Author's Note: I hate writing author's notes.

Disclaimer: I don't own the monkey.

Chapter 5

Of a Monkey and a Strange Conversation

"Welcome aboard the Immortal, laddy," Gibbs said. "The second fastest ship in all of existence."

"Gibbs," Izzy said walking up the ramp of the ship. "If the Immortal is the second fastest, then what is the fastest?"

"Oh, laddy, haven't you heard the stories?"

"What stories?" Izzy asked.

"The stories about the Black Pearl, of course."

Izzy laughed. "The Black Pearl is a legend, Gibbs. Everyone knows that."

"Laddy, the Black Pearl isn't just a legend. It's real."

"And how would you know this?"

"I've spent a great deal of time on the Black Pearl, laddy," Gibbs said.

Izzy stopped suddenly just aboard the ship. "You've lived aboard the Black Pear? That means you know what really happened. All of the rumors and the stories, you know them all. You can tell me if what I've read and heard about pirates and their ships is true!"

"Well," Gibbs said suddenly a bit nervous. "I guess I could tell you some…"

"Oh, really!?" Izzy said excitedly.

"Ah, yeah, but not now. We have some sailing to do. It's time for you to meet Captain Barbosa. Follow me."

Izzy followed Gibbs across board and down a set of steps to below the deck. They turned right and followed the hallway to the end and stopped at a door.

"Captain Barbosa will be waiting for you inside," Gibbs said. "When you are done, laddy, meet me of deck and I'll show you the ropes."

With that, Gibbs left Izzy on her own.

Izzy suddenly felt nervous. She was meeting the captain of the Immortal. But more specifically she was meeting Captain Barbosa. A pirate she'd read about and heard rumors about many times.

So, she stood at the door trying to get up the courage to knock on the new oak. She raised her hand and knocked three times.

Automatically a raspy voice answered. "Come in."

Izzy turned the doorknob and entered Captain Barbosa's private quarters. Immediately, she saw Barbosa sitting at his desk. He was an older man with sunken cheeks and a face covered in scars. His eyes were piercing like they could see right through you and Izzy was suddenly worried if he could see through her disguise. On Barbosa's shoulder sat a monkey. She looked at it curiously. She remembered reading a story about Barbosa that included a monkey.

"Good evening," Barbosa said in his raspy tone. "We've been expecting you, Jack and I have."

"Good evening, Captain," Izzy said. "Gibbs said you wished to speak to me?"

"Aye, I do," he said. "I was wonderin' why you'd of all people should be wantin' to join a group of pirates on a voyage."

"To be honest, Captain Barbosa, I didn't know I was joining a pirate ship when I agreed to Gibbs's terms. He mentioned a trip to Tortuga, but I never thought pirates would visit a port like Port Cunningham."

"Ah, I see." Izzy got the feeling that he really did see.

"And what be your name, laddy?" he asked.

"My name is Izzy."

"Izzy what?"

"Um…Izzy Perry."

"Izzy Perry, you say. It's strange," Barbosa said thoughtfully.

"What's strange, sir?"

"Well, I've been around a long time, laddy, and I mean a long time and I've been to Port Cunningham many, many times. But never once have I heard of a family that goes by the name of Perry."

Izzy wasn't sure what to say to this comment.

"So I'll be askin' you again. What be your name? There be no point in lyin'."

Izzy looked into his eyes. There was a gleam in them that said there'd be no point in lying because he already knew her secret.

"My name is Isabella Peregrine."

"Aye, just as I believed it would," he said with a smile.

"Sir, how did you know?" Izzy asked with curiosity.

Captain Barbosa laughed. "My Lady," he said. "You speak to proper to be of common blood. And…"

He laughed again.

"You might want to be investin' in some slightly baggier clothes."

Izzy looked at him questioningly.

"My Lady, I've never seen a lad with a figure a pretty as yours."

Izzy's eyes widened at this comment.

"So here be the question," he said. "Will you be tellin' the crew or will I?"

"Sir, you won't be leaving me ashore?" Izzy asked incredulously.

"And what reason for?" he asked. "Haven't you ever heard of Elizabeth Turner? I've had women aboard before. Never once have I chucked one overboard."

"Chucked one overboard?"

"My Lady, we left Port Cunningham about an hour ago. Now back to me question. Will I be tellin' or you?"

"Actually, Captain, I think I'd rather keep my real title a secret for the time being. I think I'd be better accepted by the crew if I kept my identity secret."

"As you wish, Izzy," he said with a wry grin. "Now Gibbs, be waitin' on deck for you."

"Thank you, Captain."

"The pleasure is mine," he said with a mock bow at his desk.

As she left she heard him say, "Yes, Jack, we have a secret to keep for the time being. I wonder what Jack will be thinkin' of this."

If Izzy hadn't been curious before she met the Captain, she certainly was now.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!!!

Thank you for putting up with my pathetic author's notes!!!