Author: immortaljedi aka jedipati

Disclaimer: I wish I owned them. But no, a mouse does.

Characters: Will, Bill, Davy, and the crew

Rating: PG-13 overall (we are dealing with pirates, after all)

Warnings: none right now

Summary: Another try, but Will's running out of time. One very important plot point is resolved; however, that brings its own problems.

Chapter 9

Will frowned down at his hand. The Black Spot was still there, unsurprisingly. But he wasn't going to let that stop him.

He glanced out the windows to double check that it was already dark, and took a deep breath. Three hours left, at best. But there was still enough time for at least one more escape attempt. Even if it didn't last. He had to try.

He nodded. This time, he wasn't going to bother with the boats. He'd sink or swim on his own. The boats just made it easier to pick him up again.

He approached the door and picked the lock. As he listened to the silence on the other side, he wondered what the crew was doing. Were they out on deck, but quiet? Or were they somewhere else? He shook his head.

He glanced around the cabin one last time, and opened the door. He checked, but there was no one right outside, and the wheel was tied off.

He could hear the crew now, though. Someone was telling a story, something involving two coconuts and a Tortuga wench… Will blushed furiously. He sighed and stepped out of the cabin quietly.

He made his way to the back of the ship, where he knew he'd be able to climb down and enter the water. This was likely suicide, but he'd take an uncertain death over a choice between certain death and slavery. And he was running out of options and time.

He closed his eyes. There was little to no chance that he'd be able to get the Port Royal and Elizabeth. He sighed and mentally said goodbye to his fiancée. He had nothing left to loose.

Will knew now, how it felt for some people. Backs against the wall, nothing left to fight for or with, and they still didn't give up.

Will nodded and continued to the back of the ship. Continued, until the deck shifted out from under him with a loud caterwaul. He fell backwards with a startled yelp and hit the deck hard.

Clanker laughed with the others as Jimmylegs finished his tale. They- most of the crew and the Captain- were trying to make the last two hours go by a little quicker.

Everyone was ready for this to be over with, and to welcome the boy to the crew. Clanker smiled slightly. He was looking forward to having the lad as a crewmate. Despite the circumstances, the boy had shown hints of a truly subtle sense of humor to go along with his intelligence. Clanker was sure he could convince the boy to participate in at least a few pranks.

Clanker blinked as he heard a yowl from Cap, the ship's cat, followed by a yelp and a loud thud. "That was Cap!" Hadras exclaimed.

"And th' lad," The Captain added. "And I know Cap is not in my cabin. Bloody… I canna believe he hasn't given up yet." He stood up and vanished.

Most of the crewmen faded into the side of the ship and followed their Captain.

Clanker shrugged at Bootstrap and they both followed as well. Clanker had to restrain a laugh at the sight that greeted them.

The boy was sprawled face up on the deck, Cap was already on the Captain's shoulder, and the Captain was obviously restraining a smirk.

The boy shook his head sharply and propped himself up on his elbows. He smiled innocently at the Captain.

Beside Clanker, Bootstrap gasped sharply.

No. It couldn't be. Bill swallowed as he stared at the lad… at the boy who was so obviously a Turner, but with Mary's eyes and smile… it just couldn't be. The world would not be that cruel. His Will, here? No.

"An' just what were ye planning ta do once ye were off the ship?" The Captain asked… the boy. It couldn't be Will.

The boy sat up fully. "Swim." The boy said bluntly. Bill bit his lip. It was Will. Oh God, no.

His son. Trapped on the Flying Dutchman. This wasn't supposed to happen!

"That's certain death, boy," The Captain said.

"I've survived in the ocean before." Will retorted. "Death wouldn't have been certain. I'd have had at least a fool's chance. Here, there's no chance." He glanced at Cap. "Where did that come from?" He asked.

"Cap? He's the ship's cat."

"Less a cat and more a sea horse," Will snorted.

He shook his head again and stood up. The Captain snorted, turned, and saw Bill. Bill made an effort to appear unaffected, but it wasn't working.

Bill's gaze was drawn back to the boy… to Will. Will, who was staring back at him, brows furrowed in confusion. The Captain glanced back and forth between them.

Bill blinked and focused on Will. "Will?" He asked.

His son frowned at him. "How did you…?" He shook his head. "Do you know me?"

"Once, yes," Bill said. How to explain, how to tell Will that his father was a monster?

"How?" Will asked.

Bill swallowed. "They call me Bootstrap." He said. If his son didn't know that name, then he didn't know how to explain.

Will took a step back. "Prove it." He hissed. "Prove you are my… who you say you are."

Bill nodded. "You were nine when I sailed on the Wicked Wench." He said. "I promised you that when I returned to England, I'd teach you to sail." He swallowed. He'd never gotten to keep that promise. "The Wench was sunk by Cutler Beckett, and…"

"You joined the crew of the Black Pearl," Will breathed. "You never returned to England. I thought you were dead. I thought I'd killed you when I broke the curse."

Captain Jones stepped between them. "Perhaps you would care to explain?"

Will jerked back. Bill stared at his Captain, and beyond him, his son. "My son." He whispered. The Captain tilted his head. "He's my son."

Around them, the crew was reacting, but Bill only had eyes for his son. The one who had caused so much trouble as he tried to escape.

Captain Jones started to laugh. "What fortuitous circumstance be this!" He exclaimed. "And how did you not discover this earlier?"

Bill shook his head. "I hadn't seen him- his face." He looked at Will.

"I thought you were familiar." Will said softly. "I just couldn't figure out why."

Captain Jones shook his head. "As interesting as this family reunion is, we have more important issues." He turned around so that he was facing Will. "You are almost more trouble then you're worth." He said. Will shook his head and did his best to look innocent. Unfortunately, the shock he still radiated spoiled the affect. The Captain snorted and shook his head. "Hadras, take him back to my cabin and stay with him."

Hadras tried to do as ordered, but Will twisted out of his grasp. He was still staring at Bill. Hadras sighed and grabbed Will again. This time, he managed to pull the lad away. Bill watched them go, heart breaking.

Well, they finally know the other is on board. Like I said, however that brings its own problems, especially since Will is running out of time…

See you all next week!