Disclaimer: Anything, anyone, and anyplace recognizable from Vampirates belongs to Justin Somper and his publishers. I am writing this for personal enjoyment only.

Setting: Between Demons of the Ocean and Tide of Terror

"What's taking Porfirio so long?" Molucco felt like he'd been waiting in Ma Kettle's Tavern for ages.

Just as the eldest Wrathe brother decided to go ahead and order, the youngest Wrathe brother dove into the booth, panting.

"So sorry I'm late."

"It's not like you to be late, especially for a drink." Molucco regarded his younger brother suspiciously. "Why the delay? Was there a treasure in need of stealing?"

"In a way, yes." A dreamy look came over Porfirio. "The most beautiful treasure on all the oceans has finally agreed to be mine."

Molucco's jaw dropped. "You don't mean…?"

"Yes." Porfirio grinned. "I'm going to get married!"

"Congratulations!" Molucco reached across the table to hug Porfirio. "My baby brother, finally getting hitched!" Releasing him, Molucco asked "So who's the lucky woman? I'm presume she's a pirate?"

"Oh, yes." The dreamy look reappeared on Porfirio's face. "She's the very incarnation of piracy."

"What's her name?" Molucco demanded, excitedly. Whomever this woman was, Porfirio was obviously head-over-heels for her.

"Her name…" Porfirio sighed, "…is Cheng Li."

"WHAT!?"

Molucco bolted upright in bed. His heart was racing, and his nightclothes were soaked with sweat.

Scrimshaw, from his bed, stared bewildered as his Master raced out of the cabin. Molucco skidded to a halt in front of the First Mate's Cabin, and banged on the door.

"Mistress Li! Mistress Li!"

A bleary-eyed Cheng Li answered the door. "Captain, what on oceans…?"

"Mistress Li," Molucco cut her off. "Are you married?"

Cheng Li stared at her Captain as if he had sprouted tentacles. "No…"

"Are you going to be?"

"Not in the foreseeable future, Captain."

"Oh, good." Molucco sighed in relief.

"Why do you ask?"

"…No reason." Molucco suddenly felt quite embarrassed about freaking out over a bad dream.

"Captain," Cheng Li inquired, "Have you been drinking?"

Molucco recovered himself. "I'm a pirate, Mistress Li. Of course I've been drinking."

"Captain…"

"Good night, Mistress Li."

Two days later, Cheng Li resigned from her position as First Mate of The Diablo.

And there you have it: the real reason Cheng Li left The Diablo.

And while Molucco's worst nightmare this may be; after Tide of Terror, Molucco would have gladly allowed Porfirio to marry Cheng Li, if it only meant he could live again.