Author: jedipati aka immortaljedi

Author: jedipati aka immortaljedi
Disclaimer: In writing this, I make no claim to the ownership of these characters. Nor do I make any money off of writing this story.
Characters: Will/Elizabeth, ensemble cast (first movie)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: AU
Summary: "Truth will out" CotBP AU

Ch5

"LAND!"

All activity on the Pearl stopped for a moment at the call. Everyone looked up at the lookout. "It's Tortuga!"

The crew started cheering. Jack smiled as he took over at the helm.

Will Turner popped up from below decks at the noise. He eyed the crew for a moment then looked at Bill. "Land, I take it," He said mildly.

"Tortuga," Bill answered.

"Ah." He didn't look particularly happy. Jack rolled his eyes. The nearly three day trip back to Tortuga had produced a slight mellowing in the lad's manner, but it was going to be a while before they made a true pirate out of him.

Will ducked back down. He'd been staying with the lass- a sensible precaution in Jack's mind- since the curse was broken.

Well, give him another few hours, and they could both feel safe enough. The crew would be out and about, save for Jack and Bill and they could get the boy to make his mark on the ship's articles, if they could convince him the rewards were worth it. Jack was already thinking of ways to get the lass to agree.

And they could get back to real pirating, not simply searching for the coins.

The crew made their way into town, scattering to the four corners of Tortuga.

Will watched them go, his expression, from what Bill could tell, amused.

Bill approached him. "You'll be able to head off soon, too."

Will turned to look at him. "I don't think it matters much," he said coolly.

Bill sighed. Will had thawed somewhat toward him, but he was by no means anything more then polite to his father. It was better then nothing, at least.

Pintel and Ragetti seemed to like Will, so that was good. And he'd impressed the entire crew when he'd damn near killed Grapple when the man had tried to take the lass by force.

Everyone had decided that it would be better to wait until they reached Tortuga after that. Bill had decided not to carry through with his own threatened punishment, since Grapple wouldn't have survived a keelhauling after Will was done with him.

Will glanced at him quickly before looking away. Bill waited. Will needed to come to his own decisions, he knew. Finally, Will sighed. "Why did you send me the medallion?"

"Believe me, I didn't know if was cursed when I did," Bill grimaced. "I thought you'd like it. So I had it put on a chain, and I sent it with all those things I knew your mother would need."

Will nodded. "I did like it. I wore it all the time."

Bill smiled. "What of your mother?" He asked. "I was- we headed for England as soon as we realized that the curse could be broken by returning the coins, but we were already too late." He knew his voice had lowered and gone hoarse. He missed his wife.

"It wasn't your fault," Will said. "I realize that now. It was just a stupid accident."

"How?"

"She was at the market, and someone lost control of their cart horse. It trampled her."

Bill winced.

Will apparently didn't notice. "I left a few months later."

"That much I do know," Bill said. "We tracked you to the Mermaid, but she exploded rather then let us board. I thought…"

"Of course," Will said. "You couldn't have known." He frowned. "I still don't know why the powder magazine went up like that. The Captain was going to surrender," He repeated what he'd said nearly nine days ago.

Bill looked out toward the town for a moment. "Odd," He said.

Will nodded.

Finally, Bill sighed. "Come on, Will. You've something that you need to do."

Will frowned. "I… Father, I can't. I have responsibilities… I can't just abandon them."

Bill frowned, even as he felt a thrill at Will's manner of address. It was the first time the boy had acknowledged their relationship in such a way. "Doing what?" He asked. "You've admitted you're the journeyman blacksmith. Your master can handle the smithy. And…" Bill hesitated. "Oh. Of course." The lass. Will thought it was his responsibility to protect her.

Well, he was certainly a better man then most. Bill sighed. It was time to talk to the captain. "Come on, Will. We'll sort this out."

Will frowned at him. Bill didn't bother trying to explain. The lass looked over at them as she came out on deck. Bill nodded. It'd probably best if she came along. He beckoned her over and then headed for the captain's cabin, where Jack was waiting. This was going to be an interesting conversation.

Will glanced at Elizabeth as they entered the captain's cabin. She reached out, and he took her hand. They were still, after all, pretending to be married. The fact that such a simple thing calmed them both would remain unsaid.

Jack smiled as they entered. Bill sighed and pulled off his cap. He ran his hand through his hair. "I think we should tell them, Jack," He said.

Jack sighed. "Take a seat," He ordered.

Will and Elizabeth exchanged glances but did so.

"Bill, you too." Jack said.

Jack focused on Will as Bill sat down as well. "Perhaps ye'd better tell us who the lass is," He said.

"I don't understand," Will said. "I've already told you."

"No, ye didn't," Jack smiled. "But it was a good try."

Elizabeth swallowed. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that you, lass, are no more Mrs. Turner then I am, and I want to know who ye are," Jack said.

Bill started to cough. "Ye could have put it a little differently, Jack."

Will froze. They knew. His best way to protect her was gone. "Relax, lad," Jack said. "We've known since ye were brought on board. We haven't told the crew."

Elizabeth nodded and sat up a little straighter. "I suppose there's no point in it," She said.

"And no more lies, lass," Jack said before she could say anything else.

She sighed. "My name is Elizabeth Swann," she said.

"As in… Governor Swann?" Jack yelped.

"My father," she admitted reluctantly.

Bill and Jack looked somewhat stunned. "We knew ye had to come from a rich family," Bill said. "But the Governor of Jamaica?"

"Yes," Will said. "Miss Swann is the governor's daughter." He realized he was still holding her hand and let go. He missed the contact and being able to call her Elizabeth. He sighed. It wasn't proper. He'd only been doing so in an effort to protect her.

Elizabeth sighed. "How many times must I ask you to call me Elizabeth, Will? You've done it enough this past week."

"I addressed you so in an effort to protect you, Miss Swann," Will said. "And, as always, at least once more."

She leveled a glare at him. He sighed and shook his head. "As fascinating as this is…" Jack drawled.

They both turned to face him. "Lad, I don't intend to tell the crew, so keep calling her by her Christian name. It's a good way ta protect her from some of our less disciplined men. Lass, don't blame the lad. He comes by it honestly. It took Bill years before he'd even look Mary Black in the eye."

Will frowned. "Thank you, Captain Sparrow," He said. He looked over at Elizabeth. "That still doesn't solve our problems." He told her.

"I c'n marry ye here, if ye want," Jack offered.

Will sputtered, unable to find a good answer to that. Bill snorted. "I don't think he meant that," he said dryly.

"Oh- well…"

"Will is worried about getting me home," Elizabeth said.

"Your father is no doubt frantic with worry," Will said. They exchanged smiles. Will couldn't help but remember a few of the times Elizabeth had worried her father.

"So much for our earlier plans, Bill," Jack said.

"Aye," Bill said. "There's not a chance we c'n get a ransom from the governor, and most of the Royal Navy'll be after us."

They stared at each other glumly for a while. Finally, Bill sighed. "I told you ransom schemes never work."

"So, any ideas what to do now, Bill?"

"You could just let us go," Will offered.

"Us?" Jack asked, amused.

"I'm the only one to guard Elizabeth," Will said.

"William Turner, you know…"

"I won't trust anyone with your safety until we are back in Port Royal," Will interrupted. "And yes, I know you are quite capable yourself. Allow me to worry."

"Then we are at something of an impasse, lad," Jack said.

Will frowned. "Surely you can find better fighters, or more willing ones, somewhere else. I don't want to be a pirate."

"My son has a point, Jack," Bill said. "And I agree with him. If he's meant for this, it'll find him no matter how hard he fights. Let him go."

Jack frowned. "You are not helping," He said. "Still, I'd always have to worry that ye'd put that fighting skill to work against us."

Will stilled, watching the captain closely. Beside him, Elizabeth shifted. Jack sat back. He didn't look happy about the decision he was making. "Best to let ye go, lad." He said.

Will sighed in relief. Elizabeth closed her eyes. "Are there any ways a blacksmith could make money here?" He asked. "I'll need to pay for passage to Port Royal."

Bill laughed. "There's plenty of ways, lad, but don't worry. We'll take it out of my share."

Will nodded. "Thank you," He said.

"Are you sure?" Elizabeth asked.

"O'course," Bill said. "Passage for two to Port Royal, with- not to put too fine a point on it- a new dress for you, will hardly even matter."

Elizabeth looked down at the dress she was wearing. "That would be appreciated," She said.

Please R&R!