Little Sparrow

Summary: "Now up is down," was the last thing any of them heard before the rush of water drowned everything else out. Later, waking up on a random, deserted island, they almost immediately notice that something was not right with their Captain. Sparrington, Salazak, Willabeth, maybe others mentioned.

"It's okay, you know." Jack Sparrow nearly jumped out of his skin at the unexpected greeting, accidentally jerking the helm a little, momentarily taking them off course until he corrected it. His Pearl complained at him for such manhandling of her helm and he sent a mental apology to her before turning around to look at the approaching Spaniard. Frederico had kept the Spanish Navy uniform Jack had been hiding in his chest for some twenty odd years and the sight of him in his Navy attire nearly sent Jack back in time, when he had only jokingly steered a much bigger ship, usually more content to joke around with the crew or spend ... quality time with said ship's captain. He shook the memories away and instead focused on the present as the older man came to stand beside him, the both of them looking out to the horizon, where dawn was inching the sun over the water.

"What's okay?" The teen asked when the man didn't say anything else, just stared out at the rising sun. He was rather curious as to what would have Sanchez up so early when he had had a late shift last night. By all rights, he should still be sleeping. Jack, on the other hand, had woken up an hour ago, wrapped up in James Norrington's arms up in the crow's nest for ... what, second, third time now? He rather liked the feeling of it, if he was being honest, those strong arms around him. But he could not bare to linger in the hold once he awoke, for it reminded him of a different time and made his heart ache. Still, this time, he had found himself ... reluctant to leave. Maybe he had shimmied out of Norrington's arms but he had not wanted to leave him up in the crow's nest until the Black Pearl asked him to take the helm from one of the crew before he passed out and put them way off course. So he had climbed down with one last look at the sleeping man, relieved the other pirate and found himself at the helm, chatting quietly with his lady love as they sailed towards the sunrise.

Frederico still didn't look at his new Captain as he answered. "Falling in love again." He said, ignoring the almost pained, shocked gasp the teen produced as he continued. "Falling in love with señor Norrington. He seems like a good chap."

"I'm not-"

"There is no point lying, señor Gorrion. I've known you long enough to see." Sanchez smiled at him a bit sadly, apologetically. "I can see that look in your eyes, the same one you had before Capitán Salazar finally told you of his amor for you. You're hoping yet not daring to be hopeful. And you are holding back."

"I know it's been twenty years for everyone else but it's only been a month for me!" Sparrow snapped, glaring at the Spaniard. He felt like he was backed into a corner. He wasn't ready to face this, not yet, not while his heart still ached for Armando and all they could have had and been, not while guilt still ate away at him. Yes, he will admit that he liked James, he really, really did and Frederico was probably right, but Jack was not ready to move on. Not yet. Not until he checks the Devil's Triangle.

"I know. And the Capitán would have been so proud of you for being so strong and taking it all so well." The older one replied gently, placing a comforting hand on Sparrow's shoulder. "But he would not want his little Sparrow to never be happy again. He would want you to move on, live your life, enjoy yourself and maybe just remember him fondly on occasion. He would be sad to see you so sad."

"I know," came the moaned answer, as though in misery. "But I still feel like it would be betraying him. I can still see his face so clearly. What would he think of me if he could see me now?"

Frederico squeezed his shoulder comfortingly before patting it, his hand moving to the messy head and petting him like one would a child. Now, more than ever, Jack was a child to Frederico. Their age difference had increased a good number of years. Two whole decades. It was, to this day, a shock to the Spaniard's mind to look at the boy he had known twenty or so years ago and not see him grown up into a man. "He would be proud. He had always seen you for your true potential and what you might become. He might not be too thrilled about you turning fully pirate but would never hold it against you. He never did, Jack Sparrow." The teen looked up sharply at hearing his name fall from a Silent Mary's crew member's lips, eyes widening in shock. It had never happened before. To them all, he had been birdie or señor Gorrion or little Sparrow, as the captain called him. Frederico Sanchez smiled, letting his hand rest heavily on the boy's head. "Capitán loved you so fully that he had forgiven you for being a pirate. But he wanted you back at his side, where he can keep you safe from other pirate hunters, like he had with 'Jaquelin', so we searched for you and continued doing our job. None of the crew ever begrudged you for leaving although we were a bit angry with you in the beginning. You had stolen our beloved Capitán's heart and had made off with it. He searched for you not to demand it back, but to see if you might still be keeping it. He wanted you safe above everything else, safe and happy. I do not know what happened in those last weeks of the Mary's journey, but I do know he would not have met a more satisfactory end than to fall at your hand, especially if it meant your safety and continued happiness. You wanted freedom," he pulled his hand away, turning away from the silently crying lad, plucking out a clean handkerchief to offer it to him. "He knew he was tempted to cage you. So he let you make your own path and set yourself free. If he could let you fly away, his precious little Sparrow whom he loved more than he hated the thing he despised most in the world, then surely you can return his love by letting him sail away, birdie." He looked down at the Captain again. "Just this one last time, so he may search for his peace."

"But that's why I can't let him go." Argued Sparrow. "Not just because I love him or because I'm a selfish pirate who wants to hold on to old ghosts. I can't let him go," he took a shuddering breathe, pulling out his Compass and opening it, letting Frederico see the direction the needle was pointing in. The one direction it had been pointing in since Jack had first opened it ever since he had woken up as a de-aged Pirate Lord in his own future. "Because I fear he cannot find his peace."

Sanchez looked mournfully in the direction the Compass was pointing before looking away and heading towards the stairs that led to the main deck, his destination his own hammock. Still, he stopped at the top of the stairs to look at his old friend seriously in the eye, imparting one last piece of advice to him.

"Then find your own so you may one day share it with him, señor Gorrion. Find your own so you can live and his greatest wish can be more than wistful thinking." He left Jack then, to ponder his words as the horizon lit up with the most beautiful colors of dawn, heading down for more rest.

00000

Three more days worth of sailing finally brought them almost to their destination and there were many mixed reactions when land was finally spotted. They still had an entire day and night worth of sailing in order to get there, but Shipwreck Island was finally, finally in sight. And for the very first time since he had woken up twenty years since his last memory, Jack found himself relaxing fully as a grin split his face. He was hope. He didn't know how many years have passed, what sorts of adventures he'd been through, what places he's seen and what sort of people he'd met, but he was just glad to be home, no matter what. Shipwreck Island was safety. From any external threats or from any threat that might come after him personally. They were now within the Keeper's immediate jurisdiction and only a fool would dare attack a Pirate Lord here.

Here more than in all the seven oceans combined the Code was the law.

Feeling rather happy and in a good, lighthearted mood, Jack let Mr Cotton take over the helm as he cheerily made his way over to where James had sat down to repair some sails despite it not being his shift yet. He was restless and needed to keep his mind busy so he won't think about his recent closeness to Jack. Ever since he held the pirate as he fell asleep that first night on the Pearl, when Jack had revealed how vulnerable this whole situation was making him feel, James had found himself strangely protective of the teen. However, recently, he had found out that that wasn't the case just because his need to protect the innocent had been struck by Jack's sudden youth. He had been trying to come to terms with something that had already registered a long time in his heart and even his mind but had been suppressed. Jack Sparrow was a very fine looking man, no matter his age.

James had learned in his years of service, and even more in Tortuga, that sometimes, in order to find release, men turned to different sources of comfort and pleasure. On a ship, even a Navy one where buggery would be punished by hanging the culprits from the yardarm, men found comfort in other men, committing so called sins against god. Please do note that, after dozens of supernatural experiences and situations he'd been through, James had found it hard to believe in the simple black and white context of morality that comes from the Holy Bible and some hypocritical priest's mouth. So he had started thinking a bit more openmindedly and had actually indulged himself in Tortuga, quite often in fact, until he found himself almost penniless. He had reserved the rest of his money for drinks instead of lads or lasses of the night. And he had found he rather liked the lads a great deal more than the lasses, no matter how pretty or talented.

Hatred and anger had stopped him from seeing it back then with his newly opened eyes - and yes, he was aware of the irony, thank you very much and go screw yourself - but he could see and picture it now without a problem. Jack Sparrow was a very beautiful individual. As a grown man, the scale tipped in favor of handsomeness, but right now, he was more pretty than handsome. Still, Sparrow was definitely easy on the eyes and James had found their recent closeness had some ... rather interesting aftereffects. He was almost embarrassed by how often he had to take care of it in the sleeping quarters and he at times felt a little guilt of the dreams and fantasies that result from it all. But only a little, for it had made him realize something very important.

He wanted Jack Sparrow.

Now, with that realization came a few problems, and no, he didn't mean just the steady increase of those lewd, pleasurable dreams. With it came the rejection that had never been said, for James knew even before he said anything to Sparrow what the response would be. Maybe with the older one, they could have worked something out, but not this Sparrow. This Sparrow had only recently lost his lover and was still mourning him almost every night. He still dreamed of this Armando man and James felt he will never get a chance with Jack. Besides, he didn't want to be a replacement. That wouldn't be fair to him, Jack or the dead man.

That didn't stop him wanting, though, and it had become particularly hard to deny himself, especially this last two days.

Ever since Jack had had that little talk with Frederico, he had thought long and hard on the matter and decided the man was right. Jack needed to move on. Yes, he will still probably think about Armando for a while longer, but Frederico was wrong if he thought Jack didn't know how to live without the man. And yes, Jack still loved him but he had learned to let his heart grow so that Armando now only held up a small part of it instead of the whole he had once had. The evidence of just how successful he had been at that was that he had, indeed, found himself fancying James. So Jack had started putting on all of his charms, trying to get it across to the older man, finding it fun when he won small victories. Really small, but there, so Jack wasn't disheartened when James refused to look at him as he sat down beside the man and started sewing with him. Surely if he had seduced and charmed the great Capitán Armando Salazar of the Silent Mary, El Matador Del Mar, bane of pirates everywhere, then it shouldn't be much harder to do the same for Admiral (and former Commodore and twice turned pirate by now) James L. Norrington of his Highness Royal Navy, scourge of the pirates of the Caribbean, wouldn't be that much harder. True, Jack had unknowingly won Salazar's heart but he planned on winning Norrington's as well and he will make sure James does not end up like Armando had.

'Maybe I have a Navy fetish, seeing as who my former lover was and who I want now?' Jack mused himself as he expertly mended one of the spare sails without much thought. 'Or is it the chase I like? They were both pirate hunters, some of the best.' He chuckled quietly to himself as he allowed his and James' knees to touch, the sail comfortable between his own, assuring him faster and easier maneuvering with the needle. James very nearly stabbed himself through the hand with the needle at the touch. Sparrow wanted to chuckle at the reaction but held back, playing innocent as he felt those green eyes looking at him.

"What was your life like, James, before we met? I don't think I ever got tge opportunity to ask you before."

Norrington stopped in his work for a while, just staring at Jack's nimble fingers at work before shaking his head and answering, eyes once again focused on the sail. "Not nearly as adventurous as yours had been, I assure you. You already know who my father and cousin and uncle were, so you can pretty much guess what life was like for me: high class parties, boring, stuck up people, stuffy wigs and clothing, lots of Navy and education. I knew my mother very briefly before she passed away and I am an only child. Not much to tell, I'm afraid."

"How did you end up out on the sea, then?" Jack was insistent. "The sea calls to all men, aye, but rare few hear the call and come willingly. Only those restless on land feel at ease on the waves, luv. Me, for one, I was born on sea and had my sea legs before land legs, as sailors often jokingly call them. The sea called to me since I was young and my Da never denied me. Then I ran away, twice, before finally sailing away on the Wicked Wench with his blessing, if you can call it that. It was more like threatening Captain Morgan to make sure I don't get killed, really. But that's me. I'm different. What about you, Jamie?"

"Why do you call me that infernal butchery of my Christian name?"

"Because we're friends. I hope?" He sounded hopeful even to his own ears and James finally stopped looking at his work, set it aside and focused on the teen. The teen that had been growing bolder and bolder with his subtle flirting in the past couple of days and had been driving the ex Commodore mad.

"Perhaps," the older replied, leaning in closer and startling Jack with s peck to his lips. He pulled away with a smirk on his lips, teasing Jack without words. Just with that expression alone. "Perhaps we could be a bit ... more?" He knew he shouldn't be doing this. He knew Jack still held a candle for that Armando guy. But he couldn't help himself. Like in Tortuga with the rum, he was hooked and he wanted to be hooked. If Jack was only searching for release, it would still be something. James just wanted him for himself for a while and he seemed to be selfish enough to not care that this might blow up into his face sooner or later. All he cared about at the moment was how those black eyes had found focus on only his lips and he in turned wanted to claim James'. 'Pirate,' he thought at himself as he leaned in kissed those soft, eager lips with his own once again. It was still chaste and they pulled back after only a few seconds, black on green, hands slowly reaching out towards each other, holding wrists and shoulders and shirts. Both were a bit flushed but they didn't care.

Jack smiled gently, leaning in against James again, chasing his lips. "Perhaps." He said before their lips mashed in a passionate kiss.

00000

Martinez was glaring at the two men, a sneer on his face as he handed over a leather envelope containing the damned papers that had put him in such a foul mood back to their owner. Hugo Lopez smiled appreciatively, only because he knew it would infuriate the Governor of San Angelica even more, before nodding a half genuine thanks to the man who had saved him from a noose.

"Now, Mr Lopez, why don't you tell me just how you ended up in such a situation. The Letter of Marque should have saved me the trouble of personally coming here to save your neck instead of hunting for the Pirate Lords as I was." Lord Cutler Beckett said as he lounged in one of the Governor's chars in said man's office. Mr Mercer, his secretary slash assassin, stood to his right with the fearsome form of Davy Jones to his left and a few paces behind, like a faithful dog. He sure as hell was growling like one as being forced to come to Martinez's fine ship just so he could intimidate the man if Lord Beckett's documents proved inefficient in freeing Lopez. The grandeur of his office connected to the great cabin rivaled any office Beckett had on land and it miffed the man that not even his standing as a Lord bothered the man all that much. The captain of the Flying Dutchman had not even received the bating of an eyelash when he had appeared out of the wall at Beckett's call. The Lord knew he won't be getting anything out of this one.

"Well, my Lord, I was just sailing about, minding my own business, when I saw this dine ship on the horizon and I decided a little plunder and a few caught pirates would be for our mutual good." Lopez started silkily, a mock innocent smile on his face which turned into a vicious grin at the Lord's arched eyebrow and the Governor's strained growl. "Imagine my surprise when I realized why it was such a fine ship was because it was black, from topmast to hull, except for the pretty golden figurehead." He seemed to enjoy the stiffening of Beckett and Jones while Martinez just arched an eyebrow at him. "Of course, knowing that the only ship of that rightful description has been rotting at the bottom of the sea bed for the past year, I had my doubts. But then I saw her Captain and it is indeed very, very hard to mistake Captain Jack Sparrow for anyone else but who he is."

"That's enough!" Jones thundered, snatching up the man by his neck with his crab hand, nearly killing him instantly with the force put behind it. Martinez didn't seem disturbed or frightened as he watched Jones manhandle Lopez, but he didn't hold any love lost for the traitor and even less pity. "I won't listen t' yer lies no more! Jack Sparrow be rottin' in ma Locker along with th' Black Pearl. And I will make sure ya see fer yerself!"

"Jones, that's enough." Beckett told him calmly, glaring at the brute. "Let him go and remember your place." The Captain of the Flying Dutchman did so reluctantly, stepping away from the gasping man and glowering at the diminutive Lord, whose cold eyes were focused on Hugo. "Now, Mr Lopez, do tell this ... story of yours. For I am not sure I am in the mood for any tomfoolery. But I am also not so stupid as to not believe a story about Jack Sparrow as my college here."

"Si, I thought you'd like to hear it. I almost didn't believe my own eyes but then I saw his and I knew there was no doubt. I've heard stories about his eyes, as black as his ship and just as feared, for they saw through you and pierced through you deeper than any blade and they enchanted better than any mermaid song." Lopez said with a strained voice, his throat an ugly red that will definitely bruise. His eyes were focused on the silent Governor as he said the last part and Beckett's eyes flashed to him. "They seduced the two most powerful men in the Spanish Navy in the Caribbean, to the point that this one did not even recognize him as a man. Is she not lovely, your Jaquelin?" Lopez snarled mockingly at Martinez, but the other Spaniard did not visibly react. "You were courting a Pirate Lord and not even ashamed of it!"

"The heart wants what it wants," Martinez told him with a cold smile and Lopez gaped at him. Yes, gaped, with the italics. For he had not expected that. "And if it means that two men loved the one which they should have hated, then yes, by all means, we were bewitched. But these are Spanish waters and you will not touch a single hair on his head or so help me God, you will regret it."

"So you are as much a traitor as he was," Hugo sneered but shut his mouth when the Governor casually pulled out a cocked gun and pointed it to his head.

"I don't think you can call anyone a traitor. Especially not a man born into his way of life."

"I speak not of the little whore, Martinez."

Said man's eyes flashed dangerously. "He was a better man than you ever were or could hope to be."

"And yet I'm alive and he is rotting with his ship." Martinez made to fire but he cried out in pain when Mercer beat him to it, throwing a knife into the shoulder of his gun hand, making the loaded pistol fall to the ground. The pistol released its shot and it nearly blew Lopez's big toe off had he not jumped away in time. Mercer advanced on the Governor, polishing a dagger as Beckett finally spoke up.

"You must know where he was heading. Tell me now and I will grant you clemency, never mention this little event and even give you a high position in the Company. If not, well, Mr Mercer will gladly get the information from you whether you want to give it or not."

"Go to hell, hijo de diablo." Martinez spat before taking out a small knife from his boots and cutting his own throat. He smiled a bloody smile, full of satisfaction and regret. But he was glad to have seen the one who warms his heart one last time and that his death will ensure a safe journey, for at least a little while longer. He closed his eyes and apologized to both 'Jaquelin' and Armando for leaving the pirate alone like this and wished desperately to have told him his feelings, despite knowing his heart already belonged to another. He had protected him as best as he could and now he must rest.

Beckett cursed in frustration at the corpse, tempted to kick him but he didn't want to dirty his shoes. It wasn't worth it. It would not get him any more information than he already had. Not that he didn't already have a charted course to Shipwreck Cove, having gotten it a few days ago from Sao Feng when the man failed to deliver to him the Black Pearl and possibly her resurrected Captain when they last met, instead needing a new ship for his crew after a clever trick done by Sparrow destroyed his and another pirate ship. Now there was no doubt that Sparrow and his precious ship were back but no one seemed to know whether he was heading for the Cove or not. And he still didn't know what the Brethren Court was for, if they had some secret weapon or if there was any way he could get them to come out of the protection of the Cove. Sao Feng was useless in that regard, as he could not convince a dead man to stay dead, let alone a feat like that.

''You know, I think I might know something that could help you.'' Hugo said as he gathered his wits about himself again. He sneered down at Martinez's body before focusing back to the three waiting men. ''Rather, someone. We just need to make a little trip. It's not all that terribly far from here, maybe two days away, if we have good winds.'' Beckett regarded him with distrust and Lopez smirked. ''Have I given you reason to doubt me so far, my Lord?''

''Very well, then. Jones,'' Beckett turned to the sea-creatures covered man, eyes narrowed seriously. ''I do believe this port has been in Spanish hands long enough. Destroy anyone who stands in your way, collect as much new crewmen as you like but leave those who would swear their loyalty to the Company alive and bring them to me. You have three hours. We will then board your ship and you will take us to this place Mr Lopez is talking about in one day.'' With that, the short man left the room with Mercer in tow, leaving behind a growling Jones with a bruised Lopez and a dead Martinez.

The Dutchman's Captain then turned to the Spaniard, disgust clear in his slimy face. ''Let th' dead be dead and th' cursed be cursed. Ya will find only pain and death down this path, Mr Lopez.'' He then turned around and walked straight through a wall, disappearing to his ship and starting an attack on poor San Angelica.

Hugo Lopez just smirked. ''And so will he.'' He said to the empty room and the corpse before leaving. He had a journey to prepare for.