Chapter 4

Ships, Secrets, and Subterfuge

Jack Sparrow looked out from behind the shadows of two large crates on the dock. The Pearl loomed before him, creakily rocking back and forth on the gentle swells. Jack smiled. Ah,

the Pearl! It was finally his again. Hopefully to stay, this time.

A heavy hand clapped his shoulder. He winced. Of all the people he'd care to sail with, Hector Barbossa was the last on earth. How many times had he watched that man sail off with his ship already? More than he cared to count.

Hector leaned over Jack's back 'til Jack could feel his warm breath on his cheek and smell the stench of rotting teeth. Jack tried to turn his head so the stink wasn't as bad. Barbossa patted his shoulder again.

"Jack, Jack, Jack… Ye know, after we stranded you on that island I never thought I'd be sailin' under your flag again!"

Jack grit his teeth silently. He really disliked that man! "I didn't either, mate. Ye don't have to go, ye know?" he said hopefully, wishing Barbossa would just walk away… and take his hand of his shoulder!

Barbossa grinned, showing his yellowed teeth. "Oh, believe me, ol' friend, I wouldn't miss this trip for the world! It'll be just like the good ol' days!"

"An' what days wou' those be?"

Elizabeth came up behind them in the dark. "Now boys, there's no need to be arguing. Right now we have other things to worry about." She looked up at the dark wharf and the ship looming out of the night. Patrolling the wharf was a uniformed officer, gun slung over his shoulder, grim expression on his face, and a torch in one hand. There was no way the officer could suspect the Pearl to be a pirate vessel with the fresh coat of paint and new mast, but if two pirate-y looking men and a pirate-y dressed woman tried to board while his head was turned in that direction… well, it probably wouldn't end well…

"Did you have to tie her right out where everyone can see her?" Jack hissed at Barbossa.

"Jack, quiet." Elizabeth cast him a pointed glare. "You're not helping the matter. Now, I have a plan; one I think will get us all safely on the Pearl without raising suspicions. But both of you have to do exactly as I say…"

--

"You there! Guard!"

The uniformed officer turned his head. A young Lady stood on the wharf. Her voice sounded sophisticated, though her attire seemed less than lady-like. It was rich enough, though. After the first shock of her appearance, he decided the dark form-fitting breaches, high boots, and over coat suited her nicely. Her dark hair was pinned back, but a few stray locks fell around her face, escaping the tri-cornered hat she was wearing.

"Is there something I can do for you, miss? What is one such as yourself doing out around these parts at this time of night? Ye could get yourself hurt out here; fall off the edge of the dock likely."

She smiled winningly. "I doubt it, sir. I've lived around the docks my whole life."

He nodded. "Then what can I do for you?"

She dipped her head towards the ship behind him. "I was hoping you'd allow me safe conduct to that vessel."

"Well… I'm not supposed to allow anyone on or off the ships once the sun has set. Dock rules."

She smiled again. "I completely understand, but you see, my body guards and I left before the sun set to visit a very dear friend of mine who's fallen ill. I was so upset over her condition that I couldn't leave until I saw her quietly in bed and soundly asleep. But by that time I'd lost track of the hours and the sun was already gone from the sky. My ship is to leave as soon as the sun rises, and I must be aboard."

"I'm sorry for your friend miss, but I'm afraid I don't see why it's so important for you to board tonight. And I'd like to see these body guards of yours…" He peered suspiciously into the dark shadows laying beyond the light of the torch in his hand.

"Of course." She looked back over her shoulder. "Sir Crampton, Master Stocks, will you please come forward?"

Out of the Shadows stepped two miserable looking men. It almost looked like they'd been poured into the uniforms they wore, their dirt mottled skin contrasting the crisp white and red. One had all but two swinging dreadlocks of hair pulled back tightly behind his head in a knotted ponytail. The other had his head covered with a ratty looking wide-brimmed hat that nearly ruined the neat, pressed affect of the uniform. Both wore expressions that clearly stated their dislike for the attire.

The officer looked them over suspiciously. "And these are your body guards, miss?" he asked unconvinced.

"Of course. Sir Crampton and Master Stocks have guarded me for years. You'll not find more loyal guards though you search all of the Caribbean."

"And what did you say your business was?"

"I believe I didn't," Elizabeth pointed out, "But I find no reason to hide my purpose for being here. I'm an ambassador of the East India Trading company. I originally came to Port Royal to look into the Pirate situation we've heard so much about at Headquarters. It would seem, dear sir, that those stories are every bit as true as we've heard tell. The ship you see behind you is a ship of the E.I.Tc. It is to depart in the morning, and I am to report back to my Head on the state of this town." She could see the guard was now nervous and smiled inwardly. Her plan was working.

The guard shifted uneasily on the balls of his feet. "We have very highly trained, first class officers here to guard against the pirate menace. Our forces bring more rebels, pirates, and buccaneers to the gallows than many of the larger towns along the coast."

Elizabeth frowned and raised her voice just enough to sound sophisticatedly irritated. "Be that as it may, I find acts of Piracy to thrive in many of the darker streets. Even now I endure such an act. Would you deprive me of my bed on such a chilled night? Would you have me wait in the streets 'til dawn? You, sir, are acting as unjustly as I would expect any pirate to! I must say, I hardly see how allowing me to board my own vessel would be breaching any rules or laws."

"But miss, it's my duty too…"

"It's your duty to watch over the ships until the return of the owner or the captain. Would you have me report on you and your guard force as well?"

"No miss." The soldier looked extremely uncomfortable. "Of course you may board. Only put in a good word for Port Royal in your report, miss. We do our best here."

"Hmmm… well I see you've been taught some manners. Alright, I shall speak kindly of your forces, though I'm afraid I can alter nothing of the report on piracy. That is one thing I cannot and will not do. Sir Crampton, Master Stocks? My belongings if you please."

The two silent, odd looking body guards retrieved a heavy looking chest that had been sitting in the shadows just behind them and followed the Lady as she walked decidedly up the gangplank. The Wharf Guard watched them until their silhouettes had melted into the darkness settled over the deck of the ship, and then turned his gaze away. No one need know that he broke the rules just this once, he thought. After all, he'd done it to save Port Royal's reputation…

--

Hector Barbossa growled as he pealed off the uniform he'd stolen from a wharf guard he'd knocked out. Beneath the uniform was his own filthy apparel. He looked down at his wrinkled sleeves as if afraid the neatly pressed officers' attire had some how washed and ironed out their prized dinginess. "Ye almost sailed to far there, Miss Turner. If I'd've had to wear that clown's costume one more minute I would've knocked someone's 'ead in!"

Jack was having trouble getting the tie holding his hair back, out of his hair. It had somehow become entangled in his knotted braids and now wouldn't come free. He sighed dramatically. "Oh the things one does for a woman!"

Elizabeth turned on him. "One more word, Jack Sparrow, just one more, and I'll run you through!"

He smiled mockingly at her. "I doubt it, darlin'. You still need me too much."

"I'm warning you!" There was a soft ring of steel on the air, and the shine of silver indicated a sword had been drawn.

"One, you don't 'ave the compass…"

Elizabeth stopped. That was true. The compass that would lead the holder to his heart's desire was in Jack Sparrow's possession. That would certainly come in handy finding the Flying Dutchman, a phantom ship that wasn't supposed to able to be found.

"I could still kill you and retrieve the compass."

"No, I don't think so. Ye see, dear, I also have the charts…"

"I could still kill you and…"

"An' I'm the only one who knows anything about the Flyin' Dutchman from the inside, first hand. Wifout me, you can only guess."

Silence. Elizabeth gritted her teeth but tried to look unruffled on the outside. Jack Sparrow was the craziest, stupidest, most drunk Pirate she'd ever met! But sometimes she had to admire him for his brains… his twisted, perverted brains that had just outsmarted her again!

Slowly, she resheathed the sword and strode to within an inch of his face. They were so close she could see his pupils, even in the near darkness on the deck. "Watch yourself, Jack Sparrow. I will be." She strode forcefully away.

Jack tried again at the leather thong stuck in his hair. He somehow managed to get part of it free and winced as he freed another part, pulling out a large chunk of black hair with it. Looking out after her, he spoke absentmindedly to Barbossa. "You know, its moments like tha' that make me completely agree with Gibbs."

"Wha' ye mean?"

"It's bad luck havin' a woman aboard!"