Chapter Two: Afternoon Tea

Jack had asked Trinity, beyond her better judgement, if she would go and speak with Will on his behalf. Apparently talking to Will was important to him, why Trinity didn't know. So she did as she was told. She contacted Elizabeth and arranged to have a brunch type of meeting with the couple.

As she walked through the garden of Elizabeth's father's mansion, she couldn't help but wonder why anyone would want to give that up to be a pirate. One of Elizabeth's servants had led her to a small table on the terrace. Trinity took a seat, situating herself as comfortably as she could. Even though she despised it, Trinity was sporting a gown for this meeting. She thought it was only appropriate for a meeting at the governor's home.

Elizabeth appeared from behind the large french doors, Will at her side with their daughter in his arms. Trinity stood, hugging her friends for a brief hello, then sat back down. She was hoping to be here for only as long as necessary.

"Shall we?" Trinity asked politely for the others to join her at the table. Avery jumped from her father's arms and ran into a flower bed, singing along the way.

"Yes, what do we owe this pleasant surprise?" Will smiled. Elizabeth had taken her eyes from Avery for only a moment to nod. She was wondering the same thing.

"Ah, it wouldn't be so pleasant if Jack was here?" Trinity kidded, folding her hands in her lap.

"Where is Jack now-a-days?" Elizabeth also smiled.

Trinity didn't like this situation. She watched as Elizabeth's eyes darted from her daughter, to Will, to Trinity, to guards on the balcony, and back to Avery. Trinity was aware of how close she was to Royal guards and it was making her uncomfortable. "That part is not important." Will understood. He knew she wouldn't want to talk about Jack's whereabouts with all the guards around. He nodded and waited for her to continue. "Will, I was wondering if you could meet me at my house. Say tomorrow? Of course Elizabeth is welcome to come as well."

"That sounds like a good idea. We haven't had a visit in a long time, and you seem anxious to be on your way now. Let's say around dawn?" Elizabeth now had her full attention on her guest.

"Excellent. And I am sorry I cannot stay longer. You understand that I am a bit rushed? See you tomorrow then." Trinity eased her way out of the chair, but walked as fast as she could out of the gate.

Meanwhile, Jack was back at the beach house, waiting for Trinity's return. Jaden was sitting at the table, reading a book that Jack had brought him from a raid. Jack found his son's interests in books amusing. He, himself, had never taken to the written word. Mostly because he was too drunk to even walk straight, let alone read a grouping of words in a row.

Jaden expression changed with every paragraph. That's what Jack found most entertaining. Sometimes he would ask his son what he read about that day, and Jaden would literally act it out for him. Thinking not to disturb him now, Jack put on his jacket and stepped outside.

Trinity was coming up the beach, simultaneously. "Jack Sparrow, get in that damn house!" she scolded.

"Captain." Jack mumbled under his breath.He was sure she didn't hear him though.

He should know better than to be out in broad daylight! She thought to herself as she slammed the door behind her. "I talked to them. They're coming tomorrow."

"Good. Good." Jack replied. He knew what she was going to ask next and was hoping to avoid it. He turned to say something to Jaden, But Trinity stepped in his line of vision.

"Jack Sparrow,"

Uh-oh, Jack thought, she full named me twice. She must really be mad.

"Captain!" Jaden protested, not looking from his book.

"Jaden, go finish that in your room." Trinity snapped. Jaden did as his mother told. "Now Jack, tell me what the hell is going on."

"Nothing." He was doing a bad job of hiding it.

"Don't you lie to me, Jack. You asked me to go over there this morning, and I did. Now I'm asking you why I had to go over there and you're going to tell me."

Jack was slowly backing away, But ever step he took Trinity matched. He was back up against a counter, there was no where else to go. Trinity crossed her arms, waiting for him to explain. Jack had no escape. He had to tell her. "Now, love, can you promise me you won't hurt me?"

"We're pirates, Jack. Do you really think you can trust my answer."

She had a point. Jack took a deep breath. "Okay. Well, seeing as how you're already mad, why not? I'm going to say this quick and to the point. The treasure's gone."

"What!" Trinity's hands flew to her sides with clenched fists. She was unbelievably close to hitting him.

"The men got a little drunk at a pirating port."

"So you let them blow the whole lot on prostitutes and whole barrels of liquors!" Jack winced. "And more?"

"You mean technically or metaphorically?"

Trinity's eyes were blaring with rage. All the trouble she had gone through to get that treasure, and now it was all gone. Her eyes narrowed as a thought hit her. "And why do you need Will?"

Jack was hugging his arms to himself, nervous to continue. "Well...you see...about a week after we spent the treasure, I heard from good authority that...Blackbeard wants it back. Seeing as how we stole it from him and the rest."

Trinity had gone into shock. She was having a panic attack. Something was happening, and she found herself not being able to breathe. "Who's 'good authority'?" she managed to gasp.

"A man I know who owns a pub knows a man who runs an inn who frequently puts up a man who works for a man who knows a pirate who sails under the command of one of the league members."

"And was he drunk?"

"Which one?"

"Does it matter."

"No, I guess not. And most likely he was drunk. Whoever we're talking about."

"So this maybe a fairy-tale? Something someone conjured up to add to the legend of Captain Jack Sparrow?"

Jack beamed. She had remembered to call him 'Captain' this time. "We can hope, love."