"Wouldn't leave it to the last minute he said", Jack grumbled as he stared at the hangman's noose waiting for him. Around him the navy was assembled, their red uniforms bright in the sunlight. The drums sounded around them as the band counted down the bests until the pirate was to be executed.

"Jack sparrow we found that you have been changed"- a herald read out. Jack rolled his eyes.

"Captain, it's captain Jack sparrow", he muttered. Down below in the assembled crowd of peasants, out for the morning to see a cheerful execution, two men moved through. One wore a new hat with a long grey feather. The other was on the opposite side, his long dark hair unbound and unshielded from the sun. The drums continued. Elizabeth, Norrington and the governor all watched from their platform.

"-the crimes to be numerous in quantity and sinister in nature. The most egregious of these to be cited herewith: piracy, smuggling, impersonating an officer of the law, impersonating an officer of the Spanish Royal Navy, impersonating a cleric of the Church of England"-

In the crowd, Benj snorted at that particular memory. He looked up and smiled at the sight of a familiar parrot as it landed on a flag. Around them the drums picked up pace. On the other side of the crowd, Will paused as he spotted a familiar head of dark hair. He glanced towards where Elizabeth was standing, then to the spot where Benj had been standing. The merman was gone.

Benj shoved himself forwards and reached the wooden platform just as the executioner pulled the noose over Jack's head. He gripped the edge of the platform and pulled himself up in one swift movement. The crowd gasping as he rolled onto his feet and drew his sword. (He had stolen the fine blade from Will's forge before coming). Jack gave him a look. "Cutting it a bit late", he remarked. Benj shrugged.

"Just to keep you on your toes Jack". Then Benj jabbed forwards and slit the executioner's throat. The man jerked back, one hand coming up as his arteries sprayed blood over the crowd. Several people screamed. Benj laughed as he strode forwards and sliced Jack's bonds. He pulled the second sword from his belt and handed it over. "Head for the cliff", he suggested as he cut the hangman's rope and pulled it down. Around them, red coats were surging in. Benj and Jack shared a grin before jumping from the platform.

"Fancy meeting you here", Will greeted as Benj and Jack shoved their way through the crowd. The man appearing at Benj's side.

"Will!" Benj smiled happily as he smoothly disarmed a guard. "We're you planning a rescue mission, sorry to burst your bubble but I have that covered".

"Merely being of assistance", Will grunted as he fought off another guard. Benj smiled at him and tossed the other end of the rope over his head to Jack. Together they charged out of the crowd and towards the steps to the cliff. A group of guards tried to stop them but were caught by the rope. They fell in heap as the pirates darted around them.

They fought in synch, all three men dropping into a roll under slashed blades then coming up to punch the nearest soldier. Their backs hit a stone pillar and they darted round it only to come face to face with a ring of bayonets. All the blades pointed at them. "Wooo", Benj huffed. He leaned on Will's shoulder and grinned at the men, teeth sharp. Their swords raised to clink against the guns. "That was fun".

"I thought we might have to endure some manner of ill-conceived escape attempt", A man in a blue coat, Norrington, said. "But not from you". He glared at Will.

The governor stepped up behind the commodore, face set in disapproval. "On the return to port royal I granted you clemency. And this is how you thank me? By throwing in you lot with them? They're pirates".

"Oi", Benj sniffed. "Rude".

"They are good men", Will retorted, dropping his blade. On the edge of the crowd, Elizabeth stepped forwards. She dressed in finery, looking beautiful. Benj was mentally estimating the value of her jewellery.

"Well Benj is only half man", Jack pointed out. "Half fish, so would you consider him a man?"

"Half a man is still more than you", Benj sniped. Jack gave him an offended look. Will rolled his eyes.

"If all I have achieved here is that the hangman will earn three sets of boots instead of one then so be it. At lest my conscience will be clear".

"You forget your place Turner". Norrington stepped forwards and raised the tip of his blade so that it hovered under Will's ear. Benj stepped forwards and pushed the steel away with his own blade, eyes sharp and Teeth bared.

Will grinned. "It's right here. Between you and them". Then Elizabeth stepped forwards. The men parting for her like a wave. Benj lowered his sword as she pressed herself to Will's side.

"As is mine", she raised her chin as if daring anyone to argue. Benj sighed forlornly as Will turned to her in wonderment.

The governor bit his lip. "Lower your weapons. For goodness sake, put the, down!" At once all the bayonets dropped.

Norrington was staring at Elizabeth with shock and hurt across his face. "So this is where your heart truly lies then?" He asked. Elizabeth nodded.

Benj made a wrenching noise and nudged Jack. He gestured to the parrot perched on the battlements above them and Jack grinned. "Well", he clapped his hands and danced round the couple. "I'm actually feeling rather good about this. I think we"ve all arrived at a very special place. Spiritually, ecumenically". He grinned at the governor who looked disgusted. "Grammatically". Jack grinned and darted round to Norrington. "I want you to know that I was rooting for you".

Benj patted the commodore on the shoulder. "I empathise, heart break hurts". Norrington looked confused as Benj pretended to wipe his eyes on his jacket. "Will", he walked forwards and caught Will's face in his hands, a slight smile on his lips. "I think I could have loved you", he murmured softly as he pressed their foreheads together. "I think I really could have. There was so much potential".

"I'm sorry", Will replied, watching Benj with sadness. "I"-

"You do not need to apologise", Benj hushed. "I understand. I am too much and she is safe. Just give me one as goodbye, without the whole breathing issue this time". Then he was pulling Will towards him and pressing their lips together. He heard Elizabeth gasp and voices pick up around them.

"Two men kissing?"

"The scandal!"

"Bloody pirates".

The kiss was hard and desperate. Will, just as he was through this whole relationship with Benjamin Bennet, couldn't help himself from being drawn in. Their lips danced in a long and frankly filthy kiss that made them both see fireworks. (If Benj was going to kiss someone to scandalise a few rich people, then he might was well do it properly). Then as soon as it had started, it ended. Benj pulling away with red lips and enlarged pupils. Will was left wide eyes in surprise, panting slightly as he tried to recover his breath.

Benj stepped back, Jack moving after him as they approached the cliff drop. "Will", Jack waved. "Nice hat". Will recovered slightly to smile.

"Friends", Jack waved as he stood at the edge. "This is the day that you will always remember as the day that you"- Jack cut off as Benj shoved him. The man disappeared over the edge as Benj chuckled.

The merman turned back to the soldiers, to Will, to Elizabeth, the crowd watching him. He smiled. "Look after him will you!" He asked.

Elizabeth smiled back slightly. "I will".

Benj nodded and turned to Will. He leapt back to the small stone wall. His feet placed right on the edge as the wind whipped around him. It tugged at his hair and at his clothes as Benj bowed. A sweeping bow to Will. "We could have been amazing William Turner", he sighed. "I shall see you again, My Jolly Sailor bold". Then he was falling. When Will peered over the edge, all he saw was blue sea and the shape of a familiar ship on the edge of the cove.

——

"So I guess our deal is over", Jack huffed as the two men swam towards where the black Pearl was waiting. "You have your treasure, I have my ship back".

"Not yet Jack", Benj grinned over the waves as he towed the man along. "You still need to bring me to my grandmother. Then the deal will be over".

"Ah yeah", Jack shuddered. "Her. What are you going to do after I've brought you to her?"

"I don't know", Benj hummed. "I think I'm going to spend some time with family". They reached the side of the Pearl and he gave Jack a helping hand up onto the rope ladder. They climbed up out of the water to see Mr Gibbons and the crew waiting for them.

"Weren't you supposed to keep to the code?" Jack asked as the man helped him up onto deck.

"We figured they were more actual guidelines", mr Gibbons grinned. Benj hopping up behind them. A crew member handed Jack his hat as they walked up to the steering wheel.

"My boots!" Benj gasped as a man handed him a pair of brown boots. "Well, not my boots but boots!" He pulled them on over his bare feet and bounced slightly on his toes.

"Mr sparrow", Anna-Maria smiled. She stepped forwards and draped his coat over Jack shoulders. "The black Pearl is yours". Jack beamed as he stepped over and took the wheel. "On deck you scaberous dogs!" He commanded. "Hand the braces, let the haul run free!" The crew fled into action, leaving Jack and Benj alone by the wheel.

Benj raised his arms up and took a deep breath of sea air. New beginnings, new adventure. "Do you think you can forget him?" Jack asked gently. Benj opened his eyes.

"No. But I can get over him". Jack nodded at this. He turned back to the crew as one hand fished his compass from his coat pocket. The dial spun wildly before pointing true.

"Set sail! We have a sea witch to find!"

Unedited