The Last Adventure
A One-Shot about the New Captain of the Dutchman ferrying someone he didn't expect...
Disclaimer: Not mine, wish they were.
WARNING
Spoilers from At World's End
Character Death
He walked back and forth, staring at the horizon, knowing that in a few short moments, the flash would occur. To begin with, it was a novelty, to see it happen. Now, though... He still had a few years before he would see Elizabeth again, and his children. But until then... there was work to do.
He heard the by-now familiar splash of someone falling through the water, another to pass away somewhere on the surface. He no longer needed to ask his crew to throw the rope over the side - they knew without being asked.
"Uh, Captain..." began Bill; Will glanced around, looking at his father's expression. "Tell me it's not her," he started. Bill shook his head. "No, son, it's not Elizabeth... but I think perhaps you'd best come see for yourself..."
He followed his father's lead to the bow of the ship, where the crew were hauling someone over the edge. A flash of red, a drunken swagger... and he knew exactly who he was looking at.
"Captain Sparrow," Will started, and Jack turned around slowly, trying to regain his feet. "Do you fear death?" finished Jack with a grin. Will laughed, and clasped his old friend's hand. But there was a certain sadness tinged on his features.
He stood back, and regarded his old friend. Where once jet black hair had been, was now a steel grey. Lines spread from around kohl-lined eyes. And, Will remembered, hands that were once deft were now gnarled with age.
"No, Will, I don't fear death. Not now. I've had my time, and I'm ready for another adventure." Jack spoke slowly. The surface had changed, and both knew it. "Elizabeth still has the cup?" he asked. Jack nodded. "Aye, she still has it. And she said she will keep it until someone uses your heart as a pin cushion!"
Will breathed a sigh of relief. "Do you wish to sail with us a time, or shall we take you to the next isle?" he asked his old friend. Jack's trade-mark grin returned, "Do you have rum?"
Will laughed, "Aye, that we do." Jack nodded, "Then for now, I shall stay." Will nodded, "You do realise, Jack, that if I don't take you back to the surface now, you won't be able to return at all?" Jack nodded, "Aye, I know this. But it's been a while since I've had the taste of rum, and these old bones are weary on the surface... what say we have a drink or two to pass the time? Besides," he paused, and his smile disappeared. "The contraptions they call ships on the surface now... even a senseless eunech could sail one of those. There's no honour there for me any more."
Will nodded. "Aye, Captain Sparrow. I think we can arrange a drink for you."
The Dutchman sailed on, taking with her the motley crew she'd gathered over the three hundred years she'd been under the command of Captain Turner. It was past time that wicked Jack took his place in the vast reaches of World's End.
Ok, I started that with one thing in mind, and ended it with another :D Please R&R and let me know what you think! Rum for reviewers, and a cursed undead-monkey to make your lives hell if you don't!