Author's Note: Here's the next chapter, more of an intro to the current timeline

Disclaimer: I own only my characters and plot

The sun beamed down onto the earth, it's warm rays finally beginning to pierce thru the thick blanket of fog that covered the calm sea in a blanket of white wetness. As the bank thinned and dispensed the hull of a ship became visible, its sides weathered and sails heavily patched. The past eight years had taken their toll on the Green Dragon, yet she still sailed the treacherous seas with the same ease and finesse she had done so with on her maiden voyage.

In a certain cabin on the small pirate ship a young woman peered critically into the same mirror she had stared into nearly a decade before. The room and mirror may not have changed much in those years, but the woman had. She was several inches taller now, and had been forced to hammer in a new nail higher up on which to hang the jagged piece of glass. Her hair had grown out after its unfortunate meeting with the Captain's sword, and while normally she kept it in a braid down her back, today it had been arranged in a fancy style of curls and twisted loops the likes of which she had not worn since the day she had fallen into the icy grasp of the sea. It was fortunate, she mused as she pinned up another spiral, that she had at least retained her grooming habits; she had seen other female pirates, and had she allowed her hair to become the thick, tangled dreadlocks like theirs this ploy would never have worked. Her skin was no longer a smooth, milky white, but had grown tanned and freckled after endless hours in the hot sun. Toned muscles now covered her body, acquired from years of swabbing decks, climbing riggings, and fighting with a blade. While her wardrobe had remained much the same since the Captain had given her clothes, today she was dressed in a fine silk gown, the sort of which she should have been wearing every day of the past years. But that was a different life now.

"Hey, Abbi, ya ready?" A rough voice sounded at the door as a large hand pounded on it.

"Just a minute, Rufus." The woman called, taking a few minutes to remove the small, golden hoops from her ears and replace them with earrings that matched the delicate necklace she wore. She smoothed down the dress one last time, feeling odd to not be in trousers and to be wearing shoes rather than going barefoot, before going to the door.

On the other side of the thin wood stood the same man who had scared her so much at their first meeting, only now his red hair held hints of grey and his thick beard was thinning. Rufus Stevenson grinned down at her, the very picture of a father proud to see his only daughter heading to a coming out ball.

"You ready, Lassie?" He asked as they walked side by side down the narrow hallway, Abbi mindful of her dress; it had been stolen from a merchant ship several weeks before and it wouldn't do for her to accidentally ruin it when they were almost to their goal. "We'll be making port by midday."

"And then to make my way to the Governor's house, acquire an invitation to the ball from his daughter, wait until the party is in full swing, and make off with as many valuables as I can carry and then some." She said dully, as though she had been repeating it over and over. "I know the plan, Rufus."

"I wasn't askin if ya knew the plan, I was askin if you was ready." He said with a laugh as they made their way on deck and over to the railing, other members of the crew high above them in the riggings or working on the other decks.

Abbi looked out on the sea with a yearning stare. Many years before she may have found the sea dull and dreary, but now she would give up the most beautiful gems if it would allow her to go on sailing for ever. There was something wild and beautiful and enchanting about the rolling waves and white crests, the fiercest tempests and smoothest calms.

The island of Jamaica was dimly visible on the horizon, Port Royal lay on its nearest end. Her parents still lived there as far as she knew, and perhaps her brothers as well. They would think her dead, and truly, Abigail Fenwick, the young lady of the king's court was gone; now there was Abbi Fens, scallywag and pirate lass. They wouldn't recognize her even if they could see her now, of that she was sure.

She shifted uncomfortably in her dress, sending a glare at Tommy, the newest cabin boy, when he sent a teasing whistle her way.

"Come on, lassie." Rufus ordered her. "The Captain wants ta see ya a'fore we get there."

The Green Dragon pulled into the harbor of Port Royal about an hour past the noon bell. Her colors changed for the occasion to the king's standard so as not to draw upon them the full wrath of the large garrison of His Majesty's navy that was quartered at the easily defensible port city.

Abbi walked casually down the gangplank as the 'merchant sailors' unloaded their not so legally attained cargo onto the docks, fitting into their guise of a small business ship in perfect tandem. She was forced to concentrate more than she would have liked on slowing her steps from the long, easy strides of a sailor to the small, dainty steps of a refined young woman. Down the docks she strode with unconcerned primness, astutely ignoring everything that was going on around her, and jumping with fright when a portly man in a wig stepped in front of her.

"Miss." He said cordially, allowing the timid lady to gather her wits. "May I welcome you to Port Royal, and if it not be too rude, inquire as to your business here?"

"Oh, of course sir!" She said quietly, waving a thin fan demurely. "I thank you for the kind welcome. I'm here visiting, and if you would be so kind to fetch me a guide to the Governor's house, I have need to meet with his daughter."

The man appeared rather flattered to have the young woman showering him with her attentions, and he swelled like a peacock.

"My lady, look no further, for your guide stands before you." He offered her his arm and she took it, fluttering her lashes and thanking him several times.

As they walked away she held a hand behind her back, a finger up in a rude gesture in the direction of some of her crewmates who were snickering at her.

It took longer than expected to reach the Governor's mansion as it was market day and the streets were fairly teeming with people. The little, portly man was huffing and puffing by the time they made it to the base of the hill that the large house sat upon.

"I am… I…" He wheezed as they stood before the gate. "I leave… you here" He said, bowing and waddling back towards town.

She watched him leave, pretending to fan herself from the exertion until he was out of sight and promptly stopped. She wasn't even winded from the walk, and proceeded to continue on her way, remembering to shorten her steps just in time.

A doorman bowed to her and opened the door as she reached the house; she proceeded inside without sparing him a glance.

By chance Governor Swann happened to be walking thru the front foyer, and he quickly took note of the unexpected guest.

"Oh! Dear me, did you need something miss?"

"Yes, Lord Governor." Abbi stated demurely, sweeping gracefully into a curtsy, suddenly thankful for the few hours she had spent practicing them aboard the ship.

"My name is Annabeth Carlisle and I have a message from my friend, Miss Emily Dunhurst, for your daughter concerning the night's activities."

"Well, of course, if you'll wait here a moment I'll have Elizabeth down immediately.

She nodded silently and the older gentlemen hurried up the curved staircase, presumably to his daughter's room.

Emily Dunhurst, a prosperous young woman of the court, had been the previous owner of the gown she now wore. They had been raiding the merchant vessel she had been traveling aboard and had learned of the ball. After leaving the vessel stranded plans had been made to take Miss Dunhurst's place at the event; by the time the crippled ship made its way into port the pirates would be long gone with the bounty.

"You have a message for me?" A sharp female voice sounded from the stairs.

Abbi looked up from where she had been studying the architecture of the room. Descending the stairs was a lovely woman with honey colored hair and brown eyes. She was slim and tall but dainty, though with a strong presence to make up for it. Her clothes were top of the line and the silk ruffled as she stepped off the final step.

"Yes, a mutual acquaintance of ours, Miss Emily Dunhurst, wanted me to inform you that she will not be able to attend the ball tonight."

"Oh, well then you must come in her place, of course." The offer was made more of politeness than actual invitation, though most of the people attending would only be there for politeness as well.

Abbi dipped her head in acceptance and Elizabeth gave a small smile.

"Perhaps you will take a turn about the gardens or a short walk into town to get better acquainted?"

"Of course, Miss Swann."

"Thank you, Miss?"

"Annabeth Carlisle."

"Very well, Annabeth it is. And you simply must call me Elizabeth."

"If that is your wish." Abbi stated neutrally as they walked out the door.

"It is." The other girl said firmly and Abbi almost smiled. The girl had more will power than she had originally thought.

The two young women walked into town at a slow but steady rate, talking of this and that until Elizabeth began questioning about the voyage from England.

"Did you run into pirates?" The governor's daughter asked with almost disturbing excitement.

"Goodness no!" Abbi laughed, slightly thrown off her guard by her acquaintance's strange interest.

"Oh." Elizabeth sighed, sounding rather dejected. "It wasn't very exciting then, was it?"

"No, not a bit."

"A pity. Well, this is Mr. Brown's Smithy. My father has commissioned a sword from him, but its Mr. Brown's apprentice who does all the work, even if he doesn't get any credit." Elizabeth explained as she pushed open the wooden door and led the way inside the dimly lit building.

Abbi's mouth watered when she stepped inside. There were rows and barrels full of gold-inlaid handles and glittering steel blades. Her fingers itched to secrete one within the voluminous folds of her dress, but that would ruin her guise in an instant if the sword smith was knowledgeable of his stock.

"Will!" Elizabeth called, smiling brightly when a handsome young man with dark hair and eyes made his presence known as he walked in from another room.

"Oh! Good afternoon, Miss Swann." He said politely with a bow.

"Will, please, call me Elizabeth." She ordered him, an annoyed look on her face. "And this is my new acquaintance, Miss Annabeth Carlisle, Annabeth, this is my friend William Turner."

"Miss Carlisle." The blacksmith bowed over her extended.

"Mr. Turner." She replied with a curtsey.

"So, Will." Elizabeth began to talk to the young man while Abbi, no longer able to control her desire for the beautifully crafted blades, made her way to where several were hanging on the wall. "How much longer till my father's sword is complete?"

"It shouldn't be more than a day or so, Miss Swann." Will said with a smile. "Miss! Please be careful, I wouldn't want you to harm yourself!" He called to Abbi who had picked up one of the blades and was swinging it expertly, testing its balance and weight.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist." She told her rather shocked looking observers. "It is such a lovely blade."

"You know how to wield a sword?" Elizabeth asked, excitement creeping back into her voice.

"Just a little." The other girl told her, quickly sheathing the weapon and returning to Elizabeth's side. "Shall we be going?"

The guests began to arrive and mingle soon before the sun set. There were many military men and their ladies, as well as a few nobles. Abbi spent her time sweeping gracefully thru the room, snatching a bracelet or hair clip now and then and hiding the glittering jewels in a hidden pocket that had been sewn into her skirts.

The pocket was growing heavy and she was forced to slow down a bit, when she ran into someone, and looking up found herself seeing a ghost.

"Whoa, steady there miss, are you all right?" A handsome man in his thirties held onto her shoulders as she tried to regain her balance, his dark hair and grey eyes peering at her curiously.

"Thank you, sir." Abbi said with a curtsy, praying that her eldest brother wouldn't recognize her.

"Father, who's the pretty lady?" A young voice asked from behind him.

Abbi and her brother both turned, and Abbi was shocked by what she saw. A little girl, about eight years old, was standing beside a young blonde woman who the pirate knew to be her brother's wife, Sarah. She had had no idea they had a daughter. Her brother looked rather surprised.

"Forgive me, miss, I never asked your name."

"Annabeth Carlisle." She told him, curtseying and keeping her face as far down as she could without seeming rude.

"Benjamin Fenwick, and this is my wife, Mrs. Sarah Fenwick, and my daughter, Annabelle."

"Papa," the little girl said in a loud whisper. "She looks like the girl in the painting!"

Benjamin took another look at the young woman before him, a surprised expression on his face. "You're right." He said, smiling down at his daughter. "Forgive her, it's just that you bear a startling resemblance to my dead sister."

"It's all right, I am sorry for your loss." Abbi said softly, then excused herself and hurried away as fast as she could.

"Wait! Miss! You dropped something!" The little girl cried out, catching sight of a plain silver chain and pendant falling from the woman's neck. Benjamin bent down to retrieve the necklace his daughter had noticed, only to freeze when he examined it closer. It was old and well worn, but it was quite clearly his family's crest.

"Stop! Thief!" He shouted, wanting to know where the woman had come by the pendant that his sister had been wearing the last time she was seen.

The woman was easily apprehended in the room full of militia, two fellow officers held her tightly between them as she struggled.

Benjamin and his family headed towards her, easily maneuvering through the suddenly quiet room. Out of the corner of his eye the eldest brother could see his two younger siblings following him with confused looks on their faces.

"Where did you get this?" He asked the woman, holding the chain and pendant in front of her face. He frowned when she didn't answer and tried to avoid looking at him. "I asked you a question." He growled, grasping her chin and turning her face towards him, his eyes widening when he finally got a good look at her features.

"Abigail?" He asked incredulously, his brothers jostling him to get a good look of the girl he had just named as their sister.

"It is you, Abigail!" James, the middle son, exclaimed, moving in to embrace her.

She took advantage of his closeness to pull his ceremonial sword from its sheath, brandishing it expertly at him as he stepped back in shock.

"What a twist of fate." The soon to be Commodore Norrington said blandly as he approached the frozen scene. "The long lost Abigail Fenwick turns out to be none other than the pirate, Abbi Fens."

There were many gasps of horror from the ladies, and shocked looks from her family at the man's proclamation.

"Thank you for the kind introduction, nancy boy." The revealed pirate said with a sneer. "But I believe I will be taking my leave." And saying so she made as if to strike a nearby woman who shrieked and ducked in fright, giving Abbi a chance to leap over her and run through the still open doors.

"After the pirate!" Could be heard from the Governor's mansion as chaos pursued.

Abbi dashed down the roads towards the docks, well aware of what would happen if she didn't reach them in time, or she was caught. She cursed the long skirts of her dress as she nearly tripped over them for the umpteenth time. She ran along the edge of the wall on the cliffs, running faster when she could hear angry shouting behind her. As she continued to sprint to ripped the pocket from her dress and tied it so as not to let the jewels escape before flinging it over the edge of the wall and into the water. Abbi flung her shoes off her feet as she made it too the level ground between her and the docks, but was surprised to find her way blocked by red-coated militia. She dug her heels into the ground and turned down another street, only to find more soldiers waiting for her at the end. She stopped and scanned the area as they advanced on her. Spying a low roof she ran at the wall and used her momentum to grab hold of the edge, struggling to pull herself up with the added weight from the skirt. A sudden tugging on her foot caused her to loose her grip and come crashing to the ground in a flurry of fabric and sprawling of legs. When she had sorted herself out she found herself face to face with a circle of bayonets.

"Take her to the jailhouse." Norrington ordered coldly as he glanced down at the captured pirate who was staring up at him with a disturbing grin on her face. "Miss Fens will be getting acquainted with the gallows following my promotion."

As the soldiers dragged her away Abbi looked back to see her brothers watching her, mixed emotions on their faces as she disappeared around the streetcorner.