A/N: All right then. Lets do this…

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from POTC or Disney. My made up characters and the plot are fiction and anything similar to other fanfics is simply coincidence.

Chapter 11: More Than What It Seems

Will's POV: (Around Dawn)

I found myself quite glad to leave Tortuga so quickly. Except for the matter that Jack left me in such a state of confusion. When we found him in the bar I had missed most of what he was talking about with the bartender.

What did Adriano Viramontes have to do with Mateo? Who was Mateo and what did Jack mean by Mateo wanting him and not Lia?

All night as we sailed, my mind was swimming around those questions. Any time I approached Jack, he would get a bit piqued and give a few orders as a captain, obviously avoiding my questions.

In a way I was also a bit relieved, we knew Lia was aboard a ship called the Mystic and her captor's name was Mateo. Jack really had us working, keeping the ship sailing. My muscles were worn and my bones were hurting but I didn't protest once.

"Will! What are ye doin'?"

So wrapped up in my thoughts, I didn't see the loose rigging of the sail, blowing along with the wind. I quickly ran over and tied it.

"Pay more attention, boy." Mr. Gibbs said firmly as he walked around, making sure no one was falling behind.

"Well sorry if my mind isn't all crystal clear at the moment." I said as I gave a hard tug on the rope, tightening the knot.

I shivered as the wind began to pick up a bit. I felt a hand on my shoulder, turning me around.

"Well no one here is thinking clear, Will. Ye know that." He said desolately. I had never seen him so serious before.

He pulled out his flask and took a drink before offering it to me.

I shook my head, "No thanks."

"Back to work, mates!"

I looked up to the helm; Anamaria was at the rudder barking orders to anyone slacking off. The weariness was really taking over yet not a soul would say anything. It was quite admiring really. The obedience and dedication the crew had to their captain. I knew Lia was family to everyone onboard and they would gladly do whatever it took to get her back.

My eyes trailed down to the captain's cabin, the door was slightly open. Would this be an appropriate time? I didn't know if it would be wise to disturb him after all the agitation and grief in Tortuga but a part of me didn't care.

I wanted to know.

I pushed past Trevor and Matelot who were running about as I made my way to the cabin doors. I pushed the door a bit more, enough to peek inside.

Jack was sitting at his desk, staring intently at some kind of map. He traced the lines with his fingertips, mumbling to himself. His whispers were like soft growls of fury and frustration.

"ARGH!" he suddenly screamed as he balled up the map and threw it as hard as he could to the floor. Seconds after he swept his arm across his desk, sending a bunch of rolled up charts to the floor. I winced at his behavior. I had never seen him lose it like that.

I back up a bit so he wouldn't see me as I kept watching. His eyes wandered to his belt as he struggled to regain composure. He pulled out Lia's coiled up sword from his belt. He walked over to Lia's bed, not taking his eyes off the sword cradled in his hands like a valuable treasure.

He placed the sword, blade down on the pillows. He hand lightly ran down the sheathed blade.

"Where are ye, sweet?" he asked out loud. I closed my eyes. A part of me wanted to believe that the answer would whisper in the still air.

"Ahem." I cleared my throat loudly, acknowledging my presence. Jack quickly stood up as he saw me in the doorway. I stood there in silence, searching for the words.

"If ye got nothin' to say, then get out, Will. For I got better things to do." He growled.

"Yes, begging your pardon but I do have something to say." I stepped away from the door, "I'm tired of not knowing anything Jack. I have just as much right to know."

"Know what?" Jack said calmly.

I continued to confront him, "I know who Adriano Viramontes is. I've read many books on him since I was a boy…"

"I don't need yer life story, Will." Jack said curtly.

I stopped for a moment, looking at him gallingly.

I decided to get to the point, "What does Mateo have to do with him and why does he want you?"

Jack laughed, "Not a simpleton, huh Will?"

"I'm surprised you remembered." I replied.

Jack motioned his arm towards his desk, "Take a load off, Will."

I pulled up a chair from the dining table and sat down by the desk. Jack went to his big chair behind the desk. He opened a drawer and pulled out a tankard and a bottle of rum. He set the tankard down in front of me and filled it to the top.

He looked at me expectantly as he gulped down rum from the bottle. Hesitantly I took the tankard and took a huge swig. I coughed as I swallowed from the strong burning sensation.

Generally I hated the taste of rum but Jack was my friend and not in the best of his moods so I decided not to protest and be there for him.

"So," Jack began, "What was it ye wanted to know?"

"What does Adriano Viramontes have to do with Mateo?" I asked.

Jack rested his head on his hand and sighed, "Adriano as you know, was captain of The White Osprey. I knew him only because that bloody git was a ruthless greedy man who chased me around, goin' after me loots."

He paused and took another drink from his rum. I put my tankard down.

"Sometimes he would win and sometimes I would. I did lose some of my men to his crew and same goes for him." He smiled wryly at the memory, "Well, me crew and I weren't the only ones that one day goin' after Cortez's treasure."

"Adriano too?" I asked.

Jack nodded, "Barbossa really had it in for Adriano. He always talked about killing him but it was never the way to go for me. That night when I gave up the bearings and got meself marooned, Barbossa proceeded on to Isla De Muerta, crossing paths with The White Osprey along the way. Barbossa wasted no time; he wanted the treasure for himself. He raided The White Osprey, killed everyone on board and blew the ship to smithereens."

"But if Barbossa was the one who killed…" I started.

"I'm getting to it." Jack interrupted, "When word got around of Adriano's death, no names were given. Simple words of 'The Black Pearl did it!" went around. No one knew of Barbossa's mutiny until they went around retrieving the Aztec gold pieces, which was a while later so everyone assumed it was me who killed Adriano."

My jaw dropped a bit. I was completely captivated by the story.

"Most everyone was quite praiseful. Adriano was both hated and feared by many. He was known for doing unspeakable tortures to his captives and most said killing excited him…"

His eyes grew wide in realization.

I jumped in surprise as Jack suddenly kicked at the desk, his attitude coming back. I knew what he was thinking.

"Jack, I'm sure she is fine." I said reassuringly, "Lia is a smart and brave girl. Not to mention she has got a tongue sharper than your cutlass."

"That's what worries me." Jack mumbled.

His behavior was almost heartwarming. Not the same boozing, commandeering captain of The Black Pearl, but a devoted father who cared so much for his daughter.

I opened my mouth to respond when the doors busted wide open and Anamaria dashed in.

"Jack, we need you." She said urgently, "There's a storm brewin'."

She ran back out with Jack following. I jumped up after them.

The sky was turning a dark portentous grey and the wind was really picking up. My shirt moved along with the wind.

"Blimey!" I heard Jack say in annoyance, "This won't help a bit."

He was already running up the steps to the helm. He took his place at the rudder.

"What your plan, Jack?" Anamaria calls to him before leaving her spot next to me.

Jack looks around The Pearl, thinking.

"She can hold. We'll just push through."

"Better than nothin' I guess." She replied.

Jack was right. We needed to keep going.

A/N: And there you go! This update took shorter than I thought, lol! It would have been shorter but I was sick. I hope you guys enjoy and the 12th chapter should be out soon.