Disclaimer: If it was in the movie, I don't own it. It's that simple

IMPORTANT NOTE: When I next update I'm going to change the name of the story to 'Of Mutual Benefits' because I didn't like the last title

And lastly thanks to Flame of fury, Eye of the divine and Silvia x for your reviews.

Chapter 2

Loyalty gets you everywhere

The crew of the 'Sea Shanty' stood, pale, bloody and bruised before Captain Andrews. Heavy footsteps could be heard, as the captain slowly inspected each member of the bedraggled crew, coming to a halt only when the captain of the merchant vessel came into view.

'What would ye say, man' Andrews lazily asked 'if I proposed to make entertainment of one of ye men and humiliate 'im, torture 'im even, 'fore I sent 'im down to Davy Jones locker'

The man in front of Andrews stood tall and looked the gloating captain in the face 'I would tell you that you are as black hearted as Davy himself'

Captain Andrews, along with the crew of 'The Avenger' laughed. It was a short second though until Andrews help up a hand to silence the crew and the collective mocking laughter ceased.

'Jus' like Davy 'imself, is that right?' Andrews indeed looked quite happy to gain such a compliment, where other people would have seen it as a great insult.

'Yes, any person, Captain or not who forfeits the life of an innocent is fit for no place but hell'

'Well' Andrews turned sharply so that she was facing her crew 'thats rather a bold statement ta make, in'it lads. Condemning lil' ol' me to hell when I haven't even properly introduced meself'

The crew now thought it safe to laugh and did so, appreciating their captains humor.

'And I would also do one more thing' The surprisingly loud voice of the other captain cut through the booming laughter of the men.

'Would ye now?' Captain Andrews looked surprised, at the confidence this man spoke with. 'And what, pray tell would tha' be?'

'If you threatened a member of my crew in the manner you suggested Captain, then I would offer myself in his place'

In the silence that followed, the crew of 'The Avenger' did not know how to act. Their captain had hardly given any inclination of what behavior was expected after this comment and they were sure it was not really appropriate to laugh, as they usually did when wanted to intimidate.

'And why would ye do tha'?' asked Andrews in a voice that was certainly not as harsh as the one she had used before

'Because this is my crew and like a family to me. Not one of them loses their life on my watch' The merchant captain spoke proudly and his crew around him knew once again why they had stayed on the 'Shanty' all these years.

Andrews took a few steps closer to the man. 'Y'know, even though ye find me despicable I still am a Captain an' any Captain keeps their crew close to them like family. I normally would kill each an' every one of ye or, if I was feeling nice drop ye at the nearest spit o' land'

The members of the merchant crew visibly stiffened and Andrews could sense they were trying to work out which punishment would be worse.

Andrews continued 'However, captain, I understand ye. Your lil' comment 'as made me respect ye. And as my crew could tell ye, that doesn't 'appen often'

She paused for a minute, letting her words run over both crews before continuing 'Maybe it's 'cause I'm feelin' nice, but this loyalty to ye crew 'as saved the life of ye and ye crew, dear sir'

Silence followed, in which Andrews grew frustrated . Turning to her own crew she exclaimed 'What? Is it so unusual that ye captain decided to be nice for a change'

Still her crew stared at her, only moving when she barked at them to get back to 'The Avenger'

As they left, Andrews approached the merchant captain, adjusting her hat as she did so.

'We 'ave taken your cargo, Cap'n. As ye surely understand, I can't be being too nice to ye people'

'I understand' said the merchant captain 'Thank you for what you did'

Andrews seemed at loss for what to say for a moment, as these words were not often spoken in the world of cheating and lying pirates

'Jus' don't tell anyone' she finally said 'I 'ave a reputation ye know'

The other captain smiled 'Captain Andrews, your a fair women, for a pirate'

'Aye' said Andrews, making her way back to the rope that would take her to her own ship 'For a pirate'

As soon as she landed back on the deck of 'The Avenger' she was bombarded with questions

'What was tha' Cap'n?' asked her first mate Mac 'Ye jus' let 'em go'

'That I did, Mac me good man' Andrews said as she scanned the horizon 'Sometimes ye see a lil' bit of yeself in someone, savvy?'

Mac nodded in understanding before once again turning to his captain 'And where we be heading next?'

'How 'bout we set sail to Tortuga, eh?' Andrews made her way to the helm, Mac following behind ''Bout time we paid 'er a visit'

'Aye Cap'n' said Mac turning to the crew 'Set sail for Tortuga mates and be quick about it'

Meanwhile, Captain Andrews slid her hands over the helm, smiling to herself and for once was glad that someone had escaped her wrath.