Chapter 2 – Drink Up Me Hearties

Strong arms grabbed Will's as he was hoisted onto the deck but he lost his footing last minute and toppled headfirst into a disgruntled pirate. They crashed to the floor and he heard Anamaria stifle a snigger as he flushed profusely, clambering up quickly.

"Don't worry boy, you'll find your sea legs soon enough," Anamaria chuckled. "Welcome to my ship. This is my crew." She gestured to the straggled array of sailors, many of whom gave mock salutes or ridiculously flamboyant bows. "Idiots the lot of them," she chuckled, "but good, loyal men and woman."

A man with bright red hair tied back in a black ribbon stepped forward and offered his hand to Will. Will shook it, "William Turner."

"First mate Billy Daniels," the man replied. His eyes sparked and a playful smile twisted the corners of his mouth. Will grinned, he'd seen Billy's type in the taverns back home. Stay on his good side and he'd be a friend for life but anger him and the results would not be pleasant. The rest of the crew stepped up to introduce themselves and Will saw that Anamaria was indeed not the only woman on board.

"Red Lizzy, but the boys call me Red." She had tan skin and frizzy brown hair and Will couldn't see any reason for the nickname until Billy shouted up from the helm, "aye, cos she's fiery like the devil!" Lizzy gave him a wicked grin and stepped back as more crew mates surged forwards, eager to assess the new comer. Soon Will's head was damn near exploding with names and he retreated to the relative safety of Anamaria's shadow.

"A'right you lot," she barked, command easy in her voice. "Leave poor William alone. We've got a destination so set to and sail you nutters. We'll have a few days in Tortuga to get some rest if the thought of seeing lovely Mr Jack ain't enough to motivate ya." There was a teasing edge to her voice and the ship's carpenter-come-surgeon, Sam Hopper, visibly grumbled. "Mr Hopper had a bit of an altercation with our Jack last time they met," Anamaria confided to Will. "I think there was a girl and a lot of gold involved but he can suck it up and deal with it." She grinned at Will, her eyes glinting in the darkness. "Ready to sail the high seas Mr Turner?"

Will gave a determined nod. He had never been more ready for anything in his life.

ooOOoo

Or maybe not. Despite Billy's assurance that he would soon get used to the rocking and rolling of the ship he couldn't yet stand the constant swaying. Seasickness was hell and Billy grimaced in sympathy as Will made yet another dash to empty his guts up over the side of the ship. The first mate clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder, almost causing Will's weak knees to give way.

"Give it time lad," he smiled, "happens to the best of us." Will grimaced as the older man wandered off to attend to his duties. That was alright for him to say, Billy had been sailing since he was a boy. Looking up from his almost permanent position over the bulwarks Will caught sight of a flash of blonde hair and a blue shirt. Robin, the ship's young powder monkey, dubbed Little Robin by the crew, was sitting on a spare coil of rope watching him curiously. Will waved a hand in greeting at the boy, who ventured forward slyly.

"Hey Robin, you alright there?" Will asked. Robin nodded but didn't say anything, not that Will expected him to. According to Anamaria the twelve year old boy had turned up one day and barely said a word since then. He had been keen to help on-board the ship and had become extremely violent when they tried to get him to return to land so they let him stay. Will hadn't heard him speak since his arrival and so was shocked when he heard the quiet words, "this will help with the sickness." Robin was holding out some kind of root towards him.

"Ginger?" Will verified and Robin nodded his affirmation. "I suppose trying can't harm. Where did you get this?" But Will only got a cheeky smile in return before the boy scampered away across the boat and disappeared below deck.

"You've got an admirer there," commented Red, who had come up silently behind him. Will jumped and span round to face her, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly to cover his shock at being snuck up on. "Little Robin doesn't share his precious food with just anyone you know," she continued, winking at Will. Will blushed and glanced down at the ginger. "I'd get that down yeh and then try and get some sleep. We're nearing Tortuga and you'll want all your wits about you when you meet Jack Sparrow. The first encounter is always interesting." She sauntered away and Will watched her go, apprehension bubbling in his chest. He'd heard a lot about Jack Sparrow from his mother but by the sounds of it meeting the man in person was going to be a very different ordeal.

ooOOoo

The shout of "Land Ho!" and the ragged cheers of the crew roused Will from his slumber. He made to get up, forgetting momentarily that his new bed was in fact a hammock and his arms flailed wildly as he tried to regain his balance to no avail. He face-planted the floor, drawing laughter from the few crew members who were still below deck and came back up blushing furiously. Will grumbled and swore at them good naturedly as he rushed up to join the others, eager to catch his first glimpse of Tortuga. The light was starting to fade as dusk stole over the island and twinkling lanterns were lit down the visible streets and along the docks. The Northern Star was eventually moored by the docks and the pirates spilled into the streets, disappearing into taverns and brothels. Will felt lost, unsure where he was meant to go and felt a wave of relief when Anamaria grabbed one arm and Billy grabbed his other, practically frog-marching him through the bustling streets. "Come on William," Anamaria said joyfully, a twisted grin on her face, "We're off to find Mr Sparrow before he becomes too drowned in rum to coherently answer any questions you have for him." Will began to protest that he didn't have that many questions but Anamaria simply raised an eyebrow at him and he spluttered into silence, blushing. So maybe he was a little bit curious, was that a crime? The man had known his father after all.

"Just ignore her Mr Turner, she's a tease is our captain," grinned Billy. Anamaria didn't reply, content to give them a sly smile and continue down the grimy road. They dodged drunken sailors and propositions from scantily dressed harlots until finally their destination became clear and Will near jittered with excitement. They drew closer to a non-descript tavern; a sign sporting the image of a grizzled mass of fur swung above its door, and the words The Wild Bear were daubed in a peeling black paint on the door's mantel. They were stopped before they could enter by a man with the most impressive sideburns Will had ever seen.

"Mr Gibbs," Anamaria greeted the man, gracing him with a smile which he returned, "Anamaria."

"Good to see you Joshamee!" Billy boomed with his usual high spirits and enthusiasm, attacking the man, who was almost as grizzly as the bear on the pub's sign, with a fierce hug. "This man saved my life," he announced to Will proudly. "There we were, surrounded by vicious cannibals and Gibbs here managed to get us out without firing a single shot."

"How'd he do that?" Will asked curiously, unable to envisage a situation where they could have survived.

Billy winked, "He told them there were much tastier humans on the other side of the island who were at least twice our size and off they ran, fast as lightening." Will gave Billy a calculating gaze. Any man bigger than the hulking first mate was probably not a man he wanted to meet for fear of being squashed to a pulp by sheer muscle mass. "To be fair, they weren't the smartest cannibals," Billy added as an afterthought, slapping the back of Mr Gibbs, whose attention was now focussed on Will. Will squirmed slightly but held the man's gaze. Suddenly Gibbs' face broke into a smile and he stepped forward, shaking Will's hand with surprising strength. "Joshamee Gibbs, First mate on the Black Pearl and you must be young William Turner, spittin image of yeh dad you are. How's yer mother?"

"Good thanks," Will replied. "Mother sends her regards and apologises that she couldn't come herself." Elizabeth had told Will a good deal about the navy-man-turned-pirate Mr Gibbs and Will decided that he seemed like a man who could be trusted.

"Ah she'll be at home guarding the-" he gestured vaguely at his chest.

Will gaped. "How did you know that?"

"I'm not an idiot boy," Gibbs chuckled. "Anyways, it was us who were there when yer father was bound to the Flying Dutchman. It's a shame Elizabeth couldn't come but I'm sure Jack will understand. He'll be interested in meetin' you anyway." He jerked his thumb at the pub door and ushered them inside with a gruff "he's waiting for yeh."

Will gulped as they crowded into the dark tavern and was momentarily blind as his eyes adjusted to the gloom. Once his vision had returned he followed Anamaria further into the establishment while Billy remained with Gibbs at the door, keeping guard. "Who are they guarding us from?" Will asked curiously.

"Jack's made a lot of enemies in his lifetime," Anamaria replied darkly, "It pays to be on your guard."

Not feeling at all reassured he allowed himself to be shunted into a small booth and suddenly he was sitting opposite from a man who could only be Captain Jack Sparrow, Pirate Lord of the Caribbean Sea and the dreaded Captain of the infamous Black Pearl. Currently he was neck deep in a mug of rum. Anamaria coughed sharply and dark brown eyes, surprisingly sharp considering the amount of alcohol he appeared to have been consuming, shot up to survey him. Will felt a sudden urge to impress the man facing him and so when a barmaid interrupted their silent staring match he ordered a large mug of rum. He wasn't certain but he had a sneaking suspicion that Sparrow's moustache twitched with amusement. Whilst he waited for his drink to arrive he took a chance to make his own assessment of the notorious pirate. Jack's skin was tanned dark from years at sea and his dark hair was full of dreadlocks, swept back behind a magnificent red bandana and a weather beaten leather hat. Small streaks of grey peppered his hair and beard but Jack looked anything but old. Close up he seemed to radiate a timeless energy and his eyes were wild with the thirst for adventure, although that might have just been the rum.

"So you're Will's boy then," Sparrow said softly. His voice slurred but Will wasn't fooled, the soft tone was predatory and powerful. No-one could mistake Jack for anything but a captain; years of driving the Pearl and his crew through dangerous waters had command oozing from every syllable. Will nodded and Jack reached up to twist the end of his moustache before abruptly downing the last of his rum and signalling for another. Their drinks arrived at the same time and Will couldn't put his finger on why but he felt as if a challenge had been issued. Anamaria caught onto Jack's game right away and began to say something but Jack lifted up a hand and motioned for her to hush. Outraged, Anamaria sank into a sulky silence.

"I'm sure young Mr Turner here can handle his drink just fine." Sparrow smirked.

"Course I can," Will retorted sharply. If this was Jack's way of testing his mettle then he wouldn't back down.

Anamaria flew up her hands in the air and stormed off, calling over her shoulder, "Men, you're all idiots!" Will watched her go before resettling his eyes on Jack.

"Just as hot-headed as yer father, mate," Jack commented unexpectedly, making Will choke on his rum. "Except when we first met 'e tried to kill me. At the very least wanted to hand me over to the navy. Bet dear Elizabeth didn't tell yeh that one."

"Oh no, she told me," Will shrugged, regaining his composure. He looked at the captain with a wicked grin in his eye. "It was her favourite story." It was Jack's turn to splutter then, spraying rum over the table. He waved his hand in front of his face, "yeah that doesn't overly surprise me lad. Amazin' woman your mother. Grittier than a pie what got left in a sand dune."

Will chuckled at the almost compliment and drained the last of his mug, surprised when another one was immediately shoved into his hands. "But I didn't pay for it," he began, stopping when Jack shushed him flamboyantly. "That ones on me lad, drink up."

Jack kept Will well supplied with rum and soon Will's vision had gone hazy and the room was spinning. However he refused to back down from Sparrow's unspoken challenge, even when Jack seemed to be drinking three mugs to his one. The last vision Will had of the evening was a blurry impression of Jack's face as he toppled from his chair, out cold before he hit the floor.

ooOOoo

Will cracked his eyes open and almost cried out as bright Caribbean sunshine pierced his retinas. His head felt like a bunch of horses had decided it was a good spot for a dance in hobnail boots and the world span when he tried to sit up. It truly was a wonder that he hadn't yet thrown up.

"That looks mighty painful young William," Anamaria's voice sounded like it was drifting in on the wind from somewhere far away. Suddenly something large blocked his blurry vision and dark tendrils tickled his nose and cheeks. A red swath of cloth triggered his memory just as Jack Sparrow's face swam into focus, his hair brushing against Will's chin.

"Jack?" Will just about managed to croak out, his throat drier than a desert.

Jack shot up and flung his arms out, gesturing at Anamaria to come closer. "He'll be fine darlin'," the captain announced grinning. Will thought he still sounded drunk but Sparrow's eternal insobriety was almost as legendary as his lack of morals. "I like you lad," Jack beamed at Will, offering a hand to pull Will to his feet.

"Lucky me," Will grumbled as he accepted the proffered hand.

"Where did you learn to drink like that in Port Royal?" Jack probed as Will tried to regain control over his legs.

"When you're hated by the townspeople you learn to find the places where you won't be judged and no-one gives a shit about your lineage. They're not the most honourable of establishments but some of the less well-known taverns do the job," Will replied, recalling his days in Port Royal spent escaping the formal Ball invitations sent to the house and the other 'gentlemen' of the town.

"Good on yeh," Jack clapped him on the back, ignoring Will's wince. "How's yer head boy?"

Will was in too much pain to protest the use of 'boy' and instead grimaced, waited for the world to stop spinning and answered shortly, "It'll heal."

"Yeh'd best hope so," Jack smirked handing him a small flask. "Get this down yeh."

"It's not more rum, is it?" Will asked weakly, taking the flask as if it would bite him if he weren't careful.

"No lad, its water." Jack laughed. "Try not to throw it up savvy? I'll see you around, we're preparing to sail." Jack sauntered away across the docks and as soon as he was out of sight Will was once more bent over the edge of the ship, throwing up into the harbour. Anamaria looked at him with pity and told him to sit tight before disappearing. She came back moments later with Pete, the Northern Star's cook, in tow.

"Here you are lad," Pete said, passing Will a small glass of a foul smelling green concoction. "Secret remedy. Me and Sam Hopper created it last year. It's the perfect hangover cure, clears you up in half an hour at most. Plus Hoppers the surgeon, he knows what he's doing."

"He's also the carpenter," Will protested weakly.

"Same thing," Pete grinned, ignoring Will's further attempts to argue. "Just drink that and you can thank me later." He walked back down to the galley and Anamaria remained with Will, lounging on a pile of sails that needed darning. She watched Will with an air of amusement and he turned to her exclaiming, "It smells like rotten seaweed!"

"Your fault for getting into a drinking competition with Jack Sparrow," she tossed back.

"I just wanted to impress him," Will grumbled.

"Well you certainly did that," Anamaria laughed. Just drink the remedy and then you can help us get ready to sail. Will grimaced as she walked off, held his nose and downed the potion in one foul gulp. He coughed and spluttered but did have to admit that the effects were amazing. Within fifteen minutes his atrocious hangover was almost completely non-existent. He made a mental note to thank Pete and Sam later, although he would probably be better off not knowing exactly what they had put it in. He headed down to the crew's quarters and changed his clothes before heading back up on deck. Most of the crew were back on-board and sorting out preparations. Will hurried over to join Red and Billy going ashore to collect supplies. They greeted him jovially and headed off down the gangway into Tortuga's busy markets, bugging him for every detail of his encounter with Jack the night before. They seemed to know all of it anyway though, pirates apparently gossiped worse than the residents of Port Royal.