Elizabeth

It felt good to disobey my father. The two men on the ship could not have cared less that I was wearing just my underclothes. But I did feel slightly bad when I realized how sick with worry Father would be, and how furious he would be when he finally caught us.

I didn't voice these concerns to Jack or Will; Will would brood with me and I certainly would not be the one to inform Jack that he, in fact, was quite mortal.

My cabin was the deck- I took a pillow and blanket and slept under the stars. All three of us kept mostly to ourselves. I spent the empty hours admiring the medallion- in secret, of course. If Will knew I had it he would surely end his friendship with me.

On the third day of sailing, I went up to Jack's cabin. I was quite surprised to see that he was hunched over on a corner of the bed, whittling something out of wood. "Um, Captain Sparrow?"

"Lady Swann, do call me Jack," he said, without turning around. I could see the ridges in his backbone through the faded fabric. Curls of wood fell to the floor.

"Jack, then. Where, exactly, are we headed?"

He faced me, his loose shirt displaying his deeply tanned chest. He dropped whatever he was carving on the floor. I tried not to stare at his chest. "Elizabeth, c'mere."

I complied, sitting on the farthest edge of the bed as I could. But he pulled me so we were both laying down next to each other. He still smelled horrible so I tried not to inhale too deeply. "Love, 'ave you ever heard of Tortuga?"

"Tortuga? Yes, actually. Oh my God," I said, finally realizing. "We're going to TORTUGA?!"

"Missy," he said, turning his head. He smiled a bit. "I'll take care of ye- I'll make sure you'll be fine. We'll be in and out in a tick, I promise. I just have to find me crew."

I looked at the ceiling, trying to believe him. "Splendid," I said at last.

"That's the spirit," Jack said cheerfully. "Now, where's Will- out manning the wheel?"

"Most likely," I replied, wishing this moment wouldn't end. But Jack sprang up, exiting the cabin without a parting word. I leaned over the edge of the bed, seeing what Jack's creation was.

It was a scaffold.

Commodore Norrington

Governor Norrington- that is what I'll be when that old man croaks. Swann and I were intently scanning the map of the Spanish Main. The governor looked even grayer than usual. I knew Elizabeth was his only joy in the world, she was mine too, and he would not rest before he had her back.

"Oh, I give up!" cried the governor suddenly. "She could be ANYWHERE!"

"I know sir," I said gently. "She went off on the Dauntless with William Turner- I always knew he was scum. And that Jack Sparrow-" "He'll be hanged at noontime the day after we capture him," Swann said, a grim look on his weathered face.

"Of course, sir." I looked out at sea. Elizabeth, wherever you are, whatever you do, please be safe. For the love of God, be safe.

"Commodore," Governor Swann said, sliding a hand over his forehead to wipe off sweat from the boiling day, "promise me you'll find her."

"But Governor- how?"

Governor Swann shut his eyes. "Take the Interceptor. Take Gillette. Just get me my daughter back, man!"

"But sir, you have to come with me!" I cried, trying not to express my happiness.

The governor massaged his temples. "Should I? No. James," he said, calling me by my first name, something hardly anyone did. I commanded too much respect, but I would allow my superior to. "Just take the Navy and get me my daughter back."

"I shall rescue her," I said, bowing. And then some.

Jack

When we finally made it into Tortuga's harbor, it was night. I shivered in anticipation, as I was flanked by two new souls who had never experienced Tortuga as I have. I collected Elizabeth and Will, and instructed them to keep close to me at all times.

The harbormaster's payment was a sharp rap on the head. Elizabeth clutched Will's arm. Not feeling jealous, but protective, I swung her around so she was in the middle of us two men. I slipped her fingers through mine, but she didn't protest. I could tell she was apprehensive. Either that or she fancied me. Most likely a combination of the two. Who can resist moi?

Soon, as we walked down Main Street, we came into contact with my fellow pirates. I recognized almost everyone, including the prozzies. There was Little Harry, and Roger the Fierce, and Sully. They were all too drunk for them to notice me, but it was probably for the best. Elizabeth was squeezing my hand ever tighter.

The enticing aromas of roasting sausage, fire, and rum were calling me. I looked around for The Faithful Bride, my pub of choice. I noticed Will and Elizabeth taking in the sights, smells, and all-around beauty of Tortuga. But then as we were passing a small man sitting on some rum barrels, a rough arm grabbed Elizabeth.

"'Allo, me pretty," he leered, "care for some fun?"

Will and I immediately tried to break the beefy man's grip on a cowering Elizabeth. "'S all right, man, the lady's wiv us," I said, firmly.

He glared at me. "That so, chum?" He tugged a little harder on Elizabeth's arm. She whimpered.

"Let me go," she said quietly. Tears were shining in her eyes.

Will was clenching his teeth. I struggled to free Elizabeth. But then WHAM! Elizabeth's free hand, balled into a fist, connected with the man's jaw. He staggered back, dropping her arm and holding his face. "You bleedin' wench!" he screamed.

"Now now now!" I said, and we bolted into the nearest tavern, which happened to be The Faithful Bride itself. Using our chain of hands, I directed and wove us through the crowd to the back of the pub. There were several fat pigs and using them as a pillow was Joshamee Gibbs, the ole cur himself. Snickering to myself, I gave a pail of water to Will and took one for my own use. I gave Gibbs a nice slap of wake-up water.

"CURSE YA FER BREATHING, YA SLACK-JAWED IDIOT!" he cried, and then fully realized who he was talking to. "Mother's love! Jack!" And then he noticed Elizabeth. "Miss Elizabeth!"

"Mr. Gibbs?!" she asked in disbelief.

Will

This journey was turning out to be one of the strangest I had ever taken. Elizabeth had punched some drunk ruffian, Jack Sparrow had just splashed water on an apparent chum of his, and now it appeared that he knew Elizabeth. I felt out of place but as Jack and Elizabeth and the man called Gibbs talked, I waited for my moment of glory.

When Jack and Gibbs finally agreed to meet for a drink, I sloshed my pail onto the small, smelly man. "Blast, I'm already awake!" he shrieked.

"That was for the smell," I said, trying not to laugh.

We entered the tavern, avoiding all the brawls and women. Jack and Gibbs found a secluded room and told me to "keep a sharp eye." Elizabeth stayed inside the room, in an annex so she wouldn't be seen. I sat, fatigue seeping through me. Soon, the fight escalated towards me and flying teeth and mugs were coming my way. I ducked, but I couldn't push off the advances of a rotund woman with just horrible gums in her smile. But a scruffy man took her away, glaring. No love lost there.

I heard steins being slammed down. I popped my head round to see what happened and Jack came out, grinning deliriously. He immediately accosted a comely lass wearing a very low-cut dress, wrapping his arm around her bare shoulders. Elizabeth and Gibbs came out, Elizabeth flying to my side, taking my hand and not letting go. As simple as the gesture was, it made me feel less apprehensive.

Jack, with his lady friend he kept calling Rosie-roo though she kept on insisting on Just Rose, got us three rooms. "One fer me an' Rosie-roo-"

"It's Just Rose!" cried the girl, slapping his arm.

"One fer Gibbsy an' Willie, an' one fer Lizzie-lou," he said, smiling widely. "Nighty-night."

"All by myself?!" Elizabeth shrieked. "No, Jack! I won't be by myself, please," she begged, letting go of my hand and tugging at his shirt.

"Is tha' how i' is, then?" Jack slurred, practically scooping Elizabeth into his arms with Just Rose.

Elizabeth looked terrified as he carried her off- but who wouldn't? I exchanged a confused look with Mr. Gibbs and we went to our rooms.