Tara's head hung low as she leaned over the side of the Keychain the next morning. Her thoughts were on her upcoming wedding. She didn't remember being so happy about anything in her life, and yet she had the feeling of dread niggling away at the back of her mind.
"Good morning, Tara," a cool voice said, and she looked across to the Pearl, which was moving alongside the Keychain, not three feet apart, to see Anamaria facing her, a decidedly evil look on her face.
Tara immediently panicked. Jack had betrayed her, she knew it. Biting back tears, Tara tried to stay calm. "Hello, Ana."
"Come aboard, I need to talk to you," Ana said sleekly, and Tara decided to, so that she could put her fears to rest. She slung her legs over and jumped, heaving herself over the side and landing lightly beside Ana.
"What is it?" Tara asked.
"Jack betrayed you," Ana said, smirking. "With me."
Tara inhaled sharply. So he had cheated on her. That was it, then. If she couldn't trust him, she wasn't going to marry him. She loved him, but she wasn't willing to put herself through this time and time again. She had decided that last night.
"You bitch," Tara said through clenched teeth, raising her hand to Ana's face and slapping her.
Ana smirked still. "Don't you believe me? Go and ask him."
Tara turned to see Jack emerging from his cabin, wondering what the commotion was. His eyes fell on Tara, and he looked away quickly. That was confirmation enough for Tara. She swung a punch at Ana, and hooked her in the jaw. Ana staggered back, then lunged at Tara, catching her in grip which knocked them both sliding over the side of the ship. Tara felt the cold splash of water as they landed in the sea. Ana was still trying to choke her.
The world blurred. Tara wasn't breathing, and everything was fading to black...
She felt Ana's hands suddenly leave her throat, and strong arms wrapped around her waist...
Air. Air. She inhaled deeply as her head broke the surface, and then looked at the man clutching her, holding her up. Jack looked back, his face a mask of apology.
"It's off," Tara told him bluntly. "I hate you."
His lip trembled as she climbed aboard the Keychain, but he didn't call after her. It was hopeless.
I have a good excuse for not updating for so long. I have a broken finger and my arm has been slung up for a couple of days :D. Reviews faster updating. Apparently.