Are You *Sure* This is What We're Looking For?

By: The Megs

Chapter 4: Of a Mistaken Identity and the Afterparty

Disclaimer: Disney has recently signed over possession of all PotC characters to me. However, when I called to confirm said agreement earlier today, they said they didn't know what I was talking about and that I must have dreamed it.

AN: Umm. any corruption I wreak upon the young masses. I take all credit for. Thankyouverymuch but I'm quite proud of my corruptingness. See? I'm even corrupting them with bad grammar.

AN2: And finally, what you've all been waiting for! (or have been dreading.) The slashiness!!

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Back on board the Pearl, Jack said nothing. Hell, he didn't know *what* to say, or how he would phrase it even if he had the vaguest idea. He just didn't understand what on earth would possess the boy to lie to him. Especially about such a trivial matter, it just didn't add up for the pirate.

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Days later, the ship was almost within sight of its intended place of interception, where they would be meeting the target they were going to "have business with" as Jack so lovingly sugar-coated it. Will said they were going to attack. Anamaria said they were going to "make new friends". Everyone had their own term, but the outcome would be the same no matter whose was used: One group would end up much richer, and the other would be left with nothing.

Jack was at the wheel, as was his place to be, Anamaria was at his side, always the faithful one, and Will was up in the crow's nest with a telescope, attempting to spot the other ship. Soon enough he could be seen collapsing the telescope and swinging his way down, scurrying over to his captain, nay, his friend.

"We're nearing a ship, but it can't possibly be the right one!"

"And jest why is that, dear William?" the captain replied easily.

"Because, it's another pirate ship, not a merchant vessel.."

"And who, pray tell, said our mark was to be a merchant vessel?" he asked with a grin.

"You can't seriously be thinking of attacking another pirate ship! Can you?" Will questioned, and incredulous look on his face.

"Why not? Seems like fun don't you think?"

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"I WANT THOSE MONGRELS INCAPACITATED WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES MEN! GET TO IT YOU DOGS!"

Truly it was an order that couldn't be carried out, but it gave the crew vigor and incentive, and men could be seen swinging through the air over the small gap that separated the two ships. Captain Jack Sparrow himself had given the order, and was taking part in it as well, having turned the wheel over to (a very unwilling) Gibbs, who would rather have participated in the battle himself. He did, however, get to fire some of the first few cannon blasts that were discharged to stun their enemies just long enough to board.

Jack personally sought out the captain of the opposing ship, to duel with him until death (or until they had what they wanted, at which time Jack would smile and say "Ta!"). Will was kept busy searching the ship for the treasure they so valiantly sought, and dodging random sharp object, arms, legs, and blunt airborne items. Anamaria (though unseen to Will) followed unobtrusively behind, fending off any would-be attackers that may have slipped past the blacksmith's keen abilities. Actually, Jack had told her "You let anything happen to him and I'll have your head on a platter, if you catch my drift love." True, he wouldn't do that, but that didn't mean she wasn't a little worried about what he *would* do.

"You come attack my ship and expect me to lose to you in a duel? You're sadly mistaken, that's a fact! I'm known all over the world as one of the fiercest pirates to ever set foot on a ship!"

"That's a fact is it sir? Funny, I don't recognize you at all!"

Parry, parry, thrust, thrust, spin, parry..

"Well it's a sad day for you to be sure! I once fought an entire crew that was damned, and took on their captain who was said to be so evil that hell spat him out! Lad, I'll have you know that I'm the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow!!"

"Oh. dammitall!! If you don't mind, I have to go speak with me crew. They all seem to think *I'm* Captain Jack Sparrow."

The rival captain paled noticeably, his complexion taking on an almost porcelain hue. Even his sword seemed to tremble slightly in his hand, and any attempts to pass it off were failing miserably.

"Y.. you're not. I mean, you *can't* be, but I 'spose you could.. or rather- "

"Shut yer mouth you yellow-bellied scoundrel, what kind of sorry excuse for a captain are you?"

Jack wasn't able to go any further into his chastisement, as at that moment Will and Anamaria showed up just behind him with a sizable chest and an easily discernible clearing of a throat.

"I know ye're havin' yer fun now Cap'n, but Will and I think playtime's jest about over, and we should be headin' home now." Anamaria smiled, almost wickedly, in the other captain's direction. He looked positively terrified.

Jack cupped his hands around his mouth and loudly informed his crew of the decision to return. He then turned back to the other captain, and told him in what sounded like a truly apologetic voice how sorry he was that he didn't have time to get the autograph of the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. Just before swinging back over to his own beloved Pearl, he picked out some random crew member to tell how he should "see to the deck near your cap'n, as it may be jest a tad less than dry now."

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The Black Pearl was long gone away from the site of the earlier battle, and her crew was sitting in a circle, expectantly waiting for their captain to open the chest and reveal their prize. With a flourish he did just that, and the crew cheered when all laid eyes on the gold before them. Later, nobody would quite remember who started passing around the drinks, but everyone would remember that they got passed around, and that it was a joyful night of celebrating. Another thing that nobody would remember later was just exactly when their captain slipped off, but indeed he did, and he wasn't alone for long.

"That wasn't a bad raid." Will spoke quietly.

"Noh a'tall." Replied the somewhat inebriated captain.

"But it wasn't the best. and it wasn't particularly difficult to get.."

"Wha're you drivin' at boy?"

"Why did you come to Port Royal to request my assistance on a raid you could have easily handled yourself?"

Jack's eyes gleamed with an intelligence that rarely bestowed itself on people, much less those of a drunk nature.

"Why did you lie to me about Elizabeth breaking off your engagement?"

Both men stared at eachother in silence for quite some time, as though they were searching for the answers to their individual questions in the other's eyes. Will was the first to speak, and though it wasn't much in the way of words, it was enough.

"Jack."

The always flamboyant, always intoxicated, always had something to say Jack Sparrow looked oddly sober, and said nothing while pulling the other into a firm hug. Will buried his face in the other man's shoulder and returned the embrace, which seemed as much of a promise as a consolation for guilts not yet spoken of.

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End Chapter Four.

One more chapter to go, I think.