Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize, including, but not limited to, PotC, Johnny Depp, Jack, Elizabeth, the Black Pearl, the island, the sea, yadda yadda. . . I do, however, own Epsilon, Ronan, Giselle, and Aurnen.

To Ainariel-Helyanwe: I'm really, really sorry about this. I know it was nowhere near soon.

To Trinity144: Yes, fluffiness is sometimes good.

To dizzy izzy: No! Don't die! This one isn't fluffy.

To Dawnie-7: Yay! Kudos for Jack!

To Quietly Making Noise: Epsilon thanks you very much for her teddy bear.

To missjensparrow: I feel so. . .low. And awful. I can't believe I did this, and right after your wonderful review. sigh Well, I will do my best to make it up to you.

To Cagalli: Everyone needs a little fluff in their lives. And as for Ronan, he can just write himself, so we'll see what happens.

To AngryTolkienPurist: I tried to make a lot of stuff happen in this chappie. I hope it's alright.

To Copperstring: I made this one longer than I usually do, so hopefully it will balance out. And yes, all questions will be answered. Hopefully soon.

To jackslittlefriend: Thank you for your review! You really made me realize just how many loose ends I needed to tie up, and you made me get working on this chapter. Thanks! As for lemon, hmm. . .I don't think she's ready for that now, but maybe at a later date.

To all my reviewers: I know, I know. I am an awful, awful person. sigh If you want to hear my excuses, they will be at the end of this chappie. I would have posted an A/N to tell you all what's going on, but FF.net doesn't like them. pout So, I made this chappie longer than I usually do. I'm back! Yay!

Ronan crept silently along the dirty street, his boots making no sound as they hit the flat stones. He pushed a silvery strand behind his ear, wishing for once that his hair didn't shine in the moonlight. The boy listened for any movement nearby, and when he heard an approaching whinny, he disappeared into an alley with a quite flutter of his cloak. Steel eyes watched as a horse came galloping by, then darted around once more as Ronan emerged and continued along his way.

He was furious. Quite furious. When he had been attacked only a few years before, he had been in no condition to exact revenge. But now. . . Ronan grinned. He would get them now. For himself. And for Epsilon. . .

The blonde had to stifle a growl at that thought. Epsilon. . . Yes, he would kill the bastards for her. He cared for her deeply, and after what had happened. . .

Ronan came full circle. He was incredibly and undeniably furious.

A light came on in a house not far ahead, and Ronan snuck towards it. But the twins were not there. It was just an old housewife stoking the fire.

Then Ronan's head turned sharply at the sound of footfalls nearby. He ducked into shadow once again, hiding his glowing hair, and waited. A man came up the road, swaying slightly, long hair swishing behind him, and passed through the doorway of a house across the street. Ronan glanced up and saw a dim light in the second story. There was a small scuffling sound soon after, and Ronan moved closer to get a better look.

Upon finding no one on the first story, he climbed as silently as possible onto the layered roof in order to peek into the top level. The light coming from the window grew brighter, and by some luck, Ronan discovered the very men he had been searching for. Plus one more.

Ronan mouthed a curse. Didn't they ever stop? But he waited for the opportune moment. Waited. And watched.

The unfamiliar body in the room was seated in a chair away from the light, head bowed. It was hard to tell whether or not he was even breathing. Ronan's lip curled with distaste when one twin ran a hand up the dark-haired boy's thigh. But the recipient of said gesture didn't seem all too happy with the action, and attempted to shift away from his tormentor. The twin's teeth gleamed in the firelight, and he grabbed the boy's hair, forcing a rough kiss upon him. The boy shuddered, but did no more, and when the twin pulled away, his head merely dropped to where it had been before.

Ronan trembled at his post on the roof. He wanted so badly to destroy that horrid pair, but he waited for the opportune moment. . .

The second twin joined his brother then, kissing the boy rougher than his counterpart had, while said counterpart seemed quite happy to proceed on his own. The boy in the chair writhed, a tiny attempt to get away, and was rewarded with his head being driven into the nearby table. He slumped to the floor, most likely still alive but unconscious. The twins looked at each other, grinned, and returned to their previous actions. This was it. Ronan tightened his grip upon the two daggers he carried. They were both occupied. . .

Ronan crashed through the window, causing both twins to stop in their play. He dove forward, quickly gutting one before the man had time to stand up. He collapsed to the wooden floor, both hands clutching at his stomach, and Ronan turned to the second. The man did attempt to slash him, but Ronan was faster. Much faster. The boy's arm darted forward, the dagger quickly embedding itself in the twin's chest. And then Ronan backed away quickly, poised to strike once he had seen what he wanted. He wanted to see their fear. He wanted them to suffer. Suffer as he had. As Epsilon had. . . At this thought, Ronan snarled. For all his gentleness, Ronan could be a terror if he so chose.

He chose.

he hissed. The twins lay on the floor, quickly becoming covered in crimson liquid. The first twin's eyes began to roll, but the second growled and stood, throwing a small blade at Ronan. The knife grazed Ronan's arm as he ducked and drew a small spiked circle from his jacket. This he threw back at the twin, and it caught the side of the man's neck. The twin's eyes grew wide, and he pressed a hand to his neck.

There it was. Fear.

Ronan smirked and lashed out again, plunging his dagger to the hilt. Teeth bared, he turned to the remaining twin. This one was fading fast. Ronan slunk over, knowing that the other man posed no threat. He used the tip of his blade to tilt the man's head back, and Ronan saw again that which he was searching for.

Ronan whispered softly before ending the second twin's life. Then he noticed a small glimmer in the corner of his eye. The candlelight was glinting off of a ring on the dead man's finger. Epsilon's ring. Ronan growled again and quickly pocketed the ring.

Standing slowly, Ronan looked about the room. Save for the small area of carnage, it looked rather alright. Well, maybe not quite. There was still that boy on the floor.

Ronan strode over and knelt by the stranger. Upon feeling a pulse, he carefully turned the boy over. Raven black hair was slightly matted with the blood from a gash on his forehead where he had struck the table.

Ronan sighed. Now, what do I do with you?

If Ronan had been expecting an answer, he certainly wasn't getting it. The other boy was out cold. Jack won't be happy about this, the blonde muttered before hoisting the boy over his shoulder.

Jack jolted out of his slumber and blinked for a moment, not really sure what had woken him. He gazed down at Epsilon's still sleeping form. It hadn't been her. He looked then out the window. It was still dark, which meant that the crew should still be ashore.

Footsteps. On the deck.

Jack slid out of bed and snuck to the door. He listened as the footsteps drew nearer, then opened the door cautiously. The moon shone in pale hair, and Jack knew that it was Ronan. No one else had hair like that. But what did he have with him?

Wha's that ye're carryin'?

Ronan grunted and lowered his bundle to the deck. It was another boy. Jack glanced once at the newcomer, then raised his eyes to Ronan's, waiting for an explanation.

When I found them they were, um, busy. With him. And, well, I couldn't just leave him there. . . Ronan trailed off when Jack began muttering something about pirates and charity. Captain, I'm not expecting you to take him in. But. . .could he stay? As a favor to me?

Jack looked again into stormy eyes, and sighed, cursing his soft heart. Aye. But ye'll be takin' care o' him, then.

Ronan flashed a bright smile. Aye, Captain. I will.

Jack spun on his heel and swayed back into his cabin, collapsing once again on the bed. He had just closed his eyes when a cry sounded. Epsilon had awoken again. The captain reached out and grabbed her wrists, but this only caused her to thrash more.

Sil! Wake up, luv!

Epsilon awoke with a start, eyes wide, muscles tense. Jack let go of her immediately, and she trembled, clearly lost in some memory. So he inched closer to her and touched her cheek lightly with his fingers.

Epsilon. Tis me. Jack. Come back to me, luv.

Epsilon shuddered once more, but her eyes seemed to refocus, and she looked at the man next to her. She then buried her face in her hands and attempted to be as small as possible. Jack reached for her again, but drew back suddenly when she began to cry.

Sil. I won't hurt ye. Remember?

Epsilon peeked through her fingers, ashamed to look at him, but compelled to do so anyway. I know, she whispered.

The pirate wound an arm about her waist, pulling her close. Don' be afraid. Ye're safe now. Jack sighed as she seemed to calm a little. He didn't know what was going on in her head, but he was pretty sure she needed to talk to someone about it. Epsilon did not respond, and Jack wondered then if she might be asleep, but no such luck. The girl was still wide awake, but her breathing was shallow. The captain stroked her hair lightly, doing as much as he could to urge her into sleep, but he remained awake himself. He knew that whatever memories had been revived as of late would need to be dealt with urgently. Epsilon's sanity depended upon it.

Taimat: Alright, here's what's been going on. After I posted the last chapter, I had finals. Right after that was SAT studying followed by my internship at the hospital. I've not had time to sleep, let alone write. I churned this chapter out so fast I'm not entirely sure what's in it. Plus, I think Jack is slacking. . .

Jack: Me!? Ye're the one who's been slackin' off, luv. Honestly. I don' know why I even bother with ye. Yer turnin' lazy, and I think yer chapters are sufferin', too.

Taimat: Lazy? Lazy!? You. . .you jerk! You know what I've been going through! Oh, I'll show you lazy. . . begins writing next chappie like there's no tomorrow

Jack: smirk And she says I'm a bad muse. . . Read n review, people! She's gonna need em.