A/N: Alright, so this chapter is a bit shorter than my usual length for this story. It wasn't on purpose, I assure you. It just sort of worked out that way. Anyway, before we begin here, I would once again like to thank you all for the wonderful support and feedback this story has gotten so far. Trust me when I say that your words never go unappreciated. Anyway, that's about it from me. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own a very large nothing.

"There's one man, he's like the wishful thinking in my life, I see so… And he's like the wine on the weekend. And though he is like the sea, and it's right he be so, if I hold tight he'll wash over me."

-Sea Song, by Lisa Hannigan-

Chapter VII

It was during dinner when Percival made the announcement.

Jonathan startled mid bite as Ben reached over to give the bell a good ten rings before leaning back into his seat, staring up at the Captain with a smile. Percival was now standing on a barrel of something Jonathan could only guess what; arms crossed and waiting for silence.

He didn't have to wait for long.

The entire galley turned in his direction, their mouths shutting at once upon seeing his hand reach out to flick his nose.

"Glad to have your attention, ladies," he started up the minute it got quiet. "Now I know you've been wondering where it is this vessel's been heading for next. We're not after any sort of gold this time, angels, but in about – let's say a week from now – we're going to be making port." Here the older man stopped to let his crew erupt into cheers, as it was inevitable for them to do so. After so many months out at sea, even if you did love the ocean, making port was always a blessing. Percival gave a sharp whistle, interrupting the excited men before him to continue on with his announcement, "So after we make port, we're to come right back on board of the Sacred Heart and take our newest crew memb – young Jonathan here home."

The brunet instantly flushed, all eyes suddenly on him. Most of them seemed saddened by the announcement of his soon-to-be-absence, though he couldn't help but notice the small scowl that came over the Shilling Guy's face. Whether it was because they were taking time out to bring him home, or that he was losing his brand new punching bag, JD didn't know.

"Stop staring, will you girls?"

The galley at once turned back to Percival, a few mutterings of surprise that the older man would even give a rat's ass that everyone had been staring at the younger boy. Luckily for them, he did not hear their murmuring.

"After that we will find a large fleet to plunder, but until then, that's the plan."

The Captain gave his nose another solid flick before hoping down off of what seemed to be called, "The Announcement Barrel," and then the galley started up again on whatever conversation they had been interrupted from.

Turk gave Jonathan a small smile before turning back to his meal. JD swallowed. Leaving the Sacred Heart was going to be harder than he thought.

--

Percival left the galley in what he hoped appeared to be a normal stride. In actuality, he was in a hurry. He needed the sea before him; the feel of the wheel against his calloused palms. There he could think and put his thoughts into some sort of perspective, because right now, his mind was just about everywhere.

Usually, the Captain would make his announcements at breakfast. So why had he waited to make this particular announcement at dinner? It couldn't be that he was stalling, was it? Avoiding the truth of having to let go of the kid he had already gotten so used to being there?

The older man shook his head, beyond frustrated. Just because he saved the kid's life didn't mean he got to keep him, damn it! But it wasn't like that, and he knew it. The battle waging inside of his head wasn't a simple matter of finder's keepers. He had connected with the kid; saw in that young boy something dear to him he had lost, and God…he didn't want to lose it again. Not again. Not –

The older man curled his hands into fists; tightly. He would not, not permit himself to think on those memories. And besides…Jonathan wasn't a replacement. It was never that. It was just –

"Captain? Did you even eat yet?"

The curly haired man eased up considerably upon hearing the voice of his first mate. God only knew how much he needed the distraction. "No, Ben, I didn't eat yet, but I'm not hungry tonight, I assure you."

"Loss of appetite, eh? Weird, considering you're usually up for food. Healthy food of course, but still, I've only once ever seen you –"

"God, Ben, what is it?"

Ben stopped, eyebrows raised in surprise at the tired frustration that laced his Captain's voice. He'd known him long enough to know that, that frustration wasn't aimed towards him, but he would bet his money that whatever did have him frustrated was also the very same thing that was currently keeping him from eating. "Not the announcement you wanted to make, huh?"

Percival scrubbed his face with both hands, suddenly way too tired to feel angry. Maybe he would've snapped if it had been any other crewmember, but damn…he just couldn't bring himself to yell when it was Benjamin.

"No, Ben, it really, ra-heely wasn't. Are you happy now?"

"I'm happy that you told me, but if it makes you feel any better, that wasn't the announcement I wanted to hear."

"It's not like you didn't know about it already. I told you this afternoon."

"Just saying. Hey...did you notice the look on JD's face? He didn't seem particularly happy about it either. Pretty odd, considering he's the one who requested to go home." Of course, Ben's observation skills were better than that. He knew JD wanted to go home, and understood the boy's reasons as told to him by the Captain, but the kid's expression had made it very, very clear that it wasn't an idea he was predominantly excited about. Surely the Captain knew that as well…?

"I did, Ben, but what difference does that make? Kid's gotta get home, and I'm gonna help him get there." Percival's words were only half of the truth. Really, if he allowed himself to think too much on the expression the kid had given when hearing the announcement out loud, then it would've been easy – tempting, even – to forgo it all together and have the boy remain on the ship. And he couldn't do that. He had a responsibility to get the kid back home. And hell, he was the adult here! While it may've been very true that a large part of JD wanted to remain on the Sacred Heart, it was Percival's job as both the adult and the Captain to stick to the plan, because while the kid may not like it so much now, he knew in the long run that that's where the used-to-be-cabin-boy was supposed to be: with his family. He couldn't deprive him of that.

Benjamin, sensing now that the Captain was in need of some alone time, saluted him with a small smile. "I'm going back to the galley, but call me, Per-Per! You know I'm here if you need something."

Percival didn't know whether to scowl at the nickname or grin at the familiarity of it all. Ben tried not to laugh at the obvious war that was going on through his expression, especially when the corner of the man's mouth literally twitched. "Just go eat your damn food, Benji."

The first mate did so with a grin.

--

After seeing the Captain leave the galley, a question Jonathan had been pondering over since the night before came back into his mind frame, making him get up and track the older man down. If, perhaps, he were to stay on the ship with him like the rest of the crew, he wouldn't be in such a rush to find him. But seeing as how his time was limited, and that even the time he did have with him was often surrounded by other people, JD was more than willing to leave some of his food behind to get a bit of alone time with Percival.

"Woah, there! What's the rush, little buddy?"

JD shook his head, dizzy from having just collided straight into Benjamin. The first mate hadn't even stumbled, but Jonathan was still blinking away the stars he was currently seeing in front of him. After a moment or two, the young brunet answered his question. "Not really, but, um…do you know which way the Captain went?"

"I think he's planning on taking the wheel for a while. I'm not sure if he's up for conver –" Benjamin stopped. The Captain wasn't going to yell at JD the way he had last time, especially since that announcement was still fresh in his head. And maybe, seeing as how he was still contemplating over what had happened, he'd be more open to whatever the kid wanted to talk to him about. Hopefully, it was something along the lines of not wanting to go back home… "Never mind. Anyway, kid, yeah – he's up on the main deck; probably getting ready to take the wheel."

Jonathan nodded gratefully, thankful for the first mate's consistent helping hand, and scurried away towards the main deck, eager to talk to his Captain.

--

Benjamin, of course, had been right.

Jonathan watched from a distance as Percival stood at the wheel, back towards the ship and his eyes undoubtedly focused on the sea. JD knew that the Captain wasn't aware of his presence; that whatever air that was currently stirring around him wasn't aimed in his direction, but the very sight of him – something about him – was just so…intimidating. The way he stood at the wheel gave him the look of someone undeniably strong, someone you'd find yourself respecting almost instantly. Yet, at the same time, there was little there to fear. Not that Percival did not possess the ability to make one quiver in his wake, or, if he were to pull out his sword against you, your first instinct wouldn't be to run away, but he was not a man who set fear into those around him for malicious intent.

He just had a hard outer shell.

JD swallowed, suddenly nervous. The last time he had approached the Captain while he was at the wheel did not end well, but his curiosity was burning. Upon realizing what he'd wanted to ask him since that morning, he also remembered what he wanted to ask him since the beginning of his stay onboard the ship.

With another big breath, JD stepped forward, keeping himself a good five feet behind Percival. "Captain…?"

He watched, anxious, as the hands around the wheel clenched. Oh, no…

"Yeah, Newbie, what is it?"

Jonathan, who had been getting ready to turn away, looked back with a start. His hands were clenched, yeah, but…maybe it wasn't out of anger after all. And his voice certainly didn't sound angry. It just sounded rather…tired. "I, um…I was wondering: Why are you teaching me how to handle a sword? Not that I'm complaining, because I'm very grateful, but I…if I'm not, um…not staying on the ship, then what's the point? I mean, I like learning how to use it, I was just wondering why you personally thought it was, you know…worth teaching..."

There was a moment of silence in which JD stood awkward but patiently, waiting for the Captain to turn around and answer. Turn around he never did, but answering him, well… "You've been through a lot out here already, Jonathan, but what you haven't been through – and hopefully never will – is an actual fight; one crew against another's. And if that does happen, let me tell ya' something: You better hope it's the Navy and not another Pirate, because while the Navy would love nothing more than to see our necks hanging not so delicately from a noose, they do not fight the way an attacking pirate ship would fight. Much like your old captain – or rather, the devil – they will fight without mercy and without restraint and just straight out dirty. They're an odd combination of cowardice and strength. Those men don't want to see us hanging from the noose in terms of 'justice,' but they want to paint these boards with our blood. That's why I'm teaching you how to handle a sword. It's true that the only enemy I have out here besides the Navy is currently lifeless below the sea, but that doesn't mean other pirates won't try their hand at seeing if they can take down this vessel along with it's continually talked about Captain. And kid – out here, you don't know when someone's getting ready to attack until it happens. If you're lucky, you'll be able to spot 'em coming from the crows nest, but even then, Newbie, even then, you don't have a lot of time to prepare. It's canons and swords and adrenaline, and hopefully, hopefully skill that you're working with when they come out of nowhere, but you don't know if, when, or even where that'll happen. We don't have a huge journey ahead of us, but I want you to be prepared. I want you to be prepared in case it does."

JD could only stare at the back still facing him, wide eyed. Goose bumps had erupted along his skin from the older man's words. Why hadn't he thought of that? Why hadn't he thought of the possibility of being attacked? Maybe it's because, what with all of his time on the Fractured Enid, he was used to being aboard a ship that did most of the attacking. Not that he'd ever participated, of course. He'd always been thrown into the gallows before hand for "safe keeping." Of course, the ship he was on now wasn't exactly what one would call an easy target, and its Captain was most definitely not someone that others would choose to voluntarily attack. But still…something Percival said had bothered him. He knew the older man had never killed before, but he was a pirate, and didn't he just say… "How do you fight, Captain?" The question was spoken in a mere whisper, but the wind carried his query over to the older man in no time.

Percival turned around for the first time since their conversation began, the seriousness in his eyes alerting JD of something he hadn't even contemplated.

It was obvious from everything he had heard thus far that Percival did not kill, but it never once struck the young lad that he didn't kill just because. The reason he didn't kill, the reason he refused –

"I fight only when needed; when there's no other option and it's the only way to get out alive. And the sea can swallow me up right now if I'm lying, but no one has died by my sword."

The reason he didn't kill was because he hated it; because he knew, pirate or no, that it was undeniably and undoubtedly wrong.

He was different from every single one of the pirates JD had ever heard about; had ever witnessed. Yet, somehow, the man before him had managed to spread his name through out the sea; to gain the most respect among all of the other pirates that were out there.

Something awakened in JD then. He'd known the moment he heard the Captain's voice that he did not want to disappoint him; that he did not want to let him down. But suddenly, Jonathan found himself wanting to be him. He never thought himself prone to hero worship, but something upon hearing the Captain's words had bursted to life; bringing about a very strong, very pure sense of loyalty.

His other questions were forgotten as Percival began making his way towards him, and Jonathan was surprised when the older man's fingers were suddenly ruffling through his hair. It was very quick and very casual, but whatever force that had seemingly frozen the ship in time had vanished.

"Go on back to the galley, kid. There's no way you were finished with your food; not when I told Benji to give you an extra helping."

--

Hours later and Jonathan found himself sitting on the main deck, feet dangling through the railing and over the edge. The sun was setting off in the horizon, giving the ship a nice, warm glow. He was feeling full from diner, and had, had a good time sitting with Christopher and the rest of the crew members he had met earlier that day. (Even Todd, though his mannerisms still managed to both startle and confuse him) Somewhere in the distance a flock of seagulls were calling out, their voices high but oddly comforting. Jonathan couldn't help the content little sigh that escaped him. He felt so…good!

"It's great out here sometimes, isn't it?"

The brunet turned his head around, startled, but eased up instantly upon seeing the smiling face of Benjamin.

"I really wish I could've brought my canvases and paint with me out here, you know? Bet it would've made for a good painting."

JD turned back to the sea before him. The water was still and glistening, the sunset just adding to the sweetness of it all. "I'm sure it would've come out wonderfully."

Ben quirked a curious eyebrow. "What would have?"

"The sunset! That's what you wanted to paint, right?"

"C'mon, kid, you know I don't paint things like that! I showed you!"

"Then…what would you have painted? I don't see anything else especially remarkable out here."

The first mate let out a well natured laugh, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his coat as he approached the used-to-be-cabin-boy with a smile. "You, of course! Just now, watching you swing your legs all content like – a perfect moment in time; natural. You weren't posing or anything, you know? It would've made for a great piece of work."

Before JD could respond to the idea of someone painting him – as it struck him as truly unbelievable – Ben had thrown himself up on the railing, his back towards the ocean and his arms stretched out.

Jonathan watched as the first mate's wide smile turned into that of serene wonder. He was a moment captured in time. The kind of individual anyone would want to meet and befriend. Feeling rather guilty for breaking the moment, he allowed his curiosity to voice the question he couldn't help but ask. "Ben…? What are you doing?"

The taller of the two opened his eyes and blinked, as if awaking from a tranquil dream. He looked towards their newest crew member as he jumped back down from the railing, smiling the way he'd been before. "I know, I know. People usually look towards the sea when they think about stuff, right? But on nights like this – when the weather's perfect and the suns setting just right – I like to get up on the railing and turn my back to it all. Not because I dislike it or anything. In fact, it's the complete opposite. I like knowing something that peaceful is waiting right behind me, and I love when the wind glides under my arms when I stand there like that, you know? It feels like I'm flying, and God, wouldn't that be something? Sometimes I'd like to see if I could; to just let myself fall and know that the water would catch me." Ben peered over the railing then and grinned. "Of course, I'd pop right back up, soaked and laughing, and then ol' Per-Per would yell at me for being so stupid."

"You got that right."

The two turned around then, one startled and one still grinning broadly. "Oops," he joked casually, "Caught me using the forbidden nickname, didn't you?"

"Forget you heard that, Jonathan."

The brunet nodded, keeping his head low and praying to God that the Captain wouldn't notice his grin.

"And Benji; you better not think of following through on that fantasy of yours. 'Cause yeah, the water wouldn't kill ya', but I'd be forced to make anchor and drag your sorry ass back on board, and if the waters were cold enough, you could end up getting sick, you know, and of course there's – "

But Benjamin was laughing now, his eyes doing that almost addictive little dance they did when he was beyond joyous. "Relax, Captain, alright? I was just enjoying myself for a little. Stop your worrying."

Percival just gave a small growl as he made his way towards the two brunets. The youngest of the three was surprised when he positioned himself in the middle of them both, his back leaning casually against the railing as he turned his head over his shoulder to stare at the melting sun. "Nice out," he mumbled. Ben just smiled as he turned back to the scene, and while Jonathan himself knew that the Captain's comment was supposed to be a form of dismissive acknowledgment, he knew his words had been sincere. It was a beautiful evening, in more ways than one.

A/N: I hope the ending to this chapter makes up for the last one. Oh, just a quick note, though a rather important one: Ben's speech about his back facing the sun was in no way shape or form related to suicide. I realized while re-reading it that some could interpret it that way, but I assure you that's not the case. It was strictly his way of relaxing. Anyway, that about sums it up for me. Hope you liked it, and until next time!