"Why are you here, Jack?" Will asked bluntly. Jack pretended to be offended.
"I came to see you, mate. What, can't stop in on an old friend?" He grinned and the firelight glinted of his gold teeth.
"You haven't in the past ten years. Why start now?" Will was tired of Jack's games.
"Fair enough. I'm in Port Royal on business. Need a new sword. Word has it you're the finest sword-smith in the Caribbean, so I came here. Savvy?" Jack tilted his head, judging Will's reaction. Will's eyes narrowed, trying to determine if Jack was telling the truth. Finally deciding that he was, he nodded slowly.
"I can't do it now; it's the middle of the night. And I have other orders. When do you need it?"
"We set sail tomorrow morning. Is that a problem?"
"Fire up the smithy in the middle of the night? The neighbors would lynch me! And then Elizabeth would take a shot, as well. Are you daft?" Will paused and considered his last words. "Never mind, I should know that by now. What time tomorrow?" He sighed, knowing Jack would never let him go until he agreed.
"Morning tea. Look on the bright side, Will! This is an opportune time to teach the boy."
"I don't want to be a blacksmith. I want to be a pirate!" Willy exclaimed.
"A fine goal, mate!" Jack encouraged enthusiastically.
"You'll do no such thing, son. Piracy isn't a trade, it's a crime." Will countered quietly.
"You should listen to your father, son." Jack interjected. Both Will and Willy turned to look at him. "What? I've always said I was a dishonest man. Besides, Willy, a pirate's life is a wretched existence. Always running from the law, always eating last week's scraps, always just barely surviving."
"Jack's right, Willy. Blacksmithing is a good, solid trade. You'll be able to provide for your family and always be within the law."
"But you went out pirating, Dad! And you always say that Captain Jack is a pirate and a good man." Jack looked pleasantly surprised at this and turned with raised eyebrows to Will.
"You really think so?"
"Well, you did help save Elizabeth," Will conceded embarrassedly and tried to steer the conversation back to his son. "Willy, that was different. I was going after your mother. I didn't want to; it was necessary."
"Ah, but you know you enjoyed it, mate," Jack broke in, grinning. Will's glare wiped the smile off his face and he shrugged apologetically.
"I'll have your sword ready by morning tea tomorrow, then. You'll have to pay extra for that, you know." Will knew Jack knew, and he was prepared for every excuse in the book as to why he wouldn't pay. But Jack surprised Will.
"I know, mate. I'll have ten extra shillings for you in the morning, along with five for the bed."
"Bed?" Will asked.
"Well, seeing as I'm already here, and I'm just coming right back in the morning, I figured it'd be more…efficient…to stay here." Jack gave Will his most endearing smile. Will sighed. It was late, he was tired, he trusted Jack to a point…why not? Besides, he reasoned, if he refused Jack would probably just break back in. This way he could get five extra shillings.
"Alright. But you stay downstairs," Will warned, "and don't touch anything."