Ok, here it is. What you have been expecting. I don't know when I will post chapter V, I'm being extremely busy at work lately, but I will post as soon as I can. Thanks for the lovely reviews, and I hope to receive even more. It really makes one to wanna write more. Please IGNORE the mistakes. I'm sorry about them, but I am really trying to get a beta. With no more ado, keep on…oh! And this is all from Elizabeth's POV!
Disclaimer: I would be so fortunate to own it. I OWN IT! Ok, ok, don't sue, I don't own POTC…party poopers!
IV. Farewells and Departures
"How? How do you do it?" A very frustrated Mary Brown asked her friend, Elizabeth Turner.
"How do I do what?" Elizabeth asked, looking at the horizon.
"Make me do things I don't wish to do."
Her only answer was a winning smile from her friend.
"Many people do wonder how I do it."
"As I am wondering now, how on earth do you manage to wear those trousers?"
Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh. She would never wear pants in town, but as they were now in the other part of the village, waiting for the de Walles to say bye to Liam, she had no care about this.
"It is, indeed, more comfortable than wearing that thing." She indicated by pointing to Mary's torso.
"This THING, as you call it, is a feminine item."
"It's a feminine prison, if you ask me, that's what a corset is."
"As I recall, you have not wore one in years. In fact, you have never worn one since I met you."
"And I shall never wear one again, mark my words."
Just as Elizabeth finished her statement she noticed her child and the sweet old couple walking towards them.
"Take care, my child," Mrs. Jacqueline began, brushing her hand on Elizabeth's cheek, "and do come back soon."
For nine years, Jacqueline de Walle had been as a mother to Elizabeth, and the couple had been as grandparents to her child. During her whole pregnancy, Mrs. Jacqueline had taken care of her as a mother would tend an ill child. Truth was, they weren't so happy about this trip, but, they promised to look after Elizabeth's store until her return.
"And you," the grandmotherly French woman said to Mary, "take good care of this two, and stop either of them from getting into mischief. But specially, take care of yourself, child."
"And you," Mr. Claude began, ruffling Liam's hair, "take good care of your mama and aunt. "
"Yes, sir!" Liam nodded with enthusiasm, as if he had been given the shore of taking care of the queen.
Every adult couldn't help but laugh. They didn't knew if he was more excited for going to Tortuga, or for going on the Empress, it could be both though.
"Captain, boat is ready." A man from the crew came close to the group, talking directly to Elizabeth.
"Aye, very well." She responded, sounding very well as the captain she was.
"I guess this is it." Mary said sounding more as if she was going to her execution than on a trip.
"Oh, Mary!" Mrs. Jacqueline exclaimed, hugging the young lady, "you just have fun and take good care. You'll be back home before you know it."
"Captain Turner." Mr. Claude said, giving her a mischievous smile.
"Monsieur de Walle." Elizabeth said, giving back the mischievous smile.
They suddenly laughed and hugged each other.
"Do take care child." He said softly, she knew that Mary, Liam and herself, were indeed very important to this couple, as they had not many friends, and they had adopted them as their family.
"You, monsieur, take care as well."
Liam suddenly threw his arms to both the couple, a few tears falling from his eyes.
It suddenly hit to Elizabeth that this was the first trip that she did because she WANTED too, not because she was forced by moving of country, or being held hostage, or going to save someone's life.
As quickly as everything started, they were suddenly on the small boat being taking to the Empress who awaited her Captain's arrival patiently. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile to the couple who stood ashore, waving at them with smiles and tears running through their faces.
Once she was in the boat, she couldn't help but feel complete. She was where she belonged. Back at see, and now more than ever, for a strange reason, she felt closer to William.
The crew stood before her. Looking at her, expecting her to say something. They were all pirates. Her 'right hand man' was John Morris, an old pirate, which actually, reminded her much of Gibbs. God only knew what Jack had made him do now.
She looked over at all her crew. It had been a long time since she was surrounded totally by pirates, but, her title gave much to say, specially coming from a woman.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen." She started; every whisper that had gone through was now silenced. "As you might already know, I am Captain Elizabeth Turner of the Empress." She began, most of the crew did not know her, this was a good moment to begin with, introducing themselves.
"As you notice, there will be another woman and a child among the crew. Mrs. Mary Brown will be treated with the same respect as if it was myself." She said making sure everyone had the message.
"This is my son, William Turner. He will be treated with the same respect. If you have any complaints about anything, you will bring them to Morris here, or come to me. Now, back to your posts!"
"Wow, Elizabeth!" Mary exclaimed when most of the pirates where doing what they were supposed to, Elizabeth keeping a watchful eye among them. She had known Morris for a time now, and he had chosen the crew, but still, there were things only one could do.
"Or, I must call you, Captain Turner. That was exceptional. You truly are amazing." Mary, once again exclaimed.
"And what was that, and for you, it will always be Elizabeth."
"The way you talked to the crew, my dear Lizzie, it was as if you had transformed one moment, giving orders like that."
Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh, ignoring the nickname, of course.
"Mr. Morris!" she called out.
"Aye, Captain."
"Make this boat move to Tortuga." Elizabeth ordered once again.
"Aye, aye, Capt'n."
"So, the trip begins." Mary began.
"Indeed, my dear sister, indeed."
"Mama..:" a small voice called by her side.
"Yes, my love?"
"You really are bossy!"
