Disclaimer: POTC lives in a pineapple under the sea… in Davy Jones' locker.

A/N: 30 chapters! Whoo-hoo! Everyone gets a party hat and a bottle of rum! Or grog, depending on how often you've reviewed… lol.

Squirrel sits up slowly. She's back in her cabin. Ana smiles over her.

"I knew you'd come around." She holds out a bowl of thick soup. "House speciality. Anamaria's patented hot broth… stuff. Guaranteed to cure what ails you, restore your strength, and put hair on your toes."

Squirrel manages a weak smile. "Sounds great." The smile fades slightly. "What happened?"

"You passed out." Ana says simply, passing the bowl to Squirrel. "I told you to wait until you got your strength back." She grins. "But whatever you did up there, it put the spring back into Jack's step. He's smiling for the first time since you were poisoned. Swaggering again too."

Squirrel smiles. "How long was I unconscious?"

Ana shrugs. "During the fever? Three days. And a lot's happened since then, believe you me."

"S-such as?" Squirrel says, sipping gently at the hot broth.

"Such as Smith's lackeys having the gall to come over and declare a fair fight." Ana snorts and scowls. "A duel? Pirates' honour? That bastard poisons you, and then claims he can fight like a gentleman? Fair fight my arse."

Squirrel's eyes become steel-hard. "A duel?"

"Aye," Ana rolls her eyes. "That's where we're heading now. Some island. The crew of Smith's merry little band verses the crew of the Pearl. Winner takes all." Ana sees the look in Squirrel's eyes. "Oh no you don't, Missy. Not until you get your strength back. Besides," Ana leans back and picks up a grey bundle and unwraps it in front of the girl. It's Squirrel's cloak, and inside it is Squirrel's belongings. Ana holds up Squirrel's special sword. "Besides," she continues, "This won't stand a chance against a real sword."

"So teach me." Squirrel says, gulping down a few spoonfuls of soup. "You know how to fight with a real sword, so teach me." She sets down the bowl and takes her belongings from Ana. She fastens the belt around her waist.

Ana stares at Squirrel in amazement. "You're a little feral when someone pisses you off, aren't you? Next thing, you'll probably be asking the Captain for a gun."

Squirrel grins. "G-g-good idea."

"Pieces of eight!" Mister Cotton's parrot flutters into the cabin. He perches on the edge of the bed. Mister Cotton, Gibbs, and the rest of the crew file in behind.

"Welcome back, Miss Grey."

"Feeling better?"

"Are you alright?"

"Heard you were walking around already."

"You want something? Food, drink, anything? Just name it, lass!"

Squirrel looks at Gibbs for an explanation. Gibbs grins widely.

"We were all worried about you, Miss Grey. You're part of the family now."

Squirrel smiles shyly and bows her head. "Thankyou. Everyone, thankyou so much."

"Piece of eight!" Mister Cotton's parrot waddles over and holds up a claw. Mister Cotton shrugs and grins. Squirrel grins back and rifles in her belt-purse, then holds out a peanut to the bird.

"Family ties." The bird says, ignoring the nut and climbing onto her hand. "Family ties, pieces of eight!"

"Cottony's right, Miss Squirrel." Gibbs translates. "A family shares everything they have, whether is be good times or bad, sickness or health…"

"Mister Gibb's cooking." Anamaria mutters under her breath. Squirrel laughs along with the crew, then finishes her broth as they talk and joke around her. She feels the energy and strength returning to her. Though maybe not just from the soup, she thinks with a smile.

A/N: 30 chapters! Whoo-hoo! Everyone gets a party hat and a bottle of rum! Or grog, depending on how often you've reviewed… lol.