Disclaimer: Me no own. You no sue. Savvy?

(A/N:) Here it is, everyone. Chapter six! Don't forget to review! :) Reading everyone's comments is one of the many reasons I love writing- I love to know what you guys think! Enjoy.

The next morning, Sarah arose at the break of dawn, hurriedly throwing on her clothes and scurrying from her cabin to seek out her parents. Opening the hatch, she was met by a sudden gust of wind, awakening her senses and causing a smile to spread over her face. She had always loved cool weather, despite having grown up in the mild winters and sweltering summers of the Caribbean, and this sudden change in the weather delighted her. She scrambled to her feet and closed the hatch behind her, being careful not to let it slam as it shut. Glancing about the deck, she noted that there were very few crew members around. She supposed the others were below decks, still suffering from the tarrying effects of drunkenness. Her nose crinkled in disgust at the notion. Why someone would partake of such a beverage, knowing from experience that it would cause them to act like an absolute fool- not to mention the dreadful headache that would hang over them the next day- was beyond her. Banishing this unpleasant thought from her mind, she returned her focus to finding her parents.

This task proved to be an easy one, as she momentarily spotted her father standing at the rail, his arms resting on the weathered wood, looking out at the ocean. As quietly as she could, she walked hesitantly towards him, then moved to stand beside him, her arms folded as his were. A small smile graced his features when he sensed her presence at his side. "Good morning, Sarah."

Forgoing such pleasantries, she spoke up hesitantly, "Father?"

Will turned to face his daughter. "Yes?" he replied.

"I- I'm really sorry about yesterday," she confessed, her face falling as she uttered the words, bringing back a flood of guilt.

Will saw a tear glistening at the corner of Sarah's eye, threatening to escape and slip down her cheek. He could not bear to see her cry, even if she had been somewhat reckless the previous day. Impulsively, he reached out and pulled her into a comforting embrace. Sarah rested her cheek against his shoulder, her sadness giving way to a feeling of warmth in her father's arms. "It's okay," he whispered. "We'll find him, I promise."

Pulling back, she replied simply, "Of course we will. We have to." She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. "When do we start?"

Will smiled in return. "So much like your mother," he murmured to himself.

Hearing his words, although they were more to himself than to her, she raised her eyebrows as if to say, 'Is that so?' Grinning, she replied, "Perhaps, but Mum told me when she was kidnapped, you rushed off to find her, even resorting to working with Uncle Jack- and you hated pirates then."

Returning her smile, he conceded that this was true. For a time, father and daughter stood together at the bow of the ship, an amiable silence settling over them. After a few minutes, Will spoke once more. "You really are a lot like your mother," he mused. Sarah looked at him quizzically, and reading the question in her expression, he continued. "Wanting to see Tortuga, wanting to explore with Kristie- It reminds me so much of your mother when she was younger."

At this point, Sarah was thoroughly intrigued, and turned to face her father, listening intently for what he might say next. Knowing that she wished to hear more, he smiled. "As you know, your mother and I have known each other since we were twelve-"

"-And she fished you out of the water." Sarah finished his sentence for him with a grin.

"Exactly. You see, when we were younger, we were allowed to talk to each other and play together- before she got older and had to become a proper young lady," he explained, a hint of sadness in her voice when he mentioned this last detail. "Looking back, I doubt I was much fun to play with. I was quiet and shy, and she was energetic. She had such a fun personality- and she loved adventure." Sarah nodded in agreement. In the past she had tried to imagine her mother as a child, and was eager to hear this from someone who had known her then. "When I remember some of the things she did, it's a wonder I didn't have gray hair by the time I was fourteen," he remarked, chuckling at the memory.

"I remember once, when we were thirteen, she sneaked out of her house in the middle of the night, and went to play on the beach. I woke up about that time, and went to open the window. First thing I see is Elizabeth Swann, wearing a plain servant's dress that was too big for her, running down the street. To this day I don't know how she got away without being noticed, how she got that dress, or how she slipped back in."

"Why?" Sarah asked.

"Hm?"

"Why did she run away?"

Will pondered this for a moment. "I suppose she was just tired of being proper."

It was then that Jack sauntered by on his way to the wheel of the ship, map and compass in hand, muttering some nonsensical ditty to himself. Strolling over to one of the crew members lazing about, he ordered the man to go below and get the rest of the crew on deck. "Where we 'eaded, Cap'n?" the pirate inquired.

"I'll tell ye that some other time, savvy?" Shrugging, he ambled off to do as he had been commanded. Sarah wandered from the ship's railing over to Jack, who was standing at the wheel, looking at his beloved compass, then at the map, then back again. Though the girl stood merely a few feet from him, he did not seem to notice her, and if he did, he chose not to acknowledge her presence.

"We're going to the cay, then," she said softly, her words posing as more of a statement than a question. The pirate turned to regard her briefly, then nodded, turning back to his study of the map. Sarah nodded softly to herself, pleased by the thought. It would be such a relief to be done with this unusual, stressful ordeal.

Having nothing else to say to him at the moment, Sarah returned to the railing to watch the sun come up. This particular morning, the sunrise was remarkably exquisite, even breathtaking. Brilliant reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks stretched across the sky above as colorful fingers of light splayed out over the silvery waters below. The dark outline of a sea bird glided effortlessly over the top of the picturesque scene before diving swiftly down to skim across the water and capture a fish in its powerful talons, then swooped gracefully back up and out of sight. Sarah watched all of this in wide-eyed wonder, utterly transfixed by the sight. She could not help but think that God truly must be amazing to have created such a masterpiece as this.

Her trance was broken by the sound of Kristie's voice issuing from the hatch as she scampered over to where her friend stood. Sarah was disappointed by this untimely interruption, but nonetheless turned to regard the younger girl. "I saw the crew all headed up here," she said breathlessly. "We settin' sail?"

Sarah merely nodded in response. "Thank God," she muttered under her breath.

"I 'eard that," Kristie drawled.

"After all that's happened here, you're still offended when I speak of this place like that? Honestly, Kristie, I can't understand what you find so interesting about it. I thought it was absolutely disgusting."

Kristie shrugged. "I don't know. I jus' wanna know what it's like," she replied, tucking a stray wisp of black hair behind her bandanna.

"I've seen enough," Sarah said, revolting images creeping into her mind once again. She forced them back, wishing to forget such things. Kristianna made no comment on this, and the pair watched idly as the crew prepared the Pearl for the voyage they were about to begin. At length, Sarah spoke again. "Isn't it beautiful?" she gushed.

The younger girl looked at her curiously. "Wot?" she asked.

"The sunrise, of course."

"Same as any other," Kristie declared. "Highly overrated."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "I think it's absolutely beautiful," she stated. "God is amazing," she murmured. Now it was Kristie's turn to roll her eyes.

"I don't see why yer into all that God stuff."

"I don't see why you aren't."

"Since when does a pirate need God?"

"Why shouldn't a pirate need God?"

"'Cause they're independent! Free!"

"Most are scoundrels!"

"Wot are ye implying thar? Ye callin' me a scoundrel?"

"That's where you're headed!" Sarah was getting angry now.

"Says the daughter o' two pirates," Kristie scoffed.

"I said most, not all." Her words were quiet now, but came through clenched teeth.

Throwing up her hands in exasperation, Kristie turned away with a huff.

Several minutes passed without a word passing between them. Then, "Ye wanna go up to the crow's nest?"

Sarah nodded, and the conflict was resolved.

Sunday, September 29th

Aboard the Black Pearl

Dear Diary,

So much has happened just since I wrote yesterday. We returned to the Pearl, told my parents everything, and we all trooped back into that wretched place to search some more. We did not find Jonathan, unfortunately, but we did find something. When he was either busy or too drunk to care, someone- Jonathan's kidnapper- slipped a piece of parchment into Uncle Jack's coat pocket. It wasn't a ransom note, as it would have been were this one of my adventure novels, but rather a map. I recognized Jamaica, and I could point out where Port Royal and Tortuga were. Over near Isla de Muerta, there's a little cay with a bright red X scrawled upon it. On the back of the paper, there was a note. It read, "Go here if you ever want to see your son again!" I was afraid, but excited as well. It was as though I had fallen into a pirate story, and was living as one of the characters. On the other hand, I now know that such things as kidnappings and criminals are not playthings for stories, or simply exciting adventures. They are, in fact, dangerous and frightening.

Anamaria took the news well, or at least better than I would have were I in her place. Early this morning, I overheard her arguing with Uncle Jack over something, though I know naught what. I assume it had to do with Jonathan or the map.

As I write this, I am sitting in a stairwell on the deck of the Pearl. The sun is perhaps ten hours high. Early this morning we left the harbor in Tortuga, and we are sailing for the cay I mentioned earlier. The sunrise today was amazing- I've never seen so much color in one scene in all my life. Of course, Kristie declared it to be just like any other; not anything special. I fear I shall never understand that child.

The sun is shining into my eyes. I shall write again soon.

Always,

Sarah Turner

Stuffing diary and writing supplies into her bag, she stood and turned to walk towards the hatch, but very nearly ran headlong into Jacob, the new crew member. "Oh! I'm sorry," she said quickly, smiling apologetically.

"It's alright," he said softly, and she noted that there was something strange about his voice. Perhaps a rare accent?

Wishing to ease the awkward silence, Sarah attempted to make conversation with the boy. Besides, she liked to befriend every crew member. "So you're Jacob, right?"

The boy nodded shyly. "Father tells me you're only seventeen," she continued tentatively. Again, he said not a word, but simply nodded his head. "What made you leave home so young?" She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth, but could only hope she had not come across as prying and rude. Nonetheless, in a feeble attempt to take back her words, she hastily said, "I mean, you don't have to tell me- I'm just a stranger- I'm sorry if I sound rude, I'm just curious..."

He shook his head as if to say he was not offended, but still he hesitated before replying. "Family issues." He said nothing more, and instinct told her that he had good reason. Sarah bit her lip. She couldn't imagine how hard his life must be, and felt deeply sorry for him. She could not blame him for wishing not to discuss such things.

"Oh," she said simply. Then, after a brief pause, "I'm sorry."

He nodded, his thin shoulders drooping slightly. "Well, we're glad to have you here," she said in an attempt to change the subject. "I hope you like it here on the Pearl."

"Thank you. I'm sure I will."

Sarah had to admit she was somewhat relieved when Jack gave him an order and he scurried off to carry it out. Their conversation had been even more awkward than when she ran into Robert and he wasn't expecting to see her. Then, he tended to stutter a bit, wring his hands repeatedly, and hardly look her in the eye. If you asked her, he acted as though he had committed some horrid crime. How ironic that was, because when Kristie got away with something she was not supposed to, she acted as though nothing was wrong at all, and anyone who did not know her well would never suspect a thing.

As she made her way down the corridor towards her cabin to stow her diary safely therein, her thoughts drifted back to Jonathan. If they had been a fortnight from Barbados, she guessed that they were six, perhaps seven days from the cay, and already she was growing frustrated and impatient. To wait nearly another full week would be torture, not only for her but for her friends as well. But perhaps they would be able to occupy their minds with attempting to get to know the new hands. Jacob certainly seemed to be an interesting character. He acted as though he kept some deep, dark secret, like he was terrified that someone might break through his shell of silence and meet the boy under the hat. Though the intention behind his distant, closed-off manner was likely to make her disenchanted with the idea of getting to know him, it only served to make her more determined to befriend him.

She walked unhurriedly down the dark corridor towards her cabin, reflecting on the whirlwind of the past few days. If she guessed correctly, they should arrive at the little cay in five days, perhaps six. Oh, how she wished she could somehow make this ship travel faster! Even now, just a few short hours into their journey, she was starting to become frustrated and impatient. She shuddered to think what might become of poor Jonathan if they did not promptly fulfill whatever requirements their mysterious foe might lay down. She desperately hoped that they would be able to reach an accord; she doubted she could live with herself if something dreadful were to happen to him because of her rash decision to go ashore with Kristie.

By now, she had reached her cabin, and she tucked the little satchel beneath her pillow. She always hid it there, lest Kristie discover it and read all that she'd written. True, they were best friends, but she would never understand Sarah's gentle way of looking at life. Then she hurried back to the deck.

That evening, as the girls were just settling down into their respective bunks for the night, Kristie abruptly sat upright. "Bugger. My sword is out on deck," she muttered.

"Why did you even bring it out there in the first place?"

"'Cause I wanted to practice fencing, of course."

"Well, then go and get it," Sarah said, yawning.

"Will ye come with me?" Kristie asked, clambering down the rickety ladder and nearly falling in doing so.

Sarah groaned. "Why?"

"Why not?"

Sighing, Sarah agreed. "Alright." She doubted she would fall asleep for a while yet anyways.

While trudging down the hallway, Sarah abruptly stopped in her tracks. "Wot?" Kristie asked, but Sarah hushed her quickly.

"Listen," she whispered. The younger girl fell totally silent, trying her best to hear whatever it was her companion was referring to. After a moment, she could faintly make out the sound of voices coming from somewhere nearby. Looking about in bewilderment, she saw Sarah standing with her ear pressed against the wall, beckoning to her. Not wanting to miss anything, she immediately came to join her friend.

They both instantly recognized one of the voices as belonging to Jack, but the other took them a while longer. Sarah was the first to realize who the second speaker was, as she had talked briefly with him earlier and now remembered the strange accent. It was the new hand, Jacob. But what were they talking about at this hour?

"We're sailin' to this 'ere cay," they heard Jack say.

After a moment, the boy inquired timidly, "But why?"

The captain sighed. "Ye see," he began, "Ye know how my son, Jonny, was kidnapped, right? Right. So we got instructions to go the cay if we ever wanna see 'im again. Now, if ye ever tell that to anyone else on the ship, yer gonna be sorry, savvy?"

"Yes, sir." A pause. "May- may I see the map?"

There was another hesitation, then Jack relented. "For just a minute, I suppose."

Several moments passed, each seeming like an eternity, and Sarah tiptoed over to the keyhole, so she might see what the two were doing. She could see Jacob staring down at the map, examining it carefully. From under the brim of his hat, she noticed his dark eyes widen momentarily before any sign of emotion was carefully concealed by a mask of indifference. Nonchalantly, he turned the parchment over in his hands to see the opposite side, and Sarah heard him stifle a gasp. "Ivan," he breathed. The two girls exchanged wide-eyed, curious, incredulous looks. Who was Ivan?

"Wot?" asked Jack, turning back to face the boy.

"N-nothing," he stuttered. "Just clearing my throat." He coughed slightly. "I won't keep you any longer."

Jack seemed satisfied with this answer, and Jacob turned to leave. Not wanting to be caught eavesdropping, the two girls hastened towards their cabin, struggling to keep their footsteps silent, all thoughts of the sword on deck forgotten.