Disclaimer: I own nothing from POTC. No people, or places, or awesome actors named Johnny, or anything. whimper
Chapter 1: Tortuga
A young woman is sneaking through a house. There's no real need to be quiet, as the proprietor is having a party and no one is likely to notice mysterious footsteps, but she goes on tiptoes anyway. She removes a small pouch of gold from the gentleman's desk - too small for her taste, but beggars can't be choosers - and, drawing her itchy gray cloak around her shoulders, exits the house through a window. It's a short drop into an unused garden. In a moment she is gone as if she had never been there at all.
She gives most of the gold to a rumrunner to pay for passage to Tortuga. The rumrunners are the only seamen who were willing to sail out after dark, and she's lucky that one is in port. They arrive in Tortuga just after dawn. The young woman in the gray cloak dashes to a tavern and is greeted enthusiastically outside by a blonde whore.
"Janie! What brings you 'ere, luv?"
Jane brishes off the greeting and asks, "Listen Giselle, are there and pirate ships leaving soon? I need to get away fast."
Giselle ponders, twirling a strand of dirty hair. "Aye. The Black Pearl leaves tonight. Captained by Jack Sparrow." She grins saucily. "If ye get a chance wi' 'im, luv, take it! 'E's quite the legend wi' the ladies 'round 'ere."
Jane smiles and presses a coin into Giselle's hand. The whore leads Jane into the pub, which is doing a brisk business despite the early hour. She points to a table in the corner. "That's 'im," she says.
Jane uses her last coin to buy a rum, which she delivers to the man indicated. His hat is pulled low over his dark hair, which seems to make a jingling noise as he moves his head. Jane sets the mug in front of him and sits down across from him at the table.
"Captain Sparrow, I think you have somehting I want."
He looks up and grins, showing a few gold teeth. "I've been hearing that a lot around here. What can I do for you, luv?"
"I need money, and I can do something for you in return. I can make you immortal."
Jack shudders at her choice of words. "What do you mean, luv? I'm already famous."
She leans forward, eyes narrowed. "Sure, you're famous now. But what about a hundred years hence? If I write a book about you and all you fantastic escapades, your name will go down in history as the greatest pirate who ever lived."
He considers this, stroking his chin with his eyes half closed. "You're out of luck, luv. I'm leaving on a venture tonight." Seeing a downcast look on her pretty face, he quickly adds, "But I suppose if you promise to stay out of the way you might tag along."
She gives a relieved and happy smile and replies, "Thank you, Captain. You won't even know I'm there."
He waves his hand at her in an ambiguous gesture. "Be at the docks this afternoon . . . er, what did you say your name was, luv?"
"Jane Shilling," she says. They shake hands and he rises to leave.
"So many taverns, so little time!" he calls over his shoulder to her, making his way unsteadily out the door. He bumps into Mr. Gibbs, who follows him out.
"Ye think this is wise, Captain? Taking some wench on a venture like this one?" he says, nervously rubbing his bushy sideburns.
"She'll be fine, Gibbs. I'll be taking good care of this one," Jack responds lightly, clapping his friend on the shoulder. "Will a rum cure your worries, mate?"
Gibbs grins. "Aye, that'll about do it."
Much later, Jane finds her way to the docks. They are humming with activity as the Pearl's crew readies to make sail. No one takes any notice of her as she boards and walks with a determined step to the wheel where Captain Jack Sparrow is overseeing the preparations. Now and then he shouts at his scurrying crew, but they know their business. He doesn't notice Jane either, until she is standing right in front of him.
"'Ello, luv! Glad to see you've made it!" he says jovially, waving at her.
"I'd like a word, Captain," she says quietly.
"Alright, go wait in me cabin. Those big doors there." He gestures. She frowns but follows his directions.
After a long while, he opens the door to his cabin to find her seated at the table with a pair of sturdy boots propped up on the fine American oak. He winces slightly at the sight, and she swiftly removes them to the floor.
"I was wondering, is this venture dangerous?" she asks, her expression serious.
He decides not to lie. "A little bit. But then again, everything we pirates do is dangerous."
"Yes, I understand that. Is there any chance we might . . ." she pauses, searching for the right words. "Is there any chance we might run into the navy? And if we do, will I be hanged with the rest of you?"
"Firstly, we steer clear of the navy. Commodore Norrington of Port Royal doesn't like me, though I can't imagine why. Secondly, even if they spot us, they'll never be able to chase us. This is the fastest ship in the Caribbean, nigh uncatchable. Lastly, if we run into the navy and if we get caught, I swear on pain of death I will not let you hang, as long as you scribble me up a top-notch biography, savvy?"
She grins. "We have an accord!"
Jane Shilling then takes leave of the captain and goes out on deck. Tortuga is now behind them, the sun sinking behind the island on her former life. Ahead, the darkness was gathering.
A/N: Please review! This is my first fanfic, so I'd really appreciate some feedback. Thank you for reading!