Yay! Cptn-jacks-bonnie-lass I love you! And yes i am updating quickly; i'm on holiday and have nothing to do all day, so this saves me from complete insanity! (Teehee) I love getting reviews (wink wink nudge nudge) So here's the next chapter...

2 weeks later

Jack pulled up his shirt and looked at the scar on his side. 'Another one to add to the collection,' he thought cheerily. He had spent the best part of two weeks in bed, listening to Will and Johnny argue over whether or not Johnny could come with them. Eventually, though, Will had given in, and said Johnny could come, on the condition that, if (and when) there should be any violence, he would be locked safely in Jack's quarters. Johnny had grumbled about this to Jack, but didn't mention it once to his father, knowing Will could still change his mind.

"Uncle Jack?" Johnny popped his head round the door. "Father says we're ready to go, soon. And…um… he says to get your bloody arse down here and stop admiring yourself, or we're not going." Johnny went red. He still hadn't quite got used to using such foul language, though Jack had taught pretty much most of his vocabulary (though he always made sure Will was either at work or out of earshot when he did this). Jack roared with laughter.

"I'm coming, I'm coming. Go tell your father to keep his hair on." Jack grinned as he heard Johnny run off and deliver the message. Jack put his hat on, picked up his sword and pistol (which had extra shots this time) and left the room.

"Hurry up!" Will said, from the bottom of the stairs. Jack jumped the last ten or so steps and joined Will.

"What?" He demanded to the raised eyebrow directed at him from Will.

"Oh, yeah, a really great idea going out in the middle of Port Royale dressed as a pirate." Will said sarcastically. "Put a coat or something on!" Jack grinned and bowed. He took a coat from the stand and tried it on. It seemed to fit okay, and covered most of Jack's pirate clothing. He looked almost decent, as he had washed his body and his clothes. Johnny hurried into the hall, clutching a large bag. Will sighed and rolled his eyes.

"I said a small bag, Johnny." He said.

"I need this stuff!" Johnny replied. It suddenly struck Jack just how alike they were. Both stubborn.

"Let's 'ave a look at it, mate," Jack said. "I'll tell yeh what yeh need and what yeh don't, savvy?" Johnny handed him the bag and Jack tipped it upside down and crouched down, inspecting the items before him. Most of them were books. He started picking up things and throwing them over his shoulder, muttering; "Don't need that… don't need that… what d'you want that for… Don't need that…" At last he had one item left: a small knife. "Well, that should do yeh!" Jack straightened up and handed the knife to Johnny. Johnny was glaring at him; clearly not happy at the way Jack had treated his belongings.

"Well, come on then," Will said. "I need to stop by the workshop to pick up some tools, so Johnny, bring that bag."

They left the house, leaving the maids to tidy the mess Jack had left. They walked down the familiar path to the Blacksmith's. Will unlocked the door and entered his workshop. Jack took the bag off Johnny and started packing things he thought they would find useful. Will walked over to the cupboard and rummaged in it. He brought out a newly made sword, slightly shorter then the usual ones.

"Here, Johnny. This is for you." Will said, handing it to Johnny. "I thought you should have a decent sword." He added as Johnny took it, a look of joy on his young face. It was a simple sword, no decoration on the handle, but, as everything Will made, it was perfectly balanced and beautifully made.

"Thanks Father!" Johnny said, and he hugged him. Will smiled.

"So, have we got everything?" Jack said, keen to be off; he wasn't used to affectionate scenes.

"I think so, swords? Pistols? Good." Will said, and he swept out of the workshop, followed by Johnny, and finally Jack, who had gone back to fetch his hat.

"Ok, do we all remember the plan? Johnny, you go off somewhere, start screaming "Pirate", and point somewhere random, Will you go off to comfort him, and bring him to the end of the port, where I'll be waiting with the boat, savvy?" Jack said, grinning evilly, like he always did when he had a plan in mind.

"We've gone over it about a thousand times!" Johnny said. "We know what to do!"

"Ok! Keep yeh little panties on!" Jack said, the grin widening.

"Don't tease him, Jack." Will said. "Right, off yeh go and do what you do best."

"I do believe you are beginning to sound like a pirate!" Jack said, in a mock-posh voice, and he swaggered off.

"Right, Johnny, yeh ready?" Will turned to his son. Johnny's heart was pounding against his ribs, and he nodded. He wondered off a little way, as though he was just running an errand for his father. He came to a place where it was not as busy. Jack had said that was crucial; you didn't want somebody else saying he was imagining it, as they hadn't seen anything.

Johnny took a deep breath, then forcing a look of surprise and horror onto his face, he screamed. People started to look up.

"Pirate! Pirate! There's a pirate!" Johnny screamed, pointing wildly to a corner, in the opposite direction from Jack.

"What is it lad? Where'd he go?" People were coming over. "Which way, lad?"

"What's going on here?" Johnny recognised the voice of Commodore Norrington. "Good Lord! Johnny, what is it?" He said, striding over to the screaming boy.

"Pirate! Commodore, quickly! He went that way!" Johnny pointed to the corner again.

"Quickly men!" Norrington said, and he ran off. Will suddenly appeared by his side, tugging his arm.

"Come on, son." He said quietly in his ear. "Excuse me, excuse me." They pushed themselves out of the crowd. "Quickly, Johnny." Will pulled his arm and they hurriedly walked towards the waiting boat.

"Get on, hurry up!" Jack said, glancing around nervously. "Come on." He pulled Johnny onto the boat and helped Will up. He pushed off, and the single sail caught the wind and they started to gather speed, sailing away unnoticed. Jack relaxed at once.

"Well, Johnny, got a job for yeh," He said.

"Oh yeah?" Johnny said, looking up excitedly.

"Aye, take this bucket and make sure this boat don't sink." Jack thrust the bucket at Johnny, and stood at the stern of the boat, grinning broadly.

Johnny's face fell.

"Is that it?" He asked. Will smiled; he could predict Jack's answer.

"Sorry, mate. But making sure the boat don't sink is a very important job! And anyway, this is the kinda stuff you'll be doing as cabin boy so get used to it." Jack said. Will laughed. Jack frowned at him.

Johnny sat down and started tipping water out of the boat very half-heartedly. It seemed like a pointless job to him; no matter how much water he got rid of, another wave would always come and spill into the boat. He was grumbling under his breath about 'stupid orders' and 'why me'.

"Yeh know, boy, on a real ship, the Cap'n (he pointed to himself) could 'ave yeh killed or whipped for that." Jack said, standing over Johnny.

"For what?" Johnny demanded.

"For questionin' 'im." Jack said, holding onto a rope. Johnny raised an eyebrow, in the same way his father did.

"Ok, Cap'n." He said, his voice serious. Jack adjusted his hat.

"Good. Now, there's water in this boat, an' I want it out!" Jack ordered. Johnny felt like standing up and handing him the bucket, but he didn't.

"Shut up, Jack." Will said, who was sharpening his sword, a smile twitching on the corners of his mouth. Jack threw his hat at him.

"How far is Tortuga?" Johnny asked. "Of course, only if I'm allowed to ask."

"Will gimme that hat." Jack said. "I wanna throw it at your son." Johnny smirked. Jack snatched the hat and threw it at him, though not hard. "It's at least another few hours, if this wind keeps up." Jack said.

"Oh great." Johnny said sarcastically. Jack smiled and sat down on the edge of the boat.

Teehee... more coming soon...

Oh wait! Almost forgot my faithful reviewer's virtual hug! #virtual hug#. Tee hee... yes people do question my sanity...