As promised, more of the fic during my week off. In fact, you're getting four chapters! So never say I don't do anything for you *grin*. Oooh! I'm going to take this opportunity to plug a songfic I posted a couple of days ago, Blood of My Blood; is anyone going to read it? Ariandir had better, it's got the answer to that question about Jack's scar you asked me. Anywho, on with the story!
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Jack glanced across at the Dragon, squinting against the glare of sunlight off the sea, Will beside him shading his own eyes. They were about a month away from Jamaica, by his reckoning, the tip of South America just coming within sight on the horizon. At the sighting of land earlier that day, spirits had raised from the depths that the Horn had sent them. They had a lost a couple of good men on their return through the Magellan Straits, lost overboard in the fury of the storms that raged about them. In response to the upsurge in brightness that hung over them, there had been a great deal of traffic between the two ships, hence the presence of Will and Elizabeth aboard the Pearl, and Solomon aboard the Dragon.
There was a laugh from the main deck, and he glanced down to where Dugan had been roped into teaching Harry, finally, how to use his cutlass. As they tested one another, feinting left and right, Marin circled them, correcting their stance with gentle hands and soft voice, offering advice to whomever had ended up at a disadvantage. Strangely enough, Dugan did not seem to fight as well aboard as on land, and Jack wondered if his wife's erratic style had anything to do with that. The Scottish lad had seemed to rely on the scenery around him to win his fights, yet on board a ship there was only a limited amount you could rely on a cannon to do, and it was not likely to be in the direction you were fighting anyway.
A soft smile lit up his dark eyes as he spied her hand move to rest on the bump that was emerging at her waist. Even though she was six months along, and blooming with it, he still couldn't quite believe that he was going to be a father, that his Marin was going to bear their child within the next few months. He was still too protective of her, he knew, but he would rather cozen her too much than take the risk of losing her in a careless accident. But Solomon had had a point when he had taken his captain to one side and told him rather forcefully to back off and let Marin make decisions for herself.
A impatient sigh nearby warned him that James was approaching, and he grimaced lightly. Ever since they had begun to sail though waters the commodore knew, he had been almost intolerable, complaining bitterly that they could make better speed than this. Jack knew this was only because he was impatient to see Laura once more, but still cautionary words had had to be put about the crew to prevent permanent damage coming to their friend.
'Should she be doing that?' James asked suddenly, nodding down to where Marin had taken a suddenly active part in the lesson.
Jack gave him a look.
'Would you like to tell her she shouldn't?' he said pointedly, ignoring Will as he snorted in an attempt to keep his amusement under control.
James held his gaze for a moment, reluctantly giving into the laughter beneath the surface. He was finding it increasingly difficult to return to being Commodore Norrington, much preferring to be James, the pirate's cousin. His laughter came far more easily than before, and he found no shame in calling these people his friends. When he returned to Port Royale, that would have to change, he knew, but could not fathom how, when life seemed so much more worth it from James' point of view.
The news of his cousin's pregnancy had hit him hard, though he was exceptionally pleased for the two of them. Marin had taken him to one side, sensing his ambivalence, and it had all come pouring out. How he preferred to be as he was now, at one with the ocean, among a crew of men who he respected and liked. How he dreaded returning to the restrictive etiquette of Port Royale's social circle, and hear those he now thought of as friend and family degraded and insulted before him. His fears that perhaps he was not the man who had left Jamaica, and if so, how could Laura love him when he had changed so much?
There were so many doubts crowding his mind, and yet one thing had remained completely clear, only clarified even more by the increasing signs of Marin's condition. He wanted to marry Laura and start a family with her. It was the only ambition in his heart anymore. He no longer wanted to see every pirate in the Caribbean swing, knowing now as he did that they were good men forced into a life that was misrepresented by so many. All he longed for, all he dreamt of was to see his personal life as settled and happy as that of his cousin and friend. Was it really so much to ask?
'Has she managed to convince you into her safe haven yet?' he asked his companions, pushing such thoughts away from his mind and heart.
Seeing Will's dejected sigh, since they both knew what Elizabeth decided would be done, Jack chuckled.
'I have to say, mate, I'm almost convinced that it would work,' he admitted, his eyes growing serious.
James nodded slowly, waiting.
'But - ?' he prompted.
Jack sighed.
'I can't live a life ashore,' he murmured. 'The Black Pearl is my freedom, my world. I'm a rover, I always have been.'
His companion smiled faintly, understanding the captain's reservations implicitly.
'But wouldn't you like to have somewhere you can call home?' James asked.
The captain's smile was almost ironic.
'Never had a home to call my own, mate,' he said, his voice as soft as before. 'I have wondered what it's like, for gentlemen such as yourself, of course, to have a place to settle, somewhere to come back to. But I need the chance to rove should I wish, the freedom that only the Pearl can give me.'
'And if Marin chooses to remain ashore?' Will pressed him. 'What then? Will you just abandon her to bring up your child alone while you pursue your freedom?'
Jack's eyes were dull with the pain that such a choice would bring to him, unable to give his friend the answer he sought. James nodded, exchanging an understanding glance with Will as he reached out to squeeze the pirate's shoulder.
'Maybe the freedom isn't in the Pearl,' he suggested. 'Maybe it's in you. Something to think on, eh?'
He nodded once more to his friend and moved down to join the crew on the main deck, leaving Jack to stare after him, his mind reeling. The Pearl had always been his freedom, his world . . . how could he even think of leaving her to pursue a life ashore? But then, during those long months he had spent ashore in Port Royale, amid the bustle and dirt of the town, he had felt restricted, trapped, but only when he was out of sight of Marin. She had somehow distracted him from the longing within him to return to the ocean, though how he could not tell. And on her island, surrounded by the natural scenery of a Caribbean habitat, would he wish for the freedom of the seas? Could he leave the woman he loved to raise his child alone, as James had said?
He shook his head violently, forcing such thoughts away as he gazed down at his wife. Feeling his eyes on her, Marin looked up, sending him a sweet smile that seemed to warm his blood as his lips curved in answer. Matthew squirmed in her arms, turning himself about to look her in the face. His grasping hand found a single lock of her copper hair and tugged, making her laugh as Elizabeth hurried to protect her friend's scalp.
Will glanced at Jack, touched once more by the obvious longing for family he could see in his friend's eyes. He could remember clearly the exultation that had rung through the captain's words when he told them his good news, so exuberant it was hard not to get caught up in it. This safe haven idea was a wonderful one, but he could not help but wonder if it would eventually tear his friend apart.
A cheer from the deck below them caught his attention, Will turning to see Harry standing over Dugan with a triumphant grin, the Scottish boy's sabre held in his hand like a trophy. Will grinned. With such diversions as these, with any luck Jack would not think of it at all until after his son or daughter was born.
Suddenly a shout echoed down to the laughing crew.
'Sail ho!'
Gibbs didn't even bother to glance at Jack before shouting up the reply. Will swallowed a laugh at his friend's expression.
'Where away?'
A head appeared over the edge of the crow's nest with a slightly embarrassed grin plastered across it. He gestured wildly to the horizon ahead of them.
'I dunno,' he shouted down. 'That way!'
This time it was Jack's turn to swallow a laugh as Gibbs' expression dared anyone to comment. They moved to stare out across the water at the approaching ship, which appeared to be pursued by another, smaller vessel. As the two ships drew closer, Jack and Will both pulled out their telescopes to peer at them.
'I can't make out her flag,' Will muttered, and Jack grunted in agreement, unable to see any clearer than his friend.
Beside them, James and Marin were more concerned with peering at the ship's sleek hull, wondering where they had seen such craftsmanship before. The commodore's eyes narrowed as the leading ship dropped yet more sails, putting on another burst of speed.
'Well, whoever they are, they're headed straight for us,' Elizabeth said softly, Matthew strangely quiet in her arms as the two crews watched the approaching ships.
Suddenly, James slapped the railing, making Marin jump in surprise.
'It's the Dryad,' he announced.
Jack stared at him.
'How can you be so sure?' he asked, incredulous.
'I did my first midshipman's term aboard her,' James said softly. 'I'd know that hull anywhere.'
Marin smiled, leaning forward over the railing.
'Then who's chasing Ana Maria out this far?' she asked, addressing her question to no one in particular.
Elizabeth shifted Matthew about in her arms.
'Well, we're in Portuguese waters, so I think it's safe to say that the ship hot on her heels is a man o' war,' she said matter-of-factly.
Jack chuckled.
'Trust Ana to irritate a nation whose language she can't speak,' he laughed, turning to glance about at the crew. 'Mr Gibbs, do we still have that mortar on board?'
James' eyes widened as Gibbs nodded thoughtfully.
'Ye be thinking to test her, cap'n?' he asked.
Jack grinned.
'Well, if she can clear a hill with one of those fizzing grenades, the Dryad shouldn't be much of a challenge, should it?' he said innocently.
Gibbs laughed, turning to call a couple of the stronger hands to him. As they disappeared below decks, James held up a hand in disbelief.
'How on earth did you get your hands on a mortar?' he asked incredulously. 'I mean, I know you're good, Jack, but you're not that good.'
The captain laughed at his friend's expression.
'I'm the best, mate,' he said unabashed. 'Compliments of the governor of Port Smith, that mortar is. Of course, he was locked in his own prison when we collected it, but such formalities can't be helped.'
James' jaw dropped.
'It was you who sacked Port Smith?' he said, ignoring Marin's sudden crack of laughter.
'Actually,' Will interjected, grinning, 'we did. Together.'
As Elizabeth nodded in agreement, James covered his eyes with his hand, shaking his head.
'I don't want to know,' he muttered. 'I honestly do not want to even think about it.'
Jack gave him a mocking little bow, and returned to watching the Dryad as she drew closer, her pursuer close behind. With a great deal of cursing, the heavy iron mortar was manhandled up on deck, placed with a thump that shook the timbers square in the centre of the main deck. Gibbs held an armful of what look liked cannon balls, each with a little fuse atop them. As Ana Maria's ship drew even closer, the mortar was loaded and aimed, high into the air.
'Maybe we should warn Ana,' Marin said doubtfully as Jack lit the first fuse, loading the ball into the heavy piece.
'And miss out on all the fun?' he grinned. 'Mr Gibbs, if you would be so kind.'
Everyone backed away from the mortar as it spat out its fizzing grenade. They watched it sail gracefully over the sails of the Dryad to explode in the waters off the man o' war's bow. Jack shrugged.
'I was never one to measure distance accurately,' he said off-hand, gesturing for Cotton to load the mortar again.
Will nudged James, pointing to the poopdeck of the Dryad where a slender figure with long dark hair was gesticulating wildly in their general direction. From the look of things, sinking her pursuer was the last thing Ana wanted them to do.
'I don't think I want to be here when Ana gets alongside,' he muttered.
James laughed, nodding in agreement.
'Admittedly, I've only met the woman once, but she does seem rather more spirited than others of her sex,' he said softly.
'Spirited is putting it nicely,' Will commented, turning back as the mortar spat another bomb over the Dryad.
This time, the thing hit the forecastle of the man o' war, exploding in a shower of fire and splinters as Jack punched the air triumphantly.
'One more should do it, Mr Gibbs,' he chuckled gleefully.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, watching as he danced about the deck with a huge grin on his face. She glanced at Marin, who raised a hand to forestall whatever comment her friend was about to make.
'Let him play,' she said tolerantly. 'If we stop him now, he'll sulk for weeks.'
The third bomb flew silently through the air, and bounced when it hit the Portuguese deck. They could see men diving overboard to escape the thing as it rolled sedately down onto the next deck. There was a shot pause and then it exploded, followed shortly by a series of somewhat louder and more impressive explosions as the ship's magazine got caught up in the moment.
When the smoke finally cleared, there was nothing to be seen of the Portuguese ship but floating debris, scattered across the ocean before them as the Dryad came alongside. They moved to the side to greet the captain of the Dryad as she swore loudly and explicitly in Jack's direction.
'Lovely to see you again, Ana, my dear!' he called across to her.
A well-aimed shot blew his hat off his head as an irate voice echoed across the water to where they stood.
'Jack Sparrow, I'm going to kill you!'
Jack blinked, his expression one of hurt surprise.
'What have I done now?' he yelled back, almost deafening Will as the younger man leant back to avoid the echoes.
Ana Maria's gestures grew even more articulate as she loaded her pistol a second time.
'You sank my prize, you brainless fool!'
Amid suspicious coughing from his companions, Jack ducked the next round that came sailing across the water to thud into the timber beside him. He glanced back at the Dryad, wincing as Ana began to load yet another bullet into her weapon.
'I, er . . .' he muttered, bending almost double to hide beneath the rail and shuffling towards the hatch. 'I think I'll just check the charts again.'
*~*~*
Now, if you want to make me happy, you'll point and click on the little blue button now, and then continue reading, won't you, m'dears?
*~*~*
Jack glanced across at the Dragon, squinting against the glare of sunlight off the sea, Will beside him shading his own eyes. They were about a month away from Jamaica, by his reckoning, the tip of South America just coming within sight on the horizon. At the sighting of land earlier that day, spirits had raised from the depths that the Horn had sent them. They had a lost a couple of good men on their return through the Magellan Straits, lost overboard in the fury of the storms that raged about them. In response to the upsurge in brightness that hung over them, there had been a great deal of traffic between the two ships, hence the presence of Will and Elizabeth aboard the Pearl, and Solomon aboard the Dragon.
There was a laugh from the main deck, and he glanced down to where Dugan had been roped into teaching Harry, finally, how to use his cutlass. As they tested one another, feinting left and right, Marin circled them, correcting their stance with gentle hands and soft voice, offering advice to whomever had ended up at a disadvantage. Strangely enough, Dugan did not seem to fight as well aboard as on land, and Jack wondered if his wife's erratic style had anything to do with that. The Scottish lad had seemed to rely on the scenery around him to win his fights, yet on board a ship there was only a limited amount you could rely on a cannon to do, and it was not likely to be in the direction you were fighting anyway.
A soft smile lit up his dark eyes as he spied her hand move to rest on the bump that was emerging at her waist. Even though she was six months along, and blooming with it, he still couldn't quite believe that he was going to be a father, that his Marin was going to bear their child within the next few months. He was still too protective of her, he knew, but he would rather cozen her too much than take the risk of losing her in a careless accident. But Solomon had had a point when he had taken his captain to one side and told him rather forcefully to back off and let Marin make decisions for herself.
A impatient sigh nearby warned him that James was approaching, and he grimaced lightly. Ever since they had begun to sail though waters the commodore knew, he had been almost intolerable, complaining bitterly that they could make better speed than this. Jack knew this was only because he was impatient to see Laura once more, but still cautionary words had had to be put about the crew to prevent permanent damage coming to their friend.
'Should she be doing that?' James asked suddenly, nodding down to where Marin had taken a suddenly active part in the lesson.
Jack gave him a look.
'Would you like to tell her she shouldn't?' he said pointedly, ignoring Will as he snorted in an attempt to keep his amusement under control.
James held his gaze for a moment, reluctantly giving into the laughter beneath the surface. He was finding it increasingly difficult to return to being Commodore Norrington, much preferring to be James, the pirate's cousin. His laughter came far more easily than before, and he found no shame in calling these people his friends. When he returned to Port Royale, that would have to change, he knew, but could not fathom how, when life seemed so much more worth it from James' point of view.
The news of his cousin's pregnancy had hit him hard, though he was exceptionally pleased for the two of them. Marin had taken him to one side, sensing his ambivalence, and it had all come pouring out. How he preferred to be as he was now, at one with the ocean, among a crew of men who he respected and liked. How he dreaded returning to the restrictive etiquette of Port Royale's social circle, and hear those he now thought of as friend and family degraded and insulted before him. His fears that perhaps he was not the man who had left Jamaica, and if so, how could Laura love him when he had changed so much?
There were so many doubts crowding his mind, and yet one thing had remained completely clear, only clarified even more by the increasing signs of Marin's condition. He wanted to marry Laura and start a family with her. It was the only ambition in his heart anymore. He no longer wanted to see every pirate in the Caribbean swing, knowing now as he did that they were good men forced into a life that was misrepresented by so many. All he longed for, all he dreamt of was to see his personal life as settled and happy as that of his cousin and friend. Was it really so much to ask?
'Has she managed to convince you into her safe haven yet?' he asked his companions, pushing such thoughts away from his mind and heart.
Seeing Will's dejected sigh, since they both knew what Elizabeth decided would be done, Jack chuckled.
'I have to say, mate, I'm almost convinced that it would work,' he admitted, his eyes growing serious.
James nodded slowly, waiting.
'But - ?' he prompted.
Jack sighed.
'I can't live a life ashore,' he murmured. 'The Black Pearl is my freedom, my world. I'm a rover, I always have been.'
His companion smiled faintly, understanding the captain's reservations implicitly.
'But wouldn't you like to have somewhere you can call home?' James asked.
The captain's smile was almost ironic.
'Never had a home to call my own, mate,' he said, his voice as soft as before. 'I have wondered what it's like, for gentlemen such as yourself, of course, to have a place to settle, somewhere to come back to. But I need the chance to rove should I wish, the freedom that only the Pearl can give me.'
'And if Marin chooses to remain ashore?' Will pressed him. 'What then? Will you just abandon her to bring up your child alone while you pursue your freedom?'
Jack's eyes were dull with the pain that such a choice would bring to him, unable to give his friend the answer he sought. James nodded, exchanging an understanding glance with Will as he reached out to squeeze the pirate's shoulder.
'Maybe the freedom isn't in the Pearl,' he suggested. 'Maybe it's in you. Something to think on, eh?'
He nodded once more to his friend and moved down to join the crew on the main deck, leaving Jack to stare after him, his mind reeling. The Pearl had always been his freedom, his world . . . how could he even think of leaving her to pursue a life ashore? But then, during those long months he had spent ashore in Port Royale, amid the bustle and dirt of the town, he had felt restricted, trapped, but only when he was out of sight of Marin. She had somehow distracted him from the longing within him to return to the ocean, though how he could not tell. And on her island, surrounded by the natural scenery of a Caribbean habitat, would he wish for the freedom of the seas? Could he leave the woman he loved to raise his child alone, as James had said?
He shook his head violently, forcing such thoughts away as he gazed down at his wife. Feeling his eyes on her, Marin looked up, sending him a sweet smile that seemed to warm his blood as his lips curved in answer. Matthew squirmed in her arms, turning himself about to look her in the face. His grasping hand found a single lock of her copper hair and tugged, making her laugh as Elizabeth hurried to protect her friend's scalp.
Will glanced at Jack, touched once more by the obvious longing for family he could see in his friend's eyes. He could remember clearly the exultation that had rung through the captain's words when he told them his good news, so exuberant it was hard not to get caught up in it. This safe haven idea was a wonderful one, but he could not help but wonder if it would eventually tear his friend apart.
A cheer from the deck below them caught his attention, Will turning to see Harry standing over Dugan with a triumphant grin, the Scottish boy's sabre held in his hand like a trophy. Will grinned. With such diversions as these, with any luck Jack would not think of it at all until after his son or daughter was born.
Suddenly a shout echoed down to the laughing crew.
'Sail ho!'
Gibbs didn't even bother to glance at Jack before shouting up the reply. Will swallowed a laugh at his friend's expression.
'Where away?'
A head appeared over the edge of the crow's nest with a slightly embarrassed grin plastered across it. He gestured wildly to the horizon ahead of them.
'I dunno,' he shouted down. 'That way!'
This time it was Jack's turn to swallow a laugh as Gibbs' expression dared anyone to comment. They moved to stare out across the water at the approaching ship, which appeared to be pursued by another, smaller vessel. As the two ships drew closer, Jack and Will both pulled out their telescopes to peer at them.
'I can't make out her flag,' Will muttered, and Jack grunted in agreement, unable to see any clearer than his friend.
Beside them, James and Marin were more concerned with peering at the ship's sleek hull, wondering where they had seen such craftsmanship before. The commodore's eyes narrowed as the leading ship dropped yet more sails, putting on another burst of speed.
'Well, whoever they are, they're headed straight for us,' Elizabeth said softly, Matthew strangely quiet in her arms as the two crews watched the approaching ships.
Suddenly, James slapped the railing, making Marin jump in surprise.
'It's the Dryad,' he announced.
Jack stared at him.
'How can you be so sure?' he asked, incredulous.
'I did my first midshipman's term aboard her,' James said softly. 'I'd know that hull anywhere.'
Marin smiled, leaning forward over the railing.
'Then who's chasing Ana Maria out this far?' she asked, addressing her question to no one in particular.
Elizabeth shifted Matthew about in her arms.
'Well, we're in Portuguese waters, so I think it's safe to say that the ship hot on her heels is a man o' war,' she said matter-of-factly.
Jack chuckled.
'Trust Ana to irritate a nation whose language she can't speak,' he laughed, turning to glance about at the crew. 'Mr Gibbs, do we still have that mortar on board?'
James' eyes widened as Gibbs nodded thoughtfully.
'Ye be thinking to test her, cap'n?' he asked.
Jack grinned.
'Well, if she can clear a hill with one of those fizzing grenades, the Dryad shouldn't be much of a challenge, should it?' he said innocently.
Gibbs laughed, turning to call a couple of the stronger hands to him. As they disappeared below decks, James held up a hand in disbelief.
'How on earth did you get your hands on a mortar?' he asked incredulously. 'I mean, I know you're good, Jack, but you're not that good.'
The captain laughed at his friend's expression.
'I'm the best, mate,' he said unabashed. 'Compliments of the governor of Port Smith, that mortar is. Of course, he was locked in his own prison when we collected it, but such formalities can't be helped.'
James' jaw dropped.
'It was you who sacked Port Smith?' he said, ignoring Marin's sudden crack of laughter.
'Actually,' Will interjected, grinning, 'we did. Together.'
As Elizabeth nodded in agreement, James covered his eyes with his hand, shaking his head.
'I don't want to know,' he muttered. 'I honestly do not want to even think about it.'
Jack gave him a mocking little bow, and returned to watching the Dryad as she drew closer, her pursuer close behind. With a great deal of cursing, the heavy iron mortar was manhandled up on deck, placed with a thump that shook the timbers square in the centre of the main deck. Gibbs held an armful of what look liked cannon balls, each with a little fuse atop them. As Ana Maria's ship drew even closer, the mortar was loaded and aimed, high into the air.
'Maybe we should warn Ana,' Marin said doubtfully as Jack lit the first fuse, loading the ball into the heavy piece.
'And miss out on all the fun?' he grinned. 'Mr Gibbs, if you would be so kind.'
Everyone backed away from the mortar as it spat out its fizzing grenade. They watched it sail gracefully over the sails of the Dryad to explode in the waters off the man o' war's bow. Jack shrugged.
'I was never one to measure distance accurately,' he said off-hand, gesturing for Cotton to load the mortar again.
Will nudged James, pointing to the poopdeck of the Dryad where a slender figure with long dark hair was gesticulating wildly in their general direction. From the look of things, sinking her pursuer was the last thing Ana wanted them to do.
'I don't think I want to be here when Ana gets alongside,' he muttered.
James laughed, nodding in agreement.
'Admittedly, I've only met the woman once, but she does seem rather more spirited than others of her sex,' he said softly.
'Spirited is putting it nicely,' Will commented, turning back as the mortar spat another bomb over the Dryad.
This time, the thing hit the forecastle of the man o' war, exploding in a shower of fire and splinters as Jack punched the air triumphantly.
'One more should do it, Mr Gibbs,' he chuckled gleefully.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, watching as he danced about the deck with a huge grin on his face. She glanced at Marin, who raised a hand to forestall whatever comment her friend was about to make.
'Let him play,' she said tolerantly. 'If we stop him now, he'll sulk for weeks.'
The third bomb flew silently through the air, and bounced when it hit the Portuguese deck. They could see men diving overboard to escape the thing as it rolled sedately down onto the next deck. There was a shot pause and then it exploded, followed shortly by a series of somewhat louder and more impressive explosions as the ship's magazine got caught up in the moment.
When the smoke finally cleared, there was nothing to be seen of the Portuguese ship but floating debris, scattered across the ocean before them as the Dryad came alongside. They moved to the side to greet the captain of the Dryad as she swore loudly and explicitly in Jack's direction.
'Lovely to see you again, Ana, my dear!' he called across to her.
A well-aimed shot blew his hat off his head as an irate voice echoed across the water to where they stood.
'Jack Sparrow, I'm going to kill you!'
Jack blinked, his expression one of hurt surprise.
'What have I done now?' he yelled back, almost deafening Will as the younger man leant back to avoid the echoes.
Ana Maria's gestures grew even more articulate as she loaded her pistol a second time.
'You sank my prize, you brainless fool!'
Amid suspicious coughing from his companions, Jack ducked the next round that came sailing across the water to thud into the timber beside him. He glanced back at the Dryad, wincing as Ana began to load yet another bullet into her weapon.
'I, er . . .' he muttered, bending almost double to hide beneath the rail and shuffling towards the hatch. 'I think I'll just check the charts again.'
*~*~*
Now, if you want to make me happy, you'll point and click on the little blue button now, and then continue reading, won't you, m'dears?