Freya stood content, leaning against the railings of the black pearl. An odd sensation of excitement ran through her as she thought of putting her feet on stable ground once again. Ahead moonlight splashed down its watery white-silver glow onto the free port of Tortuga, illuminating the pathway before them. In the distance the buildings were silhouetted against the deep velvety sky and candle light shone bright from every window. The sprawling horizon emerging in front of her felt almost nostalgic, her father's stories began swimming through her mind. So caught up in her own thoughts Freya didn't notice a figure stopping by her side and joining her, taking in the view.
"It's really something, isn't it?"
Startled, Freya let out a small yelp, quickly turning her head to the owner of the voice.
"I'm sorry!" Will chuckled, "I didn't mean to frighten you."
Resting a hand over her heart she felt it beat hard. "Bloody oath, you almost gave me a heart attack."
"I just came to see how your head was. I had no intention of startling you."
With a look of genuine worry Will rested a hand against Freya's forehead, pushing a piece of hair from her face as to inspect her wound. This is no way helped her racing heart, even when she slowed her breath. Will noticing this withdrew his hand, worried he over stepped his boundaries. However he did not take a step back, instead he fixed his gaze out towards Tortuga as he spoke.
"The winds are in our favour. Usually one smells Tortuga before they lay eyes upon it."
Freya followed Will's gaze back out to Tortuga, her face burning where his hand had once rested.
"I didn't have high hopes for a free port."
"Have you ever visited a free port before?" Will asked, curious. "Do they have free ports in your, Australia?"
Freya sighed deeply, she had been trying to put home to the back of her mind. "No, I'd never left home until now."
Noticing the dejected tone to her voice, Will glanced down to her hands and saw how they clung so desperately to the railings with the mention of home. Without thought he reached out and reassuringly placed his hand upon hers.
"You'll see your home again, I promise you."
He squeezed her hand gently before removing it, leaving it vulnerable to the cool, ocean breeze. Strangely enough however, she didn't feel the cold. His presences brought an unexplainable warmth, one she had noticed not only affected her, but all those around him. That afternoon she watched as the crew of the Black Pearl mingled and worked in the hot summer sun. In particular she observed Will, how he interacted with the crew. It was specular to watch, to say the least. The way he brought a smile to each one of his friends faces, how he spoke with such kindness to each person who crossed his path. He was like nothing Freya had ever seen before and she wasn't sure how she felt about it.
The pair stood on deck together in silence, content with their company as Jack watched them from across the deck. It was so odd seeing a woman on his ship, even if she donned men's clothes. Jack loved women. Well, he loved the thought of them. He'd never loved one, never planned too. Women were too unpredictable. Some were quiet and homely, others passionate and wild and the worst were just completely unhinged. Never in all his years had he come across a woman that was all three. But as he looked at Freya's silhouette, the smallest inkling of a feeling began to grow. A feeling he didn't like and was prepared to use rum to rid himself of.
It was going to be a long night for the crew of the Black Pearl.