Authors' Notes (Part Deux): We've decided to include each author's individual comments addressing the story thus far and some of the more interesting reviews. ^_^
*from LeviDragon:* Thank you to all for your encouragement. Although I am a huge fan of slash, we aren't leaning too heavily on it. I hope this fic can still appeal to those who don't like the idea of a Jack/Will pairing. To those who do, I hope the implications are enough to hold you until Sai-chan and I finish the "Alternative Bed Scene" (which corresponds to this chapter). Sounds interesting? Oh just you wait!
*from Indigo Pear:* I would like to say that the "Drunk? Never! Slightly Intoxicated? ALways!" is all the creation of Miss Barn. Clever the wench is. Whackjob wombat~ you need only marry the Barn, with whom the wittiness truly lies...and have Sai-chan as your mistress.
*from Sai-chan:* Isis!!! I 3 all of your work and feel honored that you review our fic! ^__^ Gabriel Crow~ Bonfires are so fun and of course we'll read your fanfic ^^ Wombat~Yes, you should marry the Barn but I want to be your mistress!
*from the Barn:* First of all, I'd like to say that I'm overwhelmed by the response to the "slightly intoxicated" line. It's been amazing. Wicked Lady- you *may* be so bold, and hopefully you won't be disappointed. I really think that we'll cover all bases and pairings, possibly including Jack/Rum, Jack/Hat, etc... Okay, maybe not, but this fic is sure to be a fun ride. God bless the rum! MonkFan- permission granted. And don't die just yet. Rayemars- "Dishabille" is an absolute must in one's vocabulary! ^_^ WhackJobWombat- Sorry, S&M bondage isn't really my thing, but my three co-authors seem to like it. But marriage proposals are grand things, eh?
*from All of Us:* Thanks to every single reviewer for your kind words and encouragement. This has been fun to make, and hopefully we'll be keeping you laughing. Enjoy Of Blinking, Blushing, and Rum: Part Deux!
~*~*~*~ Chapter 2 ~*~*~*~
Jack jumped up and clapped Will on the back. "C'mon mate, what do ya say? Can't you feel the call of the sea, the pull of the salty water in your very soul? Besides, I need to get my ship back before Anamaria fills it with more holes. Don't need to come into harbor atop the mast of another boat, do I?"
Will indeed felt a pull, but it was not as Jack had said. The captain's rowdy slap had illicited a strong reaction further south if one knew his geography. The young blacksmith gulped and forced himself to fill his mind with thoughts that would throw him off the path his thoughts were currently following. Images of the governor flashed through his mind, cooling his veins and making him cringe slightly. Following the old man were mental pictures of dusty scrolls and maps...treasure maps... Will blinked and looked up at Jack with a new light in his eyes. He did feel the pull. The correct pull this time, and he agreed that he was indeed restless. He wanted adventure.
The man grinned confidently and tilted his head to one side. "No we certainly would not want that, would we? Alright. I'll go." He paused, suddenly remembering the presence of his lady. "I...Besides!" He amended. "I would not wish for Elizabeth to run off, gallivanting around the world with you alone!"
"It's settled then!" declared Elizabeth. "I'll have a boat ready and waiting for us in two days. That gives us time to pack and make adequate preparations, I think."
"Preparations?" inquired Jack. "Who needs 'em? I say we leave now!" And with that, he moved toward the door, hips swaying enticingly.
"Hold on a moment, Jack!" laughed Elizabeth. "Where will you be sleeping tonight? I really don't think I can allow you to spend another night on the dock!"
"Oh no, luv, don't go to any bother. I'm sure Will here won't mind if I sleep with him tonight, will you Will?"
"What?" squeaked Will, not daring to believe his ears.
"I asked if you'd mind if I bunked at your place tonight!" Jack repeated a bit louder.
"Oh... sleep, bed... right. Of course, that won't be a problem."
And so the two of them bade Elizabeth goodnight and set off for Will's small but relatively comfortable home.
~*~*~*~
When they arrived there, Jack looked around appreciatively. "Nice hovel you've got here," he commented.
"Er...thank you, Jack," replied Will uncertainly.
Indeed, it was extremely small. In fact, there were only two rooms - a kitchen and a bedroom. While the kitchen was furnished with a stove, a table and chairs, and several pieces of blacksmith's equipment, the bedroom had only a plain bed, a small dresser, and an old sofa.
By this time, Jack was staggering so much that Will was practically holding him up. "You can have the bed, and I'll sleep on the sofa, if you'd like," offered Will, helping Jack over to the bed.
"This bed?" asked Jack, blinking at it.
"Yes. That bed," replied Will. "Oh good." Without another word, Jack fell into the bed, asleep before his head hit the pillow.
Actually, his head never hit the pillow at all. Instead, it settled for smashing down on Will's chest as Will was, most unfortunately, pinned directly underneath the sleeping pirate.
"...or we could just share the bed...."
Ten minutes later, however, it dawned on Will that he wasn't exactly comfortable. 170 pounds of deadweight lying on top of one's body tends to cut off circulation. He prodded Jack's shoulder, which only made the pirate mutter... piratey things under his rum-riddled breath. After a few more minutes, Will finally decided just to shove the good captain over onto the woolen pillow. It went surprisingly well for the slighter man, and he had just moved to get off the bed when he felt something clamp firmly onto his wrist.
Will looked back and saw Jack gazing blearily at him. "Where's the rum, mate? It's not gone, is it?" A half-look of horror crossed the sleepy captain's tanned face at that possibility.
"No, Jack, it's just in the other room. I'll leave some for you here," Will motioned toward the dresser.
"Bless you, lad, bless you." With that, Captain Jack Sparrow slept straight on 'til after noon.
~*~*~*~
The next evening, as Jack was just waking, Will was getting in early from the blacksmith's. Jack looked around him, momentarily unsure of where he was. He mumbled a few unintelligible things and turned wide half-conscious eyes towards Will.
"Jack, you must get up and make yourself presentable for Elizabeth and her father this evening." Will said as he proceeded to undress himself.
A look of comprehension finally appeared on the good captain's face. He stumbled out of the bed and grabbed for the liquor on the dresser top, took a big swig and declared with renewed energy, "Alright, lad, let's be off."
Will had to grab the pirate before he got all the way out the door. "Wait a moment. I need to wash up."
Jack raised one eyebrow, stood in contemplation, walked over to the bed and plopped down ready to watch. Will filled a basin with water and proceeded to scrub his hands and face. Jack's curious expression drooped and he took another large gulp of rum. "I really think you should clean up a bit, Jack. You're really starting to smell vulgar."
Jack chuckled as he rocked back languidly on the bed, before leaning forward and resting one elbow on his knee. He took an experimental sniff at his clothes and chuckled again. "Oh no, young William. 'Tis the sea you smell. The sea and adventure! Ne'er a sweeter smell there was!"
Will scoffed, not believing the pirate's drunken babble for a minute. He eyed the basin he had just used as a grin spread across his lips. "Whatever it is, it just will not do."
Jack snorted at that. Wouldn't do? Whatever Captain Jack Sparrow said would most certainly "do!" He narrowed his 'slightly intoxicated' gaze at Will's back.
"What do ya mean, boy? I don't wash until *I* feel it, savvy?"
Will's grin widened, if possible, as he lifted the heavy bowl in his calloused hands and turned to look at Jack.
"Really. Well, alright then. I understand."
The pirate's eyes shifted from the basin to the boy's face as his expression darkened with mild suspicion. "Right. Good then, that we understand each other. But why are ya holdin' that bloody bo-"
His question was cut off, however, because at the moment, Will lifted the bowl higher, turned it over and dumped its contents onto Jack's head. The pirate jumped up, furious at the boy's actions and started toward him, swaying slightly. Will backed up, dropping the basin and grabbing a clean shirt from the dresser.
"Oh come off it, Jack. You have all day to dry. At least now, you don't smell like a dog." With a jovial laugh, Will turned and strode out of the bedroom, pulling on his shirt as he did so. The soaking pirate followed him into the other room.
"A dog! Of all the-- Mate, if we were on Tortuga, I'd ring your bloody neck for that!"
"Not if I bought you a drink first!" came the reply.
Jack was rather inclined to acquiesce to the validity of that statement; he grinned and deftly caught his tricorner hat as Will tossed it his way.
~*~*~*~
Once again, Captain Jack Sparrow took his time meandering in the general direction of the governor's mansion.
"Er...what exactly are we doing here, Will?" Jack inquired.
"Celebrating the fact that Elizabeth's father is dedicating the new ship to her," Will reminded him.
"Oh. Why are we wasting time celebrating? We could do that by being *on* the boat, eh?"
"Because, Jack, this is high society, and we have to have the celebratory dinner before we can do anything else," explained Will.
"High society, eh? Never liked it, myself. In fact, I do my best to stay away from it. But if this'll get us onto the ship, then let's get it over with quick, savvy?"
"Alright, Jack, whatever you say," Will grinned and knocked on the door. When answered, the pudgy doorman from the day before once again confronted the young blacksmith and his wayward pirate friend.
"Harry!" Jack cried. "It is Harry, right? Good to see you, old man! Why look so glum? There's nothing a good bottla' rum won' fix, eh?" With that, Captain Jack Sparrow, pirate extraordinaire, threw an arm around Harold the doorman and went in search of the liquor cabinet.
Will, meanwhile, stood tentatively on the doorstep before letting himself in. He headed toward the parlour and was relieved to find Elizabeth sitting inside.
"Will Turner!" she exclaimed, jumping up to embrace him. "I'd almost thought you'd abandoned me... (and our plans)." This last part was said sotto voce. Will looked a bit perplexed before realizing that they were not alone in the room. Commodore Norrington was standing near the window, surveying the seaside.
Will clasped Elizabeth's hands in his and met her eyes. "No, Elizabeth, I would never abandon you," he whispered softly. Then, in a regular voice, he said, "Sorry to be late. The captain *never* rushes, unless there's rum at stake."
~*~*~*~
The dinner passed with almost no incident. Jack had had a bit of a row with the Commodore, who felt that the pardon given Jack by the governor was not the best decision. One couldn't blame him for this conclusion; when Jack began approaching the stage that one might dare to call "drunk," he started telling vividly of his past, making wild motions in the air to emphasize his statements. It didn't help every other slurred comment coming from his mouth was derogatory to first the English Navy, then the commodore's fleet, and then the man himself.
Other than that, the supper's events were fairly dull.
Will and Elizabeth tore Jack away from the seething Commodore and into the street. "I could have taken the bloody bastard in a duel any day! I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!" the Captain cried, swinging purposefully to put more weight on the beautiful Elizabeth. She stumbled and let go.
"Elizabeth, I've got him from here. You go on home."
She huffed hands on her hips, "You've no right to tell me what to do, William Turner. I can handle that drunken knave! We have been through the same adventures..." She continued on in this stream until Will pacified her enough to coax her back in the house.
"GOodnight, my love." he whispered when she was gone. Will pulled Jack harshly forward before he could suggest anything crude about his sweetheart.
The way home was much more interesting than the party itself. The captain felt the 'urge a man can't deny himself' at every street corner. Particularly with that one wench with enormous amounts of cleavage.
Fortunately Will finally got the rum-punched pirate back to 'the hovel.' This time the captain didn't make it all the way to the bed. His swaggering hips gave out just inside the door. And Will, feeling the need for his own bed, shrugged his shoulders and left the unconscious Sparrow snoring on the ground.
*from LeviDragon:* Thank you to all for your encouragement. Although I am a huge fan of slash, we aren't leaning too heavily on it. I hope this fic can still appeal to those who don't like the idea of a Jack/Will pairing. To those who do, I hope the implications are enough to hold you until Sai-chan and I finish the "Alternative Bed Scene" (which corresponds to this chapter). Sounds interesting? Oh just you wait!
*from Indigo Pear:* I would like to say that the "Drunk? Never! Slightly Intoxicated? ALways!" is all the creation of Miss Barn. Clever the wench is. Whackjob wombat~ you need only marry the Barn, with whom the wittiness truly lies...and have Sai-chan as your mistress.
*from Sai-chan:* Isis!!! I 3 all of your work and feel honored that you review our fic! ^__^ Gabriel Crow~ Bonfires are so fun and of course we'll read your fanfic ^^ Wombat~Yes, you should marry the Barn but I want to be your mistress!
*from the Barn:* First of all, I'd like to say that I'm overwhelmed by the response to the "slightly intoxicated" line. It's been amazing. Wicked Lady- you *may* be so bold, and hopefully you won't be disappointed. I really think that we'll cover all bases and pairings, possibly including Jack/Rum, Jack/Hat, etc... Okay, maybe not, but this fic is sure to be a fun ride. God bless the rum! MonkFan- permission granted. And don't die just yet. Rayemars- "Dishabille" is an absolute must in one's vocabulary! ^_^ WhackJobWombat- Sorry, S&M bondage isn't really my thing, but my three co-authors seem to like it. But marriage proposals are grand things, eh?
*from All of Us:* Thanks to every single reviewer for your kind words and encouragement. This has been fun to make, and hopefully we'll be keeping you laughing. Enjoy Of Blinking, Blushing, and Rum: Part Deux!
~*~*~*~ Chapter 2 ~*~*~*~
Jack jumped up and clapped Will on the back. "C'mon mate, what do ya say? Can't you feel the call of the sea, the pull of the salty water in your very soul? Besides, I need to get my ship back before Anamaria fills it with more holes. Don't need to come into harbor atop the mast of another boat, do I?"
Will indeed felt a pull, but it was not as Jack had said. The captain's rowdy slap had illicited a strong reaction further south if one knew his geography. The young blacksmith gulped and forced himself to fill his mind with thoughts that would throw him off the path his thoughts were currently following. Images of the governor flashed through his mind, cooling his veins and making him cringe slightly. Following the old man were mental pictures of dusty scrolls and maps...treasure maps... Will blinked and looked up at Jack with a new light in his eyes. He did feel the pull. The correct pull this time, and he agreed that he was indeed restless. He wanted adventure.
The man grinned confidently and tilted his head to one side. "No we certainly would not want that, would we? Alright. I'll go." He paused, suddenly remembering the presence of his lady. "I...Besides!" He amended. "I would not wish for Elizabeth to run off, gallivanting around the world with you alone!"
"It's settled then!" declared Elizabeth. "I'll have a boat ready and waiting for us in two days. That gives us time to pack and make adequate preparations, I think."
"Preparations?" inquired Jack. "Who needs 'em? I say we leave now!" And with that, he moved toward the door, hips swaying enticingly.
"Hold on a moment, Jack!" laughed Elizabeth. "Where will you be sleeping tonight? I really don't think I can allow you to spend another night on the dock!"
"Oh no, luv, don't go to any bother. I'm sure Will here won't mind if I sleep with him tonight, will you Will?"
"What?" squeaked Will, not daring to believe his ears.
"I asked if you'd mind if I bunked at your place tonight!" Jack repeated a bit louder.
"Oh... sleep, bed... right. Of course, that won't be a problem."
And so the two of them bade Elizabeth goodnight and set off for Will's small but relatively comfortable home.
~*~*~*~
When they arrived there, Jack looked around appreciatively. "Nice hovel you've got here," he commented.
"Er...thank you, Jack," replied Will uncertainly.
Indeed, it was extremely small. In fact, there were only two rooms - a kitchen and a bedroom. While the kitchen was furnished with a stove, a table and chairs, and several pieces of blacksmith's equipment, the bedroom had only a plain bed, a small dresser, and an old sofa.
By this time, Jack was staggering so much that Will was practically holding him up. "You can have the bed, and I'll sleep on the sofa, if you'd like," offered Will, helping Jack over to the bed.
"This bed?" asked Jack, blinking at it.
"Yes. That bed," replied Will. "Oh good." Without another word, Jack fell into the bed, asleep before his head hit the pillow.
Actually, his head never hit the pillow at all. Instead, it settled for smashing down on Will's chest as Will was, most unfortunately, pinned directly underneath the sleeping pirate.
"...or we could just share the bed...."
Ten minutes later, however, it dawned on Will that he wasn't exactly comfortable. 170 pounds of deadweight lying on top of one's body tends to cut off circulation. He prodded Jack's shoulder, which only made the pirate mutter... piratey things under his rum-riddled breath. After a few more minutes, Will finally decided just to shove the good captain over onto the woolen pillow. It went surprisingly well for the slighter man, and he had just moved to get off the bed when he felt something clamp firmly onto his wrist.
Will looked back and saw Jack gazing blearily at him. "Where's the rum, mate? It's not gone, is it?" A half-look of horror crossed the sleepy captain's tanned face at that possibility.
"No, Jack, it's just in the other room. I'll leave some for you here," Will motioned toward the dresser.
"Bless you, lad, bless you." With that, Captain Jack Sparrow slept straight on 'til after noon.
~*~*~*~
The next evening, as Jack was just waking, Will was getting in early from the blacksmith's. Jack looked around him, momentarily unsure of where he was. He mumbled a few unintelligible things and turned wide half-conscious eyes towards Will.
"Jack, you must get up and make yourself presentable for Elizabeth and her father this evening." Will said as he proceeded to undress himself.
A look of comprehension finally appeared on the good captain's face. He stumbled out of the bed and grabbed for the liquor on the dresser top, took a big swig and declared with renewed energy, "Alright, lad, let's be off."
Will had to grab the pirate before he got all the way out the door. "Wait a moment. I need to wash up."
Jack raised one eyebrow, stood in contemplation, walked over to the bed and plopped down ready to watch. Will filled a basin with water and proceeded to scrub his hands and face. Jack's curious expression drooped and he took another large gulp of rum. "I really think you should clean up a bit, Jack. You're really starting to smell vulgar."
Jack chuckled as he rocked back languidly on the bed, before leaning forward and resting one elbow on his knee. He took an experimental sniff at his clothes and chuckled again. "Oh no, young William. 'Tis the sea you smell. The sea and adventure! Ne'er a sweeter smell there was!"
Will scoffed, not believing the pirate's drunken babble for a minute. He eyed the basin he had just used as a grin spread across his lips. "Whatever it is, it just will not do."
Jack snorted at that. Wouldn't do? Whatever Captain Jack Sparrow said would most certainly "do!" He narrowed his 'slightly intoxicated' gaze at Will's back.
"What do ya mean, boy? I don't wash until *I* feel it, savvy?"
Will's grin widened, if possible, as he lifted the heavy bowl in his calloused hands and turned to look at Jack.
"Really. Well, alright then. I understand."
The pirate's eyes shifted from the basin to the boy's face as his expression darkened with mild suspicion. "Right. Good then, that we understand each other. But why are ya holdin' that bloody bo-"
His question was cut off, however, because at the moment, Will lifted the bowl higher, turned it over and dumped its contents onto Jack's head. The pirate jumped up, furious at the boy's actions and started toward him, swaying slightly. Will backed up, dropping the basin and grabbing a clean shirt from the dresser.
"Oh come off it, Jack. You have all day to dry. At least now, you don't smell like a dog." With a jovial laugh, Will turned and strode out of the bedroom, pulling on his shirt as he did so. The soaking pirate followed him into the other room.
"A dog! Of all the-- Mate, if we were on Tortuga, I'd ring your bloody neck for that!"
"Not if I bought you a drink first!" came the reply.
Jack was rather inclined to acquiesce to the validity of that statement; he grinned and deftly caught his tricorner hat as Will tossed it his way.
~*~*~*~
Once again, Captain Jack Sparrow took his time meandering in the general direction of the governor's mansion.
"Er...what exactly are we doing here, Will?" Jack inquired.
"Celebrating the fact that Elizabeth's father is dedicating the new ship to her," Will reminded him.
"Oh. Why are we wasting time celebrating? We could do that by being *on* the boat, eh?"
"Because, Jack, this is high society, and we have to have the celebratory dinner before we can do anything else," explained Will.
"High society, eh? Never liked it, myself. In fact, I do my best to stay away from it. But if this'll get us onto the ship, then let's get it over with quick, savvy?"
"Alright, Jack, whatever you say," Will grinned and knocked on the door. When answered, the pudgy doorman from the day before once again confronted the young blacksmith and his wayward pirate friend.
"Harry!" Jack cried. "It is Harry, right? Good to see you, old man! Why look so glum? There's nothing a good bottla' rum won' fix, eh?" With that, Captain Jack Sparrow, pirate extraordinaire, threw an arm around Harold the doorman and went in search of the liquor cabinet.
Will, meanwhile, stood tentatively on the doorstep before letting himself in. He headed toward the parlour and was relieved to find Elizabeth sitting inside.
"Will Turner!" she exclaimed, jumping up to embrace him. "I'd almost thought you'd abandoned me... (and our plans)." This last part was said sotto voce. Will looked a bit perplexed before realizing that they were not alone in the room. Commodore Norrington was standing near the window, surveying the seaside.
Will clasped Elizabeth's hands in his and met her eyes. "No, Elizabeth, I would never abandon you," he whispered softly. Then, in a regular voice, he said, "Sorry to be late. The captain *never* rushes, unless there's rum at stake."
~*~*~*~
The dinner passed with almost no incident. Jack had had a bit of a row with the Commodore, who felt that the pardon given Jack by the governor was not the best decision. One couldn't blame him for this conclusion; when Jack began approaching the stage that one might dare to call "drunk," he started telling vividly of his past, making wild motions in the air to emphasize his statements. It didn't help every other slurred comment coming from his mouth was derogatory to first the English Navy, then the commodore's fleet, and then the man himself.
Other than that, the supper's events were fairly dull.
Will and Elizabeth tore Jack away from the seething Commodore and into the street. "I could have taken the bloody bastard in a duel any day! I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!" the Captain cried, swinging purposefully to put more weight on the beautiful Elizabeth. She stumbled and let go.
"Elizabeth, I've got him from here. You go on home."
She huffed hands on her hips, "You've no right to tell me what to do, William Turner. I can handle that drunken knave! We have been through the same adventures..." She continued on in this stream until Will pacified her enough to coax her back in the house.
"GOodnight, my love." he whispered when she was gone. Will pulled Jack harshly forward before he could suggest anything crude about his sweetheart.
The way home was much more interesting than the party itself. The captain felt the 'urge a man can't deny himself' at every street corner. Particularly with that one wench with enormous amounts of cleavage.
Fortunately Will finally got the rum-punched pirate back to 'the hovel.' This time the captain didn't make it all the way to the bed. His swaggering hips gave out just inside the door. And Will, feeling the need for his own bed, shrugged his shoulders and left the unconscious Sparrow snoring on the ground.