Beyond Boundaries

[Jacky]

"Very well." I agree with a flash of gold, as I give him a grin. "Two days it is. The Pearl will establish a course, I'll have you know about it tomorrow."

I turn to Scarlett then, a roguish, boyish twinkle of mischief in my eyes. It's there because things are going so well - because that Navy git agreed to more than I had imagined he would, and because she so smoothly fell into my plan like just another part of the puzzle. I realize she knows about the stories surrounding Hell's Water and I'm also intending to find out just how much she knows..

"M'lady," I make a half-mocking bow in Scarlett's direction, "Considering the fact that you are to be a.. guest.. at my ship, how about you come take a look at your new residence, eh?"

[Lana]

The Governor just nods stiffly as a reply to Jack's goldtoothed grin. He compromised too much, agreed to too many demands of the pirate but, after all, he didn't have much choice: these missing ships should be found, and Sparrow with his legendary ships could be of use in this case. Therefore, the Governor wasn't holding the cards in his hand during this negotiation.

I don't fail to notice the twinkle in Jack's eyes - it looks exactly like it looked many years ago: mischievous, roguish... and this moment makes me hesitate: I wonder whether Jack had changed during these long years. Though, even though his eyes might look like they did before, there is more darkness in them: perhaps, he faced more betrayals, took part in more fights, had many more 'love-affairs' and hell knows what else. Not that I am willing to find out.

Even if I am, it doesn't matter. It shouldn't.
Things couldn't have remained the same, everything changed; and everyone, including him and myself. But these eyes unsettle me slightly, make me feel a bit uneasy, reminding me of the time we once shared. It was a good time, but it was long ago. Too long.

"As a guest... There was time when I, too, would stand at the helm... when I wasn't a guest at all, - I think with a hint of bitterness. Those were the days...

However, I bet he's trying to check whether he still has the same influence on me. His behaviour, and especially this offering to take a look at the Pearl... I smirk slightly, looking at him: "I'm greatly honoured by this proposition, Captain Sparrow", - I tell him with a grin, - "but I'll see the ship later anyways, when we set sails to leave the town", - I add with a shrug.

"So, see you later", - I say, almost laughing. I didn't agree. And years ago I would have. Things change - it comes as a silent remark to myself.

"Let me know when exactly we leave", - I watch Jack's reaction to my refusal, rather curious, and head towards the door.

[Jacky]

Surprisingly, maybe most so to myself, the grin on my features broadens that moment she refuses my proposal. Ironic, innit? But... After ten long years of not seein' this broad, she pops up out of nowhere like a daisy, pretends to have something up her sleeve, and dares to remain an air of enigma around her.
It would taste a lie if I'd claim that wouldn't fascinate me.
Of course, being a pirate, I'm always more than willing to get myself into any trouble that might seem interesting. And she does, don't she?
"Very well.." I watch Scarlett leave, before glancing back to the governor.
I can't help but chuckle slightly as I realize he's even more set back by this woman than I am. Poor ol' fellow.
"That'll help." I tell him, pointing at the bottle.. not making clear what it'll help for though. The confusion Scarlett's creating or his grudge against this cooperation. Maybe both though.
"G'night mate." I vaguely wave at him before leaving the mansion, letting myself out.

[Lana]

"What for God's sake are you doing?!"
"Packing", - I answer quite brightly, looking around the room attentively, paying attention to every single thing that still remains unpacked on the table, on the bed, in the wardrobes... clothes are scattered everywhere. There'll be no use in more, - I throw only three dresses into the bag, rightfully deciding that it'll be more than enough for being aboard a ship.
"Yes, I can see that. But why?"
"Because I am leaving, isn't it logical?" - I smirk slightly, wasting some space in the bag on cosmetics - creams, powder and such - who knows, perhaps I'll even need it. One can never know.
"Scarlett, you can't leave like that!"
"I'm a part of the bargain, forgot?"
"How could Uncle allow something like this happen?" - the Governor's nephew exclaims and watches me with a frown on his face, as if he couldn't believe what he saw with his very own eyes.
"Quite easily", - I tell him with a shrug and cast the last glance at the fully packed bag with everything I could take away and need afterward. The room looks almost deserted now, or as if it survived a tornado.

I am leaving. Today.

The day is bright, and everything looks promising, though, I must admit, quite surreal at the same time. The Black Pearl, one of the most notorious pirate-ships, is docked safely and protected by Navy-vessels. The pirate Captain is cooperating with the officers. And I am going to change my life again, this time on my own, because *I* want to and because *I* decided to do so.

It's the first time in my life when I actually make my *own* decisions.
"Made to marry the man I neither loved nor even knew before the wedding.
Kidnapped by the pirate and taken to the ocean.
Got rid of the baby because I had no choice.
Was left by this very pirate with no perspectives ahead.
Survived much, because I had to.

Hell knows, what happened during these 10 years, because it was hell. And what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger; if so, I am supposed to be made of steel now. I doubt I am, though, but for now I am finally going to do what I want. And right now I want to feel the salty breeze on my skin again.

"Would you, please, help me carry the bag to the ship?" - I grin at the man who seemingly had other plans for me than letting me sail away aboard the pirate-ship.

~~~
"Who are you after all, Scarlett?" - the Governor asks tiredly, looking at me with his eyes slightly narrowed.
"Oy, that's a very difficult question", - I laugh and leave the mansion, squinting at the bright sun.
~~~

A ship catches my attention as soon as I step on the docks: she looks unlike all the other vessels I have ever seen in my life, and I've seen a bit more than a lady would be expected to have seen. The wind is playing with her black sails, the sun is making her darkened wood seem polished, and maybe it is polished - by winds, salt and waves.

I can't hide a grin when I am approaching the Black Pearl.
I have never thought I'd finally see you.

[Jacky]

The Pearl is busy like a nest of ants, men scurrying around to prepare the ship to sail. For an untrained eye it might have looked like a complete chaos, but things were moving fast and efficiently. Almost the whole of the preparations were happening now, for I had let the men spend the two days ashore in nearly full freedom - not bothering them with any chores safe for guarding the ships in shifts. No wonder - I know what was ahead of us (it's not called Hell's Water for no reason) and I know I need a rested and high-spirited crew to go through the voyage safe and sound.

In the middle of the 'chaos', I'm now directing the scene. Correcting one fellow, sending another off to get something aboard, or putting a third in charge of what still had to be done.

Surprisingly, it's my busy eye that notices Scarlett approaching the ship first of all.
"Take over a moment, mate." I tell Gibbs shortly (the good fellow being one of the few that I trusted throughout years). As he nods, I wander of to the gangplank, observing the woman in her approach.

"Ello there, luv." I give Scarlett a roguish grin, "Ye don't suppose ye can sail in *that*, do ye?" I point at her skirts with a certain mocking gesture. "It should be trousers or naught. And I happen to have no trousers for you in me cabin." I raise an eyebrow suggestively.

[Lana]

Unmistakeably, I recognize the man who's descending the gangplank as Jack. Seeing him and all the commotion aboard the Pearl, I can't but think that it's his second favourite job - captaining the crew, bossing everyone around - which, to be honest, he's doing quite well; while his first favourite job is steering the ship during the most cruel storms, which he's doing even better. He could've changed, though.

However, his words make me doubt that he could have changed, at least in this aspect. I don't fail to notice very obvious shock of the man who accompanied me to the docks and carried my bag - a reaction to Jack's teasing about trousers and his cabin. No matter how used I am was to such jokes, it quite strikes me as an unexpected one now. Like many years ago...

But, unlike many years ago, it's become more difficult to throw me off-guard.

"Ello, Jack", - I smirk at his hospitality. - "Firstly, I'm not supposed to sail in trousers, because I'll be... what did you call it?" - I frown mockingly, pretending to be trying to remember one particular word, - "... oh, yes, a guest", - I raise an eyebrow to match his raised one. - "And secondly, since when do guests visit Captains' cabins, especially "wearing naught" It is a new guideline in the Pirates Code?" - I laugh, though, I have to admit, it's not a very sincere laughter. Not at all.

Even though I don't admit it even to myself, he *does* throw me off guard by his behaviour. A little bit. Only a little, really. Really?
Damn.

[Jacky]

"Since every guideline is quite flexible, amongst pirates." I tell her with a goldtoothed grin.

It's odd, but seeing her doesn't effect me like I thought it would. When I saw 'r again for the first time, I feared she would get to me in a way which would do me no good. I suppose I thought I couldn't stand me ground around a ghost from the past.
But she changed enough to be the reality of the 'now', rather than some historical illusion. And she didn't change *too* much, so I feel that I can still tease her like I used to without any effort at all.

Point is, she doesn't make me uncomfortable.
Which is interesting.

"Now then," The grin on my face broadens a little and I step aside, making a mocking welcoming gesture together with a slight bow. "Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, luv."

[Lana]

"Thanks", - I grin, letting my gaze travel to the outlines of the ship: quite large and perfectly taken care after, the wood is almost black, and the sails look eager to be filled with wind... I smirk slightly, to my own thoughts, and to all this irreality. Just a few weeks ago I was sitting in the mansion, afraid of looking out of the window at the ocean - afraid of the memories it could stir in me. And now I am facing these memories that swam out of the past here, to the present: they became real and material, the ship in front of my eyes, the ocean waiting for me, the man I haven't seen for ten long years.

It won't be as easy as you think, Scarlett - I warn myself mentally, realizing that... it's just the beginning.

"Please, take the bag aboard", - I tell the Governor's nephew who's looking at me with strange eyes.
"Good-bye, Scarlett... The sooner the ships are found, the sooner I'll see you again, when you're back to the town".
I frown slightly. "We'll see".
"I hope it won't be too difficult for you to stay aboard a pirate-ship, among those men", - he said with obvious disgust toward everything that could be associated with piracy, and that made me laugh.
"Oh, dear, you have no idea", - I smirked at him and started climbing up the gangplank, following Jack's invitation.

[Jacky]

When the fellow steps up to follow her I put a hand on his chest so he comes to an abrupt stop. I give him a goldtoothed grin, "Sorry mate, I think it would be too difficult for you to stride aboard a... pirate ship." I fake his disgust. "Now.." I make him turn around, "I have to disappoint you.. I doubt your bonny Scarlett won't return anytime soon to ye."

"Ladbroc, Mr Gibbs, do escort this fellow from me ship." I order two crewmen. And as they push him away from the ship under his sputtering protests, I pick up Scarlett's bags and follow her over the gangplank. I reach her and press the bag into her hands. "You're gonna hafta carry this yerselves, princess, I'm a li'll busy." I give her a teasing wink before I head back to the foredeck.

[Lana]

"I hope you're not planning on kidnapping me again", - I tell Jack with such a facial expression, that it's impossible to say whether I'm serious or not. Though, I smirk slightly when he takes my bags and carries them aboard, though, when he shoves the luggage into my hands, I immediately protest.

"Go to hell", - I mutter when he walks away, put the bags on the decks demostratively and say loudly: "I am NOT going to carry them, they're heavy", - I pretend to be a 'princess' as Sparrow called me. Watching everyone ondecks, I decide to find a place for myself and go to the railing, looking at the shore that will slip out of view quite soon.

Makes me happy.