Chapter 36: Arriving At The Brethren

"So much has changed," Keira muttered absently, her eyes staring out over the endless ocean as she stood next to Jack at the helm.

"What has?" he asked quietly, looking down at her.

"Everything, Elizabeth and I, Will, the world," she trailed, her hair blowing around her face as she stared.

"I don't think it could have been prevented, Love," Jack smiled down at his wife, seeing the changes in her, her dress, her posture, her attitude, all a hint different than when they had first met. "You have changed so much, Keira. That thirst to prove yourself has disappeared, your anger mounted. The love of family possesses you now and you hold it dearer every day."

Keira looked up at Jack and smiled, "I suppose so, but Elizabeth and I, we used to be such close friends and now…"

"I know," Jack nodded. "Couldn't be prevented, Love, just leave it be."

Keira nodded and turned to him. She wrapped her arms around his middle under his coat and kissed him gently. He smiled down at her, basking in her warmth as she pressed herself against him, resting her head on his chest as he gripped the helm.

"How long will we be on open water before we reach the Cove?" she asked quietly after a long pause.

"Shouldn't be long, Love. I myself am getting quite weary of the same scenery for so long."

Keira smiled and looked up at him, her green eyes soft, "Jack, what will become of us all in the end?"

Silence was what greeted Keira and she narrowed he eyes, watching Jack closely as he scanned the empty deck of the ship. He looked down at her after a moment and shrugged.

"I cannot predict the future, Love but I can tell you that we will get through this," he muttered.

Keira nodded and pulled away from him. She smiled and made her way onto the deck to begin her morning chores, Clover joining her soon after. The two women progressed sweeping and mopping the deck before moving to staining the railings with old wood stain.

"What's wrong, Captain, you look troubled," Clover broke the silence between them as they dipped their brushed in the murky liquid.

"Nothing, Clover, I'm fine," Keira smiled, returning to her painting.

"Is it Jack?"

Keira looked up at this and frowned, "No."

Clover nodded, pursing her lips. She swept her auburn bangs from her face and turned away from Keira, her blue eyes scanning the deck as the crew slowly emerged to do their morning chores. Barbossa wagered onto the deck, his monkey perched on his shoulder Clover went scarlet and turned back to the rail, hoping he wouldn't notice.

"Maybe you should just talk to him," Keira advised, nudging Clover in the ribs.

"No! I would never have a chance!" she whispered, her cheeks still bright red.

"Trust me, you will," Keira smiled, placing her brush into the stain and pushing Clover towards Barbossa.

He frowned when he saw the two women approaching him and crossed his arms over his chest as they approached. Keira grinned at him over Clover's shoulder and came to a halt before him.

"Barbossa, meet Clover," she smiled, petting the monkey in his shoulder. She'd opted to nickname him Hairy instead of calling him Jack.

Barbossa nodded curtly at Clover, who looked anywhere but at him. She blushed and looked pleadingly at Keira, who looked infinitely amused at the situation.

"Well, I'll leave you to it then," she nodded and strode away.

Clover looked mortified as she watched her Captain walk away, her attention only to be distracted when Barbossa grabbed her arm and pulled her aside.

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Keira smiled inwardly when she saw Barbossa speaking to Clover in hushed tones as she made her way to the helm. Jack was watching Gibbs argue with Elizabeth over which way to pull a rope. Keira shook her head and hopped up onto the railing beside the wheel, propping her feet up and leaning against the banister.

"Jack, what's that?" she muttered, pointing out over the starboard side of the ship.

"Hmm?" he mumbled, his warm brown gaze following her finger. His eyes narrowed as the form of a ship appeared in the haze of the morning and he frowned, "It can't be."

"Can't be what?" Keira demanded, her green eyes locked on her husband.

"The Cove."

"What? Already? Jack, are you sure?" Keira persisted as she watched dozens of ships appear in thin air from the mist as it cleared.

For leagues stemmed ships of different sizes and shapes, different masts and sails of every color. Keira stared wide eyed at the spectacle, the Cove becoming clearer as the morning progressed. Jack clenched his jaw and turned back to the wheel while the rest of the crew ogled the many ships.

"All hands back to your stations! We have work to do!" Jack ordered, breaking everyone from their trance.

The rush of movement brought Keira back to her senses and Will strode up to her as she ran her fingers through her long, loose hair.

"Keira, if we don't do this right, we may never see our father again," he muttered, keeping his voice low.

"What are you talking about?"

"The Dutchman. If we work this gathering the right way we can fight Beckett's war and still save our father. If we come out victorious, I can save Elizabeth from the Gallows," Will explained, the determination gleaming in his eyes.

The younger Turner frowned, her green eyes darting out over the ocean as Jack instructed the crew to dock the ship and prepare the boats.

"But what about Jack and my future, Will. What is to become of us if we fail?"

Will looked out into the clear blue ocean lapping up against the beaches of the Cove. He considered for a long moment as Keira watched him, studying the long range of emotions passing through his eyes.

"I don't know sister, but you will not perish. I have a feeling Jack plans to settle down," he finally muttered.

"I can't se Jack ever settling down," Keira scoffed, her gaze shifting to her husband, who was now waving her over from the long boat. Barbossa was sitting cross from him.

Will looked down at his sister but said nothing, watching her run to the boat and jump in. Elizabeth strode to his side, taking his hand as Gibbs and Cotton lowered the boat so the three could row ashore.

"You worry," she muttered softly in his ear, her warm breath on the side of his face.

"Yes."

"You worry more about her than you do what will happen after all this, Will," she continued.

He looked at her, his eyes wide, "What do you mean?"

Elizabeth rested her head on his shoulder, her chestnut hair falling in her eyes, "We should think about now and what will happen to the future if ever we succeed. Do not worry about her problems, Will. Worry about ours."

"What problems? You mean the Gallows? We are far from being safe from the Gallows, Elizabeth. There is no real hope there," Will frowned at the realization. "We are pirates."

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"What's wrong, Love, you look worried," Jack whispered as he rowed the longboat toward the shore.

Keira shook her head, only wanting to think. She pulled her legs to her chest, her eyes blank as she stared out over the lapping waves. She could feel both Barbossa and Jack's eyes on her. She was contemplating what Will had said to her, about her future and her father. She wished she could find out what would become of her after the war, if there was to be a war. What would life be like? Would she really have children with Jack? Live a life on land?

"No, not possible," she muttered, shaking the outrageous thought from her mind.

Jack looked up at the sound of her voice, "What?"

"Nothing," she smiled, cupping his cheek in her hand, his stubble tickling her palm, "Nothing."

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Sorry it's short, I didn't know what to write, but I had to write something! If it's not as good let me know and I'll try and rework it. I don't really like this chapter much. I don't really feel accomplished, but I wanted them to at least get to the Brethren in this chapter. Let me know what you think please!

Sadie