Disclaimer: No, I don't own Jack. Nor do I own Will, Liz, Norrington, or the Black Pearl. Life is terribly unfair and the only way I am enduring any of this is that Mari is my character, and mine alone. Ta.
A/N: Sorry it's taken me SO VERY LONG to update. College is a lot more stressful than I first imagined, and even my weekends have viciously been taken over. Thus, I hope you will forgive me; I will try and update everything over Thanksgiving. But I make no promises.
Jack was in trouble. Jack knew he was in trouble. But he didn't show that he knew he was in trouble. Milo obviously didn't recognize him; he had only to hope that Juliette failed to remember him as well.
A young servant led the three to their suite, Jack swaggering jauntily in front of Will and Mari. If looks could kill, he thought, feeling his companions' glares, I would be dead and in pieces. Of course, I might end up that way still, if Juliette's memory proves too sound.
Once the servant had settled them, and bowed out of the apartments, Jack's companions –predictably- turned on him.
"You're plan, it seems, is already backfiring, Jack," Will said, none too pleased. Mari contented herself with an angry glare and an attempt at loosening her corset. Jack stretched languidly, falling backward onto a couch and settling his feet upon a nearby table.
"Have I ever given either of you a reason not to trust me?"
"Pirate," Mari snapped.
"Pot calling the kettle black, love."
"I never claimed to be honest, nor trustworthy."
"I know I'm a dishonest man, my lass."
"Dishonesty and trust don't generally go hand in hand."
"You ask a ship-full of men to trust you everyday, my lass."
"Now who's being hypocritical?"
Will stepped between the two, as Mari began to unlace a shoe.
"Can we please focus on the matter at hand? We need to have a plan at getting that treasure back, so we can get the devil out of here! Jack," the young blacksmith faced the pirate stiffly, "what does it look like?"
Jack shifted a bit and grinned. Lad's finally growing something resembling a spine...
"'S a necklet, of red gold, strung wi' black pearls." He grinned. "Make it easier to remember me by."
Mari muttered something –blessedly- inaudible.
"So it'll likely be in her chambers?" Will demanded. Jack nodded.
"Aye. 'Less she sold it, or some such."
Mari growled deep in her throat. Both men regarded her with wary gazes. Seeing the caution on Jack's face –Jack's face- Will realized just how dangerous Mari was capable of being. And Jack, undoubtedly, was the one who taught her to be that way.
Will was suddenly very glad those two were on his side.
At the moment, at least.
"You, Will, lad, will have to distract Milo, and especially Juliette, while the lass and I liberate her accursed property."
"And how am I to do that?" Will asked, nonplussed. Jack grinned, teeth glinting.
"I'm certain you'll think of something."