This is the second chapter, and I forgot to put a disclaimer on the first chapter! DON'T SUE, PLEASE! Anywho, I do NOT own Pirates of the Caribbean, or any of the characters, except for the ones that do not seem familiar. Those are my characters. Thanks so much for your reviews! I love youse peoples! It'll get better as the plot thickens. By the way, Jessei is spelled that way in this fanfic.

************************************************************************

The next morn, I awoke early and picked out a grey dress, which father had left me, God I miss him. . . I slipped it on, and tied it up at the back as best I could. I made the bed, and tidied everything up before I began packing.

I pulled a small leather sac out from me wardrobe, and set it on my night table. In went me flute, me pistol, a small picture of me mum and sisters (Ashley and Jessei), and some spices that were in small portable glass bottles. I tied the sac shut, slung it over me shoulder, and headed down to the kitchen.

I walked up behind mother and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned, and looked at the sac slung over me shoulder, commenting 'Now, where might ye be headed off to, I wonder?' I gulped, not sure of what her reaction would be. But, I stood tall, and stated 'Mother, I'm wantin' to be a pirate, and I be sailin' away at noon.' Mother looked shocked for a second, an' then her face broke into a teary eyed smile, which surprised me. Mum never cried, except for when Father left. She grabbed me, holdin' me in a bear hug, whispering in me ear 'If that be yer wantin', Marie, then may the wind be at yer sails.'

She pulled back, and led me briskly out to where the early crowd were dining, yelling 'Listen up!' All of the chatter stopped, and everyone turned to look at me, which made me nervous. 'Me daughter, Marie, is off to the seas! I want all of ye to give 'er a big send off!' me mum yelled, and everyone looked at me with smiles, clapping loudly.

After accepting a few farewell's, I set off to the docks with me sac and a lighter step. I found me way to the docks easy enough, but findin' the Leaking Keg Pub was another thing. I walked warily down the dock, glaring at anyone who caught me eye, and keeping an eye out for the Leaking Keg. Upon spying the pub, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves, and I stepped in boldly.

I was shocked at the state of the place! The floors were grimy, the lighting was dim, and the smell was terrible! Trying to hold me breath, I made me way to the nearest *clean* chair, sitting down an' looking on disapprovingly at the brawl in another corner. ~This is hell. It has to be, to be so filthy! ~ I thought, and I narrowed my eyes.

I heard someone say to my left 'Oy, there, lass! 'Tis a lonely life I be 'avin', an' I can see yer a fresh one!' I turned stiffly to face a balding' man in a seat not far from mine, smiling and waving a hand for me to come closer.

I stood, tucking my sac under me arm, and I made me way to the man. I leaned me forearms on the table he was at, and said with a forced smile, 'Would ye be lookin' for a good time, sir?' The man nodded once, and then I stood up. I grabbed the man by his collar, and hoisted him up with ease. The onlookers were silent, and I brought the man close to me face, hissing to him 'Then ye'd better look somewhere else, old man.' I pulled back me arm, and punched him in his mouth, causing two rotten teeth to fall out.

I dropped the man, and turned to glare at the other men in the pub. They all backed off, and I made me way to the bar, sitting on a stool. I looked hard at the barkeeper, and said 'Rum, please. In a clean glass, if ye wouldn't mind.' He nodded, and poured me a glass of rum, but then asked 'Wouldn't ye like it watered down, lass? 'Tis a strong draught, it be.' I smiled, the chuckled, taking the mug from his hand. I downed the rum in four gulps, and then set it down, licking me lips.

I turned to face the men in the pub, and yelled 'Would any of ye be knowin' where I could find a certain Captain Jack Sparrow?' A silence swept the room, and then a man two stools down piped up 'I be knowin' where Jack is, lass.' I turned to the voice, and I saw a tall, dark man make his way over to me. He was trying to act tough, but I was nonplussed. When the man reached me, I looked up at him and said 'Good, 'cause I be wantin' to join his crew.' At this, the men in the pub burst into peals of laughter, and one of the uglier ones stepped forward, laughing harder than the rest.

'She be wantin' to be a pirate! Ho, this be rich! She'll be runnin' around, jus' lookin' for a bed for the night!' he said, and the laughter ceased as the crowd noticed me pistol pressed up to the man's temple.

I smiled wickedly, saying 'Now, what was that ye were sayin'?' The man just stood there, suddenly nervous for some reason. I turned to the crowd, and said 'If any of ye bawdy bastards be thinkin' I be too chicken to shoot this scum, then say so.' Nobody made a sound.

I looked to the tall man, who was to my right, and withdrew me pistol. The man said 'I'll take ye ta Jack, lass. Follow me.' I placed me pistol in my sac, tied me sac shut once more, and followed the tall man out of the pub, tossing a shilling to the barkeep.

************************************************************************

Well, my second chapter is up! Hooray! Now, I can go to sleep. I volunteer at a daycamp from 8:30 am until 12:00 pm, so I'm really tired when I get home. As always, take what ye can, leave nothing behind! I tip me hat to ye.

~8@ Marie the Black Rose @8~