Note: Now this is a couple of years later, after the flogging Hal survived, and after the events depicted in Honor Bright. Hal doesn't spend much time in the Caribbean but rather going after his pirate work in Indonesia. Still, he returns to Tortuga every few years to pay Diamond a visit.

Chapter 3

We all grow

Blessed be the streets of Tortuga. I have been to many places, but coming here always feels like coming ... well, not home, but it certainly feels like coming to the pirate capital of the world. I smile on that, and salute a couple of girls who are waving to me from a balcony.

I don't come here often since I went separate ways from Jack, got my own ship, the Black Lotus, and my own lot of scars to bear. Although these scars are well tended for by my Maori first mate, who is a magician with tattooing.

I do have this feeling. I haven't seen the Black Pearl, but … there are sparrows around, somewhere. Have to be. I haven't seen Jack in a while, and I certainly hadn't counted on being in the Caribbean. But it would be nice, nice to see him. Well … I'll try to find diamonds first, before I look out for pearls.

Just upon thinking this, a group of girls is dashing by, chatting. They cannot be older than seven or eight. Nothing so surprising about that, but what does catch my attention is the necklace one of them is wearing. Because the pendant, I know it. I know it because I stole it myself, a while ago. Stole it while I was still with Jack.

"You, lass! Wait!" I follow her and reach out for her arm, when she spins around to sparkle at me with eyes so soft and deep, and for a moment, she knocks the wind out of my sails. I realize that involuntarily, I hold my breath. Blue eyes, and I think I have Maggie looking at me. But after a blink and a gasp, I see it is not her. The eyes are caramel. Like Jack's maybe. The girl could be Maggie's sister, though. I smile on that, and drop to a knee beside her.

"Will you tell me, Milady, who gave you that charm?"

"No."

"Not even when I tell you that I already know Jack Sparrow gave it to you?"

"It's Captain Jack Sparrow, and if you already know that, why do you ask?"

I smile on that, too.

"Because I have given that pendant to Jack myself a while ago, and if he gave it to you, he knows you well, and if you know him well, you can maybe tell me if he is around."

"Why would I tell you?"

"Because I am his brother."

I think she is holding her breath for a very short moment, before she says: "If you are his brother, why don't you know where he is yourself?"

Ah. Not easily convinced, are you, Milady. "Because I haven't seen him in a while."

"Can you prove it?"

"Prove what? That I am his brother?" She nods. I ponder on that. "Well … I have the same tattoo." And I roll up the sleeve to show her the sparrow tattoo on the inner side of my lower arm.

She studies it. "Anybody could have that. And it's not exactly the same."

I sigh. "Oh, well … . What do you think about this, he keeps a copy of the Holy Bible in his cabin, because his father gave that one to him. It sits right next to the Kama Sutra." Ah, now I got you wondering. "How about that, if you know where he is, will you tell him for me that Hal would very much like to see him?"

A little hesitantly, she nods. I smile at her brightly, and bow a namasté to her, my folded hands touching my forehead lightly. She runs off, and I straighten myself.

Now, who is she, and why am I not feeling good about this.

Anyway, I enter the Dancing Maiden with easy steps. I can still feel the ship rocking beneath me, but just a little. Diamond is behind the bar, but when she sees me she puts the mug in her hand down onto the wood with a loud clonk.

"By all that's holy, now look who we got here!"

My hands waving widely, I bow to her. She comes to meet me, and hugs me tightly. Then she holds me in her outstretched arms to turn me and look at me.

"Captain Hal Sparrow, fresh out of the Malayan Archipelago I assume?"

I plant a kiss on both her hands.

"All the way through the Pacific, straight to Tortuga. Without looking right or left, into your arms."

"Just as I would expect."

I reach into my pocket and bring forth a little package. "And I brought you something. I saw it on you when I happened upon it."

With one hand, I cover her eyes while I step behind her, to lay the cool stones onto her skin. Then I remove my hand from her eyes and close the necklace in her neck. She looks down and gasps.

"My, that is beautiful. Are those emeralds?"

"The purest ones I could find. Well, the only ones. And they do look absolutely gorgeous on you."

And if she doesn't like them, she will be able to get some money for them at least. I wave to the bartender.

"Drinks for the ladies, mate." And shove some gold coins across the counter.

"And for our dear Captain Sparrow," Di adds, "A glass of … what was that awful spirit you were drinking all the time?"

"Absinthe."

"Ah, yes, that one. Well, a glass of awful spirit for this scourge of the high seas here."

Then, she wraps an arm around me and presses her hips to mine, while she is swaying in her walk. We retreat to a table in the back.

"Is Jack here?"

"He is."

"Good. I miss him."

"He misses you too." I smile on that. Feels good to hear that. But I know. He tells me in my dreams.

"Diamond, tell me, who is that little girl with the flaming hair? She is wearing a trinket that Jack owns."

"That is Pearl, sweetheart. The child I told you about."

Pearl? Can't be. She told me about her, years ago. Told me because this one was either Jack's child, or mine. My own. That's why she is named Pearl. The women in Diamond's family always bear the names of jewels. And this child also bears the name of the ship her father sailed in on.

"That is Pearl? She grew so much."

"Well, we all grow, Hal. Even you do." She giggles. "But I have to admit it doesn't do you much harm, does it?" She reaches out and strokes the skin on my cheek.

"Ah, I will always be seventeen." I cup her hand in mine, and kiss it softly.

On that, she laughs out loud. "But Hal, you've never been seventeen. You were probably born a hundred years old!"

There's a smile on my lips, but it may be a wry one. I am not sure. So I keep staring into the buoyant green in my glass. Feel the delicate softness of the cool liquid turning hot on my tongue, smoldering down my throat.

Yeah, I was … probably … born an old man.

I shake my head, to scatter the dark clouds closing in around me.

"Now, what is she up to, your daughter?"

Diamond throws me a glance. "Well, it seems like your dearest brother Jack has set his mind on taking our daughter with him out to sea."

My head darts forward on that.

"He has WHAT?"

"He's gonna make her pirate. He took her in, he'll care for her."

I keep staring into her eyes. Can't be. Not Jack. This is not like him.

"Is that so." I'm not sure, am I wondering or stating.

Well, that is so, apparently.

"Captain Sparrow! I take great pleasure in seeing you!"

"Same on this side, Captain Sparrow!"

I bow to Jack, and he salutes me. Then, with two quick steps, I am in front of him, embracing him tightly. He takes my head in his hands and kisses both my cheeks.

"Zounds, Hal, those tattoos grow more and more on you. These savages on your crew do you no good." He chuckles, and plants one last kiss on my forehead.

"Jack, I want to talk to you."

"What is it, tell me."

"Not here. I need quiet for this."

"By all means, are you getting married?"

"No, I am not. Please Jack, I am serious about this."