A/N: A quick note… I owe the title of this chapter to a certain musical. Any guesses as to which musical? There's also a reference to a famous poem in there, too. Any one guess that one? n_n'

Pirates of the Caribbean : The Wrath of Cortez
Ch. 9 – Deceitfulness and Suavity

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            It was some time late into the next day when Elizabeth was startled by a loud, booming knock on her door.  She quickly rose to answer, but before she could, Anamaria poked her head in.

            "Ye'r wanted on deck, lass!"  She quickly started back up the stairs, Elizabeth following closely after.  Mandie soon joined the two on deck, where Jack and Bootstrap were waiting.

            "Elizabeth," Jack began.  "Who was your mother?"  Elizabeth let out a small gasp, Bootstrap shaking his head at the same time.  "Ye've got t'tell us, luv!  We need ter know!"  Jack persisted, but Elizabeth cast her gaze downward.

            "Her Lady, Mary Keaton."  Jack arched an eyebrow.

            "Th' same Mary Keaton who owns half of London?"

            "Only about an eighth of London, actually…"  Jack's eyes dazzled, but Elizabeth only looked ashamed.

            "Ye still speak to 'er?"  Bootstrap chimed in.

            "Aye…she's sent a letter on occasion. May…I inquire as to why?"

            "Elizabeth," Jack leaned up against a mast as he spoke.  "We have reason to believe that your mother has one of the gold pieces we're after."

            "But…that's impossible!"

            "So it would seem," Bootstrap began.  "But when I was on a ship some time ago, I slipped one of the thirds into a chest of gold…I chest I believe belonged to your mother."  Elizabeth shook her head.

            "But…no!  My mother swore upon her life that she'd never leave England!  And I would have gotten a letter regarding it, if she even ever did…"

"William!" Jack suddenly interjected. "Where'd that ship dock?"  Bootstrap rubbed his head in thought.

"Some God Forsaken spit of an island…Grenadine, methinks."

"Anamaria!" Jack clasped his hands together.  "Set our course!  Miss Hannet and I need to have a little chat, in the mean time…and Elizabeth?" He slid an arm around Mandie's shoulders as Elizabeth glanced up. "Ye'll stick with ol' Bootstrap here an' tend to the rigging whilst I'm below deck." The two nodded.

Jack and Mandie headed down to Jack's private quarters, Jack relaxing in an armchair and Mandie on the bed.  Mandie leaned back on her elbows, watching Jack. The captain gazed over at her a long moment before speaking.

"'eard from yer sister lately?"  Mandie's eyes narrowed.

"Jack-"

"Listen, luv!" He rose, moving over to the bed beside Mandie. "'twas only a question!"

"A nosy one!"

"If ye say so…"

"Hmph."  She scooted back so she was leaning against the wall, folding her arms across her chest. "And the las' time we spoke was months ago, at th'least."

"Ah…an'…what kinda treasure's she after now?"

"JACK SPARROW!"

"WOT?!"

"For the last time, I am not your little spy!"  She rose and started for the door, Jack following close behind.

"Aw, wait, luv!  C'mon…I din'n mean it like that!"  Mandie turned back around abruptly, causing Jack to practically barrel into her.

"Let me get one thing straight, Jack.  I am here because it pays- in both gold and pleasure.  I am not here to tip ye off so ye can go swipe me sister's booty!"  Upon noting the expression on Jacks face, Mandie scowled, pointing a finger square between his eyes. "An' I mean her treasure, not her derrière!"

Jack snickered, taking the opportunity to slide an arm around Mandie's waist. "Whatever ye say, luv."  Mandie slid her arms around Jack's neck.

"And I am not your wench, Jack Sparrow."

"Ye keep thinkin' that, Mandra-"  Mandie pulled back to slap him, but before she could, Mr. Cotton's parrot came swooping over them, calling loudly.

"EARP! LAND AHOY!"  Mandie shot a glare at Jack, before starting out into the hall and up the stairs in a huff, Jack following close behind and snickering to himself.

Sure enough, the island of Grenadine lay on the horizon, fading into the ocean as a thin strip of sand.  "Aha!" Jack said, joining Anamaria at the wheel.  "And so we were as close as I thought. 'Ow long till port?"

"Not all tha' long. A few hours, 't least."

"Ah…good good!"  He paused. Cocking his head sideways slightly, he listened to the vague traces of an argument from the other side of the deck.

"You… you don't even know me!" Elizabeth's voice.

"Aye! Tis why I'm askin'! Jus' watchin' out for me son's well being…"

"Mister Turner, my previous consorts are of no business to you!"

"Sorry, lass!"  As Jack moved around to watch the two,  he witnessed Elizabeth rising on her toes, pointing her finger at Bootstrap, inches away from his face.

"Don't call me lass."  Bootstrap went to grab her wrist, but she smacked his hand away, hard. "Savvy?"

"As I thought…not a lass, but a wench, like your-"

As if on cue, Jack swaggered over, clapping a hand on Bootstrap's shoulder.  "William! Mind if I borrow you a moment? Oh good!"  He forcefully pulled Bootstrap away from Elizabeth, dragging him behind one of the sails.

"What the hell were you thinking?! No. Don't answer that.  Now listen 'ere, savvy? You don't lay a hand on Elizabeth.  You're brash, Turner, try not t'let it get t'ye, an' don't do anything stupid."

Bootstrap scoffed, glaring at Jack before speaking with utmost sarcasm. "Aye aye, Captain."  He turned and stalked off, leaving Jack behind to imitate him in a rather frivolous manner.

Some time later, however, they finally docked in the water just off the small coast of Grenadine.  Jack assembled the crew on deck, walking down the line. "Anamaria, Bootstrap…hmmm..."  He stopped when he got to Mandie, studying her over and responding to her most cynical expression with a grin. "Ah…and the wench.  You may accompany myself and Mrs. Turner ashore.  The rest of ye scallywags may come and go as ye please until we return, since yer not but a bunch of dishonest scum anyway. An' a dishonest man ye can always trust t'be-"

"Can we jus' get on with this already?!"  Mandie rolled her eyes at Jack, brushing past him and sliding into the small lifeboat as he arched an eyebrow. It took him a moment before he spoke once more.

"Well, do as the woman says!"  He made a slight waving motion before joining Mandie in the boat once more.

After an uneventful row to shore, the crew hopped onto the dock.  With Jack leading the way, they soon found the boathouse.  With much ruckus, they all managed to slide in, Anamaria and Bootstrap bickering the whole time.  Jack sauntered up to the counter, drumming a hand on the desk.

"Hello!" He cheerfully greeted the bookkeeper.  "I have a name and a pocket full of gold. Do you have an answer?"

The bookkeeper grinned. "Well I can most certaintly find one for you, sir!"

"Ah, good.  There was a ship that came in some many days ago…" He thought, before Bootstrap filled in for Jack.

"Try six or so fortnights back, mate."

"Ah! Right! Six or so fortnights ago. The...the…" He fiddled for the answer yet again, giving Bootstrap yet another opportunity to speak up.

"The Annabel Lee, out of London, England."

"Right."

The bookkeeper scanned through one of his logs, picking it out. "Ah, yes…that one did come in.  Anything in particular you wish to know about it?" He pulled out one of the registry books, flipping through it for the information on the Annabel Lee.

"Aye. Have ye down anythin' on a miss Mary Keaton?" The bookkeeper scanned once more before nodding.

"Ah, aye. Right here."

"Well, where is she now?" Jack arched an eyebrow as the bookkeeper hesitated.
            "Eh…"

Jack gave him the evil eye, paired with an expression that clearly said he would dice the man to bits if he didn't get an answer.
            "It says here…St. Pierre's Cemetary…she died just before the ship reached these waters."