Usual disclaimers – I don't even have to look at the keyboard to type those words anymore!

With thanks to KillerK, PirateAurora, beatlechicksteph, Mrs. Depp, shanz-sparrow (welcome!), Miss Sophia, Punkdpirate (welcome!), Orlando's Hot Chick, A Depp Girl, Galleria, BoricuaSparrow, Dramaced (you both just made it before uploading!), and Hilary for reviewing and editing.

PirateAurora, I'm glad you enjoyed the last few chapters. One of my biggest fears is the story becoming stale and boring, so I like to keep you all on your toes.

Beatlechicksteph, oh crumbs! Thank you!

Miss Sophia, I suppose Jenny has spent more time on land than on sea and if she and Jack do have any children, she'd have to live on land then.

Punkdpirate, thank you for your kind words. If you would like the story from Shay & Patience's perspective, email me and I will send you the chapters.

Galleria, I know Ireland is green – I'm from that other island just across the Irish Sea!

Boricua, flamin' hell woman! Triplets?! Don't you think Jenny has suffered enough? ;)

Dramaced, sorry! I suppose I was a little bloodthirsty at the time :D

Two things. Firstly, Hils and I will be working on a joint story when this is finished. We needs someone who is proficient in Italian, particularly swear words and curses!

Secondly, for the the newbies I have, if you would like another good read sometime, search for Hils here on ffnet. She has some great stories!

…

Chapter Twenty-three: 'Well if we're always arguin', yer always fuc…'

'Patience!' Shay bounded down to the gundeck eagerly, catching his lover just as she was about to fall out of the hammock – yet again.

'Bleedin' hell, Shay!' she grumbled. 'What's th'panic?'

'We're here! We've reached Nevis,' he beamed. Joshamee Gibbs had informed him that there was a nice church in the town of Newcastle, which is where Jack had in mind for them to live anyway, and he and Patience had been eager to reach it and get on with their wedding plans.

'Here?!' she grinned, whooping with delight and throwing her arms around him. 'I don't bleedin' care if it's a fancy church or not, Erinman,' she warned. 'Yer ain't dallyin' any more.'

'I ain't th'one who's been dallyin,' he protested as he hugged her in the cramped space. 'Come on, come and have a look at it.' Shay led her through the deck and up to the main deck, glancing out at the land to starboard. 'Look,' he pointed.

'It's hilly,' she exclaimed. 'Looks like Tortuga!'

'Gawd help us,' Shay retorted. 'If it's anythin' like that hellhole, we ain't livin' there.'

'Yer dallyin' again,' she warned, kicking his shin for good measure.

'You two at it again?' Jack sighed as he approached them.

'At least whilst she's havin' a go at me, she's leavin' ye alone,' Shay moaned humourously.

'True enough mate,' Jack grinned, pulling a face at the small Tortugan woman.

'How's Jenny?' Patience asked. She was surprised not to see her on deck as well.

'Gettin' dressed,' Jack replied, grinning wolfishly. Despite his worries, Jenny had perked up and got some of her spark back on the week long voyage and had begun to be less needy of him, less afraid of the demons that haunted her. The excitement of Patience and Shay's forthcoming wedding helped, as the two women spent many hours going over the preparations.

'Well if we're always arguin', yer always fuc…'

'Patience!' Shay warned, glaring at her, despite Jack's laughter.

'Yer no slouch yerself, missy,' came the teasing riposte.

'We're here then?' came Jenny's voice from behind them as she walked over to Jack and wound her arms around him, hugging his back.

'We are, sleepyhead,' he teased, turning around and kissing her.

'See what I mean…' Patience remarked, giving Jenny an innocent smile. 'Amazin' stamina fer a man his age,' she muttered, loud enough for Jack to hear, as she turned and looked at the land that was to be her new home.

'What is going on?' Jenny asked, looking from her lover to her friend and back again.

'I wouldn't ask if I were ye, cailin,' Shay sighed, shaking his head. 'They're at it again.'

'No,' Patience said quietly. 'They're th'ones who're at it.'

'Patience Riley, if ye don't behave yerself…'

'Yer'll do what?' she goaded, shrieking and darting out of the way as he went to pick her up. 'Yer'll have ter be quicker than that, Erinman,' she laughed, running back down below with Shay giving chase.

'What are they going to be like when they're married?' Jenny wondered, chuckling at their antics.

'Probably borin' an' quiet!' Jack laughed.

'I doubt that.'

'Me neither,' he agreed. 'Come on, let's take over th'helm until we reach th'reefs. Been ages since we did that.'

'It has,' she smiled, walking with him towards Olabisi.

'You want th'ship, Cap'n suh?'

'If ya don't mind, Bisi.' Jack took the wheel from his helmsman and Jenny ducked beneath his arms, holding onto the spokes and smiling softly as he covered her hands with his. 'This is nice, eh luv?' he murmured into her ear.

'Lovely,' she replied, settling back into his arms and enjoying the feel of the sea through the wheel.

'I've been thinkin'…' Jack began. 'Patience was teasin' me about me age earlier, an' although it was in jest, she had a point. I am gettin' older. Being captain isn't gettin' any easier an' I'm takin' longer ter heal from injuries.'

'What are you getting at?' Jenny asked. She'd had a feeling something had been playing on his mind for a while now but had decided to wait until he wanted to tell her freely.

'If ya settle here, an' we have a family… I might retire from th'sea.'

Jenny turned and gaped at him in shock. This had been the last thing she was expecting. 'Give up The Pearl?'

'Not give her up… maybe put her in someone elses capable hands until any son I have is old enough ter captain her himself.'

'Who? What if you have no more sons?'

'M'daughter then,' he grinned.

'Who would you entrust her to? Joshamee?'

'Nah, he's too old himself. I was thinkin' of someone like… Shay.'

'Shay? But he doesn't know that much about sailing. Have you said anything to him?'

'Of course I haven't. I wouldn't say anything until I spoke ter ya first. Shay picks things up like that,' he replied, snapping his fingers together. 'He already knows a helluva lot about sailin' an' if I concentrated on teachin' him even more, he'd make a brilliant captain, I know he would.'

'You know he can't read very well?'

'I know, I was wonderin' if ya'd teach him.'

'Yes, I had promised to teach Patience anyway, once we're settled. I might as well teach them both. What about their trip to Ireland? Do you think they'll come back?'

'I don't know,' Jack admitted. His friend's announcement that he wanted to take his new wife to meet his family had thrown him a little and he wondered whether to abandon the idea altogether.

'You could always use the chance of being Captain as a lure,' Jenny suggested. 'Make it worth his while coming back…'

'Now I know why I luv ya,' he grinned, kissing the nape of her neck.

'Seriously though, Jack,' she said quietly. 'What if we don't have any more children?'

Jack sighed heavily, hugging Jenny tighter. 'We will,' he promised. 'But if we don't, I can't think of anyone I'd rather see at th'helm.'

'All right,' she agreed. 'When are you going to tell him? I'd leave it until after the wedding, they have enough excitement going on just now.'

'All right luv, I'll leave 'til then. Look!' He pointed towards the land. 'There's Newcastle. Time ter keep watch fer th'reefs.' He yielded the helm back to Olabisi and set about ordering his crew to their designated duties, some climbing the masts to haul in sail, some taking up the long oars of the sweeps and the rest peering over the side of the ship, watching out for the beautiful but treacherous reef that surrounded the approach to Newcastle.

…

'I can't believe it's only a couple of days away,' Patience said as she and Jenny walked across the deck. 'Is there anythin' we've forgotten?'

'Have you spoken to Mr. Gibbs yet? He's just over there.'

'Patience!' Joshamee Gibbs smiled as the girl approached him with a little trepidation. 'Are you looking forward to it?'

'Ter what? Oh, the wedding! Yes…' She paused for a moment, before looking up at him. 'Mr. Gibbs, would ya mind if I asked ya a question?'

'Of course pet, what?'

'Do ya have family, children like?'

'I had a wife, years ago, but she died young. I've no children - none that I know of anyway. Why?'

'It's just Jenny told me that I have ter have a man ter give me away, an' I ain't got no family. I was... um... wondering if yer would do it, on account that ya at least knew me mother.'

'Me?!' he exclaimed in surprised. 'I'd be honoured to.' He gave her a bear hug, a huge beam on his face. 'Thank you for asking me - I'll sort my best suit out just for you.'

'Ya don't have ter do anything fancy, just wash an' walk me up the aisle,' Patience smiled, touching his shirt. 'I thought this was yer best suit anyway,' she teased.

'You little imp,' he laughed. 'No, I have one put away for special occasions... athough I don't remember the last special occasion when it came out,' he mused.

Patience grinned and turned to Jenny, walking towards them across the deck. 'All right,' she grinned. 'I got me man!'

'I thought Shay was your man,' she laughed, winking at Joshamee.

'I should be so lucky,' he chuckled, going about his business with a broad grin on his face.

'Right,' Jenny smiled. 'Are you ready to go fetch the dress and shoes? I've got Davy and Pete to row us ashore.'

'Not Shay?' she pouted playfully, looking around with a little disappointment.

'You'll get plenty of Shay soon enough,' Jenny laughed, linking arms with her friend as they walked across the deck.

'Are ye sure about those shoes?' she sulked, climbing gingerly down into the waiting boat. 'Davy, yer pervy dog! Stop peeping!'

'Me?' he asked, an innocent expression on his face. Pete just laughed knowingly.

Patience clouted Davy good naturedly on the arm as she sat cautiously in the boat. 'How much will ye pay me not ter tell Shay ye were peekin'?' she teased.

'No!' Davy laughed. 'Please don't tell Shay... anythin' but that!'

Patience laughed, unable to keep a straight face. 'Men, eh?' she chuckled to Jenny as she too climbed into the boat.

The two men made short work of the fair distance to shore and helped the women off the boat once they reached the wharf, paying the harbourmaster the mooring charge.

'Come on,' Jenny urged excitedly. 'Let's go and get our dresses.'

'Will they be waitin' fer us or do we have ter wave?' Patience asked, surprised that it seemed they were to be allowed in the town unaccompanied by any men.

'Nah, we're comin' with ya,' Pete announced gloomily. 'Although I ain't goin' in th'seamstress's shop,' he warned.

'Can't ya bugger off in th'nearest tavern?' Patience sighed.

'Jenny's orders,' he sighed in reply.

'An' we'd rather disobey Jack,' Davy put in.

Patience turned to Jenny in surprise. 'Yer orders? Afraid I'll do a runner?' she teased. 'No! No! Not th'shoes!' She started to run towards the town, laughing.

Jenny chuckled at her friend's antics. 'No, I'm afraid Jack would have my guts for garters if we went around without an escort,' she replied, rolling her eyes.

Patience stopped and looked back at her, sighing. 'Always th'escort, eh?' she said quietly.

'Yes,' Jenny nodded sadly.

Patience waited for Jenny to catch up, the shine taken off the day slightly. 'I'll be allowed out on me own though, won't I?' she worried.

'You'll have to see Shay about that,' she shrugged, smiling at the thought of someone trying to accost her young friend.

'Good. I ain't used ter company.' She glanced back at the men who were following half-heartedly behind them.

'Here we are,' Jenny announced. 'Go on, go to the tavern,' she urged the men, who gratefully took her up on the offer and hurried towards the nearest inn across the street from the haberdashery.

'Yeah, bugger off!' Patience insisted, shooing them away eagerly. They opened the door to the shop and entered, looking about for the seamstress.

'Hello?' Jenny called.

'I know,' Patience muttered under her breath. 'Best behaviour, right…?'

'Right,' Jenny murmured back, smiling as a large Carib woman appeared from the back room.

'Ah, hello ladies,' she beamed as she approached them. 'I just put th'finishin' touches to yer dress this morning,' she smiled at Patience. 'Come on through.'

'Thank you,' Jenny smiled as they followed her to the back room.

Patience grinned excitedly, eager to see the dress despite herself. She had never had anything new, and most definitely not anything that had been specially made for her and her eyes lit up as she spied the dress which was hanging up in front of them as they entered a small room.

Jenny gasped. 'It's wonderful,' she smiled, turning and hugging her friend.

It was made of cream silk over which was a delicate Chantilly lace, with ties down the front so that it hugged her figure. It had long, lace sleeves and a modest neckline with a broad satin ribbon around the waist and bodice.

'You will look a picture,' Jenny exclaimed, fingering a delicate lace sleeve.

'It's right fine,' Patience agreed, wide-eyed, too afraid to even touch the fabric.

'Th'other dress is here,' the seamstress smiled, taking another dress from the folds of some rag and revealing Jenny's dress, also silk, but a rich buttermilk yellow with a scoop neck. The shoulders were puffed, with cream lace making up the sleeve. A chain belt hung down the front of the not too full skirt.

'Oh Jen! We're goin' ter look great!' Patience grinned.

'We are indeed,' Jenny replied excitedly. 'Has the Captain paid you?' she asked the seamstress.

'He has,' the woman smiled. 'Here I have a special small trunk ter pack yer dresses in. Th'shoes are already in there.' She busied herself carefully laying the two dresses out into the trunk, which was lined with clean rag.

'Shoes!' Patience hissed, pulling a face.

'Thank you,' Jenny smiled sweetly, ignoring her friend and picking the trunk up.

'Oh no ya don't,' Patience chided, taking the trunk from her. 'That's what those two useless tur... men out there are for!'

'I'm not walking into the tavern to fetch them,' Jenny snorted as they left the haberdashery, waving goodbye to the seamstress.

'We can walk in t'gether if ya like,' Patience offered, placing the trunk under her arm.

'All right,' Jenny grinned and they went off in the direction of the tavern.

Patience walked brazenly into the tavern, easily spotting the two Black Pearl men and making for their table. A buzz went up from men drinking in the tavern at the sight of two attractive women walking in unaccompanied, until Davy and Pete stood and made their way over to them.

'Ya all done then?' Davy asked, taking the trunk off Patience as she held it out.

'Yes,' she grinned. 'All done an' dusted. Now ya can take us back again.' She fell into step with Jenny as they walked back down towards the wharf.

…

'Is there anything else I don't know that I need ter do?' Patience asked as soon as they set foot on the deck of The Black Pearl once more.

'No, I think that's about it. Apart from the fact you are not allowed to see Shay the night before your wedding…'

'What?!'

'You and I can stay in the inn the night before. We can get ready together then,' Jenny smiled.

'First those bleedin' shoes an' now this?' She looked at Jenny, pleading. 'At least tell me th'shoes are a joke, eh?'

'No…'

'They hurt,' she pouted.

'It will only be for an hour or two,' Jenny placated. 'You can't wear a beautiful dress with no shoes.'

Patience pulled a face at her friend, frowning at the thought of wearing the instruments of torture for two whole hours.

'At least I'll have one more night with him,' she grinned. 'P'raps we should just live in sin... be a damned sight easier!'

'You are not getting out of wearing those shoes!' Jenny admonished jokingly. 'I've been married twice,' she mused. 'I'm not sure I'd want to chance a third time, even to Jack.'

'They say third time lucky,' Patience teased, looking up to see Jack nearby. 'But then again...'

'Oi! I heard that, missy!' he growled playfully. Don't think ya can't still be thrown in th'brig...' he threatened with a grin.

'Jack!' Jenny admonished. 'That isn't a nice thing to say to her just before her wedding.'

'I was only joking,' he pouted, looking guiltily at Patience glowering at him.

'Two can play at that game,' she muttered to herself.

'Bloody hell, what is it about weddings that makes women so grumpy?' he sighed, throwing his hands up in exasperation.

Patience looked at Jenny, a ghost of a smile on her lips. 'Men…' she exclaimed.

Jenny looked at Patience with a puzzled frown, wondering what her friend was up to, but kept quiet. 'Well, are you going to apologise to her?' she demanded, folding her arms.

'Hell'll freeze over,' Patience snorted. 'I'd best head ter me hammock. I've a long day t'morrow.'

'Women...' Jack muttered, going on his way. 'Bloody touchy...'

'I'll give you touchy just now my lad,' Jenny warned, winking at Patience.

Patience smiled at her. 'G'night Jenny,' she smiled before heading down the hatch to the crew quarters, relieved that it would be her last night in the accursed hammock.

…