Chapter Eight: History

Will stood next to Gibbs on the deck he worked. Samantha was standing next to Jack at the helm, they were talking lowly about something gesturing at the compass then towards a map.

"How is it that Jack came by that compass?" The blacksmith asked curiously.

Gibbs shrugged and shot a glance towards his captain. " Not a lot’s known about Jack Sparrow before he showed up in Tortuga with a mind to go after the treasure of the Isla de Muerta. That was before I met him, back when he was Captain of the Black Pearl."

Will was taken aback at the new piece lf information. He looked toward where the subject of discussion stood with raised eyebrows. "What? He failed to mention that."

Gibbs sighed, he knew he would have to tell the boy some information in order to keep his trust. To keep him in line.

So, with a disgruntled huff, Gibbs started his story. "Well, he plays things closer to the vest now. And a hard-learned lesson it was. See three days out on the venture the first mate comes to him and says everything’s an equal share that should mean the location of the treasure too. So Jack gives up the bearings. That night there was a mutiny. They marooned Jack on an island and left him to die but not before he’d gone mad with the heat."

Will took in the new information, making connections instantly and looking at Jack in a new light. "Ah. So that's the reason for all the…" The man trailed as he wiggled his fingers.

The sailor resisted the urge to smack the boy as he glowered and sat down. "Reason's got nothing to do with it." He grumbled as Will sat next to him. "Now Will , when a man is marooned he is a given a pistol with a single shot – one shot. Well it won't do much good hunting or to be rescued. But after three weeks of a starvin’ belly and thirst, that pistol will start to look real friendly. But Jack – he escaped the island, and he still has that one shot. Oh, but he won't use it, though, save for one man. His mutinous first mate."

Will's eyes became serious and cold as he named the traitorous man. "Barbossa."

Gibbs nodded, distaste clear in his eyes. "Aye."

Will thought for a moment before he looked up again. "How did Jack get off the island?" He asked.

Gibbs grinned and moved closer. "Well, I’ll tell ye. He waded out into the shallows and there he waited three days and three nights till all manner of sea creature ‘came and acclimated to his presence. And on the fourth morning, he roped himself a couple of sea turtles, lashed ‘em together and made a raft." Gibbs finished with a grin.

Will arched an eyebrow. "He roped a couple of sea turtles?" Gibbs nodded. "Aye, sea turtles." He confirmed. Will furrowed his eyebrows and looked up. "What did he use for rope?"

Gibbs was about to answer when he notice two things. First, he had no clue what Jack had used for rope. The second, and slightly more terrifying, thing was that Samantha was standing right behind Will with her arms crossed.

Just then, Jack spoke up from the side of the pair. "Human hair, from my back." He leered at the pair.

Samantha rolled her eyes at the made up tale and moved to address the crew. "Drop the anchor!" She ordered, recieving and instant reaction of obedience from the crew members.

"Young Mr. Turner, Samantha, and I are to go ashore." Jack informed Gibbs before he started to go and be sure he had had supplies readied for the trip, incase something were to happen.

"Captain! What if the worst should happen?" Gibbs asked as he looked between Samantha and Jack, who nodded in unspoken agreement.

"Keep to the code." They answered befire walking off to retrieve water, rum- on jacks insistance-, and food.

"Jack, what if the worst does happen?" Samantha asked slowly. "Come back here and keep to the code." He told her softly, then he hesitated. "What is it?" She asked him curiously as she moved next to him. "If- if I should die- I know you already have some form of place on the brethren court but- I mean I need a successor so if I were to-" he struggled to answer but Samantha understood. "Then I am to succeed you. Good thing it won't come to that." She reassured.

"Samantha, do not break the code." Jack  urged, his eyes boring into her as he pinned her against a post. "And if I do?" She murmured. "So what?" She asked with a grin. "Your father helped write the code, you would be in some serious trouble." Jack pointed out.  "Most of the first brethren with the exception of one is long dead. They can't exactly do anything." Samantha pointed out. "Then do it because I asked for it." Jack urged further. Samantha studied him for a moment before she nodded slightly. "Okay. For you."

"Thank you lass. Let's go, my damned crew should have that boat in the water." He grumbled. Samantha laughed at his jest and climbed out of the haul with him.

Together, the two pirates and the blacksmith all piled into the longboat, Jack taking up the rows while Samantha sat inbetween him and Will.

"How do you think Barbossa will greet us?" Samantha joked with a careless grin. "With a raised gun and a warm smile." Jack jested back. "You're probably right."

Slowly, they made their way into Isla De Muerta's cave system. "What Code is Gibbs to keep to if the worst should happen?" He wondered aloud as they passed by a skull. "Pirates code, Any man that falls behind," Jack started saying as he glanced at a treasure chest. "Get's left behind." Samantha finished as she dragged her hand in the water, leaving a slight ripple where her finger touched the silky water. "No heroes amongst thieves, eh?" Will muttered spitefully.

Samantha shot him a dark glare and shook her head in disbelief.

Jack stared at Will apprehensively as he spoke. "You know, for having such a bleak outlook on pirates you’re well on your way to becoming one. Sprung a man from jail, commandeered a ship of the Fleet, sailed with a buccaneer crew out of Tortuga." Jack listed as he started to bring the boat into a small beach. The boat passed by shinning treasure as they went, sending all three pairs of eyes its way as Jack finished. "And you're completely obsessed with treasure."

Samantha jumped onto the black sand as she followed Jack up to a small opening in the cave, where they could clearly see Barbossa, his men, and Elizabeth.

"That's not true. I am not obsessed with treasure." Will denied as he started toward the pair. Jack spared Samantha a fleeting glance as he turned to Will. "Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate."

Barbossa stood on a hill, Elizabeth knelt over a treasure chest next to him. He had an apple in his hand, one that he hoped to enjoy when the curse was broken. He had a slight feeling of apprehension about the ordeal, however. He could have sworn that Bootstrap always spoke of a strapping son, not a beautiful daughter. He shook off the foreboding sense with an eyeroll. He was older now, his memory was not quite what it used to be, he couldn't be second guessing himself.

And so, with his mind on the task before him, he started rallying his crew. "Gentlemen, the time has come! Our salvation is nigh! Our torment is near at end." He announced.

Samantha made a slight note under the cheering of his crew about his seemingly natural talent for rallying a crew. She now understood how he had gotten Jack's entire crew to turn against him and maroon him.

"For ten years we’ve been tested and tried, and each man jack of you here has proved his mettle a hundred times over and a hundred times again!" He sympathized with his crew, all of them cheering in agreement.

"Suffered I have!" The one eyed pirate from earlier called.

"Punished, we were. The lot of us - disproportionate to our crimes! Here it is," he shouted as he kicked the lid to the case aside, "the cursed treasure of Cortés himself. Every last piece that went astray, we have returned, save for this." He yelled as he pointed to Elizabeth's neck.

"Jack, Samantha?" Will anxiously asked as he scrambled to get into the cave. Samantha grabbed hold of one of his arms while Jack held the other. Together they shoved Will back.

"Not yet. We wait for the opportune moment." Jack explained.

"881 we found but despaired of ever finding the last." Barbossa provided a background noise to the raising tension going on between the unwitting trio.

"When’s that? When it’s of greatest profit to you two?" Will growled.

"William, think about this logically. If we go in now then we face crew of pirates who can't die try to kill the three of us- who may I remind you- are quite mortal." Samantha growled at Will who sent her a glare.

"May I ask you something? Have we ever given you reason not to trust us? Do us a favor – I know it’s difficult for you, but please stay here and try not to do anything stupid." Jack pleaded before he seized Samantha's hand and started walking around to go and retrieve Elizabeth and the Pearl.

Samantha had her dagger drawn as she watched infront of her, keeping her senses peeled for any dangers.

She heard the slight crinkle of sand beneath his feet just before a swishing sounded as an oar flew through tbe air and knocked out both Samantha and Jack.

"Sorry, I’m not going to be your leverage."