A/N Ok! First off, I would like to thank ALL of my wonderful reviewers; I owe so much to you… Now lets see, what do I have too many of? Oh, I know, I have a ton of these! (don't ask) All of you can have your very own chainsaw! *buzzing noise* NO! NEVER MIND! I revoke all chain saw privileges! Give them back! *buzzing gets louder, PED-Sarah backs up* Ok, ok, keep them… don't… hurt… me… here's your update, happy now? Good.
***~***
Anne watched as some of the men muddled over where they were going… evidently the maps were messed up, or something like that. Anne decided not to help, instead just let them figure it out… she really didn't care where they went, as long as they went somewhere. Preferably Tortuga, but hey, she could deal with anything. As long as she didn't have to go back to North Carolina. Never ever.
Who knows, maybe after she got a ship, she would take Mari to Ireland, to see the place where Anne was born. Anne was small when her father bought a plantation in North Carolina, but she still vividly remembered Ireland's lush green beauty and lively culture; the bright colors and beautiful, twisting and entwining tales of magic and little people and royalty. Anne closed her eyes and tried to call back these memories, but realized with dismay that they were starting to fade… she would have to go back and revisit her childhood.
May Ireland stay the same until that day… she thought wistfully, turning her attention back to Mari, who had instantly searched out the cabin boy, a young lad of thirteen, and started asking him numerous questions about ships and adventure and such. The lad needed to be rescued. But Anne wasn't feeling generous, so she watched from afar as the boy tried to deal with Mari, first giving her a task and watching her try it, but as she failed miserably, he grew more and more annoyed. Then he started to respond to her questions to the best of his ability, and tried to teach her how to work on a ship. Anne found it actually quite amusing, and watched for a good 45 minutes before growing bored and turning to the captain of the ship. She needed a task to keep her mind occupied.
"Do you have a man on watch, in the nest? I'll take the watch if they need a break."
The captain didn't look surprised, so evidently he had seen some capable females around, but he did look as if he wanted to say no. He sighed and considered for a moment.
"Actually, lass, I don't need anybody in the nest, but I do have something else that I would be pleased if you could accomplish."
Anne sighed… she knew what was coming.
"If you want me to sew something for you, don't bother with asking, because I've forgotten how, and I never had the patience for it anyway. I can cook, just a little, if you need it, and I have some minor skill in healing, but very minor, you must understand, like, little cuts and bruises and such. I'm very well made out for labor, like swabbing the decks and tying the lines, I can hold a helm easily, keep a cool head in a storm, and a brave face in battle. Now, what do you want me to do?"
The Captain frowned and looked at the sky. "Actually, I was going to ask you to keep that little girl out of my cabin boy's way, because she's keeping him from his work. To tell you the truth, miss, you're paying for this trip, and I ain't a cheating man. If you were to do work along the course of your voyage to Tortuga, it would destroy the purpose of payment, so I'm sorry, but I cannot accept. Make yourself comfortable; miss, because you don't have to do a thing."
Anne turned, disappointed and slightly frustrated. Then, as if on second thought, she turned back around on her heel to face the man.
"Well, what about navigation. I know exactly what is wrong with the way you are headed, and believe it or not, I know exactly where we are and which way is north. You don't have to give me back any money either, because I'm paying for the girl, who will be in the way of the cabin boy. So, we're even."
Now the captain hesitated. She was confusing him, but he didn't want to make her angry or anything, and what she said sounded fair. Plus, he was having trouble with navigation, and if she could tell, then she probably could help.
"Agreed." He said. About two seconds after that he was regretting it; what if she put them on the wrong course? His suspicions were confirmed that very second when she grabbed the helm and turned it almost halfway around, and then smiled at him.
"Don't worry; I know where we're going. You trust me, right?"
The captain was slightly unnerved, but he really couldn't find a way to take back his agreement, so he just smiled halfheartedly and said "Not yet, lass."
He turned around to tend to the annoyed cabin boy, and Anne stared at his back and grinned.
"And really, really bad eggs…" she murmured softly, incoherent to everyone else.
***~***
After Jack had performed a full search of the Pearl, just to make sure Anne had gone, he went back to the cabin where Tawny was waiting. She stared at the table and Jack sat down also, staring at his hands on the table. He tried to think of something to say or do.
"Want to play?" He asked with a grin, holding up the cards. Tawny didn't look up, just shook her head and continued staring at the table. Jack was a bit unnerved.
"Well, then. Um. How long have you known Will and Lizzie?"
"Since I started working." She said coolly.
Long uncomfortable silence.
"Do you play any instruments? Do you know how to dance?"
"No."
"Oh… well, um… is Daniel alright?"
"Yeah, he's fine. Nothing ever bothers him."
"Like Sam, huh?"
"Sam… Sam is so far away nowadays. I don't know my own brother." She said softly, not lifting her gaze. Jack wished she would do something. Unfortunately that wish came true.
"Listen, I should get home… or maybe go to work or something, thanks Jack." She said quickly, and then she got up and left, closing the door behind her softly. Once she left, Jack sat at the table and found himself incredibly bored. He started to get up so he could go explore the town, maybe steal something, or perhaps visit Will again. But then he sat right back down; those things didn't interest him at the moment.
Maybe he could find some company somewhere… something to take his mind off… whatever it was that was bothering him. There was something that was bothering him. But it wasn't Anne, right? I mean, she could take care of herself, and he was confident that she would be back soon… but there was a hint of nagging doubt at the back of his mind.
What if she doesn't come back? He asked himself. Where would she go, and where would she be taking Marissa? What will I do if she doesn't come back? Jack couldn't find any way to distract himself, so he went to find Anamaria; maybe she would have a solution about Anne, or maybe Anne told her where she went.
Jack started moving quicker toward the galley, where Anamaria was still staying so that she could heal and have access to food, now certain that Anamaria would know. Why hadn't he thought of asking her before? Of course she would know! For some weird reason, she and Anne were best friends all of a sudden… why, Anne probably just… went on a little pleasure cruise, and told Anamaria where she was going, hoping that the message would get to Jack. Jack's hope rose like a balloon into the vast blue expanse and he rushed to Anamaria's side, brimming with confidence that his theory was correct.
Then Anamaria told him that she had no idea where Anne was, and nobody was telling her anything about recent issues, and Jack's hope balloon dropped like a cannonball, splashing into the ocean and sinking into the bottom. He felt like he was in an even deeper pit than before. And what Anamaria had to say didn't help matters.
"Didn't she tell you she was going to leave, Jack? Didn't I tell you? She warned you that she was going to soon, and even if she said she was going to stay, she's not the most predictable person in the world. Personally I don't know why you're making a big deal out of this; it was bound to happen sooner or later. Anne is gone. If it bothers you, then you know you love her."
Jack stared hard at the table in the center of the room. Then he turned briskly and walked out, muttering to Anamaria just barely loud enough to hear.
"It doesn't bother me."
***~***
Anne was beginning to regret bring Mari. The little girl was brimming with enthusiasm, and it was getting annoying… like someone coming at you cheerful for every moment of the day. It really starts to piss you off. But Anne found it hard to be mad at the cute little girl, running to and fro, trying to learn and see everything. It had been Mari's dream ever since she saw the sea to sail on it, explore every depth and shadow, every cove and treasure trove. Mari had the makings of pirate, and Anne wanted to help her find her dream… Anne had spent her whole childhood yearning for something else, and she wasn't going to let Mari waste her childhood. Anne gave Mari what she could give her; freedom. But that didn't stop her regrets.
Anne felt terribly guilty. No doubt Tawny was in conniptions; Sam would refuse to speak to anyone, and Marc, the bartender would worry to death, and little Daniel… oh, sweet little innocent Daniel. Anne felt terrible for him. He didn't have those dreams… all he wanted was top grow up, to learn, he was full of curiosity, just like his twin, but had no ambition, no future in mind. Daniel was so shy and quiet, he kept to himself… while the rest of the family would be desperate with finding Mari, and Daniel would be quietly pushed aside. Sweet little Daniel, he wouldn't mind or complain. He liked to just watch things happen instead of interfering.
But Anne felt the worst about Tawny. Tawny was younger than her, and Tawny hung around Anne like a role model… Anne was her best friend, and aside from the late Mary Reed, Tawny was Anne's best friend. They had each other. But what Anne had done now was unforgivable… Tawny had already lost enough of her love. Her little sister was one of her only pure sources of joy, and Anne had taken Mari away without even questioning what Tawny would think. Anne had left so she could finally be free from all the pressure, but instead she just felt weighted down with guilt. And responsibility; she had a whole new person to take care of, Mari, and if anything should happen to the little girl…
What have I done? Anne wondered, staring out at the horizon briefly before turning back to the maps.