The last time Will had seen the Black Pearl up close, the sight was less than awe-inspiring. Black sails hanging in tatters, rotting planks, and a weatherbeaten figurehead; even crewed by the living, it had looked very much a ghost ship. Now, as he watched her crew lower the gangplank to the Inspiration, he couldn't help but be amazed at what a difference three years could make. It could have been the way it dwarfed his own ship, or the way the crew worked with such practiced efficiency, or any number of other things, but to Will, the Pearl looked terribly impressive. However, as much as the ship had changed, the captain, he noted with a grin, hadn't changed a bit. The hair was a bit longer, perhaps, but the outlandish decorations were still there, as was the very sorry-looking three-pointed hat. He strode across the deck, pausing at the edge for Gibbs and Anna Maria to take their places at his sides before starting across the gangplank. Will took a deep breath, and felt Elizabeth's hand squeeze his elbow briefly in reassurance. He flashed her the tiniest of smiles and stepped forward to greet his guest.

"Captain Jack Sparrow," he called out, almost surprised at the power in his own voice, "Welcome to the Inspiration."

Jack didn't miss a beat, clasping Will's outstretched hand in his own and pulling him into a rough embrace. Thumping Will solidly on the back with his free hand, he exclaimed, "Well, if it isn't Will Turner! You been keeping yourself out of trouble, lad? I certainly hope not," he added with a wink as they seperated. His eyes rested on Elizabeth, and he bowed deeply. "And the bonny lass," he said, catching her hand in his and kissing it with a flourish. "Just couldn't keep away from me, could you, love?" Elizabeth rolled her eyes, but a smile was tugging at the corners of her mouth as Jack turned to survey the rest of the ship, seemingly taking it in for the first time.

"Allow me to introduce you to the crew," Will said, indicating the line of men behind him whose expressions ranged from curious to blatantly hostile. Their hostilities were lost on the captain of the Black Pearl, though; he didn't even glance their way as he looked up and down the deck of the Inspiration, holding his hands up to measure and compare everything he laid eyes on. Clearing his throat, Will continued, "Over here, we have Wilkes, my - "

"This your ship?" Jack interrupted, his voice suggesting disbelief.

"Yes." Despite his mild annoyance at Jack's behavior, the Inspiration was Will's most prized possession, and he couldn't help but feel a swell of pride whenever he laid claim to her.

Elizabeth linked her arm with her husband's. "It's our ship," she corrected mildly. "My father helped finance our first few runs, before our trading took in any profit."

"We've been sailing this route for over a year now in the Inspiration. She's proven herself to be a good solid ship."

Jack brought his hands together, palms facing and nearly touching, and squinted at the space between them. "It's a bit small, isn't it?"

Will felt heat rising to his cheeks, and he struggled for an answer. "A bit, yes, but she can hold plenty of cargo for our purposes, and I couldn't ask for a finer crew."

The pirate finally turned to look at the assembled crew. His eyes wandered over each man's features, flickering from one to the next, oblivious to their stares. He leaned in close to the man nearest him and sniffed at him, drawing puzzled looks from the entire crew. Turning back to Will, he said, "I'm surprised you can fit all these men on here."

Captain Will Turner felt his face turn a bit redder as embarrassment and irritation fought within him, and his voice was sharp as he replied, "The ship's designed to run with a crew of about twenty, but we're a little short right now. We're going to sign on a few more when we get to Porto Bello."

Jack pointed his way down the line, silently counting off each of the dozen men, then his face relaxed, and he broke out into a grin. "Sorry, lad," he said, clapping Will on the shoulder, "I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that. I think I've been gettin' a little too used to the Pearl, to be honest. You've got a fine ship here, Captain Will Turner. A fine ship, and a fine crew," he added, tipping his hat respectfully to the glaring crewmen.

"Thank you," said Will, slightly mollified.

"Do you have time to anchor here for the night? If I'm not mistaken, we've got a lot of catching up to do."

Will looked at Elizabeth, who smiled encouragingly. "Yes," she said to the pirate, "I think we can afford a small delay. We wouldn't be able to deliver our cargo until the morning anyway." A murmur passed among the crew, and Jeffries took a step towards his captain, looking a bit uncomfortable. He had opened his mouth to speak when Jack cut in again.

"Excellent!" He clapped his hands together, looking genuinely pleased. "Allow me an hour or two to make preparations, and we'll have a feast. Bring your lovely wife and...your first mate," he said, pointing questioningly at Jeffries. When Will nodded, he continued, "and I'll tell you all about our adventures these last three years. Your crew is, of course, welcome to dine with mine." Jack's tone made it clear that he didn't expect the crew to take him up on his offer, and the look's on the crew's faces backed it up. "Or," he said, gesturing with pointed index fingers, "I could just have my boys bring over a bit of liquid refreshment, to help them while away the time." That drew a slightly better response, and Jack held his hand out to Will, looking pleasantly smug. The two captains shook hands, and Jack spun on his heel to return to his ship. Gibbs and Anna Maria followed, after nodding respectfully to Will, and all three soon disappeared from sight.

Jeffries wasted no time. "Captain, I must advise against this. I know you have something of a history with Jack Sparrow, but you seem to be forgetting that he is a pirate. You've heard the stories, haven't you? All the ships he's taken? What makes you so sure he won't take this one?" The rest of the crew leaned forward as he talked, listening in on the conversation as best they could. It wasn't often that the captain and first mate disagreed on anything, and between that and the pirates, every crewman aboard the Inspiration was hungry for things to gossip about.

"Captain Jack Sparrow isn't just a pirate - he's a good man," Will replied. "And besides, take a look at the Pearl. This ship would hardly be worth his time, don't you think?"

Elizabeth nodded. "He's saved both our lives. Even after not seeing him for three years, I'd call him a friend, and I think he'd do the same."

"No disrespect to either of you intended, but it's my job as first mate to see to the safety of this ship and crew, and right now I see a pirate ship anchored next to ours, prepared for boarding."

"I understand your concern, Jeffries, and I commend you for doing your job well, as always," Will explained patiently. Despite being a little over-cautious sometimes, Jeffries was an excellent first mate, and Will was glad to have him aboard; he knew that the Inspiration wouldn't do half as well as it did without Jeffries' knack for numbers and skill with the crew. "All I ask is that you trust our judgement enough to accept his invitation. Don't let exaggerated tales and hearsay paint your picture of a man before you even meet him. If you still think him a fiend after tonight, I swear to you we'll never drop anchor with pirates again."

"Aye, Captain."

Noticing his crew's rapt attention, Will lowered his voice. "Now I'd appreciate if you'd have a talk with the crew. I don't want them to be on edge all night, and I think your words would have more weight than mine at the moment. I'll be in my cabin if there's anything you need." Jeffries nodded and turned to face the crew, who immediately snapped to attention and tried to look as if they hadn't been straining to hear every word. Relieved, Will turned to Elizabeth, a smile on his face. "Now, my fair lady, shall we prepare for the feast?"