AN: Before we get on to this, the final chapter of Demon Called Deception, I would like to say thank you to everyone who stuck by me for as long as it took to complete this. All of you were awesome and really helped me out. This is a short chapter merely because it is an epilogue closing up the story line. It wraps everything up and, hopefully, will leave all of you with a feeling of satisfaction. I know it did for me! Once again, thank you all for sticking by me for so long!

"Every story has an end." ~Tristran; King Arthur

Demon Called Deception

Epilogue

The storm topside was so similar to the one years before, Jack noted as he stepped off of the life boat and onto the swaying Silent Whisper. He thanked the man who helped him over the railing and then smoothed the front of his shirt. He had known this day was coming and had dreaded it. This was never a day to be looked forward to despite its good intentions.

It had been five long years since the Insula Peritorum and everything was progressing as it should be. Jack and his crew had started aging shortly after the events. Now they all looked to be their correct ages.

Jack himself still looked quite good if he did say so himself. The strands of gray hair merely added to his roguish good looks. Even the wrinkles beginning to line his weathered face did nothing to detract from his features.

Gibbs had retired to a small house on the outskirts of Tortuga. He had sailed for most of his life, as pirate and navy, and had finally decided that he was too old to be of any use on the ship. Jack did not like losing his friend, but understood his reasons for leaving. He still visited him of course. Who could pass up a good trip to Tortuga?

Rebecca had finally married the Norrington boy two years before. The wedding had been beautiful. Her white dress had been inlaid with gold trimming; the train flowed behind her, carried by her little nephew. Jack had seen the silver bracelet that had belonged to her mother on her left wrist. He had watched from the shade between two buildings, careful not to be seen. He had been glad to see Will walk her down the aisle. If he couldn't do it then there was no else better.

They had gotten to know each other in the last few years. Rebecca had come to accept him as her father and had even grown to see him as more than just a pirate. She often asked about her mother as well; simple questions about Lor's life and family and the way that she had lived. Rebecca still lived her normal life and Jack was happy for that.

Jack paused at the doorway to the lower decks, the rain soaking through his clothes and skin. He did not want to descend those stairs. Too many bad things occurred the last time he had done so on a day like this. His heart thudded in his chest as his mind turned back to the past. He shook his head, attempting to push away the horrible memories that always surfaced.

Jack knew that he needed to go down there. He had known this day was coming for awhile and he knew she would want him there. He looked around the ship for a moment and then stared up into the darkened sky, the rain drops hitting his face, trying to find some peace of mind, some hope that all would be well.

There was no moon tonight. Gibbs would say that was a bad omen; that some bad moment would come later. A smile crossed Jack's lips despite his feeling of dread. He could always count on Gibbs' way of thinking to cheer him up.

The door swung open before Jack could touch it. Conway blinked up at him and then a wide grin crossed his face. "It's good to see you Cap'n Sparrow!"

The smile and good cheer strengthened his hope that all was well. "Is it over?" he asked, stepping around Conway into the small walkway.

Conway shook his head. "No, sir. Destiny and Tristan are in with her now. Doc says it won't be long though."

They stopped outside of the doctor's door, the strained sounds coming from inside the room a good sign, even if a small one.

"How long?"

"Been several hours at least. Don't know how Tristan's dealt wit her until now. She's been almost unbearable. Especially when she wasn't able to move around as much," Conway chuckled. "We thought Doc was goin' to be murdered when he ordered bed rest."

Jack laughed. "Her mother was the same way. She was a terror the last month."

Another groan came from the room, causing their attention to once again seek out the door, silence echoing between them. A strangled cry soon followed. Jack felt his heart start to pound again at the sound. He hated that sound.

Jack remembered the last time he heard a cry like that; the last time there was a night like this. That night did not leave fond memories.

The sound of hurried movements and strained, whispered voices came after the strangled cry of pain. Jack's thoughts flashed back to twenty five years before; the strangled cry followed by the wailing of a newborn babe. The single worst moments of his life, and the single best.

The wail started seconds later. Jack's tension mounted, taking hold of his mind with iron-like claws. His feet wanted to run. His body wanted to turn away from the disaster he knew was coming. And he wanted no part of it. He did not want to be witness to this. Not again.

"It'll be okay Cap'n Sparrow," Conway said, his eyes not leaving the wooden door. "The curse was lifted. Everything will be fine."

Jack tried to take heart with what Conway told him. He tried to believe what he was saying. But it was hard. After everything that he had seen it was so difficult to believe that everything would be okay.

The door opened slowly to reveal Destiny in the doorway, wiping her hands on a cloth. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of Jack and then a smile crossed her face. "Ah, you're here Cap'n Sparrow," she said softly. Destiny stepped out of the doorway, leaving it open slightly. "She's been asking for you."

Jack thanked her but hesitated before stepping forward. He still wasn't sure . . .

Finally he entered the room, his eyes adjusting to the small candlelit room. The doctor was to his left, washing his hands in a basin of water. Tristan stood in front of him, leaning over a strangely smiling Emory. He could see the dim outline of the vine marking on her right arm. A reminder of events that only a few knew of and only a few ever would. It was her smile that finally eased his troubled mind.

As soon as he knew everything was well, he walked to her side and leaned in closer. He smiled at the small child nestled in its mother's breast. It was wrapped in a thin blanket, cradled by its father's hand and mother's arms.

Emory's smile widened as she looked up at him, lifting the child slightly. "Meet Jack, your grandson."