It wasn't until late afternoon that Jack returned to the Pearl. It had taken several hours for Jack to finally subdue Shilo's questions. She had gotten a lot more information out of him than he would have liked. However, he felt that the deal that they finally made was adequate enough. Besides, he would be left with the ship.

The crew had already come back and had been eager since noon to be off. Anamaria had made sure that all preparation was complete. She was the first to see the Captain approach the ship. "Jack!" she yelled, rather angry. "We've been waitin six hours for you to get your drunk skull back here." Anamaria noticed the woman trailing Jack. "Who's she?" Anamaria asked suspiciously.

Jack looked back. Shilo had kept her distance from him, walking three full paces behind. She looked up with the last question, and stopped next to Jack at the foot of the ramp leading to the ship. "Oh..." Jack started. "Yes...um..."

"I'm your new shipmate," Shilo said, before heading up. She met Anamaria face to face when she stepped aboard.

They both glared unblinkingly at each other. Shilo stood rigid, her usual pose, while Anamaria, hands on her hips, stood slightly back, chest out, in usual male fashion.

"Oh...now!" Jack exclaimed rushing up the ramp. "Now this is only a temporary arrangement." He took Anamaria aside. "Now I know you don't like it darling..." She glared at him. "But right now I really really need..."

He stopped himself. "Just try to be civil...alright?"

Rolling her eyes, Anamaria stalked off.

Shilo watched her go with hawk eyes. "Now, I hope you don't plan to turn my crew against me," Jack finally said to her.

She just looked at him, in turn rolling her eyes and walking to the bow of the ship.

Jack winced. This may not be the best of plans after all.

*Port Royal*

Will didn't exactly know what he was going to do about the stolen sword. At first he thought the best course of action was making another one, but that would have cost him more dearly than he liked. The metal that had been order was costly and the gold in the handle was as expensive. In addition to that, he wasn't one to try to hide his own mistakes.

What he did need was advice.

He should have questioned the woman more carefully. In hindsight, the woman was too…pleasant to be a servant of the lieutenant. He should have noticed what she was wearing. Rags…why did he not catch that? She was wearing spinster's clothes. And her smile…it was as fake as fool's gold. When she came in too…ah, she had been far too quiet…someone who didn't want to be seen. Why had he not noticed that, too?

Will shook his head. This is not the time to make such rationalizations, he thought to himself. Keep focused on the solution.

He hated to be outsmarted.

Anxiously, Will approached the Governor's house. It had been a while since he had last seen Elizabeth and he thought that it was about time he called on her again.

He knocked on the door.

When the doorman answered, Will asked, "Is the Governor present?"

"Yes, Mr. Turner," was the answer. The doorman motioned for William to step in and closing the door behind, floated into the study room. The solitaire did not last long.

"Ah, Mr. Turner," the Governor said, walking in. "It is nice to see you."

"Good afternoon, Governor Swann," Will said politely. "I would like to inquire if Elizabeth is in."

"Oh, good heavens no," The Governor laughed. "I'm sure you've heard that the Commodore is setting off this day."

"I had heard," Will answered, slightly confused. "I suppose I thought the formal farewell had been attended already."

"The formal farewell yes, but Commodore Norrington had requested that Elizabeth see him off."

Will's jaw dropped and a knot settled in his stomach.

The Governor must have caught his expression. "I had the impression that she had told you."

He didn't miss a beat. "I must have forgotten, then." He faked a smile. "Perhaps I will see to it that she has an escort safely home."

The Governor smiled back, oblivious to Will's discontent. "I was actually just about to go meet her, but I think that is a wonderful idea. And perhaps you would be honored enough to stay for supper. Hmm?"

"I would appreciate that…" Will made one final nod, before he turned to leave. When the doorman shut and locked the door, Will looked over the front garden to the docks. There at least was one good incident. The Dauntless was leaving.