As the soldiers left, Benj relaxed slightly. He glanced down to where Turner was standing. The man seemed to be left slightly forlorn and filthy, unsure about what had happened. Benj watched as the man ran a hand across his face only to grimace at the grime. He let out a long sigh and glanced over to where the old drunkard sat in his chair snoring loudly, oblivious to Turner's movements and the pirate in the rafters.

Taking advantage of the lack of attention, Benjamin rose onto his feet and began slowly creeping along the wooden beam towards one nearest the back door. It freaked under his feet and Benj froze, eyeing Turner. The young man paused for a moment before resuming his task of tidying up the forge. Relieved, Benj continued to crawl his way along towards the back door when there was a muffled curse from down below. Turner seemed to have sliced his hand on one of the swords, judging from the way he was holding it. Benj watched as Turner turned and left the forge through the back door, presumably to clean himself up a bit, before leaping like a cat onto the floor with barely a sound. Taking the opportunity, he swiped up one of the swords off the nearest rack. He inspected the quality of the blade with a soft hum at the pleasing workmanship. Turner was a good blacksmith. Before sliding it into one of his many belts, ignoring that he had no scabbard.

Approaching the backdoor, he nudged it open and lightly stepped out. Behind the forge was dark alleyway and several open water barrels for quenching hot metals. Light was blocked by the building next door, covering the alley with gloom. Benjamin stepped out quietly, one hand on the hilt of his new sword. After judging that there was no one there, he began to stroll out towards the sea.

"Don't move", a voice warmed as a steel point tapped just below Benj's ear. Turner emerged from behind a pile of crates, sword at the ready. Benj raised his hands slowly, turning. Parts of Turner's hair was dripping and his face was still wet. He must have been washing his face in one of the water barrels. Now that he could see the other face to face, he realised that Jack had gotten it right. He was definitely his type. Fine, handsome features, clear skin and a lean but muscled body. If only he wasn't aiming a sword at him then Ben was sure that they would get along famously.

"Or what?" Benj retorted, smirking slightly. He could see Turner looking him up and down, not bothering to hide the fact that he himself was doing the same.

"Do I know you?" Turner asked instead, face creasing slightly. Benj shrugged and gave Turner's face another look. There was something familiar about him, the eyes maybe?

"I don't know. Do you?"

The steel blade pressed further into the skin of Benj's neck. "Answer me pirate or I shall call the guards", Turner threatened with a hiss. Benj rolled his eyes at the cliche and well used threat.

"Feisty", he commented, grinning before sighing at Turner's stubbornly set expression. The other man seemed like he wouldn't give up without a decent answer. "I don't know. You seem familiar. You're not that little wimp Will Turner are you? I swear I left him here a few years ago", he muttered thoughtfully. It wasn't hard to remember the twelve year old, bit of a wimpy kid though. Benj could swear that he had left him on a island around here somewhere after making off with some fine quality goods.

"How do you know my name?" Will asked. The pressure on the blade increased and Benj winced as he felt it slice into his skin. Looking at Will now, he could appreciate how he had grown up. Being a blacksmith really works wonders for one's figure. Definitely a drastic change from the kid who had hit him with a bucket all those years ago.

"Excuse me? I saved your life", Benj scoffed. "Benjamin Bennet at your service", he grinned, sweeping his hand out as he bowed slightly. "Although people call me Ben, Benj, Bennet, Jimmy, Jimin, or just"-

"Jim, Ben Jim", Will finished for him. His face changed as understanding washed over him, taking in his face and clothes. His gaze lingered on faint white scar across his cheek where he had hit him with a bucket, only to harden again upon seeing the ink on his collar bones. "You're a pirate", he accused, the pressure on the blade increasing firmness.

"No! Really? What have I been doing with my life?" Benj gasped sarcastically. The blade pressed harder and blood began to drip down his neck.  "Ouch okay, I'll stop. Careful there mate". He shot Will a wounded look and the blade lifted slightly.

"But why are you a pirate?" Will asked. He seemed so confused that Benj had to bite back a chuckle.

"I've always been a pirate. Raised by pirates, seems inevitable that I'd be a pirate. Just because I saved your arse, god knows how many years ago, does not mean that I'm suddenly a goody twoshoes". Benj paused to glance down at the sword pointedly. "Speaking of saving one's life, could you remove the sharp thingy? Terribly rude for such a touching reunion like ours,  I must say". The sword lowered to point weakly at his chest. "Good".

Instantly, Will was against the wall with a sharp nailed hand around his neck and Benj's face inches away from his own. The sword in his grip clattered to the floor as he struggled to breath. "Now", Benj breathed, teeth razor sharp and gleaming. "Since I've saved your life, you are going to stay here and not alert the guards whilst I escape. Capishe?" Will nodded, eyes fixed on Benj's teeth. "Good boy".

He let go and Will felt to the floor with a thud. He rubbed his reddening neck, shooting Benj a angry look. Ben just sent him a parting smirk as he strolled towards the exit of the alley. "See you around William", he waved before disappearing down the street, leaving Will alone in the dark reeling from the unexpected encounter.

——

As night fell over port royal, Benj was to be found dozing in a warm current under the jetty in the harbour. He had half a mind to swim away and leave Jack to escape himself but the buggar still hadn't fulfilled his side of their bargain yet and Ben had no desire to rescue him. He was Jack Sparrow, he could get out of this himself. So instead, Benj had found himself a nice warm current eight feet underwater and was content to sleep there all night confident that he couldn't be found.

However, he was disturbed by a cold chill breaching through the water from the sea. Opening his eyes, he could make out the familiar shape of a dark black hull cutting through the water. Eyes widening in surprise, Benj watched as the black pearl sailed silently towards the shore. It drifted for a while until it was within canon's distance from the harbour before several loud bangs echoed in the air. They were attacking the fort.

Benj ducked down reflexively as several boats entered the water and began to sail towards him. As they approached the jetty, he could hear the pirate's gleeful shouts and the pop of guns then the thud of footsteps as they raced onshore. Dread filled him. If any of those crew members recognised him then they would be out for his head. A loud splash came from behind him and he whirled to find the floating corpse of a soldier sinking to the bottom. His blood filled the water and Benj could practically taste him. Ignoring his instincts to feast on the human, he turned and swam swiftly away from the jetty before he could be noticed.

The current took him around the harbour and towards the fort where he hid behind the rocks. Sticking his head above water, he surveyed the scene. He was too far away from the port to see any faces but the light of several fires lit up the streets and screams could be heard as the pirates ravaged the people. Benj stayed where he was, waiting for the attack to end. The black pearl seemed to be after something, and Benj had an idea as to what.

"Look! Over there!" A voice shouted. Above him, on top of the fort, stood a pirate the Benj recognised as being called Morgan. He was pointing into the water straight at Benj. "Seems like I've found a fishy". The pirates surrounding him cackled.

"Go get him Morgan", one of them, Benj could not see his face, leered. "He's become quite a pretty boy and I'm sure the captain might want to have a word with him". Having heard enough, Benj dived under water and began swimming away from the rocks. A splash came from behind him and Benj turned to see the filthy body of Morgan sinking into the water. The pirate grinned at him as the moonlight lit up his face. The white of his skull did not make the grin any less disgusting.

Benj kicked towards the harbour as the skeleton walked along the sea bed after him. The chase was decidedly unfair. Even though the pirate was technically undead, it didn't mean that he could swim faster than Benjamin. In fact, the hollowness between his bones only seemed to slow him down but Benj was patient and allowed the pirate to keep a steady pace behind him, leading him steadily onwards towards the hulking shape of the black pearl.

Once they were close enough, Benj turned the tables. Morgan, who had been grinning, gasped as Benj seized him by his exposed ribs and dragged him through the water. He pinned the skeleton to the anchor, using his own rags of clothing to bind him to the metal links. The pirate struggled fiercely but Benj had wound the material around the gaps between his bones, lodging him tightly.

Satisfied that Morgan was unable to move, Benj began rummaging through his pockets. Morgan snapped his jaw at him as Benj tucked his money bag into a pocket and sheathed his cutlass into his belt. Over he had stolen everything worth stealing from the other, Benj patted Morgan on the bone of his cheek before turning and kicking away into the current.

He watched from the safety of the rocks as a few hours later the boats began to head back to the ship. Shouts and screams could still be heard from the smoking town as the black pearl sailed swiftly off into the night.

Unedited