Elizabeth paced the deck of the Pearl redundantly, while the crew prepared for docking at Port Royal. She knew Jack was watching her, from the helm of the ship; she could feel his stare. He appeared to be tracing the distant ocean, but the distinction between the line of Elizabeth's shape and the line of the horizon became hazy, when seen through his eyes. Though aware of his watch, she could not resist running her fingers along the railing of the ship, while taking in a large, healthy breath of the salty, sea air. This action, she was surprised to realise, lacked the sorrow she expected to feel.
"Cap'n," Gibbs broke Jack's reverie, as gently as he could muster. Jack smiled in acknowledgment, but his eyes remained on his horizon.
"The anchor's been dropped, Jack," Gibbs spoke again, with a stronger tone. On hearing his name, Jack turned, with the smile still on his face. He nodded briefly, and turned back. Gibbs hesitated for a moment, uncertain whether or not to persist in his attempt to move him.
"Shall we… shall we de-port Cap'n?" No sooner had Jack opened his mouth to answer, that it closed once more. Upon watching the waves and the lady bidding farewell to his home, his mind was briefly lost again, to the world. It was strange, he thought, her touch caressed the ship's body, her eyes seemed to capture every hole, ridge, and crevice aged into it's wood, though one significant feature was absent from her goodbye. When he realised what it was, the accompanying pain caused Jack to turn his back on her; the emotion Elizabeth fell short of, was regret. He finally answered Gibbs.
"I want you to make sure Miss Swann arrives at her home safely."
Gibbs shook his head quickly,
"Jack…" he began, but was not permitted to finish.
"You can tell the crew," the captain continued, "to stretch their legs, and enjoy Port Royal while they can."
Gibbs's face contorted in confusion.
"While they can?" he asked, suddenly. Jack looked directly at his first mate, employing a sentiment similar to the one with which he had spoken to Elizabeth.
"We won't be sailing back here again."
The first pirate to set foot onto Port Royal, was Barbossa. He walked to a section of the pier where a panoramic view of the harbour town was available for him. A sinful smile found its way onto his face, once he had glimpsed certain buildings which were still in ruin, from his previous visit.
"It's changed since the last time, has it not?" he asked over his shoulder, expecting to be answered by the second pirate whom he heard step onto land. When no voice was sounded, he turned to face the crew member. It was Elizabeth. She took no notice of Barbossa's presence; walking past him, she gazed at the unfamiliar scene before her eyes.
Aside from the pier, and the old Inn which she could see in the distance, not one recognizable image met her stare.
"Come, miss Elizabeth," Gibbs walked to her as soon as he had left the ship. He gently placed his hand onto her shoulder, "would ya permit an ol' friend to escort ya back home?" Elizabeth smiled in reply, secretly clutching Jacks compass.
"Not so fast there!" a young man spoke in a comically high pitched voice. He approached the pier daintily, carrying a notebook and a wide-rimmed hat, which seemed as if it would drown his head when worn. He was the new harbourmaster no doubt, and he looked, to the crew, to be no older than seventeen. The boy had clearly underestimated the new arrivals; for as soon as vibrations of his first command had ceased to resound, his thin legs had begun to quiver.
"The… the b…Black Pearl!" he stuttered, wide-eyed and rooted to his spot.
A familiar twinge of compassion tugged at Elizabeth. She left Gibbs' side to walk towards the boy, in as friendly a manner as she could attempt.
"I believe the price of our docking remains a shilling? Or has this increased?" she asked politely. Jack watched her from the deck of the ship, enjoying the warmth from the new smile on his face.
"No no!" the boy immediately shook his head, mistaking Elizabeth's politeness for sarcastic irritation. His vocal pitch ascended rapidly, "it's free miss Swann! For you… for the Black Pearl, it's free!" Elizabeth was ready to object, but Barbossa stepped infront of her.
"Good lad," he grinned, smacking the boy none too gently on the back. Elizabeth raised her eyebrows.
"You are new? Yet somehow, you know who I am?" she questioned the harbourmaster.
"Every.. everyone knows, miss Swann," he gasped, smiling excitedly, "once, only a Governor's daughter, from this very town, you're now the only woman to successfully crew the Black Pearl! You vanished from under the eyes of a privateer from the East India Trading company, you commandeered a ship without firing a single shot! You…"
"I think," Elizabeth interrupted him, embarrassed by the smiles and glances which the crew were exchanging between themselves, "that you may have your stories muddled. And perhaps, you could put your imagination to better use."
The boy looked disheartened. Elizabeth flicked a shilling at him, from the pouch on her belt, and began walking toward the town, urging Gibbs with her eyes, to follow her. The smile on Jack's face only widened, as he finally stepped off his ship. Upon viewing him, the harbourmaster experienced the final shock and excitement which the day would bring.
"Jack… Sparrow…" he eventually managed to whisper. His eyes grew so wide then, that Ragetti instantly moved to the boy with his hands cupped, hoping to steal one of the eyeballs which would no doubt pop out of the boy's head.
Jack winked at him.
"That's Captain Jack Sparrow, savvy?"
