A/N: I have a flute audition next Saturday and am nervous. If there is something weird written in here, don't blame me.

Disclaimer: I own Izzy's thoughts.

Chapter 7

A Route of Voyage

Izzy followed Gibbs out of the tavern and across town. As they walked, Izzy rubbed the hand which had shaken Jack's. It still tingled from being held in his. She replayed the conversation that had just been said through her mind for the fifth time. There was something….different about that man. He wasn't like any other she'd met before. He's definitely dangerous, she decided, but sweet too. The way he looked at me was….strange. I've never been looked at like that before. It's almost like he knows. But how can he? a little voice asked. He's never met you before and there's no way anyone could have sent him a message that fast. Plus the only who knows my secret is Captain Barbosa. He wouldn't tell anyone, especially after he promised me he wouldn't. Would he?

She cut the silent battle short. Izzy decided she'd just wait and see.

"Gibbs, where in the bloody name of pirate are we going?" she asked.

"Laddy, where we be headin', not many know about. The Black Pearl is a sacred pirate ship and many want it for themselves so Jack and the Captain decided to hide it. The Captain feels you to be trust worthy."

"But why? Captain Barbosa hasn't even known me a full forty eight hours?"

"Ah, ya see, the Captain is a great judge in character. There is a pirate sayin' that says… If one who can see knows, one who knows can see."

"I don't understand," Izzy said completely puzzled. "How is does that have anything to do with character?"

"It is said that if a pirate has enough experience of living life, they understand why everything happens and that everythin' happens for a reason. I can't be explain' any more than that."

Izzy contemplated this new aspect of looking at life.

Jack watched Izzy Perry leave his temporary headquarters of the last few weeks. There was something about that boy. But he wasn't a boy. His figure was much too appealing to be a boy's. And the way he spoke, Izzy didn't sound like a boy at all. Izzy Perry was something to contemplate while out at sea where he could observe him.

"Jack, you seem to be awfully interested in Mr. Perry," Barbosa said with a sly smile.

"Sorry, mate," Jack said finally tearing his eyes away from the door. "But I don't exactly go for the male sex. I go more for the curvy types. Females more specifically."

Jack looked down at the half empty bottle of rum.

"There was something very peculiar about that boy though," Jack said thoughtfully.

"Aye, there was somethin' peculiar about Mr. Perry. I wonder if you can tell me what it is?" Barbosa asked.

"I was hoping you could tell me?" Jack looked at Barbosa expectantly.

"Sorry, Jack," Barbosa said. "But I promised the lad that I wouldn't spill his secret."

"You're all sorts of help," Jack said sourly.

"Course I am. Now ya mentioned that you 'ave two bits of information you'll be wantin' to share with me."

"Ah, yes, it seems that I got a letter from Elizabeth Turner." Jack held up a letter. "She mentioned that she is going to write a book on our adventures and wants our opinions to add in the book."

Barbosa opened his mouth to say something but Jack cut him off.

"No, we will not be quoted. She said that there won't be much dialog in the book at all, just plain facts. I told her it was fine with me and I'd pick her up at Port Royal. I also said that if she wanted your opinion she would have to talk to you. I figured it wasn't worth the annoyance to fight with you again."

Barbosa closed his mouth and gave Jack a threatening look.

"What be the second thing?"

"I know where it is."

"Ya do now," Barbosa said with interest.

"Aye, I do. It's on a tiny, speck of an island that barely shows up on the map. See, look here." Jack handed Barbosa the map he was looking at earlier. "See it's right here."

Jack pointed to an island no bigger than the tip of a quill tip.

"So, my plan is," Jack started. "That I sail there now, and you go get Elizabeth first and then follow to the island."

"Jack, ya wouldn't be takin' me for bein' blind now would ya? Ya plan to go on the fastest ship in the world to Glistenin' Island and I be followin' a few days later. You be plannin' to steal the treasure right out from under me nose," Barbosa said knowingly.

"And why would I do something like that?" Jack said with an innocent smile.

"Ya wouldn't be wantin' to be stranded on another island with you watchin' me floatin' away on your ship in the distance, would ya?"

Jack gulped. "Sea turtles mate, with hair from my back."

Barbosa laughed. "Aye, sea turtles. We'll both be goin' to pick up Elizabeth, mate. Savvy?"

"Savvy, mate," Jack said with a grimace.

"Now, I'll be leavin' ya with one thought," Barbosa said getting up from the table. "How long will it be takin' ya to find out the truth about Mr. Perry?"

With that, he left.

When the door closed, Jack said, "Oh, don't worry, Barbosa, I think I already know."

Coming up next…

Will Izzy understand this new way of looking at life?

Does Jack know about Izzy's secret?

Will they both go to get Elizabeth and do the right thing or will Jack leave without Barbosa?