A/N: Thanks for the kind reviews. You've been so sweet, I've decided to give you a Christmas present: Chapter Three . . .Now about that life sized blow up doll . . .



Chapter Three: Surprises


"Seventeen sixty three?", she replied. "You've got to be kidding. What is this, one of those re- enactment ships, or something?"


"Don't know anything about any re-enwhatsit ships, luv. This is a pirate ship. The Black Pearl."


"But, how could it be 1763?", she asked.


"Well, missy, last year was 1762 so it just follows, does'n'it?"


"Come on, you guys. This is not a nice trick to play on a girl in my condition," she said. But something bothered her. They seemed too . . . real, somehow.


"No tricks, Miss Finch," he replied. "This is 1763. You're on my ship. We may be pirates but we're not that cruel."


"OK, just say I believe you. It's 1763. Just how did I manage to travel back 240 years in time?"


"Don't know that, luv. Seen lots o' strange things in my time, though. Walkin' skeletons, cursed gold. A lady from the future wouldn't surprise me a bit."


"Never mind. I'm too tired right now to deal with this," she said. "When will the ship be docking? I appreciate all you've done for me, but I think I should probably see a real doctor."


"Well, little one," he replied, "that all depends on you."


"On me?" she asked


"Well, first you have t'tell us where ye live, and who to contact t'pay your ransom. Then we'll go on from there."


"Ransom! Ow, that hurt," she groaned. "What ransom?"


"Cap'n," Gibbs spoke up. "I think maybe she's had enough fer one day. She's still to weak t'be talkin' about this."


"Oh no you don't," she said. "I'll never be able to rest if you don't explain what you're talking about."


"Ransom, missy," Jack replied. "It's what pirates do with pretty young girls like you. Well, one of the things we do, anyways," he leered. "Maybe when yer up and about I can show you some of the other things we like t'do."


"What if I can't tell you where to take me? Remember. I don't even know how I got here."


"We'll work all that out later, luv." His eyes softened. "You really need to rest, now. Try not t'worry. We won't hurt you."


She looked into his soft brown eyes. He had soulful eyes. The black eyeliner that limned them just accented their charm. Something there told her that he was telling her the truth. He wouldn't hurt her.


/ / Forget about eyes like pools of water / / she thought. / / Give me chocolate any time./ /


"Get some rest, miss," Gibbs told her. "I'll be checkin' on ye again later." With that, Gibbs left the room.


"You'd best close yer eyes, luv," Jack said. "A man could drown in those waves."


"Waves?" she replied. "Nice line, but my eyes are grey. Don't see how you'd get waves there."


"Nay, luv." His voice dropped. "You've got the most beautiful sea-green eyes I've ever seen in all my life."