Usual disclaimers. oh well.

***

After their meal, Will, Elizabeth and the children returned to their home, but Theodore, Charlotte and Etta had remained on board. Eilis had not wanted to return, even when her kitten was mentioned and clung to Jack's leg with fierce determination - much to the crew's amusement. Eventually Will managed to prise her fingers away.

"Wanna sail!" she screamed angrily. "Wanna sail!"

"Maybe next time Eilis," Elizabeth consoled, wrapping her arms tightly around her to prevent a repeat escapade.

"Next time'll probably be real quiet like, know what I mean?" Jack sighed, looking seriously at Will. "Yer watch yerself mate - being friends with us is getting to be unhealthy ... savvy?"

Will looked at Jack in shock. "Surely it has not gone that far?" he gasped.

"I don't trust th' Governor... yer saw what he was like at th' smithy... just be careful!" Jack stressed.

Will nodded, climbing down into the boat where Joshamee and Cotton waited at the oars. Elizabeth passed Eilis down to him before hugging Catherine and Jack. "You take care yourselves," she warned. "We aren't the ones hunting pirates!"

They stood by the rail and watched as the boat rowed into the darkness, relieved to see it return unhindered. Joshamee and Cotton climbed back aboard, tying the boat securely.

"Well," Catherine sighed, "I guess we'd better get this place cleaned up..." She started to pick up the empty bottles and dirty plates, heading towards the galley. "Isaac - you can help too!" She turned to Theodore. "And no shooting the crew while I'm gone - please Theo?"

He smiled ruefully, wondering how she had known that he was watching Jean Claude. "I hate it when she does that!" he complained to Jack, who just laughed at him.

Catherine, returning for a second load of bottles noticed the wet-nurse, Etta, looking lost. "Um... where should I..." she began to say.

"You can take the bunk Etta," Catherine interrupted, smiling. "You will need it with Charlotte..."

"But where will you and the Captain sleep Mistress Sparrow?" Etta was confused by everything that had happened that evening with revelations of pirates, drawn pistols and heated arguments. If you then considered the delightful meal, cultured conversation and now being offered the Captain's bunk... nothing seemed to make sense any more.

"Don't worry... I'm sure Jack won't mind giving up his bunk for his niece - will you Jack?" She glanced across at him, daring him to say anything.

"No, no," he muttered. "Nothin' but th' best for m' niece. I'll sleep with th' crew - yer can sort yerself out a hammock too Theo." Jack led the way out of the cabin towards the gun deck. "Yer'd best no go back ashore in case ole Spense tries t' stop yer leavin'. We can drop yer off in Cuba an' yer can get passage back to wherever from there."

"Thanks Jack," Theodore sighed gratefully. He had been worried about the Governor realising that he intended to leave Port Royal and that he was taking Charlotte with him. "I seem to remember a little place with some pretty little churches that I am sure will do..."

Jack nodded, recognising his oblique reference to Port au Prince. "We'll find yer there when we're done," he smiled but then suddenly frowned. "Err, Theo... what d' yer want us t' do with Mary like... yer know..."

Theodore looked at him in confusion.

"D' yer want 'er back?" Jack asked bluntly.

"Of course Jack!" Theodore looked at Jack in disbelief. "You weren't suggesting there what I think you were?"

"Well, no but, yer know, she might not come willingly an' accidents do happen..." Jack coughed.

"Whatever Mary may have done she is still Charlotte's mother!" Theodore protested.

"Whatever mate," Jack shrugged. "Just wanted t' be sure of yer feelings - she did run off with a Frog after all..."

"Jack..." Theodore threatened.

"Alright... alright..." Jack held his hands up in surrender. "I'll not touch a single blonde hair on her pretty little head," he vowed. Jack looked at Theodore and grinned. "But I won't be responsible for Kitty..."

***

The following morning the crew of the Black Pearl bustled about her decks getting ready to sail when a small boat bumped against her hull. It was still early and Jack looked over the side surprised to see the Governor in the boat manned by a number of armed marines.

"What d'yer want?" he asked, but did not throw a rope down to the boat, nor give permission to come aboard. Thomas Spense stood and reached for the wooden ladder. "I said what d'yer want..." Jack drew his pistol, cocking it quietly. "An' I didn't give yer permission t' come aboard m' ship!" The marines looked up in shock at the loaded pistol, incredulous that he was threatening the Governor.

"You have my granddaughter!" Thomas Spense arrogantly announced. "And I want her back!"

"She's not yours t' take back... an' as she's here with her father like I don't see it's any of yer business!" Jack's pistol did not waiver, but he smiled to himself as he heard his crew listening to the conversation. None of them liked the Governor for what he had done to Catherine and they were enjoying the pay back.

"I demand to see her!" he shouted.

"No!" Jack smiled as he disappeared from view of those in the boat. "Weigh anchor!" he shouted at the crew. "And tell yer father-in-law Theo t' sod off!"

Theodore stared over the side of the ship, relieved to see that they had backed off slightly to avoid the anchor. "I believe Jack spoke correctly Sir," he smiled, determined to remain polite.

"I demand to see my granddaughter!" Thomas Spense screamed with rage, unused to having his wishes thwarted in such a manner.

"As you can see, we are leaving." Theodore smiled at the shock and disbelief on the man's face. "And we will not be coming back!"

"You cannot do this!" the Governor shouted furiously. "I will not permit it!"

"I don't think you are in a position to stop me, are you? Charlotte is my daughter, she is staying with me and that will be as far from you as I can possibly get!"

Theodore turned and nodded to Jack as he knocked politely on the cabin doors before entering. Etta and Charlotte were already awake and the wet- nurse was eating some of the small breakfast that Catherine had set on the table. He smiled, reaching for a cup of coffee as he ignored the shouts of the Governor when the Black Pearl slid from the harbour. There was no way he was allowing that man anywhere near his daughter ever again.