Ok, thanks for your reviews! Sorry it took me so long to update, I had a project to work on. Italics are personal thoughts just so ya know.

Disclaimer: Hmm, let's think this through logically. If I owned PotC, would I be here right now? No, didn't think so.

The Pearl had been sailing for about two days and the sun was beginning to set. Erin was at the edge of the deck looking out at the vast expanse of sea before her. Her excitement from leaving Port Royal was overflowing. She sighed as she breathed in the scent of salt in the air and felt the wind on her face. Curiosity about Tortuga began to grow in Erin's mind as she moved to the helm to speak to Jack.

"Jack," Erin asked, "what's Tortuga like?"

Jack stopped to think about it. "Well, let's just say, it's a place ye'll never forget."

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Screaming, gunshots, and drunken singing. Those were the first things that Erin heard as the Pearl docked in Tortuga. It was a shabby place, quite different from prim and proper Port Royal. There were drunks everywhere she looked and most had a dirty looking woman near them.

Maybe I shouldn't've come here.

Some of the lonelier men looked at Erin hungrily. Erin quickened her pace to keep up with Jack.

"Jack, can we hurry up and leave this place?" Erin asked, fear showing in her light brown eyes as she tried to stay near Jack.

"We just got here and ye already want to leave? Besides, there's someone I need to talk to here." Jack craned his neck to look around. His eyes lit up as he seemed to find said person. An angry woman with blonde hair walked towards Jack as he held his arms wide open.

"Ah, Giselle," Jack said happily. Giselle smiled before slapping him and walking away. "Not sure I deserved that," he muttered to himself touching his face where he was slapped.

"Okay," Erin whined, "we found who you where looking for, so can we leave now?" Jack turned and looked at her impatiently, his face still red from being slapped.

"First of all, that wasn't who I was looking for. And second, ye wanted to leave Port Royal, and ye did, so be happy."

Erin looked taken back and a bit hurt by his response. "I'm sorry," she sighed. "It's just the people here make me a little nervous, Jack."

"Well, don't wander off and ye'll be fine." Jack walked towards an old weathered man at a tavern entrance. "You. Sailor." Jack pulled out a piece of cloth with a picture on it. Erin tried to get a better look but Jack moved it out of sight. "Love, could ye stand right over there and keep a good watch?" Erin stormed off to the indicated spot. She strained her ears to hear what the two men were talking about. Again screaming, gunshots, and drunken laughter were all that could be heard.

Leave it to Jack to pick Tortuga to talk about something important.

Jack's POV

Jack watched Erin walk off angrily.

She'll get over it.

He turned to look at the old man as he pulled the cloth back out. There was the image of a metal hand with a wooden handle imprinted on it.

"I'm looking for this," Jack said to the man.

"Argh, the 'and o' Midas."

"Aye."

"Yer not seriously goin' after this are ye?" The man wore a questioning look on his face.

"I am," Jack answered proudly. "I feel it's my destiny and duty to go and fetch said hand." The man sighed.

"Ye have no idea the traps tha' protect it. And what it does! Now ye know tha' the 'and turns things to gold! Hold it by the wooden handle, lest ye wish to be turned to gold yerself. Many a good sailor died before the 'and was hidden because he was fool enough to touch the gold."

Jack rolled his eyes impatiently. "Yes, ok. Any idea where said treasure is?"

"Why don't we talk about this over a drink?" The man asked hopefully.

Jack glanced back at Erin who had her back turned and was tapping her foot impatiently. "Sorry but I don't have the time," he sighed, gesturing to Erin.

The man nodded sadly. "I understand. Ok, here's what ye must do. Once ye leave Tortuga, head like yer making for Port Royal but a bit more to the east. Keep going south, uh, southwestish. Go 'til ye get to the coast of Costa Rica. The treasure yer seeking, it be there."

Jack nodded his head in thanks and walked back towards Erin.

Erin's POV

Jack walked past Erin. "Come on, luv. Time to go." Erin jogged to catch up.

"Where are we going?"

"We'll be heading to Costa Rica, but first we'll have o pick up Gibbs in Kings Cove. I gave him a little time off but I'll be needing him now."

So, we've learned Jack's business in Tortuga. Erin likes her newfound freedom, but how does she feel about going after the Hand of Midas?

Thanks for the reviews, I'd like to get some more!