Chapter Six: Propositions

This chapter is also posted on the mature book Hidden Seductions if you want the mature version, go on over there.

Samantha wandered into a familiar pub with Jack and Will in tow, keeping her eyes peeled for Joshamee Gibbs. She had met the man a few years ago during one of her off the books visits to Tortuga. He was a jolly old man who made Samantha laugh happily more than a few times. She was rather shocked when Jack gave her his name as the man they were looking for but happy all the same.

"Will, go ask the bartender if he's seen Gibbs tonight." Samantha ordered, walking over to an old friend with a smile.

"Hello." She greeted as she took a seat across from an aging old man. "'Ello." He greeted, passing her his tanker of beer. "What brings you to Tortuga again with Jack Sparrow? Last I heard you were laying low." He asked Samantha as she took a drink of his beer."Port Royal's been attacked, I figured, he is long gone from the area, I should be safe enough for the night." Samantha reasoned, passing the tanker back. "Ah, but what of the crew Jack Sparrow is sure to be gathering?" The man asked curiously. "The only people in the world who know who I am are the Pirate Lords, Davy Jones, my mother, and Mr. Edward Teach. Hence, only Jack would know. Even he isn't so stupid as to outs me." Samantha explained. "Let us hope." The man warily said, before getting up and leaving in the shadows.

Samantha finished off the tanker, staring at where the man of her past sat not but a moment before. "Let us hope." She whispered before making her way back to Jack.

"Jack! Samantha! He's in the back." Will exclaimed, moving toward the back door.

"Shall we Madam." "Shut it Sparrow."

The trio stood around the passed out form of Mr. Joshamee Gibbs, Who was peacefully sleeping on a pig surround by mud and filth. Jack and Samantha nodded, moving to fill a bucket from the well in the center of the small courtyard.

Jack threw it's contents onto Gibbs, Will standing around with a bucket he had filled awkwardly.

"Curse you for breathing, you slack-jawed idiot!" Gibbs shouted as he was rudely awoken. "Mother’s love! Jack ! You should know better than to wake a man when he’s sleeping. ‘S bad luck." He amended as he caught sight of his old friend.

Samantha laughed joyfully, happy to hear Gibbs superstitious ramblings again.

"Ah, fortunately I know how to counter it. The man who did the waking buys, the man who was sleeping, a drink. The man who was sleeping drinks it while listening to a proposition from the man who did the waking." Jack explained, losing Will in the round about explaination but making perfect sense to the other two pirates.

"Aye, that'll about do it." Gibbs stated with a nod. "Samantha? Samantha Vida! I'll be it's good to see you again miss." Gibbs exclaimed happily as he stood up. "And you Mister Gibbs." She stated with a chuckle.

A splash of water sounded again, leaving a blithering Gibbs and two shocked pirates.

"Blast! I’m already awake!" The man shouted. "That was for the smell." Will defeneded.

Samantha looked between Jack and Gibbs, all three shrugging in agreement.

"Why don't we make our way inside for that drink, aye Jack?" Samantha offered. "Aye." Jack and Gibbs agreed.

The now quartet made their way towards a secluded area in the pup. Samantha warily eyed Will, trying to find a reason to get rid of him for a moment, she noticed a few shady characters hanging about, the air around them thick with greed.

"Hey, keep watch here will you, not everyone here is as honorable as people are in Port Royal." Samantha smoothly covered before following Gibbs to a table.

Jack joined them after a moment, bringing with him three tankers of beer. Gibbs took a large gulp of his along with Samantha.

"Now, what’s the nature of this venture of yours?" Gibbs cautiously questioned as he looked at his old friend."I’m going after the Black Pearl." Jack annouced in a hushed voice.

Gibbs sputtered at that, his eyes going wide with shock. "I know where it’s going to be, and I’m going to take it." Jack finished with a smirk.

"Jack, it’s a fool’s errand." Gibbs attempted to sway. "Samantha, tell him." The old sailor urged Samantha.

"Gibbs, hear Jack out, this plan isn't too horrible." Samantha defeneded Jack slightly, looking between the two.

"Why, you know better than me the tales of the Black Pearl." Gibbs added as he looked at Jack worriedly. "That’s why I know what Barbossa is up to. All I need is a crew." Jack admitted. "From what I hear tell of Captain Barbossa, he's not a man to suffer fools. Nor strike a bargin with one." Gibbs stated pointedly. "Well, then I’d say it’s a very good thing I’m not a fool then, eh?" Jack stated with a grin.

Samantha snorted and took another gulp of beer while Gibbs gave Jack a look.

Gibbs narrowed his eyes. "Prove me wrong. What makes ye think Barbossa will give up his ship to you?" "Let’s just say it’s a matter of leverage, eh?" Jack suggested with a grin and a nod towards Will. "The kid?" Gibbs asked the pair. "That is the child of Bootstrap Bill Turner." Jack explained slowly. "His only child." Samantha finished with a sly smirk.

With a wide grin on his face, Gibbs looked between the two and drank down another gulp. "Is he, now? "Leverage," says you. “I think I feel a change in the wind,” says I." Gibbs nodded with a chuckle. "I’ll find us a crew. There’s bound to be some sailors on this rock crazy as you two." He stated with a nod.

"One can only hope. Take what you can," Jack started with a grin and a toast. "Give nothing back," Gibbs finished, the three clinked their tankers together and finished off their drinks.

Gibbs disappeared to look for some more sailors while Jack, Will, and Samantha started for the Interceptor.

"So, did he agree?" Will asked. "Aye." Jack stated with a grin. "Thats good." Will said.

The air was silent between the three, it hung like a blanket of awkwardness that made Will shift uncomfortably. "Well, I think I'll turn in." Will finally announced, leaving towards one of the officer's quarters.

Samantha looked at Jack, her eyes tired, showing the weight of unknown trials upon her shoulders. "How do you intend to find an island that cannot be found except by those who already know where it is?"

Jack smiled as he crept towards her, pulling out his trusted compass. "With this."

Samantha's eyes widened slightly, however, she hid it with an amused smirk as she backed up, away from Jack's advance slightly. "The compass of Jack Sparrow that doesn't bear true?"

Jack grinned as she ran out of space, the small of her back pressed against the railing of the Interceptor. "Ah, but we aren't trying to find north. What I want most at this moment, is to find the Isle de Muerta, so that is where it will lead me." Jack explained as he closed the space between himself and Samantha.

"It points to what you want most." She confirmed with a grin. "Aye, I wonder, where would it point for you?" Jack asked as he leaned in to Samantha, his lips finding her neck. "Um... it would.... point..." she gasped as he suckled her neck. "Shall we find out?" He offered as he flipped the compass opened and handed it to her. He read where it pointed with curious eyes.

"What's over there?" Jack asked curiously. "The captains quarters." Samantha teased. "Ah. Just like old times eh?" Jack teased as he lifted her up onto his waist."Aye." She whispered before latching onto his lips, ones that she was so familiar with years before.