Ten

Jack "How do you plan on getting The Black Pearl back?" Will was the first to speak at dinner when he questioned me. I let out a sigh, glanced at Andy, and then began my explanation of the 'plan'. "Well, what you and I did to commandeer The Interceptor worked fairly well, so it hopefully shall again." My 'explanation' complete, I focused again on my meal, and was taking a bite when interrupted. "Jack?" "Hmm?" I looked up, mouth full, and chewing. "Tell me the real plan." I finished his bite and swallowed before returning with "That was it, mate." "Come on, Jack, you've got to have another idea!" Will insisted. I insisted right back. "And why must I have another idea? What am I, a captain or a...a...person who answers questions and plots everything?" Will dropped his fork. "You know, sometimes you're both, and right now is when we need you to be both! You're the captain, so you must have the answers." "Will...this time I don't." "Perfect." Will muttered. It was time for the dispute to end. Andy knew it, and broke in. "Nothing's perfect, Will...not even a captain...However much we may want them to be so, nothing's ever perfect." She then turned to me. "Quiet! You're acting like children, the two of you! We'll figure something out together and it will work. Trust me. We'll get The Pearl back, all right?" In the end, my sister added. "My meal is over. I'm off to bed...and I recommend that you two turn in as well. Tomorrow will be a long day, I believe." With naught but nods, we two silently agreed and Will stood to take care of a cleared plate. "Good night." He nearly whispered as Andy passed him to go down below.

* * *

Andy I returned the bidding. A few minutes later, I'd had taken off my jacket, hat, and boots, and was sitting on my bunk trying to read by the dim light radiated by a candle by my bedside. Jack joined me and, while sitting on the edge of his bed and dragging his boots off, asked a question. "What made you say that tomorrow might be long?" "Tomorrow, we'll catch up with The Pearl, and with Cortez. Tomorrow we'll have to repossess her." "What's so terrible about that?" He continued to ready for bed by removing his jacket as well, and his vest. Then he sat once again and listened. "Tomorrow, Cortez will reach Isla DeMuerta and that's where we'll catch up with him." Heaving a deep sigh, Jack looked up at me, his younger (though sometimes wiser) sister. "Lovely." He pulled his three-cornered hat down to cover his dark eyes with a half smile, as I leaned to the right to blow out my candle for the night.