Song is owned by Disney. It's from the movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Chapter 12: A Difference of Opinion

Jason leaned against the wall watching Cotton arm-wrestle Tearlach. It wasn't every day that he got to see something like this. Tearlach was a large man both of height and girth and it was funny to see him losing to Mr. Cotton. The older man's parrot was watching as well and would occasionally comment. Marty and Jason had already taken bets on who would win. Marty was going for an obvious choice, Tearlach, but the boy sensed there was more to Cotton than the man was letting on and instantly voted for him.

They were sitting in Pirate Hall, waiting for dinner to be served. Most of Teague's crew and a few others were around as well. When meeting Jason, a lot of them were skeptical. Sure the boy looked like Jack and Teague, but was he really Jack Sparrow's? They questioned Thomas who asked Jason to roll up his sleeve and show them the inside of his elbow. Everyone close to Teague and Jack knew of the little birth mark shaped almost like a boat on the inside of their elbow and of course Jason had it too. The boy hadn't really noticed it before, and if he had had any doubts before they were gone instantly. No one questioned it again.

"You are idiots." Anamaria murmured from her spot in the corner of Pirate Hall and Jason grinned up at her.

"C'mon Ana, don't you like to bet?" He smirked and the woman winked at him.

"Of course I do, ya little scallywag. I'm just not in the mood tonight."

"Are you ever?" Kursar teased and Anamaria glared at him as the men started to snicker and 'ooh'.

"Don't make me come down there." She warned showing her fist and Kursar held his hands up.

"Only teasing lass, honest!"

"Make sure you are. Or I'll cut off something that you sorely need." Jason and Marty laughed loudly as Kursar paled and the other members of the crew snickered as well including Teague's men that were gathered around. Tearlach and Cotton weren't the only two arm wrestling.

"Oi! Are we betting or not?" Kursar snapped and Marty grinned at Jason as the two arm wrestlers went back at it. When the arm battle was over, Marty reluctantly handed Jason his money pouch and the boy beamed.

Thomas chuckled. "Yer just like your grandpa, boy. Can't win a bet against him either."

Teague smirked as he jangled his newly won coins and the boy smirked at them from over his shoulder. "Don't be a sore loser, Tommy." Thomas rolled his eyes and then winked at Jason. Teague smiled at the boy's laughter and then took out his guitar from next to his throne-like chair.

Jason turned around fully with interest. "You can play the guitar?" He asked, moving closer to his grandpa and Thomas grinned.

"Aye that he does, lad."

Teague smiled and began playing lightly, tuning his guitar and Jason watched him, tilting his head with curiosity. Thomas nodded at Teague who began playing something lively.

With a smirk at Jason he sang:

"Got a whale of a tale to tell ya, lads
A whale of a tale or two
'Bout the flappin' fish and the girls I've loved
On nights like this with the moon above
A whale of a tale and it's all true
I swear by my tattoo"
Thomas sang and everyone gathered around to listen, clapping along
"There was Mermaid Minnie, (clap, clap) met her down in Madagascar
She would kiss me, (clap, clap) any time that I would ask her
Then one evening (clap, clap) her flame of love blew out (clap, clap)
Blow me down and pick me up!
She swapped me for a trout!
Everyone chuckled and some that knew the song began to sing along to the chorus.

"Got a whale of a tale to tell ya, lads
A whale of a tale or two
'Bout the flappin' fish and the girls I've loved
On nights like this with the moon above
A whale of a tale and it's all true
I swear by my tattoo"
Thomas began singing again.
"There was Typhoon Tessie, (clap, clap) met her on the coast of Java
When we kissed I (clap, clap) bubbled up like molten lava
Then she gave me the scare of my young life
Blow me down and pick me up!
She was the captain's wife"
Crew:

"Got a whale of a tale to tell ya, lads
A whale of a tale or two
'Bout the flappin' fish and the girls I've loved
On nights like this with the moon above
A whale of a tale and it's all true
I swear by my tattoo"

Thomas leaned in close, a dreamy look on his face and Jason snickered.

"Then there was Harpoon Hannah

had a look that spelled out danger

My heart quivered when she whispered "I'm there, stranger"

Bought her trinkets that sailors can't afford…"

A tall dark skinned sailor hopped up next to Thomas and sang lowly.

(sailors can't afford)

Thomas smirked and Jason laughed.

"And when I spent me last red cent she tossed me overboard!"

Thomas and the crew:

"Got a whale of a tale

To tell ya lad

A whale of a tale or two

'bout the flappin fish and the girls I've loved

On nights like this with the moon above

A whale of a tale and it's all true

I swear by my tattoo!"

Everyone clapped and cheered and Jason couldn't stop grinning. This was by the far the best time he had ever had in his entire life. Teague saw the smile and couldn't help but feel a bit saddened that the boy had never experienced this sort of thing before.

All the sudden there was a great howl from down the hallway and the room fell silent. Jason shifted closer to Teague who chuckled.

"What was that?" The boy asked, looking around with wide eyes. The howl came again and he bumped into his grandfather's knees.

"You're great-grandmother." Teague said as if it were the most normal thing in the world and when Jason looked at him, he smirked.

"Well, what's wrong with her?" He asked innocently and most of the pirates began snickering.

Thomas smirked. "Sides being an old crazy, codgy lady pirate? Nothing."

Jason frowned. "Then why is she making that sound?"

"She's found a new victim to corner." One of the members of Teague's crew, Corky they called him, spoke up. "She's a beatin' up some poor unfortunate."

"Bloody hell, woman!?" A voice came from down the hall and it didn't take them long to figure out whose voice that was.

"Dad?" Jason deadpanned.

"Aye." Teague answered back, just as deadpan as his grandson.

"Should we rescue him?"

Teague smirked. "If you think we must."

They left Pirate Hall and headed down towards Esme's designated rooms. She had three in total and slept in which ever one she felt like sleeping in and it all depended upon her mood. Jason jumped when there came a crash from one of the rooms and Teague chuckled.

"Careful there, lad." He said and pushed open the door. Inside was a mess of books, papers, and overturned furniture. "Ya might want to stay near me." The boy nodded and kept behind his grandpa as they entered the room. Jason blinked. His father, the fearsome pirate, was fleeing for his life from the little old turtle woman. Esme was quite quick on her feet despite her age and Jack was close to being knocked upside the head several times.

"Hold still, young'un!" She shouted at her grandson and he ran behind the big red chair, his eyes narrowed at the old woman.

"Stop it, ya crazy old hag!" Jack snarled from behind the chair and Esme narrowed her beady eyes.

"Ye father, obviously didn't hit ya good 'nough. But I will!" Suddenly with a wild cry she took a flying leap up the front of the chair with her cane out at the ready. Jack hadn't expected that and was smacked with the cane along his head. The old woman howled with excitement and triumph as her prey hit the floor cradling his head. "I got ye this time!"

"Dad?" Jack looked up at the sound of his son's voice and saw the boy looking at him, concern in his brown eyes. "Are you all right?" From beside the boy, Teague grinned at him and Jack scowled at his father before smirking at the lad.

"Course I am, lad." He said and Jason didn't look convinced.

Esme beamed proudly. "Finally got em, Edward."

"I told you that's how she shows her love, Jackie. S' been that way for years." Teague smirked and Jason eyed the old woman warily.

"I didn't say I liked 'im." Esme muttered loudly and Teague rolled his eyes with a snort. He felt his grandson jump when she lifted her cane towards him. "I like that one. He's got manners." Jack looked flabbergasted and even Teague held in a snicker now.

"Aye, he's a good one." He agreed.

"Ye got manners don't ye?" She barked at the boy, causing him to backpedal against his grandpa and nod rapidly.

"Yes, ma'am." He said politely. She grinned at him showing that she had some gold teeth too and a few missing ones. Then she patted Jason's head with her cane, none too gently either and smirked when the boy clutched at his head.

"That's a good young'un. Love is painful." She stated and wandered out of the room as Jason rubbed the spot on his head she had smacked. Jack was grinning from ear to ear now, obviously glad to see that he wasn't the only one getting hit.

Before he could say anything Esme called out from the hall. "Edward!"

"Aye?" Edward called back rather gruffly not sounding as if he was concerned with what she wanted.

"Are ye goin' to let an old woman starve?" She bellowed. "Bring on the vittles!" Jason burst into laughter and Teague and Jack exchanged eye rolls.

"Come on, let's go before she starves to death." Teague grumbled lowly and he walked towards the door.

"If only…" Jack muttered quietly and then saw his son looking at him with wide eyes and grinned. "Joking." He said and then cleared his throat.

Jason snorted. "Yeah, right." He said and then his stomach growled. "I'm hungry too." Jack chuckled and tossed an arm around his shoulders and led them to the door.

"Then let's get you something to eat before you starve." He teased and laughed when the boy stuck his tongue out at him.

Teague looked up from his plate to see most of his crew watching Jack and Jason eat, and curious, he looked at his grandson. The boy was scowling at his father who was piling food onto the boy's plate.

"I can't eat all that." Jason frowned at Jack before his eyes darted around the room. "Isn't that too much?" He hissed lowly. If Teague and Thomas hadn't been so close to them, they wouldn't have heard it.

Jack clicked his tongue. "You think that's all there is, lad? Look at them all." Jason didn't look convinced and Teague realized what the problem was.

"Let the boy eat, Jack. He can have as much as he wants. I'm pretty sure your crew are filling up fast. We'll have to bring more bowls out."

Jason looked down the table at Gibbs and Marty who were emptying bowls onto their plates. Grinning, the boy began eating and Jack nodded at his father in thanks, while pushing the plate of vegetables towards him.

Thomas snickered when the desserts were served after that. Jason's eyes were wide as he took in all the cakes and pies.

"Here, lad, eat that." Teague gave him a piece of apple pie. Jason ate a spoonful of it and his eyes lit up.

"Cinnamon and sugar." Teague chuckled. Jack smirked as Jason shoveled it in.

"And rum!" He exclaimed with a mouthful.

"Me own ingredient." The pirate winked at his grandson.

"Jack, ya have to at least consider it."

"No."

"Jackie, he's only a boy. He needs a steady place, not to go gallivanting off on one of your wild goose chases." Teague argued with his headstrong son. Jack only glared at him. "Jack, he's practically spent ten years alone and having to grow up quickly. But now he has family. A place to settle for a while and be a boy. He needs it more than he even realizes."

"I ain't sailing off without me son."

Teague pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not suggesting you take off and ne'er return, Jack. Just leave the boy here for a while." Jack was shaking his head. "What's so wrong with it? You saw his face earlier, Jackie." He began in a quieter tone. "He wants to learn."

"And I can't teach him?"

"Jack. Don't tell me that you don't want to go sailing off in an another week or so. Get back out at sea and look for new ways of cheating the odds of mortality. I don't approve of the message that it will send to my grandson."

"And what pray tell is that?"

"That you love the thought of immortality more than him. That you care for your extension of life rather than raising your boy. A boy who has never asked for anything in his entire life but to be found by someone who cares about him. To be loved." Teague went over and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Jackie, that boy needs you and you need him. Be his father, Jack. Just be happy and be his father."

"I ain't gonna do that to him."

"For Jason's sake I hope not." He snapped at Jack's attitude. "That lad doesn't need to have you roving off after something that would take you from him."

Teague found Jason sitting on one of the old crow's nests that were on the rooftop. The boy was pointing at something and he could just make out Thomas' tone of voice answering him.

Jason looked down and waved at Teague and the Keeper waved back, beckoning to him. The boy said something to Thomas and disappeared from in the crow's nest before Teague heard him running down the steps to meet him.

"Thomas was telling me about using the stars to navigate. I found the north star," The boy tilted his head back and pointed it out. "It's right there." Teague smiled. The boy was a fast learner.

"Aye. It's a good thing to know." He walked on and the boy walked alongside him. they passed several buildings and he told Jason who lived there or what the building was. He could tell the boy was absorbing the information, but at the same time seemed distracted.

"Somethin' on your mind, lad? Or are you just that quiet?"

Jason shrugged. "It's nothing."

Teague stopped and turned to him. "Don't try and fool your grandpa, boy. Tell me what's botherin' ya."

"In Tortuga…all those people…"

Teague sighed and put an arm around the boy. "I'm sorry ya had to see that, lad. That's not something anyone should see."

"Why do they do it? All those kids…"

Teague hugged Jason closer to him. "I don't know, boy. I wish I had an answer to that."

They walked along silently for another moment and then a pirate came running towards them. "Cap'n Teague! It's them sails again! They've been spotted about a league or two from here."

"Bloody Hell." Teague scowled. "Lad, go get your father and tell him to meet me in my office."

"Yes, sir." Jason stated before running off, curious as to who the "them sails" belonged too.

Edward stared hard at the ocean as if he could see the ships from where he was. This didn't bode well at all.

"What is it?" Jack asked as the older man stood at his desk, frowning at the papers upon the desk top. Jack knew from experience that Teague didn't get worried often, but when he did it was usually serious. He just hoped it wasn't another lecture. Teague's brown eyes looked up, locking with Jack's own and Jack suddenly wished that his father hadn't called him in.

"Times are hard, Jackie." His father began and he paused, pulling his thoughts in as he tried to find some way of telling his son what was bothering him. Jack arched an eyebrow at this start. His father was usually more coherent than this.

"You handle problems all the time, that's why you're Keeper of the Code." Jack stated trying to get his father to get to the point. Teague ignored the remark and started again.

"Do ye remember how I saved ya from being sold into slavery?" Jack wasn't sure where his father was going with it but nodded. A feeling of dread coursed through him at the memory and Teague gritted his teeth.

"Aye. A close one too." Jack finally said and Teague sighed.

"Aye that it was…." Unable to hold it in further he blurted it out. "Jack, they're at it again." he scowled, getting up from his desk to pace. Jack's eyes widened and he moved to the edge of his seat in horror. "Taking people. From everywhere. All ages from as young as five to thirteen. And both genders no matter what race. Well, hell you saw them in Tortuga, flaunting their wares."

"Surely they're not around-" Teague cut him off before Jack could get riled up.

"Oh, I run them out, Jack, but even I can't get them all. Just a few weeks back they took a few from here. Jack, you remember the Carters?"

"Aye. Don't tell me they took little Billy?"

"Nay, that boy is older than they want. They took the newest addition, Cynthia. She was eleven, Jack." Teague went quiet for a moment and Jack gripped his chair arms, paling. Eleven… Jason was ten. "Jack, I don't mean to worry ya, but things are hard enough. I don't want to lose me grandson. Those sails have been spotted not but two leagues from here."

"The Pearl needs fixing." Jack murmured and Teague sighed.

"I know. We just have to hope they won't return here while you and the young'un are docked. I don't want him seeing that again. And what you said about him recognizing one…It's not a good idea to be sticking around here." Jack nodded, running a hand across his jaw in slight worry. His gaze went to the doorway and Teague smiled a little in guilt for worrying his son.

"I had wanted the two of ye to stay, Jackie boy, but I know you'll be itching to get out to sea soon enough."

"I know he'd be safe here, da'." Jack said quietly, for once letting his vulnerability show. "But I ain't I letting that boy out of me sight. Not now. I just can't do it." Teague nodded solemnly.

"I know Jackie, I know."

The sun was shining brightly and reflected off the smooth water of the tide pool. It was a tropic paradise and years before had served as a swimming hole for a much younger Jack Sparrow. Now however it was a place of Jason's fear.

"Get in the water." Jack commanded again, folding his arms across his scarred chest. Jason glared at him from the trees and shook his head fiercely.

"I'm not getting in there."

"Oh, aye. You are." He told the boy. "Look, I told ya I wasn't going to let go. Now come here." Jason shook his head again and Jack growled. "Don't make me come over there and toss you in." The look of terror that raced across the boy's face, made Jack's expression soften greatly. "It's all right, lad. I promise."

"You won't let me drown?"

"Of course not, son." Jack held his arms out. "Does this look bad to you?" He motioned around himself at the calm water.

"Well no…I guess it doesn't." Jason muttered.

Jack rolled his eyes. "Now you'd come to about here on me." He motioned to about the middle of his chest. The water would come up to Jason's shoulders. "You'd be safe, son. I promise."

"Can't I just stick my feet in?" Jason asked from behind the tree and Jack shook his head.

"Now how will that help ye? Ya can't sail around not knowing how to swim, boy."

Jason shifted. "I don't want to swim. Can't we do something else? Can't I go see grandpa?"

"Your grandpa's busy, lad. No. Now get in."

Jack grinned at his son from the water, knowing something that would cause the boy to learn how to swim. It was a slight crude method, but at least it would get the boy into the water. Jason was already backing from him, sensing that Jack was about to do something and then as Jack started out of the water, the boy turned tail and ran in the trees. Grinning, Jack chased him knowing full well that he was going to catch him. The boy of course, had no idea where he was going, but Jack did and he was glad that he could remember the jungle area well enough to catch his son.

Jason paused for a moment losing sight of his father and panted heavily. He had no idea why exactly his father was chasing him, but whatever the reason he was sure that it wouldn't be good at all. Jack watched his son from the bushes the boy's head going back and forth in confusion before letting his guard down. Grinning madly he then crept out from the bushes behind the unsuspecting boy. Jason stiffened as he felt sensed something was wrong and then let out a shriek as something grabbed him. Jack grabbed Jason around the middle as the boy let out a cry.

"Dad! Dad let go! Where are we going?" The boy hollered as Jack slung him over his shoulder and started back towards the tide pool. "Put me back down!"

"Sorry, son this is for yer own good." Jack muttered and the boy's protests got louder as he saw where they were headed.

"No, don't! Please don't! I can't Dad! Don't do it!" Jack ignored the protests as he got to the water's edge. With a cry from the boy, Jack tossed him in the water.

"Move your arms and legs!" Jack hollered at the sputtering boy. "That's it, keep your head up!" Jack wadded into the water as Jason began to calm down a little and smirked as his plan worked. The boy was swimming now.

"Hey. It's not so bad." Jason beamed at him and Jack snorted.

"I told ya, lad."

A pub somewhere

The Dark Stranger was unusually quiet that evening, the only inhabitants were those that were 'dealing under the table' as they say. In the very back of the pub sat a tall man with piercing grey eyes the only thing that could be seen from under the large hat he wore.

"Master Donovan?" A scraggly old man hobbled up to the table, eyeing the food that was upon the table. The man with grey eyes hadn't touched any of it. "The ship is ready to sail sir. The quartermaster would like to know the next destination."

"Shipwreck Island." The old man sputtered then a look of panic upon his face.

"Sh-Sh-Shipwreck! But I thought Captain Teague-"

"I don't care about that old fool." The man snapped and the old man fell silent. "Tell me, Harold. Have you heard rumors of a…Sparrow Junior?"

"Oh, aye, sir. People's been talking about, that have sir." Harold eyed the platters and Donovan rolled his eyes.

"Eat it. I don't care." He said coolly and Harold fell upon the food greedily. Disgusted at the sight, Donovan leaned away from the man and then he waited until Harold had finished.

"I thought the boy to be dead. He escaped me. But he will not get away this time." Donovan chucked darkly. "Now that he's found his long-lost father, now is the perfect time for revenge. Tell Gordon, we leave for Shipwreck at once." Donovan smirked then and Harold gulped seeing the greedy and vengeful look in the man's eyes. Hatred flared from every pore and his gaze for an instant looked almost crazy.

"Sir?"

"I have unfinished business with Sparrow. And I have the perfect revenge. Something that will drive Sparrow and that damned old fool Teague mad. They'll learn not to mess with me." He paused mid-sentence still seeing Harold standing there. "Get going!" He snarled and the little old man scurried away. Donovan leaned back in his chair and grinned maliciously.

"Jack Sparrow, your son will suffer for the hand you dealt me."

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