Note to the reader: I haven't written anything in a while so this may not be some of my best work but it should be interesting to read. Please review and constructive criticism is encouraged and welcomed.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Pirates of the Caribbean.

Chapter 1:

Bribery and Extortion

By morning, the entire town knew that the Black Pearl had sailed in the night before. When Elizabeth stepped out onto the busy streets of Tortuga, she could see the tops of the Black Pearl's sails gracing the horizon. With a new-found quickness to her step, she raced off down the main street to the popular local tavern where the crew and captain of the Black Pearl were always found.

When she arrived, the room was already filled with people. The sun had only risen an hour ago but, given that Tortuga was a pirate port, it was already filled with hopeless drunks and pirate's of all kinds. A quick glance around the room showed no sign of the man she was looking for so she slowly, cautiously ventured into the tavern.

As she neared the back of the tavern, Elizabeth caught eyes with, not the man she had been looking for, but a man that should be able to lead her to the man she had been searching for.

"Morning Jack," She said as she took a seat across from the man at the long wooden table he was sitting at.

"Well hello luv," Captain Jack Sparrow replied as he lifted a bottle of rum off the table and brought it to his lips. After taking a huge swig from the bottle, he offered it to Elizabeth. She looked at him for a moment, her eye brows cocked.

"Where is Will?" She asked, ignoring the bottle Jack still held out to her.

Jack shrugged, took another large swig from the bottle and set it down on the table with a little more force than necessary, "I have no idea."

Elizabeth's eyes stared directly into his as she asked the question again, her voice touched with anger and annoyance.

With a sigh, Jack stood up, leaving the bottle behind. He grabbed Elizabeth's arm, pulling her up from the table and forcing her to follow him out of the tavern. Elizabeth struggled a little bit but knew that if Jack had wanted her to go with him, she would not have had much of a choice. She would just have to trust that his intentions were not those she initially feared.

Jack lead Elizabeth along the road that lead to the docks. When they arrived on the dock, Elizabeth pulled her arm free of jack's grasp and addressed him again, "Jack, what is going on? Where is Will?"

"I told you. I don't know. We stopped in a port of the coast of Mexico. The entire crew was to be back within two days. Four days of waiting and two days of searching later, we left. We have to keep to the code luv. He was lucky we waited at all."

Elizabeth's heart sank. The worst possible scenarios began running through her head. Will could have been captured by natives, tortured or killed. It didn't take her long to make up her mind. Her eyes lifted to meet those of Jack, who was watching her with notable interest.

"How soon can the Pearl be ready to sail? We must leave as soon as possible," She said, her voice unwavering.

Jack grinned, "Another adventure to save your dear Fiancé? How exciting. I could have it ready by tomorrow morning but I honestly don't see what could possible be in it for me. However, as if I remember correctly, the last time you wanted to save your deal William, you were willing to marry the man who was responsible for his safe return. I don't suppose that offer is still available?"

A sinister smirk remained on Jack's face as Elizabeth's hand struck it. After a moment, the smirk was gone and Jack had raised his hand to the pace where she had hit him, "I don't believe I deserved that," he muttered as he watched Elizabeth walk away. With a sigh, he headed back to the tavern to ready the crew for a dawn departure. Even though she had not agreed with his offer, he knew she would find some way of tricking him into going after Will so he might as well be ready.

Elizabeth knew the fortune her father had left her when he died would come in handy some day. Up until now she had not needed it but since Will was missing and the only man that might have some chance of finding him was a pirate, she was glad it was there. After a quick stop at a local bank, Elizabeth had made arrangements for the gold, which was a large amount, to find it's way to Captain Jack Sparrow's quarters on the Black Pearl where she would be waiting for it's arrival as well as that of the ship's captain.

When she had finished making her arrangements, she made a few quick stops around town, picking up a few items she would need, including a sword and a pistol. When she was finished, she was dressed in a beautiful Victorian-style dress and was carrying a bag filled with more suitable clothing for the trip she was soon to embark on.

By the time Jack returned to the Pearl, it was well after dark. The crew was finishing the stocking and repairs on the ship. He was surprised that he had not heard back from Elizabeth since he was still convinced that he was going to be doing her this favor for some form of payment.

As he reached his cabin, he realized that there was a faint light coming from a crack under the door. He looked at it curiously and went slowly to open the door, his pistol at the ready. He flung it open and pointed the pistol at the figure sitting on a chair in the corner of the small room.

"Ah Elizabeth," he said, lowering the pistol, "I was beginning to wonder if you had really declined my offer. I see that you are here now so if you would not mind removing your dress, we can finish our negotiations."

Elizabeth stood up and removed a cloth from what had appeared at first glace to be a table in the center of the room. Once the cloth was removed, however, Jack could see the trunks filled with gold coins. He gasped and rushed over to the treasure.

"That's interesting," He said to himself as he picked up one of the gold pieces and examined it, "Where did you get all of this?"

"My father," Elizabeth replied as she walked around to stand at Jack's side, "Now I'll ask you one more time," she lifted her hand and gently moved his head so he was facing her, their lips only inches apart, "When will the Pearl be setting sail?"

Jack grinned and moved forward, trying to catch her lips but Elizabeth, anticipating this movement, leaned back and shook her finger at him, "No, no no," she said with a grin, "the gold will be the only payment you get for finding Will."

Jack looked at her and pouted, "Fine, but I won't like it."

Elizabeth smiled sweetly and walked out saying as she left, "It's been nice doing business with you Captain Sparrow."