Well hello again. I'm a bit lacking in witty repartee at the moment and Mungojerry is off with Rumpleteazer. The other narrators have been scared off somehow so it's just me. I may not be writing much after this for a while so I have to write like the wind. I'd tell you why but certain injustices cannot be undone without much bloodshed. That's all I can say without getting in trouble with other inhabitants of my dwelling.

Chapter VII –Reunited in More Ways Than One

Ryoko woke to a soft knocking on the door. She must have slept through her alarm again.

"Great," she groaned. "Now I'm late for zero period. Maybe I should just skip it today and go at first period. I'm sure that stupid band director can live one day without me." She rolled over to look at her clock and opened her eyes to find a room she didn't recognize. There was someone moving around in the room, answering the door.

"Oh God, was I drunk? Did I black out? How can I explain this to my parents?" but then, as he opened the door, she caught sight of his face and everything came zooming back.

Jack spoke quickly to the woman at the door and Ryoko recognized the voice of Rosette. He shut the door and hastily dressed himself, throwing a vest and coat over the shirt he'd slept in. He pulled on his boots and finally looked at her where she sat in confusion.

"I'll be back in a little while," he told her. "I'd feel better if you stayed here but if there's something you need, feel free to roam." With that, he closed the door, leaving her to herself.

She sighed and went back to sleep.

As Jack exited the inn, he had no idea that he was being watched. He had nothing on his mind but the words he'd heard from Rosette that morning and he was intent on his destination. The pair of eyes that observed him leaving did nothing to alert him of their presence and he continued on, his mind occupied.

He hurried down the road, passing Bourbon Street without so much as a glance at the women who were already out flaunting themselves. Some tried to get his attention but were ignored as he rushed past them, their perfume not even having a chance to stick to him that morning.

It was a modest little house, overgrown with bougainvillea and long stemmed roses, making it a beautiful little hovel despite the many spiders that nested in the boughs of the plants, their webs collecting dewdrops that sparkled like diamonds in the morning light. He glanced at the address to make sure he had the right house and entered quickly, not bothering to look behind him. The observer already knew where he was anyway. There was no one to see behind Jack.

The house was dark and smelled of smoke. There was an actual hearth and fireplace. Within the charred alcove lay several fresh logs, awaiting the bitterness of the cold that had yet to come. He looked around the familiar room and smiled to himself. He hadn't been here in a long time.

He walked quietly down the hall, gazing at everything as if it were the first time he'd seen it. A noise drew his attention to a room near the end of the hallway.

"Hello?" a voice called. "Who's there? Rosette?"

Jack grinned and followed the voice down to the room. He stopped and leaned against the doorframe and the owner of the voice gasped.

"It is you! Rosette wasn't fibbin' ta me for my own comfort. Jack!"

"Hello, mum," he answered, smiling like a child again. He bent and kissed her cheek as she enveloped him in a hug from her bed. "How goes it with you?"

"Well enough, seein' as I ain't seen you for years," she snapped playfully, obvious love shining in her grey eyes. "Where've you been? Some say you were dead but I'd a know'd it if you was."

"I've been abroad," he answered. "Seen my bit of the world, as it were. Got me a ship and a crew to boot."

"Got sommat else, I reckon," she added grinning. "Rosette tol' me all 'bout you yesterday. Said you had a little lady with ya."

Jack groaned internally but knew that the idea of him being married would set his mother's mind at ease. He hadn't intended to call on her but now that he saw her condition, he was glad for once that Rosette had butted in. For all of Old Woman Sparrow's jokes and bold sayings, she was near the end of her road.

"That I did," Jack answered secretively. "But I don't know what business it was of yours." He smiled at her and she squirmed in bed.

"Dagnabit, Jack. I am your mother, after all. Is it true, what Rosette said? Are you married?"

He laughed at her and pulled a chair over to sit next to her bed. He took one of her pale hands in his and met her eyes. She squealed.

"It's true! Oh my God, Jack! Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

"I wanted to tell you in person," he answered, acting his heart out. It took a lot to fool Old Woman Sparrow but he'd learned how when he was young.

"Will you bring her here?" she asked. Jack had to think about that one. He wasn't sure how Ryoko would react.

"I don't know about that one," he told her. "We're leaving tonight."

"Bring her today," his mother insisted. "Do it and this old woman can die happy." Jack nodded. He'd have to brief Ryoko before hand but it was possible. "And don't you go bein' like your father and takin' thirteen others after her, neither."

Jack grimaced. His father's conquests weren't exactly a secret. In truth, Elise had been wife number twelve or thirteen out of fourteen women he had seen fit to marry.

The day wore on and he sat with his mother.

Ryoko woke about an hour later and got up. She left the bed unmade and frowned. She couldn't get dressed yet because she'd need Jack's help to lace the corset. She realized she might be able to call a servant to help with this but decided against it.

"I wonder if they have room service," she said aloud, slipping into her robe. She was looking through the trunk when she heard a knock on the door.

'That must be Jack,' she thought, noticing the key still sitting on the table where he'd left it. She hurried to the door and opened it. What she found there was nothing like what she had expected.

A large man, his skin so dark it was almost truly black, stood in her door way and she recognized him vaguely. She realized he had been one of Barbossa's crewmembers in the movie. He must have been one that managed to escape the navy's punishment. He had metal studs under his skin in a decorative pattern. The Bos'un was here.

"Um, hi," she said, slamming the door. He busted it open with one blunt shoulder and entered the room where she was frantically looking for some weapon.

He laughed a deep full-throated bass that would have been the envy of any opera singer, had he chosen to use it that way. "Puny girl cannot fight widout Jack, eh? I take revenge by takin' his woman, no doubt. Come here you. Tell me where Jack gone off to and I not hurt you, much."

"Uh … can't we just discuss this without threats?" she shouted at him, her voice higher than she'd like. She grabbed one of the dormant oil lamps and pitched it at the man. He raised an arm and knocked the lamp away, sending it to crash in a wave of glass and oil. He advanced on her, pinning her to the wall.

He was over a foot taller than she was, and weighed at least a hundred pounds more than she did. He moved a hand toward her chest and she did the only thing she could do. She bit his hand, tearing the thin bit of skin between the thumb and forefinger. He hissed, moving away and trailing blood on the floor. She began looking for another weapon and caught sight of the pistol Jack had left her. Before she could lunge for it, the man backhanded her, sending her careening across the room, her vision dark. She ended up by the door, noticing hazily that no one was coming to help her. She was on her own.

She had no plan of action against the large pirate that had entered her room and when he picked her up by the throat, she knew that she was either going to be killed or taken in some way. He used both large hands to hold her in front of him, knowing she was too dazed to kick or fight.

Her right hand was dangling at his chest and she felt something that cleared her mind just enough to grasp the situation, and the hilt of the cutlass sheathed across his chest. She would have to be quick and precise if she were going to live through the experience. She could feel her body giving up as the oxygen was blocked from her system and distantly she could hear sobbing that must have been her own choking voice.

She pulled the cutlass clear of the scabbard and thrust it into him, through him. She felt his shock as a tremor, flying through his arms. He dropped her to the ground and she leaned into the big man's body, forcing the saber in to the hilt, knowing the end was protruding out his back. With the last of her strength, she pulled it back far enough to dig for his heart. She wanted to make sure he was dead. His face was a twisted grimace and a line of drool slipped from his thick lips, mingled with rich heart blood.

Ryoko yelled and tore herself away from the dying man. She fell to the ground in an ungraceful heap, the large carcass tottering backwards and crashing into the hall, his blood decorating the floor in a brilliant wash of fluid.

Below them, in the lobby, the monopoly man returned to his desk from his lunch break, without the slightest idea of what had happened.

Norrington sat in his office once again mulling over his journal, wondering on how exactly to describe Miss Skiles' eyes when he heard the clatter and din of someone rapidly approaching his door. A shadow appeared beneath the door and it burst open to reveal the Governor, his gray wig plastered with sweat and his cobalt and gold brocaded coat arranged in a hurried fashion.

Governor Swann, having arrived at Norrington's office, barging in, not bothering to knock, was flushed. The commodore looked genuinely startled and he stood to meet him. If something could make a man such as Swann so flustered as to rush to Fort Charles and arrive in such a state without announcement, it must have been important.

"Tavington has returned," Governor Swann announced, his voice cracking. "What am I supposed to do?"

Norrington swallowed, aghast that Swann would ask him such a question. "What did you tell him?"

"I told him that Elizabeth was in London until the ball and that he was welcome as a guest in my house. He is staying with me, but what should I do? She is already married, and luck would have it, to William Turner. Your threat would have been enough but he knows nothing of Turner's background."

Norrington nodded. "And she knows nothing of Tavington's. I would explain the situation to them as soon as possible. Mr. Turner will grasp it easily. It is Elizabeth we will have to convince, I fear. Perhaps you should hasten to them now."

"I cannot leave the house now or he will know something is amiss," Swann told him. "The only reason I dashed to you is because he is at the docks retrieving his belongings. There is not time. Can you explain it to them?"

"I shall," Norrington agreed. "Tavington is a threat to anyone's life, especially if he thinks they should belong to him."

"Thank you Commodore," Swann added. "I shan't forget this favor."

"It's my pleasure, Governor," Norrington answered, humbly bowing. "Just a favor from one who understands your predicament." He walked the Governor out to his carriage and saw him off. He then saddled his own horse and hastened to the Turner estate. He knocked on the door and entered without pretense. Elizabeth and Will, along with Robin, Lizzy, Nick, and David, sat at the dinner table. They looked at him with wide eyes, taking in his attire, which was soaked to the bone. It was raining outside. He nodded quickly and began to speak.

"Draw the curtains and don't answer the door unless you know who it is. I have a message from your father, Miss Sw— Excuse me, Mrs. Turner."

"What is it, Commodore?" she asked, ignoring the slip. Will motioned for him to be seated. He sat next to Robin who unceremoniously scooted closer to Lizzy.

"Do you remember a man named Darren Tavington?"

"Yes," she answered. "He was very polite to me but he abruptly disappeared some years ago."

"Very polite indeed," Norrington growled. "That man is anything but polite. He is a, excuse me for saying so in front of the women, a sexual sadist." He allowed for the various gasps, giggles, and comments from the women. "He meant to court you once you grew of age and your father sent him away, hoping by the time he returned, you would be safely married. He has returned."

"And she is safely married," Will interjected. Norrington nodded.

"I meant not to step on any toes, Mr. Turner. I will expatiate. Your father had intended for you to marry me, and in the event of Tavington's return, he would feel safe knowing that my reputation would likely keep him at bay. Neither Governor Swann nor I have any hard judgments against you, Mr. Turner but Tavington does not know your reputation. He may see fit to take Elizabeth from you by force."

"Then I shall cut him down," Will vowed. "He is only a man after all."

"I'm afraid he won't wait for you to take him down, Mr. Turner," Norrington told him. "He will strike when none but she are present. I have come here to tell you that Elizabeth must stay in hiding until the ball. Tavington at present believes you to be on vacation in London and we intend to keep it that way for your protection."

Elizabeth looked incredulous. "This is ridiculous! Hiding from a man when I'm already married. How ludicrous! I won't do it. Tell him I won't, Will."

Will glanced nervously from his wife to Norrington. "I'm sorry, dear but the Commodore is right. You mustn't show yourself." Her mouth opened in shock.

"You mean you're taking his side?"

"I'm sorry." Will looked sheepish but his stand was firm.

She turned her head and refused to look at him. Will hung his head but didn't go back on his words.

Norrington nodded. "I should be getting back now. I was only concerned for your safety."

"No, no," Elizabeth told him, her hostess instincts taking over. "Do stay for dinner. One more won't hurt. Sit down, Commodore." She sent for another dish and soon the table held seven instead of six.

The conversation strayed back and forth but always came back to the same subject; the upcoming ball.

"Have you asked anyone yet, Commodore?" Elizabeth asked. He blushed slightly and shook his head.

"Not yet, Mrs. Turner," he answered, becoming slightly embarrassed. "I haven't even thought of it to tell you the truth. I've had ... other things on my hands."

"Like Jack's execution," Lizzy snapped, her words holding a fire reserved for only the worst of her enemies. He regarded her with a solemn eye.

"I believe the Sparrow case with eventually disappear," he answered carefully. "They have been on the run and we can't seem to locate them. There aren't even any rumors." He didn't tell them that he had bounty hunters across the world out looking for Jack Sparrow and his companion.

Nick cleared his throat. Until that time he'd been silent, eating his meal with his eyes turned down, his unruly hair swaying as he cut his meat. "Do you have any idea where they might be?"

Norrington shook his head. "I believe that they are still here, right under our noses, but you aren't harboring them or we'd have caught it by now. My other thought is that they might be in China."

"China?" Robin asked. "Where'd you get that idea?" Until that moment, he hadn't noticed her but he turned to her with a pleasant smile on his face.

"There was an intruder at the execution that ended up cutting Sparrow's line. They were shouting in a foreign language that sounded orient. I've only heard Mandarin once but that sure sounded like it to me."

"Ni hao ma," Lizzy said absently.

"What?"

"Never mind."

They talked for a little longer and the Commodore stood to leave. He bowed graciously and exited the house, mounting his horse and riding back off to the fort.

McLean pulled into the harbor later that night and he had a hell of a time docking what with the storm moving in. He just had time to get Claudia to shore.

"Where should we be taking you, Missy?" she asked her.

"Take me ... to Will's house. Will Turner."

"Of course," he flagged down a carriage and lifted her into it, telling the driver to take her to the Turner estate. He paid the man and watched the horse drive off into the rain. He returned to his ship and moored her safely for the night.

They heard the knock at about nine thirty and Elizabeth looked a tad frightened. Will went down with the butler to answer the door.

"Who's there?" he asked through the door.

"Jus' an ole' ferry boy, sir," a youngish voice answered through the door. "Oi've got a young Miss who said she be livin' 'ere. She be in a bad way. You'd better let her in."

The butler nodded to Will. "I know the boy. It's safe." Will wrenched opened the door and became bewildered as a drenched and shivering Claudia was thrust into his arms. The boy left abruptly and the door was closed. Will carried her up to the room Ryoko had first occupied and called the servants.

"She's cold and sick and needs to be taken care of," he instructed. "See to it that she is." he shut the door and went to inform Elizabeth of the events.

"I wonder where she's been?" she told him. "And where is the other girl, Diana? What might have happened to them?"

"I'm not going to bother her with questions yet," Will answered, planting a small kiss on her forehead. "She's had a rough few days, you can tell. I'll talk to her in the morning."

He snuggled down in the bed and Elizabeth lay against him, falling asleep quickly, protected in the circle of his arms.

Belle Watling stalked around The Poison Dragon, giving harsh glares to any man who tried to touch her. Her red hair and tall frame puzzled the men and whispers were going around the ranks, portraying her as an angel. She'd even received an offering from one man but Lord knew she didn't know what to do with a basket of seaweed sliced thin enough to eat. She didn't even know what it was that he'd given her.

She longed to be on the other ship for one reason only. She would never tell that reason unless the other person wished to indulge but she was happy when the two ships drew up broadside and stopped, allowing for her to cross the gangplank to the other side. Barbossa gave her a nod and crossed to the Dragon to try to speak with Mei Lin, which was expected to take awhile.

She began searching the ship, which was difficult at night. She never saw them during the day and she wondered why. Looking around a corner, she felt firm hands on her shoulders and she turned to find the one she'd been looking for.

"Barton," she whispered as he pulled her into a cargo hold and shut the door.

"Dammit, Barton," she cursed. "I can't see a thing! What kind of a trick is this when I came to see you?"

"I thought you were through with me?"

"Yeah, well, time changes things. Where are you?"

"Right here," he whispered in her ear. She smiled in the dark and turned to him, searching with her hands. She felt his hands on her shoulders suddenly and he pushed her against a wall, leaning his tall body into her. There lips met in a rush of passion and she felt different somehow. She couldn't tell what had changed and signed it over to being gone from him for so long.

"I've missed you," she whispered into his mouth. He grinned.

"I'm surprised you didn't let on in front of Barbossa," he answered. "My little actress with the fire red hair."

"Oh, you do talk pretty," she whispered, kissing him again, her heart pounding as she felt his hands caress her back and move lower. They stopped at her butt and moved back up; going under the loose blouse she wore to run across the skin of her back. His hands were colder than she remembered and she shuddered when he ran them over the front of her, parts of her anatomy suddenly coming to attention. As she was thinking this, she realized parts of his anatomy were at attention as well. She could feel him through her pants. He grabbed her butt and forced her against the front of him while he pushed his tongue into her mouth. She wrapped her legs around his waist and returned the kiss, discovering the difference she had felt before. He had fangs and that got her attention faster than anything. She let him go and pushed him away.

"What are you?" she asked the darkness.

"Nothing you couldn't be," he growled, his voice gone deeper and truly masculine with the situation.

"Nothing I'd want to be," she whispered in fear. "What's happened to you, Barton? You've become a demon."

"And you, a demoness," he told her a second before he slammed her against the wall. She tried to scream but he sealed her mouth with his, ripping her shirt open. He moved to her neck and bit down, stealing her mind and preventing her from screaming.

And he gave the bounty hunter a weapon against Jack Sparrow that would be a bitch to counter.

Jack walked down the street in the afternoon light, enjoying the feeling of security that he'd had since visiting Rosette the night before. He actually waved to some of the people he knew instead of ignoring them.

He entered the inn and smiled at the Frenchman, causing the man to give him a wary look. He hurried up the stairs, going two at a time. He had a girl to convince and a mother to please and later on, a ship to catch.

He was actually whistling "A Pirates Life For Me" as he cleared the stairs and turned in the hallway. He paused and blinked several times. Surely, it wasn't Abuta's body he saw sprawled out on the floor. He rubbed his eyes just to make sure and noticed something else. A pair of legs, definitely not Abuta's, draped in the white of a dressing gown, lying beside the very still body of the man. Jack ran to the scene.

Sure enough, it was Abuta, lying on his back, his great black eyes staring at nothing, his chest and stomach carved out, a cutlass protruding from his body at an askew angle. He felt for a pulse and, once sure the man was dead, he turned to the other body.

Ryoko lay, pale and unconscious, blood and bruises decorating her throat, a shallow cut across her face where he must have hit her, the outside of the cut turning purple. He picked her up gingerly and laid her on the bed, pulling Abuta's body in. he threw a towel over the drying blood outside and hoped no one would walk by for a while.

"Stupid bastard," he growled, his anger filling him slowly. He kicked the body. "You're lucky she killed you or you'd have me to answer to." He turned to Ryoko who looked very fragile against the sheets. He went downstairs and asked for water, pantomiming until the man understood and got him a pail. Once back in the room, he cleaned her face and neck, relieved that the blood on her was mostly Abuta's. He looked down at her gown and sighed. She was covered in blood and he'd have to get around to doing it anyway. It was better to clean her while she was out. He moved to untie the strings at her bosom and sighed in relief when she opened her eyes.

Seeing Jack, the fear that had been on her face faded. "Is he dead?"

He smiled. "You got him. Good thing, too. Can you sit up?"

She tried and groaned. "Maybe not."

He put a hand at her back and helped her. She groaned and felt her temples. "My head hurts."

"He hit you pretty hard," Jack answered. He trailed fingers lightly down her face, tracing the bruise. "That could have knocked you out."

"It almost did," she admitted. She looked down at herself. "I don't remember getting hurt this badly."

"I don't think that's your blood," Jack told her. "It's going to have to come off. I won't look, I promise."

She glanced at his face and nodded, believing him. He helped her stand as she shimmied out of the ruined gown. He noticed that she had still kept her old undergarments but ignored everything but what he was dabbing. She took the cloth from him and began to clean the blood herself.

"I'm not a complete invalid," she said lightly, which made him think of his mother. When she was cleaned up, she touched his arm. He turned to her in confusion.

"Thanks for being nice when I needed it," she told him. "Will you lace me up?"

"Are you sure you'll be all right? You just took quite a beating,"

"I'll be fine," she assured him stubbornly. She looked a little sad. "I've been through worse."

He took her at her word and began to lace her up. He'd been through worse as well. She put on the gray dress and he realized why when she turned to him. It hid her neck where most of the bruises were. There was still the one on her face, but in this era, it would hardly be questioned.

He began to speak but the way she was taking the attack, as if it were no big deal, stopped him.

"What?" she asked. "You look like you're going to say something. Where did you go this morning?"

"My mother's," he answered truthfully. "And I've got a favor to ask."

She nodded and sat beside him on the still unmade bed.

He looked at her and dove right in. "Rosette went to my mother's house last night and told her about me. I hadn't intended to visit but she knew I was here and I couldn't exactly leave without seeing her. She's in bad shape, bedridden, but she still talks like she's young. Anyways, Rosette told her ... what I told Rosette yesterday."

"About me?" Ryoko asked understandingly. Jack nodded and continued.

"She wants to see you," he told her. "Today. I let her believe what she would because, well, who knows when the next time I'll see her will be. I'd rather her die believing me to be well off and somewhat settled than worrying about her son who has no one to care for him." He waited for her to tell him he was nuts and to find someone else.

She touched his arm and he looked at her, expecting to find anger in her eyes. What he saw there was understanding. "I'll help you, Jack," she told him seriously. She stood, pulling him with her. "Don't worry. She won't suspect a thing."

Jack smiled as she moved about the room, tying her hair up and putting a hat over it. She removed a small box and mirror from the trunk and set about to hiding the bruise on her face and touching up her eyes and lips.

When she was finished, she allowed Jack to escort her from the room on his arm, both of them stepping over the dead man into the hall.

They walked down the road together, playing their roles comfortably. As they passed Bourbon Street, Jack couldn't help but laugh as he saw some of the women whispering behind motley fans and pointing at them.

The little house over crawling with vines looked just as he'd left it and Ryoko smiled as she touched one of the roses.

He entered the house just like last time except it was Ryoko and not he who paused to touch and look at things. He grinned when his mother's large cat pounced to sit on the basket she was looking at.

The fat cat with his thick grey coat stared at her, his yellow eyes like two full raindrops, glistening in the summer light. Jack expected the cat to swat at her like he did to him whenever he got too close but she reached out and scratched the feline behind the ears without interruption. The beast even began to purr, a deep rumbling sound that made the basket vibrate.

"Jack?" a voice called from deep in the house. "Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me," he shouted. Ryoko laughed and he gave her a look. Pulling her away from the cat, he winked. 'We're on,' were the unsaid words. He offered a hand and she took it, allowing him to pull her down the hall.

They entered the room, which had been lit by the woman that came to visit every day. Jack squeezed her hand and cleared his throat.

His mother was trying not to smile. "You look so embarrassed, Jack. Are you embarrassed of your mother?"

"No, no," he assured her. "Of course not." Ryoko laughed again and he looked at her.

"Do you find me funny," he asked, taunting a bit.

"No, it's just seems cute," she smiled at him. "She's the only woman who can make you that nervous."

"Oh, she knows you," Old Woman Sparrow barked. "I supposed she'd have to know, being your wife. Come on, Jack, introduce us! Have I taught you nothing, boy?"

Ryoko laughed outright and Jack shook his head. "Don't be taking sides, now. This is my mother, obviously. And this is Scarlette Sparrow, my wife."

Ryoko was left thinking how he acted so well and wished she could touch that skill. She was good, but he was something of a master at it.

"She's pretty," the old woman said shortly. "How'd a rapscallion like you get that lucky?"

Jack shrugged and smiled, pulling her to his side and putting an arm around her waist.

"Jack, will you do your mother a favor," Old Woman Sparrow asked. "Go to the market and pick me up some strawberries. Mine have all gone and I need some for my breakfast tomorrow. Scarlette can stay here while you go." Jack gave her a suspicious look.

"What are you planning, mother," he asked her.

"Nothing," she said in fake innocence. "Is it against the law to want strawberries? Would you deny me the fruit of my choice?" Ryoko laughed shortly and Jack sighed. He left the room promising to return with a shipload of strawberries if she wanted them.

"Now then," she said when she heard the door close in the front. "I need to know how well you know my son. Do you know what The Black Pearl is?"

"It's his ship, of course," Ryoko answered, a little confused.

"Oh, good. You know who he is then and what he is," the woman sighed in relief. "How did you meet him?"

Ryoko decided to elaborate on the story Jack had been giving Rosette. "Jail. I was visiting my brother and found the keys. They were in the same cell so I let them both out. I just seemed to be running into him a lot after that. He stopped some robbers from getting me one night and asked if I'd like to go with him on his ship and I did." Ryoko said all this without flinching. Improvisation was one of her favorite things when it came to stories.

The woman seemed to be pleased with that. "Good. I'd thought he'd kidnapped you. He always joked that that's how he'd get a woman. Used to say that he missed the good days when all you had to do was club a woman and drag her home." She laughed and Ryoko did as well. She could just imagine Jack saying such a thing. She also thought that kidnapping wasn't too far from what he'd done to her.

"Promise me something," the woman said, the mood changing suddenly.

"Yes?" Ryoko said, allowing the woman to grip one of her hands.

"If you feel something isn't right," she began. "Don't let him go. I can see something in you and my instincts say you won't let him go if the air don't smell right. If you dread it, tell him. If he insists, tell him I told you not to let him go and maybe he listen."

Ryoko nodded. The woman pointed to something. "That box, see it? Bring it here for me, please." Ryoko complied and the woman sat up in bed, opened the box and began looking through it.

"No, not that one. Nope, wrong one again. Dang it, where is that piece? Ah ha!" she smiled and pulled out a necklace. It was a thick gold chain that was pulled taught by the heavy ornament that dangled from it. Set in a gold rim plate sat a large emerald that must have been worth a load of money. The emerald was dark, letting anyone know that it was a good quality stone.

"Here," the woman said, pushing the pendant into Ryoko's hands. "This is for you."

"Oh, no way," Ryoko answered, declining. "I couldn't accept that. It's yours, not mine. It's too beautiful." 'Plus, I don't deserve it,' she added silently. She was not really Jack's wife and she didn't want to take something that valuable on the pretense that she was.

"Oh, come off it," the woman insisted. "I bought it especially for Jack's wife and I mean to force it on you whether you accept it or not. You can either put it on yourself or force this old woman out of bed to do it for you."

Since Ryoko doubted the woman's stability, she meekly unclasped the emerald and fastened it around her neck. The grey cloth of the dress wasn't very flattering but the gem sparkled nonetheless. Beneath the cloth was the ring with the skull on it, the red eyes hidden from view.

Jack returned a few minutes later to find Ryoko and his mother chatting. He stowed the strawberries in the pantry, careful to seal the box from pests. He entered the room and smiled.

"My name is Elise," she told Ryoko as she stood. "Don't forget to write. Jack has the address, though you wouldn't know it from all the correspondence I get from him." The grey cat jumped onto the bed and rubbed against Ryoko's arm.

"He likes you," Elise Sparrow noticed. "He doesn't like many people, not even Jack. Cats always know things. Maybe he thinks you need love."

"Animals seem to like me," Scarlette answered.

"I hope you weren't including me in that statement," Jack cracked, watching the cat nuzzle her palm aggressively. "We should be leaving."

Ryoko bent to hug the old woman, kissing her cheek. She'd grown close to her in a short time, as if she were her own grandmother, rather than mother. Elise in truth was not that old but the times were different. Jack said goodbye as well and they left the house.

"Wonderful performance," Jack told her once they had entered the inn. "Is that an emerald?"

"You should take it," Ryoko told him, reaching to undo the clasp. "It's meant for your wife and that, I am not."

"Keep it for now," he told her. "It matches your eyes. Get this man to find us some helpers to get the trunk down to the dock while I hide old Abuta."

And so, Ryoko went back into her French mode and arranged not only for two men to help with the trunk, but a carriage as well. Soon, she and Jack were on their way to the ship and they hopefully would have a sane captain.

Claudia opened her eyes to a room she'd never seen before in a bed she didn't recognize. Unlike Ryoko, she woke alone. She sat up in bed and stretched out her arms and legs, her dressing gown moving up slightly as she reached for the sky. Dressing gown? She looked down at herself and noticed that she had been clean, dried, and dressed. She looked out the window and recognized Port Royal.

"I made it," she whispered. She swung down from the bed and threw a robe on over the gown. Running fingers hastily through her hair and tying it back with a ribbon, she was satisfied with her appearance enough to open the door and walk downstairs.

She met no one on the third floor even though she knew Will and Elizabeth's room was on that floor. The second floor was different, however. Angelique had just come from one of the other rooms and spotted her.

«Oh, Mademoiselle! » she exclaimed, surprising Claudia. « Qu'est-ce que tu fais? Pas de bêtise. Tu dois reste dans la lit ! »

"Wait, wait, I know this," Claudia put her hands out and her face became thoughtful. "What am I doing? No ... beasts? No, that doesn't make sense. No silly things! Ah, now I remember. I should stay in bed. No, I'm fine really, Angelique. Je ne suis pas malade!"

Angelique however did not believe Claudia's words (I am not sick) and tried to take her back to her room when Lizzy and Robin poked their heads out of the room Angelique had just come from.

"Claudia!" they exclaimed, rushing out and hugging her. Angelique clicked her tongue but smiled and left them to talk. They pulled Claudia into their room.

"Where have you been?" Robin asked.

"Diana and I were on the Pearl," Claudia told her. "When we went to tell them to leave, Anamaria invited us along."

"The Pearl's here?" Lizzy squealed.

"No, no," Claudia assured them. "About halfway through the trip, we sailed through a storm. Diana had been sick practically the whole time and I was taking care of her because everyone else was so busy. I didn't get much sleep and I think I caught something bad. I don't really remember much except that I ended up on another ship. I think Anamaria threatened the captain to take me back or else. Last night, he put me in a carriage and sent me here."

"Do you remember anything else?"

"Not really," Claudia answered. "I remember this one guy that always seemed to be there when I woke. He took care of me and I guess he did a good job 'cause I feel great!" She coughed and the girls laughed.

"Damn," Claudia said. "I wish they had Robitussin here."

A knock on the door made the girls turn to find Will. He smiled cutely. "How are you feeling Miss Gonzales?"

"Just peachy," she answered smiling at him. He nodded.

"Will you feel well enough to attend the ball in two weeks?"

"A ball!" Claudia gasped. "Cool! Of course I will, Will!"

He laughed. "I'll send Angelique." He disappeared from the doorway.

"So, how did it go with the execution and all," Claudia asked.

Lizzy started laughing and Robin looked at the giggling girl, trying not to laugh herself.

"I guess I'd better tell you since Lizzy won't be able to talk for another ten minutes," Robin said.

"I take it they got away, judging by your reactions," Claudia assessed. Robin nodded.

"Yeah, they got away, thanks to some Chinese freak who started flying around the square and screaming," Robin told her. "Was that part of the plan?"

"I don't think so," Lizzy answered. "I think it was that Mei Lin chick that Jack talked about. She wanted to kill him and I think only timing saved him."

"Saved by the gallows," Robin added. "That's ironic.'

"Tell me what happened!" Claudia exclaimed. "You forget, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Well, Jack and Ryoko were in jail and Norrington went in and talked to them, telling them that Will is going to be held the next day so he can't interfere, but we made a plan anyways with the help of Murtogg. You know him, the guy who was at the restricted dock in the movie? Yeah, well, Jack was supposed to go first and they had just put the noose around his neck when Murtogg cut Ryoko's ropes. As soon as this happened, somebody screamed and started yelling in Chinese! I thought it was Ryoko until I saw the person in black flying around the parapets. She threw a big ass knife that was flying right at Jack's neck. Now, just as the knife was about to get him for good, the executioner opened the trap door. The knife cut the rope and Jack fell to the ground. Ryoko grabbed the knife and followed him, cutting him loose." Robin stopped and looked at Lizzy. The laughing girl continued.

"Well, Robin, David, and I were holding the gates open and we had a horse, so they jumped on the horse and ride off to David's house."

"Wait a minute," Claudia interrupted. "Who's David?"

"It's DJ's past identical look alike," Robin answered with slight humor. Lizzy glared at her.

"Okay, never mind," Claudia added. "What happened?"

"They got to David's house and changed into their disguises and ran off and catch a ship set for New Orleans," Robin concluded. "That's where they're supposed to be right now. Norrington thinks they're in China because of Mei Lin."

"The funniest thing," Lizzy added. "Is Ryoko's got another name. Remember the Mrs. Gallegos fiasco?" (In their middle school years, Ryoko had been teased by being called by a boy's last name, Gallegos. Throughout her years, the students just picked different names to call her.) Claudia nodded, laughing.

"That was sort of my fault," Claudia admitted.

"Yeah, and so were the pregnant rumors," Robin shot. (More fun against Ryoko. It had been rumored that she was pregnant at one point in time, which was impossible, seeing as she was a virgin.)

"Well, it wasn't either of us this time," Lizzy told Claudia. "Norrington's started this one. The name for her on the notice board for execution was Scarlette Sparrow, the accomplice and more to Jack Sparrow."

Claudia's mouth dropped open in shock. She started laughing so hard she couldn't breathe save for the choking gasps that issued from her shocked face.

"Lucky her!" she finally gasped. "I think Diana's the only one of us that went back in time that wasn't infatuated with him! Oh, and Nick of course."

"She didn't look too happy about it," Robin answered. "Or maybe it was her impending death that had her looking so angry. Anyways, we've had women by the dozen stopping us in the streets, mostly 'hoes. They're all asking about Jack and Ryoko."

"What's gonna happen when Anamaria hears?" Claudia asked. "Not that it's likely she will. She's at Isla de Muerta, or Isle De Morta. I can't tell if that's French or Spanish."

"Spanish," Lizzy told her. "French would be, Isle de la Morte. The Island of Death."

"Anyways, the only way she'll find anything out is from Jack and he'll make it clear that Ryo isn't his ... accomplice and more."

"Not if he wants to annoy Ryoko," Robin muttered. "Those two fight worse than my brother and I do."

Angelique entered finally and began fitting Claudia for another dress. She asked what color she'd like and gave her a selection, all in French of course. Lizzy had chosen lavender with dark purple embroidery, Robin taking a royal blue. Claudia was left with a sea green, a pale yellow, another pinkish fuscia color, or an unappealing brown. She chose the sea green one and Angelique began the measurements.

"How are we going to find dates?" Claudia asked as Angelique pinned up the hems. "We don't know anyone."

"Lizzy's already got a date," Robin snorted. "David asked her. I think he's really DJ but in a past life. It makes sense." Lizzy blushed. "No one is going to ask me," Robin stated. "I don't have that kind of luck." The bell rang below and they heard footsteps.

"It might be that guy they were talking about last night," Lizzy squealed. "Tavington! Poor Elizabeth. I hope he doesn't figure it out."

"Who?" Claudia asked, turning so Angelique could reach the other side of her wide skirt.

"Some guy who wants Elizabeth. He's a sadist," Lizzy remarked skeptically. Everyone turned to the door where another servant had entered.

"Miss Skiles, you have a visitor," the woman told her meekly. Robin stood curiously and left the room.

"I wonder who it is," Lizzy giggled. She looked out the window, opening the shutters and poking her head out. "Ack! It's still raining. All I can see is a horse tethered to the rail. Whoever it is, they're in the house already. I'm gonna go see."

"No, ma'am," the servant girl told her. "Miss Skiles' visitor asked not to be disturbed."

"Why not!" Lizzy exclaimed. "She's one of my best friends. She'll tell me anyway."

The servant was very adamant about it however and Lizzy sat down next to Claudia, rather dejectedly.

Robin entered the library where the girl had told her the visitor was waiting. She closed the door behind her upon entering and was immediately overtaken by the size of the room. There were so many books on the shelves she hardly knew where to start looking. She would have forgotten her reason for coming there had her visitor not cleared his throat behind her. She turned to find an unlikely sight.

"Good-day, Miss Skiles. Are you well?" he greeted her.

"I'm as well as I can get," she told him a bit sarcastically. "And if you look outside, it's obviously not a good day."

He laughed, his voice very sophisticated. "You are very frank, Miss Skiles. It is a quality not found in many women."

Robin knew where the conversation was going and meant to deter this man. I bet some of you can guess who he is. "Ry— Scarlette is just as frank as I, if not more so. Do you admire her as well?"

"There is a difference between a gentile woman, such as yourself, and a woman of her sort, a pirate and worse," he stood from his seat and sauntered over to her. "You lack a certain coarseness that is hers alone."

Robin shook her head. "You have condemned my friends to death, Commodore. Your flattery is wasted on deaf ears."

"I could pardon them," he began. Her attention was drawn to the man before her.

"I hear a "but" coming," she presumed.

"But I cannot recall the contracts on them," He finished. "There are several hunters after them. In fact, I need to be stimulated even to pardon them."

Robin sighed. "What do you want that I'm willing to give up?"

He smiled at her. "Would you accompany me to the ball in two weeks, Miss Skiles? It would be an honor if you would accept and being seen with me would boost your social image."

"My, aren't we modest," she snorted. "I don't care much about my social image, but you will pardon them if I say yes?"

"Of course," he nodded.

She shrugged. "Why not. I'll take one for the team. It's not like anyone else is going to ask me. I accept your offer, Commodore."

He smiled and nodded, taking one of her hands and kissing her knuckles. "Thank you most graciously, Miss Skiles. Port Royal is now a safe zone for the Sparrows, assuming they don't do anything else worth condemning them."

"Thank you, Commodore," Robin told him, curtsying as best she could given what practice she'd had; none.

"I cannot stay," he told her. "I shall leave you now. Until we meet again, Miss Skiles, adieu." He bowed and left the library, entering the storm to return to wherever he came from.

Robin trudged up the stairs, carrying an invisible burden. She entered the room and sighed. She really didn't want anyone to know. She shrugged and slumped to the bed next to Lizzy and Claudia, who up until she had returned had been playing a heated game of 'hot hands'.

"Who was it?" Claudia asked with her normal amount of subtlety … none.

"No one too important … at least not if you ask me," Robin sighed in annoyance. "But I have some good news, and you'll thank me … eventually. Jack and Ryoko are welcome to return to Port Royal. It's a safe zone now. And I have a date for the ball."

Naturally, this brought a flurry of squeals from the two girls and Robin spent the remainder of the day thwarting their attempts at discovering the identity of her visitor.

Belle Watling opened her eyes and saw the world as she'd never seen it before. The grains in the wood above her head were very distinct though they were several feet away and she could almost see the dust particles in the air. She took a deep breath and could smell everything within the room. She knew that the candle had burnt out a few hours earlier, she knew there was sand on the floor near the corner and she knew there was a human tied to a chair.

A human, unlike her, she also knew. She understood with a distant knowledge that she wasn't what she had been before and that the frightened boy was food. She rose from the bed and looked straight at him, her black eyes shimmering like obsidian spheres. She looked around with both of her eyes, her eye patch lying on the table, forgotten and unnecessary. Her new blood had restored her sight and she smiled, flashing her wicked teeth. The boy in the chair began to whimper like a child as she stood from the bed.

"Don't hurt me, please," he cried. "I do anything you want. I'll turn pirate, just don't hurt me." She ignored his pleas as if she couldn't understand and straddled his waist, sitting on his lap.

"This is the way to go, boy," she whispered, and struck like lightning. She dug her teeth into his throat, quelling his cries as her mind crushed him. The blood filled her mouth and flowed down her throat, the heat of it filling her body and stealing the cold away. Her cheeks became flushed and her skin not so cold, but the boy in her arms didn't notice this. His flesh became as cold as hers had been a few minutes before and he sat still in death, blood trickling down his neck to make a trail from his collarbone to his stomach.

Well sated, she stood and shook her wild mane of red hair out, watching it fall in riotous curls around her face. It had taken on a luster it hadn't possessed before she had been changed and she growled in pleasure. She opened the door and went in search of her maker.

When he caught sight of her, his eyes glowed brilliantly and they met each other with an embrace. Barbossa raised an eyebrow at this exchange and noticed that she was no longer human.

"So glad we're all one big happy family," he grunted. Belle turned to him and grinned.

"I see what you mean when you say you need to see it to believe it," she said to no one in particular. "This is amazing."

"Awfully accepting, ain't she," Barbossa commented. "Did you tell her the rest?"

"You can't be in the sun," he explained. "Silver will hurt you, as will decapitation. You must feed upon the living to sustain yourself but it doesn't have to be human."

"Our boy Barton here feeds on rodents," Barbossa joked.

"Only not to draw attention," Barton argued. "If too many humans disappear, they'll be likely to mutiny."

"Oh, we can stop them," she purred, running a hand down his chest. Barbossa turned away to give them a bit of privacy. Truth was, he was jealous. No woman had willingly given him any attention in a very long time and the only other woman in the vicinity was Mei Lin. He'd kill himself before going to her and even if he'd tried, she'd probably have killed him. As he thought about this, a dot on the horizon caught his eye.

A human would have missed it in the dark and they would have sailed past without so much as a thought on the moonless night but Barbossa wasn't human.

"We've got a ship on the horizon," he barked. "Looks like a passenger ship. Estimated one and a half gun decks. Two masts."

He shouted to the Dragon. "Oye, ya bloody heathen wench! There be a ship comin' in. What do ye plan to do?"

Mei Lin came out of her chamber and fixed an eye on him. "Ship be sunk like others. Not live long."

"Aye, that's what I expected," Barbossa growled. "Well, let's go then."

And they readied for an ambush.

Ryoko, with a bag full of food, stole down to the cargo deck. She had made a little friend the day before, a stowaway.

"Eric?" she whispered into the cargo hold. "Eric, are you there?"

"Over here!" the little boy squealed. He was hidden behind a large pile of crates holding provisions. He was a scrawny little boy of about eleven with untidy black hair

and bright blue eyes, his face a mask of dirt and grime. She handed him the bag of goodies and he began to gorge himself.

"Thanks, lady," he said politely. She hadn't told him her name or asked him any questions but had brought him food just because she couldn't bear for him to starve. She hadn't told Jack because she wasn't sure how he'd take the news and she didn't steal food for him. She gave him most of her own share on the excuse that she could lose a few pounds.

As the boy ate hungrily, she looked around the cargo deck. There were chests and bags of passengers on the ship including theirs. She knew there were rats because she could hear them, no matter that there were three cats on board to rid the ship of the vermin. She'd met the cats on her first bored tour of the ship. Now, they almost seemed to seek her out.

Ryoko noticed a few barrels marked with warning signs and realized that they were gunpowder barrels. Even passenger ships carried ammunition.

"Why are you hiding?" she asked the boy. He looked at her with his incredible blue eyes and shrugged.

"I didn't like how the old man was treatin' me so I left. He was a drunk anyway, always comin' home late at night and beatin' on me and my sis. She left last week with a man she'd taken a fancy too. He started in on me even harder." He bit off a chunk of bread and swallowed with a gulp. "I'm goin' off to find pirates. They the only thing that scares my old man enough to get him to leave me alone. What about you, lady? Where are you going?"

"I'm not sure," Ryoko told him. "I'm with a friend. He's got all the plans. I'm just along for the ride. He needs me for something but that's about all that's keeping us together."

"Are you sure about that, luv?" a rilingly familiar voice said. Footsteps were heard on the wet wood and Jack Sparrow himself stepped down smugly into the dank of the hold. He sat with a plunk next to Ryoko and the boy ducked behind the boxes. "I'd like to think we're at least friends."

She laughed. "And would you offer friendship if you didn't need me for whatever?"

He looked at her darkly and she squirmed. He turned to the boy, who was well hidden by that point.

"Come out, son," he drawled. "I already know you're here. I'm not about to turn you in though if they find you I daresay you'll have a time of it." Eric poked his little face out from the cart and returned to sit in front of Ryoko.

"Scarlette, luv," he told Ryoko. "You can't be feedin' the stowaways. If you're discovered, they're liable to hang you in the brig with our little friend here."

"Don't call me that," she told him angrily. "There's no one to fool here. Eric is my friend. He doesn't care who we are."

"He doesn't know who we are," Jack assured her, the boy's eyes growing wider. "And I intend to keep it that way, luv. Can't have anyone knowing unless we're sure of their loyalties."

"I know who you are," Eric whispered. "You're Jack Sparrow!"

"Captain Jack Sparrow," Jack corrected. "And no I'm not." He looked at Ryoko skeptically.

"I didn't say a word about you," she told him. "If he thinks you're Jack, it wasn't me who put that into his head."

"No," the boy said. He rummaged in his dirty clothing and came up with a roll of parchment. He unraveled it and showed it to them.

"I can't read, o' course, but I knew it was you. Your picture's here."

"Jack and Scarlette Sparrow, deadly pirates. Suspected of being in the area," Jack read. "This is recent. It must have been that damn Williams character."

"Look," she pointed. "Where'd they get that picture?"

It was a sketch of Jack, clearly a posed picture, his smirk all too lifelike to not be candid. Jack laughed quietly and sighed. "I did wonder what she did with that picture. Rosette would do anything for money except utterly selling us out. This started as a portrait some years ago. She must have allowed them to copy it off and use it for advertising."

"I didn't get a nifty picture," Ryoko said in mock jealousy.

"Where did you get this, kid?" Jack asked the boy. He backed up a little.

"I took it off the wall on the jail house," he answered. "I got caught pinching somethin' and they took me in. It was jus' this mornin'. My old man came and got me and tried to hit me again but I ran off and got on this here boat to get away."

"We weren't here hardly a day and they're already onto us," Jack scoffed. "Won't be long before the road ends."

"You're making me nervous," Ryoko told him in a small voice.

"Don't give up, Mr. Sparrow," Eric said in his squeaky little voice. "You're the bestest pirate ever. No one'll ever catch you."

"Keep your voice down, kid," Jack whispered. There were men talking above.

"No doubt about it. That's a privateer flying English flags. We're about to be impressed."

"What about the Chinaman? Where does that fit in?"

"Hell if I know, mate. All I know is they're both gonna broad us and then we're doomed! Damn heathen or the British government. Both gonna be bad if you ask me."

"Not like they'll give us a choice," the second voice muttered.

Jack and Ryoko grew very still as the words from the two men sunk in. A privateer and Chinese flagship were near. That could only mean one thing.

"Follow me and quickly. Don't dawdle. Kid, help me with that trunk," Jack took the lead, he and Eric easily carrying the trunk. Jack rushed down the stairs until he hit the brig. He shut the door behind him and knocked out the bilge pump, leaving a nice round hole big enough for a man to climb through.

"Stay here and don't let anyone know you're down here," he instructed Ryoko. He pulled out a dagger. "Jam this into the trap once I'm out. I know what I'm doing so you'll just have to trust me. This should keep them at bay if they get this far. Take this and shoot anyone who tries to stop you." He handed her the dagger and his pistol and began to hoist himself out of the bilge. The trap closed and Ryoko yelled.

"No, Jack! Stop!" she cried. Fear was running through her body and the woman's words echoed. The air didn't feel right to her and she wasn't supposed to let him go. "Don't go!"

"I've got to. There's no other way," he told her through the cross bars of the trap door.

"I can't let you go! Your mother said not to let you go if it didn't feel right," she exclaimed. He paused and looked down at her.

"So that's what you were talking about."

"Yes! Don't leave, Jack. It's not worth it."

"Give me the dagger," he told her. She passed it through the spaces in the door and he jammed it in the outside.

"No, Jack! What are you doing?"

"Don't worry 'bout me, luv," he grinned through the mesh. "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." He disappeared up the stairwell.

"What's he doing?" Eric asked, clutching her skirts.

"I don't know," she answered. "But I hope he's right. We're about to be attacked by pirates from both sides, kid. Stick to me. I won't leave you."

"You promise?" he asked, looking up at her. He'd been left by many an adult.

"I promise," she answered, and she meant it.

"Are you a pirate too?"

She looked down into his small face and thought. "I guess I am now." His little grin made her heart sing.

Jack raced to the top deck, ignoring orders from frantic crewmen and screaming passengers. He knew what he had to do and he'd do it without moral qualms. His priority was getting himself and Ryoko out of sight before Barbossa and Mei Lin took the ship. Racing to the aft side, he found what he was looking for. A rowboat all nicely moored. There were several other boats along the deck and one wouldn't be missed. He unfettered the lines and lowered the boat to the water on the Dragon side of the attack. Barbossa's eyes would be too good in the night and Jack understood that.

The gangplanks were in position and Jack realized that the crew was not going to fight. "Cowards the lot of them," he breathed and froze when he met the eyes of his old first mate. Barbossa stood before him and smiled.

"Well, Jack," he said slowly, his voice still gravely. "It seems you've come to the end of your line."

Jack gave him a sarcastic smile. "Oh, I don't know about that." He held the rope behind him and would make way once Barbossa had been distracted. He felt for his pistol and mentally cursed when he realized Ryoko had it.

Barbossa stepped closer, a confident sway to his walk, certain he'd caught his prey this time. A scream brought both the men's attention elsewhere. Jack's first thought was Ryoko but he banished it from his mind. He'd never heard her scream before. Mei Lin came flying from the rigging, pushing Barbossa out of the way. She pulled a stick from her hair and flung it at Jack. The ivory pin buried itself in his arm and he faltered a step, backing up. He tripped over the railing and fell over the edge of the ship to land a few feet from the rowboat. He noticed Ryoko and the boy already in it.

He opened his eyes under water and saw a sight to make any man scream. In tossing the bodies from the ship, Barbossa and Belle had attracted a school of sharks, and Jack was bleeding into the water.

Hearing the slight slapping sound of the water, Ryoko looked out the bilge hole and saw the rowboat. She didn't hesitate but boosted Eric up to the sill so the boy could climb in first. She was about to follow but saw the trunk. Jack had brought it down for a reason and she'd hate him to risk his life and leave it. She dragged it over and shoved it through the hole. Eric settled it in the center of the boat and held a line while she climbed into it as well.

A second later, Jack hit the water with a splash. She shouted and began frantically scanning the surface for him. She handed Eric the pistol and gasped as Jack's head broke the surface. She grabbed him and hauled him over the side, her strength doubled by her fear. Only the quickness with which she pulled him over saved the boat from capsizing. A shot rang and a jet of water flew up next to the boat. Barbossa was leaning over the side and shooting at them.

Eric aimed and shot the pistol, tearing a scream from the vampire captain.

"Row," Jack hissed "Now!" Ryoko seized the oars and rowed, her back and shoulder muscles working like never before. She bit back a scream as she saw the caudal and dorsal fins slicing the sea in search of Jack's blood. She did not notice his wound, nor did Eric. She rowed until the two ships were gone from her sight and her chest and back were one massive cramp. An explosion ripped the night and Ryoko could see how far she'd come. The two ships were miles away, or at least it seemed that way over the water, and she could only contribute her fear to taking her that far.

"Look!" Eric screamed, pointing into the air. Debris, some of it on fire, rained down on them, splashing in the water all around. A smoldering bit of wood cracked Eric on the head and bounced onto Ryoko, catching her sleeve on fire. She quickly doused her arm by sticking it in the ocean.

"Are you all right?" she asked Eric, but he had been knocked out by the debris. After the rain of wood ceased, Ryoko let go the oars and listened. There were far away shouts and the floating pyre that had been the two masted ship seemed to blaze with a ferocity reserved for old hatred. The two dark shapes that must have been the Dragon and the privateer were growing smaller and fainter as they traveled away from the blazing ship back towards New Orleans.

Ryoko shivered in the night and looked at the two in her boat. Eric had a small blistered gash above his left eye that bled a little but had been partially cauterized in the initial blow. Jack was either unconscious or asleep and Ryoko suddenly realized how wiped out she was. She laid down in the boat and fell asleep, exhausted.

Anamaria woke in the night, a cold sweat covering her body. She'd dreamt that Jack was in danger and needed help. She shivered in her bunk, listening to the snoring and bodily functions going on around her. Being the only woman in the crew, she had to sleep amongst some of the foulest characters known to man, or woman.

She slipped on her boots and jacket and went up to relieve the man above of his watch. She wouldn't have been able to sleep after that dream anyways. The man above was happy to get the rest of the night off and went below without argue. Anamaria glanced at the dark caves and wondered what had ever possessed Jack to find them. Their dark mouths looked colder than the distant moon and the chilling sounds the wind made navigating their openings almost sounded like voices calling from beyond the grave.

A sniffling sound alerted Anamaria that someone else was abroad. She looked to her left and saw Diana perched over the sea beneath the shadow of the main mast, her tears falling like rain into the ocean. Anamaria walked over to her and placed a hand on the girl's back. "What's wrong, honey? It'll be all right."

"No, it won't," Diana sobbed. "You could never know. It's the most horrible nightmare ever come true."

"I just had one of my own," the pirate told her. "It was about someone ... someone I care about."

Diana sniffed and looked up into the moonless sky. "That makes me feel a bit selfish but mine is worse than death. It … it's like … oh if only I had the words to describe my feelings!"

"Oh, honey, dreams fade with the sun," Anamaria soothed. "Darkness isn't permanent and neither are nightmares."

"That's true," Diana nodded. "But not all light is good either."

Anamaria didn't know what to say to that so she just rubbed the girl's back and stood with her until dawn where Diana's olive skin glowed with the coming day.

Anamaria was not the only one who had a dream. Nick Maxwell turned in his bed, his tall frame hardly fitting in the guest room's furnishings. His mind was whirling with dread and fear, something not very usual to him.

As much as he was put down by his sister, Nick wasn't one to run from much. He had often killed spiders when she was too squeamish to come near. He had faced the dark when they were little where as she pretended it away. Neither of the Maxwells were cowards. They both had their strengths and weaknesses and both managed to ignore that the other had qualities they lacked. Ryoko, who tried to keep her emotions non existent, hated that her brother could pull off stoicism without breaking a sweat and Nick, who criticized her for dressing in her unique style, dubbing her 'poser', wished that he had her courage to be different. Deep down, they respected each other but neither would admit it.

Nick woke to the still darkness of his room and knew that something was amiss. He had always scorned Ryoko for claiming she could sense things but when the feeling came, he didn't doubt it. He stepped out of his room quietly and sought the large clock. It was well past midnight and the rain had stopped. He glanced out the window on a dark, moonless night and shivered, not so much from fear or cold but from dread.

He opened the closet and took out the broadsword he'd been working on. It was a medieval weapon that had been rusted and discarded by Mr. Brown, Will's old master. Nick had salvaged it, recognizing it for what it was and with a little help from Will, made it shine again. He would take it out occasionally and rub it down, cleaning the already spotless blade and holding the hilt in his calloused hand. It was a heavy sword, built for knights in armor, not pirates or naval officers. The engraving on the hilt, marred by aged and time was in Latin but Nick knew not what it said.

He swiped the sword around, already used to the different balance of weight. It made his mind easy to practice with the sword as if he were letting off steam. He knew not where the dread came from and certainly didn't think his sister had anything to do with it. She was not of his concern and he could care less what she did, as long as she left him alone. If one were to tell him that her life was in danger, he would disregard it with a shrug. In their time, the 21st century, it was hard to believe such a thing and his mind was still accustomed to that era.

The upcoming ball meant nothing to him either. He would certainly attend, but he was not ready to commit himself to being a gentleman of the 18th century. He would not willingly ask a lady to dance a waltz with him or chat gaily about politics or music. Oh, it was all fine and glamorous to a certain point but if he had to wear those little high-heeled shoes and tights the men wore to make their calves stand out, he would not be in a good mood.

He realized he wanted to fight. He wanted to follow Jack, not Will. Will had a boring life to lead where as Jack was a wanted man, skipping the navy and other such things. His life was an adventure and Nick was stuck making nails all day. It wasn't fair. His sister was out with the most notorious pirate of the time and he was stuck in Port Royal. He couldn't even cuss or drink in front of women for God's sake.

And Jack had bet Ryoko against Nick for sword fighting. Life sucked but it hadn't been much better before. At least now, he didn't have school to worry about or nagging parents though God knew Elizabeth and Will were parents enough for him.

As the sun rose, Nick copied the engraved letters from the hilt onto a piece of parchment and put the sword away, much as it pained him to do so. He would find out what the words meant as soon as he had a chance.

Not used to waking with the sun due to covers over the head or heavy curtains, Ryoko felt groggy and sore. She had a weight on her legs and something jabbing her in the back.

Realizing she wasn't in "Kansas" anymore, she sat up suddenly, hurting her neck as she did. Eric was curled up on her legs and she'd been sleeping on Jack's cutlass. The little boat had drifted and run aground on an island. Ryoko smiled broadly. What luck! They might have just drifted forever, never finding land or another ship but they had hit an island. She jumped from the boat, landing in knee high swells. She pulled the boat further up onto shore, her arms protesting painfully with each move she made.

Eric woke suddenly, perking his little head up and looking around with bright blue eyes. He jumped from the boat and ran around in exploration. The island, or what she could see of it, was quite large and a thick covering of trees started about a quarter of a mile from the waters edge.

"Don't run too far and be careful," she told the boy. "We don't know what's out there." She turned to Jack who was lying very still in the boat and gasped.

He lay on his side, his upper left arm crusted with dried blood, a smooth white needle protruding at a painful angle from his arm.

"Jack!" she shouted in alarm, ripping his shirtsleeve so she could get a look at the wound. The needle or chopstick as she realized it was, delved into his skin in a clean puncture. She pulled the ivory stick from his arm and he shouted in pain, waking all of a sudden and throwing her off.

"What are you doing, woman! Damn, that hurt! Can't let a man sleep in?"

"Jack! You're alive!"

"O' course I'm alive, girl," he groaned. She held the stick up so he could see it, bits of blood and other things stuck to it. "Oh, that. Damn Lin clan. Help me out of this boat." She complied, allowing him to drape his arm over her shoulders. She helped him across the sand and laid him down.

"Now go and open the trunk. There's a bottle in it that I need. Find it. Tell the boy to come here." She obeyed and fetched the bottle, hoping he wasn't going to drink himself silly. Eric was listening to Jack and he ran off to the edge of the trees.

Jack ripped off a bit of his left shirtsleeve that was dangling and handed it to Ryoko she held it gingerly and waited for instruction. Jack opened the bottle and took a long drought of whatever was inside.

Eric had gotten a small fire going and Jack smiled. He handed him the cutlass and the boy took it, disappearing behind Ryoko.

"Pour this on the spot," he told her, handing her the bottle. "Don't be squeamish, girl. Be what you usually are. I don't care if it hurts. It'll hurt worse if I get an infection." She carefully poured the liquid into the hole and Jack hissed in pain. He managed not to writhe and Ryoko relaxed when he told her she'd done enough.

"Come boy, now. Hand it to her. Good." Ryoko accepted the cutlass and realized what Jack wanted. The tip of the sword glowed a brilliant red, hot enough to cauterize but not hot enough to catch fire or ruin the blade.

"I see it in your eyes, luv. You know what to do," he was grinning. "I ask that you pin me down first because this is going to hurt."

"Drink this," she told him, forcing the liquor on him. At first, she'd wanted him sober. Now she wanted him as drunk as he could get. He chugged the bottle at her request and she pinned him as best she could and still have her hands free.

"Hold his arm Eric, and don't let go, no matter what," she took a deep breath and felt Jack mirror her. He grabbed a hold of a rock in the sand and readied himself. She pressed the hot metal to the wound.

As Jack's flesh sizzled and he didn't cry out, Ryoko did. She screamed for him and herself and tore the metal away from him when he shouted.

"It's done! Take it off!" She flung the sword away and breathed finally. Eric was sitting in the sand shivering, his blue eyes wide with fear.

She was crying silently and staring at the rock Jack had squeezed. Its hard body had been cracked and rubbed away by the holder. She didn't realize she was shaking until a hand lighted on her shoulder.

"It's all right, luv," Jack said softly. "Don't cry for me. I can take the pain, and I deserve it. It does a body good."

"Got Milk," she cracked. He cocked his head to the side.

"Not milk, luv," he corrected. "Got Rum."

She smiled and Eric giggled as only a child can. They were alive and the pirates weren't in sight. Life was good, for the time being.

YAAAAAWNN! It's after 2 am now. I really should be sleeping but this story is keeping me awake! Must write more! Must add another chapter. I have a shirt that says

"GOT RUM?" and another that says "REALLY e BAD EGGS" If that says really e bad eggs it's because the font didn't carry over. I have a font where a lowercase E is a skull and there's a skull on the shirt between really and bad. Whatever. I bet you can tell I'm dead.

Revisited 10-26-06