Authors' Notes: Oh, yes, Things-One-and-Two are back to stay! Once again, this is MJ, as Lizzy is unavailable for comment. Once again, I will have to say everything, explain everything, and such. There are two parts to this chapter; one with Josephine and Elizabeth in Port Royal, and one with Will and Jack on the Pearl. I hope you all enjoy, and please feel free to drop a review!

So without much further ado:

Not Everything is Always as it Seems

By: Things-One-and-Two

Chapter Two

Just Like Old Times

Dull, dull, dull… Josephine thought bitterly as she sat in her room, Why must life be so DULL!

"Josie?" Elizabeth called.

"Yes, Mother?" Josephine replied.

"We're going to visit your sister this evening, we shall leave at five o'clock, so make sure you are ready!"

"Yes, Mother," Josephine repeated, collapsing on her bed with a loud sigh. Well, at least I'll see Victoria now. Maybe it won't be so dull for a while…

Five o'clock saw Elizabeth and Josephine in their carriage. Josephine wore a dress of a sky blue with beautiful white embroidery, her deep brown curls pulled into a loose bun. Elizabeth, however, wore a dress of a deep jade with some black embroidery. Josephine was eager to talk to her sister, since they had not met in two weeks. When they arrived at Juniper Way, the Gillette's estate, they were informed that the Admiral and his son the Captain Norrington were there was well. This they were told by the old butler who greeted them in the extravagant entryway. Josephine took a look around and gasped. The entryway was large enough to fit their entire cottage inside! A beautiful gold and silver chandelier lit it with its magnificence, and its white candles were of perfection—never seeming to drip. Colorful arrangements of wildflowers sat in crystal vases, brightening up the already dazzling room. Portraits and paintings mottled the walls. Josephine was in a state of awe.

That is, until Victoria came into view.

"Mother! Josie!" Victoria cried, forgetting all decorum and waking Josie from her reverie. She ran down the two contrasting staircases that opened up into the entryway.

"Good evening, Mrs. Gillette," Elizabeth replied with a grin.

"Why, yes, where is dear Edward?" Josephine asked with a slight hint of sarcasm that Victoria didn't seem to catch.

"The parlor," Victoria replied, her face spreading into a wide grin, "with a certain young Captain…"

"Do you two ever stop?" Elizabeth interrupted just as Josephine was about to retort. She was trying her hardest not to sound amused by her two daughters.

Victoria led the way into the parlor where the men where waiting. Unlike the entryway, the parlor was a bit less vibrant, a soft shade of brown adorning the walls, with dark furniture complimenting it. Each man greeted the women cordially and situated himself next to a woman. Edward was entranced with his wife, while Admiral Norrington sought to accompany Elizabeth, and much to Josephine's dismay, Captain John Norrington sat himself next to her.

The droning of Captain Norrington's voice provided ample time for Josephine to think. To those who did not know her, the plastered look of interest on her face would have fooled them. Only her eyes betrayed her thoughts, with a faint glint or gleam.

What an insufferable git! Does he think I find his talk interesting? Honestly, a CAPTAIN and he cannot even speak correctly. It's commandeered… they commandeered the ship! Too bad we have to stay for supper. Oh, bloody hell! What if they make me play—or worse, sing? Oh, when will this wretched evening be over?

Josephine's thoughts were interrupted when she realized that Captain Norrington had stopped his narrative and was waiting for her to speak.

"Oh, I beg your pardon. I was thinking of that marvelous adventure you were detailing," Josephine stated with a sufficient smile and a quick thinking brain. Rather blandly, I might add.

"That's quite all right, Miss Turner," Captain Nrorrington said, feeling quite flattered. "I was just remarking on how one wedding seems to put the older generation in the mood for another."

"Well, I believe what you mean is that excitement leaves people craving more. A funeral would be sufficient. Perhaps that evil witch, Mrs. Pickering, will pass safely into the great beyond." Oh, hell!

Captain Norrington looked completely abashed. "Surely you wouldn't wish ill of anyone, Miss Turner. You are much too sweet of a person."

Then why am I wishing ill of you right now? "As to the sweetness of my disposition, I cannot vouch for that. Although, I will say no one will miss the old lady, but of course they must make a large show of pretending. What a mockery our society is, don't you think, Captain?"

No person in the world could have looked as flabbergasted than poor Captain Norrington at that moment. His simple mind was being shaken to the core by the words of Josephine. How could he have been captivated by this…this…traitor?

"I do not think the British society is a mockery at all. IT is a fine example of all that is best in the civilized world. Any British citizen who says otherwise is committing treason in my eyes," the Captain replied coldly, hoping that his love would see reason.

"Well, Captain, all I can ask of you is that you wait a while before you hang me. I do not think my mother could bear being in our house all alone. She really misses Father so," Josephine countered, pulling together the look of a weak damsel.

"Of course I did not mean you in anyway, Miss Turner," Captain Norrington responded, instantaneously softening. "I was meaning more along the lines of those ruthless pirates. The finest hour of men will be when those vermin are vanquished."

"But surely all pirates aren't as horrible as they appear to be," Josephine asked, surprisingly enjoying herself. What fun it was messing with that simpleton of a captain!

"Good God, no, Miss Turner! The whole lot of them is rotten to the core. I will excuse you naïveté, because obviously, you do not have the same level of knowledge about pirates as a Navy Captain."

Victoria announcing that supper was served saved Captain Norrington from Josephine's fierce retort. The news was welcome relief to Josephine since she longed to have a conversation not centered on a certain captain in the British Navy. As the party made it's way towards the dining room, Josephine found that indefatigable captain by her side. Her discontent was momentarily forgotten, though, when she crossed the threshold into the splendid dining room. The elegant paintings on the walls were encased in frames of gold, the most prominent one being that of the current Commodore. Many servants stood by quietly waiting to be useful. For once, Josephine could not speak. Victoria noticed this and shared a small smile with herself. Maybe now she will seriously consider the captain.

At the table, Josephine again realized that the captain stayed most persistently by her side. However, she had the fortune of being near her sister. The first course came consisting of an elegant fruit salad, very refreshing on a warm summer evening. The talk at the table currently was centered on the happenings at the fort. Josephine actually enjoyed this talk, for her one friend, Richard Smith, worked there in the stables She knew the truth to the stories the men made up.

"Yes, Mrs. Turner," the Admiral was saying, "we have two new ships in the harbor. They are the fastest in all of the Caribbean. The Interceptor II and the Sea Dragon."

More like the Waterlogged Twig and The Pansy Parade.

"How wonderful," Elizabeth replied with a deceiving smile. "I believe I heard that a ball would be held at the Fort for the unveiling. I hope I am not mistaken."

"No, not at all," the Admiral said, becoming more pompous. "Of course you and Miss Turner will be invited. Mary is taking care of the inviting, so she will send you a card with the details. She really enjoys organizing the Fort events."

Of course she does—what else does she have? A pompous old fool and a git for a son…

Victoria and Elizabeth exchanged brief meaningful glances upon hearing that there would indeed be a ball. They then looked at Josephine with expressions that she could easily read.

Good God! They will never rest until I am married. Honestly, I'd rather be an old maid than marry any of those fools.

Eager for the conversation to continue so that none of the men would piece together what was going on, Josephine broke in with perfect composure, "Pray tell, Admiral, how is you fair wife? It is such a shame that we could not have the pleasure of seeing her." This fake smile hurts so!

"Unfortunately she is indisposed tonight," the Admiral replied curtly since he was not accustomed to being addressed by Josephine in such a manner.

As the main course, consisting of the best fish in the market and a variety of side dishes, was being eaten the conversation drifted to a topic less favorable to women: business. While the men were employed arguing about the cost of supplies for the ships, the women, or at least Victoria and Elizabeth, enjoyed talking of the upcoming ball.

"How exciting, Mother!" Victoria exclaimed. "Oh, but I do wish I could dance, I enjoy it so. But it is not proper for us married women." She concluded with a smug smile on her face. Josephine gagged.

"Are you alright, dear?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes full of concern. Inwardly, she deeply sympathized for Josephine, but she was of Victoria's opinion that she should get married. She hoped marriage would curb her adventurous nature.

"Yes, it's nothing, Mother," Josephine replied, plastering on another fake smile. Elizabeth worked hard to hold in her amusement, she always knew when Josephine was lying.

"That's good," said Victoria, utterly clueless. "It would be simply awful if you became sick. Perhaps one of those dashing military men will capture your heart. That should be enough to stop your silly liking for adventures."

"I'm afraid not, Victoria," Josephine replied. "The man in question would have to allow me to accompany him on his voyages in order for me to even consider him as a husband."

"Not so loud," Victoria admonished. "What if the Captain should hear you?"

"The better for me. Perhaps he would leave me be."

"Josie!"

"What? It's the truth."

"Well, you should be glad you managed to get a beau. Many girls would die to be in your place."

"Then they can have it…" She spat vehemently.

"Josie," Victoria said with a sigh, "when will you see reason?"

Elizabeth intervened quickly, seeing that Josephine was about to counter with a particularly nasty retort. "Now girls," Elizabeth said playfully, "people might get confused and think that you two got married."

"Oh, we can't have them thinking that, Mother," Josephine said with a smile. She turned and ate her food complacently. Victoria, however, was exceedingly puzzled.

"What do you mean, Mother?" She asked.

"Well, you two bicker like an old married couple."

Victoria turned pale and dropped her fork with a small clatter. The men, engrossed by their conversation, observed nothing. "Mother! You don't mean…all married couples don't…is it true?" Victoria pleaded, her eyes welling up in tears.

"No, no, sweetheart," Elizabeth comforted. "It's just a saying—a joke."

"Are you sure?" Victoria asked, hoping that her mother was right.

"Of course, dearest," Elizabeth replied. "Why, just look at you father and me."

"…Yes…yes, of course," Victoria said, ashamed. "I was just being silly." She concluded with a little laugh and then refused to speak because of her mortification.

Josephine was staring open-mouthed at her sister. How can anyone be so dense? I knew she was sensitive, but that's amazing. She did, however, restrain from saying anything; she knew her limits. Elizabeth's thoughts were not far from Josephine's. I suppose Will will have a great laugh over this. I do hope he writes soon.

Noticing the downcast look on her mother's face, Josephine guessed as to where her thoughts were. Closing her mouth, which had still been hanging open, she swallowed and whispered to her Mother, "Don't worry, Father will be safe."

Elizabeth was touched and put on a smile. "Of course he will be," she said.

The third, and final, course came with a large array of cakes, pies and tarts. The men stopped talking and engaged in the noble art of gluttony. The women did so too, but in a more moderate way.

After the meal they all retired to the drawing room, where Victoria and Josephine managed to have a pleasant conversation concerning their friends and other topics they had enjoyed. The Captain was most disappointed when his love determinedly walked across the room to visit with her sister. Josephine had the most pleasure that evening in that conversation, as it reminded her of all their heart-to-hearts at home. However, good things must always come to an end, and they did for Josephine when, being the only unmarried woman, she was called on to perform. She hated such displays and thought of herself most horrible. It is true that she could not play a note to save her life on the piano, but her voice was one of the most beautiful voices ever heard. It was not like a lark as so many other women, but a natural one that seemed to contain all of nature's beauties and wonders in it.

"Come now, Josie, do play."

"No, I cannot. You know full well that I can not play a note or carry one."

"Oh, tosh! I'll accompany you. It will be just like old times."

"For heaven's sake, Victoria, you've been married three weeks!"

"Don't change the subject. Come now, please?"

"No!"

"Should I call a certain captain and ask his opinion?"

"Don't you dare, Victoria…"

"Captain Norrington!" Victoria called, withstanding the wicked face Josephine shot at her.

"Yes, Mrs. Gillette?" He replied, somewhat annoyed that his conversation was interrupted and it was not Miss Turner who was calling him.

"Don't you think it would be grand if Josie would sing for us?" She asked, her voice filled with girlish excitement.

"I think it would be marvelous," he said grinning broadly.

"No, please…I couldn't…" Josephine stated desperately.

Her pleas were made to no avail. She was bombarded with entreaties for her to perform. She glanced at her mother who gave her no consolation. She was sitting with a bemused look on her face, wondering what Josephine would do. Josephine knew how much her parents had wanted her and her sister to learn, so she swallowed her anger and pride and admitted defeat. She motioned to her sister to follow her to the piano. They were situated with Victoria at the piano and Josephine right behind. The oil lamp cast an angelic glow around them that caught the breath of their audience. No one breathed throughout the entire performance, for Josephine's voice seemed to fill the room. Her voiced flowed effortlessly like a brook, yet carried the loneliness of the wind. Nothing but pity was felt when her voice broke during the refrain:

"You have gone away

Every night I pray

A part of me you take

Every night I wait

Please, Almighty Lord

Please bring him back to me…"

Silence greeted their ending. Everyone had tears in their eyes—Victoria and Elizabeth were openly weeping. Josephine turned towards the window so that no one could see her struggle with all the emotion. The cloudless, starry black sky stretched over the inky black sea. The loneliness of the sea made her miss her father more. Don't cry, Josie, don't cry. You never cry, don't cry…

A single tear fell silently down her cheek.


One Week Later…

On the Black Pearl…


Will sat at the galley's table alone as the rest of the crew had already eaten while he was on his watch. It had been a month at sea for him, and—although Jack would never admit it—the Vengeance seemed to be a lot harder to catch. His emotions were all twisted inside of him, tormenting him as guilt and happiness twisted around in his stomach. Guilt reared its ugly head whenever his thoughts would turn to home. Happiness and pure joy came to him when he realized where he was; out at sea in search of pirates, adrenaline and adventure filling every day.

His torn thoughts were soon interrupted as a rough, husky voice proclaimed itself from the doorway.

"Hurry up, me boy! I could use ye on deck!" Jack told Will, who merely mumbled a few words in response. "Speak up lad, I ain't getting' any younger, ye know."

Will looked up at him, "I said I'd be up soon."

Jack looked at him for a moment; surveying him for but a single moment, before giving Will his infamous toothy grin. "The guilt's getting' to ye?" He asked casually.

Will hesitated slightly, before he nodded, admitting his weakness and defeat. "I-I can't help it. I love being at sea—yet so does Elizabeth, and now Josie…But they aren't leaving all behind to come here, are they? Then there's Victoria, who I feel that I am betraying—becoming the thing she hates the most…" He sighed.

"…yet it is the same thing that you love the most," Jack finished what Will couldn't.

"Yes, but—"

"Cap'n Sparrow!" A young boy called from above the hatch. "There' another pirate ship on the horizon!"

"Turner, on deck with ye!" Jack called as he climbed the ladder, before disappearing above the hatch.

Here we go… Will thought, leaving his untouched food at the table. He climbed up the ladder and ran on deck after Jack…


Gunshots rang over the Black Pearl as the battle raged on between the two pirate ships. Jack had his hands full, two large pirates had cornered him on the quarterdeck. The one, obviously quicker than the other, had him up against the portside railing. He went to pull out his sword, but Jack was quicker with his pistol. The shot echoed off of the sides of the ship, and as Jack stepped over the now-dead pirate's body, he murmured a quick "Ye got to learn some manners, mate…" Before advancing on the second.

The pirate must have been following Jack's lead, because he had his pistol out as well. Jack, though, still had his pistol and shot the man in the leg. It wasn't fatal, but enough to weaken him. The man dropped his pistol, his hands going to the new wound on instinct. Jack took this opportunity to drive his sword through him. Pulling his sword back out, Jack moved away from the pirate, muttering something that sounded like, "An' I just didn't like ye."

He moved towards the railing where he watched the battle rage below. His crew was taking on 's crew unmercifully. He watched as Ana Maria held on with another pirate, at least twice her size. Jack had to admit, she was an excellent fighter. He smiled happily as he watched her opponent fall to the ground, and she moved on to another.

He turned his gaze towards William, who was also fighting extremely well. Knowing the boy had talent, he moved on.

His eyes fell upon Cotton. His heart ached as he watched the old man he had come to know and respect fall. He was indeed too old, and had finally met his match. Jack respectfully took off his hat.

He was about to turn his attention back towards the other crew mates, when the cool feeling of metal touched the back of his neck, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Turning ever so carefully, he turned to look down the barrel of a pistol, two cruel silver eyes glaring at him. A wicked mouth spat at his feet.

"Well, well, well…if it isn't Cap'n Jack Sparrah…" The other captain said, his mouth twisting into a cruel smile. He spat Jack's name like the worse curse word ever to be uttered, his voice was slurred, mean, and rough. His teeth were yellowed and clenched, and he was staring at Jack as if he were a piece of dirt on his boots.

"Actually," Jack interrupted, a smile playing on his lips as he gazed at the man without a sign of fear, "it's pronounced Sparr-ow." The remark was answered with a cruel, bitter laugh.

"Always the sense of humor, eh?" The other captain said, the laughter dropping as fast as it had occurred. "To bad it has to go to a waste." With that he cocked his pistol, the malicious grin reappearing.

The gunshot rang out over the bare railings of the quarterdeck, but both crews were too engulfed with their own battles to notice as the captain's body fell to the deck of the ship. Ana Maria put her pistol back in her holster, looking for Jack's reaction. Jack turned away, back towards the ongoing battle. "They're fighting hard…"

"That's it, then? No thank you?" Ana Maria asked him, sounding a little hurt, but annoyance over powered it.

"I knew ye would come, I knew ye would do what ye thought was right," Jack told her, turning around to face her. "I also knew tha' if ye did not come, I could handle meself."

"Jack, he had a pistol to you head!" Ana Maria told him.

"I know that, luv, but he also wasn't watching me hands," Jack replied, using his left to gesture to his right. In his right hand, he held his sword. "If ye had not come I still would have survived, luv. But if it will make you happy, I give ye me thanks."

"It does make me feel better, and if you must know, we've beat them. Most of them have already surrendered."

"Good, call to the crew and tell 'em to board. Anythin' worth pillaging, take it. Then, create a hole in the hull. We'll keep the remainin' crew fer ourselves. They can join, or they can die." He turned to her, flashing a grin. "Pirate's life for me."

She rolled her eyes and set out to do his orders…


Will was battling fiercely with a rather large, hairy pirate. Will was the quicker of the two, for he was younger and leaner. The other man, however, was just as skilled. He kept up with Will, even tricking him at times, but Will was holding on skillfully. He had already injured his first opponent, when the pirate advanced on him.

They continued on, moving this way and that, avoiding other obstacles such as barrels and bodies, while still avoiding the other man's sword. Finally, the other man cornered Will. "I gots ye now!" He exclaimed, before continuing the heated sword fight. Moments later, Will cried out as the man's blade sliced his leg. Thrusting his sword quickly in the other man's chest, Will lost his balance. Flying backwards, he heard a sickening crack before he his head off the railing, and he knew no more…


Jack smiled triumphantly, his coffee brown eyes staring greedily at the mound of fortune from the , before turning and staring pitifully at the small pile of the dead, wrapped tightly in fresh linen sheets, ready for their burial at sea.

He turned his attention back towards his crew, who were currently taking care of the last of the 's crew. Once the last were down in the brig, he shouted, "All hands on deck!"

The crew hurried to please the captain, forming a line in the middle of the main deck. Ana Maria stood beside him as he walked down the line. He took the names of those who were injured, and the names of those whom they had lost. As he came to the end of the line, his mouth opened in shock, his eyes became the size of saucers. Turning towards his crew, he asked in a voice unlike his own; hurried and frantic:

"Where's William Turner?"


Oh, we are evil, aren't we? Sadly, my computer is still a bit messed up from when it crashed, so I don't have AIM, and therefore I don't have anything to put here from Lizzy. Let me think of something she would say...Aha! I got it:

It is going to be both bold and italic because it is really me, but I am talking for Lizzy...if that makes sense...anyway:

A free bottle of MINT rum for all who review!

Yes, that's something she would say...

Do as she orders and review! (Trust meyou don't want to be on her bad side...)

MJ & Lizzy

P.S. Special thanks to our two reviewers:

Jennifer123: Thanks very much for the reviewI guess we'll have to wait and see if Josie does or not. Never tasted rum? That ought to be a crime! Well, here's some mint rum from Things-One-and-Two in thanks for your review! (I'm a poet and I didn't even know it! Okay...I'll stop now...)

Shannon: Your baby brother is adorable! Thanks for the review, and here's a minty rum from Things-One-and-Two... (Alright, you rhyming fairy, stop it! It's getting scary...Alright, alright...I promise I'll stop now...)