A Bargain

For three days, Will and the crew of Dutchman sailed along the coast of the Caribbean until finally, as the sun set on the third day, the familiar glow of Tortuga came into view. Will had been here many times, most of them in the company of Jack Sparrow, the man he sought now. If he were still alive, of which he was acutely confident, the most likely place to find the swash-buckling pirate would be here. In his mind however, he would return to San Juan even if he didn't find him. Six days. That is what he promised her. No more, no less. At the thought of Alanna, his heart gave an agonizing pull. The journey was half over, but he felt like it had been an eternity and a half since he had last kissed her. He sighed deeply as the houses, taverns, and, as was normal with Tortuga, the sounds of gunshots and breaking glass that could be heard as they approached the bay. Within moments they dropped anchor along the side of the southern dock. Will dispatched orders to the crew and hopped on to the dock, determined to be out of this place as quick as possible. As he dodged a pair of staggering men, he found what he was looking for. The black hull of the Pearl stretched out in the torchlight, looking as tarnished, yet homey as it did when Will last laid eyes on it. She looked well enough, with a cluster of crates aboard her. No doubt, they were, most likely filled with bottles of rum. Will shook his head and strode onto the sandy streets. As usual, there was plenty going on. From street fights to prostitutes sauntering around the drunken men, nothing had changed. More than once, he had to escape the grasp of a few women who had more cleavage than he could handle. Trying to keep from inhaling too much of the ghastly air, he made his way to the local tavern.

It didn't take long to find his swaggering comrade. Through the fog of smoke, he found him toward the back, apparently trying wrangle a few wenches onto his lap. It was the picture of leisure, and Will was disgusted to see it. Heaving a breath, only to cough it back out, he approached him, his doubt growing with each step.

"Jack!" he called out.

Coming out of his stupor, his released the girl on his lap with a longing look, and addressed his inquirer. The surprise on his face was both reassuring and unwelcoming. Jack rose and sauntered toward him.

"Well, well, well," he mumbled. "If it isn't my old mate. I thought the sea had done off with you already. Good to see I was worrying for nothing."

Will made quick to grab his wrist. "You've been drinking," he accused.

Jack smiled easily, revealing a good number of rotten teeth. "Nonsense," he sneered. "I would never do a thing like that."

That was a lie, for just then another tavern wench swept by them, setting a tankard on the table. She smiled flirtatiously at Jack, and he turned to her, smiling himself.

"Not to worry, love," he assured her. "You'll be paid by the end of the night. Meet me outside when you're through."

He moved close to her and the girl giggled. He gave her a swift kiss and sent her on her way. Will shook his head in disgust. "You're despicable."

"Oh, come now, William," he said, gesturing him to take a seat. "Surely your love of women hasn't dwindled since losing dear Elizabeth."

Will's features hardened. "Don't you dare bring her into this," he warned. "She's not part of my life anymore."

"Of course not," Jack countered. "But I must say you do have a way of not taking advantage of the situation. Or should I remind you of how you let her slip through your fingers and into Norrington's arms?"

Will stood so suddenly he knocked his chair over, causing some of the other customers to break their conversations.

"That's enough!" he growled. "I didn't make it all the way here to discuss my past! Elizabeth is no longer my concern, so leave it be."

Jack smirked and stood himself, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "I see you've still got a bit of a temper," he asserted. "But I'll oblige. I'll not mention her again, if it so pleases you, if you tell me why you are here."

Trying to keep his distance, Will nodded, and Jack released him. His shoulders relaxed a bit and he recovered the chair from the floor. He sat heavily and leaned forward, determined to keep Jack's attention.

"While at sea," he began. "I was attacked by Erebus and his men. I don't now how he escaped, or when, but all that matters is that he's loose and seeking revenge. I'm going to need you help if I'm to defeat him once and for all."
Jack leaned back in his chair, fingering his mustache thoughtfully. He knew of Erebus and Will's rivalry with him, as well as his intentions. He considered all the options, but came to the same conclusion.

"Why should I help you?" he asked, leaning forward again. "You got away with nothing but a scratch. It looks to me like you have things well under control. Not to mention that you have more than enough men to take the Raven."

That was enough to send Will's eyes blazing again. "I take pride in my men!" he snapped. "Unlike you, I don't go sending my men in battle without a second thought…so don't go assuming that's how I run my ship."

"All right, all right," Jack said with a laugh. "Who am I to judge how you associate with your crew. But you still haven't answered my question…what's in it for me?"

Will couldn't believe it. Even after everything they've been through together, he would still rather go his own way rather than help him. Remembering something, he looked at Jack again, who was taking another look at the wench across the room.

"Let's not forget," he said, raising his voice above the din. "I was the one who saved your wretched life. Twice, I might add. If it weren't for me, your boots would have a new owner. Like it or not, friend, you owe me."

Jack turned back to him and regarded him absently. "That may be true, mate," he said, taking another swig of his tankard. "But the issue still stands. I have no quarrel with Erebus. Therefore I see no reason to put my ship and crew in jeopardy. As I said before, I see no profit in it for me."

As hard as he tried, Will efforts to budge Jack's decision were in vain. The persuasion carried well into the night until it was clear nothing would change. Will gave Jack a quick farewell, asking him to give the crew his regards, and strode into the moonlight. He was unsatisfied, but eager to set sail and, within the next three days, be reunited with Alanna once more.

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, things were looking up for Alanna. The cut along her side was healing nicely and she was quickly regaining her strength. She would take daily walks around the villa, usually in the company of her handmaiden, Margaret. She was a Spanish beauty, adopted into Stefan's family as a child. The environment was as beautiful as it was healing, but Alanna still found herself pacing her chamber at night. Though Stefan and his family were graciousness itself to her, her heart ached for a love of a different sort. As the sun set on the third day, hope sparked once again in her soul. It seemed like forever since she saw the Dutchman against the horizon. But, once again, she was disappointed. Ships came in, yes, but none of them bore her lover. That night, she found herself tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep. Frustrated, she grabbed her robe and walked to the balcony. The breeze from the ocean was cool against her skin, carrying a few hints of her life on the Dutchman along with it. It would be another three days before he would return, but what if something happened? Would the weather stay fair? Would the sea keep him safe? Would the damages on the Raven be severe enough to keep Erebus at bay? She had no way of knowing…and it nearly drove her mad. Against her will, the final words of her love came to her unbidden.

"Keep a weathered eye on the horizon."

Three more days her heart told her. That's all. He'll be back before you know it. Even with those comforting thoughts, two crystal tears fell beyond her eyes, splashing cleanly on his sapphire ring, making it glisten. Alanna looked to the heavens, picking out the brightest star and gazing at it, praying with all her heart that somehow, wherever he was, he was looking at the exact same star. Softly, she began to sing.

I close my eyes

And there in the shadows

I see your light

You come to me out of my dreams

Across the night…

Miles away, Will could be found on the deck of the Dutchman, looking up at the sky. As if by magic, he happened to see one star shinning brighter than all the rest. To him, that was Alanna, shinning her light as she always had, guiding him until he was in her arms again.

You take my hand

Though you may be so many stars away

I know that our spirits and souls are one…

Feeling no need for the robe, Alanna shrugged it off, letting it fall in a heap at her feet. She wore a simple white dressing gown, the ends floating on the night wind. A smile touched her face as she envisioned him there, holding her close against his breast.

We've circled the moon and touched the sun

So here we'll stay

Though they were apart, with Alanna on land and Will on the open ocean, they couldn't be closer. Their hearts were forever bound to one another, with the love of the sea as their anchor. From their first meeting to their last kiss on the balcony, they remembered each moment, no matter how small or insignificant. Aboard the Dutchman, Will closed his eyes, determined to not let those memories fade. He inhaled deeply, and could almost smell her sweet fragrance on the wind.

"A vow is a vow, my love," he whispered. "I will return, I promise. Wait for me, and I will come to you."

For always, forever

Beyond here and onto eternity

Abruptly, as if she had heard something, Alanna turned her head, only to realize there was no one there. The balcony was still vacant, although a slight breeze blew from the sea. For a moment, she could have sworn she heard his voice. As if to answer her question, the wind picked up, stirring her hair and the tips of her gown. He was calling her. She knew it. She strode to the railing, her eyes alight. He would come back. There was no doubt in her mind.

"Be safe, William," she said to the open sea. "I will await you. My heart is yours, my love, and it always will be."

For always, forever

For us there's no time and no space

No barrier love won't erase

Wherever you go

I still know in my heart

You'll be here

With me

With that, she blew a kiss to the ocean and retreated to her room once more, eagerly awaiting her lover's return.