Chapter Twenty Five: Goodbye

"Men... and Anamaria," Jack called. He looked around the hopeful faces of his faithful crew. They, too, had been worried for the little boy and girl that were now safely with their parents. Jack had noticed, that the Turner family was no where to be seen. "We set sail for England. Then to Port Royal. Then...we search for our next big payout."

Trinity looked down at her husband from the crow's nest. So many times she had sat up here and felt an overwhelming amount of emotions. This time she was numb. She hugged her knees to her chest and began singing to herself. "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life...not for me." It was sad, and a tad bit pathetic, but it made her feel better somehow. "And really bad eggs..."

She watched as Jaden ran around the deck, pretending to be Jack, barking out orders, waiving his wooden sword in the air. Then Trinity noticed just how alike Jaden and Jack were. He was heading towards the stairs to go below deck, screaming at the top of his lungs. One misstep, and Jaden was flat on his face. He sprang up and walked off like nothing had happened at all. Moments later, she saw Jack do the same thing.

Jaden may have her looks, but he had Jack's spirit.

She climbed down from the crow's nest, days later, with her good arm. By this time, it was dark and Jaden was running out of fuel from so much running. She picked up her son and placed him on her hip then decided to go see Elizabeth. They had some unfinished business to attend to, after all, and she wanted to take care of it before morning. Surely, they would be in some port in England in the morning.

Avery was asleep in their cabin, with Elizabeth watching her nervously. "Elizabeth, can I have a word with you?" She nodded and offered Trinity a chair next to her. Trinity placed Jaden on the bed next to Avery. He immediately curled his small body into a protective shell over hers. Trinity didn't want to even imagine what they must have been through for that to happen."I have to apologize for my behavior. I just... I was doing what's best at the time."

"Telling my husband my secret was bast?" She whispered angrily.

"I was simply doing something you obviously couldn't. The longer you waited, the more Will was going to resent you." Elizabeth paused as tears stained her high cheek bones. "Right?"

"Will stayed in Tortuga." She muttered, barely opening her mouth.

"What?"

"Will stayed in Tortuga!" She said more clearly. "He's gone! He hates me because of you. So if you're here to apologize, forget it. I don't accept your apology. Not now, not ever." She glared at the door, stating that Trinity had worn out her welcome.

Trinity didn't miss a beat, she rushed out of the cabin and up to the wheel. She decided to leave Jaden be until later. Jack was standing there, looking tired and pale. She hurried into her husband's arms. "I don't want you to hate me!" she sobbed.

"I don't. I couldn't." Jack sighed, resting his head on top of hers.

She tilted her head up to look at him. "I know that you've been with many women, and I understand that. I forgive you for that, but I want you to promise me one thing. Promise that you won't forget me."

"I shall think about you every moment of every day." Jack whispered before he lowered his lips to meet hers.

His kiss was soft and his breath was warm. He moved his lips to cover every inch of her face. He kissed her eyelids, then her nose, to her cheeks, and her forehead, back down to her lips. He slowly moved his arms around her waist, and hoisted her into the air. Then, walking carefully, he carried her into their cabin. No, his cabin.

Jack placed her on the bed and straddled her lower extremities. He removed the knife under her skirt and used it to cut her bodice open. "Just like Singapore." Trinity moaned as Jack now had his full weight on top of her. This was it.

This was the last time she would feel a man's weight on her, because she couldn't even think about sleeping with anyone other than Jack.

This was the last time anyone would kiss her as tenderly as this.

This was the last time Trinity would pull off Jack's hat and wear it on her own head.

This was the last time she would make love to the man of her dreams.

The morning came rather fast. Trinity woke up with her arms and legs entangled with Jack's. The ship wasn't moving, she could tell. She got up, got dressed, and got ready to leave. She kissed Jack on the forehead, softly so not to wake him. He let out a groan that sounded like "I love you" then rolled over. Before she left, she would say goodbye to her son. She was wondering whether she should or not, but thought that it would be best to.

Trinity crept into Elizabeth's cabin. Her son was sitting, awake in the chair. Jaden almost screamed at his mother's presence, but Trinity held her finger up and signaled to join her outside.

Trinity got on her knees and pulled the little boy towards her. "Mommy! I can't breathe!" Jaden complained, struggling from her grasp. She loosened a little, then started to cry. This was also a last. It was the last time she would see her son. Words had lost all meaning, so nothing was worth saying. Instead, Trinity stood up, bent over, and kissed her son on the cheek. Long and hard.

She backed away from him, waving slightly. Jaden didn't understand what was going on, but he started crying anyway. "Go back to bed, Baby." She cooed from the start of the gangplank. "Tell your dad...Captain...that mommy loves him. And never forget Jaden, . . . Mommy always loved you."

Anamaria scurried by on the deck. "Goodbye, miss." She mouthed, continuing her duties.

"None of that, Ana." Trinity fought not to rush over and hug her. "As soon as I walk off this gangplank, raise it and set sails to Port Royal."

"Aye, aye."

Trinity turned and made her way to the dock below. She walked inland a few steps, then swung her bag over her shoulder, and turned to watch the Black Pearl sail off into the distance.

Jack was in the crow's nest, watching his wife get smaller, and smaller, and smaller. . . until there was nothing left.

END.

Author's Note:

so...what do you think?? did anyone cry?? did anyone even expect it to end like this??

no epilogue this time, although i usually have one. i thought that this was the best way to go. all you reading this ADD ME TO YOUR ALERTS LIST! i got a new POTC story coming up that's going to knock you for a loop. i think so, at least.

this was the last chapter...so please review on this guys. come on...i think it's a common courtesy to at least let me know what you thought about it...

so long for now, my friends.

xRubyDustx