Disclaimer: Anything from Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean is not mine. Can you dig it? I can't. (mutters under breath about Disney trying to take over the world)

Author's Notes:

Ah! Trade with the Devil, I have neglected you so! (hugs story tightly to self) Never again, savvy? Guess what! Since summer is right around the corner, that means more writing time and more happiness for you guys! Enjoy the freedom, writers! We are free! FREE, darn it! Enough of my silly goose ranting. I hope all of you have had beautiful horizons and fair skies since I've last conversed with you. Enjoy the next installment!

PineAppleLint

-"Took you two bloody long enough."-

Jack swept his floppy hat grandly from the top of his head and mockingly bowed, replying, "Well, hello to ye too, Mr. Turner! Now let us in…we're starvin'!" and swaggered right past William Turner and into the house.

Will grinned and stared down at Terrence. "Sorry," she stated, "He obviously…"

"Has no manners?" he finished for her, "I'm quite used to that by now." Terrence smiled and realized Will's face had lost a bit of that boyishness it had acquired the last time they had crossed paths. His brown hair was down and a couple inches shorter, his clothes seemed worn, yet comfortable. His brown shoes were scuffed, his breeches faded, his white shirt clean and pressed. Will looked so much like his father.

"Will, you've grown into quite the man," Terrence pointed out before taking him into her arms, embracing him.

"So Elizabeth tells me," Will replied devilishly, letting her go and looking her over. "What is with the dress?"

"Jack's damn idea," she shrugged, swishing her skirts around a couple of times, "Highly uncomfortable."

"You do look a bit frazzled," he said and swiped a lock of frizzy hair from her face.

"I feel frazzled," Terrence said, hands on her hips. Suddenly, a bout of shouting came from down the street. Soldiers had discovered the body. "Now are ye goin' to invite me in, good sir? Or am I just going to have to parade around on your doorstep?" she asked anxiously.

Mr. Turner raised his eyebrows once he heard the shouting, knowing at once that they had been getting into a bit of trouble. "By all means," Will said chivalrously and stuck out his arm. After gratefully accepting his arm, he led her inside his humble abode.

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Terrence curiously began contemplating to herself just why Elizabeth had chosen to stray from her father's extravagant mansion overlooking Port Royal to live in a small cottage in a corner of town. The answer dawned on her. Love makes a person do crazy things.

Of course Terrence would have done the exact same thing. That's where Elizabeth was different from the other women of Port Royal. She didn't care about the fancy dresses, the ritzy balls, the social upbringing of being the governor's daughter. She gave it all up to be with a blacksmith. Well, scratch that. She gave it all up for a pirate. That simple thought made Terrence beam with respect for the girl. She had committed social suicide for love.

What is sacred? Of what is the heart made? What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for? To each the answer is the same: only love.

Will had indeed gotten in touch with the pirate blood flowing in his veins. Terrence could see it as he settled back into his chair at the table in the cramped kitchen. His uptight, arrogant demeanor had faded, leaving behind a man who was relaxed, confident, and in touch with his true self. That daring glint in his eyes would never fade, and Terrence mused that it would probably remain even in death.

She shook her head. She did not want to think about death. Thinking about it would bring up worries about that blasted piece of metal hidden between the creases of her breasts. No, now was a time for reunion and family, not cursed keys and murder.

Jack had flopped into a chair next to Will and had been asking him questions that Terrence had not heard in the midst of her deep thinking. She snapped out of it when the two men both looked her way, smiling secretly.

"Hmmm?" she questioned in one syllable, leaning in close for an explanation about those mischievous looks.

"I asked Jack how long it's been since you two have been together, and he said he just can't seem to get rid of you, no matter how hard he tries," Will said with a laugh.

"Always had too big o' a mouth for yer face, Will Turner," Jack muttered when Gallagher glared at him mockingly.

"I'll get you back for this later, ye know," Terrence threatened slyly, winking at him.

"Can't wait, luv," he winked back. Turning to Will, he added, "Now where's your darling wife, boy? She hasn't run away from ye yet, has she?"

As if on cue, Elizabeth bustled into the room, carrying a bundle in her arms. "Terrence, darling!" she cried, "Why, it's been ages, hasn't it? Let me get a good look at you!"

Terrence stood and carefully embraced the younger woman, who seemed to positively glow. Her hair was longer, the brown locks gently brushing the swell of her bottom through the simple cream colored dress. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes sparkling…and suddenly Terrence realized the small bundle in her arms was moving.

"Holy hell, is this…"

"Michael Turner," she said proudly, removing some of the blanket so she could get a good look at the baby. Terrence curiously peeked, seeing two little brown eyes peering back at her, plump little cheeks, and a tiny button nose. It had wispy dark brown hair atop its round head. It looked a bit like Will.

Jack had jumped out of his chair and gave Elizabeth a kiss on the cheek, wrapping an arm around her waist. He glanced at the baby and said, "Well, ye and your husband sure didn't waste any time to…"

He 'oof'ed when Elizabeth elbowed him in the stomach. "Jack, still as cocky and foulmouthed as ever, I see," she remarked dryly. Elizabeth shot Terrence a sympathetic look.

"Remarkably so," Terrence added before receiving another harsh pinch in the side from Jack, causing her to yelp.

"So this is the babe everyone's been chatterin' about," Jack said, "How old?"

"Two months," Will informed with a smile.

"Ha! Jack, you better hand it over!" Terrence said smugly, holding out her hand. Grumbling, Jack fished a couple shillings out of his coin purse and placed it in the palm of her hand. She grinned and put the shiny coins in the pocket of her dress.

"What was that?" Will asked in confusion.

"We had a bet as to how old the little Turner was," Terrence said, "And I won. Ah, how I love the sound of jingling money." She shook the pocket of her dress, rattling the coins.

"Rub it in," Jack muttered, "Now I can only get fourteen mugs o' rum instead of fifteen!"

"Just pickpocket some poor bloke's spare change," Terrence replied with a shrug of her shoulders, "Because you're getting no pity from me."

"Selfish wench."

"Alcoholic bastard."

"Please, not around the baby," Elizabeth said with a roll of her eyes, "You two act like children."

"Thanks very much," Jack beamed. Tentatively poking the baby's cheek gently, he said, "I can teach the lad how to charm the ladies when he comes of age. He'll learn a lot from 'is Uncle Jack, aye?"

"You'll just corrupt his mind," Will Turner added, feigning a look of nervousness.

"Want to hold him?" Elizabeth offered, glancing at Terrence, "I don't trust Jack."

"It's not like I'd drop it o' anythin'," Jack cried, "That's unfair, luv!"

"Oh, no, I shouldn't," Terrence said with a quick shake of her head, "I'm not used to handlin' babies…" but she found Michael in her arms anyway. She stared down at the tiny, yawning child in awe and confusion. It squirmed in her arms and she hesitantly began rocking it back and forth. It cuddled against her breast and closed its eyes.

She looked up from the sleeping child to Jack's face. He was staring at her with an expression she didn't recognize and it scared her. Trying to fight through the sudden uneasiness she felt, she said humorously, "The baby faintly resembles Norrington."

Elizabeth shot her a dirty look and Will laughed. "Very funny," Elizabeth said crossly.

The baby stirred once more and began to bawl. "Time to eat," Elizabeth said with a shake of her head, "Michael's insatiable. He has a bigger appetite than his father." She laughed when Terrence practically jumped away from the screaming child once it was back safely in its mother's arms.

"Come with me, Terrence? We have some catching up to do," Elizabeth stated warmly, nodding towards the bedroom across the way. Terrence was about to follow Elizabeth when Jack grabbed her by the arm softly. "I need the key. I'm going to talk to Will," he said in a low tone. She reached between her breasts and presented the key to him. He raised an eyebrow at her, but watched as she wrapped it in a handkerchief and handed it to him.

"What else do ye keep in there, luv?" he questioned wickedly, his kohl-rimmed eyes wolfishly trailing down to her breasts.

"Later…" she said into his ear, "…maybe I'll let ye find the answer to that question yourself." Kissing him quickly on the lips, she went into the Turner bedroom and shut the door.

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Elizabeth sat in the rocking chair, nursing tiny Michael as Terrence sat on the bed, kicking her legs back and forth.

"So what have you two been up to?" Elizabeth asked, "You and Jack, I mean. It's nice to see you two still getting along as well as you do."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, you know. You both are stubborn. You're bound to have your arguments, but you both go well together. A match of the wits, I'd say."

Terrence smiled. Elizabeth couldn't have been more right. She remembered those countless nights where she and Jack had screamed at each other, resorting to her throwing things at him. Of course Jack would find some way to apologize without actually apologizing. He was sneaky as hell like that.

"You and Will look content. Happy," Terrence mused, changing the subject.

"We are."

"The baby's beautiful."

"Thank you. You don't know how hard we tried to…" she blushed and said, "It just took a while to get me pregnant, is all."

"Well, ye did a damn good job. I'm sorry I'm not that great at this kind o' talk. I never grew up around babies. I know nothing about raisin' a child," Terrence pointed out.

"I can tell."

"Aw, thanks. That makes me feel all warm inside."

Elizabeth laughed and adjusted the baby at her side. "I didn't mean it to sound like an offensive comment. So tell me about your recent adventures. I want to hear about everything."

After a moment of hesitation, Terrence took a deep breath and began to pour out the story about the Devil's Curse.

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"…so I want to know if you'd be a mate and hide it somewhere," Jack finished, sliding a ringed finger around the rim of his mug of rum. Will had caved in twenty minutes ago and brought out the dusty bottle of rum hidden in the corner of the cupboard.

Will swallowed hard and said, "Will it be a danger to my family?"

"No one knows about it, boy. Just a friend o' mine in Tortuga, Gallagher, and me."

"How did Gallagher get a key such as this in the first place? You didn't make that part very clear."

"Some old Hispanic woman walked up to her on Isla de Fuego and gave it to her. As simple as that. That's as clear as it's goin' to get."

"How could the woman trust a stranger?" Will thought aloud, "Unless something about Gallagher was different?"

"Gallagher's a captain. She was dressed as a captain. Her crew was addressing her as 'captain'. Perhaps the woman thought a pirate captain was suitable enough for ownership of such power."

"Not all pirate captains would protect the key," Will pointed out, "Actually, most would use it for its power."

"I don't know, lad. That's where it gets hazy. I just don't know."

Will stared at the key sitting innocently on the table top. "For now," he said finally, "But you told me funny things have been happening since it's been in Terrence's possession. I can't risk it, not now. Especially not with a baby."

"So you'll do this for me?" Jack asked seriously, holding out his hand. Will sighed and took it, shaking hands firmly.

"I'll do it."

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door.

"British Royal Navy, open up!" someone shouted from the other side of the door.

"Dammit," Jack cursed, "They found us."

"What did you do, Jack?" Will questioned angrily.

"No time for explanations," Jack responded, jumping up from the table, "I'll go get Gallagher and we'll hide."

He stormed into the bedroom, rushing past Elizabeth, who was running into the kitchen with Michael sleeping in her arms.

Shutting the door, he grabbed Gallagher, who was staring at him with wild eyes.

"Get under the bed, now," he demanded.

"It's the Navy, isn't it?" she sighed.

"Damn right. Now move!"

She scurried under, Jack following close behind. He grabbed her, pressing her to him. She felt his chest rise and fall against her back as they fought not to make a sound. Terrence almost smacked him when she felt his hand feel its way to her bottom, squeezing menacingly.

"Now's not the time for this," she hissed through gritted teeth.

She could sense him smiling, and his hand didn't move from its place on her rear end. The two pirates tensed up as they strained to listen to the voices coming from behind the closed door.

Jack winced when he heard Will's muffled voice proclaim:

"Commodore Norrington, what a pleasant surprise."

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Quote from the movie Don Juan DeMarco. Are you a Johnny Depp fan like me? Haven't seen it? AH! SEE IT! SEE IT NOW!

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