I haven't had a disclaimer for a while, and I know Disney is parked outside
my house at the moment in a van marked "Air Conditioning Services" tapping
into my computer. Well here it goes......JACK (sob) it doesn't have to be
this way! Come with me and I'll give you candy! (dangles a Snickers bar
out my window) Ugh, okay, I see how it is...(Dangles a mug of rum out the
window instead) Yes!!! Direct hit! (hugs Jack and doesn't let go) Jack:
Uh, luv, careful on the goods. (And what lovely goods they are!) ::winks::
Author's Notes (cue pirates of the Caribbean music!)
Goodness, Holy mother o' Pearl! Lovin' the feedback, people! (gets a little teary eyed) dang, I need to pull meself together. Classes have been taking away so much of my writing time and Fridays are the best because I ran straight to the computer once I got home and started thinking about this chapter. I check fanfiction.net daily and believe me; I have many ideas whirling around in me head. And when I ever get writer's block, I just pick up me ol' violin and start to play. It helps, it really does! So go out and get one of yer own, ye scoundrel!
Gallagher had somewhat of an epiphany in that last chapter. Jack Sparrow has her heart, even if he doesn't know it, and continues to try to bed her. Terrence does not take love lightly, and needless to say, she had never really been in love. It hurts her to know that Jack does not feel the same way. Or is Jack just trying to hide his vulnerabilities by being crude and hurtful? These two infamous pirate captains are feeling so many emotions. Will Gallagher finally get the urge to confess? Will Jack be anything but perverse? Read on and find out!
(I love your reviews so much that I decided that everyone could have their own SHIP! Woowoo it's in yer front yard. I'd like to thank Fed Ex for making the deliveries possible. And Seom? I would be delighted if you put a link to my story up on your site. It was so polite of you to even ask!)
Enjoy Chapter Seventeen!
Now bring me that horizon,
PineAppleLint
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Gallagher, what are yer plans?" one of the antsy men repeated, and I snapped out of my daze, putting an end to my revelation for the time being, yet it still whispered in the back of my mind, like a precious secret desperately wanting to get out.
"Man the braces! Captain Sparrow and I are going to shore to check out the surroundings. Do anything to give away our position and I'll have yer guts fer garters!" I shouted with urgency, pushing my windblown black hair over my shoulder once more, holding on to the ropes and leaning overboard ever so slightly to gaze out at the island. The sky was a calm navy, cloudless, with endless winking stars and a full, white moon that caused the water to sparkle like polished diamonds.
It was unbelievably warm, and the humid air clung to my flesh like a second skin. I suddenly felt dizzy from the excitement, of not knowing what was to come, of what my fate would be in the near future. Alas, life itself was full of mystery and wild turns, but as the pirate saying goes: take what yeh can, give nothin' back!
I began singing softly to try and calm myself, so I would not end up acting like a bumbling fool while on the island. I was a captain, and with that title came many important responsibilities I didn't want to screw up.
"We're devils and black sheep and really bad eggs," I sung low with my wispy voice, remembering the day on deck when I heard Jack singing it, and it had been stuck in my mind ever since, like a tumor, or a thought that would just not escape me.
Such as that one wild thought o' mine, of my suspicions that I was falling in love with a rogue pirate.
"Yeh sing well, Gallagher," Jack said and I jumped a bit, instantly scowling at him as he grinned, loving that he had caught me off guard.
"Thank ye. It's a good way to make money," I replied, beginning to prepare the boat. Sparrow began to help out, his fingers expertly working at the ropes.
"What do ye mean?" Jack asked, clearly interested, his brown eyes meeting my gray ones.
"I've had a lot of occupations in the past, Jack, before I even became a pirate. I worked at a Tavern for a short period of time and sang every couple of nights."
"Was it a popular place? I bet they had rum. Ah, rum...." he drifted off, his eyes glazing over with want.
"Aye, lots o' rum. Let's just say the room filled up with men around the time I was due to sing," I said, winking at him.
"Did yeh ever sell yerself, Gallagher?"
That question caught me off guard, and shocked me so much the boat went splashing into the water instead of being lightly set down.
"Why do yeh ask?"
"A poor lass such as yerself would have to make do somehow, and that is usually the profession the lost souls go into."
"I was no 'lost soul', Jack. The men did offer."
"And?"
"Yeh are bloody nosy. Now why are ye so curious?" I shot back, skirting around the issue just so I would get the pleasure to see him frustrated with curiosity. He narrowed his eyes at me and swaggered over, and grabbed my head into his hands and forced my lips onto his. It was fierce and hot, nothing gentle like I had experienced from him in the past. It was as if he was taking out his anger and putting that fire into the kiss. I felt his tongue and I let out a little sound, a tiny moan. Satisfied, he broke away from me.
"That is why, Gallagher," he said, "I just want to know yer past, luv." He then bowed a little with his palms together, "And I am not tryin' to pry in any way, so if you'd excuse me, I have to have a little chat with Will and Elizabeth."
I leaned against the railing, breathless, trying to regain my composure. Sparrow was at it again. One minute, he was that stupid blighter I loved to prod and poke at, the next he was all feeling and bloody romantic.
Men, I thought, shaking my head, why do we even put up with them?
"Terrence!" I heard Elizabeth call. I whipped my head around and I found her walking towards me with a stern look on her face.
"What am I in trouble for now? Yeh act like me mother," I said with a grin.
"Very funny," she said with a grin of her own, "I just want to say be careful, and don't try to kill yourselves."
"We'll be careful, honest."
"I want to come," she said, sighing, "But...."
"Too dangerous," I said with a shake of my head, "We can't go bargin' in there like we're a bloody parade. They'd slit our throats the minute they 'eard a peep from us."
"I suppose your right. Oh, and Terrence?"
"Yes, Elizabeth?"
"When I said try not to kill yourselves, I didn't mean by Shadows and his crew. I meant you and Jack."
"Well then that, I cannot promise," I teased, "But I swear on me pirate honor, I sure as hell will try."
She nodded and said, "I shall see you at midnight, then."
"Aye, midnight."
"Ready to go?" Jack said as Will and him came walking up. Will and Elizabeth gave each other a passionate goodbye, which lasted a minute or two. Jack and my eyes met and we rolled our eyes simultaneously.
"I shall return, Elizabeth," Will said in that way of his.
"Hell, boy, we ain't going to China! Let's get a move on!" Jack said with exasperation.
"Yeh know, Will," I said slyly, "A eunuch such as yerself sure has a way with the ladies!"
Will's eyes cut to Jack, who was grinning like a madman. "Jack! You and your lies! I'm never going to live that one down." He turned to me and added fiercely, "I am not a eunuch!"
"Denial is the first step yeh have to overcome, dear William."
Elizabeth laughed and said, "Stop picking on my husband. Now hurry up and get a move on."
The three of us said no more, for there was nothing to say. We were off to begin our hunt. The real question was, were Shadows and his crew lurking on the island? We had studied the island for any signs of life and had found nothing, not even the faintest flicker of a lamp or the traces of a ship sailing through the region.
Once we were firmly in the boat, Will instantly grabbed the oars and Jack lay back, relaxing. I let my fingers trail through the cool dark blue water, then I stared at the island, which was growing closer and closer.
"You don't look very worried, Jack. That fact worries ME," Will said, one eyebrow rose as he kept rowing, the muscles in his arms clenched and straining underneath his dirt stained white shirt.
"Ah, no need to be worried, Will," Jack said, only his smile showing from underneath his cocked hat, his goatee braids bobbing up and down as he talked, the trinkets jangling.
I stared out at the island again. It seemed peaceful, dark, and foreboding. Exactly the kind of place an ominous treasure would be located at.
"And you, Gallagher," Will went on, "It worries me that you have no snide remarks for this joyous occasion. Seeing you nervous is rare."
"I am not bloody nervous," I muttered, "I'm just wondering if Shadows is going to be there like we suspected."
"Shadows is a tricky man," Sparrow mused, "We're going to have to keep a sharp eye."
"We need to keep it down," I whispered, "Because we are getting close." I pointed and the men looked in the direction. Sure enough, we were reaching shore. The waves ever so peacefully lapped up onto the white, flawless sand. It may have looked like a paradise, for in some ways it was: it would bring us more riches then we could ever imagine.
The island itself was like Pandora's box. To get to the treasure, we would have to lift the lid and deal with the evils dealt to us.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Gallagher," Sparrow whispered, "Are we getting close?"
Will and Jack had been following me for the past half hour as I led the way, scrutinizing the map in the dim moonlight. We all had our swords unsheathed and ready. Sometimes Jack let out a muttered curse when he got caught in some wild vines or he tripped over an exposed tree root. On the other hand, Will and I snuck around with the grace of a panther, agile and alert. We had to slowly make our way through brush and trees.
"Just a little further," I whispered back, "I can feel it."
Sure enough, a couple more steps and we reached a muddy clearing which was surrounded by tropical forest. In the darkness, I could see yellow beady eyes peeking out at us, and monkey calls vibrated through our bodies. Except we didn't care about that at the moment. We were too busy gawking at the deep trench in front of us. The muddy dirt had been dug at, leaving a huge gaping hole that had to be about fifteen feet deep. There was nothing at the bottom.
"DAMMIT!" Sparrow cursed and it echoed throughout the clearing.
"Jack! They could have heard you!" Will hissed.
"They've already been here! They took the treasure, those bastards!" Jack said savagely, his eyes wild with revulsion.
"No, it can't be," I whispered and dropped to my knees, sifting the moved soil through my fingers. My dreams, my revenge was slipping through my fingers to be lost forever.
"I'm going to check the bottom," Will declared, getting ready to jump down.
"No, let me," I said back, still not believing it was gone, "You two have the pistols after all. Keep watch."
I slid my body slowly down the vertical walls, which crumbled instantly at my touch. I lost my hold and felt myself falling. When I fell, I landed in the mud on my back, knocking the air out of me.
"Gallagher! Are you all right?" Jack called, "What happened?"
"Lost my grip. I'm all right," I called back and my eyes adjusted to the darkness. There was nothing left at the bottom of the dirt pit. Shadows's men must have shoveled the treasure out before we even arrived. Something caught my eye. The moonlight reflected on something on the ground, and I leaned over and picked it up. It was a gold doubloon. What was left of Snidely's sacred treasure.
Suddenly, rough shouts came from above and I heard pistol shots.
"Will! Jack!" I cried and tried to scramble out to help but the slippery mud kept me from getting a foothold. I grunted as I kicked at the loose dirt, forming crevices in the wall, which I could use to climb up. Dirt was flying everywhere and I was caked with it. After many struggles, I finally reached the top and pulled myself over the edge, gasping, adrenaline filling my veins.
Wildly, I looked around. Will and Jack was nowhere in sight. They had disappeared. I saw something on the ground. It was a body. A cry clenched at my throat, trying to escape as I ran towards the body.
Please, not Jack. Not Will. Not the man I loved, not my friend.
I almost sobbed with relief when I found it was indeed not one of them, but a harsh looking man. The man was wearing black breeches as well as a black overcoat, as dark and menacing as a haunting shadow. He had greasy brown hair and a mustache, his lips curled up in a sneer. Apparently Will or Jack had shot him in the chest. Even in death, he looked sarcastic and ugly.
"Shadows," I whispered, "He's back."
I leaned over the man and checked his wrist. I was right: this was one of Shadows's crew. The black tears surrounding his wrist were Shadows's mark.
The man gasped for air and I immediately let out a yell, falling back on my buttocks and scrambling away from him. He sprang at me, knocking me to my back.
"You'll pay, missy!" he growled fiercely, one of his big hands wrapping around my throat, the other covering my mouth to stifle the shouts.
I felt my lungs screaming for air as he choked me and I did the only thing I thought I could do in defense at the time: I bit his hand, hard and without mercy. The ugly man screamed and jumped off of me, his hand now spraying blood. In the blink of an eye I unsheathed my sword and thrust it through his heart. His eyes glazed over and he stared at me with horror. I yanked it out of his flesh and he fell to the ground with a thud. This time, he would stay dead and get his chance to go straight to Hell.
I stared at him for a moment. I had taken another life. How many would that be now? Dozens? Perhaps I was the one heading straight for Hell. A pirate damned for all eternity.
Too late for repenting now. I had to save my life, as well as Sparrow's and Will's.
I glanced at my bloodstained sword and was about to wipe it off when something hard butted me in the back of my head, and I fell into the steady whirlpool of unconsciousness.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yet another cliffhanger, mateys! (evil laugh) I hope you liked it. What happened to Gallagher? Where did Will and Sparrow go? Are they dead? What will be their fate, as well as the fate of the Black Pearl? Just something for you to ponder about as you review. (points at review button and winks so much it looks like I have an eye twitch)
Author's Notes (cue pirates of the Caribbean music!)
Goodness, Holy mother o' Pearl! Lovin' the feedback, people! (gets a little teary eyed) dang, I need to pull meself together. Classes have been taking away so much of my writing time and Fridays are the best because I ran straight to the computer once I got home and started thinking about this chapter. I check fanfiction.net daily and believe me; I have many ideas whirling around in me head. And when I ever get writer's block, I just pick up me ol' violin and start to play. It helps, it really does! So go out and get one of yer own, ye scoundrel!
Gallagher had somewhat of an epiphany in that last chapter. Jack Sparrow has her heart, even if he doesn't know it, and continues to try to bed her. Terrence does not take love lightly, and needless to say, she had never really been in love. It hurts her to know that Jack does not feel the same way. Or is Jack just trying to hide his vulnerabilities by being crude and hurtful? These two infamous pirate captains are feeling so many emotions. Will Gallagher finally get the urge to confess? Will Jack be anything but perverse? Read on and find out!
(I love your reviews so much that I decided that everyone could have their own SHIP! Woowoo it's in yer front yard. I'd like to thank Fed Ex for making the deliveries possible. And Seom? I would be delighted if you put a link to my story up on your site. It was so polite of you to even ask!)
Enjoy Chapter Seventeen!
Now bring me that horizon,
PineAppleLint
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Gallagher, what are yer plans?" one of the antsy men repeated, and I snapped out of my daze, putting an end to my revelation for the time being, yet it still whispered in the back of my mind, like a precious secret desperately wanting to get out.
"Man the braces! Captain Sparrow and I are going to shore to check out the surroundings. Do anything to give away our position and I'll have yer guts fer garters!" I shouted with urgency, pushing my windblown black hair over my shoulder once more, holding on to the ropes and leaning overboard ever so slightly to gaze out at the island. The sky was a calm navy, cloudless, with endless winking stars and a full, white moon that caused the water to sparkle like polished diamonds.
It was unbelievably warm, and the humid air clung to my flesh like a second skin. I suddenly felt dizzy from the excitement, of not knowing what was to come, of what my fate would be in the near future. Alas, life itself was full of mystery and wild turns, but as the pirate saying goes: take what yeh can, give nothin' back!
I began singing softly to try and calm myself, so I would not end up acting like a bumbling fool while on the island. I was a captain, and with that title came many important responsibilities I didn't want to screw up.
"We're devils and black sheep and really bad eggs," I sung low with my wispy voice, remembering the day on deck when I heard Jack singing it, and it had been stuck in my mind ever since, like a tumor, or a thought that would just not escape me.
Such as that one wild thought o' mine, of my suspicions that I was falling in love with a rogue pirate.
"Yeh sing well, Gallagher," Jack said and I jumped a bit, instantly scowling at him as he grinned, loving that he had caught me off guard.
"Thank ye. It's a good way to make money," I replied, beginning to prepare the boat. Sparrow began to help out, his fingers expertly working at the ropes.
"What do ye mean?" Jack asked, clearly interested, his brown eyes meeting my gray ones.
"I've had a lot of occupations in the past, Jack, before I even became a pirate. I worked at a Tavern for a short period of time and sang every couple of nights."
"Was it a popular place? I bet they had rum. Ah, rum...." he drifted off, his eyes glazing over with want.
"Aye, lots o' rum. Let's just say the room filled up with men around the time I was due to sing," I said, winking at him.
"Did yeh ever sell yerself, Gallagher?"
That question caught me off guard, and shocked me so much the boat went splashing into the water instead of being lightly set down.
"Why do yeh ask?"
"A poor lass such as yerself would have to make do somehow, and that is usually the profession the lost souls go into."
"I was no 'lost soul', Jack. The men did offer."
"And?"
"Yeh are bloody nosy. Now why are ye so curious?" I shot back, skirting around the issue just so I would get the pleasure to see him frustrated with curiosity. He narrowed his eyes at me and swaggered over, and grabbed my head into his hands and forced my lips onto his. It was fierce and hot, nothing gentle like I had experienced from him in the past. It was as if he was taking out his anger and putting that fire into the kiss. I felt his tongue and I let out a little sound, a tiny moan. Satisfied, he broke away from me.
"That is why, Gallagher," he said, "I just want to know yer past, luv." He then bowed a little with his palms together, "And I am not tryin' to pry in any way, so if you'd excuse me, I have to have a little chat with Will and Elizabeth."
I leaned against the railing, breathless, trying to regain my composure. Sparrow was at it again. One minute, he was that stupid blighter I loved to prod and poke at, the next he was all feeling and bloody romantic.
Men, I thought, shaking my head, why do we even put up with them?
"Terrence!" I heard Elizabeth call. I whipped my head around and I found her walking towards me with a stern look on her face.
"What am I in trouble for now? Yeh act like me mother," I said with a grin.
"Very funny," she said with a grin of her own, "I just want to say be careful, and don't try to kill yourselves."
"We'll be careful, honest."
"I want to come," she said, sighing, "But...."
"Too dangerous," I said with a shake of my head, "We can't go bargin' in there like we're a bloody parade. They'd slit our throats the minute they 'eard a peep from us."
"I suppose your right. Oh, and Terrence?"
"Yes, Elizabeth?"
"When I said try not to kill yourselves, I didn't mean by Shadows and his crew. I meant you and Jack."
"Well then that, I cannot promise," I teased, "But I swear on me pirate honor, I sure as hell will try."
She nodded and said, "I shall see you at midnight, then."
"Aye, midnight."
"Ready to go?" Jack said as Will and him came walking up. Will and Elizabeth gave each other a passionate goodbye, which lasted a minute or two. Jack and my eyes met and we rolled our eyes simultaneously.
"I shall return, Elizabeth," Will said in that way of his.
"Hell, boy, we ain't going to China! Let's get a move on!" Jack said with exasperation.
"Yeh know, Will," I said slyly, "A eunuch such as yerself sure has a way with the ladies!"
Will's eyes cut to Jack, who was grinning like a madman. "Jack! You and your lies! I'm never going to live that one down." He turned to me and added fiercely, "I am not a eunuch!"
"Denial is the first step yeh have to overcome, dear William."
Elizabeth laughed and said, "Stop picking on my husband. Now hurry up and get a move on."
The three of us said no more, for there was nothing to say. We were off to begin our hunt. The real question was, were Shadows and his crew lurking on the island? We had studied the island for any signs of life and had found nothing, not even the faintest flicker of a lamp or the traces of a ship sailing through the region.
Once we were firmly in the boat, Will instantly grabbed the oars and Jack lay back, relaxing. I let my fingers trail through the cool dark blue water, then I stared at the island, which was growing closer and closer.
"You don't look very worried, Jack. That fact worries ME," Will said, one eyebrow rose as he kept rowing, the muscles in his arms clenched and straining underneath his dirt stained white shirt.
"Ah, no need to be worried, Will," Jack said, only his smile showing from underneath his cocked hat, his goatee braids bobbing up and down as he talked, the trinkets jangling.
I stared out at the island again. It seemed peaceful, dark, and foreboding. Exactly the kind of place an ominous treasure would be located at.
"And you, Gallagher," Will went on, "It worries me that you have no snide remarks for this joyous occasion. Seeing you nervous is rare."
"I am not bloody nervous," I muttered, "I'm just wondering if Shadows is going to be there like we suspected."
"Shadows is a tricky man," Sparrow mused, "We're going to have to keep a sharp eye."
"We need to keep it down," I whispered, "Because we are getting close." I pointed and the men looked in the direction. Sure enough, we were reaching shore. The waves ever so peacefully lapped up onto the white, flawless sand. It may have looked like a paradise, for in some ways it was: it would bring us more riches then we could ever imagine.
The island itself was like Pandora's box. To get to the treasure, we would have to lift the lid and deal with the evils dealt to us.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Gallagher," Sparrow whispered, "Are we getting close?"
Will and Jack had been following me for the past half hour as I led the way, scrutinizing the map in the dim moonlight. We all had our swords unsheathed and ready. Sometimes Jack let out a muttered curse when he got caught in some wild vines or he tripped over an exposed tree root. On the other hand, Will and I snuck around with the grace of a panther, agile and alert. We had to slowly make our way through brush and trees.
"Just a little further," I whispered back, "I can feel it."
Sure enough, a couple more steps and we reached a muddy clearing which was surrounded by tropical forest. In the darkness, I could see yellow beady eyes peeking out at us, and monkey calls vibrated through our bodies. Except we didn't care about that at the moment. We were too busy gawking at the deep trench in front of us. The muddy dirt had been dug at, leaving a huge gaping hole that had to be about fifteen feet deep. There was nothing at the bottom.
"DAMMIT!" Sparrow cursed and it echoed throughout the clearing.
"Jack! They could have heard you!" Will hissed.
"They've already been here! They took the treasure, those bastards!" Jack said savagely, his eyes wild with revulsion.
"No, it can't be," I whispered and dropped to my knees, sifting the moved soil through my fingers. My dreams, my revenge was slipping through my fingers to be lost forever.
"I'm going to check the bottom," Will declared, getting ready to jump down.
"No, let me," I said back, still not believing it was gone, "You two have the pistols after all. Keep watch."
I slid my body slowly down the vertical walls, which crumbled instantly at my touch. I lost my hold and felt myself falling. When I fell, I landed in the mud on my back, knocking the air out of me.
"Gallagher! Are you all right?" Jack called, "What happened?"
"Lost my grip. I'm all right," I called back and my eyes adjusted to the darkness. There was nothing left at the bottom of the dirt pit. Shadows's men must have shoveled the treasure out before we even arrived. Something caught my eye. The moonlight reflected on something on the ground, and I leaned over and picked it up. It was a gold doubloon. What was left of Snidely's sacred treasure.
Suddenly, rough shouts came from above and I heard pistol shots.
"Will! Jack!" I cried and tried to scramble out to help but the slippery mud kept me from getting a foothold. I grunted as I kicked at the loose dirt, forming crevices in the wall, which I could use to climb up. Dirt was flying everywhere and I was caked with it. After many struggles, I finally reached the top and pulled myself over the edge, gasping, adrenaline filling my veins.
Wildly, I looked around. Will and Jack was nowhere in sight. They had disappeared. I saw something on the ground. It was a body. A cry clenched at my throat, trying to escape as I ran towards the body.
Please, not Jack. Not Will. Not the man I loved, not my friend.
I almost sobbed with relief when I found it was indeed not one of them, but a harsh looking man. The man was wearing black breeches as well as a black overcoat, as dark and menacing as a haunting shadow. He had greasy brown hair and a mustache, his lips curled up in a sneer. Apparently Will or Jack had shot him in the chest. Even in death, he looked sarcastic and ugly.
"Shadows," I whispered, "He's back."
I leaned over the man and checked his wrist. I was right: this was one of Shadows's crew. The black tears surrounding his wrist were Shadows's mark.
The man gasped for air and I immediately let out a yell, falling back on my buttocks and scrambling away from him. He sprang at me, knocking me to my back.
"You'll pay, missy!" he growled fiercely, one of his big hands wrapping around my throat, the other covering my mouth to stifle the shouts.
I felt my lungs screaming for air as he choked me and I did the only thing I thought I could do in defense at the time: I bit his hand, hard and without mercy. The ugly man screamed and jumped off of me, his hand now spraying blood. In the blink of an eye I unsheathed my sword and thrust it through his heart. His eyes glazed over and he stared at me with horror. I yanked it out of his flesh and he fell to the ground with a thud. This time, he would stay dead and get his chance to go straight to Hell.
I stared at him for a moment. I had taken another life. How many would that be now? Dozens? Perhaps I was the one heading straight for Hell. A pirate damned for all eternity.
Too late for repenting now. I had to save my life, as well as Sparrow's and Will's.
I glanced at my bloodstained sword and was about to wipe it off when something hard butted me in the back of my head, and I fell into the steady whirlpool of unconsciousness.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yet another cliffhanger, mateys! (evil laugh) I hope you liked it. What happened to Gallagher? Where did Will and Sparrow go? Are they dead? What will be their fate, as well as the fate of the Black Pearl? Just something for you to ponder about as you review. (points at review button and winks so much it looks like I have an eye twitch)