Teague still maintained his beloved ship, but it was at anchor in the harbor most of the time these days. He had a small house in the town of Shipwreck, and he kept a few guest rooms ready for visitors. He had reached an age when most of his enemies had either died off or become his friends, and he liked to have them come round every so often to drink, trade tales, and give him an audience for his guitar. He also kept a maid-of-all-work named Maggie, and it was she who met him at the door and reassured him that there were two guest rooms ready to receive guests. Teague knew Jack would want to remain on the Black Pearl as long as she was in the harbor, so he didn't bother to prepare a third.

Jack himself showed up a couple hours later with Elizabeth Swann, her baby, and an older lady. Teague answered the door himself, much to Maggie's mortification.

Jack introduced them. "I assume you remember the Pirate King?"

Teague raised his hat and bowed. "Captain Swann. A pleasure."

"It's Mrs Turner now, Dad," Jack reminded him. Teague ignored him, turning his appreciative gaze toward Agatha.

"This is her Aunt, Agatha Ainsley-Swann, and the laddie with the lively brown eyes is little Jake," Jack introduced. "Ladies, Master Jake," he said with a little nod to Jacob, "This is my father, Captain Edward Teague."

"A pleasure, sir," said Agatha.

Teague swept off his hat and made a dramatic bow, kissing her hand. "All mine, I assure you, madam."

"It's very kind of you to allow us to stay, Captain Teague," Elizabeth said.

"Not at all, ladies. Pleasure to meet you." It was, too—Mrs Turner was a right pretty lass, and her aunt an extremely striking and handsome woman. Teague supposed he could perhaps bring himself to tolerate their company for a few weeks for the sake of the scenery. He led them into the house. "You staying, Jack?"

Jack shook his head. "No, sorry, Dad—we're weighing anchor as soon as I get back." He touched Elizabeth's shoulder so she'd hang back with him in the doorway as Teague nodded and led Agatha to the sitting room. "I'll see you again after I've found out who's responsible for sacking Flimwell."

"Will you come tell me before you take action?" she asked.

"Why?"

"Because I was the one attacked, and I'm the Pirate King. I ought to be the one to mete out justice, don't you think?"

"Er, if there's time I will."

"Jack, promise me you'll at least try to keep your head and keep me involved!"

"'Lizabeth..."

"Jack!"

He sighed. "All right, I'll try me best to let you know before I take action. If there's time. All right?"

"Thank you."

Jack turned to go, but hesitated. "And Lizzie..." he said quietly.

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. He didn't usually call her that, preferring to use her whole name or his usual endearments. Whenever he did, they were always rather personal conversations. "Hmm?"

"Be careful what you tell Teague, savvy?"

"He's your father. Are you saying we can't trust him? Did you leave us with someone we can't trust?" Elizabeth sounded worried.

Jack winced. "No, no, 's not what I mean. I'd trust him with me life—and more, I'm even trusting him with yours. It's just that... he has his own agenda. He likes to look out for his own interests, right?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "Sounds like a typical pirate to me, and I'm fairly experienced at dealing with those."

Jack shook his head. "He's not a typical pirate, love, and don't start talking to him thinkin' he is. That's all."

"Very well. I'll see you when you get back, then. And be careful!"

He gave her a glittering, lopsided grin. "I will, and if I can't be careful, I'll be lucky!" and he was gone.

Elizabeth smiled to herself and turned around to see Captain Teague and her aunt both regarding her curiously.

"Come and sit down, Elizabeth," Agatha invited. "The maid has Jacob for a bit, and Captain Teague and I were just saying we wanted to hear about your wedding."

Note to people who are reading along as I post: I have added a couple of minor bits to chapters 11 and 14, due to an excellent suggestion by DorianGray91. And yes, I know this chapter is short, but the next one ought to be going up tomorrow and it's quite long, so be patient. If anyone else has suggestions or criticism, feel free! I'll be grateful.