Pirates of the Caribbean: Shadows of Destiny

5. 'Tortuga.'

As they return to the ship, Elizabeth can't resist the curiosity that pulls her into Jack's cabin, without his knowledge of her whereabouts.

Her eyes explore the surroundings, scanning the diverse collection of ornaments and quirks that decorate the space. In her search for something interesting, she stumbles upon a weathered notebook. Flipping briefly through its pages, she discovers Jack's detailed records on different findings and treasures he wants to discover.

Elizabeth carefully steps out of the cabin, she manages to go unnoticed. She goes to stand at the ship's side, where she can catch glimpses of the sea's waves.

As fresh sea breeze blows through her hair, she reads though Jack's notebook. Suddenly, Jack, with a sneaky grin, walks over and comments, "Fancy finding me notebook, love? How'd ye manage that?"

Elizabeth, caught exploring Jack's cabin, blushes slightly and stutters, "Oh, this old thing?" she says with a small grin, holding up the notebook. "Let's just say, I, uh, I stumbled upon it." Jack chuckles in response, lowkey enjoying her embarrassment.

"Good thing there's nothing really vulnerable in there," Jack says as he goes to take the notebook out of her hands.

As their eyes lock, Jack notices Elizabeth's gaze shift from his eyes down to his lips. With a playful smirk, he taunts, "What cha lookin' at my lips for? A kiss, perhaps?" He smoothly regains the notebook from her hands just in time, but before either of them can react, Barbossa suddenly appears out of nowhere.

"Yes," Barbossa proclaims, catching them off guard. They both shoot him a baffled look, inciting Barbossa to correct himself quickly, "I said that in her part. Don't look at me like that."

Elizabeth quickly disagrees, shaking her head and giving a disapproving look, "Absolutely not," after saying this, she runs off.

Elizabeth stands at the deck, lost in her thoughts. Gibbs approaches her, and leans against the railing.

"You know, they're just jokin' with ya, Miss Swann. Pirates have their own unique, strange ways of doin' such things," he tells her.

Elizabeth, looks at Gibbs, "I know, it's just... I wish someone on this ship understood me."

Gibbs chuckles, "I understand ya, Miss," Gibbs says with a knowing nod.

Elizabeth chuckles at Gibbs' words. Gibbs, giving a small smile, adds, "Tortuga's on the horizon, M'lady."

And with that, The Black Pearl and its crew sail into Tortuga's port.

The crew steps onto the lively, crowded streets of the well-known pirate haven.

Elizabeth notices everyone going towards a dimly lit tavern with a sign swinging above it that reads "The Faithful Bride".

But Elizabeth had other plans, she wanted to find herself a friend, someone just like her, a woman.

After a significant time exploring the buzy streets of Tortuga, Elizabeth finds herself interrupted by a female pirate. The pirate smirks, eyeing Elizabeth with a curious gaze, and comments, "Ye seem to be on a quest, In search of somethin', are ye?" The words delivered with a hint of mischief and a knowing tone.

Elizabeth's eyes light up with a spark of excitement. A genuine smile plays on her lips as she meets the unknown pirate's gaze. Elizabeth responds with enthusiasm, "You seem like someone who knows the seas well. Care to join my crew?"

"Well, that's a very bold proposal. Why should I trust ye, I got no clue who you are," the pirate replies. 

Correcting her posture Elizabeth replies, "I'm Elizabeth Swann," as she says her name the pirate looks at her in realization. "Oh, of course, why didn't I recognize ye, I'm Selene," she says, "Your name's been poppin' up a lot around here, pirates claiming they've seen your dead husband's ghost in the waters," Selene adds.

Elizabeth raises her eyebrows in disbelief just as a manly figure appears from behind Selene. "Is this one of your new friends, Sel?" he questions.

Elizabeth, upon seeing the manly figure that arised, feels a subtle flutter in her chest.

"Oh, no, ye-, perhaps? She invited me to join her crew," Selene utters.

"Her crew?" He points his swords towards Elizabeth's chest, "Who's in yer crew?" His voice filled with distrust.

Elizabeth's eyes widen as she feels the sword on her chest, she begins to stutter, looking in to his light brown shiny eyes, "I-, I'm with Sparrow, on the Pearl."

He slowly lowers his sword and glances at Selene, his sister. "Very unnecessary, but okay," she comments, rolling her eyes.

"Sparrow, ye say," Selene repeats. Elizabeth shows a small nod. Selene thinks for a moment, "Well, I guess Sparrow needs some crew improvement," she jokes, "I'm in," she adds as she looks over at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's eyes light up with genuine happiness upon Selene's decision to join the crew. As the two start heading towards the Black Pearl, Selene's brother steps in, a protective tone in his voice, "Wait, ye're not going alone, Sel." Selene and Elizabeth turn around, "I'm going with ye," he begins, eyeing Elizabeth and then back to Selene, "Ya never know what they're up to," he adds.

As they reach the boarding plank, Gibbs spots Elizabeth and greets her, "Oh, there ye are, miss." His eyes then shift to the two strangers accompanying her, "And.., ye've brought two chaps with ya." Selene and her brother step forward, introducing themselves as Selene and Killian.

"They're not coming with us, are they," Jack announces with a hint of curiosity. Selene raises one of her eyebrows as she says, "Well, your crew could use some enhancement though, so why not?" She ends her sentence with a smirk as they walk onto the ship.