Thief Taker General Simon Banks watched as the East India Company ship the Black Pearl sailed out of Port Thomas. He swore and looked around the harbor for a ship that he could commandeer to catch the Black Pearl, and the pirates that had stolen it.

He was about to snap at his friend Jim Ellison when he realized that the Sentinel was fixed on the ship as it disappeared, his features were almost calved from stone, no emotion - nothing. Simon put a hand out, the muscles in the Sentinel’s arm seemed locked in place, then he felt the man shudder under his hand, and Jim Ellison was back.

“We need a bigger boat!” the comment was out of the blue and made Simon smile,  “and a faster one!” the Sentinel added deadpan.

************

Bill Turner still couldn’t believe that the two pirates had managed to commandeer the Black Pearl, like all sailors - and a better part of his seafaring career had been taken up as a merchant sailor - he had no love for pirates, they were sea born thieves and killers, plundering merchant ships of their cargo’s and shanghaiing sailors to make up their crews – they were worse than any press gang. Bill had personally lost friends to the fiends that flew the Black Flag. That was one of the reasons that he had taken to fishing, the money wasn’t as good but the risks of being pressed into a pirate crew were less.  Now he had joined forces with a pirate for the sake of his family, he looked towards where Kath his wife stood, her arms wrapped around their son Will, he followed his son’s gaze and shook his head. The young boy was only 7 years old, and already his Sentinel gifts had begun to come forward, he would be not be able to claim a Guide until he was 20, but, in his case he had already selected his Guide, and that man was the reason Bill was turning his back on an honest life and was now setting forth on a career as a pirate.

Of all the people that Will could have picked as his Guide, he had to pick the pirate Captain that had crashed through their back door when he was being hunted by the Thief Takers. The man had been running a high fever caused by a festering shoulder wound, had been badly beaten and had hurt his leg escaping from, of all people, a Thief Taker Sentinel. Now it was his duty in life to keep the Captain alive and well until the time came for Will to claim his Guide.  Which given the nature of the man was going to be a hard job, first he had to gain the man’s trust and that was not going to be easy. 

Bill took a deep breath, let it out slowly and muttered softly “Captain Jack Sparrow,” the man was brilliant - and as crazy as they came. He allowed a small smile to touch his lips as he remembered Kath saying quite firmly, “since Captain Sparrow is going to be Will’s Guide, he was not to be referred to as crazy or insane, he was just ‘eccentric.’ ”  A play on words that did nothing to change the fact that the man was crazy but at the same time a genius in a fractured way, the two it was said often went hand in hand. But exactly who was the man they were welcoming into their family. That was the question, the answer would cost as much as a King’s ransom. 

Blair Sandburg - Bill Turner mused - or at least that was the name the man had given when they’d first met. But now he knew that in reality Blair was Captain Ben Sanders the consort of Captain Sparrow. But Blair still knew about Sentinels and Guides having been working under Dr Monroe a Sentinel expert, so mind made up he went to speak to him. “Mr. Sandburg… er… Captain Sanders?”

“Which ever,” the young man answered and leant back against the rail, looking up at the bellowing sails.  “You want to talk Mr. Turner?"

“You're one of them… a Guide?"

“What do you think, Sentinel?” The question was thrown back at him.

“I can feel you, like a pricking of my thumbs."

“The response of a bonded Sentinel to a strange Guide, your wife is your Guide, I take it?"

“Kath has a little of the gift enough to help me, but Will, he is strong on all his gifts, I worry about him, he has already formed an attachment with Captain Sparrow, but…"

“But he is too young and Jack is ignoring him.” Blair Sandburg shook his head,  “The gift in Jack is very strong, but his shields are frayed and damaged by what has happened to him.” He met Bill’s eyes levelly, “and you know what happens when a Guide’s shields are damaged?"

“OH… that’s why” He made a waving motion with his body mimicking Jack Sparrow.

“That’s why, “ Blair didn’t comment on the sanity of his fellow pirate adding “he drinks to shut out the emotions of the people around him, but the damage has been done and can never be repaired, your son, when he comes of age will never have an easy journey.  But he is strong and…” Blair trailed off and smiled, “…Jack is in for one hell of a ride."

“How can I keep him safe?”

“Your son? Understand him and…”

“No, Captain Sparrow.”

“Jack will never give up the sea, a ship for him is freedom from what his life was, and he would hang before he gave it up. So Bill, what you have to ask yourself is, are you going to turn pirate, and are you willing to bond with him."

“I can’t, I’m bonded."

Blair made a tsking sound, “Bill… Bill, we can do it between us, your son has made the connection, all you have to do is ride the pathway he has made so that you can help Jack, but it will not be easy. He won’t want to be helped he would see it as a weakness, but he will need it."

***************

Captain Jack Sparrow stood behind the wheel of the Black Pearl caressing the wood as he whispered to the ship; to him each move, each creak was like the living beat of the ship’s heart.

The connection with it was something he had felt the moment he had been brought aboard the Black Pearl. She had spoken to him, told him to take heart and to hold on, even as he had been beaten and abused by the ship’s former Captain. His blood had soaked into the wood of the deck, and they had become one.  Now she surged forward under his hand, the wind in her sail his girl, his ship. The pain in his body was forgotten as he communed with her. His hand moved to caress the wood of the wheel, as the other held her firm, for the moment he was content.

From one of the pockets of his ratty coat he pulled a bottle of rum that he had picked up from the Captain’s cabin, and took a long drink of it, he was free again, and with his Pearl no one could stop him.  He began to hum softly to himself…

Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish Ladies

Farewell and adieu to you, ladies of Spain,

For we’ve received orders for to sail for ole England

But we hope in a short time to see you again.

************

Kath shook her head, the pirate Captain was hurting, his very body language screamed it, she bent down as Will said something and nodded “I know my dear, don’t worry we’ll look after him."

Her son was getting distressed, even at this distance he could feel the heat pouring off his Guide’s body, the fever had returned and he could smell the copper scent of blood. As a Sentinel he needed to protect his Guide, the tears began to run down his face, why wouldn’t his parents help his Guide.  All he wanted to do was hold on to him, and make sure that he was well, but they wouldn’t let him.   Since he could remember his father had told him about the magic moment when he would find his Guide, it had happened but they wouldn’t let him go to Captain Sparrow.

Kath turned her son around and with her fingers brushed away the tears.  “Remember what we told you Will?"

With a heart-breaking sigh, the boy repeated what his mother had told him, “Captain Sparrow is my Guide, but I can’t call him that, and I mustn’t touch him, because it would upset him, and a Sentinel should never upset his Guide. A Sentinel must cherish and care for his Guide and protect him and..." He stopped and then sobbed “but he’s hurt and…and… “ he trailed off.

“I know dear, now go below and I will have a word with him," She gave Will a push towards the steps that led down to the gun deck and the cabins, with a hand brushing her clothing straight she started towards the wayward pirate Captain on the Quarterdeck.

*****************

Then the signal was made for the grand fleet to anchor.

And all in  the Downs that night for to lie.

Let go your shank painter, let go your cat stopper,

Haul up your clewgarnets, let tacks and sheets fly.

We will rant and we’ll roar like true British Sailors.

We’ll rant and we’ll roar all on the salt sea.

Until we strike soundings in the  channel of old England

From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues.

The pirate Captain broke off and took another large swig of rum, it was dulling the pain and like this he could remain on his feet. He peered at the woman who was approaching him like a ship under full sail; he got a feeling that he wasn’t going to like this. So he ignored her and looked at the horizon. If he ignored he she might just go away, yeah - she would go away - they usually did.

Now let ev’ry man drink off his full bumper

And let ev’ry man drink off his full glass

We’ll drink and be jolly and drown melancholy

And here’s to the health of each true hearted lass

We will rant and we’ll roar like trust British Sailors

We’ll rant and we’ll roar all on the salt sea.

Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England

From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues.

He was taking another pull on the rum when a hand suddenly plucked it from his grip.

Jack swung around, at that moment his damaged knee and ankle gave way and he fell, Kath caught him, his weight brought them both down on to the deck, Jack’s face was pressed into her breast.

“All you have to do luv was ask.”  He muttered into her cleavage.

Kath pushed him off her and her hand lashed out catching him across the face with a hard slap.

Jack put a hand to his face, “Now I don’t think I deserved that."

Kath’s hand raised again and Jack corrected, “Alright, I might have deserved that." He conceded.

Suddenly her face took on a look of pure horror as she looked over Jack’s shoulder. She breathed,  “Will. Oh my god!" as she saw her son climbing up the rigging.

Jack looked up and then swearing violently he hauled himself to his feet, tied off the wheel of the Pearl and then limping heavily rushed down the steps from the Quarterdeck he was breathing hard through the pain as he got to the main mast, Kath didn’t know what to do, as she watched Jack Sparrow start to make his way up the rigging.

Her husband pounded up the steps from the lower gun deck with Blair Sandburg right behind him, he was a Sentinel and he had heard his wife’s voice.

“Bill, it’s Will, you have to…"

Blair snapped, “you get the wheel, I’ll go after him," he shook his head “What the hell does he think he’s doing.

“Will?”

“No, Jack, he can hardly stand, let alone climb."

Kath watched as the second pirate started to follow them up to the dizzy heights above the heaving deck.  Far from looking like a pirate the second man looked more like a scholar with dark breeches, light waistcoat and ink stained fingers. His long hair pulled back in a neat pigtail tied with black ribbon, the same height as Sparrow but was of a more compact build and looked just as young. It was hard to think of him as Sparrow’s Consort Captain in piracy.

Will was clinging tightly to the rigging, he had got as far as the maintop - a small platform the ship’s sharpshooters would use - at the beginning the mast hadn’t moved much, but now it seemed to sway making him fear that it would snap under the strain of the canvas. Unable to climb down he had panicked and climbed higher, finding a place to cling to and fitting himself into the hole that give access to the platform. His eyes tightly closed, tears rolling down his face, his lips quivering.

The young Sentinel suddenly felt his world tilt, his senses became swamped with input; he opened his eyes and saw his Guide coming towards him. Will began to cry harder as he heard the things the pirate Captain was muttering under his breath as he carefully made his way up. But behind the words was the gasps of pain each time his ankle and knee had to take his weight on the swaying rigging. The sea was calm but the rigging was moving like something alive. His Guide had stopped as if focusing himself, before he started climbing again.

Then his Guide was there, Jack had to climb over the edge of the platform because Will was in the entrance - like a cork in a bottle - refusing to move, shaking like a leaf.  To climb up and over the platform, the pirate had to reach up and pull himself up, the strain on his bad shoulder made Jack almost cry out in pain all he could do was push the pain away; he couldn’t give away to it now, because if he did he would fall. With a grunt he managed to make it onto the platform, chest heaving, his breath harsh. With his head now resting on the platform, he looked sideways into the now open and very frightened eyes of the young Sentinel. 

Forcing himself - when all he wanted to do was lay down and give over to the dark shadows that flitted round his mind - but he had a child to rescue. First he had to get the boy up onto the platform, then he could help him get down, or at least they could stay put until someone else got here, someone with two good arms and legs the voice in his head nagged him. He anchored himself with his good hand and then reached out for Will. The boy just stared at this hand. “You have to take it whelp it’s the only way,” he added his voice getting harder “don’t look down," his tone softening as he added “I won’t let you fall Will, trust me."

When he saw the look the boy gave him, he couldn’t help leaning closer  “Have I ever given you reason not to trust me, mate?"

Will shook his head, and reached out, his hand was taken in that of the pirate Captain. Will kept his eyes fixed on the man that was his Guide, he trusted him.  Once he managed to get through the gap, he was pulled up and held close against the pirate’s chest, tucked against him in the crook of Jack’s injured arm.

For the pirate it was as if someone had thrown a bucket of cold water over him, the moment the boy had taken his hand, he had felt a jolt run through him. Puzzled he pulled the boy closer.

Blair had come up on the other side of the rigging, and was just heaving himself up the other side of the platform, when the boy suddenly did something very stupid and nearly fatal.

Far from staying still in his Guide’s arm, Will ‘s senses began to peak, he could smell blood and the scent of corruption coming off his Guide, over laid with the smell of rum.

He tried to pull free so that he could check on his Guide; all Blair could say later was that Will moved at the exact time that the Black Pearl pitched down deep and to one side.  Will lost his footing and fell.  The boy’s scream was cut off as he was caught and for a moment they hung there, the only thing stopping him from falling to his death was Jack’s grip on his coat.  Blair came over the platform and reached down, catching the boy as he dangled over the deck and a near fatal fall to his death.  Blair pulled him up dragging the scared boy back onto the platform.  Jack was pale under his tan, his eyes rolled back in his head and his body slumped and he fell backward, as the ship pitched again, the only thing holding him on was the way his boot was wrapped in the rigging.

The reason for the erratic course of the ship was explained when Bill Turner came up on the rigging he had left the wheel tied down again so he could help. It was getting worse by the moment; Blair was holding onto Will for dear life but couldn’t reach Sparrow. Bill came up slowly, if he just grabbed at the pirate he would lose his precarious balance one more violent dip of the ship and he would fall to his death

Hanging head first over the pitching deck, Jack’s eyes flickered and opened; he blinked as he looked into Bill Turners face. “Either you’re the wrong way round mate or I have a problem!"

Bill shook his head, “Stay still," even as he said it he swore, as the Pirate Captain moved. His boot slipping another couple of inches, another slip and Jack would plummet to his doom.  Carefully anchoring himself with his legs Bill reached up, catching the pirate’s good arm, at the exact moment the man dropped, the sudden weight of the pirate - even though his was slender built - made it feel as if Bill’s arm was being dragged from it’s socket.  He had stopped the pirate’s decent and managed to swing him into the rigging before he lost his hold on the man.  Jack only had a split second to cling on but managed to hold tight of the rigging, his head was spinning and he didn’t know up from down, all he could do was just hang on tightly.

Blair pushed Will into his father’s arms and headed for his friend.  Once Will’s feet touched the deck Kath pulled him into her arms even as his father started back up the rigging to help Jack down.

Carefully Blair coaxed the other pirate to climb. Having to use an arm around his waist to help him down.  On the way down they met Bill coming back up. Now with both men working together they could get the Captain down.  Bill dropped to the deck first and reached up to support his Captain.

Once on the deck only Bill’s grip stopped Jack from collapsing. Blood was running down Jack’s hand and dripping onto the deck, when he had grabbed hold of Will, the strain had broken open the wound.

“Take Captain Sparrow down to the Captain’s Cabin," Blair ordered. Kath was hugging her son, but she gently set him aside as she hurried after them.

Working quickly Kath opened up his Jack’s shirt, and frowned at the corruption seeping from the wound. As she cleaned it, she saw a small piece of material - smaller than the nail on her little finger, but it was wadded into the corner of the wound. A hand touched her arm, and she looked into Jack’s eyes, the pain flared in them, “Lady you have to close it, get Ben." He laid his head back as his eyes started to loose their focus and he reached out blindly, groping for his bottle of rum, Kath handed it to him, moving so that she could support him as he took a deep pull on it.

Blair opened the canvas role and selected one of the knives, he poured some rum over the blade sterilizing it, he had seen too many people die from small wounds infected by dirty knives. In fact Dr Monroe had been almost fanatical about it.  Looking across Jack he nodded to Bill, and the older man pressed down pinning the Pirate Captain to the bed. Bill was reluctant to press too hard on the injured shoulder, until Blair said softly “Bill, he’s in pain from the whole wound, you’re not going to hurt him."  Only then did he cut into the wound, Bill just managing to hold the writhing body. Kath mopping away the fresh blood, knew where she had gone wrong she hadn’t cut deep enough the first time, this time Blair had to make sure the wound was clean, all the time he worked she talked to Jack trying to reassure and comfort, but knowing he was hurting.  Finally she leaned back and with the back of her hand she brushed the hair from her eyes, her gaze sliding up the now unconscious man.  She put a hand out and handed Blair a red-hot knife, he pressed it to the edges of the wound, there was the smell of burned flesh, and the pirate Captain’s body arched up.  She had prayed that he would remain unconscious while they sealed the wound but it seemed her prayers had gone unanswered.

Blair took a deep breath and pushed a lock of his long curly hair out of his eyes this time the wound would heal cleanly.  Then he turned to Will, the boy was stood in the door way clinging to the door jamb, his eyes locked on the unconscious man in the bed.  Blair bent down, reached a hand out and drew him close, with a sob he threw his arms around Blair’s neck and hung on. He could feel the soothing vibes of the Guide. It wasn’t his Guide, but this one understood, and Blair’s hand rubbing Will’s back calmed him.  He buried his face against the Guide’s coat, unlike his Guide’s clothes, which smelt of salt, sea, sweat, and rum. Will wrinkled his nose. This Guide smelt of ink and paper.  Looking around the man he watched his own Guide.  He felt sick, he had done this to him; he had caused him to be hurt. As a Sentinel he should protect his Guide; he had failed and that hung heavy in his heart.

Kath finished dressing the wound, but her look of concern deepened as she felt the heat of a fever begin to increase ready to consume the smaller man.  It was going to be a long day…

***************

Three Hours later Kath was still sat by his side holding her vigil, Jack was still resting, but his sleep was becoming troubled as the fever began to take a firm hold on his body.

On deck Bill Turner busied himself with the business of sailing the Pearl. He looked up from coiling the rope, and took a steadying breath. “Blair, what the hell happened back there?”

“Will needed to get his Guide’s attention, that is why he climbed up the rigging, and now it’s eating at him that Jack was hurt.”

“What do we do, he’s too young to bond, and…”

“And Jack isn’t going to let him close” Blair finished for him, he laid a hand on Bill’s shoulder, “nothing has changed since earlier, you need to establish the bond, and secure Jack to you. It will prevent him being claimed by any other Sentinel."

That was one threat that Bill had not foreseen.

*************

The ship approached Tortuga, and Simon and Jim exchanged a look, they were about to enter the most godless port in the Caribbean, the Governor was a weak willed corrupt man, who would hand over any pirate if it was of profit to him, whilst turning a blind eye to the ships that docked, as long as he had his share of money for the stolen cargo they brought in. His military guard was loyal to him only because of the money he paid them, their brutality was a by word in the Caribbean. The merchants lived and traded in the teaming streets of Tortuga’s along side whorehouses and taverns. This was the hell that they had to now enter.

What surprised them both was that the Black Pearl was not in harbor, there was the possibility that a ship with such a small crew had come to grief, but Jim knew deep in his soul that his two Guides were still alive. So Simon and Jim had managed the impossible they had gotten ahead of the Pearl, so now all they had to do was wait for Captain Sparrow to arrive.

***************

Bill carried the pirate Captain onto the deck of the Pearl, and then opened up the sheet covering him, he tied a rope around Jack so as to form a harness. Bill checked the knots carefully making sure that the rope wouldn’t pull on Jack’s shoulder, he looked up at Blair, the younger man looked concerned, as he pushed his long curly hair back from his face.

“Are you sure this is going to work?" Bill asked, looking for reassurance.

“In theory…Yes, I once saw Dr Monroe do this with water poured from a two story house, the shock of the water hitting the body can break the fever." 

“But…” protested Bill, “this is a body hitting water”

Bending, Blair pressed a hand to Jack’s face the heat was still pouring off the slender Captain, “We’ve got no choice Bill, he’s burning up.”

Blair picked Jack up and moved him to the open rail of the Pearl, looking over his shoulder he checked that Bill had the rope and was holding onto it with Kath, then he dropped Jack over the side of the ship. Jack hit the water hard, they pulled him up clear of the side of the ship and high into the air and then dropped him again, they pulled him up again his body was hanging limp in the rope harness.  This time they carefully lowered him onto the deck, quickly wrapping him in blankets before carrying him back down to the cabin.

The fever broke early evening, and he drifted into a natural healing sleep, it wasn’t until the next morning that Jack finally awoke, he couldn’t remember where he was, then it came back to him - the Black Pearl - he could hear her creaking and groaning as she cut through the sea, she was more than just wood and sails, his ship was alive to him. Carefully he rolled his head to one side as he sensed someone near him, their emotions were quiet, they were asleep. The woman, Kath Turner was sat in a chair near a small table, on it cloths, a bowl of water, and more importantly a bottle of rum.

The door opened and Will walked in, his face lightening up as he saw his Guide, he had been asleep in the other room, and yet had known the minute his Guide was awake.

For a moment he just stood there, his mouth opening and closing, as he tried to form the words to speak to the older man, but unsure of what to say, then suddenly he turned on his heels and ran out of the cabin.

Jack knew he should say something, call out after him but suddenly his head felt too heavy, his throat too dry and he let his eyes close as he drifted back to sleep.

*************

Blair was lost in thought, as hard as it was to put into words he was beginning to regret having to leave Dr Monroe, he had built up a life there of an academic. He looked down at his clothing and a smile twisted his lips, he even looked the part of a teacher, with no memory of his old life he had been prepared to throw himself into the new life that had beckoned him.

His memory was still hazy, but he could remember now how the Black Pearl hunted them down, then there was an explosion as the Jade Dragon exploded and then… nothing until the Doctor took him in. Did he really want to go back to being the consort of Jack Sparrow? A smile touched his lips, say consort to most people and they thought of lovers, where for a pirate a consort was another Captain that fought with him, working and living together as one.

He gazed up at the sails the Black Pearl was a fast ship, once fully manned there would be nothing to stop her, a prize, but Jack’s prize, not his, he had seen the man already talking to the ship as he would a living animal just as he had done to the Morning Star. He shook his head and Jack wondered why they thought him mad, but one thing he knew for sure, Jack would never give the Pearl up now. He had become one with the ship in even this short time.

And what Jack Sparrow laid claim to he never let go.

**************

Tortuga

The Governor’s house

Simon Banks was waiting for an audience with the Governor and Jim was passing the time by studying the Mansion, it was rumored that the basements of the house had been carved out of the living rock and served as dudgeons. Once in there only the dead ever emerged.  Simon suppressed a shudder as he thought of the rumors he had heard of the brutality of the man he was about to meet. Simon looked down at his own clothes and those of James Ellison and shook his head he hardly looked like a Thief Taker General, he clothes were serviceable rather than impressive, but clothes didn’t make the man, and he was going to show Governor McDonald that.  A flunky came in and waved them through to the office.

**************

The Black Pearl

The Captain’s Cabin

Kath had been sitting in the cabin for hours watching over Jack Sparrow, here was the man her son had chosen to be his Guide – to a Sentinel the most important person in their life – so what did she really know about him apart from the obvious… nothing.  Kath resolved to find out all she could about this enigmatic man. So far she had been unable to get past Jack’s outer shell. His remarks towards her had been suggestive to say the least, but she hadn’t felt threatened by them, it was more as if they were a reflex action.

Looking across she noticed a slight shiver run through his body, getting up she leaned over him, pulling the blanket up around his bare shoulders. A rueful smile touched her lips as her fingers lightly brushed the pirates face, pleased when she felt no heat radiating from his body. But her fingers lingered gently tracing his sharp features, he really was very handsome, sternly she told herself to concentrate on the matter in hand, namely nursing the Captain - her son’s Guide – back to health

She jumped back when his eyes opened suddenly, and she found herself looking down into his beautiful dark chocolate eyes, a girl could easily lose herself in their swirling depths .

When she tried to speak her voice was husky “W…Welcome back Captain, you had us all worried there for a while." She smiled softly at him, as she turned up the oil lamp, but he threw an arm over his eyes, blocking out the light.

“Sorry." She turned it back down, then laid her hand over his, and gave his wrist a gentle tug. Finally her insistence paid off and he moved his arm, now she had his attention she said “thank you for saving Will."

The pirate’s eyes dropped from her face to her hand that was still holding his arm, his head tilted to one side -  he looked as if trying to solve a puzzle - before he muttered a reply that she didn’t catch.  Being the sole focus of his attention made Kath uneasy, she could feel the heat building in her face, as he covered her hand with his, and stroked up her arm.

“Oh” Kath whispered, unsure what to do, as his hand continued on it’s way up her arm his wrist brushing her breast.  She pulled back, but at the same time not wanting to break the contact with him.  In desperation she caught his hand and pressed it back down onto the bed. And blurted out the only think she could think of to take his attention away from her “mind if I ask you a question?"

Jack shrugged, not really listening.

“What’s wrong with your ship?" The result of her soft comment was more than she could have expected, and proved that if there was a choice between her and the Pearl, the ship would always win out.

The pirate’s eyes opened wider, he looked almost panicked

“The Pearl." Two words and Jack Sparrow threw the blankets off and was trying to get up, when Kath caught him by the waist and pulled him back down.  She cursed, “There is nothing wrong with the Pearl, Captain, Captain."  Kath ended up sprawled over him, very aware suddenly that he was naked under the sheets. Her hand was holding him down in a place… er… well… a general area of his anatomy that a proper lady didn’t touch. She thought ruefully, her face flaming bright red.

Kath’s eyes traveled up to a safer area… his throat then on to his face where she saw pure mischief blazing in his eyes. He was loving every minute of it, his eyes darkened suddenly as a raw passion blazed in them. , Kath’s face flamed even hotter as her mind made connections about Jack Sparrow that should have sent her running from the room, in shame. Time seemed to stand still, and she gave a shocked gasp as he pulled her down and kissed her, Kath felt herself melting into it. Then realization hit her hard, this was Jack Sparrow, flamboyant, exotic and as sexy as hell, he was everything that Bill wasn’t, but...  She pulled back quickly and firmly, refusing to blame the pirate Captain. She had allowed herself to get into that position, and she was going to have to set the boundaries if this was going to work.  She reached a hand out and she saw him pull back and then wince against the pain the action caused.

“What you waiting for luv?” Jack asked.

“Captain?”

“If you’re going to hit me, get it over with quick.”

Instead Kath reached out and brushed a braid out of his eyes, “That was a mistake, I won’t say that it wasn’t nice, but I love my husband and that is not going to change. But I am certainly not going to hit you for it. It was my fault just as much as yours.  But what is past is past.” She remembered something she had heard him say, covering his hand she said “Do we have an accord Captain?”

For a heartbeat he paused, and then closed his hand around hers and lifted it to his lips, never breaking eye contact. “we have an accord, my lady.”

Jack settled back down against his pillow only to leap up again as a thought struck him, “What did you mean, what’s wrong with my ship?”

“I meant what happened to the Morning Star, that creature Norton said that he found you floating in the Caribbean in a sinking boat, but you… er …Bill said he heard…." She broke off as she saw him raise an eyebrow. She decided to ignore it and keep going. “That the Morning Star was allowed to go free because you give yourself up, which one is true?"

“A bit of one, a bit of the other." Jack refused to give anything other than a cryptic answer He yawned and turned over, or at least tried.

Kath carefully caught his shoulder and tipped him onto his back, “C A P T A I N” It was the kick ass roar of a mother bringing a wayward child into line. Even if technically that child was a 20 years old pirate!

“Now what you waiting for luv?” Jack asked.

“You heard the question so give me a straight answer…" She paused.

“Huh” Jack exhaled “Norton couldn’t tell the Thief Takers he’d let the Morning Star go and his crew were too scared to say anything.  So he told Banks he found me on a sinking boat."

“Why didn’t he try to claim the boat… er… the Morning Star for himself." Kath wasn’t going to give up.

Jacks lips quirked into a smile. “Because he knew I would never give up the Morning Star and I was ready to sail straight for the Pearl and take her to kingdom come with me."  For a moment Jack was lost in the memory.  

“But his crew?” The question jolted Jack back to normal.

“A crew that he had introduced to the cat of nine tails are too frightened to do anything, they would die rather then risk his fury - poor bastards but it’s the truth.”  Jack reached for the bottle of rum and took a large swig, “so they went along with his story.”

“What about Blair, er… Captain Sandburg?"

“That’s his story." Jack told her.  He pushed the cork back on the bottle, and tried to get up.

Bair rested a shoulder against the doorjamb of the cabin, and grinned, “You know Jack, give up before the lass beats you, a day in bed won’t do you any harm, and the Pearl is running smooth and fine. You’re going to need all your strength when we reach Tortuga." Reaching behind him he produced a full bottle of rum. Ignoring the look from Kath he handed it to his friend, Jack cocked his head slightly at Blair he was feeling something from his old friend, but it was blocked off before he could clearly identify the emotion, and with a shrug and a wince as his injured shoulder made itself know. He drained a good quarter of the bottle, and leaned back against the wooden wall. Blair took the bottle and raised it to his lips but didn’t drink, then returned it to the other man. Jack’s eyes slid closed and the bottle dropped from his hand; deftly Blair caught it and pushed the cork back in the top. He caught the look Kath gave him, “Laudanum, I added a little to the rum. He should sleep all day and into tomorrow." He paused “Jack can be a mule at times, to get him to do what you want you just have to take his options away from him.” With great care he pulled the blankets up and over Jack, settling him back in the bed.

**************

Simon came out of the Governor’s office, the document in his hand was as worthless as the parchment it was written on, and both of them knew it.

Jim nodded respectfully to the man and woman in the waiting room, recognizing the clerical collar and black clothing of a vicar of the Church of England; the demurely dressed lady wore a ring and was his wife. Just at the top of the stairs Jim hesitated and frowned, he half turned in time to see them enter the office. Shutting out Simon’s concerned voice he filtered through what his sense had recorded and a ghost of a smile touched his lips.

“Finding Sparrow might not be as hard as we thought, to catch a bird all you need is breadcrumbs." With that enigmatic comment, Jim took the steps two at a time, and for the first time since he had seen the Black Pearl disappear into the distance he believed that he might just track down the two wayward Guides.

**************

Reverend Peter Spencer offered his wife his arm as they picked their way down the filth strewn streets of Tortuga, The streets at the moment were nearly empty apart from a few bodies that lay where they had fallen during a night of drunken debauchery empty by their sides. Cartwheels rattled on the cobbles as the dead from the night were collected and taken off for burial. Life was cheap and death meant nothing to the transient population of the port. Once nighttime came the port would become alive again, living as it did an almost nocturnal existence, dependant on the turn of the tide. But that was not to say that even now violence couldn’t break out in a heartbeat.

The Reverend felt his wife’s hand tighten on his arm, her handkerchief held to her face to try to block out the stench from the gutter, they moved out of the way just in time to avoid a full chamber pot being emptied out into the street, she flinched at the sound of pistols being fired, screams and then laugher and quiet followed. No one came to investigate; it was an everyday event, besides which sticking your nose into someone else’s business usually proved fatal.

Reverend Spencer had come to Tortuga to set up his mission, to bring the teachings of the Lord to the sinful corruption of Tortuga, the Governor had given his blessing, and then put his hand out for his rent, or rather his bribe to allow the mission to be opened.

Once they arrived back at the house, Mrs. Elisa Spencer opened her arms and pulled her children close, enjoying their welcome, at 10 and 11 the children were old enough to understand the perils of Tortuga, but still young enough to want to explore.

Laying his cloak over the back of one of the chairs Peter Spencer looked out of the window, “The Governor has given us his permission, but…" his voice trailed off.

Elisa put a comforting hand on his arm, “We will succeed my love, a mission, a church and a school, our dream and the Lord’s will." 

Peter turned slightly to look into his wife’s face; he felt his love for her fill his heart. Together they would make a difference to the lives of the wretched unfortunates that lived in this sinful town.

Jim had followed the couple at a distance, with his old coat, his sword belt slung over one shoulder and short cut hair he looked no different to the pirates and mercenaries that came ashore as night fell.

Jim had to get closer to the woman to make sure, but he might just have found his breadcrumbs...

*************

Simon sat on a barrel on the dock and watched the bum boats going out to the ships, noting the variety of good  - mostly fresh fruit and vegetables, barrels of rum and hard tack - supplies to barter for gold coins that the pirates would have.  He pulled out his telescope and braced one arm against the rail of the dock, scanning the horizon for the first glimpse of black sails.  Carefully he tracked the ships anchored further out and stopped on one called the Morning Star, if his memory served him right that was Sparrow’s former ship. It looked as if it had been put through a meat grinder, barely afloat, but even so the crew were working on it. He tracked the telescope back across the horizon and then stopped and tracked back, a spot on the horizon, time seemed to stand still as the ship came closer, faster than he thought possible, until there was no mistaking the black ship and the black sails. It looked like a dark angel of vengeance hoving into view. The Black Pearl, for it could be none other, she was the fastest ship in the Caribbean and now Captained by Richards Norton’s whelp.

As he expected the Black Pearl anchored on the edge of the harbor, away from the other ships, it was twilight when a small boat went from the Pearl to the Morning Star, when it returned to the former East India Company Ship, it was by lantern light, and what ever business there was between the two ships was now concluded.

***************

Coming out of the local bakery Mrs. Elisa Spencer saw Sir Neville Summers across the street, he had aged in the ten years since she had run from Tortuga, but he was the same weasel looking man he had always been.  She clutched her basket tight and with her head down she hurried up the street hoping he wouldn’t notice her. But as she passed the dress shop she saw his reflection in the window, he was watching her with a puzzled expression on his face.  He hadn’t yet connected the whore he knew with the respectable woman he now saw.

Once inside her house she locked the door and sat down on a kitchen stool, touching the back of her neck with a trembling hand she could still feel the scars from the knife he had used on her all those years ago.  She could guess what he was looking for, but to return it to him was to sign her own death warrant, he would kill to keep the news of it quiet, and nothing was quieter than the grave.

**************

Sir Neville Summers had stared at the woman, something about her had drawn him, but the arrival of a messenger had dismissed the woman from his thoughts.  The message was brief and to the point Captain Jack Sparrow had just arrived in Tortuga, but what made it more interesting was that Thief Takers had also arrived from Port Thomas hunting him as well, his hand dropped to touch the stiff paper with the warrant on it. Let the Thief Takers catch Sparrow and then he – Sir Neville Summers – would reap the benefit.

***************

Jim made his way to the dock and took a seat next to Simon. As Jim looked towards the Pearl, his friend’s voice seem to fade away and he felt as if he was being sucked down into a whirl pool, Jim’s senses dragged him towards the ship, the heartbeats of the crew faded until he could only hear two. One slow as if asleep the other moving around, his Guides were in front of him, he raised his arms as if reaching out to them.

Simon panicked and pulled Jim’s arms down, “Jim, JIM” he snapped the Sentinel’s name, when the man shook his head as if he was trying to clear it. But even so the look of longing in his eyes when he looked at the Pearl was nearly heart breaking.

Blair was on the deck of the Pearl, and suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, and reaching in his pocket pulled out a telescope and focused it on the dock, moving it slowly along. Then he stopped as he found the Sentinel. The man just stared straight at him, and Blair took a step backwards nearly falling over some coiled rope. He closed the telescope with a sharp snap and turning on his heels he headed down below deck, but even as he did so he could feel eyes burning into his back.  The Sentinel would never give up.

**************

Elisa paced up and down, and then paused in front of the mirror, how much of the woman she had once been did she still see staring back at her… When she was 17 years old she was the toast of Tortuga, the best whore in the port and in great demand.... Her dark hair was now flecked with silver and a few lines now creased her face, she tried a smile and still saw the young girl that would dance for coins on the tables of the inns.  Downstairs she could hear her husband shouting at the children to come in, Elisa pulled herself together, she now had a life far removed from what she had been. But the little voice still nagged - Neville Summers was dangerous he could and would destroy her life. Crossing to a small wooden trunk she pressed a corner of it, and a secret section opened, she pulled out a small box, for a moment she gazed at it thoughtfully before placing it back in it’s hiding place.

**************

Sir Neville Summers watched the Black Pearl sitting at anchor; he still couldn’t believe that Sparrow had managed to commandeer it. But taking him off the ship was going to be impossible, but sooner or later he would have to come ashore, and then either Summers’ men or the Thief Takers would seize him. After he was finished with Sparrow there wouldn’t be much left of him. One more pirate corpse wouldn’t raise much concern, and the Pearl would be a bonus.

Part Two

Early the next morning as Tortuga was just going to bed, Jack shrugged on his clothes, it was a struggle but he had business to conduct and lying around in bed would get nothing done.

He still had to recruit more men, and the Black Pearl needed to be taken out and shook down before he started raiding.  Going to the prow of the ship, he took down the lantern and swung it four times paused for the count of ten then swung it four more times all he had it do now was wait. Shortly he heard the sound of oars being dipped into the water, and a boat came alongside the Pearl.  Climbing down proved tricky and he had to bite his lip to stop crying out in pain from his shoulder. But finally he managed it. Then he waved at the man to take him to shore, suppressing a shudder at the early morning chill, Jack settled himself down in the boat, the rocking of the craft and the methodical dip of the oars in the water made Jack drowsy, he yawned…

The boatman shook his head and leaned over his passenger to shake him awake, the moment his hand touched the man’s arm, the sleeping pirate was awake, and the boatman found himself on the wrong end of a long bladed knife, as the point pricked his throat he managed to croak “Easy Captain, we’re here” he waved over his shoulder at the dock.

“Sorry mate," Jack drawled as he slid the knife back in his boot. Getting out he tossed the man a shilling and headed off into Tortuga. Not seeing the shadows that detached themselves from the darkness and followed him.

**************

Jim kept well back, Sparrow was a Guide and therefore able to feel the warning vibes of an unbonded Sentinel nearby, Jim wasn’t sure how close he could get and remain undetected but it was a risk he had to take he couldn’t afford to lose Sparrow.

Simon was suddenly jerked back into an alleyway as Jim saw the pirate Captain turn around, Jack looked puzzled then he shrugged and started down the road again, stepping over a drunk – relieving the unconscious man of his rum bottle - before he continued weaving his way down the road.

Simon saw a smile on his friend’s face, “What’s so funny Jim?”

The first land we sighted was called the Dodman

Next Rame Head off Plymouth, off Portsmouth the Wight

We sailed by Beachy, by Fairlight, and Dover,

And then we bore up from the South  Foreland Light.

We will rant and we’ll roar like true British Sailors.

We’ll rant and we’ll roar all on the salt sea

Until we strike soundings in the channel to Old England.

From  Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues.

The Sentinel could make out the words and a smile touched his lips as he answered. . “He’s singing away to himself, nice voice." 

“Is he drunk?”

“Why?” Jim shot a look at Simon, not really wanting to take his eyes off the Guide.

“Well he’s…” Simon made a swaying motion, which made the Sentinel laugh.

“No, well… yes, he smells of rum, but I think that’s just… well… him."

“Oh!” Simon’s eyebrows went up, “you’re sure you want him, I thought that Sandburg was your Guide?”

“A Guide in the hand is worth two in the cell, Simon." Jim paused, “We catch them both and then sort them out." The Sentinel was relieved to see that Simon accepted his answer; A Sentinel always protects a Guide… at all cost.

Finally Sparrow arrived at his destination, a modest almost respectable looking shop. He knocked on the door, the window above was thrown open and a man looked out and down. Then the window closed with a bang and a few minutes later the door opened and the pirate were ushered in.

Jim looked towards the window where he saw a lamp being lit, and then stretched out his hearing, increasing it until he could hear the men talking.

Jack counted the kegs of powder, and shook his head, as he rapped his knuckled on the weird looking stenciled characters on each of the kegs. “No mate, I want English gunpowder, and none of that poncing French stuff either, it don’t burn right too much sweepings put in it to bulk it out. I ordered English and paid gold for it, and now you’re trying to palm me off with this heathen…"

“It’s Chinese.” The man cut across him, wringing his hands.

“So?” Jack glared at him, his dark eyes flashing.

The merchant John Fox, held up his hand to pacify him,  “Captain, Captain, this powder is better than even the English powder. The Chinese invented gun powder, so who better to perfect it” John held his breath, the pirate Captain seemed to be calming down. Quickly he handed him a twist of paper with a sample of the powder in it.  Then flinched as the pirate tested the powder using the flint on his pistol. The flame was bright and true.

“I’ll take the 20 kegs…” he leaned right into John, the rum breath making him take a step back,  “…off your hands for a small consideration, not everyone would be so understanding, would they?" His smile was not very reassuring.

John’s gaze slid from the pirate’s face to his sword and then back again; “Of course” he grated the words out. 

“One thing…” the pirate rapped one of the other keg, “…I want to try that one first." 

John smiled “Of course Captain, no trouble at all.”

Jack felt the relief flooding through the man in front of him, and then a feeling of triumph.  That put him on his guard; the merchant was up to something. His eyes narrowed, and he rapped another of the keg, “A second thought occurs, open this one instead Foxy."

The merchant carefully opened the keg, took out a measure of powder and then re-sealed it, as it was tested, he held his breath, a bright clear flame showed that the powder had ignited correctly.

“Deliver it tomorrow, The Black Pearl, she’s at anchor on the north side of the harbor."

It was with relief that John Fox locked his door; he walked into the living quarters and looked around at the kegs. Once on board the Pearl he would store the powder under any already on the ship, that way it would buy him extra time before it was used, because once that happened Sparrow would be high tailing it back to Tortuga with revenge on his mind.  Never a good idea displeasing Sparrow - the man was crazy as a loon, and the progeny of one of the most bloodthirsty pirates on the Spanish Main, but his gold was as good as any pirates and a man had to make a living, but he was counting the days until he could afford to leave Tortuga.

***********

Jack came out of the shop and the froze, he swayed and then turned to face the two men in the dark shadows, the moment he had come out he had felt them, it was like a shiver running up his spine. Jim moved out into the open, and the light from the first story window lit up his face. Jack smiled “You’re persistent Sentinel."

“Give up Captain," Simon took the lead, Jim hadn’t answered, but his eyes were locked on Sparrow as if he was the only cold drink in a desert, the need on Jim’s face was frightening. “There is no where to run, we have a warrant for your arrest, and even in Tortuga there is some justice."

“You forgot one thing”

“And that is?"

“I am Captain Jack Sparrow." Jack’s hand came up and he fired his pistol, the powder flashed, at the instant he fired he had closed his eyes, so he was the only one that wasn’t blinded by the bright flash. It was enough for him to take to his feet, the pain from his wounds hammered through his body as he forced himself to move quickly. If he was lucky the Sentinel would have fallen into the void, and by the time the other man helped him, he would be safely back on the Pearl, and the Governor would learn what happened to some one who betrayed Captain Jack Sparrow. The Pearl’s long nines would reach the Mansion on the hill easily.

“SPARROW” The words were roared as if by a great predator, and echoed off the buildings, The Sentinel was hunting his Guide, with just as much fervor as a Thief Taker hunting a pirate.

Jack ploughed into another man, and bounced off the wall of one of the houses, the pain in his shoulder made his head spin, the man grabbed at this arm, and Jack swung around his fist smashing into the man’s face, putting him down, he could hear the sound of feet pounding on the cobbles.  He saw another man detach himself from the shadow, and glanced around in time to see a woman coming out of one of the houses.

Grabbing her he forced her back into the house. One arm went around her body the other pressed a pistol to her head. Jack felt her fear and then something else, an old feeling soothing his mind; he shook his head to clear it. The woman reached a hand up and her fingers splayed across his arm, she didn’t attempt to struggle, and when she spoke he knew the voice. His hold began to slacken on her and he said one word, and the woman’s body relaxed in his hold. Just then the Sentinel came through the door of the kitchen, and Jack tried to edge towards the other doorway only to see the Sentinel’s friend blocking it. He gave the woman a firm push away from him, and drew his sword as he saw the Sentinel smile and shake a finger at him tutting.

Simon saw the look that Jim gave him, he was to keep out of it, this was between Sentinel and Guide. The Thief Taker looked at Sparrow, the slight built pirate Captain was fast on his feet moving with a grace that was lacking in his usual swaying gait.  He lunged at Jim and then pulled back, as it was countered. One thing was certain Jim was at a disadvantage, Sparrow wanted to kill him, but he only wanted to secure his Guide. 

Jim dropped to his knee to avoid a heavy skillet that arched towards his head.  Simon had never seen anyone as good as the pirate at using everything around him to try and end the fight fast, the reason was obvious. The pirate was sick and it was slowing him down.

Jack knew he was in trouble; the man was an unmovable object that he had to get past. He could feel the energy draining away from him. Already the sword in his hand was getting heavy and beginning to shake, and soon he would be unable to lift it. So far the other man hadn’t joined the fight but that wasn’t to say he wouldn’t. The Sentinel ducked the saucepan, but the chair kicked his way brought him down. But the man was fast and rolled clear, but not before he received a cut to the forearm. Jim was back on his feet again, he reached out with his left hand and touched the rent, and without looking he could smell the blood on his fingers. The Guide had drawn first blood, he had sharp claws, just what he needed a spirited Guide.

But all the time he fought the look of amusement didn’t leave his face. He had all the time in the world.  He would take this Guide, find the other one and only then would he would decide which one was his true partner. The amusement faltered as he saw Jack stumble, and noticed the increased pallor on his face.

Simon swore as he saw the blood, this had to end now. He moved behind the pirate and swung his pistol the butt caught Jack Sparrow across the back of his head, he ignore the snarl form the Sentinel, Then froze as the tip of Jim’s sword pressed against his chest preventing him from getting close to the fallen Guide, for the first time since they knew each other, Simon was scared.

Just then the Tortuga militia arrived, and surrounded the fallen man, the sergeant in charge delivered a kick to his ribs, only to be sent flying as Jim threw him off the senseless man. Simon cut across them “We have a warrant, you want to argue, see the Governor." He waved the well-crumpled piece of paper in front of the man

It was then Simon noticed that the woman had knelt down by the pirate, her hand was slowly ghosting over his features, she had a look of total horror on her face. The man helping her to her feet was talking softly to her. He wore the black flowing robes and collar of a cleric, he turned to Simon “Get this piece of sea trash out of our kitchen now."  There was a harshness to his voice that seemed ill matched to the gentleness in which he helped the woman to her feet, he then guided her out of the room having to almost pull her along, the Reverend was pleased to see over his shoulder that the pirate was being dragged from his house.

Once in the living room Elisa Spencer spun on her heels pulling herself free she glared up at her husband as the Pirate Captain was dragged away. “What did you do that for, I had it under control he…”