Chapter One

Strange Waters

The sun's rays were fading on the water as the moon reached for the sky. The waters were calm but off in the distance storm clouds brewed. Slight ripples brushed the surface of the gray-blue water as a light fog skimmed over the sea. A ship sailed along, its course not yet known. The crew moved about the deck lighting the laps around the ship. Total darkness would soon happen upon them.

A knock caught Jack's ear, lifting one of the corners of his hat he looked to the door.

"Aye" he called out in answer with his deep slurred speech.

"Cap'n there be a storm commin' in" one of Jack's crew yelled through the wood of his Cabin door.

Jack sighed as he lifted his body from the chair he was comfortably seated in. Swaggering over to the entrance he placed his bony hand on the door handle and pulled it open.

"Show me" he said as Jack's eyes looked at his mate and then over the man's shoulder at the sky.

Both men walked out onto the main deck and then over to the port side railing. Both men looked up at the sky, the dark gray clouds were climbing higher above the sky line. Slight flashes of lightning were jumping from one cluster of clouds to another. No rain fell and no strikes hit the water, of course both knew it was only a matter of time.

"Aye, that be a storm" Jack stated as his gaze returned to his mate, "ye know what to do."

"Aye aye cap'n" the man yelled and ran to the Fore sails to tighten down the ropes. As he did his own part of the work he yelled orders to the other men.

Jack swaggered up to the helm and took the spokes of the ships wheel in his hands. Gibbs followed not far behind his captain coming to stand next to the famous pirate.

"Looks like a good one aye cap'n" Gibbs asked as he took another sip from a leather worn flask.

"Looks to be, yet looks can be a bit different savvy" Jack said as he spun the wheel to the right "keep 'er going in the right direction aye."

"Aye cap'n" Gibbs responded taking another sip from his flask as he placed his hands on the wheel.

Jack swayed down the steps and re-entered his cabin. His destination was the desk on the far wall. Opening the drawer Jack lowered his hands inside and picked up a bundle of maps he had acquired over the years. Setting the maps on the table a few steps away, he placed a few weights on each corner to hold the parchment flat. Jack took his time looking at each one, a bottle of rum in his hand to help pass the time. The last map that Jack's black rimed eyes set sight upon was a drawing of a ring.

This ring was what Jack was hunting. The band made of pure gold and embellished with dimands. A large rare red gem of crystal clarity inlaid in the center. Though it was known to be worth millions, that was not what sparked Jack's interest. He wished to possess this ring for another reason, which did not include selling it. Jack wanted it for the power it contained, the power to show the owner all the treasure in the world.

Jack turned back to the map with his coordinates and ran a bony finger along his rout. They were still at least a day's travel away from Tortuga and with the impending storm it might even take longer. Jack leaned back in his chair, two legs lifting from the wooden floor. Taking a swig from his rum bottle he lifted his legs to place his boots on the edge of the grand table.

The storm was almost upon them, the waters had become harsh. Waves were crashing against both sides of the ship causing it to rock almost violently. Jack sat quietly watching the lantern above the table sway back and forth. A bang on the door startled Jack and he lost his balance. The chair slipped from its position and toppled to the floor bringing Jack down along with it. Jack's bottle of rum flew from his hand as his face hit the cold wood with a thud.

The door flew open and a tall heavy man walk in his eyes searching the cabin. Jack didn't' notice, he was to busy looking intently for his bottle of rum. Out of the corner of his eye he saw it rolling under the table. He reached out his hand and snatched the bottle from the floor.

"Cap'n" the man called out in his husky voice.

Jack's face suddenly appeared just above the table "got it" he called out lifting the rum bottle in the air.

"That be all good an' well Cap'n but that storm be gettin' migh'y bad."

Jack pulled himself to his feet with the help of the table and made his way to the door "aye."

Jack walked out on deck his mate not far behind him. The lightning was striking the water all around them and the rain poured in sheets. Jack turned and made his way to the helm, where he found Gibbs.

"Keep 'er steady" Jack called out to him though the ruthless wind.

"Aye Cap'n" Gibbs replied as he tightened his grip on the wheel.

Ragetti stood just below the helm and yelled up to Jack "Cap'n."

"Keep 'er going we don't 'ave time to loose" Jack yelled down.

"Aye" Ragetti yelled in response and headed back to work, "take t'a top sails in or they'll be shredded!"

After hours of rough sailing they managed to escape the storm. Only to find themselves in a thick fog that hugged the sides of the ship. Something didn't seem right about this fog. Jack swaggered over to the railing to see it change direction when the wind had died.

"Interesting" he mumbled to himself.

"Cap'n that fog be unnatural" Gibbs stated as he watched it carefully. It seemed to almost have a life of it's own as it moved about the ship.

"Aye" Jack replied as he stood up and walked back over to Gibbs.

Once the Black Pearl was safe and docked Jack headed for the tavern. Slinking though the crowed streets and peeking around ever corner, in order to avoid two certain women.

"Ah, there she be" Jack said to himself as he swayed up to the tavern door.

Before Jack had a chance to enter a woman blocked his path "well 'ello Jack."

"Ah, Scarlett, no hard feelings? 'ow 'bout I buy ye an ale" he said throwing his hands up in question.

"Aye" Scarlett answered smiling at Jack as he put down his hands. "Let me show you my gratitude" she whispered as she leaned in closer to the pirate.

Jack grinned and closed his eyes to lean in for a kiss. Scarlett's grin widened as she lifted her hand and let it fly through the air. Jack's face flew to the right, his hair swinging around as her palm made contact with his cheek.

"Ye can forget 'bout that ale" Jack said a frown on his face as he turned away and walked into the crowd.

Looking about Jack spied an empty table in the back. Pushing his way through the drunken bodies he made it to the table. A drunken man tripped and fell to the floor with a thud. Jack reached down and plucked the mug from the now unconscious man's hand.

"Thanks mate" he said lifting the bottle in a friendly gesture, then placed it to his lips and took a swig.

A young man with dark blond hair, blue eyes, and tan skin sat at the bar downing a few ales. A familiar voice caught his ear though the rambling of the crowd. He turned away from the bar to see Jack downing a bottle of rum. Taking his time he got to his feet and made his way over to the famous pirate. He draped himself over a chair across from Jack and snatched a pitcher of ale from a near by table.

"So Cap'n Jack, how's the sea been treatin' ye" he asked before bringing the pitcher to his mouth.

Jack dropped the rum bottle and turned his attention to the man that now sat beside him. He raised an eyebrow until he took a closer look and found he knew him.

"Matthew" Jack paused, "good to see ye mate. She be a little hard tonight, nothin' ol' Jack can't 'andle" he said leaning back in his chair and winked at the lad.

"Aye, the weather be a bit odd tonight" Matthew responded as he watched Jack steal another bottle for rum from one of the bar maids.

"'Ave ye heard of a ring" Jack asked as he scanned the room.

Matthew took Jack's question with a blank expression and silence stood between the two for a moment.

"Who hasn't" Matthew responded as he took another swig of his ale "It's not like it be a closely guarded secret or anything."

Catching a gleam in Jack's eyes made Matthew wonder what was going on in that head of his. If he was going after that ring he was crazy but then again, Jack was known for such madness.

"Are ye goin' after it Jack? Ye know it not be the best of ventures but it may prove to be exciting. If goin' after that there ring be yer game, deal me in Sparrow" Matthew finished downing the rest of his ale.

Jack narrowed his outlined eyes "aye, I be goin' after it." Jack paused "ye 'ave a spot on me ship if ye can call me Cap'n Jack Sparrow or just Cap'n Jack."

Matthew nodded in agreement then turned his attention back to the crowd around them. Jack seemed to be doing the same as he finished off his second bottle of rum. Each man was now watching the commotion of the tavern and keeping an eye out for a chance to steal another bottle of liquor. In the mists of this craziness Jack was trying to gain information from the conversations around him but was failing miserably.

"So what are ye plannin' to do wit' it once ye 'ave it Cap'n" Matthew asked looking back at Jack.

Jack turned sharply to look at Matthew and laughed. "Ye know what that ring does mate" he asked leaning his arms on the table. "It shows all the treasure in the world" Jack finished.

"Aye, I know what it does, but I never did hold much store in treasure. I'm only into piracy for the adventure of it."

A fight broke out in the tavern and the sound of guns and smashing bottles filled the air. Jack didn't know what started the brawl but he knew it was time to be off. He knew that he wasn't going to receive any more information. Suddenly a man's voice broke out over the rest; Jack turned his head to see a blubbery man stumbling though the tavern.

"Lilly, my beautiful Lilly" he yelled while trying to chase after a young women with white blond hair and fair skin.

The man was answered by a chorus of mocking laughter, as he nearly fell onto a table. All the while the girl was trying to push her way through the crowd and away from the awful man. She would have blended perfectly, dressed much like the rest of the men but her hair betrayed her. It fell down her shoulders in almost white curls, standing out like the moon on a pure black night.

"There you are my sweet! I won you fair and square, don't run off now" the man called.

"There was nothing fair about it! The game was fixed you fool" she yelled.

"What? No, why would anyone want to loose you?"

"Bloody hell" Lilly cried in annoyance, pulling her pistol from her belt. "Get going before I have ta blow a hold in yer head!"

"Ooh there's somethin' 'bout a woman with a pistol" exclaimed a rather greasy man who stood next to the blubbery one. Both had had too much to drink and neither was thinking clearly.

"Men" Lilly sighed as she put her pistol away and picked up a half empty rum bottle and sat her self down with Jack and Matthew. Lilly knew neither of them but they seemed like the type that didn't stay in one place for long.

Jack turned his eyes to the young woman and grinned "looks like ye got yerself into a bit of trouble ay love?"

"I'll be in more of a mess if I don't find a way to get me self off this god forsaken rock" she replied calmly.

Lilly lifted the bottle of rum to her pink lips and tipped it to the sky letting the liquid slide down her throat. It made her grimace a little, it was rough stuff. She turned and examined Jack quickly, he certainly had the look of a pirate and there was something rather intriguing about the look in his eyes. She doubted he was an honest man; no honest man would be in this place of all places.

"Don't suppose ye happen to be in possession of a ship with need of another pair of hands" she asked as she set the bottle down.

Matthew nearly killed himself choking on the rum he had been drinking when the women asked her question. When he had regained his voice he laughed loudly. Jack raised his eyebrows at both Lilly and Matthew, he went to open his mouth to answer the girl but Matthew beat him to it.

"Does he 'ave a ship? Are you daft? That must be the most absurd question anyone has ever asked Captain Jack Sparrow."

Matthew stood from his chair, punctuating his last statement by slamming his glass down on the table. He glared at Lilly for a moment, and then looked back to Jack, while simultaneously sitting back down. Jack rolled his eyes and stood from the table then faced Lilly.

"Aye love, I 'ave a ship" Jack mumbled as he placed a bony hand on the girls shoulder. "I don't let women on me ship, but for ye I'll let it slide, savvy?"

Jack then turned and walked past the two, grabbing a bottle of rum and started his way through the crowd. Sauntering thought the open holes he made his way out the tavern door. Lilly and Matthew quickly got from their chairs and followed Jack into the night air.

"So where we heading Cap'n" Lilly asked as the three made their way to the docks.

Jacks face went blank for a moment "ah" he mumbled, "to an island."

Lilly leaned back a little to look at Matthew who in response gave her a shrug of his shoulders. All three made their way onto the Black Pearl within two minuets. The winds were quickly changing; Jack looked up to the sails and squinted his eyes. That odd fog was still out in the distance as if it had followed the ship inland. Jack looked back at to his crew who were just walking about the ships deck.

"Get to work, we be sailin' out" he yelled keeping his eye on the fog in front of them. Jack didn't know which way to go but he was hoping luck would be on his side.