Bedtime Story: Tell Us a Story

by TurtleHeart

A tale Will tells to the family: his destiny never occured, Jack had amnesia, Elizabeth was in a coma, and he returned home to what he ran away from. What he learns about Jack and his own past... Part One completed.

5. V

When Jack felt eyes looking at him, he turned his head from Will.

"He will live Jack," said Alexander. "You saved his life Jack. Had you not been giving him medicines and looking after him, the infection wouldn't have been light enough to heal. Once his fever breaks, I'll be more relived. I hate burning infections when the course of the infection has already caused the body to burn." His sad eyes turned to Will and a hand peeled the wet hair from his forehead. "I haven't seen him since he was fifteen and that was only a moment. We haven't been together for fourteen years. I have to save his life to simply be with him. I haven't been with him for an hour and I've given him more pain than he'll feel in his life."

"But you saved his life," reminded Jack.

"I… I know," said Alexander. "I just wish I didn't have to see him like this. I hate seeing my family in pain."

"He'll be fine," said Jack. "You said it yourself."

"You're right," Alexander said to himself. He nodded. "My nephew will be fine."

"WHERE IS HE?"

Both Alexander and Jack jumped from their chairs and felt their hearts skip a few beats.

Soon, thundering feet came crashing through the cabin and the door flung open. A man stood in the doorframe as horror appeared on his face while color left. Of course, being the father he was, Bill Turner rushed to his son's side.

"Will!" he helplessly cried, nearly jumping on the bed beside his son. He took his son's face in both of his palms. "Will, wake up. Will talk to me. Say something Will. Little one, please say something. Will!"

"He's not going to wake," Jack told him.

Horror struck Bill's eyes as they widened. He pressed his ear against Will's chest.

Alexander cried out and pulled his head back by pulling his hair. "Don't touch!"

"Who do you…" began Bill then looked at Alexander. His jaw dropped and eyes widened.

"You always act before you think Bill. It's been nineteen years and you haven't changed one bit," said Alexander as he brought clean, cool rags onto Will's chest. "I gave him medication to keep him unconscious while I burned his chest. He will be fine once the fever and burn cool. Don't worry about him. I'm here."

Not one word Alexander said was retained in Bill's mind. He continued staring at Alexander for the longest time. "Alex," he finally whispered.

"Hello big brother," said Alexander.

A smile widened across Bill's face as he wrapped his arms around his little brother's body.

Missing his arms around him when he was frightened or needed someone, Alexander smiled as he shut his eyes. This was exactly what he needed right now. Ever since Bill left nineteen years ago, he craved his older brother's protective arms around him, holding him tight.

"I missed you so much," he whispered so only his brother heard.

"I've missed all of you," said Bill. "But not as much as I've missed Will."

Taking that as an opportunity to let his arms from his brother, Alexander sat in the chair.

Bill sat beside Will's torso on the cot. He looked at Will. "There is so much death in him. I thought I was going to lose him ten minutes ago. I felt it a world away. It hurt."

"You can feel someone dying a world away?" wondered Alexander.

"Apparently," said Bill.

"How did you know it was Will then?" wondered Alexander.

"I don't know how to describe it. I was in pain, and was being called here. It is an indescribable feeling Alex. Somehow, I knew it was Will," said Bill.

"Alexander Seastone," said Edward Teague as he walked in the room slowly. "You look wonderful since I last saw you."

"Ten years is a long time Eddy," said Alexander.

"You have no idea," said Teague.

"I may be paranoid because he is my nephew," began Alexander. "Can you look over my work?"

Teague nodded. He turned to Will and saw someone sitting beside him. All else was lost but his son's eyes looking oddly back at him as if Jack had never seen him before.

"Jackie, you're all right," he said, relieved.

"Jackie?" snapped Jack. "You know me. I'm not all right. I'm anything but all right."

He stood up with such a force that caused his chair to move backward. Shaking his head, he walked from the room with a cold glare at Teague when he passed him.

Teague stood in the center of the room, heartbreak ironically on his face. "I thought something would have changed between us, but I suppose some things cannot change."

As he said he would, he took a look over Will.

"Well?" wondered Bill.

"Whoever cut him, cut him deep. Infection was inevitable. This wound is not going to heal painlessly, nor easily," said Teague. He touched Will's face. "But he will heal in time."

"How much time?" Bill asked with a voice to match his ghastly face.

"Weeks? A month? It depends how well the sea treats him," said Teague.

Bill's head bowed low to his chest as he exhaled deeply. Sad eyes looked upon his son as he took one of Will's hands between both of his.

"William, as Captain of the Flying Dutchman, I give you temporary leave of the ship. Take as long as you want knowing the time will be returned later," said Teague.

"Thank you Eddy," whispered Bill.

"I'm not going to let you lose your son too," said Teague before walking from the room.

Bill pressed his lips against his son's burning forehead. He let his forehead rest against Will's for several minutes before returning the cool rag on the skin. "I'm here Will. Daddy is going to be with you until you aren't in pain." He kissed his son's face again. "I promise."

"Where have you been all these years?" wondered Alexander softly. "You would have been such a father."

"You know where I've been Alex," said Bill. "And you know why I couldn't come back."

"I do know, but you should have been home with us," said Alexander. "Everything would have been fine fourteen years ago if you would have just come back with my sister."

"Alex," said Bill, the tone in his voice clearly reflecting what words were to follow. "I told you last time, there was nothing I could have done or no way of knowing until after it happened. Stop with the "what if's". All it does is destroy a man and cause him to lose his mind. Believe me, I know. You can hate me all you want and you deserve to hate me for killing your sister."

"Half killed her," said Alexander. "It takes two to make a child." He smiled to himself. "But she was happier in those nine months than she had been in the past six years. I would watch her die all over again to have her back for nine months."

Bill shook his head, not about to begin this with him. "How long have you been here?"

"An hour?" Alexander said with a shrug. "I didn't have much time to think before I was burning Will's chest to save his life. Lottie did say he would turn out like you in the end. She wasn't lying at all."

"And what is that supposed to mean Alex?" said Bill, lightly smacking Alexander's arm.

"Trouble always finds you in the most unfortunate of circumstances," answered Alexander.

A knock came upon the doorframe, as Jack appeared. "Can I?"

"Of course," said Alexander.

Nodding his appreciation, Jack walked forward. He continued to sit in his chair beside Will.

"How are you doing?" wondered Bill quietly.

"Wishing the world didn't know me," admitted Jack.

"I know how you feel," said Bill.

Jack laughed sarcastically as he shook his head. "No, you don't."

"I do," Bill told him. "I had amnesia when I was eight. I lost my memory too Jack. Like you, I wished I could hide from the world. I never remembered what happened before. My mother died before I was eight. I've never remembered her face. And I'm not going to let this happen to you too. I'm going to help you remember as much as I can while I'm here looking after my son."

"Oh, I thought you were Will's father," said Jack. "I told Will I remember your laughter and eyes."

"That's good to know," said Bill, not quite sure what to make of that.

"I'm missing something," said Alexander.

"You don't know?" asked Bill.

"Apparently not," said Alexander.

"I have amnesia," replied Jack causally. "I don't remember anything that Will hasn't taught me. I am proud to say I know how to read, but not write yet."

Immediately, Alexander scurried to Jack's side. He moved the dreadlocks out of his way to examine Jack's head. A few times when pressure was applied at specific places and the right amount, Jack flinched or cried out.

"Well, you definitely cracked your skull," noted Alexander. "Has your head bothered you terribly?"

"It never stops hurting. I always feel a pulsing right there, sometimes worse than before, but nothing I can't manage. Quite truthfully, I'm getting used to the pain," said Jack.

"That isn't good," Alexander told him softly.

"Bad?" wondered Jack.

"Yes, but I can't do anything on the ship. We have to wait until we reach London," said Alexander.

"Okay," replied Jack. He turned away then looked at Alexander. "You two are the only ones who haven't said anything odd about me."

"I am a physician Jack. Amnesia is simple to contend with," said Alexander.

"And I've had amnesia. I know what not to say and do," said Bill.

"Will treats me normally too. Everyone else avoids me," added Jack.

"They just don't know what to say," said Bill.

Jack nodded. "Do you know anything about me that Will doesn't?"

"I've been friends with you for many, many years Jack. We once thought of each other as brothers," said Bill.

"Finally!" Jack cried as he threw his hands in the air. "Someone who knows something about me."

Bill pulled up a chair from the cabin to sit beside his son, continued to dampen the rags across Will's body to keep him cool, and turned to Jack. "Jack Sparrow, any questions I can answer."

The smile lit on Jack's face. He scoot to the end of the chair and began asking anything and everything that was on his mind.

Hours past with Jack's questions and Bill's answering. Jack must have not understood the concept of Bill knowing nearly everything about him because his questions were upon Bill himself and Will.

Although Bill did not understand why Jack's questions focused on the people they were, he continued to answer them until Alexander smacked him in the arm.

With a smile on his face, Bill Turner watched as his son's eyes opened slowly.

Such an expression of pain and discomfort passed across Will's face. He moved uncomfortably as he squeezed his eyes shut again. His breathing stopped momentarily.

"You need to breathe Will," Alexander told him.

That voice returning his mind to his body, Will opened his eyes and gazed between his father and uncle several times over. "I'm still delirious," he told himself.

"No, little one, you're recovering slowly," said Bill, palming his son's face.

"I tend to agree with him William," said Alexander as he spooned powders into a cup of water.

Will noticed Jack was sitting beside the foot of the bed staring at him apologetically and guilt written on his face. "You did what you had to Jack."

"I should have told them," said Jack.

"Probably," agreed Will.

"Don't fight this Will. You need it," said Alexander, returning to his nephew with the drink in his hand.

Knowing exactly what that was, Will allowed himself to completely fall into the cot while groaning. He reached up to grab his uncle's hand, however Alexander pushed him down. "It's just a burn Alex. I was a blacksmith. I've burned myself before. I'll be fine."

"Little one," Bill's voice softly pleaded.

Will turned his head to his father who did look down on him pleadingly. "But I want to be with you."

"You are right now," said Bill.

"Fine," said Will. He said his words again expressing his thoughts. "I want to be with you awake."

"But I won't have you in pain William," Bill told him as he now held the cup in his hand. "You don't have to be strong to me Will. You're my son and I your father. You are meant to tell me your pain so I can be the one that heals it."

The fight worthless to win, Will's head slowly nodded. Although not willingly, Will swallowed the liquid that was poured into his mouth.

"You better be here," he told his father.

Bill grabbed both of his son's hands. "I will," he promised. "And you get better."

"I'm trying," whispered Will before he shut his eyes.

"This is all my fault," Jack Sparrow told them. "I should have told someone he was getting warmer. Will told me to tell Joshamee, but I didn't. I should have."

"Jack, he's alive because of you," Alexander reminded.

"He's in pain because of me," Jack added.

"Was it your sword that cut him?" wondered Alexander.

Color drained from Jack's face as he slumped. "It could have been me because I don't remember anything. You might be right. This could be my fault."

"Jack," said Bill quickly afterward. "It wasn't you. Someone part of the Flying Dutchman hurt Will."

"The enemy?" wondered Jack. Bill nodded. "If I ever learn the name of the person that did this to him I'll kill him."

"You won't have to," said Bill.

"Are you going to kill him first?" wondered Jack happily.

"No Jack," said Bill. "It will be better for him to suffer through the rest of his life knowing what he did rather than give him mercy and kill him."

"You know the man that hurt Will?" asked Alexander.

"I do, and I won't tell you because he doesn't want anyone else to know for a reason he didn't share with me. I thought admitting it was he who hurt my son was an act noble enough to respect his request," said Bill.

"This is a confusing world," whined Jack.

"That it is," agreed Alexander.

On and on the three of them talked while looking after Will. Interestingly, Barbossa brought the three of them dinner and water for Will to both drink and cool his chest. They weren't sure whether he wanted to get on Bill's good side or continued to keep an eye on Jack and Will, but there was one way to answer that question.

"Hector," Bill called causally.

Barbossa turned his head as he was about to leave. "Aye."

"Jack tells me you've been looking after him and Will rather well. Can I ask why?" said Bill.

"Ye and I aren't the best of friends in the world and relations with Edward have fallen over the years. But, if I knew ye and Edward well enough like I thought I did once, I knew ye would have me look after these two," replied Barbossa.

"And?" wondered Bill.

"Because I know the two of ye love them enough to kill yerselves to save them if ye had to," said Barbossa. He looked at Bill then away. "And I've always felt it was an obligation of mine to keep an eye on the two of them."

Half of Bill's face tugged into a smile. "Thank you."

Impressed, Barbossa turned to him and pointed at him. "So yer not going to break me nose for everything?"

Bill shook his head. "Not yet. I'll find the opportune moment, but for now I believe you deserve a little gratitude for keeping an eye on the two of them."

"Thank ye mate," said Barbossa, relief filling his voice. "Can I get any of ye anything else?"

"More clean rags for my nephew's chest," replied Alexander.

Barbossa gave a bow of his head then backed out of the room.

As the rest of the Caribbean slept, Bill continued to hold his son's hand and caress his soft curls.

Will's temperature was near normal. He was sleeping more comfortably. Body and mind was as normal as he could be with a burn across his body.

Slowly and tiredly, Jack sat on a chair beside Will.

Curiously, Bill turned to him. "What are you doing here?"

"I can't sleep," said Jack quietly.

"You look tired," noted Bill.

"I am, but I can't sleep and since I couldn't sleep I thought I should stay here with Will," said Jack.

"Jack, I am here. I can look after Will just as fine," Bill told him.

"I don't want to be away from him," Jack whispered. "I'm worried about him."

"He's cool and comfortable. No need to worry."

"I feel sick," whimpered Jack as he leaned his upper body on the bed beside Will's shoulder.

Bill nodded, suddenly understanding Jack. He leaned over his son to turn Jack's head his way. "Before all this happened, you worried like this over the people you cared about most. You wouldn't leave his side. There was a time I caught a deadly fever and you wouldn't leave my side until you thought I was going to live. You wouldn't listen to any physician when told I was going to live. I would live when you decided I was going to live."

"I've always been like this then?" wondered Jack.

Bill nodded. "And I think you always will."

"Is that bad?" wondered Jack.

"No. Simply being worried is a sign of caring and compassion; something you have always had deep within yourself," said Bill.

"Am I a good man?" Jack suddenly asked.

"Yes," replied Bill without hesitation. "You are."

Apparently settled, Jack nodded. His sleepy eyes looked down on Will again. As gently as Bill, he pulled a few curls from Will's face, and then took Will's palm between his fingers. Surrendering to the night, he settled himself in the chair, seeming to curl his small frame within the chair arms.

Bill watched with a soft smile as Jack closed his eyes and peacefully fell asleep. He wrapped a light blanket over Jack's torso.

"If ever someone had to look after my Will, I always said I would want it to be you. Even though your mind is not Jack Sparrow, I still trust you to look after him, although I am glad Hector is here too because you aren't exactly thinking as straight as Jack did." He gently caressed Jack's cheek. "But I still love you Jack."

"Daddy."

Bill moved away from Jack to tend to his little one's soft call. "Little one."

Will halfway smiled. "You're still here."

"I'm not leaving you until I know you'll be fine without me," said Bill.

"Since I'm your son and unmistakably Turner, you're not gong to be leaving then," said Will.

"Aye," agreed Bill. "That is a true comment, but, since I know you because you are me, then I know Jack and Barbossa are quite capable of looking after you."

"Jack nearly killed me, said Will.

"Jack saved your life," Bill told him. "He may not have told anyone you were like that, but he cleaned your wounds and made medications to help your body fight the infection. He saved your life long enough for your uncle to lead you on the path of recovery. Jack didn't tell anyone because this Jack, and probably the real Jack, doesn't trust anyone part of this crew. Barbossa tells you what to do and Joshamee hurts you."

"Barbossa is teaching me and Gibbs was causing me pain because he was helping it all heal," said Will.

"In his mind it was wrong. You need to ask questions to Jack rather than answer his. If he makes a mistake or assumes wrong, things worse than this may happen," said Bill.

"I nearly died. How can anything be worse?" asked Will.

"You could be dead," said Bill, both eyebrows raised.

Will looked at him and shut his eyes. The expression on his face proved his father was correct. "Have you ever had this done to you?" he asked, pointing at his chest.

"More than once," said Bill, his eyes seeming to glance back into the past.

"When did the burning end?" wondered Will.

"A few days it hurt worse than the hour before. You are going into the most painful stage of the process to heal," said Bill.

"How long until the worst is over?" wondered Will.

"That depends on the nature of the burn and heat. Small pressure and heat, tomorrow. More pressure, longer application, and color near orange, unfortunately the worst has not yet come," replied Bill.

Will moaned and whimpered, losing all maturity of his age of twenty two. He, at the moment, was behaving as a two year old would.

Seeing this, Bill couldn't help the smile on his face. After all, this was his son who he dreamed of seeing. Any emotion and expression please him and brought joy to his soul. But knowing the manor of the burn and what Alexander did to destroy the infection and the expression on his little one's face caused that joy to have minimal time.

"I'll only be a moment little one," said Bill.

He waited for a response from his son, which was a small head nod before he left the room.

In the meantime, Will breathed deeply as he squeezed the blanket and a hand. Suddenly forgetting the pain, he turned his head realizing Jack's hand was around his. He halfway smiled having to admit Jack was looking after him better than them all. Thinking on the reason why he didn't tell anyone, Will admitted to himself Jack's logic was impressively correct, however, his means of carrying out the logic was not well thought through.

A sudden sharp pain jolted through his chest, enflaming the wound further. He sucked a breath through his teeth and tightened his fists further around what it was he was already holding onto.

Bill and Alexander's voices increased as they came closer to the room.

"William, I know he's not going to like this, but it's exactly what he needs at the moment. You of all people should know that."

"Aye, Alexander Seastone, I do know that. Not having the consciousness to acknowledge pain is the only solution I know."

"You had to do it for months."

"I know Alex, I remember my entire age of fifteen. How can I possibly forget that?"

"You managed to forget the first eight, nearly nine years of your life."

Will watched Bill smack Alexander across the back of the head rather roughly as the two of them entered the room.

"What does the mean by that?" Will asked.

"Remind me that question another time," said Bill.

"Okay," whispered Will as he deeply exhaled.

Color disappeared from his face wholly; pain replaced it.

In the corner, the sounds of opening jars, spoons against glass, pouring liquid, and objects being moved and placed elsewhere were the only sounds clear through Will's mind. The touch of his father's hand caressing his forehead soothed him.

"How many days?" he asked.

That depends on what your uncle and I believe," replied Bill.

"Will we ever have the time to be father and son?" asked Will softly.

Bill leaned over his son. "When I am through with my duty aboard the Dutchman you and I will have the rest of our lives to be father and son. This is the price we must pay to be together."

"Me suffering and you a world away," noted Will. "That's a heavy price."

"Well, the price paid is worth it all. To have you again, it's worth ever moment away," said Bill.

"You aren't the one suffering more pain than you've ever felt in your life," said Will. "It hurts so much and I was blacksmith. I should be used to burns by now, but his hurts so badly."

"I have a suggestion Will," said Alexander. Stop talking and drink this."

Reluctantly, Will nodded.

Bill, of course, helped him drink the liquid. To Will's absolute comfort and delight, he sat where the pillow was and set the pillow and Will's head in his lap. His fingers played in the soft curls.

"I hope this is enough to last you a little longer away from me."

Will's right cheek fell into the pillow. He sighed deeply, comforted as he drifted asleep.

"There is no better medication to heal than a father's love and warmth," noted Alexander, drying his hands in the corner.

"Personal experience?" wondered Bill.

"Both comforting and being comforted," said Alexander.

"How is the little one?" wondered Bill.

"Ones. Little ones," corrected Alexander.

Bill raised an eyebrow. "More than one?"

"Felicity is ten and Thomas has become six. Unfortunately while I'm away, he'll become seven in eleven days," replied Alexander, guilt ridden within his voice.

"Well, you missed only one birthday, not nineteen," said Bill.

"You know it wasn't your fault," reminded Alexander.

Bill shook his head. "It doesn't matter Alex. I was there and I agreed. Jack and I were the ones who suggested it. We gave ourselves no other options. After we freed the slaves, he knew we would continued to pirate. We knew the consequences, although I would have preferred to be dead rather than what I went through for near of two decades. It's still not over."

"Soon," said Alexander.

"I wish. The worst is yet to come unfortunately. I want nothing more than a painless life with my son. I don't know how long that will be," said Bill. He turned to Alexander. "How well have you learned since I've left?"

"Learned?" wondered Alexander.

"What sort of a physician are you? Rather, how well do you stand in the medical world?" asked Bill.

Alexander shrugged. He had never thought of that before. "I do what I can and what I have to. I've been told I learn quick and find means of healing wounds promptly. Apparently, I exceed my age. I honestly don't know how well I am. I do what I must to keep my patients alive."

"Good," said Bill confidently, before he massaged Will's curls.

"Why are you asking me this?" wondered Alexander.

"How tired are you?" asked Bill.

"Awake," replied Alexander.

Bill gave a nod of his head. "How much do you know about the Flying Dutchman?" Alexander looked at him oddly and not amused. "Answer my question Alex."

Alexander rolled his eyes and answered anyway. "It's a cursed ship captained by none other than Davy Jones hims—"

"Ah ha!" cried Bill, startling Alexander. "What are you doing here in the Caribbean Alexander Seastone? Rather, does your father know you are here?"

"I was told to come here," replied Alexander.

"Does your father know?" Bill asked again, dryly.

Alexander slumped low, his famous expression of guilt coming to his eyes before his head bowed low against his chest.

"Apparently he doesn't know," muttered Bill under his breath.

"Will it comfort you to know this isn't the first time and that I always find myself returning home?" wondered Alexander, attempting to give him some hope.

"No, that simply means you run away often," said Bill.

"It's not that often," said Alexander.

"Once a year is often," Bill told him.

Alexander slumped low again. "After all these years you still know me."

"No, Alex, it's not that I know you, it is simply that I know what trouble you get yourself into because I'm the one who always seems to bail you out of that trouble," said Bill.

"Touché," admitted Alexander. He looked at Bill. "Now, as you were questioning my medical mind."

Bill's eyes gazed around the room then he suddenly nodded, remembering. "Where do you want me to begin?"

"First of all, why were you in such shock that I said Davy Jones captains her?" wondered Alexander.

"What news have you heard from the Caribbean in London?" asked Bill.

"The pirates were to make their final stand in the Caribbean waters and Cutler Beckett went to extinguish them with the Armada," replied Alexander.

"Well, the Armada turned and fled after the Dutchman set fire to the Endeavor with her new captain," replied Bill.

Alexander's eyes widened. "Someone replaced Jones?" Bill nodded. "Who?"

Bill's eyes lowered as his brother's widened more. He breathed heavily then suddenly had to allow his temptation of caressing his son's hairline. "Edward is the captain of the ship I'm currently part of."

"What?" whispered Alexander, leaning closer as if he heard wrong.

"Edward Teague is the captain of the ship I'm a part of," repeated Bill, clearly.

"The Dutchman?" asked Alexander.

Bill managed to nod his head a few times before fixing his eyes on his son. "He made himself captain to protect Jack. Jack had every intention to make himself Captain. Wholeheartedly, he saw himself as captain. Edward managed to read it behind his son's eyes and stopped him before Jack made a terrible mistake. Unfortunately, in the end, Edward still lost his son. Jack may be alive, but it is only his body that survived. Thankfully, however, Edward doesn't know Jack has amnesia. I've been hesitant to tell him of this. I'm hoping Jack will remember soon and therefore I'll have no need to tell him. Jack doesn't know what his father did for him."

"Edward is captain of the Flying Dutchman," noted Alexander, shock and regret in his voice. "And everything that belonged to him?"

"Mostly Jack's. He's given me the Star and all her contents," said Bill.

"Why would he give you a ship if you are already part of one?" wondered Alexander.

"Aye, that is why I asked you of your medical knowledge," began Bill. He brushed Will's cheek with the back of his fingers. "When I am through helping Edward ferry the souls left behind by Jones, Calypso has promised me my freedom from the ship."

"Calypso?"

"Aye, the goddess Calypso."

"She's real too?"

"Aye, as real as Davy Jones once was."

"All right, what is the catch to your freedom?"

Bill pointed at him. "This is where you are needed. Being part of that ship means one is half alive and half dead. Being half alive, we are still injured. Being half dead, we cannot die. Freedom from that ship means becoming mortal again. Alex, what is associated with mortality?"

"Life, emotions, pain, allowing all with life to run its natural course, birth, death—"

"Not quite death," said Bill clearly. "The price of freedom and living is such a simple concept as healing the wounds that being half dead never allowed to heal. Once I am as mortal as you, the wounds will show themselves."

"How many?" wondered Alexander dryly.

"A lot happened in the two years I was not under cursed Aztec Gold."

"I need to know how you were injured if I am going to prepare to set you right again."

"Lashings against my back, beatings, I've not eaten or drank for fifteen years. While on that ship I fell into a state of depression that nothing brought me from it but Elizabeth talking about Will to me. We were under the waves on the ocean floor for weeks at a time, and simply what I've seen I know will haunt my dreams," said Bill.

Alexander's forehead was high as his eyes were narrow in thought. He looked at Bill incredulously. "And you expect me to do this alone."

"Actually, there may be more," added Bill after a moment of thought.

"Are you supposing this will come about at once?" wondered Alexander.

"Aye," replied Bill. "I'm not going to be feeling well for some time."

"I can't save your life alone," Alexander told him.

"Alex, is my brother alive?" asked Bill, curiously.

"Yes, he's alive and well," replied Alexander.

"Is he always in London?" wondered Bill.

"He stays at your home in Scotland with Dirk most of the year," began Alexander. "It is custom for him to come down during Parliament and celebrations. He has been known to come back when he simply wants to be with us."

"Will we be returning during Parliament?" asked Bill.

"No, but it will be in the middle of the summer celebrations. He may or may not be there," replied Alexander.

Sighing heavily, Bill slumped low. His eyes shut as his head bowed to his chest. "Well, that's not what I wanted to hear."

They were quiet a moment until Alexander spoke up. "You may not want to hear this too William. Your brother isn't on the best of terms with you."

"What did I do to him?" asked Bill. "We were fine before I left."

"You abandoned him more than you abandoned Will," said Alexander.

Bill let his head fall back behind him. "No I didn't. Does he not know the truth about me?"

"He does, but he still feels you abandoned him. If you would have asked he always tells me he would have followed," said Alexander.

"I did think of asking, but then I knew it was better if I didn't. Father let himself die to keep the two of us alive. I made a mistake. Knowing one of us would be alive was better than the two of us dying. I left him there because I knew he would be safe."

"Well, he's safe. He's completely turned away from the pirate he was and embraced nobility. Your brother attends Parliament more than I do. He has created a line of Turners in Parliament that Dirk may one day have to face as well."

"At least he did the right choice and found a new life."

"Parliament?" wondered Alexander.

Bill nodded. "I know, but he was smart and moved on." He looked at Alexander. "Does he hate me?"

"He wants to kill you. If he ever finds you, he swears to me he'll kill you. He doesn't talk highly of you. If someone mentions your name to him, he'll carry on about everything you've ever done and what you should have done."

"He just hates that I didn't take him with me. We did everything together and I've always looked after him. Not taking him was quite a shock I'm sure. He's angry because he doesn't have me and he's telling himself I abandoned him to make it easier for him not to want me back. I know my baby brother. Gabe would rather help you save my life than see me dead."

"Only if he is there when you decide to show up."

"And if he isn't then you're just going to have to have Will help you, because I'm not considering your father."

"He would do it," Alexander told him softly.

"Why would Richard help you save my life after telling me away?" wondered Bill.

"Because he realized what he did that next afternoon," replied Alexander. "He sent a few ships looking for you. Gabriel went in search of you. It was a year before we gave up on you. He knew he would never see you again unless you decided to come home. Even that was slim. He knows you well enough to know to do what someone tells you. He also knows you are a stubborn man and hoped that stubbornness would cause you to fight for you family again."

"And he was right," admitted Bill. "It took longer than I would have liked, but my stubbornness finally is leading me home. Slowly."

"You know he misses you. He admits to me he regrets telling you off and wonders what would have happened if he didn't. He blames my sister on himself," said Alexander softly.

"And he probably did kill his daughter," said Bill loudly and confidently. He immediately slumped. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I fear that is only the beginning of the words I'll say about him. Warn your father about me. There is a lot I want to say to him that isn't— well friendly."

"And expect the same from him," said Alexander with a sigh. "But I swear he will be glad to see you again."

"One less thing I have to worry about then," said Bill.

Alexander sighed. His eyes saddened. "You are his favorite you know. Ever since you began recovering he's always liked you more. He relates to you more than me. It was always easier talking to you than me. He doesn't have to worry about trusting you. If he tells you something, he knows it will be done. You never complained to do anything noble, although he knows you hated it. You played the part better than I did. Even though it was your sister, you married before I did, had a child, you matured, and you assumed responsibility. He always spoke more highly of you than me."

Bill felt the need to let go of his son's hand. He moved his palm to his brother's cheek to turn Alexander's jealous, heartbroken face. "Richard has always loved you more than me. You are his favorite Alexander. You are his child. Gabriel and I were adopted. I may be more like your father, which is why everything is simpler for him, but he loves you more than me. He always has Alex. Whenever you were hurt or ill, he would stay beside you until it was all over. With me, he would stay by me yes, but more than often, he would simply come to see me throughout the day not sit at my side waiting for me to recover. He was strict and harsh on you because you are his treasured son. He wants what is best for you and he doesn't want you to do something stupid that will kill you in the end. He doesn't want to see you die."

"A little late for that," whispered Alexander under his breath as his head lowered. He stood before his brother spoke. "I'm going back to sleep. Will should be fine."

"Try to sleep well," said Bill.

Alexander shrugged. "I can't promise you anything."

Bill resumed twisting his fingers through his son's curls. A little late for that. What exactly did his brother mean by that? He knew something changed Alexander drastically. He wasn't carefree and hardly seemed free. Insecurity and horrors walked in his footsteps. Perhaps it wasn't going to be while he was on the ship with Will, but he would find time in London to get it out of his brother.

---

As nothing had changed, Will's consciousness returned to the touch of his father's hand caressing his hairline. He felt, actually, no pain. There was no burning feeling; he felt sore and simply sore. As his mind woke more, he felt gravity pulling on his left side and his right in the comfort of blankets and pillows. His eyes opened to a pillow, his hand, and a blurred image of his father's body and Alexander in a chair sharpening a sword.

"Bill," Alexander's voice called softly as he motioned to Will.

"Hello little one," whispered Bill as he knelt to his son's level.

Will sighed heavily as he rubbed his eyes. "Do I want to know?"

"Probably not," admitted Bill.

"All I know is that I'm just sore and I know the worst of the burning was about to come and I don't feel like anything is burning," said Will. He decided to answer the question himself. "Near a week?"

"Yep," said Alexander. "But you feel fine and you were the one who decided to roll on your side."

"Why are you still here? Why aren't you on your own ship?" wondered Will slowly pushing himself up to sit against a pillow and not rejecting his father's help.

"My ship is either following us or ahead. I don't know. What ever it may be it's fine without me," said Alexander. He set the sword and stone down to kneel beside Bill and take his hand through his nephew's curls a few times. "I'm needed here more."

"I love you two," said Will as he looked at them. He shut his eyes and rubbed them again. "I'm so drugged."

Alexander and Bill exchanged glances, neither one about to deny it.

"You just rest and allow your body to take the medication out of you naturally," said Alexander. "I'll get you some food."

"Please make it real food not whatever can be mashed and added to water," requested Will.

"Of course," said Alexander. "I'm not going to put you through that after not having any say in what I ate for months because that's all I could eat for months."

Will looked at him quizzically as he causally left the room. He leaned into his pillow further.

"William, has your uncle repeatedly spoken in riddles?" wondered Bill.

"Yep," said Will. "Something changed in Alex after I left, something bad."

"Your uncle has seen horrors in his life at a young age and he's seen horrors that no man should see," admitted Bill.

"He is a physician after all," said Will.

Bill nodded. "I know, but it wasn't while being a physician when he experienced horrors no son should see."

"Can I ask what?" wondered Will.

"You can, but I will not answer. It is something the three of us have known about for years but have not spoken on Alex's request," said Bill. He shut his eyes and shook his head. "I'm saying too much."

"No you're not," said Will, a smirk across his face.

Bill looked at him, noticing his son was much more awake. He cupped Will's face with a palm. That hand eventually moved to Will's hairline to push the curls from his face.

"I think it is you who needs a piece of me to survive until you are free," remarked Will.

"I've never had you Will. Knowing you are here and I must work for you back in my life is just deserved," said Bill.

"Well, you're not the only one going through Hell right now," said Will.

"Jack really isn't all that bad," said Bill.

"No, but what is my uncle going to do to me?" wondered Will.

Bill's head tilted to the side as he thought on that question. His jaw lowered and eyes raised as he shrugged. "I suppose all I can say is good luck mate."

Agreeing wholeheartedly with him, Will nodded.

"REALLY!"

Bill smiled at that voice.

Will looked to the door, quite simply just waiting.

A young man hollered at everything, including doors and barrels that got in his path as he tripped and tore across the wooden decks to halt in the doorway and look at Will with a huge smile on his face.

"Hello Jack. I have the feeling you've been waiting for me to wake," said Will.

"Yep," replied Jack as he, just as quickly, leapt onto the cot to wrap his arms around Will.

Unsure what to do, as he had never done this to anyone in a while, Will hesitantly brought his arms on Jack's back.

"I thought you were never going to wake. They told me it was better because you wouldn't feel anything, but I still like knowing you are awake and well rather than sleeping and questionable," said Jack.

"I'm fine now," Will told him.

"Alex says he still wants you to rest," said Jack.

"He's my uncle Jack. Family is always worried over another," said Will.

Jack nodded. "My father didn't care for me much it seemed but Bill told me he does."

Will's eyes narrowed in confusion. They turned to his father.

"I let him read a few pages in his father's journals," explained Bill. "I thought with my being here he can ask questions and get answers rather than another 'I don't know'."

"Thank you," said Will.

"Oh, and all the questions I had for you have been answered," said Jack with a happy smile on his face.

"I'm glad," said Will.

Bill nudged Jack in the shoulder and motioned to Will with his head.

Jack slumped as he looked at Bill. His eyes lowered then he sat tall with a straight back. "Will Turner, I apologize for being rude and taking the journals from you. I understand you were only trying to help me. I also apologize for my poor attitude." He held out his hand. "This is when we shake hands, proving you either acknowledge what I've said and or accept my apology," added Jack, leaning closer.

Will smiled as he took Jack's hand. "Apology accepted."

Jack gave a nod of his head. He turned back to Bill. "There, how was that?"

"Very good," said Bill with a proud smile.

"I practiced with Hector and Joshamee," said Jack.

"And since you mentioned those two," began Alexander as he returned with a bit of food. "The two of them want to apologize to you as well Will."

"For what?" wondered Will, his face narrow in confusion.

"They didn't say," replied Alexander. He showed Will the soup that looked like he combined anything that boiled down to mush in water. "Is this to your liking?"

Will looked at the soup then turned to Alexander with a raised eyebrow.

Alexander smiled and motioned to eat.

Knowing his father was beside him and considering shoving the spoon down his throat, Will dipped the spoon in the soup then looked at it as the liquid dripped off the sides. He shut his eyes as he clamped his mouth around the spoon. His face softened as his eyes opened. Chewing curiously, he looked at his uncle.

"Is it good?" wondered Jack.

Will nodded, spooning more. "I can't believe it but I do. Alex this is really good."

"My father perfected it some years ago," said Alexander. He lowered his eyes as his hands twisted in his lap. "I came down with an influenza that became pneumonia. I couldn't eat much and father discovered this was all I could keep inside of me. After his own torturous days of eating small amounts, he found the right portions for everything while boiling medicines to the food to maintain what I lost while I was ill."

"That would explain the disgusting aftertaste," muttered Will.

Hearing that, Bill's laughter rang through the room.

Jack's eyes widened. "The tattoo!" he cried, pointed at Bill. "I remember the tattoo. You laughed just like that when you just got the tattoo."

"Jack slow down," said Will as he set his hand on Jack's shoulder. "What about a tattoo."

With a smile on his face, Jack pointed at Bill. "I remember when he got his first tattoo."

"That's wonderful Jack now why don't you go on deck and help Hector captain the ship," said Bill, his voice full with nervousness as his face turned red.

"Do you still have it?" wondered Jack.

"I don't think it's possible to remove tattoos Jack," said Bill.

"Jack, do you remember where he got this tattoo that I don't know about and am about to see because I'm making him let me see it?" asked Will.

Not understanding a word Will said, Jack's head tilted to the side as his eyes narrowed.

"He means to say do you remember when he received the tattoo," explained Alexander.

"Of course I remember where we were," said Jack. "We were in Singapore. We had bottles in our hands and we were walking down the street laughing. I think we passed by a shop and Bill decided to walk in saying he had always wanted to get a tattoo. When he was asked what he wanted he told the man 'I want Jack Sparrow to be behind me forever because he's my little brother and best friend'. Ah, ha! I even remember what he said."

"What does it look like?" wondered Alexander.

"I don't remember that," admitted Jack.

"I'll show you," said Bill as he leaned over Will to pull Jack's sleeve to the center of his forearm. "There you are; that's what it looks like."

"So," began Will. "Where did you get this tattoo?"

"Behind him," replied Jack.

"Thank you Jack, but where?" wondered Will.

"Behind him," replied Jack again.

Alexander looked at Bill whose face was cherry red and burst into laughter.

"I don't understand," said Will.

"Will, behind him," said Alexander.

Will's face thought a moment until he turned to his father. "Let's see it. Lower your trousers."

Bill's face formed a glare as he looked upon Jack who smiled proudly because he remembered something on his own.

-)(-

I was given no other option but to break a moment because of the laughter in the room. I wasn't the only one who needed to catch my breath. Looking at Grandfather and Edward, I thought they were going to pass out due to lack of air to their lungs.

"William, you will show me this tattoo of yours," announced Grandfather.

"Absolutely not," Father refused.

"We'll go into another room and you will show us this," said Edward.

Giving him no other option, Grandfather took Father's hand and dragged him out of the room. As he was being dragged away, I felt the glare he was giving me.

I couldn't help but to laugh harder when Elizabeth, Alexander, Edward, Dirk, Gabriel, and Colleen wandered followed behind them too. Jack and I leaned against each other when Thomas wandered after them.

"Hush!" I demanded of Jack.

As I had hoped, whistling and loud laughter more than Jack and I, suddenly burst through the door in front of us.

Jack leaned against me, tears of laughter falling from both of our eyes'.

Slowly one by one, they returned in the room, my father last.

I had never seen his face that red before and I swore I had never seen him look at me like he wanted to kill me.

"I'm not the one who remembered," I reminded.

"Of all things you had to remember that. I still cannot believe that was one of the first memories you regained," said Father ashamed.

"But you were glad to see me remember something," said Jack.

Father rolled his eyes and nodded.

Sparing him more shame, I continued with the story.

Alexander and I were laughing against each other as my father buttoned his trousers again. When I looked at Jack's expression of shock and the angle of his tilted head, I thought I was going to suffocate myself because I couldn't breathe.

-)(-

"Oh," Jack said beside Will, his face as red as Bill's. Ashamed to have brought up the comment, he turned away.

Will inhaled deeply, attempting to regain air into his lungs. As he blinked, his eyes spilled the tears of laughter.

"I'll admit this mark upon my skin isn't quite what I wished for as a tattoo, but I have no other option but to live with it," said Bill.

"I like my tattoos," said Jack. His face brightened. "Will should get one."

Will gave a laugh. "What do you propose I have marked on my skin then?"

Jack shrugged a shoulder. "I don't know but your father and I have one so you should have one too."

"However, my uncle doesn't have one," noted Will.

Alexander chuckled as he lowered his head to his palm supported by his elbow on his leg. A smirk wiped across his face, not looking at anyone.

Will's head tilted to the side as his eyes narrowed. His shoulders slumped.

"Don't look at me like that William," Alexander told him. "I've had this tattoo since I've had my ship and I'm proud to say both still appear as new as the day I received them."

"You never told me," said Will.

"You didn't ask," Alexander told him.

"And you knew about this?" Will asked his father.

"Of course," said Bill as he rolled his sleeve on his tanned right arm. "He got his after I got this."

Will wasn't looking at the beautiful calligraphic tattooed letters spelling my little one Will. No, his eyes were fixed at the result of hot metal pressed against his father's wrist. His finger traced the mark.

"I have that too," announced Jack proudly as he pushed up his sleeve.

"When? How? Why?" was all Will managed to get out of his mouth.

"Jack and I when you were three, we took slave ships on the African coast, technically we weren't committing acts of piracy and there was no other option unless we wanted to hang by our necks," said Bill casually. He pressed his palm against Will's cheek to make his son look at him. "I will tell you of this, but now is not the time because there isn't enough time to explain it right now, but know I received this mark with my head held high because I did the right thing."

"This is why you left us. You didn't leave us because you didn't want us but because we couldn't be safe around you," said Will, a shadow of his past finally seeing the light of life.

Quite simply, Bill nodded his head.

"Like my father," Jack said softly. A distant expression carried his face away. "I'm not the only one then."

"Jack, I told you; you and are in similar situations. I have no memory of the first eight years of my life and my father died when I was fifteen and therefore, technically, remember a mere seven years of life with my father," reminded Bill.

"Well, that makes three of us then," Will's voice softly added.

Bill's head curiously turned to his son who was rubbing the back of his neck. "What do you mean by that?"

"He doesn't know?" wondered Will, turning to his uncle.

"We haven't exactly had enough time to talk when we are together," reminded Alexander.

Will shrugged. "When I was eight, I fell from the tree house; the result was a month of Jack's amnesia and another month of slowly recalling my life until I saw my mother. She and Alex were in Scotland at the time. I was bored and no one was watching me so I decided to break the one rule of the tree house and climb it. Since the two of you grew too old for it, no one bothered keeping it and I was leaning over the side. The wood broke and I fell on my head, broke my arm too."

"Ouch," whispered one Jack Sparrow, whose face was twisted into a small expression of pain.

All Bill did was stare at his little one with horrified, frightened eyes. He set his palm on Will's cheek. "Are you all right?"

"Father," said Will, taking his hand. "That was fifteen years ago. I'm nearly twenty three; it happened when I was eight. I have my memories before I was eight."

"I don't," Bill told him. He set his other hand on Will's other cheek. "You could have been killed. Why did you climb that tree house when you were told not to? You should have known better."

"Curiosity and no one was there watching me," said Will. He removed his father's hands from his face to hold them in his lap and honestly look into his father's eyes. "I'm fine now. It doesn't matter. I didn't forget my life or who I am. This is who I was born to be. I'm the same Will you left twenty years ago. The only change that's been made is my height."

"Are you sure?" Bill asked him clearly.

"Father, yes," replied Will just as clear. His eyes narrowed in confusion. "Why such the concern?"

"When I was eight years old with amnesia, I never remembered a moment before then," replied Bill.

"Oh no!" Jack suddenly cried. "I want to remember my life. I want to remember everything before this happened. If you didn't remember then I may not remember either. I want to have my memories. I want to know who I am."

"Jack," said Will. "I remembered. My father didn't. For every person amnesia is different. You will remember, I promised you."

"Are you sure I'll remember?" asked Jack hesitantly.

"Jack, have you remembered anything?" asked Bill before his son spoke.

Jack's head nodded subtly. "I remembered you and Elizabeth and a few words."

"Then you'll remember in time," said Bill. "I remembered nothing for months. We knew after a few months I would never remember my life before the age of eight." The horror on Jack's face grew. "But, if that is your fate, you will learn to live with it as I have."

"I want to remember my life. I want to know who I am and not become someone I shouldn't be," said Jack.

Will sighed as his hand moved to a cord around Jack's neck. He brought the necklace from underneath Jack's tunic.

Jack held the cord in his palm. As he stared at the pieces on the necklace, his face twisted into hopelessness and tears fell into the center of the piece of eight. He stared at the piece, feeling the hot tears fall from the side and onto his palm eventually.

"I feel that every promise made to me in my life was ruined and that not one of them happened. People just said all that to keep me feeling all right."

"Sometimes promises are made and the world prevents them from coming true. I know how that is Jack, believe me. Too many promises have been forgotten in my life," said Will.

"But you still have some that are still together," said Jack. "Don't lie to me; I know more promises were kept for you than me."

"I don't know Jack. I didn't live your life," said Will.

"No one did; that's just the very problem," said Jack.

"I remembered," said Alexander softly.

The three looked at him oddly, Bill the oddest of them all.

Alexander causally took a drink from his mug. He looked at his brother and nodded. "Yes Bill, I have had amnesia before and Jack I remembered too."

"Out of three people I know who have had amnesia only one hasn't remembered!" cried Jack happily. He looked at Will. "I like how that sounds."

"Who?" asked Bill.

Alexander shook his head and leaned forward. "What actually." He poured more water in his glass then turned to Will. "You would have been thirteen at the time. I was on my ship attending to her every need then the sea decided to turn her back on me although I know it's not a likely chance a rogue wave would hit the ship just the exact moment I lean out of the safety of the rigging." He took a drink. "Not to mention there was no swell of the wave after the ship rocked."

His eye flashed to Bill as he drank more as he raised an eyebrow.

Bill's head tilted to the side as his eyes narrowed in confusion. All too many a familiar sight in his eyes, a sight that nearly brought about the end of his life just a year ago.

"What happened?" asked Jack.

Alexander shrugged a shoulder as he crossed his ankles on the table in front of him. "I don't remember it, but I was told once what occurred. Simply, my hold was lost and I fell. Apparently, the force was taken on my head. Miraculously, nothing was broken and only my skull was a bit cracked. What are the odds of a fall like that and only coming out with amnesia and a concussion?"

I don't know," said Jack. He turned and leaned to Will. "What does he meant by that?"

"It means the fall would have killed him," said will.

Jack gave a nod of his head. "I didn't know falls could kill people."

"Anything or anyone can kill people. It simply depends which happens first," Alexander told him simple and plain.

"Oh," said Jack with a satisfied nod of his head. "Anything or anyone can kill me" He nodded again. Soon after, his composure and aura became quite sarcastic. "Perfectly wonderfully bloody brilliant mate." He smiled at them then slumped and rolled his eyes.

"Well, the question is who will follow me and remember nothing but that he will be taught and days to come," said Bill.

The three looked at him all with expressions truly reflecting their personality: Alexander shook his head with an eye roll at his brother's philosophical nonsense, Will shut his eyes ignoring that thought and concentrated on the pain to become aware of the areas he needed to have care upon, and Jack looked at him trying to make sense of Bill's words and his face was bunched into a ridiculous expression of confusion and wonder

"All of you need a cup of tea, warm sofa, blazing fire, and Plato accompanied by Shakespeare at your side," said Bill.

"I had an excuse not to read classical authors," said Will.

"As does Jack," said Bill. He turned to Alexander. "I'm talking about you Lord Seastone. You need to brush up on your lessons."

"I'm a physician, to a philosopher," said Alexander.

"And I'm part of the Flying Dutchman," Bill told him.

Alexander opened his mouth to speak with a raised finger. His mouth moved into several words, yet no sound. He inhaled to speak a word then let it out in a heavy sight, not knowing quite exactly what to say to him.

"Alex, I have to say I missed you," said Bill.

"Why?" wondered Alexander.

"Because you're never going to grow up. You will always be a child in the world," replied Bill.

Blood rushing to Alexander's face tinted his cheeks red and eyes widened. He looked at them then turned away in shame. "You're right, Jack is more grown up than me."

"I am?" asked Jack.

"Aye, you are," said Alexander.

Bill leaned away from hi son to take Alexander's face between his palms. "I meant that to be reminiscent. When I was still in your life, especially just beginning in your life, you always told everyone you would never grow up and become a man. Even when you reach one hundred years old, you would still play with your wooden swords and eat cakes when you want. Nothing in the world could cause enough influence on you to mature into a man. At twenty three years old, you claimed that because you had the appearance of a child and a man younger than you were, you had an excuse not to grow up." He smiled at his little brother then pulled at a golden curl. "What happened to my Alex?"

"You're Alex had not choice but to grow up and he did so over night. The world finally broke him to pieces and forced him to become a man," said Alexander.

"I know that feelings," Will's voice added. "I sill have need to adapt to growing up."

"Will, you've always been mature and smart. You're always been older than me," said Alexander.

"I'm not older than you than you," announced Jack proudly, he then slumped his shoulders. "I don't think I'm older than you."

""Yes you are," said Alexander.

"Oh, then how old am I?" wondered Jack.

"I don't know," said Will.

"But I thought you knew everything about me," said Jack.

Will sadly shook his head. "I know only as much as the day I met you Jack. I wish I knew more but I don't."

Quite unexpectedly, Jack's face lit with joy. "I have an idea," he said as he collected green leather bound books. "You can read my father's journals. I don't believe that all happened to me but you can if you want."

"Thank you again Jack," said Will, touching he cover of the first book. "If my father didn't tell you to give these to me to read would you still allow me to read them?"

"I think so, but I don't know," admitted Jack. "But I don't know a lot of things."

"Give it time Jack. It took me two months to recall everything," said Will.

"And about a month for me," added Alexander.

Jack's eyes passed from Will to Alexander then remained on Bill, the one who never apian regained his life back.

"Jack Sparrow," said Bill knowing just what was going through jack's mind. "You will remember. This amnesia is not permanent. You will remember who you are."

"You don't know that. None of you do," said Jack, his eyes lowering in quite, fright.

Will pushed himself from his pillows to sit up straight. He breathed deeply and bit his lip while squeezing his eyes shut.

Jack, Alexander, and especially Bill lunged for his arms.

Will looked at all of t hem and rolled his eyes. "I'm recovering and therefore sore, not made of cracking porcelain. I'm not going to break.

"You look like you are," said Jack.

"I'm a Turner. Turners are near impossible to kill," said Will.

"No William, it is quite possible to kill Tuners. We aren't immortal," said Bill.

Will rolled his eye as he looked at his father; that wasn't the intention. "Everyone dies Jack."

"Die?" asked Jack, the tone expressing the confusion of the word and meaning rather than the time of death.

"We'll talk about that another time," said Will. "Can I tell you what I want to now?" Jack nodded. "And the rest of you will let me speak?" The other two nodded. "Jack," continued ill as he set a hand on Jack's shoulder. "You will remember."

Jack looked at him. He raised his eyebrows and looked around curiously then back to Will. He leaned closer. "Is that it?"

"Yes, that's all I wanted to say," replied Will, leaning against the pillow again.

"I do not understand you," Jack said to himself.

"Jack, why don't you go on deck for a while and let William rest," suggested Bill.

"Okay," said Jack with a shrug. He hopped off the cot. "I'll bring you dinner" Then, he left.

"I'll let you two be," said Alexander, knowing this to be a rare moment between them and the only time when they would be together for a longer time.

He ran his fingers through Will's curls with a half smile on his face then left the room, shutting the door behind him.

The two Tuners looked at each other for a long moment until Bill gently pulled Will against his chest.

Will welcomed his father's embrace. Savoring his father holding him, he shut his eye as he nuzzled his forehead against his father's shoulder.

Happy content, and more satisfied with himself, Bill rested his cheek against Will's soft curls. Even after everything he went through, his son's curls were still soft.

They didn't speak; there was no need. Every word they wanted to say to each other was already being said in this small moment.

"But I wanna dot it!'

"Shut up Jack."

"My ship, makes me captain! You're chart man!"

"And how do you know that?"

"Will told me."

"Fine!"

Will suddenly began laughing. Although their small moment wasn't enough for either of them he knew they would never get I back now, and, not to mention, Jack's whining was amusing. He pushed from his father's arms.

Reluctantly, Bill allowed his son to slip from his fingers. He looked at his son longingly.

"Father, you'll have me in a few months," said Will. "You no longer have to wonder and wait. You know I'll be waiting for you and you know you are coming home to me."

"I've waited nineteen years to hold you in my arms again. I've tired of waiting and when I am home finally, I'll have to wait more," said Bill.

"No you won't because we'll be together," Will told him.

The father sighed heavily. He moved from the chair to the side of the cot. Facing his son, he took his hand and began the story. "When you are pat of the Dutchman you are neither alive nor dead. As you may have realized, you're both. When on the ship you can still be injured. Quite obviously it cannot kill you because you're partly dead." He looked at Will for a nod of conformation before continuing. "When Edward releases me from the ship, I become human again, human and mortal. And because I couldn't die on the ship being partly dead to be mortal I have to heal."

"What do you mean 'heal'?" Will suddenly asked.

Bill's heart sank as his son's face paled and eyes widened. He set his palm on his son's cheek. "You know what I mean when I say heal Every injury given to me while serving on that ship must be healed and I must recover. Remember, I was curses for nine years of service to heal."

"But I know what happened. I happened!" cried Will desperately "I I caused you r life to ruin. Nothing happened to you until I happened."

"William," said Bill, cupping his son's face between his palms. "I did it. All right? I got you out of there and I took the blame myself."

"I was there," Will clearly told him.

"William, that moment when I looked at you was the happiest moment of my life!" cried Bill, quieting his son from the wonder. "I saw you again. It was my wish of everything I had ever wanted. I wanted to see my son and hold him one more time and to tell him how much I love him. I did all three. My soul was worth your life. If I have to sacrifice myself wholly from this earth to ensure your safety and freedom then fine. I'm not going to let anyone touch you again. You're my son Will. When I held you again I knew that and I now I know that."

Will sat quietly , continuing to gaze at his father in wonder. "What were you thinking?"

"I was ignoring what I did to you moment before—"

"And that? What do you make of that?"

"I'll never forgive myself, but I won't ever regret it. When you fell asleep in my lap I admit I cried as hard as I did when you were born."

Will raised his finger, hushing his father. "If you love me as much as you say why did you not come back home?"

"The same reason you left and dint return. You were afraid. And so was I."

"I still don't understand."

"I was afraid to lose you Will. I feared being caught and ruing my family's life."

"Why didn't you simply face it or accept it and find something to do about it?"

"I don't know. Still, I was afraid."

"I don't understand how people cannot be with they one's they love most."

An idea struck Bill. He looked at the green dye on the leather bound journals. A wide smile spread across his face.

"I don't like that look," said Will.

"No, William," said Bill reaching for the books. "You do."

"You want me to read Jacks journals?" wondered Will.

"They aren't his. These are green. Jack's journals are brown. These green journals belong to Edward Teague, otherwise known- by very few- as Jonathan Teague's father," said Bill.

"I know that father. Jack told me and I know about the two of them on account of Bailey and Hector," said Will, rather annoyed.

"Hector? "You're giving him recognition in the world and calling him hector?" asked Bill not quite so amused anymore.

"The man is human too father. I wouldn't have exactly called you human an month ago" said Will

Bill gave a nod of his head. "Touché."

He flipped through the pages of the books until the correct one came to be. As if it was a scroll from the Alexandrian library itself, he handed it to Will.

Will rolled his yes at his father's nonsense. He curled back against his pillow and began to read again.

"Tea?"

Startled, the book flung from Will's grasp, falling in his lap.

"Sorry," said bill apologetically.

"I don't know if I drink tea," admitted Will, returning to the book. "I've never had tea before."

His eyes followed the sentence he was reading to his ap as his father's finger pushed the book down. He looked at him.

"You better begin liking tea. Your grandfather has a room of teas and four o'clock on the second is tea time everyday for him and the rest of the adults in the family. Alexander has a favorite tea, my brother does, I do… Jack drinks tea."

Will laughed a few laughs and looked at his father as if the man lost his mind. "Jack Sparrow doesn't drink tea."

Accepting Will's utter amusement, Bill nodded. "You can continue reading."

"What happened to him?" asked Will. "Three year old 'Jackie' was the most content child on earth."

Bill pointed to the book. "Read William. I'll return momentarily."

"Quietly this time," added Will, sticking his nose in the book again.

Bill made to leave the room. In the doorway, he turned his head to look at his little one. A small, soft smile lightened his face. Warm moisture filled his eyes. This was his son, his little boy, his little one he was watching reading a book.

So contently and alive, Will sat on the cot reading the first of many journals in the attempt to decipher the mystery that was Jack Sparrow's life.

Eventually, Will close his tired eyes for only a moment was he wanted.

When Bill raised his eyes from the book to take a glance at his son , he saw Will was asleep.

Will's head was tilted to the side and the book gently in his lap as if he simply intended to dose his eyes for a moment.

The father removed the book from his son's lap and placed it on the table. He brought Will in his arms to settle him flat on the bed then tucked the blankets around his body. As he did so, Will curled into the pillow sleeping all the more soundly.

Bill pulled the curtains over the window in the quarters, allowing only a dull light to shine. He tucked the curls behind his son's ear. Discovering the piercing, he smiled.

"You and I are much alike Will.," he whispered. "I'll be back in a little while. Sleep well little one."

So gently and lightly, like Will was a newborn baby, he pressed his lips against this child's temple. "I love you William."

Will had no other response then his continuous, light breathing.

Contended with more in his struggled life, Bill wandered quietly from the room. Out in the cabin, Alexander and Barbossa sat around two bottles of rum and a few biscuits and cards.

"If you want to know, he is sleeping."

"God because he needs his sleep to recover," said Alexander. He turned to Barbossa. "King?"

Barbossa rolled his eyes with digest as he threw the card down. "How is he doing?"

"Reading the journals," replied Bill as he sat next to Alexander. He took the bottle from his brother as he crossed his ankles on the table.

"Two?" wondered Barbossa.

"Nope," replied Alexander. "How is he taking it?"

"He's asking questions," said Bill. "And he's not understanding well."

"I've known Jack since he was eight and I still don't understand him," said Alexander. "Two?"

Sighing in disgust, Barbossa gave him his two. "I've known Jack since before the Pearl and I do admit I understand him as he should be. I still am not used to this Jack. Five?"

Alexander shook his head.

"I haven't told Edward," Bill suddenly told them.

In mid reach for a card or bottle, Barbossa and Alexander looked at him.

"Are you referring to Jack's amnesia?" wondered Alexander slowly.

Bill nodded. "That would be it yes."

"He's going to kill you," noted Barbossa.

"Would you want to know that your son has amnesia if you had a child?" asked Bill.

"I certainly would like to know," Alexander told him. "Four?"

"That's because you are the Seastone physician and ye would be lookin' after him yerself," said Barbossa flinging the card at Alexander. "Jack?"

"I have no cards in my hand however I think he's on deck helping keep the boards from shrinking," replied Alexander.

Barbossa threw down the rest of the cards in disgust. "How do you do it?"

"I play this with my children when I'm home," replied Alexander.

"So should I tell him or not?" wondered Bill.

"I'm not the one who has no other choice but to be with him for a few months," said Barbossa.

Alexander shot him a glare. "What he means to say is that it is your choice."

"Opinions are a wonderful thing to have you two," said Bill.

"I would tell him because it is his child," said Alexander.

"I wouldn't mention it because he can never have Jack and knowing his boy has amnesia will cause him to stray away from his duty to the Dutchman which is something he can't do if he wants to look like Edward Teague," replied Barbossa.

"Will says I should wait until you reach London in hopes he will remember before you arrive," said Bill. "And I tend to agree with him. If he knows Jack is off the ocean and still with amnesia Eddy can do nothing because he can't step on land. I also know Edward is a man not fond of secrets against him and ones involving his child."

"Then he's going to kill you no matter what it is that you do," said Barbossa.

"No, he'll hate you then understand your reasoning behind it," said Alexander.

The doors opened and in came Jack Sparrow with a tray in his hands. He whistled a familiar tune.

"Do you know what that song is?" wondered Barbossa.

"Nope. All I know is it came to my head when I was washing the deck," said Jack.

"Do you know the words?" wondered Barbossa.

Jack looked at him oddly. "There are words too? Oh, well then I suppose I just know the tune and not the words. I'll ask Will what they are."

"If that is my son's dinner he is sleeping and probably going to be sleeping the rest of the night," said Bill.

His hand still on the knob to enter the room, Jack slumped and rolled his eyes. He turned around. "Dinner?"

"What is it?" wondered Alexander.

"Fresh fish I caught today," said Jack.

"I haven't had good, fresh fish for a while," said Alexander, motioning Jack to bring it in front of him.

"Did you know Pintel and Ragetti can't fish?" asked Jack.

Barbossa chuckled as he nodded his head. "Aye, I've known for a while."

A furry blur whipped past Bill before climbing on Jack's shoulder.

Armed with the bottle of rum, Bill stared the little monkey down with narrow eyes.

"He's not doing anything wrong. All he does is sit on my shoulder everyday," said Jack.

Across the table, Barbossa let out a sigh of pain.

"What?" asked Alexander.

"I don't know what hurts more honestly. Jack likes the monkey or 'Jack' not liking me anymore," replied Barbossa.

"That's fine, I like him," said Jack.

"I hate that damn monkey," muttered Bill as he took a drank.

"Can I ask all of you a question about me?" wondered Jack.

"Yes," they all replied at once.

"Do you think I'm odd?" asked Jack.

All four responded with something along the word "no" but in their own form.

"Absolutely not."

"Not anymore than usual Jack Sparrow. Ye've always been an odd one."

"I've not been around you recently to truly know how much you've changed."

"Why do you talk to me like I'm normal and no one else?" wondered Jack.

"I told you before; they just don't know what to say," said Bill.

"But they talk to me like I'm stupid and that I don't know anything and I do know some things just not a lot and they make me feel stupid and like I'm some extra useless cargo," Jack told them.

Alexander and Barbossa looked at Bill with a smile that meant he was the lucky one to explain that to Jack.

"There are few in this world who know how to cope with amnesia. Generally, it is more difficult for people around the one who has amnesia because they don't know what to do. We know what to do because myself and Alex and Will have had amnesia. Hector over here is but there and he takes life as it is given to him."

"What did you say?" wondered Hector incredulously.

"I said you take life as it is given to you," repeated Bill.

"How did ye say my name to Jack over here?" asked Hector.

Recalling the conversation in his head, Bill rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Hector. I called you Hector."

Satisfied, Barbossa sat back in the chair and waved his hand to Jack to continue if he so desired.

"When will they see me as me?" asked Jack.

Again, Barbossa and Alexander turned to Bill.

Jack's eyes no longer held curiosity. They looked at Bill pleadingly.

"Jack, I don't know that answer," said Bill truthfully.

"Oh," said Jack quietly.

"I think they will be fine soon enough. It doesn't take that much time for someone to talk to you again," said Bill.

"It's taking long enough. I wish Will was all right. He's the only one who talks to me and you're leaving when he gets better so then I'll only bother Will and I don't like just bothering Will because I think I'm the only thing ruining his life," Jack told him.

"No, Will wants to help you remember, I've already spoken with him and he's all right being the onl y one for you," said Bill.

Alexander brought his feet from the table to the floor.

"How did ye say my name to Jack over here?" asked Hector.

Recalling the conversation in his head, Bill rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Hector. I called you Hector."

Satisfied, Barbossa sat back in the chair and waved his hand to Jack to continue if he so desired.

"When will they see me as me?" asked Jack.

Again, Barbossa and Alexander turned to Bill.

Jack's eyes no longer held curiosity. They looked at Bill pleadingly.

"Jack, I don't know that answer," said Bill truthfully.

"Oh," said Jack quietly.

"I think they will be fine soon enough. It doesn't take that much time for someone to talk to you again," said Bill.

"It's taking long enough. I wish Will was all right. He's the only one who talks to me and you're leaving when he gets better so then I'll only bother Will and I don't like just bothering Will because I think I'm the only thing ruining his life," Jack told him.

"No, Will wants to help you remember, I've already spoken with him and he's all right being the only one for you," said Bill.

Alexander brought his feet from the table to the floor. He pulled out a chair beside him and motioned for Jack to sit there.

Hesitantly, Jack moved to Alexander's side. He sat in the chair and simply looked at him.

A smile widened across Alexander's face. "When we arrive at my home in London, the place where we are staying, you will already have your own room."

"Of course," whispered Bill, feeling quite like an idiot at the moment.

Jack looked between him and Alexander several times over and over. "What?"

"Jack," began Alexander as he set a hand on Jack's shoulder. "You came to live in my home when you were eight. My family helped take care of you until you were old enough to be on your own and even then you would find me on the sea and we would do nothing but talk about our childhoods."

"Simply Jack, you are going home," added Bill.

"Home?" Jack asked them then began to wonder to himself. "Home. What is home?"

The place ye belong Jack," Barbossa's voice called.

"Then I belong at your home?" asked Jack, looking to Alexander. "Do I have my own home?"

"Your home is in Ireland, and island country not far from where Alexander lives," said Bill.

"Why aren't we going there? It's my home so should we go there?" asked Jack.

"Not yet. We'll take you to Will's home then yours," Bill told him.

Jack face lit right up as he nodded. Something said turned his mood upside down. "Will's home. I can live at Alexander's home if it's Will's home," he said, happier about the situation now.

Satisfied with himself again, he bounced from the cabin and onto main deck where he told every person he saw that he was going home, which only confused the crew more knowing Jack didn't live in London.

"Meanwhile, Bill returned to his sleep child and Alexander sought Will's exhaustion as the opportune moment to clean the burn on his body.

"It's healing very well considering the conditions," Alexander made note of.

Bill nodded while gently letting his hand slip from behind Will's head. He stared at his little one. The sting of tears burned his eyes as he pressed the palm of his hand across the bandages above Will's heart.

Cleaning in the corner, Alexander noticed this. "As long as he doesn't rip it open and keep it clean and bandaged he'll be fine. I'm here William and if it does rip or anything else happen to him I'll heal him up."

"I know he'll be all right with you here," Bill said, his voice alluding to the dark thoughts in his mind of the past.

"I understand how you feel," said Alexander. "If anyone so much as threatened my Thomas, I would track that person and kill him. There is an unwritten rule of the word and said rule being you don't fool around with another man's son or it be the last thing you do."

"And where did you hear that?" wondered Bill.

"Ironically, my father," replied Alexander not amused.

"I know you don't want to Alex; we have to tell him," said Bill, running his fingers through the curls. "He's not nine anymore."

"Tell him which part?" wondered Alexander.

"All of them," said Bill.

Alexander shook his head as he looked down on his nephew. "No, he doesn't have to know everything. Some is irrelevant to him. He needs to know no more than the father son relationship we have."

"And then therefore the rest of the story," said Bill.

"I can't tell him," whispered Alexander, the stinging of tears now forming in his eyes in the corner of the room.

"You have to tell him it's not long. I don't want him to find out until the very end that you knew all along and didn't tell him. My Will is like me Alex. He doesn't forgive for secrets," said Bill.

Shaking his head subtly, Alexander clutched the ledge before the window. His back hunched forward, everything tensing greatly. His gasps as he attended to conceal the tears apparently weren't soft enough, for he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Twenty five years ago, you would have set that hand on my back. Now, you don't because you know I won't feel it."

"Alex," began Bill gently. His mouth moved into several words, but nothing came out.

"Don't try to find anything against that William. You won't because you know it's every thing the truth is," said Alexander.

"Is this what you are afraid of? Will knowing about your back?" wondered Bill.

Alexander's head shook. "I want one person not looking at me differently. I want one person who will always think of me as the way I was before this happened. Will is my one piece of who I once was."

"You can't change the past."

"I know. Oh, don't tell me. No need. I know I can't change anything."

"Including Will. When I told you he wasn't nine anymore, that literally meant he's not nine. My son is nearly twenty three years old and so is his head."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means," began Bill then sighed heavily as he many scenarios of what Alexander would do next played in his head. "Alex, it means he knows his grandfather is addicted to alcohol and that he left because you two were too drunk to recognize his face and the bruising didn't just come from sleep—"

"How much of that does he know?" cried Alexander, whipping around with horror on his face and in his eyes.

"He suspects but doesn't understand or know how. All he knows is the bruising sprung up the next morning aft seeing his grandfather drinking in his chair near the fire and putting a pillow over his head to try to go back to sleep after you and your father woke him arguing and screaming at each other."

Alexander's knees gave. Reaching for the chair only caused it to push away from him. He sat on the floor as Jack's memories.

As his older brother, Bill joined his little brother on the floor. He gently pulled Alexander rigid arms to his side then his rigid body against himself. Not one word was spoken as he held onto his brother.

"Do you think he knows what I let him do to me?" Alexander's voice softly asked.

"Alex I don't know," said Bill.

"Tell him for me, please," Alexander told him pleadingly. "I can't tell him. I'm not Alexander the Great, his immortal, invincible uncle."

Nodding Bill tucked his brother's head under his jaw.

"I can't even feel you holding me."

Shutting his eyes, Bill flattened his cheek on his brother's head.