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: So, what's the best way to get to Port Royal from Tortuga? CotBP AU

Ch6

Will wasn't quite sure what he'd expected about Tortuga, but the reality of the place was not it.

"I see why you wanted Elizabeth to remain on the Pearl, Father," he managed to say.

"Aye, this isn't the safest of places, especially not with that dress she's wearing."

Will nodded. "I am grateful you had that dress on board."

"But you wish it wasn't quite so scandalous?"

Will laughed. "I'm not her brother to worry so, Father."

"But you do love her," Bill said. "If you could, you'd marry her. I wouldn't mind. She'd make a fine daughter-in-law."

Will looked pensive. "It doesn't matter," He said. "She and I… she's the governor's daughter. I'm the son of a pirate. It could never happen."

"Aye, lad. I take your meaning."

Bill directed his son toward a tavern. "We should be able to find passage to Port Royal here. The more respectable come here." He smiled. "We'll keep up the fiction that the two of ye are married."

"We didn't fool you at all, did we?"

"Not for long, I admit," Bill said. "But the crew hasn't said anything, so I don't think they've seen through the ruse."

Will nodded and followed Bill into the tavern named The Green Flash.

Inside, it was busy and rowdy but Bill elbowed his way easily through the crowd and ordered two mugs of grog. He handed one to his son, who took a drink. Not bad, as rum drinks went.

Bill looked around the room. "I don't see Captain Harris, or Captain Banks, but the High Horse is in port, so Captain Jackson should be around."

"I've seen the High Horse in Port Royal. I don't know her captain or crew, however."

"Let's see if we can't find Captain Jackson." Bill glanced around. "Miles, where's yer captain?"

A tall, muscle-bound young man looked around at Bill's question. "Oh- Bootstrap, it's you," he said. "Ah- Captain Jackson's down near the ship. We had a run in with the Navy. They're a little on edge f'r some reason. Once we showed the letter of Marque, we were let go."

Will carefully suppressed a smile. He noticed Bill doing the same.

"Are ye heading for Port Royal next?" Bill asked.

"Aye, I think so," Miles said. "Why?"

"Me son, here, and his wife, need passage t' there. The Pearl would take them, but…"

"Ye'd be shot on sight. Not that that would affect ye."

"It would," Bill said. "We're just men, Miles."

Will hid his smile behind his mug. Bill smirked.

They finished their drinks and Bill paid. "Let's head for the docks," He said. "Captain Jackson is a good man. He also knows not ta try to cheat me."

Will smiled. "That's good," He said. "How widely known is that curse?" He asked.

"You heard of it before we… ah…"

"Shanghaied me, Father," Will said. "Good point. I hadn't thought of that." He was more amused then anything, now. He didn't really need to worry about Elizabeth's safety so much, so he could relax. And now he had a chance to get to know his father, which he dearly wanted to do.

They headed down to the docks. With luck, Will and Elizabeth would have secured passage tonight.

Will and Bill made their way back to the Pearl after securing passage for two on board the High Horse.

Will was quite happy with the ship and captain. He was also happy to get back to the Pearl and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was waiting for them as they boarded. "The High Horse," Will said.

"I didn't know she made port here," Elizabeth said.

"She is a privateer ship, lass," Jack said. He was watching the comings and goings of the dock area. "But Captain Jackson will take you fairly. When does she leave?"

"Two days, after they've finished repairs," Bill reported. "Seems they had some trouble with the Royal Navy."

Will smiled slightly. "The Navy is stirred up about something." His eyes met Elizabeth's and it was only great effort that kept them from laughing.

Jack had no such restraint. "If th' rest o' the brethren ever discover that it's us that stirred up the Navy, we'll be keelhauled f'r sure."

Will sighed. "We're pretending that I'm looking for a job as a smith, at Port Royal. We're still… er…"

"Same deception?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes."

"Tomorrow, you are taking me into town and we are both getting new clothes."

Will looked down at his outfit. It was one of his best, actually. He'd still been wearing it when the pirates attack. He frowned.

"Don't argue," Elizabeth continued.

Will sighed. "I won't," He said.

"Are you sure you're not married?" Jack asked.

Will stepped back, blushing. "Yes, Captain, I'm sure." He headed below deck. "I'm going to take a nap."

Elizabeth took a deep breath as the High Horse approached Port Royal. It had been a seemingly endless trip; for all that the voyage from Tortuga to Port Royal was only 2 days.

The Interceptor was in port, though the Dauntless was still at sea.

Elizabeth hoped her father wasn't on the Dauntless. Will walked up behind her. "We're almost home." He said.

"Yes."

They stood side by side watching the docking procedures. Once they were done, Will turned to the captain. "Thank you, Captain Jackson," he said as he pulled out the other half of the fee that had been agreed upon.

However, there was still nearly four years worth of his wages in the small chest they had bought. His father had insisted, saying that he'd left his son alone for to long. Will had mentioned that they both thought the other dead, but Bill had ignored him.

Will gave up at that point and took the money. He might as well use it to buy out Mr. Brown and operate the smithy himself.

Will smiled at Elizabeth one more time. Soon, they would have to return to their old positions in life. He'd probably never be able to get close to her again.

It was remarkable how no one paid them any attention as they walked through town toward the governor's mansion. They stopped only at the smithy to drop off the chest full of gold, and then headed for the mansion.

Will knew that the gold would be safe up in the loft.

Elizabeth hurried up to the front door and knocked. Will caught up with her just as the door opened.

The butler answered. "Miss Swann!" He exclaimed, as genuinely shocked as Will had ever seen him.

"Yes. Is my father here? Will and I have had a hard journey and we need to see him and the Commodore."

"Yes, they are both in the study. Miss Swann… would you prefer to change?"

Elizabeth looked down at the plain but serviceable blue dress she was wearing. "No, I believe it would be better to ease my father's mind first."

He led them to the study. "I gave orders not to be disturbed," Governor Swann said as the door opened.

"Father!" Elizabeth threw herself at him.

He caught her. "Elizabeth." He sounded stunned, but relieved.

Will entered behind her. Commodore Norrington turned and stared at them.

Will nodded to him. They both waited as Elizabeth reunited with her father.

Finally, Governor Swann let Elizabeth go and approached Will. "You have my undying gratitude, Mr. Turner," he said. "How did you manage to return?"

"It is a long story, sir," Will said. The governor seemed to look at him for the first time.

"Sit down, Mr. Turner. You look absolutely exhausted."

"Thank you, sir," Will responded.

"Father, Will has barely slept since we were captured," Elizabeth said. "When he did, it was in a chair in the cabin we were kept in. Even on the trip back."

"Why were you kept in the same cabin?"

Will sighed. He shifted and began to explain. He left out the fact that one of the pirates was his father, and made it seem like he had gotten into the hold and taken the money to escape. Elizabeth had recommended doing so. At the end of the story, he sat back. Some time during the tale, bread, cheese, and meat had been brought in, along with wine and water.

Will took a careful drink. "That, sir, is what happened. If you feel I've taken advantage of the situation in any way, I will submit to any punishment you feel necessary."

The governor sat back. "You did nothing wrong, Mr. Turner," he said. "You did everything you could to keep my daughter safe."

"Yes sir," Will replied. He looked down at the glass in his hands. "Sir… I still have some gold from the pirates," He admitted. "Most of it is Spanish gold."

Norrington interrupted. "Keep it, Mr. Turner. I don't doubt you deserve it. And I would appreciate that you do not repeat that. I completely missed the information on where you received that gold."

Will nodded. "Thank you."

"You're lucky, Mr. Turner. Several townspeople saw you trying to protect Miss Swann," Norrington continued.

Elizabeth stiffened. "Do you mean to tell me that you would have hung Will once we returned?"

Norrington looked at her in surprise. "No. I misspoke. Mr. Turner, your actions are known throughout town. I suspect that the rest of your adventure will be known soon as well."

Will grimaced.

Only one more chapter to go, and that will be up on Tuesday.