Usual disclaimers. and it's raining! Life can't get more soggy than this, can it?

Firstly wow! Thanks for all the reviews... especially to Redmond who kinda went a little mad! I'm kinda surprised though she didn't review every single chapter of the previous two stories... but maybe she ran out of time! (wink) In answer to one of the reviews: Oran is NOT in love with Kitty but is still very close to her - like a big brother kind of love (if that makes sense).

BlueTrinity - you do not know the problems to the plot you've caused with your love of the donkey! Nevermind, I'll figure a way around them eventually. Mulberry said I couldn't have him run off and live in the lush Jamaican hills surrounded by a harem of beautiful lady donkeys... so I guess I'll just have to think again. (big sigh)

And a final special thanks to the new reviewers too... it is so appreciated when people actually say they are reading this (even if anonymously) - so if you haven't yet WHY NOT!

This is a quick single chapter update I'm afraid - and especially for Starlight it ends on another cliff hanger - mwhahaha!

***

Late January

The Catalyntie was late - very late and the night skies were as black as Jack's temper. He had trusted Jean Claude to be a man of his word yet there was no sign of the ship or any possible explanation for the delay. He smiled briefly as Catherine came to stand beside him, sliding her hand companionably in his as he stared at the lights of Tortuga.

"Do we sail tomorrow then?" she asked, knowing that he wanted to seek out the Frenchman.

"Aye luv, an' it'll be a red if we find 'em," he warned.

She sighed sadly. "It just doesn't seem like Jean Claude..."

"Kitty, when will you understand that he is nothin' but a lying Frog? What will it take t' convince yer?" Jack sighed, still unable to believe her faith in Jean Claude.

She smiled. "Probably when I see it with my own eyes. I just can't help thinking that something is wrong - I cannot believe he would break the accord, especially not in the very first year! It isn't like him Jack - perhaps something has happened to the Catalyntie..."

"Kitty," he tousled her hair affectionately. "How many years have yer been a pirate? Yer still too soft hearted fer yer own good!" He leaned across, kissing her on the nose as he wrapped his arms around her. However dark his thoughts, they could never remain dark with her around. "Comin' t' bed luv?" Whatever reason for the Catalyntie not being there, it could wait until morning.

"I thought you'd never ask," she teased, smiling up at him.

***

Jean Claude looked in horror as Anamaria hugged her stomach, her waters puddling at her feet. "What's wrong?" he asked.

She looked at him, eyes wide. "It's time!"

"Is it coming Ana?" he asked, panicking. Although he had known it would eventually happen, he was still not prepared for it.

She swallowed fearfully, nodding as she frantically tried to remember all she could about childbirth. She'd never even seen one and only knew roughly what to do from when she was a child when her own mother assisted the local midwife. Pirates did not often attend birthing women and she had been a pirate for a very long time.

"What do you need?" he asked worriedly, looking around the small shelter that they had managed to build..

"Err... hot water and towels would be nice..." She smiled between contractions. "But I guess we'll just have to make do with sea water and goat skins!" She paused, eyes wide with surprised pain. "And a stout branch if you can find one - Y-shaped that will take my weight..." She mimed leaning. "Mama always said gravity helped!"

Jean Claude gulped, dashing off through the trees, returning a short while later with a suitable branch. His face was bloodied and scratched - they did not have an axe and obviously the tree had put up a fight before he had gained his prize. He paled, finding her lying on the skins, back arched as another contraction racked her body. "Ana... Ana..." He helped her rise and lean across the branch but then paused, uncertain how to phrase his words. "Err... I know you are not going to like this, but your trousers will have to come off..."

"But..." Anamaria protested, uncomfortable at the intimacy even though she realised it was necessary.

"I'm sorry! I know you would rather I wasn't here, but I'm all there is. Forget modesty woman at least until the baby is born!" Jean Claude cried, praying that all would be well for he knew even less than Anamaria about childbirth.

She nodded, realising the truth of his words as he helped remove her trousers. She had been wearing them slung low beneath her expanding stomach for so long now and her shaking hands fumbled with the buckle.

"Let me help..." Jean Claude was grateful that her large shirt gave her a degree of modesty reaching as it did to a few inches past her bottom. He had the feeling however that this was going to be a very long night.

***

Hours later Jean Claude stared in amazement at the small child cradled in Anamaria's arms, his look of disbelief mirrored in her eyes. The small boy, for indeed that is what he clearly was, slept contentedly. "What are you going to name him," he whispered, afraid to wake the child.

Anamaria smiled tiredly for she had been in labour for a long time. "Neithan had already picked a name and I will honour his wish..." She gazed at the baby for such a time that Jean Claude thought she had forgotten him. "His name is Edan... Edan Hallam."

"Hallam?" Jean Claude went white. "As in Jeremiah Hallam?"

She nodded. "Jeremiah is...was... Neithan's father..." she sighed. "And Edan's grandfather."

"Is the old man still alive?" he gulped

Anamaria looked at him in confusion. "Yes, he has a home on the hill above Tortuga... why?"

Jean Claude laughed at himself. "Oh, nothing. I was raised on horror stories of the dread pirate Jeremiah Hallam - and here I sit next to his grandson..." He looked at her worriedly. "He's going to kill me when he finds out about his son..."

Anamaria looked at him shrewdly. "I do not think he will hold Neithan's death against you. He is a pirate, he knows how the sea runs... but I am sure that your protection of Edan will stand you in good stead - if we ever get off this bloody island!

"You should not give up hope... we will get our vengeance!" he stressed - eyes widening as he saw Edan wake and start to cry. "Sorry!"

"I think he's hungry..." Anamaria paused, waiting for him to leave but he did not. "Err - excuse me... I need to..." She reached to unbutton her shirt.

"Oh!" Jean Claude coloured. "Sorry!" He backed out of the shelter rapidly. "Call me when you're done!" Jean Claude fled to the safety of the beach having never felt so utterly embarrassed in his entire life.

***

Bren DeasĂșn, Captain of the trading ship Nessa Rose, stared in horror as the pirate ship bore down on them as he desperately ordered his men to load their few cannons. The sloop was faster and it was only a matter of time before they were caught.

"Captain!" Connor Regan, his helmsman cried from his position at the wheel. "Captain! We cannot outrun them!"

He nodded in understanding. "I'll be there in a moment!" Frantically he dashed into the cabin where his two daughters sat on the bunk, hugging each other in fear. He had not wanted to have them with him, but with no other family and his wife dead there was no choice but to keep them onboard. "Quickly - you must hide..." He bundled them into a small cupboard underneath the bunk, throwing some dirty blankets in to shield them. "Whatever happens, you must make no sound... promise me and I'll buy you those kittens you wanted..."

"We promise Daddy..." they dutifully replied.

"Now - not a sound!" He shut the cupboard door, placing a chair in front of it in the hope that the pirates would not spot their hiding place before returning to the deck. "Furl the sails an' lower your pistols. Hopefully they just want our cargo..."

But the pirates were not satisfied with their cargo of foodstuffs - flour, sugar and molasses although useful did not give fast and easy profits. In a rage they smashed the barrels, attacking the crew until they were all killed.

"Captain?" Henri Nevers looked towards Louis Lact who stood wiping his sword on a dead man's shirt.

Louis looked around the small ship in disgust. "Take what we can sell - leave the rest!"

"Should we fire the ship Captain?" Henri asked eagerly.

"No - leave it as a warning to others... perhaps the next ship will have something worth taking!"

He swung back aboard the Catalyntie, not even bothering to join in the looting of the dead bodies. His eyes drifted northwards towards Port Royal. Taking ships was just a diversion to keep the crew happy but soon they would be in the palm of his hand and then his plan of vengeance could begin. Soon... very soon!

***

"Richael... Richael... I'm scared," Eilis whispered, tears streaking down her face in the dark.

"Ssshhh!" her older sister warned. "Daddy said to wait. We must be quiet!" she hissed. It had been silent for a while now but still he had not come for them.

"But I need a wee!" Eilis pushed past her, opening the cupboard door a crack.

"Eilis!" Richael made a grab for her but the door swung open, pushing the chair over with a loud crash that echoed in the silence. The two children froze, scared that the noise would be heard and the bad men would come again - but nobody did even though the cabin doors were open. "Okay then... quietly!" They crept out of hiding, using the small private lavatory, or head, at the rear of the cabin before standing uncertainly next to the central table.

"Richael... I want Daddy!" Eilis started to cry, the oppressive silence frightening her.

"Okay," Richael gave in reluctantly. "Just a peek..." They crept to the doors... and screamed.

***

Jack frowned, looked again through his spy glass and frowned some more for he did not like what he saw. He turned, slowly scanning the horizon for any other sails, fearing a trap, but there were none. Catherine stood quietly at his side, eyes alert and cautious.

"Captain?" Oran stood uneasily at the helm awaiting his command.

"Something about that ship feels wrong... I don't know what or why, but I don't like it. Plague or sickness an' they wouldn't have furled th' sails. Take us in slow an' careful like... be ready fer a trap!" Jack turned to the nearest crew member. "Fearnan! Get aloft an' see what yer can see!" he ordered.

The Black Pearl crept slowly closer, gun ports open and cannons ready. He hadn't reached the ripe old age of... well, he wasn't admitting, but he hadn't reached it by being careless.

"Captain!" Paul Fearnan shouted down from the rigging. "They're dead! Looks like pirates got them - loads of blood!"

"Nice an' easy Booth... still could be a trap..." The Black Pearl slipped alongside. "Kitty, get in th' cabin... just fer now..." He was relieved she did not argue.

Oran read the ship's name as they drew level but did not recognise it. "Hmm... Nessa Rose - looks like a trader Captain..." His eye caught a flash of movement through the glass of the stern windows but he was unable to make out proper detail. "'Ware Captain! Somebody is alive! Stern cabin!"

Several crew who had already swung across raised their pistols, nudging each body they passed. Jack grabbed a rope and swung across carefully, landing cat-soft with pistol ready as he approached the single cabin. He pushed the door open cautiously and stopped. "Kitty!" he hollered. "Kitty! Can yer get here now!" One of the crew went to walk past him, but he held his arm across the door. "Kitty first Hawker!"

Even in the cabin she could hear his cry and ran out on deck, grabbing a rope and swinging across. She stood beside Jack, pushing William Hawker out of the way, grimacing as she noticed the dead bodies and blackened pools of blood everywhere.

"Jack?" The cabin was still and empty. "What am I supposed to be looking at?" she asked frowning.

"There's a child hiding under the bunk..." he whispered, pointing to a small cupboard half-hidden by a fallen chair. "I saw a foot disappear a few moments ago..." Quietly they crept forward, Jack using the tip of his sword to prise the door open, quickly sheathing it when he saw Catherine smile.

"Hello you two... what are you doing in there?" Two small girls, aged roughly four and seven stared at her, brown eyes wide with fright.

"Daddy told us to hide..." a young voice whispered. "Are you the bad men?"

"No - the bad men have gone..." Catherine said gently, crouching on the floor so not to seem so threatening.

"They killed everyone..." Richael's bottom lip started to tremble, tears filling her eyes.

"I know sweetheart. I know, but you can't stay here. Will you come across to my ship and I'll find you something nice to eat..." She knew the children could not stay in the cabin, but dreaded taking them out on deck.

"I want my kitten!" Eilis wailed. "Daddy promised us kittens if we stayed hidden..."

Catherine's lips twitched with a smile as she glanced at Jack, his expression priceless. "Well, I don't have any kittens onboard, but there is a big blue macaw that likes to play with children..." he suggested.

"What's a mac... maca..." Eilis tried to say, her curiosity getting the better of her as she tried to see who had spoken.

"It's a parrot... a big blue parrot - and it talks..." Catherine smiled, trying to tempt the children from their hiding hole.

"Really?" Eilis gasped.

"Don't be silly Eilis! Birds don't talk!" Richael stated knowledgably.

"This one does... would you like to come and see..." Catherine held her hands out to them, hoping that they would move.

Both children crawled slowly from the cupboard but stopped when they saw Jack sitting a short distance away. Richael's eyes went wide with fear, but Eilis started to giggle. "Funny man!" she pointed. "Funny man!" Catherine started to quietly laugh as Eilis ran across to Jack, closely inspecting his plaits and beads before finding one she liked. "Pretty!" she declared, plonking herself in his lap and looking up at him. "Funny man!"

Jack carefully stood up, holding Eilis in his arms as Richael timidly reached for Catherine's hand. "Will you shut your eyes Alice, it is not nice out there..."

"My name is Eilis, not Alice!" she argued. "And we already saw..."

"Well luv, there's no need t' see again, is there?" She shut her eyes obediently, snuggling against his neck. He turned to Richael. "You too luv... Kitty here will guide yer!"

Slowly he opened the door, cautiously shielding the children as best he could. The crew just stared, shocked at the sight of the small child snuggled in his arms. "Mister Gibbs, run a plank fer us if yer'd be so kind..."

"Aye Captain..." Gibbs stuttered, nearly missing the rope in shock as he swung across and found the plank for it was rarely used. In fact, the last person to use it had been Jack when Barbossa had marooned him for the second time. Jack nimbly walked across, followed by Catherine leading Richael carefully.

Oran looked up sharply from the helm as they reached the safety of the deck, his heart lurching. For a moment the four of them looked like a family, the hair colour of the girls a close match to that of Catherine but he knew that would never be. Whoever the children were, they were no Sparrows.

Jack turned quietly to Joshamee. "Gibbs - I want this ship searched fer anything useful... an' especially look fer things that might belong to th' girls." He paused, his eyes scanning the horizon. "I want us away as soon as possible - fire th' ship when we're clear!"

"That's my Daddy's ship!" Richael protested. "You can't burn my Daddy's ship!"

Jack crouched down, still holding Eilis. "Luv, it's th' sea fer yer Daddy or th' fire... an' fire will be a nicer way t' heaven - trust me..."

"I..." she faltered, unsure what to say, her bottom lip trembling again as she tried not to cry.

"I'll buy you a kitten..." he tempted.

"An' me!" Eilis squeaked excitedly in his ear.

"Both of yer... now, let's see about getting you something to drink..." He led the three of them into the cabin, closing the door quietly behind him in the assurance that Gibbs would see his orders carried out without question. The Commodore would need to know about this, he frowned, realising that he also had to get the children to somewhere far safer than a pirate ship. Unfortunately he also knew that it meant a visit to the one place he had promised not to go to - Port Royal!

***

Okay - before anyone moans about my spelling: the girls names are Irish and therefore are correct. It also explains their Celtic hair colouring. Ta!

Special final thanks to Mulberry for keeping me going even when she falls asleep at the keyboard - ta mate!