Hello to everyone reading this!! I live! haha! Gosh time has been a rare find for me so that's why my stories have been temporarily untouched. However, I have been wanting to get this story up and running for some time now! I hope that you all enjoy reading this!!!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything affiliated with Pirates of the Caribbean. Only my characters and storyline.
Stumbling drunks, the sweet stench of rum and sweat, gunshots, and that all too familiar tune playing in the background. All of this could only describe one place…Tortuga. Charlotte smirked as she watched yet another fight initiate in the tavern, something that drunken pirates were infamous for. Not that pirates themselves weren't infamous enough. Her golden brown eyes watched as the man was thrown against the bar, creating small ripples in the cup of rum she had sitting on top of it. Hm, I should have known better then to expect a relaxing break here. Looks like I picked the wrong tavern.
Charlotte downed the rest of her rum in one gulp, slamming the cup back down on the bar as she slid it towards the bartender, "Give me another, Vince." Catching the cup in his hand, Vincent chuckled and nodded, handing her another as he spoke, "Charlotte, you're the only one I know who can drink that much." Charlotte smirked as she took another drink, "When you've been through what I've had to deal with, you'd be the same way." "Oh come now, it can't be that bad."
The smirk was suddenly gone from her face as she put her cup down, shrugging her coat off as she rolled up her sleeves, showing a series of scars on her arms along with the infamous "p" from the East India Trading Company. "Would you like to change that thought?" Vincent blinked before looking away, grumbling under his breath about a sob story as he walked off to serve someone else. Charlotte put her coat back on, adjusting the collar before taking another swig of her rum.
He has no idea what I've been through…no idea. The memories now had her in a sour mood as she closed her eyes, trying to block them from her mind. But no one can know. If anyone knew what I really am… "Don't think too hard now love, those creases do nothing for your face." Charlotte's eyes opened again as she glanced sideways at the man who had decided to interrupt her thoughts. He was indeed easy on the eyes as she found herself drawn to his smoky, dark irises.
He smiled and sat down on the stool next to her, his elbows leaning back against the bar, "So do you have a name?" Charlotte quickly put her walls back up as she huffed and looked away, focusing on her drink as she spoke in a harsh tone, "I do not give my name out freely. Especially to an intoxicated and simple-minded man such as yourself." She listened as the man laughed, feeling her temper begin to surface, "Do you find my words humorous? Or are you simply laughing because that's all you can do at the moment?"
"Hm, well someone's not being very friendly are they? I would have told you my name." Charlotte gave him a sideways glare as she continued to speak in an icy tone, "I don't care to know it. So leave me." Despite her attempts, it didn't look like this man was going anywhere anytime soon. She cringed as she watched his eyes stray down her body, studying her before looking back at her face, "Well from the way you dress I would say that you're a captain, but not one that I've heard of before." Charlotte bit back the rude remark she was about to say as she took a deep breath. Hm, he's not as stupid as he looks.
"Instead of provoking me, you should be with your crew, Captain." She watched as the man smirked, "Now how did you guess that, dearie?" The nickname struck a chord in Charlotte as she pushed herself away from the bar, causing the stool to fall on the ground as she gave him a glare that could kill, "First off, only a captain would recognize another one by how they dress, and secondly, if you ever come near me again I'll see to it that your ship will no longer have a captain."
The man blinked as he processed her words, sighing, "Well you're smart I'll give you that mate. But as far as threats go, you're a bit lacking." Charlotte's fists began to clench as she grabbed her rum and threw the remainder of it in his face, throwing the cup aside before storming out of the tavern.
Who does he think he is!? Talking to me like that. The nerve of him! I should just march right back there and… "Whoa someone's made you mad, Charlotte." The familiar voice stopped her thoughts as she looked up and gave a small nod, "Hm, how'd you tell?" David chuckled as he pushed himself off of the wall, "You always were one to attract trouble. This is yet another reason why I didn't want you wandering off alone here."
"Since when did you become my father, David? I'm still your captain so I can do what I please without having to report back to my crew." It seemed that the man from the tavern had made her angrier then she thought. David backed off slightly, holding his hands in the air as he grinned, "Whatever you say Captain Rackham." Charlotte remained silent as she stormed off towards the docks, David following behind her.
She stopped to look out at the ocean, the cool breeze of night helping to soothe her nerves. Charlotte always knew her life would take her to the sea; it was a part of her. The memories of her childhood on her father's ship brought a smile to her face. After her father's death, Charlotte was now the proud owner of said ship, staring out as The Jewel of Atlantis lay floating in the harbor.
Charlotte was drawn from her thoughts as she turned to look at David, "So any news on that friend of yours, David?" He nodded, "Yep. I actually saw him earlier tonight and he's going to meet us first thing tomorrow." Charlotte sighed, "Are you sure he's going to help us? What if he's just a flake and takes off with our money?" David shook his head, "He's not like that. Man Charlotte, you've really got to learn to trust people." Charlotte huffed as she shook her head, "It's a little hard to trust someone now, David. Even the ones you love the most can hurt you more then you could ever imagine."
David listened as her words trailed off, bumping her lightly with his elbow, "Hey cheer up. That's no way for a captain to act." Charlotte smirked as she placed her arm on his shoulder, "Oh? Then how about this for the way a captain should act?" Before he could do anything, David soon found himself swallowing sea water as he glared up at Charlotte standing on the dock. "See you back at the inn, David. Make sure you dry off, you know how the inn keeper hates water on her floor." Charlotte laughed as she walked away towards the inn, leaving a very angry and wet David behind.
When she arrived at the inn, the other members of her crew came up to greet her. Charlotte gave them all a small tip of her hat as she walked past them. "Captain, where's David?" Charlotte grinned as she spoke without turning around, already halfway up the stairs, "He's decided to take a little swim. Make sure you're all ready early tomorrow morning. We're meeting David's friend first thing." "Aye, Captain." And with that, Charlotte disappeared into her room.
"What do you think she meant when she said David was going for a swim?" Lucas laughed as he shook his head, "He more than likely tried to act sappy around Charlotte again and got himself a face full of sea water." Roberto nodded and grinned, his Spanish accent heavy as he spoke "Si, he was never one who was good with words around her." A now embarrassed Richard mumbled something under his breath as he walked upstairs to their room, slamming the door behind him. Lucas and Roberto couldn't help but laugh at his behavior as Lucas grinned, "Hm, do you think we should go out and look for David?" Roberto shook his head, "No, he'll find his way back here eventually." "I couldn't have said it better myself." The two of them then proceeded to go upstairs as well.
The next morning, Charlotte waited impatiently in front of the inn for her crew members to join her. She smirked as she watched a now dry David be the first one to walk out. "Well aren't you up bright and early." David gave her the same glare from last night before standing next to her, his arms crossed as he spoke, "I hope that you die a very painful, tortuous death, Charlotte." Charlotte chuckled as her eyes glittered with amusement, "I more than likely will, but I'll be taking you down with me."
The comment made David grow silent as the rest of the crew began to walk out of the inn. Charlotte rolled her eyes at their inability to arrive on time as she placed her hands on her hips, "If this guy doesn't show up because we're late, you're all going to be fed to the sharks!" Brushing off the mumbled apologies, Charlotte turned away from them to watch as the sun was now over the horizon; much later then she wanted to be leaving.
Her eyes focused on David as she turned sharply, causing the many necklaces she was wearing to clink together, "Refresh my mind as to what this friend of yours has that we need." David cleared his throat, "This friend of mine has a compass." Charlotte raised an eyebrow, "A compass? That's it? We have one of those already, David!" A grin touched David's lips as he continued, "But do we have one that points to what we want most in this world?" His words stopped Charlotte's tongue as she paused.
"Honestly, David. That is pure fantasy. It isn't possible to have one of those. They simply do not exist. Which means you've brought me here for no reason at all, isn't that right?" Her anger was starting to surface again as she walked closer to David. Had this really all been a wild goose chase? David was frantically shaking his head, backing up slowly as she advanced, "No that's not it at all. Don't you believe me? Why, Jack Sparrow has the-" "Jack Sparrow!? Ha! What about him? You honestly expect me to believe that a pirate, Jack Sparrow nonetheless, has a compass that can point to whatever I want most? Don't make me laugh David, because the joke's over. I trusted you because I'm at the end of my rope and I thought I'd give this friend of yours a shot."
Charlotte's fist began to clench as she had now backed him against the side of the inn, "But you just had to take advantage of me didn't you? Just because you were one of the few who remained loyal to me when the others did not doesn't give you the right! Did you forget that I'm still your captain and I-" Her words were cut off when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She snapped her head around, her long curly brown hair blocking her vision for a moment before her eyes widened at who stood before her.
"What are you doing here?" It was the man from the tavern the night before, the man Charlotte had imagined all sorts of ways to kill was now standing in front of her. The man gave her a smirk, "Ah so you do remember me; Quite flattering really." Seriously can this guy not take a hint!? Just as Charlotte was about to open her mouth David spoke two words that made her wish she was someplace far away from all of this.
"Jack Sparrow! Man perfect timing as usual! Sorry about the whole not being on time thing. Some of our crew decided sleep was more important then what the Captain wanted." Jack shook his head, brushing it off as he looked over at David, "No worries, mate. I just went looking for you." His eyes then fell on Charlotte again, who was still fuming, "Am I to believe that she is your Captain?" Charlotte stormed up to Jack staring him down as she spoke harshly, "Look, if this is some kind of joke it's far from humorous, Jack Sparrow. If that truly is your name."
Jack grinned, "You don't believe me, love? Well allow me to show you some proof." Charlotte backed away slightly, not sure as to what he was going to do as she watched him roll up his right sleeve, revealing a blue tattoo of a sparrow in front of a sunrise. If she remembered correctly, that was Sparrow's tattoo no doubt. Her eyes narrowed into dangerous slits as she took a deep breath to calm herself, "Very well, you're Jack Sparrow, but what's this nonsense about a compass that can point to what you want most?"
"You mean this, Captain?" Jack pulled out his compass, dangling it in front of her by the string. Charlotte snatched it out of his hand and opened it, "It doesn't point north. Hm, a fine compass you've got here Sparrow, one that doesn't even work." "Captain." Charlotte looked up at him with a confused expression. "It's Captain Jack Sparrow, love. Remember that." "Never. After the way you treated me why should I show you any respect?" Jack grinned yet again as he gently placed his hand on hers, "Because I'm the one who's going to lead the way to the lost treasure of the Inca. The treasure that you've desired for years, Charlotte Rackham."
When Charlotte yanked her hand out of his grip, he grabbed for the compass, successfully retrieving it as he tucked it away again, "You knew. You knew who I was and you never said a word!" Jack nodded, "Pretty much." Charlotte was at a loss of words as she blankly stared at him. How did he know who she was? Why hadn't he mentioned something earlier? Her thoughts were cut off when Jack spoke again, "Before you worry yourself to death, mate, the only reason I knew who you were is because your friend David over there told me last night."
"Jack! You swore you wouldn't tell!" Jack grinned as he looked over at David, "Did I now?" Charlotte's glare was now focused on David who again was backing into a corner. "I'll deal with you later, but as for now there's something else I'd like to say." Her eyes turned back to Jack, "We will not be in need of your services Sparrow. Your compass is useless to us as is your company. If I were you, I'd leave now while you're still intact." Jack laughed at her threat as he shook his head, "You're threats are losing their touch, Charlotte. I thought I told you before how you needed to work on that." Without saying a word, Charlotte stormed back into the inn, slamming the door behind her as she let out an aggravated scream. Why does he have to be so frustrating!?
"Well gents, looks like I've overstayed my welcome. I'll still be in town for the night if you change your minds." And with a tip of his hat, Jack walked away back into Tortuga. "Way to go David! You just had to do the one thing that the Captain hates didn't you?" Lucas was holding himself back from punching David as was Richard and Roberto. "Look I'm sorry. You try keeping secrets from that pirate when you're drunk. It's easier said than done!" They simply rolled their eyes and followed after Charlotte in the inn, trying to convince her to give Jack a chance.
All their attempts proved to be futile, however, as Charlotte refused to accept Jack's help. A few hours and after everything in her room had been thrown at them, her crew had given up hope and retired to their rooms as well, still not speaking to David.
Charlotte kept tossing and turning trying to sleep, finding it impossible. Why can't I sleep? For goodness sake it's impossible! A compass like that can't exist! Can it? Standing up, she began to pace in the small room, pondering the thought. Then again, this really is my last shot at finding this treasure. And I can't be sure of the compass not working if I don't give it a shot. Perhaps the reason why it wasn't pointing north when I opened it was because that's not the direction of where I wanted to go.
Her head perked up as she grabbed for her coat and silently made her way out the inn, careful not to wake her crew members as she made her way for the tavern. Of course how could I be so stupid! It was pointing to the Inca treasure! I can't let him get away from me.
A smirk graced her lips as she entered the tavern and found Jack sitting at the bar. Slyly, she made her way over to him, sitting on the closest stool. His head turned at her entrance as he grinned himself, "Come to ask for my help have you?" Charlotte shook her head, "Not exactly, Sparrow. I've come to issue a challenge should you wish to receive it."
Charlotte knew the Captain couldn't resist a challenge, grinning to herself as she knew this one he would not win. She watched as a gleam of mischief shone in his eye as he replied, "What kind of challenge?"