The Faithful Bride Tavern was one of the more popular places on Tortuga. Some of the best wenches prowled the area, the rooms and ale were cheap, and there were no questions asked. A fight was always in progress for one reason or another. In other words, it was a tavern with a lot of atmosphere and Jack's favorite.

The pirate emerged from the room upstairs, stretching his arms over his head. His vest was still unbuttoned and shirt still untucked, dark hair framing his face. A moment later, Scarlet slunk out of the room and wrapped her arms around Jack's waist, resting her chin on his shoulder. Although the gesture looked romantic to anyone who passed by, it was anything but and it became apparent a moment later. Scarlet stuck her hand in the front pockets of his pants and started rooting around.

"Where's my money?" She demanded, pulling her hands out and thrusting them into the pockets of his vest. Jack sighed and grabbed her hands, yanking them out. He wished Giselle had been available. Scarlet was all business despite her feistiness and demanded money as soon as the deed was done. She wasn't the type to snuggle or let him sleep for that matter. "Don't tell me you don't have any again. You're a bloody pirate, aren't you supposed to be rich?" She yanked her hands away from him and placed them on her hips for a moment before one hand reached up and adjusted the sheet wrapped around her as it began to slip down.

"Luv, I'll get you your money. Just let me find the boy. It's with him." Jack held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Promise I won't go far. He's probably just downstairs." He backed away from her, not feeling like turning his back on her at the moment. She made a small sound of displeasure and folded her arms across her chest, watching him. After he had made it halfway down, he turned and jumped down the rest of the steps and into the tavern. It was still smoky and there were more than a few men passed out or unconscious on the floor. Fredrick Hammond, the tavern keeper, was quietly drying mugs. He nodded to Jack as the pirate passed by towards the fireplace. Last night there had been a roaring fire there, but now it was simply a pile of smoldering ashes.

Will was curled up in one of the chairs, fast asleep. A book lay on the ground in front of the chair, where it had apparently fallen from the boy's lap. One leg hung over the arm of the chair while the other was tucked beneath him. His arms lay across his stomach and his head lay up against the back of the chair. However his sleeping didn't stop Jack from searching for his money bag. The pirate started searching through the pockets of Will's coat, jostling the younger man. Groggily he lifted his head, squinting at Jack and pushing the dark hair back from his face.

"What are you doing?" He said, his words slurring slightly in his half awake state. Jack didn't answer, just pulled a few coins from Will's pocket, counted out enough to pay Scarlet and threw the rest back to him. Will jumped and snatched the small bag before the coins spilled out onto the floor. "Could've just asked." He grumbled, stuffing it back into his pocket. Jack shrugged and headed back up the stairs. Scarlet was still waiting and glowered at him as he came back up the steps.

"Took you long enough." She told him, holding out a hand demandingly. He dropped the coins in her hand one by one slowly, drawing out her agony and amusing himself. As soon as the last coin hit her palm, her demeanor immediately changed and she kissed him full on the lips. Her hand slipped into his pants once more for a moment before she withdrew. "Been nice doing business, Captain Sparrow." She whispered breathily in his ear before going back into the room and slamming the door shut. He waited a few moments before the door opened and the rest of his belongings were flung out into the hallway and the door slammed shut again.

"Wenches." He grumbled, picking up his things and headed back downstairs. "'Ey, Fredrick! How about a bite to eat, mate?" He called out over the tavern. A few men stirred at his voice and then lay still again. One actually was conscious long enough to mutter a curse in his direction. Fredrick tossed the rag he'd been drying with over his shoulder and leaned against the bar.

"Depends on what you're fixin' to bite on." He said with a smirk. "Got me a few slabs of bacon and some eggs if that tickles your fancy." Jack nodded and made his way over to a table, setting his coat, weapons, and belt on the table top before pulling out a chair. As he did so, a hand tumbled from out underneath the table. Jack bent down to see who had taken up residence under the table and get rid of the squatter. When he saw who it was, however, he stopped and smirked.

With the toe of his boot, he nudged Joshamee Gibbs. He was gentle at first, but after realizing that gentle wasn't going to cut it, he started nudging harder and harder until he launched a full blown kick at the drunken pirate. Gibbs fell out from under the other side of the table, blinking in disorientation and clutching his flask to his chest as if he were drowning at sea and the flask was some floating object that would save his life. Jack leaned over the table with an amused look on his face. "Good mornin' to ye." He said. Gibbs turned his head towards the voice, blinking.

"Jack! Just the man I was lookin' for!" The ex-navy sailor exclaimed and scrambled to his feet. Jack blinked and stood back.

"How hard were you looking?" He asked, sounding amused. It was more likely Gibbs had looked for him for all of a half an hour before giving up and drinking himself into a stupor.

Gibbs nodded and sat down. "Aye, thought ye might want to hear about this. It's concernin' the Pearl." At the sound of the name of his beloved ship that still eluded his grasp, Jack was in the seat across from Gibbs and leaning against the table, ready to listen. For years he had been trying to find the Pearl and failing. He was growing closer, but he still hadn't worked out just how he was going to take it over once again short of killing Barbossa. He hoped that that alone would work for him.

Gibbs realized he had Jack's attention and started talking. "There were a few men at the docks last night, talkin' about her. Said the crew ran across somethin'..." He looked around as if someone were watching before looking back to Jack. "Cursed. That's why they've been actin' so oddly."

Jack snorted. "I think it's time you laid off the ale, old friend. It's obviously not doing your mind a favor. There's no such things as curses." He'd heard tales of many curses during his time at sea and not a one had turned out to be true. Most were from the mind of delirious sailors out at sea too long.

"Aye, but captain, these men seen the curse. In the moonlight yer old crew turns to nothin' but bones and pieces of skin and cloth." He protested, trying to wipe the amused smirk of Jack's face. He knew his last bit of information would do just that anyway. "And they're lookin' for a Turner." The smile disappeared from Jack's face and he looked into Gibbs's face intently, trying to discern if he was making this up or believed he was telling a truth.

"Why would they be lookin' for him?" Jack asked, lowering his voice. Gibbs leaned forward.

"The curse can only be broken by his blood, or so it's said." Gibbs said quietly. "Somethin' about golden coins. Apparently an old friend of yours shipped one off to his son which condemned the crew to its fate." Jack looked towards the chair Will was asleep in, rubbing his beard before looking back to Gibbs. William must have sent something to his son before he was caught if the tale was true, which would make the younger man a big target now.

"This could be just the break I'm lookin' for." He murmured, an eyebrow rising. There were very few souls that knew Will's last name and it would work in Jack's favor, help him bargain. Gibbs backed off, leaning against the back of his chair and clearing his throat. Jack looked over at him, one arm in the air to flag Fredrick to bring two drinks to the table. "What now?"

"I have heard of something that could help you bargain for yer ship." Gibbs said. "In five days there's goin' to be a masquerade at the governor's house in Port Royal for many of England's important people. Pirates are plannin' to steer clear of the ships because of the escort by the Navy, which leaves it wide open for ye." Jack stared at him, hoping he would reach his point. "A diamond necklace, one of the most valuable in the world, will be around the neck of one of the ladies attending this event. If ye can get yer hands on it, ye'll have a pricy chip to be throwin' down on the table. Even Barbossa can't say no to that."

Jack grinned, thinking over what Gibbs had just said. A diamond like that would make a powerful bargaining tool or just make him filthy rich. At the moment, he wasn't sure if Barbossa would take the necklace when he had to deal with a curse instead. That didn't mean he couldn't take it for himself. It had been a long time since he had stolen something of that value and it would do him good to take on the challenge. If anyone could find a way into the mansion and steal the necklace from this woman's neck, it would be Jack. When he wanted to, he was quite good at blending in with the crowd. He wouldn't even be put behind in tracking the Pearl, having no idea where the ship was at the moment anyways, not to mention the fact that he could perhaps find himself a ship to 'borrow' there from out under the Navy's collective noses. It would make the trip that much easier if he didn't need to keep bartering passage or sneaking on a ship.

"I'm thinkin' I like the idea." Jack said. Over by the fireplace, Will got to his feet and stretched his arms over his head. Since Jack had taken the young lad into his care, he'd grown tall, even a few inches taller than Jack himself. Unlike his father however, he was lanky in build; Bill had been a bit more muscular. Dark hair hung in his eyes before he pulled it back and secured it with a worn red ribbon. Jack motioned him over. "Breakfast is on its way as soon as that lazy dog decides to bring it." He called.

"That's not the same boy who was followin' you like a puppy the last time I saw ye, is it?" Gibbs asked. Jack nodded.

"Don't let him fool you. Takes after the man who taught him. Talented with a blade and quick of hand. I wouldn't have the slightest idea who he learned that from." He said, wiggling the fingers on one hand and smirking. Gibbs still looked dubious as Will slid into the seat, rubbing his eyes sleepily and yawning.

"What do you think about going to Port Royal?" Jack asked him. Fredrick finally brought the two mugs of ale over and Jack sent him away to get a third. The pirate ran his finger around the rim of his mug as he stared at the younger pirate. "Well?"

Will's nose wrinkled up in distaste. "Isn't that port overrun with the British Navy?" He asked, making it clear that he didn't like the sound of it. Jack nodded and held up a finger.

"But it will also be the one place where we will have a chance to steal a very valuable necklace." He said and took a sip of ale. "If things go right, we'll get that necklace and get away without our heads in the noose."

Will shrugged, taking the mug of ale as Fredrick brought it over. "If you say so." He muttered before taking a sip of ale.

"Then it's settled!" Jack said triumphantly. "After breakfast, we'll head for Port Royal."

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The opportunity was too perfect for Jack to resist and the pirate had taken it without a second thought. As they had been asking around for ships headed towards Port Royal, Jack had spotted none other than Anamaria. The woman who had stolen from him eight years ago was pulling up to the dock in a small boat. He ducked behind a crate and watched as she tied up the boat and headed up the dock towards the street. A grin crossed his face and he waited until she had disappeared inside one of the taverns before dashing out to the dock. He grabbed Will from a conversation with one of the captains and he dragged him towards the boat.

"Come on, I found our boat to Port Royal." Will followed after him, really having no other choice. Jack shoved him into the boat and hopped in after, yanking the rope from the deck and working on raising the single sail. Will narrowed his eyes slightly. The ship was big enough for three, maybe four men to sit comfortably and looked little more than a crudely crafted child's toy.

"Let me guess. This is borrowed?" He asked, picking up an oar. Jack smirked and tightened the line to the sail. The wind caught it and gave them a slight push. "Of course it would be." He said with an amused look.

After they had navigated the ship out of the small bay and pointed it in the direction they needed, making necessary adjustments, Jack settled down on the seat across from Will, laying back against the bow, pulling his hat over his eyes, and resting his arms underneath his head. A moment later Will pulled off his coat and laid it on the seat beside him, pulling out the small book he had been reading earlier and flipped it open to the marked page.

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"This is bloody brilliant." Will muttered and snatched up the bucket that had been sitting beside the lonely sail. At some point during the night the boat had sprung a leak and the bottom was covered with a layer of water. Both pirates had been unable to find the source of the leak and even if they had found it, they weren't quite sure if they had anything to repair it with.

Jack swore and Will bailed water, but as the day went on, the boat sunk deeper into the ocean, barely able to keep floating much longer. There was only one bucket and that duty went to the boy while Jack started chucking unnecessary items overboard. The first thing to go was a bag with Anamaria's clothes in it that had been carefully stowed under one of the bench seats. Jack was almost gleeful as he dug a few objects of value out and chucked it into the water. The rations of food and clean water went next, as they were close enough to Port Royal now that they didn't need them. He was hoping that the boat would make it to land so that they could repair it, a backup in case they were unable to 'borrow' a ship. The longer there was weight to hold it down, the more unlikely that scenario became. Soon enough the only things that were left were Jack, Will, and the bucket, and the ship was still sinking quicker than he wanted it to. Jack looked between the bucket and the young pirate, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Jack stood onboard the little boat, bucket hanging from his hand. Will resurfaced, coughing up water and glaring up at him through his wet hair. "You're a strong swimmer. You'll be there before I am most likely." Jack told him. "Don't say I didn't teach you how to escape a sinking boat." With that he went back to scooping the water out of the boat. Will swore quietly under his breath and turned towards the shoreline. Jack knew no harm would come to Will. They had entered the bay by that time and it was a short swim to land. It wasn't as if there were any qualities about the boy that singled him out as a pirate either.

Despite the loss of weight, the boat was sinking faster still. Jack assumed that the leak had started out in one of the seams. He continued dumping buckets of water over the side, but soon enough it was up to his shins. He sat down on one of the benches, pondering what to do when the grotesque display caught his eye. What had once been three pirates were now skeletons dangling in the breeze, bony joints clacking and torn rags fluttering. Gibbs hadn't been wrong about Port Royal being less than hospitable towards pirates. With a flourish only he could pull off, he took his hat off his head and placed it over his heart as a sign of respect. With the small salute from the captain, the sinking boat sailed by and into the port.

By the time Jack neared the docks, the boat had sunk to the water line and the rate of descent was even faster. Giving up on the small hope of saving the boat, he threw the bucket overboard and grasped the sail, pulling himself up to the top. Around the port, the loading and unloading of ships stopped as the men were treated to the spectacle of Jack arriving in port on top of the mast and no actual boat in sight. Jack enjoyed the attention, standing with his chin in the air and an air of authority about him. He felt like a captain aboard the Pearl again, just having commanded his crew to make way. If he concentrated on that feeling hard enough, he thought he could forget that he was actually coming into the port on a tiny boat sinking beneath the ocean along with his dignity.

Will pulled himself up on the dock, yanking off his soaking wet coat and dropping it onto the deck. He grabbed a handful of hair and squeezed, watching the water drizzling down onto the deck. An eyebrow raised as he saw Jack standing on top of the mast above the sinking boat. So much for them trying not to attract attention to themselves. One man swimming into port and the other one arriving on top of his boat. But despite having to swim to shore, he couldn't find it within himself to be mad at the pirate. Jack had taught him a lot of things over the years and most of those learning experiences had been trial by fire. But he was still alive and had all his body parts, so he assumed Jack was doing something right.

With a confident ease, Jack stepped off the mast onto the deck and strolled past the soaking wet pirate. "See, I told you you'd be here first." He said over his shoulder. Will looked towards the sunken boat and then back at Jack, noticing all the people watching and whispering. Most likely about how impressive his entrance had been.

"Show off." He grumbled before he could stop himself. Jack chuckled and brushed by the dandified man hurrying down the dock.

"Excuse me! It's a shilling to tie up at the dock and I shall need to know your name!" The dock master turned and called to Jack. Jack turned and retraced his footsteps towards the man. He'd only been on dry land for a few moments in this town and already he was annoyed with the hassle.

"My friend here can give you the information you need." He pointed to Will. "He'll pay for mine when he pays his docking charges." The man glanced towards Will and then looked for a second boat.

"I don't see his..." He paused his frustrated speech as he turned to find Jack missing. With an annoyed air about him, he turned back towards Will. "The price is..." A gentlemanly curse was heard as he found that the young man had gone missing as well. With a loud snap he closed his book and headed back to the podium to lay it down only to find that his coin purse had gone missing. He turned to the boy at his side. "You. Go fetch a soldier." The boy nodded and took off down the dock.