Now, I am quite mad at you lot! I know I havent updated in ages, but my last two chapters feel on deaf ears...or blind eyes, so to speak. Please review and let me know what you think? I seem to have lost my spark.

Chapter nine: A New Found Hope

"Captain, you need to be seein' this!" Jack looked up sharply from where he was sitting at his favorite table in the Faithful Bride, all drunken stupor abandoned with the shout from his crewman.

"Aye, Havering, what is it?" Jack drawled as his helmsman, Wilmot (or Motty) Havering slid into a chair opposite his captain. "I found this while roaming around an empty building, look for a place to bed with a whore," He said this unabashedly and without showing what it was, slipped an item into Jack's hand. "I suggest you look it over on the Pearl." He added.

Jack quickly stood up and without preamble weaved his way through the tavern, out through the streets, and to the docks, all the while Motty was behind him. They made it to the ship without incident, and it wasn't until Jack was safely closeted in his own cabin did he really look at what Motty had given him.

It was a tarot card, but for some odd reason, it was not one found in the major or minor arcane. It depicted a a man kneeing in front of a large chest and underneath in Latin the words said "Fools Gold". Jack studied it closely, suddenly realizing that the setting was in Cuba. He tried to recall something that seemed to be important, but as it eluded his grasp, he struck it out of his thoughts.

"You might have something there…" He murmured, still raking his eyes across the card. It was a decent size, but acutely worn. Jack wondered how it came to be about, and his intuition told him it just might lead to treasure. "If this is Cuba…but where could we find what it truly means?"

"Dunno, sir…" Motty had nothing to really say, hoping his captain would solve the mystery, as he had not the brain capacity to do so. "Perhaps some other crew member might know. Gibbs perhaps?"

Jack nodded, and soon Motty had returned with Joshamee Gibbs.

"What's this about 'Fools Gold'?" He queried, looking down at the card. "It might be named Fools Gold for a reason, Captain."

"Yes, but I am recalling to mind a certain French pirate/privateer by the name of Farceur Goldman. Farceur means joker in French. And as a joker in court is known as a fool. .Rumors have that his treasure has been found numerous occasions, but I feel like it is nothing but a boast. You know how it goes…if there really was someone to find it…" He trailed off and went to his large desk to retrieve one of his own maps.

"I know for certain that gold has been searched for in Havana, but went awry. Mayhap this is what it means by 'Fools Gold'…"

"Jack, you are looking into nothing." Gibbs stated flatly, not even bothering to use his title. Jack picked up on this, and checked himself.

"Well, how bouts we go to Cuba and see for ourselves, eh? We haven't been there for a while. If there is no treasure or clue, then we will give up or hasty search and continue what we do best."

Motty and Gibbs exchanged looks with their eyebrows raised, but said nothing more on that subject.

"Captain…can I inquire as to how Pearl is doing?" Motty finally ventured, as they said in silence for a few good minutes. Gibbs went to the supply chest safely mounted on the wall and grabbed out a bottle of rum, and after uncorking it, handed the amber liquid to Jack.

"As well as can be hoped." He shrugged. "There really is nothing we can do, except keep her busy."

"I wonder if she can speak French?" Gibbs suggested, but Jack simply let out a large bark of a laugh.

"Really, Gibbs! She is Spanish. They hate the French. But maybe if I offer to give her a share if she helps…"

"I'll leave that up to ye, Cap'n." Gibbs nodded and the younger man, then he and Motty left.

"I wonder…"

-oo0oo-

"Pearl, darling, feel like getting out of the cabin today? The ship is abuzz with excitement, and they reckon they might have found a clue to treasure…" Jason tempted the woman, and smiled when she considered, then nodded. She hated to admit it to herself, but there were a few members of the crew that she would have liked to see, as well as feeling the itch to finally get out of bed. It had been another two weeks since Jack had brought her the gifts, and she was still reeling from his kindness.

"Please leave so I might get dressed," She said hoarsely, still unused to speaking. Jason left with a beaming smile, and Pearl slowly stretched back into her frame, joints popping noisily. She padded over to the fresh water that had been brough daily in hopes she would rise, and washed herself briefly, before putting on the apple green silk. She decided to go barefoot, and after running a brush through her hair in a few desperate attempts, rolled it up in a bun at the nape of her neck.

Pearl admitted that it did feel good to be getting out of bed, but she felt weak already. She stood for a moment, catching her breath, before slowly, very slowly, pushed open the cabin door.

"You look a treat!" Jason exclaimed as she emerged, and she colored and looked away, uncomfortable. Jason knew better then to offer his arm, so they walked side by side until reaching the deck.

Jack had ordered everyone to be polite, but not overly so. They were to engage in conversation (other than greetings) only if she chose to. The crew readily agreed, feely such sympathy that they had unknowingly taken her on as one of their own.

It was high noon, and they were approaching Cuba soon, maybe another half a days worth of sailing, and the sky was brilliant blue…not a cloud in sight. Some seagulls were flying overhead, shrieking down, and a few dolphins were ahead of the ship…a good luck omen to the crew. Pearl took in a deep breath of fresh air, and a ghost of a smile played about her lips. She sought out Jack, who was standing at the helm, anxiously looking up at the birds. Apparently he had already been struck by one of their unfortunate "deliveries", and was trying hard not to try and shoot at them.

"Captain!" Jason hailed, and ushered Pearl up to the quarterdeck. "Soon to Cuba?"

It took Jack a moment to respond, as he had been shocked to see Pearl outside, and wearing one of the dresses he had picked out for her. She looked lovely, and he realized it with a start. He pale face and dark haunted eyes gave her an appearance of something deep, dark, and secret. All in all, she had taken this tragedy and in doing so almost became a beauty. But not quite…a spiteful voice said in the captain's head.

"Aye, we will soon be in Cuba. Havana, really," Jack said in an aside to Pearl, who only nodded. "You see, I have this hunch, that there is either treasure, or a clue in Havana…Have you every heard of Farceur Goldman? French pirate who amassed a large amount of gold over his life?"

"Isn't that how the story always goes?" Pearl asked quietly, staring out to sea. "No, I have not heard of anyone by such a name. I don't like to affiliate with the French." Jack grinned at the way she said the word, almost as if it tasted nasty in saying.

"Well, by chance can you speak the language?" He grimaced, awaiting the answer.

"Actually, I can. My mother, before she died…she had me learn English as well as French. Even though my accent is heavy, I know the dialect well enough." Pearl shrugged.

"Great!" Jack beamed, hoping it would go this way. "Perhaps you can help us out with the translations, and whatnot. I'd give you a cut of it, same as any crew?" He tempted.

Pearl actually smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "How kind of you. But if I were to take a wage, I think I should do more about then translate."

"Would you like to sign the articles?" Jack asked in a quiet voice, so only she and Jason could hear. "I could promise you more protection, and you would get a share of anything we find. Then you could print your own books and not have to worry about using a male name. C'mon, Pearl. Why not? What do you have to lose?"

"Nothing," Pearl said simply, and Jack almost wished he could take the pain from her eyes. "Nothing. I have lost my dignity, my money…" She shot a sideways glance at Jack shrugged, who nearly gulped but grinned as it was such a Spanish gesture. "I can't promise you much. But then, you have taken everything else there is. I will sign your articles, Captain Sparrow. I will be of your crew."