Chapter 10
*Heather's POV*
It was night fall by the time we had made port in Tortuga. The town had not changed much in the time since I had last walked through it's streets. The buildings were a bit worse for the wear than I remembered, but the drunken pirates staggering around, the shooting off of pistols, the fighting, the occasional man tossing the contents of their stomachs onto the streets, the prostitutes that showed their wares to some of the men, all of it seemed quite familiar. Despite the smell, I could not help but to feel an odd sense of nostalgia about the place…I dare to say it almost had a homey atmosphere to it.
"It is indeed a sad life, that has never breathed in deep this sweet proliferous bouquet that is Tortuga, savvy?" Jack explained stealing a cane from one of the drunk men. He was in his pride, strutting through the streets as if he were a king. A true pirate to the core, in other words, he loved Tortuga with its crowded taverns, feisty women, and of course its flowing supply of rum and ale, "What do you think?"
Will was a bit more disturbed by the town than he was charmed. He looked down at a nearby man who was sitting down beside some barrels. The man was trying to pour two mugs of rum down this throat at same time, he was missing pouring most of the amber liquid all over himself. Above him were three women, with ample assets which they had spill out from above their corsets, laughing loudly. "It will linger," said Will.
I patted Will on the shoulder sympathetically, "Everyone is like this on their first time here Will, do not be embarrassed." I remember my own first time in Tortuga, of course I found my first time to be worse. Thanks to the shenanigans of my late older brother Oliver, who was trying to convince me to return home, and of course Hector's horrible attempts at flirting, "You get used to it."
Sparrow too tried to convince Will of Tortuga's charm, "Heather is right. I tell you mate, if every town in the world were like this one, no man would ever feel unwanted."
A woman with red hair and a little too much make up approached us, she did not seem pleased to see Sparrow at all. "Scarlett!" exclaimed Sparrow breaking into a smile going to approach the woman and meet her half-way. She slapped him across the face as soon as he got close. Jack looked back at Will and I, "Not sure I deserved that." Another woman, this time a blonde, approached Jack. He looked at her, "Giselle!"
The blonde motioned back to the red head, "Who was she?"
"What?" questioned Jack just mere moments before she too slapped him hard across the face. As she walked away, Jack admitted, "I may have deserved that."
"Lovely women," I said laughing at Jack's predicament, "Obviously, your taste in women has yet to change."
"I associate with you, don't I?"
"Do you want me to slap you too?
"No."
"Then get a move on you bloody git. The more time we waste, the further we are from rescuing Isaac." I commanded, motioning for Jack to lead the way. He must have had some sort of contact in this town if he wanted to come here so badly.
As Will and I followed Sparrow through the streets, I noticed how Will was looking at me, as though I was a completely different person. Do not blame him for that, as long as Will had known me I have been, I dare to say it a proper lady with manners. To see me talk to Sparrow in the way I did must have come as quite a shock.
Sparrow led our small party to a pig pen out behind the 'Faithful Bride' tavern. There fast asleep upon the belly of a pig was a sailor covered in mud. I recognized the mean despite his poor ragged appearance. Joshamee Gibbs, I had heard rumors that after his 'retirement' from the navy a few years back that he had come here to do what he liked best…drink.
'How do you think is the best way to wake him?" I questioned nudging him slightly with my foot. He did not show any signs of waking any time soon, but he was still breathing so at least he was alive. I looked to Will, Mr. Brown, Will's master was a well-known drunk himself.
"I do not know," answered Will, "I usually just let Mr. Brown sleep when he passes out."
"Jack any suggestions." I asked looking towards him.
He looked at two nearby buckets of water, "I have a plan," grabbing one of the buckets and quickly splashed its contents on Joshamee, who awoke with a start.
"Good plan," I said watching as Joshamee pulled a gun out on us in his stupor.
"Curse you for breathing you slack-jawed idiot!" cried Joshamee, he blinked several times, then realizing you had awoken him put the gun away. "Mother's love! Jack!" he blinked several more times, "Is that Heather Barbossa I as well?"
"I am not called by that name anymore, you know that." I sighed. I was not angry with him, I had a soft part in my heart for Joshamee. When Isaac and I were pulled aboard that Navy ship all those years ago, he had was able to see straight through my lie. He knew exactly who I actually was, from the stories he had heard in the pubs which he frequented…it was because of his mercy that Isaac and I made it to and settle in Port Royal alive and not in a short line for the gallows.
"My apologizes," said Joshamee, "Anyhow, you should both know better than to wake a man when he is sleeping…It's bad luck."
"Fortunately, I know how to counter it," explained Jack seemingly a step ahead, "The man who did the waking, buys the man who was sleeping a drink, the man who was sleeping drinks while listening to a proposition from the man who did the waking."
Joshamee thought it over, puzzlement on his face. Did not blame him, I could barely understand Sparrow's jumble at time. "Aye, that'll about do it," said Joshamee finally eager for a drink.
I helped Joshamee off the ground, meanwhile Will grabbed the other bucket of water. I was able to step away just in time, before Will splashed the contents of the second bucket at Joshamee. "BLAST IT! I'm already awake!" explained Joshamee annoyed.
"That was for the smell," explained Will.
Sparrow and I looked at the Will then back at Joshamee, there was no doubt that he did not smell good and the water did help. "I've smelled worse." I said.
Joshamee just looked at us and shrugged, not disagreeing in the slightest. Sparrow led us all into the Faithful Bride, which was just as bad as it was outside in the streets. It was beautiful, I never truly realized how much I missed this atmosphere.
I sat down at an empty table with Joshamee while Jack and Will went to go get us some drinks. Only Jack however, returned to the table. Will was told to stand guard outside of the main room where we sat. I noticed that Will was probably just far away enough to not be able to hear anything from our conversation above the noise that the bar provided.
Sparrow handed Joshamee and I our drinks, I took a big glup of the beverage…rum. Good sweet rum, I had not had a drink of the stuff in years. Not exactly a lady appropriate drink in Port Royal society. Maybe being around Jack Sparrow did have some benefits.
"Now, what's the nature of this venture of yours?" asked Joshamee after he took a drink from his mug.
Sparrow looked at me briefly before he answered, "We're going after The Black Pearl."
Joshamee chocked on his drink, he looked around to see if anyone had heard this as well. Jack continued, "I know where it's going to be, and I'm going to take it."
"Jack, it is a fool's errand," warned Gibbs, "You know better than me the tales of The Black Pearl."
"That is why I know what Barbossa is up to," explained Jack.
"Enacting your revenge with Barbossa's…" began Gibbs, I gave him a dirty look stopping him mid-sentence, "with his former lover by your side? Those are dangerous odds. Why are you in this anyway Heather? I thought you gave up on this life?"
"Hector has kidnapped my son," I explained. I loved Elizabeth like a daughter, but if I had to choose between saving her or Isaac…my son won hands down, "and I intend to get him back."
"Aye, and I am going to help her," said Jack wrapping his arm around my shoulders, "Helping a beautiful woman and getting revenge. No better combination in the world."
"Get that arm of yours off me or I'll shoot you." I growled at Jack who was then quick to remove his arm.
"All we need is a crew," explained Jack.
"From what I hear of Captain Hector Barbossa, he is not a man to suffer fools nor strike a bargain with one."
"I'd say it is a good thing I am not a fool then eh?" said Jack
"Prove me wrong," said Gibbs, "What make you think that Barbossa will give up his ship to you?"
"Let's just say it is a matter of leverage."
Joshamee looked at him confused. I too looked at Sparrow but not in confusion rather I was angry, "I will not be used as a pawn! I am not going to distract Hector while you shoot him."
"No offense to you Heather, but you are not my intended leverage," explained Jack motioning his head towards Will. I looked towards Will and automatically felt sorry for him as one of the wenches was trying to seduce him.
It took Gibbs a moment but he figured out that Jack meant Will, "The kid?" he questioned.
"That is the child of Bootstrap Bill Turner," explained Jack, Gibb's eyes grew wide, "His only child, savvy?"
"Is he, now?" asked Joshamee, "Leverage you say, I think I feel a change in the wind says I. I'll find us a crew, there's bound to be some sailors around here as crazy as you."
"I suppose one can only hope," I said uneasily. I knew why Will would be considered leverage, I should have expected that of Sparrow. You only needed a slight knowledge about the treasure of the Isla de la Muerta to figure that out. Still my stomach churned at the thought. But if it got me my son back, then it was worth it.
Jack lifted his mug in a toast, "Take what you can."
Joshamee lifted his mug, "Give nothing back." I lifted my own mug and clanked it together with theirs. We drank the remaining contents before slamming the empty mugs down on the table. I looked over at Will and nodded, we were on our way.
A/N: Sorry about the wait their folks. This past month has been a little hectic. I had my college finals, started a new full-time job, and been doing a little bit of traveling with the family. As a result, I have not had a lot of time to sit down and write. On the bright side before I took the break I had made it to about chapter 15. Now as many of you are aware the 5th movie of POTC has been released. Since Disney has more or less said that it is the finale of the series, I think I am safe to say that my story will span all the movies (Yay!). Now for those of you who have already seen the new movie (I have not as of yet) you know what happens (I do since many of my friends who know I write this fic and how I feel about the movies so they wanted to emotionally prepare me). How ever this gives me PLENTY of time to work with it and make it so this fic goes with it. But I want your help readers, feel free to private message me with ideas for the 5th installment (AS TO NOT GIVE SPOILERS). Any ideas for installments 2-4 can be placed in the reviews. And with that readers I say till next time! As always any comments, questions, concerns or ideas are welcome.