Chapter 8

A month later, I was still in Tortuga. Jack and I had really bonded as father and daughter, and he taught me everything he knew about sword-fighting and shooting pistols. One afternoon, Jack and I were sitting in the front yard, playing cards on a wooden crate, when a boy came up the gravel path. He handed Jack an envelope and took off without a word. Both of us looked curiously at the envelope with Jack's name in calligraphy on it and Jack turned it over to open it. There was a wax crest on it that Jack recognized.

"It's from the Turners," he said when I looked at the seal. "Friends of mine." He opened the letter and read:

Jack,
Word has reached us here in Port Royal that you have found your daughter. We couldn't be happier for you. Will and I have decided to take a trip out to see you in Tortuga in hopes of meeting her. Hope you don't mind us bringing our daughter Alexandra! You remember her, I hope. We're leaving in two days and can't wait to get there and see you!
See you in a few days!
- Elizabeth Turner

"Well, this should prove interesting," Jack said after reading the letter. "The note was written a few days ago, so they'll probably be here in a few hours."

"You mean today?" I exclaimed. That didn't give me much time to prepare, so I ran inside and changed.

About two hours later, Jack and I made our way from the house to the docks. I was dressed in my off-white peasant top, black pants, boots, and a long jacket that had once belonged to Jack, and I wore a hat as well to keep the sun out of my eyes. Once we got to the docks, we could see a ship moving towards the harbor. I figured it must be the Turners, so I started toward the dock where they would probably tie up. A few minutes later, a ship pulled up to the docks and lines were thrown down. Jack and I grabbed them and tied the ship off to the dock. A plank was brought to the ship and three figures appeared at the railing.

"Jack!" the woman yelled from her place at the railing. She was in a long dress and bonnet and carried a parasol. She made her way down the plank and threw her arms around Jack. I stood off to the side. A man and a girl followed and the man shook Jack's hand.

"Welcome to Tortuga, Will, Elizabeth, Alexandra." Jack said to each person in front of him. "And I'd like for you to meet my daughter, Angel." I stepped up and stood next to Jack, removing my hat so that the Turners could get a good look at me.

"Oh my God! You're practically his mirror image!" Elizabeth exclaimed. I smiled. "Jack, I'm so glad you've reunited with her."

"I'm glad to have reunited with him," I said.

"I'm Will, by the way," Wills said, sticking out his hand. We shook hands, and I was formally introduced to his wife and daughter, who was 12.

"So, Angel, how old are you?" Elizabeth inquired.

"16."

"Are you liking Tortuga and the 18th century?"

"I am enjoying myself here. Everyone's really nice and I've learned to sword-fight and shoot pistols since I got here over a month ago." I didn't want to go into the story of how I had gotten there, and I hoped no one would ask. Luckily, no one did. Will suggested we head back to the house and we talked the whole way there. The Turners took quite the fancy to me, at least Will and Elizabeth did, so I tried to keep them entertained. Alexandra, on the other hand, didn't seem to thrilled to be there.

Over dinner that evening, Alexandra kept shooting me nasty looks from the other end of the table. After we ate, Will suggested that I demonstrate my skill with a sword and proposed a fight between me and Jack on the front lawn. Since neither of us could turn down a challenge, I went to my room and grabbed my sword and Jack went to his room to get his. When I returned, I heard Alexandra talking to her parents.

"Why do I have to be here? I can't stand people who aren't of high class."

"Alexandra Rose Turner. Don't you dare speak like that. In case you forgot, Jack saved my life twice and your father's life as well. If it weren't for him, you wouldn't be sitting here right now." Elizabeth snapped.

"But it's so dirty here! My boots are covered in mud and I have dust all in my hair!" Alexandra complained. She was being quite the brat.

"Alexandra, stop complaining," her father ordered. That's when I decided to make my entrance into the room. Jack wasn't there yet, so I sat down in a chair and began sharpening my sword. Roughly 5 minutes later, Jack appeared. We made our way outside and Jack brought out three chairs for the Turners. They sat down and Jack and I crossed blades.

"You ready, Jack?" I asked, a smile spreading from ear to ear.

"As ready as ever," he replied with a grin. With that, I lunged at him. The fight

had begun. I threw a lot of tricky moves at him, and he threw some back. He was after any bare skin that showed on me, which fortunately wasn't much. He went for my ankles (knew I should have worn my boots) and I jumped up and did a back flip to get out of the way of his blade. Once I landed, I lunged at him and he barely blocked me. We fought back and forth, entertaining our guests as they saw my skill easily match Jack's. After about an hour or so, I decided to end the fight, so I lunged at Jack, as he went to block I kicked his sword out of his hand, caught it, held his sword out of his reach, and put the point of my sword millimeters from the end of his nose. Jack stared cross-eyed at the blade and, trying not to laugh, said, "Defeat is mine." Elizabeth and Will applauded and laughed and I tossed Jack his sword, laughing as well. I glanced over at Alexandra, who didn't seem impressed at all. Who cares about her. I thought. She's just a selfish little brat. I turned my attention to Will, who now stood before me, sword in hand. He crossed blades with me.

"Do you think this wise, Will? Crossing blades with Jack Sparrow's daughter?" I asked. "I mean, you did lose to Jack."

"He ignored the rules of engagement. In a fair fight, I'd have killed him."

"Well, he is a pirate after all. So let's get this over with," I replied casually. I wasn't afraid of Will, and I made sure I he knew it. He lunged at me first and the fight began. I must admit, I underestimated him. But I managed to keep one step ahead of him. After a half-hour, I had his sword in hand and him on his back at sword-point.

"I must admit Angel, I underestimated you," Will confessed, looking up at me.

"I could tell. At first, you weren't really putting any effort forward, but then you really began to fight," I agreed. For a while, it had looked like he had me beat, but then I came back and won. I was feeling very good about the fact that I had just defeated the infamous Jack Sparrow and Will Turner.

"Hey Elizabeth. D'you know anything about sword-fighting?" I asked. I doubted she did, but it was still worth asking.

"Actually, I do. But I haven't done any sword-fighting for years," she replied. I was shocked. I seriously didn't think she knew the first thing about sword-fighting. I was about to say something when Alexandra jumped in.

"You fought with swords, mummy?"

"Yes, Alex. As a matter of fact I did. Years ago," Elizabeth informed her daughter. Alexandra's jaw dropped, and I tried so hard not to laugh, she looked so hilarious. I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing and Alexandra gave me this death glare that only made me laugh harder. I ended up collapsing on the grass and began gasping for air with tears rolling down my face. When I finally got control of myself, I realized that I hadn't been the only one laughing. Jack was hysterical and so were Will and Elizabeth. While everyone was recovering from their laugh attack, Alexandra gave a rather hateful look to everyone. I totally blew it off. I knew that when she left, Jack and I were gonna sail to the Isla de Muerta together to check on the treasure of Cortez.

"Hey Will, Elizabeth. Would you like to join Angel and me tomorrow when we set sail for the Isla de Muerta?" Jack inquired. Oh no. I thought. I have no problem with Will and Elizabeth coming, but I have every problem in the world with that spoiled little brat Alexandra coming along. I prayed that they would say that they were going to head home tomorrow and wouldn't be able to join us. Even though I did like Will and Elizabeth, I was really looking forward to sailing with Jack, Anamaria, and the rest of the crew.

"We'd love to," Elizabeth said, smiling. I smiled, but in my head I was shouting

God damn it! I don't want to spend another moment with that spoiled little wretch! Why did you have to bring her in the first place?

"Then it's settled. We'll meet on the docks at first light tomorrow," Jack said. I could tell he was happy that the Turners agreed to join us. Once they left to go back to their ship where they would spend the night, Jack and I retired to the comfort of the house.

"What's wrong, love?" Jack asked as the front door of the house shut and I collapsed on to the couch. I wanted to just say 'nothing' but the truth came tumbling out of my mouth before I could stop it.

"I honestly don't want to spend another moment with that little wretch for a child they have. I have no problem with Will and Elizabeth, they seem like really nice folks. But I have every problem in the world with Alexandra." I started absent-mindedly fiddling with the heart-shaped sapphire pendant that hung around my neck on a white gold chain. I had no idea where I had gotten it, but I had worn it my entire life.

"Do you know where that necklace came from?" Jack asked as I rose from the couch.

"No. But I've worn it all my life. I never take it off," I replied, still fiddling

with it.

"It was your mother's. When she died, I put it on your neck and hoped that it

would someday help me to find you," Jack replied, hugging me. I had only known him over a month, but I had developed such a bond with him. I truly loved him as a father and would move heaven and earth to help him.

"I'm sorry about Alexandra, but there's nothin' I can really do about her. She can't be left alone here, so we're gonna 'have to take her with us tomorrow. But how about you just stay with me or stay up in the Main Royal Yard. She won't go after you if you're up that high."

"Your right. I think I'll just stay with you and hope she doesn't come anywhere near me," I replied, resting my head on his chest as we stood there. After a few moments, Jack released me and I bid him good-night. I headed for my room and investigated a closet where I found a white silk nightgown, no doubt belonging to my mother at one point. I slipped off my clothes and slipped the nightgown over my head. I took my braids out, brushed my hair and teeth, and went to sleep.

Author's Note:
Wow, that chapter was longer than I thought it would be! I hope I didn't bore ya to death! Reviews are welcome – Artemis