"Need some help?"

Tori jumped, and instinctively pointed the knife at the intruder. Jokingly, Will put his hands up. Tori broke into a genuine smile, relieved.

"Sorry, trapped on a ship with a dubious crew has me on edge." She resumed dicing the spud as she tried to think of what to cook with it.

"Oh, they won't harm you. They're just a ragtag crew. Jack Sparrow is one of the best…"

Tori looked up. "Jack Sparrow, now where do I know that name from?"

Will panicked. "Oh, he's a great captain, very famous."
Tori nodded, mentally sighing at how bad Will was at lying. He picked up a potato and also began cutting it up as Tori opened a barrel and pulled out a chunk of meat. "What are you making?" he asked

"Stew."

"mmm."

There was an awkward silence.

"I don't think I ever properly thanked you for rescuing me." Tori said suddenly.

Will looked at the girl, who had suddenly become very interested in the piece of salt pork she was chopping.

"I just wanted to say thank you for plucking me out of the ocean."

"My pleasure! Well, I mean you're very welcome, er, I've…"

Tori tried to hold back a smile. "Could you cut up some carrots for me? They're in that net."

Will retrieved the carrots and vigorously began attacking them with the knife.

"So, where exactly are we headed, and why?" Tori asked casually, as she dropped the chopped potatoes in the pot with the broth and meat and began stirring.

"There's a shipment they need to pick up," Will replied evasively, "I'm not sure where."

"They? What's your role? Messenger boy?"

"He's the boss of the operations, lass." A new voice interjected. Jack stood leaning against the doorway and grinned famously as he swaggered into the kitchen. "I can't do it all by me onesie." He stood close behind Tori and leaned right over her shoulder. "Mmm. Smells divine love." He murmured into her ear. Tori tensed as Jack drew back and grinned at Will. "Well, come along young Turner. I'll need you're 'elp for a bit."

Obediently, Will followed Jack out the door. Then Jack stuck his head back in.

"I hope you don't mind me taking your kitchen help."

"Not at all. He obviously has more important things to be doing." Tori replied without looking up.

"So have I love, but business comes first if you know what I mean."

Tori jerked her head up in shock and received a roguish wink before the pirate disappeared. Her mouth dropped open, and snapped shut with her eyes flashing and face burning. She returned to her stew, attacking it viciously with the spoon.