Ch. 2
Will and Andrew sat in the kitchen talking long after everyone had gone to bed. "So, you really thought you could pull one over on me, huh?" Andrew asked.
Will shrugged. "It seemed as good a plan as any at the time. I just didn't want you to be at any risk if I was found out."
"I know, I know," Andrew said quickly. "Actually, I find it all quite amusing. You were always the honest, noble one when we were lads. Never would've thought you capable of concocting such a scheme."
"Pirate," Will replied, motioning helplessly.
Andrew just laughed and leaned back in his chair. "You have changed…and not entirely for the worse," he said. "So, what's it like, being a pirate?"
"I'm wanted nearly everywhere I go, the government of some country or another is always on my tail, and I never know if I'm going to survive the next journey," Will replied casually.
"So basically you're having the time of your life."
"Basically," Will admitted with a grin. "So, tell me more about your life. How long have you and Clara been married?"
"Twelve years. We met-" He was interrupted by someone knocking heavily at the door. "Who'd call at this hour…?" he muttered. Will's hand moved subconsciously to the pistol he had concealed in his jacket. "Think it's trouble?" Andrew asked, noticing the movement.
"Open up in there!" someone shouted on the other side of the door. "We've got a warrant to search the place!"
"It's just a guess," Will said sarcastically.
"Will, what's going on?" Elizabeth asked, coming in from their bedroom.
"Someone tipped off Norrington," he replied tersely. "Andrew, you'd better go ahead and let them in. I won't have you get in trouble on my account."
Elizabeth looked up at him in surprise. "Will…"
Will slipped his hand comfortingly into hers. "It's alright, love," he whispered. "I'll be fine."
Hesitantly, Andrew went over and opened the door slightly. "Hullo!" he said, pretending to be surprised. "What's the meaning of this?"
"We received word that you had a dangerous fugitive staying in your home," Commodore Norrington said, his dark eyes immediately focusing on Will. "It is unfortunate that this should prove to be so." He motioned for one of the soldiers to put cuffs on Will.
"Come now!" Andrew continued to protest, stepping in front of the soldier. "This man is a guest in my home! He hasn't caused any trouble in his visit. You cannot simply knock on my door in the middle of the night, wake everybody up, and demand that my guest be apprehended!"
"William Turner, you are under arrest," the commodore said, ignoring Andrew. "I suggest you come quietly. We don't want a scene in front of your wife and children."
Will looked up in surprise to see that his children had come down the stairs. "I've done nothing but stand here, Commodore. If I'd wanted to escape, I'd have been gone a long time ago. May I say goodbye first?" Norrington nodded hesitantly and motioned for the men to wait. Unloading his pistol to prove that he wouldn't try anything, Will hurried over to where the children stood.
"Father, what's going on?" William asked fearfully.
Will knelt and ruffled the boys' hair. "It's alright, little mates," he said soothingly. "I have to go with these men, but I'll be back. I need you two to be on your best behavior for your mother, understood?"
"Yes, sir," they replied obligingly.
"Marie," Will said, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder. "Help your mother out with these two, alright? Be a good lass." Finally, he went over to Elizabeth and kissed her. "I need you and the children to carry out our original departure plans, love," he whispered. She started to protest, but Will placed a finger on her lips. "I have to know you're all safe. Don't worry; I'll get out. I always do." Elizabeth simply nodded. As the irons were placed around his wrists and he was led roughly along, Will exchanged one last meaningful look with Elizabeth before the door was closed behind him.
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Will rubbed his wrists as he was thrown roughly into a cell with another young man. "You're scheduled to hang at dawn," Commodore Norrington said as he turned to leave. "It's time you paid for your crimes, Turner." Will glared darkly at the commodore's back and sat down on the stone bench provided in the cell. Putting his hat over his eyes, he attempted to sleep.
After several minutes, he was aware of somebody staring at him. Pushing his hat back up, he inclined his head slightly to acknowledge the other prisoner. "Can I help you?" he asked when the young man still didn't say anything.
"Oh, sorry," the boy said, shaking his head apologetically. "I was just thinking about something the commodore said…your name's Turner?"
"Aye," Will said warily. "What of it?"
"Nothing," the young man said quickly. "It's just that that's the name of one of the pirates in these parts."
"That so?" Will asked, clearly not interested.
"He's said to have escaped from prison over thirty times in the twenty years he's been in the business-"
"That many, huh?"
"Aye," the young man said, annoyed at being interrupted. "The funny thing is, piracy isn't his main occupation. His first job is as a-"
"Blacksmith," Will interjected. "He lives in Tortuga with his wife, his seventeen-year-old daughter, and his eleven-year-old sons. His twin sister is Blackbird Turner, and their father was Bootstrap Bill Turner. He's known the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow for twenty-one years, and served on his crew for eighteen. He is also very tired at the moment and is on the verge of strangling a certain young man if he does not shut up."
The boy looked at him in surprise. "You're Will Turner?"
"Guilty as charged," Will replied. "Now, what was that I said about shutting up?"
"Sorry, it's just…at risk of sounding like a child, you've always been kind of a…hero of mine. My hope is to one day balance piracy and a family like you have."
"It's hard," Will admitted, sitting up slightly and giving up on sleep. "Especially if you spend your whole youth sitting in jail. How'd you end up here, anyway? Get caught pick-pocketing or something?"
"No," the young man said indignantly. "I was caught stowing away on a merchant vessel to avoid the Spanish Royal Navy after being tried on charges of piracy and sentenced to hang. Now I'm scheduled to hang right after you. My name's Juan, by the way. Juan Palacios."
"I'd introduce myself," Will replied, "but that hardly seems necessary. Where are you from, Juan? You accent doesn't seem typical of these parts."
"Santo Domingo," Juan replied. "My mother's hometown. She moved there after-" He was interrupted by the guard tumbling down the stairs. Seconds later, Blackbird hurried down the stairs. Kneeling to pick up the soldier's keys, she tossed them to Will.
"Blackbird!" Will said in surprise. "I thought you were in Kingston with Jack!"
Blackbird shrugged. "I was," she replied. "We got done early, so we decided to come see how you were doing. Same as usual, I see."
"Missed you too," Will shot back sarcastically. "I could've gotten out on my own. I was just biding my time."
"Uh-huh. It was just convenient that I showed up to save your hide yet again."
"I hate to break it to you guys, but it won't be long before soldiers show up," Juan interrupted. "Might we get going?"
"Who's this?" Blackbird asked, indicating the young man.
"Nobody," Will replied. "Just my cellmate. Look, Juan, you go your way, we go ours. We never met. That's the easiest way."
"Take me with you," Juan argued stubbornly. "I've been a pirate since I was thirteen. I'll be worth my wages."
Blackbird ran an aggravated hand through her hair. Any more delay would cost them. "Fine," she said shortly. "We'll take you to Jack. Beyond that, it's up to him. I promise nothing. You ready to go, Will?"
Will nodded and gestured up the stairs. "Lead the way, milady."
A/N: Ok, so I'm actually doing pretty well getting these chapters up right now...it's late and there's not much to say so...review! And, for those who wondered, yes Blackbird's in here.