Emera collapsed against the side of a crate. Her arms and back ached, sweat caused her clothes to cling to her skin and her eyes burned with exhaustion. She sucked back a few breaths as she leaned alongside the coop. Glancing down the gangplank, the young sailor's stomach rolled as she realized her work wasn't even a quarter of the way finished. Of course she had the help of able seamen, but most of the work seemed to be her responsibility. No doubt her father's doing. She knew that she deserved what she was getting. However that didn't stop her from grumbling under her breath or cursing occasionally.

"Step too, Master Flint." Her father ordered as he passed, carrying a small barrel under one arm.

"Aye, Captain." She sighed and rose to her feet.

Tromping down the gangplank she jammed her hands into her trouser pockets. They had been hard at work for hours and the job wouldn't be finished for quite a few more. Men called to one another and tossed each other ropes and supplies. The hold of The Rose was being loaded at a steady enough pace, with large bundles of provisions being lowered into the ships belly at even intervals. Emera had to duck past a pair of crewmen as she moved to her next task. The crates weighed nearly as much as she did and had to be pushed up the gangplank by hand. She braced her hands on the far side, putting all her effort into moving the coop forward. It didn't budge an inch. Emera sighed and dropped herself onto the wooden box, her torso laying across its top lazily.

"Need a hand there, do you?" Came a familiar voice from somewhere behind her.

Emera turned.

Standing there, looking quite sure of herself was Kay, the girl that had fought with Emera in the tavern. She smiled at Emera, hands on her hips. Emera straightened herself, brushing her bangs out of her eyes.

"Are you offering?" She asked the girl.

"I am." Kay nodded.

Emera smiled. Kay joined her and together they worked to shove the crate up the gangplank. The work was lighter as it was being shared by two. Kay was remarkably strong and took most of the burden with Emera guiding them in the direction they needed to go. The crate was in place in record time. Without hesitation both girls set out for another, and then another, and another after that. When they had loaded their fourth crate they planted themselves atop a fifth, taking a moment to breath.

"Once again, you've come t' my rescue." Emera laughed a little.

"I seem to be making a habit of it." Kay grinned.

Emera rubbed her shoulder and said, "I really don't know how t' repay ya. I feel like I own you the world."

Kay laughed loudly, "Honestly, Em. I don't even know what I would ask of you."

She thought for a moment, determined to reimburse her new friend. It was when her father walked by, shooting them a questioning glance, that she came up with an idea. By Emera's account it was brilliant (and in no way similar to how she had believed leaping out of a ship in the middle of the night was brilliant.) This time she was convinced that it was real, genuine, honest to goodness, intelligence.

"Dad!" She called out to him.

"Aye?" He raised an eyebrow and came to stand before the two girls.

"Do we have any available positions aboard the ship?" Emera asked him.

He rubbed his beard, thinking, "Well... there's always room for hands before the mast. I reckon we're short a Powder Monkey or two. Why?"

Emera turned to Kay, "How would ya like t' sail aboard The Rose? She's a fine ship, I assure you, the finest I've ever seen. The crew is reasonable enough and you'll have an Officer on yer side."

"Sail? With you?" She grinned from ear to ear and looked up at Flint, "Would that be alright, Sir? Can I join your crew?"

"Yer fit for duty?" He studied her carefully.

"Aye, Sir." She nodded.

"And you've experience sailing?" He questioned.

"Aye, Sir. Sailed aboard a clipper when I crossed from England." She replied.

"Hmm..." He rubbed his hand across his beard again, "Well, I don't see why not. I'll expect hard work and discipline. No mucking about with my daughter... who is still being reprimanded and should be working."

The two leapt to their feet and said together, "Aye, Sir."

Flint let out a gruff laugh and continued on his way. Emera and Kay gripped one another in excitement, jumping and laughing with glee. Emera could hardly believe it. Yes, she was condemned to months of servitude aboard her father's ship as recompense for her poor behavior, but Kay had been permitted to sail with them. No matter what was to come, at least she would have the bright company of her new friend.

"Welcome aboard The Rose, Miss Smith." Emera beamed.

"A pleasure to be aboard." She replied, sharing in her enthusiasm.

They set to work once more. Together they moved crates, barrels and all manner of cargo until the task became almost like second nature. The two girls chatted happily with one another as they worked. Emera regaled Kay with every detail of what had happened between herself and Jack. Kay nodded and listened, deeply interested. Emera found it a relief to share the account with someone. The lightening of her mood was almost tangible and as she relayed the tale she was please to find that the ach in her chest began to fade. Emera knew deep within herself that she would miss Jack more than she would ever show. For a short time, he had been her whole world. He was an incredibly unique and extraordinary being that had graced her with his presences for a short time. She would never forget him as long as she lived.

Standing at the edge of the ship, Emera looked out across Tortuga. It had been different than she had expected, but she wouldn't change a single thing. It was mid day and the harbor was alive with hundreds of seafaring folk. Men worked, sailors tended to their ships and strumpets walked the docks. The sounds of arguing, chatting and singing wafted through the humid air in dozens of languages, but each voice spoke in the same tongue. The tongue of the sea. Emera had to admit that Tortuga by night, in all its dizzying colours and fragrances, was something the likes of which she had never seen before. But the young sailor's heart belonged to the Tortuga that could only be experienced during the day. The Tortuga in which she had met the man named Captain Jack Sparrow.

The End

*All "Pirates of the Caribbean" characters (including The Jolly Mon) of course belong to Disney. Emera, Captain Flint, Kay and Philips (and The Rose) happen to belong to me. Tortuga, I suppose, belongs to the Caribbean. I'd like to thank you all for reading. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have. Oh! And stay tuned, cause even though it says "The End" you can bet your bullion it's not quite over yet. ;)*