On a desert island, a magic yours and my land
Everyday's a holiday with you
Under a blue sky dear we could get an idea
Of what our two lips were meant to do
Strolling beside you hand in hand we'll go
Through love's promised land dear
All our lives I know believe me
Happiness would be ours if for only three hours
On a desert island in my dreams

--Peter, Paul & Mary - On a Desert Island

Delila leaned back against the railing of the nest, gazing at the island unfolding itself before their eyes. She loved the view; you could almost see the end of the world from up here. And no matter how hot the day, or stale the air, there was always a gentle breeze blowing. Jack had lovingly dubbed it 'the sparrow's nest', and although she'd laughed at his joke, she'd secretly agreed. It was indeed her lair, the one place where she knew she would always be left in peace.

She stretched her legs, lazily flopping one outside of the railing, and focused her attention at the girl sharing her nest. Doll had once again turned her attention outwards, a rapt expression on her face. It was the face of someone who had finally met the lady of the sea. Delila smiled broadly and nodded to herself. And about time it was.

Down on the deck things weren't developing quite as nicely. Although the news of steady ground had appeased his worried mind a bit, having his girl 'practically hanging around in mid-air' seemed to set the usually good-natured blacksmith on edge. He was pacing around, casting nervous glances at the nest.

"Look, they've been there for quite a while now! Isn't it about time they came back down?" Abruptly, he stopped. "What are they DOING up there?"

Jack shifted slightly, making room for the striding man. "Look, lad, they're probably just enjoying the view." He placed his hands behind his back and leaned against the mast. "We won't arrive at the island in quite some time, why don't ya let the giglets have their fun, eh? No worries, have a rest." He patted at the ground beside him, but Will just gave him a dirty glance.

"I still can't believe you let the girl climb up with a broken wrist! What if something happened to her? To both of them!"

Jack yawned. "Look, it's not like I could've stopped her, even if I wanted to. She is the captain after all, and not to mention my daughter, in case you've forgotten. Besides, she's fully capable of taking care of herself, as is your lass." He raised his eyebrow. "You really ought to give her more credit. She's a fine gal. Much like her…"

The last part of the sentences died on his lips when Jack noticed the pain in Will's eyes. The loss of his wife pained him still. Nothing strange about that, Miss Turner had been a wonderful lass. The kind of woman he'd want for himself. But Jack had learned the hard way not to play with nobles. He looked towards the rapidly approaching island. Well, even if he did get burned, something good had come out of it. But this was not the time for self-indulging; this was the time for action. He looked up at the hollering girl in the nest.

"Oy, lasses, it's time! Get your wee selves down here, the adventure is about to begin!"

ooo

Rolf's strong strokes brought the small boat to it's destination: the uncharted island. His boat carried the ship's strong core: fathers and daughters. Behind them another boat followed with three more crew members and several barrels. They needed to stock up on fresh water, and some food wouldn't go amiss. Then they would figure out where to go next.

"We'll split up." Jack started commanding as soon as everyone were ashore. "Rolf, you'll take a group and go that way. We'll go this way, whoever finds water starts filling the barrels and bringing them back to the ship. Everyone have to be back before nightfall."

Rolf nodded silently. He wasn't a big talker, Doll had found out, but wasn't there a proverb about the silent ones being the deepest, or something? She was a bit sad to see Rolf go, but she would much rather go with Lijah and Jack.

"We're not going anywhere." Doll's jaw dropped at her father's statement. She started to object, but Jack beat her to it: "Hate to break it to you, whelp, but bein' marooned isn't as romantic as it sounds."

"I mean that we'll be waiting here. Doll isn't dressed to wander about in this no-man's-land. We'll stay on the shore until you come back."

Jack shook his head sadly. "Hiding behind skirts. Nobility made you soft, lad."

Will went beet red; Jack seemed to hit his weak spots with unnerving accuracy sometimes. "I'm not soft, I'm sensible. She doesn't have shoes for it."

Doll looked sadly at her small and, well, not very practical shoes. She wasn't much of a pirate, was she? She bit her lip to keep from crying, but refused to look up at Lijah or Jack. She had felt at home in their little group, but now it was obvious that she and her father were just annoying hangers-on.

"Whatever you say, Will," Jack said with a shrug. Doll realised that it was the first time she had heard Jack use his name instead of 'whelp' or 'mate' or any other nickname.

Then the two of them were alone at the beach. Doll refused to look at her father, but went over and sat down on a rock, folding her arms around her legs. All the stories about pirates were just stories, weren't they? Sure, there were real pirates, but she would never be one. She'd just be admiring everyone else's adventures for the rest of her life, and never have one of her own.

She didn't look up when she saw her father's feet in front of her as he sat down opposite her.

"I'm just looking out for you, Doll." She didn't answer. "You could have twisted your ankle, or…"

"Or what?" Her head snapped up. "Or bruised my skin or gotten dirt on my dress or bugs in my hair? I'm not going to break, daddy! I'm not really a doll, it's just a stupid nickname and I just wanted to go with them and just see something new, but you treat me like I'm dying or someth—" She swallowed the rest of the words as she saw the look on her father's face. The rage drained away and she suddenly just wanted to apologise, but the words just wouldn't come. Now it was his turn to look at the ground, and he didn't say… anything.

"Dad…," she finally said.

"No, it's okay Doll," he said, though he didn't sound okay.

"Dad… there are men on the beach behind you."

"The crew already? That was fast."

"D-dad…" Doll swallowed. "They don't look like the crew…"

Who is it? Skeleton pirates? Norrington? Elizabeth's angry ghost? A very confused cheese?
Stay with us to find out.

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