Stronger Than Glass

Sequel to Cold as Glass

End of the Glass Trilogy

A Captain's Adventure

Chapter 8

The seas, outside of the burning city, seemed eerily calm, compared to the mass chaos upon the opposite side of the ship. But I found a twisted sense of pleasure looking out at the calm waters, with the charts in hand, Tia Dalma upon my side, and Will's promise to Sao Feng going through my mind.

Will must have known of my weakness, after all he was with me during my travels on my last great adventure, and he saw how I changed from my childish girl to the cold and heartless Pirate Lord and now back to my present form attempting to be a strong Captain.

Thus I am beginning to conclude that he knows I am weak, and ready for the taking. But he knows Sirius is his greatest challenge when it comes to me. For with Sirius at my side, I am invincible, yet without Sirius I am easily twisted and self-centered.

I let out another groan of disgust with my weak constitution, but Tia Dalma-as if she was reading my thoughts- placed a supportive hand upon my shoulder and gently squeezed.

"Haul the snotters with a will!" Gibbs shouted, as he ran pass me and Tia Dalma.

Then in response Pintel announced," Keep it taut!"

"Secure the provisions and stow the cargo!" Gibbs shouted again, this time running in the opposite direction towards Cotton.

And much to my dislike, Elizabeth stepped up to my free side, and looked down at the chart I held in my arms," There's no place left for Sao Feng to cower. Do you think he will honor the call?"

I bit my tongue, afraid to see what it may do to her, if I told her the truth. She may become even more of a pain or else collapse underneath her own emotional exhaustion.

Tia Dalma answered for me, as she kept her sights upon the water," I cannot say. There's an evil on these seas that even the most staunch and bloodthirsty pirates have come to fear."

I sent a questioning glance towards her. Thinking of only one thing. The Flying Dutchman and its captain Davy Jones.

Tia Dalma finally shifted to my eyes, and nodded to my thoughts. "You know the danger I speak of. And you know you are no longer immune to it. Neither is your husband."

I took in a deep sobering breath, knowing she was right. There was no hiding now. All that mattered was to see if we could out run it. Davy Jones and his little pet the Kracken, and their master Cutler Beckett. Lord Cutler Beckett.

"Beaux!"

Grumpily, I turned about, spotting Sirius standing with my father, who were motioning to the captain's quarters. It was an odd sight for me, considering my father and husband normally couldn't stand one another, but recently…they had both been trying to make attempts in my favor, obviously hopping not to repeat the past. Where I killed my father and lost my husband for nearly a year.

Sirius motioned for me to come over, again, so I sent Tia Dalma a nod of appreciation for her company, before I made my way over to my men.

"Yes?" I pursed my lips in question, cradling the map.

My father cleared his throat in a diplomatic manner, before he announced, quietly," Your husband-" I about died from a heart attack when he refereed to Sirius as MY husband"-has informed me that it would probably be wise to leave you to have the captain's cot, since it'll be some time before we need that chart of yours."

"How would you know?" I questioned sourly, eyeing up my father.

Sirius then answered," I have talked it over with your father, and will explain it to you, when you lay down."

I scowled at both of these men I held close to my heart, before giving up to their request. "Fine!"

With that Sirius and I went into the open captain's area, which had a simple desk and cot. And the door was a cloth that hung from the structure around the cot and desk.

I drew the curtain to a close, behind my husband, and sat down upon the blank cot.

"What is the matter?" Sirius questioned, trying to be as quiet as possible, to not alert any of Hung and his crew to our true personalities.

I carefully looked over at my husband, and whispered," Maybe we should keep Will's plan a secret."

"What! Why?" My husband quizzed in a surprisingly harsh tone. "I only agreed to getting my bastard father, not going to rescued his father as well and defeat Davy Jones! That is asking for the world and more, Beaux! That is insanity!"

In confusion of my two clashing emotions, I let out a sigh, cradling the charts against my chest.

Things were quiet and still for a moment, as I felt Sirius's eyes absorb me, trying to understand my logic behind my second guesses, which was obviously becoming quite hard for him.

I drew in a tight breath and whimpered to Sirius," The Brethren know they face extinction. All that remains is for them to decide where they make their final stand." I twisted my head and looked up into Sirius's eyes," And by getting Jack back, I now know we will be forced into this war, whether we like to or not."

"We do have a choice, my love," Sirius cooed, placing a hand upon my cheek. "Don't you see? We can leave whenever you want to. That's the beauty of this. I hold no piece of eight and neither to do, so we are of no use to the Brethren Court. And if William is crazy enough, I'll give him my title and let him waste his life being a pirate."

Guilty, I actually found myself wishing to shout for my father and tell him to drop Sirius and I off at the closest Port. But I knew better. Sirius and I were both wanted by the law, and until we could change that, there was never going to be a happily ever after.

Because of the last chapter being so short, I decided to put another one up, just to help even things out. Comments are welcomed by all!