On the deck of the HMS Interceptor.
"You useless pirate scum!" Will shouted, struggling violently against the ropes. "Untie me and face me properly! How dare you deceive Miss Swann—!"
He kept going, breathless and furious, hurling every insult he could think of.
Daniel slowly turned his head toward Jack.
Jack blinked once, then looked back at Daniel.
They both wore the same expression—genuine confusion.
Without a word, they turned together to look at Elizabeth.
She stood at the side of the ship, one hand resting on the railing, hair caught by the sea breeze. Her eyes were fixed on the open water ahead, the sunlight dancing across the waves. She seems to be enjoying the view.
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
Jack tilted his head slightly, as if reassessing something important.
Behind them, Will was still shouting. "Miss Swann, don't listen to them! They're criminals! Pirates!"
Elizabeth didn't even turn around.
Jack glanced back at Will, then leaned slightly toward Daniel. "You know," he said quietly, "I'm starting to think he's got a very dramatic idea of himself."
Daniel nodded. "Hero complex," he said. "Common problem."
From the way Will glared at him, it was obvious he still believed Elizabeth had been taken against her will—and that it was his duty to play the brave rescuer. In his mind, this was a tale where he was the hero, fighting pirates and villains to save the helpless lady.
The problem was that reality didn't agree with him.
Anyone with a functioning brain could see she was enjoying the ride.
Will strained against the ropes. "She doesn't know what you are! She needs protecting!"
Elizabeth finally sighed and looked over her shoulder, irritation clear on her face.
"Will," she said, "could you please stop shouting?"
Will froze mid-protest. "…Miss?"
She turned more fully toward him, her voice steady. "No one forced me to come. I made the decision myself."
Will stared at her, words failing him.
Elizabeth looked away again, toward the open sea. Only now did it occur to her how exhausting his constant outrage felt. Had he always been like this? Or had she simply never noticed before?
Jack grinned openly now. "Ah," he said, tapping Will lightly with his boot, "see? The lady's enjoying the voyage."
"Now be a good lad," Jack said lightly as he stepped up to the helm, casting a sideways glance at Will, "or I'll feed you to the sharks."
Will opened his mouth to shout again.
Daniel didn't bother listening. He calmly pushed the rag back into Will's mouth and tied it a little tighter.
"That's enough," Daniel said. "You've had plenty of opportunities to make noise."
Will glared.
Jack ignored him and focused on the horizon, hands steady on the wheel. The ship cut cleanly through the water now, sails catching the wind just right.
Daniel stepped up beside him. "So," he asked, "where are we headed?"
Jack's grin returned, easy and familiar. "Tortuga."
Elizabeth looked over. "Tortuga?"
Jack nodded. "A ship like this doesn't sail itself, love. And she certainly doesn't sail without a crew."
Daniel glanced around the mostly empty deck, then back at Jack. "Makes sense."
Jack patted the wheel fondly. "Best place to find sailors who don't ask questions and don't mind the law looking the other way."
By nightfall, they reached Tortuga.
The ship eased into the dock, lanterns swaying as the smell of rum, smoke, and salt filled the air.
Weatherbeaten buildings crowded close together, their walls stained with salt and age. Livestock wandered freely through the streets—a donkey brayed somewhere nearby, chickens scattered between drunken sailors' boots.
Pirates, privateers, thieves, and drunkards filled the port in equal measure. Laughter, shouting, and the clink of bottles blended into a constant, unruly noise.
They stepped off the ship onto the creaking planks of the dock.
Jack adjusted his coat and glanced around with familiarity. "Home sweet home."
He leaned slightly toward Daniel and nodded at Elizabeth.
"Mate, you might want to stay close to the lady," he said quietly. "This place has a habit of attracting scum with poor manners and worse intentions."
Daniel glanced around once, taking in the drunken sailors, the shouting voices, and the cluster of shady-looking men watching Elizabeth. In a place like this, her fine clothes and natural beauty made her stand out—enough to draw eyes that lingered longer than they should have.
"Her safety is my concern," he said flatly. "If anyone even tries… I'll make him a eunuch and throw him into the ocean."
Jack stopped walking.
He turned slowly to look at Daniel, eyebrows lifting just a fraction. "…That's cruel, mate."
Daniel looked back at him. "Effective."
Jack cleared his throat and adjusted his hat. "Right. Well. Let's all agree to avoid that outcome if possible."
Jack turned, catching sight of two women who noticeably slowed as they made their way toward him.
One—red-haired, sharp-eyed—stopped entirely. She looked Jack up and down, recognition flashing across her face.
The second woman followed her gaze, curiosity turning into understanding.
Jack froze.
The redhead stepped closer.
Smack.
The slap echoed loudly across the dock.
Jack staggered half a step, blinking in surprise as the woman turned away without a word and walked off, clearly satisfied.
Her companion snorted and followed her, shaking her head.
Jack rubbed his jaw, wincing slightly. "Right," he muttered. "Still tender."
Daniel glanced after the woman, then back at him, barely hiding his amusement. "You seem… popular."
Jack straightened his coat with dignity that absolutely did not match the situation.
"What can I say?" he replied. "I leave a lasting impression."
Daniel snorted. "That's one way to put it."
*****
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