Chapter Two

Reunion

Jack Sparrow was bored. This was not an entirely new occurrence. Jack was known for getting very bored very fast. You really had to be something to hold his attention for more than a few minutes. At the moment, he was bored of plotting out his next course. He was thinking of just snagging some Spanish trading ships one their way back from the Americas. But those were always changing courses and it made it hard for them to find. He sighed and looked down at his maps. It was not helping that he was sitting in a bar in Tortuga and that all around him people where doing fun things but not him.

"Gibbs," Jack said, leaning back in his chair. "I've made up my mind. We are going to just wonder around and hope something comes to us."

"Captain, as interstin' as that sounds, I'm afraid most of the crew would not like it so much as you," Gibbs took a drink of rum and watched Jack slowly.

"Well I'm all out of ideas, mate. Been everywhere on the bloody map worth going." He took a long slow drink. "I'm going for a walk, don't lose my maps." He stood up and strutted out of the bar into the cool evening air.

He really had no idea what he wanted to do next. On the one hand, he hadn't had a good long stay on land since Port Royal, and that was mostly because he knew Commodore Norrington was always on his trail. It was for that reason that he had come back now. He knew Elizabeth and Will were due to be married soon, and he also knew that Norrington was invited. The soon to be Turner family had warned him not to try to come because the Commodore would be there. It had kind of upset him, but at least he got to be on land while the wedding was going on. When would Norrington finally give up? Or, a more important question, did Jack want him to give up?

Jack moved out of the way as a drunken lowlife was tossed out of a pub. He stepped over him and adjusted his hat. It was good to be among people who understood him. He was, after all, a pirate. Born and raised a pirate, would always be a pirate. That was how he liked it. And nothing in the world would ever change that. As long as he had breath in his body he would be free.

"So how is this game played?"

Jack stopped at the voice from somewhere to his right. That was odd. He could have sworn he just heard James Norrington's voice. But that couldn't be. James was getting ready for the Turner wedding, not here in Tortuga, let alone not asking about some silly game. Still, he looked around, confused.

"Just stand still, there, mate," came a rough drunken voice.

"Right-oh!"

Okay, now Jack was sure that it was Norrington. He looked around some more until he spotted James standing up against a wall with a bottle on top of his head. A few feet away a man was loading his pistol. "Oh hell!" Jack muttered. He rushed over to James and tackled him to the ground just before the gun went off.

James grunted and the bottle smashed. "Ouch," the Commodore mutter, then looked up at Jack. "Jacky! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

"Yeah I know that, mate. You certainly weren't going to find me ever if you had let that man shoot. He couldn't hit a cow if it where sitting on him." Jack stood up and pulled James up with him. "Now what the hell are you--" He stopped when he took in how James looked.

His normal white wig had been removed and long shaggy dark hair replaced it, playing against the side and front of his face. His green eyes where shinning brightly and he was smiling so wide Jack was afraid he was frozen that way. He was in his navy outfit still but was slightly dirty and he was wearing it without any pride at all. He looked… happy. Jack didn't know the Commodore could be happy.

Jack shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "Mate, what happened to you? Aren't you supposed to be in Port Royal right now?"

"I suppose yes," James said, still smiling. "But I didn't want to be in Port Royal. I wanted to be with you. So I came and found you."

"Why would you want to find me? I mean, besides the hanging."

"Oh I am not going to hang you." James moved closer to Jack, who stepped away. "A beauty such as yours should not fall away like that. It should live on forever."

"Are you drunk, mate?" Jack asked, taking another step back and James took one forward.

"Nope."

"Well then what the hell happened to you?"

"I don't really remember but I do remember you," by now James had backed Jack against a wall. "I remember what I really wanted from you." He rubbed his cheek against the horrified Jack's. But he was close enough for Jack to see a little bit of gold dust on the Commodore's coat. He lifted his hand and picked up a little of said dust and sniffed. Oh hell. "Zigana," Jack groaned. He knew her stuff anyway. Stupid whore, what had she done this time.

"No, I'm James," The Commodore poked him. "J-A-M-E-S."

"What? No I know that. I'm talking about the person who did this to you." Jack groaned and shoved James off him with effort. "Come on we are going back to my room."

"Really?" James fluttered his lashes at Jack. "So soon? I can live with that."

Jack made a face. "Okay, no, not like that. We have to get you back home. Maybe Zigana is still in Port Royal. We need to get her to lift this curse off you."

"I have a curse on me? I don't feel cursed."

"'Course you don't, mate, that's how she works. Makes it look like a blessing, but it never is trust me."

"Well how do you know her, Jacky?" James was much to close for Jack's comfort.

"We've crossed paths… and blades a few times. Nothing to concern yourself with, James, trust me." Jack finally saw the pub in view again. "Until then I guess I'm just going to have to keep a watchful eye on you."

"I think I'd like that," was that a purr coming from James? Jack blinked and looked down at him, not at all sure how to take this. On the one hand, this was a pleasant switch from the Commodore Norrington who was intent on watching him hang. On the other hand, he was clearly under Zigana's power. If he ever found out the way he was acting, James would not be happy. Jack sighed. Why did trouble always find him? And he had been trying so hard to be good. Life hated him.

"Ah, there ya be, Jack!" Gibbs stood to greet him. "I was startin' to get w—what's this?"

"No worries, Gibbs," Jack sighed and plopped James into a chair. "He won't be trying anything tonight. Well, at least not anything like trying to hurt me. We have a need to get to Port Royal at once."

"And what would be prompting this need, Cap'n'?"

"Zigana," Jack answered with a long sigh. Gibbs twitched.

"She and you still haven't made up? I thought you said she forgave you."

"I thought she had." Jack sat down himself. "It would appear she is still up to her old tricks however."

James moved from his chair onto Jack's lap. He nuzzled him like a kitten begging for milk. Gibbs blinked and Jack slowly, as gently as he could, he pushed James back into his own chair. "Looks that way indeed, Cap'n'," Gibbs agreed.

"Think we'll be off tonight, then," Jack said. "Round up the crew. I don't care what you tell them; just get them on the Pearl."

"Right!" Gibbs hurried off to find the crew. Jack started to pick up his maps, trying to ignore the Commodore pawing at him constantly. This was really going to be hell. It had been so long since Jack had been with anyone that he didn't know if he could resist the man's advances. He prayed Zigana would still be in Port Royal. Life really did hate him.

But who knew. Maybe he would get to see Lizzie and Will get married. "Huh," Jack said softly. "That wouldn't be so bad." He groaned as James let out a small mew. It was going to be a long trip to Port Royal.

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Plot Bunny: Okay, what next?

RTK: oh um…. Things

Plot Bunny: I hate you.

RTK: Thanks to Miss Yrbantisba, Lillinfields, and crunchycheezit who reviewed! You three are the best! Hope you liked this chapter!