Found

Chapter Two

*Isabella's POV*

I woke up to Bo'sun lightly shoving me. I let my eyes flutter open and I was confused for a few seconds where I was, when I realized I was not on my old ship a wave of relief flooded through me.

"The Captain wants to see you now." He said simply.

I looked over at Kathryn, who was still sleeping.

"Leave her." Bo'sun said and I nodded silently.

"Where is he?" I asked getting off of the hammock I was sleeping in.

"In his quarters, I will take you there." He said. We both left for Captain Barbossa's quarters. We were below deck and he led me up some stairs and down a hallway, in between below deck and upper deck.

When I got to Barbossa's door Bo'sun nodded his head in a farewell, turned and left, and I knocked on the captain's door. "Come in." I heard from the other side of the door. I opened it and stepped inside a room lit with several lamps and candles. The table was set for one and had a plate of food on it. Barbossa was sitting at the head.

"Come in, Miss Isabella, Don't let your dinner get cold." He said in his deep growl. I had to admit his voice was very sexy, all of him was. I had never been attracted to anyone, and here I was with an attraction for this Captain.

"You can call me Bella." I said as I took the seat by the food. Kathryn called me Bella whenever we talked, and I liked it.

"Whatever you say, Bella" He said purring my name. I suppressed a shiver. "Please, eat."

I started eating my food. I used a knife and fork for the first time in many years and found myself a little clumsy. I giggled as a piece of meat fell off the fork. "Oops." I said and gave the captain a sheepish grin. He just laughed softly, my face fell a little as I made a few observations.

"So, Captain, Why aren’t I eating with the crew? And why aren’t you eating right now?" I asked, my curiosity getting the best of me.

His face was held in a stern tone, I knew I had hit a sore spot for some reason. "Bella, tell me, how much have you heard about the 'Black Pearl'?"

I looked at him oddly "All that I've heard in passing is that it's a cursed ship, with a captain so evil, hell itself spat him back out. But that was just talk between two sailors that I heard, I don't know how accurate that could be. Why do you ask?" I replied taking another drink of the wine.

"Because the ship you are on right now just happens to be the 'Black Pearl' he said.

I spat out the wine I was drinking in surprise. "Not possible, you're not THAT evil... I think." I said giving him a wary eye.

He laughed out loud at that, which made me crack a grin. "I've done some evil things in the past, Bella, make no mistake about that. However the stories do tend to exaggerate." He said.

"What about the curse?" I asked.

His eyes turned dark. He reached into his pocket and pulled out six familiar gold medallions. "Do you know what these are?" He asked.

I shook my head "I know that Captain Berry collected them. I don't know what they are though." I said.

"These are Aztec gold pieces, 6 out of 882 identical gold pieces, delivered in a stone chest to Cortes himself. Blood money paid to stem the slaughter that he wreaked on them with his armies. But the greed of Cortes was insatiable, so the heathen gods placed a horrible curse on the gold. Any mortal who takes but a single piece from the chest will be punished for eternity."

I knew my eyes must have been as big as saucers. "You don't mean that you-?" I started.

"Yes, Miss Bella, my crew and I found the chest on the dreaded Isle De Muerta, thinking the tales of the curse were just stories spun to divert thieves. We found the gold, and we took every last piece of it. We spent it on food and drink and all the pleasurable company we could buy. But the more that we spent the more we realized that the drink did not sate our thirsts, the food turned to ash in our mouths and all the pleasurable company in the world could not slake our lust. For ten years we've been starving to death, dying of thirst and unable to die. We feel nothing. We are cursed men, Miss Bella." His eyes were dark as he said this, full of pain, hate, and regret. "There is only one way to reverse the curse, we have to return every last gold piece to the chest and every person who took a piece of gold out of the chest has to put a blood sacrifice in the chest. With these 6 pieces, we have 881 pieces of the gold recovered."

"Oh." I said. Not quite sure what to say. I felt a deep sympathy to these men who saved me from a terrible fate, when they themselves had a horrible burden to bear. "Do you have any idea where the last medallion is?" I asked, wanting to help them.

"Unfortunately no, whenever the gold hits open water a beacon is sent to anyone cursed by it, giving us a heading to find the gold. We have been consumed by the need of finding the pieces." He replied.

"I know I just arrived here, but I promise you, that I will help you end this curse in whatever way I can! And I know when Kathryn is healthy she'll feel the same." I said looking him in the eyes.

"Aye, I thought ye would. And I thank ye for that. But until we find the last piece, and the child of Bootstrap Bill Turner, we will not be free." When he saw my confused glance he continued. "In my anger, I sent Bootstrap, one of my cursed crew, to the depths strap ped to a cannon, but luckily he has a son or daughter somewhere, so after we take these pieces to the Isle De Muerta we'll begin our search for this Turner." He finished with a grim smile.

"So after we get Turner and the last piece, you'll be curse free?" I asked.

"No, after we get Turner and the last piece, take them both to Isle De Muerta, put the gold in the chest and let Turner bleed on it a bit, then we'll be free of the curse!" He said.

"Oh." Was all I could say, what could I say? I was heartbroken for this man and his crew. "Why did you save us?" I asked suddenly, wanting to know why he let me on his crew.

"Ye asked me to, didn't ye?" He answered with a question.

"Yes, I did, but, like you said, we're skinny and weak, and you even let me win that sword match." I replied.

He moved his face closer to mine "Maybe I took a fancy to ye." He said in a low rumble.

I felt shivers run down my spine; I was attracted to him, but nevertheless "I will NOT be a whore again, Captain." I said giving him a firm glare.

He laughed then said. "Aye, I didn't think so, I am a man of me word, you are both crew members just like everyone else. I'll just have to romance you, and I intend to do it." He said with a wink.

"Oh." I replied. I didn't know how to react to that, I had never been 'romanced' just kind of thrown around and told to hold still.

Just then a monkey in a little pair of trousers and a tunic came bounding in and jumped on the table. He stopped when he saw me and looked at me strangely. I smiled. "Hello, little guy!" I cooed. The monkey cocked his head to the side like he was confused by me.

Barbossa laughed again "His name is Jack, after our old captain." He said.

"Hello, Jack, so nice to meet you!" I said and put my finger up to Jack. He smelled it for a few seconds then looked up at me; I took this as permission to pet him so I scratched behind his ear. Jack looked up at me with his big brown eyes. I liked this monkey. "He's so cute!" I said to the Captain.

"He is NOT cute! He's fearsome, and Piratey!" Barbossa said in mock offence.

"My mistake" I replied with a chuckle. "By the way his outfit is very tasteful, did you pick that out?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Why yes, I did, you like it?" He asked. I laughed out loud and Barbossa looked at me for a moment then said "You're making fun of me!" In fake outrage.

"No, not at all Captain!" I said with a fake surprised face.

We both laughed at that.

After we finished laughing Barbossa smiled and said "So Mr. Ragetti requested you get a day or two before you work, to get settled and maybe regain some strength, and the crew all approved it. I think you scare them, it's been awhile since any of us has seen let alone talked amicably to a woman." I laughed. "Also, I have some things for you, I'm sure you want to get out of that dress." He said as he walked over to the other side of the room. Jack (Who I was still petting lazily) ran and followed him. When the Captain came back he had trousers, a shirt and some boots, also a sword, a pistol and a belt.

"Thank you!" I said as I took the clothes from him.

"Ye be welcome, Bella, you can change now if ye like. I also have some things for Kathryn when she's back to health.

His eyebrows rose slightly when I took off the dress right there and put on the clothes he gave me.

"Not modest at all, are ye?" He asked.

"No, years of being a whore can do that to you, and I figured, if you're going to 'romance' me, I might as well give you a preview so you know what you're getting into." I replied with a flirty shake of my hips as I finished getting my clothes on, after pulling up the pants and shrugging the shirt over my head I put on the belt and placed the sword and pistol in it. Then I stepped into the boots he provided.

"Ye still look like a skeleton." He said truthfully.

I laughed. "Well then, I better start eating then." And I walked back over to my plate and started to eat again. "'Oo kno wa?" I asked with a full mouth.

Barbossa looked amused. "What?"

I swallowed. "I think I'm going to like it here." I said confidently.

"I certainly hope so." He said as I took the last bite of my meal.

I sighed contentedly. "I don't think I've been this happy in my entire life."

Barbossa laughed "You must have not had a very good life then."

"Heavens no!" I replied propping my feet up on the table and then grabbing my goblet of wine I took another sip. "I was born to a whore in Tortuga, Kidnapped at 12, then sold as a whore. So yeah, this is probably the first time in my life I've done things on my terms." I took another deep drink of the wine then I yawned, I was warm and full.

"You should go to bed now, you must be tired." The Captain said after seeing my yawn.

"I'm not tired! I'm just full." I replied truthfully.

"Still, ye should get some sleep. You won't be working tomorrow, but I expect ye will want to be observant." The Captain said. "And fill up your plate for Kathryn and take it to her in the bunks."

"Oh alright." I replied getting up, taking the plate and then crossing over to the door. "Goodnight Captain!" I said as I opened it.

"Goodnight Bella." He replied it his deep voice.

As I walked back to my hammock I didn't pass anyone or anything. I just hummed to myself happily. Right before I opened the door to the bunks it hit me; for the first time in my entire life I was free. A huge smile spread over my face and I realized that'd I'd do ANYTHING to help out these men who saved me.

When I walked into the bunks I smiled wider. The entire crew was gathered around the table watching three men playing a game. The sense of friendship and camaraderie was amazing. I stepped inside and my boots made a small sound. The entire crew looked over at me.

"Erm, Hello!" I said smiling at all of them. "I was just gonna go to bed now." I said stepping toward my bunk. "Please continue."

Kathryn was awake, but still lying down. She smiled at me and I passed her the plate.

"Thank you." She whispered. "What did you both talk about?" Kathryn asked.

"Oh so very much!" I replied.

"Isabella, Kathryn, Why don't you come over and watch?" A man with a wooden eye asked.

"Well, We wouldn't want to intrude..." I said quietly answering for the both of us.

"Nonsense, we'd love for you to join us, my name is Ragetti!" He replied to me.

I smiled. "Wonderful to meet you, my name is Isabella; you can all call me Bella if you want." I replied.

"Kathryn, but you can call me Katy." Kathryn, I mean Katy, said loudly, Surprising me. She got up and took her plate with her over to the table.

Pretty soon we met a lot of the men on the ship. Twigg, Bo'sun (Whom we had met earlier), Clubba, Koehler, Dog Ear, Grapple (Who kissed my hand, that got a few dirty looks from the rest of the crew), Pintel (Ragetti's best friend), Jacoby, Mallot, Scratch and a lot of other names and faces. I was feeling rather welcomed into the group. And Judging by Katy's smile she liked it here too.

After meeting them all I watched as they played some sort of poker, a pretty interesting game, and everyone was wagering duties on the ship the next day. As we watched Kathryn finished her meal and seemed to love every morsel. We watched for what must have been an hour at least before I felt my eyelids droop. I yawned loudly and got a few strange looks.

"Well, I'm going to turn in. Goodnight everyone!" I said as I walked over to my hammock and jumped in.

"I think I'm going to go to sleep as well!" Kathryn or Katy rather, said and walked to her hammock, right next to mine.

"Night Bella! Night Katy!" was chorused through the cabin.

"Goodnight!" We replied in unison. The boys continued their game then Katy turned to me. "Now, what did the captain say?" She asked with curious eyes.

I told her everything, about the treasure, the curse and the monkey, I left out the romancing part though, that was a little embarrassing.

But still, Katy can read people well I discovered.

"You fancy the captain!" She said softly with wide eyes.

"What? How'd you know?" I asked caught a little off guard.

"You blush every time you say 'Captain Barbossa'!" she replied with mirth in her eyes.

"Oh." I said. "Do I really?" I asked.

"Yes!" She replied and then covered her mouth and let out a few hoarse coughs. "I should go to sleep now, Goodnight Bella." She said softly.

"Goodnight, Katy" I said and we both fell asleep.

The next morning I woke up and looked around the cabin, I was alone except for Katy, but I decided to let her sleep. I got up and went out to the hallway and up to the deck. The crew was all running about doing different odd jobs. I walked out a little more and started watching what the men were doing. As I strolled lazily on the deck I said hi to the crew I recognized. Ragetti and Pintel were swabbing the lower decks so I walked over.

"Need any help you two?" I asked.

"No miss Bella, We're doin' just fine thanks!" Pintel replied.

"You're supposed to be resting anyway!" Ragetti said firmly.

I laughed in response. "Well, what do you think I was doing all night?" I asked.

"...Sleeping?" Pintel supplied.

I laughed again "Yes, which is another word for resting!"

"But still, you've been half starved, go to the galley and eat something right now!" Ragetti said.

I smiled. "Thank you for your concern, I will go eat after I talk to the captain. Oh, and by the way, thank you Ragetti, I hear you were the one who proposed I rest for a few days."

"It's no problem at all, miss." He said, blushing.

"Please, call me Bella!" I replied.

"Alright Bella." Ragetti said smiling.

"I'm going to speak with the Captain; I'll talk to you both later." I said.

"Alright, Bella!" Both Pintel and Ragetti replied as I walked over to the wheel where the Captain was steering the ship with Jack on his shoulders.

"Morning, Captain." I said when I stepped on the platform I was talking to his back but I didn't mind, he was doing his job.

"Good morning, Bella, I see the crew likes you." He replied in his deep voice.

My lips curled in yet again another smile. "What makes you say that captain?" I asked.

"The fact that you haven't been thrown overboard in your sleep speaks volumes." He replied turning the wheel a small amount.

I laughed out loud at this "Well then, I can say the feeling is mutual. You have some fine men on this ship, including the captain" I said to him. So maybe I was flirting... can ye blame me?

"Why thank ye!"

"Captain, where are we heading?" I asked looking out toward the horizon.

"Isle De Muerta, we have to deliver these pieces of gold to the chest, and then we'll be off to find Turner." He repeated his words from last night.

"Oh yes, that’s right, Orders sir?" I asked, hoping for a job.

"Down to the Galley with you, take Kathryn something to eat and find something to eat for yourself. Eat until you can't eat any more, and then lift some barrels or something else heavy about to strengthen your arms and legs." He ordered. I rolled my eyes behind his back.

"Aye sir." I said turning to go do as told.

"Oh and Bella." The Captain said turning his head around to face me.

"Yes, sir?" I asked, stopping my retreat and facing him again.

"don't roll ye eyes at the captain, it's not very nice." He said looking at me with mirth in his eyes.

I laughed "Aye sir, it won't happen again!" I promised.

"It better not, now go and stuff ye face." He replied.

"Aye." I replied as I took my leave to find the Galley.

Once I found it I looked thru everything and found a drum of oats, I prepared a bowl for Katy and took it to her in the bunks. Along with the oats I brought her some bread with some jam I found, and one banana. I hoped it'd be enough for her.

"Thank you!" She replied after I gave her breakfast. "I think I'm going to rest in bed all day, I'm still tired from all of yesterday's excitement." She said to me with a weak smile.

"That's fine, they won't let us work yet anyway. I'll bring you dinner and supper." I said. "But I'm going to go eat my breakfast now."

"Alright, don't go crazy and eat too much!" She replied as I left.

Two hours later I was on the floor of the galley holding my stomach. I was stuffed to the brim and I felt like I was going to be sick. "Oh!" I groaned in complaint as my stomach made another threatening rumble. "Never again!" I vowed no one in particular as I sat on the floor.

Just then Pintel and Ragetti came in "Hello Bella!" They both said cheerily in unison.

"Ergh!" I groaned back. They both laughed at my misery.

"Go ahead, laugh at my despair, mark my words when you are free of this curse I'll make you hurt so bad you'll cry to your mothers!" I vowed to the pirates.

"Right, like a fragile thing like you could hurt two strong men like us!" Pintel replied puffing out his chest.

"Yeah!" Ragetti agreed.

"Where are the two strong men?" I asked jokingly, giving them a confused look.

"Oh, funny!" Ragetti replied.

"Get her!" Pintel said with amusement in his eyes. My eyes got big as they both ran forward and started tickling me, this was a new type of torture for me, being as I was full to the brim and my bladder was protesting.

"Stop! Please! I take it back; you are two very strong men of the sea!" I shouted. They stopped their assault on my sides and smiled at each other.

"I knew you'd see it our way!" Pintel said smugly.

"Yeah, Yeah, Just help me up and point me to where I can drain me bladder." I replied holding my hands up. They grabbed a hold of one each and pulled me up by my arms.

"The bathroom is just down the hall, it's the room with a bucket!" Ragetti said with a shrill laugh.

"Oh alright, I'm going!" I said then I ran into the bathroom and drained my bladder, having only two people who urinate on this ship was going to be very interesting.

That day went very well I must say, after I was done playing with heavy things I took more food to Katy, then Pintel, Ragetti and I practiced sword fighting, and they even gave me pistol lessons. It was quite interesting to shoot them as they ran around the room. At first I didn't want to do it, but after Pintel shot himself in the head to show me that it didn't hurt I agreed, and I had a lot of fun.

Life on the Black Pearl was going to be an adventure... and I couldn't contain my happiness.