Silas is dead. Killed by pirates while defending the Corporal. I spend the whole funeral glaring at his back. Twice now, the man has robbed me of my friends.

I could hate him, if I wanted to. But I figure Silas wouldn't approve.

George and I compose a letter to Silas's family, and gather his possessions to send to them when we reach the nearest port.

John and I no longer share a hammock. It would be too awkward. Instead, I sleep on Amos's smaller hammock, and Amos shares one with John.

None of the men seem to care or notice.

Many weeks after my first battle, we spy another ship in the distance. I am down on the deck this time, but when I hear the lookout, I feel myself tense. My hand reaches for my sword. I have not forgotten what happened the last time a ship came.

John reaches over, squeezes my hand, and pulls it off my sword hilt. 'Easy, Ray' he says quietly, calling me the name he has taken to calling me when there is no one else around.

He said I needed to remember who I was. 'After all,' he said, grinning cheekily 'we can't have you forgetting you're a girl and stealing all the ladies from we, can we?'

It is an English ship. I breathe a sigh of relief as the highest ranking officers begin to board the ship, but begin choking when I recognize my Father and Grandfather. John pats me on the back.

I have to restrain myself from running into my grandfather's arms.

Not that he would recognize me. My fair skin has turned tan from days on the deck. My once soft hands are rough, cracked, and calloused from working on the ship. My breasts are bound and my hair is tied back.

I look like any other sailor boy.

The Corporal greets my father and grandfather, and takes them below deck. When all returns to normal, I turn to John. 'Cover for me,' I say 'I need to do something.'

He tries to stop me, but I am gone before he can say anything.

I pad silently through the carpeted corridors of the Navy's half of the ship, praying that no one will find me.

I finally get to the Corporal's chambers, where I hear the muted voices of my Grandfather, Father, and the man whom I was once betrothed to.

There is a small closet next to the room. Hardly daring to believe my luck, I slip inside of it.

The walls are lined with weapons and barrels are everywhere, but finally I find a small space.

I curl inside it and press my ear to the wall, just in time to hear what I want to.

'Any news of your daughter, Commodore?'

'I'm afraid not, Corporal. There has been no sign of her.'

'Then I am afraid the engagement shall be broken. I cannot wait for her forever, as charming as your daughter is.'

'I understand, Corporal. Let it be broken.'

'Oh, excuse me – I must check on something. I shall return in a moment.'

I hear the clomp of boots pass my hiding place, and then my grandfather talk.

'Norrington, are sure there is no sign of her?'

'The brat ran away. I tried to make her into a lady, as I had to transform her mother after the time they spent on that dratted ship, and look what happened! She's more Turner than she is Swann.'

Turner!

'Commodore, you could have tried harder. Even if she was the daughter of Will Turner, a pirate, you should have been gentler.'

'There is no gentle way to go about breaking fire like that' the man I called father spits.

'Elizabeth misses her.Rachelwas the last piece of Will she had. You know how devastated she was after the shipwreck.'

'The shipwreck did more good than harm, I believe. Rid the world of Turner, Sparrow, and Sparrow's wife and spawn, to boot.' '

'That will be quite enough!' My grandfather is angry. Serves Norrington right.

I hear the boots return. 'Terribly sorry to have kept you, sirs.'

I flee to the galley.

'I can't believe this, John' I say, pacing the galley. 'I can't believe my father was a pirate, Will Turner, at that!'

John is sprawled lazily on the floor.

'Personally, I think it's rather exciting. Yer the daughter of a famous pirate! No wonder you were a natural with the sword' he adds 'yer father probably taught you.'

I stare at him, wondering how he can be so calm. I turn away, willing myself not to cry in front of John, of all people.

He sees me turn away, and jumps up. 'Aw, Ray, I didn't mean to…sssh, it's okay.' He soothes, holding me close.

He strokes my hair, which has come loose from its ponytail for the umpteenth time. I lean against him. God, this feels good…..

George opens the door, and we spring apart. 'Eh? What's this?'

Amos and George finish listening to my tale, eyes widening. George shakes his head.

'Lass, you've had more'n enough to deal with lately. Have some tea.'

He thrusts the warm mug into my hand. I grin wryly, and begin to sip it. George is convinced everything can be cured with a mug of tea.

I yelp as it burns my mouth.

John laughs. 'Tea tends to be hot. Come fence with me. It'll do you some good.' I stick my tongue out at him and follow him to get our swords.

I don't see the knowing look George shoots at us as we leave.