Sir Robert held out the silk bag, waiting impatiently for Jack to return the Pérola. The pirate seemed to notice him finally, and with a heavy sigh took the bag and slipped the pearl ceremoniously into it, looking longingly toward the open doors as he did. He held the bag on the flat of his palm.

"Y'know, guv, it's a bit ironic."

"How's that, Captain Sparrow?"

Jack looked from his hand to the governor. "I lost a ship trying to get this very trinket."

Involuntarily, Swann and Turner blurted in unison. "Another one?"

Jack's dark eyes narrowed as he glared at them. "It wasn't my fault. And I thought this would be a wonderful good luck piece for the Pearlwhen I got her back…"

"But how –"

With a sweeping gesture he returned the bag to its case, plumping it carefully as he did. "Instead of wasting precious time on the mundane trivialities of history –" he spilled the words out like a handful of beads – "Hows about you telling us the whys and wherefores of this little outing?"

Before the governor could answer the clock in the library struck eight, and Sir Robert stood as it chimed the hour. "Weatherby, since you're bound and determined to follow this course, I leave it in your hands. My ship sets sail with the tide, and I must return to London." The governor stood with him and they shook hands formally, if not cordially. "I'll inform the crown of your decision."

Swann nodded ruefully. "I'm sure you will, Robert." Stepping back, he added, "Please extend my warmest regards to his Majesty."

"I will."

"Aye, and mine as well, mate. Give ol' George my best, tell him not to be such a stranger." Jack's smile glittered, and Sir Robert rolled his eyes in disgust before looking back to the governor.

"If this goes sour, Weatherby, you may have a command audience yourself." Without further acknowledging the captains, Sir Robert left. Weatherby Swann exhaled heavily once he was gone.

"Interesting friend you've got there, guv."

Swann shook his head as he lit the lamps in the darkening room, then moved to splash another round of brandy into their glasses before sitting down. "He does his job well enough for the king, but I believe you'd call him…" the governor frowned as he looked at Jack, his eyebrows peaked. "…a bit of a twit?"

Jack's smile glinted in the candlelight. "Right you are. But now that we're alone, perhaps you can tell me why it seems you want the Pearl as well as William?"

The governor sipped his brandy and looked at the two men solemnly. "The French and Spanish ambassadors originally wanted the meeting to be in the Fort San Cristóbal at Puerto Rico."

"Smack in Spain's territory?"

"Yes. The compromise was a small island east of there. It's disputed territory, at best – probably the only people that have been in residence consistently these last two decades are the pirates."

William looked at Jack. "Crab Island?"

"Sounds like." They looked at the governor, who nodded. "Listen, guv – that's not a very safe little haunt."

Swann gave them a grim smile. "It's not a 'safe little' junket, either. That's why I want the Black Pearl to accompany the Esperance. If there's a more formidable ship that's not in the King's navy, I don't know of it."

Jack preened slightly at the praise. "True enough. But that's a good question right there. Why not use the King's navy?"

"Too obvious. We're trying to keep the passage quiet… and no one would expect the Pearl to be doing an errand for the crown. If anything, they'll think you're after the gems."

William nodded thoughtfully. "It sounds like we'll be watched, nonetheless."

"Yes. I'm afraid that's true. The factions who want to see the peace effort fail, for example, will certainly be curious as to where the 'Sun and Moon' are headed."

William shook his head. "Why would they want peace to fail?"

"To discredit his Majesty. To divide the house's attention. There are parties within the French and Spanish governments that feel the same way." Weatherby sipped again, looked out toward the darkening horizon. "Not to mention certain parties who know there will be gifts exchanged, and just want the gems."

Jack looked uncomfortable. "Well, y'see, guv, there's the problem, innit?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well. I've got to ask: what profit lies in taking this on? Why shouldn't I just put this pearl in my pocket, give William the diamond, and call it a day?"

Weatherby Swann and Jack Sparrow stared at each other for a long moment. Eventually the governor pursed his lips. "Well, Captain Sparrow. First of all I would say you need to take the pearl out of your pocket to do that. I believe your right one?"

Jack looked impressed. He also sighed and fished the pearl he had pocketed out of his coat. "You've a good eye. But you'll notice Sir Robert didn't see me palm it."

Weatherby suppressed a grin, but let his voice go flat as he shrugged the explanation. "Twit."

"Aye."

Swann held out his hand, and Jack placed the pearl on it reluctantly.

"Still, mate, you must admit. Two pirates against one man –"

"One pirate, Jack. Against me and my employer."

Sparrow looked at William narrowly. "Ah. Yes." Listing slightly toward his old friend, he added with a subdued smile, "There'll be more to that conversation, mate. Another time." William nodded, smiling himself, and Jack turned back to the governor. "Still, guv. What's in it for me? Clemency isn't worth much in these waters, divided as they are."

Governor Swann looked at him steadily. "Would a full pardon be worth anything? And the protection of the crown?"

Jack's eyes widened in spite of himself. "You can't do that."

"No, but his Majesty could."

William whistled softly as Jack stared.

"And you believe ol' George would do that for me."

"And every one of your crew. All you need to do is transport the 'Sun and Moon' safely to the gathering on Crab Island, and I'll see it done."

Jack looked back at the case. "I don't know, guv. We've been doing alright, splitting the hoard from Muerta…"

"Of course, it would also mean you were all welcome to come and go here in Port Royal as you please."

Jack shrugged. "Listen, it'd be great to see more of the children, but –" he shook his head. "You're suggesting I give up piracy? Me?"

"You would still be Captain Jack Sparrow. You would still sail wherever you wish, and still have the Black Pearl."

There was a longish pause as Jack stared at his brandy. The governor looked undecided for a moment, then took a deep, determined breath.

"There is another detail to consider here in Port Royal, Captain Sparrow, that you may not be aware of." Jack and William frowned at him curiously as he stood, pacing slowly in front of the doors. "There is an officer, an up and coming young man in the command, posted here at the fort. He has recently taken on a quadroon mistress." Jack stiffened slightly in his chair, but sipped his brandy as the governor continued.

"Now, while that isn't uncommon, he's taking to showing her off instead of keeping her quietly."

Although Jack's head was bowed over his glass, his eyes slowly lifted to look at the governor.

"Granted, she seems to vanish for weeks at a time, but just this morning I saw them in town, shopping. Lieutenant Grove's mistress is quite a lovely woman, and looked surprisingly familiar to me."

Jack's voice growled quietly. "She's not his mistress, guv. She's his wife."

Swann's eyebrows raised. "Really. Well, I'm not surprised. I would have expected as much from that particular officer. He's an honorable man." The governor nodded thoughtfully. "But that doesn't change the fact that if I recognized her, it's only a matter of time before others do…and it could mean charges against him and her."

Standing, the pirate walked toward the French doors, looking out into the velvety dark blue of the evening sky that faded to apricot at its western edge. He looked down into his empty glass, and refilled it from the decanter.

"Well, clearly there's more to consider here than just whether I care to sail flank for William. My choice affects my crew, and I'll need some time to consider."

"I understand, Captain." Swann put down his glass and picked up the case, locking it carefully. "I'll be back tomorrow, around noon." He looked almost apologetic. "I'll need a decision from you by then, or Captain Turner and I will be delivering it alone."

He paused, and the two men standing glanced toward the open doors and back to each other. Jack shook his head with a silent laugh in spite of himself.

"Aye, Lizzie. Come bid your father goodbye. And bring the whelp with you."

It was past midnight in the kitchen of the guest house, and Elizabeth was starting to blink sleepily, exhausted from the long day of physical labor. Will was talking quietly with his father, but turned when she nestled in closer to his shoulder.

"You should go to bed, love. I'll be along soon."

She shifted, opening her eyes again. "Absolutely not. As soon as I leave, you'll make some decision…" She yawned involuntarily, and Jack chuckled.

"Actually, Will, perhaps you could take your lady fair off to bed?"

Will opened his mouth to protest, and realized that Jack and his father had things to discuss. He looked back and forth between them, then down to Elizabeth, who was sinking into his chest again. "I think I'll do that, Jack. But I'll expect to know what's going on in the morning."

"Yes, you would."

Will grinned at him as he urged Elizabeth to her feet. "Come on, darling, we're going upstairs." She nodded, sighing sleepily. Leaning over, she kissed her father-in-law on the cheek.

"Goodnight, father." William smiled at that, and brushed his hand over her hair.

"Goodnight, Elizabeth. Sleep well."

To Jack's surprise, she turned and kissed his cheek sleepily as well. "G'night, Jack." His eyes widened as he looked at the other men, who smiled broadly.

"Goodnight, Lizzie."

Will gave his father a hug and waved to Jack. "There're more rooms, if you want to stay ashore tonight."

"Thanks, lad, but I think I'll have to go discuss things with the crew, once your father and I hash this out."

"Alright." The younger man looked at them both fondly, and lifted Elizabeth away from the wall where she was leaning, more asleep than awake. Realizing she might not make it upstairs, he scooped her up, cradling her against his chest.

Jack laughed quietly. "Yer a kept man, boy."

Will tossed him a wry look and carried her out of the room. Once they were gone, William shook his head.

"They're happy."

"Certainly are."

There was a pause. "Why wouldn't you want to do it, Jack?"

Jack sighed. "Listen, William. I know it was different for you, but I'm still master of my own ship, king of my own country… even if that's only measured by the rail of the Pearl. I've no desire to answer to anyone else."

"Even if it means you don't have to run anymore?"

"Gods, William. It's the running that keeps me alive."

Turner shook his head, took a drink from the tankard in front of him. "You could still be what you are, Jack."

"Could I? Hard to go breaking the law when I've given my word to the guv…"

The older pirate laughed. "There's your problem, mate. You're still a good man."

"It'll be my death."

They sat in companionable silence, lost in their own thoughts, until William spoke again.

"What about Anamaria?"

Jack drank deeply from his own tankard. "It's not fair to put her life on me."

"I didn't."

"Right."

"Y'know, Jack, I think you're missing the point of Swann's offer."

"Am I?"

"Do this, get a full pardon from the crown. Then decide what you want to do with that freedom."

Jack stared into his mug for a while, then looked up at William. "You may have a point there." Downing the rest of the rum, he stood. "I better get out to the Pearl, have this out with Ana. Lord help me."

"Should I come along?"

The pirate considered. "Good idea, mate. I may need you to flank me this time."