Author's Note: So, after doing a little research on three year olds, I decided that… not only are they overly excited and hurt your back when you hold them for long periods of time, they're kinda pains in the butt. This is ok though. I have made William into as much a three year old as I can. Considering I work with them, and let me tell you, they are interesting little people to be watching. Anyway, this has more William/Elizabeth, William/Jack. More mentioning of dear Ol' Will. And a little here and there. I do need opinions on if you want me to make Will appear or not, originally I wasn't going to, but I mean, it's not a bad idea, I'd love your input. Barbossa is probably not going to be in the next chapter, but there will be a bit of action and stuff. It depends. I'm sorry for the long update, it's been a tiring week and some personal fun times, let me tell you. But I hope you enjoy and thank you SO much for the reviews. You guys are FABULOUS!
Rain pounded against the decks of the Sea Hag. It was far into the night and she laid in her bed, counting the seconds between each thunder clap. Seven days at sea was not doing much for her or the crew. And their captain was at a lost for words when the topic of where they were going was brought up.
She sighed and continued to stare at the ceiling. A loud rumbled filled her ears, which in turn woke the tiny child laying next to her.
His eyes opened and he looked at his mother. "Mama?"
"What's wrong baby?" Her voice was soft.
"Loud, mama. Make it stop." He snuggled up to her.
"It's the thunder. You know what thunder is, it's ok."
"Loud." His face was buried into her stomach. She sighed. How can a child who had been on a ship with pirates, be so intimidated by a loud noise? Then again, why shouldn't he be afraid?"
"Shh," She wrapped her arms around him. "Just listen to the noise baby, it's ok. Listen closely."
Silenced filled around them. A clap slammed down, making William jump.
"Now, count how long it takes for the thunder to come back." His tiny voice started counting slowly. Another clap sounded over them. "See, it's not scary." He continued to count until a another clap was heard.
"I hear it mama!" His voice was excited. He started counting again. "I hear it!"
"You did!" She smiled as he continued counting and exclaiming to her. "See, it's not so scary."
"Not s'ary!"
"That's my brave little man." She smiled as he listened for the thunder.
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She stared at the port that they were anchored at. Her eyes moved over to Jack as he stood at the helm. They had anchored less then an hour ago and she was still confused on why they were at a port.
"Due tell, Jack," He walked over to her, staring at the port. "Is Barbossa here with the Pearl? Or are your sea legs tiring?"
"As it were," He coughed and leaned against the railing. "I was missing a few things, and I thought it be nice for you and William to collect some more things for our voyage."
"A voyage I regret getting on." She mumbled, dusting her skirt.
"We'll be here until past sunset, so you have the whole afternoon to frolic through the shops." He looked at her and back at the port. "Enjoy the land."
"How much longer are we going to be on this goose chase Jack?"
"Till I find my treasure." He smiled and walked away from her.
She rolled her eyes and turned to William who was sitting on a barrel near the mass.
"Come on. We'll go to town for a bit."
"No." Elizabeth looked at him. He had a large pout on his face.
"Baby, mama has to buy some things, come on."
"No!" He folded his arms and pushed himself against the mass. She rolled her eyes for a second time.
"Mama doesn't have time for this."
"My ship! I don't want to!" He looked away, closing his eyes tightly.
Elizabeth looked at him, and then at Jack, who was leaning against the stairwell.
"Alright." She began walking towards the step board. "You may stay on the ship." She looked at him. "As long as you stay on your very best behavior."
"I will!" He smiled, still refusing to get off the barrel.
"And," Her eyes darted to Jack. "You can not leave Jack's side."
"What?" Jack looked at her. With a smile and a wave Elizabeth began her descent.
"Have fun."
"Wait," Jack watched as she left his ship. He turned and looked at the eager child. "What?"
"U'cle Jack!" William stared to clap his hands. "We look for tre'sure."
"Oh bugger."
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William followed Jack all over the ship. Jack, being Jack, was either staying very calm or had forgotten the child was behind him. It was always very hard to tell. Every so often William would ask Jack to play a game of sword fighting or hide and seek. Jack grunted and shook his head, going from various cabins on the ship.
"U'cle Jack, you count and I'll hide!" He smiled brightly.
"Don't you take a nap or something?" Jack asked, not turning from his desk as he looked for a map.
"I not sleepy!" William smiled. "You smell funny."
Jack sighed, refusing to comment. All he wanted was a peaceful afternoon to himself, while most of the crew went to do his bidding and Gibbs and Elizabeth were off gathering goods. But, alas, he was stuck with a tiny whelp who enjoyed talking. Who enjoyed talking just a little too much in some's opinion.
"Papa has a ship." Jack froze. He noted that the whelp's voice had shrunk down, and was not as enthused. He turned and looked at William. He was no longer bouncing off the walls, but looking at everything carefully.
"Aye, your father has a ship." Jack watched the boy. He came up to just a little below his thigh. For once, on the entire trip, he looked at William.
The boy was slightly chubby, still growing out of his baby fat. He had a full mouth and big eyes like his mother, and the face of his father. Jack knew the boy was brighter then most boys his age. Good breeding, was the only thing Jack could deduce.
"Mama said." His voice brightened up a bit. "Mama said Papa had a ship."
"Aye." Jack folded his arms. Suddenly, William spun around and smiled brightly.
"Don't tell." He ran over to Jack and stared up to him. "Don't tell."
"I won't." Jack cocked an eye brow, moving down to squat at William's level.
"Papa's coming." Jack's eyes grew bigger as William grabbed the older man's hand. "Papa's coming to my ship." It was hard to understand, William began to get overly excited and started talking faster.
"Your father's not coming." Jack talked slowly. It went unfazed by William.
"He is! Papa's coming. It told me." He was nodding his head. "I not tell."
"Who told you your father was coming?"
"A fish."
"A fish?"
"Uh huh!" William smiled brightly.
"A fish?" Jack looked at the boy, confusion erupting in his brain.
"Play with me!" It was as though he had never told Jack. The boy smiled and let go of Jack's hand, racing over to the other side of the room. "Play with me."
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"So?" Elizabeth sat in Jack's cabin, watching as he paced around. "He's three Jack. He's a small boy with a large imagination."
"A fish?" Jack looked at her and then back at the floor, pacing. "I don't know, it's a little--"
"Fishy?" She received a glare. "Oh Jack, for heaven's sake. He was probably just over excited. He loves your company."
Jack stopped pacing and looked at her. His eyes were slightly clouded over and full of nervousness. Elizabeth sighed and sat back, her own heart beating slightly faster. What she would give to see Will again.
"He probably dreamt it. He always has random stories and things. It's nothing to worry about." She stood up. "Speaking of my child, I'm sure Gibbs is tired of telling the same stories over and over again."
"He's not, but as you were." Jack smiled and watched as she exited his cabin. "A fish."
Jack sat in his chair and looked at the map that was unfolded over his desk.
Footsteps sounded at the other side of the room. Jack turned in his chair, cocking his eyes brow. When he saw nothing he turned back around to see a woman sitting on his desk, over his map. Her legs crossed and a smirk over her features.
"If it isn't witty Cap'ain Jack." Jack let out a small scream, falling backwards. He jumped up and backed away from his desk.
"Tia Dalma?"
"It be Calypso. If ye don' mind." She looked at her finger nails. "What be your journey at sea? Business or pleasure?"
Jack stood and watched her stare at her finger nails. His stomach had turned inside out. His eyes moved towards the door.
"I wouldn' be thinkin' like that." She looked at him, locking eyes. "Would I?"
"What do you want?" Jack flung his arms into the air. "I haven't done anything wrong."
"You call removin' that boy's family from they home not doin' anything?" She t'sked and relaxed herself; leaning back on her hands. "Witty Jack, you think Will be happy when he learns the risk you be putting Elizabeth and William in?"
"What risk?" Jack folded his hands. "There is no risk. We're going to find Barbossa, a little bargain here, a little word or two from our King, and I'll have my ship, Barbossa will have his own new ship, and I'll return Elizabeth and William safe and sound in Port Royal." He smirked. "No risk."
"And Barbossa? He be ready to give up his ship, without a fight?" Her eyes held pity. "Dear Jack, is it ye a fool at sea, or has the sea turned ye into the fool?"
"Get off my ship."
"That boy need not have his head filled any further." Calypso shook her head.
Jack looked at her, his eyes squinting slightly. Soon his face brighten up and he pointed at the water god. "You're the fish! You're the bloody fish."
She smiled and placed her head to the side, shrugging slightly. "I's be nothing but a simple girl."
"Simple girl my bloody arse." Jack sat on his bed, staring at her. "You're playing tricks on Will's son. You're playing tricks with an immortal's family."
"And what is I, Jack? A mindless mortal?" Her smile seemed to grow fainter. "I's be more an im'ortal then dear Will, keeper of the Flying Dutchman."
"He be Captain, now." Jack began to smirk. "Speaking of dear old Captains, how's Davy Jones?"
"Don't speak his name." She glared at Jack. "He be resting his soul, now."
"Of course. Resting his soul." Jack cleared his throat. "I have things to do, courses to map out, I'd be asking you to leave now."
"These waters are getting treacherous Jack." He stopped and looked at her. "I be watching boy. And beware, Will is not a force you'd want to anger."
Jack looked at her and closed his eyes. "Treacherous waters and Will, force not to be reckoned with, aye." He opened his eyes and found he was once again alone in his cabin.
He sat down and looked at the map in front of him. Suddenly a gust of wind rapped on his window, opening it. He looked over and stood up to close it when a wave of water crashed against him and his desk, running the ink on his map.
He stood soaked, staring blankly at the map on his desk. He looked to the wind and shut it. He sighed.
"Bloody women."
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Elizabeth sighed as she walked across the decks. It had been another four days at sea, with no other ships, no land, no bloody nothing. It seemed even more pointless then before. And Jack, Jack had completely lost his mind, she was sure of it. His paranoia had reached new levels of weirdness.
"There be something odd in his step." She looked over to Gibbs who had found himself next to her.
"There was always something odd in his step." Elizabeth smiled.
"Aye, that be the truth." Gibbs smiled back. "Where is dear Master William? He was telling me about his travels."
"His travels?" Elizabeth laughed.
"Aye!" Gibbs nodded his head. "He's a smart boy Elizabeth. I'd be proud."
"Aye." Elizabeth smiled. "I am."
"Elizabeth." The two stopped and turned. Jack was standing behind the mass, whispering to her. "Elizabeth."
"You best be off to see the Cap'ain." Gibbs looked at Jack.
"I best be off to kill the Captain." Elizabeth sighed. "He's in our cabin, sleeping. But I'm sure he'll be bouncing out of bed soon enough."
"Good." Gibbs nodded.
She walked over to Jack and stared at him. "What is it Jack?"
He grabbed her arm and pulled her behind the mass with him. He looked tired, bags under his eyes and suspicion written all over his face.
"I received a threat." His eyes darted back and forth.
"A threat, really now." Elizabeth contemplated hitting him or merely walking away. "Jack, there hasn't been another ship within sight, in almost four days. What, a fish jumped on deck and told you?" It had become a running joke, which usually ended with Jack glaring at her and turning away, mumbling. However, Jack was still staring around, neither focusing on her or any other specific point.
"From Calypso. She threatened me the night we left the port. Right after you left my cabin." Elizabeth froze, her eyes widening a bit. Her mind began working into overdrive. And then, she slapped him. "Ow!"
"What the bloody hell did you do to her?" Jack's mouth opened as he focused on her. He held his arm where, he was sure there be a bruise.
"Nothing!" His eyes were turning an icy blue. "I didn't do a bloody thing to her. She's crazy!"
"Shh," Elizabeth cover his mouth with her hand. "She can hear you."
He mumbled into her hand.
"How could you do this?" Elizabeth glared at him. "I can only imagine what the hell is going to happen to us now."
"SHIP AHEAD!" Elizabeth and Jack looked to the crow's nest and then both turned their heads forward.
In the distance was a large ship, cloud like sails and a fast approach towards them.
Elizabeth slowly turned so her eyes locked with Jack's. Her hand still resting over his mouth. His face moved as if smiling, and he simply shrugged.
"I swear I am going to kill you Jack." Her voice was calm and even. "If it's the bloody last thing I do."
Jack moved her hand away and smiled. "Now, now, let's see if they be our friends before we make any threats, love." Jack cleared his throat. "What make you Thomas! Friend or foe?"
"They be readying their cannons Cap'ain."
Jack's smiled dimmed slightly as he turned to look at Elizabeth. Her eyes were in slits and her hands rested at her hips.
"Maybe they be friendly cannons."