oh no 1 chappy left! but fear not.. sequel, not far behind, i'ma try to post last chappy and 1st chappy of the sequel.. hehe.. Woohooo 10 cookies!! -gobbles them down-- yum yum! hehe.. okay okay im done rambling go on read chapter!

Chapter 44
"Working Things Out"

I stood at the front door of my childhood home, once again. I sighed as I entered the front door. I walked through the living room and into the kitchen, my mother and younger brother sat at the kitchen table talking. I stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame.

"'ello." I stated

They both looked up at me, shock running over their faces.

"What are you doin' back here?" My mom asked coldly.

"I came to fix things, I can't juss leave things like they are." I stated, walking into the kitchen.

"Why not? It never stopped you before." My mother stated.

"Things are different now, I've changed in many ways. I don't want to leave Port James wit things the way they are. I'll never forgive myself if I didn't come back and try to work things out. I know what I did juss like the both of ye know wha I did. In my mind I was right, I did what I 'ad to do."

"I know you did, Ravenica." My brother smiled.

"Can't ye forgive me, mother?" I asked

"I don't know if I can. So many things happened in such a short period of time."

"So many years 'ave passed, tell me, could ye forgive yerself if I were to walk out that door, knowing I would never be returning?" I asked

My mother looked at me, I wondered what thoughts were running through her head. An uncomfortable silence ran though the kitchen. I shifted my weight from my right foot to my let, looking at my feet. I fidgeted with the necklace Jack had given me as I waited for her answer.

"Your right, I don't think I can forgive myself." She said, standing from the old wooden chair. "I think its time we put the past where it belongs, in the past."

I nodded. "Aye, I think it is about time."

My mother stood before with a small smile.

"It's good to see you're still alive." She said, pulling me into a hug.

I threw my arms around her as well, closing my eyes for a brief moment.

"What have you been up to, since you left? I've heard many things." She said, letting me go.

I sat at the table as she sat across from me.

"What I do best, even though The Gauntlet has been sent to the depths of the sea."

"Are you still with, what's his name?" she asked

"No, I'm with Jack now, remember you met him yesterday."

"Oh yes. He seems like a nice man. Even though I really didn't get to speak with him."

"So, tell me everything you have been doing!" My brother grinned.

"Well.. I'm sailing on The Black Pearl currently."

"The Black Pearl?" My brother asked, his face changing to fear.

"Aye, The Black Pearl. Jack Sparrow is captain of The Pearl. Didn't ye 'ear the stories?" I asked.

"I don't have much time for gossip." My brother stated, the fear disappearing.

"Your no longer a captain?" My mom inquired.

"I am what I would call, co captain." I smiled

We talked for a few hours about what I had been doing in my absence. As well as what the family had been doing. It felt good to be sitting in my childhood home, to have finally worked everything out. For so long I have wanted to repair the damage that happened so many years ago. But, I couldn't bring myself to do it. Until, Jack pushed me to do it.

"Well, I have to start dinner. What do you say to a home cooked meal?" My mother asked

"That would be great! How many can I bring? My men haven't had a home cooked meal in probably years." I grinned.

"Only a few. I don't have that much food." She laughed.

"You should have told me, I would have brought more food."

She rolled her eyes at me. "Always thinking of everyone else before yourself, as always."

I nodded. "Aye, my men are my priority. We'll I will go gather a few of them and return in time for dinner."

"Okay, I will see you when you return." She smiled I stood and stretched a little bit; I had been sitting for hours. "It's been really good talking with you."

"Its been good talking with you also, its been to long." She smiled

"I'll be back in awhile." I said, walking out of the kitchen.

I speed walked my way back to The Pearl, excited that things have worked out. I walked into the well-lit cabin; the window had been opened since I left. Jack lay on the bed, his eyes closed.

"Taking a nap again?" I asked

"Aye, sleep good." Jack stated a smile coming to his face, his gold-capped teeth shining in the light that shown through the window.

I sat on the bed next to him; he rolled from his back to his right side, his left hand coming up to caress the small of my back. He looked up at me, his brown eyes studying my face.

"Well come on, time to get up." I said, grabbing his let hand from my back.

"No get up." He stated, his eyes shutting.

"Come on!" I said, pulling on his arm to no avail.

"Nope I'm sleeping."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Home cooked meal." I whispered.

His eyes darted open as he sat up. "Where??"

I grinned slightly. "So, that's the way to get ye up, all I gotta say is, home cooked meal?"

He shrugged. "Where is me home cooked meal?"

"At my mother's 'ouse." I stated

"I thought ye didn't get along wit 'er."

"We worked things out, she's invited me for dinner and I figured I would extend the invitation to ye as well. That is if ye want a home cooked meal."

"Aye I do! Move, outta my way!" He said, his hands pushing the air in front of him as he motioned for me to move.

I stood with a laugh as he jumped to his feet.

"So, things are worked out then?" he asked, putting his knee high brown boots on.

"Aye, things aren't great. But, it's a step in the right direction. And as much as it pains me to say it, I somewhat owe ye for it. After all, yer the one that pushed me to go there."

"So ye owe me, eh? Hmm what should I ask fer?" he asked himself, putting his fingers to his lips.

"Well ye 'ave plenty of time to think 'bout it. First we go 'ave dinner."

"Aye, Dinner!" he grinned, his hands coming together in front of him.

Within minutes of more speed walking, Jack and I stood in the kitchen to my childhood home. A grin from ear to ear as he smell of the roast that was baking in the oven ran though his nose.

"Welcome back." My brother smiled.

My younger brother and sister both sat at the kitchen table.

"Mother, Teddy, and Sylvia, this is Jack." I smiled and looked at Jack who was standing beside me.

"He's cute." Sylvia grinned.

I laughed slightly.

"Aye! I am! I like her, at least someone realizes it." Jack smirked.

"Please, sit, dinner should be done in a few minutes." My mother said, motioning for Jack and I to take a seat. I sat in between my brother and Jack at the small kitchen table.

"So, what are we having?" Jack asked, rubbing his palms together.

My mom laughed as she looked at Jack. "You'll see when it's on the table."

"I like surprises." Jack grinned

I laughed and shook my head.

-- Later that night--

After eating dinner, we moved to the living room to talk for a while. Jack made for great conversation as we sat and talked. I sat on the sofa next to Jack. My mom sat in a chair across from us. My brother and sister had gone out to do chores.

"When are you sailing out?" My mom asked, taking a sip of her tea.

"Tomorrow." I said, noticing Jack was getting tired. "We really should be going, Jack looks like he is about to fall asleep."

The three of us stood as we prepared to say our goodbyes.

"Don't be a stranger, don't stay away for so long." My mom smiled.

"I won't." I smiled.

"And you." She stated pointing at Jack. "You take care of my little girl, or I'll have your head."

"I will, I'll will protect 'er wit me life." He grinned, taking my hand.

"Goodbye mother." I said, giving her a hug.

"Goodbye, see you again." she smiled.

We left my mom's house and began to slowly walk back to The Pearl. When we were on The Pearl we went to the cabin to turn in for a good nights sleep before going back to sea. I was happy that things were finally able to be worked out. I hated not having a family I could depend on. It broke my heart to think I didn't have a family or a place to go if I ever needed it.