Chapter 10: Tortuga Bound

Will set his hammer down and wiped his brow, looking up to see where his charge had gone too. He found him, sitting near the window, his chin resting on his arms with the loneliest expression he had ever seen. Will sighed. Jason hadn't spoken more than a few words since they had come back to Port Royal. Norrington had decided to let Jason stay with Will until Jack's hanging the next morning.

"Jason…why don't you go outside for a while?" He suggested and the boy looked at him. "I'm sure it's better than staying in here." Jason moved for the first time that morning and Will frowned. "Just don't go near the fort." Jason turned and glared at him. "I mean it. Norrington is doing you a favor by letting you stay with me. I think it's best you do as he asked and-"

"Yeah, fantastic, I wouldn't want you to lose your reputation with the Governor's daughter." Jason snapped and stalked out the door, slamming it shut behind him. Will sighed.

Jason glanced at the door behind him and frowned. He hadn't meant to snap at Will, it wasn't his fault, but the entire thing frustrated him. He had finally decided to want something and had, for a brief moment, let his imagination get the better of him.

"Stupid." He muttered to himself. "Nothing is ever that easy. You have to work for what you want. It just doesn't fall into your lap." Jason stopped walking once he got the path that led up the fort. After a moment, he frowned. Norrington was just going to have to forgive him. He was going to see his father before tomorrow.

It was dusk, the only light of the sun could be found around the docks. Shadows were longer and darker and therefore good for hiding in. Especially for a boy his size.

Jason darted into one and slid against the wall as Gillette and Groves passed by. As soon as they were gone, he was darting inside and down the stairs to the cells.

Jack lifted his head at the sound of Barbossa's captured crew members calling out to someone.

"I didn't mean to hurt ya, lad."

"Yeah, we didn't mean nothing."

"I didn't want to maroon ya. Honest."

Pintel's and Ragetti's voices called out next. "Let us out. Sorry 'bout callin' ya a runt. We was just jokin'."

"What're you doin' down here, boy?" Jack asked when the calling stopped. He didn't dare turn to face his son, afraid to see what he knew would be there. "Does William know you're down here?"

"No."

"Then what are you doin'?"

"I came to see you."

Jack sighed. "Well, ye've seen me now get on back to the smithy."

"No." Jason snapped out.

"I told you, lad. I don't do goodbyes."

"Well, maybe you don't but I do. At least I…" Jack turned finally and looked at him. The ten-year-old was standing there uncomfortably. "I just wanted to thank you."

Jack was puzzled. "For what, son?"

Jason smiled tightly. "For the past few days. They were the best I've ever had. Even if part of the time I didn't fully trust you." Jack snorted.

"You're goin' to be fine, lad. You're grandpa will take care of ya. If ya let 'im." Jack sighed. "You better go now, before someone sees ya." He pulled the boy into a hug and then pushed him back gently. This wasn't doing them any good. Jack wanted the boy to stay and he knew that the boy wanted to stay, but it was just be harder to let go. "Now there's something I want ya to do."

"Do what?"

Jack rolled his eyes. "If ya shut up, I can tell you." Jason smirked and Jack snorted. "There's a compass among me effects, you know what I'm talking about." Jason nodded.

"It doesn't point North."

Jack grinned. "Aye, that it doesn't. It points to what ya want most. So use it to find your grandpa, eh?"

Jason frowned. "What if doesn't work for me?" Jack reached through the bars and ruffled Jason's hair.

"Don't worry so much, lad. You'll figure it out. Now go on before someone sees ya down here."

"And lad?" Jack added when Jason made to go up the stairs. "I don't want ya near the hanging, savvy? You stay away from there."

Jason scowled then turned on his heel and went up the stairs before Jack could say a word.

"You have a good kid, Captain Sparrow." Pintel murmured from the cell next to him.

"Aye, that I do." Jack murmured and settled back down against the bars to await the coming of dawn.

Jason listened for the sound of drums to start leaned his head against his arms. Judging by the silence they were still setting up. Norrington had decided that it wasn't proper for him to see his father hang so now he was stuck inside the smithy with Mr. Brown. The man was snoring so he could have easily slipped away. The problem was there were strict orders to send him off if he even walked within three feet of the battlements.

Jack's compass sat open on the sun warmed brick beside him, its arrow pointing in the Fort's direction. The boy heaved a sigh. He supposed he should start looking forward to heading out for Shipwreck, but… Jason wasn't so sure that's where he wanted to be. Not without Jack anyway. It was strange, but Jason was positive that even if the pirate had not ended up being his father, he would be feeling like he did at the moment. And even if he hadn't been appointed cabin boy either. Jack had certainly changed him and he would forever be grateful to the pirate for stumbling into his life however brief. The impact of it made Jason realize that no matter what life dealt you, you learned to deal with it. Jack certainly had. It was how he had survived.

He hadn't trusted Jack at first, but then learned that it was okay to be mistrustful just not overdo it. Being a pirate didn't automatically mean he was a cold-blooded killer either. Jack had shown him that too. You could be both kinds of pirate. But the most important thing that Jack had taught him was that it was okay to let someone care for him. To let people in sometimes. Jason just hoped that his grandfather felt the same.

The boy had already decided that he was going to find the Black Pearl,with or without anyone's consent, and take it. A determined look crossed the boy's face. Yes, if he couldn't save Jack, then getting the ship was the next best thing. Movement had Jason looking over to his left and his eyes widened.

The compass on the edge of the window was moving or more specifically, the arrow was. It spun away from the Fort and towards the docks. A slow smile spread across his face. The Black Pearl was here or was getting close. Jason hopped up from his spot and ran over to the back of the smithy, shoving things into a bag and strapping on his sword. Perhaps there was still a chance to convince the crew to save his father. That's why they were here wasn't it? He certainly hoped so.

Mr. Brown snorted loudly and Jason glanced over his shoulder. He had time to write a quick note to Will before hurrying out the door. He ran down the cobblestoned streets and towards the docks. Now it was time to "commandeer" a dinghy.

Gibbs heard a shout and went over to the side of the Pearl where Marty was leaning over the railing.

"Oi, Gibbs." The dwarf pirate grinned at him. "Look what the tide dragged in." Gibbs looked over the railing and grinned.

Jason was leaning back in his dinghy, looking up at them. "Well, it's about time you lot showed your faces." He said and Gibbs rubbed the back of his neck.

"Sorry it took so long, lad." He said sheepishly and the boy rolled his eyes.

"How about you let me on and I'll think about forgiving you."

Marty laughed and tossed down the rope ladder. "Get your arse up here, Sparrow." Jason grinned and grabbed the rope and climbed up it quickly, swing up over the railing.

He was immediately swarmed with apologies and questions about Isla de Muerta. The boy laughed and promised to forgive them and tell them the story later, his eyes finding Anamaria. He knew judging by the way she stayed in the back that it had been her idea to leave Jack.

Jason pushed off the railing and he went over to her. The crew fell silent waiting and watching to see what would happen. "Ana?" She turned to him and he smirked at her. "Not as much fun as having a ship to call your own, huh?" She reddened slightly and Jason smiled at her reassuringly. "I'll make sure you get your own ship, Anamaria. This one," He a waved around. "Well, she belongs to Captain Jack."

"And you too, lad." Gibbs corrected and patted his back. "She belongs to you too."

Jason nodded at him and then looked at Ana again. "I'm glad you came back." He told her and she smiled back, seeing that he wasn't angry with her.

"I am too."

Jason turned to look at the Fort, frowning slightly. Gibbs put a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "He's fine, lad. We went Cotton's parrot to see what was going on."

"We had a feeling Turner would try something." Anamaria spoke up and Jason arched an eyebrow. Will was going to save Jack? He wondered what exactly was going on.

Will ran a hand over the hilt of his sword for the third time that morning, nervously checking that it was still there. He was going to try and put his plan into action, but he wasn't sure if he'd live long enough to see it through. The image of Jason's lonely expression came to mind and he nodded to himself. He could do it. He could give the boy what he rightly deserved. He was going to free Jack and then…hoped that the clever pirate would know how to get himself and Jason away from Norrington.

Will watched Jack being led up the gallows. Jack had a solemn expression on his face, one that Will had never thought to see upon the pirate.

"Jack Sparrow, let it be known that you…" Began the charge reader and Will saw Jack toss his head back. He could imagine that he was muttering about not being referred to as Captain Jack Sparrow and smirked slightly. "…For your willful commission of crimes against the crown." Continued the reader. "Said crimes being numerous in quantity and sinister in nature. The most egregious of these to be cited herewith: Piracy, smuggling, impersonating an officer of the Spanish Royal Navy. Impersonating a cleric of the church of England." The list went on and on and Jack stood there with a smug look and would smirk every once in a while at the thought of his more wild exploits.

Will almost grinned back. A squawking noise caught his attention and he turned and saw a brightly colored parrot. His eye lit up with relief. The Black Pearl crew had apparently decided to come back for their captain after all. Time to free Jack. Will made his way up to the Governor.

"Governor Swann." He greeted and the Governor inclined his head. "Commodore. Elizabeth." Elizabeth looked at him curiously. "I should have told you every day from the moment I met you. I love you." He stated lovingly and Elizabeth stared at Will in shock as he turned and walked off.

Will shoved his way through the crowd and drew his sword. "Move!" He snarled at the people and they screamed in fright as he ran past them.

James drew his sword. "Marines." He called and Elizabeth snapped out of her daze. She saw something out of the corner of her eye. She instantly recognized the parrot.

"Can't breathe." She exclaimed suddenly and pretended to faint. James and the Governor both turned their backs to Will to see to her.

"Elizabeth!" Her father cried and started to fan her.

Will got too a good spot and drew his arm back to toss the sword like he had the first time he met Jack. At the same time as Will throwing his sword, the hangman pulled the lever releasing the trap door underneath and the drummers stopped.

Elizabeth sat up with a gasp her eyes on the gallows.

Jack fell but not too far as he stood tip-toed on the sword trying to breathe. Will ran up onto the deck to fight with the hangman who wouldn't let him around him.

James' eyes widened when he realized he had been duped and turned around to go and fight Turner, leaving Elizabeth to deal with her angry father who was looking at her in disapproval.

The hangman swung his axe at Will and missing, cutting the rope that held Jack and the pirate fell. Jack got to his feet and used the sword Will had thrown to untie his wrists and watched with amusement as the hangman suddenly flew off the stage and landed on James, much to pirate's amusement, making him slam into the ground.

He darted out from under the stage and met Will who flipped neatly off the wood to land next to him. Rolling his eyes, Jack grabbed a rope and together he and Will ran with it, knocking over guards as they went and clearing a path. Jack and Will fought the officers as if they had rehearsed it. Running up the steps together, they rolled and then jumped back up in perfect unison. Their efforts were in slight vain however as they were quickly surrounded.

The duo slowly turned to face Governor Swann, Elizabeth and James.

"I thought we might endure some ill-conceived escape attempt. But not from you." Norrington stated glaring at Will.

"On our return to Port Royal I granted you clemency," The Governor said crossly. "And this is how you thank me? By throwing in your lot with him? He's a pirate."

"And a good man." Will added and he tossed down his sword. "If all I have achieved here is that the hangman will earn two pairs of boots instead of one, so be it. At least my conscience will be clear."

"You forget your place Turner." Norrington snarled getting in his face.

Will smiled coolly. "It's right here, between you and Jack." He retorted and Norrington narrowed his eyes at the both of them.

"As is mine." Elizabeth said stepping into the circle to stand beside Will.

"Elizabeth!" Governor Swann said in shock, then he glanced at the guards that still had their weapons trained on the group. "Lower your weapons." When they didn't he got more frantic. "For goodness sake put them down!" Finally they complied, rather slowly.

"So this is where your heart truly lies, then?" Norrington stated.

"It is." Elizabeth stated looking at Will. Jack strode forward.

"Well!" Jack shouted suddenly gaining everyone's attention. "I'm actually feeling rather good about this. I think we've all arrived at a very special place, eh?" He said leaning in at the Governor. The Governor looked disgusted by Jack's closeness. "Spiritually. Ecumenically. Grammatically." Jack grinned at him and wandered over to Norrington. "I want you to know. I was rooting for you, mate. Know that." James rolled his eyes.

"Elizabeth." Jack said as he passed her and Will. She turned to look at him. "It would've never worked between us, darling." She looked at him in confusion and then a smirk appeared on her face. Typical Jack, she thought. "I'm sorry." Will gave them a confused look. "Will." They turned to look at him again. "Nice hat."

"Jack."

This time the pirate turned. "Keep an eye on him." Will stated and Jack arched an eyebrow. "No doubt, he's already waiting for you." Elizabeth smiled.

"Take care of him."

"Aye, that I'll do." He told her and backed towards the top of the Fort. Jack turned to face the crowd of people behind them.

"Friends." He started and then started backing further. "This is a day that you will always remember as the day that…" Suddenly his legs hit the low wall and he toppled over the top.

"Sail ho!" Jack heard one of the people on the battlements cry out and turned to find the Black Pearl waiting for him.

Jack swam closer and looked up when a familiar voice called out. "How's the water?" He grinned up at the boy who was leaning over the railing to smirk at him.

"Come in and find out."

"No, thanks." Jason snorted and waved at Cotton. "Time to reel him in."

Anamaria scoffed playfully. "Do we have to?" She whined and the boy snickered.

The crew banded together and helped haul their captain aboard. Jack flew through the air and landed onto the deck with a thud, sputtering water.

"Thought you were supposed to keep to the Code?" Jack asked Gibbs with a smirk.

"We figured they were more actual…guidelines." Gibbs winked at Jason and then helped Jack up. Mr. Cotton handed Jack his hat.

"Thank you." He stated, and Jason could tell he was over-whelmed with pride at being the captain of the Black Pearl once more. Jason couldn't help but grin too. He was finally where he wanted to be.

"Captain Sparrow." Annamaria called and they turned to the left. She stood at the wheel and when Jack looked at her she came away from it. "The Black Pearl is yours." She came up to them and put Jack's jacket upon his shoulders. Jack wandered over to the wheel and he caressed it like a lover. Then he noticed that everyone was staring at him awaiting orders. Rather embarrassed at being watched he finally broke the silence as Jason snickered loudly.

"On deck, you scabrous dogs!" No sooner had the words left his mouth, then everyone scattered to work. "Hands to braces! Let down and haul to run free!"

After a moment he murmured with a grin: "Now, bring me that horizon." Jason whistled and Jack looked at him tossing him something from his pocket.

"Here, Captain." Jason had tossed him his compass back. "You can't sail a ship without this."

Jack smirked and opened it up. Together they watched the arrow spin and then it landed in a direction. "And really bad eggs." He murmured aloud. Jason laughed and he looked down at him. "Drink up, me hearties, yo ho." He closed his compass with a snap and ruffled Jason's hair. Being free from the hangman's noose, being back on the Pearl, and in the company of his son was all Jack could ask for at the moment, besides a bottle of rum.

An hour later, Jack switched spots with Cotton and went to lean against the railing, copying the way his son was leaning on his elbows. For a moment they didn't speak, just looked out at the sea, Port Royal now a tiny island at their backs. Jason was taking a break from helping the crew try to patch up some of the damage done to the Pearl by Barbossa and his men. The bigger stuff would have to wait until they were anchored.

"What are you thinking about, boy?" Jack asked after a few minutes. Jason looked away from the water and up at his father who was still looking out at the waves.

"How much things have changed since yesterday."

"Hm? How so?"

Jason shifted, "Well…Yesterday, I convinced myself that I could have this."

"Have what, boy?" Jack asked lightly, but he already knew. He tore his gaze from the ocean and met his son's eyes. He could read the emotion in them clearly. "Didn't think you'd earned a chance to sail off, did ya?" Jason shook his head.

"I told myself it was stupid to think that I'd get what I wanted. No one ever really does. That I had to work to get what I wanted and it didn't just fall into my lap."

Jack inclined his head. "That is true… Life is unpredictable. However, you are here. That counts for something doesn't it?" Jason shrugged.

"I guess."

"Don't think you can't do something, son. Impossible it may seem, things have a way of working out." Jack smirked. "'Sides, you were going to set sail anyhow."

Jason grinned sheepishly. "I didn't want to go without you." Jack chuckled, but he did feel a twinge of pride that his boy cared so much.

"Well, no worries about that now, eh?" The boy grinned and shook his head.

"Dad?" Jason asked after a few minutes.

"Hm?" Jack answered lazily.

"Where are we going?"

"Tortuga. Then I'll take ya to see your grandpa." He murmured. Jack saw the smile on his son's face widen and he couldn't help but smile back. The boy's stomach made a noise at that time and both Jason and Jack burst into laughter. "Let's feed you first, eh lad?"

"All right."

"By the way how did you get to the ship so fast?"

"Sea turtles."

Jack and Gibbs, who was nearby, laughed loudly. "Like father, like son." Gibbs remarked.

"Listen up, I've got some matters to attend to and-"

"Be they Miss Scarlet and Miss Giselle?" Snickers arose from the crowd of pirates and Jack rolled his eyes. The darkening sky overhead cast a pinkish glow about the Pearl's deck.

"Quiet man." Jack responded to Gibbs who smirked. Jason rolled his eyes, but didn't comment. He knew all too well what "matters" his father was talking about. "You lot keep an eye on me son, eh? Had some trouble the last time we was here."

The boy looked over his shoulder at the sound his father's voice. "I said I was sorry about that!" Jason scowled and Jack ruffled the boy's head with a teasing smile. It only made Jason scowl more and mutter under his breath darkly. Gibbs grinned and patted the boy on the back.

"He'll be fine, Cap'n."

Marty grinned. "Aye, he'll be with us."

Jack nodded, silently thanking Gibbs in his ability to pick out a decent crew. He knew this lot of scallywags would keep an eye on the boy. Especially Gibbs and Anamaria.

Anamaria, craned her neck to see the fight about to go down across the tavern. "I can't see a thing." She scowled and stood up. Jason poked Marty, who was way too short to get a good look and was pouting at the table.

"You can go see if you want. I don't think Dad would care as long as you guys didn't leave the tavern."

That made the whole crew scramble away and Jason snorted as he went back to his drink. Jack wouldn't let him have any straight rum, stating that as his father it would be unwise to do so. Jason pointed out that he had on the island, but Jack waved it off, saying that they weren't marooned anymore. He was still drinking rum, but it was watered down rum mixed with nutmeg and sugar. Still rum, but not as strong. It was making him sleepy. There came a commotion outside the tavern and the fighting stopped. Silence filled the once lively room and Jason shifted in his seat, he didn't think it ever got quiet here unless it was the wee hours of the morning.

The sound of chains dragging and crying filled the air and Jason got up from his seat, pushing his way through the crowd of pirates that were gathered around the entrance to the tavern. He ended up being nearby some of the crew as he got to the front and finally saw what had the crowd of drunks so quiet. Women and children.

Children and women of all ages were being led down the street in long lines, each one chained to the other by an ankle. Jason swallowed thickly. They were slaves. Men walked around them snapping whips or using their hands to put others in their place and the boy shrank away from the sight.

"Go get Jack." Anamaria said quietly and Gibbs disappeared. Whispering pirates all around them seemed to be wondering the same thing. Why were the slavers on this side of Tortuga? Jason hadn't even known there was a side they didn't go too. Quite suddenly the groups were shoved together and the crowd before moving, dispersing or just moving further back.

"What's happening, Ana?" Jason questioned, trying to keep the fear from his voice. The she-pirate didn't answer only shook her head. The boy watched as the men began separating the women from the children and he felt a sick feeling in his gut. One of the slavers turned around and Jason froze. He looked just like the man from Port Royal. The one that had beat him with a belt. He thought he was imagining it until the man grinned at him widely, his blue eyes piercing him as they had so many times before.

"Dad?" Jason squeaked and couldn't hide the fear this time. There was something very wrong going on. A hand landed on his shoulder and he jumped, looking up to see Jack with his eyes narrowed towards the slavers. He was slightly disheveled and Jason didn't really want to think about the reason why.

"Someone, take the lad back to the ship." Jack toned. "Now." He kept a hard grip on Jason, steering him away from the scene about to unfold and towards the other pirates. The man had disappeared and Jason looked around nervously, wondering where he had gone too.

"Come on, lad." Gibbs said lowly.

"What's happening? What are they doing?" The boy asked and then got his answer as pleading cries filled the air. Women calling for their children and children calling for their mothers. Jason fell silent and huddled closer to older pirate who tucked an arm around him reassuringly. The man's evil smile haunting him with a dark promise. The boy had a feeling he hadn't seen the last of him.

"What the hell were they doing around there?" Ana snapped as they neared the docks, the sounds of screaming had long died down and now the liveliness that was Tortuga began once more. Like nothing had happened. "I'd like to kill every one of them."

Gibbs nodded. "Aye, something was definitely off 'bout it. They never come through like that." He noticed the paleness on Jason's face and cleared his throat, giving the others a meaningful look. "Well, they won't bother us. We ain't got nothing they want." He, Ana, and Cotton had decided to come back with Jason to the Pearl.

"Aye, they wouldn't dare step one foot on ya da's ship." Ana added and Gibbs felt the boy relax slightly and patted him.

"S'all right now, lad."

"I'm sorry you had to come back with me." Jason said and rubbed his arm with shame. "You should be back in the tavern and stuck here with me."

Gibbs stopped and knelt down in front of the boy who was glaring at the wood below him. "You ain't got nothin' to be sorry about, laddie."

"Gibbs is right, Jason." Ana said and stroked the boy's hair. "Ain't yer fault."

"Yeah, okay." The boy muttered and Ana looked at Gibbs.

"Say, lad." The boy looked up at him and Gibbs grinned at Jason encouragingly. "You want to come with us tomorrow to get some things for ship?"

The boy brightened a bit. "Aye!" Jason said, feeling much better as his feet landed on the deck of the Pearl. He stifled a yawn and Ana smirked at him. Gibbs winked at him.

"Get some sleep, lad, so you'll be ready to spend all day in town."

"He literally means all day." Ana stated and Gibbs frowned at her. She shrugged. "Takes you just as long to make a list."

Jason arched an eyebrow. "Well, with a ship like this that's been under an uppity arse for years, it needs a lot of time for a good list." Gibbs barked out a surprised laugh and ruffed the boy's hair affectionately.

"Awk!" Cotton's parrot squawked and they snickered.

"Guess we got that." Jason told Ana who rolled her eyes with a playful smirk.

"How's the lad?" Jack asked as he stepped up on deck. Gibbs shook his head.

"He's in your cabin now, but I doubt he's sleepin'. Too busy worrin'. 'Spect that was what brought him up from his hammock."

Jack stroked a hand over his chin. "About what?"

"He said he was sorry for us having to come back to the ship." Gibbs murmured and Jack rolled his eyes. "I tried to tell the lad that it wasn't anything to be sorry about but he-"

"Acted aloof about it?"

The older pirate nodded. "Aye."

Jack shook his head. "Boy, doesn't know how to let someone take care of him." Gibbs looked grim.

"Well, like you said, Captain. It'll take time. Teague will spoil 'im soon enough." Jack snorted. Yes, his father certainly would. "Offered the lad to come with us for a supply run tomorrow."

"What'd he say?"

"He was excited."

Jack nodded. "Suppose I'll have a talk with him." He went into the cabin to see the boy sitting at his desk. "Whatcha doin' awake, lad?" He asked, shutting the dor behind.

"Can't sleep I guess." The boy murmured and Jack smiled grimly.

"Thinking about what happened earlier were, ya?" The boy nodded and Jack sighed.

"Sorry." Jason said as soon as Jack sat down. "I just kept tossing and turning in my hammock."

"It's all right, son. After what you saw-"

"I saw him." Jason blurted and Jack arched an eyebrow. "I saw the man that lived in Josephine's house." The pirate captain stiffened and Jason frowned at his knees. "I'm still not sure, maybe I was seeing things… But it did look like him, Dad. He was with the slavers." Jack frowned lightly. "He saw me."

Jack got out of his chair and went to kneel in front of the boy who was glaring at the top of his boots. "Look at me, boy." Jason did and Jack could read the fear loud and clear. "He won't lay a hand on ya, lad. Not while I'm here." The boy looked unsure and Jack smiled bitterly. He hadn't had anyone proclaim to take care of him before and the pirate knew that the boy was uneasy about letting someone do so. "Trust me, lad. I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep ya safe." Jason finally smiled and Jack ruffled his hair. "Now how about getting to sleep now, eh?"

Jason yawned and nodded. Jack chuckled and pointed at the bed. "You can sleep there, boy."

"What about you?" Jason asked tiredly. "I don't want to take your bed." Jack smirked. The boy was practically falling asleep through his protests.

"Never mind it. I don't think I'll be getting much sleep meself." He stood up and pulled the boy up from the chair, steering towards the bed. Jason sat down slowly on the mattress and grinned bouncing slightly.

"It's really fluffy." The boy told Jack and missed the dark look that passed over the man's face. How could anyone run a boy off from his home and cause him to live on the streets alone. The boy had obviously never slept on a decent bed before. Jason yawned and reclined back on the pillows.

Jack chuckled. "The bed is swallowing you, lad."

"Is not." Jason protested and tried to move, but he found himself stuck in the fluffy blankets and pillows. "….Okay maybe it is."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Go to sleep, lad." He grabbed the boy's feet and pulled his boots off. "Hm, mayhaps we should get you some new clothes, eh?" He said, eyeing the holed filled boots.

"Gotta fix…Pearl first…" Jason murmured, his head lolling to the side. "Barbossa messed…up." Jack tucked a blanket over the boy and patted his head. "Dad…"

"Sleep, boy, I'll still be here when ya wake up."

Jason felt like he was sleeping on a cloud of fluffiness and never wanted to move. He groaned into the pillow and then heard light snoring coming from nearby. The boy cracked an eye open and spotted Jack sleeping next to him, his mouth wide open. Jack was sleeping on the edge of the bed, half sitting up like he had sat there by accident. The boy sat up, pushing Jack's arm off the top of his head, and rubbed the sleep from his eyes with a yawn. He got out of bed, careful not to disturb Jack and slipped his boots back on before heading out on deck.

"Morning, Mr. Gibbs." Jason said, waving at the man and coming over to stand next to him.

"Up a bit early, aren't we?"

Jason shrugged. "Slept better than I have in a long time. So when can we make a supply run?" Gibbs chuckled. The boy did look well rested and not as uneasy as he had last night.

"Eager, eh?"

"Well, sure! I've never fixed a ship before. It'll be fun."

"And a lot of hard work." Gibbs pointed out and Jason gave him a determined look that for once wasn't quite like Jack's. The man assumed that look was from whoever his mother is.

"I can do it."

Gibbs smiled. "All right, lad. I believe ya."

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