Chapter Eight

Serena woke up, stretching happily in the morning sunlight that filled her room. This would be the last time she would ever have these luxuries, she thought, sitting up in her soft bed and gazing around her room. She went out to the window and looked out over the town she had lived in for most of her life. She would miss it very much. But as she looked at the sea, a rush of excitement soared through her. A new life awaited her now. For the first time, Serena felt really happy. She had found the person she belonged with and now she could look forward to a future filled with adventure laid out before her. She was going to see the world, discover new things.

She skipped noisily down the stairs, knowing that she would never be reprimanded or scolded for 'not being lady-like' again.

As she ate breakfast with her aunt, she felt slightly guilty. Even though her aunt was strict and gossipy, she had cared and looked after her with the love of a mother. She hated that she would have to lie to her and leave her all alone in this big house. But it was the only way to be with Jack.

After breakfast, Serena went up to her room and packed all the things she wanted to take with her and walked downstairs. This was it. The plan had started. Serena just hoped that it would work.

Her aunt's expression when she saw Serena with her bags was almost humorous. For a moment she just stared with her mouth open.

"Serena!" she spoke sharply. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes. I'm sorry aunt, but I won't be coming back."

"I beg your pardon!"

"You remember Jack Sparrow, don't you aunt?" Serena continued calmly. "Well, he's back and he has something to ask you."

"That...that pirate is here!" her aunt turned pale. "I must inform the Commodore at once!"

Serena looked at the door frantically, panicking slightly. Jack said he'd be there on time! He'd promised! The knock still didn't come.

"No!" Serena shouted at her aunt. "I love him!"

"What? Serena..." her aunt looked quite stricken. "I think you're quite delirious dear. Edward died yesterday! Why are you talking about that pirate that way?"

"Edward was very dear to me, aunt, but I've realised that all this time I've just been trying to forget about Jack. I want to be with him."

"You wicked girl! You're mad, Serena to say such things!"

Then a knock sounded at the door. Serena ran to open and Jack stepped into the hall. Serena stood by his side as he bowed politely to her aunt, who looked rather faint.

"Lady Summers. I have been here in Antigua for the last couple of days and I must ask you not to be alarmed by my presence in your lovely home. I have given up piracy, to be with your lovely niece. I can only offer her the best, so with your permission I would like to marry her and move to a house away from here so that we can start a new life together. I have a secure occupation now, so I promise that we will be well off, money-wise."

"Please, aunt." Serena added as her aunt stared at Jack with an unreadable expression. "I know he's still not dressed in respectable clothes, but the money is very new and he really cares for me, aunt."

Her aunt stood up shakily. "So you have put piracy behind you for good, then?"

Serena squeezed Jack's hand.

"I can assure you madam, that I...I think piracy is a very...vile and inexcusable crime and I take...no pride in having been one."

That must've been hard for Jack to do. He would only say a thing like that for her. Serena squeezed his hand again. She'd make it up to him later. She just prayed that they'd got away with it. Serena didn't feel brilliant at deceiving her aunt, but it would all be worth it in the end. She held her breath as her aunt started to speak.

"Well. You're certainly a changed person, Jack. I can only hope that you really do love Serena and will care for her properly."

"I can assure you that I will, madam."

"Very well. I hope you will be happy together."

At first Serena wasn't sure if she'd heard correctly. She had thought her aunt would have much more to say on the matter.

"And I must say Jack, although you don't look much like a gentleman, you definitely seem like one. And your manner of speaking has improved greatly."

"Er...yes madam." Jack said uncertainly and Serena fought to keep a straight face.

"We're getting the ship to the South Caribbean coast soon." She walked towards her aunt and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I cannot say how grateful I am to you for bringing me up and caring for me as you have. I'll miss you."

"Yes, well. Get along with you girl! You can't miss the ship, now can you?" her aunt said awkwardly, blinking back tears.

Blinking back her own, Serena picked up her things and followed Jack out of the door. This was it. The beginning of her new life! Of course, she hated to think how betrayed and shocked her aunt would be if she ever found out that Jack Sparrow was still an infamous pirate and that her own niece had lied to her and run off with one.

When they got to the market, Serena breathed a sigh of relief and drew Jack into a kiss.

"Oh Jack, you're the best! I can't believe that worked! All those things you said..."

Jack grumbled irritably. "I'm never being that polite again! And I'm damn proud of being a pirate!"

"I can't wait to meet your crew! Do you think they'll like me?"

"'Course they will! Well, Gibbs will have to get used to two women aboard, but apart from that..."

"There's a woman in your crew?" Serena said not quite managing to keep the jealousy from her voice.

"Nothing ever happened! Now, do you want me to buy you some pirate clothes or not?"

"Where did you get the money fro...?" Serena broke off as she saw the pink silk purse in Jack's hand, bulging with coins. "Jack! Did you steal that?"

"No, pink's me favourite colour! Of course I did, I'm a pirate aren't I? And keep your voice down – we've come this far without being found out."

Serena was beginning to notice the shocked stares from the townspeople. They had heard of Edward and now they were staring at Jack and Serena and all the bags they had with them. Any minute now, they'd twig it was Jack and that he was a pirate now. They had been bad-mouthed before, but this time it could be worse. They were in great danger of being found out, Jack's life on the line.

"I think we just have, Jack!" Serena whispered frantically. "Forget the clothes, we'll get them somewhere else. We have to leave, now!"

Jack looked at the people pointing and glaring at them. It wasn't a good time to hang around. He grabbed Serena's hand and they half walked-half ran towards the docks. There was a shout as one of the townspeople realised the truth.

Jack and Serena ran faster, their eyes wild with determination. They boarded the Black Pearl and Jack began shouting orders at his crew. There was no time to lose. Serena watched as the docks of Antigua got further and further out of sight.

"This is the fastest ship in the Caribbean. No one can ever catch us."

Jack said, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. Serena couldn't believe it. She was on a pirate ship with Jack, watching her old life disappear into the distance. But she was with Jack - that was all that mattered.

She turned around to face him.

"I'm going to be the most fierce pirate woman you'll ever meet, Jack!" she said confidently, her emerald eyes flashing.

"Better not let Anamaria hear you say that, love!" Jack grinned at her.

"Anamaria? The other woman pirate?" she asked not with jealousy, but with interest.

Jack nodded and put one arm round her waist, leading her to meet his crew.

THE END

By the way, Antigua is actually a real place in the north Caribbean. I did some research and I think that there were some pirate hangings there too.

Thanks for reading!

Pisces Rising