Book Four - Chapter Three: The Lost Girl

Two months had passed by since the Pearl had left Amelia behind. The men had numerous raids and even a few ship attacks. Captain Jack Sparrow had not been keeping track of the number or the profit. He had, however, noted the amount of time that had gone by. While Jack was sociable during the day, he became very reclusive during the night time hours.

The captain was not the only one who was altered by the void. No one realized how much Amelia had contributed to the ship until she was absent. Not only were some of her duties being distributed elsewhere, but her mere presence was greatly missed. When a man came back injured there was no one to care for him and dote on him until he was well again. Amelia was always pleasant to be around, even when she was being annoying. If anyone were annoying now he could just be hit - no one ever hit Amelia. The crew enjoyed protecting her. She brought a certain amount of purpose to the ship. They were still awkwardly checking themselves, suppressing certain actions and subjects. The first man to bring a woman back to ship was nearly stoned by his peers for his impudence. The mistake was realised and the man was left alone. Even after that, the men were still reluctant to take advantage of their total freedoms.

Barbossa, too, was missing his daughter. While he was less grumpy without having to keep an eye on her, a part of him missed having the excuse to ruffle a few feathers. He enjoyed that added authority aboard the ship. On a few occasions even Barbossa habitually ordered Amelia to the rigging, only realizing after having given the order that she was nowhere to be found. Likewise after a raid or battle, Barbossa would call Amelia to tend the men or order the men to find her to be patched back together.

Bimbly was told of Amelia, and while he had a difficult time piecing together a picture of her as a pirate, he knew from the men's comments that even she was a better worker than himself. Bimbly had a rough time keeping pace but he also knew that it was the only way to ensure that his job got done for Feersen.

It was with great rejoicing that the announcement of returning to Ahoyhoy was met. Jack fidgeted non-stop the moment the island was within view, nearly rubbing his pinkie finger raw, trying to feel for his absent ring.

The ship made berth and the men eagerly came ashore, but none so eagerly as Jack himself. The seaside was not void of people. When the ship was seen on the horizon the locals began perparing for their arrival. There was only one who stood way in front of the crowds on the beach. Jack saw her at the first. From the distance she appeared to be a local, but her skin was fairer. Her hair was mostly loose, waving in soft winds, donned with brightly coloured flowers. Her legs were bare, hidden only by a sarong skirt that tied at her waist. The sunshine hitting her skin made a glow that surrounded her.

Jack stopped in his tracks just to admire the sight before him. He did not remember ever seeing a sight so beautiful. The vision was abruptly obstructed. Already Ragetti had run forward and embraced her, swinging her in his arms. Amelia received him and kissed his cheeks.

Jack continued to advance only less eagerly. He saw Barbossa gaining speed from behind him. It would be too risky to advance now and so much more could be gained with this new report. Amelia embraced her father and the captain walked on.

Amelia watched Jack as he moved past her, his face grievous yet determined. She fought with herself trying to distinguish his behaviour as either being artificial or a genuine indifference. She felt the ring on her finger and smoothed her thumb over it, then brought her hand to her throat where she felt the golden teardrops, the tokens Amelia treasured most, but now they were not providing the comfort she had become so reliant upon. Still, Amelia refused to show any signs of despair and continued to welcome and embrace the return of her crew, her friends, and her family.

She was introduced to Bimbly, who was unprepared for Amelia to look as she did. Bimbly did what he did best, he bumbled out inappropriate remarks that only he found funny. Barbossa hit him upside the head and told him to speak sense or not to speak at all. This was not the first time Bimbly had been given those instructions in that manner and knew that it was his cue to go bother someone else.

For the most part, the night passed in celebration. Everyone seemed cheerful. All except Captain Jack Sparrow. Amelia approached him but he remained cold and unfeeling towards her while such a crowd was still about them.

"You fared well, then?" Amelia asked him as indifferently as possible in order to match her captain.

"As well as ever I suppose," he replied.

Amelia's emotions were too strong to be fully masked. Though she herself may have not realized it, her eyes showed signs of watering, something that Jack did his best not to take apparent note of.

"And my mother, did you speak with her or had you forgotten?" she asked.

"Aye," was all that he replied.

It was obvious that she was not going to receive any conversational cooperation so Amelia turned from him. She wanted to bring her hands to her eyes but knew that it would only induce more tears so she began to run from all forms of company. Jack wanted to pursue her but decided that now was not the time to do so. Although the sight of her unhappiness caused the captain grief, he would endure it. He trusted her to be strong enough to accept the weight of it for a little longer.

A few days more passed by before all of the fuss surrounding Amelia began to die down to the usual daughterly standards. Jack continued to rub the groove on his naked finger, waiting for the opportune moment to catch the young woman alone. What he did not expect was for Amelia to catch him alone first.

"Captain?" she said quietly from behind him.

Jack was startled after having assumed that he was alone by a small babbling pool. Habit forced him to keep a sour expression though he felt differently.

"Ms. Amelia," he said. "I should have thought you'd be scared away from seeing me without a chaperone."

Amelia looked at him, seeking something in his face. Jack did not need to search to find the reflection of the dark sea staring back at him.

"I wasn't sure," she said still quietly but sincerely, "why you've been so distant. If you had given up on me - time egging you on too strongly to find new prospects, or something of that nature - but, if you were so indifferent then you would have no reason to be so distant."

"And what makes you so certain of that?"

"Jack," she said, "you've been sober this whole time, I know, I've been watching you. What are thinking of?"

Jack smiled and said, "I want to start off right this time. Barbossa don't hate me right now. He don't suspect me. After missing you so much he's going to be stuck at your side like the old barnacle he is."

"So I'm off limits again?" Amelia said playfully.

"Not bloody likely," he said taking hold of her waist. "What old Barbossa don't know can't hurt him. Least it hasn't yet."

Amelia put her hands overtop of his and leaned her head against him.

"It was harder than I imagined, sailing off without you," he said. "There ain't a soul aboard the Pearl who can manage things the way you can. Took forever to get things running to par. And I mean everything - the riggings were sloppy, the decks swabbed only the once over, the cannons…blimey, don't get me started on the condition of the cannons."

"I'm glad to hear that I was so sorely missed."

"You're my best mate, love. The ship just don't run without you. I told you once that you can tell a lot of a man based on his ship. Well, these past months it's been naught but empty in some mighty sore places."

He found his ring still upon her finger and turned it gently. Amelia leaned in and kissed her captain. Jack reciprocated. Neither of them took any notice of who was watching them.