Sorry for the wait. Brain freeze. Hate that. Anyway...

Summary: Chapter 2> Jack and Bill have an argument about Barbossa.

Enjoy

Bill came back to the Pearl looking for Jack. He just heard that Barbossa got the position of first mate. Bill didn't like this. He heard that Barbossa was a ruthless, unfair pirate who didn't follow the code. Bill knew this would clash with Jack's ways.

Jack had accomplished a lot in 16 years. He was sly, skillful, and a brilliant captain who came from nothing. If only he were less trusting Bill thought. Jack didn't realize it but when he trusted someone that was when he got in trouble. Bill never wanted to bring that up though. It would crush Jack. He needed something to believe in and Bill wanted to give that to him.

Bill was so lost in though he didn't realize that he was in front of the captain's door.

Knock knock knock

"It's open." Jack called. "Hello Bill, what brings you here? I thought you would be out on the town enjoying yourself."

"I was. At least until I heard a nasty rumor."

"And what rumor would that be?"

"The one where you choose Barbossa to be your first mate."

"That not be a rumor. That be the truth."

"Jack this isn't a good idea. Barbossa cant be trusted. I have heard of him. He doesn't think the way you do. That combined with the age difference. Jack, he is nearly twice your age. Pick someone else."

"Whether you like it or not William, Barbossa is my new first mate."

"Jack this isn't…"

"Damn it William…" Jack slammed his hand on the hard wood table "This isn't your decision. Don't tell me what to do." Jack yelled.

"I'm offering you advice that you should listen to." Bill was amazed at how well he was keeping his cool. He wanted to throw Jack up against a wall and shake him until he listened, but he knew that wouldn't work. Jack would fight him with all that he had and they would both come out with bruises. That would just make the situation worse. He decided to stick with reasoning. "You are 16 years old. Barbossa is 35. You sill have a lot to learn in life."

"Then why did you make me captain?"

"Because I know you can do it, and I can trust you. You can do it with the right crew."

"Then trust me to make the right decisions."

"This is a bad one."

"Isn't everyone allowed to make mistakes?"

"This isn't a little mistake. This could be the line between life and death. You are taking on Barbossa and his crew. Who do you think they are loyal to?"

"Their captain."

"Which is Barbossa."

"Which is me!"

"Which is Barbossa. They will follow him, not you!" Bill yelled. He was starting to lose it. This got Jack's attention and if anyone was watching they would see the fire building in the twos eyes. "Did you tell him about the treasure?" Bill asked sharply.

Jack didn't want to fight because he knew where it would end up but that didn't stop him. "Aye, he knows." Bill tried to cut in but wasn't able to. Jack started out slowly and lowly. This was a voice that Bill had never heard from Jack before. "I, the captain, picked Barbossa. The, my, crew will do what is needed to get the treasure. We sail tomorrow on my ship. I'm the captain I make the decisions." Jack's voice was getting faster louder as he got closer to Bill. "I'm the captain. You said so. This ship is mine!" Jack finished right in Bills face.

Bill was one who enjoyed his personal space and Jack knew it. "Move back, lad." Bill said in dangerously low voice. Though, as he said it he knew it wasn't a good idea."

Something past through Jack's eyes, but Bill couldn't tell what it was. It could have been fear, but it was gone to fast and replaced by anger.

"It's my ship; I can do what I want."

That was it. That was all Bill could take. He took Jack by the shoulders and pushed him against the wall. "Listen to me Jack! You are the captain but you are acting like a child. Listen to what I am telling you. Just because you have the ship doesn't mean you are invincible. This ship isn't worth your safety."

Jack got over the shock of being thrown against the wall, which wasn't very gentle and stared Bill in the eyes as he was talking. "This ship is all I got. I don't have a nice house to go to. I don't have a family waiting for me anywhere. What do I have? I have nearly ten years on a pirate ship. My home is this ship. I have a pirate brand. I own a pirate brand, a pistol, and a blade. I own this ship." The last thing was said in whisper and a lowered head.

Bill finally understood and moved away from Jack. He didn't have much, he was right, but he could have a life. "You can do what ever you want. You just can't take on Barbossa. It would be suicide. Listen to my advice, you need someone."

There was a silence.

"I know that. That is why I have Barbossa." Jack said and started for the door. He stopped when he heard Bill say something. "What?" He asked, without turning, in a tired, almost defeated voice."

"I said, and me. I'm coming with."

Jack was about to turn and say something but decided against it. He just left the room and headed into Tortuga.

He didn't come back until the next morning.

TBC...

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