Ch.4

Captain Jack dropped onto the hot sand and closed his eyes, enjoying the warm sun on his face. It was a lovely day. His siesta was interrupted by an impatient grunt from Ana Maria.

He squinted up at her. "What is it now, darlin'? We're in no hurry!"

Ana Maria said nothing, and pointed to where the Black Pearl was anchored in the harbor. Compared to the other ships in the harbor, she was like a mongrel amongst a pack of fine hunting hounds. And she was beginning to look rather lopsided.

"Savvy?" asked Ana Maria.

"Savvy." Jack mumbled, with a wounded look, and held out a hand so she could haul him to his feet.

He had only been up for several seconds at the most, when he was bowled over by a tall, moving object.

"Jack!! Jack Sparrow!" cried out Will Turner, as he fiercely pounded the stunned pirate on the back.

Elizabeth had come also, and when Will released Jack from the bear hug, she approached the two, smiling. Jack stood for a moment, looking a bit startled, slowly taking in all of these new developments.

Nobody had ever seemed this happy to see him. He considered this.

Most people either attacked him, ran from him, tried to abandon him, or slapped him.

Someone really cared for him. This made him feel really, actually happy. He was rather embarrassed at his generous feelings.

Suddenly he realized that he had been standing for several minutes considering his new friends, and that Will, Elizabeth, and Ana were all staring at him oddly.

Regaining his wits, he smiled roguishly at Will and Elizabeth. "It's CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow, lad."

Will laughed as Jack reminded him of his official title. "Its good to see you, Captain Jack!" He turned to Ana. "And you too, Ana Maria!" Suddenly, a concerned look passed over his eyes. "Where is the rest of your crew?" He eyed Jack suspiciously. "You've kept them all well, haven't you?"

Jack pretended to take offense at this, and then smiled devilishly. "How do you define 'well' , Mr. Turner?"

Will and Elizabeth looked worried.

Ana glared at Jack. "Don't worry, they're all still with us. They're on the boat, working repairs." She looked at Will, smiling "Oh, and it's 'FIRST MATE Ana Maria' ".

At this comment, Jack sidled up to Will and whispered to him loudly. "Don't mind her sarcasm. The lass is just a bit put out, because she didn't get to see me with me trousers off."

Will's eyes got wide, Ana gaped, and Elizabeth emitted a very un-ladylike snort of laughter.

Jack looked at Elizabeth. "Fish in your throat, eh love?", then he smiled and winked at Ana Maria, content that he had gotten revenge for the pelican incident.

Will's face turned a bit red, and he spoke before Ana Maria had a chance to reply to Jack's statement, or use physical violence against him, either one. 'Well then, would you like to come up to my shop? I'm sure you have business, but the forge is right in town, you wouldn't have to stay for long."

"That would be lovely!" said Jack. "Shall we, then?" He offered his arm to a fuming Ana Maria, and motioned to the dirt road leading up from the docks to the main town of Port Royal.

"Of course!" said Will loudly "Follow me!"

They started up the hill, Elizabeth taking Will's arm, Jack and Ana Maria following them. On a whim, Ana stuck out her foot in Jack's path, causing him to trip, and his hat to fly forward. He tried to scramble to his feet, but before he could do so Ana had run over and yanked his trousers down. He let out a yell.

Will and Elizabeth turned in time to see Ana running up to them, Jack chasing her, yelling, with his trousers at his feet. Will turned red, Elizabeth gasped, and then they both started laughing.

When Ana reached them, she shook her head. "I can't believe he would do that in town! I wish he would realize I'm just not that kind of girl." Then she turned and grinned at Jack, who was busy yanking up his trousers. Poor Jack. He just couldn't win. ~~~~~~~~~

When they reached the forge, Will lead them inside. He took them from to a small area away from the tools and bellows. It was a warm, softly lit area where Will usually ate his dinner or rested. Nearby sat a large collection of swords. Will laughed when he saw Jack looking at them, remembering their first meeting.

"Not getting any ideas, are we, Captain Jack?"

Jack grinned in reply, pulled out a chair from a small table that at nearby, and plopped himself down. Ana Maria and Elizabeth settled themselves next to him. Elizabeth looked expectantly at Will, a small smile on her face. "Will, dear, aren't you going to offer our guests something to eat?" She smiled at him.

Jack smiled too. "Yes, Will, bring us something to eat!"

Will raised an eyebrow at both of them, and began digging around in his cupboards for food.

Elizabeth turned to Jack. "I'm guessing from your presence here that you received our invitation?"

"I did indeed. Very quickly, in fact. Eager, are we?" Jack replied, with a very significant wink. Ana Maria rolled her eyes.

Elizabeth smiled at Ana and continued, ignoring Jack's suggestive comment.

"I'm glad you could make it on time. I must say, Will and I weren't sure that you would. After you returned to the Pearl, we didn't expect to see you for quite a while. A fast ship and an entire ocean gives you quite a bit of freedom, after all." She smiled mischievously.

He chuckled. "Aye, that it does. But as it turns out, some well-aimed cannon balls and an extended family of wood worms have inhibited that freedom a bit."

Will returned to the table, carrying the bounty of the cupboard. He placed it on the table. "So the Pearl isn't in good shape?"

Jack looked at him, and eyed the plate of food. "Aye. It was the curse that made her stay afloat and that made her swift. She's still an excellent boat without it. Just a bit roughed up." He sighed at the thought of his beloved Pearl. Ana Maria noticed his melancholy look, and felt sorry for him. He was really very endearing when he was sad.

Jack perked up noticeably when the food reached the table, and his ring- covered hand was soon hovering over the random arrangement of biscuits and fruit that Will offered him. He chose carefully, and began eating. Then he had a second thought, and returning to the plate, he picked up a papaya and handed it to Ana. "You like these, don't you love?" He asked.

She nodded and took the fruit, rather touched, as they were her favorite. She pulled out a knife from her sash and began cutting the fruit away from the seeds.

Will took a biscuit, munching on it and thinking. "All the best craftsmen in this port make shop right here alongside the forge. I'm sure you can find someone to purchase timber and tar from." Jack nodded. "Aye...I'm sure you're right lad." He had an evil gleam in his eye.

Will looked at him suspiciously. "I know that look, Jack. You're not planning on buying that timber, are you?"

Jack tried to look hurt. "Now whatever would make you think that, lad? I'm a free man now, newly pardoned by Governor Swann, and I plan on abiding strictly to the law."

Will didn't look convinced. "Just be careful, Jack."

Jack smiled at him. "You forget, lad, that I'm Captain Jack Sparrow... Savvy?"

"What exactly does 'savvy' mean, Mr. Sparrow?" asked Elizabeth, before anyone could give him a "savvy." in return.

Jack looked disgruntled. Elizabeth smiled, and Ana laughed, something she rarely did. Jack forgot his disappointment and listened.

It was about this time that they noticed a small, dirty boy standing in the doorway, staring at their plate of food. Swarms of children often frequented the dock of Port Royal, knowing that adventures were to be had there. This one had obviously been separated from his herd.

When he noticed them looking, he made to leave. Jack stood up quickly. "You there, boy, would you know where the timber yard on this island is?

The boy stopped, and nodded. He was a bit intimidated by the tall pirate. "jus down the street a bit, sir."

"Would you show me?"

The boy looked at the plate again. Jack grabbed it, walked over to the boy, and knelt down. He offered some food to the child, who was staring wide- eyed at Jack's sash, which bristled with various swords, daggers, and pistols. Jack turned and spoke. "Come on then, Ana, I've found us a guide." The boy moved his gaze from the pistols to Ana.

She smiled at the two pairs of eyes watching her expectantly.

She rose, and turned to Will and Elizabeth. "Thank you" she offered. "For welcoming us here"

They smiled. "Of course." said Elizabeth. "You'll stay in Port Royal for a while, won't you?"

"We'll stay until the Pearl is seaworthy again." replied Ana.

"Or until I get us into trouble." Jack grinned. He started out the door with the boy, who was now busy stuffing his face. Ana made to follow him. Elizabeth stopped her. "You'll be coming to the wedding with Jack, right?" she asked.

"I'll be keeping him in check, yes." replied Ana, raising her eyebrows at Jack, who gave her an innocent look.

"Oh, wonderful. You could come by earlier that day, if you like. The maids could do your hair, and I have a closet full of dresses.." There were hardly any young women on the island of Elizabeth's age, and she was eager to have company besides her father's friends, boorish, old men whom she never talked to because of their preoccupation with her bust.

"Oh, I have a dress.." replied Ana, thinking of the trunks full of beautiful dresses they had taken from the stash of treasure left by the cursed pirates. But noticing Elizabeth's disappointed look, she held up a piece of her hair "I could use some help with this, though, and I don't think any of the boys on the ship have much experience."

Elizabeth smiled and nodded.

Jack tapped one of his large boots impatiently. Ana walked over to them, and they headed out the door. Jack stopped to salute Will, and wink at Elizabeth. They laughed and bid him goodbye.

As they headed down the street, their small leader looked up at Jack. "Are you a pirate?" He asked Jack suspiciously.

"Yes." replied Jack.

The boy considered this. "You're the funniest pirate I've ever seen."

Ana laughed, Jack smiled. They continued down the street.