A/N: I recently took another glance at this story and realized how poorly written it was. So I've decided to polish it up one piece at a time. I don't know if anyone is still reading it, but for my sanity, I am going to retool it chapter by chapter. Maybe I will be struck with new inspiration and finish it.

Disclaimer: I own neither Pirates of the Caribbean nor any of it's characters, names or locations. This is a simple exercise in creativity that I will not try to sell or profit from. All credit goes to Disney.

They had a little bit of difficulty finding a place to drop anchor. The British government despised pirates as a general rule. Now that the Pearl was one of the most recognizable ships in the Caribbean, they couldn't very well just sail up and weigh anchor. Instead they found a small alcove of cliffs on the southern, uninhabited half of the island. Jack gave a small speech before they all got one day's shore leave.

"Alright men, be free, be merry, be drunk, but be back here by sunset tonight!" the mangy crew of men roared their approval. Laura stood placidly next to Ana. Her sister's face was twisted into the slightest hint of a scowl. Ana more often than not wore that look when performing her first mate duties. As a woman, she had to be hard, or else suffer the indignities of back talk and disrespect. Jack and the sisters stood on deck, watching the men pour out of the ship, hurrying off to taverns and tavern maids. "And what are the lovely ladies' plans for tonight?" Jack turned on his trademark charm, giving them a lopsided grin.

"I think we'll stay aboard tonight Captain," Ana clipped out. "Ale and whores don't really appeal to us."

"Ah," Jack twisted one dreaded lock around his finger and leaned into Ana. Laura watched the exchange silently, taking it all in. "Always the lady of class. What about the young lass?" he turned dark brown eyes to Laura, who shrugged.

"I never could hold my liquor," she said simply. Jack smiled at her.

"Nothing like your sister eh? One time, Ana and I got into a rum drinking contest--"

"Captain!" Ana cut him off sharply, her cheeks coloring. Laura laughed. Ana was determined to put up the front of the ideal big sister. But their mere presence on a pirate ship negated that. Laura indulged her sister's fantasy for the time being, but made a mental note to ask her about it later.

Jack straightened up with a smirk. "Alright. A story for another time, perhaps," he acquiesced. "And love," he turned his attention directly to Ana, his eyes darkening slightly. "When the crew are gone, it's just Jack."

"Alright," Her sister kept her cool, but Laura noticed the sharp intake of breath and the way her chest hitched slightly. "And Jack?" the captain had turned away to join his crew in a night of frivolity and sin. He swaggered slightly to the left, giving his first mate his full attention.

"Aye love?" he asked saucily.

"It's Ana." She said curtly. With a swish of hair, Ana was clomping off toward her quarters. Laura watched Jack's face split into a wide smile. He pulled on his signature tri-cornered hat and watched his first mate sashay off.

"Enjoy yourself, lass," he said at long last to Laura. She wished him likewise, then hurried after her sister.

Ana was stationed near the helm, sitting on the precariously rocking railing. Laura hefted herself up next to her.

"It's nice to be on land again," she said in lieu of a proper greeting.

"I suppose so," Ana sighed.

"We should go out tomorrow morning. Look at the shops," Ana just nodded. "What's wrong?" Laura finally asked.

"It's nothing," Ana denied a bit too quickly. "I suppose I just prefer the freedom of the sea to land."

"It is in our blood." Laura admitted. She swung her bare feet down past the side of the ship, allowing the waves to lick up the ebony hull and tickle her toes.

"I know you prefer the land to the sea, but thank you for coming out here with me." Laura gave Ana a one armed hug.

"Of course. Though I'd like to know why we've committed ourselves to a life outside of the law." Ana smiled at her.

"I told you, I like the freedom."

"Mm-hm," Laura murmured skeptically. "I suppose Jack has nothing to do with it."

"What?!" Ana's mouth fell open and she trained almond shaped eyes on her little sibling.

"I see how you look at him. And how he looks at you. And how the two of you interact--"

"Argue is a more appropriate term." Ana snorted derisively.

"Flirt, was more what I was thinking." Laura fired right back. Ana gritted her teeth. "Come on now. When are you going to tell him?"

"There's nothing to tell," Ana ground out tersely. "And even if there was, Jack isn't the type of man who commits."

"And you know this how?" Laura questioned.

"From experience. Every time we dock, Jack hurries off to some tavern. Women fall all over him. He's all too happy to accommodate them." she sounded bitter, but Laura knew better. Ana's best defense was a tough front, but she was actually the more sensitive of the pair.

"Perhaps he's just waiting for the right girl. Besides, he can't be warming that many beds. For one thing, he's always the first one back in the mornings and he'd be dog tired all of the time." Ana snorted. Laura could tell that she had eased the tension. Her sister broke into a fit of giggles, nearly toppling off of her perch.

"Leave it to you to figure that out," she punched Laura lightly on the arm.

"I'm good at observing," Laura laughed back. "And I have observed that you two are in the same boat."

"Well obviously." Ana glanced around at the ship.

"That's not what I meant!" Laura protested Ana's literal translation. "I meant that he seems to have feelings for you. And what's the worst that could happen?"

The laughter died on her sister's lips. "The worst that could happen?" she repeated slowly. "I pray you never find out, Laura." There was something Ana wasn't telling her, of this Laura was sure. There had been a few months where the two had been separated, Laura working on land, Ana at sea. Something had happened then, something that left her already hard sister jaded. Laura didn't pry. Ana would tell her in good time.

"Well, if it's already happened, it's not likely to repeat itself," she nudged Ana lightly.

"I hope not," Ana swung down off of the railing. "I'm going to turn in. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night," Laura waved.

"Good night. Thanks for the talk."

"Anytime." Laura smiled as Ana walked away. "Anytime…"