Will decided on the brown jacket, and he was slightly disappointed, when he and Elizabeth finally emerged from their cabin, to see that Jeffries had changed into his finest jacket and breeches. "I'm dining with a pirate, not becoming one," he said with a superior air at Will's curious expression, and Will sighed, hoping his first mate's rational side would let him view Jack as a man before a pirate. His attention was quickly diverted by the appearance of three pirates he'd never seen, rolling a large keg down the gangplank. It was apparent from the bits of conversation he was able to overhear while walking over to meet them that the crew was beginning to warm up to Captain Jack Sparrow.

The keg was set up on deck with little difficulty, and the Inspiration's crew needed no more than a quick, "Drink up, men," from Will to crowd around it eagerly with tankards and wooden cups. Leaving his crew to enjoy themselves, he let the pirates lead the three of them to the Captain.

He wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but when they entered Jack's cabin to find it outfitted with a respectably-appointed table and no Jack, he was certain that that wasn't it. A note sat on the table, between a bowl of roasted potatoes and a small ham, that read simply, "Be up in a few. Get started without me." Will, Elizabeth, and Jeffries looked at each other in confusion. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Elizabeth said, "We may as well sit down." They seated themselves around the table, and Will took a hard roll from the tray near him while Elizabeth poured herself a small glass of wine.

"Captain," Jeffries said, tight-lipped, "are you sure this is a good idea?"

"I highly doubt the food is poisoned, if that's what you mean."

Jeffries winced as Elizabeth took a sip of her wine. "And what makes you so sure? Please, Captain, just think about it for a moment. He sends over drink for the crew, he leaves us food while he is conveniently absent--it would be the easiest way to dispose of us all and take over our ship."

"I know the man, Jeffries. He wouldn't do that. But," Will conceded, "if you are truly worried about it, we can wait for him to get here, so he can dine on he same food."

"I think that would be wisest, yes."

Minutes ticked away; Will drummed his fingers softly on the table while Jeffries sat rigidly in his chair. Elizabeth stood after a while and wandered around the cabin, amusing herself with the number of unusual trinkets Jack left scattered about. She had just picked up an African mask and was holding it up to her face in amusement when the door burst open, and in walked none other than Captain Jack Sparrow, followed by several very dangerous-looking pirates. Elizabeth put the mask back hastily and turned to greet Jack, but he cut in first.

"Will, Will, Will," Jack said, clucking his tongue as he looked at the untouched feast. "Never could do as you were told, could you, mate?" With a few long strides, his long coat flowing behind him, he crossed over to Elizabeth. Lowering his voice slightly, he said to her, "best not touch that, love--I think it might be cursed." He ignored her look of shock as he stepped over to the head of the table and leaned over it, resting his hands on either side of a platter of cheese.

Jeffries looked as if he was about to explode. "What--what is the meaning of this?" he spluttered, his face red as he glanced at the pirates slowly encircling the table.

"What's the meaning of anything, really?" Jack reached across the table with a quick, "'scuse me" to Will as he grabbed a roll. "It's a tricky question to answer, but if you take it in little pieces, it becomes a bit easier to suss out. That note, for example," he said, pointing, "means that you really should have enjoyed my hospitality, since it may be a while before you get to eat again. The fact that you didn't," he continued, turning on his heel and stepping over to Jeffries, "means that one or more of you didn't trust the hospitality of a pirate." Jack placed a hand on Jeffries' shoulder and leaned over slightly. "Very wise of you," he said and straightened again to address Will. "And the meaning of my eight large and well-muscled friends here..." He paused, tossing the roll in the air and catching it with practiced ease. He took a bite and gestured with the rest of the roll as he continued, "is that I'm commandeering your ship, locking up your crew, and proceeding to pillage, plunder, and generally have my way with whatever monies and cargo you might be carrying."

Jeffries was on his feet in an instant, drawing a pistol from inside his jacket. "Bloody pirate!" Will opened his mouth to order him to stop, but Jack was quicker. Fast as lightning, his hand came up, even as the deadly barrel rose to a threatening height, and before Will could make a sound, the two men were at an impasse, Jack's finger neatly plugging the end of the barrel while Jeffries trembled with rage.

"The way I see it," Jack said softly, his other hand closing around the pistol barrel, "you have two choices. One, you can pull the trigger, blowing both our hands off right before me boys here beat you senseless and throw you overboard. Or," he said, his voice perfecly even, "you can let go and cooperate, ensuring that you, your captain, and the bonny lass remain unharmed. Savvy?"

Jeffries looked at Will, his eyes desperate. "Put it down," Will pleaded. Nodding dumbly, Jeffries let go of the pistol and sat down, a look of numb horror on his face.

With a sigh of relief, Jack's stiff posture immediately relaxed, and he placed one hand over his heart while he handed the pistol to the pirate nearest him. "This life'll be the death of me," he muttered before turning back to his dumbfounded audience. "Right then--knew you'd see it my way! Now, boys," he said with a broad sweep of his hand, "throw them in the brig."