Disclaimer - No, you're not seeing things; I really have updated a new chapter to my TMNT/POTC crossover. Go me. It's not much, but it's a start and I didn't get it beta-read, either, as I was quite anxious to put it up. (Sorry Cynlee, I just couldn't help myself. LOL)

Consequently, whatever problems or inconsistencies you catch, don't hesitate to let me know.

I had this mostly written last year, but I became overly concerned with how they'll get the treasure onboard the Pearl. That's not part of this chapter, but the resulting effects gave me writer's block, nonetheless. If anyone has an idea how best to hoist a one-ton block of granite and gold onto a sailing ship, email me. Don't PM, as I won't get it. Fan Fiction's alert systems are down and have been for some time, now. Or, PM me via Stealthy Stories. At least their alert features are running.

As always, I only own the story and the poles. Everyone else are the property of others.

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Chapter 16 - Honorable Suspicions

As Don consoled him, Michelangelo sniveled, eyes closed, "There's no place like home; there's no place like home. Please, pretty please tell me it's only a bad dream."

"It's no dream, Mikey, but it…it's going to be all right," Don patted his frightened brother's shoulder, "Does Raph even look like a skeleton?"

Slowly, Mike glanced over at his brother in red, his brow furrowed in worry. He blinked a few times before finally staring hard into Raphael's mask-less face. Suddenly, a smile ceased Michelangelo's own. "No," he chuckled, "he's just as ugly as always."

Growling, Raph slapped Mike across the head, which had Mikey laughing even more. However, it was then an unsettled thought occurred to the orange-wearing turtle and his eyes grew a little wider as he looked around. In horror, Mikey realized the cave seemed…less lit, as if the sun outside was nearing its westernmost path. Now, a new wave of concern fell over him and he looked beseechingly at his brother in red.

"Wh…what time is it, Raph?"

Shrugging, Raphael replied irritably, "Pffft…how the shell do I know, ya see a watch on m'wrist?" but then he looked over at Donatello, "Hey, Donnie, d'you know?"

Donatello glanced upwards at the ceiling far above and noticed the same reduction in light. With some of the torches winking out, as well - their fuel depleted, it further darkened the deeper recesses of the cave. Finally, he turned back to his bothers, "Might be near sunset."

Hyperventilating and with eyes now as big as saucers, Mikey turned to the pirate and asked, his voice rising in pitch, "Um, is it only when there's a full moon…that we turn into…skeletons?"

Jack shook his head, "Moonlight's all ya need, mate, doesn't matter if it's waxin' or wanin', but not t'worry, you'll still be alive…sort of." He then offered a quick, reassuring grin.

"Well, at least we have that," Mike sighed, seeming to accept his situation. He suddenly cheered, "Guess Halloween comes early this year, right bros?" He tried to grin wider, to find some humor in his situation, but it was obvious that Michelangelo would have preferred waiting a bit longer for his most favored holiday.

Satisfied his brother had finally accepted things well enough, Don turned to Jack, "So, Captain Sparrow, if what you say is correct, and we are indeed cursed - undead, how soon can we get back to normal?"

"Ya see, Donnie boy, it's like I said b'fore. I haves t'get th'gold back t'it's rightful owners…an'….they live a ways from here, not far, really," he added quickly, "An'considerin' the gold's powers an'all, m'good conscience won't rest 'til I do." He smirked wider, "Hey, but there is a consolation," he gestured, seeming to include the other humans behind him, "we all be as cursed as you four, so - in a sense - we're…all brothers, here."

Raph snorted, "Yeah right!" as Leonardo nodded slowly in understanding. He could tell that Mike and Don weren't too happy about it, either. Of course, it was an unsettling idea, turning into skeletons, but it was obvious to him that until Sparrow completed his plans, there wasn't much any of them could do about it.

Nevertheless, as Leo glanced at Raphael, he could tell his brother in red was ready to bleed out right there, if only to undo the curse.

Finally, "Okay," Leo nodded more eagerly, "we will help you. The more you have working towards that goal, the quicker we can all get back to our normal selves, right?"

Jack smiled bigger than before, "Absolutely, mate!"

A while later, the motley group of humans and turtles stood around the chest, sharing various ideas in how best to move it.

Mike, however, stayed as far from the center of their attention as he could and still be within reach of his brothers. He listened intently, though, as the others talked about getting the stone container and its contents back to the ship…that is, without sinking the rowboats first.

Before they delved into brainstorming for ways of moving the chest, however, Gibbs had gone back through the tunnels leading to the seaside entrance of the cave to retrieve the rest of the men. Without their assist, they wouldn't be able to do anything about the chest. Fortunately, the first mate found them waiting at the mouth of the tunnel, having yet to row back to the Pearl, although they seemed ready to do so when he emerged. In fact, the moment he did, Gibbs found himself ducking a shot from one of the more trigger-happy crewmembers. He couldn't rightly blame the man, of course; the very nature of the turtles would unnerve even the bravest of soldiers, but it did cause Gibbs to rush forward and instinctively grab the man by the throat.

"Next time, MATE, ya make sure I'm not wearin' a shell!" he bellowed, nose to nose with the sailor.

"Y-y-y-yes sir! S-s-s-sorry sir, didn't knows it was you," the man quivered apologetically.

Just the same, the fact the men didn't mutiny, caused Gibbs to thank all that was holy. He assured the men of a generous award for not doing so, too, even the one who had fired the shot. This brought quick smiles to everyone's faces and, of course, Gibbs didn't have a clue if Jack could or would reward them. He stayed quiet about that, however. He knew it was imperative to give the illusion of control, no matter the situation, and they desperately needed to avoid a mutiny at all cost.

Still, the Cap'n's not going to be very happy about it. he had muttered

After Gibbs explained about the event following their speedy departure from the cave, and once the crew reluctantly accepted the turtles as allies, they made their way back through the tunnel. And, along the way, the first mate warned them, "An' where they be cursed, ye knows no manner of gun or knife will kill 'em, so ya best accept 'em for now."

"Bet if we take a head, that'll stop'em," cackled one elderly sailor, his voice echoing slightly against the tunnel's rocky walls, "that's what someone said, decapitat'n's the only way t…"

"An' have the remaining three do you as well?" Gibbs interrupted, "You saw yerselves just how quick they be!"

The men groaned and murmured among themselves, the memory of that fact all too fresh. In the end, Gibbs tart reply quelled any further thoughts of betrayal. As they filed back into the cave, the sailors gave odd looks towards the upright terrapins, but once they realized the amicable truce between them and their captain, the men became a little more relaxed. Most kept their distance, as well, especially the two who had met the business end of Raphael's sai.

Satisfied the crew would behave, Gibbs left them to themselves, quickly rejoining his captain. As he sidled up alongside of Jack, he whispered something into the man's ear.

Sparrow's eyes widened slightly.

"Poss'bly," Jack kept his voice low so only his first mate could hear him, "ye have over-reached yer influence, Mister Gibbs," The pirate glanced once at his men. He saw their curious looks, with a few smiling and waving at him. It was obvious they thought him a fine captain, especially with Gibbs' promise of a reward. Of course, once they learned there wouldn't be, he'd have to face their disappointment, but that wouldn't happen just yet.

In any event, he returned the grin and gave a small wave in reply.

As he cleared his throat, he turned towards his first mate, and cocked one eyebrow, "Although I'm happy t'know they didn't mutiny, maybe we can find somethin' t'thank them with. Possibly…" he looked back towards Leo and his brothers, all four meeting his gaze. Sparrow lowered his voice even more, "their weapons or even their…shells, might fetch a coin or two," but Jack shook his head as he addressed Gibbs again, "Nay, I'm certain we'll find something else that's…as valuable….in order t'thank 'em."

"Hope so, Cap'n, the crew looked mighty happy when I told 'em ya would."

"I'm sure they did, Mr. Gibbs."

As the two men talked and as Will and Elizabeth's attention focused on their shipmates, Raph turned his back in order to face Leonardo, "I don't like this, Leo," he mouthed softly, giving a barely noticeable nod towards the humans, "they have guns and curse or no curse, I don't like getting shot at."

"I know," Leo replied softly, "but we can't get off this island without their help."

"An' who's t'say that this curse, when it's over, won't revert us back to how we were before it changed us?" His eyes widened slightly, "You were dead. I was too, as was Mike. We have no guarantees if this," Raph lowered his voice even more, almost mouthing his words, "Jack Sparrow guy is telling the truth. I don't think he's giving us the whole story about this curse or that gold. His body language, the way he grins every time he answers a question, it's a ruse, Leo, a con…I can sense it. I don't think this guy's as honorable as he makes himself out to be."

Taking as step closer to his brother, Leo smiled, nodding, "I know and I agree, but…for now, we play along, okay?"

A pause passed between them, both brothers speaking more with their eyes than with words. Finally, Raph nodded, Okay.

Someone behind Raph cleared their throat, causing the turtle to turn around. One hand instinctively went for his sai, coming just short of unsheathing it. Fortunately, he didn't, but he did notice Jack smiling again, a little wider, in fact, but it was the same mischievous smile he was beginning to trust less and less.

It's all too - convenient, he grumbled. But, Leo's right, for now, we have to play along.

Waving a hand in the direction of the chest, Jack entreated, "Well, mates, les' decide how best t'get me chest onboard the Pearl, shall we?"

The four turtles and humans then grouped closer together, each one offering ideas. Gibbs had suggested that Leo and his brothers do the carrying, but all four turtles seemed quite unhappy with that.

"No, I don't think that will do." Leo shook his head, insisting instead, "I feel it should be a shared responsibility, between your people and us."

"But ya might be stronger, lad, more capable," Gibbs suggested, one hand indicating the turtles' stout physique.

"That's possible but I won't consign my brothers into doing all the work. I will still assign one for each side, though, while you decide on four of yours, or however many it takes to move the chest to the boats."

Sparrow listened to the repartee between his first mate and Leonardo, the obvious leader of this strange group of human-turtles. Finally, after hearing Leo's suggested arrangement, Jack remarked, "Leonardo, I think you…don't trust us."

Leo bowed slightly, "Actually, it is you who has problems with trust. Your acceptance of us has been quicker than most humans we've met. But, I believe trust is earned and, quite simply, there hasn't been enough time for that." He noticed a quick dissent fall over the group by the river, with quiet, unsettling comments of worry rising up from the men. One man rested a hand on his pistol and so Leo quickly added, looking at Jack again, "But, if you give us time and room to prove ourselves, you will find us capable and loyal to a fault." He smiled then, pointing up to where his katana showed above his back, "Especially in battle."

Sparrow pressed his hands together under his chin, nodding acceptance, "You are observant, Leonardo, I'll give ya that, and…ye are correct, mate." He bowed deep this time, "I apologize for me and m'men's lack o'faith. As you say, trust is earned and I sup'ose it does go both ways?" He chuckled and then winked, "I looks forward to our first joint encounter."

"Hopefully, that will never happen, but if it does, my brothers and I will fight with honor."

Honor, eh? Jack had to wonder about that. He wondered exactly how far this creature and its brethren would take such a word as…honor.

And he was confident that if things went as planned, he had many ways to thwart such allies possessing more honor than what he was comfortable with. To Jack, it seemed the kind of honor Leonardo spoke of would be the very kind easily turned against him…and that was just something the pirate wouldn't allow.

Jack Sparrow stroked his chin and, after a moment, smiled back at the turtle in blue, "I'll expect nothin' less, laddy."

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A/N - Yes, a little dissent into suspicion, my friends. I thought they were a little to chipper in the previous chapter and, let's face it, both sides would distrust the other at this point, where they're just getting' t'know one anoth'r. LOL Then again, time may only confirm Raphael's (and probably Jack's) more immediate concerns, too. Bwahahahaha