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(_)-AN

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A Pirate's Life for me

Part 14- Nothing More

Jack went back to George's house with a grin on his face. He practically bounced to the table where George was setting up dinner.

"What's got you so happy?" George questioned as he put a plate with a loaf of bread in the center. He smiled at the happy Jack.

"I'm going to England." Jack said with a wide grin. "I found a ship that will allow me to go on board as long as I work."

George's face dropped a little. "That's… great. I'm really happy for you Nate."

Jack gave a small smile. "It's ok George. I'm not leaving until next week. I got plenty of time to help out around here and to heal."

"I understand. You're place is on the ocean. It's no right of mine to stop you from it." George said with a sigh.

Jack walked around the table, giving George a hug. "You're more of a father to me then my own Father."

George smiled down at the boy hugging him. He wrapped his strong arms around Jack's shoulders. "You're a great Son. Even though I only met you two days ago."

"George." Jack said, moving back. "Why don't you come with me? On the ocean? I bet you'd be great at it!"

George ruffled Jack's hair. "Nah. I'd best leave the pirating to the young ones. Nothing's left in this old sea dog to harbor himself onto a crew. I'll be happy knowing you made it."

The subject was dropped and the thought of Jack leaving in a week slipped from their minds. They went on and started fixing up the house, repairing holes in the roof, getting odd jobs for money. But, every afternoon was spent on the docks, looking out into the ocean.

Jack was finishing up cleaning the kitchen when a knock was on the door. Jack opened the door. An older man was standing there. Darkly tanned, with heavy eyes. He could easily frighten small children.

"I'm looking for the cabin boy." He said, staring down at Jack.

"That'll be me. I'll go get my… things together." Jack said, running off, leaving the door open. He found George, sitting in the living room, reading a book.

"George." Jack said, running over to him. He wrapped his arms around the man. "I have to go now."

George didn't respond. Jack looked up. George's eyes were unfocused and he felt cold to the touch. Jack shook him.

"George?" He questioned. Nothing. "GEORGE!!!"

The man at the door rushed in to see what was happening. His cutlass drawn. He saw the older man, staying still as a board. It didn't take a genius to figure out what was wrong. The man put away his cutlass and grabbed Jack by the forearm.

"Boy. Let's be going. Nothing you can do for him now."

"NO!! I don't believe it! GEORGE! PLEASE! WAKE UP!" Jack shouted at the top of his lung, sobbing. He was trying to get his way back to George, but the man was holding him and dragging him away.

The man threw Jack into the beach sand. "Boy! Clean yourself up before you go on board."

"GO TO HELL!" Jack shouted, still sobbing. "You can kiss my ass for all I care."

Jack drew his knees towards his chest and started sobbing into his hands. His heart had taken a very deep blow. The first true one he ever really had.

"Get up." Said a different voice then the man's.

Jack looked up to find Bootstrap standing over him. "The captain wants to inspect you, to make sure I choose right."

"You can all kiss me ass! My only true father figure just DIED! Doesn't that mean anything to you?!" Jack questioned. "Just let me die here."

Bootstrap gave an irritated sigh. "Stop being such a baby about it all! If you're going to be a pirate, then you have to get used to death. You'll be seeing it a lot."

"You don't understand!" Jack shouted to him.

"Oh. What don't I understand? That some old fool dies and you go crying and sobbing like a child? Grow up!" Bootstrap said.

Jack clenched his teeth in anger. "Don't you EVER call George a fool!"

"Fine. Then he was an OLD, Foolish man! And quite stupid, as I recall to have let a boy like you into his house." Bootstrap said.

Jack sprung from his sitting position and took a swing at Bootstrap. "Heartless bastard!" Jack shouted, swinging at Bootstrap.

Bootstrap dodged the blow. "You're supposed to be some big shot who's going to become the greatest pirate ever huh? And you can't even take a death properly!"

Jack growled at him, raising his fists to fight. "You take what you said back."

"I'll never take it back until you grow up." Bootstrap said.

Jack took another swing at Bootstrap, a lot faster then anyone had seen a kid his age move. His fist hit Bootstrap right across the cheek, dusting him. Bootstrap fell to the ground with the bitter taste of blood in his mouth.

"I swear, I'll knock every tooth out if you don't take it back." Jack said in an unnervingly calm voice.

Bootstrap chuckled, standing up. "That's the pirate in your blood talking now." Bootstrap dusted his breeches off. "The captain will be right pleased to see you as his cabin boy. What do you think Mr. Black?"

"I'd say, the same. He's a feisty one with a true pirate heart." Mr. Black, the man who had grabbed Jack out of the home.

"I can't believe this!" Jack shouted. "Talking about me like I'm some sort of … item to be sold! I'm a living human being!"

They simply laughed at him again, making Jack growl under his breathe.

Jack's eyes were still puffy red and his cheeks still stained with tears. He would be crying at night over the death of George for a good month or so. He knew it. It couldn't be helped. He just wished he knew what else he could have done differently to help George with his passing.

Jack sighed as they neared the ship. He was standing in a line for inspection of a new crew. The captain looked them all over. Three boys were trying out for Cabin boy. Three men were going for crew men, and five other men were trying out for first mate. There was only one for navigator.

The Captain sighed as he looked his new navigator over. "I guess, you'll be joining. Head onto the ship."

The captain was an imposing man. He stood a grand 6 foot 5. He towered over young Jack and all those kids who tried out for Cabin boy. He even towered over the crew mates. His long, black beard covered most of his face. His hair was pulled back into a pony-tail though. His dark brown eyes, scanning the ranks for any weak ones.

"You boy." The Captain said, standing over a Cabin boy.

"Yes sir?" The boy asked quickly, looking up at the Captain. Jack would have smacked the boy if he had been closer. You NEVER address the Captain as 'Sir' unless you are already part of he crew and have permission. You always call the Captain, Captain. No exceptions.

"You are dismissed." He said to the boy. The boy gave a confused look, but hurried off quickly.

The Captain looked over the other boy. "You, Lad."

"Yes Captain?" The boy answered, keeping a steady voice. This looked a little bad. This boy knew about the pirate's ranks and respects.

"Very good Lad. Now, you answer this question. If an adversary of another ship was to shout out 'parley'. What do ye do?" The captain questioned.

The boy didn't waver in his answer. "I would have to take him to you Captain."

"What if he were to be armed?" The Captain questioned.

"All weapons are to be removed and placed in the hands of another crew member before the adversary reaches the Captain." He answered smoothly.

Jack nearly gulped. That was a fine answer. A fine one indeed.  Well, his chances were just blown out of the water completely. Jack nearly let his shoulder slump when the Captain stood in front of him.

"Lad." He said.

"Yes Captain?" Jack questioned. Amazed he kept his voice clear of all of his nervous reactions inside.

"What does it mean when I call out, 'No Quarter'?" The Captain questioned.

"It means, that no captives are to be taken." Jack answered.

"What if one demands Parley, when I clearly said No Quarter?" The Captain questioned.

"As one of the rules of the Pirates code set down by the pirates Morgan and Bartholomew, even if the Captain claims no Quarter, Parley MUST be respected and the adversary must be taken to the Captain." Jack answered.

"Fine answer indeed lad. You even know who wrote the code. You even displayed the code as in form of rules. Very fine in deed. You must have had a teacher. Who was it?" The captain questioned.

Jack's chin dipped a little. He almost forgot. His bandanna was lost to him. His only gift from Miss. Sparrow. "Captain Kate Sparrow was my Teacher."

"Captain Sparrow?! The Captain Kate Sparrow? Queen of the Ocean?" The Captain questioned. Everyone now stared at Jack.

Jack made a small gulp. "Aye Captain. Captain Kate Sparrow was my Teacher. Everything I know is due to her teachings."

"And what proof have you got that She taught the likes of you?" The Captain questioned.

"None Captain." Jack said.

"Then what be your name?" The Captain questioned.

"Full or pirate name, Captain?" Jack questioned.


"Full. Your Father's name and you're mother's maiden name." He questioned.

Jack gave a small sigh. "Joanathanel Anthyem Courtieas Kapural. My Father's name is Thomas George Courtieas Alamana Frinadail Kapural. My Mother's name is Ginger Joan Anthyem Peters." (Long names, aren't they? Try remembering them! :: squeals :: )

"Ginger Peters?" The Captain questioned. Jack gave a nod. "Fine woman. I knew her when she was just a young one like you. One of the few women I actually respected."

The Captain scratched his beard. "I think I've made my mind up. Due to knowledge, strength and show of pirate blood already present, Joanathanel, you are our new Cabin boy."

Jack could hardly believe it! He was going to be the cabin boy of a REAL pirate ship!

"Now, why don't you go clean up your face and go to my cabin. I have some things I need to talk with you about." The Captain said, patting Jack on the shoulder.

Jack quickly went on his way to the ship, catching a glance of Bootstrap. His cheek was swollen and his lip was split. Jack took in pride about that. He was starting to really HATE Bootstrap. A lot.

Jack went into the gallery and washed his face. He quickly dried his face and made his way to the Captain's Cabin.

He knocked lightly on the door, not sure if the Captain was back already. He heard the Captain beckon him. He walked in rather nervous.

"I heard a lot about you from passing Pirates." The Captain said. "I hardly believed Captain Sparrow would take up a study, let alone one so early in her career. Then again, she is unpredictable."

Jack gave a small nod.

"I heard that she took up Ginger's son. Some said you were the spitting image of her. Others say you weren't even related. But, I can tell by your eyes and that soul of yours you displayed by fighting with Bill that you sure are her son." He said, leaning back in his chair. His eyes never left Jack for a second. It made Jack feel butterflies flutter in his stomach to be stared at for so long.

"First things first. What do you want to be called?" The Captain questioned.

"Jack would be fine." He said with a shrug.

"Jack it is then. You can call me Captain David. I owed your mother thanks for saving my neck when I was young. So, I guess if I keep you safe while you're on board here, it'll be thanks enough. Savvy?" He questioned.

"I Savvy." Jack said. "Do all your crew mates act like Bootstrap?"

The Captain laughed. "I knew you'd fight with him as soon as I knew who your Mother and Teacher were. Bootstrap is more of what you would call, tough leather. He doesn't want anyone to know he's got a heart under all that skin and muscle. Don't be taken by his hostile appearance. He's a rather friendly person, once you gain his trust that is."

"Why would I fight with him, based on my Mother and Teacher?" Jack questioned.

"Because Lad. Those with different beliefs will never get along. Bootstrap has completely different beliefs in what a pirate is then what you believe a pirate is. It's easy to figure out that you two will be at it like cats and dogs." The Captain said. "Which is why you two are going to be working together."

"WHAT?!" Jack shouted in disbelief.

"Aye. You'll be working with him and do not use that tone again." The Captain said, warningly.

Jack nodded. "Sorry Captain David. Won't ever happen again."

"That's more like it." The Captain said with a nod. "You two will be working together, seeing as how you two will be on the same ship, I can't very well have you two plotting against each other. You will work with him until you feel comfortable among our ranks."

Jack nearly gulped. He was sure that Bootstrap wasn't trying to hurt him, that's the only way he was able to clip Bootstrap with his fist. Now, in a real fight, Jack was sure Bootstrap would win. Bootstrap could even KILL him without Jack being able to do anything.

"Don't worry yourself lad. Bootstrap knows better then to try anything on this ship. I trust him more then just about anything on this ship, so no need for worrying about anything. You Savvy?" Captain David said.

"I Savvy."

"Then, you're dismissed."

Sorry about it being a little short and the death of George. I know some of you were becoming a little attached to him. I couldn't very well have that one happen. Kidding! Please, put down the sharp, pointy objects! I'll write another chapter soon, if you promise not to kill me!

Oh and I am sorry for making Bootstrap out to be sort of a … prick.. for lack of better words. He's going to be that way for a good while, so try to get used to it… please? He'll  be better… eventually. ^_^ On another note, for the next three or four chapters, Jack will be onboard the pirate ship, being a pirate!! WHOA! Finally, we get to see Jack be a pirate! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review!