Ch.5

Heading towards the beach, Jack and Ana Maria tried desperately to keep pace with their small guide, whose name was Tom. He darted in and out among the crowds, then cut into a small alleyway.

Jack chuckled as he started to jog after the youngster. "Quick little fellow, this one!"

Ana Maria nodded in agreement, and picked up her own pace a bit.

They stopped at abruptly at the end of the small street. In front of them lay a large shipyard. Ships in various stages of completion and repair were scattered around about it, surrounded by large piles of wood. Jack smiled at Tom.

"Thank you, lad, this is just what I was looking for." He knelt and handed the boy some silver coins. Tom gave him a little nod, grabbed the coins, and hurried off. Ana Maria pointed to a row of buildings along the edge of the shipyard. "I think that's where we need to go."

Jack nodded in agreement. "Right you are, love." Then he started walking away from the buildings, down to the beach.

Ana Maria ran in front of him, blocking his path. He continued, walking around her. She grabbed his shoulder, and gave him a yank so that he faced her. "Jack, what are you doing?? We need to go that way." She gestured to the building where they dealt with timber and other supplies for ships.

Jack looked at the building, nodded, smiled, and continued to walk towards the beach. Ana followed him angrily. She reached up and grabbed his beaded goatee, pulling his face down so he looked her directly in the eyes. "We need that timber, and you're going to go get it. NOW."

Jack raised his eyebrows, gently pried her hands from his beard, and spoke. "Of course, lass, but we need to fetch the crew, first!"

Now Ana was confused. "What do we need the boys for?"

Now Jack got a look of roguishness mixed with pride on his face. "You didn't think, love, that we were actually going to buy the wood for our ship, did you? We are pirates, after all. I've concocted a marvelous little plan involving ourselves and our crew, which will provide us with all the supplies we need at no cost to us!"

Ana glared at him. "Jack, you were just pardoned! You told Will you were going to abide by the law!"

"Yes, love." said Jack. "The pirate's law!"

Ana looked worried and irritated. "We're going to steal it, Jack? There's no way we could escape...the ship's not able...and what about the wedding?"

Jack shook his head, smiled at her "No worries, love. The plan covers it all."

Ana stared at him. "But-"

"The plan, love!"

"I'm aware of the plan-"

"You're not, though! Let me walk you to our boat, and I shall elaborate on my ingenious plot." He draped his arm around her shoulder, and began to lead her to the shore. Ana let him take her, though she wasn't entirely positive she trusted Jack and his "plan". ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the forge, Will and Elizabeth walked back into the shop after they had waved farewell to their visitors.

Will wandered over to one of the chairs and sat down. Elizabeth followed him, and plopped herself down on his lap. He smiled and put his arms around her.

"Well, that was fun. Same old Jack, eh?"

Elizabeth chuckled in agreement. "Yes, same old Jack. A charming, dashing, kind-hearted...."

Will narrowed his eyebrows at his fiancé.

She laughed when he saw the jealous look in his eyes. "You didn't let me finish! He's a charming, dashing, kind-hearted....absolute scoundrel. Did you see what he did to Ana Maria?? Running after her with his trousers down?"

Will smirked. "I'm not sure that incident was entirely Jack's doing. He respects Ana too much, even more than respects her, perhaps.."

Elizabeth stared at him. "Really? How do you know?"

Will looked at her oddly. "Didn't you see how he looked at her when she laughed? It's the same way I've looked at you for my entire life." He said the second part rather quietly, looking at the floor.

Elizabeth smiled, and drew up his face. When he was forced to look at her, he grinned, a bit seductively, and kissed her. They were still partaking in such romantic proceedings, when there was a loud knock at the door. Elizabeth jumped to her feet, straightened her hair, and walked to the door, opening it quickly.

A tall man in uniform stood at the doorstep. (It was not Commodore Norrington, much to Elizabeth's relief.) He had shrewd eyes, and a rather gaudy wig that looked something akin to a dead albino monkey. Although she didn't like to judge according to first impressions, Elizabeth was inclined to dislike him. Even so, she invited him in. Will rose to his feet and bowed.

"Welcome, sir. How can I help you?"

The man looked him up and down. "You must be William Turner. The carpenter down the street told me I would find you here." he turned to Elizabeth. "And this must be the lovely Miss Elizabeth Swann. I didn't expect to find you here, but this is all the better, as I was looking for both of you." He took Elizabeth's hand and raised it to his lips. She was slightly revolted.

Will tried not to reveal his own disgust. He walked over to Elizabeth, and took her hand protectively. "You're correct, I am William Turner, sir, and this is my fiancé, Miss Elizabeth Swann. May we have your name?"

"Admiral John Moore." replied the man, bowing. "I've come to see if you can provide me with some information concerning the pirate Jack Sparrow. Do you know him?"

Will responded to him in a defensive voice. "We are indeed acquainted with Jack Sparrow, sir. But I'm afraid "pirate" is his former status. He has just recently been pardoned by the governor of this island, and has become guiltless of any former crimes."

"Is that so?" asked Moore. "Well, regardless of status, I still must find Mr. Sparrow, concerning some rather urgent matters. Have you any ideas of his whereabouts?"

Will hesitated. He didn't know what to do. He had no idea who this man was or what his intentions towards Jack were. He glanced at Elizabeth, who was too preoccupied with Moore's hideous wig to meet his gaze.

Moore, meanwhile, had casually reached out his arm and picked up a small piece of paper on the table . Will felt a wave of apprehension when he realized what it was. Jack had left the wedding invitation they had given him lying there. Moore quickly scanned the paper with his eyes. A smile spread over his face. "Well, it seems you do know where he is. Or where he will be, in any case."

Will spoke. There was a hard edge to his voice. "Indeed, Jack is good friend of ours. And I'm afraid it was ONLY good friends and family who warranted an invitation to our wedding." The last thing that Will wanted was for this man to show up on his wedding day, looking for Jack.

"I understand." spoke Moore. "I'm relieved at least to know that Mr. Sparrow is on the island. There is something I need to discuss with him."

Elizabeth, who had managed to tear her attention away from Moore's wig, raised her eyebrow. She highly doubted that Moore was in Port Royal simply to do some "discussing" with Jack. With a glance in Will's direction, she started towards the door.

"Well, I'm quite glad we could..ah..help you, sir." she said, looking at Moore. "But I'm afraid my father is expecting us for tea at my home in an hour, and we really must be going.."

Moore stood, and walked to the door, which Elizabeth was holding open. "Yes, well, I apologize for bothering you, I'll not detain you from your appointment. Farewell."

As Moore walked out the door and down the street, Will and Elizabeth looked at each other. Will spoke first.

"Well, this has been a rather odd day."

"Yes, quite a few interesting visitors." agreed Elizabeth.

"Well, anyhow, now we only have to worry about one more visitor." said Will

Elizabeth looked at him oddly. "Who do you mean, Will?"

Will smiled at her. "The monkeys, of course!"

"Will, what are you talking about?"

"Yes, well, Moore had their wig, I'm sure they'll be wanting it back."