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Pirates of the Caribbean: The True Black Pearl

Chapter 3: Civilized! Almost...

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Disclaimer: I know this is pointless as I have it on the first page, but I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean. The only thing that I own here is the future characters of Roxanne Tarisse and the crew of the Eclipse plus some randomized characters that appear now an again... And if you don't believe me, I'll sick my budgies on you!

I really appreciate when you people review after reading. If you could give me any ideas on what to do, on criticism- good or bad- I'll be very grateful. Oh, and by the way! Merry Christmas, everyone!

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"Excuse us, then." Will muttered, placing his tea-cup and saucer to the table rather hastily before rushing to exit. Actually, the blacksmith didn't find formal affairs such as these quite to his taste. He was in fact perfectly satisfied with having to leave. He would have suggested they leave several times over already, but- even though Will was possibly the most un-educated on how to act in these posh meetings after working as an apprentice to a blacksmith just about all his life- he knew it was incredibly rude to take leave in a sudden, and he wasn't quite sure how to request it formally. Will wordlessly thanked the stranger at the gate as the pair headed back into the mansion which was the Commodore's home.

But in any case, they continued onward. The Norrington estate seemed much larger on the inside then out, and despite Elizabeth's supposedly amazing sense of direction they found themselves requesting guidance from time to time when found at some random dead-end. Will's lips pressed together as the door was in sight. It had taken them roughly fifteen minutes to find the front door... would the stranger have waited so long? According to the servant's information, the man would wait as long as it took to gain an audience with them, but would he really? Something told him that- even if the servant had spoken truthfully- it wasn't a very honest answer.

Or just perhaps it was an answer coming from a dishonest man?

And so they parted from the mansion to start on the long pathway through the courtyard which led to the gate. This trip alone took roughly three minutes on foot, and it was impossible to get lost unless one was blind as long as they were to follow the path lain out before them. Elizabeth glanced up at him, the look in her eyes told him she was asking to take another shortcut, but Will shook his head in response. He wouldn't have this stranger waiting much longer then he already had. His wife frowned with a flash of her amber eyes, as if to say 'fine' before continuing on at a quickened pass.

"Ah! Elizabeth, luv!" The man stated blissfully as they approached him, motioning to her with an exaggerated arm motion as he spoke. The man was dressed rather formally, his clothing clean and patterned with red, black and gold. His hair was longer then what it appeared as Will realized the man had his hair tied back. He was a stranger to them, though his face did seem rather familiar... Will watched as Elizabeth's brow furrow in confusion thus the man paused, his auburn eyes taking a glimpse of hers as he tilted his head before crying out in a rough tone as if a memory from far back just smacked him in the face. "Beg your pardon, Miss Swann." He corrected himself (wrongly, mind you), nodding vigorously and his hands pressed palm to palm as if requesting forgiveness- a motion that seemed familiar... what would have been a habit of...

But it couldn't be... Could it?

"Jack?" He asked hesitantly, "Jack Sparrow?" The man turned to Will with what would be considered as much of a stern look as he could possibly muster in his current state, index finger on each hand pointed upward before motioning down to him.

"Captain... Captain Jack Sparrow, savvy? I thought that point got though to ye after the whole thing with the Black Pearl and the curse and stuff." He pointed out, waving his hands in the air. Will looked him over once again, more carefully this time around. He defiantly didn't look much the part of a pirate... never mind much like Jack Sparrow. It would be hard for anyone to point out his true identity just by looking at him at first glance in that get-up.

Jack must have caught the thought in his eye as he explained it to them, "I couldn't very well have myself identified after last time I was 'ere, aye mate?" He clarified.

"Jack?!" Elizabeth cried, eyes widened in surprise. "You... you look... Civilized!" She hesitated, eyeing Jack as he bestowed upon the couple a gold-tooth grin, the smell of freshly consumed rum pressing to their nostrils as he did so, "... almost..." She said after a pause. The pirate captain's lips pressed closed, a slight smirk still coiled across his lips as he shifted his weight drunkenly.

"Well, that ain't a very kindly thing to say, now be it Miss Swann?" He remarked, waving his finger in a scolding manner as he swayed slightly on the spot, blinking several times over. Will stifled a chuckle as Elizabeth raised her nose in slight arrogance.

"For your information, Jack Sparrow-"

"Captain..." Jack interrupted in a slight daze. Elizabeth pursed her lips, glaring at him slightly before continuing,

"- I am no longer Miss Swann, rather Mrs. Turner." She explained, speaking the word 'Swann' with a slight sourness to her tone. Jack stared at her wistfully for a moment before glancing to Will and back again.

"I see. Well, I'm proud of you, luv." He said with a confirming nod. Elizabeth's tart look slowly formed to welcoming smile, the smile that caused a mirroring look in Will's face. He always found himself with a smile on his face when Elizabeth was happy. It brought him joy beyond all things when she was happy. (A/N: Sappy...)

"Why thank you, Jack. We're very happy." She replied softly, reaching up to tuck several strands of hair behind her ear. Jack let off a slight laughed.

"You've gotten over the fact that it would never have worked out between us and have gotten on with your life! It's hard to get over me though, eh luv? I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!" He exclaimed, a foreboding grin imprinted across his lips. Elizabeth just stared at the pirate captain with a look of partial disgust and partial amusement as Will laughed heartedly, remembering the last thing he had told her before leaving.

"Elizabeth... It'd never worked out between us. I'm sorry..."

And the man had said it as if he meant it sincerely. Jack had known full well that he had loved Elizabeth, but the realization that Elizabeth had loved him in return was as oblivious to the man as knowing that rum was awful for one's health.

"... Right..." Elizabeth replied after a slight hesitation while her husband was making a full attempt to restrain his amusement. "Well, what are you here for? Money? Spent your fortune already?" She placed her hands delicately upon her hips as she questioned him accusingly. Jack blinked, glancing up to the air as if recalling why exactly he was there.

"No, actually... I was just wondering if I could borrow the assistance of young master William for a little treasure hunt in Drorewan. Just for old time's sake, savvy?" He explained, turning to Will with a familiar look of almost pleading, puppy dog look. Will hesitated, as if not sure what to answer, but Elizabeth seemed prepared to answer for him

"No! I don't want you taking him off on one of your trips to risk his life for yours!"

"Of course you're invited too, Elizabeth luv." Jack pointed out with a wave of his hand. "There isn't much of a hazard, really. Just some pirate superstitious nonsense..." He insisted as he turned back to Will. The blacksmith caught a look in Jack's eyes at that point, a look he had never seen before in their previous journey. The pirate captain insisted there was no hazard... but the look present in his eyes made him think otherwise, perhaps not a physical hazard, but one that was apart of the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow's memories. There may be something more personal of this treasure to Jack then there was of anything else...

"... Then I will go." He confirmed, attempting to avoid Elizabeth's startled gaze. Jack's expression slowly turned from one of request to one of genuine gratitude.

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Two men in redcoats stood at the door of the Norrington manor, watching the trio chat away, at times laughing, at times accusing, but at all times seeming familiar. Two we're recognized as Mr. and Mrs. Turner, but who was the other? His movements, even a part of his appearance was familiar... but who was he?

"I have a feeling we should know him..." Murtogg said, motioning towards the trio. Mullroy blinked in confusion before turning to the trio himself.

"Yeah... he does look awfully familiar..." He agreed. There was an awkward pause between the two as they simply stared... and stared... It seemed like hours before Murtogg finally spoke up with a cry of surprise.

"That's him!" He started, pointing to the unknown man in the threesome. Mullroy's brow furrowed as he turned to his companion, to the three then back again.

"Him who?"

"Him! Him! The pirate from before!"

"Him? Really?" Mullroy repeated slowly, turning to the trio once more. "Jack Sparrow? Are you sure?"

"I'm sure I'm sure! I'd never forget a mug like that!" Murtogg replied in a tart tone. Mullroy blinked, squinting to inspect the unknown member before nodding.

"I think you're right! It is him!" He confirmed with a slight grin, as if proud of himself. There was a slight pause between the two men before Murtogg turned back to his accompaniment slowly.

"... Aren't you going to do anything?"

"... You think we should?"

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"Activity at mansion..." Jack stated, motioning towards the entranceway wearily. Soon, the attentions of all three were directed to the same objective. There were at one point two men in redcoats watching them, but one had darted inside. Moments later he had returned, two more men accompanying him, pistols drawn as they started towards the gate.

"I think they recognize you..." Will muttered, inspecting each man approaching. Jack hummed, slightly amused as he turned to a pair of horses located across the terrace.

"I came prepared!" The pirate captain explained, in a tone that was his obvious pride.

"Ye get back 'ere! Ye took me 'orses!" A man screamed, running after the three down the road. Jack shifted his weight, slightly startled as he started towards the obedient beasts in a rush.

"Time to go..."

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Please R&R!

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