That's right, I finally began posting the sequel! I even have a couple of reviewers already! Woo-hoo! Well, the last few chapters have just been a little character building and laying some background. From here on out, it will be a continuation of Sunni's, Jack's, and of course Maddy's life! PS, reviews are greatly encouraging and appreciated!

CHAPTER FIVE: THE STORY ACTUALLY BEGINS

The Black Pearl sailed smoothly into Tortuga, coming to a stop at nearly full dock. Sunni joined her husband at the helm as men scurried about to get ready for their two days of leave. "Looks like a busy weekend at Tortuga," she said.

Jack nodded in agreement. "It's nearly Harvest celebration, th' streets are full."

"Maddy's gonna want to come with you, ye know."

Jack chuckled. "I know, I know. But ye can handle her fer a few hours while I do a little tradin', right?"

"Ye owe me, Jack Sparrow," Sunni smiled, knowingly.

"Captain. Captain Jack Sparrow."

"Papa!" a high voice cried out, dodging bodies and bounding up the stairs. "I wanna go with you this trip! Please! I'm old enough this time."

"You're only two months older'n th' last time we were here, Maddy, m'luv," Jack grinned, knowing the argument that would ensue.

"How am I ever going to take over th' Pearl when I'm older if ye never let me learn what ye do?" Maddy cried. She could argue as well as her mother.

"Doll, yer four years old. I think ye got plenty of time fer learnin', eh?"

Madelyn was finally talked into staying with Sunni for the day while she ran errands for the ship. Jack handed her a heavy bag of coins, made sure she had her cutlass and hidden pistol attached to her thigh, then gave his wife a kiss and sent her off. Sunni and Maddy were safe alone in the streets of Tortuga; nearly everyone there knew who they were. By the time the crew was released for the weekend, they would be milling around Tortuga and there would be plenty of them around to keep an eye on the Sparrow women.

By suppertime, Jack was back at the Pearl to join his wife and child for a dinner out on the town. Maddy and her mother, of course, were back, too, but Jack only found his young girl playing on the deck with Gere. He was teaching her how to play jacks.

"Papa!" Maddy cried upon seeing him. "Look what Mommy bought me in town!"

Jack inwardly winced, already anticipating stepping on the sharp jacks late at night. "Great, doll. Where's yer mother at?"

Maddy frowned. "Well, she got spooked."

Jack lifted a brow. "An' why's that?"

"I don't know," the little girl shrugged her thin shoulders. "We were havin' a good ol' time in the marketplace, an' after we came outta the post office, she seemed real pale and scared-like."

Jack looked to Gere, who only shrugged, and continued playing the game.

"She's in th' cabin," Maddy said, no longer worried about her mother, but concentrating again on the game, eyes narrowed, tongue sticking out.

Jack strode to the cabin to find Sunni.

"Maddy said you got spooked," he greeted her.

Sunni jumped from the bed, pulled her husband all the way in the cabin, and closed the door. She held up a letter. "It's from Father."

Jack knit his eyebrows. "Is everyone all right?"

"Yes, yes, no one is ill, but it's worse?"

"I'm not sure I'm followin', darlin'."

"We, as in you, me, and Maddy, have been invited to the Swann mansion for Harvest celebration dinner. Declining will be considered a personal insult, and Will is on his way to Tortuga as we speak to persuade us to come."

Jack frowned. "I'm wanted in Port Royal. They'll hang me."

"Apparently, you've been granted a temporary clemency," Sunni handed him the letter. "Father wants desperately to see his youngest daughter and only granddaughter."

"But not his favorite son-in-law?" Jack smiled.

"How can you joke?"

"Sunni, calm down, calm down. If clemency is truly granted, then I see no reason why a trip to Port Royal isn't a good idea!"

"What? Have you been drinking?"

"Of course. But not more'n pint. Deep breaths, luv. Ye look ready ta faint."

"I am ready ta faint!" Sunni exclaimed. "Can't you see the reason?"

Jack frowned. "Ye ashamed of yer family, luv? Don't ye think me and Maddy are good enough ta meet th' great Gov'nor?"

Sunni strode purposefully up to Jack, and looked straight up into his eyes. "I oughta smack ye for even thinkin' that, ye big jerk," she said, her voice low.

Jack, realizing when he pushed his wife too far, or terribly misunderstood, placed his hands on her shoulders, hoping to appease her. "Of course. Don't know what I was thinkin'."

"Ye weren't thinkin', that's what!" she exclaimed. "I love you and Maddy more'n anythin' in th' entire world, ye dope, an' I would happily show ye off to th' Queen of England!" She flung her hands up in the air and turned to march away from Jack.

Again, Jack frowned and swaggered after her in usual gait. "Then I'm not really sure what is goin' on here, luv-"

"Jack, the last time we were in Port Royal, you were nearly hung! Must I remind you of that terrible ordeal?"

Jack's face fell considerably. That particular experience was extremely rough on his wife, and he knew her sensitivity to it.

"Okay," Jack swaggered closer to her, still hesitant in case she was going to smack him. "Why don't we wait till Will gets here, eh? Then he can tell us what it truly goin' on."

Sunni chewed on her lip for a moment before giving in. "I suppose that sounds reasonable."

"Ah! For once, th' woman wants ta be reasonable!" Jack teased her, throwing an arm around her waist.

"When do you think Will ought to arrive?" Sunni asked, looking up at Jack.

"Uncle Will!" Maddy's voice proclaimed from outside the cabin.

Jack just looked down at his wife and said, "Uncanny, isn't it?"

Sunni growled and marched outside the cabin. Upon seeing Will, she held the letter in his face and demanded, "What is the meaning of this?"

Will winced, having anticipated this to be her response. "Now, listen, Sunni-"

"No, you listen, Will!" She yelled.

Will lifted an eyebrow and looked over Sunni's head at Jack. Jack only shrugged and shook his head.

"I agreed ta visit Father, an' I have! I've come to see him, I've done my duty. However, don't think I haven't noticed bloody Norrington snooping around the moment I set foot in town! He puts watches out all over the beaches, just looking for the Pearl! I have ta ride in carriages all th' way from Nilport to Port Royal, just so the Commodore doesn't get to Jack! I hate carriages!"

"Sunni, the Pearl can sail right into port with a white flag o' truce and all the soldiers will be ordered to stand down-"

"An' what proof do we have-"

"Sunni, you'll be on board. They will not fire on a ship carrying the governor's daughter."

"An' when we arrive at th' docks? What guarantee do I have Jack will not be taken, then?"

"You have the Governor's word."

"It's not good enough!"

Will sighed and turned. He motioned someone forward. A few crewmembers helped a very pregnant Elizabeth forward.

"Are you SERIOUS!" Sunni screamed. "You're shittin' me! Will, you brought Elizabeth, seven months pregnant with your second child all th' way down ta bleedin' Tortuga just to convince me to come to a damned stupid dinner party! What the hell is everyone thinking! Is anyone thinking? Does everyone have their heads up their asses? This is ridiculous!" Sunni threw up her hands and stomped away from the crowd.

Maddy tugged on the hem of her father's long coat. "Papa, will I be able to swear and yell like Mommy when I'm older?" she asked hopefully.

Jack sighed and rolled his eyes. "I only fear, m'luv. I only fear." He turned to Liz and stepped forward to kiss her cheek. "'Ello, luv. Ye look radiant."

"Thank you, Jack."

"Where's Johnny?" Maddy jumped excitedly.

"He's waiting for you at the helm," Will smiled.

Maddy took off.

"Will you take me to my sister so I can convince her that this is safe?" Elizabeth asked, turning back to Jack.

Once Jack had picked the lock to their bedroom, he ushered Elizabeth in. Sunni whipped around on them. "I can never have any privacy on this damn ship! You can pick all th' damn locks!"

Jack only smiled. "Listen to Elizabeth, savvy?" he leaned down to kiss her on her nose, only smiling when she glared at him.