He was lying on a beach. Or at least what he assumed was a beach as there was sand in his mouth and water tickling at his toes. Which also meant that his boots were gone. Unfortunate, that, he'd always been fond of those boots. Cracking one eye open he saw a crab scuttle across the sand. Most definitely a beach. Which begged the telling just how he had ended up on said beach.

"Jack?"

With one William Turner for company.

Odd, considering his last recollection was of intending to join his Pearl at the bottom of the sea. It was a decision enforced by the surprisingly piratical Elizabeth Swann, but one that he was not entirely disinclined to. It was fitting for a captain to go down with his ship. Especially when he was Captain Jack Sparrow and the ship was the Black Pearl . They were two legendary figures that should not part. The less favourable aspect of his possibly legendary demise was that he had been bound to the capstan.

"Jack?"

This time the question was followed immediately by a solid whack to his shoulder by what he could only assume was the hand of young Mister Turner.

"Oi! Watch it!" Jack grumbled, managing to flop his head in the opposite direction so that he could see Will who looked as wretchedly sand-covered as he no doubt did. "There's no need t' lash out. Wasn't my idea t' turn th' kraken inta a kabob."

"And just what was your idea, Jack? Charm it into not eating you?" Will shot back, scowling at him in a way that would have done his mother proud.

"Not such a bad idea, that," Jack mused, the last word a grunt as he managed to coax his body into rolling about onto his back. "Have a feelin' that it would 'ave been far less painful than yer method."

"We're alive, aren't we?"

Jack was silent for a moment, taking stock of the differing sensations in his body. All of his faculties appeared to be present and accounted for, albeit some a trifle more present than he cared for.

"We are alive, I'll grant you that, Mr. Turner," Jack admitted, bobbing his head as best as he was able while lying on his back. "It's our current location that I'm not c'mpletely certain of a'the moment."

Will's response was little more than a grunt which was a surprisingly good interpretation of Jack's own feelings as to their current local. All things considered, he was simply glad to still be among the quick. Soon as he found the energy, he had every intention of sorting out just where they were. For the moment it was only a secondary concern because they had not, it seemed, been abandoned by whatever gods looks after pirates and their compatriots. And since still being alive had put him in a charitable mood, Jack allowed that same though to stray to Gibbs and the rest of the Pearl's crew that managed to survive.

"Do you think we should try to find some shade?"

Jack had very nearly drifted off back to oblivion when Will's voice cut through the peaceful silence. Only after it had been brought to his attention did Jack begin to feel the blistering heat shining down on them. Or perhaps he had simply dried off. The sand certainly had that annoying quality to it, being stuck in the most inopportune places.

"Provided shade is near I wouldn't be opposed t' going in search of it," Jack relented, forcing his eyes to open once again. He immediately shut then when the sun proved too bright.

Still not entirely inclined towards moving, Jack pivoted his head about and very carefully squinted his eyes open. As was always nearly the case when on a beach, shade could be found directly behind them. The distance wasn't too great which was a blessing, though still farther than he wanted to move at that moment. However, better shade now than a burn and heat stroke later.

"If yer feeling so inclined, Will, there's some shade 'bout twenty paces b'hind us. Give or take. It's a bit difficult to determine distance when you're upside down."

Once again Will's only response was a grunt. The boy had never been remarkably eloquent, but could usually be counted on for something a touch more enlightened.

"You all right, Will?"

"Define, 'all right.'"

There was most definitely more spark in that response. The boy couldn't be damaged too badly and manage to have that much discontent in his voice.

"Yer all right," Jack informed him and with a great force of will turned himself back over onto his stomach. "Come along then. Time for shade... unless, of course, you prefer impersonatin' a lobster."

Jack couldn't quite make out what Will said, but it certainly didn't sound the least bit gentlemanly. If he hadn't known better, Jack would have assumed he was more piratical in his tendencies for the words that were coming out of him.

"Really, William, such language," Jack admonished then began to scuttle his way towards the copse of palm trees that would provide them with some much needed shade.

A disgruntled volley of curses followed after him, but was loud enough to assure Jack that Will was following after him. So long as Will had the energy to be disgruntled it meant that he was not seriously injured. So Jack assumed, at least. The worst injury he had seen Will bear was the gouge to his palm so many months ago. From what Jack remembered—being somewhat otherwise occupied at the time –the boy hadn't even flinched when the cut was made. Had been quite grumpy afterwards as well, though Jack suspected that had more to do with being locked in the brig than anything else. Or an opportunity missed.

Jack felt a ripple of pleasure overtake him as he crawled into the shade. Probably not much cooler than the air around them, it felt world's better than the rest of the beach had. More comfortable than the same to lay on as well. Will gave a similarly contented grunt as he collapsed onto the grass.

"What do you think the chances are that Gibbs and the rest are nearby?"

Jack very nearly arched an eyebrow at the question. Not so much because of the question than because of who had not been named in it. Perhaps young William had witnessed his dearly beloved's act of piracy. Could help explain why there had been a second man aboard the Pearl when she went down.

"Could very well be. Only so much land for us to land 'pon." Jack spit as a light breeze blew a long shaft of grass into his mouth. "No doubt your lady love has already organized a search party t' come looking fer us."

Will's failure to answer was most definitely a response in itself. Jack had very little doubt now that Will had seen what young Miss Swann had been up to on the i Pearl's /i deck. Not too surprising considering she hadn't even bothered to wait for Gibbs to get on the longboat. Would have been quite easy for Will to poke his head above and see the goings on.

"Don't hold any of it 'gainst her, lad. She only did what she thought she must t' save the rest o' ye," Jack said solemnly, turning his head in Will's direction.

Only it was not Will lying next to him, but a mass of barnacles and coral that had once been a man.