And there he was. Just sitting there, poking away at his compass without a care in the world. Correction, he was poking away at his compass looking as though he did have a care, which annoyed me as Jack Sparrow cared about very little apart from himself and the Pearl. I had heard from my friend earlier that he was looking for a crew and sure enough Joshamee Gibbs was signing people up at a small table near Jack.

I queued, behind some old man and when it came to my turn, I realised he didn't recognise me.

He gave a smile, "So, what makes you think you are worthy to crew the Black Pearl?"

"I don't rightly know sir, but I think I should be let on either way as a happened to save a certain Mr Gibbs backside from 10 years prison many a year ago" I replied

He squinted at me or a second before a smile broke out on his face and I grinned back at him.

"Crugg! It's been a long time. How've you been?"

"Not so bad. Yourself?"

"Ah, can't complain." He shrugged, not giving anything away, "And what brings you about this way?"

"I've heard your recruiting", I glanced at the roster and then at Jack who did look up from his compass, either he hadn't noticed me or was pretending not to, "The standard doesn't seem to be that high either"

Gibbs looked uncomfortable then, "Aye, well, it's nothin' that should be interesting you."

"It's pirating, of course it's going to interest me"

He shifted in his seat and beckoned me closer and I leaned in, "Look, not that I should be sayin' anything. It's only because you did me a favour and now I'm returning it. But if you have any sense at all, you'll turn and walk straight back the door you came in."

I squinted at him, more interested than ever. It sounded exciting and dangerous, exactly what I was looking for, "Right, I'll go. I'll be seeing you then."

He gave me a strange look, "Be seeing you lass."

Gibbs would be seeing me a lot sooner than he thought.

I began to saunter down a deserted back alley towards the docks. The Pearl wouldn't be hard to find, especially if they are setting out on a voyage. I decided to casually walk on as though I belonged there would be the best policy. I gave a little chuckle to myself but froze when I heard footsteps behind me. I froze and looked around, resting my hand on the hilt of my sword.

"Cruggy. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"

I gave a small smile as Jack swaggered towards me, "Got the Pearl back then?"

"I told you so, didn't I?"

"You certainly did." I studied him as he came into the light, he hadn't changed a bit.

He smirked, "I noticed you are taking interest in joining my crew"

"I was, but Gibbs told me otherwise."

"Which has just heightened your interest made you decide to stowaway on my ship."

"Naturally"

He paused and looked me over, his smile fading slightly, "You should get yourself out to sea, would do you the world of good"

I raised an eyebrow. I knew I looked sick but the last thing I expected was for Jack to take a notion of my health. I decided to change the subject.

"So what is this venture that Gibbs kept mum on?"

He grinned again, but something in his eyes told me he was reluctant to share, "…..I'm going after the heart of Davy Jones."

I fought not to laugh, "You know that's just a fairy tale?"

"Hmmm….you'll see"

As if my curiosity couldn't be heightened any further, "When do you set off?"

Jack looked around as though someone could be listening, "Within the hour" he whispered before turning and swaggering back the way he came.

This Elizabeth was certainly a one. Over a day into the voyage and I still hadn't decided if I liked her or not.

At first I thought she was a boy, so when I told her to, "Pick up the slack lad and make yourself useful by scrubbing the deck!" I was rather shocked by the reply.

"I beg your pardon! I am not a 'lad'"

I screwed up my face at her, confused by the upper class accent, "What?"

"I am Elizabeth Sawn, I am here to find my fiancé"

"Oh right, that William bloke?"

"Yes" she said haughtily.

"Well just because you're a woman doesn't mean you can't do any work"

She raised an eyebrow, "You're Marion Crugg aren't you?"

"One and only" I gave a small bow.

"Gibbs told me all about you…"

"…I do hope not"

She smiled slightly then, "You're a friend of Jack's"

"Friends is a funny word to describe us. We go way back though"

She looked out to sea then back at me, "Do you trust him?"

I stopped not knowing what to say, I'd never been asked this before, "I'm not sure, I suppose he's never given me any real reason not too…."

"But…"

"He's odd, there's no telling what he'll do next, like most of us. I'm short, he's a pirate and trust levels can only go so far."

We seemed to get on fine until I looked a few hours later to see her lips inches away from Jack's with a seductive look on her face, with him showing equal interest. I could feel my face grow hot. I thought she was here to find this Turner, not to go gadding after my….well that was the thing; he wasn't my anything…not even my Captain technically, as I never signed the roster.

Either way she was acting like a harlot. I knew I was no better but I never ran around declaring my love for another man, as she had told me about her dearest William oh so many times, I'd never even met the man and I was already sick of him, and then went flirting with the biggest known tart in the Caribbean. And she wasn't even that pretty. Well, no, she was stunning, but certainly not Jacks type – too virginal.

I decided to do some digging around.

"Gibbs?" I crooned to my old friend at the helm. Jack had disappeared to his quarters, a large canister of soil under his arm.

"Aye?" he replied, not taking his eyes off the horizon.

"What exactly is the story behind Miss Swan? How does she know Jack?"

He looked thoughtful, "Well she's part of the reason he got the Pearl back I suppose, betrothed to Bootstrap Bill Turners son. She'd make a good pirate but I've said it once and I'll say it again, frightful bad luck to have a woman on board."

I coughed and looked at him.

"Well, you're famous now aren't you? Wouldn't matter if you were half man-half goat."

"Thank you Gibbs…."

He smiled, "Why do ye ask? What's the interest of her and Jack's history to you?"

"Nothing, just wondering." I tried to say nonchalantly.

Soooooo, lots of jealousy and that! I'm not really sure how I'm going to have Crugg fit into the films and how yet so please review or mail me your suggestions and as always REVIEW! Also, if anyone is interested in the poem from the previous chapter it's on youtube if you search Virgin Queen Soundtrack – Track 1