Peyton's POV

All was silent in the streets as we made our way out of the Faithfull Bride and down towards the docks. Smoothly I slipped out the back door, the Black Pearl in my hands, and a filthy tricorn on my head, 'The only way I could ensure that fool wouldn't try to escape; pirates and their hats...'

"I don't see why I can't have my hat," the filthy rogue whined. "I've already offered you my services," he continued as he walked next to me and turned his shoulders in my direction. "This was not part of our negotiations," he complained, staring at my head as if he were preparing to take his hat back, though we both knew he wouldn't dare.

"We need to be sure you won't back out on our deal Sparrow. Can't trust you'll hold up your part of the bargain if we don't have a reason for you two to stay," I responded while slowly removing the worn head ornament and effortlessly tossing it to Oxana. With Jack's sack in one arm, she caught the hat above Jack's head and teasingly took a turn trying it on. "Besides," I continued while fiddling with the frayed laces on that ghastly dress' bodice. "Should you go back on your word, there'll be no need for a hat-"

"If ye don't have a head!" Ox shouted as she anxiously finished my statement. We both looked at one another and smiled as we watched both men fearfully place their hands on their throats, imagining their own beheadings.

"Now let's move; there's bound to be a decent ship somewhere out here. We just need to find one worth stealing," I whispered loudly as we finally approached the shipyard and began to judge each of our possible prizes. Quickly, I ordered everyone to start looking; despite Ox's objective glare, I commanded we spread out and cut down on the length of our search. Immediately, the two idiots did as they were told and began inspecting the ships. As I pushed up the sleeves on my dress I felt my sister standing behind me and calmly listened to her comment.

"Yer not goin' to follow them? How do we know they won't run?"

"To where?" I asked as I finally tore open the dress and gratefully inhaled a long denied breath of air. "Best to let them start the search. If they do find a ship, we'll find them and be on our way," I explained as I fixed my shirt which had been flattened against my skin from the tight confines of the corset. I then adjusted my pants as Ox handed me my jacket. "And should they get caught, we won't be the one's having to face a Captain's wrath," I continued as I slid my dagger into its holster on my belt. "Besides, seaworthy or not, we have his ship," I stated as I held up the small bottle. "Heaven only knows, what measures a man will take to win back what's theirs: his ship," I paused and plucked that tricorn from my sister's head and sneered. "His hat..."

"His dignity," she said mockingly as we both laughed and followed the echoing sounds of whispers and footsteps of our 'partners'.

"Heh, not sure he'll ever get that one back," I laughed as we continued forward and I finally threw that stupid dress to the ground.

Jack's POV

'T' asn't even been a whole day, and I'm already under the command of a woman; and a young one at that. A child...' I thought to myself as I skulked through the docks, forced to do the bidding for the red haired seductress and her associate. Weaving through the plethora of ships, I began to judge each specimen to the best of my ability. Pausing in front of a boat, I placed my hand on the hull and felt its moldings. Its texture was rough and warn, cold and damp from the crisp night air. Placing my ear against the ship, I methodically began to knock on the wood and listen for the echoes of the ship as I heard the sounds of footsteps approaching from behind.

"I don't like the look of things," Gibbs started as he stood beside me and warily looked over his shoulder for our captors. "Even if we do find a ship, 'tis bad luck to have a woman on board; just doublin' the danger by letting two on board."

"Which is why I intend to rid our lives of these little sirens for good," I replied as I moved on to the next ship and examined its build. "They'll be out of our hair soon enough Mate." I continued as I moved on and searched the docks for a vessel worthy of escorting us on our venture.

"Aye," Gibbs sighed as he followed me past several ships. "And how do ye plan on doin' that? We're helping them to steal a ship; and we can't leave the Pearl behind." He continued in reference to our confiscated fleet.

"And we won't," I replied as I passed another ship left unguarded on the dock. So many vessels floating freely on the sea, each of them worthy of our journey; but as I continued to make my rounds, not a one was right. "We will find them their ship, and we'll get ours back," I stopped and turned towards the end of the dock. Within several paces we came across another ship; large and powerful in its build, the great frigate loomed over all the other ships at the docks. As I continued to stare up at the great crimson and black behemoth I couldn't help but recognize the ship; studying it a moment longer, me eyes caught the sudden flicker of a candle glowing on deck.

""Come Jack," whispered Gibbs as he tugged my arm and tried to pull me away. "We won't be finding our ship here. Someone's still on board." Casually I turned to him an smiled as I nodded and shot a quick glance back to the flitting candlelight.

"Exactly..."

Ѡ _ ҉҉ _ Ѡ

Hurriedly we made our way back through the shipyard, looking for those little brats, and my hat. After a moment of aimlessly shouting names and searching for the lass and my fleet, Gibbs came across a pile of black fabric slashed and cast to the ground. Picking it up, I instantly recognized the gold accents and soft texture of the silk.

"Her dress?" Gibbs asked in confusion as he searched the area for the girls. Still holding the dress, I anxiously looked around for them as well, assuming that that, without her gown, she would be that much easier- and more fun- to find. Still looking around, it was a moment before I suddenly felt the unsettlingly familiar feeling of a hand around my throat as the lass, for a second time, snatched me up and slammed me against a nearby ship, covering my mouth with my hat.

"Sshh!" she hissed as she turned to look behind her and ensure that Gibbs was also restrained. She then looked down and studied the gown in my hand.

"You dropped this," a said, disheartened that she had already managed to change her clothes and no longer had a need for the dress. Immediately she snatched it away and pushed me further into the ship.

"Have you done what we've asked?"

"Technically, you didn't really ask us to find you a ship. Requests don't normally involve knives," I paused and pointed to the dagger strapped to her waist. "But if you're referring to your demands-"

"That was a 'yes' or 'no' question Captain, and as such, requires a 'yes' or 'no' response," she said matter-o-factly as she slowly placed her hand on the dagger's handle. "Now, did you find a ship?"

"I did," I replied confidently as I stepped forward and coaxed her hand away from the blade. "And if you'll permit me, I'd love to lead you to it now." Placing my hat back upon me head, I walked toward the larger one and, cautiously, convinced her to release Gibbs. I then tried to get the lass to release my fleet and the remainder of my peanuts to me, only to be denied as she turned away and snarled. "Yes, well..." I stepped back and walked past to the leader. Repeating my proposition, the red head finally nodded and accepted as she followed behind. Quietly we made our way through the shipyard, returning to the end of the dock where our ship eagerly awaited our departure. Standing before it, my ears couldn't help but hear the impressed sighs and whispers as the ladies stared up at the ship in awe.

"Peyton," exhaled one of the girls, her eyes lit up at the sight of our prize.

"I assume you are pleased?" I watched as the red head approached the ship and ran her hand along its hull, feeling and studying every crack and crevice of the ship like a seasoned seaman. As she continued to examine our find, the faint glow of the candle caught my attention, reminding me of the possible presence still on board.

"Well done Captain," said the lass as she turned around and returned to where we stood. "It appears you kept your word," she continued as she looked to her partner and retrieved my fleet. A cynical grin on her face, she held the sack out to me and nodded, permitting me to take the sack back. Releasing Gibbs soon after, we quickly opened the sack and examined our ships, confirming that each bottle was still intact. "Now, let us be on our way. We don't want to waste any time and risk running into the ship's captain. Ox," she shouted in regards to the other girl as they approached the ship.

"-Wait!" I couldn't help but shout, my eyes still fixed on the inside of the sack. "No, not good!"

"There a problem Sparrow?" asked the girls simultaneously as the innocently turned around and stood over my shoulder.

"The Black Pearl, it's not here," Gibbs stammered as he held up the sack, the bottles inside clinking and jingling together, but sadly, there was one clang that was not heard.

"Ah yes," sighed the red head, casually flicking one of her locks out of her face. Puzzled, I watched as the one now known as 'Ox' reached into a satchel over her shoulder and pulled out a bottle, the irritably familiar screech of that monkey emanating from inside. "You see Captain, we decided to return you your, 'collection' with the exception of one."

"But why?" asked Gibbs.

"Leverage," she calmly replied. "While we do genuinely appreciate your assistance my good men, we must be sure that you won't back out on our accord just yet. Don't worry,"

"Ye'll have your boat back soon enough," the two girls replied as they turned back to the ship and proceeded to board.

"Great," grumbled Gibbs as he flung the sack over his shoulder and we began to follow the girls. "Now how can we get rid of them? They have the Pearl."

"Patience Gibbs, patience," I sighed as I watched the glow aboard the ship, slowly fade to the starboard side and further confirm my anticipation. "We'll have the Pearl back. In due time Mate," I patted him on the back as we moved forward and began following the girls aboard the ship. "Possibly even sooner that ye think..."