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Tortuga
Hope stood on the main deck of the ship looking out and paying no attention to the two men talking up at the helm until she heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed. When she turned around she saw Will with his sword a few inches away from Jack's back.
"My father was not a pirate!"
"Will!" Hope yelled to him as she ran up to the helm.
"Put it away, son. It's not worth you getting beat again."
"Will! He's a bloody pirate. His goal in life is too make other's miserable…" Hope started as Jack cut her off.
"Not true. My goals in life are to raid, pillage, plunder, and pilfer."
"Did I ask what your goals were?"
"No you didn't, love, but,"
"Then be silent!" Hope yelled at him as he put his hands up in defense. "Will, if you kill him you give up every chance we have of finding Elizabeth." Will hesitated before continuing with his statement as if he ignored what Hope just said.
"You didn't beat me. You ignored the rules of engagement in a fair fight I'd kill you." Hope sighed and raised her hands a little.
"Why do I even bother?" she said leaning against the railing. Seconds later she saw Jack spin the wheel moving one of the sails. The yard caught Will and swung him out over the sea. "Will!" Hope cried out before spinning to face Jack. "Are you bloody ins…" Hope yelled out with Jack cutting her off.
"Uh uh."
"You're ins…"
"Uh uh uh uh!" Jack said pointing his finger at her. Hope fumed before she grabbed his hand and pushed it down.
"If you kill him. I kill you. Savvy?" Jack smiled his crooked grin.
"You are just full of surprises, aren't you, love? I'm starting to like you even more." Hope looked at him disgusted before looking down and realizing she was still holding his hand down. She quickly removed her hands and wiped them on her pants.
"Don't be acting so surprised, love. You were unable to resist the charm of Captain Jack Sparrow. Nothing to be upset about." Hope scoffed at him.
"You're such a pirate."
"Why thank you, love."
"Bring him back over instant!" Hope demanded.
"Come, come. There's no reason to get your bodice in a twist. Just let me say one thing." Jack said turning to Will and pulling his sword. "As long as you're just hanging there, pay attention. The only rules that really matter are these. What a man can do, and want a man can't do. For instance, you can accept that your father was a pirate and a good man or you can't. But pirate is in your blood boy so you'll have to square with that some day. Now me for example, I can let you drown. But I can't bring this ship into Tortuga all by me onesy, savvy?" Jack said as he swung Will back on board.
"Tortuga?" Hope asked.
"Tortuga," Jack said grinning.
"You cannot be serious. You are going to subject me to all that womanizing? I swear if any harm comes to me, the commodore won't be too happy about that."
"Relax, love. You're safe with ole Jack," he said putting his arm around her. Hope tore herself away from his grip.
"I wouldn't trust you, nor would I ever think that I would be safe with you wherever we go. You're a bloody pirate and nothing can change that." She then took off down the stairs and headed below deck.
"She's a bit harsh for woman. So much hate and anger towards us pirates."
"She has every reason to be."
"And why's that?"
"Pirates invaded Port Royal eight years ago."
"And? That's not much incentive for her to hate pirates so much."
"They killed her sister," Will said going back down on deck to sharpen his sword.
"Did they now? He's already started."
Near nightfall the three pulled into Tortuga. They anchored the ship out in the bay and took a long boat to shore. Jack excitedly got out of the boat and tied it off before a big smile came to his face.
"What's he so happy about?" Will asked as he got out then leaning over to help Hope out.
"Tortuga is one of the most popular pirate havens. It's a big filth pot in the Caribbean," Hope answered.
"Right. Here we will find the finest sailors in world," Jack said as he sauntered ahead being followed shortly by Hope and Will. When they entered into the interior more pistols, screaming, laughing, and drinking welcomed their sights. Jack didn't seem to care, Will was a little defensive but acted like Jack, as for Hope, she was utterly disgusted by what she saw. She watched as three, heavily painted, almost entirely clad women past by her.
"I heard about the women here, but I never thought like this," she said catching up with Will. Jack turned back her.
"Aye. This town never makes a man feel unwanted." When he turned back around a red headed woman headed toward him. "Scarlett!" he said joyously going to her but only received a slap. Will looked at him surprised and Hope looked very amused. "Not sure I deserved that." When he turned again another woman came up to him. "Giselle!"
"Who was she?" Jack started to reply but she slapped him as well.
"I may have deserved that," Hope laughed and walked to him.
"You're lucky those two got to you before I did."
"Now, don't be harsh. Admit it, you like me."
"You think to much, captain." When she looked away there was a man staring her intently.
"Come! My business here and rum awaits!" Jack said as he continued on his way to a tavern.
"Rum?" Will and Hope said in unison as they followed. Hope didn't get very far before the man who had been staring at her grabbed her arm.
"Ye be a pretty young lass. What say you to a little company?"
"No thank you, sir."
"So proper. I like that." Hope tried to pull her arm away but his grip was to strong.
"Let go of me!" she shouted as she kneed him.
"You be payin for that, missy!" As he lunged she drew her sword but before she could do anything another sword was at the man's throat. The man froze. Hope looked to her side and saw it was Jack.
"I would advice you, mate, to leave the lady alone. There are plenty more that would gladly welcome your company." The man backed away slowly and went on his way.
"I could have handled him by myself. I didn't need your help," Hope protested.
"Darling, if you would have attacked him you would be fighting every person here right now. So. You should thank me."
"That I will not do. Now, if you please I would like to leave this area. So take us to where you were going."
"No place to go. It's right there, love," Jack said pointing to a stable area behind him. "So." He quickly put his arm around her waist and pulled her towards the stable. "Ever had a pint of rum before, love?"
"No. I avoid such things. And do not think you will convince me too either," Hope said pulling out of his grasp.
"Suit yourself, darling," he said entering.
"That man is completely…" Hope started as Will cut her off.
"I think he fancies you." Hope looked at him appalled.
"Yes. Me and whatever other woman crosses his path."
"No. I think it's more than that."
"Whose side are you on?"
"I'm just saying it's possible."
"Possible? I hardly think so."
"Coming?" Jack's voice came as he stuck his head out of the door. Hope and Will followed him into the stable, where he grabbed two buckets and filled them with water.
"What's that for?" Hope asked. Jack didn't answer her as he filled a second one and handed it to Will.
"Watch and see, darling." As they headed further in Hope caught sight of a man sleeping with pigs. Jack quickly threw his bucket of water at the man who shot up instantly.
"Curse you for breathing you slack jawed idiot!" The man yelled. "Mother's love, Jack. You should know better than to wake a man when he's sleeping. It's bad luck."
"Fortunately, I know how to counter it. The man who did the waking buys, the man who was sleeping, a drink. The man who was sleeping drinks it while listening to a proposition from the man who did the waking." Will and Hope looked at Jack confused. When the man nodded and stood Will threw the second bucket of water at him.
"Blast! I'm already awake!"
"That was for the smell." Hope looked around Will at the man who caught sight of her.
"Jack, why didn't you say ye brought a young lass with you?"
"Not really brought, she came on her own accord." Hope looked at the man as if recognizing him.
"Mr. Gibbs?" This surprised both Gibbs and Jack.
"Aye. How do you know me?"
"You were a sailor on the Dauntless the day Governor Swann arrived in Port Royal nine years ago."
"Aye, I was. Who might you be?"
"Hope Danforth. I'm the minister's daughter. I heard about you from the governor's daughter."
"I remember a Reverend Danforth, but didn't know he had a daughter."
"Two, actually. My sister was killed one year later."
"Well, I know I'm all for grand reunions but Gibbs and I have some business to attend too, so if you'll excuse me." Jack said.
Later on at a tavern Jack and Gibbs talked silently and drank in a secluded corner of the tavern while Hope and Will stood not far away.
"I don't much care for this place. Lord knows what some of these men will do."
"I agree, I don't like it here either," Will said.
"Let's just say it's a matter of leverage," Jack's voice came to Will. He quickly turned his head in suspicion.
"What's the matter?" Hope asked.
"It's nothing," Will said just as an overweight woman came over and smiled at Will seductively. She stumbled a bit pushing both him and Hope.
"Repulsive! If these women had any sense of propriety they would put some clothes on," Hope said as a very drunken old man lead the woman away. "As much as I hate how overprotective Edward and the commodore are, I would give anything for one of them to walk through that door." Will was silent. "Are you sure you're all right."
"I think Jack is using us, at least me."
"Why do you say that?"
"In the prison he only decided to help after he learned my name and then he says my father was a pirate. Now I just heard him say the word leverage in a place where he can find willing sailors to accompany us to rescue Elizabeth." Hope contemplated this.
"Now that you mention it. It does sound a little strange. I think it best we keep a closer eye on him from now on." Will nodded as Gibbs and Jack finished.
"Well. Mr. Gibbs here will find us a crew while we find a place to rest for the night," Jack said as they all walked out of the tavern. By the entrance two men walked towards Hope in a drunken state. Jack was about to help again when she glared at the two and pushed them away. Both fell to the ground and tried to regain their wits.
"I feel better now," she said lightly as she turned and walked out the door. "Coming gentlemen?" Jack looked at Will.
"I think I'm starting to envy that Lieutenant Gillette." With that they too left to find a crew.
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NEXT CHAPTER: Voyage to Isla de Muerta