Disclaimer: I don't own it! *sniffles* And now this story is finally coming to an end! *starts to bawl uncontrollably*

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Feet firmly on the deck of the Black Pearl, I felt the familiar rush of excitement I got every time I stepped on board a ship. This time, however, I felt like I was finally home. As strange as it sounds, it was the truth.

I smiled encouragingly as Jack took the helm of his beloved ship. For him, life was once again complete. For me, I wasn't content. Once you've had a ship of your own, you can never return to being a common crew member. It simply doesn't feel right.

Lost in thought, I didn't hear Jack barking orders to the crew. I'm sure I looked completely out of character just staring out across the water. Feeling someone's presence behind me, I turned to see Anamaria raising an eyebrow.

"Are ye deaf?" She asked, chuckling slightly.

I smiled apologetically. "Nay. I was just thinking. What was it you wanted me to do?"

"I don't want you to anything, but a certain Captain fancies a word with you." She winked, and hurried off to help Gibbs give orders.

I looked up at Jack, the breeze whipping the braids and trinkets across his face. He looked at peace. There was no mischievous gleam to his eyes, no cocky grin. All I could see was a truly happy man whose finally achieved his ultimate dream.

'Best talk to him now,' I thought. 'While he's in a good mood.'

I took my time in meeting him, and when I arrived, the mellow look lifted, and his trademark smirk settled in its routine place.

"Havin' fun?" I asked lightly, and settled myself comfortably on the rail.

"Hello, love," he greeted convivially. "What port do ye want me to drop ya off at?"

So he remembered our conversation aboard the Dauntless. 'I'll just have to work around that.'

"Listen Jack, let's cut to the chase," I stated bluntly. I laughed when his eyes widened slightly.

"Well, you haven't been one to avoid the point. What is it that ye want?"

"I need yer help," I stated coolly.

He seemed somewhat surprised. "With what?" He asked skeptically.

"I want to get my ship back."

Something akin to sympathy flickered in his dark eyes, but then they resumed their teasing light. "Uh-huh. Well, Rachel love, I see no profit in it for me."

I had been expecting this answer. "I'll give you thirty percent of me plunder, once I get it back, that is. Until then, I work as part of yer crew, savvy?"

"Savvy perfectly, love. And it sounds like a deal." He extended his hand, and we shook on it.

'That went well,' I thought in relief. 'Almost too well.'

I regarded him suspiciously. "Why so agreeable all of a sudden?" I asked.

"Ye've just gotten me on a good day is all. Now, if that's all, I'm sure there's work that needs to be done. And this deck could use a good swabbin'," he replied playfully.

"Like hell I'm swabbin'," I snapped. "I'm quite comfortable right where I am."

"This is my ship, and I'm the captain, and you'll do as I say."

"That's a scary thought," I laughed, and stood up. Stretching, I started to leave, but Jack caught my arm. "What?"

"I'm glad ye decided to stay on, Rachel." His eyes betrayed nothing. He was serious.

"Aye. I am too," I answered, trying to appear unconcerned, although inside I was horribly confused.. Moments like these always made me uncomfortable, and my emotions were unreliable.

Jack grinned toothily, and went back to blissfully steering his ship, and I strode off to find a bucket and a mop.

'I'll never know what goes on in his head,' I mused, and went below to consider all of the tricks possible involving a pail of water and a mop; and quite possibly to peel a few potatoes.

THE END

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A/N: And that's it! It's finished! And the ending sucks! Yay for crappy endings! And now I must begin work on a sequel, but it won't be posted until I get farther along in CotTT and my HP fic. It might be a while, but it shall be written!

A big thank you to all of my reviewers! They are (in order from first to most recent): San San As Herself, Rood-Rosje, Cpt-Jack-Sparrow, DaydreamBeliever14, coco bean, PED-sarah, katesparrow, Jessi Lupin, CenterefoldPirate, emeraldmedallion (Thanks for being beta although your email didn't work half the time! ^_^), PepaMynt, Vyerna Malice, I lOvE cHeRrIeS yUm, chibichibi386, BlackHearte11, Lauren, Bianca, pirate!, Lunawolf, SS/Destiny Daae, DeppStruck, Celidya, Anime-and-Toons, turtlecrazy53, Carnecoirewen, Chris, and Dragon Girl Revlis!!! I luv all y'all like mad crazy! Thanks for giving me inspiration to keep writing!

And now I shall leave. Please check out my HP story and my PotC parody, which has now broken over 100 reviews! WOOT! And please review for this chapter! I want to achieve my goal of 120+ reviews! I think y'all can do it!

Ta luvs!

Until next time,

~TheSiriusSparrow~