Chapter 8:

When the ship docked not far off port the rowboats were released and the crew went to shore. Salina sat excitedly in the front of the leading rowboat. She felt like this was her first real adventure and she couldn't wait for it to happen. But then she suddenly realized where she was, Port Royal, her uncle's island. Salina suddenly became very nervous and could feel her heart sink. 'Well as long as we stay clear of any guards and royalists we should be fine.' Salina thought to herself as she began to fumble with her fingers.
"Ah. Nothing like a good day and." Salina turned to Gibbs, eyebrow raised. "And?" "And rum." "Rum?" "Aye milady, rum. Tis the best drink out there." "I see." Salina turned back around and watched as they rowed closer and closer to port. She suddenly felt a warm hand embrace her shoulder. Salina tilted her head and saw that it was William. "Don't worry Miss, I'll look out for ye when they're in the tavern." Salina smiled at William and nodded. William is one of the nicest men on board the Black Pearl. He has always helped Salina when he could; she was surprised that he would want to be a pirate. But when she thought about it she was surprised that she wanted to be one herself.
When they got to the peer Jack was the first one off and he marched heavily towards the tavern, swaying as he walked. She started to laugh again as she watched him walk away. Will was the next out and he then helped Salina out of the boat. "Thank ye Will." Will nodded and she began to walk down the peer. "Where might ye be going Miss Rose?" Salina stopped in her tracks and moved to face Barbosa. "I'm going to a couple of shops to get a few supplies." "Would ye like an escort Miss Rose?" "No thank you Barbosa. I am fully capable of taking care of myself. Oh and Barbosa?" "Yes ma'am?" "You can address me by Salina." "I know ma'am. But, I prefer Miss Rose, has a certain ring about it." " Oh. Okay then." Salina turned back around and walked straight for the tailor's shop.
"Salina! Salina!" She could hear shouts from behind her. Then she saw Will not far off so she stopped and waited for him. "Yes Will?" "I told you that I'd look out for you while they were in the tavern." "Oh yes. Yes you did. Thank you. Shall we?" She held out her arm and they walked into the tailors shop. Salina hung her head low as she walked into the shop. "What's wrong Sali-." Will stopped and looked around. He saw a bunch of royal men and women starring at Salina in disgust. "Oh." Then he saw a man come out of the back room and Salina quickly turned away. "Let's go Will.' "But?" "Will please. Let's go." Salina took his arm and they walked out of the shop.
Salina walked over to a bench and sunk down into the chair like it was made of cotton. Then she cupped her hands to her face as her eyes started to tear up. Will sat down next to her. "What's wrong Salina?" "Nothing." She said while wiping her nose and sitting back up. "Really?" "No. There is something wrong." What is it?" "Them. In the store, they were what's wrong. You saw that man in the back room?" "Yes." "He's my fiancé, or at least he was supposed to be." "Oh." Will got up and paced a little rubbing his cheek hard, as if he was thinking constantly about what she was saying. Salina looked up at him, tears still falling. "But don't tell Jack. Please don't tell Jack." Salina grabbed his hand and rested her cheek on it.
"We need to do something. If yer seen here looking like this, and everyone thinks yer dead, and well you're not. Things could go really wrong. We need to get you some different cloths so you fit in a little better and aren't noticed as easily." Will bent down and looked Salina straight in the eyes. "Okay?' Salina nodded and hugged him tightly. "Aright, now you stay here while I go and get a dress for you." Salina nodded as he walked back into the tailors.
Ten minutes later he came out with a pastel green dress with little pink bows on the front. "Here ye go Salina." "Thank ye Will. You've been such a great help to me. How can I repay you?" "Don't worry about it miss. Now let's get you dressed. How bout over there?" "In an alleyway?" "Yeah, what isn't that okay." "Sure why not, what have I got to loose any way?" She laughed as she walked over to the alleyway. Salina asked Will to stand guard as she changed from one outfit to the next. When she took off her pants and her shirt you could see she had on tiny bloomers much like shorts and a bra like top.
"Will can ye do me a favor?" "Sure." "Can you tighten the ties on the back of this dress?" William gulped as he turned around to tighten the ties. "Will you have to pull em' tighter." She nearly yelled at him. A man walked by the alley and there was a loud noise as a glass vase with flowers broke on the flagstones. Salina looked up at the man and her eyes widened in shock. "James!" She yelled in embarrassment. Will backed away and tried to hide in the shadows. "Salina?" He walked a little closer. "So this is where you've been, what you've been doing?" Salina looked around and saw Will in the corner and noticed her dress wasn't fully tied. "Oh, no. It's not what you think. James really." "Oh is it not? I can't believe you! You've lowered yourself to these-these filthy beings!" "No James I haven't!" James walked furiously out of the alley and out into a garden. "Oh really? Then what were you doing back there? The tango backwards?" "You wouldn't understand James!" "I wouldn't understand. I wouldn't understand that you got up and left you're home and family behind. You left me to do what? Come here and become a whore! Some life you got there, Sweetie!"
At the same time Jack came walking out of the tavern crossing the grass going straight into the garden by Salina. He was drunk as can be and swaying to and fro like a chandelier. "Eh, Salina? Can you help me a minute, love?" Jack came stumbling over to her. She leaned out her arms to grab him before he fell. The bottle of rum in his hand dropped and shattered everywhere. "Oh damn. I just got that one, too. I suppose I'll get me self another." Jack put his arm around Salina's neck. "I better go Salina. I don't want to interrupt you and your costumers!" James turned and started to walk away.
Salina dropped Jack and stormed over to James. "Ouch! I'll be fine don't even worry about me! Ah, rum." Jack flopped back down on the ground trying to lick up the spilt rum. "You son of a bitch!" "I see they taught you how to talk too!" Salina stopped right in front of James. "Now see here James. I'm not some two-bit whore." "You could've fooled me." Salina gasped then punched him in his face. "Good shot, love. You hit him straight in the face, the first time around." "Shut up Jack!" Jack put his hands up in defense. "Okay okay. Jeeze I thought I was grouchy." Salina moved and glared at Jack as James tried to walk away again.
Salina caught back up with James. "James I'm not who you knew me as. I have changed, I don't know if it was for better or for worse but I have changed. But, you got to realize I was never yours, so don't concern yourself with me." "James looked down at her, a little ashamed but mostly disappointed. "You were mine! Whether you want to except it or not, you were mine!" Salina shook her head with her gold hair waving by her side. "You were. You even have the ring. See, it's still around your neck." James reached over and pulled a hidden chain out of her dress. Salina looked at it lovingly and then took it into her own hands.
Jack now sat up looking confusingly at the couple. "Come home with me Salina, please." James spoke softly to her as he placed his hand to her cheek. "Let me take care of you." She grasped his hand and took the necklace off. "I love you James." Jack's eyes widened as he herd her statement. Will came walking over and helped the fumbling captain up. They walked out of the garden. "I need a drink, Will. I need a drink bad." The two of them walked to the tavern.
James leaned in and kissed Salina; his red hair dangling under his hat. Salina put her hands to his chest and lightly pushed him off. "James I love you." "Yes?" "But, I can't be with you." A tear started to drip down her face as she looked up to the innocent man. "Why?" "I'm not sure why. But, I know it would never be right. All I can say is that I do love you." "Well. You leave me with but only one choice." Salina turned her face away. "I have to say goodbye. But." James put his hand to her chin and turned her face toward him. "If you ever need me you know where I am." "Thank you James, for understanding." She reached up and kissed his forehead, then let go and walked towards the tavern.