to him. "If I'm almost healed now, I think we can pick up where you were saying how gentle you weren't."

Jack's grin didn't falter and he placed one hand between Will's legs. "Then I think it's time I showed you."

*******

Neither remembered that the door was still slightly open, nor did they register the presence of another figure just beyond that door.

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

Ack! Short chapter! I'll get the next part up soon as I can...Give me a few minutes. ;)

FF.net reviews:

Sorry, still no luck on getting that damned site to work.