Chapter three: A plan is formed

"So, in conclusion, you want to go find some Aztec gold that is cursed a million times over? Am I correct?" Else was frowning at Jack, Barbossa, and Bootstrap. They were all seated in the large sunlit galley, discussing a newly formed plan.

"Gosh no," Jack said, raising his eyebrows. "You make it sound like it's a bad thing, love." Deep down, he was hurt. Else was the one person he really wanted to accept this plan. And she was honing her barbed skills on it.

"But this is ridiculous! We are pirates! Not some superstitious seeking..." She cast around for the right word. "Fools!"

"You said it though, love. We are pirates. Any type of treasure is worth it in our eyes. How much harm could come by gaining a bit of gold, eh?"

He tried disarming her with a smile, but Else was dead set against this.

"Where is this damn island?" She demanded.

Barbossa spoke for the first time. "Its on an island that cannot be found, except by those who know where it tis." She shot him a flint cold stare.

"Then how did the people who got there the first time find it? And how are we going to?"

"There is a compass." Bootstrap said, coming to their aid. "It doesn't show north, but which way the island is."

"Well a lot of good that will do us!" Else snarled. She was in complete exasperation. She had been asked for her opinion, and when she gave it, they stomped on it like you would a large bug. She had the most horrid feeling about this so called island, and would have no part in it, if it ever did come into play. Else had feelings for Jack, and in that small pit of her stomach, she knew something was wrong. Something was telling her to stall this plan...put it off forever. She figured she was just overreacting, and a bit sleep deprived, but that tiny voice kept egging her on...saying; "Do whatever you can to make sure he doesn't step foot on the island!" And she had no choice but to obey it.

"And you!" She rounded on Barbossa who gave her a uninterested look. "How do we know it's the truth? Where exactly did you hear this information? How do we know its not the navy trying to wheel us in? They are rounding up pirates left, right and center! Just last month they took in Anne Bonny, Marie Read, Calico Jack and his whole crew! This could be just a concoction to get a large crew and successful vessel!" Jack however, saw this point.

"They got Calico Jack? I always liked him. Never wore a dull pair of knickers." He stroked his stubbly chin, and then shook his head, his long smooth dark brown hair gently whipping his face.

He sunk into his own thoughts. Maybe it was true? How exactly could they be sure? He was being pulled from all different directions in his mind, and it was just as bad with his crew. The three people he trusted to most were at each others necks, trying to prove the other wrong. He could see Barbossa and Bootstrap giving him don't-let-this-woman-cloud-your-judgement-this-is-gold! looks, and saw Else frowning at him, telling him not to be stupid.

No one spoke, or moved, until Barbossa reached across the table and plucked an apple out of its basket, sinking his yellowing teeth into the saucy green skin.

Then Jack spoke.

"I think we should check things out more carefully. We should at least know what we are getting into before delving head first into a vat of eels, not knowing if they can sting you. Bill, I need you to go into the next port, Maria, and ask around a bit. Barbossa may look suspicious again. Say your son or something is interested in it, and you want to fid out for sure to quell his questions." They all nodded, each content with their captains decisions.

"Maybe we can find where they are holding Calico, and spring him free." Barbossa said, tossing his apple core into the large bin they used for rubbish.

"Nah. They would have already hung him. But if I know those girls...and I do, they would have pleaded pregnancy. Women love that law." Jack shot a look at Else as he said that, and she returned a blank stare. While the three men where laughing and joking again, Else slipped out of her seat and stood up like a ribbon unfolding. As if she felt the need of a toast, she took a large flagon of rum from a cupboard and poured out four mugs, making sure they were all equal.

"Take what you can!" Jack said loudly, raising his own mug.

"Give nothin' back!" The other three dutifully chanted, and they all touched mugs.


When they were silently sailing to Port Maria, Else was busy making more tonics. She felt the compelling need to work, and keep occupied. When there was no medical work to be done, she would be seen swabbing the decks, and polishing the bulwark and railing. When she wasn't doing that, she fled to her reading, which she hardly ever did, never liking it, and never really being able to read that well. So, she would most likely be found in her small cabin/office grinding out herbs to make into tonics for tea and possets for the ailing pirates.

Jack had to commend her, because since she had been on the ship, no one had contracted scurvy, lice, or anything other vile thing usually found on board, and they were all grateful to this graceful yet plain woman. She grew on them. Oh yes, she really did.

The day before they were due to arrive in Port Maria, Jack and Bootstrap were both by the helm of the massive black ship, idling talking.

"You know," Bootstrap said as both he and Jack watched Else go by with a wooden bucket in one hand and a large boar-bristle brush in the other. "I love my wife dearly, but there is something about this Else that makes me think. If I wasn't married, I might just try to be with her." Jack shot his friend a fierce glare that went unchecked and unnoticed. He felt almost protective of her. Jack didn't want her to be so offended that she leave the ship to take up residence elsewhere. It would be a cold slap in the face to wake up without her presence there.

"Hmm." Jack muttered, and turned around, acting as if he was inspecting the helm.

"Oh come off it Jack. We all know you practically called dibbs on her. She even knows it. I was just saying." Jack straightened up, and looked Bootstrap straight in the eye.

"Bill. Do you think we are being idiotic for searching after this island, and this treasure? What if there really is a curse?" Bootstrap looked over at the main topsail that was being mended, then up to the mast.

"I don't know. If I did get some of the gold, I would be set for life. I wouldn't have to be gone so long from my wife and child. They would never be poor. However–"

"There is always a however–" Jack muttered, but Bootstrap continued.

"However, there is a part of me, like Else, thinks its all a hoax. We don't even know why its there, or why Aztec gold and not Inca."

"That is exactly what you need to find out," Jack said, pointing a finger at Bootstrap. "Its up to what you learn, mate. Im not tryin' to put the pressure on ya, but whatever ya learn is what we go by. I do trust you." Jack jerked his head, signaling that he wanted Bill to steer for a while, then walked down the steps that leaded to the deck.

He caught Else going the opposite way to retrieve fresh water, and put out a hand to stop her.

"Your going to work yerself to death." He said, smiling. She gave him a cold stare, frowning.

"At least its better then being killed by some unknown treasure." She pulled away from him, and went to the bulwark. Jack rolled his eyes and went after her. She was so damn unpredictable. At the same time, though, he liked it. He scrunched his face up, trying hard to think of something to say to make her chipper towards him.

"Well, if it makes ya feel any better...I have a feeling we wont even go." Else nearly dropped the bucket, and looked over her shoulder at him. Her blonde hair was coming out of its usual pins in slight wisps, and she slowly raised an eyebrow questioningly, before straightening up with her full bucket of water.

"Meaning?" She asked, wary.

Else was trying hard to keep her temper inside. Not talking much to anyone, she heard little news of what was going on inside her three mate's head. For all she knew they could have been sailing straight for the damn island. However, she admitted it was in her own doing, that she had been a recluse for the past while.

"Well, everyone is doubting it now, now that Miss Sunshine had filled their heads with sunshine and laughter." Else swatted his hand away when he tried to help her with the large bucket.

"I cant help it if Im the only sane person here, who thinks it's a bit rudgey-dudgey (a/n: dodgy) that an island with cursed treasure just suddenly pops up. And if the navy is behind this, you owe me fifty pounds." She pointed an index finger at him before stalking off to her cabin to clean off the dusty work table.

"Yeah, well you owe me twenty if it exists!" Jack called after her. The crew turned around and stared at him for a moment.