Pirates of the Caribbean: More from Beyond the World

Disclaimer: I own Pirates of the Caribbean just like I own the universe. I don't own the universe, but I do have a friend who thinks she does. I guess she owns Pirates of the Caribbean as well... Hmmm, I'd better tell her so!

A New Ally

A/N: Thank you to all of my wonderful reviewers! I got more reviews for the first chapter of this, than for all five (I think) chapters of my previous story combined! I can't expects that kind of luck again, but I just want to tell you guys that you made my life wonderful! THANK YOU!

Jack, with the considerable help of some of Elizabeth's money, purchased a new boat, almost big enough to be called a ship. No one questioned him, as the officers selling the ships looked at his money, not at his face. When Elizabeth was safely aboard with a few of her belongings packed in one of the two cabins, she helped Jack with the sails and steering.

"So, Captain," she said, "What's your grand plan?"

In truth, Jack, as it very often happened, didn't have any kind of a plan.

"We'd better go for Tortuga and see if we can't get someone interested in this venture. We can't get this thing very far on our own. I know Mr. Gibbs will come."

"Yeah, why isn't he with you, Jack?" Elizabeth asked. "I noticed he was pretty loyal."

"Well, I was so mad at him after he managed to let the Pearl get away, I slapped him and left him in Tortuga."

Elizabeth laughed at the picture.

"I thought at the time it was a mistake not to run him through, but he'll prove useful in this," Jack said.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The almost-ship, not-quite boat was in Tortuga in two days. By that time, Elizabeth managed to nearly knock Jack overboard with a particularly hard slap after he insinuated that Will was a eunuch, and Jack nearly killed Elizabeth by giving her poisonous fish for breakfast. He hadn't meant to do it, and he had been very alarmed while Elizabeth was violently sick, but felt that she had recovered perfectly when she slapped him again.

"Well, thank God we're here!" Elizabeth exclaimed, stepping ashore. "At least now I won't have any more attempts made on my life!"

"And I won't be in danger of being slapped every second," Jack commented. It was rotten luck that made Giselle spot him, come over, and without a word, slap him so hard, she sent him reeling. Scarlett, striding over, followed suit.

"Never mind the last," Jack muttered.

They found Gibbs, predictably drunk, in the Faithful Bride. He was very happy to see them again, reveled in Elizabeth's company, and glowed with relief that Jack had apparently forgiven him.

"So, ye'll help us?" Jack asked.

"Yes, I – " Gibbs started, but a ringing voice interrupted him.

"Jack Sparrow!"

"Captain, Captain Jack Sparrow," Jack corrected wearily, turning to find himself face-to-face with Ana Maria.

"Ana Maria!" he cried in surprise. The last he had heard, she had been on the Crimson Dolphin, the ship that Jack had generously given her at the end of his first adventure with Will and Elizabeth.

"What happened to the Crimson Dolphin?" Jack asked.

"What happened to the Pearl?" she retorted.

"Um… it was stolen," Jack admitted.

"Well, so was the Dolphin," she growled, sitting down on a bench. Jack sat down beside her.

"Who stole it?"

"Barbossa. Though how the hell that devil came back to life, I've no idea."

"Barbossa?" Jack repeated incredulously. "But the Pearl was stolen by Barbossa too." Instantly, Jack saw he had an ally. "Listen, I'm going after the Pearl – "

"That sounds familiar…" Ana Maria muttered.

Jack ignored her sarcasm. "Why don't you come with me and help? We can get the Dolphin back as well,"

"Count me in," Ana Maria agreed.

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