A/N Ok… *sniff* I know that I haven't updated in awhile… but that's no reason for nobody to review! *sobs*
Disclaimer. Yeah. No owning.
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Over the next few days Anne and Jack made a point of avoiding each other… Anne spent most of her shift in the crows nest, keeping watch. When she wasn't on her watch, she was with Anamaria, in her cabin or in the galley.
Jack spent the entire day at his helm, staring up at the crows nest. If the rest of the crew noticed a cut on his arm, they said nothing. But it was quite obvious that Jack was angry about something or other.
Anamaria was caught in the middle… ever since she had helped Anne with her plan to take the treasure and the Pearl, they had been friends… but she was stuck between being loyal to her captain and true to her friendship.
Plus, she was unsure of what was going to happen… would Anne leave, or would she stay?
The only person who was sure of that answer was Anne, apparently.
Anamaria heard Anne get up, out of her cot, and put her clothes on, even though Anne was doing her best to keep silent.
Anamaria was worried.
She followed.
Jack woke up in the middle of the night; unsure of what it was that had woken him up. He saw that his door was cracked open slightly… hadn't he closed it? Must've been the wind…
He got out of his bed and stood up, slipping on his shirt and boots, but not bothering with hat or coat or even weapons. He was about to go up on deck when he glanced over at the desk in the corner and saw something he did not recognize. Walking over to the desk, he picked up the piece of paper that was there, and instantly recognized the handwriting. Of course.
His first thought was to go out and confront Anne about the note… but he decided to read it first.
Standing in a place where the moonlight illuminated the paper a little bit clearer, he bent over the paper and tried to read it.
Dear Jack,
I suppose you will be pleased to hear that this time I'm not taking anyone with me. Maybe not pleased, though… you didn't really want me to go, did you? Well, not that it matters now… you must understand that I'm doing what I have to do. I don't want your help with the Revenge, Jack. In fact, I don't want it back at all. Even if it is my ship, if I were to take it back, it would not be the same. I appreciate your trying to help.
And I'm sorry that I had to leave. I am just messing everything up. There's no reason for me to stay. I have taken my share of the treasure, so don't worry about needing to bring it to me.
Goodbye, Jack, and good luck. Maybe we will meet again. Do you think that it's only a coincidence that this is the third time I've tried to leave?
-Anne
Good riddance, Jack tried to tell himself. But then he shook that thought away.
What was she talking about? Leaving? Where would she go? How would she go? Didn't she know that they would simply follow her, wherever?
And how could she possibly leave? They were on a ship, in the middle of the ocean, for gods sake! What did she mean, leave?
Suddenly, it hit him that she might mean, kill herself. He rushed out onto deck, but there was no Anne in sight, only Anamaria, standing on the deck staring at something in the water. Jack was suddenly very afraid that Anne was dead and he was too late…
"Oh, no." He whispered. Anamaria turned at the sound of him saying this, and he saw her face, tear streaked. This only made him feel worse… it couldn't be true!
He started to take off his boots, to jump in after her to save her, but Anamaria ran over and grabbed him, shoving him down so he would listen. He struggled wildly so he could go.
"Jack! Jack, calm down! She had to leave, don't you understand?"
Jack was still struggling.
"But suicide? There's no reason for dying!"
Anamaria looked at him strangely, so that Jack stopped struggling for a moment. Then she laughed, clearly and loudly, her laughter ringing out over everything else.
"Jack, what are you talking about? She took one of our boats that we keep for rescues and sending people out for supplies and messengers! What do you mean, suicide? Anne isn't a fool."
Jack absorbed this information slowly and then watched Anamaria's expression as she helped him up. He ran to the rail and stared out at sea, where Anne should have been… but there was nothing. The moonlight was thin, too dim for him to see very far at all. The glossy water seemed darker than he could ever remember, as he tried to find some reason, some thing to go after her for.
The only thing he came up with was that she lied… because she had, of course. She might try and convince herself that she didn't want her ship back, but she did.
She did.
She wouldn't go after it, though. She would convince herself that she didn't want it.
Please, Anne… Jack thought to himself, hoping he could tell her somehow. Please understand that I have to help you with this one last thing. And then you can leave, and never see me again if you want to. Please let me help you.
Anne sat in the small boat, a fair ways away from the Pearl, and watched it's outline get thinner and thinner in the dull moonlight. The sails blended perfectly with the sky.
She cradled her head in her hands and wondered what on earth had possessed her to uproot herself again.
He wanted to help. Why didn't you let him?
I don't want him to stay with me for too long… when I leave him in the end… I won't be able to do it.
I don't want what happened to Calico to happen to him…
She did not cry, or feel sorry for herself. What was done was done… no turning back.
The only place to go is forward.
A/N I'm sorry it's so short. I have to go. : D more later.