I made haste once through the doors to the Beckett home. Keeping a sharp eye out for the man or any of his staff, I made my way to the port. I discarded my jacket on the way and tore my hair from the foppish ribbon. All I carried was Dalma's compass, my Remembrances, and that silly shortsword. It may as well have been made from wood for all the good it served me.

I was looking for a ship without colors when I felt a hand grasp my upper arm. I whirled and pulled my sword in one swift motion, ready to attack whoever attempted to waylay me.

"Sparrow!" came the man's frightened plea. Kavi.

I lowered my weapon and grasped his hand with a smile. "How the hell did you get here?" I asked, incredulous. I thought he might have died aboard the Vajrayana.

He grinned up at me. "Perhaps the Caribbean has given me some Fortune, eh? Once you sailed away, our crew bested the Englishmen and the captain promoted me to helmsman for my bravery. We sailed in, fully loaded and even heavy a few prisoners."

I clapped him on the back, "Good for you! Another good story, then. Are you staying here, or is it back to sea?"

"To sea, to sea, of course. We're making sail for the New World once more. What about you?"

I told him an edited version of my own tale and added, "And I'd like to put more some distance behind me, if that's at all possible."

Kavi brightened, "I'm sure the captain would love to have you back on board the Vajrayana. And, honestly, the company would be welcome. Even on a boat carrying my countrymen, I stand out."

"When do you leave?"

"First bell of the first dogwatch."

I looked up at the sun. That would be soon. I grinned. "If the captain'll have me back, I'd love to join you."

Kavi clapped me on my shoulder with a smile and hurried me down the dock. He spoke Hindi to a young boy there and sent him away before boarding a longboat. "Come on. I sent Aadesh on ahead to let the captain know. I'm certain the captain won't refuse, so we'll just follow him."

Once aboard ship, the captain came out from his cabin and spoke to Kavi. Kavi grinned. I assumed all was well.

And, it was.

Sailing was smooth. We didn't hit a single storm on the crossing. I knew better than to enjoy it, however. Filled sails and clean water usually boded poorly if they lasted too long.

I was right to worry. As soon as Kavi told me that we were about a two day journey from our destination in Barbados, the sky clouded over. They were great thunderheads, the kind that made one believe in an angry and wrathful god. The captain, wise to the weather's many tricks, began shouting orders. I understood most of them on instinct and all available hands hopped to to furl the sails.

Within minutes of spotting the clouds, rain was lashing the deck, soaking everyone through. And that wasn't to mention the waves that rolled over the port side as the ship bobbed up and down like a buoy. Lightening flashed across the sky and great winds knocked not a few sailors around and to their deaths in the depths.

Kavi and I lashed ourselves to the helm. I steered the ship as best I could beneath the turbulent skies. And then, there was a dead calm. The sea churned around us, still. But the winds had died and the dark sky had turned a rosy pink.

"The calm," I explained to a confused Kavi.

"Calm? That was anything but calm," he laughed, untying the line that held him safe.

"No! Leave it. The winds and rain will be start again once we pass through the eye."

Another voice shouted in Hindi from below me. I saw the captain come out onto the deck. He was smiling and bowing his head toward the floor.

"You see, Jack? Our captain has been pleading with the gods to save us. And, they have." Kavi slipped out of his rope and descended the steps to join his captain. Several of the sailors had joined him, kneeling in thankful prayer.

"No! Stop that!" I shouted, my voice sounding desperate.

It was drowned out by a sudden crash of thunder. The remaining crew was struck dumb. I saw their expressions in sharp relief as the lightening chased on its brother's tail. And the rain pounded down moments later.

Again, commands came from the captain, many of which were too late. Sailors were washed overboard. Kavi tried to scramble back up to the quarterdeck. I reached for him. The line lashing me to the wheel was not long enough and his fingers slipped out of mine. As he fell over the edge of the deck, his eyes wide and fearful, I heard a mermaid's shriek above the pounding waves, howling winds, and the crash of thunder and lightening.

I steeled myself and looked away from the spot where he'd gone over. My eyes glassed over as the captain and the few remaining sailors, desperately tying off loose lines and trying to communicate over the roar. The sounds were deadened to me as I piloted the craft.

The next day, I awoke to find myself still bound to the helm. The skies were clear and bright. No one was on the deck in front of me. I feared the worst. As I loosed the line and made for the port side, I noticed two things. One, I could see land. And two, the ship was sinking. And fast.

Without worrying about whoever might have survived below decks, as it was doubtful that anyone had, I turned back to the helm. I turned her hard to port and thanked whatever was watching over me that the rudder hadn't snapped off.

The ship turned groggily and the tide was with me. As the vessel continued to take on water, she slogged on valiantly toward the bustling port. I climbed ever higher on the main mast, not daring to pray that I might make it to the dock, just hoping.

And I did.

I made it. Over miles of sea, on three continents and a handful more countries. In and out of the arms of lovers and friends. My mother. Cary. Gibbs. Kensington. Dalma. Kolibrí. Bootstrap. Scarlett. Kavi.

As I stepped from the crow's nest onto the firm planking of the dock, I was accosted by a round gentleman.

"Hold up there! It's a shilling to tie up your boat at the dock! And, I shall need to know your name."

I grinned and waggled a purse at him. "What do you say to three shillings, and we forget the name?"

"Welcome to Port-Royal, Mr. Smith," he answered. He missed it when I plucked his purse from his book of names.

XxXxXxX

"And that, love, is the life of the greatest pirate that ever lived," Jack said, kissing my fingers.

I smiled back at him. The sun was rising over his shoulder. The rum had not lasted us the whole night, but his tale had kept me awake and riveted. "It's some story," I answered with a laugh.

He looked offended, "You don't believe me?"

"Mermaids?" I asked, skeptically.

He stood and pulled me close. "You believed me about the Kraken."

I arched an eyebrow and he laughed, pulling me to the bed in his cabin.

"Did you love Dalma?" I asked, softly.

"Not the way I love you," he responded, dropping a kiss on my collarbone. A chill ran down my arms at his feathery-light caress and I felt him smile against me.

"I love you, too, Jack."

He kissed me quiet and tumbled me against the blankets and pillows in out little nest, effectively shutting down any further questions.

XxXxXxX

A/N: So that's it. Thanks to the people who reviewed and who stuck with me. Even if it took me forever (just over two months! Arrgh!) I finished it!