Chapter Six

Untying a rope, Jack swung easily over to Destiny's Ghost just in time to see a group gathered around some one laying on the deck. Damn! he thought. Doyle's having another vision! Can't be good! He walked quietly forward and saw that Xena was kneeling, holding Doyle. He wished he had not as the next words tumbling out of the Demon's mouth made him want his hands over his ears so that he could not hear.

"So much blood! An' pain!" Doyle cried, lost to the images that filled his pounding head. "There's somethin' . . . somethin' grindin' through his rear, an' I -- I can hear a donkey brayin' an' -- an' cussing!"

Jack's face went to a paler shade of white, making him look even more like a ghost. He felt his heart fall through his chest and into his stomach, and his hands clenched. He couldn't stand to hear more, and he pulled himself away. He made his way slowly until he knew he was by himself. Like a wounded animal, he tried to pull within himself but knew that it would not do any good. He was helpless, and he knew that no-good bitch was destroying his Will while he had not even a clue where she was!

He fell face-forward on the deck and tried to clear his mind, but all he kept seeing were visions of what he knew was happening to Will. He would not even allow himself to think of the others, scared as to what was happening to them, and for the first time in his life, he hadn't a clue as to what to do to save his people. He had never lowered himself before any one, but now he had done just that. He spoke aloud, his words trembling.

"I've never lowered myself to any one, most especially not to any Gods, because I believe that you get what you put into the world. I always felt that You were all up there laughing at us at the spectacles that we make down here, but if there's one of You up there who can help me and will help me to overcome my enemy and save my people, I will pledge the rest of my life to doing what you want me to do. I am only a man and do not have the powers I need for this situation. I need one of You to have pity on us and grant me the power that I need." He grew quiet, half of him expecting nothing but the other half hoping for a miracle.


Aphrodite gazed down at Jack with tears in Her eyes. Here was a Pirate humbled by his love for the one She'd set him with, the one who had been torn away by that blasted Discord. He was willing to do anything to be able to save Will and the others, but all She wanted was for Her people to be happy. Whether Jack realized it or not, She had already taken him into Her heart.

Aphrodite sighed. She had to find a way to do something to help, but She could not intervene directly. She had already seen Ares, but Zeus knew She couldn't rely on Him. After all, He only ever thought with one thing, and He was probably with Athena even now -- not, of course, that She cared.

Aphrodite's attention turned back to Doyle for a moment. She had also given him his current vision to show him what was happening to those taken prisoner and urge the lot of them to move even swifter. She listened as he talked about Gabrielle and watched Xena pull away. She was not surprised to see a redhead reach out to him in her place, and She knew Willow was already thinking of what she would have to do in the coming battle.

Still, Aphrodite thought as Her gaze turned back to Jack, there had to be something She could do. A way she could help Jack . . . and a way . . . a way to make sure the others were left with enough time for a healer to reach them. Jack's healers were already good, but one had already lost her gift of healing and the other two would not be able to make it in time. She needed . . . Aphrodite smiled. She needed a White Lighter, and She knew just where to get one.

Her smile disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, however. Jack still needed Her, but She had to get moving and was not yet ready to go to him. She also still needed something to help him, and as She looked into his past, She discovered a little-known secret of Jack's abilities. He just needed a reminder, She thought, and something to help his skills as they had grown rusted.

For now, however, She knew he still needed to know that Some one was listening to him and did care. She waved a hand and made a sprinkling motion with Her fingers, casting pink hearts of glittering dust scattering down onto the fallen Pirate. She also called two of Her birds to look upon Jack. Then She turned to leave Her pool with intentions of going first to Her husband, Hephaestus, and next to Her Father.


Jack felt a calmness still across his heart, and he swiped at the tears that were running down his face. It was as though some one had touched him for a brief moment, and he wondered who. He sat up only to hear the cooing of a dove and see pink, sparkly hearts floating down. He looked up to where the dove was perched only to see it sitting beside a sparrow.

It brought a smile to his face. He didn't have to ask who had just been there even though She had not spoken a word, but he did wonder why She, of all the supposed Gods, actually cared enough to answer him. He stood up with a new determination and headed back to where he had left the group.

He could see by the ashen look on Xena's face that she had not received good news, and he went to her, put his arms around her, and hugged her. "We're going to make it, Xena, and we'll make the bitches pay. I've . . . just received a message." He turned and pointed upward to where the dove and sparrow sat, still watching him as intently as they had when he'd first discovered them.

Xena looked at the birds, and her mouth fell open. "Ditey? She knows?" But of course She knows, Xena thought, and She cares! "How?" she asked Jack.

Aphrodite liked to play around but usually never appeared directly when there was trouble. Xena was surprised that She had answered them so quickly. Who had called Ditey? she wondered because she knew she hadn't and Gabrielle did not seem able to from what Doyle had told them.

Jack just smiled at Xena. "I made Her a promise, and it must have been something She liked. I feel like She's going to help us." He continued holding Xena even as he closed his eyes and sent one belated prayer of thanks for Her interest.


Remy LeBeau had just returned to stirring his pot. He knew most of what was going on and had only gone to the doorway to check on Doyle when he heard him hit the deck. He had been drinking most of the morning himself and now glanced at his half-empty bottle of bourbon and knew he'd soon have to get another one.

He didn't personally know the Pirate with a hook, but he had heard tale of him long ago as a little boy. He was surprised by the man now standing on the deck with his hook raised in the air as though he were fighting with himself whose face appeared to be that of a man who had lost his whole world. He figured he could use a drink, as well. Making sure that the pot wouldn't boil over, he called Trent to watch it.

Trent Malloy looked up from where he was talking in hushed tones with his sister and a Mexican to see Gambit standing at the stairs leading to below deck. He nodded and rushed toward him, always ready to help. Carlos and Trina exchanged a few more words, and the Mexican then followed his best friend.

LeBeau continued on his way to the wine cabinet. Opening it, he saw that they were running low on bourbon, so he looked at the rest of the bottles until he found one of rum. If he don' like dat, he's gonna be out o' luck, he thought. He ain't gettin' mon bourbon. Taking both bottles, he returned to the deck.

"Hey, you!" he called to James and, when James looked at him, made a motion for him to come to him.

"What the Hell do you want, boi?" James demanded.

Remy showed just the edge of a bottle, and James started eagerly forward. Just what I need, James thought. He grinned at the French man. "Thanks. I needed that." He enthusiastically embraced the bottle.

He sat beside the French man and began to take small sips of his rum. He would have preferred it to be something else that didn't sting so badly but was thankful for it. "Hell of a fix we're in. Appreciate the help in more ways than one. If I can ever do anything for you, ask and I'll consider it."

LeBeau nodded. He knew that Hook would not be about to commit himself. The men sat, drank, and contemplated the others around the deck. James' eyes settled upon Delvira. "Guess I better go talk to her, offer her some of this. Looks like she can use it."

"Non, mon ami. She don' need dat. What she needs is some o' de ol' LeBeau charm."

No sooner had the words left Gambit's mouth than the object of both men's thoughts turned her ashen face toward them, raised a hand, and let a fireball rip. It exploded in mid-air right above LeBeau's head, and she turned back around with a heavy sigh.

"Like I said," James told LeBeau, "gotta go talk to her. Her husband's out there somewhere. Thanks again. Maybe we can get together later?" He didn't usually take to people right off, but he did like LeBeau. Maybe it was because of the liquor?

"Yeah, gotta -- gotta get back to m-mon cooking too," LeBeau told him, trying not to let his emotions show. "Dis -- Dis crew's gonna be hungry!" Damn that fireball was close! he thought. He could still smell the smoke in the air.


Ace was sitting on an over-turned box, trying to straighten out the mess that some of the rope had gotten into and muttering to himself the whole while. "When are you gonna learn not to talk with your ass!" he asked himself and then listened as though he expected to hear himself answer himself.

"Now Kat's mad at you and the full moon's coming tonight, and what you are going to do? Howl at it all night? What an idiot you are! What are you going to do to make her happy with ya again?" He did not hear any one approaching him and thought he was alone until he suddenly heard a voice behind him.

"I always say flowers and candies work best. In Kat's case, I'd say chocolates. Of course the problem is where you gonna get all that out here, mon ami?" Sebastian grinned at the back of his old friend's head.

Ace turned quickly around and grinned down at Sebastian. "Where you been, my old friend, and how did we get lucky enough to get your return! I've missed you!" He reached down, picked Sebastian up, and sat him on the box beside him.

"It's a long story," Sebastian told him, "and I . . . I'm very glad to be back with you and Kat, Ace, but I . . . " His grin faded. "I don' have good news, mon ami."

"Neither do I," Ace told him with a frown on his face. "You're right about the chocolates, but there's no way to get any out here." His eyes went back to the rope that he was trying desperately to disentangle.

Sebastian's eyes trailed Ace's hands, and he was quiet for a moment before speaking. "Ace . . . There's just me, Vang, and Zora left."

"What happened to Phillip?" Ace asked as his eyes went back to Sebastian.

Sebastian met his gaze and placed an earnest claw on his leg. "He got ate."

Ace's mouth fell open. "One of the cats ate him! That shouldn't have happened!"

Sebastian shook his head. "It didn't. We . . . We crashed on to the strangest damn island you ever seen, mon. It's got all kinds of beasties on it, and that's . . . Well, it's where we encountered Jack Sparrow and the others, but that's beside the point. Thing is, the damn thing was filled with dinosaurs!"

"D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-" Ace stuttered out. "DINOSAURS! I thought they were all extinct! What kind of dinosaurs!" he demanded in a very shrill voice.

"All kinds. Plant eaters. Raptors." Sebastian's eyes lifted back to Ace's. "Tyrannosaurus Rexes."

"T-T-T-T-T-T REXES!" Ace stammered out. "What ate Phil, and how did y'all get away from them!"

"We were lucky, I guess," Sebastian replied. "Zora would have been eaten the night we lost her father, but Vang got her away and into hiding in time. But it . . . It gets worse, Ace."

"Don't tell me. They were taken!" Ace cried out in a shaky voice.

Sebastian was about to answer him when he heard familiar yipping. "Little quieter," he told Ace. "The cubs are sleeping."

"I didn't see any new dogs come aboard. Who's doing all that barking and then telling me to be quiet?"

"Believe it or not, a cat."

"Does Kat know that there's a cat on here that barks? Since she's not talking to me, I don't know what she knows or don't know any more."

"Doubt it," Sebastian replied. "As far as I know, Wolfie hasn't met her yet."

Ace had been about to ask more questions on Wolfie when he heard another voice pipe up, and he turned to where Fonzie, the cook, was staring at him. "If you weren't my friend," Fonzie told him, "I'd kick you in the butt! I still don't believe you greeted Jack Sparrow with your ass! No wonder Kat doesn't want to talk to you, but since you're my friend, I did something for you. Maybe it'll help your lady and you."

He held out a small box and opened the lid. Inside lay two pieces of chocolate. "I know you can't find chocolate out here. I bought this while we were in port, knowing you'd have need of them some time or another. Now go and apologize to your lady with your mouth and give her these, and if you do something else while we're out here, you're on your own!"

"Thank you, Fonzie!" Ace told him. "I can't wait to surprise her, and have I got news for her!"

It was then that Fonz looked at Sebastian. He rushed forward and reached toward Sebastian's claw. Taking it gently in his hand, he shook it up and down. "It is wonderful to see you again, my friend! Come with me to the galley!" Without another word to Ace, Fonz picked up Sebastian and headed back for his galley.


James made his way slowly across the deck until he was beside Delvira. "Sorry about that. Would you like a sip?" he offered the rum bottle, held by his hook, to her.

Delvira did not speak nor turn to look at him. Instead, she just shook her head.

"We're going to get to him," he promised her, "and we're going to make those bastards pay. In the meanwhile, we've just got to hold it together. We're all under too much stress." His good hand reached out and touched Delvira's shoulder.

"Don't worry about your sister. She's not going to stay mad at you. It's just . . . She's under a lot of stress, too, and she wants to be her own woman, not an easy thing to do. I mean, when you're as good as you are, poor little Elvira just can't hold a candle to you. That's why she resents you and wishes she was more like you in your skill department."

"I've offered to teach her before," Delvira spoke slowly, "but she . . . She always refuses." She sighed again, and her next words were directed toward another worry on her mind instead of that particular sister. "I just don't understand it. She shouldn't be back already."

"She's not. She's on the Frolicking Monkey," James told her. "You sure you ain't been drinking?" He offered her the bottle again.

Delvira waved the bottle away a second time. "I need to be at my top," she explained. "Alcohol doesn't help; it only interferes. James, I . . . I saw who took them."

His hand gently massaged her shoulder. "You want to tell me about it? If the bastards hadn't knocked me out when I came through, they wouldn't have gotten my Smee. I'd've fought them, and I'd've ripped their guts out with my hook! And as far as being at my top, I can drink two of these and still be at my top," he boasted, "but I've gotta do something to relax my nerves or I'm going to run screaming and jump overboard! I just can't take it, Delvira! They got my Smee and my bois! And if you think Smee can do anything to defend himself . . . Well, he's damn good in bed and at taking care of me, but that's about it!"

"Even if he was a good fighter," Delvira told James sadly, "he still wouldn't be able to stand a chance against them. James . . . I know the person who took them. I know who's behind all this. She's . . . She's my sister."

"Elvira!" James pulled himself up to his tallest height. "But she's on the Frolicking Monkey! Why the Hell -- ! Why didn't she go with them!"

"Not Elvira," Delvira quietly corrected him. "Helvira."

"There's another one of you! Gods, this is confusing!" He took another swig of the rum and was glad for its burn as it went down. Was he going crazy on one bottle or had Delvira just told him that there was another one!

"There's three of us," Delvira explained to which James' jaw slackened even more. "There's Elvira, who -- bless her heart -- couldn't work a spell right to save anybody's life. There's me, and you know I'm powerful but . . . Then there's Helvira, and she's the most powerful one of us."

James sat down on the deck. "More powerful than you! Well, that explains everything!" He reached up, took her by the hand, and pulled her down beside him. "Drink," he said and put it in her hand. "One swallow won't kill you." He paused and looked at her expectantly.

"I guess you're right," she hesitantly agreed. "One swallow can't do too much damage." She put the bottle to her lips, but instead of taking a sip, she took a long swig.

"Now," James inquired of her, "tell me why you think she shouldn't have been able to return so quickly. Where was she?"

Delvira knew what she was about to say would be a lot for James to swallow. She turned her head so that her black eyes peered intently into his eyes, and she handed him the bottle back before beginning to explain. "She shouldn't have been able to get over her last fight with Jack so quickly, and she should have been stinking. She wasn't, and she looked fine. James . . . Jack took her heart. He took it and threw it into the Bog of Eternal Stench. Anything that goes in there is supposed to smell forever."

"I . . . I've . . . never heard of the Bog of Eternal Stench, but the name implies that it would stink forever. It didn't kill her? And somebody resurrected her heart? Somebody even more powerful than her because apparently he knew a spell to use to get rid of the stink! Is that what scares you? That he's more powerful than even your sister? Do you have any idea who he is?" James took another swig out of the bottle and then passed it back to Delvira.

"No idea," she replied with a shake of her head, "who he or she is." She took another swallow. "What scares me is the thought that she has them again -- and that I can't sense Jareth again." There were tears in her eyes as she spoke the last. "Without sensing him, I can't find him or the others in time."

"She already killed a man who wanted to marry Elvira. Killed him and left him in her bed. She's had Jareth too. She came into our kingdom and, while I was out checking on the rumors that I'd been doing things I knew I hadn't, went into the palace. She . . . She made Jareth think that she was me and . . . and . . . Well . . . you know . . ." She couldn't bring herself to say it until taking yet another long swallow. "She fucked him. She fucked him and would have killed him had I not shown up when I did."

"Well, you can't blame Jareth for that," James was quick to inform her. "Wasn't any way he could tell you two apart, and had you even told him about her? I don't think she can fool us now. After all, we are expecting her." He took the bottle from Delvira and took another swig, realizing that the bottle was quickly running out and he needed another one.

"Not that easy," Delvira answered with a shake of her head. "She looks just like Elvira and me. Looks, smells, senses . . . You can't tell her apart from us. And I never blamed Jareth. It wasn't his fault, but he can't fight against her, James. She's going to want to torture him . . . torture him and the others into a slow death. I just . . . I don't know why she left you and the others. Elvira and I, I get. She wanted us to know she had the ones we love and be tortured by that knowledge. But I don't understand why she left the rest of you."

"I do," James told her. "Let me get another bottle, and I'll tell you why she left each and every one of us." His voice was slightly slurred. "Be back in just a moment." He got up and staggered over to where he had last seen LeBeau disappear. "LeBeau, I need another bottle."

"Stand here an' stir the pot, James, an' I'll get ya one." He looked at his own bottle with such a sad look James realized that the boi was running out.

"Why don't you like rum?"

"It don' taste good. It just don' taste good, an' I don' want it. Be back in a jiff."


Ace slowly made his way to where he had last seen Kat, leaving the snarled rope where it lay, forgotten. She was at the wheel of the ship and looked just as he had last seen her -- pissed off at the world but most especially him. He walked in front of her, knelt down on one knee, and offered the chocolates even as he apologized. "I promise not to do it again, Kat! I don't know what comes over me! It just does! I'm sorry!"

"One, get off o' yer damn knee, an' two, ye really think I'm gonna buy that promise like I did the last one?"

"But, Kat, I really do mean well! It just gets the better of me!" He looked up at her with pleading eyes. If this didn't work, he knew he'd be spending a lonely night!

The redhead sighed. "I knae it's in all in ye, Ace, an' that thing ye call a brain. I jest . . . I can't figure out how in the Hell ye can still be jokin' around wit' yer ass when they're out there somewhere!"

He got quickly to his feet and headed straight for her with the box held out. "Got some good news and some bad news," Ace told her. "Which you want first?"

Kat looked at him. If she had a dubloon for every time he'd said those words, she'd be buried in gold. She gave him her usual response. "Gi ahead an' shoot me."

"Phillip's dead, and . . . Zora and Vang have been taken, but the good news is Sebastian's back."

Her emerald eyes stared at him, the anger drained from them and replaced by shock. "Wha . . . ?" Sebastian must've told him, she knew. "What killed Phillip?"

"Now this's the part you're not going to believe," he told her, "and would you please take the chocolates?"

Letting go of the wheel with one hand, she took a chocolate and popped it into her mouth. She lifted the second while still chewing, however, and held it up to his lips.

Ace took a small nibble out of it. He loved chocolate, but it didn't love him and he didn't want any of those problems tonight. "Sebastian clams that they crashed upon the island and that there were dinosaurs upon the island and that a T. Rex ate Phillip!" He looked at Kat, knowing she probably thought he was even more insane now.

Kat stared at him, blinked, and stared at him again. The chocolate felt like a dead weight in her mouth as she questioned in disbelief, "What?"

"Sebastian said," he spoke very slowly, "that there were dinosaurs on that island and that they ate Phillip. They almost got Zora, but Vang managed to get her to safety."

Kat continued to stare at Ace in shock. "But -- But they're extinct!"

"Not on that island they're not, and we're not going after them, Kat!" Ace was quick to tell her. "We'll just let them have the damn island!"

Kat was still having trouble swallowing all the information Ace was feeding her, but she did begin slowly chewing her chocolate again. "Does the island . . . Does it have a name?"

"Sebastian didn't say, so I'm not sure. Why?" Ace looked at her inquiringly, glad that she was able to finish eating the chocolate now. He had been afraid that she was going to choke on it.

"I jest . . . It doesn't make sense. Ye'd think somebody would've found 'em by now. Besides, what the Hell's keepin' them on the island, any bloody way?"

"Don't know, but it's the island we just picked Jack up off of. We could ask him."

"We could," Kat agreed, nodding slowly, "an' if he doesn't knae what the heck's goin' on, Kyna probably does."

"That is so true!" Ace said. "I can steer the ship while you go ask." He did not want to approach Kyna. The last time he had talked to her with his rear, she had threatened to make him a new hole.

Kat nodded. "An' I'm takin' it, too, that when ye said that Sebastian said that Zora an' Vang were taken, they were taken by the same bitches that have the others?"

"Yes," Ace was quick to inform her, "not by the dinosaurs. I think Jack's on board Destiny's Ghost now. He was with Xena, but he may have come back."

"I'll jest talk tae whichever one I find first. If'n ye see Jack first, ye talk tae him, an', Ace . . .?"

"Yes, Kat?" he asked hopefully.

"Keep yer pants on when we hit that ship. There's nae giin' tae be any time fer jokin' around, an' when I see those bitches, I'm gonna burn their bloody asses straight tae soot." Without another word, she released the wheel, grabbed a rope, and swung.

Ace grinned as he watched the fine form of his woman swinging. Now if she'll just do that to the bed tonight, we'll have wild jungle whoopee!


True to his word, LeBeau was back so quickly that James had only stirred the pot once. "I don't know what that is, but I'm not sure I wanna eat it."

"It don' look that good, but it tastes mighty fine. It's jambalaya, an' all de French like it. Guarantee you'll like it."

James was thinking silently for a moment and then looked at LeBeau a second time. "Do you have any blood aboard? We have two Vampires with us. They won't be able to eat that jambalaya."

Remy nodded. "I'll have to ask Raziel an' get some o' his stash, but I'll get it for ya."

James reached in his pocket and brought out a handful of dubloons and one dark red jewel. "I may need . . . further service of ya, LeBeau. You seem a right handy man to know. I don't have much. This is my lucky piece," he told him, holding up the jewel so LeBeau could admire it.

"Dat's right pretty, James, but you don' have to pay me anythin'. I'm here to do whatever I can to help ya. We all are."

"Thanks, friend," James told him.

LeBeau reassured him, "I'll check on de blood soon."

James headed back out to where he'd left Delvira. "Sorry about that, dear lady, but I had to transact some business. Now where were we?" He sat back down by her. "Oh. I was going to tell you why they left us. Well, first of all, there's me." He held up his hook. "I'm not much use to anybody. I only got one hand. Then there's that bald-headed guy. They didn't want him 'cause he ain't pretty and didn't have any hair for them to play with."

"They left Xena 'cause they wanted her to know what they were doing to her Gabrielle and feeling helpless because she can't reach them. They think they can bring greater torture to us that way. There's nothing worse than being a champion and not being able to fight the fight to free those you love. Joxer. Who wants an idiot?"

Delvira had to wonder how much of James' reasoning may have been the truth and how much was affected by the alcohol, but at his comment about Joxer, she had to smile. It was at that same time that she heard some one shout, "Man overboard!", and saw a brunette girl racing across the deck. She didn't need to ask to know that Joxer had fallen overboard -- again. She shook her head. Thank Gods they'd found somebody like Kennedy to throw him to!

"They got Sean's woman, but I think it has something to do with the curse because even though he could hear her, he couldn't see her. And then there's Jack. Dear, sweet Jack. Never thought I'd think so much of another Pirate." He took another swig of the rum. "I don't know why they didn't take him. He's the only one I haven't figured out. Why would your sister want to leave him behind when he's done so much damage to her ugly ass?" He offered her the bottle.

Delvira took the bottle and waved it at him. "Remember, James," she told him. "Her ass is just as ugly or beautiful as my own, depending on your point of view. You aren't gonna know it's her because she's ugly." She took another swallow. "But since Jack has tried to kill her, maybe she wants him to suffer like Elvira and me."

"Could be," James told her, taking the bottle back and drawing a hefty swig. "That could be." He grew silent and leaned back against the ship. "I think I'm gonna take a small wink. Wake me in a couple of minutes. I didn't sleep much last night, and today has been one Hell of a day. I haven't seen this much action since I was first banished to Neverland." His voice trailed off and was followed by a snore.

Delvira nodded. She knew she could use some sleep herself but wasn't about to waste time closing her eyes. She was about to answer James when he snored. She took the bottle from his dropping hand and got slowly to her feet. Taking another swallow, her mind turned back to the Irish men she'd been thinking of while waiting for James to return. Sean had heard Emma. Could he have seen or heard something else that could help? She didn't know, but, after another swallow, she was determined to find out.


Spike had been busily seeking a spot to relieve himself for quite some time now, but every dark corner of the ship seemed to have somebody attached to it. He had finally found a spot and was standing on the railing and about to unzip his pants when two very different voices sounded as one behind him. "Spike, where's Kyna?" He closed his eyes in a silent moan of frustration, but the two kept talking before he could get a single word in.

"I need to speak to her right away," Jack was telling Spike even as he continued to look at Kat whose mouth was slowing down no more than his.

"Spike, I gotta talk to Kyna, an' I gotta talk tae her now. An' if'n ye whip that thing out here, nae only will I tell her, but I'll burn it off!"

Jack just shook his head. He wasn't going to touch that one. It was a good thing he had not been caught the last time he'd taken a pee off the deck. What were they supposed to do with it -- bottle it? If they did, some idiot about like Joxer would mistakenly drink it! Would they even know the difference? Jack wondered.

"First of all," Spike informed them as he turned around to face them, his boots balancing perfectly on the railing, "you won't be burning anything off. Secondly, Kyna's busy, so what can I help you with?"

At the look on Kat's face, Jack quickly jumped in. "I need to get some weapons. None of my people have weapons, and I wanted to ask Kyna if she had any extras."

"We have plenty," Spike told him, "and you and your people are welcome to take whatever you want from the armory. See AndrAla; she'll help you get anything and everything you want from there. And you?" he questioned, glaring down at Kat. The two didn't like each other, but Kyna was usually around to keep them separated.

"Screw ye," Kat quipped back. "Jack, since Kyna's not around, I can talk tae ye. That island ye were on . . . Sebastian said it had dinosaurs?"

"Yes. We fought them before breakfast this morning. Killed quite a few of the little bastards, but there's plenty more where they came from. Why?"

Spike could not believe his ears and nearly toppled backwards off of the railing. Flailing his arms about, he managed to jump back down to the deck rather smoothly and grinned as if nothing had happened.

"Sebastian said that Phillip was killed by dinosaurs," Kat answered Jack while ignoring Spike, "an' that Zora an' Vang were taken by the same bitches that took yer people."

"Unfortunately so. There were quite a number of my people that were taken. Two ships' worth in fact. So . . . What does it have to do with you?"

Kat glared at Jack. Did he really need to ask why she wanted to know! Fire seemed to spark in her emerald eyes.

Spike decided he'd better intervene. "Jack, Kyna wanted me to get you with Beast," he started but it appeared to be to no avail.

Jack looked in concern at Kat. What was she getting at? He had always felt that she was a strange woman, but he had admired her as well. Why was she angry at him? She'd asked a question, and he'd answered her. What more was she seeking?

Fire sparked from Kat's fingertips. Spike took one look and backed off, leaving the two to go at it while looking around for Hank or Phong.

"JACK SPARROW," Kat yelled, her eyes sparking just as brilliantly as the fire from her fingertips, "HOW DARE YE INSINUATE THAT THOSE TWO BEIN' TAKEN HA'E NAETHING TAE DI WIT' ME, YE BLOODY DOLT! WHY THE HELL DI YE THINK I'M OUT HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE, LETTIN' ACE RISK HIS FOOL NECK BY STEALIN' A DAMN BOAT! THEY'RE MY FAMILY, DAMN IT, JACK, AN' YE'D BETTER JEST WATCH YER ASS WHEN WE'RE OUT THERE, 'CAUSE IF YER NAE CAREFUL AN' YE GET IT ME WAY, IT'S GONNA GET BURNED STRAIGHT OFF!" She whirled around and started to storm off.

"That explains it!" Jack exclaimed. "You misunderstood me! Couldn't figure out what was going on to upset you so much! All I was trying to say is that they're my family too. They're all my family, and it doesn't matter who was taken, they should still be as important to you to rescue!"

She turned back to glare at him again. "The only reason why I'm helpin' ye, Jack, is 'cause yer an ally. Ye've been knaein' me fer years, an' by this time ye ought tae knae, that I'll let jest about any human rot in Hell fer as much as I care. Those two are different, an' so're yer people," she relented just a tad, "but nae like them." Zora had been like the little sister she had never had.

"They're all my family, and I'm worried about each and every one of them. And you're right. If it was anybody else's family, we'd probably let them rot. You saw the guy with the hook. He's really tied up into Vang and Zora as family. His son is Zora's . . . new interest," Jack was being careful how he phrased his words. He did not wish to have a fireball lobbed at his rear -- or, worse yet, his front. "You had more questions?" he asked her.

"Aye. How the Hell did the dinosaurs get there in the first place?"

"That's a good question. I haven't had a chance to get to the bottom of it. In fact, if I'd've known they were there, I never would've bought the damn thing in the first place!"

"Ye bought it?" Kat asked in surprise.

"Aye. I bought it for a gift for Will and Elizabeth as a wedding present. I was having a house built there and never did hear anything back from the workmen. As it turns out, they weren't able to do anything but finish the house. None of them ever left the island alive."

"Besides the dinosaurs, there's also Giants there and merpeople, of all things. No telling what else is out there." He looked at her. "Sorry about the misunderstanding. The last thing we need is any of us getting hurt feelings and fighting with each other."

She nodded, letting it pass, but did agree, "Aye." She looked back at Spike. "Ye said somethin' about Kyna wantin' Jack tae get wit' Hank?"

"Yeah," Spike nodded as he carefully approached the two again. "She figured you probably had additions to your crew since the last time we were together, Jack, and we have too. We don't want anybody . . . killing anybody they shouldn't, savvy?"

"I'll get with Hank, and we can make some drawings of my new members. Maybe you should introduce us to your new additions?"

"I will." He looked at Kat. "You got a monkey or something that could steer your ship?"

Kat couldn't help a sly grin. "There's a monkey steerin' it now."

"Besides Ace," Spike told her with a smile.

"Aye. Jack, ye let me knae when those drawings're ready, an' I'll get the crew o'er here."

"Will do," Jack told both of them as he headed out to hunt for Hank.

Kat and Spike took one last look at each other, and both went their separate ways.


Sean was leaning on the rail, looking out toward the sea and pondering on what his mind and ears had heard that day. Could it really be Emma after all this time? Could the curse have separated them, making them unable to see each other, or was he finally cracking up? True Albus had told him that it was Emma, but just how far could he trust the old Wizard? After all, he had been a betrayer in the beginning. Why should now be any different? Could he be setting them up for an even bigger fall?

He heard a noise and turned around to see one of the women making her way slowly toward him. He didn't know if it was Elvira or Delvira. He turned back to look outward once more.

Delvira approached Sean slowly, running through a dozen different ways to approach him. When she reached him, however, she came to a stop beside him and turned to face the sea, as well. "Sean." She offered him the bottle.

"Thanks," he said and accepted it gratefully. Taking a big swig, he handed it back to her.

This time, Delvira didn't drink, but her hand did run over the glass as she thought. "I . . . I need to ask you something, Sean."

"What is it, lass, that I can help ye wit'?"

"I . . . I know you heard Emma or, at least, think you did. Did you see or hear anything else?"

"Nae. I did nae. It was only a brief second as I stepped through the portal an' fell tae the floor. Some one had a very powerful sleep spell on us. I thought perhaps I had dreamed Em. I dream her a lot. It's the only thing I ha'e left o' 'er, an' I hold on tightly tae it. Och, if I could only hold her once more! But that'll never be in this lifetime. I wish I could tell ye more, but I really did nae hear anythin' else."

Delvira nodded. "There's a man aboard Destiny's Ghost who's been having visions of what's going on with our people. I'm going to have a word with him, and I'll ask . . . I'll ask about a blue-eyed blonde dressed in white."

"Thanks," Sean told her even as he reached out and touched her hand gently, "but I won't get me hopes up." He gave her a half-hearted smile and then returned to gazing out at the sea.

She nodded in understanding. "Wouldn't tell you to, but if I learn anything, I'll let you know." She passed the bottle back to him. "You can use this more than me."

"Thanks," Sean told her. He uncapped the bottle and began to drink deeply of its contents. It was the one thing he had that could help him to get through his long, lonely days and his even lonelier nights.

She nodded. "Could I . . . Could I ask you one more thing, Sean?"

"O' course." Sean turned back to look at her.

"Try and keep an eye on my sister for me?"

"I try tae keep an eye on all o' our people who're left, an' I keep prayin' that we'll be there in time tae get our people back. I will keep an extra sharp eye on her."

Delvira smiled sadly. "Thank you." She then turned and headed back to the other ship.


Jack remembered where Hank's medical lab was and headed straight for there. He shook his head in disbelief at how close Kat had almost reamed him. How many women were there aboard this ship who could be very dangerous with fireballs? he wondered. He hoped there were not any more looking for him.

Reaching the lab, he knocked on the door and heard some one opening the door. He looked expectantly into the door, hoping to see his old friend, Hank, but was rewarded with a smile from Phong. "Phong, how are you?" Jack asked.

"Quite well, all things considered," the elderly Sprite answered as he wheeled aside and held the door wider for Jack to enter. "You must be looking for Hank?"

"Yes. I need to get with Hank and make some drawings of my new crew additions. It was Kyna's idea, but I think it's a good one. It's good to see you again."

As Jack entered the cabin, a deep voice met his ears from somewhere above. "Given that both crews have accumulated new elements, should we not construct illustrations for each?"

Jack grinned up at Hank who hung upside down by his toenails. "Hello to you too, Hank! And I agree with whatever you said."

Hank already wore his glasses and clutched a notepad in one hand and a quill in the other. "Then might I recommend that you remain stationary whilst I sketch your reflection?"

Jack smiled, not having clue one as to what Hank was mumbling about and looking to Phong for clarification.

"Be still," Phong whispered in explanation, "so that he can draw your picture."

Jack shook his head. As always, he was amazed at Hank's vocabulary. He sat down in a nearby chair and told Hank, "That's not necessary. They'll be able to see me."

"Ah, yes. Of course," Hank replied. "Then shall we venture ahead to the assembly who have been captured?"

"Yeah . . . " Jack said with a puzzled look on his face. "As I was saying, I do have some new crew members. We should perhaps start with the Halliwells as there are more of them."

"We do indeed need to include the new elements of your assembly, Jack, but as there are also new elements to our own troupe, we had best include all those who have been captured."

"Then I shall begin with Wolverine." He began to describe Wolverine as Hank diligently began to draw. Phong returned to his business, examining vials that Jack tried not to wonder what they contained.

To Be Continued . . .