A/N: Hey there all. I'm on a roll now. And I still have at least four chapters to go. I hope. Until next update! Review please!

Chapter Sixteen: On Our Way

Jack led the group back toward the Pearl. Now armed with their new knowledge, they could get back to Barbados hospice and save the children. And more importantly, save Olivia. As they made their way through the sea side city, Kat couldn't help but notice the piece of paper that Jack had in his firm grip. He had taken it from one of the other nurses before they left the small hospice and Kat had been wondering about it ever since. Ever since he first received it, he hadn't shown it to anyone. Not even to her. It wasn't like him to keep things to himself like that, but she had confidence that he would tell her when he thought it was the opportune moment.

As they neared the ship, Kat had to have help catching her breath. The baby was taking it's toll on her the past few days and she suspected that soon enough, she would have to stay captive in her own bed. She stopped a few steps short and leaned against some boxes and barrels at the edge of the harbor. Jack stopped and doubled back to help her find her footing again. She was beginning to get more fatigued these days, but she was carrying a baby with in her. And it was growing day by day. He couldn't blame her, with being pregnant on top of worrying if the family she has left is going to survive this tragedy. He put his arm around her and put her arm over his shoulder to help carry some of her weight. She smiled at the gesture and leaned on him as they neared the Pearl. Norrington and Will watched their backs as though they were going to be captured and tortured. All the while Anamaria and Gibbs walked normally down the road toward the harbor, making sure that Will and Norrington didn't do something incredibly stupid.

Before they even boarded the plank to get on the ship, Elizabeth came down to meet them with a sleeping Emily leaning on her shoulder. Will walked up to her first, thinking that something may have happened to them in his absence.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing huge, Will. Calm yourself," Elizabeth smiled and handed Emily over to her father. She looked up and walked over to Jack, "It seems as if we will be delayed for a little while, Captain."

"What?" Kat said exasperated, "The last thing we need is a delay, Elizabeth. We finally found the cure and we must get back as soon as possible."

"And as soon as possible is when we will set sail. I am so glad that we finally found the cure and all, but there are some matters that are needed to be addressed. We are desperately running out of food and rum. Not to mention we are completely out of any kind of meat. Including fish," she focused on Jack who took a deep breath to cleanse his breath, "I want to save the children and Olivia, but... We can't very well starve ourselves on our way back, can we?"

"No, yer right. We can't," he shook his head and turned toward Gibbs and Anamaria, "Get Henders and Charlie. The boy seems like he needs some time on land. Every time he sees me he seems to be shaking in his boots. It looks like we need to do some shopping for food anyhow. And make sure you get some good quality rum, ey?"

"Aye, Captain," Gibbs nodded, "I'm just glad this food ain't contaminated any more."

"Aren't we all," Jack nodded and looked sympathetically to Kat, "I'm sorry, luv. I want to get back as soon as we can too. But-"

"We can't sacrifice the crew and welfare of those on board, I understand Jack," she smiled weakly and sat back down on one of the barrels, "So what do we do in the meantime?"

"I'm going with Mr. Gibbs and Anamaria on their search for food. I want to make sure we have plenty of anchovies and goat's milk," Norrington mumbled as he went aboard to find Anamaria and the still limping Gibbs.

"And I think ye should take a break in our cabin, luv," Jack turned his attention to Kat who had finally caught her breath, and was waiting for the next step to be taken.

"And where exactly will you be going while I'll be resting?" she asked looking at him as she stood up, trying to find her balance once again. As much as she loved solid footing on land, she wasn't used to it, and felt as if she was going to topple over at any moment.

"I had some thin's te look fer. Some unfinished business as it were," he looked at the piece of parchment that was still partly crumpled in his right had.

"Then I will help you," she nodded.

"Luv, this is somethin' that I 'ave to face alone," he looked up at her.

"Now Jack, you really think that was going to work with me?" she shook her head slightly, "When we were married I promised you that you would never have to do anything alone again. And you promised that we would never have be apart in time of need. We are a team, Captain Sparrow. Pregnant or not, I'm going to help you."

"I would listen, Jack," Will piped up with his daughter sleeping soundly in his arms, "I mean, she is still in her moodiness stage..."

"Excuse me... what stage did you say that I be in, Tuner?" Kat glared at him, "If I were you I wouldn't even continue on the path you started on all ready."

"Yes, ma'am," he saluted and walked on board with Elizabeth right beside him.

"Are ye sure ye want te come along? It's not goin' te be pretty," Jack stood up and looked at the paper, unraveling it in his hands.

"What has been pretty these past few weeks, Jack?" she asked and hugged him the best she could with her bulging gut, "I mean... we're running from un-dead pirates and trying to save children from a disgusting illness."

"Good point there, luv," he nodded and let Kat look down at the paper with him. There was a few numbers and words scribbled in the middle. It almost seemed like it was directions and places of property.

"What is it Jack?" she asked as she tried to make sense of the chicken scratch handwriting that was spread out on the paper.

"I wanted to come back 'ere after everythin' was settled down. I asked for... directions. I 'ad to say goodbye to someone," he took a deep breath again and looked down at her, "No time like the present, ey?"

"Yes, no time like the present," she nodded and walked with Jack, letting him lead them through the streets.

Kat noticed the countless eyes watching them as they walked through the dirt streets. The people here must know of Jack and the Black Pearl. And even about the vengeance plot that Dornie had against him because of Catterine's death. She also had more than a few doubts that these people were just scared citizens. They probably held a grudge against Jack as well because of the incidence and probably knew more than one way to defend themselves. The more they made their way in to the deeper part of the city, the more Kat was prepared to use the pistol she held on her hip.

"Jack, you sure this is such a good idea," Kat murmured watching another man grimace at her and Jack, "I mean, these people are probably friends with Dornie and her crew."

"Aye, luv," Jack stopped to look at her and smiled, "An' let me remind ye. Tha' be the same crew that left them te die from the disease. Ye know, bein' the cowards tha' they be."

"Good point," she whispered as a tall, brutish looking man stepped in front of them before they turned the next corner. He was at least a head above Jack in height and possibly another half of him wide. His hair was turning mostly grey and white, along with the small beard that he had on his chin. He must have been almost twice Jack's age, yet he looked as healthy as a man ten his junior. Kat held on to Jack's arm tighter and had to judge by the man's build that he wasn't going to moved easily. She slowly moved her free hand toward her pistol and began to search the man for any weak points.

"Jack Sparrow..." the man growled down at them, crossing his arms as he looked Jack over.

Jack stared up and frowned, "...Daniel Stocksen."

Kat could feel the hilt of the pistol and was ready to pull it out on the man, until the man picked up Jack in one full swipe and let a smile creep on his face. She saw as the man seemed to hug Jack in a tightening embrace, like he was a close friend. He chuckled a bit as he saw Jack starting to struggle for breath.

"Well, I ne'er though' I'd see ye around these parts since Angelina ran ye out," he laughed and set Jack back down on the ground next to a very confused Kat.

"Ye knew I couldn' stay away from me own pirate paradise," Jack smiled and repositioned his hat back on his head while catching his breath, "Not even Angelina and Catterine could keep me away for long."

"Aye, Catterine, the ol' windbag..." the man nodded and paused a moment, "Is it true wha' they said then, Jack?"

"Aye," Jack nodded and squeezed the bridge of his nose, "I did. It was a matter 'o importance. I 'ad no other choice at the time. Although a part of me always wished there was."

"Aye, aye... Catterine wasn' the same after a while, ye know. 'E changed o'er the pas' few years. I was beginnin' te think tha' Angelina 'ad gotten inside 'es 'ead," he shook his head in disappointment and looked at Kat who was still trying to make sense of the situation, "Enough lookin' in the pas'. Who this be 'ere, Jack? This be the matter 'o importance?"

"This 'ere be jus tha'," he pushed Kat ahead of him a few steps, "This be Katerina. Katerina, this 'ere is Daniel Stocksen. An ol' friend from me childhood."

Kat cautiously shook the man's hand. He laughed and shook it all the same, "Actually I was a friend 'o Jack's dad. 'E jus' 'appened to be a child at the time."

"So you knew Jack when he was a child? I imagine you have many tales to tell."

"'O course," he bumped into Jack and made him take a step or two to the side, "'E was a bit of a rascal 'round these parts. Still is spoken legend. The only child from this port te actually make a name fer 'imself."

"You mean... Jack, you never told me you were from Nassau!" she yelled at his direction.

"Look wha' ye did, mate," Jack rolled his eyes, "Ye not got me wife all upset."

"Wife, ey? Never thought I'd see the day when young Jack Sparrow would settle down," he turned to look her up down again, and finally noticed the bulge where a flat stomach usually would set, "And I can guess tha' it is yer's then?"

"Well, of course it's his!" she crossed her arms over her chest and huffed.

"She's a bit touchy righ' now," Jack smiled and turned back to his friend, "I was hopin' te see Adina before I left. We don' 'ave much time, and I wanted to say goodbye."

"Well, yer 'eadin' the righ' way," he suddenly turned sad and looked over his shoulder, "Ye know... she never came back te see 'er own daughter..."

"I know," Jack nodded and began to walk down the road once again, "I didn't expect her to."

"Ey, Jack?"

Jack turned back toward the built gentleman, "Aye?"

"Jus' 'cause yer a captain doesn't mean tha' ye can't stop by," he smiled, "Angelina or not, yer still one 'o us 'ere."

"I know," he waved and turned to Kat for them to continue down the road.

"Nice to have met you, Mr. Stocksen," Kat nodded her head in her haste and followed quickly after Jack. Daniel shook his head and chuckled to himself as he made his way to the nearest pub.

"How did he know your father?" Kat asked as they were far enough out of earshot.

"He was my father's first mate," Jack smiled.

"You mean... your father..."

"I wasn't the firs' lad in my family to 'ave a ship, luv," Jack smirked and almost caught himself thinking back to his childhood, but mentally shook it off. Kat knew that Jack's father was a big influence in his life. But she didn't know much more than that. She had to remind herself later to ask Jack about his family. She never knew much more than little tid-bits that he nonchalantly threw into their conversations. But they were never really into looking back to the past. Especially not Kat.

After a few more yards down the road they finally stopped at the edge of a lawn. Not to a home... but to a grave yard, "We're 'ere luv."

"But... you said you had to say goodbye..."

"Aye... I do. But the livin' aren' the only ones who can hear us. Adina isn't livin', luv. She died a few weeks ago by my guess," Jack looked through the graves that have been recently dug and covered and finally stopped at the corner of the plot. A small grave stood in the corner, forgotten and the only one missing flowers. Jack knelt to the ground and wiped some of the dirt from the granite.

Kat meanwhile could not avoid the vast number of graves. New graves. And all the occupants were so young. None of them ever had a chance to grow up.

"My god... all the graves. All children," she looked at Jack who was oddly silent and ridged. She took a few steps toward him and read the gravestone over his shoulder.

Here lies:

Adina Dornie

12 years young

Beloved Daughter

"Dornie's... daughter..." Kat whispered and slowly wrapped her arms around herself.

"Aye, little Adina," Jack nodded and finally stood to turn away from the grave stone, "'Adn't seen her since she was two."

"What happened when she was two?"

"Her mother fell ill and others speculated that she be mine. With the stories and me past history with her, I couldn' and didn' blame them," Jack looked up at Kat, " No worries, luv. She wasn't mine. Dornie wouldn' let me near her after I took the Pearl. She was someone else's. A daughter of some man she probably never knew... but this 'lil girl 'ad somethin'. She could 'ave done a lot more than her mother will ever achieve. And her mother knew it. Possibly why she didn't take as much care of her. Left her alone 'ere, while she was on the Harbinger. Poor Adina 'ad te fend fer herself. Well, tha' one time I came to take care of her, Dornie, or course, got better and tried to shove me out of the port. Using a pistol and a cutlass if me memory serves me. I jus' got on the Pearl and left before Catterine even knew I was there with her."

"You cared for her, didn't you Jack?"

"She was so young. And her mother didn't even come back to see her buried," Jack shook his head, "That isn't righ'. She deserved at least tha'."

Kat sighed and nodded in agreement. Every child deserves at least to have their mother or guardian present in their last moments of life. She watched Jack brush off the dirt from his pants and jacket and looked to the side where a few wild flowers were growing. he picked two and laid them at the base of the stone. He took a deep breath and looked past Kat to see a figure in the distance.

"It seems the Pearl be ready," he looked at Kat who saw Charlie running down the dirt road trying to find them.

"Aye, Captain," she nodded and held on to his arm as they made their way to the Pearl. They were both surprised on how fast it took to stock the ship, but didn't question it as they boarded.


'They laughed... how dare they,' Kat fumed in Olivia's room.

It took them less time to reach Barbados once they set sail from Nassau. At least that's what it felt like to Kat. Another week probably sank by without her knowing, but she didn't want to think about the time slipping through her fingers. Thankfully her moodiness had calmed down, but she wasn't too happy with the doctors and nurses who were chuckling at their 'cure'. They just shrugged it off, but that didn't stop Jack from offering the cure to any one who would try it. Which at the time was most of the people there. They had tried everything and if it was the last resort, they would take it. Olivia, of course was the first one to take some, with some confusion and worry from Harriet. Kat reassured her and hoped that it would work. And, fortunately as time passed, Kat could see Olivia respond to different degrees of light and the voices around her.

Harriet was, for lack of a better word, relieved. Her cousin had come back, bigger than what she had remembered, but with a cure in hand. Just as she promised. And just in time. It seemed as if Olivia was on her last days, and the milk and fish had all ready helped immensely. She was hearing their voices and would try to wake herself from her deep sleep. Harriet herself had regained her health and her energy. Her spirit was still a bit crushed, but once James had come back, her face seemed to brighten. He took her on a walk a little after they docked and administered the cure to Olivia. Kat and Jack were left to watch over her. At the moment, Jack was out to find some rum that he had been devoid of for the past few days.

Kat took a deep breath and leaned her head against the wall. She looked over at the bed where Olivia's hands were at her sides and her hair swept away from her face. On the far table Kat could still see the play cutlass that Jesse had brought for Olivia off of the Pearl. She had left it there when she had gotten sick. He came in every once in a while to check on his best friend. He had grown attached to the little girl and couldn't help but visit and hope that she would finally be awake. Kat chuckled to herself and stared up at the ceiling. Olivia sure has found a lifetime friend in that boy.

"Hmm..."

Kat quickly turned her head to the bed where Olivia's head was rocking a little from side to side. Her brows furrowed a little and she turned on her side in her attempt to get away from the morning light streaming through the windows.

Kat knelt next to the bed and watched the little girl yawn and turn back on her back. She started to feel her breathing quicken. Suddenly the door burst open and Jack came walking in with two different bottles in his hands.

"Sorry, luv. I couldn't find any tea fer ye, but I did find some water," he looked up to find Kat with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face, "Wha'?"

"Hehe... Uncle Jack is funny..."

Kat turned her head back to Olivia, "Morning sleepy head. We've missed you."