William Turner muttered as he pounded the blade of a sword...a sword he should have been finished with at least three times already but whos owner was being very difficult. Ever since his marriage to Elizabeth Swan, more and more of the more socially "upstanding" members of society had been requesting his services.

And he hated it.

More than once he had wanted to throw caution to the wind, grab Elizabeth and set sail wherever the wind carried them for as long as there was sea to be sailed.

"Having a bad day mate?"

Will jumped at the voice in his ear, mallet raised in defense as he spun to face-

"Jack!"

The pirate grinned broadly at the black smith, swaying slightly as he ducked out the way in case Will decided to take a swing at him anyway.

"I don't want to imagine what the sword did to deserve that kind of a beating, but I'm sure it was heinous......whatever it was." The captain added as an afterthought, tilting forward slightly before regaining an almost upright posture. "But how have you been William?"

"Busy." He said, gesturing about his shop. "What are you doing back in Port Royal? They'll hang you for sure if they catch you."

"Never. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." The pirate grunted indignantly, waving one hand dismissively. "And I have business in Port Royal if you must know."

"Business? With who?" He asked, brow furrowed incredulously.

What man would do business with one of the most wanted pirates to sail the Caribbean?

"You."

Will found himself momentarily speechless, blinking as he placed his mallet back on the anvil.

"Pardon?"

"I have an adventure for you. It involves girls, rum, treasure, and trickery. What do you say to that?"

"Jack-"

"Did I mention the rum?" The rouge cut in, not allowing Will to say no just yet. "Come on mate, think of it! Just one more adventure with your 'ol buddy Jack. Savvy?"

Will's brow furrowed once more as he hesitated. Could he just up and leave? He had dreamt of it, longed for it, wished for it....and now here was his chance. Jack sobered as he sensed his chance, stepping closer to the young black smith.

"My first mates taken ill, I only mean to, borrow, you until he's back on 'is feet. You'll be back before you're missed, I promise."

Wondering fingers drifted imploringly across William's chest and the black smith caught his hands.

"All right Jack."

The pirate grinned that cocky half-drunken smirk that always put Will in good humor no matter what was bothering him....and then a thought struck him.

"What of Elizabeth?"

"Bring her with!" Jack answered, turning away from him with a slight flourish.

"Bring her where?"

Both men turned to see Elizabeth standing beside the donkey with a smile and a cocked eyebrow.

"Well?"

"An adventure love. We leave at sundown, meet me at the docks." Jack answered, tipping his hat before exiting through the window Will assumed he had entered through, leaving Will to deal with his wife.

"An adventure?"

"I can explain-"

"It sounds like fun! Where do you think we're going?" The women smiled, crossing the floor to stand beside him.

Will, for the third time, found himself taken aback.

"You're ok with this?"

"Of course, aren't you? To tell the truth, I've been pining after an adventure for months. You have too, I see it in the way you look at the ocean." She answered simply, hitting him lightly on the shoulder.

William shook his head.

"So adventure it is. Yo ho."

---------------------------------------------------------------------

As promised, the duo met Jack at the docks, rowing in silence to where the Black Pearl had anchored well off shore.

"Will! And Miss Swan." Mr.Gibbs added almost distastefully, his broad grin faulting only for a moment as they were hoisted aboard. "It's good to see you again, the both of you."

"It's good to see you too Gibbs, only it's Mrs.Turner now." She said sweetly, knowing the moment she turned her back-

"It's bad luck-"

"Don't worry Gibbs, I've just the thing to counter it..or we will." The pirate cut him off, nodding to some other crewman. "Show them to their quarters. I'll see you two after you're settled."

William watched as Jack swaggered across the deck, calling out orders and he smiled. Leaving Elizabeth to unpack the few things they had brought along, Will found his way to the helm.

"So Jack, what's the treasure?"

"50,000 pounds in bounty, twice that if you find the right bidder." He answered as offhandedly as if he were mentioning the weather. "Our quarry is a little trinket called "the eye of ra". Some Egyptian contraption, made of gold, ivory, silver, and obsidian, impeccable in its make, and with the ability to predict the death of whomever its wearer bids it to. Some think it even brings it about once the prediction is made."

"And you know where it is?"

"No, but I know where to find the person who does."

"And where is that?"

"Tortuga."

"To-Tortuga?! We can't take Elizabeth to Tortuga!" Will sputtered, Jack peering at him with the expression of someone who was only mildly surprised that he protested. "Tortuga is no place for a lady."

"Hmm. I suppose you're right. But it's too late now." Jack said. "She can stay on board, it shouldn't take that long-"

"She will most certainly not!"

Jack bowed his head to consult his compass as Elizabeth mounted the last step, rounding on her husband.

"William Turner, what do you think I am?! Some helpless house maiden? I've rescued the both of you on more than one occasion!" She raged but Will didn't back down.

"You don't know Tortuga, I can't let you go."

"It's all right mate." Jack interjected as he closed his compass and curbed the brewing storm between the two before it became a full fledged gale. "I'll keep an eye out for her and you'll keep two, savvy?"

It took a few more minutes of convince before William acquiesced, but he had the distinct feeling he would live to regret it.