Jack, Gibbs and Murphy entered Lacey's house cautiously.
"Lacey, where are yer Lass?" Jack called out. No answer
Jack raced up stairs as Gibbs and Murphy looked around feeling very out of place.
"Jack, who might this lass be? 'Tis a nice house." Gibbs called out to Jack.
Jack came marching down the stairs again in full effects. "What's more important Gents is that she isn't here. When I get me hands on that bloody Governor I'm going to-"
Jack was cut off as the door swung open.
"Jack!" Lacey came in running to Jack with her torn skirts in her hands.
"What the hell happen to you?"
"You must get out of here! The Governor means to hang you tomorrow morning!"
"It's alright Love, we're all leaving right now." Jack tried to sooth the near hysterical girl.
"And the Governor has been holding me prisoner all day and he is going to be most displeased when he sees I have escaped."
Jack looked down at Lacey. She seemed to be talking very fast, only stopping to drag in deep breaths. And were they twigs in her hair?!
"And what am I going to Jack? When he finds you're gone he'll know it was me and he'll evict me from my house and what am I going to do Jack?" She asked in a panicky voice.
Jack watched in horror as her eyes became glassed over and her chin wobbled dangerously. Quickly he pulled her to his chest and patted her back reassuringly.
"Don't do that Lacey, not just yet. We have to get out of here first."
"Jack I'm going to be homeless and, and, I had to climb out of a window and I fell and now my head hurts Jack." Came her muffled voice.
Jack pushed her back still holding her upper arms. "Listen girl. You can't stay here. I want you to go upstairs and pack your things into your big trunk as fast as you can."
"Jack I can't leave here, I'm not like you, everything I have ever known is here, and what of my fathers possessions, this house that holds all my childhood memories?"
"Lacey Love, I'm sorry, this is all my fault, I shouldn't have come here I know but what's done is done. And now you have no choice but to come with me, I can't protect you here any more Mary-Alice."
Jack watched as Lacey's head dropped resolutely, he knew that she picked up on him using her full name and knew him to be serious. "What will become of me?"
Jack gently pushed Lacey in the direction of the stairs. "We'll discuss it when we get the hell out of here, Love."
*
Mary-Alice watched as Gibbs and Murphy took her trunk and cases out the door. She stood hesitating by the door.
"Jack I sorry, but I don't know if I can do this." She whispered moving backwards slowly.
She watched as Jack crossed the room and stood in front of her.
"I can't let you stay here Lacey."
Mary-Alice nodded in resignation and Jack stepped back, suddenly her embarrassing state of dress crossed her mind. "Do I have time to change my dress?"
Jack gave her a pained expression and grabbed the dress she had just finished and flung it over his arm and grabbed Mary-Alice's wrist with his other hand.
"You can change when we're safely on the Pearl and have a lot of water between us and this town, Savvy?"
Mary-Alice nodded as Jack pulled her along behind him.
Mary-Alice followed Jack as they made their way to the waters edge to where a small boat was waiting them.
"Hold it right there!"
Jack swung Mary-Alice around so she was shielded behind him and studied the two red coats no doubt wondering whether to pull his gun out.
"Yes Gentlemen what can I do for you this evening."
"Civilians aren't allowed on the beach at night."
Jack bowed. "My apologies my good sirs it's just the little lass wanted to see me ship."
"And what ship might that be? I don't see any except that bath tub over there."
The soldiers sniggered thinking Jack was talking about the small boat.
Mary-Alice stepped forward curtsying politely. "I beg your permission sir, I have never been on a boat before."
One of the red coats wandered forward. "Milady, you let me know when you're ready to see a real ship by a real man."
He leant forward and took her hand kissing it soft.
"Thank you-"
She was cut off abruptly by Jack grabbing her hand out the red coat's grasp and scowling menacingly. "Aye, well why don't you just run along and do that great job your doing of protecting us from pirates Lads while me and me Lass take a little dip in me 'bath' aye?"
Mary-Alice stepped back into Jack stepping onto his foot purposely and smiled. "Good evening gentlemen."
Again Jack pulled her along the beach leaving Mary-Alice failing behind.
"Jack! For goodness sake! I'm not a rag doll!" She exclaimed trying to keep up with Jack's long strides.
Jack looked back. "Sorry Love, I'm just a little anxious to get back on the sea."
"Feeling a little vulnerable on land are we?"
"Let's just say I have yet to reacquire me land legs."
Mary-Alice chuckled and Jack's strong grip left her arm and he jumped into the small rowboat. Placing her dress on the seat, he reached out and grabbed Mary-Alice's hand again pulling her into the boat.
Mary-Alice squeaked as Jack sat her down and threw her dress at her. She watched as he grabbed the ores and with one of them pushed the small boat off the sand.
At once they were speeding through the black water far away from her home.
A gentle sigh escaped from her mouth. "Good bye." She whispered softly.
*
Jack watched the girl in front of him. He truly was sorry that he had mucked up her life here in the 'oh so boring' town, but on another note he was incredibly happy he was finally able to show her his beloved Pearl. And besides, he wanted to spend time with her. The voyage to Port Royale would be all the time he needed. Jack continued rowing until a gasp came from the other occupant of the boat.
Cautiously glanced around. "What is it, Love?"
Lacey's eyes were wide and staring out behind him. Jack turned slightly and his heart leaped. His Pearl was in sight.
"Jack…" Lacey whispered.
"Aye that be me Pearl, love."
"Jack, it's Black." She gasped.
"Aye, hence the name Black Pearl."
Lacey looked at him wide eyed still. "This is all yours?"
Jack grinned proudly. "Aye. Wait till you see the whole of her."
Jack watched as Lacey's eyes remained locked on the ship they were approaching with a look of wonder in her eyes.
Soon enough they reached the side of the boat and two ropes were thrown down.
"Ahoy Cap'n Sparrow!" a voice came from above.
Jack tied the ropes to the ends of the boat. And cupped his hands around his mouth. "Haul us up, mate and keep it even!" Jack called out. He looked over at Lacey and gave her a disarming grin. "Best hold on to the sides of the boat love."
He watched her hands grip tightly on to the side of the boat nervously just as they started to haul them up.
Special thanks to:
CrazyCanoeingGIT, trust me I'm really bad with reviews as well, so you'll have to excuse my laziness. Thanks for the encouragement hon, you're a gem.
Brittany, Thanks again hon! I'm writing as fast as my little fingers can! I'm already half way through Chapter Six so it should be out very, very soon!
To everyone who has left a review thank you so much for your support and thank you to anyone who is just taking the time to just read this story!