Aww shorter chapter... Sorry this one took so darn long. I had a bad case of Writer's Block. XD I'll try to post the next one sooner. Hehe, what's with Jack? Pretty please leave a review. I want to know what you think. :(

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Pirates of the Caribbean characters, settings, ships, names, or the movies themselves at all. Mary and Isabelle and the writing belong to me.

I awaken the next morning to find that I am alone...again. I sigh and get out of bed before walking over to the mirror where I brush my tangled brown hair that barely passes my thin shoulders. I smile, happy that I am able to do it on my own. My arm still hurts when I move it, but not to the point where I cannot use it. That pirate sure knows what he's doing. It's probably almost healed by now, since it doesn't hurt as much. At least I think it is; it'd make sense, wouldn't it? I shrug my shoulders and decide I'm going to explore a bit before we reach land.

Peeking out the door, I see that there is no one in sight. Grin devilishly as I creep out, I walk light on my feet so that the crew below decks, or on the same level as me, for that matter, won't heart me. I'm not sure Jack wants me snooping around his ship, so I'll be careful, just to be safe. He probably doesn't care, but you know, you can never be too careful. I do not really care all that much if he wants me walking around unsupervised or not. Even if he had told me no, I would still do it. I've been extremely bored, and I really just want to see the outdoors again. Yesterday wasn't long enough at all!

I often check over my shoulder, just to make myself sure that no one is there. Reaching the back of the ship (what do they call it?), I hide behind some barrels and sacks. I see white birds flying above my head, squawking to each other. I smile at them wondering What would it be like to fly? Isabelle would say such thoughts are foolish, even childish. Oh how I miss my dear cousin. If only she had been able to fly away...

Now, Mary, stop thinking like that. You will only upset yourself. I mentally scold me self and force away those sad thoughts. Instead, I think on the memories of when we were young...

"Isabelle?" a young version of me tugs at the dress of my teenaged cousin.

"Yes, Mary?" she looks down at me, her lips and eyes forming a beautiful smile that everyone loves.

"Will I ever be as pretty as you?"

"Mary you are already just as beautiful! You look like your dear mother, may she rest in peace. You are so pretty, Mary." she stoops down and smiles at me, "Just like a little princess."

"Izzy...I miss Mommy." Suddenly I sniffle. She hugs me lovingly.

"I know, Mary. I miss your mommy, too. But she is in Heaven now, you know? She is with your daddy now. They are angels now. They will always watch over you. And you know what?" suddenly she smiles.

"What, Izzy?"

"I think your mother gave you all of her beauty, and one day, all the princes will fall in love with you and want to marry you!"

"But I do not wanna marry a prince! I wanna marry a man who lives on the ocean, Isabelle!" I grin hugely, and she smiles back.

"Maybe you will marry the prince of the oceans. I am sure you will love him! He would love you, too!"

"Wow," my eyes fill with wonder, "The prince of the oceans? Do you really think he would marry me? What is his name?"

"I do not know his name, but I know he will fall in love with you one day. And you will live happily forever after, little Mary."

Ha ha,, the prince of the oceans... wouldn't that be something? I know now that she made him up. There is no prince of the oceans. I smile, though, replaying the memory over and over in my mind, when suddenly a hand grabs my shoulder and I yelp.

"Oi, who is this? Are you the girl?" I turn around.

"A-ah...I-I am sorry! I thought it would be all right if I were to..."

"Leave the poor girl alone." Gibbs. Thank goodness! I sigh in relief at the other pirate grumbles leaves. Gibbs helps me to my feet, "Sorry about that, err, miss. But, uh, Jack, he's uh, lookin' for ya."

"Oh... Thank you, mister Gibbs. Where is he?" I ask.

He points behind him, "He be that-a-way, but, uh, miss, just Gibbs is fine."

"And you can call me Mary. Thank you, Gibbs." I smile and walk away. I like how humble old Gibbs is. Maybe I'll adopt him as my grandfather. I laugh to myself and I suddenly run into someone. Looking up, I quickly apologize, "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean.. Oh. It's you." I pull away from him awkwardly and scratch the back of my neck.

"What's so funny, luv?" he smiles evilly, "Fallen for me already, have ye?" I look up at him, greatly annoyed.

"No, so be quiet." Stop blushing! I command myself, "Why were you looking for me? I am perfectly fine on my own!" Except for that strange pirate... No, that was not perfectly fine.

"You weren't in my cabin. Thought maybe you had gone overboard! I would hate that, luv. Now, come on, we're close to land now. See?" he points over the railing and I look out. He is right! I grin and he continues, "We should arrive somewhere before noon." he looks up at the sun, shielding his eyes with his hand, "Nope, not much longer now, luv.

"Yes. So, Captain, can I go look around the ship a little more?" he shakes his head and I pout, "Why not?"

"I want you to stay with me. And besides, your wound needs binding again, luv. Follow me." he takes me back to his cabin where he has me sit back on his bed. I nearly scream when he starts to unwrap the bandages. It burns horribly, and I let out a pained gasp.

"That hurts!" I flinch away, causing the bandage to get painfully yanked, "Owww!"

"It's sticking, luv. So sit still so I can do this." he continues on, and I watch as blood oozes from the wound as it is becomes opened again. "What a nasty wound." he comments. I only grunt a reply, gritting my teeth so I don't yell again. Finally the bandages comes off. "This is going to hurt, too, remember?" he cleans the gash with salt water again, but it doesn't hurt nearly as bad as it did the first time. He wraps it back up with a fresh strip of cloth and smiles, "All done!"

"About bloody time..." I mutter. He chuckles and shakes his head.

"Come, luv. I believe we are almost there." he skips out of the room and I make a face. Why is he skipping..? I don't know, I suppose it doesn't really matter. It's just odd. I follow behind after a few moments. Suddenly I gasp. I can see the land! We really are close!

"Come, get in a boat, luv." he says to me before commanding, "Cotton, you and some others will stay here and guard the ship." a man with a parrot on his shoulder nods. Jack seems to jump out of the ship and I gasp and run to the railing. Oh thank heavens. He's really in a boat. "Need help?" he asks me. I nod, not really sure how to get down, "Jump and I'll catch you. I promise." I swallow and say okay. Closing my eyes, I walk off the edge. I'm in the open air for only a few seconds before he catches me in his arms and sets me down, "There you go, luv. I told you I would catch you." he smiles and I sit down. Gibbs and a few other men get into the boat as well before we set off for the island with one of them rowing. I smile and put my hand in the cool sea water. I giggle when I see little fish swimming below the surface. Jack is smiling in the corner of my eye.

When we reach the shore, I immediately hop out, ignoring Jack's call to wait, and promptly fall down. What happened? I hear some of the men as they laugh behind me and I flush.

"Lass hasn't got her land legs yet. Take my hand." Gibbs helps me up and supports me until I feel stable. "Can you walk now?" I nod and smile.

Jack walks past and says, "Well come on then." in a gruff voice.

...Wait a moment, was that a scowl?