Disclaimer: Okay, so I still own all the characters, well actually Emily is a friend of mine's..but I use her with permission!!!..but don't worry, we'll be seeing some more of your favorite pirates soon, I promise!!!

Chapter 1:

The wild blue waves crashed against the rocks of Port Royal Harbor, sending clouds of white foam into the Caribbean air.
A lone figure stood among the violent currents, her arms spread as if welcoming the spray of the sea. Her blue dress was pulled up to her knees; the extra tucked haphazardly into a belt round her waist. Her dark brown curls hung loose and whipped around her pale face and neck. A smile curved her mouth upward as the wind caught a bit of spray and washed it over her.
"Mistress Roberts! Mistress!!" a voice called, barely audible over the roar of the sea.
Piper Roberts savored one last wave and then turned to face the worried looking man behind her. A giggle escaped her mouth and she ran up to him, her bare feet hardly making an imprint in the sandy shore.
"Geoffrey, whatever is the matter?" she asked, her voice light and innocent, as a cheery smile played on her lips.
"Your mother wishes to see you, Mistress," he said, his face growing more worried as he took in the state of her soaking dress and free flying hair.
Piper's face fell and she bent down to gather her shoes and stockings from the beach. "I wonder what I've done this time." she muttered.
"Perhaps, my lady, if you tied your hair up and behaved as a proper young lady."
"And how does a proper young lady behave, Geoffrey??" Piper whirled around, her blue eyes flashing fire. "If it's anything like those simpering, shallow 'ladies' back there, I want nothing to do with it!" she cried, gesturing madly towards the upper end of Port Royal. Her eyes softened and she sighed in defeat. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said those things. Forgive me, Geoffrey, it is not your fault that I was given this lot in life."
Geoffrey took her shoes from her hand and gave her a small smile. "I believe, Miss Piper, that we are given things for a reason..and we make ourselves out of that."
Piper's mouth turned up into a smile and she laughed lightly as the turned for home. "Besides, those fashionable hairstyles make me look like some evil hag!"

* * * *

An hour later, Piper stood before the doors to her mother's room. Her hair was braided and coiled about her head and she had on a clean dark purple dress. She took a deep breath and her hand reached for the silver dove pendant around her neck. "Here goes nothing." she whispered to herself and pushed open the doors. "Mother?"
"In here, love," a voice called from a corner of the elaborate chamber.
Piper crossed the room and sat down in a soft chair opposite an older woman. Rose turned to face her daughter, her gray eyes wise and measuring. Her dark hair was streaked with silver, but her pale skin held no flaw. Even at forty-eight, she was a picture of beauty.
"Sit up, dear," she instructed softly and Piper immediately straightened her shoulders. "Geoffrey said you were down by the harbor again today." she raised her eyes to take in her daughter's reaction.
"Only for an hour or so.not nearly long enough." she added, dropping her voice. "He said you wanted to see me.."
"Yes, I did," Rose answered, suddenly dropping her gaze back to the needlework in her hand. "It's time my dear that you turned your attention to things that are..important."
Piper rolled her blue eyes. "You mean like trying to find a suitor and learning the graceful arts of running a household."
Her mother looked up, her face showing her indignance. "Piper, you're sixteen, you need to start thinking of your future. Miss McNellis is."
"Mother, Emily isn't anymore interested in her future plans then I am!!" Piper interrupted. "She spends more of her time at the docks then I do!"
"Yes, and her father is a commodore!" Rose shot back. Her face softened and she took her daughter's hand. "Piper, we're not as lucky. You need to find your future.no one will openly suit you!"
"Why not, my father is a captain! Why wouldn't they?"
Rose shook her head, not meeting the icy fire in Piper's face. "Your father is unknown to people here.you have a questionable birth," She paused for a brief instant and her eyes landed on the silver dove pendant. "Perhaps it's time I told you of your true father."

Well, there it is folks, another installment of Pirate's Heart. I'll hopefully be writing another chapter soon!!