As they say.... All good things must eventually come to an end. And this story, though not too terribly good..... Recalls what the captain just said and attempts to duck the impending slap I may have deserved that one..... Rubs cheek Ow.... Captaaaiiiin.... Sorry for the whiny voice but that hurt!

Anywa..... Err..... As I was saying, this is the end of the line. And a Cliffie of sorts, too..... Don't worry, though, I've already written the sequel, "Thicker than Blood". I just need to type this and then transcribe that one onto the computer. Oh, joy. I get to mess with computers even more....

Damn, I just noticed that I did it again with the title of the last part.... It's supposed to be part IX not VIII.....

Oh, well, on with the end....

Wow, a short prelude..... I'm scared now.....

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Family Reunion

Part X

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As I approached the group, the dark skinned woman rose to her feet. I stole a glance at my brother to see if he'd introduce us, but he just continued the story he was telling the children. I cleared my throat to get his attention, and all I got was him looking up at me in a rather annoyed fashioned.

"D'ye mind, mate? I was in th' middle of the best part. I was just gettin' t' the part where they made me their chief...." I nodded towards the stranger.

"Well, Jack, aren't you going to introduce me to this lovely young woman? Or should I just take a guess that this is your beloved Anamaria? Based on the descriptions you've given me in your drunken state last night...." Both pirates gave me identical glares.

"Aye, mate. She is named Anamaria. But I'm no' one t' be settling down. So, no, she's no' me beloved. Tha' be me Pearl, savvy? The Black Pearl's the only beloved I 'ave." He turned his attention over to his first mate. "Now, luv.... We're all present. Wha's on yer mind tha's go' ye t' leave th' Pearl?" She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a single word, "Me ship i'n' in any trouble, is She?"

"Yer ship's fine." His sigh of relief was audible from across the room, I'm sure. "Yer the one 'm worried abou'. The Navy's been nosin' around. I thought they might've found you. An' if'n they didn't, I wanted to make sure they don't. We drew straws to see who got to go; I got the long straw, so 'ere I am." Normally, I when I heard someone say they drew straws, even for honour, they didn't sound like they wanted to be the one chosen. She did. She made it sound like a reward. That just added to my belief that there was something goin'.... I mean going on between them. Damn pirate speech.

"So ye've come to bring me 'ome like a mother hen t' 'er chicks, aye?" She raised her hand to slap him and he held his arms up in defence. "I mean, you've come to retrieve me fer me own safety?" She lowered her hand. After a moment, he followed suit.

"Aye, tha's wha' I've done. So, ye goin' t' come willingly? Or do I 'ave t' drag you away kicking an' screaming like that one time in Tortuga?"

My children giggled and even Jill had a bit of a laugh from the thought of Jack being dragged away kicking and screaming. "Very funny, bu' now 'm goin' t' suggest t' ye te just let me say good bye and I'll be righ' there. Tell Gibbs t' get ready t' make way. As soon as 'm there, we're gone. The military won' even 'ave t' know I was 'ere."

Anamaria nodded and headed out the back door. "Well, Jack, I guess this is farewell. I hope you'll visit again soon. Our children have never been so well behaved as when their listening to one of you tales." My wife held out her hand for Jack to shake, which he took. What he did, surprised me. He kissed her hand. He actually used some of the manners I taught him growing up. I nearly fainted from shock. The, noticing Jill's face, I realized she nearly fainted, too. But it wasn't the surprise that caused it. It was his breath. She had to force herself to keep from flinching from the smell.

Jack then headed off to follow his first mate out, when someone knocked on the door. Pounded would be more fitting, truly told.

"Who is it?" I gestured for Jack to hide in the closet near where he was standing. He acquiesced, quickly slipping out of view. With the authorities after him, it's always better safe than sorry.

"Just as Jack closed the door behind him, the front door slammed open, revealing four navel officers. "How may I help you gentlemen?" I tried to keep my voice steady, all the while, my heart pounded furiously in my chest.

"Timmy," One of my mates, David, was the first one through the door. "I'm sorry, but we've caught sight of a criminal headed in this direction. A pirate." He gestured for the others to follow him in. "We're just going to search the premises. I'm sure you understand."

I nodded. "Feel free. I'd feel safer knowing you've gotten rid of any.... unwanted guests." He laughed slightly at my choice of words and slapped me cordially on the back. I let out a nervous laugh, trying to make it sound more confident than I felt.

As we spoke, the other three men began opening every door, looking in every possible hiding place. "Commander," One of the men, Edward, I believe, called for David. "I think I've found something." We both looked in the direction of the speaker. The door to Jack's hiding place was open, and Edward was overseeing the last two's retrieval of my brother's limp form from the closet.

"Good job men." He motioned for them to bring Jack along. "Tim, I shall see you later?" I nodded.

"Thank you for.... Disposing of these riffraff for us. The mere idea that that was in our house is appalling."

"You're welcome." He followed the other three out, closing the door behind him.

The door clicked with such finality, that I couldn't help but feel the finality of my baby brother's life along with it.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Long, yes. But I needed to get this story to end at the beginning of my next one. Poor Jack, what shall become of him? How will Anamaria take the news?

This is the end of Family Reunion. Wow, it's finally over.... But at least, it will continue in its spin off special, "Thicker than Blood".

So, will this be the end for Jack Sparrow? You'll just have to wait and see....

Tell ye what, I'll give you a quote. When someone guesses correctly the quote, I'll put up "Thicker than Blood", savvy?

Hmm..... Something fitting for the mood.....

Alright, here it is:

"Sir, have I pissed you off in a way that's more than normal?"

Okay, so it's not fitting for the mood, but, hey, whatever....

And to help you along, I'll give you one more from the same place, excluding the names, of course....

"?: ??, sorry to denigrate a third of your Trinity, but, uh, looks like Hoffman was killed by one of his own bombs.

WAYNE FEDERMAN: Well, from Dharma bum to Dharma bomb.

??: I knew, uh, Hoffman was a master potter...

?: Yeah, well, it appears he was a master calligrapher as well. Look, ??, they've got gum arabic and sodium hydroxide here. Whoo, these would be used to, uh, to age the ink and the paper prematurely. It's a... it's a forger's trick.

WAYNE FEDERMAN: Well, from counterculture to counterfeiter.

??: All right, one more pun and I pull out my gun. "

Last hint, and a bit of an added challenge.... It's from a TV show, so there's your hint. And the challenge is that if you can guess the season, I'll put in an added bonus. Or just the episode name. And extra, extra credit for the episode name and season.

Good luck.....