Chapter 25

"Jack," he turned as his voice was called.

"Eaylin?" She looked so much different than before. Her hair was down in soft brown waves and her eyes sparkled healthily.

"I found him, Jack," she laughed in pure joy, "he was working on the docks and he hid me from..."

They all knew the name would be dangerous to say, people heard and remembered even their drunkenness.

"I'm very glad for you, love," Jack grinned as he saw a strong, well- built lad of about twenty come to stand at her side.

"Zachary Almonte at your service, Captain," he bowed elegantly.

"Jack Sparrow at yours," Jack replied feeling slightly out of place again. "What the blazes, we're all mates, are we not?"

"I'm indebted to you, Captain, for helping my lass." There was a wealth of gratitude in the man's eyes, Jack knew the haunted feeling of loss that was buried there, also. The two men shook hands as if sharing the pain and experiences that had brought them to this moment. Jack had seen the brand on Zachary's arm and he knew the lad had seen his.

"She saved my life, I saved hers. We're square," Jack looked at Eaylin feeling the wind ruffle his hair, he smelled flowers again and knew why, "and this is Anamaria, the true Captain here."

"Glad you meet you," Anamaria looked at how happy Zachary and Eaylin looked. They were never far from one another and they positively glowed in happiness.

"Did he find you," Eaylin asked biting her lip glancing at Jack's new injuries, "I tried to find you, I didn't want to ask around and we were hiding--"

"He's gone," Jack interrupted gently, "he won't be back again. No apologies are needed between us, you found what you were looking for and I found treasure of me own. Would you, by any chance, know what happened to his crew?"

"They left come morning. I don't know why they left in such a hurry, but I doubt they'll be back. They ran like the devil was after them."

"Just so long as they're still not around," Jack wasn't too keen on meeting them somewhere on the ocean, but once he had the Pearl back there would be no reason to worry.

"And your arm?"

"Never better," Jack showed her the bandaged wound and she nodded in approval.

"Your doing," she asked Anamaria a speculative look in her eyes.

"Aye," Ana replied recognizing that look. She shook her head at the girl's unasked question, Eaylin smiled anyway as she saw the posessive look in Jack's eyes.

"We're to be married in fortnight," Zachary said to break the silence, he'd noticed the women's interchange and was confused by it.

"A wedding? I love weddings! Drinks all round," Jack smiled and held up his hand as if toasting them.

"Congratulations," Anamaria couldn't have picked two more people better suited for one another.

"We'll check in when we set port again, savvy? And look for your wedding present on the next merchant ship to dock here."

"'s not necessary..." Eaylin blushed and lowered her eyes. Zachary tipped her head up and kissed her smiling when the blush deepened.

"Watch for the merchant ship." Jack said sincerely happy that, for once, a plan had worked for everyone involved.

"We'll be watching," Eaylin impuslively ran over and kissed Jack on the cheek. "Thank you, Captain Sparrow, I'll never forget your kindness."

Her tone had none of the numbness that he remembered, there was a darkness in her eyes, but that was fading, he could see, in lieu of her happiness.

The two couples said goodbye, Jack watched them walk away. Zachary kept his arm firmly around Eaylin's waist as if afraid she'd disappear. Time healed all wounds, Jack remembered the saying, and they were both on the road to recovery.

"They were so happy," Ana sighed, "how did you know her? She knew of... things... and your injuries."

"An old friend 's all," Jack pocketed a roll as he went past one of the venders. The owner didn't notice the missing item and Jack broke it and half and gave part to Ana.

"Mmm... honey bread," She said as the sweet flavor filled her mouth. It was the best bread on the island, she had eaten it for breakfast with a glass of sweetened milk as a child.

"Where's the boat docked?" Jack asked curbing his anticipation.

"Just right of the pier, Lary's been watching it for-" Jacks gaze followed to where she was staring and murderous rage boiled up inside him. Red flooded his sight and he found himself reaching for his sword not remembering that it had broken.

"Robert DeRyat." he snarled. "One of Barbossa's mutinous crewmen."

Robert looked up into Jack's eyes dispassionately. "I knew you'd find us one day," he said tonelessly.

"You knew bloody right. Leaving me for dead on that blasted spit of land. You forgot one very important thing. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, mate. You'll remember that name as you die."

"I didn't want them to maroon you," Robert said quietly before Annamaria could pull Jack's shoulder and smack some sense into him.

"Did a right good job of voicing your concern as you left me with one bloody bullet!" Jack hauled him up off the bench and slammed him into the wall. The fatigue he felt from walking around Tortuga faded as rage took over. "Now you lie to save your pathetic hide."

"Jack Sparrow put him down!" Annamaria pulled Jack's shirt and forced him to take a few steps backwards, "have you gone mad!"

"He has good reason, Ana."

"You know this yellow coward?!" Jack exclaimed sweeping his hand to where Rob stood.

"He's a good friend and loyal customer," Ana shouted defiantly standing between Rob and Jack, "and they'll be no more talk of murder until I know what the ruddy hell you're talking about, the both of you!"

* * *

"So you were Captain of the Black Pearl?" Ana asked in disbelief.

"Aye, he was. Barbossa led a mutiny and left him on an island, they were sure that he would die within the week."

"Nay, Barbossa didn't lead a mutiny," Jack slammed the rum bottle down angrily, "The whole blasted crew mutinied together. Excepting William Turner and Gibbs, the rest of them cried for my death to the moon."

"I didn't," Rob objected.

"Like hell," Jack hissed, "I saw you standing next to Pintel laughing as they threatened to sting me up."

"Not laughing," Rob shook his head forcefully. "Think back, really remember. Did you see me chanting as they left? Did you notice me fighting to the front trying to stop them as they shot at you? Do you recall the days you played cards with me on the deck?"

"Aye, I remember playing cards, drinking with you in the pubs, but-" and here he stopped in mid-sentence. Now that he put himself back in the memory he remembered someone shouting no as bullets flew through the air. The voice was too high to be Gibb's and too low to be Will's.

"You remember," Rob sighed as the darkness faded from Jack's eyes. He knew his Captain well enough to know when the danger was passed, Jack no longer wanted him dead.

"I do." Jack said grudgingly, "Seems I owe you an apology."

"None needed. I objected, I want you to know that, but after what happened to Bootstrap no one said anything more about the matter."

Jack's blood froze in his veins, "what do you mean, what happened to William?"

"I don't know for sure, mind you. I disbanded along with Gibbs when we set port a month or so later. The only thing I've heard are rumors."

Anamaria ran her hand along Jack's arm, every muscle in his body was tense, almost as if he were bracing himself for a hit. The rum sat forgotten on the table and Jack's eyes never left Robert.

"Where is he?" Jack asked quietly.

"I'm sorry, Jack. Bootstrap died over seven months ago."