Kin

Part Eight : In Which Will Has Slightly Chilly Boots

by : epiphanies


"So, Will," Jack raised his eyebrows as they entered the vast home of the Swann family, "You don't happen to have any other rags that I can wear when-"

He stopped short, seeing Governor Swan in the hallway.

"Think quickly" he muttered, glaring at Elizabeth. She only laughed and hurried them up the swirling staircase. Jack eyed his surroundings.

"Nice lamp," he gestured offhandedly at the chandelier, and Desdemona smirked at Will.

They reached a locked door at the end of the hallway. Elizabeth stopped and pulled out a key, turning mournfully to Will.

"You two will be sharing a room again."

"What!" exclaimed Will as Jack cursed, rolling his eyes to the heavens.

Desdemona patted Jack's arm, "You'll be fine. I didn't hear about any riots when you had the same room at the tavern."

Elizabeth smiled patronizingly at Desdemona, "And you'll be in the room beside mine."

"She gets her own room?" Jack scowled, and Elizabeth put her hands on her hips.

"Jack, she's supposed to be your daughter, not your mistress. Why on earth would I have you in the same room?"

"So I don't have to share a room with snip-snip boy," muttered Jack, then pushed Will into the bedroom, shutting the door behind.

"Hope you've got some more for me than this, mate," Jack took off his hat immediately, revealing his red bandana, still fastened to his head as though it were stuck there permanently. Will snorted, then pushed Jack's boots off of a writing desk before they were properly placed there.

"You don't have to be here for very long, Jack."

"And why's that?"

"Because," Will raised his eyebrows, "The wedding is tomorrow."

"What!?" Jack's jaw dropped, "When did this happen?"

"Probably since the day you left Port Royal," said Will, matter of factly, sitting down and sighing in a stiff, high backed chair. Jack watched him.

"You're scared, aren't you?"

Will scoffed, "Why would I be scared?"

"Because she doesn't know."

"Know?" Will's brow knitted together, "Know about what?"

"Snip snip."

Will threw a cushion at him and crossed his arms, "I'm not scared."

"Ah," Jack raised a finger, "Basic psychology, mate. You're going to be enslaved, you have to know."

"What are you talking about?"

Jack shrugged, "First sign of defensive liars," he pointed at Will's crossed arms, "You never want to do that when she's asking you where you were the night previous, trust me, mate."

Will rolled his eyes, "Jack, do you honestly think-"

"I don't honestly think anything," Jack reminded him, "I'm-"

"Yes, I know, you're a pirate, and it's all pilfering and plundering and taking what you can. Except you're not going to steal anything in this house or at my wedding, Jack, so what are you doing here? And why does Desdemona hold you so close to her heart if you think nothing honest?"

Jack frowned at him.

"Look, boy," he leaned forward in his seat, "You're getting married tomorrow. Nevertheless to somebody that you've loved, and's loved you, since the wee days you met. How touching, right? Will, I may be a pirate, I may be dishonest, but my blood's not made of stone, mate. I like your wench, and I like you, even if you are a eunuch," he ignored Will's sputter and continued, "and no matter what I want to think about the either of you, I have to be at your wedding, 'cause it's me duty."

"Why?"

Jack blinked and looked down, "For your father to have seen it... he can see it through me eyes, in a way. If he couldn't be there, I'll be damned if I wouldn't fill in. Whether you want me there or not, son, I'll be there. After all, these swanky affairs normally have -excellent- cuisine."

Will stared at him for a moment, then looked away.

"I'd say thank you, Jack," he half-smiled out the window, "But by your own rule, you didn't mean anything of what you've just said, so I'll have to disregard it."

Jack smirked, "Bloody right."

Will chuckled.


Desdemona looked out at her view of the grand sea, and her mind began to wander. With the wedding tomorrow, how long would it be that she would have to wait until going back to Tortuga? Would Jack take her on the Pearl? Would Will and Elizabeth come with her? She already knew that she had lost her job at the tavern, and her medic was most likely floating on the next plateau by this time. What had she in Tortuga, what held her there?

Nothing, she realized as she stared down at the fair town of Port Royal, "Nothing stops me from just renting a cottage and staying here in Port Royal, with my only living family and his wife."

Perhaps it's the safety of having wealthy relatives that's pulling you so near, she reminded herself, After all, pirate -is- in your blood.

She sighed and wrapped a thin shawl about her shoulders. Her ebony hair whipped about in the salty breeze. She inhaled deeply, and smiled in content.

"Perhaps staying in Port Royal for a time is just what I need," she murmured, and nodded to herself.

"Just what I need."