(OT: Short one today. No real long explanation. Next up is the cave and Will rescues Elizabeth. I'll be covering E/W's below deck conversation in the next chapter or the one after that... ENJOY!)

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As the two displeased and heavily rouged strumpets tramped off, Jack continued his saunter through Tortuga, weaving through the crowd of swaggering citizens and avoiding the harsh glares of his past lovers.

Kicking out his cane in front of him in a gentleman-like fashion, Jack said, "We should escape this wretched pit as quickly as possible."

Interesting how quickly his view of the city had changed in the past few minutes; it was the bouquet of Tortuga and now it was a pit. Will cocked a half-smile and leaned toward Jack, nearly hollering in his ear, "With a crew?"

"Aye, yes," Jack said, his kohl-masked eyes blazing when he spotted the tavern, the Faithful Bride. "It just so happens that you know a man who knows the man who knows the finest sailors in all of Tortuga."

Is that so? Will wanted to say, but he resisted, realizing if his absolute desire was to save Elizabeth, it would be best to play along with the pirate's ploys. Jack abruptly chucked the shining, black cane aside, and Will easily caught it, glancing at the insignificant cane before handing it to a seated, confounded man nearby, ignoring the gaze of the fluttering woman who stood across from him. Glancing up to the Faithful Bride's emblem of a smiling, manacled woman, Will scowled at the notion that Elizabeth might look exactly like that. He reluctantly followed Jack inside shortly afterward, cautiously watching the incoming brawls and the heat rising in women's faces as they were ushered into pirates' laps. The pub was raging with an even lower level of scum who laughed and jeered at one another without a care in the world. He halted in the middle of the chamber, his eyes scanning the clustered throng, watching for Jack's certain swagger and finally spying the man's tricorne hat bobbing along. He scurried after the pirate and promptly came to a halt when Jack thrust a bucket full of water in his hands.

"What's this for?"

Jack grunted and nodded to the pigsty, where a man with elongated, scruffy sideburns lay, curled up next to enormous hogs and sleeping fitfully in the revolting muck. Was that Mr. Gibbs? Loyal friend and probably the filthiest man William had ever laid eyes upon.

"Him?" Will asked, incredulous as his eyes widened. "He is going to help us find a crew?"

"Mmhm." Jack then pulled back both of his covered arms and sloshed a huge wave of water over the dirty man, who awoke with a start.

The man's eyes flickered open with a fire and he leaned forward and shouted, "Curse you for breathing, you slack-jawed idiot! Mother's love!" Recognition strangled his mouth. "Jack, you should know better than to wake a man when he's sleeping. It's bad luck."

"Ah," Jack said, keeping his gaze level against the man. "Fortunately, I know how to counter it."

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Balancing awkwardly on her tip-toes, Elizabeth gazed out the small windows and watched the full moon sweep over the eerie, black sky as the clouds drifted apart, and beautiful moonlight shrouded the deck of the Black Pearl, its permeable sails flapping in the wind as it glided through the waves. She then turned at the sound of the doorknob turning and inhaled deeply, regaining her dignity as she approached the French doors. Pintel and Ragetti stood before her once again, their faces eager. She noticed Pintel's avid grip upon a gown.

"You'll be dining with the cap'n tonight," he said, "and he requests you wear this."

Ha! She'd rather eat alongside a slug. She smiled at the thought, recalling Barbossa's distinct words. Not but humble pirates. Yes, but very intelligent unfortunately. "Well," she said, satisfied with her cleverness, "you may tell the captain that I am 'disinclined to acquiesce to his request.'"

Pintel chuckled and glanced to his mate. "He said you'd say that." A malicious grin spread. "And he also said if that be the case, then you'll be dinin' with the crew…And you'll be naked." Ragetti giggled like a little schoolgirl, and Elizabeth quickly snatched the rumpled gown away, pulling it to her chest with a glare as the boys, disappointed and somewhat angry, frowned.

"Fine," Pintel said, turning his back on the young woman and charging out the doorway beside his lanky friend.

Elizabeth waited until the doors were securely closed and then walked to the middle of the room and dropped the heavy, wine-colored dress, allowing it to stretch to the floor. Black, gold-buckled shoes rapidly rolled and plunked on the floor, but the twenty year old didn't bother picking them up. She stared at the build of the dress. It was quite…Different.

The girl examined the short, tapered waist, the sole button along the middle, and gazing down the front, she realized that the polonaise-styled gown also included a single piece shift, much unlike the ones she wore in Port Royal. No use in pulling it out.

Elizabeth fingered the stiff bodice of the maroon gown that formed strange, lapel-like folds and rubbed the attached, black brocade lining between her index and thumb, realizing how rough it was. Hopefully the shift would prevent any irritating scratching. She sighed, realizing she couldn't waste much more time probing the dress, and after draping the pirate garment across a chair, Elizabeth slung the dressing gown off her arms and then allowed the empire-waist nightgown to crumple at her ankles.

Moving aside, she recovered the gown and pressed it against her body, feeling extremely exposed and hoping no one was peering through the slanted windows. After a quick look around, Elizabeth carefully stepped into the bustled skirt, feeling the silky, black petticoat swish against her legs and the shift settle over her hips. As the woman yanked the material over her shoulders, she heard a joyous chuckle and the soft scuffling of feet. Barely breathing, Elizabeth entered the small alcove, pushing back the hanging curtain as she realized a blatant, round hole was positioned in the wall. Someone was watching her the entire time she was dressing! She bent at the waist to gain a better view, but quickly drew back against the wall when she spotted someone's writhing eye. Oh, she'd bet anything that it was those two pirates who just gave her the dress! The girl swiftly surveyed the room and then grabbed a crowbar nearby, drawing back her arm and then plunging it into the hole, hearing a clatter outside the chamber. She smiled, satisfied that there would be no more intrusions and re-entered the main chamber.

The Bo 'sun was supervising the other pirates as they set plate upon plate of food upon the table and Elizabeth stood aside, leaning against the wall as men graciously glided in and out. She gazed at the pure, lovely wine, delicately carved fish and pork, and polished silver, suddenly wondering why Captain Barbossa would have such extravagant food aboard the vessel. She then lifted her eyes, where the captain stood with a sly smile upon his face, appraising Elizabeth in the pirate gown –lovely. The monkey scrambled off his shoulder without a second look at the woman and climbed onto a perch, letting out a brief screech.

"Maid or not, it suits you."

Elizabeth grimaced as she propped one hand on her hip and said, "Dare I ask the fate of its previous owner?" She was certain it was a concubine's dress…Or worse. A woman that he had murdered. A woman that had suffered, like she might.

He tisked at her and ambled toward the lady. "Now, none of that. Please—" He pulled out the chair, she sighed and sat down, and he then leaned over her shoulder, his insipid eyes glinting, "Dig in."