***Author's Note***

Posting yet another chapter! I want to say a big, BIG, thank you to all of those who have taken the time review, you have no idea how much your reviews mean to me.

Ok, enough talk, time for the next chapter.

Hope you enjoy. J

P.S. I know how much you all hate cliffhangers, so I decided to give you a break with this chapter J

Chapter 9: The Adventure Begins

"Amanda!" I gasp. "Oh my God, you're safe!"

I embrace my daughter tightly, kissing her forehead repeatedly. This is an absolute miracle.

"She's been fine Mr. Turner," a young woman laughs.

My eyes are drawn up towards the woman and I can't restrain my smile. I don't know what it is but lately, when Emily is near me, I feel weak in the knees. It is nearly impossible for me not to show any sign of happiness when she is around.

I decide that I will wait to punish Amanda until after Emily has taken her leave.

"My daughter was with you the entire time?" I present a cool laugh, not wanting her to believe that I had been worried.

"Yes," she laughs. "Apparently she hadn't played enough with her little friend, here." She gestures lovingly towards the young boy sleeping in her arms. His head rests comfortably on her shoulder and his small legs are wrapped around her waist.

His hair is unkempt and locks of curly brown hair cover his eyes. His tiny mouth slightly hangs open and he snores quietly. He wears a golden object about his neck, which glistens in the candlelight. However, I can't clearly ascertain what it is.

The boy is cute and I can't help but notice the distinct similarities between himself and his mother.

"I hope you weren't too worried, Mr. Turner. I brought Amanda over here as soon as I found her. She and Matt were both sound asleep on my front lawn.

"We were watching the boats, daddy!" Amanda declares. "I saw Jack's ship!"

Oh no.

Emily laughs. "That's right, your daughter has told me some interesting stories Mr. Turner."

A large lump begins to form in my throat. "Stories?" I choke.

"Yes, yes. I know all about your protecting a pirate, here in your own household." She smiles and winks at me.

I realize she is just pretending. She must think that the story about Jack is something Amanda creatively contrived. I figure this is a good thing, though. If she doesn't believe that I am aiding a pirate, what harm could it do to pretend that I am?

But if there is one thing that I've never had the liberty of possessing, it's good fortune. A crash erupts from the kitchen, shocking Emily, the kids, and myself.

Matt has woken up due to the clamor and glances wildly about the room.

"What was that?" Emily questions. I can detect a sense of fear in her voice. I smile nervously

"Cat." I answer dumbly, and note to later kick myself for that one.

"But daddy, we don't have a cat. It's probably Jack," she giggles.

I take in a deep breath. "Sweetheart, it is just the cat. You have told your Jack Sparrow tale numerous times and now it's time for you to go to bed.

Amanda narrows her eyes at me; I hate when she does that.

Matt stirs uncomfortably in his mother's arms; I feel sorry for the kid, he must be scared to death.

Emily laughs nervously, glances towards the kitchen, and screams.

Jack walks flamboyantly towards us and speaks.

"So, I see your having a party and so it seems I was not worthy to merit an invitation. I see how it is." A cocky smile and a nod of the head are Jack's physical way of greeting.

Amanda giggles uncontrollably while Emily and Matt stare in unpleasant surprise.

Emily covers her mouth and gasps, "Oh my God, a…Pirate!" She turns to me, her eyes wild. You really are hiding a pirate? Are you absolutely mad?"

I want to respond but I cannot find the find the proper words. Jack comes to my rescue.

"Now young miss," he begins "I am a man of no threat, so stay calm."

Emily is completely bewildered at Jack's address to her. She pulls Matt closer to her and slowly steps back towards the door.

"I should…call for the Commodore," she says cautiously, looking to me as though I have betrayed her.

Jack shifts nervously but does not speak. I suppose he is leaving everything up to me now. I step forward and place my hand upon Emily's and she quivers at my touch.

"Emily, please. I need you not to speak a word of my hiding Jack to anyone. It's important that you shan't speak about Jack's being in Port Royal at all."

She still holds Matt against her with one arm and her other hand rests perfectly in my own. This is the first time I've ever touched her like this.

After several moments of holding her hand in silence, Jack coughs all too obviously and I'm quite disappointedly pulled from the clouds. Emily cocks her head appearing to be slightly baffled by my manner.

"Please Emily. Jack may be a bit…grotesque in appearance--"

There is an audible growl from Jack but I proceed.

"But he is a…friend of mine who has done more good for me than most have and he has now traveled far to help my daughter and me. I beg you not to turn him in until you have granted to him the chance to prove his worth."

She is silent for several seconds but answers soon enough.

"You can count on me not to tell a soul, Mr. Turner. I do trust you." She smiles at me and then again doubtfully, at Jack. "Well," she speaks again, " I believe I've taken up enough of your time. It is late and I've got to get my son back into bed." She smiles.

But after that last comment, a cold reality hits. This may be the last time that I ever see Emily again.

When I thought that Barbossa had captured Amanda I was prepared to leave my home to rescue her. Now that I know she is at the moment safe, I understand that I must prevent her from being taken from me.

The only way that I can ensure that Barossa will not find Amanda is to leave Port Royal. I'll sail with Jack to God only knows where and I will do it to protect my daughter, the way that I swore I would. I have no other choice.

Why does it have to be like this?

"Mr. Turner, Mr. Turner? Are you all right?" Emily's lovely voice calls to me and I realize that I still grasp her hand in mine. She gazes down at our fingers, now intertwined but I can't read her expression. I wish more than anything that I could at this moment read her mind, to discover what it is she's thinking.

I squeeze her fragile fingers gently before letting go.

I turn to Amanda who chases Jack throughout the room. He runs strangely, arms thrown over his head. Matt, who has now been fully awakened, looks as though he'd like to join Amanda's chase.

However, there is no time for that. It is vital that Jack, Amanda, and I, leave as soon as possible.

"Amanda," I beckon. "Come and say goodnight to Matt. He and his mother are leaving now."

Amanda obediently runs over to Emily, who finally releases her son. The two children hug (something, which I'm somewhat surprised to see,) and Matt says a shy 'good night, Amanda.' My daughter says the same in return and then proceeds to chase Jack once again, who groans in protest.

Emily and I laugh together for the last time as she lifts her son back into her arms.

"Well, good bye, Emily." I manage to force a smile. In return she smiles sweetly, the same smile that causes me to melt every time.

"Good bye, Mr. Turner. I assume I will be seeing you again soon?"

I swear that I see a spark of hope in her eyes and so it pains me to lie to her.

"Yes, we will see each other again, real soon."

Satisfied with my response, she opens the door and exits the house.

"Oh, Emily!" I call out to her.

She turns to me curiously, her eyes questioning.

"I believe I asked you to call me Will." I smile.

She nods with a small grin. " I promise to remember that from now on…Will." My name, almost at a whisper, sounds wonderful when spoken by her.

I then watch downheartedly as the first woman that I have had feelings for in years, dwindles away, into the distance. I wonder if I might ever see her again.

I do hope so.

**************************************************************

I close the door after many minutes have passed by. Amanda lays on the floor, fast asleep while Jack sits upon a chair, thumbing a familiar, broken compass.

He looks at my daughter for a few moments and then gazes at me from across the room.

"So, young William," he says at a volume nearly inaudible. "What is your plan?"

With a voice just as quiet, firm, and without hesitation, I reply.

"We have what we need gathered already, Amanda's fast asleep so she needn't yet know what is happening. It shouldn't be too hard to carry her to the Pearl without waking her. We leave now."

***To Be Continued***