Beyond the Horizon: A Decade to Wait

by TurtleHeart

PotC immediately following AWE. The tale of Will, Elizabeth, Jack, and everyone in thier lives through Captain Turner's freedom centuries later. This is Part One of the Beyond the Horizon series and completes the first ten years after the films. COMPLETED

7. Seven

Ever since his meeting with Jack, Will was never quite the same. He attending his duties as captain with perfection and as much ease as he could, but he was mentally instable. Thoughts plagued his mind and he dwelled on them nearly every waking hour. He spoke to hardly anyone, including his father, and spent most of his time sitting in the armchair with a block of wood and his knife in hand thinking. All the times Bill was down there reading a book, Will would simply think and say nothing.

Jack's meeting with him was over a month ago and everyone began going quiet and thoughtful, falling under the influence of the captain as they had done before. This time however, they knew they weren't going to fall into darkness and despair since there was the father to the captain on the ship.

"Remember when you asked me to remind you someday about Jack and Teague?" Will asked suddenly as he and his father were sitting below.

"Quite truthfully no," admitted Bill.

"It was in the beginning, about three months into my duty. You told me to remind you about Jack and his father one day. You said you wanted to tell something to me about them," reminded Will.

"Why now?" wondered Bill, shutting his book and turning his direct attention to Will. "It's been eight years Will. You now decided it is opportune?"

"When Jack and I were talking by ourselves there were times he would stop and pause. Each time, he would get this look on his face like he wanted to say something to me, but he brushed it off like it was nothing. I knew it was something because he got this guilty, upset, saddened expression across his face. Before, when I knew him, there was no emotion on him. It was as though he didn't have a heart," explained Will.

Bill nodded his head with a sigh. "This is a long, sad story Will."

"We have the time and it's been years since I've felt my heart pulsing through me," reminded Will.

"Will no, you don't understand. Even without your heart I promise you will feel something toward Jack if not understanding at the very least. Jack Sparrow is Jack Sparrow for several reasons and also the reason why he chose to be immortal. I think it is that reason however," said Bill.

"I'm listening," Will told him.

"Well," began Bill, moistening his lips. "Jonathon Tighearnán Orion Sparrow-Teague's life began October 27, 1729—"

"And I thought my name was long," noted Will. "Orion?"

"His mother had a love for the stars. Orion was her favored star. Instead of the legend that Orion the Hunter was murdered and placed in the stars to live on, she told Jack Orion was killed saving the woman he loved and the woman he loved traded her soul to the Gods to place him among the stars. He was placed into the stars and because of her sacrifice, she became the three stars that form his belt so she will remain with him at all times. His bow and arrow point to all those that try to harm him. His mother, Aisling Sparrow, was a story teller and the youngest of her family," explained Bill. A smile was put on his face as he leaned closer to Will. "And Tighearnán means 'little lord'."

"Then Jack was born Pirate Lord of the Caribbean?" assumed Will.

"Aye, but his piece was not given to him until much later," replied Bill. "Anyway, Edward and Aisling were what you could call true love at first sight. Within four months of meeting each other, she was pregnant with Jack and they were married and happily living together in Ireland. They literally knew each other was the one and lived as perfect as a couple can live until her death.

"Now, Will, it is said that Jack can sail through any storm with ease because he was born in a hurricane. Well, I personally believe Jack knows the seas as well as he does because his father taught him since before he could walk, and he was born during a hurricane for the record. Ironically, I've known Jack since he was week old. Edward brought him to Hot Cocoa so he and his mother could gain strength before returning to Ireland. Those eyes of Jack's have always been that big for the record and he looks more like his mother than his father. His color and smile and eyes are his mother's.

"And, for the record Little One, Jack is Irish-Carib Mystic."

"Huh?" wondered Will leaning closer.

"Edward Teague is Irish," said Bill.

"I know. Teague is Irish. I know," snapped Will.

"Edward met his mother in the Caribbean on her home island of New Providence in the Bahamas, Nassau to be specific. There is also another crazy rumor out there—well, there was since she's now—oh, never mind. If you were on the Pearl long enough you would have known that Jack liked to visit Tia Dalma on more than one occasion and barter from her. Well, there came to be a rumor that spread quickly through the Brethren of the Coast that Jack Sparrow was Tia Dalma's son because enough people know that his mother was a Caribbean Mystic who knew the voodoo arts. When you saw Tia Dalma tell me it didn't occur to you that the two of them were rather close?"

"I noticed that she had a thing for him and he for her and she knew him very well," Will told him slowly.

"Yes, so you can see how people think that?" wondered Bill.

Will nodded slowly then quicker and more confidently. "They both have dreadlocks and brown eyes and speak in riddles and have odd, unworldly manners of getting by. She's not is she?"

"No," replied Bill. "And Aisling never met Tia Dalma. They were not related either. Aisling was merely a Caribbean Mystic. She was beautiful and very mysterious. Her parents died when she was very little and her older siblings couldn't care for her as well as she had hoped. She was out on her own at a very early age. At that early age, she had already taken a particular interest in the Black Magic, Dark Arts, Voodoo practices, whatever you prefer to call it. She was excellent at predicting events, but she never saw Edward Teague coming her way and that was partly how she fell in love with him. He was unexpected and she never saw him coming. Edward had fallen in love with her because she was not only beautiful, but had a heart of the sea."

"That makes sense actually," Will said to himself.

"Beg pardon?"

"Oh, um, Jack's skin color," Will told his father. "I could never figure out why his skin color was so dark."

"A combination of the Caribbean sun and Caribbean blood did that to him," replied Bill.

"So Jack Sparrow is half Caribbean. Fitting he should be Lord of it," noted Will with a particularly amused smile. "And even more fitting that he knows every supernatural being of the sea."

"I agree. The supernatural is in Jack's blood and he has an act for finding it at that, which can be a good or bad thing. It's quite equal however," said Bill. He shook his mumbling to himself off as he turned his attention back to Will. "Naturally, they wanted Jack to have a normal name so he could get by easier in the world. Edward is Teague's middle name for the record. Mother and Father then chose a middle name. Aisling's real name wasn't Sparrow, but she never told Edward what it truthfully was. She adored Sparrows and took that as her own. From the beginning, and this is very, very of utmost importance that you understand this, Edward loved Jack. He absolutely adored Jack. Jack was his world and being a father brought him more happiness than he could imagine.

"By age three, Jack was nearly fluent in three languages: English, French, and Irish Gaelic. When I say fluent, I truly mean fluent. He was reading, writing, and speaking all three. Like you, Jack's mind developed quickly, very quickly. You and Jack were both child prodigies. You took to numbers the way Jack took to understanding the sea. At age five, he knew every fundamental of sailing. If he had the strength, he would have captained his father's ship by himself. That boy could chart a course, read the stars, correct any line involving rope, work out the quickest journey from place to place, manipulate the winds to his favor, he knew every current and wind on those waters, and he had an eye for the weather. Jack was an incredible boy. They loved him to death because he was their only child. Aisling was never able to conceive a child after Jack was born. And, that brings me to another legend of Jack. Some say Jack is the child of the Devil's work. After he was born, Aisling never had her monthly cycle again. Jack was a genius and his mind frightened sailors. Ironic or unfortunate? Edward and I simply believe there were complications in the nine months and her body changed too drastically.

"Not only did Jack learn the sailing of the world, but his mother taught him a little black magic—"

"She wasn't murdered by reason that she was a witch right?" Will suddenly asked.

"No, she was not convicted a witch and murdered," replied Bill with an amused smile. "But, when I asked Jack what she taught him, he shrugs his shoulders and says he can't remember. Half of me believes him, but the other half says he's lying. Jack is too odd and lucky not to know something normal humans don't in my mind. Believe what you want."

"I always found Jack to be unlucky myself," admitted Will. "He was always in the wrong place at the wrong time and I always ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time with him."

"Yes, but," began Bill, leaning closer once more. "Did you always get out of the wrong place at the right time?"

Will nodded and admitted his defeat. "Mm hm."

"Exactly," noted Bill. "There is something about Jack that we normal beings do not tend to know. Jack is Jack for a reason. It is in his blood. Well, Jack's life went very well for several years. He was a happy young lad until a cool summer day in Ireland. Jack and Aisling both came down with influenza. You know Jack won the battle against it, but his mother never did. The disease got the best of her and Edward Teague's heart broke. Now, Will, I know you had influenza when you were fifteen, but imagine a very high fever associated with it and that fever upon a little boy of eight years old. Jack lost part of his mind in those few weeks he was lying in his room burning. He is still a genius when it comes to the sea and sailing and he still knows all the languages he was taught as a child, but you tend to notice that Jack is a bit odd. Am I correct?" Will simply gave him a look. "Okay, then you know as well. After her death, Edward spent the next few months trying to raise an eight year old on his own. Well, as you could imagine, he wasn't able to do it. He knew he couldn't take care of Jack. His heart was still too free and the sea was no place for his ill little boy. And, for the record Will, Jack never recovered from his illness. Although he may have seemed immortal before he found the fountain, he was a truly weak, sickly young man."

"I did notice that. There were a few times he sat down to simply sit down and breathe and he kept to himself and the safety of his cabin. I've seen Jack without his effects. He does look unnaturally thin," said Will.

"Influenza and every disease associated with a fever does that to a person. The reason Jack Sparrow is somewhat mad is in part by the years of the hot sun on his face yes, but the majority of it is from the fevers burning in his brain that made him go a little mad," said Bill.

"Does Gibbs know about Jack's fevers?" wondered Will, something hiding behind that question of his.

Bill nodded in over exaggeration. "Josh knew all right. Gibbs had to learn a bit of medicinal knowledge after I was no longer to be with him since I was at the bottom of the ocean."

"That's what he meant 'reasons got nothing to do with it'. Jack didn't have a choice when it came to his odd nature," noted Will.

"No, he didn't and his father did not help him," continued Bill. "After Edward knew he couldn't take care of Jack, he left Jack in a church when he was eight years old with his mother's sash she wore around her head and his hat. He told the priest to get Jack to the Seastone residence. He gave him a letter of explanation. Edward left Jack when the little lad was sleeping. Jack woke somewhere unfamiliar without his father. That day was the beginning of the end for him. Well, ironic as it is, Gabriel and I were already in London by then and we were on the path of recovery. One day, a priest of the church walks in with this weak, frightened little boy and I happened to be walking down the stairs at that time. You can't imagine the look on Jack's face when he saw me. Jack and I have known each other all our lives, so me being there healed pieces of his broken heart."

"Jack Sparrow was in my house?" wondered Will. "Jack knew my mother and uncles when they were teenagers? Jack knew my mother?"

Bill smiled. "Your mother loved Jack. She took care of him. She became a second mother to him as I became a second father. Lottie and I practically raised Jack ourselves. It was also in the Seastone household that Jack Teague took the name Jack Sparrow. Jack, Lottie, and I did everything together. Jack and I joined the Royal Navy and met the one and only Cutler Beckett and what adventures the three of us had. I'll admit, Beck was my best friend when I was a child. It hurts being betrayed by your best friend and going all your life thinking he did it because he was jealous. It hurts even more when you realize your best friend betrayed you so you could keep your life as your own. After that day, you know the three of us fell apart. But, before we get that far, I have something else to tell you.

"Jack Sparrow knew you when you were born. Jack was one of the first people Lottie wanted to see you. Obviously her brother was already in there and he dealt with it all. Richard and Jack were the first two we wanted to know you. I remember Jack looking at you not knowing how someone could be so small and he mentioned that you weren't like other babies he had seen. Apparently babes are ugly and hideous when they are first born, but not you. Jack thought you were perfect. You loved Jack. When you were able to grab things your favorite game was tugging on Jack's bandana and when you crawl around you followed Jack everywhere. Jack played with you. I don't know if anyone ever told you this, but Jack gave you that wooden ship with the sails painted black. That was your first toy William. Jack carved that ship himself and gave it to you when you were a few days old."

"I loved that ship," Will said to himself. "It was one of those that was in my toy chest if I wasn't playing with it. Mum loved the ship too. The ship floated in the lake. Alex attached a string to it so I could let it float out as far as it wanted and then pull it back whenever I felt like it. I think I still have it in my room—" His head tilted to the side as a wonderful idea suddenly struck him. "You probably don't remember, but Uncle Alex said if we found a way to get things from there to here to tell him. Can we?"

"You get messages in bottles don't you?" Bill asked. "Then there should be no reason why we can't get our things."

"We can worry about that later. What happened after the three of you fell apart?" Will asked.

"Well, after I was thrown from your life my path led me to Edward. I hate to tell you this since I am your father and it is not a pretty topic. Edward happened upon me when I was just about to kill myself. I was back in Scotland at Cold Cocoa on the cliff about to jump over and end my life. May I remind you I was not in right mind to begin with. I had spent the last month drinking away what happened. So, after he got me down I spent the month long journey to Shipwreck Clove in the brig sobering. And, yes Little One, I had an addiction to alcohol by then. Please don't look at me like that."

Will was simply glaring at him with pursed lips and shaking his head. His eyes were a shade darker than they usually were and, oddly, his eyes always seemed to darken when he was in bad mood and brighten up when he was happy. "Well," he said. "I don't like alcohol. I never have. The few times I've drank it I was required to because they were social events and it was maybe a glass. Don't even start up with the rum incident because you and I both know who is at fault there."

"I wasn't going to and yes, you have the right to be upset with me. But, William, that was how many years ago. It was a long time ago and you know I don't drink either. I know what happens when people drink too much," said Bill with a raised eyebrow. "Right, well, after Edward got me sober and the story out of me, he told me to go find Jack and keep an eye out for him and to give him his piece of eight. The two of them had already fallen apart by this point and, well, they wanted nothing to do with each other."

"And how did they fall apart?" interrupted Will.

"While I was away, off on my Indian adventure, Jack managed to get himself to Shipwreck Cove where he knew his father would be. Edward hurt him to keep him away. He screamed at Jack and told him he wanted nothing to do with him, but when Jack tried to tell him that he wanted his father, he was literally beaten. Edward didn't do it just to do it and I know that is what you are thinking. No, Edward did it to keep Jack away from him. He let go of Jack and ensured Jack would get into the Navy because he wanted a better life for his son. The two of them being together would have ultimately led Jack back into piracy.

"Let's just say when Jack was branded a pirate the first thing he did was show his father the mark. He told his father it now didn't matter if they were together because he was branded. Even after his father beat him bloody and broke bones, Jack still wanted him to be his father. Not surprising, he once again told Jack off. He was broken when he found me. He needed to know what happened. He purposely shoved Jack out of his life and forced him against piracy to save him and there Jack Sparrow was with the brand of a pirate."

"Question," said Will with his finger raised. "If his father never wanted him to be a pirate then who would have been Pirate Lord of the Caribbean?"

"Edward would have kept it for himself," said Bill. "But, since Jack had chosen piracy, he thought he may as well just give the piece to Jack. Although, the Lords are required to send a report every three years on the conditions of their seas. Giving Jack the piece of eight gave him the chance to see that Jack was all right and alive every three years. Obviously, I found Jack and the two of us got back together. I had blamed him that it was his fault that I was branded a pirate and we left on bad terms even though it was me who had the idea to let the slaves go in the first place. Oh, yeah, we branded because we raided ships along the African coast and set the slaves free. You already knew that right? You did. Well, I told you again then.

"Anyway, Jack and I spent the next, oh, I would say, two or three years wandering the world wrecking havoc together and being the typical pirates we were. We quite enjoyed ourselves. Bath houses with women in Singapore. Impersonating clergymen and Jack marrying a couple in fact. Looting and raiding. Spending our long weeks in Tortuga. Hunting down treasure. Staying at Hot Cocoa. Stealing ships, but never finding one as good as the Pearl was. We also had many visits to Tia Dalma and I've become quite acquainted with her in fact. I know her as well as Jack does actually. She has a thing for me too so don't worry about it. It was also in that time that Jack bartered the compass. Jack had to give up one night with her for the compass. She quietly admitted to me that Jack needed the compass.

"Unfortunately, the compass led Jack to the one thing he wanted most: the Black Pearl. His compass led him right to Davy Jones. Believe it or not, the first time Jack was acquainted with Jones he laughed at him. Here he was thinking Davy Jones was the devil himself only to find the man squirming with tentacles. I, however, was terrified to be face to face with Davy Jones. But Jack being Jack managed to find a way to secure his ship. And you know that already so I'm not even going to waste my time explaining it to you. After Jack got his ship back, we returned to London to find a few men to join the crew and ran into a familiar face: Hector Barbossa. It was a mutual agreement that we get him aboard the ship since we knew he was a fine sailor and he was part of the Trio after all."

"Why didn't you agree to be first mate?" Will suddenly asked.

"I didn't want that responsibility. After I was marked, my past slipped from my mind. Anything that reminded me of who I was, I slowly backed away from. Jack spent months trying to get me to be his first mate, but I kept telling him I didn't want it. He reluctantly agreed to make Barbossa the quartermaster as long as I was second captain. That I agreed to. In the beginning, Barbossa was all fine and normal until Jack mentioned the Aztec gold. Apparently, the Trio was searching for the chest of gold in their youth. Yes William, your grandfather was looking for that chest as well. I know, I find it amusing too. When one is a pirate one discovers that the world is small and still shrinking indeed. Anyway—"

"You do realize you have strayed away from Jack and his father?" noted Will.

"I know, but I have to get through this to explain further and this plays a key in their relationship," Bill told him. Will rolled his eyes and curled into his arm chair with his left side against the back and head leaned into the cushions. His legs were curled around his body and he was altogether in the chair and comfortable looking. "Do you want tea?"

"What brought that on?" wondered Will with a smile.

Bill shrugged, but pointed to the grandfather clock in the corner. "I noticed it was chiming four."

"Sure," Will said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Do you have a preference?" wondered Bill.

"I hate Earl Grey," Will told him with a scowl.

"I know you do," Bill chuckled. "Do you want your blanket and Teach?"

Will nodded subtly. He hated to admit that he loved his blanket. So there he was curled in his armchair wrapped in his wool blanket with his parrot in his arms. It was his favorite birthday present, aside from Teach and his red coat of course. The blanket was direct from Glasgow, Scotland and made from the softest sheep wool. Different blues formed a plaid design custom to the Scottish tradition and a few wine colored strings accented the squares. When standing, he could hold the blanket above his head with his arms fully extended and it would still curl on the floor. That size remained true for all four corners. He felt lost among cloth when he curled tightly as he was now. The parrot in his arms took away his age more than life already had although his father didn't mind. He once fell asleep curled in his chair, wrapped in his blanket, and the parrot in his arms. He woke to his father sitting in the chair beside him curled up himself, watching his son sleep contently.

A soft smile widened across Will's face as he breathed in deeply to sigh. His blanket smelled of the sea and vanilla, which told him how often he was curled in his blanket. And he swore there was a bit of sandalwood in the mix that did not hide the fact his father was often with him when he was curled in his blanket. That got him to wonder if he never slept alone. He only had his blanket for about seven years and his father's signature scent was sandalwood, sweat, and the sea. One of the most prominent scents was sandalwood aside from vanilla and the sea. He had the feeling he was always asleep in his father's arms after he did fall asleep and woke up alone.

Porcelain clanking together and slow cautious footsteps approached as he looked toward the door. He saw the smile and momentary look of guilt pass across his father's face as Bill noticed how his son was curled.

"How often do you hold me when I sleep?" Will asked.

"What makes you think I do that?" wondered Bill as he placed the tray on the table between them. "The tea is vanilla chai. I know you have your uncle's tea taste."

"Because my blanket has a vague scent of sandalwood in the fibers among the vanilla and sea," replied Will. "You know I don't care if you hold me when I sleep. You know I'll never grow out of that. For the record, you can stop crawling in bed with me when I'm asleep and leaving before I wake. I would rather prefer to curl into your arms and wake up with you still watching me."

"Is that a request?" assumed Bill, knowing there was no evidence to try to hide his nightly events.

Will nodded. "It is but that doesn't mean I don't want to ever sleep in my own bed by myself."

"Okay, I'll lessen the amount I spend holding you while you sleep to every other night you sleep," said Bill.

"That's better," Will told him. "But make it once every other night once in a while."

Bill smiled softly at him. "Shall I continue?"

"You were at the part of leading to the mutiny," said Will.

"I know," Bill said, leaning back in his chair and putting his feet up. "Well, Jack obviously knew where the location was since he mastered applying his compass's heading to routing it on a chart. Yes, I was involved with the mutiny. I wasn't one of those who was a regular to the meetings Barbossa held at night, but I knew of it and I never told Jack. I suppose I didn't think Barbossa would actually do it. I thought, since he and Edward were good friends, that he would leave Jack alone. Obviously I was wrong. I was very, very wrong. Barbossa wanted the ship more than he wanted the treasure. He knew there was something about the Black Pearl that was unique to it. Well, after Jack gave up the heading he was mutinied and sent to that island. I stood by and watched the entire time. I knew Jack felt betrayed because I did nothing, but I also knew that he knew why I didn't say anything. I told him that after this last treasure run I was going home and he agreed it was time I went home. I know he knew I said nothing to get back to you and your mother.

"We found the island and the treasure. I did the honors of assisting Barbossa in opening the chest and, ironically, I was the first one to take a piece of the treasure. The necklace was the only piece I took. I thought you would love it. I imagined you running around at age twenty with the medallion around your neck because that was your piece of pirate treasure. You loved pirates when you were a child and I went on that last run to ensure Jack would be safe and to get you that medallion. Well, it took time for all of us to realize that we were cursed. I figured it out first. Again ironic. I said nothing though. I found it out by mistake. While we were in Nassau trading and bartering I was caught in the crossfire of a squabble. It was night, when I intended to rest when I discovered there was a bullet in my chest. Of course I pulled it out myself, and when I went to observe that it was indeed a bullet, I set it in the moonlight and, low and behold, my hand became skeletal as well.

"I knew I couldn't go home anymore. I was cursed and we didn't know how to undo the curse. The next stop on our list of bartering was London. I already told you about how I was going to take you so we'll skip that. We slowly began to realize they were cursed and it was blood repaid that would undo it. Still thinking your mother moved on I spoke up for Jack. I did tell him that it wasn't right with the Code, because Edward was the Code for all purposes. I told them they deserve to be cursed and remain cursed. That didn't sit right with Barbossa so he sent me to the bottom of the ocean."

"You did it again," Will said quite song like.

"I know, I know. Now, onto Jack and Edward," Bill said. He sipped his tea. "After Jack got off the island by means of a ship named Sea Turtle, he didn't know where to go but back to his father. He thought perhaps this once he would help him get his ship back into rightful hands. Edward knew what Jack did to get the Pearl back and it never sat well with him. Jack got back to his father and the two of them had a small talk. Their talks usually lead to them arguing and this time their arguing led to Jack being poisoned. Jack woke in the care of friends in New Providence with his father far from him. And, for the record, I know all of this because Edward and I have been keeping contact since the establishment of a new captain. Anyway, Jack was on his own now and alone was what truly tore him to pieces. He as alone with no one there for him. I was gone. His father wanted nothing to do with him. He couldn't return to London because he no longer belonged there. His ship was out of his hands and he had no idea where to begin looking for Barbossa.

"During this time period is when Jack Sparrow go to be known as Jack Sparrow. He was mostly a quiet fellow but what he did was outrageous. He had tall tales to give for his short stature. More and more Jack and Edward tore apart from each other, but there were times that they were together. Every three years Jack managed to make his way to Shipwreck Cove and give his father the records. He usually stayed one night and then was off out on his own again the next morning before his father woke. He spent much of his time gaining knowledge of things. He learned Spanish, Latin, and several phrases that would get him by around the world. He went from ship to ship trying to get a new life. Edward even thinks he nearly let himself back into the Navy. Jack being Jack would have killed himself before returning to his life in the Royal Navy. Much of Jack's time alone he spent struggling against disease and illness with himself. There was no one but himself so he learned to get by on his own.

"One of those few times he returned to Shipwreck Cove to deliver records did tear the two of them apart, literally. Jack told him he intended on staying for a while because he needed his father. Edward by now, had come to the conclusion Jack's miserable life was his fault. He believed that if he would have just kept in touch with Jack all his life rather than abandoning him, Jack wouldn't have had to be alone. They of course got into another argument and this time, to keep Jack away, Edward shot him. Eddy was not in right mind when he did so, but all he wanted was to keep Jack away from him. Let's just say Edward Teague was pulling a bullet from his son's chest within the hour. The moment Jack woke, he was out of there. Edward spent a few years wondering what happened to Jack and if he was even alive.

"Jack was alive all right. Jack spent a few days with our favorite human Goddess. She was the one who healed him up and kept him alive and in this world. When he was lost, he found himself returning to her for guidance and advice. I suppose she and Jack connect well because she reminds him of his mother. It was her who told Jack to stay away from his father. She knew Jack should just keep away and only return when he had to deliver his records. Jack also spent much of his time with Africa with the Pirate Lord Gentleman Jocard. Jack and Jocard are good friends actually. He was one of those slaves that stuck with us for a while until he managed to get the piece of eight. Edward made note that Jocard was not pleased when Jack voted for Elizabeth and not him. Betrayed to a woman I think Edward phrased it.

"Sparrow did avoid his father and roamed the earth alone for some time. That was until Jack got into a run with the Navy after he commandeered a ship and crew. Jack was in his early thirties at the time so he was still relatively young in the world. I can't tell you exactly what happened because Edward doesn't quite know either. All he knows is that a man by the name of Joshamee Gibbs brought Jack to Shipwreck Cove. Gibbs was still a deckhand in the Navy, but considering retiring. After seeing Jack in the manner he was and having known Jack a few times here and there, he decided he was going to retire then and now. Jack's skull was cracked and he was in a coma when he was in his father's hands.

"That night was the most frightening night Edward put himself through. He knew what was wrong with Jack's head and he knew how to fix it, but the problem was Jack may not have survived the process altogether. There was only thing to do to fix Jack's head and he had to do it that night. There was a literal crack in his skull and blood could seep through to his brain at any time. Edward told Gibbs what to do because his hands were shaking too horribly to do it himself. That night, Jack had a piece of eight put into his head that would eventually grow into part of his skull. Jack spent another two weeks in his coma before he woke. Edward admitted to me that he stayed beside Jack every day and night keeping food and water in Jack's belly and washing him up and keeping him comfortable. He himself was not eating or sleeping. His crew did normal matters around the Cove in his absence and kept him eating.

"I was told when Jack woke he had a hard time remembering things in the beginning. It took him a few days to get his head straight and right, but during those few days the two of them finally had their time together. Edward didn't know what happened. The moment Jack felt up to it, he left on his own with a simple note that read Go raibh maith agat Athair. Edward saved his life and all he could do was thank him because their relationship is nonexistent.

"Jack Sparrow is not one to express his feelings as you noticed a few weeks ago. Feelings are a touchy subject for him. In his mind, showing emotion has gotten him nowhere. He doesn't allow his feelings to exist or come out of him. He makes himself seem as though he has one feeling at all times and that is thoughtful and quiet. Jack Sparrow is a quiet, thoughtful person however so for those to be his emotions then that fares well. For the record Will, he did ask me how you are handling this duty. I expect Jack did want to ask you how you were doing and I expect there was more on his mind. He really needs to know a person to allow himself to express how he feels."

Will looked at his father ridiculously. "You're telling me Jack doesn't know me enough to let himself express his feelings? We've known each other for something around ten years."

"Yes, but how much does he really know you?" asked Bill. "There is knowing a person and there's knowing a person. Jack has spent perhaps the best of three months face to face with you. He doesn't know you enough Will. Another problem in his feelings already occurred with you; he feels anyone he has ever had a connection with or shared the same thought of best friend or thought of someone as part of his family has seemed to die. His mother died, his father doesn't acknowledge his existence, your mother died, his family doesn't care for him so they seem dead, I'm dead, Elizabeth is there because of little William, and you are on this ship. You did have a connection with Jack I know you did."

"We did," admitted Will. "Towards the end he was becoming my best friend. I'll admit that. He helped me get everything I ever wanted. Everything. He helped me get my own ship even."

"And that is the reason why Jack won't show his emotion. He doesn't want to bring up that subject to you because it kills him what he had to do to save your life," said Bill.

"So what happened with Jack and his father then?" Will quickly asked to change the topic.

"Well, Jack's thirteen years were drawing to an end and Edward knew they were coming short," continued Bill. A smile widened across his face. "Does it strike you odd that Jack just happened to know the charts would lead him to the Fountain of Youth?"

"No. Why?" wondered Will.

"Jack Sparrow is not the only man on earth who drank from the waters of life," hinted Bill. He gave his son a moment of thought. "Edward Teague was in Singapore two years before you arrived there."

Will's face widened with astonishment. "Jack's father is immortal?"

"Yes, and now Jack is too. Edward, after Jack nearly died from his head injury, decided he would pay a little visit to Sao Feng and being Keeper of the Code and Pirate Lords, was granted and immediate invitation. Sao and Edward had a little chat and he was given the charts. In a few months, he drank from the water and you only need one mouthful to be immortal. Being a pirate, he wrote down the location of the fountain and returned the charts to their rightful owner. He then went on a quest to find his son. He knew Davy Jones couldn't take Jack's soul if Jack was immortal. As you know you have—"

"You have to be dying to join the crew," Will finished, completely understanding his father's words. "So Jack's father was going to try to save Jack's life by making him immortal with him?"

Bill nodded. "Unfortunately, by the time Edward had found Jack's whereabouts that information was Jack Sparrow already in the belly of the Kraken. Eddy had spent a year trying to hunt down his son to avoid that from happening. He was ready to be Jack's father. After he heard that he failed saving his son's life, he tried all manners possible to kill himself. He stabbed himself through the heart with anything sharp, he drank poisons, he hanged himself and stayed hanging until someone cut him down, he sent himself to the bottom of Shipwreck Cove in the attempt to crush his body and drown, he didn't eat or drink for weeks, he tried to bleed out more times than you can imagine, anything you can think of to kill yourself he did it. I guess Bailey finally had enough and took him to London in the company of your grandfather.

"Funny enough, Ewan was preparing to cut into Alexander's back at about that time and Edward arrived just in time to help him with the procedure. He told me watching Alex and Richard start a relationship as father and son killed him so he return to Ireland where he told the rest of Jack's family. They had a small memorial service for Jack and that hurt just as bad. What hurt Edward the most was going to Charles Town, Carolina. Now, Will, have you ever seen a tattoo across Jack's left breast?"

"He kept his torso covered at all times," said Will.

"Do you know of a bet Jack and I had about our daughters?" asked Bill. Will shook his head. "Jack and I both wanted to name our first daughter Lily. My favorite flower is the Lily of the Valley. Jack's mother's nickname was Lily. Well, I won the bet obviously, but I won it only for a few hours and no one outside the family knew. There is a tattoo across Jack's chest that reads Lily-Rose."

He looked at Will to watch the realization dawn on his son's face.

Will's head tilted to the side and his forehead creased and lips purse. His eyes wandered around the room as he thought about his father's words. Bill knew he sudden understood when Will's face widened and an eyebrow raised.

"Anamaria and Jack Sparrow," replied Bill.

"They hate each other," Will told him.

"Nope, they have always loved each other. She was one of the cargo when Jack and I decided to turn against the Navy. Her parents died and Jack told her it would be all right. On the journey back to Africa, he taught her how to sail and she fell in love with him. He also arranged passage for her to return to the Caribbean where she was originally from. Over the years, the two of them kept bumping into each other and Anamaria kept bumping into Scarlett and Giselle. The reason they delight in slapping Jack is because they know Jack is completely head over heels in love with Anamaria but he does nothing. They slap Jack to remind him to get his act together and just marry her already.

"Ana stayed with Jack after he got his ship back and something happened between the two of them. A few months after he got his ship back, she approached him and told him she was expecting a child that happened to be his child. Jack knew his time was near an end and he literally shattered Anamaria's heart to save her and the baby. He knew Ana would follow him to the ends of the earth and the last thing he wanted was to have her witness his death. He left her in Shipwreck Cove where she waited for Edward to come back from his journeys. When Edward arrived back in Shipwreck Cove, Ana was eight months pregnant by then. She told him what happened. Edward told her Jack did it for a reason, but he never completely told her the reason. He knew Jack did it to save her life. After the baby girl was born and both the mother and child healthy to travel, he took her to Charles Town where he has English friends. These friends are as pale as any normal English gentleman and were former pirates in their time. They owned a plantation where peoples of dark color could work for money or work for a place to stay. They were one of the few plantation owners who saw people of dark skin as humans and not property. Ana was safe there and he knew that.

"The hardest thing for him was going to Anamaria and telling her that Jack was dead. He couldn't say it to her. She realized it rather than him saying it. He admitted to me that he broke down in front of her sobbing. All Ana could do was hold her daughter, who I've been told is an exact copy of Jack, and cry. Jack was gone and he never saw his little girl. Jack knew about her through which is why he got the tattoo beside his heart. He loved his daughter without ever having met her and that was the reason he told Anamaria off.

"Well, when news did reach Edward that Jack was alive, he knew he had to play things off as they always were. The fate of piracy and the war was more important than his relationship with Jack. He knew the war had to end before he and Jack got together. After it all did end, Jack went on his crazy quest for the fountain. It sounds like Hell to get to. I've been told Jack had help from a zombie named Alex who was sent to him by another mystic. There were mermaid infested waters. Now, Will, mermaids are no pleasant folk. They delight in luring men with their charms and then drowning them. There were more zombies and a weird portal and there was the fountain in the middle of nowhere. I guess Jack actually hesitated to drink. He knew he had to be sure that was what he wanted because there is no going back to mortality once you drink. You and I both know he drank from it.

"He then returned to Shipwreck Cove where he was going to tell his father that he drank from the fountain. Ironically, he intended to make the attempt to convince his father to drink with him so they would be together for all time. You could imagine the shock both of them shared when they learned the other was immortal and had the intentions of making the other drink as well. Because of the shared thought, Edward finally broke in front of Jack and told him the truth. The truth is piracy is not that good of a life and he knew that. He wanted to save Jack from the life of a pirate and give him a life much better than that. He thought if he pushed toward what was best Jack would have a better life. Unfortunately, Jack is too much like his father and had a love for being a pirate like his father. Everything he ever did for Jack was to save him. He loved Jack to death. He loved Jack too much to leave him alone on earth. When Jack learned this, he too broke down. The two of them began a shakey relationship that took a few years to mend the wounds of the past.

"I hear Edward led Jack to Anamaria where he proposed on the spot. Ana knew why Jack left her and agreed to marry him and the two of them are married. They have one child, his treasured Lily-Rose. Eddy writes that she loves her father more than her mother and is spitting image and copy of Jack, but she has her mother's nasty temper. I think she is around nine or ten by now. Ana is immortal as well. She agreed. When Lily turns twenty, they will tell her of the immortality and give her a choice to take it or not. They aren't going to decide her future for her. To be quite honest, I am surprised Edward, Ana, and Lily were not on the Pearl when Jack showed up. Eddy writes that he and Jack are inseparable. Their relationship is like ours. They can't be without each other. They fell in love with each other and can't separate."

"You know, Jack's life sounds like a fairy tale," Will said with a laugh. "His life began perfect and tragedy hit and he was forced to live a miserable life until, one day, it all changes. Instead of his prince charming saving his life, it was his Princess, meaning his daughter, that brought him out of the misery and he and his father live happily ever after."

"His life is a fairy tale Little One. He is immortal to live happily ever after, but it took thirty nine years for his fairy tale ending."

Will smiled as he circled the rim of his tea cup with his forefinger. "It comforts me knowing I'll always have someone to go to on my one day when I can't go to Elizabeth."

"Are you going to let her join?" wondered Bill, with the final sip of tea to his lips.

"It's her choice and I'm not going to worry about that. She has many, many years of life to live," Will told him.

"And your son?" wondered Bill.

"Don't say that! Do not mention him being on this ship! I won't have it!" Will screamed with tears in his eyes and his breath heavy. He shook his head. "It's not going to happen. He's not going to die anytime soon."

"Okay," said Bill calmly. He set a hand on Will's shoulder. "It was a simple question Little One. It was a mere matter of curiosity."

Will nodded away the sudden fright.

"Now, how about that question to Calypso if we can get our things from London?" suggested Bill.

"Agreed," said Will. "CALYLPSO! I have a question for you!"

"There's no need to scream," Bill muttered, running his finger in his throbbing ear.

As always, Calypso simply appeared in her normal fashion with a look of listening on her face.

"If my father and I were to write my uncle and request that he send us our things by means of the lake in our backyard would our things get to us undamaged and intact?" Will asked.

Calypso nodded. "Dat can be arranged, but ya would need ta be in dat worl'."

"That can be arranged," Will replied with her same reply.

With a smile on her face, the Goddess approached. She touched Teach in Will's arms. "Do ya like parrots?"

"And monkeys," admitted Will. "I have a slight fascination of the idea that all pirates have monkeys and parrots on their shoulders. You have no idea the silent joy it brought me when I saw Barbossa and Cotton for the first time."

"Which would ya prefer?" wondered Calypso.

"I am not having a monkey on this ship!" Bill snapped as he immediately got himself to his feet. He pointed a firm finger at Calypso. "I hate monkeys." He told her sharply. "And besides, the only way to train a monkey or parrot to stick with you is to raise it from birth and we obviously cannot do that. We're on a ship that goes underwater and constantly switches worlds. There is no possible way we can have a pet on this ship."

"I would want a dog, a golden retriever with red fur," Will said aloud as if speaking what he was thinking. "I've always wanted a golden retriever. Grandfather and Alex and Mum promised me one when I was old enough to take care of it by myself. Alex once told me I would have the best sixteenth birthday present. He had a name picked out. I was going to name him Orion because Orion is my favorite constellation. I don't know why, but every time I see Orion I smile. I never got him."

"Well, I never saw my bird again," Bill softly said. Will looked at him oddly. "When I was a child living my life on Hot Cocoa, I happened to have a scarlet macaw as my pet. I'll admit it, I had a macaw for a pet. I taught him to say a few phrases and he likes to sit on my shoulder and read with me. His name was Teach and the namesake and idea for your little carving. I miss him terribly. He was my constant companion. Now, Calypso, don't go and hunt down a dog for Will and get my bird on this ship. They won't last."

"There be somet'ing I give dem dat make them last," hinted Calypso.

"Aqua de Vida," answered Will.

"Teach is probably dead by now and if he was still alive he probably has a family of his own. I'm not going to have him be taken away from his family for my own comfort," Bill said.

"But ya do want him no?" wondered Calypso.

Not looking at either of them, Bill subtly nodded his head.

"An' ya want dat dog?" Calypso asked Will.

Will nodded. "Very much."

"Ya know, Jones have a pet," reminded Calypso.

"A giant squid," replied Bill.

"Da Kraken not always be dat terrifying. He once had him own duty ta da ship. Him duty be searching des waters for lost souls. Jones call him pet Krakey and once play fetch with him. Fetching was da Kraken's favored game and him eye being rubbed be his favored form of affection. Da captain of dis ship need him own, constant companion," said Calypso. She looked at Will. "Do ya want dat dog of yars?"

"You would do that for me? You would search the world for a red golden retriever then make it drink from the fountain? I don't want a puppy and I don't want someone's dog to be taken away just for me," Will told her.

"I know," replied the Goddess.

"But I would like to have my dog with me on this ship forever," said Will. "Father, what do you think?"

"This is very sudden and unexpected," noted Bill. He leaned back in his chair and eyes searched around the room.

It wasn't a monkey. He hated monkeys. Will did always talk of having a red golden retriever. Even as a child of two and three years old he spoke of having a dog. A dog at Will's side wasn't such a bad idea. Dogs often had healing powers and comfort that no human could provide. Dogs did have a sixth sense of human feeling and emotion. He wasn't always there for Will to watch over and take care of him. Will needed someone to love and give him love in return. Why, when he was just a child he adored his dog. Dogs are man's best friend after all. Will needed a best friend to always be there for him.

"If she can find one then I don't mind," he replied.

"And Teach?"

"I'm not saying no," Bill muttered.

"Very well den. Write ta me when ya send dat little note ta Alexander," Calypso requested before leaving in her usual manner of simply changing into a crab and crawling out a window.

"You had a parrot as a pet?" Will asked.

Bill smiled in his defeat. "I found him when he was young. Father believed he was three years old when I found him with a broken wing. I took him in and mended his wing. We have a room dedicated to macaws on the island. They can come and go as they please and have a place to reside. I named him Teach for obvious reasons. Blackbeard was my favorite pirate and father said he had a bright red coat. Aye, my father had the honor of meeting Blackbeard. Apparently the Trio was a friend of the great Blackbeard. You mention the name Blackbeard around them and they will go off on tangents simply telling stories of him. Teach was my constant companion. I took him sailing a few times. When Jack and I spent time at Hot Cocoa, Teach remembered who I was. He never left my shoulder unless I was sleeping. Jack was rather fond of him as well. I'll admit wholeheartedly that I wouldn't mind having my bird back. Thinking of him brings many, many happy memories of my past."

"Should we write that letter?" Will asked.

"Aye," replied Bill.

---

Alexander Seastone, Uncle Alex I want my things,

What William is trying to say is that we spoke with Calypso and she said to simply drop our things in the pond. I can't believe it took me eight years to remember you telling me to do this. I want all my toys every last one and I know you kept them and send them in my toy chest, the red coat and I know it won't fit but I have future plans for it, my pillows and blankets, I want that pink blanket mum always slept with, send my wooden swords and the sword Grandfather was never supposed to know about, I did write a journal and I want that too, I need my globe because that one is better than the one I have here, I need all of my books and send me the book Uncle Gabe wrote, send my bath toys, give me father's old blue robe,Alex, give that to me. It is mine after all. Don't listen to him. It's mine. Remember, he left it when he left. I want my book, you know Captain Johnson's A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates that is as long as you haven't taken it over yet. Also, steal a few of the books from the library. Alex, be a good little brother and throw the entire library into the pond. I need books around here. Your father can use the money in my bank account to buy the books back. I am going mad without my books. I'm not finished. I also want my scarves and Father's old Navy coat. I think I'm tall enough to fit into it by now. Send some vanilla soap and oils; I can always use more vanilla.

All right, my turn, well Alex, you know what to send. Just go in my room and get it all. Oh, I would like the use of my stones. They are in the jar beside my mirror with the pieces of cloth between each one and are in ascending order. I need those stones. My back is beginning to ache. Go to that shop in London, the one that has all the scent sticks and buy them out. I need to meditate. Will is driving me mad right now, considering I'm sitting on him to write this information down for you and that is also the reason my handwriting is horrible. In my sea chest which you need to send to me, the flag Father flew when Gabe and I were pirates you can give to Gabriel. I always meant for him to have it. Send all the articles of clothing. I know you still have some of your sister's things because I know none of you had the heart to let it go, and I would like her nightgowns. Bottom drawer in the back right corner. I'm sorry if you get images in your head, but she was my wife and I was her husband. Give me one of her blankets as well. Whatever all of you don't want to keep send to me. And I do want the blanket Lily was wrapped in for her short life. I want some piece of my daughter. I don't know how, but if you can, send me a few of the lilies Lottie grew in the garden. Hell, send me as many flowers as you can. I'll somehow keep them blooming on this ship. Do me a favor would you? I want you to dig up some dirt and a single flower on father's grave. I know it sounds disturbing, but I need the earth that my father rests upon. Please tell Gabe to send me a few of his drawings he made during my time there. I know he drew Lottie and I all the time and I would like them. For the record, I have written a letter to him. There are a few things I need to say to him and there is a lot that I have to explain.

Now that the sitting has become opposite, I'm still not done requesting what I want from home. I don't trust Grandfather so give me the damn key to his cabinet. I'm not letting history repeat itself. I don't care if he says he's done with it. I know he isn't. Anyway, if you and Grandfather don't mind, there is one small request I have. I want that painting that I always stared at when I was a child, the one with mum and father and two year old me. I guess I just want a painting of mum really. Actually, I want a painting of all of you. I don't remember if there is a painting of all of us. I think there is, but I can't remember. If you don't mind and you can find one, I want to hang it over the organ. Oh, send all the piano music as well. I know none of you play anymore and it will sound the same on the organ. At least I think it will. Another favor, use my money and go to the music shop. Buy all the sheet music and staff paper you can find. And buy all the guitars too. Father said if we had two he would teach me how to play and I would really like to know how to play. I also wrote a letter to Dirk so you should give it to him. Go to the confectionary and buy ALL the chocolate and sweets there. I want my chocolate. And, can't believe I'm saying this, go to Twinning's and buy all the tea. You know Father, he likes his tea and it's the least I can do for him. I would also like you to purchase every wooden block you can find. I happened to take up my free time carving blocks of wood into anything I can think of. I'll send some to you since father says I have too many of them.

Well, we have come to a mutual agreement to get off of each other's backs and fight for the pen instead. Yes, this is what Will and I do every day. If we didn't bicker once about something so pointless as this then it would be wrong of us not to. I just had a wonderful idea. If you have any medical books that have everything send them to me. Father knows a bit about medicine and I can read about it. Send us the apothecary and tools as well. Instead of ferrying souls, I would rather help save their lives. I know we'll never be as good as you, but we can try. He's brilliant. I never would have thought of that. Send some real food too. Since we are halfway human our human nature would prefer to be reminded that it does exist. Food, yes food would taste good and few bottles of wine. Red wine if you please and you know which ones I like. Do me a favor would you? How about you just send us all of our money? I can send Father and the crew ashore to fetch whatever it is I want. I'll ask Calypso about storing our gold on a ship. Jones did raise the Pearl for Jack so I can figure out some way of getting a ship here and storing everything on it. I have no idea which ship it will be, but I'll think of that eventually. Again, Will is a genius. I hate to see that he is stuck here on this ship and not there using his head for good. What he means by good is benefitting myself of course. You know he doesn't mean that. Yes I do. Oh and how would you benefit yourself? Well, I would buy my own ship and an island in the middle of the Caribbean and have a huge, real wedding for Elizabeth and I and I would have to spoil my son and that would require half the money I have and why are we arguing on a piece of paper and not to each other? Good point, anyway, Alex, we just want our things and anything that would make this pathetic ship my ship is not pathetic thank you very much less of a living hell it is no such thing. Just because—I'm doing it again. Yeah, we need to make this place a little more like home because it is the only home I have. What he said.

Alex, little brother, you need to bring the entire family one day. Take them all sailing to the Caribbean. Or I could just stay on one of the rocks surrounding the lake and you can have them all come down to us. I want to see home one more time anyway and I don't think Grandfather has the strength to sail and I none of you seem like sailing is what you do anymore. When you were last here, it sounded like you were fine and happy at home. We'll talk about that. I do enjoy the idea as well but I don't know how I'm going to get him safely on a rock. Let's plan for us to come to you someday. Just tell us when and we'll be there. And I do want to see all of my family before all of my family begins dying around me. I agree with that wholeheartedly. I would like to see us as a family one last time and I don't think I could go on like this without saying goodbye to any of you. The thought that I would never see my family again is terrible. Now put yourself in my position. I was nine the last time anyone but you saw me and I saw them. I need to see my cousin and grandfather again. I just want to know what became of them and how they are and I want them to see Father and I together because I know all of you always wanted to see us together.

Well, I think we'll have taken up enough of your time with this more than little note. If you or anyone else in the family needs us a simple message in a bottle and the bottles had better be difficult to come by into the pond will suffice. And if any of you fear death then call me. He's not being serious. Yes I am. I mean it. If you really, really want to be with me you can. Your service will be for as long as your heart desires to serve me so you'll have option of leaving whenever you wish. I'm not going to lie I would like to see one of you on this ship, but I know all of you were raised not to fear death and all of you will have someone to go to. If I left Will alone, Lottie would give me Hell until the day he showed up and I don't intend to leave him. Ever. Again, if you need us to come, we will. Send my love to everyone will you? Especially Dirk. And Baby Brother for me.

We really do miss all of you more than you know and I just want my home to feel more like my home. Although, ironically, home is where the heart is and my heart is with my family where I should be. Oh, you should take the family to see little William and Elizabeth. Or you can invite them to go over there. Whichever. I just want you to see the family I always wanted to have. And, if you feel it is safe to, pass on the knowledge of communicating with me to two brothers. They might like to hear their oldest brother did choose a side in the end.

Keep us posted with the changing world and condition of the family as things happen. I don't necessarily mean you alone. If anyone needs to talk about something, we'll be here. Give the dogs a pat on the head for both of us and tell everyone we say hello.

Respectfully,

William Turner I

Keep a weather eye on the horizon,

Captain Will Turner. (that does have a nice sound doesn't it?)

P.S. Captain Turner does have a nice sound!

Will and Bill Turner watched as their bottled notes bobbed in the water with the calm ocean waves until appearing to have been dragged under one by one beginning with the one that was addressed to Calypso herself.

"I cannot believe we wrote that to Alex," Will chuckled as he stretched his face with palms.

"I'm confident he'll like it," noted Bill.

Nodding, Will's head tilted to the side and his eye narrowed, focusing. "I think our assistance is needed down there."

"Down? Now it's down. Will, last time it was up," noted Bill.

"Up is down and therefore down is up," Will told him then ordered to the crew. "We're off to the Cape of Good Hope. I think a good storm is blowing up there."

"Good, I smell like an alley in Tortuga!"

Bill rolled his but Will laughed his way to the helm. The captain wouldn't have his crew any other way. They were perfect for this duty. One needed a sense of humor to get past the idea of what it was to join.

"I don't want to say this but I can't help my opinion," began Bill as the freezing rain poured into his face. "But you are turning out to be one damn fine captain of this ship."

Will smirked at him as stepped from the Dutchman and onto the ship that was caught on the rocks. He observed the sky as lightening flashed. The majority of the storm was passed already. The rain and light rumbling and flashes in the sky were mere remnants. He inhaled deeply. There was no greater scent than that of the air after a fierce storm. His small measure of peace was interrupted when he felt something thin go through his chest.

"Thank you for ruining a perfectly good tunic," he said as he turned around and came face to face with a terrified sailor. He reached around and inched the sword from his person and took a quick look over it. "This is a very fine sword. Perfect balance and weight. The blade is quite thin and I noticed it has a sharp edge. Where did you get it?"

"Why should I talk to you? You're the undead," the sailor said with a quivering voice.

"True, but I'm here for a reason," Will told him.

The sailor's eyes widened as he fell to his knees, praying for the Lord to deliver his soul before the devil had his way with him and Will knew which of the two he was.

"Calm down," Will told him as he knelt. "There is nothing I hate more than panicking and fretting for no reason." He sighed heavily. "And I'm not the Devil."

"Yes you are. You appeared from nowhere and in the midst of the storm after they were all killed. You have come to collect my soul," the sailor said.

"Do I look like the Devil?" Will asked with a soft, amused smile on his face. The sailor gave him a good look over then finally shook his head. "No, I don't and I'm not. My name is Turner."

The sailor's eyes widened in disbelief as he stood on two feet to slowly back away. Will noticed he was not backing from him in fright. Rather, he was backing from him in disbelief and wonder.

"Captain Turner of the Flying Dutchman Turner?" wondered the sailor.

"That I am," Will announced, both arms out and with a swift bow of his torso.

Around him, he heard other men whisper his name in shock. Lanterns were brought forth to reveal Will's identity and some men touched his shoulder or face ensuring him to be real. They slowly got to a knee around him and looked on him with admiration as if he was the Lord himself.

"I don't understand," he noted.

"You're Captain Turner. You're the legend," another said.

"Legend?" Will asked whipping around so fast the tails of his bandana whipped him in the face.

"Every honest sailor knows that his final judgment is approaching when Captain Turner arrives to ask or give peace or help. It is an honor to be in your presence sir," the first sailor said.

A the famous Will Turner smile widened across his face. He noticed movement to his right and turned. His father nodded his head proudly at his son. The smile on Will's face became arrogant and proud of himself, but he had every reason to be proud. The legend was slowly getting around that the Dutchman was an honor to lay eyes upon and the captain was as good as an angel.

"Who is in need of my assistance?" Will asked because he was there for a reason.

"Here!"

Will pushed his way through the men to a pile of rubble where four men were trapped beneath. Three had moved on but the other one was holding to life and the other man's hand. He noticed the young man was a teenager, barely younger than himself and looking at the elder man, Will knew that was his father holding his hand. He knelt to asses if there were options of saving the son. Unfortunately, there was only one option.

"Do you fear death?" Will asked the son.

"No reason to," the son replied.

Will nodded and pulled his knife from his person.

"I'll do it!" the father cried, grabbing Will's hand. "I'll give my son peace. It's my fault I brought him here."

"No," Will told him, setting his own hand on the father's left hand that pulled out his own knife. "If I was a father who was in your position I would want to do it myself as well. I would want to give my son peace, but I wouldn't want to live the rest of my life knowing his last drops of blood will stain my hands until the day I die. I wouldn't want to be aware that I am going to end my son's life. I would simply want to hold him and comfort him and me be his last thoughts of his life. Give him comfort rather than peace."

"You are a father aren't you?" the elder asked softly.

"I'm a son and it's what I wanted before I died," replied Will softly.

The father nodded and released his hand from his weapon. He grabbed his son's hand tighter and caressed his hairline, looking into his eyes until his son's eyes shut with a heavy sigh. "Thank you."

"This is what I do. I comfort and give peace to those who have none. I assure you his soul is in good hands," said Will.

"I know and I will ensure that your kindness is known throughout the world," said the father.

Will nodded his appreciation and moved on to other men. This time there were no new additions to the crew not because no one wanted to join, but because the dead was dead and the dying could easily be mended. He often preferred no additions because it meant less pain for him. Each new member of the crew was another sad face to look upon and it was not what he needed. Land was not far away and could be sighted in the distance of a spyglass at a heading of north by northeast.

And so, a very happy Captain of the Flying Dutchman returned to the world in which he worked and sat in his "office" awaiting souls for recording. The usual pile of cloths for sobbing was stacked at the end of the table. The bottles of rum and wine and the fine china were beside the cloth. His papers were laid out in front of him. The pen was in the inkwell awaiting to process the story and the captain himself sat behind his table swirling a glass of red wine and looking out the open French Doors as there were men coming aboard. All was as it should be for a normal day of his service.

The normal, unusually cheerful day ended not so cheerful actually. He was sitting on his cushioned bench playing his Gaelic lullaby on the organ like he often did when he was in a mood. Usually his father stood beside him until he finished and then made his presence known to his son, but this time Bill sat beside Will and grabbed both his hands. Will knew something was wrong because his father's blue eyes were unusually blue with glistening sapphires and the bright red rings around the white.

"Was I what you wanted in the end?" Bill asked softly.

"What are you talking about?" Will asked, pulling away to bunch his sleeve in the palm of his hand and wipe away the tears on his father's face.

"When you were laying there dying, was I what you wanted?" Bill asked.

Will's face sighed with the rest of his body as his head bowed. "You heard that then?" Bill nodded. "Aye. I wanted your arms around me not Elizabeth. She was comforting, but it wasn't enough. I wanted you and I remember it was killing me that you were only the width of a ship away from me. I always wanted to die in your arms. I told myself that I would find you if it killed me and if it did then I would want your face and arms to be the last of Earth I knew."

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there Will. I'm so sorry," sobbed Bill, lowering his head and crying into the palm of his hands.

Quite confused that his father was acting this way and not knowing why, Will looked around the room a moment to try to sort it out but when his father began choking on his tears, he wrapped both arms around his Daddy and leaned his head into him. He rubbed his cheek against his father's head and told him it was all right.

After a bit, Bill raised his head and sniffled. He wiped away the evidence of his emotion on his tunic sleeve and simply looked at Will. "I would have done it. I would have killed you. If I would have gotten to you, I would have killed you rather than make you captain. I would have made myself captain for one reason: to ensure that your soul was safely delivered."

"I know, five marks on my back are my evidence to support that thought," Will told him. "If there is a record, I wouldn't be the one to kill him. I would plead with him to join me and if he said no then I would do all possible and beyond to try to heal his wounds. Even without a hope of him making it, I would fight until I knew there was nothing I could do."

"I know, and that is what frightens me because you are going to have to make that choice one day," said Bill.

"No," Will said simply and confidently. "It won't be my choice to make."

"You say that now," warned Bill.

"It will never be my choice," Will told him clearly.

Bill nodded his head. "I've disturbed you enough today. I'll leave you be now."

"You don't have to go!" Will told him suddenly, taking his arm to ensure that he remained there.

Grateful, Bill found himself scooting to a more comfortable position. He wrapped an arm around Will's shoulders and pulled him closer. "I will be there at the end Will. I promise."

"You better be the one holding me," Will told him.

"I promise," Bill whispered.

The two of them sat together in quiet company for a few minutes with their eyes shut, comforted by the other's presence. Bill noticed one thing however. Will was feeling more and more heavy against him. He thought he saw his son's head nodding and leaned over to look at Will's face only to find Will's eyes closed and his breathing soft and steady. With a shake of his head, Bill set his other arm under Will's knees and lifted his boy into the air to carry him to bed.

He got his Little One all settled and tucked in bed with the wool blanket wrapped around him. Lastly, he undid his hair from the bandana allowing the perfect curls to spill across his face. As he turned to look at his son again, the setting sun shined through the window in such a perfect manner that only Will's face was illuminated with a soft golden light by the few rays that shined in. If there wasn't a more beautiful sight in the world, Bill would have been happy. Recalling something his son had said about sleeping, he decided to let this be one of those times when Will would wake in his arms.

He kicked his boots off and crawled beside Will, pulling his child, blanket and all, against him and resting his son's head on his chest above the one thing that provided the most comfort. As if knowing that was his father pulling him close, Will instinctively curled tighter into him and wrapped an arm around his father's chest.

Not tired, and never wanting this moment to end, Bill sighed heavily as he shut his eyes. He curled tighter against his son's body, loving the feeling of Will's warm flesh against him. Watching Will sleep was the only reason his son's curse was worth the heavy price. It may depend on the one day for Will, but for him, it depended on his son's rest.

Opening his eyes, he watched the sun slowly disappear from Will's face, the stars shining both above and below the ship reflect on every smooth surface including his son's face and earring, and the sun returning back into their world slowly coloring his face golden bronze again. Although it was the passing of twelve hours, it felt a few minutes to him. Time was nonexistent to them after all and getting lost in thoughts was the one thing that truly made them lose track of the time.

"You're still here."

Bill brushed the loose curls from Will's face. "Of course I am. I told you I would be."

"I can hear your heart beating. I can feel it."

"And?" wondered Bill.

"It's comforting," Will whispered, pulling himself further onto his father's chest.

"I know it is," replied Bill.

Will opened his eyes and turned them to his father with a small smile.

Bill's eyes widened to take in his son's. He couldn't remember his eyes looking so golden brown. In the sunlight, the usual chocolate coloring appeared gold. Since there was a bright light in his eyes, the iris was small, allowing the rich color to occupy most of the orb. By the angle he was looking up at him, his eyes appeared much larger than they were normally. His skin looked as though it was glowing.

"What's wrong?" Will asked softly.

"I'm holding an angel," Bill replied so only Will could hear.

"I'm just your son," Will told him.

"No, you are my life," replied Bill.

"I know, you tell me every time the sun shines on me," Will said with an amused smile on his face.

There was a light tap at the door followed by Edward's voice. "I don't meant to interrupt this lovely father son moment, but I have a letter from one Alexander Seastone."

"Thank you," said Will, suddenly at Edward's side.

"I hate it when you do that," Bill told him, his arms still in the air like he was holding Will yet.

"He said Calypso will have our things delivered when we have the time to retrieve them," Will told his father.

"We have the time," Bill told him, joining his son by Edward.

"Um, not quite," said Edward. "While you two were sleeping we fished out a few souls. We need to deal with them before you can deal with yourself."

Will sighed. "Duties. I hate duties."

"Well, William," began Bill.

"I know, I know. I am a captain of a ship and being captain of a ship I have duties that I must attend to," replied Will, waking into his cabin. "You know, on a normal ship the first mate would be the one with all the duties. It is his responsibility for dealing with matters involving the crew."

"Yes well the souls are not crew now are they?" asked Bill.

"I still say you can do this once in a while," said Will. "You might enjoy some of the stories these souls have to offer."

"I don't do paperwork," Bill told him walking on deck.

"I noticed," Will muttered. He sat in his chair. "But you would enjoy the stories."

"I did while the crew was still in the Classical Era and before my time. Now they are boring. I live in the same Age," said Bill.

"Yes, but we don't live in that world anymore do we?" noted Will.

Bill shook his head with a smirk on his face. "It is a wonder you and I are still alive on this ship."

"Why?" wondered Will. "Because I have Mum's bickering spirit?"

"Among other things," said Bill.

Will shooed him out of the room. "Well, go on. Fetch me souls."

"You know," noted Bill, walking back to his son who was preparing his desk. "You have the better end of the deal here. All you do is sit here, listen to stories, write them down, and drink. I have to find the souls, row out to them, keep them entertained while you are in here, and watch the crew."

"Ah, actually, Father, you sit on deck searching for the souls with your little spyglass, tell the crew where to row, keep them entertained by telling the crew what to do with them, and only turn your head to watch the crew once in a while," said Will. "I know; I've watched you before."

No evidence to the contrary, Bill bit his lips. He opened the door and shut it rather harshly, but he did shake his head at Will with a smirk before collecting a soul to send to him.

After a small collection of souls, small being thirty, the ship and her crew arrived back to the real world of the living in the middle of the Caribbean Sea.

"So William," said Bill. "Where does it say we are supposed to collect our things?"

Will shrugged. "I dunno. It just said she would deliver our things when we arrived."

"She's no help at all is she," Bill noted, leaning over the rail.

"She has been before. Once," said Will, although it sounded more of a suggestion.

"An' when would dat time be?"

Will merely pointed to his back with his forefinger.

"Will you let it go?" Bill muttered.

"Well that was the only time she was useful," Will told him.

Not denying that she did come to use when there was an injury, Bill gave an admitting nod of his head. He turned to the Goddess. "So, where are we to collect our possessions?"

Calypso smiled at him and handed him a piece of paper. She waved her hand and disappeared back into the sea.

"She is no help at all," Bill said again.

"And if she was no help then she wouldn't have given me coordinates to the location where our things can be found," Will told him shaking his head again. He wandered to the helm and caressed the wood lovingly. "You know, I do like my ship. She's fast and sleek and more beautiful than any other ship I've seen. I like the Dutchman better than I do the Pearl. I would not trade this ship for any other. Although, I wouldn't mind outfitting her with a different color sail. White is overrated. Do you think I could outfit the sails with a wine color?"

"Oh yes, and when the sun fades the color we'll have pink sails. I can just hear it now Will. 'When you see a ship with pink sails that is the Flying Dutchman and your salvation is saved when the flash of green arrives before her sighting'. A flash of green and pink sails," said Bill.

"You're right," said Will. "No wine colored sails. What about an indigo blue?"

"That I wouldn't mind," agreed Bill.

"How about sails made of gold thread so the sails shine in the sunlight and the wood gleams like gold?" suggested Edward, approaching them.

Both father and son pointed at him. "I like that."

"I am not serious you two," Edward said. "Alls I came here to do was ask you two where we are going?"

"Wherever these coordinates lead," said Will, waving the piece of paper in the air.

"And that is?" Edward continued to question.

Will looked at the paper then turned to the sea currents. He walked to the side of the ship and leaned over. As if reading the currents and the coordinates on the paper, he watched the waves lap and felt the ocean move. "Bermuda Triangle. If my readings are correct, these coordinates lead to the heart of the Bermuda Triangle."

"Why are we going into the heart of the Bermuda Triangle?" Edward asked, stepping forward in concern.

"You fear the Bermuda Triangle yet you are a member of the Flying Dutchman?" wondered Will, his face twisted into a ridiculous expression of wonder.

"I would be less afraid of this ship if it had pink sails," noted Edward.

"Shut it," Will snapped. "I understand. We'll keep the sails white."

Bill returned to the helm with rolled charts under his arm. He laid them out across the small table and did a quick calculation of his own. The first time he completed his task, his head tilted to the side oddly and then he turned to Will impressed. Twice more he did the calculation. "How the devil did you do that Mac? The coordinates lead to the heart of the Triangle and you did that without the use of a map."

"Who am I?" wondered Will, whipping around and pointing to himself with both forefingers.

"Not Captain Jack Sparrow," Bill told him, clearly having heard that reference a dozen too many times.

"I'm captain of the Flying Dutchman," Will said. "Since I became captain I noticed I had the knowledge of reading the seas by matter of studying the currents and watching the wave pattern against the ship. Each current has its own unique flow and depending on that flow tells me where I am. It is how I made the map of comparison to the seas in this world to the location of them in our world. Quite simple really."

"Okay," said Edward, clearly not understanding the simplicity behind it but not wanting to press the issue further since he wouldn't understand it anyway.

"What else have you acquired?" asked Bill.

Will shrugged. He slowly walked to the helm to take his ship back into the palm of his hand. "I know when a soul has arrived into the next world, but not where yet. I think that will come with time however. At least, when I'm in that world I know. I have another sense of me that seems to know when there are men dying in this world, yet I only sense that when there seems to be a massacre. Anyway, you know I don't need sleep for about a week. I don't know about you, but I can see perfectly well in the dark. I know when one of my crew is upset. When one of my crew leaves the ship I know where he went to. I'm slowly realizing my mood depends on your mood. I don't need a compass, but a compass is nice to have since it takes me a while to figure out where exactly I am in the world." He opened his mouth to speak but decided against it for a moment. He turned to his father. "And I think I know when someone is near my heart."

Bill's head slowly turned to him. "How do you know?"

"Sometimes I feel warm and loved. I feel loved. I feel like I do when Elizabeth was near me. The same nervous, excited chill went through my body. I have that feeling sometimes. I at least assume someone is near the chest," replied Will.

"Has it ever occurred to you that it could possibly be your son near the chest?" asked Bill.

Will rolled his eyes. "Knowing Elizabeth, she wouldn't let him near the chest until I am present so I am able to explain it to him."

"Just a thought," said Bill.

"Why?" wondered Will.

"I do think about my Grandson on occasion," Bill told him.

"You mean I'm the one occasionally filling your head," Will muttered.

Hearing that, Bill gave Will a light smack on the back of the head.

Will gave a glare at his father and jabbed him in the belly with his elbow.

"Do you want to get sent to your quarters?" Bill asked calmly.

"I am captain of this ship and therefore I must captain my ship," replied Will.

"Your name is William Turner, not Jack Sparrow," reminded Bill.

"Captain. Captain William Turner," Will told him, tilting his head to look at him.

There was quite a lot Bill Turner wanted to say to his son at the moment, but he knew it was best not to. The last time they felt like picking at each other it ended up with them getting out there weapons and swords and attempting to declare a victor by means of last man standing. It was only after Edward reminded both of them they were immortal that they stopped and then continued by means of last man glaring. Will of course won.

So instead, Bill gave a nod of his head and a mocking bow then walked on deck to avoid his son's mood.

Disappointed that his father wasn't in the same mood as he was, Will's eyes narrowed. He was quite in the mood for a little brawl. It kept his swordsmanship in good condition. Not only was it that he was captain of the ship, it was also because he was captain of the ship why he couldn't let his father send him to his quarters. The heart of the Bermuda Triangle was not in the normal world considering the heart of the Bermuda Triangle was Calypso's place of residence on Earth. He left out that minor detail for a reason knowing the crew and his father would throw a fit if they were informed that their travels were leading them to her.

Personally himself, Will was wondering when he would receive and invitation to her home. She mentioned it to him once a few years ago, but he never asked when the time would be. It was a little longer than he thought, but at least it was within ten years.

While he remained calm at the sudden amount of thick fog and eerie mood taking the ship, the crew began to move around on ease and whisper close together in the middle of the deck. Nope. He took in the fog and made note of the thick amount, being that he could barely see his crew in the middle of deck and not see the bow of the ship unless he focused forward, which he did. He also got the impression he was the only one who was able to see through the fog since he saw his father walk into the mast on his way up to him.

"That looked like it hurt," he noted.

"You think?" Bill asked, rubbing the center of his forehead. "Do you know where you are going?"

Will nodded and the phrase calm as a cucumber described him well. He moved his arm down to the right to turn the ship slightly. "There is a reason you couldn't send me to my quarters like a bad little boy. Being captain of this ship and the only captain of this ship, I am the only one who has the talent or knowledge of how to get here."

"And where is here? William, where are we going?" asked Bill.

"You should see it at any time," Will told him.

"Will I don't see anything. Will, I'm standing next to you and I barely see you," said Bill.

The young captain of the ship felt a hand suddenly grab his wrist. He was glad the fog increased to no visibility so his father did not witness the rolling of his eyes.

"Ah, here we are," noted Will as there was light ahead of the bow of the ship. "Welcome to the heart of the Bermuda Triangle Father."

Completely unexpectedly, the fog lifted suddenly revealing an island in the middle of the sea. There was no longer fog around them or the eerie feeling and chills. The sky was the blue of the sea and the sea shined as though it was made of every blue crystal liquefied. The island was of pearly white and bright pink sand. Of course, there were a few native tropical trees but never were they of such fullness and rich in green leaf color. All the paths were made of golden red wood and gleamed. In the center of the island was something that had the appearance of a castle plentiful with towers and layers. From the distance, the material appeared to be made of black and green marble with golden redwood bridges connecting them.

"Someone lives here," noted Bill.

Will nodded his head. "Calypso. Oh, there is the dock she was telling me about."

Bill turned his head to where Will was looking. Down the beach and between two of the towers there was indeed a dock made of the same golden redwood and lit with gold torches. He whipped his head to his son.

"Did you say Calypso lives here?" he suddenly asked.

"Yes, this is Calypso's abode," replied Will.

"William, have you not read your mythology. Calypso's abode is in Ogygia; that's the Aegean William. This is the Bermuda Triangle," Bill said.

"I know. Poseidon's abode his here. All the Gods of the seas live here. These temperatures appeal to them the most I think. I find it content. Have you ever wondered why the Bermuda Triangle is odd? This is why. They use their godly powers to keep people always from their abode," said Will.

Bill pointed out with huge eyes. "But why are we here?"

"Because Calypso told me to come here to get our things and as an invitation. She wants me to meet someone she said," replied Will.

"Do you think I could meet the Sea Gods? I'm not appropriately dressed," said Bill, looking himself over. "I know everything about the gods. I have read every book on mythology. Will, do you think I would be able to see the Trident?"

"How about you go on deck and help the crew instead of standing here giving me the history lesson I already know," Will suggested. "Or give the crew a history lesson about mythology."

"Good idea. Half of those dimwits don't even know what a god is," noted Bill.

Will sighed in relief as his father rushed on deck and grabbed the first man he saw. He had sudden pity for poor Skully. When he had that thought in mind he didn't literally mean give the crew a history lesson, but Skully could use a lesson in history now and then; he wasn't going to deny that thought.

Being captain of a ship and his crew being educated in Greek mythology, Will snuck off the ship and stood on the dock. Hearing his father's voice increase volume, he shook his head with a smirk on his face at his father's excitement. The last time he saw his father this excited was the time he held little William in his arms. Of course, his father was crying the entire time and he wondered if his father knew what his son looked like through his tears.

Sensing an approaching person, he turned around. For once in his life he was glad Elizabeth was not present, for if she was she would have given him a good, proper smack across the face.

A woman was approaching him. Her image was of rich, shining bronze skin, glossy dark brown hair flowing down her back, flawless, clean face, and rich, warm brown eyes. The dress she wore was much like a corset on the bodice sapphire cerulean blue and lacing up the front with seaweed colored. Sheer sleeves clung to her upper arms then flowed at her elbows. The skirt of the dress was of many, many layers of sheer blues and greens. A seaweed and seashell belt wrapped around her hips a few times around and the loose ends hung down her right side. Coral and shell jewelry covered her fingers, arms, ankles and layered her neck. She smiled at him and her teeth were perfect pearl white.

"Hello William."

"Hello," replied Will, feeling his face flushing red. "How do you know me?"

She smiled. "You see here I don't have to conceal who I am or what I am. Here I can be what I am which is quite nice to how you know me."

"I know you?" wondered Will.

The woman nodded her head. Her fingers lined the sides of an object around her neck. The object was of a heart shaped by crab claws and the image of a woman's face in the center. It was made of silver and held together by a black pearl chain unlike silver as before.

Will's eyes widened as he leaned forward to examine the necklace, but before he could look, she opened the locket and a very familiar melody carried through. In fact, that melody and image was on the very same music box sitting on the ledge of the organ a few meters from him.

"Calypso?" he asked.

"As I should be. A Goddess," replied Calypso.

"No wonder Jones fell for you," Will caught himself saying.

"So what I said about Jones falling in love with a woman and the sea was correct. Same story different version and all are true," noted Calypso.

"You are gorgeous," Will noted. He shook his head and slapped himself across the face. "What am I saying? I'm married and I have a son. I am very taken. I am not falling in love with the sea."

"Or are you?" Calypso asked softly as she brushed the back of her fingers across his cheek.

The warm touch on Will's face was comforting. He shut his eyes and smiled. There was something familiar and comforting about her touch. It was as familiar as a touch from a dream, but comforting nonetheless.

"May I take your hand in marriage?" Skully's voice suddenly asked from below them.

Will and Calypso looked down. Skully was on one knee in front of Calypso and looked back up at her.

Having such curiosity, Will turned his head and smiled wide. His entire crew, including his father, stood in a huddle with mouths agape and eyes wandering the Goddess. Love was in every eye color and cheeks flushed with blood. Although, he did catch Maccus and Greenbeard exchanging glances with each other at her sight.

"I have someone thank you," replied Calypso. She helped Skully to his feet.

"Are you sure you have someone because I can take you any time you want," said Skully.

"I'm sure and you are only allowed here by my invitation," replied Calypso.

"And how often will that be?" wondered Skully.

"Occasionally," said Calypso.

"Who is she?" Skully asked.

"The Goddess Calypso," replied Will.

Of all the men, Bill Turner was the one to choke on his breath and step forward shaking his head. He circled her a few times then looked at her face, studying any feature that had the appearance of Tia Dalma. "Why couldn't you show yourself to us before?"

"It is required of all gods to have a human identity to show before humans. Here we have no need to conceal ourselves," replied Calypso.

"Good, you talk normal," noted Bill. "Do you live here?" Calypso nodded. "You're supposed to live on Ogygia and—"

"Please don't go through this again," said Edward.

"We don't need another history lesson," Karibe added.

"It's good to be educated in literature," Bill told them.

"I thought you may say something about this," laughed Calypso.

"Did you have an affair with Odysseus?" wondered Bill.

"Yes," replied Calypso. "Before I met the former captain."

"Do you take a fancy to only married men?" asked Bill. "Odysseus was married. Jones was probably married. Will is married."

"No fun otherwise," replied Calypso before turning on her heels and walking across the dock.

Behind her, every man, including the married Will Turner sighed and fawned at her image. It was possible to fall in love with the sea.

Bill snapped out of it. "But why are you living here and who is here beside you?"

"I live here because the temperature is more favorable to me and I find it more comfortable near the Caribbean for having lived in the Caribbean all those years. Poseidon lives here and Zeus granted me permission to live here with my love. I needed permission because my father is Atlas and you having knowledge of mythology know the relation between the Titans and the Olympians. Zeus prefers that I have watch under an Olympian anyhow. Unfortunately he wasn't one to object to my capture in human form. He rather found it amusing because I am daughter to a Titan," said Calypso, her voice increasingly became angered as she spoke of her capture. She shook it from her head.

"Who else lives here?" wondered Bill, his voice excited.

"The rest of the Sea Gods and I've asked them to stay away while all of you are here," Calypso told him.

"How are we allowed here anyway?" Will asked, stepping forward and pushing his father back. "The Gods can only show themselves to those who are part god."

Calypso smiled and there was more to her smile than was to be revealed. "You immortal no?"

"Aye," replied Will with a nod.

"You are kept alive by a power yes?"

"Aye."

"The ship is mystical yes?"

"Aye."

"Many think of you as a god no?"

"Not denying that," Will announced proudly with smirk on his face.

Calypso set her palm across Will's chest. "You are kept alive by the sea and therefore me. All of you are. Davy Jones and his crew were allowed here."

All eyes turned to Maccus and Greenbeard who looked away from them which gave everyone confirmation.

"Come, I want you to meet someone," Calypso said as she took Will's hand and led him to the edge of the dock.

Will immediately pulled out of her grasp and stepped back, away from the sand. There were still nearly two years before he could set foot on land. Land was land.

"Will, it is all right. This is a different land. Nothing will happen including land legs. You will be fine," Calypso told him.

"Are you positive?" Will asked clearly.

"If you were not allowed to step on land I would not have invited you here," said Calypso.

Will's foot inched forward. With his boots on, he lowered his toe over the sand then tapped the grains only for a moment. Since nothing happened, he set one foot on the uneven ground then the other one. Curious, he pulled his boots from his feet and threw then behind him before standing in the sand with his stockings. Nothing happened. A smile widened across his face as he pulled his stockings from his feet and allowed his bare feet to bury themselves in the sand. The sand felt like powder to his flesh, a warm, soft powder.

"I miss this," he whispered.

"Come," Calypso softly called, holding her hand out again.

A smile on his face, Will took her hand and allowed himself to be led inside. Yep, the black and green stone was marble. Once they entered the first building the flooring shined like pearly shells and when he asked he was indeed told that the flooring was made of shells. In every room was a small stream that flowed on its own with no barriers and waterfalls flowed from the walls. The apparent bridges were actually aqueducts that kept the source of water flow. It was their only mean of transportation to and from buildings and locations. Like the crew of the Flying Dutchman the gods of the water traveled anywhere as long as there was a water source to follow.

But as Will was walking through a shiver was passing through his body. There was something odd about everything. It felt like a dream to him, like he had been there before but in a dream. When he asked Calypso only looked at him. He was taken into a large room where one wall was piled with what appeared to be personal items as if someone was moving.

"Your requests," Calypso pointed.

"I guess Alex sent everything," noted Bill.

Across the room a dog's bark echoed. Will whipped around and inhaled sharply. A golden retriever with fur as red as a sunset was sitting wagging his tail and his pink tongue hung out of his mouth. There was a loose band around his neck.

"Orion?" Will called softly.

The dog, with his tail wagging ferociously came trotting right to Will and jumped up so his front paws were on his chest.

Will knelt to his dog's level and began rubbing his head and scratching his ears. He leaned his head forward to observe the dog's collar. It was a loose fitting, comfortable black leather band. Silver thread spelled out the words Orion. His concentration was broken when he felt a rough tongue licking his face. He wrapped his arms around his dog's neck and kissed his furry head.

Like it should have been, Bill stood a short distance away watching his child play with his dog. He always meant for Will to have a dog someday too. Seeing Will with the dog he always wanted made him feel a little more content with his son's condition. It was more like he and Will were a family now. The dog was a perfect thing for him.

"Where did you find him?" Will asked rubbing his dog's back.

"On the streets of London," replied Calypso.

"You did not," Will said.

"I did so," Calypso insisted. "And your dog will be with you forever so treat him well."

"And how old is he?" wondered Will.

"Two years old and with moments of puppyhood as you wanted," said Calypso.

"Thank you," Will said raising his head as Orion was once again licking his face.

"You have no idea what this has done for him," Bill said softly as he stood close to the Goddess.

"Whistle," Calypso told him.

"Why?" Bill asked looking at her.

"Whistle," Calypso once again told him.

With a shrug and feeling like an idiot, Bill whistled. He waited a moment, expecting something to happen. He whistled again, low pitch then high and falling back to low.

"Billy. Billy."

A colorful plumage of red and yellow and green and white and blue fluttered over their heads until settling on Bill's left shoulder and a great, black beak nipped at his chin.

"Teach," whispered Bill.

"Billy, Billy."

Bill Turner rubbed the back of his fingers across Teach's great yellow belly. The macaw flapped his wings out then settled into the touch. Long years had passed since Bill was reunited with Teach. The last time he saw his bird he was fifteen. Teach had to have been around forty years old by now. He was impressed he still took to him and remembered him. Well, then again, he taught teach to say "Billy" when he whistled like that.

"So this is the great Teach," assumed Will.

"Aye," replied Bill before planting a kiss on Teach's beak. "I can't believe he still takes to me."

"Your cousin Tavish was keeping eye on him and trained him well. He said he deserved to be your Teachy again," said Calypso.

"Aye, Aye," replied Teach at his name.

Bill laughed and cuddled his Teach close to him.

"Both of them have been given a drink from the Water of Life and can go wherever you go," said Calypso.

"Perfect. On top of all of this, we have to worry about a dog and a bird," noted Edward, all the least enthused about that.

Teach began bobbing up and down on Bill's shoulder and sang. "Yo, ho. Yo, ho. A pirate's life for me!" He whistled. "Dead men tell no tales. Captain Jack Sparrow. Gabriel! Good morning. Sleepy time." He whistled happily to himself and bobbed. "Yo, ho. Yo, ho. A pirate's life for me. Blackbeard. Handsome lad. Handsome Teach." Bill whistled. "Billy. Billy."

"Oh my god the bird talks," Edward whined. "Captain, do we have to put up with this?"

"Captain Jack Sparrow! Captain Jack Sparrow!"

"I think I'll like him better when he associates the word Captain with Captain Will Turner," noted Will.

"Captain Jack Sparrow! Captain Jack Sparrow!"

Bill laughed aloud. "Good Teach."

"Handsome lad. Handsome Teach."

Teach took flight from Bill's shoulder and settled himself on the shell flooring. He eased his way to Orion who was laying down calmly. He tilted his head to the side then inched forward more.

Orion lifted his head and barked.

Startled, Teach squawked and lifted his great wings, flapping them back and forth.

Immediately, Orion scramble to his feet, which was easier said than done considering the flooring was marble and hid himself behind Will's legs.

"I'd be afraid of him to Orion," noted Will.

"Oh be nice," said Bill, collecting his bird and letting him crawl up his arm to settle on his shoulder. "He's a gentleman. That's right Teach. Aren't you?"

"Father, you're talking to your bird the way Barbossa talks to his monkey," Will pointed out.

"Walk the plank," Teach squawked.

Bill's eyes lit with more excitement than they did when he arrived. He looked at his bird. A certain word he hoped caused Teach to say that phrase. "Barbossa."

"Barbossa, walk the plank. Walk the plank. Captain Jack Sparrow. Walk the plank. Dead men tell no tales. Billy."

"Barbossa," Bill said again.

"Barbossa, walk the plank," Teach said casually.

"I think I like your bird," Will said with a nod.

Bill nodded rapidly. He kissed his Teach's beak again.

"Will, come with me. I want you to meet someone," said Calypso.

As he stepped forward, Will patted his leg while looking at Orion. He called for his dog to follow. Clearly, the dog was not trained yet so he continued to call until Orion did follow. Will gave him affection and then followed Calypso down another passage. She opened a door and motioned him to follow. Once he walked inside she nodded reassuringly then shut the door.

Will gave a shrug of his shoulders and turned. He watched Orion trot to an elder man who was reading in a comfortable chair. Grey hair braided behind his head, neatly trimmed beard on his tanned face, and storm blue eyes turning to Orion. His wine colored coat and rich earthen color clothes was reminiscent of the Golden Age of piracy.

"Are you the person Calypso wanted me to meet?" he asked softly not to disturb him.

"I am," said the man as he stood.

Instinctively, Will took a step back. He didn't mean to but something caused him to do so. There was a scar across the man's chest familiar to one he saw every day of his life.

"The name is Dareios. It is Ancient Greek as am I. Recently however, since Calypso's long overdue return, I realized it is time for a name change because I've found that I am going to be more useful out of this world than in it or in it than out. You can call me David. It is as close as I got to Dareios."

Will said nothing. His eyes narrowed then finally turned to the man's face.

David nodded. He motioned forward. "We have a lot to discuss William Turner."

Will looked at him hesitantly then followed.

---

Will and David finished their talk near sundown and were walking back into the main room where the crew was still. They did make note that all four walls were now just walls and one of them not piled with what was anything but junk. It was obvious the crew had taken all their possessions to the ship and was lounging about basking in the sunlight.

"Barbossa."

"Walk the plank."

"He's still going at it with that bird," Will mumbled.

"It could be worse," said David.

"How?" asked Will.

"He could be talking to you like that," noted David. Will looked at him until David looked at him. David shrugged his shoulders. "He could."

"If he did I would cut out his tongue," Will told him.

"Agreed Master Turner," said David.

"Are you done over there?" Will called to his father.

Either Bill heard him and was ignoring him or he was unaware of anything but Teach. Despite the fact that he was not aware of anything but Teach, Will thought his father was ignoring him. Like any good child who was being neglected by his parent, Will walked over to his father and threw his arms around his neck, startling his father so that Teach screamed when Bill cried out.

"Do you remember me?" he asked.

"What was that for?" wondered Bill.

"Because I feel a feathered frenzy has replaced me in the object I don't have in me," replied Will.

Bill reached his free arm around his head to pull his son closer. He moved his head aside to look at Will. "Never."

Teach, curious to see who his owner was interacting with, stepped across the floor then fluttered onto Will's shoulder.

"Hello Teach. I suppose you could say you and I are brothers," said Will.

"Handsome lad. Handsome Teach."

Will's smiled grew as the macaw nipped at his ear then bobbed his head up and down and was forced to give attention to Orion when his dog sensed there was something else that was receiving the affection he should have been.

"Oh, don't look at me like that. You're still my dog," he said, patting Orion on the head. He turned his attention back to his father. "Did you assist the little moving party or did you sit in here and talk to your bird?"

"I'm not answering that," replied Bill.

"You sat in here and talked with your bird," Will replied for him.

"Can you blame me?" wondered Bill.

Will shook his head and rested his jaw on his father's shoulder after he sat beside him. He kept on arm loosely around his father's shoulders and let the other rub his dog's head. Bill slipped his arm around his son's lower back to pull him closer. He leaned his cheek until it was resting against Will's head.

A picture perfect family portrait that would have made. A father and son calmly relaxing with their pets. It was a most wonderful scene.

"Is that him?" a failed whispered voice questioned from a hall.

The man was clearly another god because he was clad in the usual blues and greens of the sea and his body muscle was perfect not to mention his bright blue eyes and the assortment of shells and beads.

"One day. One day," said Calypso. "I request that you stay away for one day."

"A certain Zeus reminded me to check in with you when you had company. He isn't sure what you will do with him."

"I can do nothing since he is the captain and they are his crew. He is the one that determines what happens to him," Calypso said.

"Poseidon?" Will asked.

"At your service Captain Turner."

"I would be careful what you say because I happen to take that phrase to your heart," said Will.

The Sea God stepped forward from the corner. He looked on Will with narrow eyes and a proud smile.

Will looked at him then turned away as a shiver passed through him. He was being looked at as though the God knew him from somewhere. It most likely was not that difficult to keep an eye on him for the Sea Gods. He was on the sea at all times. Even so, the feeling was odd.

Noticing as well, Calypso walked over to him and began pushing him from the room. "Go away. You're done here."

"Don't you be pushing me around. Just remember who allowed you to live here with me and not endure your father's fate," reminded Poseidon.

"Out, out, out!" Calypso demanded.

"I'm going, I'm going. You just remember that you have until sunset," said Poseidon.

"I have as long as I would like and stop telling me what to do," Calypso told him.

"You've gotten worse since you were last a Goddess. You behave more like a female human and with the emotions still attached," noted Poseidon. He chuckled. "Then again, that's what you get when you fall in love with a human. All right, I'm gone."

He left only on the account that Calypso's glare was possibly the most frightening sight he had yet witnessed.

"No, wait!" Bill called, pushing Will aside and bounding out the room, but not before collecting Teach.

"Some father he is," noted Will from the shell floor, as he had fallen over when his father pushed him. "But better than me I suppose since I am never there."

"Do you want to be there?" asked Calypso. "I can allow you to see them."

Will pushed his elbows on the floor to raise himself to a sitting position. "My family?"

The young captain was standing alone in the room Calypso led him to. He was alone. Around him, the walls were of black rock and waterfalls in front of them. The waterfalls flowed by means of small cracks to a pool in the center of the room. The water from the pool was lying completely flat and motionless.

Not sure how he was supposed to do this, he stepped forward and sat on his knees. He poked the water. Not even ripples flowed from his finger. The water was shiny, like a mirror and his reflection looked back at him with confusion and frustration. He had every intention of turning away and making the note that Calypso was no help at all, but a shiver passed through him as he heard the small, faded laughter of a child and something told him to look closer.

The water was showing the image of a child with light brown hair playing along a coastline with gentle waves lapping against his knees. The trimming of his breeches were soaking wet as well as the cuffs of his tunic that was rolled to his elbow. His tunic was much like a tunic of the Golden Age pirates, very flowing and tying at the chest. Around his head was a faded, blue bandana. His nose was freckled lightly and his warm brown eyes looked out to the sea. Below him, his wooden ship was bobbing up and down. He giggled and laughed.

"William!"

Will felt himself collapse onto the rock floor, leaning over the water as far as possible. That voice. It was her voice.

"I'm right here Mum!"

Elizabeth came into the image. Her hair was loosely braided behind her head. She was wearing a pale blue, flowing dress. The bodice was tight around her completely thin stomach and tied in the back. He had long forgotten how thin she was since he last saw her with her round belly. Age was kind to her. She looked as young as she did eight years ago. The look of a mother was the only wear on her. With part of the skirt bunched in the palm of her hand, she knelt beside the child and gave a kiss on his head.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Playing with my ship," replied William. "It floats. Uncle Jack said it would float."

"Uncle Jack?" Will whispered to himself. He smiled. "So Jack was there."

Looking harder at the ship, he found the image to increase upon the wooden vessel and understood the watery mirror. The harder he focused on an image the clearly it appeared. It was proven to him that Jack Sparrow did stop there because his son was playing with the ship he carved.

His mind suddenly focused on little William. The boy was looking out to sea with a soft smile on his face. A loose piece of hair blew across his face. His nose wrinkled and eyes narrowed as he tucked beneath the blue bandana. Those eyes were his father's. Unmistakably, the child's eyes belonged to his father. The freckles on his face were his mother's.

Will remembered when he was a child and often made fun of Elizabeth because of her freckled nose. She hated it and would always throw grass or sand at him.

Elizabeth also looked out to sea. She sighed heavily and caressed her son's head. "He'll be here someday."

"I know, but it's taking forever," William told him looking at her. He pulled his ship from the water and cradled it with both hands. "Uncle Jack said it was about two years until he came. Is—"

"William, I've told you a hundred times. In about two years," said Elizabeth, a firm but kind tone in her voice.

"I know," said William with a shrug. He simply allowed his legs to give and plopped in the water. His little elbows were firmly planted on his knees and he began pouting. "Why does Daddy have to be gone for so long?"

"He just does," replied Elizabeth.

"I wish Uncle Jack was my Daddy," William said.

"You only wish that because he's Jack Sparrow," Elizabeth said.

"Captain Jack Sparrow," William reminded. "And yes, that's why."

"But what about your father? He is Liam," said Elizabeth.

"But Captain Jack Sparrow is more no-toroius and wanted dead for being a pirate. I think it would be more exciting to have a pirate for a father and Captain Jack Sparrow is more of a pirate than Daddy ever was. Well, but Daddy did work for the Navy while working for the pirates so he did betray all of you and that is treason which can be piracy. He did fight in the last great battle, but one really knows about that because the Navy lost," said William. He dramatically threw his arms in the air. "But he's just not as good of a pirate as Captain Jack Sparrow."

Will slumped. He knew he should have done more acts of piracy to live up to Jack, but decided not to. What was he thinking? Oh well. Now, even Jack thought he was a better man and being a better man was better than being a pirate.

"Mum, do you think he'll like me?" William asked.

"Of course he will," said Elizabeth. "Your Daddy loved you when he met you the first time before he had to go away. He didn't want to leave you. All he wanted to do was hold you and cuddle with you. He loves you so much."

"But why is he not here? If Daddy loved me then he would be here," William told her. "Why is his duty more important than me?"

Hearing this come from his son's mouth, Will sighed wondering the same question. He reached his fingers across the water and brushed the tips along what should have been his son's cheek. The image of his son turned and appeared to be looking at Will longingly. He felt like he was right there in front of his son, comforting him and not a world away looking through water.

"It's not more important than you William. It's because of it that you know I exist," whispered Will, hoping that his son was somehow able to hear him that world away.

"Come on you. It's time for you to get cleaned up and ready for bed," said Elizabeth.

Will wanted the image to go away. His son wanted him more than anything in the world and he wanted his son more than anything in any world. He wasn't expecting that scene. He was expecting happy go lucky little boy who loved his life. That was always what he wanted for his son. He always wanted his children to be happy and without a care in the world. He wanted his children to tell him that their lives were perfect and they loved every day of it.

There was a problem though. Will only had one child and he was not a father to his son. He should have expected something like this. His son did not have his father and knew he was out there somewhere sailing and not with him. Thinking back to it, he was just like his son was when he was eight. There were days he thought his own father did not care for him because he was somewhere else and not there.

How ironic it was that Will knew both sides of life as an only child and father away from his son. He would have done anything to get to his father when he was a child and now he would do anything to get to his son. The thought did occur to him that William was much like himself and it frightened him to think what William would do when he discovered where his father was. Clearly the child knew the stories of the Flying Dutchman and everything he and Elizabeth went to. He was eight years old after all and quite capable of keeping secrets. When William did find out about the biggest secret of all would he believe it or have to try it for himself? All it would take to be with his father was a simple mortal wound.

After that mortal, fatal wound and joining the crew came one thought to Will's mind. Would his son regret joining? He feared William would injure himself to be with his father only to discover that being with his father was the only positive association with being part of the crew. Both Will and his father admitted to the other that sometimes he wished that they were living in the world as they should be instead of with each other. He loved William and wanted to be with him, but how would he make his son understand that being part of the crew is a choice that would require such careful thought.

If William had thought about it for years and years and years and decided that it was his dying wish to be with his father then he would allow his son to be with him. William would have to come up with more than one good reason why he would sacrifice his soul and life to serve aboard the ship. Being with his father was not a good enough reason. A father agreed to that thought and someone who was both a father and a son agreed to that thought more heavily than his father did.

Elizabeth had more reason to join the crew than their son did, but even she knew that Will wouldn't agree until it was her time. She understood the meaning of living her life, for Will could not. He feared William would up and hurt himself just to be with his father without understanding what it meant to be part of the crew. The thought of Elizabeth being part of the crew was unbearable enough, but his son—he never wanted to see William aboard the ship.

Ever.

So, after spending the day and some of the night as honored guests to the Sea Gods' humble abode, it was time for the Flying Dutchman to take her leave. Will had been sitting in the sand by himself and with his thoughts and Orion being the only thing that kept him company. Since his small peek into his son's life, he was much quieter and thoughtful. Everyone noticed, including his father who did have quite a conversation with the rest of the Sea Gods.

Will was glad to be on his own ship again and in the world where he belonged. He was sitting in his organ chamber curled in his armchair. His and his father's chairs were the only clear space in that room. The rest of the room was piled with everything that belonged to them from London. He was hardly aware of it. He was only aware of his dog sleeping in his lap and the image of his son's sad, longing eyes. Everywhere he turned, he saw those eyes and felt more miserable. That was just the problem. Feeling miserable and guilty meant he felt and he knew those emotions had to be in high supply if he was to feel them.

Was that what he looked like every day? Were those the eyes that his father constantly saw? If so, he understood his father a little better since it would be the reason his father was always just content and only happy when he was smiling.

"All right, William Turner, what is it?"

Will lifted his head from his hand. "Hm?"

"Ever since I ran away to find the Gods you've been mopping around and keeping to yourself. What is it?" wondered Bill Turner with folded arms and a raised eyebrow.

"If I tell you you'll just feel as miserable as I do," Will told him.

"I'm already feeling miserable. Captain's influence upon the crew. I'm the first one to get it so stop feeling like this," Bill said. He rolled his eyes and head then knelt in front of his son. "Look at me. Will, look at me," he whispered softly and only in a way a father could. Will turned his head to his father. "Oh, Little One, you're crying."

"He thinks I don't care about him," Will said as his father wiped away the tears on his face.

"Who?" wondered Bill.

"William," replied Will.

Not understanding, but knowing something was severely disturbing his son so as to cause him to cry, Bill set an arm under Will's knees and around his back to pick him up and set him in his lap after he sat in his son's chair. He pulled his son tightly against him so Will would have no choice but to curl in him. "Now, talk to me."

"There is a glass that allows you to see anything as long as there is water nearby. I saw my son playing on the beach with Elizabeth. He thinks I don't love him because I'm not there with him. He thinks this duty is more important than he is which it isn't. I know how he feels. I know exactly how he feels and that's why I'm like this. And I want to be with him but I don't want him to hurt himself just so he can join the crew and be with me," explained Will.

"First of all, I know Elizabeth has not told him about the chest or how to be with you. Don't interrupt me because I know. I am a parent. I would wait to explain that until both mother and father are there. Telling your son about the chest and this ship will be simpler to understand when you are there. Second, he's seven years old. I don't think you have to worry about a seven year old joining the crew anytime soon. You're just upset because you are stuck here and he's not and you love him. Even heartless people are capable of love. In fact, the ones without a heart are most capable of love because without love there is no happiness and I do see a smile on your face now and then," said Bill. He touched the corner of a small smile forming on Will's lips. "Like now for example. You just love your son and that is why you are feeling like this. Feelings are powerful and for you to shed tears over your son proves my theory that someone without a heart is the most capable of loving."

Will wrapped his arms around his father's neck. "I love you."

"I know you do," replied Bill, rubbing his back then pressing his lips against his head. "You'll see, in two years your son will understand and he will love you."

"I'm afraid he'll want to be with me," said Will.

"If he wants to be with us then it is his decision. You cannot decide the fate of a soul. You simply take care of the soul," said Bill.

Nodding, Will lowered his head.

"Shiver me timbers. Aye, aye. Walk the plank. Handsome Teach. Handsome Teach."

"Well, someone's enjoying himself," noted Will, looking into the rafters as Teach flew between them.

"Yeah, but we all this to organize and look through," noted Bill. He rubbed his son's arm. "Best get started organizing and making this ship more like home."

Through the mess, the father and son decided to separate everything into two piles being their own belongings respectively. Going through it, both realized just how much of a child Will was when he ran away from home. Every one of his possessions was for a child rather than a father and grown adult. He didn't mind in the least bit however. His toys were going to go to good cause and that was his son. The rest of his childhood treasures were staying on the ship.

To his delight, there were piles upon piles of sheet music, both with notes upon them and plain for composing. Four guitars still in their crates were presented forth as well. There was a crate filled with chocolates and another with candies. Although Bill tried reaching for one, he was unsuccessful as Will literally jumped at his throat and ate it before him. When he pulled his father's old Navy coat from the pile the expression upon his father's face caused him to roll on the floor and laugh and he found breathing was a task impossible when his father put it on and realized what an idiot he was for wearing it as often as he did.

Alexander must have caused a crisis in London, for it seemed as though the entire apothecary was bought out and shipped to them as well as every medical book and instrument on the shelf. One of the books was written by Alexander and another was the first book he ever bought.

Bill Turner was delighted when he discovered a crate of boxes of teas and immediately brewed boiling water to drink his tea while organizing. He nearly died when he found the crate of wines and rums that were the most finest alcohol in London and the world for that matter.

Both of the stopped what they were doing when a pink blanket was pulled from a crate. Will only stopped going through his assortments when he heard his father softly sobbing. Bill had found the blanket his daughter was wrapped in for her unbearably short life and wrapped in the blanket were lilies freshly picked from the garden. The reality of how short he was a father in life sunk in and consumed his heart to sadness and regret.

Of course, Will brightened his day by pulling out a few nightgowns that caused him to raise an eyebrow and blush completely red. These nightgowns were definitely worn by his mother before he was born. He wouldn't exactly call them nigh gowns and more or less thought of it as colored pieces of silk kept together by string and lace. One in particular was white lace and string and tailored to only his mother's body. He didn't want to think of his mother wearing that, but, when Bill mentioned the reason he wanted it, Will's face went even more red. Apparently, these nightgowns were going to be shipped to Elizabeth for a certain one night.

The two arranged the room into a lovely assortment. Personal belongings were set in their respective quarters and everything else was arranged around the organ chamber. They decided to cut the room in half. Will's half was the right side since his quarters were on the right and Bill's side was on the left, his quarters on the left half of the ship respectively. Their chairs were moved to their sides. Until bookshelves were created, Bill kept his stacks of books that lined the wall and stood higher than him to his side. Will on the other hand, stacked his piles of wooden blocks that were easily obtained since his Uncle Gabriel was in a carpentry business.

All the edible items were kept in the crates and more or less fair game to either of them. The maps and charts that were sent over were kept on a table. The flowers picked from the garden were arranged on the table that they decided to keep in the center of the chamber. Delightful to the two of them indeed, a few of the Persian rugs were thrown into the pile and so they finally had something to make the floor much comfortable for their bare feet.

When all was said and done, the room looked like a parlor and reminded them very much like their home. It was closed in and smelled of wood and leather. They wouldn't yet know it, but they would be known for their scent of wood, leather, the sea, and vanilla to all men who came to meet their acquaintance. Orion also had a pillow and Teach had a lovely assortment of branches crawling up a wall so he didn't get attached to climbing up the organ anymore than he already had.

They were sitting in their place of home when a knock at the door disrupted them. Edward and Maccus walked in with a large, flat, covered object and Greenbeard behind them with another concealed object. They set the items on the floor then took a look around.

"It is suitable for two noble Lords," noted Maccus.

"That's because we are noble lords," said Bill, sipping his tea in his chair.

"You can definitely see the difference between which side belongs to who," said Edward.

"I think even Davy Jones would be a little jealous of you two right now," admitted Maccus.

"You are in here why?" wondered Bill.

"Delivering something else," Edward said, pointing to the two flat objects.

A rushed Skully ran into the room. He completely forgot why he was in there as he was suddenly taken by the new improvements made. He spun in a circle and Will hollering at him to state his business brought him back to reality. "Oh, right. These just arrived. This is your pile and this is your pile."

"How come your pile is taller than mine?" wondered Will.

"That's because these are letters and there is more explaining that needs to be done to me rather than you," replied Bill, stepping to the table with tea in hand yet.

"Well, we'll be off now to let you two be," Edward said, pushing the other three out the door and shutting the door.

Will looked at the covered, flat items. One appeared to be the size of his torso and the other gave his height a run for his money. Curious, he unwrapped the smaller object and breathed so sharply that he softly cried out.

"The painting," he whispered.

From his childhood days, there was one place he loved to dwell. Inside the manor was a room filled with paintings that told the story of the Seastones and the family of that generation. He spent long hours in that room not looking at the paintings, but a one certain painting in particular. This painting was of a family of three, a mother, a father, and a son. The mother was a beautiful woman with perfect, golden curls flowing down her back and one across her chest, and her eyes looking to her husband and son. Her dress was a light pink and cream, causing her natural peach skin color to have more warmth. The dress was simple and flowing, a comfortable corset to keep her shape thin, elbow length sleeves that flowed, single layered skirt, and a compass necklace around her neck. The father stood beside his seated wife. His clothes were proper and traditional to himself, black boots, brown breeches with gold buttons, taupe jerkin, cream tunic, gold buckled belt, and a dark blue coat trimmed with silver buttons. His dark brown hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail behind his head. His sea blue eyes were looking at an object in his arms. The son, of just three years old was looking back at his father who was holding him. His bouncy, dark brown curls were loose across his shoulders and he wore simply trousers and a tunic. One arm was around his father's neck. All six pairs of eyes were glowing and the soft smiles were shining. They were in front of a well known place: the tree in the mother's garden.

Will touched the canvas of his three year old self and his mother and father. "I dreamed this would be us one day. I would spend hours sitting in the portrait gallery only to look upon this. Grandfather simply placed it in my room, because he said it belonged to me."

"I remember that day," said Bill. "I remember so clearly yet. Richard wanted this to be a proper painting and had planned it so. The morning of, he found us in her garden just like this. She was sitting on the swing and I was standing next to her holding you and you and I were laughing. He told us to put on normal clothes and said there was a change of plan. This was formal for us. You always looked at me when I was home and I you as if to memorize each other and Lottie loved seeing the two of us together. This is how it should have been."

Something suddenly came over Will, he crawled to the larger object and pulled the cloth away. Just the same, it was another portrait, but this one brought tears to his eyes.

Centered in the portrait was the one and only Richard Seastone. Even though his hair was white and face wrinkled, he maintained his youth in his bright brown eyes. He wore the normal attire of the head of a noble family: gold buckled shoes, white stockings, breeches, jerkin, tunic, and fine coat.

To his left, stood his son, Alexander. He wore his usual attire of his boots, breeches tunic, and violet coat. In front of him and in his palms' grasp was Thomas, who looked exactly like him in every manner. The child was barefoot and dressed as simply as his father.

Beside Alexander was the woman that was his life, his fiery wife Colleen. Colleen's hair was an unnaturally bright red and her emerald eyes were just as unnatural. The red dress she was wearing did not cease the red. The story was a love story that would always be remembered. Alexander found her on the streets in the poorest area of London and, after a few years, married her. A Lord marrying the most common girl and a possible witch was unheard of, but no one could deny the love they had for each other. In front of Colleen and holding her mother's hand was Felicity. She too looked like her father, but had her mother's red hair.

Standing next to Colleen was Christian O'Neal, Alexander's first mate and best friend. He was the simplest of them all clad only in boots, breeches, and a tunic. His hazel eyes were keeping an eye on Alexander, like they always were. Not long ago, Richard adopted the man into the family to be Alexander's older brother.

Josephine, another common girl from the streets, was lucky enough to have been taken by Christian. Her blonde hair was braided and blue eyes looked at him lovingly. She was unable to produce children herself, but the happy couple was perfect just the two of them. Besides, Thomas and Felicity and Joceline loved them and thought of them as second parents.

To the right of Richard, was figure long from their past. Gabriel Turner stood with his arms gently folded across his chest and looking to his son. His blonde hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail. He wore boots, breeches, a tunic, and green coat. His eyes were more vibrantly green than Colleens. Anyone who looked upon them was reminded of the emerald hills of Ireland.

His son Dirk was looking back at him with a smirk on his face. The unusually orange hair from his Scottish roots was kept short and looking closely, they could see the freckles that dotted his nose. He was the shortest of them all, standing at his father's nose level which would have been Will's mouth. The young man was seriously affected by illness at a young age and his growth was affected as well. He was also the smallest of the adult males, but could have been the happiest.

His daughter Joceline was in his arms. She had his orange hair and couldn't have been more than four years old. Her little arms were around her father's neck and she was wearing a light blue dress. Marie, Dirk's treasured wife and another fairy tale come true, stood beside Dirk and her hand in his. Her hair was much darker and nearly black, but her eyes were a hazel. She was every essence of the words French Lord's daughter. She herself was wearing a simple red and white dress.

In front of them all were three dogs, two great, black Newfoundlands. Hercules belonged to Richard and Henry belonged to Alexander. Henry differed from the other kind of his breed by the great white spot on his chest. The other dog was a Great Dane who lived up to his name of George, and sat as proud as the King himself would have. Only Dirk would have been so bold to name his dog after the king.

This family stood in front of the same tree the former portrait had and the garden was also painted in the background. There were only three people missing from this portrait, but when the portraits were set side by side, the family was complete and whole and that must have been the idea since the height of both were the same and no framework was added to them.

William Turner and his son Will Turner sat beside each other unable to turn from the paintings. This was their family. For the first time, they saw what their family would have looked like, and it would have been a good family. The father couldn't help but think to himself how wonderful the family was. Broken or not, they were a good family.