Sword Edge
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the movie soundtrack
A/N: well, this is the final chapter sniffle I've had a great time writing it and I've been astounded by the reviews I've got (46 to date, I think, for just 4 chapters). Author thanks are at the bottom. I don't think I've forgotten anyone; let me know if I have!!! Also, there are some really good fics in my Favourite Stories list that are to be recommended (bear in mind I've only just stumbled across the PotC fandom so I've only read a small number of fics so far).
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Chapter 5
Jack woke early the next day. He had found sleeping difficult, as it had not been accompanied by the gentle rocking of a ship on the ocean. It took him a moment to recall his surroundings.
Then the significance of the day hit him. Today was Jack Turner's first birthday.
Today was the first anniversary of Elizabeth Turner's death.
With that thought in mind, Jack stumbled out of bed (why did the floor have to be so bloody still?) and pulled on some basic clothes. He certainly didn't need his coat on inside. Far too warm for that.
He made his way to Will's room. The door was shut but he could still hear a child crying and Will desperately pleading with him to be quiet. Jack knocked loudly and then, getting no response, pushed the door open and stepped into the room. The curtains were still drawn, and the room was quite dark. Will, still in his nightclothes, stood holding his son in his arms, gently swaying (as he had frequently observed his father-in-law doing), but Jack would not be comforted. Will was silently crying himself from sheer frustration and despair.
Will, sensing the presence of another in the room (he had been too distracted to hear the pirate's knocking), turned. His son continued to cry loudly. "Help me, Jack!" he pleaded. "He's been crying for nigh on an hour and I can't get him to stop. I've done everything I can think of, but it's no good!"
"Maybe he knows what today is," suggested the pirate softly. "Maybe 'e knows somehow that a year ago today 'is mother passed from this world."
Will flinched, his dark brown eyes filling with pain once again.
"Try talkin' gently to 'im. Don't plead. 'Cordin' to your father, it's all to do with yer tone of voice, so he once told me. Low pitch and quiet, soft sounds. Soothes 'em."
Will nodded and did as he was advised. Within minutes, the small child was fast asleep. Will gave the pirate a grateful look as he laid little Jack down in his small bed, and then sat down on his own bed, shoulders slumped and head dropped. Jack sat down beside him and Will turned to him. "Why does everyone I care about die?"
Jack frowned, then looked affronted. "So yeh don't care about me?"
Will sighed. "I didn't mean that. It's just…my mother, my father, the people who I travelled over here from England with…and now Elizabeth. And how you've stayed alive this long, I really don't know."
"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, mate. Surely that's reason enough? Savvy?"
"Of course. How could I forget?" But the grin that normally greeted this pronouncement of Jack's was absent from Will's face. It was that that caused Jack to decide to not let Will out of his sight if at all possible that day. He placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Your son's beautiful, William. Don't forget that. You've still got him."
"How – how long are you staying here?" asked Will.
"A week, maybe two. Depends on how you're doin'."
"What do you mean?"
Jack met Will's gaze seriously. "If I were to leave right now, I would bet the entire store of the Pearl's rum – which is a lot of rum, believe me, and as such, I would be loath to lose it through wagerin' – that you would at least come very close to attempting to take your own life. And that would be very tragic, William."
"Why do you always call me William? The Commodore generally calls me by my surname, and I'm Will to everyone else but you."
Jack shrugged. "I honestly 'ave no idea, mate."
"You said you'd tell me about my father," said Will abruptly. "You said we had an accord."
"So I did. Well, it'll take a goodly length of time, so I would advise you to make yourself look somewhat respectable. And get some breakfast into yeh; I don't reckon yeh've been lookin' after yehself properly on the food front for some time. Am I right?"
"Not been hungry," muttered Will.
"You get dressed and eat a proper breakfast, and then I'll tell you about Bootstrap. We have an accord?"
Will nodded, and Jack headed downstairs. He was hungry.
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A week later, the mood in the Turner household had vastly improved. Anamaria had stopped by the day after little Jack's birthday, and the opinionated black girl had instantly fallen in love with the child. She had insisted that the nurse allow her to help look after him while Will was at work. Pirate Jack had teased her about getting broody. Anamaria had promptly snatched his rum bottle from him and stalked off, Jack Turner in her arms.
Will had shown a remarkable improvement in spirit, and the pirate captain was confident that, given time, all would be well with him. It hadn't taken the blacksmith long at all to adapt to the role of father; after the first couple of days (and a few prompts from his pirate friends) it had come naturally to him. He was still far from happy, but Jack Sparrow had given him hope.
Little Jack giggled as he knocked over the tower of bricks that Anamaria had built. It was early evening.
"Hey! I put a lotta work into that!" cried Anamaria in mock outrage. Jack merely grinned and clapped his hands. Will smiled and picked his son up, holding him tightly. "I think it's time that someone went to bed," he remarked softly. Kissing Jack's dark head (the boy already bore a striking resemblance to his father), he slipped out of the room and went upstairs to his bedroom, in which Jack still slept. He closed the curtains with one hand, the other holding his son to him, all the while gently rocking him to sleep.
When the now-sleeping boy had been laid down, Will turned – and started when a figure stepped out of the doorway. The blacksmith relaxed when he saw who it was. "Please don't do that to me, Jack."
"My deepest apologies," replied the pirate graciously, bowing flamboyantly. "However, I feel that now is the time for me onesies to depart from this fine town."
Will's face fell. "You – you're leaving?"
Jack nodded. "'Fraid so, mate. If I stay much longer, I won't be free from arrest, appre'ension and all that other stuff, from Commodore Norrington." His face softened. "Don't get me wrong, lad. I've enjoyed seein' you again, as well as meetin' me namesake – but the sea calls to me. Savvy?"
Will smiled ruefully, then nodded. "I – I understand. Thanks, Jack. I don't know what would have become of me if you hadn't come when you did."
"Yeh'd be six feet under, mate," Jack answered matter-of-factly. "Least I could do." He stepped forward and embraced Will as a father would his son. "You take care now, William Turner. I can assure you that you have not seen the last of Captain Jack Sparrow. By wealth or by stealth, I shall be back. Can't say when, mind, but I will be back." He pulled away, tipped his three-cornered hat at Will as a salute, then walked swiftly from the room. Will went to the window and a few minutes later, a man sauntered away from the house in a unique, swaying walk, a slim black girl at his side. Neither looked back as they made their way to where the Black Pearl was moored. Will smiled as he watched them go. He knew in his heart that he had not seen the last of Captain Jack Sparrow.
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fin
thanks to:
Oneiriad: I like the idea of the Pearl protecting Port Royal, too; I can just see Jack doing something like that.
Lucidity: Will Turner will be fine. Eventually. Thankies a thousand times for being such a loyal reviewer!!
MagickalStar135: Whoo!!! Thanks for the lovely review! beams Another loyal reader/reviewer/follower!!! Thankies a thousand times!
Lord Elrond of Hogwarts: Thankies a thousand times for being such a devoted follower and reader/reviwewer of my fics! Jack is needed! We have an accord, savvy? ;)
KissTheRainGirl12489: I can't do anything if I have no Internet access, now, can I? Savvy?
Bluekrystal1: I agree! Ickle Jack Turner is very sweet!
The Bonnie Pirate Lass (aka Heavily): you can't have two updates; this is the last chapter! Your reviews are wonderfully heartwarming. And gobsmacking. I must be doing something right to get such amazing reviews from you! Thankies a thousand times, for being so loyal!
Also to Lyn, Inu Lover, Christina13