Usual disclaimers

My, my! I think I will have to get mean more often… well done ladies, you have excelled yourselves.

I forgot to say my thanks to Hilary for editing blushes sorry m'dear.

Mrs Sparrow (If you have caught up from chapter 10 by now) – How do you know all this information about Jack's past. There's nothing in the film to suggest any of it. The way I see the film is that he was already a pirate and the Pearl was a pirate ship when Barbossa marooned him. That is why I gave my interpretation on how he became a pirate.

For those who have asked why I've done this. Lets just say I like to stir things up a little. I hate predictable stories. :)

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Chapter twenty four:

Jenny glanced around, wondering how she was going to shake the shadow that had been trailing her since she had left the Governor's mansion. She strolled nonchalantly down to the docks and wandered about a bit, chatting with various sailors and fishermen before seizing an opportunity to escape as a fight broke out between two drunks staggering from a dockside tavern. She ran up an alley, darting in doorways every now and then until she was sure the marines who had been assigned to follow her was no longer doing so, then hurriedly made her way to the smithy, knowing there was more than likely someone watching there as well. But it could not be helped. She had to see Will.

'Hello Jenny.' Will stood back from the door of the smithy to allow her entrance then threw the bolt, not wanting anyone to just walk in. 'I have found you a hat and a bandana that you asked for. I also have a sword for you. I was making it for the young son of one of my clients. It's a full length sword but is of a lighter weight, so you should be able to wield it comfortably.'

'Won't your client wonder where it's gone?' Jenny ran her hand along the flat of the blade then cut and thrust the air, testing the heft of the blade, a smile slowly creeping across her face.

'I'll tell him it broke in the firing, he won't question me. Here's an old sword belt of mine. I've cut it down a little, so it should fit you.'

'You've thought of everything, Will. Thank you so much but you must let me pay you for the sword. Please.'

'No Jenny, it's a pleasure. Although I share Elizabeth's concern about you going to Tortuga alone. I've had the dubious pleasure once, I will not hasten to return.'

'If my disguise works, I should be all right.' Jenny picked the length of material up and groaned to herself. 'Red! Why did it have to be red?'

'I'll leave the window at the back of the smithy unbarred tonight, although I will have to lock the door between the back room and here, I don't want my tools stolen. Good luck Jenny, I really hope you find Jack.' He embraced her warmly then watched as she made her way out of the smithy, looking left and right before stepping out into the street. 'Just like Jack,' he mused then set about his work once more.

Jenny smiled brightly and gave a cheery wave to the two marines, as they glowered at her then she made her way to the town's market, taking her time over each stall and using the time to go over her plans again and again.

…

Jenny bound her breasts tightly with an old sheet that she had cut into strips and pulled on her shirt, running her hands down to make sure she was flat enough to pass for a man then thrust her legs into her breeches and pulled on her boots. With a last look around the room, she climbed out of the window and dropped to the ground, the flower bed breaking her fall. There had been marines pacing the grounds earlier in the evening, but the Governor had obviously not thought that she would try anything in the dead of the night and had sent them back to barracks. She kept to the shadows as she made her way to Will's workshop and let herself in the unlocked window around the back, fumbling about in the dark before locating the red bandana which she wound around her head and pulled on the felt tri-cornered hat that Will had left for her then she pulled the sword belt tightly around her waist, thrusting the sword into the scabbard.

Jenny took some gold coins from a leather pouch around her neck and placed them on the table by way of payment for the sword then climbed back out of the window, creeping in the shadows, keeping an ear open for the watch and eyes open for danger of any kind but made it to the docks without being noticed. Jenny saw the small merchant vessel moored at the dock with a light shining from within and approached it carefully but jumping in spite of herself as a gruff voice rang out.

'Who goes there?'

'I'm a friend of Will Turner's, he arranged for you to take me as a passenger.' Jenny wrung her hands together nervously as the boat rocked with movement and a small, scrawny man appeared from the hatch.

'Ah yes, yes. Come aboard before someone spots you. George Weaver.'

'Jenny Samuels.' She climbed up the gangplank and followed the man back down the hatch, finding herself in a small cosy cabin. The man smiled at her surprise and beckoned her to sit, offering a mug of ale which Jenny declined. 'It's not what I expected,' she admitted.

'Space is of a premium in my line o'work, so we made the cabin into a communal room and sleeping quarters. You'll have to sleep here as well but don't worry, there's no chance of anyone trying anything with you,' George smiled. 'Will brought your chest down earlier. He put a new lock on it, here's the key.'

'Thank you. How long will it take to get to Tortuga?' Jenny stowed the key in the pouch around her neck.

'Around three to four days, depending on th'weather.' George Weaver looked up as the rest of his crew arrived and made their way down the hatch to the cabin. 'This is Jenny Samuels,' he said, nodding at her. 'She's booked a passage to Tortuga, no questions.'

The crew glanced at Jenny, more than one wondering why she was dressed as a man, but apart from muttering a hello of sorts, no-one said anything to her.

… … … …

They sailed into Tortuga harbour three days later and Jenny looked apprehensively at the notorious town, starting to wonder if she had done the right thing or not. She had hoped The Black Pearl would already be there but there was no sign of the dark, majestic ship amongst the half dozen or so other pirate ships.

'A coupla the lads'll take yer trunk to town. Where are ye stayin' Jenny?' George joined her at the bow, looking out at the familiar landscape.

'I'm not sure, can you recommend somewhere?'

'Well there's a place I sometimes stay, away from the hustle and bustle. Good if ye want to avoid people, like.'

'Sounds perfect George, thanks.' Jenny went to go below and collect her things together but was held back by his hand.

'Are you sure you want to stay? Tis no place for a woman, unless you're of dubious character.'

Jenny snorted, a grin splitting her face. 'Well I do consort with pirates! I know what you mean and thank you for your concern, but I'll be fine.' She left George and disappeared down the hatch to the cabin.

'Jen, d'ya know where it is your going?'

Jenny looked up at the crewman she only knew as Frank, his shadow, Juan just behind him. 'George said there's a quiet place he sometimes stays at that sounds just the thing.'

'Ah yes, I know where he means. Me an' Juan'll take yer stuff up.'

'Thanks lads, I appreciate it.' Her stomach lurched with the ship as the anchor chains were loosed and they came to a gentle stop. The men picked the heavy chest up with ease and carried it up to the deck, Jenny following close behind.

'Well, this is it. Thanks for everything George, I may see you again sometime.' She held out her hand and shook his warmly, payment for her passage already having being taken care of. Then she watched as the chest containing her booty was lowered into a boat and climbed down after it, getting in carefully and sitting with her back to the chest while Frank and Juan rowed them to shore.

Jenny tried not to notice the baleful stares they were getting from the pirates as they made their way up the street. She had got hold of one end of the chest, knowing it would look suspicious if just Frank and Juan carried it. They went down a dark alley and came to a stop outside a small run-down inn, which looked even worse once the doors were pushed open. A fat woman behind the bar looked them up and down then called for someone named Gertie, who appeared from behind a dingy curtain at the back of the bar.

'Can I 'elp ya?'

'My friend 'ere wants a room,' Frank replied, easing his back.

'Cat got 'is tongue then?' Gertie looked at Jenny with distain, the men, with more interest.

'He's a mute, but don't take him for a fool. More than one has regretted doing that,' the lie slipped easily off Frank's tongue and Jenny started to relax a little. Only a little.

'Can 'e pay?'

'He can, three days in advance if you like.' Frank was itching to get away and re-join his crewmates.

'Three days it is then. We don't do food.' Gertie led the way up the stairs to a room at the back of the building, looking out onto a yard and another alleyway beyond, which pleased Jenny. George had warned her to find an alternative way out of the building in case of trouble and this was ideal. Jenny paid Gertie and then tipped Frank and Juan, smiling her goodbyes as they turned and exited the room.

'Right,' she thought to herself. 'Now I wait…'

…