Thanks so much for the reviews. I love getting them!

3 – The Deception

On the dock of The Pursuer, over fifty sailors are lined up, single file, along the dock. They are standing at attention, waiting for the commdore's inspection and approval. It is the beginning of a long, hot day and no one wants to be standing out in the sun in full uniform doing nothing. The men are so preoccupied with their discomfort that they wouldn't notice an imposter.

This is quite lucky for Elizabeth, who is currently coming down a back street towards them, wearing a Lieutenant's uniform. Her hair is on top of her head in a bun and her breasts are bound. She pulls on her hat and rushes to join the line of sailors.

Norrington is speaking quickly to each sailor, obtaining their consignment papers. After what seems like an eternity, he reaches Elizabeth.

"Name?" he demands.

"Lt. Bill Boots, Sir."

"Papers?"

She calmly hands him perfectly forged papers proclaiming that a Lieutenant William Boots had been summoned to serve on the pirate-hunting vessel. "Here, Sir."

"Welcome aboard, Boots. Serve honorably and well."

"Thank you, Sir. I will, Sir."

Elizabeth sighs in relief as he walks away. At least eighteen years of hanging around military officers with her father had finally paid off.

"All aboard!"

As all of the soldiers begin to march onto the ship, Elizabeth is starting to doubt her plan for the first time. Her determination to find Will had made her strong enough to do this, but it was slowly occurring to her that she might actually have to fight. And what if Will wasn't with the pirates? Then she could be stuck for months on a mission to kill her friend, Captain Jack Sparrow.

She was pulled out of her reverie by Commodore Norrington's harsh yelling. "Now, I would like to remind all of you of the mission of this voyage. We are to find and destroy The Black Pearl, which is, as you know, the last remaining pirate threat in the Caribbean. Is everyone clear on their duties?"

Elizabeth joined in on the "Yes, Sir", not sure what else to do. It was too late to change her mind at this point.

"Anchors up! Away we go."


Back on The Black Pearl, Jack is in the midst of explaining his plans to Will. "Basically, getting back to Tortuga safely is our immediate goal. After that, well, we haven't any plans. That's part of the adventure, you know. Being totally spontaneous."

"I suppose." Will was most certainly not yet convinced of Jack's idea of living totally wild and free, with no rules and no ties. Unlike his friend, he actually wanted ties. Specifically, he wanted to be tied for eternity to Elizabeth. Now that it seemed like he would never see her again, he was hesitatingly attempting to convert to Jack's lifestyle, a task that was almost totally unsuccessful as of yet.

"As for short-term plans, we will be stopping on the island of St. Roger's in five days' time in order to give everyone a well-deserved and much needed break to party and drink."

"Isn't that what you guys do all day no matter where you are?"

"In a manner of speaking, I guess. But..."

"Also, we need to remember that people are after you guys. Is stopping such a great idea? I mean, won't that give those guys a chance to catch up to you?"

"No worries, Will. I have a great crew and the best pirate ship ever built. Besides, I'm thinkin' that we could use a little adventure to keep us on our toes."

"You are clinically insane, you know that?"

"It's my secret to success. Don't tell a soul."


Note: Sorry for the short chapter, I didn't have much time to write this week. The next one will be longer, I promise. Some paths will cross on the small island of St. Rogers...

Also, please keep reviewing, guys! Also, let me know if any of you know the name of the woman sailor on The Black Pearl. She will appear in the next chapter, and I want to use her proper name. Thanks!