Early the next day, Jack went to the docks. The man he met yesterday, Cutler Beckett, was wearing a Navy uniform, therefore he was sure he would find him on one of the ships anchored in the port. He stopped a Navy man and asked.

"Cutler Beckett? He's the captain of the Invincible." And pointed to the newest and grandest looking ship at the end of the pier. Jack grinned. Captain. It was more than he could hope for. It meant that Beckett could take him aboard, let him sail on his ship. He quickened his pace and soon arrived at the gangplank. The Invincible sat majestically on the water, little waves gently rocking her. She looked brand new; pearly white sails were being unfolded by the sailors.

'bout to sail away. Even better, I can sail away right now, thought Jack and made his way up the gangplank. He arrived onboard, but nobody paid him the slightest attention. Everyone was busy preparing the ship to set sails. He took a look around. The ship really must have been brand new; even the deck was not yet scratched and the wood was shining in the weak morning sun, like it was polished just a while ago. He took a few steps towards the railing and took a look at the open ocean from the starboard side. It was dark blue, with white foaming wave crests. A beautiful sight. Above the masts gulls were screaming.

Then he remembered what he was here for, and looked towards the helm to see if Beckett was there. He was, standing with his back to Jack, in his grey wig and a Navy uniform, talking to one of his Lieutenants, holding a spyglass. Jack made directly for him. Beckett turned at the sound of footsteps.

"Yes?" He asked curtly.

"Er… Jack Sparrow, yer remember me?" Asked Jack hopefully and flashed an innocent smile. Beckett eyed him up and down – a thin young lad, not more than eighteen, with piercing black eyes and long black hair that reached to his shoulders and looked like it didn't see a comb in a long time.

"Yes, I remember." He folded his arms behind his back. The Lieutenant stepped back a few paces to give his captain privacy while discussing whatever business he had with this man.

"I came for the favor." Another grin.

"Straight to the business, I see." Beckett's mouth twisted a smile. "What would you like the favor to be?"

"Well, I was kinda hopin' yer could take me onboard and let me sail with yer." Asked Jack uncertainly, but flashed another smile nevertheless. Beckett eyed Jack again. He has always considered himself a good judge of character. And something about Jack made him decide that it may prove useful to have him aboard. Furthermore, it was always an advantage to have an unregistered man onboard to do jobs, well, let's say, less appealing, and if they go wrong, there is nothing to stop me dispose of this man silently and without evidence. So let's just Sparrow think he is receiving a favor, when in fact time will prove that he is doing me one.

"Do you know how to sail?"

"Aye." Answered Jack proudly, remembering the times he spent observing the sailors at work and listening to them as they explained to him how a ship is run, but knowing that he never really sailed.

A small lie won't hurt.

Beckett turned to his Lieutenant. "Lieutenant, fetch Mr. Sparrow a uniform and show him everything he needs to know." Then he turned back to Jack and shook his hand. "Welcome aboard." Jack clasped his hands together in a pray-like gesture and bowed his head a little.

"Thanks very much." He turned to follow the Lieutenant when Beckett called after him, "We are heading to the Caribbean." A nice little place for less appealing jobs.

Jack's dream couldn't have come more true. His dreamed up images of clear blue waters and cloudless skies were coming closer with every wave they sailed.

When he returned on deck in a new uniform, he looked oddly out of place. He insisted on keeping his sword, whose appearance clashed with the shining blades of all of the other swords aboard. Jack also refused to wear a wig, but it proved impossible to make it last on his head, as his hair was all over the place even though Jack tied it back, which gave him the appearance as if he was wearing a wig anyway.

As he was a hard worker and a witty companion, he soon became quite popular among the crew. He also learned very quickly how to balance himself on the rocking ship, developing a kind of drunken style of walking that made him distinguishable among the sailors and combined nicely with his drunken style of sword fighting.

The journey was progressing without any problems, and the Caribbean was steadily drawing closer and closer every day.

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thx for reading, please drop a line what you think. the following chapters should hopefully get more interesting, but I feel I need to write this profoundly to do Jack's background justice :)