Kate tries to get to know her father.

"Kate, are you all right?" Elizabeth asked softly. Kate smiled when she saw her good friends.

"Yes, I am!" She exclaimed. "Father, these are my good friends, Miss Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner. Will, Elizabeth, this is my father!"

"It's good to meet you, Sir." Will said meekly, offering his hand. Captain Summers took it.

"Likewise." He grunted.

"Kate's been my friend since we were children." Elizabeth said. "My father is Governor Weatherby Swann, in Port Royal."

"Port Royal?" Captain Summers raised his eyebrows and looked at his daughter. "So, you've remained in Jamaica, all this time?"

"Yes, Dad." Kate nodded.

"Wait a minute. You said your father was a governor. I thought you were all pirates!"

"Oh, no." Will shook his head. "I'm a smithy, Sir. And Elizabeth is the governor's daughter. But we're friends with Jack Sparrow. And when your daughter persuaded him to sail the seas to find you, we weren't about to let her go alone! We've...uh, had some rather perilous experiences of our own."

"Well, I suppose I should thank you." Captain Summers nodded. "And I have a lot of questions for you." He whispered to Kate.

"Of course." Kate said eagerly. She also had a shipload of questions for him.

"But perhaps we could talk tomorrow? After we've had some rest." Elizabeth suggested.

"Probably a good idea for all of us." Captain Summers agreed.

"Goodnight, Sir." Will bowed. "And we're glad that you're here."

"Mr. Turner. Miss Swann." Captain Summers smiled.

"Goodnight." Kate smiled at her friends. "If you don't mind, I'd like to stay up for a little."

"Of course." Elizabeth hugged her then strolled away with Will.

"Everything all right, Miss Kate?" Gibbs asked as he came up from the cellar.

"Yes, Mr. Gibbs." Kate nodded. "Very much so."

"Aye, that's good. Our mission was a success!" He exclaimed. "Here, Sir. You must be famished." He offered a bottle of rum and a plate of fruit with bread to Captain Summers. Kate's father warily eyed the food, and slowly received it.

"Thank you. Appreciate it." He grunted quietly.

"Tis me pleasure, Captain Summers." Gibbs shook his hand. "Good to see you all in one piece! Welcome aboard the Pearl, Sir. It's an honor to have you aboard. You won't see a finer vessel in all the Seven Seas! Jack's spoken highly of you."

"Really?" Captain Summers replied skeptically. "I wish I could say the same of him!"

"Father..." Kate touched his arm. He looked at her apologetically.

"Sorry." He muttered. "I suppose I ought to be thanking you and your captain for rescuing me." He apologized to Gibbs.

"Mmm-hmm!" Kate nudged him.

"No thanks needed, Sir. It's been quite a journey." Gibbs smiled. "Hope you'll be comfortable aboard. The captain's offered you his quarters while you're here." Kate was surprised. She still had only known Jack for a little while, but everyone knew how strict he was about keeping his own cabin for himself!

"That won't be necessary." Captain Summers shook his head. "I've slept in many places before. One night down in the bunks won't be so different."

"Father, Jack never offers his cabin!" Kate urged him to not reject the generosity.

"The lass is right, Captain. Jack's not one to offer his cabin to just anyone, Sir." Gibbs agreed. "That's rare. Trust me words, it'll be a lot more comfortable than a bunk. And you've had quite a night. You should lay your head on a real bed and get a good-night's rest."

"I'm afraid my mind's too full to sleep anyway." Captain Summers sighed. "But, thank you. It would be a welcome change." Gibbs nodded and left them alone, passing Thomas on the way.

"Hello." Thomas waved to Kate as he approached. Kate's face lit up.

"Oh, Dad. Here is someone you have to meet!" Kate beamed. "Father, this is Thomas. Thomas, here's my father! Jack did help me find him!"

"Pleased to meet you, Captain Summers!" Thomas grinned widely, shaking the older man's hand. "I've heard so much about you. It's good to know that you're all right."

"Mph. Thank you." Captain Summers narrowed his eyes at the young man. The looks between these kids was not lost on him! "And what was your name again, son?"

"Thomas."

"Thomas what?"

"Just Thomas, Sir." Thomas sighed.

"Oh!" Captain Summers arched his bushy eyebrows.

"I hope you don't mind, Sir, but I've befriended you're daughter. She's kind, and she practically saved my life! I am grateful."

"What's this?"

"It's a long story." Kate rolled her eyes, as she remembered Jack's trick.

"Why do I get the feeling that that is going to become our new mantra in the days to come?" Captain Summers huffed playfully. Kate giggled. She cleared her throat at Thomas.

"Well, technically Captain Sparrow saved me, but your daughter stood up for me, and..." Thomas rambled.

"Ahem!" Kate set her jaw.

"Oh! Oh, I see. Well, I'll leave the two of you alone. It was good to meet you, Sir." Thomas bowed.

"Thank you!" Kate mouthed to him. She did linger watching him walk away.

"How long has this been going on?" Captain Summers asked suspiciously.

"Father..." Kate blushed.

"What? You think just because I've been trapped on the other side of the world for a lifetime, that I don't know things?" Captain Summers squinted. "I may be out of touch with the rest of the civilized world, but I'm not that isolated!" Kate giggled on him. "So, you like him?"

"Mmm-hmm." Kate murmured.

"Is he nice?"

"Very."

"Does he pull his weight?"

"You have no idea! Jack works him harder than any of the rest of us!"

"Well, at least he can do something productive."

"Father," Kate's tone changed. "Thomas was rescued a couple months ago...from the Cartwheel."

Captain Summers' face dropped darkly. "You know about that d- carcass caravan?" He asked hurtfully.

"Yes." Kate nodded quietly. "Yes, I do. Jack marooned the captain and the crew, and let the slaves have the ship. Thomas was in charge of looking after the slaves, and he was punished for treating them decently." Captain Summers grimaced and rubbed his face. "Father?"

"Sorry, Sweetheart. I don't feel the best right now." He said grimly. It was true, he was beginning to feel queasy. He guessed half of it was seasickness, and the other half was all this new information on top of the shock that he was standing there, with his own daughter.

"Perhaps we should turn in." Kate sighed. She was wide awake and had a million questions racing through her mind.

"Yeah." Captain Summers nodded. "I just have to ask one thing, darling. You've been in Port Royal, all these years. Your mother...how have you managed?"

Kate bit her lip. "Mother died form scarlet fever, when I was eleven. Governor Swann and Elizabeth took pity on me and took me into their home. I serve as her lady in waiting. They've been very good to me, Father."

"Oh, Katie..." Captain Summers stroked her face sadly. "I'm sorry, Sweetie. I'm sorry you had to grow up without your mother, and me!"

"It's been a good life, Dad." Kate said reassuringly. "Will Turner is very kind to me. He taught me how to defend myself. He almost feels like a brother to me. And when I've run into questionable situations, he's been there to protect me."

"I suppose I should thank the both of them." Captain Summers sighed. "But for now, I need some time to clear my thoughts."

"As do I." Kate reached her arms up, having to stand on her toes to try to reach his face for a kiss. "Goodnight, Father. I love you so much!"

"I love you too, baby girl." Captain Summers choked up, embracing her. She could've sworn she felt him shaking as they hugged.

Jack was silently watching from his perch at the rudder. He was proud that the trip had been a success, that he was the hero according to the young lady, but as he observed the reunited pair, he felt forlorn about it. Gibbs interrupted his gloomy thoughts. "All right, Jack. Let's have it." He said.

"I beg your pardon?" Jack frowned incredulously.

"This favor long overdue, you brought up when ye decided to induce this venture." Gibbs said, standing closely to him with his hands on his hips. "Just who owed the favor to who?"

"I believe the general word is whom." Jack corrected him. "Besides, our journey went smoothly without fail, the lady has fetched what she wanted, everybody's happy."

"Ahh, but it isn't every day Captain Jack Sparrow offers to let someone else use his own cabin." Gibbs said slowly. Jack gulped. "Either you're a tryin' to smooth things over for somethin' you did to get on his bad side, or you're tryin' to butter him up faster so he'll give you what he owes ye. Now, which is it?"

"Why do you have to be so bloody poky, Gibbs?" Jack groaned, twitching tensely. "All right. D- you. Since you already know most of the story, I suppose I might as well tell you. Since you're so bent on vexing me to the point of mental fatigue." Gibbs waited. "Captain Summers is a good man, and he's been through hell longer than a man should be allowed to suffer. He lost everything from being involved in that bloody case. Reputation, good mates, job..."

"Family." Gibbs finished.

"I did the man a wrong turn, Gibbs." Jack said gravely. "A very wrong turn. He offered me my freedom if I testified against the Marquis. When they so conveniently 'detained' us, I escaped and managed to evade detection again. But the poor bloke wasn't so fortunate, as you know. I could've went after him, helped him escape. But instead, I ran the other way, so caught up in trying to find my beloved Pearl." He slowly caressed the wheel under his hands. "Wouldn't have taken much to get him out, but I gave him up for dead. Figured that the d- Cartwheel was long gone by the time I escaped from those dogs. So, I went me own way."

"Jack, you couldn't have known for sure that it wasn't too late." Gibbs offered kindly.

"I didn't try." Jack muttered. "I didn't try. I promised myself at the time, the first chance I got, I was going to get my Pearl back. I escaped, and hence had the said chance. Summers really could've used my help. But I didn't even bother about him. Told myself it was a lost cause to go after someone I might not be able to rescue and we'd both end up dead. So...I didn't."

"Ahh." Gibbs sighed. "So, that's why you agreed to this whole thing. I thought there was something odd about the way you just up and decided to fetch an old friend, a lost cause, who wouldn't even possibly be much help to us in locating any plunder or such. You're clearing up a debt."

Jack swallowed hard. "The good captain's suffered enough. It's time for him to be brought home." He remarked in a disheartened tone. "Not a word of this to anyone, Gibbs. 'Specially the captain and his daughter."

"Aye, you can trust me, Jack."

"Take the wheel. I desperately need a bottle of rum." Jack grumbled. As he tromped down the stairs, he saw Captain Summers speaking with Anamaria. Jack backed up in the shadows, trying to avoid being seen. He attempted shuffling to his cabin.

As he neared his quarters, he saw Kate, leaning on the rail, writing in her diary. She seemed so happy, so lost in the moment. Soon, she and her father would be off his ship and out of his life, and it'd be best for all concerned. It wasn't easy for Jack Sparrow to admit he'd made a mistake. Being coincidentally thrown together with Captain Summers' daughter had given him a chance to make right for them what he'd done wrong. He only hoped to heaven and back, that it would be enough!

He pulled out his compass and watched it spin in the lantern light. The needle stopped, and Jack looked up to see it was pointing right at...Kate! Jack frowned in confusion. He closed it, shook it, then reopened it again. But the trinket gave him the same answer. He shook his head, trying to clear it. "Bloody thing's being most uncooperative tonight." He complained, shoving back into his pocket. He raced into his cabin to find his much needed rum. His eyes fell on it and immediately started chugging it down like a wind-broke horse.

"We found him! My Father! He's here with us, on this ship, with me, alive! We're going home! Thank God he's alive. A lot worse for wear, but we're together at long last! He is very guarded right now, but I suppose I can't blame him after all the pain he's been through and been forced to see. He's probably also in shock. I know I believe I am! It doesn't feel real yet. I'm just so incredibly relieved and happy that Jack was able to help me keep my promise to my mother! I wish she was here so I could tell her."

Tears of joy splashed down onto her diary as she continued writing. "I don't think I've ever seen you this cheerful." Thomas remarked as he sidled over next to her. She smiled widely.

"Well, you have no idea how long and how hard I've prayed for this moment!" She faced him. "I wasn't sure if it would ever happen. I can't believe we did it!"

"You're very lucky." Thomas said.

"Do you believe in...fate? Divine providence?" Kate asked him slowly.

"I'm not really sure." Thomas answered rather dismally. "But I've found myself on the verge of beginning to, since I met you."

"Really?" Kate's eyes lit up.

"Mmm-hmm." Thomas smiled, that cute, puppy dog grin that made Kate blush and feel fiery inside.

Neither Kate of her father slept much that night. Kate was took excited. Her father was a different story. Oh, he was happy beyond belief to be reunited with his little girl, though he kept telling himself it was all a dream and he'd shoot the first person who tried to wake him out of it! His mind was full as he tried to process all that had transpired in less than twenty-four hours. An old friend-well, rather more acquaintance than friend!-just pops out, out of the blue, and says he's come to rescue him. The not so welcome blast from the past claims to know his daughter. His daughter finds him! They escape. They're on a ship bound to take them home, together. He's had no life up to now. His brain was heavily piled up with so much to take in. And on top of that, he was wretchedly miserable with the most virulent seasickness!

Kate awoke with a heart so fired up, she felt like she could fly to the clouds. She quietly slipped into Jack's cabin and found her father still in bed, but far from slumber. He groaned before he noticed her. "Oh...hello, Sweetheart." He tried to master a steady voice. "What are you doing out of bed at this time?"

"It's morning." Kate smiled. She came to the side of the bed and hugged his shoulders. He feebly returned the embrace, then just lay back uncomfortably. "Father?" Kate addressed him in alarm. "Are you all right?" Panic gripped her heart.

"I'm fine, Sweetie." He insisted.

"You look awful." Kate observed worriedly. He was a little pale.

"Meh. Just a touch of seasickness." Captain Summers tried to shake it off. "It's been a sizable amount of time since I've been on a ship. And even then, I've never had very good sea legs."

"Oh." Kate mused sympathetically. "I had that too when I first came on the Pearl. It wasn't pleasant at all! Are you sure that's what it is?"

"Well, that and aside from the fact that I didn't sleep a wink, I'm just ginger peachy." Captain Summers grumbled.

"All right." Kate chuckled. "I'll get you something that should help settle your stomach. Hopefully, the motion sickness will go away soon."

"Thank you, Sweetheart." Captain Summers panted. He tried to keep up a tough facade, but his gut inside felt like the waves carrying the Pearl.

"I'll be back shortly." Kate nodded, closing the door. As she turned to head to the kitchen, she bumped right smack into Jack.

"Oohf!" He grunted, exaggerating the impact.

"Oh! Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't even know you were there, Jack. Sorry." She chuckled nervously. "Are you okay?"

"Getting a little rough-house, aren't we?" Jack frowned playfully.

"I'm sorry." Kate grinned.

"Sleep well?"

"I didn't really sleep much at all. Too happy." Kate said proudly.

"Ahh. How's the dear captain?"

"He's not feeling that well at the moment, Jack. He has a terrible bout of seasickness." Kate said.

"Ugh." Jack scrunched up his nose in disgust. "Clearly not used to sailing the open sea."

"Right. I'm going below deck to find some chopped ginger for him." Kate agreed.

"Belay that!" Jack protested.

"Excuse me?"

"What's in yur head, girlie? Your miracle cure is right here in me own hands!" Jack exclaimed, as if it was supposed to be obvious, holding out a bottle of rum.

"Uhh...wouldn't that make him feel worse?" Kate asked innocently. Jack's shoulders sagged and he rolled his eyes.

"You're so young." He groaned.

"Thank you!" Kate grinned. "Excuse me." She brushed passed him to go to the kitchen. Jack shook his head.

"Kids. Girls. Pushy wenches. Whelps. Eunuchs." He muttered. "And sticky scamps." He recoiled as he watched Thomas help Pintel and Ragetti across the way. He looked up into the sky. "Why? What did I do to get stuck with these kind of people?" He asked. He marched into his cabin and found the captain grimacing in his bed. "Easy there, mate. I got just the thing for a sour stomach." Jack said.

Captain Summers glared when he saw who it was. "I didn't have this much physical disorientation when I was in the brig!" He snapped lousily.

"Aahh, some scabby, thrown together, rubbish scraps of driftwood, no doubt." Jack scoffed. "And I'll wager that they eased back and drank rum to their hearts content in your plain view, while you sat there, panting, sweating, like a dog on a bloody hot day."

Captain Summers was struggling to let out a retort, but his stomach was burning and he felt he might retch at any minute. "You come in here...to taunt me like a cornered rodent. Well, I've got news for you...save your breath. Just seeing...your cunning shadow in here is bad enough!" His hand went to his middle as the room began spinning worse around him.

Jack smirked. "Well, then allow me to relieve you of your so torturous predicament."

"Good riddance." Captain Summers groaned tensely. He was shaking. His stomach lurched and he bent his head over the edge of the bed, just as Jack kicked the chamber pot underneath the poor man's mouth just in time! Captain Summers vomited horribly. He finally emptied his stomach out, and breathed. Jack handed him his handkerchief, and the captain wiped his face.

"Bloody seasickness. Not all that restful, is it?" Jack sighed. Captain Summers lay back on the bed, feeling better for the moment.

"You showed up and coerced me into this crazy venture, sailing on your ship. Why does this ailment not surprise me? I should've expected no less." Captain Summers narrowed his eyes.

"Sticks and stones, mate." Jack grinned. Summers had always had a dry sense of humor, even as a cop. Personally, Jack was shocked he still had it at all, after all he'd been through. He'd scold and insult Jack back and forth, knowing all along that the pirate was questionably worth his salt. "You may kill me, but you'll never insult me!"

Captain Summers rolled his eyes. "I suppose I should thank you for getting me out of that infernal wasteland of 'civilization." He muttered.

"Would be most appreciated, mate." Jack nodded with his hands behind his back like a little boy being lectured by his father.

"Mind you, never did I think I'd have to end up throwing in again with the likes of you!" Captain Summers pointed his finger. "But...what you've done for my daughter, giving me a chance to see her again...for that, I am grateful." Captain Summers said, in a softer, less I'm-gonna-kill-you tone of voice.

"Captain Jack Sparrow, Sir. How could she not run to me for help?" Jack teased. Captain Summers rolled his eyes.

"That'll be enough out of you, Jack." Anamaria scolded as she stepped in behind him. "Good grief, let the poor man rest!" Jack bit his lip and turned to smile at her.

"Mornin' to you too, Anamaria." He said flirtatiously. "Just checking on our guest. I'm afraid the poor man is rather ill. Jelly legs, you know." He whispered conspiratorially.

"Indeed." Anamaria sighed.

"Pardon me! Excuse me." Kate startled them, weaving her way between the two. She was carrying a tankard in her hand. She sat down on the bed.

"Come, Jack." Anamaria pulled his arm. "Let's give 'em some privacy."

"Right then." Jack nodded. "Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me."

"Yeah...dead drunk." Captain Summers teased.

"Ahh, yes." Jack murmured wistfully as he closed the door.

"Here, Father. Drink this. It should help." Kate handed him the jug. "You'll find slim picken's out here on the ocean, but Mr. Gibbs managed to brew some hot water. And I sprinkled chopped ginger in it. It should cure your queasiness."

"Thanks, Sweetheart." Captain Summers sighed contentedly. "But I'm feeling better."

"Well, hopefully, this will help you stay better." Kate said. Captain Summers tried drinking the tonic, but it left him panting from the burning in his throat. Kate observed the man she'd prayed for, for so long. Even under the dirt and gradually aging hair, she thought he was handsome. He certainly looked the part of a captain, with the exception that he was much thinner than one would expect for a man with his build, but that was due to malnourishment.

Veins popped out all over his large hands and upper wrists. "When you feel well enough, we should get you a change of clothes." Kate stated.

"Don't worry about it, dear. I've been through worse than this. A little muck and grease isn't going to hurt me."

"But you're coming home. You're free now! You should begin living like you are."

"I'll never be free." Captain Summers whispered.

"What?"

"Nothing." Captain Summers grimaced. He was feeling queasy again. Kate clasped his large hand with her smaller ones. "So tell me...how did you...end up dressed like that...mingling with these vagrants?"

"It...it was the only way to find you, and the truth of what happened to you." Kate sighed solemnly. "Mother was vague on the details of your disappearance. For years, I've tried to find out all I could about the Marquis of the Midnight Moon case."

"Oh, darling, you didn't!" Captain Summers moaned woefully.

"I had to. But Elizabeth and her father could only find out so much, which didn't really explain anything. And any time I asked the commodore or someone else in authority about that case, they said it was over and done with and there was no use trying to think otherwise."

"Katie, baby, you should've listened to them! Do you have any idea what kind of ugly world I was involved in during that time?" Captain Summers winced.

"Yes, I do. I know about it, Dad." Kate said sadly. "It was horrible business."

"Sweetie, I never wanted you to have to know about any of that gore." Captain Summers cried. "It wasn't the kind of burden you should have to bear."

"But that's just it. I did bear it, Dad!" Kate began shedding tears. "Mother was heartbroken losing you. It was very difficult for her to speak about the matter. I couldn't protect her from that pain, or take it away. I was too young and ignorant. But when I made her that promise, it gave me a purpose. And...and I missed you too, though I could only vaguely remember you." Kate bit her lip, but years' worth of hurt and unanswered questions were boiling to the surface. Most of all, she was filled with anger. Angry at Briggs, Summers' own son for all this trouble he'd caused. He'd practically destroyed his own family!

"Shh. Don't cry, darling." Captain Summers said tenderly, stroking her face. It pained him deeply that she'd so heavily surrounded herself with the details of his loss. "It wasn't your fault. Not any of it. And I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm truly sorry."

"It wasn't your doing, Father. You didn't deserve to be exiled like that and treated like an oxen!" Kate cried. "You did what was right, and I'm proud of you! I just wish...things had turned out differently." She hung her head.

"So do I, more than you could ever possibly imagine." Captain Summers said quietly, gripping her small wrist. Kate was about to tell him that she'd met Briggs, but she decided against it. He already seemed so depressed, and the broken man did not need the dangerous rift between his own two children pressing any harder on his mind right now. They both cried a little for a moment, then he loudly cleared his throat and tried to change the subject. "Just how did Jack Sparrow fit into this?" He asked, cringing with exaggeration. "How the heck did you end up allying with him?"

Kate giggled, wiping her eyes. "It was more of an accident, really." She grinned. "Or, what one might call a chance encounter. He was being...well...you know, Jack."

"Too much." Captain Summers agreed dryly.

"He was being arrested the first time I saw him." Kate explained. He father let out a scornful laugh. "Anyway, as he was being led away, he was comparing Commodore Norrington's soldiers to those who handled the Marquis's case. Your case. He was saying that if they'd been as efficient as Norrington's men, things would be different today."

"Isn't that the truth!" Captain Summers laid his head back and stared off at the ceiling, with a faraway, troubled gaze.

"Dad, I...I..." Kate began to speak, about to tell him about Briggs.

"Hmm?"

"I...nothing. I'm just so glad we're together." Kate sighed happily.

"Me too, Sweetie. Me too."