Chapter Three

Damien stared out into the open ocean for some time, as if the mention of her name would bring about the Pearl's appearance in the harbor. Anna stood patiently, not wanting to say something awkward that would make him even more wary of her presence. At last, he brought his down to look at her, and she shied away from his gaze, not wanting to see what emotions were played out on his face.

"If you're goin' to get on the Pearl, we'll have to change some things," he said as he crossed his arms again. Anna looked at him, clearly confused. "They're not goin' to let a woman aboard, so we'll have to tell 'em you're a lad."

"What?" She could hardly believe what she had heard. Masquerade as a man? It was the most insane idea she'd ever heard. There was no way she could pull it off, especially with her having long hair and a slightly noticeable chest.

"I said you'll have to come aboard with me, disguised as a boy." His eyes seemed to dance with excitement, as if he enjoyed seeing her in the state she was.

"I couldn't possibly even attempt it!" she cried, her voice filled with frustration. Damien merely stood before her, a smug smile on his face.

"Do you not want to sail on the Black Pearl, then? Have I misinterpreted your words?" A wry smile still played about his lips, giving him the look of a trickster and a rogue. A sudden thought occurred to Anna: Was he a pirate? The thought made her inhale quickly, and she choked on the air.

Damien's smile vanished as he slapped her back hard with the flat of his hand, trying to make her coughing cease. She did finally stop, but her face was red and her throat a little bit raw, making it a bit difficult for her to talk. "Are you goin' to do this, then? Or am I leavin' with Captain Sparrow alone?" Anna looked up at him, his green eyes caught her gaze and wouldn't let her look away.

She thought for a moment, catching her breath and thinking about her what her response would be before she said anything. Her brown eyes were clouded with thought, but Damien made no mention that her decision was delaying him. Finally, she sighed and threw her hands in the air.

"All right!" She turned away from him and looked to the sea. "What must I do?" Damien clapped his hands with excitement and laughed, making Anna instantly regret her decision.

"Well, first we must do something about that hair of yours." She spun around wildly, her eyes wide. Her first thought was of him chopping her tawny locks to her earlobes, and it terrified her. The curls hung down to the middle of her back, and if her mother ever found out . . . Well, she wouldn't be happy about it, so say the least. My mother isn't here, she thought to herself. Anna's hands flew to her hair, as she waited for what Damien would say.

"We have to cut it. There's really no other way," he told her, his eyes solemn. His hands went to his belt, where a knife hung in a leather sheath. As he drew the knife, Anna took a step back from him, not liking the idea at all. Damien beckoned her to come nearer by waving his hand. "Come now, if you want to get on that boat, you must look like a boy. Acting like one just won't cut it."

Hands shaking, she gingerly stepped closer to him, lowering her arms slowly. "Do it before I change my mind," she told him, closing her eyes.

Damien closed the distance between them with one stride of his long legs. He took a handful of her hair in his hand and cut the strands with his knife. Wisps of Anna's tawny curls floated to the ground as he sheared them off to the middle of her neck. When the last strands were cut, he put away his knife and stepped back to look her over. Anna cautiously opened her eyes and gasped at what she saw on the ground. Damien laughed and put a hand on her shoulder.

"You look like a regular cabin boy!" His voice was calm and reassuring as she ran her hands through what was left of her hair. It was less weight on her shoulders, and she rather enjoyed the feeling of it; a new freedom, it seemed to feel like. "Now, let's head for the cove and wait for her." They both began walking in the direction of the cove, with Anna having to walk fast to keep up with her companions fast pace.

Anna knew he meant the Black Pearl, and her heart skipped a beat. The sensible thoughts flying through her mind reminded her of questions she needed to ask the man she had just met. "You mean, it's really going to come?"

"Of course. I wouldn't have gone through the trouble to cut your hair if it wasn't." That reassured Anna a little, and she continued with her questions.

"Are you a member of its crew?" At this, Damien stopped and looked at her. A playful grin lit his face and he winked at her. "I wouldn't be taking you there if I wasn't."

Anna grinned as they began walking again. While they were climbing down the steep slope that led into the cove, Damien told her of protocol and the way of life on the ship. He told her of his plan to get her on board, and what she would do when they were sailing. "Since you fit the part so perfectly, I'll tell the captain that I found a cabin boy -- that's you -- in the town. You'll clean the quarters and help with anything that anyone asks you to do. However, you must not let them know you're female. If they find out, you're as good as a shark's dinner, if you're lucky."

Anna gulped and followed him down to the water's edge, where a rocky beach stretched on for about half of a mile. "What do you mean, 'if I'm lucky'?"

Damien looked at her, his expression completely serious. "Some things are better left unsaid, lass." She nodded and looked down at her chest, thanking the heavens that her breasts weren't noticeable in men's clothing. She made a promise to find a scrap of material once on board to help bind her chest down flat, making sure that no one would find out.

They didn't have to wait long before white sails appeared on the edge of the cove, the one furthest away from them. Damien stood and waved his arms, and then he turned to her. "Your name'll be Alex. You'll answer to me only until you meet the Captain."

"But I thought I had to help with anything that anyone asked me," she said, honestly repeating his words. He shook his head and put a hand on her shoulders.

"Not until you know the crew." He looked out to the water again, as did Anna. She was surprised to see how quickly the ship had advanced through the cove, and already the crew was lowering a dingy into the water to retrieve her and Damien. Her heart beating rapidly, she fingered the ends of her short hair and waited impatiently as the rowed to the beach.

It seemed like hours before the dingy scraped the rocks on the beach.