Rosaline had finally gotten home. She was back in England, with her mother, and her father, who had been overjoyed that she was safe. Rosaline had spun some half hearted story about being rescued by a passing trade ship, and getting dropped off near to the bay. As for the navy being positive they had seen the Black Pearl, Rosaline had laughed it off and given a speech about how she wouldn't be caught dead on a pirate ship. Her parents were too blinded by her safe return to notice anything was wrong, but unfortunately for her, Rosaline's friend Emily caught on straight away. As soon as her parents had stopped fawning over her, Rosaline felt herself pulled aside by her friend.
Emily was much taller than Rosaline, slim, blond, and quite attractive. She was engaged to a young man named Thomas Thornton, who was an officer in the navy. The day they announced their engagement, many of the local officer's hearts were broken. Emily had always tried to set Rosaline up with Thomas's friends, but Rosaline had never been interested.
"Where on Earth have you been Rosie?" She asked her, quietly, "Because I believe your mind may still be there." Rosaline turned away,
"My mind is here Emmy, but my heart…"
"You found a man?" Emily could hardly contain her excitement, "Oh no Rosie, a merchant? On that ship? What will your father say?" Rosaline giggled despite herself,
"No not a merchant." She assured her friend, "But I don't think that father would say anything positive about him anyway." Emily was intrigued,
"Oh Rosie, you must tell me," She begged. Rosaline looked at her worriedly, and Emily glanced at her friend's parents, "You know I won't breath a word," She swore, "I promise."
"It doesn't matter anyway," Rosaline lied, "It would never have worked between us, so we broke it off before too many problems arose."
"What?" Emily was shocked, "I know you Rosie. You always told me you didn't see the point in dating because you believed that your true love would be obvious when you found him. Why would you even get the slightest bit involved with any man who you didn't love?"
"I didn't say that." Rosaline said sharply, in a hushed voice. Her eyes suddenly looked strained, and weary. Emily was concerned for her friend.
"Come, get some air," She ushered her out onto the balcony, where Rosaline leant on the railings, and was met with a flash of memory, We're going to be there by noon… this is it luv. "Rosie, what is wrong with you?" Emily had never seen her friend over come with emotion, pain, or whatever it was, as she seemed to be now. Rosaline had stepped back from the balcony, and was blinking back tears.
"Emmy, you must promise that if I tell you… you must swear not to breathe a word…"
"I won't." Emily said, wondering for the life of her what could be the problem, "I promise."
"You were right." Rosaline admitted, "I found some one I care about, in fact, I care about him so much that I can't even imagine what life is going to be like without him."
"Then why on Earth did you come back?" Emily demanded, "Or at least, why not bring him too?" Rosaline sighed, and avoided her friends eyes. She gave a short, humourless laugh,
"Because the navy doesn't seem to take kindly to pirates showing up on their doorstep."
Emily did a double take. "Pirate? A PIRATE? Rosie, what's wrong with you? Are you MAD?" She shut the doors to the balcony, to make sure their conversation was not heard. "Pirates are disgusting, ill mannered, impolite common men, who take pleasure in other's misery. And you SWORE never to even speak to one!"
"Things change?" Rosaline offered hopefully, and was met by a glare so cold, it made Savannah's shrivel up and run away whimpering. "Okay, that wasn't the right thing to say. But how can I help who I fall in love with?"
"In LOVE?" This was all too much for Emily. Her friend had gone from being completely innocent and predictable, to being a disgrace to her family in less than a moment. "My god…"
"Oh Emily, stop staring like I'm a monkey in a zoo!" Rosaline snapped, her emotions getting back into control, "If it hadn't yet occurred to you, I really don't care what any one thinks. All that matters to me is that because of this, because of this place, my family and everything, I just lost the man I love." Emily was surprised by this outburst, but immediately felt guilty. It hadn't actually occurred to her, the pain Rosaline was feeling. Emily took her friend's hand.
"I'm so sorry Rosie," She said, quietly, "But it's for the best. You'd be throwing everything away…" Rosaline pulled her hand out of Emily's, and tucked it under her folded arms. She leant back on the rail and glared out to see in anger.
"You don't get it." She said, "No one would understand. Why is it, that I spent all that time on the Pearl thinking about how if only you were here, you'd know how I felt, you'd understand! Now I'm here, the only person I want is Jack. I don't care about this place, or these people. I care about you Emmy, you're my friend and I love you. But out there, it's different. They don't judge you for what you wear, or what your family status is, or anything like that. They judge you for who you are. You can make an enormous mistake, and hurt countless people, but you can be forgiven. The ocean is big. Much bigger than land. There's enough space for people to be themselves. The girls drink rum Emmy, and wear trousers, and work hard on the ship. Now that I'm back here, everything out there makes so much more sense."
"You've flipped." Emily shook her head, "You'd give up your life here for this Jack? For drinking rum, and wearing trousers?"
"I would." Rosaline sighed, feeling the tears prickling her eyes, "If I'd only have known…"
Emily stepped away. She wanted to comfort her friend, if only her friend was who she had always been to her. Emily went back inside. "I'll tell everyone you're tired," she muttered, "You can go to your room if you like, I'll make your excuses." Rosaline listened, but didn't respond. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon, on the sunset.
Oh Jack, she thought, I'm such an idiot. My life here isn't worth anything without you with me. How can I go back to being Rosaline Meredith Jones, when I'll always be 'Roz' at heart?
Jack sat in the exact same position as Ana had left him, his chair facing the door to his cabin. His eyes caught the movement of a piece of paper being slid under the door. He put down his bottle of rum, of which he had barely touched, and heaved himself up. He swayed forward, and stopped till he had gotten his footing, then crossed the room and picked up what turned out to be an envelope.
It wasn't labelled, but Jack guessed it would be for him, unless Clay had sent a love letter to the wrong cabin. Jack sat back down heavily, and tore it open. Her unfolded the neat sheet of paper, which was covered in small, slanted writing.
Jack,
I know you'll probably discard this letter as soon as you open it, but at least I can say I've tried.
I must admit I don't know what you're going through, but I know it isn't good. The crew need you to be captain, Jack, not to mope in your cabin for the rest of your days.
Rosaline loves you. When some one loves you, they don't just get over it. She can't be having the time of her life back home, just like you can't be yourself without her. She's a part of who you are now Jack, without her you're not our Captain.
I'm leaving soon, and I want to be on your ship when you get it into your mind to listen to me for once. Go back to England. If you don't you'll always wonder what would have happened if you had.
I have always looked up to you Jack, even though you're shorter than me,
Jack frowned, and swore to get even with Ana at some point,
And I've always admired the way you always know what to do, and I can tell when you make a decision or a plan that sounds absolute ludicrous, that it will work in the end because it's yours. But in this decision, I think you were wrong. There is no way this will work out unless you go back.
I love you Jack, you know I do, but don't you dare use this letter as ammunition against me. I mean it purely in a friendship sense. And as your friend, I care about you, and as your first mate, which I still am until we reach Tortuga, I am advising you to rethink. In fact, to completely change your mind.
Please go back for her Jack, so you can be the Captain this ship deserves.
Ana Maria.
"Ana…" Jack stopped, and frowned. When it comes down to it, listen to Ana Maria. He stood up, sharply. He staggered across the cabin and flung open the door, "Turn this ship around!" He ordered, his eyes lighting up, "We're goin' t' England." Ana raised an eyebrow from her place at the helm.
"Wow, I must be good."
"You are Ana, you are." Jack said, hurriedly, "Now come on, we're getting my girl back."
"You couldn't have decided to listen to me when she was still on board, and not in the navy's custody?" Seeing the look on Jack's face, she quickly turned away, and cupped her hands to her mouth, "All hands, turn the ship about!" She yelled. The order was met by a cheer from the crew, and Jack stepped out on deck,
"Not all treasure is silver and gold, right Jack?" Will asked him, grinning. Jack pointed his finger in his young friends face,
"Think of your own metaphors lad," He said, grinning back, "That one be mine."