Today has not been a good day. I had a philosophy exam at 9:30 this morning, I've done nothing but revise for the last couple of weeks and I still felt like I know nothing. I have another one on Thursday, so I spent the rest of the day doing more revision. I also got completely soaked to the skin in a hailstorm this afternoon and have been cold ever since. And I nearly set fire to myself. Never cook with a bandana tied round your wrist. Safety tip for ya there.

Cast of thousands: Quit whining and write the story.

Me: Just a minute . I own nothing. Literally, I suspect. Also thanks to all my reviewers. And I got a couple o' personal notes ...

Jackontop - At fifteen chapters you decide it's getting interesting? Why did you keep reading it if that is the case? (Sorry, I couldn't stop giggling when I read your review. Don't really know why.)

Cast of thousands: You're crackers.

Me: Yes, but only with cheese. Port Salut for preference.

Elven Kitten - you can get a talking yak by mail order.

Lavender Wonder - You had to bloody say it didn't you? That thing about Jack being a superhero and Smith being his mild mannered alter ego. Thanks to you, I have had a picture of Jack in Clark Kent style glasses and haircut all day. That truly is enough to drive me out of my already demented mind. And I imagined there being a phone booth on board the Black Pearl. Not good.

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Jack leaned heavily on the helm of the Interceptor II and gazed around the deck. It had been about six hours since the conference with Norrington had concluded and he was now sailing a course for Cowestown. They were being followed by Norrington's ship, the Gallant. If he hadn't been trying to make good time then Jack would probably have been inclined to start a game of Follow the Leader, zig zagging across the sea to see how well they could follow. As it was, he had to content himself with the straight course.

He was also keeping an eye on Norrington's men. He was fairly impressed with them in that when he gave them an order they had obeyed without question and without checking with Norrington first. Ships could sink, if there was a hesitation before the crew obeyed the captain.

At the moment, most of the soldiers were playing cards. From where he was, Jack could tell that most of them were cheating, and that fact made him want to join in. It was always easier to cheat against other cheats. Or at least it was if you were better at it than anyone else. But, he stayed at his post, consulting compass and map occasionally.

On the other side of the deck, Norrington and Elizabeth sat talking quietly. Jack had been watching them, circumspectly for some time. They seemed entirely engrossed in each other's company. Every now and then Elizabeth laughed, merrily. Jack frowned. Not good. He might have told Norrington, once, that he'd always been rooting for him, but that didn't mean he truly was. But no. He was being genuinely daft now. Elizabeth wasn't the sort to go behind her fiancé's back. Apart from anything else, she loved him too damn much. Any fool could see that. Still, it would probably upset Will to see her sitting so close to Norrington. Maybe he should have a word with her? His left hand cheek stung in anticipation. Maybe not.

Where was the whelp anyway? Oh yes, still asleep. He had become sore again, and slightly dizzy. Jack had made him go and lie down. Or had tried to, Norrington had been very concerned on hearing about the shooting and had insisted on sending for his ship's doctor. That hadn't pleased young Mr. Turner in the slightest. Jack grinned, remembering some of the language Will had used. (Only when Elizabeth was out of the room of course.) The grin widened as he considered that he was evidently a good influence on both the young couple - first Elizabeth, now Will swearing away like proper pirates. The doctor who had examined Will had pronounced himself entirely satisfied with the way the lad was healing up. In fact he had even commended Jack on the treatment he'd given. Another grin flickered across Jack's face as he remembered Norrington's expression on hearing the pirate so commended.

Norrington. He hadn't totally believed the story Jack had told him. Well, neither had Will or Elizabeth but that was to be expected; they knew him. What he'd said had even been the truth as far as it went. It just wasn't the whole story, that was all.

"And it would be an odd thing if I started telling the whole truth now." He reflected.

He had told Norrington the basics. Robert Masters was a bloodthirsty and greedy pirate who was searching for another pirate's hidden treasure. He was questioning old crew members as to its location and of that crew only two survived; Ferrers and Vern. If Ferrers hadn't known where the treasure was then Vern must, and he lived in Cowestown. So that's where they were bound. That was what he had told Norrington. And it was the truth, within reason.

No-one had pressed him on exactly how he had come to know this, after it had become obvious he had said all he wanted to. When Norrington had, briefly, tried to pursue it, Jack had given him answers evasive and nonsensical enough to make the poor Commodore frown.

That was the good thing about being generally held to be mad; you didn't have to answer any questions unless you really wanted to. Unfortunately it didn't stop you remembering.

He had been very young of course. Not really that much more than a boy. But he had been very quick to learn, which was why he had been allowed to take over from the helmsman, when the man was drunk. Funny how some things stuck with you, he thought. He could still remember every detail of the first night he had been allowed to stand at her helm, all on his onesies. He had been so proud - in the way that only the very young can. Wouldn't do much for his reputation if that were generally known. Captain Jack Sparrow was never supposed to have been young and naïve. Price of being a legend. But he had been, standing there, feeling her move underneath him, knowing that he could tell her to go anywhere - wherever in the world he wanted - and she would obey him. Course, her rightful captain might have had something to say about that.

On that first night, he had become aware of someone watching him. He had turned, very slightly and had been totally shocked - and to be honest, a little terrified - to see the Captain watching him.

"Captain Masters." He had squeaked, and had closed his eyes with embarrassment when his voice had cracked.

"Piece of advice for you Jack lad," the Captain had replied, smiling. "Don't ever let anyone see that you're surprised. If you appear calm at all times then it puts everyone off balance, savvy?"

Jack had nodded, dumbly.

"I've been watching you for a while now." Masters had continued, crossing to the railings and leaning against them, arms folded, facing Jack. "You're an excellent sailor and have the makings of a fine pirate. You watch everything that goes on around you. That's good. And you've been studying everything on this ship, learning how everything works and asking intelligent questions without getting in the way. I daresay you know the ship as well as I do, hmm?"

Jack had been chanting to himself all through the compliments, "Don't blush, don't blush." But now he shook his head firmly. "I doubt it, sir."

"Oh," Masters had leaned back, apparently genuinely interested. "Why not?"

"Well, you've had this ship a long time. Thirty years, according to some stories. I've only been on 'er six months. But more than that." He added softly.

"What?"

"You love her." Jack blurted out. "She's yours."

Masters nodded slowly. "Yes. She's mine. But it holds true both ways lad. If she is mine, then I am hers." Seeing Jack's frown, he smiled and said "You will understand someday, I know." He had produced a flask of rum, from out of nowhere apparently and had offered it to Jack who had quickly refused. The Captain took no offence, simply grinned.

He had suddenly looked thoughtful and asked "What do you think a ship is?"

Jack had been startled. "What?"

Masters repeated his question. It still seemed nonsensical to Jack. Everyone knew what a ship was, surely? So what did his Captain mean .. He thought furiously, remembering why he had run to the sea in the first place. Finally he answered.

"Freedom."

Masters had smiled and had laid a hand on his shoulder. "You know a lot for one so young. I'll be keeping an eye on you." As he left he added, over his shoulder. "You love this ship too. I can see it in your eyes."

And he had. He had taught Jack a lot, about sailing and about being a pirate and exactly what that meant. It had been the first of many late night conversations between Jack and the Captain, and also another pirate, a man some years older than Jack by the name of William Turner.

Under their guidance, and with their friendship, Jack had grown up quickly, losing his childhood shyness. He had grown a moustache and beard in an attempt to look older, but by the time he had - in a moment of distractedness - woven numerous beads and trinkets into his hair, he simply looked eccentric. Or 'Bloody mad' as Bill had put it. It was a look that tended to put people off balance though, so Jack had kept it up, adding to the look and pose as time went on.

As Masters had predicted, he had become a good pirate - at least within the old Captain's definition. He had always been reluctant to kill, unless it was absolutely necessary and this he passed on to his young protégé. Jack had proved himself inventive when it came to making up plans and so the Captain always listened to what he had to say. And the ship gathered more and more swag. It had still come as a shock to Jack, however when he had been named first mate. He was still fairly young to be a pirate at all, let alone to be so successful. And he was still young enough to feel that immense pride, especially that his hero thought him so worthy.

It wasn't long after Jack had been named first mate, that Master's son came aboard. The younger Masters was different from his father. He was a few years older than Jack, also taller, with long red hair. He didn't believe that complex plans were necessary, he argued that it was always easier to simply shoot people and steal their money. He hadn't appeared to be at all impressed with his father's choice of a first mate. Jack had overheard a conversation late one night.

"He's nothing but a swaggering, half mad buffoon!"

"He is intelligent and loyal. I can't predict the twists and turns of most of his schemes, what chance do you think anyone else has?"

"That's my point! No rational mind could think the way he does, and a mad man will get us caught. Father ."

"While you are onboard my ship, you will not question my choice of crew or my orders. And you will call me captain!"

Jack had moved away at that point.

It probably didn't help that while he, Bill and Captain Masters would joke around together, they would stop as soon as the Captain's son entered the room, and an awkward silence would descend. And when Jack was shot, after one of his schemes - which involved impersonation a royal navy officer - had gone wrong, Captain Masters had stayed by his side and seen to it that he was nursed back to health, ignoring his son's protests altogether.

All good things come to an end though; Captain Masters was not a young man and Jack shouldn't have been surprised when he died, of what had seemed a mild illness, while they were anchored off Tortuga. He was though, and so was the rest of the crew. Their Captain had seemed indestructible. With his last breath, he had willed his ship - his pride, joy and true love -to his first mate, the young Jack Sparrow.

Jack had stood there, blinking back tears, looking down at the body of the man who had come to be one of his dearest friends. For a moment he had simply stood there, then, remembering his new responsibilities, he had turned to the crew and opened his mouth to give his first order.

"Just a minute there." Masters' son, his eyes entirely dry moved forwards and stood facing Jack. "You are not the rightful Captain of this ship." He growled.

Jack stared at him, "Yes I am." He stated, as calm as he had ever been.

Masters turned towards the crew. "Will you stomach this, this whelp over you as Captain?" he cried. There was a silence then one man stepped forwards.

"Jack Sparrow's been a fine first mate, and if Captain Masters, god rest 'is soul, thought he could be Captain then I say we give him a chance." There was a general agreement, although not as enthusiastic as Jack might have liked.

"Very well then, but I won't stay around to see it. I'll be leaving now." Masters sneered. He started to move away, and Jack turned away from him to thank the crewman for his confidence and so missed Masters pulling a gun. He turned again at the gasps, in time to see Bill Turner - somehow - pull his sword, and slash wildly at Masters. The gun fired, but Masters, distracted and bleeding from a terrible cut to the face, missed and the shot buried itself in the main mast.

Bill, aided by another crewman picked up Masters bodily and threw him into the water.

"He can swim back from there." The crew man said with a broad grin.

Bill looked at Jack. "Captain Sparrow," he had said, formally. "The Black Pearl is yours."

That had been a long time ago though. Bill was dead now, and his Pearl was lost to him, once again. And his crew - his friends were out there, in the hands of that man. Jack had kept track of Masters over the years, mostly to avoid him. Up until now the man had never done anything Jack particularly hated him for, and yet he had heard that the other captain had sworn revenge on him. He had heard stories that disturbed him. The attack on St Sebastian's was the last in a long list of atrocities that Jack was sure Captain Masters was responsible for.

Jack clutched the wheel tightly. If Masters had hurt his crew . Anamaria . Gibbs .. He would kill him.

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Someone was complaining that my chapters aren't long enough. How's this?

Please review it, it can only help. If you're not following the plot, let me know. Since I tend to write late at night it is frequently all I can do to follow the damn plot.

Once again, I'd like to request that people read that other story Now, Until Then and review it. Come on, I really want to know, good or bad. Just click on me profile page and find it.