The Question

There comes a time in many a man's life when they must face this, the most dreaded of questions…

Yes, this is a lighter moment. No, I'm not giving it away. It is post AWE, by about six years. You know, I don't think I've seen this one done before…

Oh yes… I believe the correct warning for this one is a beverage warning.

The Question

Captain William Turner of the Flying Dutchman was not behaving as the dreaded, powerful, immortal Lord of the Sea that he actually was. As a matter of fact, he was currently acting more like a young sailor about to see his sweetheart again. Not that his crew blamed him.

For he was also that, as well. The Empress had been sighted and they were heading towards the other ship.

Bill Turner smiled as he watched his son. The Captain was trying to keep his mind on his duties, but he wasn't succeeding very well.

Bill headed for the wheel. "Captain?" He asked.

Will looked over at his father. "Yes, Mr. Turner?" He responded.

"I'll take the wheel, sir," Bill said. He glanced down and lowered his voice. "You'll end up ramming the two ships if I don't."

The Captain glared for a moment before Will shook his head. "You're probably right."

Bill smiled as he took the wheel. Maccus looked up and over as he did so, but merely smiled and went back to his duties.

Will scowled. "Does everyone think that I shouldn't be at the wheel?" He asked.

"It wouldn't surprise me, Captain."

"I'm not asking as your Captain, Father." Will said.

Bill frowned. "Everyone understands," He said. "We all wish we could feel the same way, but for most of us, our families are long gone."

"I know," Will said. "I wish it wasn't so."

"We made our choices, son."

Will smiled slightly. He turned and looked over at the Empress. "Almost there." He said. He sat down on the rail next to the wheel.

"It'll be good to see little William again." Bill agreed. He frowned. "Did you and your wife have to follow family tradition?"

Will laughed. "It was her idea. And I wasn't about to tell her no."

Bill chuckled and Maccus snorted. "You wouldn't go against her?" Maccus asked.

"I may be immortal, I may be ferryman of the sea's dead, I may be Captain, but there is no way I am going against my wife." Will's dry recitation stunned both his crewmen for a moment before they both started to laugh.

Will smiled as several others looked up at them. He shook his head at Jimmylegs, and the boson returned to his work.

Will looked up at the Empress. They were almost in position to lay gangplanks across, so that Elizabeth and William, and whoever else wanted to come over could cross.

He could see his son, five year old William James Turner, bouncing up and down near the rail. Will smiled and waved.

William bounced harder, waving back.

Will smiled. Behind him, Bill chuckled. "I don't remember you being quite that excitable," He said.

Will grinned. "You should have known Elizabeth when we were younger."

Maccus chuckled. "How long can we stay here?" He asked.

Will shrugged. "Until sunset," He said. "Then we have to head for Spain."

"Spain?" Maccus and Bill chorused.

"Spain." Will confirmed. "Actually, just off the coast of Catalonia."

Bill blinked. Will shook his head. It was eerie, sometimes, just how he knew where to go, and when. Even now, six years into this, it still surprised him sometimes. He shook off the thought and refocused on the Empress.

"Captain, we're ready." Hadras told them as he approached the helm. "I'll take the wheel, Bootstrap."

"Just tie it off, Hadras." Will ordered. "Luff the sails and lower anchor!" He shouted to his crew.

On the Empress, they were doing the same thing. Gradually, the ships stopped, right next to each other. The gangplank was thrown down and William was the first on it.

Everyone on both ships gasped as the boy ran across, paying no heed to the drop.

Will grabbed him as soon as he was close enough. "William! What have your mother and I told you about the gangplank?" He asked sternly.

The boy looked down. "Don't use it unless an adult is with me." He mumbled. "But I wanted to see you, Da!"

"I don't care, William." Captain Turner said sternly. The other Captain Turner- though usually she went by Captain Swann to avoid confusion- joined him in scolding their son.

Bill watched happily. The three of them looked like a picture perfect family- if you overlooked that both parents were wearing trousers, and that they were all dressed as pirates. Alright, so maybe not. They were still a happy family, despite circumstances. Will looked up.

"Alright, men. You know what to do. Just make sure you stay sober." Will knew his crew well.

"You can't stay?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, not long." Will confirmed.

"Awww." William complained. "Why can't you stay, Da?"

Will sighed. "I'm going to be needed soon, near Spain." He shook his head. "Let's not worry about that now. We can stay until sunset, and it's just gone noon, so we have time."

"Good." Elizabeth responded.

Bill wandered over to the rail, still watching his family. At least, his blood family. Maccus and Clanker joined him. "Ever get the feeling that they're a demented version of the perfect family?" Maccus asked.

Bill started to laugh. "Considering we're all pirates…" Clanker mused.

Bill laughed harder. "And… he's Captain…" Bill managed to gasp out.

"And she's the Pirate King…" Maccus continued.

"And we have no idea how William is going to grow up, with his father immortal and his mother searching for the Fountain of Youth…"

"Yes." Bill said, before the three of them started to laugh again.

William had wandered away from his parents, who were, to be fair… reuniting. "Granddad? What's so funny?"

Bill took a deep breath. "We were just discussing family."

William took that in stride, as children were wont to do. "Ok. Um… Granddad? Can I ask you something? Cause when I ask Uncle Jack he says to ask Da, but he's busy right now, and no one else will tell me anything. Tai Huang just turned a funny color- sort of yellow green- and Uncle Hector said something about Turners. And I haven't had a chance to ask Mom…"

Bill chuckled as he grandson continued to babble. He could remember a time when Will had done this. Bill paled and his smile faded as he remembered what came after Will had done this…

"Maybe you should wait and ask your father, William."

William pouted. Maccus was frowning as he tried to figure out just what Bill didn't want to answer. It was obvious he'd never been a father.

Will looked over at them, concern in his gaze. He told Elizabeth something and they walked over. William looked up at his parents, pout gone. Bill knew exactly what was going to happen. He couldn't stop it. He didn't want to stop it.

"Da?"

"Yes, William?"

"Where do babies come from?"

Bill took one look at his son's face and stared to laugh again. Maccus and Clanker joined him.

A/N: Gotcha! Though… how many of you saw that coming?

This was inspired by the fact that I don't think Elizabeth just sat around and waited. That's just not her character. She might stay on land if she had to, but you can bet that she didn't just sit around doing nothing.

Besides, I like the idea of them meeting up at sea every so often, while Elizabeth also joins the crew of the Pearl in their search for the Fountain of Youth.

Also, I wanted to see the Captain of the Flying Dutchman get asked that question. Not something you think the Lord of the Sea would get asked, is it?