D isclaimer: I own nothing of PotC.

Chapter Quote: "It's what I have chosen."

When the Tide Comes In

Chapter One

The Life I Have Chosen

My emerald eyes strayed over the turquoise ocean. The waves lapping gently against the sides of my ship. Shouts and laughs from beneath me in the hold told me I was glad not be below. Knowing my crew below, I'd probably be asked if I was doing anything tonight or if I was 'lonely' to stop by their hammock. I shook my head, drunken fools. I supposed it was all right for just one night to let them have their fun. I didn't mind. I smiled, five years, today marked the day since I had left Port Royal and had sailed out into another life. It seemed like such a distant place now, memories of my past life so vague, hard to recall. Sometimes I didn't even want to recall them. I hadn't set foot on that shore since the day I had leaped into Jack's arms and sailed away into the sunset. Into the barbaric lifestyle I had chosen.

My birthday was tomorrow, I wondered if any of them would remember it. I looked down at the hatch which was aglow with light, my shipmates were having quite a lot of fun this evening. I shook my head, they'd all be too drunk. I took a step foward and was met by a cool breeze and a small spray from the crystal waters. I was a pirate. I had my own ship, courtesy of Jack on my 20th birthday. He enjoyed taking the role of a pirate father to me. Strange, he wasn't exactly a role model. I sighed, I hadn't seen the fool in almost six months and even stranger to say, I missed him.

I walked foward again, the breeze was quickening, we would set sail soon, before the sun set. The sea breeze blew through my long hair, I had never obtained the heart to cut it off. It was my last sole reminder and proof of my past life, and who I really was. But even my true identity was sometimes even a mystery to me still. Who was I? I thought during the first few years here that I knew, now I wasn't so sure.

I let my mind wander again, and I remembered those whom I had left behind with my old life, Will and Elizabeth. My mother, Arthur... Tom. Sometimes I missed all of that, but I was always somehow drawn back to this. The life that I had chosen, living under the skull and crossbones. Living as Jack Sparrow's daughter. Living as Jacqueline Sparrow.

Living as a Pirate.

It's what I have chosen.

TO BE CONTINUED...