Chapter Two: Meeting

She woke in a wondrously soft bed, her head resting on many plump pillows and her wounds bandaged. Her small bundle of belongings sat on a chair near the bed. She was going through them when the door opened and a man walked in. She froze at the sight of him.

"Good mornin' luv," he said cheerfully.

He had a strange and uncivilized manner about him, beads in his dreadlocked hair and visible tattoos, but he was very handsome. She also noticed the sword and pistol in his belt. Suddenly it dawned on her that this man must be a pirate, sailors aren't allowed to wear such a get-up. She returned to the bed, seeking shelter with a pillow. She stowed away on a pirate ship!

"Are you alright luv?" he asked.

"Are you going to make me walk the plank?" she asked meekly.

"Why would I do such a thing as that?" the man replied.

"You are a pirate, are you not? Don't pirates make stowaways walk the plank?"

"Aye, I be a pirate. But there's no way I'd make such a lovely stowaway as yourself walk the plank. Besides you're much to weak, you've been sleeping for the past four days. You can walk the plank when you've recovered. "

Her eyes widened in horror. She opened her mouth to speak but he raised a finger, quieting her.

"Luv, I was just teasin'. I've not intention of making you walk the plank. Don't make many people walk the plank," he said, smiling at his joke.

"What are you going to do with me then?"

He laughed. "Do to you? I have no intention of harming you, if that's what you mean. We've been takin' care o' you. You where all beat up when Gibbs found you but I fixed you right up."

She stared at him in disbelief. "But you're a pirate. You rape and pillage and burn ships and kidnap innocent women."

"Well luv, if you want to be raped, all you gotta do is ask. I wouldn't do anything to a young lass while she was hurt. But if this is your way of telling me you're better then I'd be happy to—."

"No!" She cut in. "I was only wondering, that's all."

"Alrigh' then. Now what will you be doing' to earn your passage on me ship?"

"Earn my passage?"

"Yes. You have to do something useful since I'm providing you with food and board. Unless, as you said, you want to walk the plank. We've been at sea for a few days now, so there's no way we're goin' back."

All is lost.

"Well if there's nothing else that can be done I'll have to stay. But I don't know what one does on a ship."

"Well let's see. You can join the crew in their work or, you can make it worth me while. Do you understand my meaning luv?"

She gasped. "I know perfectly well what you mean and I will do no such thing! That is no way to talk to a complete stranger let alone a respectable lady! How dare you!"

She thought for a minute about her personal skills and the tasks that needed to be done on a ship. Sewing and cooking were her strong points. That was perfect.

"Could I cook perhaps?"

"Sorry luv. Already got one."

"I doubt a drunken pirate can cook half as well as a woman. Am I not right? I guarantee you that I am a wonderful cook."

"Aye, your right. He's a terrible cook as well as a drunk. Alright luv. You can be the cook. But I'll have to take your word on your cooking. Second matter: where will you be staying?"

"What are my options?"

"You can stay with the crew, you can stay with me or I suppose you could stay here in this extra cabin. What'll it be?"

"I think I will stay here. I am not delighted with the other options, I must say. No offense meant but you are pirates and pirates cannot be trusted."

"Right then. I need to get back to work. I'll see you later, when you've rested up a bit more."

"Wait. What should I call you? I mean what is your name?"

"My name is Jack Sparrow. But you shall address me as Captain or Captain Sparrow."

"Thank you for your care and kindness, Jack."

"It's Captain Sparrow luv, I just told you."

"Will you please stop calling me love?"

"I don't know your name, luv."

"My name is Cordelia Sullivan."

"Nice to know it," he turns to leave "Oh, and luv, welcome to the Black Pearl."

"It's Cordelia," she muttered as he shut the door.