{Fic} Ocean Soul 17/18 | Will/Jack
Ocean Soul
Part 17 of 18
By Clarity Scifiroots
Standard disclaimers apply. This AU plot rules parallel to the first movie but isn’t quite the same. By a fan, for fans.
Rating: Ranges from Teen to Adult/Mature.
Pairing: Jack/Will
Summary: An AU tale that weaves a rather bleak past for one Will Turner. When the young blacksmith apprentice stows away on the Interceptor to get away from abuse, he didn't expect it to be taken over by pirates led by the most famous (or is it infamous?) Jack Sparrow.
Warnings: Sexual harassment, abuse, and recovery from such
January 18, 2008
Seventeen - brand new!
“Come in, Mister Turner.” Will stepped into the cabin and closed the door. He’d been steeling himself for the conversation ahead for days, knowing that he could not return to the way things used to be.
“Sir,” he greeted and took the seat Norrington motioned him toward. The commodore poured them each a snifter of brandy and then joined Will at the small table. “Thank you,” Will accepted, staring into his glass and watching the liquid gently slosh against the sides.
Norrington cleared his throat. “What is on your mind, Mister Turner?”
After taking a drink, Will met the other man’s eyes and insisted, “Will, please.”
“Very well. Will, would you care to tell me what transpired during your kidnapping?”
He had to hide a smile at that. Quickly he waved aside the question as unimportant. “I have some... reservations about returning to Port Royale, sir.”
Norrington’s eyebrow raised quizzically. “What are you concerns?”
What could he say? Even though Will had tried to run through this conversation in his head, he hadn’t been able to figure out how to explain the danger he faced by returning. He stared critically at the commodore, weighing the man’s venerability and trustworthiness. No matter the outcome of this conversation, he knew his time at Port Royale would be brief; with or without help he planned to find passage to another port, perhaps head to Tortuga where pirates were know to weigh anchor. There he would surely hear word of the Pearl.
“Will?”
Pulling his thoughts back to the present, he said, “I wish to ask for your help in ending my contract - I am but a year short of my apprenticeship.” His gaze traveled to the commodore’s sword belt and studied the handle of the blade he’d fashioned what felt like a lifetime ago. “I have learned all I can from the shop and assure you I will not be missed. I swear-”
“Mister Turner, I should inform you that Jonathon Brown was jailed for the attempted murder of a prostitute he’d been known to frequently patronize.” Will stared at him in surprise, but Norrington’s expression gave away none of his feelings on the matter.
“He... I’m afraid I don’t know what to say.” Will tried to let it sink in.
Norrington sipped his drink. He said, “Allow me a hypothetical. Say one of my men has recently earned his station as lieutenant. I find out through a discussion with this lieutenant that the captain he has been working under for some years has been misusing his power. The lieutenant reveals that he has approached me because his captain has extended his ill treatment to a young seaman with no apparent recourse. Although our military hierarchy affords certain benefits as one achieves a higher rank, I find the abuses committed by this captain unpardonable.
“While there are indeed matters of which we may find in ill taste to discuss, sometimes it is necessary to look the devil in the eye to be rid of the sin. The young Mister Brown has, since his imprisonment, been spoken of a great deal in gossip; I have had the dubious honor of hearing rather lurid rumors of which I have no doubt hold some truth. I say this, Mister Turner, to assure you that whatever your story, you need not feel pressed to reveal particular incidents to me. I also promise that I will make no assumptions about whatever your previous circumstances may have been. Simply, I don’t find your private matters my business.”
Will stood up and paced to the cabin’s window to stare out at the wake left behind by the Dauntless’ passing. The commodore had certainly caught him off guard; his mind continued to reel with the underlying implications of their discussion. However-
“I’m relieved Jonathon was seen to, but I’m afraid my apprehension remains.” Will finished the last of his drink and fiddled with the empty glass. He glanced sidelong at the commodore. “If you are kind enough not to inquire into my qualms about Jonathon, I have hope you might not question me further about problems I have had with the man claimed to be my uncle. I wish to extricate myself entirely from the Browns, Commodore.”
Norrington did not look surprised, expression still a mask of calm, although a glimmer of emotion lurked behind his eyes - something burning, like anger, and yet also remorseful. A long silence stretched between them, during which Will stubbornly focused at the rolling waves on the sea. He ached with the need to return to the familiar crew. He hadn’t seen Ana for more than a week, since before breaking the curse. Of course, Jack topped the list of those he missed. Those days of peacefully enjoyed company felt an eternity away and the short period of bliss nothing more than the faint memory of a dream overshadowed by nightmares.
At long last the commodore replied. “It seems you have found a calling with the sea. When we make port I see no reason why I couldn’t spare a few moments to find a civilian ship in need of an extra set of hands. I would ask for your testimony regarding our current prisoners, which I trust isn’t too much to ask?” Will smiled and felt thankful that Norrington couldn’t see him, else he be asked what the amusement was for. “And I believe my fiancé has been worrying about your condition.”
Startled, Will turned back to the table and sat down. “You mean Elizabeth?” Well, who else would care to ask after his health?
Norrington looked rather satisfied with himself, the smugness much softened by genuine affection shining in his hazel eyes.
“I trust you can spare the time to assure Miss Swann you are alive and well?”
“Y-yes, of course.” Will ran a hand over his hair, suddenly smiling. He could still feel the desire to find the Pearl and its captain, but for the moment a pleasant feeling that things would work out dulled the heartache.
“And Will;” the commodore inclined his head when Will met his gaze. “In certain settings, titles seem awkwardly formal from the mouths of Elizabeth’s friends.”
-----
AnaMaria approached the shoreline of Port Royale in the early dawn light before most of the town awoke. The Pearl would be back in the bay by nightfall and look for her signal - either to send along reinforcements or wait for her return.
The events of Isla de Muerta lay nearly three weeks behind them and the time had passed with a great deal of difficulty. AnaMaria refused to speak or listen to Jack for a week when she could finally admit that they’d had no option but to flee when the navy arrived. Even so, tempers shortened with half the crew worrying over what had happened to their enemies and, more importantly, their missing shipmate. The other half of the crew tended to be the victims of everyone else’s anger due to their preoccupation foremost with the treasure waiting back at the hidden island.
Eventually they reached Port Royale with fresh supplies and found the Dauntless and the Interceptor, looking a little worse the wear. AnaMaria had fought tooth-and-nail with Jack over going ashore alone to track down Will. Amazingly, reason eventually made Jack give in, something AnaMaria still didn’t fully trust. As she hid the dinghy out of sight, she ran a careful eye over her surroundings, suspecting her captain to conspicuously swagger out at any moment.
No sign of Jack.
She double-checked that her hair remained in its bun under her hat and that the belt around her waist didn’t make her shirt cling obviously to her womanly curves. Someone looking closely could probably tell her sex, but as a sailor in a port town she would easily pass as a young man and cause no one alarm.
Alright. Let’s see where yeh’ve gone to. She climbed the stone wall along the beach to reach the port road and made her way into town.
-----
“I would really love for you to be around for the wedding,” Elizabeth said for about the sixth time in half as many days. Will sighed at the woman linking elbows with him. “Is it really so much to ask? If you’re so anxious for the sea, you could at least return in time.”
“I don’t know where I’ll be in three months,” Will said, a reiteration of his previous answers. “I swear I’ll make the attempt, that’s the best I can do.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes tolerantly. “Well just remember you’ve made that promise.” She tugged on his arm and guided him toward a vendor’s stall with crates of fruit. “Would you like anything?” she asked, unlinking her arm so that she could browse better.
“That’s alright,” he replied. He stepped aside as another woman approached.
It felt strange to walk the streets again after so many weeks at sea. He felt strangely claustrophobic with the amount of buildings surrounding him and solid ground beneath his feet. Most of the people around him wore tailored clothes that had significantly less signs of wear than those of pirates.
The market filled with people by mid-morning and Will had to move himself away from the most recent flow of people passing through the narrow corridor of vendors. As he turned to give room for a couple walking side-by-side, he felt his shoulder collide with someone’s body.
“Please forgive-”
“Just look at yer face!”
Will stared speechlessly at the expression of concern and relief on AnaMaria’s familiar face. She met his gaze and grinned. “Good to find yeh, Will. ‘Ow do yeh feel?”
“Ana, I-” he paused and chuckled, delighted to realize that her presence meant the Pearl had to be nearby. “God, it’s good to see you.” He clapped her shoulder and impulsively pulled her into a hug. Voice quieter, he said, “I wasn’t sure how I would find you. Have you been well? How is Jack? Where is he?”
She laughed and pushed him back. Her eyes twinkled as she tucked a loose strand of hair under her hat. “Yeh’ll see ‘im soon. There’s no livin’ with the Cap’n when ‘e’s feelin’ guilty.”
“I understood...” Will explained, though he knew he couldn’t completely hide that even though he understood the decision, the abandonment had hurt. Ana smiled encouragingly, a silent apology in her eyes.
“Will?” Elizabeth appeared nearby, a small basket of apples held in her arms. She looked over the stranger with a perplexed expression.
For a moment he didn’t know what to say. Ana nodded her head in silent greeting but didn’t speak. Elizabeth’s anxious eyes convinced Will to tell her the truth.
“Elizabeth, this is AnaMaria. She’s part of the crew I’ve recently sailed with.” He touched Elizabeth’s elbow in reassurance. She studied him a few moments, then nodded her head in silent understanding. Relieved, he continued, “I believe I’ll be gone come morning.”
“I suppose so.” Elizabeth focused again on the pirate and shifted her basket so that she could shake Ana’s hand. “It’s good to know a woman can find a place at sea. I’m afraid I’ve only heard tales of such women before now.”
Ana grinned. “Plen’y of us, though few enough to make yeh lucky to find us sailin’ with yeh.”
“I’ve always wanted to have an adventure,” Elizabeth said, voice wistfully drifting towards daydreams. “Maybe- well, perhaps James will plan exciting travels.” She grinned sheepishly, a faint blush tingeing her cheeks. “Will, you’ll try to make it back, right?”
Will glanced at Ana, then back to his childhood friend. “I did promise to try.” Elizabeth’s smile lost little of its sincerity, but he knew that she recognized he had already begun to make plans that would probably never lead him back to this port. “I will,” he attempted, reaching to clasp her hand. “I’ll see if I can come on my own without endangering the crew.”
“I hope you will, I’d love to hear what you find.” She blinked quickly and squeezed his hand in reassurance. “Can you spend the rest of the day with me? Tell me how it was James found you on the Interceptor.” Her eyes glowed with excitement, probably because she now had sure evidence standing before her that he’d had a real adventure, full of pirates and all.
Ana chuckled and shooed the two of them away. “Go on. Be at the bridge to the docks by sunset, Will. Tell the lady wha’ she wants.” She leaned in to whisper, “Know of the Black Pearl, miss? And Cap’n Sparrow?”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she gasped. “Oh, Will! You haven’t!” She gripped his hand tightly. “Let’s get back to the house, I want to hear everything!”
“I’ll be on time,” Will swore as he let Elizabeth drag him away. Ana’s smile followed them as they wove through the crowded street.
-----
The sunset had been spectacular, although Jack barely took notice since the reds spreading across the water meant it was time to bring the Pearl around. His fingers danced nervously over the smooth wooden rails of his beloved ship and searched the shoreline for Ana’s signal.
“Thar’! She’s got ‘im.” Gibbs grinned and clapped Jack on the back.
Jack fumbled for his spyglass and took a closer look at the navy-issue pantaloons Ana had run up one of the flagpoles at the docks. He grinned. In just a few moments he spotted Ana and his lover pushing out of the shallows and rowing towards... Home, he thought.
“Righ’, lads! We’ve got two to come aboard!” Jack whirled around and waved at his crew to get to work. “Once we’re loaded, I say we ‘ead to claim our treasure. Wha’ say you?” A chorus of cheers greeted the news. “Tha’s right, ‘oose the bes’ Capt’n?”
“It’ll be the prettiest bounty e’er hauled, Jack,” Gibbs said appreciatively. “Will ye be takin’ the helm?”
One hand waved the silly question aside. Jack went back to watching the silhouetted figures bobbing atop the waves. “Wha’ kind a man do you think I am, Mister Gibbs?” Jack snorted, a devious grin spreading his lips. “Le’ Ana take the wheel, she’ll be ‘appy to ‘n Pearl likes ‘er.”
“Aye, aye, Capt’n.”
-----
To be completed
-----
Part 17 of 18
By Clarity Scifiroots
Standard disclaimers apply. This AU plot rules parallel to the first movie but isn’t quite the same. By a fan, for fans.
Rating: Ranges from Teen to Adult/Mature.
Pairing: Jack/Will
Summary: An AU tale that weaves a rather bleak past for one Will Turner. When the young blacksmith apprentice stows away on the Interceptor to get away from abuse, he didn't expect it to be taken over by pirates led by the most famous (or is it infamous?) Jack Sparrow.
Warnings: Sexual harassment, abuse, and recovery from such
January 18, 2008
Seventeen - brand new!
“Come in, Mister Turner.” Will stepped into the cabin and closed the door. He’d been steeling himself for the conversation ahead for days, knowing that he could not return to the way things used to be.
“Sir,” he greeted and took the seat Norrington motioned him toward. The commodore poured them each a snifter of brandy and then joined Will at the small table. “Thank you,” Will accepted, staring into his glass and watching the liquid gently slosh against the sides.
Norrington cleared his throat. “What is on your mind, Mister Turner?”
After taking a drink, Will met the other man’s eyes and insisted, “Will, please.”
“Very well. Will, would you care to tell me what transpired during your kidnapping?”
He had to hide a smile at that. Quickly he waved aside the question as unimportant. “I have some... reservations about returning to Port Royale, sir.”
Norrington’s eyebrow raised quizzically. “What are you concerns?”
What could he say? Even though Will had tried to run through this conversation in his head, he hadn’t been able to figure out how to explain the danger he faced by returning. He stared critically at the commodore, weighing the man’s venerability and trustworthiness. No matter the outcome of this conversation, he knew his time at Port Royale would be brief; with or without help he planned to find passage to another port, perhaps head to Tortuga where pirates were know to weigh anchor. There he would surely hear word of the Pearl.
“Will?”
Pulling his thoughts back to the present, he said, “I wish to ask for your help in ending my contract - I am but a year short of my apprenticeship.” His gaze traveled to the commodore’s sword belt and studied the handle of the blade he’d fashioned what felt like a lifetime ago. “I have learned all I can from the shop and assure you I will not be missed. I swear-”
“Mister Turner, I should inform you that Jonathon Brown was jailed for the attempted murder of a prostitute he’d been known to frequently patronize.” Will stared at him in surprise, but Norrington’s expression gave away none of his feelings on the matter.
“He... I’m afraid I don’t know what to say.” Will tried to let it sink in.
Norrington sipped his drink. He said, “Allow me a hypothetical. Say one of my men has recently earned his station as lieutenant. I find out through a discussion with this lieutenant that the captain he has been working under for some years has been misusing his power. The lieutenant reveals that he has approached me because his captain has extended his ill treatment to a young seaman with no apparent recourse. Although our military hierarchy affords certain benefits as one achieves a higher rank, I find the abuses committed by this captain unpardonable.
“While there are indeed matters of which we may find in ill taste to discuss, sometimes it is necessary to look the devil in the eye to be rid of the sin. The young Mister Brown has, since his imprisonment, been spoken of a great deal in gossip; I have had the dubious honor of hearing rather lurid rumors of which I have no doubt hold some truth. I say this, Mister Turner, to assure you that whatever your story, you need not feel pressed to reveal particular incidents to me. I also promise that I will make no assumptions about whatever your previous circumstances may have been. Simply, I don’t find your private matters my business.”
Will stood up and paced to the cabin’s window to stare out at the wake left behind by the Dauntless’ passing. The commodore had certainly caught him off guard; his mind continued to reel with the underlying implications of their discussion. However-
“I’m relieved Jonathon was seen to, but I’m afraid my apprehension remains.” Will finished the last of his drink and fiddled with the empty glass. He glanced sidelong at the commodore. “If you are kind enough not to inquire into my qualms about Jonathon, I have hope you might not question me further about problems I have had with the man claimed to be my uncle. I wish to extricate myself entirely from the Browns, Commodore.”
Norrington did not look surprised, expression still a mask of calm, although a glimmer of emotion lurked behind his eyes - something burning, like anger, and yet also remorseful. A long silence stretched between them, during which Will stubbornly focused at the rolling waves on the sea. He ached with the need to return to the familiar crew. He hadn’t seen Ana for more than a week, since before breaking the curse. Of course, Jack topped the list of those he missed. Those days of peacefully enjoyed company felt an eternity away and the short period of bliss nothing more than the faint memory of a dream overshadowed by nightmares.
At long last the commodore replied. “It seems you have found a calling with the sea. When we make port I see no reason why I couldn’t spare a few moments to find a civilian ship in need of an extra set of hands. I would ask for your testimony regarding our current prisoners, which I trust isn’t too much to ask?” Will smiled and felt thankful that Norrington couldn’t see him, else he be asked what the amusement was for. “And I believe my fiancé has been worrying about your condition.”
Startled, Will turned back to the table and sat down. “You mean Elizabeth?” Well, who else would care to ask after his health?
Norrington looked rather satisfied with himself, the smugness much softened by genuine affection shining in his hazel eyes.
“I trust you can spare the time to assure Miss Swann you are alive and well?”
“Y-yes, of course.” Will ran a hand over his hair, suddenly smiling. He could still feel the desire to find the Pearl and its captain, but for the moment a pleasant feeling that things would work out dulled the heartache.
“And Will;” the commodore inclined his head when Will met his gaze. “In certain settings, titles seem awkwardly formal from the mouths of Elizabeth’s friends.”
-----
AnaMaria approached the shoreline of Port Royale in the early dawn light before most of the town awoke. The Pearl would be back in the bay by nightfall and look for her signal - either to send along reinforcements or wait for her return.
The events of Isla de Muerta lay nearly three weeks behind them and the time had passed with a great deal of difficulty. AnaMaria refused to speak or listen to Jack for a week when she could finally admit that they’d had no option but to flee when the navy arrived. Even so, tempers shortened with half the crew worrying over what had happened to their enemies and, more importantly, their missing shipmate. The other half of the crew tended to be the victims of everyone else’s anger due to their preoccupation foremost with the treasure waiting back at the hidden island.
Eventually they reached Port Royale with fresh supplies and found the Dauntless and the Interceptor, looking a little worse the wear. AnaMaria had fought tooth-and-nail with Jack over going ashore alone to track down Will. Amazingly, reason eventually made Jack give in, something AnaMaria still didn’t fully trust. As she hid the dinghy out of sight, she ran a careful eye over her surroundings, suspecting her captain to conspicuously swagger out at any moment.
No sign of Jack.
She double-checked that her hair remained in its bun under her hat and that the belt around her waist didn’t make her shirt cling obviously to her womanly curves. Someone looking closely could probably tell her sex, but as a sailor in a port town she would easily pass as a young man and cause no one alarm.
Alright. Let’s see where yeh’ve gone to. She climbed the stone wall along the beach to reach the port road and made her way into town.
-----
“I would really love for you to be around for the wedding,” Elizabeth said for about the sixth time in half as many days. Will sighed at the woman linking elbows with him. “Is it really so much to ask? If you’re so anxious for the sea, you could at least return in time.”
“I don’t know where I’ll be in three months,” Will said, a reiteration of his previous answers. “I swear I’ll make the attempt, that’s the best I can do.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes tolerantly. “Well just remember you’ve made that promise.” She tugged on his arm and guided him toward a vendor’s stall with crates of fruit. “Would you like anything?” she asked, unlinking her arm so that she could browse better.
“That’s alright,” he replied. He stepped aside as another woman approached.
It felt strange to walk the streets again after so many weeks at sea. He felt strangely claustrophobic with the amount of buildings surrounding him and solid ground beneath his feet. Most of the people around him wore tailored clothes that had significantly less signs of wear than those of pirates.
The market filled with people by mid-morning and Will had to move himself away from the most recent flow of people passing through the narrow corridor of vendors. As he turned to give room for a couple walking side-by-side, he felt his shoulder collide with someone’s body.
“Please forgive-”
“Just look at yer face!”
Will stared speechlessly at the expression of concern and relief on AnaMaria’s familiar face. She met his gaze and grinned. “Good to find yeh, Will. ‘Ow do yeh feel?”
“Ana, I-” he paused and chuckled, delighted to realize that her presence meant the Pearl had to be nearby. “God, it’s good to see you.” He clapped her shoulder and impulsively pulled her into a hug. Voice quieter, he said, “I wasn’t sure how I would find you. Have you been well? How is Jack? Where is he?”
She laughed and pushed him back. Her eyes twinkled as she tucked a loose strand of hair under her hat. “Yeh’ll see ‘im soon. There’s no livin’ with the Cap’n when ‘e’s feelin’ guilty.”
“I understood...” Will explained, though he knew he couldn’t completely hide that even though he understood the decision, the abandonment had hurt. Ana smiled encouragingly, a silent apology in her eyes.
“Will?” Elizabeth appeared nearby, a small basket of apples held in her arms. She looked over the stranger with a perplexed expression.
For a moment he didn’t know what to say. Ana nodded her head in silent greeting but didn’t speak. Elizabeth’s anxious eyes convinced Will to tell her the truth.
“Elizabeth, this is AnaMaria. She’s part of the crew I’ve recently sailed with.” He touched Elizabeth’s elbow in reassurance. She studied him a few moments, then nodded her head in silent understanding. Relieved, he continued, “I believe I’ll be gone come morning.”
“I suppose so.” Elizabeth focused again on the pirate and shifted her basket so that she could shake Ana’s hand. “It’s good to know a woman can find a place at sea. I’m afraid I’ve only heard tales of such women before now.”
Ana grinned. “Plen’y of us, though few enough to make yeh lucky to find us sailin’ with yeh.”
“I’ve always wanted to have an adventure,” Elizabeth said, voice wistfully drifting towards daydreams. “Maybe- well, perhaps James will plan exciting travels.” She grinned sheepishly, a faint blush tingeing her cheeks. “Will, you’ll try to make it back, right?”
Will glanced at Ana, then back to his childhood friend. “I did promise to try.” Elizabeth’s smile lost little of its sincerity, but he knew that she recognized he had already begun to make plans that would probably never lead him back to this port. “I will,” he attempted, reaching to clasp her hand. “I’ll see if I can come on my own without endangering the crew.”
“I hope you will, I’d love to hear what you find.” She blinked quickly and squeezed his hand in reassurance. “Can you spend the rest of the day with me? Tell me how it was James found you on the Interceptor.” Her eyes glowed with excitement, probably because she now had sure evidence standing before her that he’d had a real adventure, full of pirates and all.
Ana chuckled and shooed the two of them away. “Go on. Be at the bridge to the docks by sunset, Will. Tell the lady wha’ she wants.” She leaned in to whisper, “Know of the Black Pearl, miss? And Cap’n Sparrow?”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she gasped. “Oh, Will! You haven’t!” She gripped his hand tightly. “Let’s get back to the house, I want to hear everything!”
“I’ll be on time,” Will swore as he let Elizabeth drag him away. Ana’s smile followed them as they wove through the crowded street.
-----
The sunset had been spectacular, although Jack barely took notice since the reds spreading across the water meant it was time to bring the Pearl around. His fingers danced nervously over the smooth wooden rails of his beloved ship and searched the shoreline for Ana’s signal.
“Thar’! She’s got ‘im.” Gibbs grinned and clapped Jack on the back.
Jack fumbled for his spyglass and took a closer look at the navy-issue pantaloons Ana had run up one of the flagpoles at the docks. He grinned. In just a few moments he spotted Ana and his lover pushing out of the shallows and rowing towards... Home, he thought.
“Righ’, lads! We’ve got two to come aboard!” Jack whirled around and waved at his crew to get to work. “Once we’re loaded, I say we ‘ead to claim our treasure. Wha’ say you?” A chorus of cheers greeted the news. “Tha’s right, ‘oose the bes’ Capt’n?”
“It’ll be the prettiest bounty e’er hauled, Jack,” Gibbs said appreciatively. “Will ye be takin’ the helm?”
One hand waved the silly question aside. Jack went back to watching the silhouetted figures bobbing atop the waves. “Wha’ kind a man do you think I am, Mister Gibbs?” Jack snorted, a devious grin spreading his lips. “Le’ Ana take the wheel, she’ll be ‘appy to ‘n Pearl likes ‘er.”
“Aye, aye, Capt’n.”
-----
To be completed
-----