As they neared the dreaded Isla de Muerta Jack douldn't help but feel a slight victory. He had the Pearl back, the bearings to the Isla, and a peaceful mind. All he needed was to gets a few barrels of treasure and then it was on to Tortuga, then from Tortuga….freedom. Or, the first merchant ship they happened to cross. He grinned at the thought.

"Cap'en! Were coming up on the Island!"

He looked up, realizing he had been deep in thought.

"Get ready to make anchor!"

As they launched the long-boats none of them knew what lay in store for them.

A few hours later all that could be seen on the waters surrounding the Isla de Muerta was fog, mist and the ruins of the many the ships that had been wrecked. After a moment of silence a dark ship slowly cuts through the still water, it is made of the darkest oak wood with blood-red sails, around it is a ghastly pallor. On the deck is a man in a rugged and torn navel uniform. Nothing else can be seen.

"Father, do we have to leave London? Why can't we stay?"

"Because we are going to visit your dear mother's sister."

Celeste looked up at her father.

He had the features of a sailor. His hair was dark, where his eyes matched. Celeste had inherited most of her looks from her father, except her figure and skills.

"Skills with a kitchen," she muttered under her breath.

"Celeste hurry up."

"Coming father."

Grabbing her small bag she quickly walked up the gangplank and onto the ship that was to take them to the Caribbean.

As she stepped onto the deck of the navel ship Celeste quickly found her father and went to his side. He was talking with the captain.

"How soon can we be expected to arrive?"

"Around a month Dr. Cedar. May I show you to your cabin?"

"No, we can manage, I'm sure you have other things to see to."

"Of course." He paused when he saw Celeste. "And who is your traveling companion?"

"Oh, excuse me. Captain Rowe this is my daughter, Celeste."

Dr. Cedar stepped aside and gently ushered his daughter forward. As she approached Captain Rowe Celeste gently pushed the bag she was carrying into her fathers hand.

"Miss Celeste it is a pleasure to meet you."

"Thank you Captain. I'm looking forward to the voyage."

As she allowed him to kiss her hand Celeste kept a straight face, for her fathers sake. When she finally got her hand back she glanced at her father and saw him nod.

"If the Captain will excuse us, we will go and find our cabins."

"Of course."

As they left the Captain began shouting out orders to leave right away.

Celeste followed her father down into the hold of the ship until he stopped in front of two doors.

"You cabin is right next to mine. If you need anything, just knock."

"I will father."

Just as she was about to open the door to her room she heard her father call to her.

"Yes?"

"You may want to practice your emotions a little more."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"I saw a little bit of, un-lady-like ness in your eyes as he kissed your hand."

She gave him a small grin.

"I try."

As she went into her room Celeste locked the door. Putting the bag her father had given back to her on the bed she went over to the window. Looking out she saw London slowly fading into the distance.

"Soon there will be only the ocean and the sky."

Sighing she sat down at the desk in her room and pulled her journel out of her bag along with a pen. Setting it down she gently began to write. This was where she found solace, in writing. Ever since her mother had passed away Celeste had found it easier to write things down. Her father had been worried about her at first, then he slowly began to recognize the fact that his daughter had found it easier to write things down. At dusk Celeste looked up as she heard someone knocking at the door. Putting her pen down she got up and went to open it. As she opened it Celeste was surprised to find a sailor. She had been expecting her father.

"Excuse me Miss, but your father asked me to come and get you. You and he will be dining with the Captain tonight."

"Thank you. Will you tell them I will be up in a moment."

"Of course."

"Thank you."

As he nodded his reply she closed the door.

Dinner…with the captain?

She wished her father hadn't done this, but never the less, she would have to cope with it. Walking to the mirror and wash basin Celeste washed her face, then, before leaving, put her journal at the bottom of her traveling bag. Satisfied she left the room and headed up to the captain's cabin.

When she reached the deck, Celeste just took a moment to gaze at the sunset, then quickly, but with what her father would call "lady-like" manners, made her way to Captain Rowe's cabin. She knocked gently when she finally reached it. Her knock was answered by a voice.

"Come in."

Feeling a little timid Celeste opened the door.

"Ah, Celeste, we'ver just been talking about you."

"About me?"

As she entered Captain Rowe came forward and she had to allow him to take her arm.

"Please allow me."

"Thank you."

'I seem to be saying that a lot lately.' She thought a bit grimly.

"Actually we were just sitting down to dinner."

She glanced over at her father, he seemed to be enjoying himself; that was good. If only she could as well. That evening went well.

The dinner was well made and the company was…suitable. Personally she hated having to act like someone she wasn't.

When dinner was over, she followed her father back to their cabins.

"Father, will we be dining with the captain every night?"

Dr. Cedar looked at his sixteen-year-old daughter and grinned.

"No, not every night." He spoke softly. "I'm going to get some rest, and if I were you, I'd do the same. I don't want to hear you've been taking midnight walks."

Celeste put on a fake shocked look.

"Me out at night for a walk, on a ship full of men. Never!"

As she finished speaking Celeste closed her door and prepared for sleep. Putting her now closed bag on the table beside the bed she risked one last look out the window, when she did it was to see a full moon. Crossing the room she stood by the window and gazed out. The moon looked so beautiful. Sighing Celeste closed the window and went to sleep. Unaware that anything bad could come from a sceen as beautiful as this.

How wrong could one person be?