Disclaimer: The characters of PotC are not mine in any way, shape, or form. They belong to Disney and Gore Verbinski.

A/N: This is my Christmas present to my good buddy Hannah, but I figured others might enjoy it as well. Don't worry, Hannah, they'll reach the island soon enough.

Ch.1: Departure

"It doesn't look any bigger than the Dauntless," Hannah commented airily.

"Think again, Miss Miller," said Commodore James Norrington, a ghost of a smile gracing his thin lips. "The Interceptor is much larger than her predecessor, and more importantly, she can make good time. She'll soon be known as the fastest ship in the Caribbean!" He offered her his hand and she knew better than to refuse it; her parents were watching them board the ship.

Saying goodbye to her family was the hardest thing she'd ever had to do – and they hadn't parted on good terms. Hannah was furious at her parents for shipping her off to London with only the company of a stuffy man twice her age. She'd lived in Port Royal, Jamaica her entire life, and was less than thrilled to be going to live where the Commodore was now stationed.

Last month she'd come of age and like all the girls she knew, she was immediately betrothed. Of course the dull Commodore was not her ideal candidate for a husband but she'd had no say whatsoever in the matter. Her wealthy parents had chosen for her, as it was the custom. Norrington had power, status, and plenty of money – her parents believed it was a brilliant match. Hannah thought otherwise. But did she have anyone else in mind? Not really.

At one time, she'd fancied the town's blacksmith, Will Turner, but after they'd courted for a couple weeks, she realized that the only feelings she had for him were friendship. Luckily, he felt the same way and confessed that he'd developed feelings for her best friend. She introduced them and it was love at first sight. The last that she'd heard, Will and her friend had eloped. While she wished them well, Hannah envied her best friend and wished that she could marry for love as well.

If she could choose someone to marry, it would've been someone who had a great sense of humor, and a love of adventure. Since she'd grown up being raised to be a lady of the gentry, she'd had little time for fun. When they were younger, she and her friends used to read all of the books about pirates they could get their hands on. Although it was quite a childish notion, Hannah still believed it'd be exciting to live a pirate's life. It had to be better than being cooped up all day, being forced to serve tea and make polite conversation. Ironically, she was being forced to marry a man who was possibly the farthest thing from a pirate. Abruptly, Norrington's voice shattered her reverie.

"I apologize but I must help the crew get the ship underway." She nodded mutely and he released her hand and confidently strode astern, shouting orders. Slowly, the ship began to inch away from the dock, and Hannah realized this might be the last glimpse she'd have of her home for a long time. She raced towards the stern, and gripped the railing, while she watched her family shrink to the size of ants. Was her mother waving at her? She could not be sure – it didn't really matter to her now. When she could no longer see their faces, she found her sleeping quarters on the deck below and fell onto her bed with a sigh. Norrington would come and find her, and they'd eat lunch. Conversation would be dull; she'd have to put on her well-mannered mask that fooled everyone, making them believe that she belonged in their world. She was not looking forward to it – couldn't he leave her alone for a bit?

"Dearest? Hannah, are you in there?" A knock sounded at the door. Cringing, Hannah recognized the commanding voice of her fiancée. Begrudgingly, she let him in. He escorted her to the galley and lunch went much as she'd pictured it. The meal was quite bland, but she ate with enthusiasm. Food was food; in fact it tasted better to her when it wasn't as rich as what she was used to. Yet, during the meal, James did say something to pique her interest, which was a rarity.

"Commodore, when will we reach England?" asked one of the redcoats.

"It will take two weeks at the least," Norrington replied after he took a sip of wine. "It may take longer depending on the weather." Two weeks, maybe more…what am I supposed to do during all that time? The ship can only be explored so many times.

"Dearest, have you finished filling out all the invitations yet?" As if things could not get any worse, Norrington just had to remind her of the wedding.

"Not yet," she said, a fake smile plastered across her face. "I still have half of them to finish." It took forever for her to fill out the wedding invitations; the script had to be perfect and Norrington had so many bloody navy acquaintances, it just might take her the rest of the voyage to complete the task.

"Ah well, no matter. You have plenty of time." Norrington had just taken a bite of his orange when another officer asked him an interesting question.

"How fares the prisoner?" Swallowing, Norrington sighed, not wishing to speak on the subject in front of female ears.

"He's locked in the brig; he shan't be any trouble." He gave the officer a hard look, and the officer didn't press the matter any further.

"We're carrying a prisoner?" Hannah spoke up hesitantly. Although she knew the Commodore wouldn't like her question, her curiosity won out over her common sense.

"Yes, a pirate," the Commodore reluctantly confirmed. "Vile and dissolute creatures, the lot of them." He shook his head and sighed.

"I don't want you going down on the lowest deck, Hannah. It wouldn't be decent. Promise me you won't? It's for your own safety."

"I won't," she agreed. But inside, she was furious. Boiling mad, even. How dare he tell me what I can and can't do! I won't be able to stand this. I won't live my life as his little obedient wife; I'll run away the first chance I get! Hannah felt a tad better now that she'd decided not to go along with the life her parents had mapped out for her. She was in charge now; as soon as the boat docked, she'd get as far away from Norrington and her old life as possible and start over.

"Excuse me, but I'm not feeling well. May I be excused?" Norrington nodded, and Hannah ran straight to the stairs, not stopping until she reached the lowest deck. She knew that her fiancée's duties demanded that he remain on deck until dinnertime, so she knew she was safe for the time being. No one would notice where she'd gone; that she'd deliberately disobeyed an order from her husband-to-be.

The room smelled of oranges, rotten eggs, and gunpowder; she couldn't believe that Norrington had locked the pirate down here where it was filthy. It was much darker on the lowest decks; the hold did not require much light as it served as a room for storage only. Hannah could barely see a few feet away from her. She had no idea what she was looking for – a jail cell perhaps? Surely Norrington wouldn't allow the pirate to roam freely. Due to the darkness, Miss Miller didn't see the crate of gunpowder in front of her. Her skirts ensured that she tripped over it and she fell to the floor with a yell, bumping her head on the crate.

"Ow!" she groaned, annoyed at herself for tripping.

"Looking for someone?" She spun around, startled at hearing an unfamiliar voice. Her eyes finally adjusting to the dim light, she spied a person peering at her from behind steel bars. Dark chocolate orbs connected with hers, and she felt a tad faint, which had nothing to do with her recent fall. The man spoke.

"Hello, luv."

End Ch.1

A/N: Sorry it was so short; that was just a taste of what's to come. I hope you liked!