Jill Warrick was used to it by now. The noise, the dirt, the smell. After thirteen years you couldn't help but get used to it. Today however, under the oppressive heat from the early July sun, shielded by large wooden walls from the comforting sea breeze, the stench of human bodies was almost more than Jill could bear.

Scanning the crowd with her icy blue eyes, Jill tried to make a connection with a few of the finer groomed men present, hoping they were in a buying mood. As she made one pass however she found nothing worth her time and effort in the Caribbean heat. Lowering her eyes to the dirt floor she dug her heels in as the auctioneer slowly climber onto the crude stage and signaled for quiet.

"Welcome to the Tortuga slave market. I trust you all know how this goes so let's get started," the tiered old man said.

Jill felt a sharp job in the middle of her back causing her to stumble forward a few steps, her head straining against the this noose neck. She looked straight ahead over the hats, bald spots and dirty hair of those men present, trying to look nonchalant. In the back of her mind she heard the auctioneer running off bids for her but in the forefront of her mind she heard her mother's voice singing her favorite song as she put her sleep.

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are grey

You'll never know dear

How much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away

Jill heard the snap of the auctioneers gavel and a sharp tug on her neck as she was led off the other end of the platform.

An older man with a scruffy white beard that ran from sideburn to sideburn and kind eyes waited at the end of the stage, bag of gold dangling from his outstretched hand. Dropping the bag into the collections hand he caught the long rope tossed to him by the controller. He waited as Jill descended the three steps before starting off, Jill dragging along behind.

The man gently led her through the large swinging doors that led to the market and quickly into a small alcove. Jill was alarmed when the man made a move for her neck but was surprised when he only loosened the noose a bit.

"There. I bet that feels better. We have a bit of a walk back to the Pearl and there be no sense in you passing out before we get there. I think the Captain will be very happy with you," the man said, wiping his hands on his pants.

"Captain who? Who are you?"

"Names Gibbs and the Captain will introduce himself in time."

Jill stayed silent waiting for the order to give her name. When Gibbs started off without another word Jill followed quickly behind.

"Now there's no need to follow behind me," Gibbs said over his shoulder.

Jill skipped ahead a few steps and fell in time with him silently.

They walked silently through Tortuga together as he led her toward the docks. As they hit the flat stretch leading down to the busy docks Gibbs turned to her with a smile on his face.

"I'm surprised ya haven't offered yer name yet, missy. You sure are the silent type."

"Jill. My name is Jill."

Gibbs began to laugh as their feet hit the wooden docks and the sound mixed with the hollow click of their shoes. "Perfect. The Captain will get a laugh out of that."

He offered his hand to Jill as they stopped beside a rickety rowboat. Her eyes grew wide as she fixed him with a worried stare.

"Don't worry missy, its safe. There's where yer going." Gibbs nodded out to sea over Jill's shoulder. She spun to see where he was looking and saw a massive ship of dark wood with black sails. "The Black Pearl," Gibbs whispered.

Jill spun back around and stared at Gibbs. "A ship!" she exclaimed.

"Aye. The fastest ship in the sea."

Gibbs offered his hand again and Jill took it with her own shaky hand. Slowly she stepped into the rowboat and took a seat before Gibbs quickly joined her.

"I take it you've never been on a ship before?" Gibbs asked as they began to work their way to the Pearl.

Jill only shook her head as she turned at her waist to silently watch the Pearl grow larger. The closer she got, the better she could see heads along the rail waiting Gibbs' return.

The rowboat gently bumped against the side of the Pearl and began to bump and rock with the gentle movement of the waves. A rope ladder descended and Gibbs motioned she should begin to climb as he attached think ropes to the front and back of the small rowboat. Taking a firm hold of the thin rope, Jill began to climb slowly.

In no time at all Jill felt a strong hang grab the back of her dress and help pull her over the wide railing. Her feet quickly came under her and she slowly stood, dragging the long rope around her neck in behind her.

"Welcome aboard the Black Pearl," she heard a deep male voice say behind her. She finished pulling in the rope and slowly turned around to face the voice.

The man standing before her was stunning, in a way. His clothes were a bit ragged and his hair was plated into dreadlocks beneath a tri pointed cap. His dirty hands were currently resting on either side of his belt buckle as he surveyed Jill. Yet there was something very familiar in his face especially his eyes, which suddenly met her blue ones.

"Jill?" he asked hesitantly as he sunk low on one side, his face contracted in surprise.

"Yes?" she answered, a bit worried about how he knew her.

Before she could figure it out however she heard the sound of feet hitting the deck and turned to find Gibbs right off her left shoulder.

"Ah, I see you've already met Captain Jack Sparrow. Jack this is you new slave girl…"

"Jill!" Jack finished.

"Jack Sparrow? Jack Jr.?" Jill asked comprehension dawning on her face as Jack embraced her, swinging her around.

Gibbs looked on a bit stunned as the rest of the crew began to assemble around them.

"I thought you were dead. Father and I went back to the store and found it burned to the ground. He asked around and they said the place was raided and everyone killed," Jack said holding Jill at arm's length.

"It was and yes, everyone perished. I hid beneath the floor where you showed me until they were gone. When I came out I found my sister shot and father and mother hung."

"I'm sorry love. Who did it?"

"The military. They thought we were harboring pirates because we did business with them." Jill hung her head as the memory of that night came flooding back. She felt Jack pull her close and held her.

"It's alright, love. You're with ol' Jack now. Nothing will happen." Jack stopped short as he realized everyone on deck was staring at them. "Back to work, you dogs! Nothing to see here!" he barked with a smile. The crew scrambled back to their jobs as Jack let go of Jill. "Come on, I'll show you your quarters."

Jill stood back and began to gather up the rope end around her neck.

"What's tha'?" Jack asked when he noticed Jill wasn't moving.

"I'm a slave, Jack," Jill answered as if that explained everything.

Jack walked back toward her and slowly worked on loosening the noose. He slipped it over her head and dropped it to the deck.

"Not here you're not," he said, his voice so low only he and Jill could hear.

Jill smiled warmly at Jack as he spun gracefully back around and began to walk away.

"Hey! Wait up!" Jill called rushing off after her childhood friend, a real smile beaming on her face, the first one in years.