Chapter 8

KINGSPORT MASSACHUSETTS, 1921

The man was so old, that the oldest resident could not remember him being young. Very little was known about him. If anyone knew his name they never spoke it. He got mail occasionally, but there was never a name, or even a return address on the envelopes. It was supposed, though not known for certain, that he had been a ship's captain. His right leg was missing, having been replaced by a wooden prosthetic. When he spoke, he had a slightly gravelly, accented voice. But he spoke rarely.

It was rumored that he had treasure buried in his basement. But the last time anyone had tried to discover the truth of that matter, would be robbers, they had met a hideous, mysterious fate. He received few visitors, and their testimonies had fed the tales that he trafficked with spirits and other eldritch powers.

The sun had set some time ago, and as was his custom, the Old Man was sitting on his front porch, with a bottle of rum, a pipe, and some of the glass bottles containing pendulums that he was said to speak to, and get replies from. There was an old family in town that were even scarier than he, and he liked to watch their procession up to the church on the hill.

When the Vampire strolled up his walk, he exhibited no surprise, nor fear. Though it was interesting that the lad wasn't bothering to hide what he was.

"I'm afraid ye'll find that my blood lacks a certain something." he smirked. "Though I suppose if you like the taste of rum..."

The Vampire grinned. "It's good to see you again. Captain Barbossa."

SAN FRANCISCO, 2003

"Through fortuitous circumstances," Jack said, lounging in his chair, "I find myself in possession of a young, strapping, not entirely unattractive body. Slightly damaged. But it's on loan, so to speak."

"Pirates don't borrow things." Kidd said. He had, in fact, a private stash of rum, which he'd deigned to share with his unexpected guest.

"Well put mate." Jack agreed. "And you appear to have found a way around that pesky splinter problem you lot have."

"And you want to know the secret of my success." Kidd said thoughtfully. "Interested in turning Vampire?"

Jack grimaced. "Is that my only option?"

"I'm not even sure it is an option. You see we've got two captains here and only one ship. And I know how many problems that can cause for you."

Jack waved a hand dismissively. "Nonsense, your ship, your crew. Wouldn't want either."

"Well that's a relief. But Jack all you've told me so far is what you want from me. You haven't yet mentioned, what you have to offer in return. Immortality doesn't come cheap."

Jack grinned. "I can get you Slayers."

KINGSPORT

"I'll not be invitin' ye in just yet, Master Kidd." Barbossa said.

"Captain, if you please." Kidd sighed. "I was a Captain last time we met, and I've been one ever since."

"Have ye now? Well done lad. So what brings ye to Legend Haunted Kingsport? Come to see the sights perhaps? Or have you come to find a familiar face and reminisce about old times?"

"Well I heard scuttlebut that a certain Pirate Lord was still in business, and I had to come see for myself. And perhaps to gain the secret of your success."

"Immortality comes at a high price boy. And it seems to me ye've precious little left to bargain with."

"My soul you mean? Is that what you gave up?"

"I'll be keepin' my secrets just that thank ye. So ye're a Vampire lookin' for a little extra leg up in the world. Well...perhaps we could come to an accord, at that."

SAN FRANCISCO

"Don't think you can pull the wool over my eyes so easily Sparrow." Kidd growled. "I know all about the Slayer thank you very much. There's only one."

Jack nodded sagely. "All things being equal I'd agree mate. But you of all people should know, that things change. Not always for the better, but that's life. Or, unlife I suppose. There was only one at a time to be sure."

Kidd felt a chill run down his back, and Marie, silent all through the meeting, gripped his shoulder tight. "Are you telling me, that that's no longer the case?" If that was true, it changed everything.

"As I said mate, things change. You tell me how it is you've cheated final death, and I can find out for you just how many are about, and where and when they'll be...about."

"But Jack, what makes you think we fear the Slayer? You've seen for yourself, we're invulnerable."

"But what about your ship eh?" Jack countered. "You and your crew of miscreants may be immune to such things as...fire. But does your vessel have as reliable protection? Pirate Vampires without a pirate ship would be a sorry sight indeed."

"And what makes you think we would trust you?" Marie demanded. "Why should we believe you won't sell us out to the Slayer? Slayers. If you're even telling the truth about that."

"You have something I want love. The Slayer in Chief is the one what wants to send me back where I came from, savvy? Always put your faith in vices eh? A dishonest man, you can always trust to be dishonest. And a selfish man, you can always trust to do what's in his best interest. So, do we have an accord?"

"You LOST HIM?!"

"It was, more like he lost us." Andrew said, squirming.

"And you waited ALL DAY to tell me?!"

"Well we were kind of hoping we'd be able to find him before we were supposed to come back."

"B," Faith said, not believing that she was trying to calm anyone down, "He couldn't get far. He doesn't know the city, he still doesn't know much about the 21st century, we'll find him. Just tell all the girls to be on the lookout for Xander when they go out on patrol."

Buffy took a deep breath, and tried to recover her equilibrium. But it was hard. According to that book she and Dawn had found, Jack Sparrow had spent a lot of time trying to cheat death. And she wasn't at all sure he wouldn't try to thwart Willow's attempts to oust him from Xander's body. Besides, what if he got arrested for something? Then Xander would be in trouble.

"I'm not waiting." she announced. "I'm going out there, and I'm gonna find Sparrow." She turned back to them as she opened the front door, not immediately realizing that the object of her search was standing on the front porch.

"And I'll bring him back here if I have to toss him over my shoulder and carry him!"

"Done." Jack grinned. Buffy gasped, and spun, wishing to god she could unsee that grin. "But please darling, be gentle."

To Be Continued...