A/N: Please read the author note at the bottom of the chapter! It's EXTREMELY important to the story!
She had barely slept all night, too afraid that if she did then she would miss The Emerald. Staring up at the ceiling Sybil sighed. She still hadn't made a decision. Groaning into her pillow she wished she could make up her mind. Every time she thought she had come up with a decision she would laugh with her sisters or pass the door to the brig and suddenly she wasn't sure anymore.
Shaking her head Sybil pulled herself up and began to dress herself. Looking into the mirror she noticed her suitcase in the corner. Without thinking her feet moved towards her closet and her hands began pulling out a few dresses.
I should pack- just in case. She thought, after all if she did go she would need clothes.
Looking about she found herself placing her favorite books and a few mementos that she couldn't bear to be parted with. As she closed the suitcase she swallowed. Wondering where she would be when she unpacked. Here or on the Emerald.
Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding she slipped Branson's pistol into her skirt and pulled on a jacket to cover the back of the pistol.
"It's such a pity that Captain Crawley couldn't stay don't you agree Mary?" Edith said smiling perkily at Mary.
Sybil stiffed a groan as she stared at her breakfast. Why were her sisters always at each other's throats?
Mary rolled her eyes, "Oh I don't know I must confess it nice to have our ship back. It was started to get rather crowd besides I'm sure his lieutenant had better things to do then listen to you pester him all day." She then took a sip of her tea.
Robert sighed deeply as he stared at the paper, "Mary." Edith smiled triumphantly at Mary as her father continued, "And Edith don't stir."
Sybil bit her lip from laughing. Looking up she wondered if she would ever listen to her sisters' arguing ever again.
Tom racked his hands through his hair for the millionth time that day. Today was the day. Any moment now Admiral Crawley's ship would start to pass and he would know if Sybil wanted to be with him or not.
The door opened and one of his crewmates Alfred, grinned. "Captain! The ship's starts to pass, is it time to move?"
Tom nodded, "Aye." Swallowing and licking his lips as he walked onto the deck, "It's now or never."
She was standing in their spot, their small strip of deck on the side of the cabin, staring out at the island.
He said he would pass us when he reached the island. Where is he? …What if he isn't coming?
The thought had just raced through her mind, giving her no time to think on it, when they had started to pass the island and The Emerald suddenly appeared from the other side of the island.
Sybil gasped. She could hear her father and his men shouting vaguely in the background but it had no effect on her. Her eyes were glued to the ship searching frantically for Branson.
She looked up at the upper deck and there he was, Captain Tom Branson. His head was moving about as if looking for something until he saw her. Looking at him she knew her answer.
Tearing her eyes from his she pulled out the pistol tucked into her skirt and curled her hand around it. Looking back at him she lifted the pistol into the air and pulled the trigger.
Sybil fell back, surprised by the force of such a small weapon.
She could hear her father shouting, asking who had fired. Branson's ship was directly across from them now and she could see his men getting ready to jump on when she remembered her suitcase. It was still in her room!
Scrambling up, she run past the officers on deck and pushed past the men inside. "Excuse me, excuse me!" She cried out to each other.
Ripping her door open she grabbed her case and started back towards the deck.
Tom climbed up the stairs as the ship started towards the naval ship. He watched in amusement for a moment as the navy men ran around frantically onboard. His eyes moved away when he saw the Admiral.
He needed to find Sybil. Tom's eyes raced across the ship looking for her when he finally saw her in the same place she was the last time his ship had come.
Looking into her eyes he watched as he looked down and then back up at him as she fired the pistol. He grinned as he raced down the stairs heading towards his the future Mrs. Branson.
The sound of swords clashing and the smell of gunpowder filled the air. Tom raced across the ship dodging swords as he run to where he last saw her fire the pistol but she wasn't there. Panic filled him as he wondered where she could have gone. Maybe someone pulled her inside… or maybe she already changed her mind.
Tom was just thinking of trying to get inside when she appeared. "Sybil!"
She grinned and ran towards him, "Branson!"
He grinned as she stood in front of him and reached for her hand and kissed it. "I thought you changed your mind for a second there."
Her gazed softened, "Of course not. I just had to run inside and get my suitcase." Looking down at her other hand he finally noticed the case.
Tom smiled and squeezed her hand, "Are you ready?"
If Tom had any doubts about her decision they dissolved as her face light up and chirped, "Yes!"
Pulling her by the hand he walked back onto the deck and raised his arm, signaling the men on his ship to throw him a rope. As the rope came forward he dropped her hand and climbed onto the banter. Holding the rope in one hand he reached out for her in the other. Sybil took his hand and stood next to him, and as he pulled her close.
Looking back onto the deck she watched the men onboard fight each other. She was just about to turn her head back towards The Emerald when her eyes landed on a man falling to the ground and revealed her father. His eyes widened as he took her in.
"I'm sorry Papa," she whispered as Branson shouted for his men to fell in. She wrapped her arms around Branson's waist as he pushed off the edge and they were soaring in the air to the other side.
Sybil grinned as she felt Branson's arms wrap around her. They were on the deck and the ship speeding forward, her father's ship becoming a distant speck on the sea.
He dropped his head onto her shoulder and whispered into her ear, "So where are we heading?"
She laughed and turned her head back to look at him, "Hmmm good question Branson."
He grinned roguishly as he teased, "You know you can call me Tom."
Blushing Sybil nodded. She turned towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck as she said, "You know I've always wanted to ride an elephant on my wedding day."
Tom chuckled, "Why am I not surprised?" Moving his head to the side he shouted out, "Alright men you heard her! We're heading to India!"
The men cheered and Sybil and Tom laughed before he took her face into his hands.
His eyes soften and a gentle smile crossed his face as his thumb stroked her cheek. "I love you," he said before leaning down and pressed his lips against hers.
A/N: This is the end guys but don't fear there WILL be a sequel! I have everything planned out all I need is a title and should be up (hopefully) sometime next week.
The sequel is going to begin a few months later with Tom & Sybil already married. There will be sword-fighting, treasure maps, & booty traps! Not to mention Sybil will learn how to use a pistol properly, The Soap will make another appearance and this will not be the last time you see Admiral Crawley!
So keep this story on alert people because when the sequel comes out I will put up a note as chapter 12 letting you know what the title is!