If you've read Sparrows And Storms, you know what's coming in the next few chapters. If you haven't, sorry...

The Black Pearl sailed from England to Tripoli, where Jack came back looking even more bedraggled than usual but very pleased with himself. As it turned out, he had had to fight someone for the final map piece, as the woman hadn't been quite as willing to give it to him as some of the others had.

"So what now?" I asked one evening, perched on the edge of his desk as we studied the broken pieces of the chart together.

"We put them in the right order, and sail for the island." Jack leant back in his chair, grinning. "Until then, we're going back to Tortuga, the crew could do with a break before we go."

-*-*-*

A few days later I found myself stood at the helm with Jack, or rather between the two of them. The sky was dark but I couldn't sleep, the hair hot and muggy.

"Looks like we're about to meet yer namesake, love."

I looked over at him in confusion, and he nodded towards the huge grey clouds, almost hidden in the black of the night sky.

"It's looking rather stormy, Stormi."

The winds quickly picked up and rain began to pelt the deck. People slipped about on the deck, securing themselves to the ship and then securing the ropes, whilst Jack remained at the helm, steering the Pearl determinedly forward.

"Can we not go around it?" I yelled over the wind.

"No time!" Jack shouted back. "It'll be fine, love, don't worry. Head into the cabin."

As an enormous wave of salty sea water crashed onto the deck I decided to heed his warning, kissing his cheek before struggling down the stairs and into the cabin.

Several hours later I found myself lying on the bed, retching into the chamberpot as the sea tossed the Pearl around. I had sailed in storms before, sure, but never one quite this violent, which explained the sudden seasickness that had come over me.

However long after that it was that the worst of it was over, I woke up to Jack pushing the curtain aside.

"Y'alright?" He asked, shaking his head and spraying water droplets onto the curtain.

I waved my hand in the direction of the chamberpot and Jack wrinkled his nose, cautiously approaching me.

"Are ye sick?" He rested the back of his hand against my forehead, and I pushed it away with a small smile.

"Was, but not anymore. It was the storm, I think."

He nodded.

"Although, some rum to take away the taste would be nice," I said, blinking innocently at him.

He rolled his eyes, venturing back into the cabin and coming back with a half-full bottle. "Ye're lucky ye're pretty, love."

-*-*-*

Tortuga was as busy as ever despite the fact that the sun was still high in the sky when we docked. Happy hour was any time, apparently.

"The Faithful Bride, then?" I asked with a grin, which Jack mirrored.

"Aye, to start. We've a lot to celebrate, even if the rest of the crew don't know it yet."

"Are you going to surprise them?"

"Figured I might."

The tavern was filled with men and women who were quite as drunk as they might have been, but that would be remedied in the next few hours as the sun sank in the sky. Jack led me over to the bar, tapping a barman on the shoulder and gesturing for him to get us each a drink.

A familiar face brought them to us.

"Poppy," I said, smiling in recognition, and she stared at me for a moment before a bright grin lit up her own face.

"Stormi! You've been away a while, lass."

I hummed, nodding, and took my drink from her. Jack looked between the two of us a few times as he took his own and then tapped my shoulder.

"I'll leave you two to it, I need to talk to him in the corner over there." He pointed at a bearded man in a rocking chair who was puffing away at an odd sort of pipe. "Come find me."

"Okay," I said, smiling when he leant in to press a short kiss to my lips and walked away, throwing a few coins onto the counter.

Poppy gathered them up, grinning so widely I was worried her face would split in two. "I see you didn't listen to me warnings."

I thought back to the only ever conversation we'd had, trying to remember what she had said.

"I'd watch yourself, dearie, mind he doesn't hurt you."

I shook my head, still smiling. "I seem to have a habit of not heeding people's warnings."

"Well this one's to have done you well, congratulations."

"Thank you."

"How far along are you?"

That seemed an odd way to phrase the question, but I answered regardless. "Almost a month now, I suppose."

Poppy's brow furrowed for a moment, as if she were thinking something through. "Sounds about right."

Again, an odd choice of words, but I didn't question it.

"He treats ye well then?" She leant over the counter, resting her chin on her hands.

I sipped my drink. "Exceedingly so."

Her eyes twinkled knowingly, and I felt my face heat slightly, deciding to change the topic.

"How have you been?"

She shrugged. "Can't complain, I suppose. Some new folk show up everyday, we get all sorts 'round here."

I nodded.

"All by my lonesome, unlike you." Poppy continued, eyes still sparkling. "You should visit more often, lass, what've you been up to out on the seven seas?"

"All sorts of places, up to England, round to Africa, and back again."

"Treasure huntin'?"

"I don't think I'm at liberty to say," I said with a smile.

She snapped her fingers at me. "Ah well, I suppose I'll know if ye come back decked out in finery."

I nodded, sipping my drink again. "That you will."

"Yer pirate's beckoning you over."

I glanced over my shoulder to find that Jack was indeed gesturing for me to come and sit with him.

"I'll see you later then," I said, turning back to Poppy.

She nodded. "It's either that or in another five months."

"It'd still be later either way. Bye."

"See ya."

I stood from the barstool, grabbing my drink and heading over to Jack.

This was necessary filler, not much happens, so sorry about that. There's two full chapters left, plus an epilogue. Hope you've been enjoying this fic!