Authors Note: Hmm...so I went back and changed the mode of narration for the story...I decided it might be better suited in third person for what I have in mind. Anyway, plays with the idea of a Pirates 4 and Jack Sparrow's pursuit for the Fountain of Youth. Follows someone else's POV, name to be revealed later.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean ::sigh:: so carry on...

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Devil Deals in Threes

Chapter 1: Lady for a Night

The dress was stifling as she made her way down the streets. Every inch of fabric weighed against her skin growing damp from the perspiration gathering from the hot day. Her only salvation was the brief wisps of air cast against her flushed cheeks from the stupid lacy fan she convinced herself to carry. She had to stop every natural instinct from pulling up the folds of the skirt and holding it around her waist. How very unladylike that would have been...

She had made her way into the small port city under the cover of nightfall. Her entrance had gone unnoticed...until now. After all, not many fine ladies wandered these streets unaccompanied. She pitied anyone who might see her 'weakness' as an opportunity because they would have seriously misjudged. It was amazing how many things could be stowed away in the multitude of folds in her dress; her sword, two daggers, and a pistol, all safely hidden under her innocent guise. Thank the heavens this ridiculous garment was good for something.

A single bag came with her. She guarded it like a hawk. If anyone tried to take it she would have severed their hand on the spot and, as amusing as that would be, she prayed it was left alone.

As she rounded the street corner the buildings parted, giving view to the docks below. A handful of ships had made berth, but she was looking for only one. Scanning over them her eyes came to a stop. The Black Pearl...that was the one she was looking for...

Amid the bustling around the docks, she made like a lost puppy. Jumping at every identifiable sound she passed through the crowds. The first few noises received delayed reactions since she didn't tend to register sounds she was used to hearing. Her act only went as far as jittery though...she'd beg for a swift blow if she ever let out a squeal or scream. As she neared the Pearl she purposefully bumped into one of the men disembarking her. Loosening her grip on her bag she let it fall to the wooden planks below.

"I'm...I'm so...sorry," she stated as she frantically struggled to pick it up.

Staring down she realized the wood was wet from water cast from unrelenting waves. Don't you dare...she mumbled in her head, but she went ahead with her thought anyway. Sliding her foot underneath her dress she let her balance shift as she reached for her baggage. That single movement brought her toppling to the ground. As she landed she understood why delicate and refined ladies wore these infernal costumes...they added rather ample padding because it would be such a travesty if anyone ever got bruised...amused sarcasm almost flashed across her face at the thought, but she let out a defeated sigh instead as she sat sprawled on the dock. The moisture of the dock only helped her stay down for longer...the wet wood felt heavenly as it began to permeate the layers of her dress.

"My apologies miss," came the gruff voice from the man she had bumped into.

He quickly stooped down the help her back up and seeing her standing he went to retrieve her bag.

"Might you be lost there, now wanderin' around these here docks?" he asked as he straightened his back and handed her the bag. He had graying hair that he wore combed back from his face and an almost fully grey mutton chop beard.

After standing up she began to dust herself off, a move she normally would disregard, she reached out and took the bag from the older man.

"Thank you," she said, forcing herself to smile, which bit back the oncoming 'I don't need your help' remark that was burning to emerge from her lips.

Clutching the bag more firmly she looked around the dock once more, before turning back to him.

"Actually..." she paused slightly making it seem like she was embarrassed to inform him of her intentions, "I'm looking for a captain of one of these vessels. I wish to border 'safe' passage..."

Her sentence cut off suddenly as a swift wind crashed through the docks. Looking over a handful of men on the docks swayed when it passed. She meant to just stand there, but seeing them moved by the current she muttered curses in her head. Letting her muscles and her conditioned stance go she went with the air. She tipped slightly with it and stumbled, but, having grown tired of falling over, she merely faked a stumble. Quickly straightening up she clutched her bag to her chest, as if startled by the draft.

In her head she was yelling...given time this act would become trying. She only needed it to last long enough...just long enough to get what she came for...

"Aye...I see. The name's Gibbs and if I may ask, what capin' ye be needin' ta find there, miss? An where you be goin' that you need ta border safe passage?" he asked, his voice deeply curious.

God how long is this going to take, she mumbled in her head as the man named Gibbs began with his questions. Staring at him she remained quite for some time.

"I don't actually know any captains..." she said, making her voice trail away as if it were a sudden realization.

She continued her silence for the second question, keeping in mind that true ladies kept some level of mystery and modesty. Gibbs raised his brows at her and was about to say something when foot falls came down the plank, shaking it slightly. Glancing over she saw a man stride across the wood with a hat over a red bandanna and black lined eyes. Trinkets clanked together in his hair as he moved.

"I know a captain!" he said as he stepped by Gibbs and tried to wave him off.

He raised both brows as he looked at her, though said nothing more. He appeared to be drunk, by the way his body swayed, but he seemed to be able to talk well enough. Glancing from Gibbs to this new arrival she kept her eyes trained on him. As he failed to speak further she slowly inched forward with her bag clutched in her arms. Gradually she lowered it and went back to holding it by her side.

"Do you really?" she asked with a shy smile, "Do you think we could be introduced?"

The longer she stood looking at him the more it began to sink in how attractive he was, which among pirates is a rarity.

"Of course love...Captain Jack Sparrow, at your services!" he said with a flourish as he took off his hat and held it to his chest, bowing his head to her.

Raising his head again he grinned at her, flashing a hit of gold and white. He wobbled slightly as he put his hat back on, taking a glance back at Gibbs, who shook his head and walked off. So you're the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow, she thought with a smile. She looked him up and down. If only these had been different circumstances...

"Really?" she asked letting her demeanor brighten, though I didn't expect an answer, "I'm trying to get..."

She fumbled with her bag for a moment and then pulled out a tattered map. Holding it out she motioned to a small island on it, as if she was completely ignorant of the world. She could travel these waters without a map, but a 'lady' couldn't.

"Here..." she finished, making her hand brush against his as she gave him the paper.

The island was a small colony; at least on one end...The other side was a major stop in the rum trade, though very few people were privy to that knowledge. Either way she was sure, even if his course did not take him in that direction, he would take me there. She knew not a single pirate that could resist a trip to restock the rum. Given the colony it also gave me the perfect travel destination, which she had no intention of actually seeing.

"Could you take me there?" she asked before quickly adding her bait, "I can pay you for your troubles..."

Gold and rum...she dared him to turn her down. Jack's eyes seemed to light up for a moment, but he quickly made his face impassive once more. Cocking a brow he looked her over as he raised his hand to stroke the beaded braids of his beard.

"How much...for my troubles?" he asked as he waved his hand in the air and leaned in closer to her face, his dark kohl lined eyes narrowing slightly.

Wiggling her nose for a moment as she thought she finally looked up to meet his eyes.

"Well..." she glanced around for a moment.

The dock was still bustling with men from other ships and she was glad.

"...all I have is..."

She glanced down at her chest. With a frown her eyes narrowed as they shot back up at him. She placed her hand on the top of her corset, fingertips barely touching the top of her breasts. She did a quick turn, putting her back to Jack. As she looked around at all the men in the other direction she let her shoulders drop.

"Oh...my..." she mumbled as she turned back around to where she was faced with just one man, "Look that way."

She pointed out to the side. When he finally turned his head away she let her head cast completely down. She figured it would only add to her case if she let him watch or at least sneak a peek. Reaching down into the front of the corset, just between her breasts, she grabbed a velvet bag. Fully removed she finally looked back up. Jack had turned back and intently watched with a raised brow. As she glanced back up he quickly slid his head to the side, trying to make it appear as if he'd kept turned away the entire time. Undoing the ties of the bag she held it out slowly dumping the pile of gold coins into his hand. As the gold hit his palm he grinned slightly and took a step back.

"Will that be enough?" she asked shyly, "It's all I have..."

"Depends...what else of you got in there?" he said as he leaned forward to glance into the dress.

Quickly pulling away she placed her hand against the top of her dress. Pulling back his smile faded and he stared back down at the gold. A smile played across her lips as she watched him. Say no to me now...although with every pirate she'd met she was surprised it was taking her this long to gain passage. Taking his hat off again he made a sweeping, low bow.

"You shall have safe passage with Captain Jack, love. Please, let me help you with that bag," he said as he reached for the bag she held.

Watching him she smiled slightly and slowly held out the bag for him to take. Staring up at the Black Pearl the smile remained. She knew what she looked for was onboard...it was just a matter of finding it.

"Thank you," she said as she walked up towards the deck, "I promise I won't be any trouble...you won't even know I'm here..."

Her voice trailed off as she boarded and glanced around, holding only a ping of jealousy...she was a beauty. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Gibbs step up to Jack as he walked onboard behind me.

"Do you think it wise to bring a woman aboard your ship, capin'?" Gibbs asked, setting Jack with a hard stare.

Jack waved his hand in Gibbs' face, shooing off his comment, before he stepped up behind her and cleared his throat. With a turn on her heels she faced him after he spoke.

"Ah, I can be showin' you to yer quarters, love," he said with a sweep of his hand toward the doors that lead below deck.

Glancing over towards the direction his hand was extended she looked back. Quarters...where I could...remove...this...infernal...dress, she thought with glee. Her happiness was almost overwhelming.

"Oh, yes that would be fabulous," she replied, "Perhaps you should go first...I can't even pretend to know my way around."

Fabulous. Note to self, expunge that word after this is over, she thought as she shook her head. She was going to have to cleanse her entire vocabulary palate.