Disclaimer: I don't own anything

A/N: Thanks to everyone for the great reviews. For all of you who liked WHY this is another back story on how Jack got the dagger from Bootstrap.

A/N: How do you add chapters?

"Oh come on Bootstrap. I've got to learn sometime." Jack complained.

"No…you're too young to learn how to use a sword."

"Am not. I'm almost 11. I have to learn sometime."

Jack was almost 11, but Bootstrap believed that was to young. He didn't want Jack fighting in a raid. It was to dangerous. Bootstrap knew that's what Jack would do. Jack was never one to be left behind. He would do whatever he could to do whatever he wanted.

In the 4 years Jacks been on the ship, he's done everything ever asked of him though. Maybe it was time. I'll make him wait though. It will be a birthday present. Bootstrap thought to himself.

"Not yet shortie."

"I'm not short. I'm still growing. I'll be taller than you in a few years time. Please William, I'll do anything."

"Not yet Jack…now get back to work."

Jack walked off to get back to swabbing the deck. Lately he's been complaining more and more about being a cabin boy. He was ready to be a real pirate.

2 weeks later

It was a day before Jack 11th birthday. Bootstrap didn't have a sword for him yet, but he would get one soon enough. Maybe for his 12th birthday. Bootstrap was first going to teach him to fight.

It wasn't a very nice day out. It was cloudy and there was an unsteady drizzle that was going to last the day. Bootstrap was going through his daily jobs while Jack was downstairs doing some other things. Probably cleaning up. Just one more day Jack. Bootstrap thought to himself.

That was cut off though by a call from the watch. "Ship in sight. Ship in sight" He called out.

The captain, Douglass, came out and called back it was a pirate ship and they were raising the Jolly Roger.

"Ready the cannons. Get ready you dogs."

The crew ran around the deck getting guns and swords for the fight that was coming.

In an hour time, the fight was raging. Swords were clashing, guns were shooting, and cannons were blowing. Bootstrap had a good fight going when he noticed Captain Douglass get a good hit at him. Bootstrap started to make his was up to the helm.

He was fighting off pirates as he made his way up. There were so many. He was cornered by 3 pirates. He didn't think he was going to make it out until he saw a sword go through one of the pirate's legs. He took his chance and put the sword through the heart. Before he knew it the other two turned and started to laugh.

"Jack get out of here!" Bill yelled

Jack froze where he was. That's when one of the pirates turned to Bootstrap and the other went for Jack. Bootstrap fought and watched Jack as best he could. Bootstrap needed to help Jack. All he was doing was moving around the guy twice his size. He moved under his legs, and got out of the way of all the sword slashes. All hes doing is moving Bootstrap figured out. He was tiring the pirate out.

Bootstrap had to pay attention to his guy still. He got the upper hand and put his sword through the guys heart. He turned to see Jack standing over the body of another pirate. He looked up at Bill and then his eyes got wide. He saw something behind Bill. Bill turned to see the captain loosing his fight. Bill ran to the captain's side.

As they were fighting them off Jack came up behind the pirate and put the small dagger he had found in the guys leg. Again. Bill took this as his cue and got the guy in his heart.

By that time the crew saw what happened. Only they didn't see Jack help. They all cheered Bill on.

"Good show Bootstrap!" Captain Douglass congratulated. "I owe you one."

"Thank you, sir."

"Let's clean up the deck and then have some victory drinks."

"Aye!" the crew yelled back.

After all was clean, everyone started to head downstairs.

"You comin, Bootstrap?" one of the crew members asked.

"I'll be there later." Bill answered. He realized that Jack hadn't been up since the raid.

Bill was just about to go to his cabin when the captain called him to his.

"I'm gettin old Bootstrap. I don't want to finish my life up on a ship, dieing by a blade. I want to die naturally, maybe have a family."

"What are you saying captain?" Bill answered

Captain Douglass stood up, "I'm sayin, I'm retiring…Captain."

Bill just stood there. He didn't know what to say. "Captain…"

"James, or Mr. Douglass, if you prefer."

"I don't know what to say."

"Say yes, I need someone to run this ship. Someone I can trust. You saved my life today and you're my first mate."

"Will you be Captain Turner of the Black Pearl?"

"I will do my best." Was the hesitant reply.

TBC…