IMPORTANT Author's Note: Well chaps, this is it…The ending isn't much of one because it is the end! I have an epilogue to write…so all of you review everything so I can get out one last 'Thanks' and that'll be it. I'm a little sad. I think this is my favorite story. But never fear! I am thinking up a storm for my next story! YAY! It'll be a POTC story of course so be watching! Some time after winter break. I'm trying to think up a plot- unless you think it should be a fluff story! TELL ME! Plot or No Plot. REVIEW! So yea, please be watching, if that means checking my profile everyday or putting me as an author on alert- PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!
Alright- Now, read the second to last entry to this story…
----------------------------
Meeting Gwen's eyes coming down the steps to the galley was difficult for Jack. He didn't want to admit she was right and he didn't want to talk about what had happened. But when he looked finally Gwen was no longer sitting next to his daughter. Her soft, little form had been replaced by a tall, strong figure. Will.
"Will m'boy, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Elizabeth wanted to talk to Gwyneth so I thought I'd baby-sit the little one." Jack looked at his daughter. Happily eating. He shook his head. He was surprised that she wasn't twenty pounds over weight. Sooner or later she'd have to stop eating so much because her metabolism would catch up with her.
"Thank ye lad," Jack said sitting down. Most of the crew had cleared out, they were all on deck setting the course for Port Royal.
"Where were you?" Will said, looking at the patterns on the wood table. Jack smiled and leaned back. He knows exactly where I was.
"Where do you think I was?"
Will looked up, his face expression was one of someone who had been caught. "Nice talk?"
Jack shrugged, "Somewhat. She's still not happy about being left in Port Royal…"
"Not having second thoughts, are you?"
"No. No. But Will, the Commodore…"
"You don't think he'll keep a close eye on her." Will stated.
Jack leaned forward and looked at him.
Will sighed, "Well, if Elizabeth and I press the matter…she won't get away or be harmed. Someone will take care of her, even if it has to be us."
Jack smiled, "Thanks Will."
"Daddy?" Brenda spoke up.
"Yes?"
"Are we gunna to visit Uncle Will and Auntie Liz?"
Jack looked at Will and then back at his daughter, "Brenda honey, go give your bowl to Roberts and go to our cabin. I have some coal and paper in there for you…go draw something for Will, Lizzie and Gwen, would you luv?"
She nodded and hopped down. Jack watched her leave and then looked at Will. "The answer is no, isn't it?" Will asked him.
Jack sighed, "Will you understand don't you? I can't risk getting' you two into trouble and then havin' you come aboard again. Elizabeth's social status hasn't really gone through the roof since marryin' you…no offense. And then gettin' herself kidnapped and then WILLINGLY comin' on board the Pearl? Will…it's not supposed to be like this…"
"Jack, Elizabeth could really care less about her social status. Sure, she has her friends who she would hate to loose, but you're one of her friends too. And mine…"
"Will, I already made up my mind. The Commodore has given me more than enough chances…I don't want to push my luck."
Will looked down at his hands. "Elizabeth is going to throw a fit."
"I know."
"And our kids will never have the pleasure of meeting you…"
"It's for the best Will, it really is."
He looked up, "I suppose you're right. But we're really going to miss you coming through our window in the middle of the night…"
Jack smiled at the memory and said, "Well look at this way, if you lock it, you won't have to replace it."
Will smirked. "It's been great Jack…"
"It has, Will."
*****
"You weren't going to go down there, were you?" Elizabeth asked. The two were in her cabin and Gwyneth had just told Elizabeth everything that had happened in the galley.
"Of course not. But I knew that would get Jack to go down there. That would get you or Will to go down there!"
"Well maybe not me, but you're right. Someone would go down for you. Good strategy."
Gwyneth smiled, "Thank you. So I'm assuming everything went alright since he didn't yell and scream and come hunting for me."
"It must've been hard, you have to admit, going to talk to his ex…and the person who wanted to kill…whoever."
Gwyneth shrugged, "It'll toughen him up. Toughen his soul, mind and spirit. If I didn't think that it would benefit him then I wouldn't have pushed him to go down there."
Elizabeth eyed her friend, "You care about him a lot, don't you?"
Gwyneth looked at the floor, she bit the inside of her lip. Why must she ask that? Wasn't it bad enough that Port Royal is coming up?
"Gwyneth, talk to me, please."
"There's nothing to talk about…"
"We're leaving tomorrow and you say that there's nothing to talk about?!"
"Yes!"
Elizabeth looked at Gwyneth and Gwyneth met her gaze. That was a mistake. Blasted eyes… she thought to herself. "Elizabeth, Jack is a very…he's the kind of…" She sighed, this wasn't working. "Jack is very easy to like…"
Elizabeth smiled, "That he is."
"And it would be understandable if a woman would get…attached. Correct?"
Elizabeth nodded, still smiling, "Then am I to assume that you have gotten yourself attached?"
Gwyneth pulled her face away from her friend and thought about the day she got here. Ana had given her some advice, don't fall in love with 'im. And she now thought back to her reaction, Jack isn't really the type of person that I would be attracted to... And now here she was, some odd weeks later, getting asked if she felt something for him. "Aye, that I have."
The smile went off her face, she was happy that Gwyneth didn't see it too. She suspected. And from the kiss that Gwyneth gave him last time…she thought back to when the pirates were uncursed and most dead, she and Jack were talking on the Dauntless.
You're a smart man Jack, but I don't entirely trust you.
Peas in a pod darling.
"Do you trust him?"
"Excuse me?" Gwyneth was a bit caught off guard by such question.
"Do you trust Jack?"
"Elizabeth…I have no need to trust Jack anymore…I'm leaving and probably never going to see him again. The big issue isn't trust here."
"But did you?"
Gwyneth sighed, "Of course I did. From the minute I met him I trusted him, which mind you- isn't the smartest thing. But I did. I had to."
Elizabeth nodded, she was somewhat right. But didn't trust grow? You just don't meet a pirate and entirely trust him…do don't do that with anyone. She looked at Gwyneth, but I guess that's one of her charms. She lets people into her heart. They don't even have to knock. She has tea and a bed waiting for them…
"I realize that it's going to be hard…and I'll do whatever I can to help you." Gwyneth looked at Elizabeth and smiled. Elizabeth smiled back, that must've meant a lot to her…
That night Gwyneth couldn't sleep. She had dreams of Jack in her head and a crazy Antonio. She kept thinking about leaving the next day and couldn't help but get emotional. Get a grip on yourself! Her inner voice told her over and over. She couldn't do it though. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't.
She remembered feeling this way that night after Nathan had been murdered. She cried herself to sleep on Nathan's ship. That had been the most tears she had ever shed. And although she was not crying, she was darn close to. She sighed. It was going to be a long night.
Jack woke up well into the early morning and told the man on deck to sleep. Jack wanted to steer. They hadn't let down the anchor for the night because Jack wanted to get to Port Royal as soon as possible. He took the wheel and immediately felt calmer. The night had been restless. Good thing Brenda was a heavy sleeper, but just wanting to make sure, Jack left the cabin.
And he needed to calm himself, and this was the best thing. He hadn't realized it would be this hard to let go. Why hadn't it been this much trouble when Gwen left the first time? Maybe because I'm banning myself Port Royal. Not only am I saying goodbye to Gwen forever…but also to Will and Liz. This is going to be a bit more difficult.
But like you said, it's for the best.
Sure, now you agree with me…
Jack sighed. Sure, he was upset, but deep down, he did know it was for the best. Port Royal had been a threat ever since he was there two years ago. The commodore had a mind to go after pirates, and he was one. What sense would it make to keep going there only to get himself an appointment with the gallows that would never happen? Sure, he liked playing games with Norrington, but it had to stop. He figured this was the best time.
Boy, am I going to miss it though.
Jack heard a door open quietly and looked out into the ocean. The sun was just coming up. Someone's up early. He looked and saw Gwen. She smiled meekly and walked over to him. "Late Night?" she asked.
He kept his eyes on the ocean, "Yea…"
"Port Royal on the horizon?"
"Barely." She looked out to where he was, and sure enough there was a little speck or land.
"The Pearl really is the fastest ship in the Caribbean."
Jack smiled, "Why of course. Nigh uncatchable."
"Just like El Maldición."
Jack gave her a look, but she ignored it. There's home. Gwyneth thought to herself.
"Well I'm sure yer anxious to get home…" Jack said focusing his attention back on the ocean.
"How was the talk with Beverly…is everything going according to plan?" She asked, trying to change the subject. Jack eyed her as she turned her back to him. He knew what she was doing, but he didn't say anything.
"Beverly's fine…fine…glad to be going to Port Royal."
Gwyneth smiled, "I'm sure she is…it really is the best thing for her."
"Yea, best thing." There seems to be a lot of 'best things' running around lately…Jack thought to himself.
"Well I have no doubt that the Commodore will take care of her."
Jack snorted, "Yes, I have no doubt either. The Commodore is a very…uptight man…"
"Rules mean everything to him…" Gwyneth said. Jack noticed that she had a melancholy tone to her voice. He had recognized that in Elizabeth when they were headed to Port Royal some two years ago. If Port Royal is really that bad then why don't they move? He thought, somewhat humorously.
"Yes, well he keeps Port Royal is perfect order, doesn't he?"
Gwyneth faced Jack, "I don't want to leave…"
He looked down, he thought it might come to this. "I don't want you to leave either…"
There was a long pause and then she finally said, "But we both know-"
"Don't luv, if we both know then that's fine, but we don't have to repeat it."
"You don't want to talk about it either?"
"Who would?"
She nodded. This was getting to sticky for her to be here. Why couldn't they just skip all this and go to the island? Get it over and done with? She wasn't sure but she knew a way how it could be skipped.
"If you excuse me Captain, I'm still a bit tired, and me being a person who doesn't sleep well on ships…I think I should get as much rest as possible."
He nodded and she left. Captain? Captain? Since when did she call me Captain? I think this was the first time I didn't want someone to address me so formerly.
Around lunch time, Ana Maria came into the galley where Jack and Brenda where eating. Port Royal was coming up quicker and quicker and the ship was heading towards a cove not too far off from the town itself, to give the ship some protection against Norrington and his men. Since their dinghy was gone, that was the best place. But Jack kept the thought in the back of his head that Norrington would be watching and that when Elizabeth, Will, Gwyneth and Beverly were delivered, they would have company.
"What say you?" Jack said to Ana after she had been standing in front of him for a few seconds.
"Captain, Elizabeth and Gwyneth request two baths…"
"That's not all Cap'an," Gibbs said, running down the stairs to him, "Elizabeth also requests that she and Gwyneth bathe…Beverly."
"What!?" Jack roared. Brenda started giggling. Jack stood up immediately and marched up to the deck with his child and two crewmen hot on his tail. Elizabeth and Gwyneth were standing outside, thinking that there might be a problem with their requests, they waited.
"What the blast is in yer head?
"Jack, now don't get mad-" Elizabeth started.
"Don't get mad!? Woman, I'm passed gettin' mad!"
She flinched as she saw that he was right, "Just calm down and listen to us, would you?" Will who wasn't far off, came closer to listen to the proposition. "Gwyneth and I need to take a bath, you can understand that, but so does Beverly. If Norrington is going to believe that she's from good society, then she's going to need to look the part. Somehow we'll have to work with the clothes, but giving her a bath will help greatly."
"What makes you think she'll agree to such thing?"
Elizabeth smiled, "Jack, every woman loves baths…trust me. And she hasn't had one in days, she must be dying."
"Well then what 'bout yer broken arm?! Yer wounded! You can't go around bathing someone who could cause you more damage!"
"Well that's where I come in," Gwyneth said, "And Ana Maria, if she could stand being with us…"
Jack turned his head to Ana and she shrugged. He sighed. If it were possible, he would go in there with Will, but he understood that Beverly would most likely want privacy…at least all the privacy she could get.
"Daddy, can I get one too!?" Brenda asked, pulling on her father's pant leg, looking up at him with big puppy-dog eyes.
"One what?"
"A bathe!"
Jack smiled at the improper use of the word and nodded but looked at the two women before him. "I can give her a bath…" Gwyneth volunteered.
"Only if you say yes!" Elizabeth said pointing at him.
"Fine!" He yelled. This was too complicated. Even though what Liz said made sense, this still was turning out to be a little more difficult. He turned and went back down to finish his lunch.
An hour later Jack was on deck steering the ship into the safety of the cove. And as he figured, Norrington and about three redcoats were waiting for him. Blasted English, he thought to himself. He sighed and heard a door open and heard the clatter of heels against wood. "Cotton!" He yelled, "Man the ship." Cotton came in a flash and Jack took a look at the four passengers before him. Elizabeth and Gwyneth looked pretty much the same. Both wearing elegant dresses, hair up and little curls coming loose from the tight bun on their head. They both looked beautiful.
Will looked the same and then Beverly, Beverly looked amazing. Her hair was up in a bun with a curl hanging down onto her bare shoulders. Somehow Gwen and Liz had fixed a dress that Elizabeth brought along and it fit Beverly perfectly. Her round tummy was somewhat cute and looking at her made you believe that she was in high society.
Jack got his head out of the clouds and focused. "Well Ladies, this is yer stop. Have a wonderful time Beverly."
She smirked. Not seeming too impressed. Jack looked at Elizabeth, "Take care Lizzie," She nodded and came up and kissed him on the cheek.
He looked at Will, "Keep on makin' swords m'boy, yer good at it…" Jack hate good byes, he never knew what to say. But this seemed a little more important since this was the last time he was going to see Will. "And if you do get a son, read him some of my stories…" Jack smiled. Will nodded and said, "You're a good man Jack." And then put his arms around him for a hug. Jack flinched at first and then lightened up. He patted his friend on the back and they broke apart.
Next came Gwyneth. "Good bye Gwen…" Jack bit his lip and walked to her and put his arms around her. She tried to hold back the tears as she felt the ship come to a stop. This was it. Wonderful…She thought. "I'll miss you Jack," she whispered in his ear.
"And I you, luv."
They pulled apart and everyone sighed. Jack watched as Norrington had gotten a boat to them and they all were lowered down into it. Jack went to the side of the ship and yelled to Norrington, "Nice talkin' to you Commodore!"
He seemed to grunt as each woman was seated. "And the new lady- you'll get used to her!" He smiled a toothy grin and tried to keep his eyes on him instead on the others in the boat. He tipped his hat and said, "Until we meet again Commodore, which for you- won't be anytime soon!" and disappeared.
Jack walked to the helm and told Cotton to sail to Tortuga. And he nodded. He stomped to his cabin but before he confined himself Ana Maria came up and said, "Captain, are you sure about this?"
He turned and looked at her, usually she wasn't concerned in the matters of land lubbers, but she must've seen how the captain reacted to the leaving of his dearest friends and loved ones. "Aye, I'm sure." He nodded and then stepped into his cabin only to see Brenda sleeping soundly, with wet hair and beads and braids in her hair. He walked closer and saw a note next to her, addressed to him.
Jack,
I do hope you get this soon after our departure. I knew I wouldn't be able to say everything I would like to when we did finally leave, so here's a note. Thank you for everything. You helped me open up to people I thought I could never, you helped me get over Nathan and helped me realize that there's more to life than getting married and living for the rules.
Brenda is a sweetie and she will be missed. Elizabeth and I did do her hair…we had to. It was in her face and horrible- so there you go. Tell her that I miss her and that she was a perfect child and should keep on being perfect.
And Jack, I wanted to tell you that the best thing that I will always remember will be the night, you, I and Brenda sat up on the boat. That was possibly the best thing that I've ever experienced, thank you.
Truly,
Gwyneth Johnson
Jack sighed, "Goodbye Gwen…and thank you for giving my daughter something that will always remind me of you."
_____________________________
Author Thanks:
Emma436: Thanks for reading my last sequel- I thought it was bad, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully you're still reading this one…
Sarah: YAY! New reviewer! I'm glad. But yea, I guess Brenda is brave…I never thought of that. Funny. But yea, thanks for reviewing.
ThePinkPanther: Well today is Christmas…but did you read it one Christmas? Who knows. Well yea, thanks for the review.
Vicki Turner: I liked that last chapter too. Yes, Brenda does give some comical relief. Well if you're going to be sad when it ends…then…I'm sorry?
Bitty-Buffy
Dawnie-7: Tell me what you think of this chapter…I'd like to hear your thoughts of the Jack/Gwen thing going on….
PED-Sarah: I KNOW! I totally loved that chapter too!!! It was great! And I'm glad you liked it too!