AN: I know that it has been a long time since I have updated, but I have extreme writer's block and I can't seem to write much for this story! I hope to have more written soon, but, in the meantime, I hope that you enjoy this little one shot that I wrote awhile ago. It takes place before the story begins, before Ashleigh sets foot in Port Royal. I know that some of you have read this before when I had it under another name, but I hope that you enjoy anyway!
Disclaimer: The lyrics used in this chapter are from the song "Nobody's Home" by Avril Lavigne. I do not own them!
Nobody's Home
She wasn't sure if she was going to be able to do this. She wasn't sure if she was going to be able to see her again. It had been so long since she had last seen her, and now she wasn't sure if they would still be as close of friends as they used to be. Things had to have changed in the last ten years. After all, Elizabeth was about to be married and she, Ashleigh, had yet to meet anyone remotely interesting or interested in her. How was she to stand up to Elizabeth's standards?
Everything was going to be so different.
I couldn't tell you
Why she felt that way
She felt it every day
And I couldn't help her
I just watched her make
The same mistakes again
Her eyes scanned the rushing ocean, watching as the waves crashed into the moving ship. She loved the feel of the wind rushing through her hair, brushing her face in loving caresses. She almost wished she could stay out on the ocean until the day she died. A smile crossed her face at the childhood memories that played in her mind. Memories of when she and Elizabeth would play out in the sunshine, playing pirates. It had seemed to be the most exciting time in her life.
Now, however, things had changed. She now realized that pirates were not the fantasy characters that they had believed them to be and now knew them to be the fierce creatures of the open ocean. Ashleigh no longer wished to meet up with a pirate. She no longer wished to catch a glimpse of that elusive Jolly Roger. The thought of pirates now sent a shiver down her spine. She not only feared them, but she felt anger surge through her body at just the thought.
What's wrong what's wrong now
Too many too many problems
Don't know where she belongs
Where she belongs
Her brother had taught her how to fight. Her father didn't know, obviously, he probably would have killed her if he had. Ashleigh's father would never have approved of her being able to sword fight. He believed that women should be protected by men; they should never be able to protect themselves.
She hated this life. She hated being treated like a dainty lady. Ashleigh turned her head slightly, gazing over her shoulder at the many sailors working on deck. She knew she could probably beat any of them in a duel. She just wished someone would give her the chance to prove it.
Now though, she wasn't sure where she belonged. Her mind told her to simply accept life as it came. Her heart told her to fight against the way she was raised, to prove her ability to protect herself. She only wished she could get out of this boring life and have some excitement in her life.
She only wished she could figure out where to go.
She wants to go home
But nobody's home
That's where she lies
Broken inside
With no place to go
No place to go
To dry her eyes
Broken inside
Elizabeth Swann stood on the dark wooden dock, her eyes scanning the port. Her childhood friend was supposed to be arriving today, and she was anxious to see her. It had been so long since she had seen Ashleigh. She couldn't wait to see how much she had changed. She knew that as a child Ashleigh was carefree, running through the fields barefoot, her long black hair flowing behind her. But now. . . how was she to recognize her childhood friend?
Elizabeth knew that Ashleigh's father had never taken an interest in her. He had been too busy with his shipping business. And too busy with his son to take any notice. Ashleigh had been raised by nannies paid by her father to take care of her so that he wouldn't have had to be bothered. Now, though, she was of the age to be married, so Elizabeth knew that he would become interested in her merely to find someone rich enough to marry her off to.
Elizabeth just hoped that nothing had changed too much, that her friend hadn't changed from the girl that she had grown up with.
Open your eyes
And look outside
Find the reasons why
You've been rejected
Now you can't find
What you've left behind
Ashleigh couldn't tell where her life would lead her. Not true. She could. Her life would become a great circle. She would stay in Port Royal for Elizabeth's wedding, catching up with her best friend in the process. And then, weeks later, she would return home to her boring life. She would return home to a life where she would once again be completely ignored by her father and being hidden from normal societies view. Except of course, when her father wanted to marry her off.
Now, she was of the age to bear children and be married, so of course he became interested in her. Not that he spent any more time with her, oh no, that would be asking too much of him.
Her stomach told her to go home, that she needed to go back to being safe and sound in her house in London. Her stomach did tell her to go back, but her heart told her to stay away, that she would be better off hiding somewhere far away. Perhaps she would be able to live with Elizabeth? Ashleigh shook her head. No, that would be impossible. Elizabeth was about to be married, she didn't need someone else living in her house bothering her. God, if only she could get away from her boring, mundane, predictable life.
Be strong be strong now
Too many too many problems
Don't know where she belongs
Where she belongs
Elizabeth twisted her hands in front of her, her eyes nervously scanning the wide open sea. A hand touched her shoulder lightly, causing her to jump. She turned around quickly, her eyes catching sight of her new fiancé, Will Turner. She smiled up at him, a nervous smile. Will smiled back, his brown eyes glinting in the late afternoon sun. His hand tightened on her shoulder, offering her silent comfort.
Elizabeth buried her face in his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist slowly. She could smell the forge on him, the fire and dust. Behind that, she could smell the faint scent of the ocean, a scent that had stayed on him since their adventure two years before, a scent that would never go away.
He was a pirate after all.
She wants to go home
But nobody's home
That's where she lies
Broken inside
With no place to go
No place to go
To dry her eyes
Broken inside
A sailor had called out. He could see land ahead of them. Ashleigh squinted her eyes, attempting to see what the man had seen. There was a splotch of darkness ahead of them, a small piece of the endless earth. There she would find her friend. There she would find an old person who would seem new. Someone who would have been through adventures and has met the love of her life, a man that she cannot live without.
What did Ashleigh have to offer? What did she have to give besides friendship? Why did she believe that anything would ever be the same between them? Why did she believe that Elizabeth would ever have time for her in her new life?
Her feelings she hides
Her dreams she can't find
She's losing her mind
She's falling behind
She can't find her place
She's losing her faith
She's falling from grace
She's all over the place
"Will it be the same?"
Will smiled. "Maybe. I'm sure she'll be the same. Friendships like yours can never change."
"But it has been ten years, Will. I have changed and I am sure that she has changed as well. Nobody can stay the same way for ten years."
Will smirked. "Well, most people can't. I can think of one who can."
Elizabeth smiled, turning her back to him and leaning against him, Will's arms going around her waist. "He doesn't count, my love."
Will laughed. "Of course not, but he still disproves your theory that no one can stay the same way for ten years. I'm sure that your friendship has lasted, Elizabeth. Nothing can break the bonds of friendship."
"Or sisterhood," Elizabeth whispered, staring once again out at the ocean, her eyes hoping to catch a glance of the ship that would carry her friend to her once again.
She wants to go home
But nobody's home
That's where she lies
Broken inside
With no place to go
No place to go
To dry her eyes
Broken inside
"Port Royal is just ahead of us, Ashleigh," Michael said, coming up behind her.
Ashleigh turned to him, a slight smile hovering over her face. "I am glad. I enjoyed the trip, brother. I can understand why you love the ocean so much."
Michael smiled. "You look nervous, sister. Are you concerned about visiting Miss Swann?"
"A little," she replied truthfully, glancing out at the rolling waves. "I have not seen Elizabeth in ten years. Everything will be different."
"Maybe not."
Ashleigh sighed. "But you will not even be there. You have goods to deliver soon after you dock in the port. And you will not be back anytime soon."
Michael touched her shoulder gently. "It will be fine, Ashleigh. Do not worry," he glanced behind her, his eyes taking on a far away look. "Look behind you, Ashleigh. Port Royal is right on the horizon."
Ashleigh turned around slowly, her breath catching in her throat.
She's lost inside lost inside
She's lost inside lost inside
And now, as she looked in front of her, she could see it. Her past. Her friend. And hopefully her future.
Port Royal.