Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean. Poor me. To make things worse, the authorities came and took Johnny Depp away. :^(

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Will sat down and began to sharpen his sword. I sat watching him in silence. Jack was up at the helm steering the ship, a faraway look in his eyes. 'Seems to have forgotten about dealing with the whelp,' I thought as I watched him.

After a while, Will spoke. "When I was a lad living in England , my mother raised me by herself. After she died, I came out here, looking for my father." I turned my gaze back to Will.

"That was totally and completely random," I said. Both Jack and Will ignored my comment.

"Is that so?" Jack asked absently, staring ahead at the horizon.

"My father, Will Turner. At the jail, it was only after you learned my name that you agreed to help. Since that's what I wanted, I didn't press the matter. I'm not a simpleton, Jack. You knew my father." Will looked at Jack waiting for his answer. 'I'm going to murder him if he gives Will a straight answer,' I thought fiercely. I mentally shrugged. 'But at least I'll get an answer this way.'

"I knew 'im. Probably one the few who knew him as William Turner . Everyone else just called him Bootstrap or Bootstrap Bill," Jack said finally. My eyes widened in surprise.

"Bootstrap Bill?" I asked in amazement. "Your the son of Bootstrap Bill Turner?" Of course, Will ignored me.

"Bootstrap?"

"Good man. Good pirate. I swear you look just like him," Jack said.

Will looked pretty upset now. 'This is going to be good,' I thought in amusement. Will was now standing up.

"It's not true. He was a merchant sailor. A good, respectable man who obeyed the law," Will all but snarled.

"He was a bloody pirate, a scallywag." Jack was looking annoyed now.

"You know, dear William, that denial is the first step to the road of acceptance," I teased. Unfortunately, this seemed to set him off.

"My father was *not* a pirate!" he snapped, and drew his sword. I was standing now, and had my cutlass drawn as well. Jack just looked bored.

"Put it away son," he sighed.

"Aye, it's not worth you being beat again," I quipped.

"You didn't beat me. you ignored the rules of engagement. In a fair fight, I'd killed you," he said to Jack. By now all eyes were on Jack, who grinned.

"Then that's not much incentive for me to fight fair, then, is it?" And he turned the wheel abruptly, causing the yard of the sails swung around. I ducked it quickly, having much experience on ships. Unfortunately for Will, the yard caught him right in the stomach, and swung him out over the water, causing him to drop his sword in the process. He was hanging on for dear life, and looked quite terrified. I waved cheerily at him. His terror was momentarily replaced with a glare.

"Now, as long as you're just hanging there, pay attention. The only rules that really matter are these - what a man can do and what a man can't do. For instance, you can accept that your father was a pirate and a good man or you can't. But pirate is in your blood, boy, so you'll have to square with that someday." I nodded vigorously at this. "Now, me, for example, I can let you drown... but me and Rachel here can't bring this ship into Tortuga all by ourselves, savvy?" Jack asked.

Will nodded slowly. "Personally, I think we should let him drown," I suggested.

"As much as I would like that, love, he's essential to the nature of this venture," Jack replied, smiling slightly. He turned is attention back to Will, who looked as if he couldn't hold on much longer. "So..." Jack turned the wheel again and the yard swung back, dumping Will onto the deck. He held the sword out for Will. "Can you sail under the command of a pirate? Or can you not?"

Will took the sword, looking very humbled. "Tortuga?" asked he.

"Aye," I answered.

"Tortuga," Jack finished.

Will nodded, then turned to speak to me. "I'm not going to forget that whole 'Let him drown' thing too easily," he said.

"I wouldn't expect you too," I smirked. "Lucky for you I'm not in charge, or else you'd be long gone." Will huffed and turned to Jack.

"I'm going to get some rest," he said. "And to get away from *her*," he added and stormed off.

Jack was laughing now. "What is so funny?" I inquired.

Jack shrugged. "Nothing, except this is going to be one *hell* of a trip with the two of you acting the way you are."

"He started it," I replied.

"And I'm sure that you'll finish it."

"I need rum," I stated bluntly. "I wonder if this ship has any."

"I don't know, love, but if you go searching for it, I suggest you stay away from dear William, lest he run you through on the spot," Jack advised good-naturedly.

"Advice taken," I laughed, and walked down to the Interceptor's hold, in search of the only drink that could soothe my troubles and make me forget my past.

TBC

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A/N: This is a really short chapter and I apologize. But today is Christmas, and I got the LOTR: RotK game for my PS2, and I really want to go play it. Plus, I'm going to a friends house, and I wanted to get something written, no matter how short it is. That being said, I'll stop with my mindless babble. On the shoutouts!

San San As Herself- Movie posters are not supposed to be used for eyepoking! lol. You get rum this time. I don't think you can hurt yourself with rum! Thanks for the review!

Jessi Lupin- Thanks for the review mate! and here's your rum!

Rood-Roosje- Thankies for the review! Yes, Will and Rachel don't like each other. It adds comic relief. *grins* Here's the promised rum!

CentrefoldPirate- Thanks so much for the review! I'm glad you like this story. I think that yours is awesome as well! I like Will too, but he tends to get on my nerves sometimes... Here's your rum!

Thanks to everyone for the reviews! They were greatly appreciated. Remember to REVIEW for this chapter as well!

Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas to everyone!

~TheSiriusSparrow~