It took three days to get to Port Royal and in that time, Cordelia had barely slept or eaten a thing – and it showed. Her eyes were red and tired, her movement sluggish. Anamaria had told her that she was going to be taken to the Turner residence and Cordelia didn't fight it, she had nowhere else to go.
Anamaria and Gibbs helped Cordelia from the ship to the Turner household. Gibbs knocked on the door and the three simply waited. The door opened and a very surprised Will stood before them. "Cordelia? Anamaria? Mr. Gibbs? What's going on?"
Cordelia spoke her first words in quite some time. "Will, Jack's dead." Her lower lips trembled and she fought against another bout of tears.
"What?" Will said, wide-eyed.
"'Tis true, Will," Gibbs said.
Anamaria held out the folded piece of paper that Jack gave her – and she had resisted reading. "This is for you, Will. I don' know exactly wha' it is, but it's meant for yer eyes alone." Will took the paper, his face expressionless. "We 'ave t' set sail before someone decides tha' the ship's up t' somethin' no good."
"I understand," Will said.
Gibbs handed Will the few things that Cordelia had, then gently hugged Cordelia. "Take care, lass." Cordelia nodded.
Anamaria reached out for the shell of a woman before her and hugged her tightly. "'E's always goin' t' love ye, Cordy, I swear it. I won' forget about ye either, I promise. We'll visit ye when we can."
A shadow of a smile crossed Cordelia's face. "Thank you…for everything."
"Yer welcome, Cordy." Without another word, she and Gibbs left.
"Cordelia, please come inside," Will said, feeling foolish. Cordelia followed him in and he led her to the sitting room where Elizabeth was having a cup of tea. "Elizabeth?" Will said softly.
Elizabeth looked up from her tea, Will's tone worrying her right away. "Cordelia?" Elizabeth smiled widely and got up from her seat. "How wonderful to see you!" She looked at Will. "The tone of your voice had me worried, Will." Before he could say anything, Elizabeth asked, "Where's Jack?"
Will face looked pained. "Elizabeth," he said gently, "Jack's…he died."
Elizabeth was horrified. "Oh, God…Cordelia, I'm so very sorry." She put her arms around Cordelia and hugged her. Silent tears streamed down her face not able to imagine what Cordelia must be feeling. Elizabeth pulled back and looked at Cordelia, "Oh, you poor thing," Elizabeth cooed through her tears. She wanted to ask what happened, but knew this was not the time. "You look terribly exhausted. I'll have the room you were in before prepared for you. You haven't eaten either, have you? I can tell. Cordelia, you need to eat something so you don't fall ill an'…"
"Elizabeth," Will said, "I realize that you're only trying to help, but calm down before you make her run off."
"I'm so very sorry," Elizabeth said. "Cordelia, please, at least have a little tea with me."
"That would be nice," Cordelia said in a hushed voice. Her next thought sounded like a realization. "I…I don't have anyone else anymore."
Elizabeth pushed a lock of hair behind Cordelia's ear. "You will always have us, I promise." Elizabeth poured a cup of tea and the two women sat in front of the fireplace.
Will walked to the corner of the room and sat in a chair next to an oil lamp. He unfolded the piece of paper that Anamaria gave him. He took a deep breath before reading it, knowing that it must have been from Jack.
Dear William,
You'll notice that I didn't call you a eunuch, therefore you realize that this is a serious occasion. Since you're reading this, my fight with Ahriman must have ended badly. I've had Cordelia sent to you and Elizabeth – she has nobody else. She deserves a happy life and I want you to make sure that happens. She deserves to have a love – but keep bloody Norrington away from her. I'm sure you and Elizabeth know a fine young gentleman who can love her and provide for her. If she ever wonders, make sure that she knows that I want her to be happy and that I love her.
~Jack
Will had so many things on his mind at that moment. Jack had thought enough to write something ahead of time, he wrote much better than he spoke, and that he could incorporate humor into such a grave situation. Only Jack.
