Sal heaved a sigh as she leaned on the railing of her small ship, 'The Torrent'. Thinking of her past and how she came to be the captain of a small yet able crew. Sailing the sea, in attempts to marauder and loot for a living.

She could very well be sitting in a fancy high-to-do mansion, sipping tea and eating crumpets all, while wearing frilly gowns and talking to others in a comfortable, posh life style as her, all proper-like. That was her life she left, about this time at sundown, three years ago.

None of her crew knew, and she planned to keep it that way.

Well almost none of her crew.

Nigel, her first mate, had been her friend since she was quite young. His father being a merchant sailor, Nigel knew the all-arounds of sailing, navigating, and best of all, the stories of the sea. It was the stories that caught the attention of Sal's interest. Often she'd run down to the docks and hear all the stories of the sailors. She found Nigel's the most intriguing, although he did fabricate them a lot. Sal liked the information on navigation and sailing all very well, but it was the stories that made her mind go in circles. Legends of pirates, Davy Jones and his horrid beast, the Kraken.

''I would like to see them someday!" exclaimed Sal, once after hearing one of Nigel's far fetched stories.

''No yeh woul't.'' came the all-knowing retort of master Nigel. ''Davy Jones woul't kill yea, cas yer a g'rl, an' 'e don' need a woman to be on 'js ship causin' troubles!''... Sal had still not forgiven him for that remark. After pushing the young dark haired Scot into the sea with a black eye, Sal ran for home. Nigel had made an effort to never speak low about the female sex... or at least not with one of them around... especially a raven haired, green eyed one named Sally Wolfe.

It was that remark though, that had gotten Sal thinking about what she wanted from life. For the next four years Sal dreamed of something more, something that would take the label of 'lady' from off of her back. A few days earlier, Sal had received a proposal of marriage, from Lieutenant. James Norrington, whom she had befriended, when he first arrived at Port Royal, when she was fifteen. They grew very fond of each other within the two years time and she wouldn't lie, she did highly admired James, and did not refuse his proposal. But as the few days went bye, she slowly returned to her wistful dreaming of the sea.

So on the day before her17th birthday, Sal paid a visit to the docks, to enquire after an old friend.

Words could not describe the look on, a now much older, Nigel Sheers. Gaping at the once gawky, young girl, now standing in front of him was a slender, tall beautiful woman, in fancy dress and hair done up. Her bright green eyes glowing in excitement, words escaped Nigel.

''Miss Wolfe?'' he said cautiously

''Yes Nigel you twit! I need you to do me a favour.'' Sal said looking him on the eye as ig she was demanding rather than asking. Nigel gulped and looked inquiringly at her. "I need you to kidnap me!"

Nigel just stood there gawping at her.

''I don' think et wor's quite li'e tha' miss" Sal just glared. Icy shivers ran down Nigel's back despite the scorching sun.

It took a while, but finally Nigel agreed, probably because of the threats given by Sal. So, Nigel gave Sal a sack of grubby clothes for her to dress in so no one would suspect her.

Sal took the sack and rushed home.

When I inquiries were made as to the contents of the bag, Sal simply answered that she was bored and bought some trinkets from some of the sailors. When she got to her room, she shoved the bag under her bed and quietly went to the sitting room to plan out her escape.

She hadn't realised that two hours had gone past, until there was a knock at the door.

''Come in,'' she answered the knocking. The butler entered

''Lieutenant Norrington miss.''

''Oh! show him in.'' Sal had forgotten that James was coming. Quickly she hid her plans and supplies list under her other letters and writings of previous days. James entered.

"Sally,'' he smiled.

"James, how are you?'' Sal said uncomfortably. "Will you please have a seat.'' she offered motioning to the chair beside her. Smiling still, he sat and made himself comfortable.

''I am very well, and I should be considering I am engaged to the most beautiful woman in Port Royal.'' Sal blushed.

"Stop the words James," she laughed quietly "you know how I don't like it." Norrington's eyes lowered and he nodded. Sal touched his shoulder and smiled to assure him it was alright, and in exchange James' smile returned.

The conversation was the usual, quite casual, then James' got on the topic that was the reason of their meeting.

"Sally… I think we need to start planning for our wedding." James' said taking her hand. "Like setting a date and telling people."

Sal looked at her fiancé, and only half grinned. She tried to hide her realisation that there was a small rut in their plans, by lowering her head, but James saw right through her.

"Sal? What is it?" he asked concerned. Sal looked up again, James never called her Sal unless they were alone and he felt close, he must've been concerned. Sal closed her eyes, what was she doing, how could she run away? Poor James loved her, and she loved him. How could she abandon him like this? It wasn't fair to him. Yet should she save him sorrow for her life? Sal's mind was racing. What should she do, she couldn't leave James, but she couldn't stay here. She groaned and put her hand to her head. James stood up and kneeled beside her.

"Sally are you ill?" he said concerned, "should I call for someone?" Sal hated it, why couldn't James just show one bit of anger or frustration with her, just so she didn't feel as guilty as she would tomorrow. Still James stayed knelt beside her.

"No, no I'm fine James, please, I must've just been sitting to close to the fire." She looked at him she knew every line in her face sketched her remorse. James looked at her and took her hand. There was a long, awkward pause, finally looking up James ended it sympathetically inquiring to Sal.

"Are you ready for this Sally, us I mean?" Sal looked him in the eye, she wanted to tell him, but she loved him to much, and feared he wouldn't approve. She just lowered her eyes, soon feeling a warm finger raise her chin. Eyes meeting James gave his half grin that Sal found irresistible. "Sal let us wait. We do not need to be married soon."

Sal could have just jumped on him in a big hug, but she only gave a small sigh and brushed his cheek.

"Thank you." She said the corners of her cheeks lifting slightly. She knew how hard this was for him, she could see it in his eyes, the way he talked, and his basic demeanour. She couldn't tell him enough though of how it meant to her.

"Please, reconsider my hand in the future," He hopefully added looking at her the same emotion that showed in his blue eyes. Sal grinned this time, and grasped the hand that held hers.

"No other." She said, looking at his face. Why oh why, did this have to be so hard!? James kissed her hand and rose, his tall figure looming over hers.

"Best wishes to you Sally, I will see you tomorrow."

And James left.