A/N:
To my existing readers: Yes, yet another fanfic! I can't help it; I love writing! Anyway, I don't believe I'll be doing anything more having to do with my other three fics, but I've been wanting to do this one for a while.

To new readers: Thanks for reading!

Ch. 1

Hector Barbossa sat in a secluded corner of the Faithful Bride, his icy blue eyes scanning the crowd occasionally for a familiar face. This was where Jack Sparrow had said to meet him, but the young captain seemed to make a habit of tardiness, and tonight proved no exception.

"Hector!"

Barbossa looked up in surprise to see a younger man sit down across from him, though not the younger man he'd been expecting. "Bootstrap," he said simply, nodding slightly to acknowledge the man.

"You waitin' for Jack, too?" Turner inquired, futilely attempting to catch the attention of one of the barmaids.

"Aye. Where the blazes is 'e?"

"Right 'ere," a third voice said. Jack Sparrow sat down easily in the last empty chair and set three full mugs on the table. "I presume free drinks for all will be proper compensation for my delayed arrival?"

Bootstrap eagerly grabbed the nearest mug and raised an eyebrow innocently at Jack. "What delayed arrival?"

Jack simply grinned. "Mr. Barbossa?"

"Ah…I'd ordinarily decline, but I simply can't find it in me to deny a man 'is redemption," Barbossa replied, taking one for himself. "Consider us even."

"Excellent," Jack said, taking the remaining mug. "Now, let's get on to business, shall we?"

Barbossa nodded. "Yes, let's. Firstly, I'd like to know the nature of this venture 'fore I sign on. Also, perhaps ye can enumerate upon risks, time required, remuneration, and so forth."

Jack frowned in confusion. "Excuse me?"

"Am I going to come out of this alive, and what's in it for me?" Barbossa rephrased, trying to conceal his irritation.

"Ah, well, the state in which you leave this journey would depend on you skill, now wouldn't it?" Jack asked mildly. "As for pay, everything's in equal share. Do we have an accord?"

Barbossa grinned and shook the young captain's hand. "Agreed."

"Excellent. Then everything's in order. We set sail in a week," Jack said. Raising his mug, he added, "Here's to a successful journey. May we all profit largely from it." Touching his mug to the other two men's and taking a drink, Barbossa laughed quietly to himself. Some of us more than others…

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Barbossa sat up with a start, nearly falling out of his bed. Shaking off the dream, he looked around the cabin…His cabin, he reminded himself. He took comfort in knowing that. Sighing, he pulled on his coat and checked his weapons. Tonight they were going on another raid. A raid just like all the ones before, and just like all the ones they would be performing for all of eternity until they were free of the curse.

He strode out on deck and watched his crew prepare. An unfelt wind flapped in the shredded sails and blew Barbossa's long hair into his face. The wind seemed to carry a presence, like a distant voice tugging at his mind, calling him to it. Looking at his crew, he knew they'd felt it too.

"Captain?" Bo'sun said uncertainly.

"The gold…" Barbossa whispered. "Gents, we have a change of plans! Set course for Port Royal!" It was finally in their grasp…