Chapter 4

AN: Hello, I apologise for not updating for soooooo long, but I do have a decent excuse. I moved house, I've gone from a tiny little Island off the west coast of Scotland to the hussle and bussle of city life. Big change. However on with the story I say. Please review, make my day!

When the harsh light of the morning came, Jack woke me, he didn't say anything he simply led me out on deck where the remaining crew stood. They had the heads bowed and Mister Gibbs stood with what looked like a small battered leather bible.

I wasn't listening at all to what Gibbs had been saying, my eyes were glued to the wrapped up body of Rose, I rushed forward to the rails as they pushed her over the edge. Her small body seemed to be consumed by the black waves, it hit me that I would never see my childhood friend again, at least not in this life. I wouldn't let myself cry again, not in front of so many people I hardly knew, I had some pride left.

As the crew got back to work, I just stood at the Pearls smooth, blackened rails. They were chipped and worn after seeing so many battles, I could only imagine what this ship had been through over the years.

"Are you alright Lottie?" I turned to face a sombre looking Captain.

"I'm just a little lost right now Jack, I don't know what I'll do now, all my plans involved Rose, now she's gone I can't go to Tortuga on my own, I wouldn't last five minutes. I moved over the stairway that led up the Helm. Jack moved to sit beside me.

"Listen, Lottie I know better than anyone that plans do not always go to plan"

"And what did you do if thing didn't go to plan?" I inquired

"Most of the time I make it up as I go along" he grinned, but when he saw I did not share his laughter he turned more serious.

"I know it's hard for you right now and you don't have to say yes but, you could always stay, on the Pearl."

I looked up at Jack, my mouth hung open in shock. I had never thought of it as an option seeing as it was supposedly bad luck to have a women on board. If I went to Tortuga I'd most likely end up in a brothel, if I stay on the ship I would become a pirate, or at least an associate of. Both these ways of life were frowned upon, but from the stories I've heard I wouldn't have survived in a brothel. At least I could have some trust in Jack and his crew. They had been very good to Rose and I.

After a few moments of silence, I finally spoke.

"I will accept your offer Captain Sparrow, I would very much like to stay on this ship" Jack smiled.

"Good! Be ready for Tortuga, we'll be there very soon. You'll need some supplies if you're staying on this ship.

I stood on the dock of Tortuga waiting while the crew were loading supplies. In the short time between Rose's death and arriving at Tortuga I had decide not to dwell on the past, I was going to look forward now.

After the crew had finished Jack escorted me to get these 'supplies' he had talked about. When we had finished I was now quipped with a cutlass, a pistol and a few sets of breeches and shirts. Even though I thought it was deeply inappropriate for women to wear men's clothes, Jack had insisted it would be easier to wear whilst working on deck. Jack had also promised a few lessons on how to handle a sword which I was eager to start. Jack had got one of the cabin boys to take my things back to the Pearl.

He then took me to the tavern, where we were going to hire more men to make up for the crew he had lost in battle.

So far we had signed a few good men up. I wasn't paying particular attention until a young blond lad walked up to our table.

"My name is Sam Radley, I wish to join you crew Captain Sparrow." He spoke with a delicate voice for a young boy. I watched him intently.

"And why do you wish to join my crew? Have you sailed before lad?" Jack asked him.

"Well Captain, I have heard you are a fair man to sail under and it would be an honour sail under a man with such a reputation. I have sailed, but I'm looking to get more experience." The blond boy answered confidently.

I had been studying the boy carefully as he spoke, his face had delicate almost feminine feature, and his eyes were like looking into a storm. His build was slight and he wasn't very tall. Although he was dressed as a boy there was something about him that wasn't quite right.

"Well lad I have no objection to you joining my crew" Jack slurred "Your first job is get me some more rum" He pointed towards the bar.

"Of course Captain" As Sam walked off, something clicked in my brain, I stood up and followed him to the bar.

As I caught up with him at the bar I tapped his shoulder. "Your not a boy!"

Sam's eyes widened and she grabbed my arm and pulled me to the side of the bar.

"Will you keep your voice down!" She hissed "How did you know?"

"You can fool a drunken Jack Sparrow, but not me"

"Please don't tell him!" She pleaded

"I won't tell him, but I sail with him and I don't have to pretend to be a boy" I answered

"Really?" She seemed shocked.

"Yes, I'm sure he wouldn't mind and if he does I'll say I need some female company to keep me sane. What's your real name by the way?"

"You would do that for me? My name is Sophie Radley"

"Yes, I would love to have some female company on board, I'm Charlotte Thompson "

Just then a very drunk woman came swaying up to Sophie and slunk her arm around her waist.

"Hello sailor, you want to have a good time tonight?" This woman clearly thought that Sophie was a handsome young boy. Sophie looked at me in panic. I giggled slightly then tapped this woman on her broad shoulder.

"Excuse me miss that is my soon to be husband you've got your filthy arm round!" I did my best to sound angry. As soon as I said this she retracted her arm.

"Sorry miss, I didn't know". I moved closer to Sophie's to make things obvious, and Sophie played along she placed her arm around my waist. The drunken woman sauntered off and plonked herself on another sailor.

"Thank you" Sophie whispered. I smiled and went to the bar to order Jack's drink.

From the other side of the bar Jack watched Charlotte and 'Sam' closely. He saw Charlotte rid Sam of an unwanted guest, but what really angered him was when he saw Sam snake is arm around Charlotte, and Charlotte had smiled! He felt a pang of jealously. Why had Lottie chosen a small, weedy cabin boy over the infamous Jack Sparrow. He saw them walking back over to his table chatting and laughing. He had seen enough, he got up and walked out of the tavern and went to the nearest brothel.

When I reached the table, Jack had disappeared, I set the drinks down then turned to Gibbs.

"Where has Jack gone?"

"I don't know, he stormed out of here not long ago" Gibbs said.

I was puzzled as to why but I decided not to worry about it. Sophie and I stayed talking till the early hours of the morning, we had a lot in common and by the end of the night it felt as though we had known each other for years. We rented rooms at the tavern and agreed we'd go the Pearl first thing in the morning.

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