Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and sorry its taken me so long to update. I'll be posting chapter 15 in the next couple of days I promise :) Thanks to Janine for checking this through for me.

Please review again people! Thanks.

POTC - Back to the Black Pearl

Chapter 14

It was approaching dusk as Jack and Will stood together on the deck of the Lady Anne. Will had his arm around the pirate, supporting him. Jack took in a deep breath of the sea air and closed his eyes. This is what he had needed, to be back at sea again, with the breeze on his face.

He looked across at Will. "I'm feeling better all ready, mate," he said and flashed the younger man a big smile.

Will grinned back. "I thought you would Jack, though you know you should get some rest."

Jack rolled his eyes. "You sound like your young woman William," he scolded gently. "A man should never sound like his sweetheart. That's when you know things are getting out of hand, savvy?"

Will laughed. "Bit late for me Jack. We're getting married you know."

Jack gave Will his usual drunk look. "I think that's a little expectant of you mate. I mean, you haven't even asked me yet Mr Turner!"

Now it was Will's turn to roll his eyes. "You know what I mean, Jack!" The pirate grinned.

"I'm happy for you mate. And for me, as I'm sure there will be lots of rum for me to drink at the ceremony." Out of the corner of his eye, Jack saw Will turn an amusing shade of red so the pirate teased the boy further: "I'm assuming I should be expecting an invitation of course?"

Will hesitated. "Well Jack, obviously both Elizabeth and myself would want you there but it could be difficult. I mean, Governor Swann and Commodore Norrington may take offence to..."

The blacksmith cut off abruptly when he saw the expression on the pirate's face. Will tutted and looked down. "Very funny Jack," he said with annoyance.

"Sorry Will, couldn't resist mate," Jack replied, his eyes twinkling. "Seriously though, good for you." And Jack clapped his friend on the back.

Will grinned shyly. "Thanks Jack."

Jack brushed his hair away from his eyes, an exhausted look on his face. Will eyed him with concern. "You should get below Jack, you need sleep."

The pirate nodded. "You are probably right Mr Turner, I concede to your judgment," he offered. He then turned to regard Will with a despondent look. "Only trouble is though mate, I'm not exactly enjoying closing my eyes at the moment, savvy?"

Will frowned and then nodded in understanding. "I'm quite happy here mate," Jack told him softly before adding more to himself, "This is where I belong."

Jack then chuckled under his breath. "Listen to me, I sound like a cretin don't I Will?"

Will merely smiled.

"To business, Mr Turner," Jack announced, changing the subject instantly. "We've got a ship to find, a crew to help and most likely a raving lunatic on our tails so why are we stood around chatting, aye?"

Will opened his mouth but Jack held up a hand, stopping him.

"Right," Jack continued, ignoring Will's attempted interruptions, "lets get me ship back. We need to head North. Just keep North and she'll be there."

Will was completely confused now. "How could you know that?" he enquired incredulously. Jack seemed to have a renewed energy, just the thought of his beloved Black Pearl was revitalising him.

"I've got a link with her now," Jack replied proudly. "The Pearl's tied to me, I can feel her. She won't get away from old Jack again!"

Will couldn't resist it. "But Jack, you have lost her again."

Jack turned and glowered at Will. "I'm well aware of that. Thank you for being so observant, Mr Turner!"

Will laughed and Jack allowed himself a small smile. Will decided now was as good a time as any so he asked the question he had been waiting to put to Jack since he'd found him – and this time he would get an answer.

"Jack, you mentioned a lunatic would be following us. Is this the same man who did this to you?"

The pirate glanced down at the deck and sighed. Will waited patiently. Finally, Jack looked up and met Will's eyes and answered with just two words: "Admiral Morris."

"The Admiral of Port Mary did this to you?" Will replied, anger again rising deep inside of him.

Jack was visibly uncomfortable. "Well, he wasn't alone but yes Mr Turner, what you see before you is Morris' doing."

Will swallowed hard. "But why?" he began but was swiftly cut off by an agitated Jack.

"I've no idea why boy," Jack snapped. "Do you think he needed a reason? Maybe he took a dislike to my dreadlocks, who knows and for that matter, who cares? It's not important." The pirate turned away from Will quickly and attempted to regain control. Will watched his friend. In some ways, the blacksmith was in just as much pain as Jack. Neither of them spoke again for a few moments until finally, Will broke the silence.

"Do you think Dawson will be alright?" he asked quietly.

Jack didn't respond for a few seconds. Without looking at the blacksmith, he answered his question so quietly that Will had to strain to hear.

"No, I don't."

Will swallowed hard and then stepped closer to Jack. After hesitating for a moment, he reached out and put a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Jack," Will said softly, "this isn't the right time I know but I want you to know, it's good see you again."

Jack turned slowly and looked at Will. His face then broke into one of his toothy smiles.

"Likewise, Mr Turner," he said. Will reached out to shake the pirate's hand and after hesitating, Jack tentatively moved his own. Both men dropped their arms back down to their sides hurriedly when they heard footsteps approaching them.

Elizabeth walked up her two companions with a quizzical look on her face. Shaking her head in disinterest she turned and fixed Jack with an indignant glare. "Jack, I think it best if you come back down below with me," she told him, "you need some rest." Her tone told the pirate that she wasn't in the mood for any of his "tomfoolery" as she had liked to put it.

Jack gave her a smile that he hoped was grateful but then he firmly shook his head. "I just need the Pearl lass," he told her and then gestured out to sea.

Elizabeth frowned. "That's all very well Mr Sparrow, but the Pearl is not here right now is she? Your wounds need to be tended to now."

Jack glanced at Will but then flinched when he felt Elizabeth's hand on his own.

"Let me look after you Jack," she whispered.

Jack brushed her hand away. "This playing at being nursemaid doesn't suit you missy," he said, not looking at Elizabeth.

"Jack Sparrow!" Elizabeth declared crossly. "You may not have noticed the state you are in but I have and I will not have you limping around any longer. Get down below this minute and let me help you, for pity's sake!"

The pirate, though still begrudgingly, took a sulky step toward the bullheaded young lady. Jack had lost none of his pride, he didn't appreciate being ordered around by anyone, especially the highly strung Governor's daughter. Head held high and with something like his old swagger, he walked ahead of her – and then suddenly let out a pained cry and fell to his knees. His hands went to his head and his face was screwed up in pain. It took Elizabeth and Will a moment to get over the shock, then the pair came to their senses and they leapt to Jack's side, calling to him. Jack didn't notice them, it was as if they weren't there. The truth was – it was Jack who was no longer aboard the Lady Anne with his two friends. He was far away in another place – and he was finally remembering.

TBC