Usual disclaimers... blah!

Only two chapters... the garden is nearly done though!

The Black Pearl slipped quietly back into the bay just after dawn, the smoke from Will's forge already rising through the trees. Jack called a senior crew meeting as soon as the sails were safely furled, allowing a third of the crew to head overland to Tortuga with strong warnings to be back by dusk the next day. "Yer can go too Isaac after th' meetin..." Jack said, "but I think we need t' decide what t' do about yer father..."

"My father?" Isaac frowned.

"Well Louis did kill Neithan..." Jack reminded him. "He'll likely take it personal if he doesn't at least some time with him..."

"But what about..." Isaac glanced at James Norrington.

"James is our guest," Catherine said firmly. "And he knows James is here..."

"He does?" James Norrington looked surprised.

"D' yer think we'd bring yer t' Tortuga without guarantees on yer safety?" Jack retorted. James blinked in shock at this revelation.

"He will still want to speak with him," Isaac sighed. "He won't let such an opportunity pass..."

"But what about Louis?" Catherine sighed. "We can't exactly let him feed the sharks again else there'll be nothing for James to hang!"

"An' nothin' t' incriminate t' Governor!" Jack reminded them.

"My brother has a lot of crimes to answer for... to Anamaria for her crew and her ship, to the Hallams for Neithan..." Jean Claude added.

"To Eilis and Richael!" Catherine interrupted. "For the death of their father and all his crew..."

"And all the other slaughtered ships were likely him too..." James Norrington added.

"The fire at Port Royal..." Theodore reminded them.

"And Papa," Catherine said softly. "Even if he did not murder him, his death is Louis' fault..."

Jack reached across, squeezing her hand. "It's a shame we can only kill him once..." he sighed. He looked across at Isaac. "Tell yer father that he can see him here but nothing that won't heal - he goes t' Port Royal!"

Isaac nodded. "Aye Captain," he acknowledged.

"Meetin' over unless anyone has anythin' t' say?" Jack looked around the cabin. "No? Then scram!"

Catherine watched as Isaac disappeared. "I'd like to go ashore too Jack," she said quietly. "I want to see the girls... and to find somewhere to sleep in the sun..."

"I should see James too," James Norrington sighed. "To see if he has improved his manners whilst we have been away if nothing else."

"Eilis will have knocked him into shape," Jack grinned. "She's a proper little pirate!"

"Should I prepare her a sheet?" a smile tweaked at James' lips.

"Probably - just give 'er a few years..." Jack laughed.

Catherine rose, walking to the side cabin and emerging with a blanket. "Come on then, you can row me across!" She was grateful of his helping hand though as she climbed down to a waiting boat. Her side hurt and all she wanted was to lie in the sun and feel the warmth right through her body.

Oran climbed down into the boat just before they pushed off. "Give us a ride Captain," he smiled. "I've a long walk ahead..."

"You're off to see Sanchia?" Catherine asked, smiling at him.

"When yer going t' make an' honest woman of her?" Jack teased as he and Theodore started to row.

"Maybe one day," Oran teased, placing his arm around Catherine's shoulders. "Or I might just steal your wife instead..."

Jack glared at him as Catherine and Theodore laughed. James Norrington was unsure what to make of the situation and held his tongue. "I'd like t' see yer try," he retorted. "She's a Sparrow to th' core!"

Oran jumped out quickly when the boat beached on the sandy shore, kissing Catherine on the top of her head before running up the beach out of Jack's reach. "I'll be back by dusk tomorrow!" he called, remembering Jack's instructions to the crew that had gone before.

"We'll be here for a week," Catherine shouted. "Just be back by then!"

"Aye Kitty," Oran grinned.

"An' keep yer hands off m' wife!" Jack shouted after him, shaking his head ruefully. He looked around the beach, seeing Elizabeth standing on the porch. "I'll tell th' girls luv," he said quietly. "Yer go an' find yerself a quiet spot to sleep..."

Catherine looked at him gratefully. The shot wound was hurting her more than she would admit to Jack and she was eager to lie down. "Thanks love," she smiled, standing on tiptoe to kiss him. "I'll be down a ways..."

Jack patted her gently on the bottom, sending her down the beach and away from the house. Theodore, James and Jack walked towards Elizabeth who frowned at the departing Catherine. "What's with Kitty?" she asked.

"She's nursing a wound... needs to avoid Eilis attacks!" Jack said wryly. "Just a shot in her side... nothin' serious."

"Nothing serious!" Elizabeth gasped. "I'd hate to see what you consider serious!"

Jack smiled. "Is m' favourite whirlwind an' her sister about... I've some news fer them."

"You got him then?" Elizabeth asked.

"Aye," Jack grinned. "We'll be here fer a week or so t' give th' Old Man time t' play with 'im an' then we'll be takin' James an' Jimmy back t' Port Royal."

"How has my nephew been?" James Norrington asked worriedly.

"Well Eilis had another go at him and he is at least more polite now," Elizabeth smiled. "I think seeing that other ship shocked him somewhat..."

"Well he won't be seein' it again," Jack grinned. "It's in splinters now!"

She looked at Theodore. "Charlotte's been fine," she smiled, "but she'll be wanting her breakfast now..."

Theodore took the hint, disappearing to see to the care of his daughter.

"Where are th' kids anyway?" Jack looked around, wondering at the unusually quiet household.

"They went on a nature walk with Rose," she explained, glancing cautiously at James Norrington. "They should be back soon..."

"We'll wait on th' porch," Jack offered, nodding to James.

"I'll bring out something cold when I can," she smiled. "Will you want breakfast when the children get back?"

Jack kissed her on the cheek. "Yer are a luv," he grinned.

Elizabeth sighed heavily, shooing the two men out of her house. "Go!" she laughed, heading for the kitchen. She had a lot of work to do before breakfast would be ready.