Will stood up from bailing and stretched, rubbing his aching back. And he thought the smithy was hard work.

Tori stood at the helm, judging by the shadow in the twilight. He looked out over the horizon, and saw twinkling lights- far to low to be stars. Then a mass in the water…

Will walked over by Tori to see better.

"Is that Tortuga!"

She nodded, too exhausted to reply.

Will didn't even notice, all he could think about was Elizabeth. He just had to find that star.

Tori had other things on her mind.

/He doesn't know the code. He doesn't have to know./

She thought, but her conscious tugged at her. This…Will… had saved her life. By the code, she was bound to servitude until she repaid the debt.

/I got him here alive. That should count./

She scowled, but since she saved her own life on this wretched tub as well as his, she doubted it was acceptable.

/Damn my morals/ she cursed silently

She skillfully maneuvered the dinghy into dock, and tied it to the posts as Will leapt out, and suddenly remembered to go back and help Tori. She tied her sari around her waist like a skirt to hide her pants, and allowed Will to help her onto the battered wharf.

He began walking through the town, looking about anxiously, recounting his last visit. Tori bit her lip and hurried after him, as he walked straight down the main street without a clue of the predators that convened after dark. And he was walking right into their lair.

"Hey dahlin', buy me a drink?"

"Ooh, strong and handsome! Up for a good time?"

The sultry mistresses ambushed their prey, surrounding him. Tori swore colorfully, and sidled her way in, and lightly touched Will's arm, pressing close with wide, innocent eyes.

Will took the hand on his shoulder and reached behind her back, grabbing her arm. He pushed her in front of him, using her as a shield and an excuse. They shouldered their way through the whores into open lamplight.

"Thanks for that." Will said gratefully, releasing her.

"I didn't do anything." She demurred modestly, and nodded down an empty alley that lead to her favorite tavern. "Shall we try that route?"

Will lead the way down the seemingly familiar route, and Tori turned her head ever so slightly to hear the curses and gossip of the thwarted prostitutes.

Thankfully, Will found The Portside Tavern. He stood awkwardly just inside until

Tori pointed out a small, empty table in a corner and they went to sit down. The bar maiden, Brandy, came over to take their orders and Tori fought to keep back a grin. Brandy had been Diablo's bar mistress, always flirting with the stony young captain. Now she had no idea "Diablo" sat before her.

"An ale for myself and lemonade for the lady please. And," Will dropped is voice. "Do you know, um, Gibbs?" The maiden shook her blond curls.

"No, but he might be in the backroom. Want to come look with me?" she asked suggestively.

Obligingly, Will started to get up, but Tori grabbed his pant leg under the table and pulled him back down.

"If you'd just check for him." Tori answered with a sweet smile.

Brandy smile dripped poison. "Of course miss." She said and flounced away.

Tori made a note not to drink the lemonade. Saving her rescuer's life might not prove to be so difficult after all.

"Why didn't you let me go meet Gibbs?" Will demanded once they were alone again.

"She doesn't know Gibbs." Tori replied distractedly as she scanned the crowd, then caught herself. "Oh, who is he anyway?"

"A…friend. Well, really a friend of a friend, but Jack's rather hard to get a hold of these days and I need a favour."

/Gibbs and Jack? This is the Black Pearl if I ever heard it. What's this honest lad doing with Pirates/

"What kind of favour?" She asked out of curiosity

"Oh, it's er, well a thing, you know,"

Tori shook her head. "You don't have to tell me."

Will looked immensely relieved. "It's a guy thing." He said.

It was all Tori could do to keep from rolling her eyes.

"Would you excuse me?" Tori asked after a moment.

Will hesitated, and nodded.

Tori quietly got up and walked towards the back of the tavern- by the water closets. On her way, she nudged a young man and gave him a coy smile. He followed her with a big grin.

Will started to rise as he saw a strange man follow her, but Brandy had returned with the drinks.