pirates rpg 2

[Bosun]

Derek was still gazing longing after Gabby when a voice startled him from his trance.

" Do you think she has figured it out?"

He turned around to see a scruffy haired young man. "What?"

Latimer couldn't repress a grin. "I have been on this ship less than a day, and even I have guessed your feelings for her."

Derek was a little flustered by the boy's forwardness. "I-I don't know what you are-"

"I know it must be awful," Latimer continued softly, "yearning for one you feel you cannot have." With that, he patted Derek on the shoulder and turned and walked away, leaving the officer to his thoughts.

Meanwhile in the mess hall, Jack was seated with Ana, Emil, Jose, Calen and Will. Captain Sparrow had a rare look of sobriety in place of his usual enthusiasm.

"Of course, leaving dock allows that damned navy ship to tail us again. That gives us... what three boats to worry about?"

"I just hope they don't all realize they're after the same thing," sighed Ana, "and team up."

"Who says they haven't?" Calen remarked darkly.

"Well, Hawkins certainly wouldn't cooperate with pirates-" Will started.

"But what's to stop Thellen and that mutineer George from forming an alliance?" Calen continued. She had been meaning to raise this concern earlier. "They're both outlaws, and lord knows they both have no limit to how low they will stoop."

Jack rubbed his temple wearily. "If they're working together, they'll have a much easier time cornering us."

"But they haven't acted yet," Jose pointed out hopefully.

Ana placed a hand to her forehead in a motion similar to Jack's. "And nor will they, till we've found El Dorado. Saves them the trouble, see."

"Whether they're working together or not," Emil piped up, "we just need to stay ahead of them."

"Losing them all together wouldn't go amiss," Jack grinned.

"Jose, how long is the journey to our next destination?" Will asked.

"Not long," he replied confidently. He probably could have gone on to state the approximate number of hours, but Jack interrupted him.

"Good enough for me. If you will excuse me," here he stood up, "I believe the helm is missing me."

[Summer Sparrow]

Ana approached Jose in his quarters after the small meeting in the mess hall was adjourned.

"Jose! Oh my gallant and brave knight! Do you have a moment to spare for your humble squire?." Ana greeted, Jose looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Such sweet words are not common, especially if they're coming from you Ana, what is it that you want." he asked pointedly and returned analysing his maps.

"Alright, if you insist, I'd like you to take a look at my map here, is it similar to the one that used to belong to that dead Spaniard, umm I forget his name."

Jose sighed, and took Ana's map, he started to compare the two maps together. Ana took a seat in front of him and looked on.

After a few moments, Jose nodded to himself and mumbled something in Spanish.

"What was that?" Ana asked.

"Well, it seems to me, this map that you have found, shows the way after this one left off. It's like two pieces of a puzzle, but I can only say that much, we'd need a Sioux translator for these symbols here, it could be a clue or something."

Suddenly Jack poked his head in, "Ah puzzles! I love puzzles!"

Jose and Ana both rolled their eyes.

"You love everything Jack, I thought you needed to be at the helm?" answered Ana.

"Aye, yes, well Gibbs is doing a wonderful job I'd hate to ruin his happiness." Jack sauntered in and took a seat. "Hmmm two pieces of a puzzle, one useless without the other I might say, am I correct Jose?"

Jose nodded, and leaned back in his chair, Ana shifted in her seat, "What are you trying to say Jack?"

"Nothing, nothing, so Jose's map shows where it should start, and your map shows where it would end.... El Dorado..." said Jack, gazing towards the ceiling, as if the gold were in front of him right then and there.

"It would, if only I'd know what all these symbols represent, I can't tell from north or south, or east to west! And what's this? Looks like an axe"

"AH! X! X marks the spot!" Jack said suddenly. Ana rolled her eyes again, "I don't think so, this is a very intricately drawn axe, I remember it being used as a symbol for neighbouring enemies, I don't remember.." suddenly Ana grew silent.

"What is it Ana?"asked Jose.

Ana pointed to the Sioux map; there was a small drawing of two linked mountains with a waterfall in between, a symbol very familiar to Ana, and yet she hadn't notice it before. "That used to be my home..."

[Niphredil]

By the time Gabby had spent time with Susanna, had breakfast, helped the cook clean up after breakfast, and said good morning to Jose, it was mid morning. She still hadn't had a chance to speak with Derek... until finally, an opportunity presented itself. The cook asked Derek to go down to the store room and check on something, so Gabby followed him.

"I got the distinct feeling you were trying to tell me something earlier," she said, after she was sure no one was around to hear.

"Gabby! Oh, yes I... I was going to tell you... something... uh...."

"Stop stuttering and just tell me," she said, smiling and drawing closer to him.

Derek took a deep breath. This was a lot harder then he ever imagined it would be. "I," he began, "am so... in love with you."

Gabby's smile faded, and her jaw dropped. "What?" she whispered.

"I love you, Gabby. I have loved you, ever since I first saw on the Queen of the Sea. And now, after spending so much time with you here on the Pearl, I love you even more."

She stood there silenly, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Say something," he said.

"What would you have me say?" she asked, her voice shaky.

That you love me too, he though, but he said, "Whatever it is you're feeling right now."

She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing would come out. Instead she turned away and ran out of the room to the top deck. She was dizzy, her heart pounded in her chest; she wanted so much to tell him, but she was afraid of what it could mean. She stood leaning on the rail, breathing heavily, her hands shaking. Kira noticed her and walked over.

"Are ya a'right, Gabby? You look awful!" she said.

"Seasickness," she insisted, "I think I just need to lay down, for awhile." Gabby made her way down to her room, stumbling a little, leaving a rather worried Kira behind. I should find Damien, to look in on her, Kira thought, or Jose.

Gabby passed Derek's room as she made her way to her own. He was sitting on the edge of a cot, bent over, his head in his hands. He looked up. Gabby entered his room, swinging the door closed (though it didn't latch), and walked over to him, and kissed him.

[Athena]

Kira stayed where she was for the moment, trying to decide between the two men of who to alert to Gabby's seemingly illness.

"Jose" She said, with a snap of her fingers, " 'sides, he would be powerful mad ifn' he didn't know 'bout it. An' a mad spaniard is a sight I would dearly love t' miss."

Her mind made up for her, she began making her way to Jose's cabin. At the door she stopped and softly began to listen. When Jack mentioned "gold" and "El Dorado" Kira's eye's began to shine with greed. Finally she couldn't stand the suspence any longer and barged in.

"Ever heard of something called knocking?" asked Jose, pointedly staring at the door and commenting in a dry tone

"Never heard of it" announced Kira, settling herself down comfortably next to Ana. Jose rolled his eyes while Ana continued staring at the map. Jack to seemed unusually fixated on something.

"Was there a reason ye came in here lass?" asked Jack finally looking up, "Because this here meeting is for us and y'technically aren't invited to it nor should be here."

"Actually, ya there was a reason I came in here" replied Kira, she turned to look seriously upon Jose, "Iffin' I were you, I would go check 'pon that Gabby person. She seemed awrfully 'set a minute 'go."

"Thats awfully. Even I, for whom English is not my first language can pronounce it properly" said Jose absent-mindedly, his thought's already concentrating upon Gabby. "It would be nice if for once you tried to speak properly, and of course being able to read is always a plus. However, If you all would excuse me" at that Jose bowed and hurridly rushed off towards the direction in which Gabby had been last scene.

"So" said Kira, helping herself to a bit of an apple that was on the table in front of them. "What would we be talkin' 'bout here?"

[tancred]

Jose left his quarters, and made his way towards Gabby's. She was not there. He continued on down the hall, meaning to go top deck and perhaps find her there. Before he could reach the stairs, he saw a door ajar. He should have moved on, yet the Spaniard could not help his curiosity; for, from the corner of his eye he thought he had spied the fair and graceful form of Gabby.

Jose was cruelly correct. There indeed was Gabby. Yet, she was not alone. She stood above a sitting Derek, her lips gently pressed to his. So shocked was Jose, and still in stride as he was, that he simply stumbled right over. Startled by the loud crash, Gabby and Derek wheeled around to see what was the cause. Jose sat there, the shock still too much to even alow for embarrassment. Gabby gasped. Feeling a terrible pang in his chest, Jose rose to his feet, and left.

Kira was just about to help herself to her second apple, when Jose burst back into the room. "That was awfully quick," noted Ana.

"Gabby wasn't as upset as I thought," said Jose dryly.

"Really," asked a surprised Kira. "Ya sure?"

"Oh yes," answered Jose. "She seemed perfectly happy kissing Derek!"

Ana's and Kira's jaws dropped slightly while Jack merely snickered. "I'm sorry," said Ana, placing a comforting hand on Jose's shoulder.

There was silence for awhile. Even Kira took a break from eating. "What will you do," asked Jack finally. Jose didn't answer.

"What would the great Knight-errant Don Quixote do," asked Ana with a slight smile.

"He might do one of two things," replied Jose thoughtfully. "He hears the tale of the shepherd Chrysostom and the shepherdess Marcella. Marcella was dreadfully beautiful, and inspired desire and love in many a man, Chrysostom among them. Yet she loved him not. He attempted to woo her many a time, only to be spurned each and every time. Many thought her overly cruel in this, and accused her accordingly. She argued that just because a man may love a woman does in no way oblige that woman to return his love. For love is a free thing, and not to be constrained or forced. Don Quixote agreed, and defended Marcella's right to love or not love whom she pleased. If Gabby does not love me, then I can not make her do so."

Jack clapped Jose on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Quite right! Who needs her, right? That's the spirit, mate! Plenty of other mermaids in the ocean. Now how about some rum?"

Kira jumped up excitedly. "Oh me," she exclaimed. "I want some!"

Ana pushed her back into her seat with a firm hand on Kira's shoulder. "Now wait a minute," she objected. "That is what you would do? Simply give up on the woman you claim to love? Sometimes a woman wants to be fought over. Wants to feel wanted and desired."

"How would you know," snickered Jack. "You yourself always said you don't fall in love. Love is a foreign thing to Ms. Ana, like the entire Occident to the Oriental Japan. Step on those shores, and you're like to get...beheaded mighty fast!" He leaned closer to Ana, and winked at her. "Tis a true shame, too!"

Ana huffed, placed her hand to Jack's face, and shoved him away. "I know of love," Ana retorted. "I just don't talk about it." Her tone was not as convincing as she hoped. "Leastaways, Jose, I think you should fight over her. Your squire thinks this is what a true knight would do!"

"Aye," replied Jose. "This is the other path the peerless Don Quixote would have taken. For he fought long and hard to win the heart of his fair Dulcinea. I am no Don Quixote. I know not what I shall do."

Silence ensued again. Finally Kira tugged at Jose's sleeve. "This Chryso guy," she asked, "the one who loved this Marcella. You say Don Quixote defended Marcella's right to love or not love. But what did Chryso do after that? Did he drink some rum, and get over it?"

"Not quite," said Jose. "He wasn't there. As Cervantes writes,

Here the frozen body lies
Of a simple shepherd swain.
Luckless he died of disdain,
Hounded to death by cruel rigor
Of a beautiful, scornful maid;
A victim by whom Love's empire
Widens its tyranny."

[Lady Disdain]

"Mr. Scott?... Gavin?"

The soft voice woke Gavin with a start. "I'm here Miss Thornton." Lydia

She turned to look at him, and he forgot his exhaustion. "You're always here." Lydia's expression changed from one of contentment to one of concern as she took in the fatigue on his face. "Mr. Scott, are you unwell?"

Although his heart leaped to think that she might be concerned about him, he hastened to reassure her, "Please don't worry yourself, I am quite well." Her expression did not lighten, and he changed the subject lest she realize the cause of his weariness and send him away. "As you shall soon be. The doctor says you might be allowed up for a time tomorrow." He spoke cheerfully, although he knew that once she was better it would no longer be acceptable for him to watch over her - that it would not even be appropriate for a lady of her station to admit his aquaintance.

She grinned somewhat mischieviously at his words, and replied "Thank heavens, for you know I have the Govenor's ball tommorow. It would be terribly vexing to miss it."

He grinned and went along with the jest, "Indeed lady, it would be a loss to all of us who hoped to solicit your hand for a dance."

The two continued their banter for some time, till Gavin saw that Lydia was tiring. "I'll leave you to your rest lady, but don't forget that you've promised me the first two dances."

"I will not forget sir." She paused, as though she wished to say something more, but all that came out was, "Till tomorrow then."

"Till tomorrow."

[Summer Sparrow]

"But you're not Chrysostom, you are Jose Ortega, you are no shepherd!" said Ana, but then her voice softened as she approached him, 'Do not give up upon your love without a fight."

"But I do not want to fight! It is clear where her heart truly lies...." said Jose, slamming his fist on the table.

Jack cleared his throat, "If I may interject my professional opinion... "said Jack and he came nearer towards them, "Maybe fighting is not the best option right now." started Jack "I think you should give her some time and..."

"Please leave, I want to be alone." interrrupted Jose.

Jack stopped mid-sentence and looked at Ana, who was seated beside Kira, they exchanged worried looks. "Very well, we shall be, you know, up on deck as usual if, uh, you need us, or anything...." he flustered and they left Jose to himself.

The three pirates walked solemnly side by side, "Poor Jose, don't you think so Ana?" asked Kira.

Ana kept her silence and merely nodded.

"Ah women, to fall in love is to surrender one self to peril!" said Jack suddenly; only to be answered with glaring looks from both Ana and Kira.

He cleared his throat, "Well, of course not all women!"

"And what about men? They're deceitful! Absolutely loathsome, and they cannot be trusted, at all!" answered Ana.

"You're talking about me aren't you?" replied Jack with a nervous laugh. "Well I can be trusted, uh sometimes." he continued. Ana and Kira can't help but giggle a little bit.

They made their way up on deck where Emil and Gibbs were manning the deck along with a few other crew.

[Athena]

Kira felt rather at ease with the two pirates Jack and Ana. But she felt rather worried about Jose, she was worried that he might do something rash that he would later regret. But for the moment she forced herself to put her worries aside.

"So Gibbs, everything ship shape I trust?" said Jack, after clearing his throat and clapping his hand upon Gibb's shoulder.

"Er, aye sir" said Gibbs, starting.

Emil was about to say something, but at that moment a loud whistling was heard. Jack immiadietly recognized it as one of the songs that pirates seem to know best.

"Yo ho yo ho..." he muttered under his breath, but stopped when Kira and Ana glared at him.

"I donsts think that there coul' evah be a song 'ore annoyin' than tha' bloody 'ell of a song!" grumbled Kira. Not long after the whistler of the tune appeared, it was Gael. Unobservedly he began walking around the deck and suddenly stopped and noticed his daughter.

"Ah Kira" he said, beaming widely, "I haven't seen you in ages..." his voice trailed off as he noticed Kira's obvious anger.

"How, dare, ye...Don' EVER come near me y'bastard! Dunno what the 'ell y'think yere doin' on this here ship. Jump in the sea to keep Davy Jones company for all I care." snarled Kira angrily, abruptly she pivoted on her heel and stomped off, leaving behind a startled Gael, Ana, Jack, Emil, and Gibbs.

[Niphredil]

"Oh, what I have done," Gabby said, her voice hoarse. She clasped her hand over her mouth. Derek still sat on the bed, unsure whether he should put his arms around her or just let her be. He took her hand gently in his, and gave a tug, trying to get her to sit next to him. She pulled her hand out of his.

"I should go talk to him," she said. Derek nodded his consent. She gave him a weak smile before she left the room. The walk to Jose's quarters felt like an eternity, and yet it seemed to end all too soon for Gabby. She rounded the corner as Ana, Kira, and Jack were leaving, just in time to hear Kira saying, "Poor Jose, don't you think so Ana?" Gabby frowned, the guilt of realizing what she had done weighing heavily on her heart. She walked up to Jose's door, and knocked lightly. The look on Jose's face as he opened the door changed from sad to sadder, and Gabby could not bear to look him in the eye. She stood there quietly, her face downcast, searching for the words to say to him, but she found none.

"Well?" Jose said suddenly, yet calmly.

Gabby ventured a glance up at him. "Jose, I--" she began, her voice faltering.

"Whatever it is you want to say, just say it," he said, growing impatient. She remained silent. "Tell me-- tell me he forced you. I will believe you."

"I can't," she said, again casting her eyes downward.

"Obviously you care for him? You love him?"

"Yes," she said meekly.

"Then go to him. Be with him. I care not," Jose said quickly, closing the door in Gabby's face.

~*~*~*~

Fatigued though he was, Gavin felt like a happy little school boy, and if he could have he would have skipped all the way back to his room (but of course he knew better than to skip on a ship full of hardened pirates). As he entered his room he saw Derek seated on his bed; Gavin could not read the emotion present on Derek's face. It was neither happy nor sad; he looked as though he were just... in a daze.

" Derek?" Gavin said. Derek looked at him.

"Yes, Gavin?" Derek said.

"Are you all right, mate?" Gavin asked.

Derek chortled. "I'm not sure yet," he said, and then proceeded to tell Gavin of everything that had transpired. When he got to the part where Jose walked in on him and Gabby, Gavin couldn't help but laugh.

"I wish I had been here to see that!" he said, but he quickly stopped laughing when he saw the serious look on Derek's face. Gavin cleared his throat and mumbled, "Sorry. Please, go on with your story."

"Quite all right," Derek said. He sighed. "Well after that happened, Gabby walked out saying she needed to talk to him. Think I should go find her?"

"I don't know if you should just yet. How about I go talk to her and report back?"

"All right," Derek said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Right. Back in a jiff!" Gavin said, hopping up and quickly exiting the room. What's got him in such a good mood?, Derek thought.

Gavin found Gabby in her room sitting on her bed with her arms wrapped around her knees, the same dazed expression gracing her face that he had seen on Derek's. He knocked on the doorpost, and she looked up.

"Hi kid," he said, walking in and taking a seat next to her on the bed. " Derek told me about what happened. Are you all right?" She sighed.

"I'll be fine, I suppose," she said.

"And you spoke with Jose?" he asked. She nodded her head slowly.

"He said to go to Derek, to be with him... that he doesn't care. He probably doesn't care, or... or love me. I doubt now that he ever did."

"Can I get you anything?" he asked, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"No, thank you" she said, "I think I'd just like to be left alone for a little while."

"All right," Gavin said, rising. "Well, if you need anything... don't bother me, because I'll be sleeping." She chuckled, and he grinned back and winked as he left, leaving her to her own thoughts.

[Summer Sparrow]

"Now, what was that all about?" muttered Ana under her breath as Kira stomped off leaving a rather dumfounded and embarrased Gael.

"Well, uh, you know, teenagers..." started Gael.

"Aye mate, I think I know what you're going through." said Jack with a knowing look. Emil and Gibbs just kept their silence.

"She hasn't forgiven you yet, has she..."replied Ana, only to be answered by Gael's cold eyes.

"What do you mean? You don't know anything! Why should she forgive me? I'm nothing but a worthless, sea rogue, don't you see? I abandoned them! I do not deserve her love" he said at length, his cold eyes softened as tears started trickling down. Jack put a comforting hand around him, "Aye, a tough nut to crack that Kira, the same thing happened between me and Aimee, altough, not for long..." said Jack. Gael, in his half-drunken state, wept openly.

"I'll have a word with her, and ye best be on your best behaviour!" warned Ana to Gael and went off to find Kira.

*************************

Ana found Kira in the crew's quarters, she seemed to be sleeping in her hammock.

"Kira, are you asleep?"

Kira shifted and looked towards Ana, her eyes wet with tears. Ana gulped as she looked for the right words.

'Do you want to talk about...... your father?" she asked softly.

[Bosun]

Jack was far from in his element around the weeping old sea dog. But there were enough troubles on his ship without a grown man leaking tears.

"Helm, Gibbs," he remarked, and the crewman nodded and scurried off, clearly not wanted to hang around such an awkward situation if he didn't have to. "Stand up, man," he told Gael.

"I am standin'..." Gael muttered.

"Aye, but down, not up! Is that any way to exhibit the pride of a pirate? Stop yer slouching!"

Gael obliged, but his "pirate pride" hardly showed through. "What has a pirate to be proud of," he said somberly, "if his own flesh and blood hates him?"

"I'd say he should be proud to have birthed such a stubborn an' unbudgeable young lass. I'll tell ye something, mate, I don't think Aimee even thinks of me as her father, but I wouldn't change her for all the treasure in... well, half the treasure in El Dorado, anyway."

"O'course I wouldn' change Kira," Gael replied, "but understand! Yer gel doesn't hate you." He shook his head wearily. "How can you understand? Even if she did," he added, "what's to say you'd care?" He allowed himself a grim chuckle. "From what I've heard, you never have before."

" Damn right," Jack retorted. "Why should I care? I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, matey!" But he dropped his bravado for a moment and turned to the other pirate with a tired smile. "It never hurts to be loved, though."

"Neither it can."

"Aye... Don't tell anyone I said that, mind." He swiveled around on his heels to face Gael properly. "She'll get used to ye, mate. And a lot quicker if you'd not keep drinking so much of me rum..." He flashed a golden toothed smile.

[tancred]

Another day and a half had passed, and the Black Pearl finally made for shore--a place safe and secret enough for Jack, and close enough to the latitude and longitude of the starting point on De Soto's map. Jack harbored the ship in a deep and high cove. It would be quite safe from searching eyes both on land and out at sea.

Before their next move, Jack, Ana, Gibbs, Will, Calen, and Jose met in Jack's quarters. "What are we to do now," asked Ana.

"Well," answered Jose. "We'll obviously have to leave the Pearl behind."

Jack looked almost dumbfounded. "The Pearl," he mumbled. "Leave it behind?"

"Well, we can't take it with us on land," said Jose. "Yet, I don't think we'll have to worry; we can leave half if not most of the crew behind to guard it."

"What of the local government," wondered Gibbs. "Its Spanish territory here, and they of all people look with the most hatred upon pirates!"

"Then it is good we are not all pirates," said Jose with a slight smile. He twisted his mustache cleverly. "Besides, I have a little something that will help both the Pearl here, and ourselves as we go treasure hunting." Reaching into his jacket, Jose produced two parchments of expensive looking paper. He laid them out flat upon the table for everyone to see.

"Umm...Jose," said Ana, "are you forgetting that none of us here except for you can read Spanish?"

Jose chuckled, "Nay, I am not forgetting. But see here, these are orders from the Spanish ambassador in New Orleans, granting us all safe passage through Spanish territory here in New Spain. Those are his wax seals at the bottom of both papers. One is for us as we travel on foot, and the other is to remain here with the Pearl in case the local Spanish authorities should stumble upon it."

There were sighs and ahhs of wonder from everyone in the room. "This is a great gift," exclaimed Calen. "However did you come upon them, Jose?"

Jose folded his arms together across his chest, and soaked in the admiration. "I have my ways," he said calmly. "And I am Spanish, after all!"

"One thing," interjected Ana. "What's all this talk about going on foot? My feet can already feel the pain!"

"I s'pose we could find the nearest village, and purchase some horsies," said Jack. "Or at least some pack mule donkey thingies."

"Much better," said Ana enthusiastically. "Now who's to be going?"

Discussing it amongst themselves, it was decided that the treasure-hunting party should consist of: Jack, Ana, Emil, Gibbs, Will, Calen, Jose, Aimee, Kira, Gael, Susanna, Lydia (if she could make it), Gavin, Gabby, Gwen, and Derek (Jack figured it would be better to have the spy with them so he could ensure he wouldn't be sending back any information to Hawkins, a decision Jose did not much care for). The rest of the crew would stay, and watch after the ship.

While most of those present broke up and went their own ways, Ana and Jose remained behind. "I think I figured things out," said Jose. "Your map and mine do go together. Mine ends where your's begins."

"But why," asked Ana.

"If I am correct," Jose surmised, " De Soto and his men camped at an Indian village. It is at the top of my map. It was there that the natives described to him how to get to El Dorado. And they drew him your map to show him. De Soto's men, however, saw the map and how much longer they had to go, and threatened mutiny. Havin no choice, and being ill himself, De Soto complied, and turned back for home. He obviously hoped to return with a new, fresh, and more loyal crew. That is why the maps are different in maker and language. But they are still one. We need only follow the one on to the other!"

"It seems you have been doing a lot o' thinking, Jose," said Ana.

"I must," said Jose rather distantly. He looked out through the still ajar door of Jack's quarters and out onto the deck. There stood Gabby, leaning with her back against the rail and her face bowed. "For it is all I can do to keep my mind from...sadder things."

[Athena]

Kira woke sleepily, her pillow slightly damp as if she had been crying the night before. Blearily rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, Kira recollected the past events

***Flashback***

“No” said Kira, her voice muffled as she turned her head back into her pillow, hastily she wiped away her tears,

“I’m not cryin’ I, er, jus’ had somethin’ in me eye” she sad hastily, glaring at Ana

“O’ course” said Ana, nodding knowledgeably

A silence ensued as each tried hard not to look at the other, finally Ana said gently, “Are ye sure that you don’t want to talk about it?”

“What’s there t’talk ‘bout?” said Kira angrily, “He left me alone on the street’s while I had t’ grow up fast. I couldn’t lead a normal life like other kids do. When I was little I had t’ learn to steal an’ lie an’ worry where me next meal came from. I never had no one lookin’ out fer me, not once. An’ now he comes back into me life all big an’ bouncy and ‘sects everythin’ to be happy ‘gain ‘cause HE’S HERE! Yeah well screw him. I was doin’ fine on me own an’ I don’t need HIM ‘round.”

Ana stared shocked out the outburst from Kira, but she sympathized with her. Before she made a move to comfort Kira, Kira angrily shook her off.

“Look Ana, thanks but n’thanks”

“Um, well if you ever need to talk…” Ana’s voice trailed off

“There’s nothin’ to talk ‘bout. I, I just need to sleep I s’pose,”

Kira turned her head and stared at the wall, plainly refusing to talk anymore. Ana sighed and got up, she made a move to pat Kira on the shoulder but thought better of it. A last look back and then she left the room.

***end flashback***

A soft knocking at the door disturbed Kira, quickly she jerked her head around. The knocking continued and she finally called out,

“C’min already, yeesh”

Gael poked his head around the door, when Kira saw who it was her former countenance sank into an icy disdainful expression. Gael winced when he noticed her stony exterior. Tentavily he asked,

“Erm, can I come in?”

“No” replied Kira shortly, Gael ignored her and walked in anyways to sit down next to her.

“Look I know your rather mad at me right now, and frankly you have every…”

“Damn straight” said Kira loudly, Gael continued on as before as if ignoring her,

“But you’re me daughter Kira, an’ blood’s thicker n’ water an’…”

“Shut the hell up Gael before y’hurt yerself more” snapped Kira, her nerves gone, “Look I’ve heard the whole sob story ‘fore from a pirate who overheard ye tellin’ Derek it. In the first place that’s not excuse, in the second place, then what the ‘ell are y’doin’ chasin’ after anythin’ on this ship wearin’ a skirt?”

“Well I haven’t found anyone to love, tis strictly for pleasure…”

“Oh that mkes it all better” said Kira, rolling her eyes. “Look how about y’just go ‘way for ‘while. Your rather good at that”

“Well missy your gonna have a tough time getting rid of me. Were breaking out of the ship today, searching for some Indians from what I hear”

“Oh gods” muttered Kira, “Fine, but don’t ye get in me way!”

“Wouldn’t dream of it lass, wouldn’t dream of it” said Gael, walking out the door.

[Niphredil]

Gabby stood silently on deck, waiting for the meeting in the Captain's quarters to adjourn. She watched the crew running back and forth, checking the supplies they were to take with them and then loading them into two longboats, and wondering if she was to go on to El Dorado with the others.

She had spent most of the past day and a half in her room, being careful to avoid both Derek and, most of all, Jose. She didn't know how to face either of them.

Derek watched her from the other side of the ship, where he was supposed to be helping with the supplies. Oh, how he wanted to hold her at that moment, to love her, to free her from all fear and insecurity. Just as he walked up to her, the door to Jack's quarters opened wide, and the participents of the meeting exited. Ana walked up to Gabby.

"Hello, Gabby, Derek" Ana said, giving them a warm smile. Derek nodded and mumbled a "Miss Ana" while Gabby returned the smile with a small one of her own.

"Hello, Ana," she said. "So, what did you all talk about?"

"Oh, this and that," Ana said. "We decided who would be going on this treasure hunt, and guess what? You two get to come with us!" Gabby knew without a doubt that Jose would be going, so she didn't know whether to take the news of her going as good or bad, though it was good in that Derek would be come along as well.

"And my brother?" she asked.

"He can go, too," Ana said.

"What about Lydia? I'm not sure if my brother would readily leave her behind." Gabby smiled at the thought of the growing love that Gavin had for Lydia. He thought that Gabby could not see his feelings for Lydia, but she could always read him like a book.

"Lydia can go, too. If she's up for it. In fact I think I should go see about her right now, so if you'll excuse me."

"Of course, Ana," Gabby said. With that, Ana smiled at her again and turned and walked away, in search of Lydia. Gabby and Derek stood together in silence for a moment.

"Exciting, isn't it?" Gabby said, trying to make conversation.

"Oh, yes, it is," he said. "Anxious to get off the ship?"

Gabby nodded her head slowly. "Yes, I suppose I am. It would be nice to stand on firm ground again," she said. "And it's so close living on a ship, with so many other people. I don't know how you survive being in the navy, on a ship at sea for months at a time."

"You get used to it after awhile," Derek said, leaning his back against the rail. "And there's always the thought of returning home, to a real bed instead of a hammock... and for some, to a pretty girl." He stroked her cheek as he said this. She blushed, and cast her eyes to the floor. He put his hand under her chin and lifted her head so her eyes met his. "Can I kiss you?" he asked, barely above a whisper. Gabby swallowed hard, and as she was about to respond, one of the crew came up and clapped Derek on the back, thoroughly startling him, not to mention thorougly ruining the moment.

"C'mon lad!" the pirate, a gruff looking fellow with a barrel for a chest, said with a hardy laugh, "Yer suppose t'be helpin' with the supplies, not chattin' up pretty ladies!"

"I'm going to have to carry those supplies, can't you take them to shore without me?" Derek asked.

"Nonsense boy!" he exclaimed. "The sooner ye start liftin' some heavy things the sooner ye'll gain some weight an' not look so scrawny! Now c'mon!" With that, the pirate stomped off back to the supplies.

"Better do as he says, lad," Gabby said. "Ye don't wanna be scrawny all yer life, do ye?" She added, imitating the pirate.

"All right, if you insist!" he said, picking Gabby up and slinging her over his shoulder.

"Put-- put me down!" she yelled, between laughs.

"He said I should start liftin'!"

"Mr. Bennet, are you insiniting that I am a heavy thing as he put it?" Gabby asked, trying to maintain her composure.

"Well, not so heavy," Derek said, "but I have to start somewhere, don't I?"

"I suppose," Gabby said, still stiffling her giggles. Derek set her down gently in the longboat. Just as he was about to step in, he said,

"Oh, hold on. Do you need to fetch anything from your room, Gabby?"

"Well, let me see... all of my dresses; oh and that ghastly corset which on second thought I think I will leave behind. Oh, and my toiletries! I simply could never live without me toiletries!" she said, dramatically holding her hand against her forehead.

"I'll take that as a no, then," Derek said, grinning at her. He stepped into the boat, taking a seat next to Gabby, and they soon set foot on the shore.

[Summer Sparrow]

Ana walked off to the surgeon's quarters where Lydia was warded, as she opened the door she found Gavin was still sitting beside her.

"Are we preparing to land?" asked Gavin as soon as she entered.

"Well yes..." answered Ana, looking to Lydia. "And it has been decided that both of you can come along if you wanted to, of course..." started Ana.

Softly Lydia begin to stir.....