“Captain…”

Jack stiffly turned around from his steering wheel and gave a look of pure distaste to Gibbs.

“What?”

Gibbs smiled awkwardly, “I know you would really appreciate it if I didn’t bother you with incompetent-”

“Then don’t.” Jack turned back around dismissively. A moment later he felt the tapping of Gibbs’ finger on his shoulder and sighed.

“As much as I’d love to do exactly that, Captain, I’m afraid I can not comply.”

“Why not!?”

“Well…the crew is running short of supplies, short enough that they won’t make it all the way to Port Royal unless-”

“Gibbs we just purchased a new stock of supplies in Tortuga two days ago.”

Gibbs scratched the back of his head, “Yes well…it seems one of our clumsy crewmembers had a bit of an accident now every piece of stock that we had is floating away in the sea behind us…”

Jack let out a groan and rolled his eyes. “Have him walk the plank…Now, where’s the closest port?”

Gibbs thought for a moment before replying, “Ah yes…the small town of Coroida is only a mile or two away…should have very nice supplies.”

“Coroida eh? Is it new?”

“I think it’s only been established in the last few years…It’s still pretty small, but it’s a work in progress nevertheless.”

“Well then,” Jack smiled and turned back around, “to Coroida.”

Gibbs nodded and walked off to find Marty, whom was in charge of overlooking management of the crew, kind of like a first mate’s first mate.

“Marty, have the bloke who dumped our supplies walk the plank.”

Marty looked back in question as Gibbs continued walking. Gibbs, knowing that the midget was unsure of this command turned his head and simply stated, “Captain’s orders.”

//-//-//-//

Jack stepped off of the Pearl with Gibbs and onto the dock of Coroida a little over thirty minutes later. Jack had told the crew to stay aboard the Pearl, that this wasn’t an average port stop where everyone got to have fun and spend the night. He and Gibbs would quickly get some supplies, reboard the Pearl, and be on their way to Port Royal in a flash.

Gibbs was sent off to all the road shops to find everything the crew needed replenishing of and Jack simply meandered about the streets, subconsciously walking past everything. His thoughts were worrisome, and he desperately wished he could be rid of them, but try as he might, the echoing words of You’ll never find her…never quit reverberating in his skull. Interrupting his bleak thoughts came the brush of another’s arm against his shoulder. He heard an, “Excuse me,” and slowly turned to nod his head, but stopped suddenly.

“Norrington?”

James looked back, “Yes, Captain Sparrow…well…it’s been a while.”

“What are you doing here mate? Shouldn’t you be redeeming yourself back in Port Royal?” Jack asked, immediately suspicious of his former opponent.

James nodded with a smirk of a smile, “Yes well, I seemed to have digressed from that part of my life. I’ve taken to the seas…”

“I always knew the ocean would get to you one day.” Jack smiled knowingly.

“On the contrary, Jack, I don’t plunder and pillage…I’m more of an explorer. If I do happen to find treasure every now and then, I keep it, for supplies and repairs…but I’m starting an independent sailing race.”

“Ah…well then watch out…pirates are always out to get you.”

James nodded solemnly. “What about you Captain Sparrow, what is your purpose for being here?”

Jack hesitated for a moment, trying to find the correct wording, and continued, “My crew is running short of supplies. And…I am searching for something, rather someone.”

James smiled knowingly. He knew exactly what Jack was talking about, but he certainly was not going to assist him in his search.

“Best of luck in your search then Captain. You may find that you’re looking for someone closer than you think.” With that James tipped his head and walked on.”

Jack watched him walk off with scrutiny. He had the worst feeling that Norrington was indeed hiding something from him…the look and fluency of his words told him that. Suddenly Gibbs walked up and said, “Everything has been taken care of!”

Jack nodded, “Gibbs…we’re not heading to Port Royal anymore…follow Norrington.”

“Norrington? What’s ‘e doing here?”

“That doesn’t matter…but I just talked to him and he’s hiding something…something of value to me.”

“Right…” Gibbs looked ahead and saw James’ figure in the crowd, “I’ll follow him to the docks and we’ll set off.”

Jack nodded and headed back to the Pearl.

//-//-//-//

“I met an old acquaintance in Coroida, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth looked up from where she had been looking at the sea. “That’s nice…are we ready to set sail now?”

James laid a hand on her shoulder. “You’re very eager to leave, aren’t you? But Ms. Swann…I do think you’d be interested to know who it was.”

“Alright then Captain…who did you meet?” Elizabeth said, thinking this game unworthy.

James smiled. “Captain Jack Sparrow. He claimed to be replenishing supplies for his crew…but it would seem…”

Elizabeth furrowed her brows in frustration. How was it possible that he was already so close to finding her? “You didn’t tell him I was aboard you ship…did you?”

“No…I thought you would like me not to.”

“Well you were right.”

“Don’t worry…something tells me he was headed to Port Royal.”

Elizabeth nodded quietly. The last thing she wanted was for Jack Sparrow to find her. The whole purpose of her joining James’ crew was to get away from him…and now he was within 100 yd’s of her? Her plan was working so well…

A/C: Apologies again for another short chappie…but hey…that’s all I got!