Chapter Two

"What're ye doin', Jack?" Barbossa inquired, crouching beside him near the docks.

"Watch..." Jack said distantly, gazing though the brass telescope towards the ships at dock. He handed Barbossa the telescope, pointing in the same direction he had been looking.

"Ah... That'll be easy..." he smiled, surveying the second ship. "When?"

"Soon. They'll be going on their merry ways... Rally the crew. I'll keep a watch."

"Aye."

A small group of noblemen walked onto the dock from the ship, chatting jovially and seeming completely absorbed in their own propriety. Jack grinned mischievously, "That's it... go on..." he whispered. They continued on their way clear out of sight. The crew, lead by Barbossa, walked, crouching low, to where Jack was hiding.

"Now?" Barbossa asked.

"Wait..." Jack said, holding his hand up. The port was filled with silence save the sloshing of the waves against the docks. He motioned to the men. "Now."

At least thirty pirates made for the HMS Pacific, some from the ocean, some from the docks. Without a single creak from the planks, they boarded the ship and quickly assembled at their posts. Jack stood at the helm, Barbossa leaning against the side of the ship. Angered voices pierced the silence as the noblemen, followed by half of the King's Navy, appeared at the top of the battlement.

"Here they come..." said Jack, "Raise anchor! Hoist the sails! Let's give the ol' buggers a good chase."

Before the navy could board the boats, the HMS Pacific was already out of the bay, heading into the sea.

"Jack!" called Barbossa.

"Aye?"

"Look o'er here- they've got more than the navy aboard."

Before Jack could ask, he saw one of the crew members manacled and gagged in the largest boat.

Twigg sneered at Jack as he passed by, "Bill's a bloody fool. I'll be glad to leave 'im behind."

Jack grabbed him by the throat, holding a pistol to his head. Twigg flinched, glaring at Jack, who put his gun back into his belt and let go of his throat. "Ready a line."

Koehler found the cannons disabled. Instead, aiming to graze the larger boat on the starboard side, he cocked his pistol and fired. The bullet went sailing through the air, hitting one of the younger officers. Abrupt yells were heard as the officer fell overboard.

"Captain Norrington! Your pris'ner?" Jack yelled at the top of his lungs.

There sat Captain James Norrington Sr. in all his pomposity. "Mr. Sparrow! Cease fire or this man will be thrown overboard!"

"CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW!"

Barbossa gave him an odd look, "...Captain?"

"s'only a title," groaned Jack, raising his voice again, "CAPTAIN! I 'ave m'self an entire ship of ruthless murd'rers, and you've got a bunch of wigs in little boats. I'd choose wisely if I were you!"

Norrington grimaced, ordering the men to toss Bill into the ocean. With all haste, Jack threw his sword in Bill's direction. With a splash, it broke the ocean surface, hitting a rock at the bottom. Bill sliced through his leg bonds, retrieved Jack's sword, and swam for the ship.

"Draw pistols...FIRE!" Jack bellowed, and several bullet holes were shot in the captain's ship. It began to fill with water.

"FIRE!" he yelled again, and a third time, until all boats were sinking into the deep. The wind picked up, taking the ship into the ocean.

"ABANDON YOUR POSTS!" cried Norrington, leaping from the boat, making his way back to the port.

Jack and Barbossa pulled Bill aboard with a sloshing sound of his drenched clothing hitting the deck.

"You're probably the maddest pirate I've ever met," said Bill, wringing out his bandana, "or the drunkest."

"I'll have you know I pride myself on holding both o' those titles," Jack said with a smile, "and you're welcome."

"I don't recall thanking you," quipped Bill with a sly grin.

Jack frowned, because for the first time in his life, he couldn't think of a witty reply. Instead, he drew his sword, goading him on, "Draw your sword, Bill! Or aren't your parries as quick as your words?"

They began a sword fight, first circling, then parries and lunges, dueling from stern to port until Jack accidently stuck his foot into a bucket and fell backwards with a startled cry.

"Would you two stop it?!" said Barbossa angrily. Both Bill and Jack froze. "Behavin' like fools when there's bound to be more boats chasin' after us all the way to Tortuga!" After a few moments, they burst out laughing. Bill helped him up and pulled the bucked off his foot.

Jack swaggered past Barbossa, "You need some rum, mate. Warms the blood, and some other things as well, savvy?"

Barbossa chuckled, "Aye, I might need some o' that before we commandeer another ship, but I'm not like ye, Jack. When I find a lass, it won't be in the brothels."

Jack continued past him with an angry glance, joining Bill who'd long since retired to the helm. The sun was nearly set and the sky was a hazy golden orange.

"How many days till Tortuga?"

"We'll be there by dawn, I'd wager," said Jack.

"Good... I don't want to have to kill Barbossa, but..."

Jack smiled, "He's not so bad..."

"...If you like constipated bastards," finished Bill.

"Go to sleep, Bill."

"Don't give me orders."

"Alright. If you're so bloody 'ard-pressed to refuse command... Stay awake with me and either drink till sunup, or till you are incapable of recognizing your name, whichever comes first," he said languidly, taking another swig of rum. He lolled at the helm, opening his compass, taking a quick look, then snapping it shut again, then opened it and shut it... again... and again... He soon grew tired of this and began humming softly to himself, head swaying back and forth a bit. He himself loved to drink, there was no doubt, but the prospect of ending up so intoxicated as to end up being even remotely like Jack frightened Bill. He clasped his hand to his friend's shoulder roughly, causing him to sway a bit.

"...'Night, Jack."

"Night."


I promise the next chapter will introduce the OC!

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