By the way, if you don't already know, i dont own anything you can't buy from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Chapter One
As Jack Sparrow continued to bail water from his ship, he recalculated his options. One: he could continue to bail water from his ship and hope for the best. Two: abandon ship and swim for land. Three: stop bailing and wait to see what the storm's options are. None of them were of much advantage to him however. As usual, it didn't look good for him again.
A wave toppled Jack backward.
"Calypso, enough! Bloody goddess, should have killed you meself. Wot did I ever do to you to deserve this?" he shouted to the black sky.
Another wave toppled on top of him. Jack spit out the water. Apparently it was best if he just kept his mouth shut. He didn't see why he had to be punished by Calypso's fury. He did nothing wrong that he could think of at the moment.
Glancing around him, he saw the situation was not improving as well as he would have hoped for. The waves doubled in height, the sky above was black as death except the suddenly-becoming-more-consistent lightening.
"Well, this is just terrific," Jack muttered to himself as he bailed more water from his ship. "All I want to do is find the bloody Fountain of Youth. How difficult is that? Why did he have to take the Pearl again? There are plenty of other ships better than the Pearl." Jack reconsidered that thought a moment. "There's only one better and that one is never in this world. I wonder how he is anyway. Not good! Stop worrying about him Jackie. You need to save your own soul."
Continuing to keep his balance and curse Calypso more, Jack bailed his little ship more. He wasn't sure if anything could get worse than this. As if a reply to that question, he watched as up suddenly became sideways and the horizon seem to be up.
Jack's eyes widened in terror as he turned his head behind him seeing nothing but a near vertical drop down the wave. "Not good," he noted as he clung to the mast of his ship.
Seeing it fit to do no more, he held on for his life as his ship toppled backwards. He was pushed far under the surface by the wave. Once his orientation returned, he frantically moved his arms and legs about, not knowing what was up and what was down. Feeing himself move a certain direction, he decided that was up and hoped for the best.
Fortune seemed to be on his side, as it usually was before near death experiences. His lungs were once again reunited with clean air. He treaded water trying to keep his face above the surface that could very well lead to a watery death. The more he thought about dying there in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, the more he realized how much of an insulting death it would be. Jack Sparrow, drown at sea because he lost his ship again.
He felt himself being lifted into the air. He paddled faster to keep up with the pace of the wave. Out on the horizon was the almost most beautiful that he had ever seen; it was the edge of the storm and the sun beginning to peek from out of the clouds.
"Ha!" Jack shouted. "Thought you kill me he eh? Well, you were wrong again. I, Captain Jack Sparrow, will overcome you again Calypso. It wont be the fi-"
Jack toppled below the waves once more. Because he had not a moment to prepare for this fate, his lungs already starved for air. As before, he allowed his body to float toward the surface then he assisted himself to the surface.
"Are you quite finished yet?" he asked. A tiny wave rolled into his face. "Apparently not."
Something bumped against his feet. He turned as part of the hull floated next to him. Having no other option, he clambered aboard the pieces of wood and held on for dear life. After a few minutes, he found himself finding it more easy to dive into the wave rather than fight against it, but, because he was holding his breath for long amounts of time and not having the time to breathe normal, he began to see black dots in front of him. His heart rapidly beat inside of him and his lungs starved for a constant supply of air.
Though he thought I would never happen, the waves and intense sea began to dull slowly. Above him, light poked through the black clouds. Thunder rumbled behind him as lightening no longer provided his only light. The sun was on his face once more. He smiled.
"See, I told ya," he whispered to the water.
Just when he thought the storm was ended, he felt himself rise once more. Because it happened more than once, he knew he was being dragged up with a wave.
Jack realized the wave that was dragging him up ward came from behind. Once again he calculated his options. One: he would fall gently back into the water and float toward the sunset. Two: he wouldn't fall so gently back into the water and would somehow manage to stay alive. Three: the wave would push him father underwater than he had been before that entire day and, since he was barely conscious already from lack of air, be forced to die. Somehow, he knew it would be option three. Unfortunately, he did plummet back to the water level and was dragged under more deep than he had been. Not bothering to waste away his strength again, and for the simple fact that he barely had enough consciousness inside him, he let himself alone.
Random images came before his mind. They were of everything he ever knew in his life. His mother, terrible teenage years, Bill Turner looking after him, the mutiny, all that happened in the past two years, the Locker and seeing dozens of himself walk around, the final battle, and his beloved Black Pearl once again sailing away without him.
Just as he thought it was all over, air came to his lungs once more. It was the surface. He had a minute amount of strength left inside of him. It was just enough to pull himself onto the small pieces of wood that remained from his ship.
Inside, his heart was rapidly beating, but his lungs felt heavy and full already. Trying to breathe resulted in no more than choking. Not wanting more pain, he simply held his breath. Breathing did no good so why would he torture himself? His lungs were already heavy and full of something. His body was aching and tired. He simply felt cold and weak.
Is this what it's like to die then? I kinda always was curious about what dying fells like. I suppose it feels something like this.
Distantly, from what part of his mind was conscious, Jack felt himself being pulled upward. He was hit in the chest hard. Immediately, he began choking water. The pressure and heaviness inside his lungs was slowly fading away. He gasped for air. Slowly his mind cleared as the air was returning blood to it. Dull, blurry figures were looking down on him, one of them held a lantern. Not quite finished, he choked and coughed a bit more. Finished, at least he thought so, he blinked hard while staring at the figures above him. He stared and pointed at one particular.
"Will?" he asked.
"Hello Jack Sparrow," replied Captain Turner.
Convinced he had completely lost his mind, Jack's eyes rolled back inside his head as his last bit of consciousness was lost.
Jack opened his eyes hours later; he was lying on a couch in a warm cabin. A blanket was wrapped around him snugly. The room was a mess, in the process of organization. There was something about the room that was more beautiful that the Pearl's cabin. It was unfair. Nothing should have been more beautiful than his precious Pearl that he suddenly began to miss more and more.
Now that his mind was more alert and awake, he noticed the throbbing and severe pain in his head. Not only that, his left arm was numb. He touched his head and groaned. This was something new. It wasn't the cloth of his red bandana. It was much softer. His eyes growing wide and worried, he felt the end of the cloth and began to pull down.
A hand grabbed his hand to stop him. "Oh no you don't."
Jack turned his head, gazing into the face of one worried Bill Turner. He squeezed his eyes shut again. A moment later he peeked out of one eye.
"What are you doing?" wondered Bill.
"Are you here?" Jack asked.
"Aye," replied Bill, nodding his head. "And so are you."
"Oh," Jack whispered.
"Jack!" a voice cried in relief. "What were you doing out there?"
"What was I doing out there? What are you doing in this world Will?" asked Jack.
"I need a new crew," replied Will. Seeing the confused expression on Jack's face, he continued. "A hurricane. A ship getting caught in the hurricane. Dying sailors Jack. Does that sound familiar to you at all?"
Jack gave a single nod of his head, before his face went pale. A cold shiver ran through him. He opened his eyes. Blackness consumed him.
"Will, where are you?" he whimpered.
Palms cupped his cheeks and moved his head. "I'm right here Jack."
"I can't see you," said Jack.
"You'll be fine. I'm right here."
Jack heard Will's voice, but saw nothing. He couldn't determine if he was blinking or not. A few moments passed before his vision returned.
"You're spinning now," he noted, his voice trembling and face suddenly becoming a sickly pale shade.
"Shut your eyes Jack," Will whispered, gently brushing his hand across Jack's eyes to be certain they were shut.
"Place this on the back of his neck. It will clear him," whispered Bill.
Will gave a weak smile of thanks as he took the damp rag from his father. As he was told, he lifted Jack's head to place the rag on the back of his neck.
"Wot happened to me?" Jack asked.
"We found you at sea. You weren't breathing when we found you. So, we brought you back and got you dry. Later I had someone take a look at you. It was then we discovered your arm to be bent awkwardly and your head swelling. Apparently you bruised your skull and you're suffering from a severe concussion Jack," replied Will.
"Why can't I feel me arm?" wondered Jack.
"It's broken," said Bill.
"Just bloody wonderful," muttered Jack.
"Rest Jack. I want you to rest today," said Will.
Jack sighed as his body fell limply against the couch.
"I don't think that was him falling asleep," noted Bill.
"He probably lost consciousness again," said Will. He looked at his father. "What are we going to do with him?"
"I was intending to leave him in Tortuga, but I'm not doing that now. He's in no condition to be left alone. He needs to be in the care of another."
"And who will look after Jack Sparrow? Jack is an outcast, he's wanted dead, and he's a pirate. No one in right mind will look after him."
"No one but his own family," added Bill.
"He has no family," said Will.
"He has his father," noted Bill.
"Jack has a father?" asked Will.
"Jack's father is Edward Teague Will. Jack's father is Keeper of the Code," replied Bill.
"I don't know who that is. I was on the Endeavor when the Brethren met," reminded Will.
"Well then, we'll just have to introduce you to him now won't we?" said Bill. "We're only a few hours away from Shipwreck Cove. Jack will be safe there." He looked at Jack then muttered under his breath. "At least I think Jack will be safe there."
Will understood what his father said, but made no notion that he heard him.
Just as Bill said, the Flying Dutchman arrived in the mouth of Shipwreck Cove in less than four hours. Unfortunately, Jack was still in his state of unconsciousness and his face a bit more pale than Bill would have liked.
Will on the other side of things, stared at the fortress constructed of ships understanding the meaning of Shipwreck this and Shipwreck that. It was a magnificent fortress. The firelight reflected in the water like stars in the sky. The water was calm causing the ship to sail in smoothly. Unlike before, not one ship was docked.
"Are you sure someone is here to look after him?" Will asked his father who just joined him.
"There is always one person here and I've always known him to be Jack's father," replied Bill.
"Are you sure you can trust Jack to be with him alone?" asked Will again.
Bill looked at him then studied his son's eyes. "If I didn't know any better I would say you are worried about Jack."
"A little," admitted Will quietly as he slightly turned the wheel to align the starboard side of the ship with the dock most in front of the entrance.
"Curiosity. Why?" asked Bill.
"Because," replied Will.
"Because why?" asked Bill.
"Because I've known him for so long to know that there is another side of him that's weak and lonely and starving for something. I don't want him to think I'm abandoning him."
"He knows you have something more important than worrying about him to do," said Bill.
"Does he really know what he's done to me?" wondered Will.
"I think he knew what he was doing and did it for a reason," said Bill.
"What reason then?" asked Will, his tone becoming harsh and furious. "I don't know what's become of anyone. I don't what happened to Elizabeth after leaving her alone on that island. And Jack, Jack didn't have the Pearl when we found him. Tell me, what happened to his ship and why was he not on it?"
Bill shut his eyes. "Not good," he muttered to himself. "I can name one reason why Jack wasn't on the Pearl when we found him. A certain ex-first mate mutinied again."
"That wouldn't pose as a shock to me. Jack and Barbossa were consistently bickering over who was captain. When one said an order the other followed until someone shut the two of them up. So, Jack Sparrow was mutinied again and left in the middle of the ocean to die. I don't think his father will be pleased to hear what happened again."
"I hope not at least," said Bill, a glint of fear beginning to come through from behind his eyes. Pushing that aside, he looked at Will. "Bring Jack. I can handle everything up here."
"Are you sure?" asked Will.
"I do believe I can dock a ship and furl the sails and tie down the ropes," said Bill. "I've been on a ship since birth."
Will nodded as he walked from his father and down the helm stairs.
Bill looked forward wondering how these events were going to turn out. He was first from the ship, his excuse being he had to tie down the ropes. From the corner of his eye, he saw a sailor sitting against a crate that was at the edge of the dock. He rolled his eyes.
"Maccus, can you finish this? I have business to do with him," he requested.
Maccus nodded and took the rope Bill was tying down. "Of course and I'm sorry to say that I agree with Will. Can this man be trusted? If Jack is losing consciousness suddenly and without warning-"
"Maccus trust me. I know Jack will be all right," said Bill. He walked forward a few step then turned and walked backwards. "Have I ever been wrong before?"
"Once or twice," Maccus muttered to himself.
Bill stood over the sleeping sailor. He took the half full bottle from curled inside the sailor's arms then kicked him a few times.
"Be gone with ye. Captain Teague wishes to speak with no one."
Bill took a swig from the bottle. "What about an old friend?"
"No one. Those were me orders."
"Well, I'm not No One. In fact, do you know a man named No One? I don't and I do have a proper name," said Bill.
"Oh really?" the sailor asked as he tilted his hat to look into Bill's face. "What's yer name then?"
"Come now Charles, don't you remember your old friend Bill Turner?" asked Bill.
The sailor more piratical known as Les Char slumped against the crate more. "He's dead, press ganged into Davy Jones's crew."
"Last I heard Davy Jones was replaced by a certain Will Turner who is also a certain son of mine. In fact, take a peek yourself. The Dutchman is right here," said Bill. He took another drink. "Ah, Teague always did have fine taste in wine."
"And how'd ye know my name is Charles?" asked Les Char.
Bill pulled the hat from his head. "Char, trust me, I'm Bill Turner.
Les Char study Bill a moment. His eyes grew wide as he jumped to his feet. He shook Bill's hand, which led to shaking Bill's entire body. "Sun and stars, Bill it's you. You're back from the dead. By God, Teague was right. He said it wouldn't surprise him if you two met again someday."
"Where is the old sea dog?" asked Bill, pulling his shaking hand away.
"Adding to the Code of course," replied Les Char.
"Tell him I've come back with Jack," said Bill.
Les Char sighed. "Again. What does he have now?"
"Just bring him here," said Bill.
"I'm not impressed with this Teague's crew. Drunk on the dock," said Will from behind his father.
"He wasn't drunk. Have you ever heard of a man falling asleep with a bottle of wine in his arms?" asked Bill.
"Falling asleep with rum in his arms perhaps, but not wine," admitted Will.
"Precisely," said Bill. He looked in his son's arms.
Jack was still out cold. A blanket, the only blanket the ship had, was still wrapped around him. Apparently Will took the liberty to remove the beads from Jack's hair as well as wash the rest of the kohl from around Jack's eyes. Jack was also wearing no more than his tunic and breeches. His bare feet hung limply. Awkwardly, they were rather bronze. Unfortunately, Will had also set Jack's arm in a sling, the white cloth both on his arm and around his head matching Jack's face.
"I never realized just how young and thin he is until I took everything off," noted Will.
"You know why Jack wears what he does. It adds weight to him and makes him seem less helpless," said Bill.
"I know why he wears layers of clothes as well. I've never seen scars like Jack has," added Will.
"Jack's had a rough life. The story of his body is merely half of what he's been through," said Bill.
The doors to the fortress were pushed open.
Will looked at man who looked very similar to Jack: dreadlocks, beads, bandana, striking bold colored sashes, and an ornately decorated deep red coat. Upon his face was a small smile.
"Eddy, it's been too long," said Bill.
Edward Teague nodded. Taking Bill's hand. After a moment of shaking his hand, he wrapped an arm around Bill's shoulders. "I thought you were doomed on that ship under Jones's command."
"Jack changed that," said Bill.
Teague looked at Will a moment in curiosity. He pointed a Will. "So, this is the famous Will Turner then?"
"Not much is he?" asked Bill.
Will gave his father a glare.
"No, he's more than anything on the sea Bill. He masters the seas and commands the most influential and powerful ship on the horizon." His eyes looked upon the ship, suddenly becoming confused. "Where's the Pearl?"
"We don't know," replied Bill.
Teague rolled his eyes as he stepped closer to Will. He looked down on Jack and began studying his son's condition. "Pale, dead color in his face. Slight shivering. Weak, steady pulse. Slow, but good breathing." He looked at Bill. "Pneumonia?"
"It's more of a broken arm, soaked to the bone, severe concussion," replied Bill.
Teague rolled his eyes again. "Not the first time. Come on, let's get him settled."
"I suppose he doesn't seem that bad," Will whispered to his father.
"No, he's not at all bad. He's a good man Will, a very good man," said Bill.
"Is he as odd as Jack?" wondered Will.
"No, Teague is a sane a person as you will ever meet, though he's had his moments…several of his moments," said Bill.
They got Jack settled in a large bed in a redwood room. Teague tucked a black blanket around his boy then set a thin one over Jack to keep the heat around his son.
Will looked around the room. It was definitely designated for Jack; it was a mess with all the charts and nautical uses scattered about.
"So, you're the new captain then," noted Teague.
"What makes you say that?" Will asked obviously.
"Well, you have a scar across your chest worthy of Jackie. Your father is at your side and, last I heard, was aboard the Flying Dutchman. Elizabeth Swann is your wife. And did I mention every Pirate Lord knows who you are?" said Teague.
"Aye. They know me but they did nothing to not know me," said Will.
"Don't blame what's happened on the past. You can't change the past lad. Believe me, I've tried to change the past. No good comes from it," said Teague. He turned his eyes to Jack. "I didn't change much of the future either."
"About that," began Bill. "Ah, Eddy, I can't drag Jack back with me once he's well. I'm currently in the process of ferrying souls with my son."
Teague nodded until his entire body slumped. He looked at Bill. "What do you mean you can't bring Jack with you."
"Jack is alive and not part of the crew. We can't take him with us," repeated Bill.
"Can't you leave him in Tortuga?" asked Teague.
"Tortuga is a two day journey from here even with the fastest ship on the seas. We have a duty to do in the other world," said Bill.
"Then what are you doing in this world?" wondered Teague, fury growing inside his eyes.
"I need new crewmembers for my ship. Most of them were granted permission to move on," said Will.
"You are not leaving me with Jack," said Teague.
"What's wrong with Jack? Sure he's a bit odd, but he is your son," noted Will.
"Exactly, he's my son," said Teague. "I don't want anything to do with Jack. Bill you have to take him to Tortuga. Take him anywhere but here."
"There is nowhere else to take him," said Bill.
"You are not leaving him here," Teague told him as he stood to face Bill.
"And where do you propose we take him?"
"Tortuga, Hispania, Port Royal, Isla Hermosa- take him to the Colonies for God's sake."
"And who will look after him?"
"Someone will."
"Jack is a wanted criminal. No one will look after him. They'll kill him instead."
"That's not my problem then is it? Jack wound himself up in this mess. I had nothing to do with it."
"You've always had something to do with it Eddy. Why will you not tell Jack the truth?"
"If I tell him the truth he won't believe me."
"Because you've never shown him the truth. I have seen the truth. I grew tired of taking Jack back after you knew he would be fine. Jack is staying here and I'm leaving."
"Why does Jack need to stay here anyway? He looks fine to me."
"He won't survive alone like this."
"He's survived being alone for twenty nine years. I think he can survive being on his own for the rest of his life."
"Teague, do you think Jack can survive being alone if he loses consciousness suddenly? His arm is broken. What can he do with one arm alone? This concussion he's suffering from makes me wonder why he didn't lose his memory. His skull is bruised. He went blind when he woke then lost consciousness nearly immediately afterward. He's been like this since. Jack can't take care of himself. You have to take care of him. You have to be the father this time." Bill hollered the fury and anger inside his raging eyes.
Will looked at the two of them as they glared at each other not understanding a single thing that was happening. Everything his father said made no sense in his mind.
"Perhaps Will is right. Maybe you aren't the best thing for Jack," noted Bill.
"You know I am," said Teague.
"Jack doesn't. I am the only other soul who knows about you and Jack. Not even your own son knows he is your life and reason to live. That is the tragedy of this situation. Now that you're going to be left alone with Jack for the first time ever, you suddenly hate him again," noted Bill.
"I have reason to hate him," said Teague.
Bill turned to Will. He pointed at him. "I have plenty to hate about my son, but that will never prevent me from holding him when he needs to feel loved or being a father to him."
"That's you Bill, not me," muttered Teague.
"You hate Jack? You hate your own son?" interjected Will.
Silence among both of them. They looked at Will.
Teague's eyes lowered and eventually shut. He slumped in a chair beside Jack and stared into his face. He made no notion of showing that he intended to answer that question.
Will looked at his father.
Bill shook his head. He sighed heavily as he sat beside Jack on the bed.
Jack began stirring a bit more than he had been for quite a few hours. As the three around him hoping for, his warm, chocolate eyes to open. They blinked and stared at the ceiling.
"Jack," whispered Will, causing Jack to look at him. "How are you feeling?"
"Terrible," replied Jack. "Me head aches worse than when I've had half the supply of rum. Will, do I still have me left arm cuz I can't feel it?"
Will couldn't help the smile that went across his face. "Aye, you still have your arm. It's broken."
"Jackie."
Hearing that voice again, Jack's breath suddenly stopped as he his widened. He looked at Will in fear and terror.
Looking at the blanket, Will watched the edge slightly pulse rapidly. He looked into Jack's terrified eyes.
"Jackie."
Inhaling deeply as if to brace himself, he turned his head to look at his father. As usual, Teague bore the same stoic, angry look.
"Don't hurt me," he whispered.
"You've done that yourself Jack. I have no need this time," said Teague.
"This time?" asked Will.
Jack bit his lip, wanting to say something, but deciding against it.
"Jackie, where's the Pearl?" asked Teague.
"I must have fallen from her deck in the middle of the hurricane. Winds demanding. Waves tall. Storm unpredictable," said Jack.
"Don't you lie to me boy," Teague growled.
Jack cowered under the blanket more. He looked at the pillow. "Barbossa. Again."
"How? How this time?" demanded Teague.
"We were in Tortuga. I gave everyone the day to rest and left the two marines turned pirate and Gibbs aboard. I, meself, went to find Scarlett and Giselle. Gibbs was on the dock and the Pearl out to sea when I came back," explained Jack softly and with a quivering voice.
Unable to control his anger, Teague raised his hand.
Jack squeezed his eyes shut as he braced himself.
Instead of slapping Jack across the face, Teague lowered his hand and stood. He drew a deep breath as he walked to the window.
"Barbossa was kind enough to leave me a dingy," added Jack.
Teague turned and bounded back to Jack. He took a handful of Jack's hair into his hand causing both Bill and Will to tense. "Oh, at least he was kind enough to live you a dingy indeed. Jack this is the second time you've been mutinied by the same person. A true pirate would have killed that murderous traitor."
"He did kill him. Barbossa was brought back from the dead by Calypso," said Will.
Teague shot him a glare. "I'm not talking to you am I?"
Will shook his head.
"It's not my fault he was brought back. I didn't want him back," said Jack.
"Why didn't you kill him after the battle?" asked Teague.
"Because the thought never crossed my mind," admitted Jack.
"Never crossed your mind. What does cross your mind these days Jack? It seems to me you care for no more than to improve upon your selfish interests. Well, you have one correct trait of piracy. You're selfish," said Teague.
"Selfish?" Jack asked. "I'm selfish? I lost me ship again."
"That was you being a fool," said Teague. "Then again, you've always been a weak, sickly thing."
"I am not weak," Jack said.
The three of them watched as Jack somehow managed to sit himself up. Tears of pain were in his eyes.
"Aye, you are weak. Why are there tears in your eyes?" asked Teague.
"Because it hurts," said Jack.
"Hurt and pain are your only two companions. They will always be your only two companions."
"Will and Elizabeth are my friends."
"God knows where Elizabeth is and Will can never be in this world unless he is needed. May I remind you who's doing that is?"
"He would have died."
"Why did you save him Jack? I wonder today why you didn't stab the heart and make yourself captain."
"Because I care about him. Not so selfish am I?"
"Perhaps not, but you're always going to be weak and sickly. You aren't fooling anyone Jack, disguising the illness behind the sashes and titles."
"Fooled me," Will said.
Teague looked at him. "But now you'll never be fooled. I apologize for Jack. You should have never been introduced to him. He brings about nothing but trouble and utter pain."
"I know how that feels," muttered Jack.
"What did you say?" demanded Teague.
"You heard me Teapot."
"How dare you insult me. I am your father Jack Sparrow whether you like it or not."
"I am your son Edward Teague whether you like it or not."
"Why Jack? Why was I the one who had to be a father to you? You've done nothing but cause me trouble and annoyance. The greatest times of my life are when you are not near."
"Then leave where I'll never find you."
"You always find me. One way or another you've always come to find me."
"Because I have no where to go."
"You've never had anywhere to go."
"Wot did I do? I can't recall the numbers of times I've asked that question."
"You did everything Jack. Your problem has always been your own. I've always had to save your hide."
"Why do you save me then?"
"No matter how much I hate to say this you are still a member of this family and you need to pass down your piece of eight to another before you die."
"So you've saved me only so I can pass my piece to another?"
"Quite honestly yes."
"Wot about now? I have no piece of eight. Perhaps you haven't noticed that Calypso is free again."
"They brought you here Jack and now I'm stuck with you."
Jack shot his head to Bill. "You have to take me to Tortuga. I'll be fine on my own."
"I already tried Jack. They won't let me."
"Please," Jack pleaded to his two friends. "Don't leave me here with him. I have enough scars from his doing."
"Again, you did that yourself," said Teague.
Jack ripped the bandage from his head. "Why would I take a ring across me own head?" He pulled the cut in his tunic aside. "Why would I cut myself as deeply as you did?"
"What?!" Will screamed. "You did this to Jack?"
"I had no choice. He wouldn't leave me alone."
"I wanted to make you proud. I wanted to be held by you again. I wanted you to hold me."
"Grow up Jack. You're not a child. You don't need any of that anymore."
"Yes I do. You never gave it to me."
"That's not my problem now is it?" asked Teague. He turned to Bill. "Jack is not staying here. You can find a place for him or I will. If I do I wouldn't expect to hear from him again, not that anyone alive would want to speak to him willingly."
Teague bounded from the room and slammed the door.
Bill sighed as he raced after him. "Eddy…"
Jack stuck his tongue out at the door. Consumed by rage, he threw all the pillows and blankets from the bed across the room as far as his arm allowed. After, he set himself on the couch below the window and stared out to sea as he felt the bruise above his right eye.
Will went around the room collecting the items Jack threw in his rage. He organized them on the bed again. Seeing Jack tremble, he went beside him.
"I'm sorry you had to be here for that," said Jack apologetically. "Fortunately, it may just have been the calmest fight we've been through."
"That was calm?" asked Will.
"Usually, I end up waking at a port somewhere in the middle of nowhere or hacked to pieces," replied Jack calmly.
Will noticed just how calmly Jack was speaking and the expression on his face was his normal, thoughtful look.
Jack shivered a bit; he brought his body closer to him. After Will set a blanket around his arms, he pulled that around him.
"How old are you Jack?" wondered Will.
"Of all the things to ask a person. William, wot has that to do with anything?" asked Jack, looked at Will awkwardly.
"Just answer the question. It's a simple question," said Will.
"I'm thirty six if you must know," replied Jack.
"So the last time you weren't alone was when you were seven?" asked Will.
Jack nodded. "I got used to it."
"When was the last time you were held by someone?" wondered Will.
Jack looked at the clear waters in the Cove. He had never thought about that question until now. "I don't remember."
"When was the last time someone kissed you?" asked Will.
"A year ago," said Jack.
Will rolled his eyes. "Kissed you with love. Even a kiss on the forehead."
"Too long ago to remember the instance," replied Jack.
"And being held for no apparent reason?" asked Will.
"Never happened so why would I know," replied Jack.
"What about the last time someone showed you some form of care and affection?" asked Will.
"You saved me from drowning William," replied Jack.
"When was the last time you cried in someone's arms and was rocked back and forth? What about being rocked asleep or sung to sleep with a lullaby? Have you never been held when you were ill?" asked Will. Jack gave no answer. Will moved Jack's face to look at him. "Do you remember the last time someone told you they loved you?"
Jack looked at Will. His eyes suddenly became filled with tears. Heavy drops fell from his eyes, barely touching his cheeks. "Love? Wot is that?" He brushed away the tears from his eyes. "The more I thought about wot it meant to be captain the more I liked it. Not having a heart mattered to me. Sailing the sea in the other world didn't matter to me. I wouldn't ever see me father again. I wouldn't have to live another day feeling unwanted and unloved."
"What happened then?" asked Will.
"I chose you because I've come to love you like a brother. I wouldn't be able to live with meself knowing Elizabeth was either dead or practically a zombie and you dead by Davy Jones. I had to," replied Jack.
"You wouldn't have felt anything. After all, you wouldn't have had a heart to feel any emotion," noted Will.
"Besides, no one would have wanted me heart. I would have probably buried it on the island you and your bonny lass occupied," said Jack.
"How have you lived this long without having one small scrap of love and care?" wondered Will.
Jack shrugged. "All I ever needed was the freedom of the sea. I knew freedom was inanimate so it couldn't run away from me or scar me. Freedom is the only thing worth living for."
"Jack, why were Sao Feng's charts positioned to the Fountain of Youth?" wondered Will.
"If I became immortal, I wouldn't need anyone. I wouldn't have to worry about dying. I could sail the seas with my beautiful freedom forever," said Jack.
"You know, the human soul craves and thrives on love and affection. You had love somehow and someone was giving it to you. If you didn't have love, you'd be dead. It's a proven fact Jack. The human soul cannot survive without love."
Jack eyes overflowed with tears. His lip trembled. "I never stopped telling meself that one day me father would be proud of me. I keep meself alive with the thought that one day I'll be held and rocked and kissed and adored by him and that he'll tell me that he loves me. After everything he's done to me, I still tell meself that one day he'll say 'I love you' to me. That day hasn't come since when he first abandoned me when I was seven. Seven. I was seven the last time I ever felt loved by someone."
"So you wouldn't remember crying into someone's shoulders as he held you close and rocked you?" assumed Will.
"I already told you I don't remember," said Jack.
Will nodded. "Yes you do, you just don't know about it yet."
Jack looked at him as he tilted his head.
Will sat beside him on the couch. He set both his hands on Jack's shoulders.
Feeling himself being pulled closer, Jack leaned into Will's chest. Feeling Will's warm, strong arms not loosen one bit and Will's jaw above his head, he buried his face against Will's chest as a sudden outburst of emotion came through.
"You probably don't remember the last time you let emotions from you," whispered Will.
Jack's reply was simply softly bawling against Will.
As he said he would, Will tightened the blanket around Jack. He gently swayed back and forth, giving Jack as much love and care as his soul thrived for.
"EDWARD TEAGUE! TEAGUE!"
Will bellowed his name, Teague's name bounced from the walls of the cove.
"EDWARD TEAGUE!"
Determined he would find him, Will screamed louder. He burst through every door he saw, hollering as he did so. His voice was fierce and angry. The seas inside and around the cove were rough. Storm clouds accumulated overhead. Thunder began to rumble in the distance.
Will burst into the main hall.
Edward Teague stood at the opposite end of the room talking with a few men.
Will pushed everyone aside who was in his way. He grabbed Teague by the shoulders, forcing him against the wall. Anger and rage consuming him, he swiftly pulled his knife from his person and raised it above his head
"Will, no!" Bill cried as he grabbed his son's hand.
"Let me go. I want to kill him!" Will screamed. Bill wrapped his arms around him, struggling to keep Will from attacking Teague. Will looked directly into Teague's eyes. "You. Have you any idea what you've put Jack through? Jack wanted to be captain so he would have no heart. He's felt unloved and unwanted for too long. You've slowly killed Jack. All Jack ever wanted was a single arm to go around him. He's only stayed alive because he hopes you'll one day tell him you love him. You've cut Jack, abandoned him since he was seven, ignored him, and not shown a single notion you love him. You're the reason Jack Sparrow is the way he is. You deserve to die and I'm going to kill you."
"No you're not," Bill said gently. "No one is going to die."
"You wouldn't care if Jack killed himself would you?" Will screamed. Before Teague even opened his mouth, he went on. "I'm taking Jack with me. I'm going to make him a member of the crew. He would want the only person who allowed him to cry and held him as he did so to be with him. Jack thinks I am the only person on Earth who loves him. He wants to die. He asked me himself if I wouldn't mind him joining me. I let him cry himself to sleep in my arms. I gave him what you never did."
"What was that?" asked Teague.
"LOVE!" Will screamed.
"Let him go Bill," said Teague.
Before doing so, Bill pulled the knife from Will's hand.
"Come with me William Turner," said Teague.
"Why would I want to do that?" asked Will.
"Because I want to show you something not even Jack has seen," Teague told him. Will moved forward, Bill following close behind. "Bill stay here. You did what I'm about to explain to him."
Suddenly understanding, Bill nodded.
Will followed Edward Teague through Shipwreck City. Along the way neither of them said anything. He was led into a room. Upon taking one step inside, he was unable to move any father.
The room was lined with small tables containing every medical instrument and knife he had ever seen and some of which he didn't want to know the use for. A bookshelf with books that had well been used was beside a cabinet. He saw the small bottles that were on each of the three shelves. A bed was in the center of the room. The sheets and pillows were white. In certain areas faded red stains overcame the red white, the color looking faintly like blood red.
Teague went to one of the tables. He took an odd looking tool into his hand. The claw seemed to be made from two spoons. "This is used for extracting bullets. I've used it twice." He set it down to take a tool with a square claw. "This is used to lift a rib. I've used it more than once." He went around the room brushing his hands across a few things, recalling the one's he's never had need to use and those he's used more than once. He held out thin, but long tweezers. "Make note that this quite effectively removes splinters that have been embodied below skin and between veins." He set that down and took what looked like a belt in his hand. "I used this once to stop the bleeding in Jack's arm and on his leg. The pressure of the band cuts off all blood flow."
Moving to the bookshelf, Teague handed Will a book.
Will flipped through a book. It was of the human anatomy and where each bone was. He took another book about surgical techniques.
"Take a peek here," said Teague, motioning to the shelves of vials.
Will looked at him the knelt. He took a bottle into his hand. Seeing a label, he read it. Jack malaria. He took another. Jack pain. One teaspoon every two hours. And another. Jack pneumonia. Another. Jack fever. He took a few in his hands. Jack yellow fever. Jack infection. Jack surgical recovery. Jack unconsciousness. Will noticed that was largest bottle of them all.
"Ah that one," said Teague, noting which one Will held. "That's a favorite of mine. Sometimes nothing can cure Jack other than him to be unconscious. I got that recipe from Singapore. The flower used is actually a poison combined with opium from Singapore. One swallow is all it takes for Jack to be lost from the world for an average of a day."
Will set everything back. He looked at Teague.
"Jack's been in this room more times than I can count. Usually he's nearly dead by the time your father got him to me. At least once a year I found myself in here with Bill, trying to keep Jack's life alive. Ask your father some time about what he's helped me do in here. You can have a look around if you want."
Curious, Will did walk around the room. The tools in the room were of the finest quality and in superior condition. One in particular caught his gaze because of it oddness. It looked like it was used to remove a cork from a bottle.
"That one I had to have help for," said Teague, his eyes haunted by the tool. He turned away. "I don't think you know this. I'm the only one who knows about this. Jack fractured his skull when he was thirty-two. Someone knew about me and brought him here. I spent a day of my life holding a bowl as pieces of my son's broken skull were placed into it. A coin replaces the missing bone. I waited a week for Jack to wake. All I could think about was what I had done wrong. I held Jack in my arms, staring at the amount of bandages required to protect the wound and allow it to heal. He did wake and he woke in my arms. I don't think he remembers how many times I told him I loved him and I was sorry for everything. Jack avoided me when all I wanted to do was hold him, because I thought I was going to lose him. He left three days after waking. That was the last time I saw him since the Court meeting. I hadn't heard word about him until it reached me Jack Sparrow was taken by the Kraken. I cried myself to sleep for nearly a week because I never had the chance to say good-bye to him or tell him I loved him. I still love him."
Will bit his lip apologetically. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
"So am I. I'm afraid to tell Jack all this because of what I've done to him," said Teague. "I was the one who was frightened and abandoned him in London at a church. I didn't want him to end up like me, reckless, wanted, and enslaved to the world. Every time he found me, I did anything I could to keep him away. I admit, I did cut Jack's forehead with my ring and I did cut him across the chest. I didn't know what else to do. I didn't want him. When your father was with Jack, I dreaded seeing any ship come into this fortress because I knew my son was dying. I let Jack be on his way the moment he was healed because I didn't want him to know I was responsible for healing him. Jack would have died when he was twenty if Bill hadn't thought to bring him here. I spent the past twenty-one years studying medicine and traveled the world to acquire the needed materials. In that cabinet is everything Jack has ever needed. He's not mad because of the sun as most believe. He's odd and confusing and insane because he's had every fever and every disease with fever at least once. He has coin in his skull to keep him alive. There is still a bullet inside of him that would cause his death if removed. I've never been more afraid of anything in my life. I don't know how to take care of Jack."
"Yes you do. You've known what do because Jack was injured or ill. Now that he's himself you aren't sure what is going to happen," said Will. Teague nodded. "I would tell Jack everything and if he doesn't believe you, bring him here. Jack's life is fading because you won't tell him that he's everything to you. He's frightened to be here because of you. You are his greatest fear. The only thing he's ever wanted is to be held and loved by his father. Now I understand that he very well may be the most cared for soul in this world. He doesn't know it. He deserved to know when he was seven."
"How do I tell him after the pain I've caused him?" asked Teague, his eyes beginning to moisten with tears.
"You pull him into your arms tell him you love him and not let your arms from him until you've told him everything you just told me and what I don't know."
"It sounds so simple," noted Teague.
"If you really want it, it will be simple," said Will. "Send me a message of Jack's condition in a few days. A message in a bottle is all that is required."
He walked out of the room.
Teague hesitated a moment. He walked from the room. Will was down neither of the halls. He rushed through the fortress and to the dock where there was nothing. Out on the sky for the faintest of moments was green. He sighed and slumped, knowing he was left alone with Jack.
Breathing deeply, he entered Jack's room.
Jack was gently tucked among his blankets. The fading sun and orange glow of the sky gave him a healthy glow. His head was free from his bandana and bandages exposing a black and blue bruise next to his right eye. Both of his eyes were red and the swelling beginning to subside.
Standing beside Jack, looking down upon him, Teague saw the innocence his son possessed. He was always so helpless and sickly looking. Thinking about Will's words, he found himself sitting beside Jack on the bed.
Reaching toward Jack, his fingers trembled. He pulled back several times fearing Jack would wake. He did not know why he was consumed by fear. This was merely his sleeping son. He had no need to fear his son.
Finally, he managed to bring his fingertips to Jack's forehead then eventually caressed Jack's cheek with the back of his fingers.
Slumping, he was comforted suddenly. Jack's head moving toward his fingers caused a small smile to come upon his face. Just as quickly as the smile came, it vanished.
Jack. Jack was the reason he was afraid. All these years he was afraid of Jack. Everything came together in his mind. He rejected Jack because he was afraid of Jack's mind. He was afraid to tell his son everything because he was afraid of what Jack was. Jack was afraid of never being loved.
Tears came to Teague's eyes.
"I'm afraid you won't want me to be your father. I'm afraid you won't love me back," he told his sleeping son.
A single tear fell from his eye. After all this time, he pushed Jack away because he was simply afraid Jack wouldn't love him and all he wished for his son was for Jack to live a better life than he had lived his own. His simple desire caused himself and his son more pain than the human soul should know in a lifetime.