Authors Note: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean. This is my first story so please tell me what you think. Any helpful critisism is welcomed.

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Chapter One

So it begins

She grunted as the man collapsed on top of her. He was soaked with sweat and reeked of rum and salt water. She cringed as he started to nuzzle his nose into her neck, smelling her rose water perfume. She hated when they tried to cuddle afterwards. The thought of spending any more time with her "customers" absolutely sickened her.

"Darlin', if you plan on snugglin' that'll cost you extra. I don't have time to be waste aroun'." The young woman said as she tried to push the man off from on top of her. He rolled over to the other side of the bed, leaving a hand still by her head, twirling a strand of her red hair between his fingers.

"I just figured, maybe, you were needed some relaxin' afta all that excitement." The man said, winking at her with the last word.

He was much older than her, she figured somewhere in his forties due to the graying hair and weathered skin. He was heavy set, dirty, and definitely not well groomed. He was more than likely an old sailor who found his way to the island and never left. Choosing to spend his days drunken with whores. Much like the rest of the older men on Tortuga.

The young woman hadn't done much of anything really. She didn't know what "excitement" he was referring to. She had just laid there, making the occasional moans at the right moments, waiting for him finish. She didn't see how laying with a man she found utterly repulsive could be relaxing. With more than enough money for the night, the only thing she really wanted to do was to lay in her own bed, with the biggest bottle of rum she could find, and drink herself into a dreamless sleep. She got up and started dressing.

"I'll be takin' me pay now, love." She said as she started pinning up her long wavy red hair. It stood out compared to almost everyone else's hair on the island. Red was definitely a rare hair color to see. It helped her though. It made her "exotic" almost. Meaning she was one of the more popular and sought after prostitutes there.

"Mary, Mary, Mary, you're always in such a hurry. Ya should learn to just enjoy ye self. It'll make it a lot easier." The man said with a laugh as he went to pick up his trousers and pull out what he owed her.

Mary took the money and placed it in the small pouch she carried tucked between her breasts. It was still early but she had already made enough for the night and then some. Planning on buying alcohol, and maybe something to eat, she made her way out of the room she was in and down the stairs to the bar portion or the tavern. It was early enough that it wasn't too crowed and noisy and she could sit in peace.

The tavern bar was large, though when everyone came in it seemed to shrink. There was long benches against two of the walls of the room. The other wall was solely dedicated to the bar, the liquor, and kitchen. The last wall had the main door attached to it and off towards the corner there was a small stage for the local musicians. In front of the stage was a small opened area, where people could stand and dance. This was mainly done by women seeking attention from the men who came in. The rest of the floor area had scattered wooden round table of various sizes. They ranged from tables that could fit six, to ones that were just meant for two.

Currently, there was no one on the stage. It wouldn't have done much good to have anyone though, seeing as there was only a hand full of people in at the moment. A few other prostitutes were chatting by the bar, as they waited for the eager men that came in looking for their company. There was two old men playing a card game on the end of a bench in a corner. Then there was one younger lad, a sailor from docked ship, passed out on top of the bench next to the card playing old men.

Mary walked up to the bar, giving herself some space between the other whores and herself, and waited for the bartender to notice she was back. "Oh there ya are Mary" The man behind the bar said once he saw her. "That didn't take long. You ready for something to drink?" he asked with a broad smile on his face. Mary had known the man for a few years now, she could honestly consider him one of the very few men she considered a friend.

"That'd be great, Sam. Some rum will do the trick" she answered back. Then, remembering that she still needed to eat before it got too busy, she added "Oi, and what ye got on the menu tonight?"

"I got some meat pies or fish stew. Plenty o' potatoes as well hun." Sam replied as he grabbed a bottle of rum from the shelf behind him and started pouring it into a cup.

"Haven't had meat pie in while. That'd be fine" she said as she tried to think of the last time she had one. She looked up and saw Sam turning to putting the rum back on the shelf and stopped him before he got too far. "Sammy love, ya know better than that. Just leave the bottle here." They both started laughing and he place the rum next to her cup, before walking away to the kitchen to retrieve her dinner.

The man named Sam quickly came back from the kitchen and set a small, warm, pie in front of Mary. She picked up a fork and took a bite size piece from her meal. Juices and meat flowed to the empty stop she just created and she could smell the savory filling. It made her mouth water. Why had she gone so long with one? She couldn't remember, but she knew she was a fool to do so. She place the bite size chunk into her mouth and savored all the flavors. The beef and juices mixed with carrots and potatoes all wrapped inside of the light and sweet pastry crust.

Just as she was finishing her pie, and about half way through the bottle of rum, Mary heard the door open. She turned her head to see a small girl standing in the door way. She couldn't be older than eight. She was very frail looking, almost too skinny for her own good, with long straight what looked like brown hair. It was hard to tell though considering the child was so covered in dirt. She had tear streaks running down her cheeks, with fresh tears trickling down from her large green eyes. Her dress had a large tear starting at her knee and ending almost at the bottom of the dress. It was exposing a large scratch she had on her leg, which looked relatively fresh.

Mary didn't like how this looked. This child shouldn't be out by herself after sun down and she looked in rough shape. She immediately stood up and quickly made her way to the door. The small girl looked frightened and tightened up at the site of the grown woman coming at her so fast. Mary didn't want to scare her off so she gave the child a large smile and when she was in front of her she crouched down to her height so they were eye level. She was hoping the girl would be able to tell she was friendly. Whatever it was that happened to her, it seemed to be very traumatizing.

"Hey little bird, what's wrong? Don't you know you shouldn't be out alone?" Mary said sweetly to the girl.

"It's my Momma. Please Miss you have to help" the girl pleaded. She started pulling on Mary's hand trying to drag her out of the tavern.

Now Mary had grown up on Tortuga, she knew that children tended to be very good at scamming unsuspecting adults. From faking they were sick to get handouts, to dragging people into dark alleyways and mugging them. She looked at the girl again, trying to decide if this was a trick or not, and finally decided that something honestly was wrong. Mary let the girl lead her out the door.

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I know it's short. Just trying to give a little taste. Dipping my toes in the water, as they say. Please review and tell me what you think! I plan on getting a chapter out a week so keep watching for updates.

*me* "Oi, you stinking sea dogs! Lift the anchor, open the sails, and let's get a move on! These readers are asking for more!"

*pirate crew* AYE, AYE, CAPTAIN!