Darkness surrounded Port Royal. The night ruler hid behind the great masses of clouds, which slowly appeared, making a wall before it; making sure it couldn't escape like a guard on patrol down in the jails. Everything was still, it had gone past three in the morning, everywhere was shut and all was quiet except the ocean which rode upon the sandy shores.

Charley was asleep on the ground, her arms where folded around her chest. Her pet was asleep next to her, but hearing a scuffle of feet, it opened its eyes staring in front of it confused and hoping it weren't trouble. However hearing more movement, it raised its head from its paws and looked around, sniffing the air tensely, it was sure it could smell something else; something it hadn't come across before. Wary of its surroundings, the trusted friend of Charley's stood up and waited in silence for more movement to come, to either tell it: it was some drunk staggering back to its home, or if someone was around to cause its master harm...

Charley's eyes shot open feeling something soft against her neck, which made her hands go straight to her dagger which was on her belt, but letting her eyes adjust to the weary darkness, she saw her dog nudging its head against her.

Letting out a sigh, Charley lowered her dagger and stared at her dog, she smiled and raised her hand to stoke it, however she saw it was tensed, making her sit up and let it move in. "What is it, boy?" She whispered, while stroking his head. She watched with confusion as the dog moved his head and stared to its right. She followed its gaze and stayed silent hearing shuffled feet, which made her slowly press her back against the wall and stand up, she tightened her grip on her dagger and raised it again, she didn't want to waste her all her energy by being in a sword fight and to lead to one being on the floor presumed dead; depending who it was in the alleyway beside where she stood, and what business it had.

Licking her dry lips carefully, Charley took a few steps towards the alleyway. She heard nothing, but her heart beating in its cage, she felt sweat rolling down her face. She wouldn't be surprised if the person could hear her heart trying to break free, or smell her. At the edge of the alleyway, Charley looked down at her dog and gestured her head the opposite direction she watched as he ran in the direction she commanded him to go. However when darkness consumed him, she rested her eyes on the ground before her. Waiting. Listening. Counting to ten in her head. She heard nothing of the person, since she stood up, but she sensed someone there standing in the darkness.

4. She felt adrenaline rush around her body. Maybe making the rum turn many ways within; waves of rum falling on top of each other.

3. She felt like the old Charley Jacobs, the one she missed, the one who caused too much suffering, the one who left the world.

2. She hoped she weren't going to be sick, or blow her cover, or both. She needed to show Port Royal she was the old Charley Jacobs, who was feared by criminals, had power in her bare hands and could win many fights, even the ones where the odds were against her!

1. Now was the time to act.

She jumped into view and raised her hand, however surprise took over her as someone threw a punch making contact to her face and another one to her right shoulder, making her drop her dagger. Sensing the attacker's fist directing towards her again, Charley quickly unsheathed her sword, before pushing the person away from her, so she could have a quick and easy target to hit.

However, after shaking her head to get rid of the rum filling her brain and trying to focus her eyesight on the target, Charley moved in for the kill, but she became into contact with a well waited sword. She stared in confusion, she guessed the attacker was young and quick, or well taught. But was it a match for Charley Jacobs? Quickly the quietness of the alleyway broke: with the clash of the black smith's pride of work, swings of perfection taught by a professional swordsman, and the grunts of determination of not wanting to be at the end of the sword; to lose.

However before Charley knew what was happening, she felt a foot contact with her back, making her let out a groan of pain as she landed on the floor and a gasp escaped from her mouth as her trusted sword left her hand. She got to her hands and knees, determined to gain access of her sword once more, but the person who she was fighting with was much stronger and much faster, and pressed its foot upon her back; squashing her like a harmless bug. She felt the person's hand grab the collar of her shirt and turned her over to face her death. There she squirmed; thinking of the worst.

The tensed silence was soon to be broken by Charley's dog. He let out a growl before sprinting over, to leap when close enough and land on its target, but the attacker seemed more tougher than both Charley and her dog had ever faced, or believed, as the attacker just threw the dog over him and watched him land on a box of creates; smashing them while he crashed down. Charley watched with disbelief and fear, but gaining control, she leaned over to grab her sword. But the attacker once more had the upper hand, as it leaned over and picked up Charley's sword before her fingers could even reach the handle, while pointing its own sword towards her face, making her lie still.

"Charley?" She heard a man ask. "Charley Jacobs is that truly you?"

A few seconds, Charley stared up confused but as her eyes adjusted to the dim light which was produced by a lantern, which the attacker brought with him, her eyes grew big with surprise, joy and relief as she weren't going to be hurt or die that night; well she hoped not.

"Nice greeting you give your God daughter isn't it, Ian?" She asked, while taking his hand. As she stood up, she accepted his embrace. "I see you are doing well. Nice clothes too, a good job then?"

"You can say that." He replied, while letting her go. "What the hell you doing here Charley? Last time I heard you were in London."

She simply shrugged. Then lowered her eyes, as Ian raised her sword and stretched it out towards her; gesturing her to take it. Quickly, she grabbed it and put it back on her belt, thankful things didn't get worse.

"I see you haven't been training, lass, you're losing your strength." Ian stated breaking the silence. A smile appeared on his scarred face, before he added: "You still can't beat me. After all these years, I thought you would be able too."

"I wouldn't want to embarrass you." Charley added, before moving her way towards her dog. As she moved, she felt Ian's eyes upon her, she could sense his questions which he wished to asked, but he didn't want to spoil the moment, because he knew if he asked too much, he would push her away; not gain her. Kneeling down beside, her dog, Charley softly and slowly stroked his muddy, unmoistened, dusty, black fur and whispered: "It's ok, Shadow, Ian, is on our side."

Shadow let out a small whine, before lifting his head up to lick his master's face, making Charley smile and stroke his head. She looked if there was any serious injury on Shadow, but it seemed he was stronger than he looked.

"He is hell of a protector, Charley." She heard Ian state. "I'm sorry about all this, I didn't realise it was you until it was too late, and your dog just came and nearly bite me!"

"It's ok. You just startled us, we thought you were either a common drunk, or someone up to no good." Charley said, bringing her thoughts on what happened.

Everything seemed all crazy. Unreal. She moved her eyes and stared at her God uncle, her eyes deceived her emotions, which she tried not to show, but she was curious why Ian was here. All the sudden he appeared of what seemed out of nowhere, she hoped he's appearance was nothing to do with the East India Trading Company's ship, which she saw before she went to sleep, but she knew it was wasteful thinking. He had always been loyal to his boss, it was a sort of strange friendship (if you can call it that), a man of power, greed and head of the East India Trading Company. The other is a mystery unsolved, his clothes gave nothing away, his scarred face made people fear him, as well as his harsh Scottish accent. However no one dared to question them, as they knew what would happen; actions of hate, used by ruthless people. No mercy was to be shown by either of them. Yet everyone had their weakness, Charley thought.

"It has gone past three in the morning, what the hell are you doing here, Ian? I thought you'd be asleep, or inside at least." Charley asked, confused. She stood up, letting Shadow get on all his paws and stay by his master; wary of the new person.

"I could ask you the same thing, lass." Ian stated, after putting his sword away. "I couldn't sleep, so I went on a stroll."

"How long have you been here?"

"Not long. Three or four days."

Charley stared at the older man, she had not heard or seen him, or any of his boss's men. They were famous for causing chaos wherever they went, charging people, taking free men and women and children and stating they are against the law. All bought bad news. What was he doing there, why was Port Royal all suddenly important? Charley knew there was a reason, but something she wouldn't like. The island was going to be chained and changed, by the man in charge of hell actions. She knew too much of his actions and his ways of dealing with people, it didn't matter: who you were, if you either rich or poor, female or male and the age, he had always had his way, but surely someone had to stop him?

"Why are you out, lass? Taking your dog out for a walk?" Ian asked, filling the awkward silence which followed Charley's questions.

However Charley lowered her eyes, remembering where she was and who she was. Ashamed to admit, of her true outcome after leaving home. Guilty of her actions and those she left behind. Disgusted on her drinking habits, which led her to a life of a circle of repeated actions and thoughts of the past. A black hole she was sucked into. A dark tunnel she tried to lead herself out of, but still she saw no light. The only friend she had was, Shadow, who was a black Labrador, a trustworthy, loyal and a protector, not an unlikely friendship. How could she express all that to a man she used to look up too, a man who looked after her when young and protected her from his work and his boss? She couldn't do that, she didn't want to him worry, to make time for her, or to involve him in her useless life. She wanted him to live, to move on, to reach his goals and do something of his work, if to accomplish all, he must forget her and leave her behind, (he wouldn't be the first).

"Aye." Charley lied, while looking back at Ian. "We couldn't sleep either." She watched as Ian's eyes moved from her and onto Shadow, she couldn't read his eyes, but she could guess he didn't believe her. "Where have you heard the news I was in London? I haven't been there for a very long time now."

"Oh you know how the common people…used to talk about you." Ian replied, choosing his words carefully. "I was just silly to believe in their words, that is all, lass. Maybe I'm getting soft with my old age, or the common people still believe in you."

"They are simple folk, they need something to believe in to get by in this cruel world." Charley stated, while walking towards the end of the alleyway.

She picked up her dagger and hid it away, so it was ready for next time. Standing at the exit, she stared at the ocean, letting that be the only sound. It was mysterious in a way that it didn't let people see what was under its cover; what was in deep waters. It was peaceful. Something which Charley hadn't felt for many years, she couldn't remember when she felt peaceful. Calm. Happy. The only feelings she grew to understand was pain, torture of both the mind and other people, loneliness, broken and being let down. What sort of life was that to lead? All the burdens of the past dragging her down, as if she was chained to it all and there was no way to escape! She was wary of everyone, making her not trust anyone, or get close, fearing they may leave. She had built a wall to keep everyone far away, because she feared they'd hurt her, or she hurt them. She believed she only needed Shadow. It was Shadow and her verses the world. But seeing Ian again, she felt something deep down within her, maybe it was doubt, or hope, or realization. Either way she didn't know. She had been in the dark for too long, everything looked and sounded the same. Could she trust again? Could she find love and peace? Or was all of it gone, to be claimed by the darkness?

"I thought of a change will do me some good. You know what it is like, the world is changing and they say here is the future." Charley stated breaking the silence, but carried on staring at the ocean. "There is more freedom here, than back home. We all want to find peace, somewhere we belong, but some have to travel more than others to find it. Then there are others, who are never still, who long for travel- to see the world and its hidden secretes, to be on the waters and seek freedom."

"Did I hear probably? Charley Jacobs change?" Ian asked. A second passed before he gave out a soft chuckle. "That is a good one."

"What? I'm not joking." Charley stated harshly, while staring at him.

"Sure, whatever you say, lass. But you didn't have the reputation of giving up so easily, to give change a chance. As I recall you fought many of Beckett's men one time to make your statement…"

"Well times have changed." She said angrily cutting him off. She stared at him angrily, before storming out of the alleyway, letting Shadow follow.

She heard Ian following too, she was happy to see him again but it weren't the best time. She felt shameful, she weren't nothing like how he remembered her, or how anyone remembered her. She felt his eyes upon her.

"Along with time, I've changed as you can tell. I'm not like I how I was, Ian. I'm a runt in the family. Everything I done back in England that is my past. That is why I came here; to escape it all, to escape all my burdens and fates." She stopped as she felt his hand wrap around her upper arm. She felt like she couldn't look into his eyes, to see the disappointment, to see what she looked like; to see what he won't say.

"If your father heard you say that, he would kill you himself." He stated. "You think we don't runway from things we are scared of? But Charley the past…the past is like the truth. You cannot change the facts. What happened back in London or wherever you ended up afterwards, it doesn't matter no more. We all wish we could adjust a part of things or change it entirely but we cannot. Maybe if we lived many times, we could learn from our mistakes, to learn how to live, how to treat others and ourselves but we cannot." He stood next to her and wrapped a strong arm around her shoulders.

"Do you have anywhere to stay tonight?" Charley asked, changing the subject.

"I do, but I see you don't." Ian replied, but before Charley could argue, he led her away with Shadow closely behind. All the sudden she was made to feel in some way full once more. He weren't really family but she considered him as an uncle, it was the only thing she had. Too many secrets she held deep inside, ones she wanted to escape but she was too scared, scared to hurt those she loved; scared to hurt herself.