Scratching her head, Tazz sighed and ignored her inward feeling of doubt. She then turned 180 degrees to face Anna. "Hey, I'm gonna go take a breather, okay?" she requested.

"Sure thing, kiddo," Anna replied, waving her off. "Go have fun."

Tazz waved vaguely over her shoulder and walked out the door of the tavern. Oh sweet fresh air... She had been cooped up inside that filthy tavern all day. Townspeople were wandering around doing random things around her. Most were drunk off their asses. Real party town we got here... Tazz dodged out of the way of a stumbling and giggling girl. Maybe I should have come here for my 21st birthday... She somehow found herself walking on the wooden docks of Tortuga, surrounded by many huge sail-ships. She paused. Which was the Black Pearl? Jack had never specified.

Her query was soon answered. Looming in front of her was a large dark ship, its black sails waving in the breeze. She stared up at it in awe. "Holy cow..." She arched both brows in a sort of "oh well" fashion. "May as well check it out..." Walking up the gangplank, the extended her boot-clad foot to step onto the deck.

"Do you need something?"

The voice startled Tazz out of her skin. She jumped off the deck a foot in the air and spun to face the voice. There by the ship's rail stood a tall young man with a thin goatee and long curly hair of chocolate brown that fell to his shoulders. He was dressed in a loose tunic and fancy breeches, boots coming up to mid-shin. A thin cloak was draped around his shoulders and he had on the most musketeer-like hat Tazz had ever seen worn other than on Halloween. A thin short sword was sheathed at the musketeer's side. Tazz gulped at that sight. "Uh, sorry. Jack told me to come here... I'm just an hour early... Don't kill me." She backed up slightly.

The man stared at her and laughed. "Kill you?" he repeated her. People seemed to enjoy doing that... "No, I'm not like some other pirates. I won't hurt you."

Tilting her head, Tazz's brow furrowed. "You're a pirate?"

He seemed to think it over before answering. "Yes and no, I suppose. I travel with Jack from time to time, but sometimes I don't approve of what he does… My name is Will Turner." He inclined his head in respect. "And you are…?"

"Uh, Tazz," she replied. "Tazz Kennedy."

Will nodded. "So why did Jack tell you to show up here?" he inquired.

Tazz laughed shortly. "Well, he said he's give me a lift home, actually."

"Do you live in Port Royal?" Will asked, tilting his outrageous hat up.

Tazz didn't bother asking where Port Royal was. It would probably only give her a worse headache. "No, I live in Larken, New Jersey."

Will Turner looked genuinely surprised. "Jack is taking you all the way to the colonies!" He smirked slightly. "Did you promise to sleep with him or something?"

"No!"

"Kidding."

--------------------

Meanwhile, Jack was still at the pub talking with Anna. "Where do you manage to find such interesting people?" he asked.

"I don't right know, Jack," Anna responded. "That spunky lass honestly just appeared without me knowin'."

Making a face, Jack asked, "How did a girl from America get 'ere, though?" He scratched his goatee in a thoughtful manner. "Oh well, I promised to take 'er 'ome..."

Anna smiled. "Ever been to America, Jack?"

Jack shook his head no. "Never really wanted to go, I s'pose."

Laughing, Anna sighed. "Don't blame ye. I like the warmth 'ere in the Caribbean."

Before Jack could reply, Tazz came bounding back into the tavern. "Anna!"

Anna looked up, slightly confused. "Yes, Tazz?"

Tazz skidded to a halt next to her. "I wanted to say goodbye... and thank you." She smiled in appreciation.

Anna smiled back sweetly, then leaned in and hugged Tazz tightly. "Oh good luck kiddo," she said while embracing her. "Only known ye for half a day an' already I'll miss yer attitude. I hope you make it home okay."

Tazz laughed. "I hope so too..." She released Anna, who stepped back and continued smiling. "Now come on Jack!" She grabbed the pirate's arm and hauled him towards the door. "Let's go!"

Jack stumbled out after her. "Uh, bye Anna!" he called.

Anna called back, "Jack! If there's one scratch on that girl before she gets 'ome, it'll be your head!" She waved after them. "Good luck!"