"Is there anything that I should know about Goodwin before I meet him?" Elizabeth asked as she and Barbossa dressed. They'd shared a warm bath before breakfast, and their meeting with the pirate was in twenty minutes.

Barbossa finished tying his breeches and reached for his shirt. "Don't call him Goodwin," he began. "Call him Sam; he tells everyone to call him Sam. He's what yeh could call a bit of a casual pirate – he doesn't run a ship like most captains."

"Meaning?"

"Meanin' he's more easy goin' and forgivin'," Barbossa explained. "And everythin' is fun to him. His age could be part of that."

"How old is he?" she asked as she brushed her hair.

"Nearin' forty."

"Really? That's younger than I expected."

"Aye, but he's got right much experience. Stowed away on a ship at fifteen and been piratin' ever since."

"Told you this, did he?"

Barbossa was fastening his holsters when he smirked at her. "Didn't have to tell me. It be my ship that he snuck onto."

Elizabeth laughed. "Now that sounds like an interesting story. You didn't toss him overboard?"

"Yeh never get rid of people if they be useful," he told her with a wink. "And Sam's quite charismatic. He was more than entertainin' to have around."

"Entertaining?"

Barbossa chuckled. "Yeh'll see." Pulling his boots on, he added, "Oh and his wife will probably be with him."

"His wife?" Elizabeth wasn't expecting that – she was so used to being the only female around.

"Aye. Her name be Rachel. That's all I know."

"I'm looking forward to meeting them. Are we ready then?"

"Looks like it. Let's go."

Barbossa and Elizabeth were sitting at a round, wooden table in the back of the bar. Since it was late morning, there weren't many customers. They'd been drinking mango juice and snacking on dried coconut and pineapple when Sam and Rachel entered.

They were definitely not what Elizabeth had pictured.

Rachel looked quite young with fair skin, a small button nose and a dainty mouth, but it was the fierceness of her blue eyes that revealed her true nature. Though only about five-three and wearing clothing similar to Elizabeth's, she carried herself as if she was six-three with her head held high and shoulders squared. Her light brown hair fell in soft ringlets to her waist, and she wore a black hat.

Elizabeth instantly liked her.

Sam, whose fingers were entwined with Rachel's as they walked, was already grinning. Mischievousness oozed from him. His roguish smirk, encased in a goatee, reached his green eyes that twinkled deviously. He was taller than Rachel but a little shorter than Barbossa.

He reminded Elizabeth of Jack in a way, sans the rum.

"Samuel!" Barbossa greeted, walking over to shake the younger man's hand. "Been a mighty long time."

Sam enthusiastically returned his handshake. "Hector," he said, one eyebrow lifted briefly. "You know it's Sam."

"Aye; Sam it is. And this be Rachel?"

"Yes. Love, this is the infamous Hector Barbossa," Sam introduced. "Hector, my beautiful wife, Rachel."

"Nice to meet you," she greeted with a warm smile. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Hope I can live up to the tales I'm sure he's told yeh," Barbossa replied, turning towards Elizabeth. "And this be – "

"King Turner," Sam finished, walking over to her. With an intense gaze, he reached for her hand and kissed the top of it; his eyes never leaving hers. "It is an honor. Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Rachel."

The young girl lowered her head in respect. "You are legendary, King Turner," she complimented.

Elizabeth was not expecting their reverence. "Thank you," she said, quickly glancing at Barbossa who winked at her. "But please call me Elizabeth. It has been many years since I've required such propriety."

"As you wish, Elizabeth," Sam complied before turning his attention to Barbossa. "Shall we begin? I'm sure you're anxious to start lining those pockets."

Barbossa grinned and nodded. "That I be. Have a seat."

The bartender came over then. "Anything for you two?"

Sam glanced at Rachel who nodded.

"Two coffees please."

"Be right back."

Everyone waited until the bartender returned before they began.

"So how do these letters work, Sam?" Barbossa asked. "Are they worth it?"

After a long sip of coffee, Sam nodded. "They're worth it, Hector. I've put away more coins in the past six months than in the past two years. The waters are just teaming with Brits, and those ships are full. And I'll tell you, I've got a buyer that will pay extra for any kind of weapon or firearm that he can get his hands on. He turns around and sells them to the Colonies."

"Will he be the best contact for us to take everything to?" Elizabeth asked. "Or is there more than one?"

"I've been working with him from the beginning," Sam answered. "He'll pay you well for everything that you bring him. I haven't needed to look elsewhere."

"Where is he?" Barbossa asked.

"Nassau. It's very convenient."

"How do we get the letters?" Elizabeth asked.

"We have them," Rachel said. "Since Sam is captain, he adds on names and then everyone makes their mark."

"And that's it?"

"That's it," Rachel confirmed. "The Colonies are desperate for help."

Elizabeth bit her lip and looked at Barbossa. It almost sounded too easy.

"How have other pirates fared?" she asked curiously.

Sam grinned, the left side of his mouth higher than the other. "Better than ever," he answered. "We've taken much more than we've lost, especially since we started working together."

Elizabeth looked at Barbossa with a question in her eyes. He nodded.

"About that, Sam," the older pirate began. "We might want to adjust our tactics even more."

"Why?"

"Elizabeth came across some information recently. There be about thirty ships leavin' Antigua in just a few days. They know how we fight, and they've doubled their manpower and weapons. We might need to start workin' in groups instead of just pairs."

Sam nodded as he considered the information. "I see. We might have to do that, Hector. Was this a credible source?"

"Yes," Elizabeth answered. "Straight from a British officer."

Sam and Rachel exchanged looks.

"We can probably join another team if we sail by Nassau on our way to sea," Sam said. "They'll agree once we explain what the Brits are doing. We'll have to divide the plunder among more of us, but – "

"Some be better than none," Barbossa finished with a wink.

"Precisely," Sam agreed, his eyes twinkling again. "When do we sail?"

"Two days since tomorrow be Friday," Barbossa answered. "It will give us time to go over the maps."

"Aye, Hector. Shall we start on them now?"

"There be business for me to attend to at the moment. How about a couple hours from now?"

Elizabeth looked at Barbossa and wondered what he was talking about. They'd planned to look at the maps in the morning.

"Agreed."

"Our apartment be across the street, number six. Meet us there around two."

"We'll be there," Rachel said with a smile.

Everyone stood.

Sam bowed his head towards them and said, "Nice to see you again, Hector. Elizabeth, it was an honor to meet you. Rachel and I will see you soon."

As Elizabeth walked beside of Barbossa as they headed back to their apartment, she knew something was off, but she couldn't put a finger on what it was. She didn't know what 'business' he needed to attend to for one. He also seemed to be in some sort of physical discomfort, but she didn't know what; he'd seemed fine when they'd arrived at the bar.

Once inside their room, Elizabeth watched in silence as Barbossa shrugged out of his heavy coat and put his hat on the table. He walked to the bowl and pitcher to splash some water on his face before sitting on the edge of the bed.

"What's wrong?"

Barbossa glanced at Elizabeth. "Just a headache, I think."

She noticed that his cheeks looked a little flushed, so she stepped closer so that she could place her palm to his forehead. He quickly pushed it away with a growl.

"You're burning up!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "You have a fever!"

"I'll be fine," he grumbled.

"Hector, you have a fever. You are not fine. I'm going to find Doc."

"Belay that."

"Why?"

"It'll pass."

Elizabeth pursed her lips. "What if it's a sign of infection or something else serious? You know we can't take that sort of chance right now."

When Barbossa said nothing, Elizabeth left without a word. It took her about thirty minutes to find Doc; he'd been helping the local doctor with some sick children.

"A fever?"

"I think so," Elizabeth answered as they rushed back. "His forehead was hot, and he ended the meeting with Goodwin early."

"Have either of you been around anyone that was sick?"

She shook her head. "I don't think so."

Barbossa was lying down on the bed when Elizabeth and Doc walked in. She remained quiet while he looked the captain over.

"It's most likely a reaction to not taking your mercury pills," Doc told him. "Where are they?"

"Been out."

"For how long?"

Barbossa shrugged. "Few weeks maybe?"

"A few weeks?" Elizabeth exclaimed, but Doc held up his hand.

"I can probably get more before we leave," he told her. "This should pass in the meantime. I'll get some leeches and herbs for tea."

"Nay," Barbossa argued. "I be fine. I'm sure – "

"I'm giving the orders here, Captain," Doc interrupted. "You've got a pretty high fever, and we can't afford to be delayed." He looked pointedly at Barbossa. "Now can we?"

The captain rolled his eyes and sighed in response.

Doc stood and headed for the door. "I'll be back in a few minutes," he told Elizabeth. "If I may ask, what were his plans for the day?"

"I be right here," Barbossa grumbled from the bed.

"We were supposed to meet with Goodwin in a couple hours," she answered, both of them ignoring the captain.

"Does he have to go? Or could you meet him tonight instead?"

"I still be right here."

"We were to look at some maps," Elizabeth told Doc. "I'll let them know we'll meet tonight. It's no matter."

"All right then. I'll return soon."

When Elizabeth closed the door behind him, she heard, "Can I not speak for meself now? I am the blasted captain still."

"Of course you can," she said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "But you have a fever, and Doc and I outrank you when you're ill. The fever has to be treated. It could get much worse, and you know it. We can't risk it."

Barbossa wanted to argue with her, but he could not. She was right, and he hated it. He'd never been a good patient, anyway. He lifted his eyes to the ceiling but said nothing.

Elizabeth picked at the worn bedspread and bit her lip. She purposely avoided ever asking him about his illness, but something told her that there was more going on that he wasn't sharing. "Why didn't you tell me that you were out of pills?' she asked quietly.

"Weren't no need to. Yeh couldn't get any anymore than I could."

"But your…condition…it'll get worse without them, right?"

"Aye."

"How much worse?"

His eyes met hers then. "Elizabeth, I don't think – "

"How much worse?" Her tone was final.

He sighed and looked away. "I have heard that some people who weren't treated properly died from it." He knew better than to keep something from her. She was relentless and tenacious.

Elizabeth tried to swallow away the familiar burn in the back of her throat and blinked a few times to keep the tears from forming. "I see," she said through gritted teeth. Immediately, images flashed through her mind of those she'd already lost, and she was scared that he'd be next.

Barbossa turned his head towards her. He knew the truth upset her, but he couldn't do anything about it. "I should be just fine," he tried to reassure her. "I've been takin' my pills for a few years now. Doc should be able to find some here."

She nodded, but the emotion was building. Even though Will was alive, she still felt as if she'd lost him. And after getting closer to Barbossa, even though she didn't know what their future held, the last thing she wanted was to lose him, too. She'd lost so much the past few years that the thought of more loss was more than she could handle.

"I'm just…I'm going to see if I can find Doc," she said as she stood, trying to keep her voice even as she turned towards the door.

"No yer not."

Elizabeth turned around with a frown. "What?"

"Yeh not be goin' to find Doc. Yeh be goin' somewhere to be alone and cry," he told her, his voice unusually gentle. "Please just stay here."

Trying to blink away more tears, Elizabeth grimaced. "I just need a few minutes," she pleaded.

"Come here," he said quietly, lifting his hand towards her.

She hesitated for a few moments but finally gave in and crawled into bed with him. Curling up by his right side, he put his arm around her and held her tight. And then the tears fell. She couldn't stop them.

As she hid her face against his chest, Barbossa rubbed her arm soothingly. She brought out sides to him that he'd suppressed for most of his life. He liked it. "Yeh don't have to hide from me. I know when yeh get upset."

"Weakness," she mumbled.

"It not be a weakness. Yeh be allowed to cry."

Elizabeth sniffed a couple times. "I've lost so many people, Hector."

"I know, love."

She clutched his shirt in her hands. "My mum when I was little," she cried. "My home. My belongings. My father. James. Will. The entire life I'd once known."

"But Will is still alive," Barbossa reminded her.

"He might as well be gone."

Barbossa didn't have much to say about him, so he squeezed her instead and said, "I not be goin' anywhere."

Elizabeth sniffed. "But you could. And you're sick. What if – "

"Shh," he soothed and kissed her forehead. "I be pretty stubborn, yeh know. And remember I already died once and came back."

"But that's when Tia Dalma was here."

He couldn't argue that, but he didn't want her to worry. "I not be goin' anywhere," he repeated. "I have a really good reason to hang around a bit longer."

More sniffing. "What's that?"

Barbossa smirked, though she couldn't see him. "You."

"Me? I've been nothing but trouble since I climbed aboard," Elizabeth said, wiping tears away from her eyes.

He chuckled although his head felt like it was about to explode. "Aye, but as long as yeh end up right here, I'd do it all again."

Still more sniffing. "You would?"

"Aye."

Elizabeth clutched his shirt again as her cries slowly quieted. Part of her felt shameful breaking down in front of him while another part was relieved that he behaved towards her exactly as she'd needed him to. Must be the fever, she thought to herself, trying to lighten her thoughts.

"May I ask a favor of yeh?" he asked, rubbing her arm again.

"Of course," Elizabeth answered, lifting her head and wiping more tears.

"I need to get out of me shirt," he began. "And then if yeh would wet a cloth for me."

Thankful for something to focus on, Elizabeth got up from his side and then helped him sit up. After removing his shirt, Barbossa lay back down while she fetched a cloth, submerging it in the basin of water and wringing it out. She used it to wipe her face first, then submerged and wrung it out again.

Barbossa reached for the wet cloth and ran it over his exposed skin before handing it back to her. "Can yeh bring me the smaller map?"

Elizabeth grabbed the map from the table and handed it to him, unsure of what he was doing. She watched as he began to fan himself with it.

Seeing her inquisitive expression, he explained, "Air across wet skin cools it down. Helps the fever."

"Let me do it then," she said, reaching for the map. "I'll fan for a bit and then we'll use the cloth again, and then I'll fan some more. Whatever will help."

Barbossa was not in a position to argue with her and lay still as Elizabeth fanned him with the map. It gave her something to focus on, and he knew that she needed that.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

Elizabeth offered a small smile. "Thank you."

Aww...all the warm fuzzies...even with Hector's headache.

I have been insanely busy with craft shows and cons the past couple months. It's wonderful for the business...not so wonderful for the story! Thanks for being patient!

Check out the blog link in my profile to see my photo manips of Sam and Rachel. I bet you'll recognize where I got my visual inspirations from!

THANK YOU for reviews for last chapter - BrunetteAuthorette99, Mrs. Marple Poirot, ikingboo, XxRemus John LupinxX, Bloodsired, whatanauthorsgottado and LimeGreenSockFeet. I know it takes me a while to post, and I really appreciate you all sticking around for my updates.

This is THE busiest time of the year for my business, so I might not get to post again before the new year, so I hope everyone has a wonderfully fun and safe holiday and the happiest new year! *sending you lots of Hector and Elizabeth luv*!