A/N: Sorry for the long wait. After my last post I realized I had written myself into a corner and it's taken this long for me to figure a way of getting out without having to rewrite a good part of what I've already done. Special thanks once again to ErinRua. She kindly looked this chapter over and critiqued it in the most tactful way. Read her fic Pirates of the Caribbean: The African Star. It's quite a work of brilliance if I do say so myself. (Sorry for the advertising. On with the show now.)

Return of the Sparrow

Chapter Five

A young man wrapped in a tattered, salt-sprayed cloak entered the pub. None paid him any heed. People of his sort were common in that establishment and he was of no consequence to them. He glanced around the room with dark eyes, searching. Apparently spotting who he was looking for, he strode over to a dark corner table where five others sat. They watched him approach over the rims of their preferred drinks.

"You're late," one said putting down his mug with a clank.

"Forgive me, but security in Port Royal isn't exactly lax," the newcomer said, as he sat down and motioned for a barmaid.

One came almost at once and took his order.

"Well?" The one who appeared to be in charge insisted. "What have you found out?"

"Douglass, Can't a man have one drink before delving into his travels?" the stranger replied with a twinkle in his eye.

Douglass crossed his arms over his chest, unamused. "Tell us what you know, Avery, and we may let you go peacefully."

Avery heaved an exaggerated sigh and set down his mug. "Very well. The Commodore captured Sparrow and his entire crew. They are all being held in the jailhouse, awaiting trial. I overheard some soldiers talking and they said Sparrow wasn't long for this world. Norrington will never get away with letting him escape again. It's inevitable that Sparrow and his crew will hang."

Douglass's face cracked into a grin and he took a swig of his drink. "See, boys? I told you Sparrow wouldn't be allowed to get away with what he did to us. I told you he'd pay in the end. And he has."

Raucous laughter erupted from the table and they clanked their mugs together in a toast of accomplishment.

"Pay for what?" Avery asked, curious.

The laughter died away and dark looks clouded the eyes of the other five.

"Eleven years ago," Douglass began matter-of-factly, "We met Sparrow while he was on a mad hunt for a legendary treasure chest discovered by Cortez. He had been searching for three years and was at the end of his rope. He came to us in a state of despair asking for help – or so we thought. We told him it was a fool's mission and to give it up while he was ahead and to find some other fantasy to chase, but he refused. Said he was going to pick up a crew in Tortuga but he still didn't know how to find the treasure. Said he'd heard we could help, and claimed that if we helped him find the island, he would give us a share of the gold. So we discussed it amongst ourselves and thought him a decent enough man and decided to help him."

"Biggest mistake of our lives," one of the men cut in.

"Nobody asked your opinion!" Douglass bellowed, rolling his eyes in annoyance. "Anyway we gave him a compass. A compass that didn't point north, but pointed always in the direction of your destination. How we came by it is a long story but let me tell you, Jack Sparrow jumped at the opportunity and said if we gave him the compass, we could come along and see the treasure for ourselves. We all agreed and went to bed, planning to leave at sunrise the next morning. Sparrow had other plans, however. During the night he came into my room and took the compass for himself and left without a trace. Since we had never been to the island and he had the fastest ship in the Caribbean, we could hardly follow him, so we bided our time.

The barmaid returned with Avery's drink and Douglass paused his story until she had left.

"After a few years, we gave up," he continued. "Figured Sparrow to be dead or who knew what. But around three or four weeks ago, we caught wind that Sparrow was still alive and still after the treasure and had found it. The treasure turned out to be cursed, true, but that didn't matter. He still had our compass. Now it isn't really all that much good to us. We're old and not much longer for this earth, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he stole it and we have been determined to get revenge ever since." Douglass leaned back in his chair, a wry smile of remembrance twisting his face. "We saw him sailing the Black Pearl out of Port Royal and followed at a distance. While they dropped anchor to repair a leak in the hull, we continued on and came across a British passenger ship. Knowing that it would only be a matter of time before he came that way, we destroyed the ship and came back here to await Sparrow's fate."

The men around the table were silent, each lost in memory.

"So that's why you needed me?" Avery asked. "Just to find out if he'd been caught?"

"Aye," Douglass replied with a grin. "And ye did a fine job, lad, you really did."

Douglass slapped a few gold coins on the table. "Here's your payment for a job well done. Come on, boys. We return to Port Royal and get back what belongs to us. With Sparrow already in custody, they'll be suspecting no one but him. They'll let us through as though we were the king himself."

The five men left the table and tromped noisily out of the pub, leaving Avery to his own thoughts.

~

"Jack," Will panted. "A word if you please?"

"Yes, Will?"

"How are we going to find who we're looking for if we don't know who they are or where they might be? And even if we did know who they are or where they were, how are we going to get there? We have no ship."

"You've got to work on your numbers, mate. That was a good deal more than 'a word,'" Jack said with a wink. "And really, Will, you have so little faith in my abilities. What kind of pirate would I be if I couldn't find a ship in a time of need?

"We aren't going to commandeer another one, are we?" Will asked worriedly.

"No, no, no." Jack said with a consoling smile. "Wouldn't dream of it," he added.

Will eyed him skeptically.

"But Jack where exactly are we going to look?" Elizabeth asked

"Well, I figured we'd just head to Tortuga, as it is just about the only place I can get to and from in five days. Have a bit o' fun, keep our ears open and our eyes peeled and return in time for Norrington to carry out with my execution."

"You mean you aren't even going to try?" she demanded.

"Now, love, I didn't day that. But it is virtually inconceivable that we can locate, go to, and bring back the ones who really did destroy the ship in five days, so there really isn't much point in fretting about it, now is there?"

"Jack…" Will said slowly, a slight smile lighting his face.

"Huh?"

"Norrington didn't exactly say that had to bring the ones that did it back in five days. Only that you must find them and return in five days."

Jack's smile glittered mischieviously. "Now you're thinkin' like a pirate, mate. Come on, I happen to know of someone who we can borrow a ship from just down this way."

Will and Elizabeth followed Jack as he ambled over the rocks in his tipsy gait, to an old fishing boat that was anchored far down the coastline.

An old man with his back to them leaned against the railing, apparently spitting tobacco into the water.

"That's your ship?" Elizabeth asked with distaste.

Jack gave an apologetic smile before striding up the dock and onto the boat.

"'Old it righ' there, laddie!" the man whirled around, cocking a pistol. "Don't come a step closer!" He stopped and stared hard at Jack. "Jack? That really be you?" he asked, stepping forward.

"Of course mate, who else would bother to inconvience you so but I?"

"Aye, you've go' a point there," the old man reasoned with a nod. "But who be they?" he asked jabbing his pistol in Will and Elizabeth's direction.

"Oh, they're just friends," Jack said, waving his hand dismissively. "Say, Jenkins, I've got a favor to ask of you."

Jenkins sighed. "What's it this time, lad?"

"I need to borrow something of yours," Jack began carefully. "You'll hardly miss it and I promise I'll bring it back," he added hastily."

"What migh' that be?"

"I need to use your boat for a few days."

Jenkins was silent a minute then burst out laughing. "Tha's funny, Jack! You almos' had me tha' time, ye really did." He clapped a hand good-naturedly on Jack's shoulder. "Now really, wha' is it ye be wantin?"

"I really would be wantin' your boat," Jack repeated.

Jenkins stared at him again. "But Jack, ye can't be serious. I mean, it's my boat. The love o' my life. I don' think I can be partin' with her jus' yet."

"I know how you feel, Jenkins," Jack said nodding sympathetically. "But I need to get to Tortuga and back in five days and my Pearl is stranded somewhere out in the middle of the ocean."

"Eh, I'm sorry, Jack. I really am," Jenkins said turning around and leaning back on the railing. "But I'm 'fraid ye can't 'ave 'er."

Jack motioned hastily for Will and Elizabeth.

"Jenkins?"

"Aye?"

"I do apologize, but if we don't get out of port soon, Miss Swann here will be late for her tea." And with that, he hoisted the old man over the railing and into that water.

"Weigh anchor!" Jack bellowed, hurrying to unfurl the sails.

"Jack!" Jenkins spluttered, flailing around in the shallow water for all he was worth. "Ye get back 'ere with me boat!"

"In five days, mate! I promise!" Jack called back, waving his hat cordially.

~*Kayden~Eidyak*~

Reviewer Responses:

Eledwhen- Whee! You reviewed again. I feel so honored. Thanks so much!

Cherrychica- Aye!

J. Liha- Me neither! Thanks!

Jackfan2- Uh, no foreseeable love sparks. Sorry, mate. Thanks for the review!

Elderberry- Neither did I for the longest time. *cringes* I'm glad you think everyone's in character. Thanks!

Lunatic- Ah, that's what it was going to be. But, just about everyone has returned cursed pirates. I needed something new. Thanks!

Sabercrazy- Aye, it shall be restored. And I just realized who you were. Funny, innit? Thanks so much.

Vous Savez- And once again you weren't around. Sorry, mate. I waited for a very long time, I did. You don't mind, do you? You're still the best beta I've ever had. Hope to see you for the next chapter.