The Makings of a Pirate, by Hellborne

Pirates of the Caribbean - The Makings of a Pirate - PG-13

Copyright: Characters, no mine, See the Mouse. Story, mine, but I make no money. He does, but not on this.

Typing convention. / is used for thoughts.

Summary: Jack Sparrow seems to be waging a personal war on slavery. Elizabeth and Will want to know WHY.

A/N: Let me know how you like it.

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Chapter 10 - Aruba and Duty's Decision

The crew started to clean up; the first item of business being to free the slaves in the bellies of the two slavers. With the help of any newly freed slaves who were strong enough, the ships' decks were cleared in a matter of minutes, and Robert went to survey the other slaver ship and the Pearl, as some of the slaver's crew had gone over there as well during all the fighting.

When he returned from the other ships, he noticed people milling around on the deck, but no sign of Jack, Will, or Lizzy. He headed for the Captain's cabin, thinking there might be a conference, and he needed to make his report to Jack. When he opened the door, he knew that this was no meeting. Lizzy and Jack were standing next to the Captain's bed. Lizzy was softly crying, and Jack was working on someone laying on it. When he looked closer, he saw Will lying on his stomach, unconscious. Jack was stitching a three inch wound just above Will's right hip.

Not wanting to interrupt, but knowing that his news couldn't wait, he cleared his throat. "Forgive the intrusion, Commodore, but I have urgent news. The ships are ready to sail, but Mr. Pintel has been rather seriously injured. There are ships from the port on their way out here, and I doubt their intentions are good. If you have any more pilots, now would be a good time to mention it, as we have three ships, and only you and Lizzy in any condition to steer.

Jack finished sewing the wound and rolled Will over. The sword that inflicted the wound had gone clear through the boy. "Aye, Robert. We're down to three pilots and three ships. We'd better get moving. I'll have to finish with Will once we're away."

"Who is the third pilot then?"

"You are. Lizzy, take the other slaver. Robert, I need to be here to take care of Will, so you need to go to the Pearl and get her away fast. Each of you send ten men over to me so that I'll have a crew that can get this tub out of here. We meet in Aruba to sort this mess out. We'll need a lot, and Aruba has it all...for a price." His eyes twinkled behind a thoughtful grin.

All three pilots ran from the room to their appointed ships, weighed anchors and sailed in three different directions, breaking up the small fleet of ships trying to catch them.

- -

Robert steered the Pearl northeast for three hours before coming around to head for Aruba. He was amazed at the way that the Black Pearl responded to him. Even against the current, she raced away even faster than the other ships, even though the other ships had either the current or the wind in their favor. Although he'd handled her helm before, there had been no urgency, and thus the beautiful Lady whose helm was smooth and warm beneath his fingers had not deigned to show him her talents. Now, on the other hand, she responded to his every touch...almost to his thoughts. I can't believe I'm falling in love with a ship! /But she is beautiful. And talented./ Talented?! It's a SHIP! /She's far more than a ship...far more./ I am a Commodore of His Majesty's Royal Navy! /I am a man in love./ With a SHIP! /Yes. I see now why Jack HAD to get his Lady back./ Yes, and he'll be wanting his "lady" back when you get to Aruba /She's so beautiful...my Lady...my Pearl./ You'll have to give it back... /We'll see.../

He stayed at the helm, subconsciously caressing the handles, and steered through the night, only taking his hands away for a moment as he lifted Kali from the deck and put her in his pocket, where she snuggled down and fell asleep.

- -

The Black Pearl arrived in Aruba first, so Robert had them tie up along the pier, taking the mooring closest to the shore, next to a 12-gun sloop. As soon as the gangplanks were down, Robert watched a man walk on board. The man noticed him and proceeded over. "Where's Jack?"

"Who are you, sir?"

The man frowned. "Captain Francis Spriggs of the Delight, at your service. And who might you be?"

Robert's eyebrows raised. "Robert James, first mate of the Black Pearl. Commodore Sparrow should be here shortly. We had to separate, and I must have passed him in the dark. Is there a doctor in this town? We have several injured men."

"I'll see to it personally. And why is Jack on the other ship and not you? Certainly he is still as love crazy over this tub as ever?"

"She is not a 'tub,' sir. Actually, though, I'm not quite sure, but I believe he wished to take care of Will Turner's injuries personally, and there was no time to move Mr. Turner to the Black Pearl, as we had several ships after us for taking their livelihoods from them."

"Still..." Spriggs seemed hesitant to believe Robert.

Robert grinned. "Difficult to believe, I know...I don't expect you to believe it. But Jack will be here very soon and you'll see for yourself.."

Spriggs grinned and waived expansively toward the village. "In that case, you'll allow me to treat you to a drink and a hot meal in town."

Robert smiled. He understood what Captain Spriggs had in mind. "Certainly. That way you can keep an eye on me until Jack arrives. Am I correct?"

Spriggs smiled more genuinely this time. "Aye. I saw that gleam in your eye, Mr. James. Not unlike Jack's, in fact. So ye can see that I'd want to keep ye in port till we sort out where Jack is. Shall we go?"

"In a moment." He strode down the stairs to his cabin, being followed all the way by Spriggs, grabbed a small bag, then proceeded to the galley. Pintel was sitting on a barrel with his arm in a sling and his leg splinted. Ragetti was cooking. It smelled delicious. Robert turned to Pintel. "You will be in charge until Commodore Sparrow arrives. In the meantime, arrange for the ship's supplies to be stocked to the Commodore's specifications. I shall be at the..." He looked at Spriggs.

"The Rum Cask."

"...at the Rum Cask with Captain Spriggs until Commodore Sparrow arrives. Please inform him immediately upon his arrival that his presence is requested there at once."

"Aye, Mr. James. I'll do that."

Robert turned and waved Captain Spriggs out before him and followed him off the ship, walking toward town. Spriggs hung back and clapped him on the shoulder. "I noticed that you haven't moved your effects to the Captain's cabin, so you could be telling the truth. The problem is that you could have gotten rid of Jack so recently that you haven't had the time to move in yet. Either way, let's eat!" He stopped outside a door. The sign had a picture of a cask, and block letters below it that spelled out "The Rum Cask."

They entered the tavern and Captain Spriggs showed him to a table in the back. The barmaid brought them two mugs and two plates of food. Robert took a careful sip from the mug; it was rum. The food was probably turkey, since it was comprised of a large bird's leg.

Spriggs and Robert spoke jovially, Spriggs all the while trying to get information from Robert. Robert kept to general subjects, not giving the Captain any specific information beyond his loyalty to Commodore Sparrow and his admitted love for the Black Pearl. Spriggs then asked him if he would like the Pearl as his own ship.

"While I admit that I do love her, she belongs to Commodore Sparrow and he to her. I would never stand between them."

"But would you take her if something happened to Jack?"

Robert's eyes narrowed. "I do not foresee anything of the kind happening, Captain Spriggs, and I would deign to protect him should others try to force the issue. So long as I am on the Pearl, nothing will befall the Commodore."

"It's been said that Jack can sometimes look into the heart of a man. It appears that in your case, they're right. He raised his mug. "To Jack Sparrow."

Robert raised his. "To COMMODORE Jack Sparrow." They both drained their mugs.

"well isn't that a fine sight. Two of my favorite people drinkin' me health!"

Robert stood up. Jack clapped him on the shoulder. "Jack! Captain Spriggs here was afraid that I'd done you in and taken the Pearl."

Spriggs laughed. "Not really, but you must admit that finding your ship here without you is quite a shock to anyone who knows you."

Jack looked at Robert's unsaid question. "The whelp's going to be fine, Robert." He turned to Captain Spriggs. "I had to tend to a friend and there was no time to move him to the Pearl. Luckily, Robert here is one of the most loyal people I have. Almost military, ye might say." He grinned at Robert.

Robert tried to ignore the jab and smiled.

Jack noticed and chuckled. "So, how was your voyage? No problems, I assume?"

"None. We outran them as if they were standing still. I dare say the Pearl handles as if she were an extension of myself."

Jack's eyes twinkled. "That she does, Robert." He turned to Spriggs. "Well, mate. We need a lot of supplies, so we'd best be off." He motioned Robert out of the tavern. "Come Robert." The two left the tavern and returned to the Pearl as the other slaver was docking. Once it was tied off, Robert saw Lizzy fairly leap aboard the slaver that Will was on and run into the Captain's cabin.

Jack and Robert walked up the gangplank onto the Black Pearl, and Jack led the way into his cabin. "So tell me, Commodore. How did you and my Pearl REALLY get along? And no lies."

James smiled. "Commodore Sparrow, I am not in the habit of lying." He looked wistful. "Truth to tell, Jack, she is the finest ship that I've ever sailed. She responds almost to my mere thoughts, and I confess that she has stolen my heart. I shall truly miss her when I go back to Port Royal."

Jack looked surprised. "After the Pearl has marked you as hers, you can still walk away? You are a stronger man than I am, James Norrington."

"I am not controlled by my heart in my actions, Jack, but by duty. I am an officer in His Majesty's Royal Navy, which means that I cannot go off on a whim wherever my heart tells me to go. YOU may have that freedom. I certainly do not."

Jack visibly drooped. "I'm sorry to hear it, James. When we're done with our business here, I'll return you to Port Royal then. But should ye ever change your mind, just make yer way to Tortuga and leave word at the Bucket O'Blood. I'll get it. Anyway, you should be back to Commodorin' in about four days."

"Believe it or not, I'll miss you."

"Nah. You'll miss the freedom that the Pearl gives you, and the Lady herself. You'll miss the excitement. You'll miss Ragetti's cookin' till ye can teach it to yer own chef. But ye won't miss ol' Jack. I'm just too much of a pain in the arse to miss."

"You'd be surprised. I must say, Jack. This has been the most enjoyable and educational holiday I've ever had. Thank you." He excused himself and went out to the deck to help with the supplies that had started rolling in.

- -

TBC

A/N: So, should Norrie really go back? Will Jack really let him? Hey, REVIEWS are the life's blood to fanfic writers! We get no payment beyond reviews, so to keep this work of love going, hit that REVIEW button and tell me how I'm doing!