The next few days were awkward between Jack and Annabelle. Annabelle tended to avoid Jack whenever he came around, and he was quite aware of it. At one point Gibbs pulled her aside and asked her privately if there was anything going on between the two of them. She shook her head, wanting the old man to just leave her alone. She didn't want to think about anything. She was just getting used to life on the ship, even beginning to enjoy it, and now she was back to not really knowing where she was.

Secretly, Annabelle was thinking of a way to escape the ship, escape the feelings that tore at her every time she glanced in Jack's direction. In the same instance, she didn't think she could bear leaving. The open air and freedom turned out to be all she'd ever wanted and more. As frightened and confused as she felt. She loved the sea, and everything sailing foretold.

After a week of such conflicting emotions, the Pearl finally made port. The city was warm and beautiful, and amazingly clean. She glimpsed merchants selling different wares, she witnessed a mother scolding her young son in a tongue foreign to her. The people were bronze and exotic, and the air smelled sweet, mixed with salt water. Annabelle was amazed.

"All righ' men!" Jack called to the crew. "We find Stefanos, an' then we get to enjoy ourselves before we get what we came for!" he turned to

Annabelle and Gibbs. "I want you two to stay with me, savvy?"

The two nodded and set off behind Jack at a brisk pace.

"Where are we?" Annabelle whispered to Mister Gibbs.

"Glifada, Greece," Gibbs replied. "One o' the most beautiful ports in all the world."

Annabelle looked in wonder at the new world around her. She passed a group of beautiful bronze women, giggling as Jack passed by. Jack gave a wink and a tip of his hat in their direction, which caused even more girlish giggling. Annabelle looked away, admiring the stunning view. The clear skies and the tall palms reminded her of Port Royal, but the dirt roads and clay buildings gave the place an air of simplicity. She enjoyed it immensely.
She followed Jack and Gibbs down an small alleyway, through all the clay homes stacked one on the other. They ended up at what looked like yet another cluster of the same buildings. Upon reaching it she realized that it made up an entirely new building. One enormous building comprised of numerous small ones. Jack led them to the front entrance, which was blocked by a steel gate, guards on either side.

One of the guards, an olive skinned man with shoulders almost as wide as Annabelle's body asked Jack a question in the foreign tongue that she'd heard the mother speak in earlier. Jack smiled tightly at the man and replied, "Captain Jack Sparrow, an old friend of Stefanos'. We come on grounds tha' were given to us before our arrival."

The man grunted and led them through the gate, and up a set of stairs to the front entrance of the marble mansion. Though the outside was quite plain outside of its great size, the inside was immaculately clean and luxurious. Paintings and artifacts sat artfully at nearly every corner of the place. Jack carefully reached his hand out to touch one of them. It looked like a golden metal flower, open and beautiful. The center contained a glittering blue stone, mesmerizing and open to anyone. As Jack's fingers grazed the edge of one of the sturdy petals, the entire thing closed up suddenly, causing everyone-especially Jack-to jump.

The flower now looked like an egg, but beautiful all the same. Jack sidled away, pouting. Laughter emanated from farther ahead of them. Everyone looked to see a tall, golden-bronze man standing in an archway just a few yards from there, His dark hair was tied at the nape of his neck, and it brushed over his broad shoulders. As they approached, Annabelle noticed that the man had surprisingly light eyes. The blues and greens swirled fluorescently, accenting his dark skin. His impish grin was replaced with unhidden lust as he met Annabelle's gaze.

"Jack," his voice was dark, smooth. "How nice of you to pay a visit! What brings you and your-" he paused a moment, looking over Annabelle greedily. "friends-here?"

"I believe yeh know why we happen ta be here, Stefanos." Jack moved swiftly in front of her, blocking the man's line of sight. It struck Annabelle that Jack might be a bit jealous. There really was no reason for him to even care about whether the Greek man took an interest to her or not.
Stefanos grinned slyly, and seemed to have a retaliation tactic to Jack's behavior. He clapped his hands, the sound reverberating through the marble. Soon, steps were heard echoing about. They grew closer, until the figure of woman could be seen in the western doorway. A pang of jealousy ran through Annabelle as soon as she set eyes on the woman. She was statuesque, her thin white gown spanning the hills of her hips and breasts. Her long dark hair flowed over her shoulders, glowing in the light. Her golden brown eyes smoldered, and Annabelle wondered how many men she'd seduced with them.

Jack was looking to be another one. He stared, his mouth slightly agape, as the woman descended the stairs. Stefanos seemed to enjoy Jack's mesmerization. His arms entwined around the woman's waist as she approached.

"Ah, Jack, I believe you've not met Ambrosia, have you? Ambrosia, this is Jack Sparrow, an old friend of mine from my youth."

"Captain," Jack corrected. "It's a pleasure, Miss." It certainly looked like it to Annabelle, whose venomous jealousy was rising again.

"The pleasure is all mine, Captain." Ambrosia purred, her accent drawing him in.

Stefanos invited all parties to sit at a long table just beyond the doorway. He and Jack sat at opposite ends, and Annabelle and Gibbs sat accordingly.

Ambrosia chose not to sit, and was comfortable rather to stand at Stefanos' shoulder.

"Yeh know wha' we're here for," Jack said simply. "I require a ship. Or rather, a fleet. For protection."

"What exactly do you need protection from, Jack?" Stefanos' eyebrows questioningly.

"This young miss at my side was betrothed to the son of General Charles Montel. Mister Gibbs an' I believe they are searching for her. Should they get a lead to our whereabouts, I'll need the necessary defense."

Annabelle's heart jumped. She hadn't thought about the Montels since her capture. What would happen if they found her? Anxiousness gripped her heart as she contemplated the possible consequences. The Greek man looked at Jack contemplatively. His fingers stroked his chin slowly. Anticipation built through the room the longer the silence stretched. Finally, he spoke.

"I will give you the ships you desire, if-and only if-I am able to attain part of the treasure you seek to gain."

Jack nodded curtly. "'Tis settled, mate."

The two men strode around the table to shake hands. Afterwards, Stefanos addressed Annabelle directly for the first time since they'd arrived.

"The ceremony will commence shortly. Ambrosia will assist you."

"W-What?" Annabelle asked, startled. No one had said anything about a ceremony.

Stefanos' laughed. "Do not worry my dear," his voice gentle. "I assure you it is simple, no harm will come to you."

And with that, Ambrosia took Annabelle's hand and led her out of the room and into a narrow hallway. She caught a glimpse back to where Jack stood. He grinned at her guiltily as she was pulled away.