A/N: Well, I'm back! Sorry for such a long wait for an update…my life has been incredibly busy. (Plays, shows, after school stuff, school in general…etc…) But I've forced myself to get writing, especially with the POTC sequel coming out. And the new trailers have inspired me!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean or any of the characters associated. I own only Anna Wilson (Searles), Katy Searles, and any characters you don't recognize.

Chapter Eight: St. Vincent

The isle of St. Vincent was a small island, with a couple of ports here and there, but nothing major. By the looks of it, finding the man Katy had sold the directions to the treasure to would be easy. It was a long journey to the small island. The crew of the Pearl was well worn out and eager for a place to rest. The only people aboard the ship that were noticeably excited were Jack and Katy.

"All hands! We be dockin' at St. Vincent in the next hour!" Jack barked at the crew. Everyone prepared the ship and eventually got it to shore in one piece.

Jack walked lightly down the gangplank, eager for the treasure. "Katy, luv, yer comin' with me to find this man you so foolishly sold the directions to."

Katy rolled her eyes and walked to the gangplank, stopping next to Anna, who was leaning on the railing.

"Hey, you getting off or staying on the ship for a while?" Katy asked.

"I'll get off eventually."

"Did you talk to Will at all?"

Anna shook her head.

"You have to sometime."

"I know, I know…I just don't know how," Anna said quietly.

"Katy!" Jack barked.

"Hold your rum, Jack, I'm coming!" Katy barked back at Jack. "Try to relax, stop being so tense and talk to the boy!" Katy laughed and waltzed down the gangplank after Jack.

Anna smiled and leaned her chin on her hand. She didn't really know what to do at that point. She saw Will standing at the bow of the ship. She could feel some unknown force tugging at her heart in the direction of him. 'Just go up to him…you don't even have to really reveal anything, just talk.' But Anna didn't move…her nerves got the best of her.

………………………

Will stood at the bow of the ship, pacing, something he did a lot lately. He hadn't talked to Anna since they decided to be "friends." 'How friendly is that? Not talking to each other? Is this all an act that she's putting up? Why hasn't she even said hi to me? Is she avoiding me? Am I avoiding her?' He looked over at Anna, sitting at the starboard side of the ship. 'There's only one way to find out.'

Will walked slowly over to Anna, scared of how she'd act.

"Anna?" he said cautiously?

Anna sat up, startled to see Will right there. "Oh! Hi…Will…" she said, suddenly nervous. "Did you need something? Am I in your way?" She stood up and moved over slightly.

"No, no, Anna, it's okay. I was just wondering…is…um…everything okay?" Will asked nervously.

"Oh yeah, everything's fine. Everything's fine, why do you ask?" Anna struggled to say without sounding like a complete dolt.

"It's just, you haven't really talked to me all that much since…" Will trailed off, trying not to bring up the subject.

"I-I'm sorry…It's just that…that…" Anna couldn't think up an excuse on the spot. She was usually able to, but she couldn't right then. "I'm just, well…distracted…you know with the treasure and everything." She turned away to look out to the open sea.

"Yeah, I understand," Will said crossing his arms. "But we're kind of on a break now, do you want to…um…maybe go to a tavern for some rum or something. Or just to talk," he suggested, "a-as friends!" he quickly added to the end.

Anna perked up, but her heart sank a little as Will added the last bit on. 'Well, friends is one step right? Look on the bright side, Anna. Be positive.'

"Yeah, sure," she agreed.

They walked off the Pearl and into the port, sort of wandering, looking for a tavern.

"Do you have any suggestions?" Will asked, trying to break the silence.

"I've never been to St. Vincent," Anna said. "Anywhere is fine with me."

They found a small tavern hidden in the middle of the port. They entered quietly, both feeling awkward still. It was strange for both of them. They knew each other very well, yet it felt like they were starting over from scratch in their friendship, regaining the trust and ease they used to have around each other.

The tavern was quiet and nearly empty, a very unusual site for both Will and Anna. They were used to loud, obnoxious taverns, filled with drunken pirates. Anna found a table near a window, where they both sat down.

"Do you want something?" Will asked, trying to break the silence.

"Rum's fine," Anna replied.

Will nodded and went to the bar to get the rum. He sat there for a while, trying to think of something to say when he went back to the table. 'I can't just sit there awkwardly. We're friends. We have been for quite some time. Why all of a sudden are we awkward and distant? We should talk freely.'

"Having trouble?" A voice said, disrupting Will's thoughts.

Will looked up, realizing he was gazing at Anna for a while now, and saw the barmaid standing there smiling knowingly. "I'm fine," he said, flustered.

"Not sure what to say to her?" the barmaid asked.

He was surprised firstly at the barmaid's boldness, but mostly at how very correct she was.

"I get this stuff all the time. How long have you known her?" the woman asked.

Will was still shocked but managed to stutter out, "A-a little over a year, now."

"A year? And you still can't talk to her? There must be more. Come on, tell me the details," the woman said, acting shocked.

Will hesitated for a moment, but decided that it couldn't hurt to talk to the barmaid. "We met a year ago. I was in love with another woman at the time. That woman got kidnapped and this woman came with me to save her. When the whole rescue scheme was over, I went home and got engaged to the first woman I loved. This woman, that one over at the table, ran away to the sea," Will said motioning towards Anna, "following the dream I always had. I didn't see her for a year. Now she's back in my life, taking me to sea with her."

"What about your fiancé, or wife, or whatever she is now?" the woman asked.

"She's at her home," Will said.

The barmaid nodded. "Well, you're in a tough situation. You seem pretty smitten with this lady here. Who do you love?"

"What! No, no, I'm not trying to…you know…She's my friend. I'm just trying to regain the trust we had. I screwed up so now we're pretty much starting from scratch," Will said.

"That's not what your eyes say," the woman said. "Just go and talk to her."

Will nodded, grabbing the rum and returned to the table at which Anna was sitting.

Anna looked up when Will approached. "What took you so long?" she asked.

"Uh…oh it was nothing…they…um, just needed to replace the barrel of rum," Will said, feeling nervous. Anna could sense that he was lying, but didn't say anything.

Will took a huge gulp of his rum before speaking again, knowing he'd need it.

"You'll probably think I'm crazy, but I was very jealous of you when you left Port Royal," he said a little shyly.

Anna's ears perked up and she looked up at will, amused. "Really? Why?"

Will laughed, feeling like a fool. "When we went to rescue Elizabeth, I just really felt like I belonged on the sea."

"Why didn't you stay at sea then?" Anna asked, but regretted it, knowing the answer.

Will paused. He didn't want to say it, knowing it would bring up bad memories for Anna. "I couldn't leave Elizabeth then. I loved her. I didn't believe I could be any happier."

Anna nodded, afraid to say anything else. She didn't want to screw anything up this time. "So you weren't happy in Port Royal?" she said in spite of herself.

Will shook his head. "Not at all."

"How about now?" Anna asked.

"Honestly I don't know…I'm happy to be out at sea, but I could be happier if…never mind. I'm just rambling. Don't listen to me," he said, embarrassed, revealing more than he wanted to.

"Do you want to go outside for a walk?" Anna suggested, thinking the cool evening air could calm them both.

Will nodded. "That'd be great," he said smiling.

They walked outside in the cool evening air. Both took a deep breath, needing the open air to be able to breathe again under the awkward situation. They found their way to the edge of the small port, near a quiet bay.

"I don't think I'll go back," Will said suddenly.

"What?" Anna asked, not quite understanding him.

"To Port Royal," Will said turning to face Anna.

She looked up at him, not sure of what to say.

"I think I have more going for me out here than in Port Royal."

"Oh…" Anna said, internally shouting for joy, "like what?"

Will shrugged. "Happiness, I guess."

Anna smiled. "There's nothing in particular, just happiness?"

"Nothing specific, why do you ask?"

"Well," Anna started, shrugging, "I could personally name several specific reasons why I left Port Royal."

"Such as…?" Will asked.

"An arranged marriage, confines of society, my parents, or what used to be my parents, they aren't really my parents now, everyone's expectations of me, your engagement to Elizabeth," Anna said quickly without realizing exactly what she had just said.

"You mean…" Will started but was cut off.

"No! No! That's not what I meant. I'm happy for you! It wasn't…god I'm such an idiot," Anna rambled trying to fix her mistake.

"Wait, Anna. Calm down," Will said, a little amused with her behavior. "You didn't want me to marry her?"

Anna couldn't meet his eyes. Will lifted her chin to make eye contact.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Don't be sorry. Your wish came true, didn't it?" Will said smiling.

Anna felt bad about what she wanted to happen. "Oh god, I didn't mean to ruin everything for you."

"Anna…"

"I'm so sorry I did all this to you. I should've just left you alone," Anna said stepping away from Will.

"Don't be sorry. It's I who should be apologizing to you, Anna. I was stupid and blind," Will sighed and shook his head, "I wish we could just have a normal conversation without having to get into the drama of all of this."

Anna felt bad for being dramatic, but didn't say anything, knowing he'd stop her from apologizing. They both stood in awkwardness for a while.

"We should get back to the ship," Anna said, finally.

"No," Will said suddenly, surprising Anna.

"What?"

"I mean, uh…well…I-I don't know…I just would rather be out here with you, away from the ship for a while."

Anna smiled. "It is a lot calmer out here," she said, and looked out towards the sea where the sun was setting. She sat down on the ground, followed by Will.

"Wonder if Katy will find whoever she sold those 'directions' to," Will said, experimenting to see if they could have a normal conversation again.

"I bet they're not even directions…just an object or a bunch of clues and worthless riddles," Anna said, understanding Jack's luck with his most recent treasure hunts.

"This treasure seems so much more important, with such a story behind it all," Will said.

Anna nodded in agreement, "But let's just let them handle the situation."

There was a silence, but not an awkward one this time. Anna could feel herself begin to breathe again and the tension cease. For once, they were back to "normal." Maybe, this time, without Elizabeth around, their "normal" could advance to something more productive than the last time. She could feel a change in the winds.

………………………

Katy and Jack had been wandering around the little port for a while, their patience running thin.

"Are you sure you sold it to someone here?" Jack asked, irritating Katy.

"YES! I'm absolutely sure! We still have a couple places yet to go," Katy said walking faster than Jack, clenching her fists.

"Alright, ye don't need to get all upset, I'm just askin'," Jack said backing off.

"Yes, I understand, but you've asked nearly three times now," Katy said through clenched teeth, trying not to explode.

"Right, why don't we go get ourselves a drink, calm down fer a bit, and continue this later," Jack suggested, really craving some rum at the moment.

Katy sighed and rolled her eyes. "Is that all you ever think about? Rum? See this is why I didn't come with you and that no good Barbossa so many years ago! I couldn't stand a ship with you and the rest of those idiots."

Jack groaned. "Don't bring this up again, luv…."

"Stop calling me 'luv.'"

"Alright, fine, don't bring this up again, Miss Searles," Jack said, mocking her.

Katy glared at him. "Jack, this is why I didn't come with you. You are so incredibly impossible to work with! And it's a good thing I didn't come with you on that stupid treasure hunt!"

Jack rolled his eyes and saw a tavern down the street. "Let's just go get something to drink, please."

"Don't you change the subject on me!" Katy warned.

"Katy! For one minute, just shut up! I know you're upset, just calm down!" Jack said walking off towards the tavern.

Katy followed behind him silently, trying to calm herself. 'Just breathe, Katy, it'll be alright.'

They entered the tavern which was quickly filling up with the usual nightly customers. Katy looked around for a seat and something caught her eye.

"Alright, luv, ye just find yerself a seat and I'll go get the rum," Jack said cautiously.

Katy didn't listen. "He's here," she said just above a whisper and made a beeline for a table near a window which was occupied by one man.

"What?" Jack asked, caught off guard by Katy.

"The man I sold it to, he's here," Katy said like she could care less about Jack. She just wanted to get to the man.

Those words flickered new hope in Jack. He followed behind Katy eagerly to the man at the table.

"Mr. Bailey," Katy said, startling the man from examining his rum.

Mr. Bailey jumped and looked up at Katy with fear in his eyes. "M-Miss Searles? W-What are you doing here?" he asked nervously.

"I need the medallion," Katy demanded.

"The what?" Mr. Bailey asked, trying to sound as confused as possible.

"Don't play dumb. You know what I said," Katy said in a steady, but aggressive voice.

Mr. Bailey fiddled with his rum bottle and looked around anxiously. "Well…you see, uh, I, well…I-I don't have it."

Jack groaned and flopped down into a seat, ready to return to the ship and go after some other treasure.

Katy's eyes burned with fury. "Where is it?" she asked, her temper rising.

"I…It's…I…don't know…" Mr. Bailey said, smiling nervously.

Katy's temper boiled over. She grabbed her sword, lunged across the table and tackled the man. The man shouted in fright. Jack stood up quickly to stop Katy, but backed off when she glared at him. The whole tavern became almost silent, watching the scene unfold closely.

"Let me ask you again, where is it?" Katy said through clenched teeth.

"I sold it!" the man shouted it fear.

Katy slapped him. "I made my instructions clear to you! You were to keep it safe! You were to hold it until I needed it!" she scolded.

"I-I'm sorry! B-but he threatened me, Katy!" the man pleaded. "I had to!"

"Who threatened you!" Katy demanded holding her sword close to the man's neck.

"Uh, Katy, why don't we…" Jack started to say, getting nervous being watched by the whole tavern, but was cut off by another glare from Katy.

"Anderson!" the man said, "His name was Anderson!"

"That bastard…" Katy said under her breath. "What was his first name?"

"I-I don't know! It started with an 'm'," the man said. "Please let me go!"

Katy got off the man. "Matthew Anderson?"

Mr. Bailey stood up and nodded. "Aye."

Katy sheathed her sword and stormed out of the tavern, leaving everyone, including Jack, speechless.

"Terribly sorry," Jack started, "no need for alarm, excuse my friend please. Continue with yer prior conversations and whatever else you were doing…Thank you very much for yer hospitality," he finished backing out of the tavern.

He ran outside and down the block towards Katy, who was practically sprinting to the ship. It was nearly dark out.

"Katy!" Jack yelled, running as fast as he could. Katy didn't stop. "Katy!" He finally caught up to her just as they reached the harbor.

"Katy, what was that?" Jack asked, very confused by her behavior.

"I'm sorry, Jack…I lost it…" Katy said, disheartened.

Jack was confused. "Believe me, I know losing treasure is hard, but why did you get so crazy about it? I thought you didn't care?"

Katy was silent for a while. "That medallion was the only connection I had left with my family…with my past."

"I can't believe I'm saying this…it's just treasure. You have Anna."

Katy sighed. "I know…it's just I've been waiting to go after that treasure since my father died…now the chance came and now it's gone, because of that bastard Anderson."

"I'm sorry, Katy. But you of all people should know how that medallion works," Jack said with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Katy looked up confusedly. "What?"

"It only obeys the hand of a Searles."

………………………

Captain Matthew Anderson sat quietly in the captain's quarters of the Silent Blade. A medallion sat on his desk with an image of Poseidon with his trident pointed upward carved into the surface.

I should've known…Of course it won't work. Those damn Searles are always a step ahead. But not this time…the Pearl is in St. Vincent. We should be there by dawn. Katy's on that ship and I know it. She may be strong but no one, NO ONE can challenge me and expect to win. My father will finally get his revenge and what he's deserved…

"Captain?" a sailor came in, interrupting Anderson's thoughts.

"What?" Anderson barked at his crew member.

"We're approaching St. Vincent. Shall we dock in the harbor?" the sailor asked.

"No you idiot! We're docking as far from the harbor as possible. Sparrow knows this ship. He would recognize it immediately! Have you no brain?" Anderson scolded, getting louder as he ranted on. He was standing at the end, his face red with fury.

The sailor stepped back in fear. "Yes, Captain," he said, bowing and ran out on deck.

"So, what'd he say?" another sailor asked the frightened sailor.

"We're not docking in the harbor. He surely has something in his mind besides catching Sparrow. We could easily just go and take over the Pearl," the frightened sailor said.

"He's gone mad."

"With what?"

"He wants something more than Sparrow."

"We did take a private vessel. Maybe his intentions aren't exactly as the Commodore ordered."

"Just leave it! He'll hear and he'll have our necks."

The rumors and gossip of the sailors continued through the night. Random talks of mutiny spread…but no one dared to let the word "mutiny" pass farther than a rumor. Anderson was powerful, and his insanity only made it worse. The only thing they could do was follow his orders.

A/N: I know where I want this to go, but I'm not sure if it matches up with the original plot I had a year ago. Please review with suggestions. I'm trying my hardest to get back in the groove of things.