"Gibbs!" Jack called.
"Who's Gibbs?"
"Quartermaster. Ah Gibbs, go round up the crew and tell them we'll be leavin at noon instead of dusk."
"Aye Captain. Who be this?" He asked looking at Bill.
"This Gibbs is Bill Turner."
"That's not Will." Gibbs observed.
"Bill Gibbs. Bootstrap if you will."
Gibbs eyes widened. "My god. You were shot out of a cannon. How? You were cursed."
"Yes Gibbs now please hurry."
"Aye Captain."
"Nice meetin ya…"
"Bill…and nice meetin you to."
Bill and Jack watched as Gibbs went into town.
"Any other crewmates I should know about." Bill asked casually.
"You know you could just ask about my first mate. So far I've been able to trust her. She has shown none of the signs as Barbossa.
"Her? She?"
"Yes it's a her. You best watch what you say. She's a spitfire."
"I'll keep that in mind. Anyone else?"
"Marty is a midget. Cotton doesn't have a tongue so his parrot talks for him. The others are normal, or as normal as a pirate can get." Jack paused looked down, "There a good crew."
"I know. I just want you to be sure."
Jack became defensive. "It sounds like you want me to mess up."
"That's not true and you know it. I just want to know what's goin on. I've thought you were dead for how long Jack? I thought my son was dead. I thought Barbossa was still captain and that I couldn't get revenge on him for what he did to you and Will." Bill paused and walked to the edge of the ship. "I just want to know what's goin on in the world so I can fit in again."
Jack went from defensive to sympathetic. "You fit in. You always have a place on my ship. I'm sure you won't need it though. You're gonna see your son again. Now you have a chance to stay with him."
"If he doesn't want you in his life, which he does, then you can stay on the Pearl."
"How long does it take to get there?"
"Bout 3 days, 4 if there's bad weather."
"Where will I be sleepin?"
Jack was about to answer when he saw Anamaria walk aboard.
"Why we be leavin early Cap'n?"
"Ah… Ana luv I want you to meet Bill Turner."
"So you're Bootstrap. It's a pleasure."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Anamaria."
"Ana, it's easier."
"Alright."
There was a silence, an uncomfortable one.
"So Ana, before you came up we were talking bout where Bill would be sleepin. What do you say to sleepin in my cabin while Bill takes yours?"
SMACK
Jacks hand went to his cheek.
"Or he could sleep in yours and you can tie a rope around you and hang from the side."
"So that would be a no?"
Ana then turned and stomped off.
"Be back by noon, luv." Jack called out.
"She is a spitfire."
"Yeah she is. I should have seen that comin."
"So where will I be stayin?"
"You get the window seat." Jack said as he headed to his cabin.
TBC...