Will's muscles began to ache. He had been bailing practically since he got out of port. He figured he must have hit a rock or something. The Cinatite was riding lower and lower in the water. Furthermore, Norrington had forgotten to give him any guns. All he had was a sword from the smithy. He looked around at the empty expanse of blue around him. Port Royal had drifted from sight- and all this open water made him feel slightly nauseous and completely deprived him of his sense of direction. Or maybe it was the sense of being completely lost and alone that made him nauseous….

He bailed out the boat for what seemed like the thousandth time, but he knew all boats leaked. He just didn't know they were supposed to leak this much…
He sighed, and looked out again at the repetitive scenery- but this time it was different. There was something on the horizon. He squinted, and watched the dark object slowly float closer. Something fluttered off the end and Will fumbled to draw up alongside of it. He reached an oar and pulled the little boat towards him and tied it to his own ship. He climbed down into the vessel, where a cloth lay over something in the bottom. He pulled the material aside and recoiled in horror at the body of a young girl dressed in a man's clothing. Her shirt was partially unbuttoned, and he saw a strange key on a chain rise and fall, proving she still lived. He gently lifted her out and set her on the deck. He looked about for help- but the ocean remained passive. He lifted the maiden and carried her back, laying her on a sturdy table above the water in the ship. He dipped his neckerchief in the brine and placed it on the girl's forehead. Then splashed her a bit and rocked back on his heels, looking over her anxiously. That key caught his eye again. He fingered it lightly, running his fingers over the delicate workmanship that intertwined a pentagram around a skull in the center with a single, sapphire eye. He dropped it as the girl stirred

She opened her eyes and stared at the blank, grey sky. Then Will's face appeared over her and she closed her eyes again.

"I'm dead." She announced with resolve.

"You look alive to me." Will teased gently.

"Appearances can be deceiving." She replied impassively.

She didn't stir, and Will started to panic.

"What's wrong? Are you alright!"

"Yes. I haven't eaten in five days so I can fit into my new dress." Will froze, completely confused. The girl opened an eye and closed it again with a tiny smile. "I'm teasing you."

"And I'm Will. Will Turner."

The girl laughed weakly. "Tori Evingtar."

"I'll find you something to eat."

He stood up, and backed away from his new passenger, as if he was afraid she would disappear. Then he dashed into the cramped galley to find some broth or something.

"So what happened to you?"

Tori took a sip of some stew broth and recited the story she invented on the dinghy with the appropriate emotionless devastation. "Pirates attacked my father's fishing vessel a few days ago. He dressed me like this so they wouldn't kidnap me, and sent me out in the longboat."

"What pirate ship? Did you see?"

Tori raised an eyebrow, slightly. Why was he so curious?

"The Black. Shark, I think." She invented.

Will breathed a sigh of relief. "Your family must be worried." Will said to break the silence that followed.

Tori laughed bitterly. "My mother died when I was born, and none of my siblings survived. It's just me."

Will felt a pang of sympathy for her, but could think of nothing to say.

"Where are we heading?" She asked after a bit.

"Tortuga." Will replied, and thought of Elizabeth, lying alone, waiting.

Tori rose and picked up the discarded bucket. "Well, if you'll stern, I'll bail." She said, scooping the water that had begun to lap about their feet.

Will awoke from his little reverie. "You're in no condition to bail!" He protested.

"You're in no condition to rescue people in this tub." Tori retorted with a grin, concealing her pain and exhaustion.

Will could not find argument, and quietly retreated to the helm. He glanced up at the sky for the position of the setting sun, but found it was no help as he had no idea where Tortuga lay. He twiddled the wheel, and looked for any sign of land.

Tori ran her fingers along the walls of the deck, perplexed as to why the top of the little ship had as much water as below deck. Then she found a series of little round holes just below sea level. She sucked in her breath. It's been sabotaged! She looked over her shoulder at her bewildered rescuer.

She bit her lip, noting they were at least 55 degrees off from Tortuga. She cleared her throat, and in her most innocent, sweetest little voice called over to Will.

"Mr. Turner? Can you help me get this. stick thing?" She asked, tugging at the makeshift flagpole on the longboat.

Will came over, and retrieved said "stick thing" from her life boat.

"What do you need this for?"

"Well, there are these little holes from fish or something here." She pointed and broke the stick into little pieces to plug the holes.

"Here, allow me." Will insisted, and began plugging the holes.

Tori breathed a sigh of relief and amazement that he was that gullible, or that oblivious to the sea- which he apparently was. She quietly slipped over to the wheel and, glancing over her shoulder, adjusted the wheel to point towards Tortuga. Will looked up to say that he was finished, and saw her at the wheel.

There's more to this girl than she's claiming. He decided. The gentle breeze tugged at her baggy clothing, pressing against her slender frame, and tossing her auburn waves playfully. Will began bailing again, feeling much more at ease now that an apparently competent sailor was at the helm. Tori, however, was under a bit more stress, trying to find every current and breeze to get them to Tortuga as quickly as possible. The rats were jumping ship, and this tub was due to sink imminently.