AN: Blake's outfit for when she changes is up top.

Also, sorry, but she's not in this chapter too much. Only really toward the end.

♚

When William Turner woke up, he was in a frenzy.

The devastation of Port Royal was catastrophic, the harbor being dotted with burning and sunken ships, buildings razed and smoldering. The aftermath seemed to be hell on Earth.

Will's heart was drubbing against his chest as he raced to the Governor's mansion, catching himself on the smashed door into the foyer with his free hand, while the other still held the boarding axe he had procured from the night before.

"Blake!" He called, eyes darting through the few maids and cleaning up the mess from the previous night.

Wil licked his lips, feet moving once again up the stairs of the household, running to the first bedroom in the house. He had known that it had been hers, having watched her come out from the balcony when he tree rocks at her window for their weekly late night beach walk.

"Blake?"

Her name felt foreign to his tongue, eyes furrowed as he made his way toward her bed to see the book she had been reading. He paused at the title.

Of course it had been about pirates.

He set the book down on her nightstand and walked over to her vanity, eyes trailing around the perfumes and such beside the mirror. Will paused when he saw a dry rose that looked to be pressed in a book long ago, picking it up lightly.

A smile couldn't help but grace his lips despite the situation, knowing it had been him who had given it to her. A false pride spread through his chest at the thought that Blake had never kept a flower or jewel from Commodore Norrington.

Will set the flower back on the vanity and quickly left Blake's room, feet dashing across the stairs and out of the house as though he had never been there.

He was halfway to the harbor, where he knew Commodore Norrington's office to be, when he found Elizabeth, the woman giving him a relieved sigh.

"I thought they had killed you," Elizabeth grasped onto his arms, eyes wide, "Will, they have taken Blake."

Vera nodded from beside her, "Curse her stubbornness. She forced us to hide while she led them on."

"Do you know where they have taken her?" Will quickly questioned, licking his lips as panic churned his stomach, "Did you hear anything?"

The women both shook their heads and Elizabeth continued, "She told us to find you. She said that you would find her."

"I am," Will nodded to himself, beginning to walk the way he was going, "I am going to find her. Help or not."

Elizabeth and Vera quickly followed the man to Norrington's office, the sword on William's hip hitting against the door as he ran in.

"They've taken her!" Will yelled, "They've taken Blake."

The group of men in Norrington's office along with Weatherby Swann, were gathered around a map, which laid the entire length of the table.

They all looked to him, though Norrington did not as he said, "Mr. Murtogg, remove this man."

"We have to hunt them down and save her!" Will exclaimed as the said man walked to him, elbow fighting against his hold.

Elizabeth nodded from beside the man, grabbing Murtogg's hands and shoving him off Blake's soulmate.

"Mr. Turner is right, Commodore," She explained, "Blake saved Vera and I, and everyone in that household by going. She risked her life for it."

Weatherby looked to his daughter, his worry making him short-tempered as he said, "Where do you two propose we start?"

He looked to Will as he continued, "If you have any information that concerns my niece, share it."

The trio remained silent, all knowing they had no information to give. Murtogg's eye twitched as he suddenly remembered something Jack Sparrow had told him, causing him to lick his lips warily.

"That Jack Sparrow," The name caught everyone's attention, "He talked about the Black Pearl."

Mullroy spoke from beside Norrington, "Mentioned it, is more what he did."

"Ask him where it is," Will pleaded with Norrington, the man not giving him the light of day, "Make a deal with him. He could lead us to it."

"No,"  The Commodore seemed exasperated, "The pirates who invaded this fort left Sparrow in his cell. Ergo, he is not their ally and therefore no value."

The man finally looked up to Will, feeling superior to the man with a proud smirk before he looked to Weatherby, "Governor, we will establish their most likely course-"

Commodore Norrington was cut off by Will slamming is boarder axe into the table, yelling with deep anger, "That's not good enough! That's Blake's life!"

Elizabeth's eyes widened as she turned to Vera, the women not being able to help the smirks that came to their faces when they truly saw how much the man cared for her.

"Mr. Turner," Norrington took the axe from the table, the indent from the blade in the map evident, "You are not a military man, you are not a sailor. You are a blacksmith and this is not the moment for rash actions."

He walked around the table to the man, grabbing his arm and leading Will toward the door, "Finding my fiancé is my top priority-"

"-She's not yours!" Will pushed Norrington off himself as he cut him off, growling at the man that hit the door seal in shock, "She did not give you an answer. Blake Anne Hopper is not your soulmate, nor will she ever be. She told me she would rather die a loveless life or run off with me than be with you!"

The silence in the room was stiff, tension rising through everyone as Weatherby shifted awkwardly. Will was almost animalistic, Elizabeth sighing as she slowly made her way to him.

Elizabeth grasped onto his arm and Will looked to her, taking in the soft, calm smile she held.

"Will, let us go catch air. It seems that we are all upset about the situation and need a moment to breathe," She turned to Vera, "Vera, please come."

Vera quickly shuffled over and the trio made their way out of the room, all while Will's eyes did not leave Norrington's. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and pushed his face the other way, the trio stopping when the ranking officer called out to Will, making his body go rigid.

"Mr. Turner, do not make the mistake of thinking you are the only man here who cares for Blake."

Will's jaw was clenched tightly, teeth grinding against one another as he slowly turned back to the man.

"That's Miss Hopper to you."

Elizabeth walked them out of the fort and slowly let go of Will, the man pulling at his hair all while still holding the axe Norrington had handed back to him. Will's eyes were closed in great distress and the women sighed, Juliet shrugging to Elizabeth.

"As hard as the situation is," Elizabeth started, "The Commodore does care for Blake. He will find a way to get to her, Will."

He scoffed, head tilting toward the sky.

Will was on the verge of tears, not knowing what to do. On one hand, Blake had not been his soulmate in his mind, but something in him stirred, knowing she truly was the one.

All he could feel was fear despite knowing Blake could hold her own.

"I have an idea," Vera licked her lips, earning their attention, "We want Blake back, right? Then let's get her back ourselves. It's not as though we need their permission to do so."

Will was quiet in thought for a moment before he said, "We go to Jack. Demand he help us find her."

"I'm coming with you," Elizabeth stood proudly, "Blake is my family. I'll do whatever it takes to get her back."

Will nodded and looked to Vera, who said, "I'll stay behind, distract them while you two get away."

She looked to Elizabeth, letting out a long breath, "Get her back. She truly is my only friend."

Elizabeth gave her a smile and grasped onto her hand, saying, "I will. Now, we all get to Captain Sparrow and figure out a plan together."

The trio quickly found themselves at the jail, all slipping in without guards seeing them. Jack was lounging on the floor of his cell, ostensibly relaxed and unconcerned as Will marched up to the bars.

"You, Sparrow!"

Jack rose slightly, eyes dropping as he was on the verge of consciousness, "Aye!"

"You are familiar with the Black Pearl?" Will questioned, watching as Jack sat back and mumbled, "I've heard of it."

Will was quick to respond, "Where does it make berth?"

Jack Sparrow scoffed, lifting his head once more, "Where does it make berth? Have you not heard the stories?"

"Yes, yes," Elizabeth interrupted swiftly, "We have all heard Captain Barbossa and his crew of miscreants that sail from the dreaded Isla de Muerta. The island that cannot be found except by those who already know where it is. Now, do you know where it is or not? Because we are losing precious time and I wish not to stay down in this godforsaken dungeon all day as you."

Jack hummed lightly as he stood raised in the air and slowly made his way to the prison bars. He wrapped his hands around it, smirking at the woman.

"Now, Miss Swann, that was incredibly alluring. Where did you hear that from?"

Elizabeth scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest, "Blake and I are well versed in the literature of pirates, Captain Sparrow. Now, answer the question."

"The ship's real enough," Will voiced, "So its anchorage must be a real place. Where is it?"

"Why ask me?"

Vera voice raised an octave, "Because you're a bloody pirate!"

Jack looked to her and gave Vera a charming smile, "And who might you be, darling?"

"Someone who has no interest in pirates, thank you."

Sparrow simply shrugged and looked back to Will, "And you want to turn pirate yourself? Is it?"

Will grasped onto the iron railings, shaking it making Jack frown, "Never."

There was a pause in his voice, the man letting out a long breath before he spoke once more.

"They took Miss Hopper."

Jack hummed, a smirk evident on his lips showing the gold teeth in his mouth slightly as he said, "Oh! So it is that you found a girl. I see. If you're intending to brave all, hasten to her rescue and so win the fair lady's heart, you'll have to do it alone, mate. I see no profit in it for me."

"Will can get you out of here," Vera responded quickly, everyone looking to her. She blushed and continued, "Can you not, Mr. Turner? Blake told me you helped build these bars yourself."

The man nodded, looking back at Jack, who said, "How's that? The key's run off."

Will examined the cell for a moment and began pulling at the pins, "These are half-pin barrel hinges."

He grabbed a bench and flipped it around, using the feet against the iron.

"With the right leverage and the proper application of strength, the door will lift free."

Elizabeth quirked a brow as Jack tilted his head to the side, eyes narrowed as though they held recognition.

"What's your name?"

Will bit his tongue, wondering as to why the pirate was asking, but ultimately said, "Will Turner."

"That would be short for William, I imagine," Jack looked to perk up, "Good, strong name. No doubt from your father, eh?"

The women of the group shared a confused look and Will suspiciously answered, "Yes."

"Well, Mr. Turner, I've changed my mind," Jack announced, smiling innocently, "If you spring me, I swear, on pain of death, I shall take you to the Black Pearl and your bonny lass. Do we have an accord?"

Jack stuck his hand out to shake through the jail bars and Elizabeth asked, "Why agree now?"

"Miss Hopper seems to have grown on me," Jack answered, shaking his hand for emphasis, "Now, our bargain?"

Will shook his hand, "Agreed."

"Agreed!" Jack chuckled, raising his hands up in the air, "Get me out!"

Will pushed on the long bench, using it as his fulcrum and levered the door. The cell door rose and then fell forward, Will throwing it to the ground to free Jack.

Impressed, Jack stepped out of the cell as Will said, "Someone will have heard that. Hurry."

Jack danced around the gate and Elizabeth and Vera followed the pirate as he said, "Not without my effects."

He grabbed his compass, pistol and sword before leaving with the trio, Vera then saying her goodbyes and going the opposite way to the docks. Jack, Will and Elizabeth hurried through the streets, making their way through under a bridge that was close to the edge of the water.

When they paused, Elizabeth pressed herself against the cool stone, following Jack's gaze.

"We're going to steal a ship? That ship?"

Jack smirked, "Commandeer."

He turned to the apprehensive duo, continuing as he pointed to a ship closer to the dock, "We're going to 'commandeer' that ship. Nautical term. One question about your business, boy, or there is no use going. This girl. How far are you willing to go to save her?"

"I'd die for her," Will immediately responded, voice hard with decision.

Jack made a noise of amusement, looking to Elizabeth, "Oh, good. No worries then. Isn't that what you women love? For someone to die for you."

"I prefer men not to die around me, but the insinuation is quite nice," Elizabeth shrugged, making Jack hum.

The man turned his back to them and looked to the many long boats sitting on the beach, "You two don't mind getting wet, do you?"

The man began walking quickly over to the long boat and Elizabeth simply looked to Will, humorless as she said, "Our savior is Jack Sparrow? Really?"

"I didn't hear any other better plans."

Elizabeth and Will followed the man as he lifted the boat quickly, all of them ducking underneath it.

"How is this going to work?" The woman hissed.

Jack shrugged, "Intuition."

William rolled his eyes, only wishing to get this over with, "If we do it correctly, there shall be an air pocket allowing us to breathe. We will be submerged to the ocean floor, but there will not be abundance of air. We need to save our breath."

Elizabeth clenched her jaw as they quickly shuffled to the ocean, standing between Will and Jack.

"Bloody pirates."

They quickly made their way to the ocean floor, water filling to their necks as the only thing keeping them alive was the small air pocket Will had said would happen.

After ten minutes of walking as quick as possible under the pressure of the ocean above their heads, Will broke it, saying, "This is either madness or brilliance."

"It's remarkable how often those two traits coincide," Jack pointed out, Elizabeth grunting as she stepped over a crab trap and saying, "Well, I can say that I do not enjoy it in the slightest."

The trio made their way to the back of the boat and Jack turned to them under the longboat covering, saying, "Now, deep breaths."

Elizabeth and Will did as said when Jack began lifting the boat, using it as a buoy to help them float to the top. When they reached the surface, the trio took the boat off them, swiftly climbing the scale of the H.M.S. Dauntless.

The woman thanked the heavens that she was still wearing her night shoes, an everyday dress now adorning her body as she and Vera had gone back to the house after alerting Weatherby that Blake was missing before going to find Will.

Will, Jack and Elizabeth pushed themselves onto the deck quietly, making their way over to the dozen of Navy sailors who are being broken down in discipline. The men took their swords from their sheaths and rapidly made their way down the stairs.

"Everybody stay calm!" Jack announced, making everyone turn to him, "We're taking over the ship."

"Aye! Avast!"

Elizabeth, who was still on by the quarterdeck facepalmed, shaking her head in her hand as Jack winced, still looking to the Navy who had fell into a fit of laugher.

"This ship cannot be crewed by two men and a lady," Gillette announced, smirking, "You'll never make it out of the bay."

"Son," Jack's voice was proud as he took his pistol from his belt across his chest and pointed level with Gillette's head, "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?"

Minutes later, the entire crew of the Dauntless was on the boat Will, Elizabeth and Jack had procured, yelling at Commodore Norrington. The trio was lifting the anchor when Elizabeth spoke.

"Now what?"

"We let them come to us," Jack smirked, "All supplies are on that ship. They come to fight us, we cross over, take that ship instead. Then we go on our merry way and find the girl."

Will sighed as Jack walked away up the steps and turned to Elizabeth, "This is far more work than I was expecting."

"And to think, you weren't even wearing a corset while doing so."

♚

Later that night, Elizabeth was holding onto Will's arm as they walked through the loud, hellish town of Tortuga, eyes wide at everything that had been going on.

"It is indeed a sad life that has never breathed deep the sweet proliferous bouquet that is Tortuga," Jack chuckled in awe, "What do you think?"

Elizabeth wrinkled her nose, looking around the drunkards and ladies running around, "It reeks of ale and poor life choices."

"It'll linger," Will agreed. Jack smirked, "I'll tell you, mate, if every town in the world were like this one, no man would ever feel unwanted, even if his soulmate didn't want him."

Jack turned forward and gasped, watching as a redheaded woman made her way toward them, "Scarlett!"

Elizabeth let out a laugh when Scarlett slapped the man across the face, the man turning from the momentum of the assault and saying, "I'm not sure I deserved that."

Another woman then approached them, Will and Elizabeth watching as Jack said, "Giselle."

"Who was she?" She questioned, Jack's face falling as he asked, "What?"

Giselle then slapped the man once more and Elizabeth bit her tongue, making mental note to tell Blake of everything that had happened.

"I may have deserved that one."

"Can we just get what we came here for?"

Jack rubbed his cheek, saying, "Ah, yes. We are close."

The pirate captain led them a way's on, finding a small run down cottage with pig stalls at the back of it. They found themselves going through the gate, Jack pointing to a bucket of water for Will to grab.

Jack took one as well as Elizabeth stood behind them, unease setting in her as she began hearing music. She rubbed her temple, shaking her head as it grew louder, blinking it away as Jack poured the bucket of cold, muggy water onto a man who was sleeping with the pigs.

"Curse you for breathing, you slack-jawed idiot!" The dirty man yelled, now alert as he pulled a knife from his belt.

He caught sight of Jack and gaped, saying, "Mother's love! Jack! You should know better than to wake a man when he's sleepin'. It's bad luck."

"Fortunately, I know a way to counter it," Jack made his way over to his friend, bending to his height, "The man who did the waking buys the man who was sleeping a drink. The man who was sleeping drinks it while listening to the proposition from the man who did the waking."

"Aye. That'll about do it," He chuckled, taking Jack's hand and allowing the pirate to help him up.

Will then threw the bucket of water he had procured on the man, making him yell, "Blast! I'm already awake!"

"That was for the smell."

The man shrugged and looked over the trio, Elizabeth's brows furrowing as she moved past Will to look at the man further. A look of recognition fell over her face.

"Mr. Gibbs?" She whispered, "Is that you?"

Joshamee Gibbs narrowed his eyes at the woman before he gasped, "Miss Swann?"

Elizabeth nodded and gave him a light smile, "What happened to you? After we reached Port Royal you simply disappeared."

"Life catches up with you in the Caribbean."

The group of four then found themselves at a pub called the Faithful Bride, the emblem over the door being a politically incorrect painting of a smiling woman holding a bouquet of her chained and manacled hands. Elizabeth stayed close to Will as they entered, Jack and Gibbs finding a table in the corner.

Jack then went to the bar and got the men ale, leaving the pair in the entryway of the small room they had gotten the table in. The same soft voice flooded Elizabeth's ears and she winced, the alluring sound covering her in chills.

Will looked down to her, "Elizabeth?"

"What is that noise?" Elizabeth shivered, back tingling as her eyes scanned the crowd, "That woman singing."

The brunette man raised a brow, "Elizabeth, there's no woman singing."

"Yes, there is," She gaped, a cool wash falling over as she felt pulled to it, "It's calling to me."

Will went to respond, but stopped, Jack coming back to them with two ales in hand for himself and his friend. He stopped in front of the two.

"Keep a sharp eye."

He continued on his way and Elizabeth watched the crowd, eyes flickering through people until she caught the sharp blue eyes of a woman, the tan brunette leaning against her chair with their feet on the table, arm wrapped around the empty chair beside them.

Elizabeth's heart was racing when the woman smirked at her, the governor's daughter feeling week and drunk at the sight. Her feet moved with ease, not hearing as Will called out for her to come back.

The brunette pushed through the fighting crowd, finding the table but stopping when the woman wasn't there, furrowing a brow. Elizabeth licked her lips, feeling her pulse point twitch with how fast her heart was going.

Her eyes closed as she tried to slow her heart, leaning on the column that was by the table and placing a hand on her chest. A gasp escaped her lips when a hand found itself beside her head with a loud noise, eyes snapping open to meet the same bright blue as earlier.

"I can't say I've seen you here, chéri," An accented voice said, the woman leaning down to be face to face with Elizabeth, who was in shock, "Are you visiting?"

Elizabeth nodded, an audible gulp leaving her as the woman smirked, saying, "Cat got your tongue?"

"Um, no," Elizabeth whispered, voice unsure as the song echoed throughout her, "Is that you?"

The unnamed pirate hummed, "Is what me, chéri?"

"The song. It has to be you," She rushed out, "It's you."

Elizabeth practically fell faint as the woman slightly raised, standing only inches above her with her brows pulled together, "Who are you?"

"Elizabeth Swann. Who are you?"

The two were pulled from their conversation as a new voice said, "Captain Thea Salvatore of the Black Swann."

Thea's shoulders rolled as they moved their hand from beside Elizabeth's head, smirking as she crossed her arms over her slightly exposed chest, given that it was unbuttoned to her navel.

"Captain Jack Sparrow," She hummed, "I thought all the women had driven you away from this island."

Jack grunted in jealously, "Only because you seem to take them all out from under me. Literally."

Thea chuckled proudly, smirk remaining, "I simply show them a much better time than you, Jack. Women have needs and I am happy to assist."

She turned back to Elizabeth, flashing her blue eyes at her, "Any need."

Elizabeth took in a sharp intake and licked her lips, saying without thinking, "We need your help."

"My help, chéri? Now, them I won't help, but you? You I might heavily consider."

Jack rolled his eyes, animosity in his voice, "We do not need her help. She is no help. Only takes good things away."

Thea's head snapped over to him and her blue eyes flashed from their normal blue, glowing brighter as a hiss-like snarl left her lips.

"Alright, I am sorry," Jack apologized, taking a step back making Will look at him.

He was scared.

Thea looked back to Elizabeth and said, "And what is your proposition, chéri?"

"I need help finding my cousin," Elizabeth met Will's eyes, "She was taken by Captain Barbossa."

"Barbossa? Of the Black Pearl?" Thea questioned, turning to Jack, "Wasn't that your ship?"

Jack pouted and Thea chuckled, asking Elizabeth, "And what seems to be in it for me? Why should I help you, love?"

"I've heard of you," Elizabeth shook her head, "Captain Salvatore. You've stopped slave trade, rescued hundreds from horrid things. You took the ship you are on now from Bluebeard. You killed him in his sleep and allowed everyone free of his wicked ways. You can do anything."

Thea snickered to herself, "Sleeping with his wife was definitely the biggest reward of the encounter. Far better than having to seduce him to get into his chambers to kill him. Well, my chambers, now."

Elizabeth blushed with sudden jealously, pushing it down with a cough as she said, "You can have whatever you want. Jewels, money, any of it that Barbossa has-"

"-Wait-"

Elizabeth cut off Jack with a sneer, "You get the ship. Isn't that enough?"

"Do we really need her help?"

Will gulped, meeting Thea's eyes while his own pleaded, "Please. We need your help."

Thea was quiet for a moment, letting out a long breath as she turned back to Elizabeth and looked her up and down, humming lightly when she finally met her eyes once more.

"Lead the way, Elizabeth."

Meanwhile, Blake was sitting in a small chair in the back of the Captain's cabin, eyes on the white moon that was riding just above the horizon as she spun the citrine ring her father had given to her on her right ring finger. Though Blake knew she should not have been complaining that they hadn't inevitably killed her yet, she was bored.

She had already read the books hidden beneath many maps, paced the floor dozens of times, used her breath to bring condensation to the windows to write, and organized the gold coins into a precarious tower across the table.

Though, the one thing she wished was there, she couldn't find. A feather.

Blake longed to write to Will, say that she was alive, confess that it was her all along. But there was none.

Despite this, her thoughts were constantly on the man trying to find his way to her. She wondered if Elizabeth had found him, what he was doing to formulate a plan, or even if he was doing so.

After all, he didn't know that she was his soulmate. Why would he go through the trouble for a simple friend?

Blake was taken from her thoughts of the man when the men she had come to find the names of, Pintel and Ragetti, walked into the room, holding a maroon dress in hand.

"You'll be dining with the Captain and he requests you wear this."

Blake stood and rose a brow at the gown, "Well, you can tell him despite my boredom, I am disinclined to acquiesce to his request."

Pintel suddenly smiled, saying, "He said you say that! He also said if that be the case, you'll be dining with the crew... and you'll be naked."

Blake snarled and ripped the dress from Pintel's hand, the man's smile fading as she spoke angrily, "You all are pigs. I'm tired of this already."

"Fine," Pintel pouted as Blake rose a brow, gesturing for the men to leave with a finger.

She watched as the door shut and sighed, holding the dress out to examine.

"I guess it could be worse."

Blake quickly dressed, opening the door to Captain Barbossa's quarters with an uninterested raise of her brow. At least she was getting out of the stale, wet room he called an office.

She watched as the crew prepared the table for what seemed to be a feast, Blake shuddering when she felt a hand place itself on her shoulder. Blake turned to the hand and her nose scrunched in disgust at the sight of Barbossa's long, dark nails that looked to be longer than hers.

She could have sworn that there was even blood amongst the dirt that was under the nail's free edge as he tapped his fingers on he collar of her dress.

"Milady, please sit," He smiled, Blake turning to him slowly but nodding when she met his wrinkled blue eyes.

Blake followed him to the table, eyes on the variety of fruits and meats that were plated as though Barbossa was the king. She sat in the chair Pintel pulled out for her, giving him a curt nod as he scooted her in closer to the table.

The woman was met with a plate as another pirate filled her chalice with wine, Blake gulping when he poured the same in Barbossa's. The men began to leave and she grasped onto the napkin by her plate, placing it in her lap before taking her fork in her dominate hand.

Blake's eyes scanned the roasted pig that was on her plate before cutting it, slowly bringing it to her mouth as she concluded an important fact.

It couldn't be poison. They needed her for something, therefore, they couldn't hurt her.

"There's no need to stand on ceremony," Barbossa commented on her pace, "No call to impress anyone. You must be hungry."

Blake only hummed, shoving a bite of food into her mouth and speaking with her mouth full, "It happens then you're held hostage. So boring really. I thought pirates were exciting."

"And where did you find that conclusion?"

The brunette woman reached forward and grabbed a roll from a basket in front of her, "Books. Lore. Like I said before, I've seen this boat before."

Barbossa made a noise of acknowledgement as Blake chewed on her piece of bread, brows raising in satisfaction. She took another before she spoke.

"You know, this bread is so much better than Martha's. God love the woman, but it's either mushy or burnt," She sniffed, wiping her face with her sleeve.

The captain then said, "The cook at your workplace?"

Blake swallowed her food as nodded, lying with no tell, "Yes."

"Maid or not, it fits you," Barbossa commented, eyes on the dress Blake was wearing.

Blake deadpanned, "I don't ask the fate of it's previous owner."

Barabossa didn't comment as Blake continued eating, all pretense gone that her uncle had drilled into her head from such a young age. In an odd way, Barbossa could tell she was far more comfortable here with him than from wherever she was from, maid or not; though he suspected that she wasn't entirely telling the truth.

She just didn't have a tell that he could find yet.

"Try the wine," He pushed the chalice toward her.

Blake took it and respectfully nodded, taking several large gulps before setting it down. She looked to him as he held a green apple in front of her.

"And the apples. One of those next."

Blake narrowed and grasped onto it, eyes flickering between the apple, Barbossa and the small monkey in the corner of the room. She dropped the piece of almost finished bread on her plate, licking her lips.

"I'm only taking this because I know it's not poisoned," She evenly told, "You need me for something."

She took a bite as Barbossa said, "There would be no sense to be killing you."

"You have your trinket. Why not release me? Unless you need me," Blake smirked, leaning on her fist as her elbow hit the table.

Barbossa noted the knife that was in-between her fingers as she pointed it at him, saying "Why don't you just tell me what the pretty gold Aztec medallion does?"

The man pulled the said medallion out of his coat pocket and Blake's eyes brightened a bit, the sight of the gold making her thoughts go to Will.

"You don't know what this is, do you?"

Blake rolled her eyes, "I just said Aztec medallion, didn't I? I have a vague idea, Captain Barbossa."

"It's one of eight hundred and eighty-two identical pieces they delivered in a stone chest to Cortes himself," He explained, Blake listening with an intense stare, "Blood money paid to stem the slaughter he wreaked upon them with his armies. But the greed of Cortes was insatiable."

The woman ate as he continued, "So the heathen gods placed upon the gold... a terrible curse. Any mortal that removes but a single piece from that stone chest shall be punished for eternity."

"So, you obviously stole it," Blake rolled her eyes uninterested, "What did the curse do? Make your dick smaller than it already is?"

"You joke about something with much severity, Miss Turner."

Blake chuckled through her nose, dropping the food to her plate and leaning back in her chair, arms crossed.

"I hardly believe in ghost stories anymore, Captain."

"Aye. That's exactly what I thought when we were first told the tale," He stood with the medallion in hand, "Buried on an Island of the Dead what cannot be found except for those who know where it is."

He leaned over her and Blake hardened at the closeness, glaring daggers into the side of his eyes as he looked in far off thought.

"Find it we did. There be the chest. Inside be the gold," He dragged on, Blake sighing in annoyance as he took his time, "We took 'em all! We spend 'em and traded 'em and frittered 'em away on drink and food and pleasurable company."

He walked back behind her and Blake whispered to herself, eyes blinking in chagrin for the man, "That was the longest sentence of my fucking life."

She turned back to him when he continued, not having heard her, "The more we gave 'em away, the more we came to realize the drink would not satisfy."

"So you found that money does not equal happiness," Blake sarcastically smiled, green eyes bright, "Good for you, Captain. I have to say I am proud."

Barbossa growled at her humor, saying, "Food turned to ash in our mouths and all the pleasurable company in the world could not slake our lust. We are cursed men, Miss Turner."

"You couldn't get it up, could you?" Blake faked a wince, "I'm sorry, Captain, that has to be a horrible embarrassment."

A loud crash was heard as Barbossa slammed his fist onto the table, voice raised as he grew tired of her commentary, "Compelled by greed we were, but now? We are consumed by it!

The monkey across the room began to screech and Barbossa made his way over to him, Blake growing weary of the man. She slipped the knife that was still dangling in her hand into her lap, all while watching the man cradle his pet.

"There is one way we can end our curse," Barbossa whispered, turning around to face Blake as the monkey nibbled on the medallion, "All the scattered pieces of the Aztec gold must be restored and the blood repaid."

Blake's eyes flickered in the candle light, heart clenching in her chest at the insinuation.

"Thanks to ye, we have the final piece."

Blake gulped, trying to remain calm. Will, nor Elizabeth knew where she was.

They couldn't get to her in time.

"Whose blood is to be repaid?" She questioned, voice firm enough for Barbossa to even question if she was frightened.

Barbossa was almost pleasant as he said, "And that's why there's no sense killing you. Yet."

He then produced another apple from the table, putting his hand out to give it to her, "Apple."

Blake's eyes held every ounce of malice she could muster, darker then the sails on the Black Pearl. She harshly ripped the apple from his hand as she stood, throwing it behind him and making the fruit smash against the wall.

She growled at him lightly, the pair only being divided by the table.

"Fuck you."

Blake lunged at the pirate and brought the knife she had hidden in her dress, having held onto it when she stood. Barbossa gaped as she used all her force, the sharp steak knife lodging itself where his heart would be.

He stumbled back as Blake gaped, adrenaline from stabbing the man still running through her veins when he pulled it out, painlessly and unfazed. Captain Barbossa looked toward her, a dirty smirk on his face as blood dripped down the hilt.

"After killing me, what is it you're planning on doing next?" He questioned, making the woman take a step back and fall through the doors to the Captain's quarters.

She whirled around, coming to a dead stop as she stared at the crew working at their designated stations. Wherever there was the moon light, along the coiling lines and swabbing decks, the men seemed to be naught but skeletons and loose hair and clothing.

Blake stood silently as all the men turned to her, slapping her hands on her upper thighs through her dress.

"I should have had let them fucking take Elizabeth. I don't have the energy for this shit."

Blake turned as Barbossa stood just inside the doorway, out of the moonlight. The pirate grabbed her roughly by the shoulders and jerked her back around.

"Look!" Barbossa demanded, shaking her harshly with one hand, "Look! The moonlight shows us for what we really are. Don't dare to mock the curse when you have your eyes on the punishment. We are not among the living and so we cannot die."

Barbossa spun her around to face him once more, leaning forward and putting his face in direct light. Blake grimaced as the moonlight illuminated his body, the man turning into a skeleton with gold and silver teeth.

"But neither are we dead! For too long I've been parched of thirst and unable to quench it. Too long I've been starivn' to death and haven't died. I feel nothin'," The Captain almost cried, "Not the wind on my face, nor the spray of the sea, nor the warmth of a woman's flesh."

He reached out to Blake's cheek, the woman groaning in disgust as the hard bone scraped her skin.

"You best start believing in ghost stories, Miss Turner. You're in one."

He plucked the cork of the wine bottle he had grabbed beforehand, taking multiple swigs and allowing it to moisten his bones as it splashed across his ribcage. Blake complained in disgust before pushing him away, walking into his quarters and back to the small office she had been held captive in.

She rested against the door as she shut it, running a hand through her hair.

"What the hell did I get myself into?"

♚