Ch. 3

Will was surprised to see a familiar face as he climbed of the side of the Black Pearl. "Marie?"

"Yeah…did I forget to mention that little detail?" Blackbird said casually from behind him. "I kinda ran into Elizabeth right before they were to board their ship. That's how I knew you were in the jail."

"Alright, that's great, but what does that have to do Marie being here now?" Will asked, looking from one to the other.

"Well, I really wanted to see what it's like to be on the crew," Marie explained. "After a bit of convincing from Aunt Blackbird, Mother agreed to letting me just try it out for the journey home."

"And when did you plan on getting my opinion on this?"

"…Now?" she offered. "Please, Father, just for the journey home. I even got Uncle Jack's permission. It's only two or three days."

"A lot can happen in two or three days," Will pointed out, clearly struggling with the decision.

"A word, Will?" Jack said suddenly, appearing out of nowhere. Pulling Will aside, he muttered, "I figured this was the only way to satisfy the lass. She's been beggin' me to join the crew since she was thirteen, and I can't put up with it much longer. Let her see how hard it really is, and I predict she'll lose interest. This is just me, but if she was my daughter, I'd rather she learn her lesson with me there than without, savvy?"

Will sighed and nodded reluctantly. "Sadly, I think that's the most sense you've made in the twenty-one years I've known you," he said dryly. "You better know what you're talking about." He turned back to Marie. "Fine, but this is only for the journey home. When we get back to Tortuga, you have an exciting story to tell, but that's it. I don't want to hear anything else about joining the crew."

Marie nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Father," she said, starting to hug him.

"One more thing, lass," Jack interrupted, raising a finger. "There are certain conditions to your being on the crew. No more than any other member, but they apply to all. One: you will work your hardest at all times. If at any time I catch you slacking off, I reserve the right to confine you to a cabin for the remainder of the journey. Secondly: my word is final. I know you're accustomed to arguing with me on occasion, but here it's different. Here I am not Uncle Jack; I'm Captain Sparrow, and what I say goes, savvy?" Marie nodded earnestly. She's expected such rules. "Oh, and…one more thing," he added, glancing at Will. "No hiding behind your father here. I don't want you to prove yourself as Will Turner's daughter; I want you to prove yourself as Marie Turner, a sharp young woman who could become a valuable asset to my crew if given the right opportunities. Now, don't think that this is entirely one-sided. I expect Will to withdraw his…protective tendencies. You don't have to follow his rules any more than you would another crew member. Do we have an accord?"

Marie hesitated before shaking his hand. "Agreed."

"Excellent," he said, grinning. "Then Blackbird will show you to the forecastle, lend you some of her clothes, and we'll get going, aye?" His eyes fell on Juan, who had been standing behind them silently. "New friend?"

"More like a tag-along," Will replied. "Jack, Juan Palacios. Juan, Captain Jack Sparrow."

"A pleasure to meet you, sir," Juan said, concealing his surprise at the name and bowing slightly. "It's an honor to meet a man with a reputation like yours."

"Your parents know where you are, lad?" Jack asked.

"I'm twenty-one years old, sir," Juan replied. "I'm old enough to be accountable for myself. Anyway, they both died when I was thirteen."

"I know how that can be," Jack said, nodding slightly. "Where're you from?"

"I was born in Santo Domingo. If you don't mind me asking, sir, why are you so interested in my background? Most captains I've served for only care about what benefit I am to them."

"Well, I'm not most captains, now am I?" Jack said pointedly. "I find it beneficial to know where my crew is coming from. Makes it easier to anticipate what they'll do. Take Ho Kwan, 'ere," he said, indicating an Asian man. "Born and raised in Mongolia. When 'e was eight, they took a trip to China and were attacked by invading pirates. His parents were killed, and he was taken aboard the ship. Been a pirate ever since, and you'll not find a more faithful man. Hardly speaks a word of English, but we got along just fine, right mate?" He grinned at the man, who nodded and continued with his work. "One question, boy: Are you afraid to die?"

"No sir," Juan replied, his dark brown eyes staring evenly at the captain.

Jack studied the young man. As their eyes met, he saw determination and self-confidence, but no rebellion. Pulling out his pistol, he cocked it at pointed it at the boy's forehead. "How about now?"

"No sir," Juan said in the exact same tone as before, not even flinching.

Grinning, Jack stroked his beard thoughtfully. This lad could be a great contribution to the crew. "I like the looks of ye," he said, locking the pistol and stuffing it back in his belt. "Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, mate."

Juan bowed again slightly. "Thank you, sir."

Turning to the rest of the crew, Jack shouted, "Well, what are ye waitin' for? Do you want to just sit here and wait for Norrington to come looking for us? Man the braces! Make good to clear port!" As the men scurried to obey his orders, Jack studied their new recruit. Something in the way he presented himself was familiar…a lot like…He shook his head, throwing away the thought. You're getting old, Sparrow, he told himself wryly. Everybody looks like somebody. Sighing, he leaned against the wheel and guided the Pearl out of the port. He's just another eager lad looking for adventure.

A/N: Sorry about the delay on this one. Been kinda crazy lately with school and studying for Drivers Ed (15 on Monday! Woohoo!). Anyway, hope this is starting to make a little more sense...I realize the first few chapters have been a little scattered, but again, trust. ;-)