She let herself be lead away from "Tortuga's Sea Treasures", stumbling on the rocky path, the man's arm still wrapped firmly around her waist.

               After she was safely away from the place, she slipped out of the man's grip and turned to face him, eyes brimming with tears.

"You can stop with the act now sir", she said harshly, lifting her chin defiantly.

Scratching his head, (or rather his hat), he looked at her with genuine puzzlement. "Whatever do you mean love?"

"Oh come on!" She replied sarcastically, shaking her head, trying to get her hair out of her eyes. "You can't expect me to believe that you don't want anything in return for this kind little gesture."

               He stepped closer, boots crunching over rocks until he was face to face with her. Searching in his jacket, he produced a small, white handkerchief. Wiping her hair away from her face, he gently dabbed at her tears, drying her eyes.

"Alright…you've spotted my bluff love, I am wanting something in return" he said softly, stepping backwards and tucking the handkerchief back into his coat pocket.

               She had stood through his tender pampering, but now, eyes flashing, she spat on the ground, barely missing his boot, and turned away, stomping off into the night.

"I WILL NOT SERVICE YOU IN ANYWAY OR FORM, SIR!" She yelled behind her, disgusted.

               He stood there for a minute, stunned, but he quickly gained his composure, and ran after her. Catching up to her, she grabbed her arm and swung her around so that she was facing him.

               She struggled for a minute, but since she couldn't use her hands, it didn't have much effect. She gave up and stood still, looking at the ground, waiting for him to begin.

               Letting go of her arm, he lifted her chin up so that she was looking directly at him.

"You didn't let me finish m'dear", he said, smiling softly. "I don't want any of…well, any of that," he added, gesturing at her body. Not that's unsatisfactory love, don't get me wrong, it's…well it's, I mean, well Jesus! Just look at it!"

               He stopped sputtering and winked cheerfully at her.

"All I want is some company. I'm not going to try anything on you, don't worry." He said sincerely. "In fact, he ya go," he added, reaching down inside his boot and extracting a knife. She sucked in her breath and stepped back, but he dropped it on the ground between them and stepped back.

"All for you love."

               She bent down warily, trying to keep him in her line of sight for as long as she could. She picked up the knife and jumped back up, holding it close to her. This man was like no one she had ever met.

"I…I'm sorry sir, but I really gotta go, I gotta go find a place to stay, and I gotta find a job…and, and some clothes, and some food," she said, trying to stay calm, but it came out as an awkward sob.

               She turned around and began to walk slowly away, still clutching the dress to her chest.

               His face fell, but brightened once more as he pulled out a bag of coins from inside of his jacket, and called out to her.

"I got something that will solve your problems love!" He shook the bag up in the air, letting her hear the coins rattle. "If money's what you're after, I got plenty of it."

               She turned slowly around, and stared at the bag. She was in need of some money alright, but….

Looking from the bag to him, the bag to him and back again, she decided to risk it. If all he wanted was company, she would gladly give him some for that amount of money.

"Alright", she agreed, sighing. "Where to?"

"The sea my love, always the sea."

               She permitted her self to smile as he wrapped his arm around her once more.