Chapter 4

Annie almost laughed when she thought of Will actually believing that she was going to sit by and do nothing. He had known her since they found him shipwrecked and floating on a piece of debris. Annie was Will's only friend, as it was not proper for him and Elizabeth to spend much time together. As the younger sibling Annie was payed less attention to and would always sneak away to accompany Will. Eventually that grew into Will teaching Annie how defend herself if ever need be (at her insistence). After knowing each other for so long Will was no stranger to Annie's ability to sneak onto a ship, as was one of her favorite pastimes. For this reason, she had already developed a plan in her head after she figured out the only way Will and Jack were to leave Port Royal was by acquiring a ship. Figuring out which ship was the hardest part of her plan, even then Annie believed that they would go for the Interceptor the supposed "fastest" ship in the Caribbean, as was there only chance for escape.

Annie had to be quick to catch them, but she also had to figure out a way not to be recognized. Her solution was to borrow some of Will's spare clothes and supply the rest from the ship if need be. She also decided to grab herself the small sword she usually used to practice with Will. He had made it for her after she was competent enough to yield one. It was smaller than other swords in order to fit her stature, and therefore lighter and faster. She also grabbed an extra axe just in case, as her aim was pretty accurate, and tucker it into the belt around her waist.

Annie left the blacksmith shop with her hair tucked into a hat she found lying around, hoping to be mistaken for a young sailor instead of recognized as the Governor's missing daughter.

When she passed the fort she hastened her steps. The docs were bustling with activity, which would aid in her escape. Her goal was to sneak onto the Interceptor which could only be done if she was quick. Annie could see some of the naval officers preparing to board, while she knew she could get past them she was worried about running into Commodore Norrington, who would surely recognize her. With haste Annie lengthened her strides and weaved in and out of the crowd. A large crate was being carried up the plank and on board, so Annie took the opportunity to duck behind it. She quickly stood as the cargo was carried below. She began strolling across the deck casually acting as if she belonged.

Annie had almost made it to the captain's quarters, where she planned to hide when she was suddenly jerked harshly behind.

"And what do you pray tell, think you are doing aboard this vessel, boy" Gillete spat in her face harshly.

Annie took the time to wipe her face before answering "I'm be the new cabin boy sir, not yet important enough to get me-self one o' those fancy jackets I s'ppose" She lowered her voice and smoke in broken sentences hoping to pass as a common sailor boy.

Gillete looked like he was about to argue before Commodore Norrington shouted orders while rushing onto the ship "After them!" He was gesturing towards the Dauntless were a longboat of soldiers was rowing away and if she squinted, Annie could see Jack and Will waving from the deck.

"You heard him. All hands on deck!" Gillete jerked her away roughly while continuing to shout orders. Annie smirked taking amusement from the fact that Will was unknowingly aiding her in her plan as she began sneaking away.

She quickly found herself a cozy place to hide in the captain's quarters, figuring the Commodore would be too busy trying and failing to capture Jack and Will aboard the Dauntless. She figured their plan was to somehow make their way onto the Interceptor right after the navy men prepared it for sail. After all no ship can be crewed by only two men.

Annie wondered if she had enough time to take a nap while waiting, but figured if she did she would just sleep through all the fun. She continued to listen to orders being shouted about deck while she searched the quarters for anything of use. The first thing she found was a nice sized pouch filled with enough gold for her to be comfortable while on this journey. The next was a small dagger which she decided to put in her boot in case she ever needed it.

Suddenly the deck seemed much quieter than before, as if everyone disappeared. Annie smirked finally figuring out that the plan was to get everyone to swing onto the Dauntless while the Interceptor lay empty for the taking.

She continued to listen until she heard the familiar voice of Jack Sparrow "Thank you Commodore for getting us ready to make way! We would've had a hard time of it ourselves!"

Annie laughed picturing the disturbed expression on the Commodore after being tricked, and by a pirate no less. She continued to play around in the captain's quarter's not bothering to alert either of the men of her presence. Annie enjoyed the gentle swaying of the ship, she always had. She was enjoying the gentle swaying until she felt the ship turn quickly to one side. Annie nearly lost her footing and decided to sneak above deck to see what was going on.

When she arrived on deck she was surprised to see Will hanging idly from one of the sails. "Now as long as you're just hanging there, pay attention" She heard Jack say.

"The only rules that really matter are these—what a man can do and what a man can't do. For instance, you can accept that your father was a pirate and a good man or you can't" Annie held in a gasp. Will's dad was a pirate?! And he didn't know?

"Pirate is in your blood, boy" Jack continued "So you'll have to square with that someday. Now me, for example, I can let you drown…but I can't bring this ship into Tortuga all by my onsey, savvy?"

Suddenly Jack spun the helm making the ship and the sail swing back in the opposite direction. Unfortunately for Annie that meant trying to keep balance while staying in her hiding spot. So while Jack was finishing his speech, she struggled for footing.

"So can you sail under the command of a pirate?" Jack flipped the sword in his hand, so now the hilt was open for Will to take. "Or can't you?"

Will carefully took the sword back and asked "Tortuga?"

Jack smiled widely "Tortu— "

CRASH!

Annie finally fell victim to the swing of the ocean and landed helplessly in a heap on the deck surrounded by useless pieces of cargo.

Both Jack and Will stared astonished at the young Swann on the floor, whose hat had fallen off during her crash landing and her long hair tumbled out with it.

"So…uh" She coughed awkwardly. "Tortuga?"

Everyone was silent until finally Jack burst into raucous laughter.

"Annalise Marie! What in God's name are you doing here!" Will shouted.

"What are you my father?" Annie replied cringing at the use of her full name. "I snuck on obviously"

"And what are you—" Will blanched "Are those my clothes?!"

Annie blushed while Jack continued to snort furiously. "I'm sure she pulls them off better than you ever did mate" He said clapping Will on the shoulder.

Jack watched as Annie rolled her eyes for probably the hundredth time since he met her. He stood by his words though. Gone now was the saggy old nightgown. Annie was now wearing a pair of tight brown breeches that accentuated her curves, held up with a thick black belt that seemed to hold an axe strapped to her hip. Jack's eyes continued to trail upwards, landing on the exposed piece of flesh around her clavicle. The white bagging top she was wearing seemed to be loose enough to fall to one side exposing some of her chest and shoulder. Atop that she wore a long black vest with gold accents only clasped halfway on both sides. Across her chest diagonally she wore a belt like the one around her waist accept this time with a sword strapped to the opposite hip. Her looked was completed with a pair of black knee high boots and some sailor's kohl around her eyes.

"Listen Will I don't know what gave you the idea that you could order me around but I'm through with listening to people because of standards or propriety or any of that hub-bub" Annie exclaimed. "From now on I listen to no one but me, myself and I. Savvy?"

Will paused taken aback from Annie's speech, having no idea she felt so controlled. Jack took it upon himself to start clapping.

"Bravo, bravo." He smirked. "Now you're really starting to sound like a pirate lass, got an itching for freedom, do you?" Jack quirked an eyebrow.

"And so what if I do?" She bristled.

"You're in the right place is all" He shrugged. "There's no place freer than the sea." With that Jack turned on his heel and swaggered back up to the helm.

Annie followed his lead and led herself back to the captain's quarters leaving Will to stand with his mouth hanging open and nothing to say. Rubbing his face, he sighed and resigned himself to defeat. After all there was no turning back now.