Disclaimer: I don't PotC characters/plots/quotes, alrighty?

Note: Hey! Hope you all enjoy this chapter, and please review if you get a chance. This will be my last chapter for a while, because I am going on vacation in a couple of days. I will try to write while I am soaking up the sun on the beach though...lol. Expect a new chapter in 2-3 weeks! Thanks for reading! ;)

CHAPTER 12 - Another Night in Tortuga

The blood-stained Persian rug was lifted waist high by two small servants and promptly removed from the room. The mistress of the house, a rather frail and meek woman, stayed close to the door and surveyed the work. The coroner knelt beside a body covered in a white shroud, which was lying uncomfortably in a stretcher far too small for it. The two constables examined the various weapons in the room as the hired help continued to tidy up.

"Well, gentlemen," the coroner said, gathering his tools into his doctor's satchel and standing up. "The official cause of death is more than likely suicide. The bullet was lodged into his skull through the left temple."

"And the weapon?" one of the officers asked.

"I found it at his feet," the mistress spoke, coming towards the men.

"We will be taking fingerprints of the evidence in a moment, madam," the other officer explained.

The first constable crooked his finger at the coroner, motioning for him to come forward.

"Let's not officially file suicide just yet, not until we verify the evidence," the officer whispered into the coroner's ear.

"Righty-o, but really gentlemen, who could have possibly-"

The officers' eyes went directly to the woman, who ordered servants around the room as if there was no tomorrow.

"Do not rule his wife out of this case just yet."

APL4H

The hustle and bustle of Tortuga made the whole experience more daring and adventurous. It was quite savage-like, considering it being it's own little island. Despite the fact that it was only about one sixteenth of the size of neighboring Hispaniola, it packed in just as much character and charm. The whole island was party central, complete with drunken men, whores, and your other random bunches of pirates and seamen and whatnot. Jack felt quite at home as he strolled through the streets with Victoria on his arm.

Of course, he did feel only the slightest bit of remorse when he would see the whores (who easily recognized him) give evil glances at Victoria, but she didn't seem to mind. She had a flask in her hand, after all.

As soon as she had gotten off the Pearl (which was at four thirty AM, mind you), she had went to the nearest tavern and bought herself a few nice drinks. Then scuttled around the island looking for Jack, Will, Elizabeth, someone she knew.

But Jack would be the respectful gentleman and walk around with her. They had already gone to 4 inns to sample their finest beverages. Victoria's liver was holding up quite well, too. She hadn't thrown up yet, and didn't really look as if she would. Staggeringly drunk she was, though.

"Darling? What time could it possibly be?" she asked him.

"I would say about half past six," Jack said, looking up at the sky.

"I propose that I'm not going abed until NOON!" she said, giggling and pointing a finger at him.

Of course Jack was ecstatic to look at her: she was practically falling out of her dress, and her hair was free and down at her shoulders, not held captive in a bun or whatever other kind of fashionable hairstyle she wore on the ship.

She shook her head back and downed the rest of the flask, then casually throwing it to the ground.

"There's not one other soul I recognize on this island, where is everyone?"

"Asleep, Luv. At an inn or on the ship at dock," he said, dragging her through the square.

Despite the time, people were up and about, and in situations much like Victoria's. Tortuga never slept.

"Well they ARE insane, who would want to miss all this?" Victoria slurred.

"Not me, I dare say," Jack replied, squeezing her waist.

"Now really Captain," Victoria said, removing his arm. "Is that really appropriate?"

"If it's not, it should be," he said, grinning.

"Ugh. Really, I need another drink," she said, walking away into the nearest bar.

"Oh, Luv, do wait up!" Jack called after her as he scuttled into the tavern. A few men were fighting inside, and there were some truly ghastly looking broads there, but it was average on the activity meter. A woman with about eight teeth passed Victoria a large wooden mug, which she began sipping as she sat on the bar stool. A few men beside her began to look her over, so Jack quickly stepped in and sat next to her, giving each of them looks that could kill.

"Maid," he called. "Some rum, please."

"Aye," she acknowledged him, with her back turned. She filled up his drink from a large barrel attached to the nearest wall.

As he waited, Jack scanned the tavern. To his right was a rickety old staircase which lead to rooms upstairs available for rent. Below the staircase was a medium sized oak desk with a sleeping man laying on it. There were sets of keys hanging on the wall behind him. A mean dog was tied to the leg of the desk. To the left were tables and chairs and men and women all mingling and talking and dancing to music played by two fiddlers.

Victoria finished her drink and called for another, and Jack propped himself up against the bar, facing the door. He saw Will and Elizabeth walk in, both looking quite out of place. They never knew how to dress, act, or navigate Tortuga properly.

Elizabeth had on a smashing dress that was obviously shipped in from London, and looking like the queen compared to the wenches in the tavern. Will looked puzzled as he scanned the room and tightly held Elizabeth's hand. Jack put up his arm and waved them over.

Will dragged Elizabeth apprehensively towards Jack and Victoria, quickly stepping out the way of various fights taking place.

"Good to see you two up," Jack said. "Here, have a drink, on me."

"Oh Hell-oooo, darling," Victoria said when she saw Elizabeth. "Did you have a fun night, I'm sure you did, what with all the talk and-"

"Umm, Vicky," Elizabeth said, sliding her finger across her throat as to indicate her to shut up.

"Oh, all right, I understand now," Victoria said as she finished her second drink at the bar. "Actually, I'm feeling a little tired, to be honest. Captian, will you go get us a room?" she said, running her hand up Jack's leg.

Will and Elizabeth raised their eyebrows questioningly.

"Of course, Luv, right away!" Jack said, bounding out of his chair. Finally! he thought to himself. He reached the sleeping attendant at the desk. Jack nudged him hard but the attendant was not going to wake up.

Quietly, Jack stepped over the dog and reached for the key to room 9. The old key looked as if it would crumble in his palm.

"Thanks, Mate," he whispered, patting his head.

"Oh, Darling, you got the key! Good boy!" Victoria stated as she saw Jack coming towards her. She hadn't noticed that Will and Elizabeth had promptly left, but was careful to ask for a final drink.

"Come on, Luv." Jack said, wrapping his arm around her waist, grinning like a chesire cat. He turned and dropped a few shillings at the bar.

"Oh this is going to be soooo exciting!" Victoria replied, pressing her body up against his.

You bet.

APL4H

"Why, this is absurd! Absolute poppycock!" the mistress said in her strong British accent. "Do you really think I would murder my own husband?"

"It's not that far-fetched, is it Miss? Your fingerprints were all over the weapon," the Constable accused her.

"Because I was grief stricken and shocked so I picked it up! That hardly proves I am guilty of something!"

"There have been reports of domestic disturbance. Did your husband beat you frequently?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"That proves for an excellent motive, don't you think, Commander?"

The Commander in chief of the police force stroked his gray beard.

"It is obvious that she is guilty. But to save her the embarrassment and scandal of a trial, I say she should be institutionalized."

"Wh-wh-what! You cannot do this to me! I am of noble stature here as well as in London! My daughter, she will testify for me. You must find her!"

"Your daughter, ma'am, has left the country. She has taken up piracy, and therefore is not welcome in any Port Royal or London courtroom. Gentlemen, take her away," the Commander demanded.

The constables got a carriage, a straight jacket, and sent the wife of now deceased Jonathan Carlynton to port, where she would be put on a ship to London where she would be "hospitalized".

"Commander, this family had some social status. What information should we give to the public?"

"Hmm…the wife shot the husband and then killed herself."

"Excellent idea, Sir."

APL4H

Damn it.

Jack sat on the edge of the bed, folding his hands together as if in prayer, thinking. He had his hopes up that Victoria would finally give in, but she didn't. He really had wanted to; it was so hard considering how physically beautiful Victoria was. As soon as they had reached the room, she had fallen over to the bed and fell asleep. Into a very, very, very deep sleep.

Jack tried to wake her, but he knew how much she had drank that night and didn't want her to get sick.

Sure, he and Victoria had slept together on the ship numerous times, but they had never slept together. They had never made love. But of course, the whole crew thought otherwise whenever they would see Victoria leaving the Captain's quarters early in the morning or vice-versa.

Light began to stream through the small window above the bed. Jack guessed that it was about noon. He had just spent the last four hours laying around, pacing, drinking. He stood up from the bed, which let out a loud creak.

Victoria stirred, and Jack stopped and turned around, picking up his boots and getting a splinter in his bare foot while stepping backward. She sat up, looked at her surroundings, and then at Jack's face. She was an intelligent girl, and immediately realized what she had done. Or in fact, what she hadn't done.

"Oh, Jack, I'm sorry. I know how much you wanted that," she said, standing and adjusting her assets.

"It's alright, Luv, you were too drunk anyway," he replied, opening his arms to her. She wrapped her arms around his back and nested her chin on his shoulder as he stroked her hair.

"No, no I wasn't. At first, I was just pretending."

"Pretending?"

"Yes. Because I knew that was what you wanted, and I was scared of it, so I pretended to have fallen asleep. And then, I guess I eventually did."

"Yes, you really did."

She giggled, he could feel her move in his arms.

"But I'm really sorry, I-I think I will be ready. Soon," Victoria stated, looking up into his eyes.

"Right, Luv. I'm ready when you are."

Jack knew he was a good man, and he shouldn't be thinking what he was thinking. He knew she would be good, and it was only a matter of time until he got to experience it. But Victoria was born and raised a lady, so he tried his best to be a gentleman. Even though he was a pirate.

This was going to be difficult.