Chapter 50: Letting Go

***

Alaina sat deep in though on the deck. This is what she had always wanted to do, this is what she had always dreamed of, and now it was coming to an end.

She would have to go back to Port Royale and face the truths her journey had revealed, as well as the same old boring everyday life she had endured all those years prior to this. She had to go back, leave. And let this all just be a memory.

"What are you thinking about?" Will asked coming up and carefully sitting next to her. "Things," Alaina told him dully looking at him, making sure he was alright.

"What kind of things?" He asked curiously exhaling as the pain slowly died away.

"About how I'll have to go back home and have to live my boring life again."

Will was a little alarmed at the sound in her voice.

"Carrick's coming to live with us so I'm sure you two will entertain each other."

Alaina sighed, that was another aspect of her problem; Carrick.

He and Jill had become increasingly better friends. She had seen them together a lot on deck as well as talking in the late hours of the night when she had gotten up to check on her father.

They thought no one knew but she did which caused her a lot of discomfort. So she had began to avoid them as much as she could. Carrick and her spoke so little she wondered if he had even forgotten her all together.

"Actually," Alaina began. "If it's all the same to you, I'd like to stay on the Pearl." Will looked at her disbelievingly than behind him at Jack who was at the helm, completely oblivious to them and their discussion.

"I already talked to Captain Sparrow, and he said I would have to approve it with you, but other than that he was fine with it."

'Damn right, he's fine with all the sex he's going to get." Will thought narrowing his eyes at the man.

Jack casually glanced in their direction and was taken back at Will's stare. Then he realized what they were walking about.

'Stupid whelp thinks I'm going to sleep with Alaina,' He thought with a grin. Will's protectiveness amused him.

"But if you don't want me to stay or need me than I understand," Alaina said quickly knowing that she was loosing, and it bothered her about leaving him especially now that he was severely hurt.

Will looked back at her and his face softened. She had already given so much up for him and had already sacrificed too much for him. Now it was his turn.

"Alaina," He began as his stomach knotted at what he was going to say. "Your old enough now to make your own decisions,"

Alaina turned to him puzzled. "But I just turned seventeen. How-"

"Your smart," He told her cutting in. "You know what you want and what would be best for you."

"Do you want me to stay with you?" Alaina asked after a few seconds not believing that he was serious.

"Its not about what I want, this is about you."

Alaina sat and thought for a few moments and Will watched as her eyes brightened, as she fully understood what he was doing for her.

"Thank you!" She cried with a laugh giving him a hug, thought carefully avoiding his wounds.

"You staying or you going?" Jack asked looking at them.

"I'm staying!" Alaina confirmed happily. Will slowly got up with the help of Alaina and walked over to Jack.

"You and I are going to have a little talk later." He told the dark pirate grabbing his shoulders and gripping them. "Cant wait," Jack assured giving Alaina a wink, making her laugh.

"You'd better watch it Sparrow," Will warned playfully choking him. "Ah Turner," Jack said shaking his head. "You thoroughly amuse me,"

"Glad you think so," Will said with a small laugh. "Buts lets see just how amusing I can get,"

***

"So Jack," Will began uncertainly sitting down on the opposite side of the table.

"Yes Will?" Jack asked with a grin, he knew what was coming. And it was going to be thoroughly entertaining.

"There are a few things that I have to tell you before I let you just sail off with Alaina, savvy?" Will asked using the word that was sometimes heard coming from his friend's mouth. Jack smiled and nodded.

"First off, you're not allowed to give her rum, beer, or any other drink that you know I would not permit. Second, if I find out that you-"

"Will," Jack interrupted putting his hands up. "I swear on my mothers grave I will not touch Alaina, or let anyone else." Will looked at the pirate disbelievingly.

"I wont!" Jack promised, still Will gave him that look.

"Look Will, Alaina's a little too young for me," Jack paused trying to think of all the reasons why it'd never work. "And a little too innocent," He paused again trying to think about the order of importance on that very long list. "And a little too naive," He paused again, knowing that Will was becoming a little agitated as well as mad.

"I get your point," Will said finally sighing and closing his eyes. He was getting dizzy again, not a good sign.

"Ah Will, I know I've done a few things in the past that might have suggested otherwise but-"

"Might have?" Will asked not believing that he had just done that. "For god sakes Jack I caught you trying to seduce her!" Will paused. "More than once!"

Jack frowned but nodded. "I see what your saying but I'm telling you I'm not interested in her like that."

Will's eyes narrowed. "And just what kind of way are you interested in her?"

Jack paused and thought for a moment. 'I'm screwing myself over,' He thought. Why was it that he could talk his way out of being hanged but he couldn't keep his head straight when he was talking about Alaina?

'Probably that damn journal entry' He thought wryly.

"Well?" Will asked crossing his arms, his dizziness completely leaving him.

'Oh shit I hope he didn't find out about the island incident,' He thought hopefully. But than Will couldn't have or he'd be dead; Will might be wounded but he was still quite intimidating.

"I just meant that she's entertaining that's all." Jack assured. "Amusing, quite like you amuse me."

Will nodded slowly, not believing the Captain for a moment. He didn't want Alaina to stay on the Pearl, but she could look after herself. She'd proven that to him time and time again.
***

A/N: Whew. Sorry that took so long everybody. I've just been super busy and haven't been on the internet long enough to post things so I hope this will satisfy you for a few days. Yes DAYS I WILL POST AGAIN SOON!!!!

Thanks to everyone of you who keep on supporting this progressively getting worse POTC fic. THANKS!!!