They spent the night in the tavern, and left early in the morning. Gibbs lead them to the dock, where they were to meet their new crew. Lexi was beaming with excitement. Sailing with a three person crew was great, but now, she'd get to experience working with a real, full crew. Jack noticed her happiness and smirked to himself. She was so easy to please. She didn't need gold, pearls or money to be happy. The only thing she needed was an adventure. Gibbs stopped in front of a row of people and looked at Jack a bit proudly.

"Feast your eyes, Captain. All of them, faithful hands before the mast, every man worth his salt." he said smiling. " And crazy to boot." he added quietly. Jack, Lexi and Will eyed the men. Jack looked happy with them and Lexi waved at them still grinning. Will, however looked at the sceptically and snorted.

"So this is your able-bodied crew?" he asked looking bewildered. Jack rolled his eyes at him. The boy really was dim.

"You, sailor!" he said to the nearest man.

"Cotton, sir." Gibbs told Jack.

"Mr. Cotton … do you have the courage and fortitude to follow orders and stay true in the face of danger and almost certain death?" Jack asked Cotton, wanting to prove to Will, that these men were as good as any others. When the man didn't reply, Jack started to get irritated. "Mr. Cotton ! Answer, man!"

"He's a mute, sir. Poor devil had his tongue cut out, so he trained the parrot to talk for him. No one's yet figured how." Gibbs informed Jack. This was getting a bit embarrassing. But he was Captain Jack. He knew how to get out of every situation. Did Gibbs say the man trained the parrot...?

"Mr. Cotton's... parrot. Same question."

"Wind in the sails! Wind in the sails!" squawked the parrot

"Mostly, we figure, that means 'yes'" Gibbs told them. Lexi held back a laugh. This was the most fun she ever had in her entire life.

"O'course it does." Jack said grinning like a madman. Which he kinda was. He turned to Will "Satisfied?" he asked.

"Well, you've proved they're mad." Will said looking a bit defeated.

"Oh, don't be such a spoil sport." Lexi said nudging him. "They'll be great." Will nodded. The group was about to get on the ship, when they heard a female voice.

"And what's the benefit for us?" Jack turned around quickly and looked suspiciously at the men. He walked up to one of the sailors, and carefully took off his hat, revealing a woman."

"Anamaria?" he asked surprised. Then he recoiled in pain as he got slapped hard across his cheek.

"I suppose you didn't deserve that one either." Lexi said fighting off a grin. She seemed to be doing that rather often lately.

"No, that one I deserved." Jack admitted wincing and rubbing his cheek.

"You stole my boat!" Anamaria accused.

"Actually-" Jack started, then winced as she slapped him again "borrowed. Borrowed without permission. But with every intention of bringing it back to you."

"That's called stealing." Lexi informed him

"Shut up, love" Jack growled, irritated.

"But you didn't! You didn't bring it back" Anamaria seethed.

"You'll get another one." he quickly said, trying to calm her down. She pointed her finger at him.

"I will"

"A better one." cut in Will, smiling slightly at Jacks anxiousness

"A better one!" Jack agreed

"That one." he said pointing at the "Interceptor"

"What one?" Jack asked confused "That one?! Aye, that one. What say you?" he asked. Let them say yes, let them say yes...

"Aye!" the crew said and Jack grinned in relief. They all started boarding the ship.

"Anchors away." the parrot squawked.

"You ready for a adventure, love?" Jack asked Lexi

"You kidding? Sure I am. I've been ready my entire life!" Lexi said and raced aboard. Jack went to follow her, when Gibbs stopped him

"No, no, no, no, no, it's frightful bad luck to bring a woman aboard, sir." he told him urgently. Jack glare at him.

"It'd be far worse not to have her. And you seemed to be fine with Lexi coming. She's a woman isn't she?"

"Lexi is a different case. But whatever you say, captain." he said shaking his head and heading up onto the "Interceptor". Jack just grinned. Seemed like Gibbs noticed that Lexi was born for the sea, just like he had. He remembered his promise to show her his sword skills. This was going to be a lot of fun...

*TOSTOSTOS*

They were at sea for seven hours already and the weather was calm. Jack was never bored on a ship, but he thought a bit of excitement would be good. He called Gibbs and told him to stay behind the wheel and keep on course. Then he went to look for Lexi. He found her by the sail with the rest of the crew. She decided, that this was the best opportunity to learn, so that she could help later on. The men were all happy to anwser her questions and help her handle the basics of sailing. She was a very open and charming person, so they all started liking her pretty fast. Jack came up to them and tapped the girl on her shoulder.

"Ready for that sword fighting lesson?" he asked as she looked up at him. Her expression immediately turned to excited, and she smiled getting up.

"Sure, unless you need me for anything else." She said directing the question towards the other men.

"Nah, we'll manage." Kursar told her kindly

"Well then, I'll be ready in a minute Jack, let me get my sword." Lexi said and rushed bellow decks. She returned with a scabbared.

"Can I see?" Jack asked. He knew that it was important, that she had a decent sword, otherwise there would be no point in working with it.

"Don't worry, it's good." Lexi said as he unsheathed it. "Will made it for me." she added. Jack hmmed. The boy was a good blacksmith, he had to admit. The sword was plain, without any decorations. It was perfectly balanced and rather light, but had enough weight to give it power. The handle was wrapped in leather.

"It'll do" Jack said smiling lightly. He pulled out his own sword and looked at Lexi. "Get ready." he told her. She tensed a bit and he attacked. It was all slash, dodge, slash, from then. Jack had to admit she was pretty good. She was quick on her feet. She parried fairly well. But she lacked the confidence and boldness. She didn't dance while fighting. She was trying a bit too hard.

Lexi parried another thrust. She was beginning to tire and her reflexes started slowing down. But she was proud of herself. She managed to hold her ground. She knew Jack was going easy on her, but felt she was doing a good job. Suddenly he twisted his sword clockwise, and her weapon fell out of her grasp. "Wow, Jack, that was great." she said tiredly. "You win. But how did I do?"

"Good. Your footwork is really good, and your body works with the sword pretty well. You parry a bit stiffly, but elegance will come with practice." Jack nodded at her smiling. "Why don't you go rest. Now that I now your skills, next time I'll be able to give you some tips." Lexi marveled at how he had changed when he talked about fighting. Gone was the goofy Jack. This was Jack, the pirate captain.

"Thanks." she smiled. "Can we... train, I guess, later today?"

"If the weather holds, then yeah."

"Thanks, Jack." he saluted to her, then mock bowed.

"My pleasure." Goofy Jack was back. She bowed right back and went bellow decks. Jack smiled. The training had started.

*TOSTOSTOS*

The weather did not hold, and a storm broke upon them. Everyone, including Lexi, was working hard. She couldn't help fully, as she only just started learning how to handle the ship, but did what was in her might to make the tasks of the rest of crew easier. It was raining, and everyone was soaked.

"How can we sail to an island that nobody can find with a compass that doesn't work?" Will hollered to Gibbs. He didn't trust Jack, or the broken compass. But he had to rescue Elizabeth, and this was the only way to accomplish that.

"Aye, the compass doesn't point north but we're not trying to find north, are we?" he turned to Jack "We should drop canvas, sir."

"She can hold a bit longer." Jack shouted back grinning.

"What's in your head that's put you in such a fine mood, Captain?" Gibbs asked. Jack glanced up at the sail, then lowered his gaze to look at Lexi. She was working hard and learning fast. He them turned back to Gibbs.

"We're catching up." And my young pirate in training is becoming more and more pirate.

So, what do you think of it? How to you like Jacks attitude towards Lexi? I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and stay with the story.

By the way, I found a list of everyone in Jacks crew. The list contains the names of the crew of both the "Interceptor", and later on, the "Black Pearl". So I'll be using those names.

Cotton, Cotton's Parrot, Crippled man, Duncan, Joshamee Gibbs, Gunne, Ho-Kwan, Irish man, Jack the Monkey, Kursar, Ladbroc, Leech, Lejon, Marty, Moises, James Norrington, Nill Ofrill, Pintel, Quartetto, Ragetti, John Smith, Skinny man, Elizabeth Swann, Sweepy, Tearlach, Will Turner, Very old man.

I'd like to point out to all the Doctor Who fans, that Jack had a crew member called John Smith. Is it a coincidence? What do you think about that?

I know this was a bit short. Sorry.