Chapter 13

As the months went by, the girls adapted to the daily routine aboard the Pearl. Allie had developed a very nice tan, thanks to the small amount of Indian blood that she had running through her veins. She was now almost as dark as Jack.

Jack had never mentioned her breakdown, and Allie never brought it up. She still didn't know what had happened between Will and Liz, but her friend seemed to be fine.

Speaking of Liz, she hadn't talked to her for quite some time, besides in passing. Maybe I can slip away unnoticed, and visit Liz in the galley. Allie glanced around, and saw that Jack wasn't watching her. She quickly ran down the stairs and towards the galley.

Little did she know that Jack saw her leave out of the corner of his eye. He grinned.

"Will! Take the helm. I'll be back." Jack went off in the direction that Allie had gone.

Allie walked into the kitchen and spotted Liz hard at work, as always.

"Hey Liz!" she called out. Liz turned around, surprised.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to visit you," Allie said, hopping up onto one of the counters.

"Aren't you supposed to be working?" Liz asked, going back to what she was doing.

"Probably," Allie said nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders.

"I don't want you to get into trouble," Liz said over her shoulder. Allie waved a hand dismissively.

"Oh, come on Liz. It's not like I sneak away from work everyday. This is the first time I've actually done it. Jack will just have to deal with it." Jack, who was standing outside the closed door listening, smiled. She's got spirit, that's fer sure. He was about to open the door and walk in when Liz spoke up again.

"Jack and you seem to be pretty close," she said giving her friend an all knowing look. Outside, Jack's eyebrows rose and he decided not to enter just yet. He wanted to hear Allie's reaction to her friend's observation.

"What do you mean?" Allie asked. A valid question, Jack thought.

"Oh, just the fact that the two of you are always flirting."

"Like you and Will don't?"

"It's not flirting it's…having fun with a friend." Liz explained.

"Which is exactly what Jack and I are doing," Allie defended.

"No, you want to be more than just friends, Allie," Liz said knowingly. Jack desperately wished that he could see Allie's face right then but he'd not dare interrupt the girls now.

"What's your point?" Allie continued after a moment of silence.

"Yes Allie, my point is he was clearly overreacting!" Liz said imitating Merry Brandybuck's voice.

"Liz, cut it with Lord of the Rings! What did you mean?"

"Sorry I couldn't help it. What I meant to say, is that my point is that you want to be Jack's Bonnie Lass."

"So what if I do?" Allie shrugged her shoulders.

Jack grinned widely at this. I knew she couldn't resist me charms! He decided he wouldn't disturb them and let them continue their conversation. He'd talk with Allie later.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Allie was mopping the deck again (remember, it's been a few months) when Jack called out to her.

"Here, luv. Catch!" He threw a small pouch to her. Allie caught it and opened it. Inside were a fair amount of coins. She looked up at Jack in shock.

"What's all this, Captain?" Allie asked, perplexed.

"That, my dear, is your payment. Well, and Liz's," he added after a moment.

"But I thought that we were working so that we could stay on the ship," Allie said, still confused.

Jack swaggered over to her and draped his arm over her shoulders.

"Nah, tha's why we let ye stay on. Besides, ye and Liz have been doing a wonderful job, and I thought it best to reward ye." Allie grinned and resisted the temptation to throw her arms around him.

"Jack, you have made my day! Can I go show Liz?" she asked eagerly. For once, Jack let the title slide. He laughed at her enthusiasm.

"Yeah. And tell her we'll be docking soon, as well." Allie mock saluted.

"Yes, sir!" Then she turned and ran down the stairs, singing "It's a fine life!" at the top of her lungs.

Jack laughed again and shook his head, then turned and walked back to the helm.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Allie bounded into the kitchen, grinning madly.

"Two visits in one day? To what do I owe this honor?" Liz asked, smiling. "What are you so happy about?" Allie pulled out the money pouch with a flourish.

"This!" Liz looked at it for a minute.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Our payment!" Allie practically yelled. "And, we're docking soon! And guess what that means?" Allie said in a sing-song voice. Liz just looked at her in confusion. Allie rolled her eyes. "Shopping, dear Liz. You get to go shopping!"

Liz screamed with delight and threw her arms around her friend, almost knocking her over. Will burst into the room, sword drawn.

"What's wrong?" he demanded. When he saw that everything was okay, he sighed in relief and lowered his sword. Liz launched herself at him and threw her arms around his neck. Will dropped the sword in surprise.

"I get to go shopping tonight!" Liz giggled, letting go and stepping back. "I don't have to wear your clothes anymore! I'll have my own." Will looked at Allie.

"Is she always like this?"

"Pretty much." Allie said knowingly. Will then looked at Liz.

"You cannot go alone. It's dangerous for two ladies to be wandering around after dark."

"Are you offering to accompany us, Mr. Turner?" Allie asked with intent. He looked at Allie then at Liz's hopeful eyes.

"Seeing as you two are so set on going, I guess I have no other choice. Liz put your dress back on if you will be leaving the ship." The two girls broke out in smiles. "We will be docking in about an hour. Be ready. I'll meet you up on deck then." Saying that, he left the room.

Liz and Allie grinned at each other again, then left to get ready.