Chapter 29

"Spray of the Sea"

The sunny day had been long; we were well out into sea before the sun began to set, the air thick and heavy with humidity. It was a slower than usual with the wind blowing at our faces. I stood happily at the helm, humming 'a pirates life for me' while steering, the Black Pearl in my wake. Jack stood to my right leaning his weight against the rail, his forearms resting on the rail. Seemingly enjoying the view even though he had probably seen it a number of times before.

"Beautiful isn't it?" was Jacks statement as the sun sank toward the horizon.

"What's that?" I questioned, as he pushed himself away from the rail and stepped toward me.

"The sun set, none of them are ever the same twice."

I slowly nodded in agreement, he was correct after all no matter how many sunsets I have seen in my life I don't remember any two ever being the same. "There's a storm movin' in on us." I stated as a breeze ran over my body.

Jack looked up to the sky and came to stand beside me. "And just 'ow do ye know that?"

"Look at the clouds on the horizon, they aren't normal clouds, those be rain clouds."

"Aye, I forgot, not only are ye a pirate but, yer a weather forecaster as well." Was his remark

"We should probably stop 'ere for the night." I thought aloud, briefly looking to Jack for some sort of confirmation I knew I didn't really need.

"No, we can go on for awhile more. No need to be stoppin' before we need to stop fer there is no reason to be stoppin' now." Was his reply, his arms waving in the air as he spoke.

I eyed him for a second as his words flowed through my mind. "I suppose not." I said, still slightly confused. "'ave ye been in the rum?"

"Just a smidgen." He said, holding up his thumb and index finger just to show how little he had drank.

"Well then, can ye go fetch me a bottle?" was my question.

"What's the magic word?" he questioned, looking over at me.

"Now?" I questioned, raising a brow as I looked over at him.

"No, that's not it." He shook his head, putting his right index finger to his lips as if in thought.

"Right now?"

"Try again, luv."

"Please?" I practically begged in a whiny tone.

A satisfied smirk rose to his lips as he sauntered down the stairway. "Right away, see was that so 'ard?"

"Grab one fer yerself too." I watched him make his way down the stairway.

"Already planned on it."

"Of course." I whispered, staring back out onto sea.

"Is everyday like this?" Lydia's voice broke through the wind as she climbed the stairway, holding onto the rail for dear life. She finally made it to the top, and stood beside me, still holding onto the rail.

"No, most days are not as rough." Was my answer "Can ye take the wheel for a second?"

"Are you sure?"

"Aye, I trust ye."

She looked at me for a second but then quickly let go of the rail and grabbed onto the wheel. "Good, now keep 'er steady." I stated, beginning to take my hand away.
"No, don't do that yet!"

"It's fine, yer doin' great." I smiled. "I believe I have a natural in my midst."

"Just don't let go, not yet." She shifted uncomfortably on her feet, trying to gain better composure. I nodded and waited the few moments it took.

"Ready?"

"Okay." She whispered.

I let go of the wheel, letting her take over. She squealed slightly as her eyes widened.

"Your doin' great."

"I can't believe it!" she grinned proudly. "I'm sailing a ship!"

I sighed lightly as the breeze from the sea began to blow harder. I threw my hair up into a messy bun, quickly grabbing into my pocket searching for a pin. Finally finding it, I placed it in my hair. A few seconds later a gust of wind started Lydia and knocked her off balance the ship violently swung to the left. "Oops." I laughed, grabbing onto the wheel.

"What the bloody 'ell was that?" Jack asked, his body slamming into the rail as he tried to walk up the stairway with a bottle of rum in each hand. Lydia and I looked to each other and began to laugh. Straightening up Jack finally made it to the top. "Ye didn't do that on purpose?" he questioned eyeing the both of us for a second before continuing. "Did ye?" holding out his left hand, waiting for the to retrieve the bottle.
"Wasn't me." I stated defensively, grabbing the bottle.

"Then who was it?"

"Yer daughter." I smiled proudly.

"Really?"

"Aye, and I'd say she did rather good bein' 'er first time and all."

He eyed us for a second and then simply smiled. "Maybe we should wait until it isn't so windy out to be teachin' 'er 'ow to steer."

"I gathered that much already, I just wanted to throw me hair up and no one else was 'ere." I said in my defense, stray strands of hair falling into my face. "Lydia were goin' to be pullin' into a storm, go to yer room and secure yer things as much as ye can."

"Okay." She smiled happily. "Wait, I mean, Aye Captain!" Her smile widened as she gave me a salute. I chuckled lightly and watched her grab onto the rail, her knuckles white from holding on so tight.

"We really need to teach 'er to walk on the ship."

"Aye."

"Well Jack, ye want to take over so I can go down and interrupt the crews meal to make them get up 'ere and prepare?" I questioned, looking over to him.

"No, I can't." was his reply, he backed away slightly sending red flags in my mind. He had never hesitated taking over before.

"Ye alright?"

"Fine." He replied, looking somewhat nervous as he drank down his rum.

I eyed him for a second, and decided not to push the issue at this time. "Alright, well then can ye at least go and get the men?"

"Now that I can do." Jack nodded, throwing an index finger up and then dropping it down again. I pondered what would make him look somewhat scared to take over. What happened on the days before he stopped sailing on the high seas? Was it really only for Lydia's benefit or for his own as well? I shook the thoughts from my head and decided I would ask Gibbs later.