Chapter Three

Jack and Pearl jumped, along with the other crewmen with them. As the father and daughter hit the water, Sally signaled for her men to fire the cannons at the opposing ship. The blasts went off with sharp, loud cracks. Cannonballs thwacked into the enemy ship and onto their deck, rocking the ship to and fro. Pearl, Jack, and the other men swam furiously toward the Black Pearl as Sally steered the ship closer to them.

A rope was lowered, and all climbed aboard to safety.

Pearl was shoved in the rear by her father, and she did a somersault onto the ship.

"Thanks, dad..." She rolled her eyes and dashed off to her post as her father ran for the wheel.

"Ye've got another ship moving in on the port!" Pearl yelled as she scrambled up the crow’s nest.

"Pearl! Ye watch yerself up there!" Sally called.

"Aye Aye, mom!" Pearl called as she took a good grip on the railing.

The Pearl, being far faster then the Brits’ ship, soon managed to pull away from them and out of firing range. Pearl climbed down, and she grinned big as she walked up to her mother and father.

Her father raised an eyebrow at her. "Yer mother told me what ye did."

Pearl gulped an braced herself.

Jack embraced Pearl, laughing heartily. “That’s my girl!”

Sally huffed and shook her head. “Ye shouldn’t encourage her.”

“How can I help it?” he said, turning to her with a wobbly grin. “She’s just like me…. If I were a girl. And fifteen. And crazy for the lads.”

“Dad!” Pearl protested.

“Ahhh, my little Pearl,” he said, ignoring her and ruffling her hair. “Giving those bloody British a run for their money. Money. Speaking of, I heard some interesting rumors aboard that lovely vessel.” He pointed an unsteady finger in the direction they’d just come from. “Apparently, there’s some loot worth having not too far from where we happen to be.”

“How far?” Sally asked suspiciously.

“About a week,” he said, grinning.

“Oh, only a week away?” she asked sarcastically. “No, Jack.”

“Oh, but lovey…”

“No,” she said, clonking her boot against the ship to punctuate her disagreement.

Pearl gave a lopsided grin as her mother placed her hands on her hips and stared at her husband.

"Aw, come on, mom. It'll be fun!" Pearl said, putting an arm around her father’s waist.

Jack nodded and pointed to his daughter. "See, she wants to go."

Sally huffed, "ye know she will do anything ye do."

Pearl and Jack exchanged a look then looked back at Sally with "puppy dog" faces. Sally rolled her eyes and sighed.

“And ye also know I can’t resist those looks,” she said, shaking her head.

“Any true pirate is treasure obsessed,” Jack said, slipping from Pearl and stalking toward his wife with a mischievous look. “I know somewhere deep inside it’s eating away at ye. Ye want it as much as I.”

He put his face very close to hers, smiling sweetly as she squirmed.

“I do,” she admitted softly.

“Then what’s holding ye back?” he asked.

“We run the risk of compromising this ship, the crew, and most importantly the life of our daughter,” she said. “None of which I am willing to sacrifice.”

“Then what’s the use in calling ourselves pirates?” he asked, his voice a whisper over her face.

She watched him for a moment. This was his ship. It was really his decision, but he left it to her for reasons she couldn’t fathom.

“All right,” she said, surrendering at last. “Treasure it is.”

Pearl let out a whoop and clapped her hands. "Dad? Can I steer the Pearl for a while?" Pearl asked, her face hopeful.

Jack laughed and nodded, and Pearl dashed up to the wheel and took over from one of the other crewmembers.

Pearl grabbed the wheel, went to turn it, then stopped. "Uh, dad?"

"Yeah, Pearly?"

"Where are we goin?"

"Turn her port ways, Pearl, and sail straight."

Pearl grinned, threw her father a salute, and spun the wheel to port.

Sally turned back to Jack again and shot him a worried look.

“Ye need to loosen up, lovey,” Jack said, pulling her into his arms. “Ye fret too much. That’s hardly fitting for a pirate lass, savvy?”

“Maybe not,” she said, laying her head on his shoulder, “but my instinct screams at me if I don’t protect ye and Pearl.”

“I don’t need protectin’,” he said. “I’m Captain Jack Sparrow.”

She grinned and turned her face up to his, giving and receiving a soft kiss.

“And you bein’ Sally Sparrow should give ye more confidence than ye got,” he said.

The boat rocked, and Sally gripped Jack to steady herself. They turned to the wheel and called simultaneously, “Pearl!”

The girl shrugged and straightened the wheel with a laugh.

After about an hour or so Pearl left the wheel, leaving it in one of the crew's care well she climbed up to the crow’s nest. It was near dark, and the only person up there was Sam. He smiled as he saw Pearl's head pop up over the edge, then climb up. She walked up next to him and leaned on the railing.

Pearl turned her head towards his and grinned. He smiled back, asking, "not that mad at me anymore?"

Pearl shook her head. "Naw, ye know I can't hold a grudge on ye for long." Her smile faded as she leaned closer to him and kissed him.

* * * * *

Sally stood on the bow, smelling the fresh, salty wind. It tossed her hair about and created an uproarious sunset with it. Jack staggered toward her, having sneaked several swigs of rum from a barrel below deck. She grinned at him, finding even his clumsy, silly antics endearing.

“Well, lass, I’m feeling rather free spirited,” he said disjointedly, snatching at her waist and yanking her close to him.

“I can see that,” she laughed. “A healthy combination of treasure and rum will do that to a man, so I’ve heard.”

Jack grinned and kissed her roughly. She giggled at him and embraced him lovingly.

“Ye put up with all my vices and annoying traits,” he said. “Why?”

“Because I love ye,” she said. “Believe it or not.”

“I do believe it,” he said. “And I love ye, too.”

She smiled and kissed him. “But no more rum until we reach the treasure.”

Jack groaned with disappointment, and Sally kissed him encouragingly on the cheek.

Pearl pulled away from Sam and smiled then looked down at the deck to see her parents.

"Oh, I hate it when they do that..." she groaned.

"Why? Ye do it," Sam asked looking at her.

"I am sixteen. I can do those things. But seeing yer parents do that… it’s just disgusting..."

Sam laughed, and Pearl rolled her eyes.

She kissed Sam again, before climbing back down the rope and heading off toward her parents. Her parents moved to kiss again, and Pearl slid up between them, putting her arms around them both.

"So, what’s for dinner?"

Sally coughed and cleared her throat, her cheeks turning bright red. Jack rolled his eyes and sighed.

“Not rum,” he said glumly.

“I was thinking of roasting the head of a young girl,” Sally said, glaring at Pearl. “But where on earth would I find that?”

Pearl smirked. “Wouldn’t know, mum.”

“Stew!” came the cry from the galley.

“Well, there’s the answer to yer question,” Jack said, putting a hand on Pearl’s back as the three walked off to dinner.

Pearl grinned. "Good, cuz I'm starved."

The three made their way down to the galley and took their seats as the food was put in front of them. Pearl picked up her spoon and dipped it into the stew. She put some in her mouth and sighed as she swallowed it.

"Good?" her father asked, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded her head taking another bite. Sally rolled her eyes as a little bit of the stew dribbled down Pearl’s chin.

"I sometimes wonder if we should put her landside and have someone teach her some manners," Sally said.

Pearl’s eyes went wide at the comment, and she quickly straightened up in her chair and began to take careful bites as she ate. Sally grinned at her, seeing that the girl was desperate to stay aboard a ship at all times. Sally remembered when she was exactly like her. Being a landlubber was the ultimate sacrilege.

She turned back to her own meal and ate her entire bowl of stew. Oddly enough, it did seem delicious. Everything was better when you were out at sea. She finished and excused herself from the table, receiving several uncaring grunts from the crew as they gobbled down their food.

Sally went back above deck and saw that the sun had sunk considerably. It had nearly hit the sea to be extinguished into night. She thought of what her life was once like. She had been a well-mannered girl of noble blood at one time. Then, an adventure had changed her life forever.

Jack Sparrow had swept her off of her feet He had been poor and charming even in his youth. He’d left her to seek his fortune, feeling unworthy otherwise. He had disappeared to the sea, leading a meager crew on a sad, little ship. Days had turned to weeks, then months, then two years went by without a word from him or anyone that knew him.

Sally, with a fire in her soul that shone in her eyes, had taken a ship out to sea. She was never sure she’d find him. After fifteen months of sea travel, she had grown weary of dreaming of him. She had tired of the hopelessly girlish fantasies she entertained about him. What kind of man professed deep love and sailed away?

Jack’s return to her had been like a miracle. She had pulled him from the brink of death at the mercy of fellow pirates who had no respect for the likes of Captain Jack Sparrow. He had been sure that he was finally dead when he saw her face. For, as he put it, “there’s no way my angel could have returned to me on earth.”

From that moment on, the two were inseparable. A pirate team like no other. Their union had brought Pearl into their lives, and Sally would have it no other way.

Pearl finished eating and went above deck again. She saw her mother staring off into the distance and walked over to her, giving her a hug from behind.

Sally turned and smiled at her daughter.

"Mum, I think I'm goin to go sleep," she said.

Sally nodded and kissed her daughter goodnight. Pearl headed back below deck, running into her father on his way up and kissing him goodnight as well. She went into her room and pulled out her diary, something that most pirates did not have. She pulled out her quill and ink and began to write the days events down. After she had filled three pages, she put her things away and changed into some night clothes. Blowing the candle out, she climbed into bed and fell asleep.

* * * * *

“Pearl,” Sally called gently. “You’re due in the crow’s nest.”

“I’m comin’,” Pearl replied wearily. “Five more minutes.”

Sally sighed. “All right, but ye’d better be in the nest in ten, ye hear?”

“I do,” Pearl said crossly, rolling over.

Sally went above deck again and motioned for Sam to get up in the crow’s nest. She needed someone up there, whether it was Pearl or not.

“We’re nearin’ a port!” Sam called.

“Good!” Sally called back. “We dock and refresh our supplies!”

Meanwhile, Pearl groaned again as she sat up in bed and stretched. She hated getting up in the morning. She sighed as her bare feet hit the cold wood of the boat as she stood up and dressed.

Pearl managed to make it up to the deck about fifteen minutes after her mother had told her to get up.

"No need to get up there now. We're docking," her mother said, looking at her.

"Oh, thanks for wakin me then, I could've slept a bit longer," Pearl growled.

"Ye needed to get up. Besides, yer gonna help load the boat."

Pearl groaned and stifled a yawn as they pulled into the port.

Jack walked down the ramp toward the dock and grinned at all around him. There was a marketplace near where he could flash a coin and get some good rum.

“Jack!” Sally called. “I’ll be needing you to get our food supplies. Take Sam with you.”

He sighed and turned to her with a toothy smile. “Of course.” He bowed flowingly and walked with light feet toward the market.

Sam ran down the ramp, pulling his shirt on as he went so he would be at least half presentable. “Wait for me, Cap’n!”

Sally blinked at the lad. And this was who was wooing her daughter?

She walked down the ramp and gave their ship the once-over from the outside, examining the hull and nodding when she was satisfied with the condition of the ship.

“So,” Pearl said as she reached her mother’s side. “What’s on the menu for the likes o’ us?”

“Yer father’s got food duty,” she said. “So you and I are to gather munitions.”

Pearl laughed, "Ye left dad to get the food?" Sally nodded, looking at her. "I wouldn't be surprised if he came back with twenty barrels o' rum."

"He better not," Sally said.

Pearl and her mother made their way through the crowded streets, getting a few odd looks on the way. It was not everyday these people saw woman wearing men’s clothing.

A drunk wandered over to the mother and daughter and leaned heavily on Pearl. "Why don't ye," he hiccupped, "come to my place..."

Pearl shoved him off of her, and he went tumbling away. Sally smiled at her daughter. She knew how to deal with pushy men.

They made their was to a shop with a wooden sign above the door that swayed in the breeze. She wanted to take a look at swords first and foremost. She stepped inside and looked about at the freshly molded cutlasses and scimitars that hung from the walls.

“Can I help you?” came a soft, reserved voice.

Sally turned, her brow furrowed. She recognized that voice. “Will?”

Pearl quickly spun around, the daggers that she was looking at in her hands as her mother said the name.

"Sally?" the man called Will said.

Pearl dashed over to her mothers side. "Mom? Is this Will Turner? The guy dad talks about?" Pearl said so enthusiastically that it made her mother laugh.

“Aye, that’s him,” Sally said.

She held her arms out, and Will smiled softly. He came forward and drew her into a hug. Sally handled him roughly, laughing as she patted his back. She pulled back and looked him in the eye.

“How’ve ya been?” she asked.

“Well,” he said, nodding. “Where’s Jack?”

“Rum hunting,” Sally said, rolling her eyes. She turned back to Pearl, gesturing to her. “Will, this is mine and Jack’s daughter, Pearl.”

“A pleasure,” he said, taking her hand.

Pearl grinned at him. "Aye, the pleasure is mine." She gave a curtsy as he kissed the top of her hand.

Sally raised an eyebrow at her daughter. "I do believe she knows a bit more manners then I thought."

Will laughed. "More than you and Jack."

Sally and Will began to talk again, and Pearl went around the shop, looking at different swords and daggers. She found a pair of daggers that she really liked. The handles had jewels embedded in the top in a circle pattern. She picked them up and twirled them around. She loved how they felt in her hands, and she went over to mother.

"Mum, can I have these? I've been needin a new pair," she asked with a pleading look.

Sally squinted at the weapons. “They look good. Then again, Will’s work always does.”

The young man smiled and nodded his thanks.

“You know,” he said. “For dear friends I have a special discount.”

“Really?” Pearl asked.

“Yes,” he said. “They’re free.”

“Oh, now, Will,” Sally said. “You don’t need to do that. I’d gladly pay.”

“Come now, Sally,” Will said. “That’s not how a pirate should sound.”

“You’re right,” she said. “We’ll take ‘em!”

Pearl grinned and took out her old daggers and tossed them on the bench. She then made a show of twirling her new ones and then shoving them into her boots.

Will laughed. "You sure seem to know what you’re doing."

Pearl grinned. "Well, you know my father, he would never let me be defenseless."

Everyone looked towards the door as it opened and Jack stumbled in and grinned at everyone.

“I have returned!” he said, making a show of bowing and pulling Sally close to his side.

“Jack!” Will said happily, reaching out and embracing the other man.

Jack patted Will’s back and nodded good-naturedly. “Still stuck at this shop, I see, Will.”

“Jack,” he said, shaking his head and pulling away from their hug. “I enjoy my work.”

“Of course,” Jack said, gesturing oddly. “But you’d think someone with pirate blood in their veins would be more… predisposed to adventure than this.”

“Pirate blood?” Pearl asked.

“Will is the son of Bootstrap Bill,” Sally said. “A great pirate. One of the few noble ones.”

“Myself included in those ranks,” Jack said self-importantly.

“Of course,” Sally said, rolling her eyes.

“Will,” Jack said, ignoring her and throwing an arm around the lad’s shoulders. “I’ll let you in on a little secret.”

Will winced. As usual, Jack’s breath reeked of rum.

“We,” Jack continued, “are about to begin a journey for treasure. If you come with us, you are guaranteed a share. You can’t pass that up.”

Will’s eyes shifted among those about him and rested on Pearl, who silently begged for him to agree.

“I accept,” he said, smiling at her.

Pearl broke into a large grin, her green eyes sparkling at Will as she stepped over to her father.

"Ye always know how to talk people into things, dad," she said.

Jack laughed and nodded, "I got yer mum to marry me, didn't I?"

Pearl and Will laughed, and Sally shook her head and rolled her eyes again.

Chapter Four

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