After a search of the ship I had to regrettably inform everyone that Torres wasn't on board, we tore anything worth it off the ship and then sent it to the sea bed. Making sure there were no more ships following us took a while, eventually, when we were happy that no ships had witnessed what had happened we sailed the rest of the way home.

"What are ya thinking?" Edward rests next to me

"As soon as I saw his armour I thought we had a chance at Torres, he knows we took that island from Du Casse. I'm scared we've just woken a sleeping giant" I stare back out to the sea, I always worried they may come after us. Killing El Tiburón means that Torres won't attack straight away but we can't risk him attacking us, We have to attack him "You know as well as I do that we have to go to him, we can't risk him coming to us"

"I've thought the same, have been since Charlotte was born. I was thinking I would go with Adé, he's been keeping an eye on him for a while" taking my hand I realise he wants to ask me something that I won't like "I want you to stay with Charlotte" I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself saying what I would really like to "He won't go without a fight, I would be worrying about you and no doubt you would be worrying about me"

"That's not the whole truth is it?" I raise my eyebrow at him and catch him smirk

"I'm worried that the Templars weren't lying when they said they have eyes and ears everywhere, I'm worried that we'll bring the attack to them but some of them will still come to us. If we leave you at home trying to act as natural as possible we could have the element of surprise on our side, you know the island better than anyone else since it changed so who better to protect it just in case" he has a fair point, a lot has changed since Torres last had the chance to visit.

"Aye that plan'll work, I can't fight them off on my own though. Leave me 6 assassin's and I'll be fine"

"Six! Not bloody likely, I know you're capable but we don't know their numbers so the lowest I want to leave is twenty at least"

"My idea was to disguise them as civilians, get them slow-acting poison darts. Our guests will think they are scouting the island without being noticed, maybe blame the heat on why they are feeling dizzy and then slowly one by one they'll drop like flies" I try and think of weaknesses that the island has "maybe we could have a few in the trees close to our beach, the mosquitoes in the jungle will mean they won't question the needle. The only issue I can't solve yet is the secret passage under the house, unless. How do your old crew fancy having a bonfire?"

"I don't see how throwing a party and drunken pirates can protect a secret entrance that leads directly to our home, I know you haven't drunk for a while but it can incapacitate the best of men sometimes"

"It's not a party its a cover-up, have them look as if they are drunk and useless. Then have some of the women who crewed my ship for me there, they'll think its a party and ignore them to get to that entrance. It's the best-disguised ambush" we pass a dune that I recognise "We'll be back at the island soon, we can plan better using the map in the office"

When we reach the island Anne is stood at the docks pointing us out to Charlotte. I never thought I would become a mother, never thought I would get to settle down and at this rate, I don't think I will be able to for a while.

"She's been waiting for her mummy" I doubt she has, she looks as if Anne could take her home and live there forever. Having her in my arms help me feel that bit calmer in the face of the madness that could be upon us soon "Did everything go okay?"

"We managed to get them all out of Tulum in time, on the way back we were attacked. We won but we don't think that will stop them coming after us again" Edward catches up to us after helping dock the ship "Anne we have some plans to make, could you come up to the manor with us" she nods and we all head off, the crew and assassins following us so they know the plan.

When we reach the study I grab the map of the island rolling it out so it covers the desk.

"Here is our most vulnerable part" I point to our beach "They could leave their ship out of sight and walk straight into town as if they were traders, between here and here" I point to the entrance and the exit to the jungle "The plants in there are not far off those is Tulum, if you use the trees and bushes to your advantage they won't know what's hit them. Then we have the cave under the manor" I point it out on the map "Unless they use a boat and go straight to the mouth of the cave, they'll have to walk over the beach. If the crew are sat around the usual bonfire spot they will have to walk right past you lot, if you look drunk and if we disguise some of the females you could ambush them before they even realise what's happening. Anne if you could work at the tavern as if it were a normal day, I'll leave you with whatever weapons you need and some crew as customers in case they just attack as soon as they are off the ship. I'll stay here in case they get through the cave or just one breakaway and gets to the house. I ask for one man with a good eye and a straight shot, If you sit in one of the rooms upstairs with enough shots and rifles to take them out as soon as they come through the arch" I look over to Edward "The plan will work"

"You're right, it's just what if they decide to sit in the bay and shoot from the ship. There is no way you can fight them when they are using cannons, especially if I have the Charlotte. What about that tactic?" all eyes fall on me again, I rack my brain to try and come up with an idea that could work.

"We could get a large gunship like we did for Nassau, dress it up as a trade ship. If and only if that happened we could attack them back. Although I doubt they will, they probably want to reclaim the island back for themselves"

"It is a fine plan, all of our resources are yours to use" I nod as a thanks to Ah Tabai, out the corner of my eye I spot that Edward still isn't comfortable with my plan and is trying to pick faults.

"I'll show you to where we thought you might set up camp, Anne why don't you go open up the tavern and make it half price drinks for the crew" she nods as if understanding my plan

I lead Ah Tabai and the assassins to the jungle and show them where we thought they might rebuild their huts "As you can see its not far off what you are used to, you have permission to do with it what you want and if you need anything that we can get you just let us know" with a nod they move into the trees until they are out of my line of vision.

Slowly I head back to the manor, to where I know Edward will try and put off leaving. It's so weird how it started as his plan until he saw the holes and flaws in it all. Of course, there is still the possibility that they leave to kill Torres and they never get the chance to attack Inagua, but I highly doubt it.

As I guessed Charlotte is in bed and Edward sits waiting for me, raising my eyebrow I dare him to tell me I won't be able to stay safe.

"If you won't let me stay here to keep you safe, I won't leave till the beginning of next year. That's my only offer" it's his turn to raise an eyebrow now.

"I suppose that'll be fine, need to have our traditional new years eve don't we" with a wink I leave him and head upstairs, his footsteps telling me I won't be on my own for long.

Sorry this took so long, I stupidly started another fic at the weekend and so only just finished this chapter. but in an attempt to apologise Chapter 10 shall also be uploaded today or tomorrow :D thank you so so so so so so so much for reviewing, favouriting and following this story :D I love you all! x