This is a great way to revise for a final politics exam; sit in the computer room, writing fan fiction at twenty past eleven at night. Oh yes, this is definitely a good plan, precious .

Cast of thousands: Look, if you're going to turn into Gollum/Smeagol then we're going to go and work for another author.

Me: Now there's an offer that's hard to refuse.

Cast of thousands: You're nothing without us.

Me: I'm nothing with you. Hey, has anyone watched all the end credits of POTC, 'cos there's a bit with Jack the monkey at the end which is a little disturbing. Mind you, that monkey's always disturbing.

By the way, don't own, love reviewers and reviews. I thank you all. *Doffs hat, realises isn't wearing hat, initiates brief search for hat before realising left it back in flat. Attempts to doff bandana, realises that since wears it round wrist that is improbable if not impossible. Swears.*

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Jack had finally been persuaded to let one of Norrington's men take the helm for a while. He had insisted on staying beside the man for a while, just to make sure he knew what he was doing. Will had watched, amused, it was obvious that having an insane pirate Captain - even one who was pretending to be someone else -by his elbow made the young naval officer very nervous.

But, he had finally been satisfied with the man's abilities and - again, to Will's amusement - was now attempting to get the Commodore involved in a card game.

"Come on mate, where's your sense of fun?" he was saying, swaying wildly all the time. Ever since Norrington had come aboard, Will reflected, Jack seemed to have increased what Will had secretly dubbed his 'wild pirate' bit. It was difficult to tell with Jack Sparrow, what was real and what wasn't but he strongly suspected that the drunken part of the act was greatly exaggerated most of the time, and probably entirely made up at the moment; he hadn't seen Jack with a bottle since they had spied the Gallant, probably because he wasn't entirely sure of Norrington's intentions.

If it came to that, neither was Will. He could understand the Commodore enlisting their aid, but he wasn't entirely sure that he would release Jack afterwards. Always assuming there was an afterwards. But for the moment, Jack stood there, trying to persuade his sometime enemy that a card game was precisely what was needed.

"All your fine, upstanding soldiers and sailors are going to play, well except for them that's steering the ship. But one more would really help an' Elizabeth doesn't want to and Will doesn't know how, so you're our last hope." Jack ended, with what he probably fondly imagined was an endearing grin. And to be fair, it may have been, but it would take a lot for him to endear himself to Norrington.

"If I play one hand, will you remain silent for a while?"

Jack thought for a second. "Yes." He finally decided.

"Very well then."

The men grinned, and began to set up the cards.

"But." Norrington continued, holding up his hand. "You, Mr Sparrow."

"Captain Sparrow." Corrected Jack.

"Smith." Corrected Will.

Norrington frowned at both interruptions "You," he continued "will roll up your sleeves and remove all the bands around your wrists." He smirked at the look of dismay that made its way across Jack's face, although the pirate soon recovered.

"What's the matter, mate," he asked, spreading his arms wide. "Do you not trust me or something?"

Norrington hadn't deigned to reply to that. But he had joined in the game, after watching Jack remove any item of apparel in which he might have hidden a card. Will had watched the game. He didn't fully understand all the rules, but strongly suspected that no-one except the Commodore was sticking to them anyway. Despite his words, Norrington played several hands, although Will wasn't sure if that was because he was truly enjoying himself, or simply longed to discover how Jack was cheating.

Will watched in fascination as Jack, while Norrington was deliberating over his hand, made a card tower out of the discarded cards pile. It quickly grew to four stories high, and the soldiers were soon offering encouragement. It would have been an impressive feat on land, but on a moving ship, it seemed impossible. Just as Jack was about to lay a final card on top, Norrington leaned over and pulled away the support cards at the bottom. The whole tower collapsed.

"Mr Sparrow, we are playing cards, not making towers. We are all adults here and have no time for your childishness."

Jack inclined his head, and in a near-perfect imitation of the others voice and intonation said "Indeed."

Will quickly turned his laughter into a coughing fit. He noticed that several of Norrington's men were similarly trying to disguise their mirth.

The game resumed. Will strongly suspected that Jack was planning something. He had a suspicious-looking glint in his eye. Sure enough, after he lost a hand he announced, in a very dramatic voice

"Someone here is cheating."

The soldiers glared suspiciously at each other. Norrington frowned.

"The only one here likely to cheat is you Sparrow. And I have made every effort to ensure that ."

He was interrupted by Jack leaning over and removing two aces and the king of clubs from the sleeve of Norrington's uniform.

"Commodore Norrington," Jack shook his head very sadly. "I would never have expected it of you."

"What! You planted that there you, you pirate." The Commodore leapt to his feet and, after gazing wildly round at his men, walked off haughtily.

Jack grinned, and after thanking the soldiers for a memorable game, joined Will.

"Some people are just bad losers." He remarked.

"He didn't lose."

"That wasn't the game, Will. The game was finding out if he could stop me from taking what I wanted."

"How did you plant the cards? If it comes to that, how did you take them in the first place?"

"Legerdemain."

"What?"

Jack grinned. "Sleight of hand, lad. I'll show you someday, if you like. In the meantime, isn't that your 'Lizbeth coming up on deck? I'd be obliged if you talked to her before Norrington did, or else I'll be getting a lecture about my 'immoral behaviour'. And I want to get back to upsetting Norrington's helmsman."

Will shook his head as he watched his friend wander off. He strongly suspected that he'd never understand Jack Sparrow. One moment he seemed like a simple, drunken pirate, the next moment he was using words that Will had never heard of and showing a dexterity that Will would never have imagined him capable of. He laughed, as Jack approached the helmsman; he could swear he could see the man blanch even at this distance. Then he turned, smiling as he felt Elizabeth's hand in his.

Jack was talking to the helmsman. He was telling him one of his stock stories. If he was honest it was a story that didn't make much sense, but then he'd lived through it and it hadn't made much sense then. In fact, it seemed likely that his version made more sense. But still, the man was developing a look of acute bewilderment, tempered with a certain amount of fascination that Jack found gratifying.

"And then, they made me their chief." Jack said, and suddenly stopped, staring out to sea. "I never seem to get past that point." He muttered. "Something always happens."

The helmsman looked to see what the pirate was staring at. His eyes widened.

"Sail on the horizon." He yelled.

Norrington, Will and Elizabeth rushed up the stairs to join them.

Jack didn't acknowledge them. "This is oddly familiar." He muttered.

"What?" It was difficult to say who had spoken.

"It's the Pearl."

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Short chapter there mates. Sorry about that, but the next bit is going to take forever and I don't think there'll be a good place to break so I figured best to set it up, then leave it be.

Cast of thousands: You're havering.

Me: I know. Please review.