Damned to the depths whatever muttonhead thought of disclaimers, but at least Shay is mine – oh yes he is, Hilary! :p

With thanks to Kat, KillerK, Opi, geminillama, Galleria, Mrs Depp, slytheringurl, A Depp Girl, tru spirit, Pendragginink, beatlechicksteph, AJ-Sparrow, Orlando's Hot Chick and of course Hils.

KillerK, it is only the thought of my loyal readers that has kept me typing at times.

Opi, I do want to continue, it's just hard to get motivated. But then I'm a lazy cow anyway! ;)

Beatlechicksteph and Mrs Depp – me and Hilary would like to thank you both for giving us a laugh. Jack and Patience getting it on is the last thing that will happen!! :D

Slytheringurl, sorry if you feel I've been missing you out, but I always thank those who have reviewed the previous chapter.

Pen, thanks as always for making me cry with laughter.

…

Chapter Fifteen: 'Reckon I might have her house built th'other side of town…'

The Black Pearl had taken her time in reaching the Fragrance Isles. Her captain, upon having spotted a sheltered cove on one of the Grenadines, had decided it would be a good opportunity to careen her hull and she had been beached, unloaded, scraped clean, re-floated and re-stocked all in the space of a week. She had then stopped off at San Juan for a few days while lengths of timber were brought on board, ready for the building of the two houses. But now she had finally reached her destination and the excitement on board was tangible.

'Here finally, eh luv?' Jack smiled as he stood next to Jenny as she took she first look at what was to become their home.

'I can see how the islands got their name, I can smell the flora from here,' she remarked, inhaling deeply. 'Are you sure the men will be able to build a house?' She had had doubts for a while, but this was this was the first time she had voiced them.

'Of course they can! They can re-build a ship if needs be, a house'd be much simpler.'

'All right,' she smiled, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her. 'I should know better than to doubt you.'

'Aye, that ya should,' he teased.

'It's beautiful!' exclaimed a voice from behind them and they turned to see Patience staring in wonder at the island, then looking Jack up and down, unused to seeing him dressed… well, normally, in black breeches, a clean white shirt and a dark green patterned waistcoat. Even his boots were polished and there were no trinkets in his hair. She looked back at the land. 'We're ter live there?!'

'Th' word is handsome,' Jack teased. 'An' I told ya there were better places than Tortuga…'

'No, that was me, actually,' Jenny retorted, digging him in the ribs with her elbow.

Jack pulled at face at the young woman's smirk and turned his attention back to the small town where they hoped to live on the outskirts of. 'Reckon I might have her house built th'other side of town,' he muttered, putting on a hurt innocent expression when Jenny glared at him.

'Anywhere that's as far from ya as possible,' Patience sniped, although without any malice in her voice. Arguing with Jack was becoming a habit.

'Tell ye what, Jen,' Shay laughed as he joined them. 'How about ye and me set up a house together an' let these two get on with it?'

'Sounds like the best idea I've heard in ages,' she chuckled, mocking the look of outrage on Jack's face.

'I'd kill her…'

'Not if I got ter ya first, ya wouldn't…'

'Children, children…' Jenny scolded, wagging her finger at both of them.

'Cap'n, shall we drop anchor?' Joshamee Gibbs asked, hovering in the background.

'Aye, this seems as good a place as any,' Jack agreed, releasing his hold on Jenny and walking over to the helm as the order was barked and the ship lurched as the anchors were released and she slowed to a stop.

'I'll be glad ter get ashore,' Patience sighed, not having enjoyed her time on board particularly, disliking the close-living and lack of privacy for she was used to being alone.

'So will I,' Jenny agreed. She had not set foot off The Black Pearl since they left Tortola, some weeks before. She was also starting to find it more difficult to keep her balance as she grew larger and was fearful of falling over.

'Come on then,' Jack smiled as he re-joined her. 'Let's go an' have a look around.'

They waited as the bosun's chair was rigged and a boat lowered and Jack climbed down first, holding the boat steady as Jenny was lowered. Patience followed, then Shay and Pete and the two crewmen took up the oars and rowed for the small wharf.

An officious looking man in a powdered wig and carrying a ledger greeted them. 'What's your business in Spring Point?' he asked, eyeing them suspiciously, especially Jack.

'We're looking to settle here,' came Jack's curt reply.

'Well… that'll be three shillings to dock in the bay an' three pennies ter moor yer boat.

Pete tossed the mooring rope to a dockhand and climbed out as soon as the boat was secured, helping Patience, then Jenny alight, leaving the men to sort themselves out.

'Here.' Jack retrieved the money from a pouch and pressed the coins into the harbourmaster's pudgy hands. 'I'm looking to buy land. To whom do I go?'

Patience stared at Jack, not believing that the refined, cultured voice had come from him.

'Y'd best see th'bailiff then. See that white building down th'bottom o'the lane? That's his office.'

'Thank you,' Jack smiled, placing Jenny's hand in the crook of his arm and leading the way. 'Looks nice,' he commented as they strolled down the main street of Spring Point, noting that there seemed to be a good variety of shops, including a carpenter and furniture maker, a blacksmith and a seamstress.

'What made ye choose this place?' Shay asked, following behind with Patience.

'Mr. Gibbs lived here a while years ago, said it was a good place. Quiet.'

'Do you think they'll accept having a pirate ship in the bay?'

'They don't know we're pirates. I won't fly th'flag anywhere near here, so we should be fine,' he assured Jenny, putting his hand over hers and squeezing. 'We'll be fine,' he said quietly. 'I promise.'

He rapped on the door of the bailiff's office and waited until a small, thin man with a beaked nose opened the door.

'I'm interested in purchasing some land on which to build two houses. I was told the bailiff was the best man to see.'

'Come in, Sir. I will see if the bailiff is available. Your name, Sir?'

'Captain John Hillier.'

'One moment, Captain Hillier.'

Jenny and Shay exchanged glances. They had heard him use the name before, when fleeing from London.

'Mr. Whittaker will see you all now, Captain. This way please.' He lead the way through panelled doors into a dark, gloomy room, with books lining two walls and wood panelling lining the other two walls.

'I understand you wish to purchase some land, Captain Hillier?'

'That is correct. My quartermaster, Joshamee Gibbs, stayed on this island some years ago and recommended it highly. As you can see, my wife is pregnant and she needs a home in which to bring up our baby. Miss Patience Riley is to be her companion and housekeeper but she will not be living with my wife, hence the need for two houses.

'I see. Does… did your wife travel with you at sea? Are you a merchantman?'

'Yes and yes,' Jack smiled, careful not to show his gold teeth. 'I know it is unusual for a wife to travel with her husband, but… let's just say we're not your conventional types,' he chuckled, relieved to the bailiff smile.

'What do you ship?'

'Anything and everything.' 'It's not really a lie,' Jack thought to himself. 'We do ship anything an' everything.'

The bailiff leaned his elbows on the deck and pressed his fingers together, regarding the quartet closely. 'Very well,' he said, finally. 'I know of some land that might just suit your purpose. It is a little way out of town but it has access to the sea, although you will still be subject to docking and mooring charges.'

'Sounds perfect,' Jack smiled.

'I shall arrange a carriage to take you there. Are you able to go and see it now?'

'Yes we are, but please, do not go to any trouble.'

'It's no trouble at all, Captain. The land has been available for quite some time. It is a little… overgrown at the moment, I'm afraid.'

'That is not a problem, my crew are able bodied men. I'm sure they will clear it in no time.'

'Your crew?' Whittaker looked at Jack in surprise.

'Yes, I want to see my wife settled but my crew do not like being idle, so…'

'Ah, I see,' he nodded. 'Would you like me to accompany you?'

'No, no,' Jack assured him. 'So long as your driver knows the way, we will be fine.'

'Very well, give me a moment.' The bailiff rang a handbell and the small man re-appeared. 'Davies, arrange a coach for Captain Hillier and his company.'

'Very well, Sir.'

…

'He wasn't wrong when he said overgrown!' Patience exclaimed, looking at the tangled vegetation that covered the plot of land.

Jack looked from the land to the sea, noting that there was indeed access and they would not have to bother anchoring in the main bay whenever he visited. 'What d'ya think luv?'

'I think it will be wonderful,' Jenny breathed, excitement shining in her eyes.

'Aye, me too,' he grinned, picking her up and swinging her around carefully, ignoring her squeals of protest.

'Well, d'ya think ye'll be happy here?' Shay placed his hands on Patience's shoulders, a broad grin on his face.

'Maybe…' she shrugged. 'Bit quiet though, ain't it?'

'After that hellhole ye call home, anywhere's quiet,' he laughed. 'Make a good home here.'

'Aye, my home,' she reminded him, pulling away from his grasp. 'So when will th'men start, Spa… Captain Hillier?'

'As soon as I've purchased th'land.'

…

'Bleedin' hell Cap'n. It's a bloody jungle!' John Williams exclaimed as the crew reached the plot of land.

'Aye, so no slackin', savvy?'

For three days the crew, including Jack, cleared the grass, ferns, trees and various plants from the site until it was cleared and levelled. They then brought the timber from the ship in a convoy of boats and, with help from the town's carpenter and some other tradesmen, they started to build the houses. Jack and Jenny's at the front of the land, overlooking the sea, and Patience's a little further behind, each sharing the gardens and a path.

The men were split into two groups, each working in shifts on both of the houses. Jenny and Patience came over each day from the ship to view the progress and bring food and ale, which they had prepared on board. The bailiff also paid regular visits, much to Jack's chagrin, but he never seemed to think anything was amiss and always left with a smile and a wave, which Jack returned, charmingly, relieved that he would soon have Jenny settled somewhere safe.

…