Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own the amazing Captain Jack Sparrow...or anyone else from Pirates...dang it!

Before her eyes adjusted to the ray of light that was peeking through her porthole, Anne's nose caught the smell of the salty spray of the sea. Her mouth curled up to a grin, and her eyes slowly opened as she stiffed a yawn. As she stretched her weary muscles, she managed to get out of the warm bed, the scent of breakfast tickling her nose.

"I'm so glad I decided to go through with this." She thought to herself as she mindlessly pulled on a robe. Thinking back to the past few months was a painful task, but it helped in realizing that this, in fact was happening, and it wasn't a nightmare.

About six months ago, Anne's mother lost her painful struggle to a disease the doctor could not name. It caused her mom to sweat one minute and break into chills the next; her tongue swelled up and she was no longer able to eat. She never slept well and was always rolling around in pain. She hated to see her die that way, she was such a good woman.

Her father was also an honest man who worked building ships. Anne loved to learn anything and everything he taught her and he was a willing teacher. "Knowing how to handle a sword and steer a ship is a very important thing Anne, but know this: Be true to yourself and don't compromise your life and attitude for no one." Anne never forgotten that, and has always lived by his advice.

He had loved her mom so much, that her loss was unbearable for him. He put on a strong act for Anne, but she could see right through it. He didn't eat much and during the late night hours, she could hear him shuffling about the house. A couple months after her mom passed away, her dad quietly followed, in his sleep. The doctor said nothing was physically wrong with him...some people just die of a broken heart.

Shaking these memories from her mind, Anne shuffled up toward the location of the heavenly scent. She mentally thanked Kirsten, her best friend, for making her take a "break from life" in the Caribbean. Her bare feet softly thumped against the wooden deck as she glanced toward the serving area. Maneuvering toward a breakfast tray, she made her way through the small crowd of people, and smiled a "thank you" to the cook who looks about as rough as a cactus. He nodded briefly as she took her eggs and toast to the side of the ship. Anne suddenly bumped into a man smoking a cigar and he steadied her, as she almost lost her balance.

"I'm so sorry...thank you." She mumbled, reprimanding herself for being so clumsy. She watched him as he made his way below deck, puffing the nasty thing like a madman. One of the crew members scurried after him, warning that there is barrels of gunpowder aboard and to be extremely careful.

As Anne leaned up against the railing, she quietly chewed on her toast, gazing lovingly out into the ocean. Anne had always loved the sea; the way the waves lap up gently against the ship, the way the foam makes the perfect shade of white in contrast to the turquoise water...

"...in a few days." Jerking from her daydreaming state, Anne turned to the owner of the voice. Her brown eyes turned to an elder man, sporting a crisp blue jacket and tri cornered hat. He had somewhat of a grizzly appearance, but his eyes were kind. She smiled apologetically and told him she didn't catch what he said. He chuckled and responded,

"The sea will do that to ya, miss. I was just saying that we should be at our destination in a few days."

"Oh, okay...thanks." She said as he tipped his hat to her and walked off. Anne then decided that now would be a good time to get dressed, so she headed downstairs to her room. Upon entering the hallway, she thought she smelled smoke, but waved the thought away. Choosing a mint green dress trimmed in black, she pulled the robe off and slipped the dress on. Being a procrastinator, Anne hadn't unpacked yet, and didn't feel the need to now. She closed and locked her suitcase and began to make her bed.

As Anne turned down the sheets, the smell of smoke intensified and even made her eyes water. Coughing like mad now, with suitcase in hand, she ran up on deck, her eyes searching for the captain. She tucked her wayward brown locks behind her ear as she ran around frantically, and looked for the owner of the ship. He was at the helm, eyes fixed steadily on the horizon.

Breathlessly, she ran up to him,

"Captain, I smelled smoke from my room, and it's getting worse by the minute." His eyes flashed with worry as he turned to a redheaded man with a broom.

"Get downstairs and see..." he yelled, but that's all he was able to say. Suddenly, Anne's ears echoed with a loud booming sound, much like a large cannon. The ship suddenly lurched and pieces of The Baroness went flying, Anne among them. She was tossed in the air, clinging to the suitcase as if it was her only hope of survival. Her body hit the water and her muscles tightened from the frigid water.

The impact of the fall had rendered her dizzy, but not unconscious, and she struggled to stay afloat. The suitcase was particularly heavy, but she couldn't let it go...it held the only tangible items from her parents. As she struggled to hold on, Anne's head faltered and went underwater, her lungs gasping in the burning salt water. She might have not been unconscious before but the unusual, dark sleep now took over her mind and body. As she surrendered to the blackness, she felt as though someone was near her...

Okay guys, I know this is short, but I promise to make them longer...please review and tell me what you think...