Author's Note: Boy, watching Return of the King sure puts Friendship in perspective…I still cry every time when Sam says on the hill of Mount Doom, "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you."  sigh 

      

"Where's Brenda?"

        Trevor grunted, "Fitting for her crown." He angrily threw his hooded outfit he had gotten from Richard in the corner and collapsed on his bed. 

Dobson nervously switched his weight to the other foot and said, "With all due respect, Captain, but weren't you s'pposed to bring her back?"

        "Yes, I was supposed to bring her back!" Trevor snapped.  He sighed and looked at the older man before him, remembering his manners.  Just because he was a captain, he had no right to treat Dobson like that.  "I'm sorry.  I'm just frustrated and tired.  Gather up the crew and leave by sundown."

        "Aye, Capt'n."  He quickly exited the cabin and Trevor sighed again.  How could things go so wrong so quickly?  I shouldn't have even come. He thought to himself.  He shook his head and turned on his side, putting one arm under his pillow and looked out through his foggy windows.  The bay was calm, unlike his spirit. 

        Things had been so different when they first had met.  Brenda had entered their strange relationship with a bit of hesitation, but had accepted it later.  They hadn't had much of a 'good-bye' either…just slowly growing apart over the years by seeing each other less and less.  It wasn't the nicest thing Trevor could've asked for, but it wasn't harsh as some things.

        Your precious Katrina…

        Trevor fidgeted, Katrina.  What was he going to do when he got home?  So many things had happened…had been said…it hurt his soul to think about it.  I have to break things off.  No the most socially accepted things, but it was the right thing to do, and that was far better.

He rolled onto his back.  She's going to marry him.  She's not even going to try to fight it.  He shook his head, not understanding it very well.  Why would she do that?  Why wouldn't she fight?

He stood up suddenly, anger filling his veins, "Why do you have to be so bloody stubborn?!"  he yelled into the empty cabin.  He sighed and sat back down.  That hadn't helped.  He wasn't sure what would.  Maybe leaving would clear his spirit, his mind…his heart.

        "I shouldn't have come." He muttered to himself.

        He eyed her, "So does this mean we have a…"

          "Mutual attraction?  Yea, I would say so."

          Trevor shook his head, covering his ears with his hands, "No!  Leave me alone!"  His own memories were betraying him.  Making him remember everything that had been between he and Brenda since they met.

        "Have you ever told anyone else about this?"

          She looked up, the answer already written all over her face, "No…no I haven't."

          You gained her trust…her respect! Trevor's inner voice argued.

        "I don't care!" he whispered harshly.

        But you know her heart…you know the real Brenda.

        Trevor sighed, the last comment hitting him hard.  He always hated it when his conscience proved him wrong.  He shook his head, he didn't care if he knew Brenda's heart…she had broken his.  She had forced him out of her room, out of her life.  He wasn't going to force himself back in.  She had made her point clear.

        You know what's best for her!

        Her parents are supposed to care of her…not me.

        She's out of her parent's hands now…and in yours, doesn't that make a difference?

          No.  And it's not going to.  She'll have to get herself out of this.  And as much as Trevor didn't want to do it, no matter how much he cared for Brenda and no matter how much he would rather be the man getting married to her, he wasn't.  She had made her point clear.

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        You know, I never really realized what dad was talking about when he said that he didn't drink rum when he was distressed…until now.

        While growing up, Brenda had seen her father sitting in his cabin with a bottle of rum in one hand, not even open yet.  She always inquired to why he wasn't drinking it and he mumbled something about the past, telling her that he didn't feel like drinking.  Then why had he gotten out the rum? A thought that instantly came to her head whenever he said that, but she never asked.  Knowing her father all too well.  When he was in one of his moods, he wouldn't answer to anyone or anything. 

        But now, as she stood on the balcony, over looking the town slowly calming down, she wondered why she had gotten out her rum.  She had gotten it out from under the bed and gotten a glass and put them both on the ledge.  Never opened it though.  She sighed and stared at it, wondering what Trevor was doing.

        Leaving, you fool.

        Brenda sneered and turned around, leaning against the ledge.  The fact that she had cried over Trevor bothered her greatly.  She had only cried so many times in her twenty-one years of life and one time was when she had punched her father, learning of his seventeen year lie.  Another was over a boy.

        It seemed so stupid.  Crying over a male.  A male you drove her up the wall with his sarcastic comments, his stupid jokes and useless tips.  A male, who over the years had gotten to know her so well it irritated her.  A male who, no matter how she tried, was always strangely comfortable with.  A male who had grown on her.

        She didn't want to admit it, but Trevor had grown on her.  All those years when they slowly drifted apart…she had missed him.  Missed talking to him and missed seeing him.  But she had gotten over it.  Pushed it those feelings farther back and made room for captaining the Pearl or making a relationship with her younger brother or with her mother. 

        The news of Trevor's engagement had been a rude awakening about how much time had truly passed.  And how much distance had passed between herself and Trevor.  She had always hoped their relationship would continue…

        But Trevor had moved on.  That was a given.  He had fallen in love with another woman and was about to build a life with her.  Brenda was out of the picture forever.

        "…I'm just telling you how I feel now…" 

          "So what, if I'm still here next week and there's another girl who catches your eye, am I history?"

          The conversation when they had had their first kiss suddenly came to Brenda's mind.  She had seemed offended that Trevor would ever attempt such a thing, but it had turned out okay.  Their relationship was slow enough and then took an even slower good-bye.

        Too bad this good-bye was a lot harsher. She thought thinking about how she threatened to shoot him. Soon there was a knock on the door and six servants asked her to come with them to try on a wedding dress.  She sighed and nodded, leaving the safety of her room with them.

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        "How's my sweet…" Phillip stopped short when he saw Brenda.  She looked beautiful.  The dress she was in was perfect for her.  "Perfecto," he breathed.

        She looked up into the mirrors, looking at him and smiled slightly.  She thanked him quietly and looked at herself, the frown returning.  Phillip paused, walking into the room and excusing the maids, "What's wrong?"

        Brenda sighed and looked up, "I'm worn out."  She almost said she didn't want to be here, but the consequences of that might've been large.

        "It's been a hard week, but it'll be fine.  Our honeymoon is going to be great."

        Brenda felt like crying, "Where are we going?" she mustered out.

        "Going?  We're not going anywhere…but I have a feeling we'll be staying in our room during the week." 

        She sighed, forcing out all her strength, "Phillip, are you sure you want me?"

        "What do you mean?"

        "I mean, I'm a pirate, you're…you're a king.  This seems…not right."

        "I want you.  That's all that matters."

        "But do you love me?" she blurted out.  Her eyes widened as she realized her mistake, her hands flew to her mouth as she waited for a response.

        Phillip looked like a dog that was kicked in the stomach.  "I want you.  That's what matters."

        She slowly removed her hands, "So love has nothing to do with this?"

        "My parents were forced into a marriage to bind the treaty of two countries!" Phillip said, raising his voice, "And they turned out fine!"

        "But did they love each other?"

        He crossed his arms, "They lived together for more than thirty years, love must've come to them sometime."  He paused, "Why the sudden interest in love?"

        Brenda turned towards the mirror, thinking of her father and mother, how they married after fourteen years of being apart.  She sighed and shrugged, "It's on my mind."

        "Anything to do with your vanishing friend?"

        Brenda's eyes darted to him, "Why would you say that?"

        He shrugged, "She's not married?"

        She thought about Katrina and Jealousy stirred up inside her.  "No…But I wish she would."

        Phillip smiled slightly, "Yes, but now you're getting married…you don't have to worry about her anymore."

        Brenda bit her lip, "Maybe not, but I have a feeling that that's not the last worry I'll have for…Therese."

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        Jack sighed, slowly waking up from the doze he had taken.  He opened his eyes slowly and found himself, not at home next to Gwyneth, but on the Pearl.  In his cabin.  He blinked a few times and looked around, everything was foggy.  Must be having a dream, he thought as he stood up from the chair he was sleeping in.  He walked out of his cabin and found his crew gone, the ship docked.  In Port Royal.

        He paused, crossing his arms, wondering what that blast could've happened to bring him here.  Then he saw Ana Maria walking up the plank, whistling to herself.  He got in her path and made her stop.  "Ahoy!  Yer awake!  Good!  I need t' talk t' ye."

        "'Bout?"

        "Gwyneth."

        Jack narrowed his eyes, "How do you know Gwyneth?"

        "She's yer bloody wife!" She said with a smile, "Have you already forgotten?"

        Jack paused, he hadn't talked to Ana Maria since Jack and Gwyneth were still fighting.  She wouldn't possibly know about that.  This is definitely a dream, Jack told himself.

        "I haven't forgotten…What needs to be said?"

        "Well for starters, you need to get your ducks in a row…yer not much help to her unless yer in yer right mind."

        "Go on…"

        "Ye need t' bloody trust her!" She put plainly.

        "I do," he said, thinking it was obvious.

        "No you don't.  If you trusted her, then you wouldn't have thought of skippin' out on her."  She paused, looking at him, but he didn't respond, she went on, "Jack, did you really think Gwyneth could be unfaithful to ye?"

        He shrugged.  "Just tell me, Jack." Ana prodded.

        "Who else could Nathan be except for a lover?"

        "Jack, think.  Honestly think back."

        He paused, "Someone from the past?"

        Ana Maria sighed, "When did we first meet Gwyneth?"

        He sighed, "When Elizabeth was kidnapped…Will and I went lookin' for her, and stumbled upon the ship Gwyneth was on."

        "And what was she doin'?"

        "…Gettin' married I do believe."

        "To whom?"

        Suddenly Jack felt like a total and complete idiot.  "Nathan." He whispered.  How could he be so foolish?  Nathan was the man she was about to marry.  Nathan Swann.  But Antonio and his crew murdered him.  Everything came back to him when he thought of that. 

        "So you remember." Ana concluded. "Good.  Now that that's cleared up…let's talk 'bout yer wife."

        "Is she going to die?" Jack said, putting aside the remembered memories and focusing on his wife's health.

        Ana sighed, sadness crossing her face, "I can't tell you that Jack…I honestly can't."

        "But you know, right?"

        Ana didn't answer his question but just said, "Jack, just don't leave the person you love."

        "Tell me!" He insisted desperately.

        Ana walked up to him and grabbed his shoulders with both hands, saying slowly and in a low voice, "She will surely die if yer not there with her.  She cannot do this without you."

        Jack, locked in contact with the female pirate, said, "but will she die if I'm there?"

        She didn't move her head once as she slowly removed herself from him and started walking down the plank and into port.  Soon she disappeared from his line of sight.  And then he woke up.

        Jack looked around, seeing his dark bedroom.  Home.  He squeezed Gwyneth's hand that he was holding onto and sighed in relief.  He had moved from the chair next to the bed to the bed itself.  The doctor would've had something to say about that, but in the middle of the night, nobody was going to care. 

        The stress dissolved as Jack heard Gwyneth's breathing, not as steady as he would've liked, but it was better than nothing.  He recalled when Ana Maria said that Gwyneth wouldn't be able to live without him, when in reality, it was the other way around.  Beside Matthew and Brenda- Gwyneth had given him a very large reason to stay alive.  He probably wouldn't make it if she didn't.

        "Stay with me…" he whispered as he touched her face lightly.  "Stay with me."

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        "Stay with me Gwen, just stay with me."

        Running.

        Fear.

        Put one foot in front of the other, Gwyneth, She told herself, and although she was running as fast as she could, the scenery around her wasn't changing much.

        "Stay with me, Gwen."

        "No!" She shouted into the fog.  She was somewhere that she didn't recognize and it was foggy.  The fog seemed to stay in the air, hanging around like molasses.

        The voice called her to her, reaching to her through the fog and confusion.  The only person she wanted it to be was Jack, but when fear surged through her whenever the voice called to her, she knew it could only be Nathan.

        She tripped and fell.  She cried out in pain as she turned over on her back.  Her head was pounding and she was hot.  As she sat up, she started to cough. 

        "Gwyneth, why do you run from me?" Nathan said, as he came closer.

        "Why are you here?"

        "You escaped the ropes.  But you're not leaving this place, I can assure you of that."

        "Leave where?!  Where am I?  Where's Jack?"

        "Jack doesn't care for you anymore, love.  He's gone."

        "Don't call me 'love', snake!"

        Nathan turned his eyes towards her and she saw a shadow fall across his face.  His eyes turning a deep yellow and his skin darkening, "You will not leave," he commanded.  "You will stay with me."

        "The only person I'll stay with is Jack." She spat at him, "I love him and I will stay by his side."

        Nathan paused, his eyes turned back to his normal color and his skin returned to its natural color, "You don't realize what this is, who I am…do you?"

        She coughed, feeling danger and fear going through her body again.  She didn't respond.  He laughed richly and smiled wickedly at her, "Well sleep tight t'night, because you're sure going to need the rest."

        "What are you talking about?"

        "You're old, weak body won't be able to handle it…I think.  But your babe…no…I'll take care of the babe."

        Gwyneth started to scoot back as she grabbed her abdomen.  "Stay away from me, my baby and Jack."

        "I would be worryin' around your own head, instead of the heads of your family, Gwen."

        She swallowed, "Leave me alone…"

        Nathan sighed and looked at her, "I suppose I can do that for a little while…goodbyes are so good for a bittersweet ending."  In a moment he was gone and Gwyneth quickly began to fall asleep.

        Gwyneth's eyes fluttered open soon enough and as her senses came to her she felt hot, and pain.  "Jack?" she mumbled.  But was she even at home?  Or was she still in that foggy, bland place?  Then she felt her hand being squeezed and she turned her head, it seemed to roll over and over as she did.  She closed her eyes to steady her mind. 

        "You gave me quite a scare, love…" Jack said in a whisper. 

She opened her eyes and smiled weakly, "I didn't mean to."

        "I know love, just don't leave me here alone."

        She nodded, "The same goes for you."

        Jack smiled, tears brimming at his stubborn eyes, he drew her close and she wrapped her arms around him, saying, "I promise I won't leave you."

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        The morning of the wedding, Brenda woke up with six women in her room.  The clothes they were wearing looked a lot like the wedding dress she had tried on and fitted for yesterday.  They ushered her up out of bed, careful of the still limping ankle. 

        Before she knew it, she was in her dress, her hair had been washed, done and makeup had been put on her face once again.  She started to panic once she noticed she was standing in front of the doors that would lead her down the isle. 

        What I need right now is a knight in shinning armor… she thought to herself. As the doors opened slowly and the crowd in the chapel stood up.  Down the long isle she saw Phillip standing straight, with a smug look on his face, like he had just captured the treasured prize.  She sighed and started to walk slowly with four servants behind her, carrying her train.

        This will definitely go in the story books, Brenda Sparrow, daughter of Captain Jack Sparrow, marries King of Spain… she thought bitterly.

        She reached him, took his hand and they started to kneel, so the priest could perform the marriage ceremony.  You didn't fight…she told herself, thinking she deserved this.  But she hadn't faced anything this large!  This wasn't a noose to get out of, a treasure to find or a pirate crew to fight off, this was a King.  Of a country.  She couldn't risk her life to try to save her life.  Just as the priest was about to start, there was a large noise that seemed to echo throughout the whole building. 

        Brenda paused.  Did those doors just open?  Phillip stood up and turned while Brenda turned her head slightly.  Every head in the place was turned toward the person who opened those doors.  Everyone knew this person was NOT invited.

        Brenda's breath caught in her chest as this intruder turned out to be Trevor.  With his sword drawn, a straight posture and his blond locks in a pony with strays, he looked ready for battle.  "Habla!" Phillip thundered.

        Trevor steadied his head, he was sure he was shaking like a ship in a storm.  "I have come for Brenda Sparrow!"

        Phillip narrowed his eyes, speaking in English, "You have no reason to be here.  Why come for my wife?"

        Wife?  I thought I was going to get here before the priest said anything…Blast!  "My reasons are my own.  But she does not belong here.  She belongs with me."

        Brenda felt a rush of adrenaline surge through her as Trevor said 'With me'.  He wants me with him?  She could've died.

        "Who are you?"

        "Trevor Johnson, son of Edward Johnson of Port Royal."

        Phillip narrowed his eyes, this was getting out of hand.  He nodded his head toward Trevor and two guards immediately grabbed him.  They practically drug him towards Phillip and in an instant Phillip recognized him.  That was exactly what Trevor didn't want.  To one guard he said in Spanish, "Get my subjects out of here.  They have no right to see this."

        Minutes seemed like years as the upper-class citizens left the large chapel.  Phillip walked towards Trevor and hit him across the face.  In a second, he was down.  Brenda cried out, "Trevor," and started towards him, her cry echoing through the large room.  Phillip stopped her with his arm and gave her a piercing look, "You know this man?" he said in Spanish.

        Mustering her strength, she said, "I do."

        "Guards!"  He said, and soon she was restrained.  Phillip sighed, looking between the two.  Trevor had gotten up, all shred of dignity, removed.  "You know the costs of impersonating someone?"

        Trevor raised a brow, a sarcastic comment crossing his mind.  "You lied to the King of Spain!" Phillip roared, "Do you know the consequences of your actions?"

        He paused, "I am prepared to take them at any cost, Your Majesty."

        Phillip paused, looking at Brenda.  Trevor had come for her.  There was something more to Brenda's questions of love from the night before than Phillip thought.  He sighed, looking at the young man, thinking there could only be one easy way, "Draw your sword."

        Trevor blinked, "My sword?"

        "Draw your sword." Phillip repeated slowly, drawing his own sword.  Trevor swallowed, his eyes making their way to Brenda, I hope you know what I'm getting into for you… he thought to himself.  Then he focused all his attention to the man in front of him.  They both got into the proper stance and began to fight.  First with a few parries, but as the sword fight progressed, Phillip's anger seeped into the fight. 

        This wasn't even supposed to happen.  He was supposed to convince the King without him finding out Trevor was Therese and he would get Brenda and leave.  Now, here he was fighting the King of Spain.  This was a lose-lose situation!  If he won, the King would be humiliated and kill Trevor.  If Trevor lost, then he would still most likely kill him.  Just try to lose. He told himself.  Finally, his sword was knocked out of his hand.

        Trevor held his breath, hoping the King wouldn't realize how hard he wasn't trying.  Trevor's sword had never been knocked out of his hand by anyone other than Jack and Will, but even then, he could get it back quickly and beat them.  He swallowed as the King's sword came closer to his neck, but something he wasn't expecting at all happened.  The King hit him upside the head with the hilt of his sword.

        Trevor fell to the floor and Brenda struggled with the man holding her, trying to get to Trevor.  But when his eyes opened slowly, she breathed easier.  But before anything else could be done, another of the Kings' men grabbed Trevor by the hair and raised a dagger to his throat.

        "Is there any reason why I should spare your life?" Phillip said in English.

        Trevor raised an eyebrow, his eyes quickly darting to Brenda, but then back to the floor.  Phillip narrowed his eyes and nodded to his man and said, "No, take a nice long look at her, because it'll be the last."  The man holding Trevor pulled his hair to make his head completely turn to face Brenda.  But when she turned her head, the man holding her grabbed her chin and jerked it in the direction of Trevor.

        Time seemed to stand still as they looked at each other for only a moment.  Her true feelings were now written all over her face and Trevor could read her like a book.

        I love you… Brenda thought to him, hoping in a way he would be able to hear it and in a way not.  Then the man holding Trevor jerked his face toward Phillip.  He looked at him while Phillip spoke, "I don't know why you came here, boy, but it was certainly not to gain Brenda's feelings.  And now, that has cost you your life."

        "Phillip!"

        Everyone paused.  Everyone was gone, who just yelled that?  Phillip looked up and saw Ana in the door way.  "You can't kill him!" She said, her voice raised, walking toward all of them. 

        He narrowed his eyes, "And why not?" he asked in Spanish.

        She sighed, changing her language as well, "Have you even asked if this man is of any importance from where he's from?"

        Phillip paused, looking at Trevor and then at his sister again, "If he was someone important why would he dress like a woman?"

        Ana swallowed, "He's trying both approaches, Your Majesty.  He is Brenda's fiancé."

        Brenda gasped slightly, understanding everything they were saying.  She looked at Trevor, wanting to give him a reassuring look, but his eyes were closed and he was bleeding from where Phillip hit him.  She growled under her breath and threw her head forward, and then back- hitting the man holding her, in the nose.  He yelped in pain and then she swung and hit him in the stomach, causing him to collapse in pain on the floor.  Another guard who was close by ran towards her and she quickly hit him in the face with her fist and kicked him between his legs.  He too, went down in pain. 

        But the man who was holding the unmoving Trevor jumped up and grabbed Brenda while she paused, looking over her fist she just used against the large man.  Phillip and Ana both watched this with a little bit of fascination and wonder.  She just took down two men who are both taller than her! Ana thought to herself.  She looked at Phillip, waiting for him to respond. 

        He sighed, "What is it this time?"

        "He's unconscious!" She screamed as adrenaline ran through her and as hot tears threatened to pour, "I've got to get him to a doctor!"

        Phillip walked towards her and she slowly stopped her struggling, "You swear this man is your fiancé?"

        Brenda paused, twisting a couple of times in the mans' arms.  She looked at Trevor and then at Phillip, "I swear it."

        He sighed heavily, "If you had told me this in the beginning…but why promise marriage when you already had a fiancé?"

        She sighed, "I wanted to leave, and you offered a way out, and I thought if I said yes you would let me go…and then you wouldn't be able to find me again…"

        He nodded, "I would never steal a beautiful woman away from her love… Go."

        Brenda paused, had he really just released her?  "Your Majesty?"

        "Leave now before I change my mind."

Author Thanks!

          I finally found something that works!  The X's!  YAY!  I'm excited.  But I also have to inform you of something…this story is slowly coming to an end….sniff and I was having a lot of trouble trying to decide if I should quit this or write another…but I see it as "over shooting the dog"…this will sadly be the last in my trilogy.  But Never fear!  I will write another, with Jack, Will, Liz, an OC and…Norrington.  I'd love to hear your thoughts…

          Dawnie-7: Well thanks!  I had an awesome experience in San Fran…but yea.  Gwen…she'll be tough.  And even if she isn't, Jack will be tough for her.  And Brenda, Katrina and Trevor- now if that isn't a love triangle, then I dunno what is.  Things will become more complicated once he comes home though.

          Piper8188:  I prolly shouldn't say this- but I'm going to…don't get too attached to the idea of the baby…

          I think you're the only one happy about Trevor and Katrina breaking up…and I think I've said that before.  Jeez.  I need to get my memory checked.  SO you freaked out about Trevor leaving…TAKE A BREATHER!  You must've loved this chapter then…lol.  You crack me up.  You asked me questions and then answered for me.  heh. 

          Emma436:  JEEZ!  Long enough review?  (btw- if you tried talking to me in the past day or two…and I didn't respond…that's because it was my mom, not me….)  But you did review for TWO chapters, so I can see why it was so long.  And I loved it! Lol.  Yes…this all was kinda sudden, wasn't it?  But the thought was pretty sudden…so yea.  Baby steps…Brenda…sigh she's difficult!  And if I wrote her to just drop her defenses in that last chapter…well then she wouldn't be in character!  I can't do that!  Okay, sorry for the short response, but I've g2g!  Brainstorming!