AN: This, believe it or not, is not a oneshot. It's going to be a good seven chapters long. It takes place six years after AWE, and you could argue that it's a "fourth film story," because the Fountain of Youth is in it. But the Fountain plays a very small role in the story. Anyhow, don't own POTC, I just borrow it. Thanks for reading and please review!

Will Turner had gotten used to his life as he was going to get on the Flying Dutchman.

He would never like it, but he had accepted it, and nothing came as a surprise. He knew his way to the land of the dead, and he knew how to make the ship rise up from the ocean's surface. He knew what crewmembers he could talk to, and which to keep at arm's length. He knew the stages of those he ferried--from denial, to anger, to acceptance.

But when he woke up that morning, during his sixth year as Captain, he had no idea that when he sorted through a ship wreckage, one of the three survivors would have long, dreadlocked hair covered by a faded red bandana.

"Jack Sparrow," Will said in disbelief.

"Captain Jack Sparrow," he rasped out.

"What happened?" Will asked.

"Barbossa," Jack murmured. He examined a gashing wound on his shoulder, puzzled. "Wish he'd have stayed dead."

"Have you heard from Elizabeth?"

"Visited her a while back," Jack said.

"Excuse, me, Captain," his father muttered, motioning to the two other trembling pirates. Will swiveled his head and looked at the first.

"Do you fear death?" he asked impatiently.

"N-n-no, sir, I think I'll b-be-"

Will turned to the second. "And you?"

The man hesitated, his eyes shining. Then he slowly said, "No sir, me neither."

"I'll ferry you across to the other land," Will explained. Then he turned his attention back to Jack. He tensed up, then added, "Captain Jack Sparrow . . . do you fear de-"

"About that," Jack said. He heaved himself to his feet. "I was wondering if you could maybe do a favor for an old friend and spare his life."

"Jack..." Will said warningly.

"Especially," Jack continued, "if said friend has a letter from a certain bonnie lass." With much effort, Jack reached into a jacket pocket. He searched for it, made a face, and searched the other pocket. He finally pulled out a very damp letter. He held it almost mockingly in front of Will. "Would you then make a deal?"

It could be done, even though Will wasn't supposed to. But this was Elizabeth. "Yes," he said finally. "Jack, say you'll join my crew."

Jack, who was eying the water where his hat floated, looked surprised. "What was that?"

"Say it, and then I'll release you."

"Well, Captain Turner, I will join your crew."

The wounds healed instantly, the skin wove it's self back together, the blood melted into Jack. Will nodded. "Jack Sparrow, I release you from your service and back into the living."

He smiled. "Here ya are, mate," Jack said, tossing him the letter.

Will peeled the pages apart and read the running ink.

Will Turner knew many things. He knew how to navigate through wreckage, and he knew how calm the survivors. He knew he could bring a man back to life, and he knew not to completely trust the man. He knew that it was possible to live without a heart. He knew it was even possible to live without the person you love.

But he didn't know what was going to be written in the letter.

He looked up at Jack.

"She's...she's dying?"

Yeah, I know the first chapter was short and a little dry. But I needed to set the story up. Thanks