Mary looked out the window, the sight she beheld was one she had grown accustomed to over the three months she had been in Tortuga. She sighed heavily, glancing over at the clock on her mantle, seeing that it was almost time for work. Raking her fingers through her chestnut brown hair, she walked over to the cracked mirror in the corner, checking her appearance. Black boots, brown trousers, she hardly ever wore dresses anymore, black belt to keep her pants up around her slim hips, and a sage green top with cap sleeves that matched her eyes. She grabbed the pistol off the end table, tucking it into the space between her belt and the trousers, and headed out the door, locking it behind her. Walking down the stairs, she nodded to her lady-of-the-night neighbor, Helena, who was entering her room with a customer. Had she still been in Port Royal, Mary would have shied away from the young woman and would even had gone as far as taking a different route to stay away from her. But since she'd been in Tortuga, she'd realized that Helena and the other prostitutes needed to make a living too. They couldn't all be barmaids at one of the many taverns.

Reaching said place of occupation, Mary wove through the staggering crowd, many of the patrons having been there since lunch. Ducking below the counter, Mary grabbed an apron, tying it around her waist and began filling out orders. It was the usual crowd: aged pirates who had managed to escape the noose, the loose women that accompanied them, and pirates whose business was still thriving, thanks to the bumbling King's Navy. Their power over the Caribbean had lessened over the few months of Mary being in Tortuga. Mary wondered if it was the ex-Miss Swann, current Mrs. Turner's fault, and her breaking of Commodore Norrington's heart.

Mary stopped suddenly, her sage green eyes widening slightly. Turner. She hadn't thought or spoke that name in over two months. She shook her heard, clearing it of her more serious thoughts and returned to serving the tavern patrons that tipped her so well. She may have been the only honest person in Tortuga, and it served her well. She was hard-working, honest, and made sure her customers were well taken care of.

Nearing midnight, Mary was returning from the back room, carrying another case of rum to the front. Setting the case on the floor behind the counter, she knelt beside the case, unloading the bottle onto the shelf below the counter. She heard footsteps approach the counter, a gift she'd gained over working in the noisy tavern for three months. The footsteps stopped and the owner of said feet must have seen her ducked below the counter and said, "A bottle of rum, luv." Mary's right hand wrapped around the neck of a bottle and she rose to her feet, setting the bottle on the counter, but not letting it go until it was paid for.

"Three shillings," she said as she looked up into the familiar kohl lined eyes of Captain Jack Sparrow.

Jack's dark eyes widened with recognition. "Aren't you the bird that Barbossa's men captured three months ago?" He asked, tilting his head to the side. Mary nodded. "I wondered if that was you," Jack said, a crooked grin lighting up his face as his dark eyes roved over her form. "You've grown in the past few months, luv. Tortuga air's done you good."

"Three shillings, Captain Sparrow," Mary repeated, a flush creeping up her cheeks at the blatant once-over he gave her.

"Don't you wanna share a drink? Catch up on old times?" Jack grinned, his tongue peeking out to wet his upper lip in an unconscious, if not suggestive, manner that sent lances of fire through Mary's belly.

"I'm working, Captain Sparrow, perhaps another time," Mary said evenly, blinking rapidly.

"Alright, darling. I'll hold you to it," Jack said, placing three shillings on the counter by the bottle.

Mary released the neck of the bottle, her fingers sliding the three shillings off the counter and into her left hand. With a wink, Jack turned, heading into a far corner to where three people sat, hunched over in conversation. Mary exhaled slowly, placing the money into the register before returning to her duties.

The hours passed slowly and it was nearly three when Mary was allowed to go home. Exiting the tavern through the back door, Mary started down the alleyway towards her room in the inn across the street. Before she could exit the alley, she felt a pair of strong hands grab her upper arms, pinning her to the wall, her attacker's face concealed by shadows. "Release me or I shall scream," she warned, reaching for her pistol.

"Ah, but Miss Windsor, what if I merely wish to extend my thanks for saving my life?" A familiar voice purred into her ear.

"Captain Sparrow, if you wish to thank me, please let me go," Mary sighed, relieved that it was just the Captain and not one of the drunks that have a tendency to attack young women in dark alleyways late at night.

"But part of my thanks involves my holding you," Jack said, moving his mouth away from her ear, leaning back enough for Mary to see the crooked grin on his face before his mouth descended upon hers in a languid, but passionate kiss.

Mary inhaled sharply through her nose, her hands reaching up to lightly grasp his elbows as his mouth claimed hers. The kiss was long and Sparrow released her arms to wrap around her waist as his mouth slanted over hers, and his tongue teased the seam of her lips until they parted on a small moan. Jack's experienced tongue explored her mouth, running along her teeth, flicking the roof of her mouth, stroking against her own tongue until she tentatively moved her tongue against his. Jack growled, low in his throat, when Mary returned the kiss. Her eyes slipped shut and she inhaled through her nose, drinking in his scent. He smelled of rum and ocean air, clean with just a hint of sea salt.

Her lungs began burning and she pulled away slowly, gasping for air. Jack took several unsteady steps back and grinned down at her. Once her brain had began clicking away at its normal speed, Mary looked up at Jack, frowning slightly. "What was that all about?" She demanded, panting softly.

"My way of thanking you for saving my life, luv."