Chapter Ten

The seagulls floated lazily overhead, and a gentle zephyr urged the boat along. The Isle of Tortuga was in sight, and the Black Pearl's dark sails were easily seen from such a short distance.

Jack rummaged about in the hold, looking for anything that was worth bringing with him onto his ship. He held up the rest of the rum and the sack of biscuits.

"These'll come in handy," he grunted, lifting himself out.

Corinne surveyed the horizon, watching the pink and orange sunrise. She sighed. She was no longer under the pressures of English society, nor confined by anything at all within their realm. And it felt good.

"What are you thinking about, luv?" Jack plopped down beside her. His inquisitive expression made her either want to laugh or cry.

"I'm free."

He grinned. "Free and about to sail on the fastest ship in the world. Things are looking up."

"They are, indeed."

The small boat nearly bumped the Pearl's huge side as she was drawn up, but the men were careful with the captain. Jack hopped out and Corinne fell out on the deck beside him.

"You'll have to work on the entrance thing," he commented as she righted herself.

"You'll have to work on the gentleman thing." She replied, poking him in the side.

"You've decided to stay, Miss Young," Gibbs remarked. "Good choice."

"I thought so, too." She replied.

"Well," Jack began as he took his place at the helm, "Are we off?"

"We're off," Gibbs answered, and the captain began shouting orders.

"Sails down! Get to work!" He yelled. "What, you think I've got all day, move!"

They grinned and started working. Some things never changed.

Jack leaned against the helm and pushed his hat back. He loved the sea. He looked down to where Corinne was learning to hoist the sails. She tugged on a rope, throwing her entire weight into the effort. She was a fast pupil; he'd give her that.

Perhaps the unlikeliest of loves, but then again, Jack had long since given up on being predictable. She was no longer the typical English noblewoman, either. She'd given it all up to be with him.

He looked over the horizon, watching the white clouds drift over the blue-green waters. Truly beautiful, it was.

The sea was his home. He was bound to it. And he loved it.

Corinne wiped the sweat from her brow as she worked hard. It felt good to be part of something. She had never had to do anything for herself, and now found that she rather enjoyed it.

She lifted her gaze to meet Jack's, and he smiled roguishly. Her parents would have been disappointed; but they did not know what she knew. And that made all the difference.

Jack leaned over the wheel and shouted to her, "You feeling like a pirate yet?"

She grinned. "Yep. And I couldn't feel better."

Yes, she decided, this was where she belonged.