Author's Note: it's almost 11 o'clock at night, I've got cramps and backaches like you wouldn't believe, I can't sit in this chair any longer, and I got four or five hours of sleep last night.  Not to mention a 8 o'clock class tomorrow morning.  What am I saying?  No author's thanks this time around, and I'm sorry, and I love you all, and I promise to get to it next time around.  Thank you all.

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After successfully persuading the Morgan women to get a carriage and leave her be, Kendra sighed to herself.  And my past comes rushing back to me . . . good ol' Jim.  Breathing in deeply, she put a bit more spring in her step and made her way to The Smuggler's Cove.  Sighing at the name, she spotted Jim at a table and smiled as he waved her over.

   "'ey there, lass.  Good ta see ye after all this time.  What ye been up to?  What's this business with watchin' skirts?  Never thought ye'd have the patience for such nonsense."

   Kendra smiled and sat across from him. "Started as a favor for an ol' friend. Ta take care a' 'is wife while 'e was away.  Now I'm watchin' the 'ole family, it seems.  Not that it's too bad of a job.  Tolerable, indeed, for a land job.  And they feed and board me.  I got nothin' to really complain 'bout."

   "Which ol' friend is this?"

   She chuckled to herself.  "Sparrow of the Pearl.  Did ye 'ear 'bout that 'ole ordeal?"

   "Ye had a run-in with Captain Sparrow?  When was this?"  Jim stared in awe.

   Leaning back in her chair, Kendra grinned.  "Let's get that rum first.  Then I'll tell ye of the 'ole ordeal with Sparrow . . . ."

Alex came downstairs and was surprised to see Ken sitting at a table with an older pirate.  What's he doing here?  Taking a day off from watching Freddy?  It would make sense for her to chase the boy off . . . he was practically her shadow.  And with Jack settling back in, I suppose she wants some time alone with him.   Coming a little closer he began to hear snatches of their boisterous conversation.

   ".lil' Ken, ye still 'maze me.  Cap'n after so short a time.  And 'ow old are ye now? Twenty-six?"

   Captain.  Was this the same Ken?  Or was this the explanation to the audacity that he had displayed?  If Ken had been hiding that . . . what else is he hiding?  Alex seated himself just outside of sight and continued to listen closely.

   "Almost twenty-six.  I've yet to get that old.  But that's not all, Jim!  Them skirts I been watchin', remember them?"  Jim nodded.  "Listen close, they's the wives and only granddaugha' of the late Captain Henry Morgan."  Kendra bowed her head and put her hat to her heart for a moment.  "May 'is soul rest in peace."

   Jim nodded and did the same.

   Jim nodded and did the same.  After a short pause, he cleared his throat.  "So, what's the latest news on the Dilettante?  For 'ow long ye been watcin' the skirts?  Surely ye can't stay 'way from the sea for too long.  I thought it was part of ye blood."

   "Aye, that be true.  Me crew was gettin' restless so I sent 'em off for some plunderin'.  Been getting reports of rich waters.  Finnan, me first mate, makes a good enough captain.  I think pretty soon I'll 'elp 'im buy 'is own ship.  Of course 'e'll 'ave to ask for it."

   Jim chuckled.  "Any romance for ye?  I know ye never had much luck . . ."

   Kendra sighed and slumped.  "Jim. . . .  Why is it that ye always bring that up?  Really, I'm fine.  Pirate cap'ns rarely get knotted anyways."

   Jim set his mug down and looked to Kendra sadly.  "I know what it's like to be alone though, Ken.  Surely ye could find at least one man willin' to at least take a gander at ye. . . ."

   "Knock it off!" Kendra snapped, standing and shaking.  "I know ye're tryin' to 'elp, but it's not gonna work that way!  I'm ne'er seen as meself, and if I 'ad to tell 'im what I was it'd be a shame.  I got a 'eart Jim.  I . . . I don't want to sell m'self out like a whore either."  She sat down and began to brood.  "I ne'er said I enjoyed bein' lonely, but I like me life like it is.  I get by just fine."

   Jim watched her for a moment, then nodded.  "Sorry Ken, didn't mean to set ye off like that."

   "I know," Kendra sighed, "just been keepin' up me façade again.  Starts to wear on me afta' a time."

   Alex went back up the stairs with more than the small cabin boy's revealed identity on his mind.

Winn fidgeted in her seat as Cat did her hair.  She was wearing some of her new clothes - a maroon pantsuit with a white shirt - and now she was letting Cat finish handling her transformation while Elizabeth and her sister-in-laws sat around and talked.  For a moment she envied Kendra her freedom wander as she pleased, to meet up with old friends, to be free to act without anyone offering their opinion of what she was and wasn't strong enough to do.  But then her child rolled and Winn remembered how nice it was to be able to turn around and find Jack behind her ready to hold her, and she let the envy go.  It was true that she might be less than self-sufficient at the moment, but that would pass.  At least she hoped it would.  She and Jack still needed to decide what they were going to do with a baby.  Thus, the elaborate get-up for tonight.

   Cat managed to tame the few strands of hair that were trying to escape the coiffure she'd persuaded Winn's hair into just as a door slammed somewhere downstairs.  "Looks like the boys are back," she remarked as excited yelling spread through the lower level of the house.  Grace and Sarah both got up to go chastise their rowdy sons, while Elizabeth came over to give Winn a hug.

   "You're gorgeous.  Positively glowing," she teased as Winn made a face.  Every shop they'd gone into had rung with that same complement.

   "No I'm not.  I'm fat and irritable."

   Elizabeth and Cat looked at each other, then at Winn.  "And you've never looked better."

   Winn threw her hands up in the air.  "I give up."

   "Tell me,"  Elizabeth smiled evilly, "does Jack appreciate the extra cleavage the baby's given you?"

   "Elizabeth Swann!" Winn gasped, completely flabbergasted.

   "That's Mrs. Turner, to you."

   "Yes, old, gossipy, Mrs. Turner."  The women all turned to the door to find Jack leaning against one doorjamb, his arms crossed over his chest.  "Never thought you'd sink to that, Lizzy."

   "That's what becomes of married mothers whose husbands leave them alone all day, Jack.  Before you know it, Winn and I will be sitting around gossiping about the neighbors and complaining about our husbands."

   Jack grumbled, "I'll have to mention to Will that he's not beating you regularly enough."  With a melodramatic sigh, he pointed his head towards the hallway.  "As much as I hate to do it, I have to break up your gathering, ladies.  Dom's assured me that if we don't sit down to dinner now, it'll be ruined forevermore and it'll be on your heads."

   Cat and Elizabeth both gave Winn one last hug before leaving the room, ginning slyly at Jack as they left.  Elizabeth went so far as to push Jack into the room so she could close the door, leaving the couple alone together.

   "What was that about?" Jack asked, as his eyes traveled over Winn's form.  For all his teasing, she still was rather small - nowhere near as large as she'd be in another month or two.  The maroon color she was wearing made her hair seem a bit browner than usual, something he knew Winn would be grateful for.  She often complained that she had indecisive hair because it was so dark.  Personally, Jack loved it, although he wouldn't mind if she would grow it out again.  He remembered how long it'd been when they'd first met.  Now it was shorter than his.

   "Nothing.  I think that, umm, they're all glad to have the opportunity to dress me up a bit."  Winn resisted the urge to run her hands through her hair, knowing Cat would be upset if her creation didn't last even five minutes.  She smiled bashfully as Jack crossed the room to stand in front of her.

   Slipping a knuckle under her chin, Jack raised Winn's head, looking down into her eyes for a moment, before lowering his to give her a gentle kiss.  Winn shivered, but responded, slipping her arms around Jack's shoulders and rising up on her toes.  She'd missed this.  It'd been months since either of them had been in good enough health for this.

   Just as the kiss was on the verge of getting out of hand, a knock came on the door.  The couple broke apart slowly, Jack not letting go of his wife.  "If it's one of the kids, they're not staying."

   Winn shook her head.  "It's dinner.  The girls thought it'd be nice for us to dine alone tonight."

   Jack's eyebrows rose as a smirk spread across his face.  Giving Winn one last kiss before going to answer the door, Jack murmured, "God bless busybodies."

Later - much later - Winn stopped drawing and looked at Jack.  Drawing together was something they'd started as a way to dispel rumors that all they did together was spend time in bed.  This way, they could pull out evidence that they'd been doing other things - as long as no one asked how long they spent on the sketches. 

   It was a game of sorts - one of them would draw a backdrop while the other would fill in the foreground, both of them doing their work at the same time.  Jack's . . . contributions . . . tended to be on the lascivious side of things, while Winn tried to keep hers a bit more tame.  Needless to say, not every picture was pulled out at proof.

   They'd been doing this for some time when Winn had finally gathered the courage to ask Jack, "What are we going to do, Jack?"

   "What'd'ye mean, love?"  He saw that Winn was agitatedly playing with her piece of charcoal, so he took it away, setting all drawing supplies on the floor.  Giving Winn his full attention, he asked, "What are we going to do about what?"

   "The baby."

   "Well, I was thinking we could find a nice wolf pack, or perhaps a den of otters, and -"

   "Jack."  Winn had a smile on her face, although it didn't quite reach her eyes.

   Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, Jack said, "There's not much we can do about the baby.  For one thing, we've already done enough - that's how we got the baby.  It's going to come when it's ready, and then we'll have things to do, but until then all we can do is wait."

   "I know that.  I meant, what are we going to do with a baby once we have one that I can hand off to you?  Newborns can't exactly be taken aboard ship, Jack."

   Oh.  "Well, to tell you the truth, I hadn't given it much thought yet.  We've been strugglin' to keep our heads above water up until now."

   "I'm six months pregnant, Jack.  I think we need to decide on what we're going to do, or at least consider it."

   "Alright.  What do you think we should do?"

   Winn stopped and looked at him as if he were someone she didn't recognize.  What was this?  Jack was supposed to make the decision - she might argue with him, but he . . . he was 'the Captain."  That was his job.  But the fact that he was asking her opinion made her hope that perhaps things might not be too horrible.  "I don't know," she admitted.  "I do know that I don't want to be left behind for months on end while you're out pillaging and plundering.  But I also know that it's not a good idea to take a child on a ship until they've at least been taught to stay out of things, which is usually between the ages of two and three.  I'm willing to stay on land for that long, but I want our child to know its father as well, and I don't want to ask you to live on land for that long, because I know you'd hate it."

  "I wouldn't abandon you or my child, Winnie.  I would stay if you asked."  He knew she'd never ask it of him though.

   "No.  After all this time on land, and with getting the Pearl back, I'm sure you'll be eager to be getting on with your work."

   Ah, yes.  The Pearl.  There's a good excuse.  Gibbs had been sending regular reports on how repairs were coming, knowing that either Jack or Winn would wish to stay updated.  Last week, Jack had finally sent a reply back.  The modifications he'd sent to Gibbs for the Captain's cabin were going to add another month or two to the repair time.  "We've another six months to decide what to do, Winnie.  The Pearl won't be complete until then."  He paused before adding, "We both know that you - that we'll always be welcome here."

   "But without Grandfather -"

   "Ry and Cat will be here with their brood.  It'll be just as loud and boisterous as always, love."  That was what she was afraid off.  She loved her family, but she was used to having time alone with her husband.  Jack saw the mild dismay on her face, and tucked it away to think about later.  "Like I said, we've months to consider our options, and another ordeal to get through before that time is up.  Just focus on getting through the next three months.  Then we'll decide where we'll be living until the three of us are ready to move back aboard the Pearl year round."  He nuzzled her shoulder.  "I don't suppose I could persuade you to think of other things for a bit?"

   Winn smiled, comforted that Jack was going to work through this with her.  "Well, you might have to try rather hard, but it's possible."

   "Blaspheme."

   "And why's that."

   "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow.  Women swoon for me."

   "Is that right?"

   "Aye."

   "Prove it."

   Leaning over her, Jack whispered, "My pleasure."

Kendra fidgeted as she waited for everyone to be served at dinner several nights later.  This was the one time of day that everyone was gathered together for a meal, so it was the opportune moment to share her news, really.  'Tis no different than addressing the crew in the galley, she told herself.  After all, the dinning hall was huge - the table at least fifteen feet long.  Yet, once there was thirty-odd people in the room, not counting the babes in arms, that space quickly became much smaller.  And louder.

   But she'd resolved herself to make the announcement.  Jim had blown her cover with the women, and Jack was bound to slip up sometime soon.  Or perhaps they could even figure her out.  But it wouldn't do for her façade to be failing before everyone.  What kind of pirate let a lie fizzle out?  It was pathetic.  Better to tell the truth once the lie no longer served its purpose.  Breathing deeply, Kendra began to mull over how exactly she would, in a sense, expose herself.  The Dilettante had come into port that evening, and so she planned on leaving the next morning, but that didn't make the truth of what she had to say any easier.

   When Jack saw the small pirate stand, he guessed what was coming.  He'd heard from one of the young people running around - one of Ry's children who'd gone to town with him, no doubt - that a new ship had come into port.  The Dilettante.  He envied Kendra's ability to leave on her own ship when she wished, but bit that back.  His ship was being repaired, and Winn's peace of mind was more important than being free to come and go as he pleased.  Even if he had the Pearl, staying with Winn would be his priority.  But if I had my ship, I could talk her onto going on it with me until it was time for the babe to come.  Dismissing his thoughts, he watched as the small pirate tried to gain the attention of the horde at the table.

   "Hello, everyone, I have an announcement. . . ."  Kendra scowled as she only gained about a third of the table's attention.  And if she was going to do this, she only wanted to do it once, which was why she was doing this at dinner.  Clearing her throat and taking a deep breath, she tried again.  "Morgan household!"  The tone of authority in her voice made everyone but the youngest children look in her direction. 

   For a moment she froze.  That was effective. . . I must remember that these people are used to listening to captains.  Recomposing herself, she hid her slight bit of anxiety.  "Sorry to disturb your dinner, but I have an announcement to make.  I know that . . . I have not been the most forthcoming with information, but it goes with the territory.  I . . . I not all that I seem."  The older children were looking particularly interested, especially Bella.  Out of the corner of her eye, Kendra saw that Alex - who'd stopped by to see Winn - was leaning back in his chair and watching her with a blank face.  Wonder what his problem is.  "Aye, I'm a pirate, aye, I'm an old acquaintance . . . friend . . . of Sparrow's, and indeed I served as his cabin boy for a time."  Pausing, she swallowed hard.  Somehow, this never got easier, and the thirty pairs of eyes weren't helping.  Winn's calm gaze helped bolster her, though.  Winn, a woman who'd leaned to deal with male pirates on her own terms, not on theirs.  "I am Kendra - Captain Kendra - of the Dilettante.  Twenty-five, most definitely a woman - despite my appearance - and a pirate in my own right.  So . . ." she felt her voice go out for a moment.  "Any questions?  Oh, but before that.  As you've likely heard, my ship has come into port and I will be taking a short trip with it.  A week, maybe two depending on conditions."

   The only Morgans that seemed affected by her announcement were the women who were nodding as if they'd been suspecting something like this was coming, Winn who was looking proud, the men who were shooting Jack suspicious glances, and Bella, who was looking somewhat shocked.  Cat had leaned over and was whispering to her - undoubtedly telling her to contain her questions for later.  Elizabeth was whispering to Will - probably trying to wipe the surprised look off his face - and Jack was just looking at her as if he were prepared to ask, Is that the best you've got?

   "Come lass - surely you can come up with something a bit more scandalous than that."

   Kendra shrugged.  "I haven't had to give the speech too many times.  You had to have it bluntly . . . pointed out . . . before you realized anything was amiss with my identity," she smirked.  "And well . . . the only other person I've really told is Janette.  This'll be my second time."

   Jack shrugged.  Kendra's gaze moved on to Alex.  He face was still blank, the usual humor in her eyes gone in favor of a more thoughtful look, as if he was                     trying to make some sort of decision about her.  He didn't look happy, but he didn't look upset either.

   "What, smuggler?" she narrowed her eyes.  "If you've got a question, ask it.  I've got dinner to finish eating, and I'd be much obliged if the allotted time for questions is over soon."

   The look disappeared as if it'd never been on his face, his customary look of amusement taking its place.  "No, just wondering how long it took Sparrow to figure out her secret.  I'm betting it took longer than three weeks."

   Kendra grinned.  "Much longer."

   Jack grumbled.  "It's not as if I didn't have other headaches to deal with at the time, Pierre."

   Kendra smirked.  "Aye, but it was your choice to pick up the Fluff in the first place.  Plus you didn't have to be the only person she could talk to.  And . . . making trouble for big, bad captains is what I do best."  She smirked and scanned the group.  "No questions?  Good.  Then we can all return to dinner."

   Kendra returned to her meal as Alex and Jack fell into the pattern of good-natured ribbing that'd been formed between them over the years.  "So, Jack, how long did it take you to figure it out?  And how did you manage to get someone as quick-tempered as her aboard?"  Alex ginned.  "If I didn't know better, I'd say you like being lambasted by irritable women."  

   The miniature pirate was engrossing herself in her meal.  Of all the things to mention . . . I think I'll have to hurt that smuggler if he stays that impertinent about me. . . .

   Noticing the blush that had stained Kendra's cheeks, Winn turned on her friend in exasperation.  "Alexander Thompson, are you implying that I have a hot temper?"  He nodded.  Her eyes narrowed as she glared at him.  "I swear I will get you one of these days."

   "And you," she turned to Jack.  "Why is it that I've never heard about any of this before?  It's not as if you haven't had time to tell me a story that seems this interesting - especially if you feel as if you can call on Kendra's aide when you need it."

   Kendra scowled at Sparrow.  "If you dare to say that I'm so small that I'm forgettable, I will remind you of many memories.  Need I kick you in the shin, or inflict other pain to prove my point?"

   Jack grimaced.  "The things men have to put up with."  Winn thumped him on the shoulder.  "Okay, okay, I'll tell the story.  But not now."

   Kendra wasn't about to let him get away with that.  If the story had to be told, it'd be where she could hear it and cut back on any 'embellishments' he might try to add.  Setting down her utensils, she grinned and leaned forward.  "How about we tell that tale before all those wishing to listen.  Wouldn't want you to miss any of the proper details, Sparrow."

   "And I'm sure the children would love to hear the tale," Elizabeth added.

   Kendra raised an eyebrow.  "All of the children?"

   Winn shrugged.  "Well, the ones under two might find it hard to sit still for as long as this might take, but the rest love a story they've never heard before."  Sounds of agreement rose from most of the children at the table.

   Kendra mumbled.  "Guess we'll have to work out the details of that whole storm. . . ."

   Jack winced.  "You wanted to go into that?"

   Winn looked between the two with raised eyebrows.  "Surely you weren't planning on leaving anything out on my account, were you, Jack?"

   Kendra winced and looked to her food.  "Not particularly, but it'd be hard to skip too much of it. . . ."

   Jack simply grabbed Winn's hand under the table and squeezed it in reassurance.  "Don't tell me you're jealous, Winnie," he joked.

    "I'm not.  I'm just selective when it comes to hearing about . . . certain aspects of your past."  And that's jealousy the last time I checked.

   Jack simply squeezed her hand again, while asking in an aggrievedly innocent voice, "You think I remember any of the women I met before you graced me with your beautiful visage?"

   Winn rolled her eyes, but she shifted her hand so their fingers intertwined.  "You're such a liar.  Has anyone ever told you that you're too roguish for your own good?"

   Kendra glanced at the couple and sighed, slumping.  "Nothin' to worry 'bout Winn.  Not romantic in any way.  The daft man thought I was no older than Bella the whole time.  Until it was blatantly in his face, that is."

   "Maybe you should tell the tale from the beginning instead of giving bits and pieces that worry temperamental pregnant ladies."

   "The day I need advice from a smuggler is the day I wear a dress," Kendra muttered.

   With the conversation having taken a turn for more interesting waters, the onlookers quieted down and let Kendra and Jack tell their tale.

Kendra had been at sea for nearly two weeks when she came across . . . a golden opportunity really.  She'd decided before she left that she was going to stay with Winn . . . and Sparrow . . . until the babe was born.  And perhaps a bit afterwards.  Jack Sparrow as a father was something that defined imagination, but her curiosity wouldn't let her miss it.  Besides, she'd come to respect Winn - irritability and all - and she'd like to get to know the woman a bit better.  She'd been working hard for the past five years since her short sojourn on the Black Pearl, and she'd been working hard since then.  A bit of break would do her good, and she was now assured that her crew - or at least her first mate and a good portion of the crew - was loyal to her.  She could take a bit of time for herself.  Right after she settled a personal score.

   The Persephone was easy enough to spot.  The ship was trimmed with luxurious adornments.  Kendra found it hard to believe the thing had made it all the way from England and was still floating.  Grinning back at her crew, she let out a yell.

   "Ready to pluck some Brit wigs?"

   "Aye aye!" was the reply.

   She turned back and found it hard not to grin broader.  The Persephone.  She'd paid some informants to keep tabs on any officials that would be profitable to attack.  Perfect.  Go out to stretch my legs and I get the perfect opportunity to pluck a fat wig.  One that is in sore need of a lesson.  You're in for a bit of a surprise, Hallington.  She breathed deeply, preparing herself for battle.  As they neared the British ship, Kendra was glad of the Dilettante's speed and agility, despite the incompetence of the other crew.  Hallington's men were obviously not expecting to be attacked, so did not react quickly enough to fire many of their cannon.  Never mind that their aim was terrible.

   Kendra and her crew boarded, looking every bit a band of blood-thirty pirates, but her crew was under strict orders.  Their captain had made it clear not to kill unless it was absolutely necessary, and they would follow those orders or risk her wrath.

   Hallington's crew was easily subdued and many did not even put up much of a fight.  Pampered wigs indeed, Kendra mused, striding up to the captain after the pirates were most definitely in control.

   The man had his hands tied behind his back, and was standing with Kendra's first mate, Finnan, who was guarding him.

   Her first mate nudged the captive.  "Captain Harding, meet Captain Ken."

   Harding looked to Kendra for only a moment, before looking at the man standing behind her, one of her faithful crew members, John.

   "What is it that you want, Captain Ken?" Harding asked with a trembling voice, mistakenly taking John for the one in charge.

   John looked momentarily confused, but he managed to smirk as Kendra raised an eyebrow.  Clearing her voice, she said, "Excuse me, Captain Harding, but I happen to be Captain Ken."

   "What?  But, you're not more than a boy. . . ."  The man saw her expression darken and instantly regretted his words.

   "Only a boy, hmm?"  Kendra nearly snarled at the man.  "I'll let the insult slide this time, but if you wish not to be keelhauled, I would advise you to direct me to where Hallington is cowering.  Sharply."

Hallington had been enjoying the privacy of his luxurious cabin and didn't know anything was amiss until the cannons were fired.  Scowling in annoyance, he considered going on deck to see the situation, but then locked his door and settled down for his letter writing again.  He sighed at the commotion that started to become closer, then paused.  If the commotion was on his ship then there was a threat of the Persephone being captured.

   The noise got louder, and then suddenly very, very quiet.  This was bad for Hallington.  Quite bad indeed.  Guessing - and correctly so - that pirates had attacked and taken his ship, the best course of action in his mind was to hide.  Perhaps they would loot and leave them relatively unharmed.  He hid inside one of his many closets and hoped desperately that they would not search his cabin.

   Meanwhile, Kendra assigned her men to search the ship for anyone else hiding, while she and Finnan dealt with this 'Hallington' fellow.  Captain Harding's direction had been correct and Kendra couldn't help but smirk at the door to Hallington's cabin.

   Pushing it lightly, she sighed at the resistance.  It was locked.  She then shoved it with her shoulder, stepping back when nothing happened, scowling at the inflexible wood.

   "Please tend to the door, Finnan."

   "Aye captain," her first mate grinned, "it'd be my pleasure."

   Kendra took another step back as Finnan kicked the door.  It held, but was definitely weakened.  Finnan kicked again and the wood sagged.  He punched his hand through and opened the lock, flexing his wrist to ensure no damage was done.

   She set a hand on his shoulder.  "Don't overdo it on a wig."

   He nodded and the two walked in, examining the room.

   "Probably hiding," she muttered, nudging Finnan.

   Finnan responded in like.  "Likely the closet or the bed."

   "Go for the bed, I'll handle the closet."

   The two pirates took out  a weapon, Finnan his pistol, Kendra her cutlass, and went to the two possible hiding spots.  Finnan kicked the delicate bed and overturned it without too much effort, finding nothing.  He sighed.  "It's the closet, Captain."

   "Thank ye, Finnan."  Smirking broadly now that her prey was located, she jerked open the closet door and blinked as a spout of words met her.

   "His Majesty will have your heads for this!  I'm sure of it!  I am Paxton Tyndale, Lord Chancellor Hallington, His Majesty's personal friend and advisor!  He will not take such an offense lightly!"  Hallington continued to arrogantly rant about how he should be spared.

   Kendra glanced back at Finnan and sighed. He smiled weakly and came closer.

   "All right, out of the closet," Kendra grumbled, no longer listening to her prisoner.  When he didn't heed her, or even stop talking, she growled and roughly grabbed his arm, jerking him out of the closet and into the open space of the cabin.

   His tone had immediately changed to more defensive, and his choice of complaints switched to the fact that she'd touched him - though he thought Kendra was a he, as most did - and how the pirate would contaminate him.

   Kendra tired of this and released his arm, pulling her cutlass up swiftly and leaving it against his throat.  Hallington instantly shut his mouth, his eyes focused on the blade, and his body quivering.

   Now that Kendra and Finnan were able to get a good look at Hallington, Kendra felt like scoffing.  This was the man that sentenced Sparrow to thirty-five lashes?  I'd like to see him take two.  Even one.  The only thing strong about him were his eyes, and they were starting to falter in the face of his newly worsened circumstances.  Other than that, Hallington was a middle-aged man, wearing the customary powdered wig, looking a bit rounder than the weathered men Kendra was used to, and most definitely vile in her eyes.  Not just for his actions towards Winn and Sparrow, but also for the arrogant way he tried to plead for his life by speaking of his importance.

   When a time had passed, Hallington dared to lift his gaze and look at Kendra and Finnan.  He instantly took Finnan for the captain, and Kendra as a scrawny cabin boy.  Just as their appearances would have announced.

   Kendra's first mate was tall, maybe a hair taller than Sparrow.  Finnan's brown eyes and reddish hair made Hallington think of the inferior Irish, Scottish, or Welsh, though his tanned skin spoke of living in the Caribbean for a long time, but he didn't linger on the thought long.  The man scowling at him and the blade still at his neck required his attention at the moment.

   Kendra smirked as she noticed Hallington finally realized that he was not in charge of events.  "The man does shut up, Finnan.  I guess all it requires is a blade to his neck."

   Finnan chuckled. "Aye, it would seem so."

   "W-what do you want with me?" Hallington grimaced as his cultured voice trembled.

   Her expression broadened; mischievous to Finnan, it represented nothing but a  malicious temper to Hallington.  "You're Hallington, right?"

   He nodded slightly, afraid of injuring himself on her cutlass.

   "You know, Hallington is such a long and hideous name.  I think I'll call you 'Hal,' just for convenience."

   "But, I must -" Hallington began, shutting up as she applied more pressure to the cutlass.

   "Shut your mouth, wig.  I didn't ask for you to reply.  But about getting to that answer," she bared her teeth at him.  "I hear you're the one that sentenced Sparrow to his death."

   Hallington nodded.  He was proud of it.  One less pirate to interfere with the King's colonies and citizens.

   "Well, you see, this causes me a bit of dilemma.  Before he went gallivanting about the Caribbean, he owed me a few debts.  But, seeing that you, in a manner of speakin', killed him, it's rather impossible for me to get payment."  Her eyes flashed with excitement as she leaned her head forward.  "And you'll just have to take his place."  She pulled back her head and examined Hallington again.  "'Tis a pity though.  You look to be such a soft man."

   Hallington flushed and really wanted to speak his mind, but didn't dare with that blade against his neck.  Just as it loosened, he heard a click and saw that she now had a pistol aimed at his chest.

   Kendra lifted her cutlass to his wig.  "The first order of business will be seein' just what yer hair looks like.  Always been curious what you pigs hide under there."  With an ease that disturbed Hallington, she removed his wig and examined it from the tip of her blade, then looked to him and nearly blanched.  Hallington's thinning brown hair was oily to a point that Kendra only thought the most disgusting pirates would exhibit.  And as she squinted, Kendra became most disturbed.  Was that a louse?  She instantly dropped the wig to the floor and stomped on it furiously.

   "My wig!" Hallington squirmed, about to take a step towards her when he felt Finnan's blade touch his neck, lying lazily along his shoulder.

   "You're filthy," Kendra muttered, done with her stomping.  Cringing as she looked to Hallington, she smirked as an idea came to her.  "And being the generous person that I am, I think I'll do you a favor.  People can't go around being as dirty as you, especially being His Majesty's personal friend and advisor."  She barely held back sneering at the title.  If it could be considered one.

   "Y-you should worry about your own neck.  When His Majesty hears about this -" Hallington began again, his voice much less confident this time.

   Kendra sighed and waved her hand.  "I know, I know.  He'll put out another warrant for me.  More money on my head.  But Hal," she couldn't help but grin as his new name, "you have to understand.  I've already got a head on my price.  And as much as that threat of yours makes me shudder with fear," she took a step closer and put her blade to his chin, forcing his head up, "Harrassing little ol' you won't do much more to me.  Besides, we could kill you here and now.  No one would be able to know who did it.  Could even set it up so it looked like your ornate little ship sunk in a freak storm.  The Caribbean waters are just so unpredictable."

   Hallington let her words sink in.  The boy has a point. . . .  Perhaps . . . perhaps I could bribe him.

   Kendra had already noticed something on his desk and left Finnan to guard the man.  She picked up the letter that Hallington had been writing just moments before and smirked.  "This is your handwriting?"

   He was too indignant and vexed to speak, but Finnan bumped him. "Answer the captain."

   "Captain?" Hallington looked to Finnan in shock.  "But how could such a young boy -"

   Kendra whirled and snapped at him.  This whole routine is getting quite old. . . .  Where once she'd appreciated - even encouraged - the misconception, it was now growing on her nerves. "Wrong again, Hal!"  She smirked as he flinched at the name.  "I happen to be twenty-five, Captain, and quite likely . . ." Kendra set a hand on her hip and jutted it out in a somewhat effective imitation of a feminine posture, "a woman."

   "But . . . that's. . . ."

   "Answer my question!" she growled.  "Did you write this or not?"

   Hallington nodded.

   Her smirk grinned.  "Lovely characters, though I must say your loops could use a bit of work.  Even mine are better than this."  Kendra continued to pick apart his penmanship, before she began reading it aloud.

   "My dearest Caroline, how I miss you.  Surely my wife would not. . . ." Kendra trailed off, laughing.  "A mistress, hmm?  Or is she just a ladybird?  Though . . . I'd think it more towards a mistress.  Most men like you don't think prostitutes worthy of pen, paper, and ink.  Let alone the time to write them."

   Hallington did not reply, only looking away, a faint pink shade to his cheeks.

   "Am I embarrassing you, Hal?  Because if this is enough to do it, you're going to have a rough few hours ahead of you."

   "But, Captain . . . I . . . I could pay you to leave me, us, in peace. . . ."

   She scoffed.  "Don't worry yourself, Hal."  Kendra's smile did little to comfort him.  "We'll just help ourselves.  But I'm glad to hear you offer it.  Takes a burden off me conscience."

   Kendra made good on her words, had Hallington stripped of his finery - "Can't spread the lice, now can we?" - and had dressed him in rags she'd scrounged up.  She had originally planned on watching him get stripped down, but after catching a glimpse of Hallington's hairy body she changed her mind.  She'd only seen a few men naked and . . . this was not one she wanted to see.  His hands were tied and those ropes were connected to a rope tied around his chest.  Hallington tried several times to ask what she was planning, but he received a cutlass to him, or a swift, "Patience.  You'll see soon enough, Hal."

   This accomplished, she had Hallington positioned in full sight of the crew and spoke loud enough for her entire crew to listen.  "Since our wonderful nobleman Hal was looking so in disrepair, I took it upon myself to do him a favor.  One to repay the many favors he's done to me. . . ."

   Hallington looked to her with wide eyes, wishing he could dare to speak.  But the cutlass on his shoulder kept his silent.

   Kendra laughed for a moment.  "Give him his bath, gents!"

   With that, a portion of her crew pulled back on a rope, and Hallington found that the cutlass was off his shoulder, and . . . his feet were off the ground.  He flailed for a moment, then barely held back screaming as he saw the ocean below him.  In all its black watery depth.

   "Bathe away!"

   Hallington went into shock as he was plunged into the ocean.  A few seconds later he was ripped back out, sputtering and gasping for air.  Kendra smirked and chuckled, leaning on the railing.  "Having fun, Hal?"

   He shuddered and was about to voice a nasty curse or something to that effect and she threw up her hand again.  Hallington felt the awful sensation of falling again . . . and inhaled water once more.  He was held under a little longer and was far more docile as he surfaced a second time.  Kendra repeated the practice a few more times, then allowed her men to drop him on the deck and untie him.

   By this point, Hallington was a sopping wet mess.  Not to mention that his own crew was having a hard time keeping the chuckles or smirks hidden.  Kendra found this especially rewarding.  Even his crew didn't like the wig.

   Crouching next to the coughing man, Kendra smiled at him.  "Since you were such a good sport about all this, I think I'll hold off on the lashes.  You're far too soft of a man anyway.  But, you will note that all of your belongings are missing, as are you food stores, ammunition, and most anything else helpful to you.  And all of the gold inlaid in your ship?"  Hallington looked to her wide eyes.  Her smiled broadened.  "We picked that out too.  We got everything, down to every barrel of salted pork and sheet of paper.  Thanks for that.  I haven't been able to find quality quills or paper for a time.  Your supplies will serve nicely.  Oh, and don't go looking for your cannon either, we got those too."  Kendra stood and stretched.  "You're picked clean, Hal.  Simple as that."

   She nodded to one of her men and they hauled Hallington to his feet.

   "One last thing before we go.  Look up at the glorious flag of His Majesty's proud empire.  I'm sure he'd be very proud."

   Hesitantly he looked up and could only gape in utter horror.

   "Only article of your clothes left.  But . . . I don't think those knickers will fit you anymore.  Especially with all those holes in them."  Kendra mockingly straightened herself and saluted Hallington's waving undergarments.  "To the King!  Long live him.  And I hope he stays on his side of the world."

   Her men saluted, and couldn't help but smile at the entire situation.  No deaths, very few injuries, and being part of the vast humiliation of a high ranking official was quite enjoyable.  Let alone that the amount of loot was considerable.  Especially since so little effort had been necessary.

   Kendra and her men began to re-board the Dilettante, loaded heavily with the treasures from the Persephone.

   "One last thing, Hal!" Kendra grinned.  "I'd advise headin' back to Port Charles.  Closest port.  And . . . if you don't like fishing for yourselves you won't have much to eat!  Ta!"  She saluted him and was grinning from ear to ear on her voyage back towards Osprey Point.