Ok, Danni submitted the idea that Bree would try gambling her way off the ship and losing. So here it is. This takes place before Bree escaped for the first time. She and Davy don't know their feelings yet, if they are even there yet. Thanks for the ideas, mates! Keep 'em comin'! Oh, and I have a bit more of Clanker in this for Fly Like a Blueberry Pie. Lurve ya, mate! XD (Oh, by the way, a line that Bree says in here is in honor of a line Davy had in the Liar's Dice game against Will that was cut. Ye'll have to guess which one!)

Bree had been thinking over this new plan for the last month. Her mind was always working. She had to get off this ship!

As Bree sat in the hold, watching Clanker, Koleniko and Maccus playing Liar's Dice, her mind began to turn. Bootstrap had told her they gambled with years of service. But…what if Bree could gamble with something else? She remembered the conversation she had had with Bootstrap last night.

"Is there any way to gamble for freedom?"

"Not exactly," Bootstrap had answered, "But Will once gambled with 'is soul. He hadn't sworn an oath, and he wagered his soul." His eyes went slightly distant. Bree remembered now. Bootstrap had saved his son's soul by substituting his own. Bree put her arm around Bootstrap's shoulders, comforting him, "Ah, well…I suppose it's worth a shot to try to gain me freedom."

Bree moved closer to the game area, sitting slightly behind Clanker. She looked over his shoulder, saying, "Hurry up…I'm goin' to play next."

Clanker glanced over his shoulder at her, raising his lips in a half snarl, "Ye'll wait yer turn like everyone else, missy!"

Bree smirked, "Ye can tell that to Davy Jones…I'm playin' him."

Everyone stopped. Bootstrap sighed. He had seen this before. He didn't want to see it again.

Penrod leaped up, cackling, "Challenge the Cap'n? Are ye mad, missy?"

Bree grinned, "Aye…mad. Now hurry up an' go tell the Cap'n I'm goin' to play 'im at Liar's Dice. Now."

Penrod was still cackling as he hopped away, going to take Bree's message to his captain.

Clanker and the others cleared away their game. Clanker passed by Bree, stooping and putting his hand on her shoulder, "Penrod's right, missy. Ye're mad!" Clanker was one of the few crewmembers who wasn't completely brutal. He had slowly been warming up to the girl, even if he had been the one to nearly smash her legs with his ball and chain. She reminded him of his daughter.

Bree patted Clanker's cheek stiffly, "I'm Bad Luck Bree, mate. I do what I please."

Clanker snarled, cuffing her, but moved away. He went to stand by Bootstrap, whispering, "Is she always like this, mate?"

Bootstrap nodded sadly, "Aye…'tis a sickness with young'uns these days."

Penrod soon returned, and the crew could all hear Davy Jones following him across the deck, his bad leg thunking against the wood, making a hollow sound not unlike thunder. Bree felt her skin prickle slightly, but she swallowed her fear. This was her shot at freedom…if Jones allowed her to play for it.

Davy Jones came down to the hold, his eyes scanning the crew. Penrod hadn't told him what was going on, but he guessed it when he saw how Bree was standing apart from the others. She met his gaze, determination on her face.

Jones came forward, narrowing his pale blue eyes at the girl, "I suppose this is yer doin', whelp?"

Bree spread her arms, grinning as she mocked him, "My doin'? I haven't done nothin'…but I will."

Jones made a scornful face but said nothing. He folded his arms across his chest expectantly.

Bree sat down, motioning to the cups and the dice set out for them, "I suppose ye've been challenged afore, Cap'n?"

Jones spat at her feet, "Ah, so another foolish pup is askin' to set their luck against me, eh?" He laughed hoarsely, "With a name like yers, Bad Luck Bree, I'd expect ye to be more careful."

Bootstrap winced in the back as laughter rose from the crew. None of them had heard her full name, but now the irony shone on the whole situation. And the scene was almost pitiful in a way. Aye, this was no show of strength, but setting a girl against Davy Jones in anything was unfair. Even a girl as tough as Bree.

But Bree didn't show her fear or intimidation. She knew very well that Jones would most likely scorn her proposition and leave it at that…or his pride would get the better of him and he would accept. Well, worth a try…

"I'll play ye…for my freedom."

Jones laughed harshly. His crew laughed dutifully along with him. Jones spoke with a snarl in his voice, "Why would I risk somethin' like that?"

Bree shrugged, "I thought ye were the sea…fearless…all powerful. This doesn't sound very characteristic, does it? What a man is willin' to risk or not to risk shows the true measure of 'is soul."

Jones was stung by her words. She was right. Her words reflected what he himself believed. But he kept calm, speaking, "So…what are yer stakes? If I win…what do I get?"

Bree crossed her arms, "Other than the satisfaction o' beatin' me? I dunno…ye decide." She knew this was suicide to say…who knew what cruelty Jones would cook up should she lose? But it was worth the risk. That was the measure of her soul.

Bootstrap was willing Bree to stop speaking. Just take it back! Back out now!

Jones smiled grimly. Well, this would be worth it! A chance to show true domination over Bree should she lose. And he knew just what to wager.

"Well, Miss Bree…after I name me terms, we'll see if ye're still willin' to challenge me."

Raising his claw for dramatic effect, Jones paused before speaking loud enough for all to hear, "Should ye lose, I'll tie a rope to yer neck an' drag ye from the bow o' the Dutchman for a whole day."

Bree felt her mouth go dry. The crew all laughed sadistically. Bree's thoughts raced. Fool! What have ye done! Shouldn't ye have known he'd do somethin' this cruel?

But I might win…and win my freedom.

That was worth the risk.

I'd be away from him.

Bree sat down, signaling that she was taking him up on his offer. Whispers broke out. The crewmates were all chuckling, settling down to watch.

Jones sat down slowly. Bree couldn't help but notice how it reminded her of a cobra coiling down, readying to lunge for the killing blow. He smiled cruelly at the girl, "Well, missy…ye've showed us all how brave…an' how stupid ye are."

Bree retaliated, "Bravery is a virtue…don't know if ye'd be expected to know that, seein' ye don't have any."

Jones laughed hoarsely, amused by her answer. He wrapped his elongated fore finger around the cup and lifted it, shaking up the dice inside. Bree picked up her own cup. She noticed that her hand was shaking, the dice clattering. Then she forced her hand to move, shaking the cup. Then, simultaneously, both gamblers slammed the cups upside-down on the tabletop.

Bree's heart beat hard as she lifted her cup slightly, revealing her dice only to herself. She had two threes, one two and two fives. She bit her lip, looking up at Jones. His eyes were slanted downwards, looking at his own dice. He grinned slightly, glancing back up at Bree. He bet first, "Three fives."

Bree breathed out slowly. She bet, "Four fives."

Jones tried to read her face. He was slightly impressed at how well she masked her reactions. But he glanced back down at his dice. He had two fives and two twos and one three. "Four twos."

Bree continued on with her bet, not catching his bluff, "Five fives."

Jones sensed a slight waver in her voice. He spoke one harsh word, "Liar!"

Bree's mouth went dry. She slowly looked back down at her dice, taking the cup away. Jones revealed his dice.

A loud noise came from the crew as they saw that Bree had been lying. Jones grinned triumphantly, slamming his cup down. Bootstrap groaned. The rest of the crew all cheered rowdily. Clanker slunk to the side, sighing sadly.

Bree felt tears of disappointment clog her vision. Several trickled down her cheeks. Jones stood, grabbing Bree by the front of her jerkin and throwing her to Jimmylegs, who took hold of the back of her neck, "Bring that rat up on deck! Time for her to carry out 'er punishment!"

Bree stood at the bow, a rope around her neck. She had been stripped of her boots, her belts, her sash and her jerkin. She bowed her head in sorrow. The day was windy…the ship would be moving fast. And the water would be cold.

Jimmylegs slapped her head upright, binding her wrists and then her feet. He whirled her around to face the railing. He gripped the back of her neck, hissing into her ear, "Tell th' fishies hello!"

Turning to look at Jones, Jimmylegs raised and eyebrow. Jones nodded once.

Bree was pushed over the side, the long rope trailing after her. She cried out, but her cry faded and ended as she hit the water with a hard, flat slap.

The crew all laughed cruelly, peering over the side. Bree couldn't be seen. She was pinned to the hull of the ship by the water. Jokes were cracked and cheers were heard. Then the crew went about their normal duties.

Jones stayed, peering over the side. He grinned. Serves the whelp right.

Bootstrap waited for Jones to leave. Then he made his way to the bow, his face creased with pain for his young friend. He knew she was in pain right now. And there was nothing he could do about it.

Bree's mouth was forced open by the rushing water. Water was forcing itself into her lungs, and she felt her throat aching. Her scarred back was pressed hard against sharp barnacles that had grown on the hull of the ship. She was pressed to the hull by the force of the rushing water, unable to move at all.

Breathing was not an issue, but the girl was in pain nonetheless. She wanted to drown. She hated Jones! She swore to herself she would somehow escape him…and kill him.

This day is goin' to last far too long…

Next day, Bree was hauled back up after the ship was in a calm. Her body was limp, not moving. Blood was seeping from the wounds on her back, arms and legs. Her head lolled at an awkward angle, and her eyes rolled into the back of the head.

Jones allowed Bootstrap through to Bree. He took her lightly, laying her out on the deck, gently pumping water from her. Bree slowly came awake, rolling over onto her side and retching out bile and water. She gagged, coughing and crying at the same time.

The crew all jeered, nudging one another. Bootstrap ignored them all, continuing to work on Bree.

Clanker pushed his way through, going and kneeling down beside Bree. He slowly levered her up and lifted her into his arms. He turned, going down to the hold, Bootstrap following him.

Jones watched them, not stopping them. Bree had had her punishment. He was sure she would never try to outwit him again. He had her figured.

Never had he been so wrong in his entire existence.