THANK YOU TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL REVIEWERS!!!! *runs and hugs them all* I don't believe I've every gotten such a response. So, either this is good, or the rest of my writing is horrible. Although, I must apologize for the reference of jeans last time. I had come straight from a vamp. story to here, so oops! Hmmmm...Anyways, on to the actual story thing. Sorry for long update, it has to bounce between all of us, thanx for patience.

~~~~~~~~

Crow, Jules, and Ben began running behind John through the slowly darkening streets. Nightfall was upon them, or would soon be. Not many people were out, but the local tavern was already loud and getting into full swing as they ran past. John followed the girl down an alley and the others came in close behind him. What they saw was quite a surprise.

John had cornered the girl at the end of the alley and they were now facing off, knife in hand, looked ready to pounce. From the looks of it, the girl had dark blonde hair- though it simply could have been dirty- and dark blue, mischievous eyes.

The girl, or young lady to be exact, dove first and the silver flashed in the light. John dodged and slashed at her. It narrowly missed and she came back with a slash. Julia tried to run out, but Ben blocked her way.

"Just watch."

The blades wove a deadly dance, but everything seemed to be defensive. The girl was simply trying to get past John and John trying to stop her. In and out, weaving and dodging, the blades flashed and the sound of metal on metal filled the air. Finally a blow hit. It slid across John's cheek, leaving a thin trail of crimson blood in the silver moonlight.

Before he had a chance to retaliate, the girl was gone, vanishing down the street, coins jingling in her pocket.

"Looks like you're a bit rusty, aye Johnny boy?," taunted Jules.

John muttered something under his breath about not feeling well and not wanting to harm the girl.

They walked back down the street and passed the tavern. Crow, John, and Jules exchanged conspiratorial glances and ducked inside, leaving Ben to stand in the street, arguing against it. "Come on, rum is a vile drink. It will turn you into a monster and..." his pleas were drowned out as the three entered the heavily crowded tavern.

The smell of rum and sweat permeated the air as the three walked towards the bar. "Rum,' said the three at once. The bartender gave them a curious and cautious look over before filling three pints and setting them heavily on the bar.

They ordered another, and another. Soon they lost count and were sitting, singing at the top of their lungs.

"YO HO HO AND A BOTTLE OF RUM!"

"Rum? I want some more," said Jules at the word.

"So do I," said a very drunken Crow.

The two went to once again beg for some more. All it took was a quick flash of gold and two more brimming pints were filled and placed before them. Smiling, they walked by to join their brother.

How long had passed could only be determined by the many mugs that littered their table when the owner came to tell them it was closing time. Standing and walking, or more like wobbling, out, they met the girl from earlier. She was easily as drunk as they and still held a foaming mug in her hand. The four walked together down the street.

"Look there's two moons. Looks like part of it fell," said a completely drunken John, pointing at the moon's reflection in the ocean and wobbling from side to side, nearly tripping over Jules at his side.

The others giggled psychotically and burst into song.

" We're devils and black sheep,
we're really bad eggs.
Drink up me hearties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We're beggars and blighters, ner do well cads.
Drink up me hearties, yo ho.
Aye but we're loved by our mommies and dads.
Drink Up me hearties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!!!"

"You want ta' know what's funny, my da' gave me a broken compass," said the girl in a very slurred, voice. "Said it was important."

It wasn't long before some kind city watchmen escorted them to a cell in the local jail where they promptly fell asleep.

~~~~~~~

Jack Sparrow entered the jail where he not so fondly remembered from years past. His three children were laid out in the cell, sound asleep under the tired looking eyes of an aged watchman and a small young pup. As he stood outside and looked into the cell, he caught sight of another girl with them. Shrugging, he turned to the man and released the three.

"My head," muttered John.

The three struggled up and walked slowly out. Unnoticed to any of them, Commodore Norrington stood outside the door, seeming to wait for them to leave. As soon as the stumbling and complaining group had left, Jack now beginning to chastise them, Norrington entered the place.

"Melanie, get up," he said, disgust clear in his voice. Mel pulled herself to her feet and walked out as the door slowly swung open, looking quite sheepish. "I don't want you around them anymore. It is for your own good."

"Shhh. Not so loud," she muttered and began rubbing her temples.

They walked out into the street, full of activity and noise, and Mel sighed. "Not so loud," she whispered as if it would do any good. Hangovers are the worst.

~~~~~~~

When the three miscreants returned to the Turner's home, they were kindly given a bed to sleep. All three gratefully climbed in while Ben smirked and watched them.

"Told ya' not to. Jack refused to get you till morning. Said a night in jail wouldn't hurt. Better than the brigs," said Ben to no one in particular. And no one really cared, all sleeping soundly almost as soon as the had lay down.

They woke up later and wandered towards the parlor where they could hear a angry conversation taking place. Of course, they didn't go in. Instead, they eavesdropped.

"That Commodore took it, your quite sure?" asked Jack.

"Absolutely," replied Elizabeth.

"And we don't know why, so don't even ask," said Will exasperated.

"Well, he's leaving today, maybe it is for the island," mused Jack.

"Norrington, that bloody git? Never," assured Elizabeth.

"Well, we have to stop him. So we board his ship before he leaves, take back the thing, and sail off, savvy?"

"Jack, We've gotten too old to be rushing off and pirating."

"Well, I can't very well do it alone," he said, disheartened.

"What about John, Crow, and Jules?"

"Four?" he asked.

"Well, we did it with two."

"And Ben would probably help, he's been wanting to get away," said Elizabeth. For a moment there was silence.

"Are you sure? He would become a fugitive," asked Will concerned.

"Well, maybe he'd learn something. And he's twenty now, he can make his own decisions."

"Alright then. It's settled." Jack pulled open the door and the three fell into the room and to the floor.

"Some real piratin'? Finally," said Jules, dusting herself off.

"Jack, there is no doubt they are yours," said Elizabeth and sighed.

"You almost say that like it's a bad thing, love," he replied and ushered the three out under an angry stare.

They left the house to prepare and met Ben walking in. Jack kept silent. Will and Elizabeth would handle it. As soon as the house had faded behind them, he spoke.

"I'm telling your mother," he said.

"Not Annamaria," groaned Crow.

"She'll kill us," added John.

"And I'm quite enjoying being alive," finished Jules.

"Then shape up. If it had been anyone else, you wouldn't be enjoying life right now. If you're going to go piratin', you better learn some rules like that, or else you'll end up with a slit throat or over board. Learn quick."

They were shocked by his tone of voice. So serious and concerned. This wasn't going to be a happy little family outing.

~~~~~~~

"Melanie, are you ready?" Norrington began drumming his fingers anxiously on the banister of the stairs. A muffled response came from upstairs, then a thud. Soon, his daughter appeared dragging a large trunk.

"I thought we weren't leaving 'til next week," she said.

"Change of plans. You have the compass?"

She sighed and pulled it out of the pocket of her blue dress. "Yes, right here. What's so important about it?"

"It keeps history from repeating," he said vaguely as he rushed her out the door.

His ship sat in the harbor, waiting. Their luggage was loaded on and the prepared to leave.

"How did you get it ready so fast?" asked Mel.

"Money, dear. Amazing thing."

"Where are we going?"

He paused for a minute. "Italy."*???*

Unbeknownst to them, the small pirate party was already heading towards the dock. Yes, money was amazing. It could get a ship filled aster or tell when that ship was leaving. Especially if you knew who to ask.