A/N:

A word of background on their journey. The crew numbers about fifteen and they're sailing a ship smaller than the Pearl. Newer. They commandeered it, of course. At Barbossa's insistence, they rechristened their ship the And Back to be optimistic because "We're not just going to the end of the world, gents – remember we're going there and back."

The And Back was light and fast. She practically sailed herself, so even though the crew was short, everyone – including the captain – found time to tutor their new shipmate Elizabeth. Hungry for knowledge and willing to do whatever she was told, she soon acquired a vast new set of skills that would have given her father a heart attack.

Gibbs explained the rudiments of navigation to her and showed her how to load both pistol and cannon. She learned to climb the rigging by watching the wordless demonstrations of Cotton (and his parrot). Will, of course, continued to give her swordfighting lessons - a practice that was heartily supported by the crew since it meant that she would spend an hour panting and sweating in her shirtsleeves.

Even the captain often found an excuse to come watch these lessons, although Elizabeth suspected it was more to watch the swordplay than her figure. After that one odd little incident in his cabin he had apparently conquered his interest in her (or perhaps only hidden it – extremely well), and now she suffered from wounded vanity whenever they were alone together. I might as well be one of the men - except he does at least pull out my chair, she grumbled to herself every time they sat down to go over charts in his cabin.

It was a little better – but not much – when they sat out in the sun learning how to tie knots. Elizabeth liked it, and Barbossa didn't mind either, since she was a quick enough learner that he rarely had to exercise any patience at all with her.

Sometimes he would be serious, lecturing her on knots that could mean a sailor's life if tied improperly. Other times, though, he would show her firsthand the value of some tie in restraining a captive, laughing at her while she tried to free herself.

(Will always insisted there was something highly improper about this game.)

Barbossa thought she was coming along nicely...nicely enough, in fact, that she was probably ready to help take her first ship. And it was not a moment too soon – before too long they would be beyond the easy prey of the islands, so they had to do some shopping quickly. The And Back needed supplies and some more weaponry. Of course the best place to find that at sea was another ship, but Barbossa was reluctant to attack anyone until he knew he had his whole crew behind him. Rival factions on his ship could not be tolerated. To that end, he sat Will Turner down one day...

"Before we really get out into the open ocean, there are a few things we're going to need," he began.

"And I suppose we're going to steal them?" Will demanded aggressively.

Barbossa heaved a sigh. "Do the words follow orders have any meaning to you? Any meaning at all?"

"I follow orders that are just. I won't go around killing people whenever you tell me to."

It was as he had expected – the boy was impossible. Oath or not, orders or not, Will Turner did what he wanted and to hell with the rest of the world, eh? Well, Barbossa would have none of that. Controlling a bloodthirsty pirate crew – a crew with plenty of experience in mutiny, no less – controlling them through ten years of misery and bad decisions most certainly hadn't taught him nothing. If he couldn't bring this boy to heel now, Barbossa would eat his cutlass.

"Whether or not you agree with me, young Master Turner, may I remind you that ye swore an oath to ob-"

"-No oath can bind me to murder!"

"-to obey orders," Barbossa repeated over the interruption. "And if you fail to live up to that oath, I'll punish you in any way I see fit."

Will stared at him levelly. "Do your worst."

Barbossa tsked at him reproachfully. There was a fine line between bravery and stupidity, and Will seemed completely oblivious to it. "Very touching, Mr. Turner," he sneered. "But a word of warning before you tempt me: no matter what you do, I won't lay a hand on you. After all, it's obvious that the best way to hurt you is to hurt Elizabeth in your place. So if you fail me, it'll be she who suffers." His smile was chilling.

"You wouldn't," Will breathed, only half believing it.

So Barbossa bellowed "ELIZABETH!" He tipped his hat to her when she came over. "I believe I still owe you an apology for knocking you down on Isla de Muerte when the blood sacrifice failed. I lost my temper with you. Not your fault. I'm sorry."

Elizabeth looked amazed. "After all this time? Captain, that's really water under the bridge at this point, don't you think?"

"Of course. Sit down." She sat, unsuspicious, and as soon as she was in range Barbossa reached out and hit her hard in the face.

"Ow!" Elizabeth's hand flew to her jaw. "What the bloody hell was that for?" She looked from Barbossa to Will and back again, and realized immediately that once again she was being used as leverage in the negotiations of other people. "I don't appreciate that," she sulked. "And after you just apologized for last time, too!"

Now he turned to look at her. "Well, I couldn't very well have two of them on my conscience at once, could I?"

"What conscience?" Will snapped, disgusted. He stood up. "If you do anything to Elizabeth..."

"If you do as you're told, I won't have to." He waited until Will had stalked off, then said: "Apologies, miss."

She wasn't able to fume at him when he turned on the grandfatherly charm. "That was smart," she admitted grudgingly.

"Yes well I have to get a leash on him somehow. We'll be taking a ship within the next day or two, and I don't need him trying to spoil it. Do what you can to keep him in hand."

"Aye sir." Elizabeth debated making a wisecrack about how her life apparently might depend on it, but, her cheek still stinging, decided not to. She stared out at the sea thoughtfully. Taking a ship within a day or two! Then she would be an honest-to-God pirate, wouldn't she, in every sense of the word.

If only Jack could see her now...

TBC. More action next chapter, I promise. Blood and guts and all manner of pirately activities, yarr!

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