A/N: Any character or theme or name and anything else from the movie I DO NOT OWN. The plot for this story I do own, as well as Veriea and the species Forenien. These two are my creatations and mine alone so NO TOUCHIE! If anyone rips off my character or species I will send the real Veriea after them; she may not be a blood hound but she will still find you.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Thanks for the feed back Gaeliceyes and Istaniand thankyou to InTooDepp, my faithful reviewer from the begining. Also thanks to everyone elsefor reviewing! Huggles and Glomps all 'round!

Pronouncation:

Veriea: Verr-ree-a(i)

Forenien: For-en-ee-en

Enjoy the story ; P

Chapter 5 – Luck on The Pearl.

"Cheerful as ever, ey Gibbs?" Jack grinned sardonically.

"You must be mad Jack! Bad enough we got one woman aboard with all that's happened to The Black Pearl but two? Yer askin' for trouble Captain." The man scowled.

"Aye, it's usually bad luck to have a woman onboard but not if you know how to counter it."

Veriea saw a sly grin spread across Jack's face and knew she was about to see a master at work. "You see, I have here in the maiden mage, Trouble's fear and whatever troubles Trouble is good for us. So while we have Trouble's trouble on our side, Trouble will not follow and if it does dare, Trouble will be taken care of but Trouble's trouble."

For a moment there was a stunned silence and Veriea thought it quite likely that only Jack and herself had actually understood what he had said. She wasn't that happy at being called 'Trouble's trouble' either.

"Aye, that'll 'bout do it." Gibbs agreed. "D'ya say she's a mage? One of those wizards from the middle East?"

"I'm from Cyprus actually." Veriea spoke up, not liking being talked about like she wasn't there. "It's an island near Greece and Italy."

"Never heard of it." Gibbs sniffed.

"Well I've never heard of something as silly as 'bad luck' for having women aboard a ship. Women need to cross oceans and seas to get to places too. But just because I don't personally believe in that superstition doesn't mean it can't be true; don't sneer at my culture and beliefs Mr. Gibbs and I won't sneer at yours."

Mr. Gibbs seemed slightly off put by this open, honest approach and by this girl 'mage' who hadn't simply said "no, you're wrong, I'm right" but asked him to consider that they came from different places, had different ideas and accept that.

Finally he spoke.

"Right lass, fair's fair." He mumbled.

Jack for one was quite impressed with how she'd dealt with the situation; not many people could knock heads with Gibbs when it came to superstitions. He was also pleased that she wasn't playing the meek mouse he'd first seen because that would leave a lasting impression on the crew, in particular the more amorous members, and with any luck he wouldn't have to deal with anyone trying to get around the 'no rapping the woman (now women)' rule he'd set down for Anamaria.

He introduced her to the rest of the crew without any incident until they got to the female pirate. Before Jack had even said anything, Anamaria's hand had shot out and slapped Veriea across the face.

Much to everyone's surprise, Veriea didn't retaliate. At first they thought she was just shocked but they soon saw that she was studying Anamaria closely.

"You don't have to worry." She said suddenly. "I already know; otherwise you would have taken his balls years ago."

Anamaria looked a little shocked and surprised but then she offered her hand.

"Aye, welcome aboard The Black Pearl." And the two shook hands.

After the introductions to the rest of the crew and they had gone back to their work, Jack took Veriea aside.

"So, what was all that about?" He asked.

"All what?"

"With Anamaria." He didn't like the look she got on her face just then.

"Wouldn't you like to know." She teased, grinning maliciously. "Just girl stuff."

An unpleasant thought struck him.

"Ah, speaking of girl stuff luv, you wouldn't happen to know how long until…you know…"

"Until what?" She asked.

Jack looked very uncomfortable.

"Oh, gods…until your…thing."

"My thing?" She gave him a confused look.

"Bloody Hell….you know what I mean-your thing."

Of course she knew what he meant; she just found it amusing watching him try to say it without saying it.

"OH! You mean my 'disappearing act'." She faked realization with a grin. "There's another week or two left before you have to worry. Believe me, I'll let you know."

Why didn't he like the sound of that?

'Just think of the swag, Jack,' He thought to himself. 'You're doing it for the swag….and the possibility that she'll change her mind about the 'offer' thing.' "HEY!" Veriea said suddenly.

"What?" Jack asked, non-pulsed.

"You bloody well know what!" She growled under her breath and took a swipe at him, which he ducked.

Suddenly a shout rang out from the crow's nest.

"It's The Dauntess Captain! She snuck up on us!"

End Ch5

Hope you all liked it!