Disclaimer: I own no part of Pirates of the Caribbean. Original characters and plots are owned by me.

Chapter 26

A Compass That Doesn't Point North

Pieces of the Berwick's broken timbers were strewn everywhere along the shore, and the sight turned my bones to jelly. We were left with only the supplies we had taken on the previous day, which now seemed a pitifully small cargo. A sense of unreality took hold of me to think that there would be no escape for us. The food would run out, no rescue would come, and we would die here, on this tiny speck of land in an ocean of endless solitude.

Instinctively, I reached for Hector's hand. He glanced at me with an air of resolute assurance. "'Tis of small account to us," he rasped, with an impatient wave of his hand. "We'll be sighted and rescued soon enough."

It seemed just as likely to me that a faery boat would descend from the moon and pluck us off the island, but I forbore to argue. He stole another look at me, a challenging glint in his blue eyes. Clearly, he expected me to show the same stony determination that he possessed, and how could I refuse him? What would I gain by giving in to despair?

I stiffened my spine and resolved to follow my captain. "Well, let her go then," I said with far more conviction than I felt. "At least we've less to carry up the hill."

He grunted his approval, and led me back along the beach to the stream where we had quenched our thirst the day before. Tracing its course through the jungle, we made our way up a gentle slope to a large outcropping that overlooked the ocean on all sides. Just below it, we found the source of the stream, a pool fed by a small waterfall.

All in all, it was a lovely spot, with fresh water and more than enough room for our tent and provisions. A picturesque place for us to die.

- o -

By afternoon, we had set up our sleeping quarters and begun to carry up our victuals. After the third trip, Hector became unusually solicitous and ordered me to stop, on the grounds that too much work would somehow have an ill effect on me.

"Yer t' keep a lookout fer ships," he declared, handing me his spyglass. "Captain's orders."

I watched him stride off down the hill, then raised the glass to my eye. Turning slowly round, I studied the horizon. There was no trace of land in any direction, nor did I spy the mast of a single ship.

Where was this place? I had read enough of buccaneers' adventures to know that the oceans of the world were vast-beyond imagining, beyond the puny reach of man. Perhaps no one since the dawn of time had ever set foot upon this shore.

Even a glimpse of the Santiago would have been welcome. But the storm had swept away Ponce de Leon's ship, just as Maroto promised. It was luck alone that had brought the Berwick to us, but where was the Santiago? I only knew it wasn't here.

Fear snapped at my heels-a hungry cur ready to bring me down if my spirits faltered. I squinted through the lens again.

Nothing...nothing...nothing.

I lowered the spyglass, holding it loosely as I stood ruminating. Even Hector's returning footsteps failed to draw my attention, but suddenly he was there, pressing his hand over mine, reading the dismay in my face.

He brushed his fingers lightly over my hair. "No wonder ye be in low spirits," he remarked. "Look at the state yer in. But I know how t' set things right."

He brought me down to the pool at the foot of the small cataract and stood behind me with his hands on my shoulders. "Try the water," he purred in my ear. "'Twill soothe ye, an' I know yer mad fer bathin'."

I smiled in spite of myself, knowing how foolish he found my notions of hygiene. "Someday you'll see the advantage in it," I replied.

"Is that so?" he asked absently, massaging my shoulders.

Then, catching my hair with his long fingers, he softly raked the tangled strands away from my neck. He kissed the top of my shoulder, breathing in my scent, taking his time. I closed my eyes. His wiry whiskers tickled my skin deliciously as his heavy, generous kisses moved steadily up the side of my neck to my earlobe.

"Pretty tresses," he growled.

"That was the first compliment you ever paid me," I murmured. Clad only in the thin fabric of the saidi dress, I felt vulnerable and curiously light-headed. He slid his arms about my waist and I savoured the tide of desire rising within me.

He turned me to face him and my heart leapt as our eyes met.

"When that weasel Norrington went sniffin' round yer skirts, I held me tongue," he said. "And I stood by while ye danced near naked fer the Spaniard. But that's over an' done with. Now there's no call t' please anyone but ourselves." He kissed my mouth urgently, possessively. "Off with yer clothes, missus. I like ye best without 'em."

I gathered the hem of the saidi dress and began to lift it over my head. He let his fingers play lightly over my skin, tracing feathery patterns all round my waist and thighs. "'Tis pleasin' to be here alone with ye."

He helped me throw off the dress, then drew his hands across my skin once more. "Go on then." His voice was husky with anticipation. "Let me see ye bathe."

I lowered myself into the rocky pool, which was nearly shoulder deep. The water, heated by the sun to near perfection, invited and refreshed me, washing away the salt and sandy grit that had collected on my skin and hair. I let the water support me, luxuriating in a peacefulness that drove away all tension.

Hector stood at the edge of the pool, arms crossed, and watched from under his heavy eyelids. His features were impassive, but I knew that this was his customary expression when his deepest sensuality was most strongly engaged. His eyes surveyed every inch of me, taking me in from head to toe and back again.

I gave him a teasing smile. "Are you so opposed to bathing that you won't join me? You might enjoy it..."

Without a word, he shed his coat, sword, pistol and boots. Arranging these items neatly, he set his hat atop the pile and removed the rest of his clothes. Then he faced me, wearing naught but a wolfish grin.

"I see ye ain't lookin' me in the eye," he said, wading into the pool.

I floated on my back, laughing. "Oh dear... you've caught me out!"

I swam away from him, but he disappeared below the water at once. As I reached the other side of the pool, his strong hand gripped my ankle and he surfaced. "Got ye! Strike yer colours an' surrender!"

"Never!" I cried, but couldn't supress my merriment.

"Laughin', are ye? I'll teach ye!" He let go my ankle and began to stroke and tickle me, his long nails producing an exquisite tingle in every sensitive area. "Surrender!" he demanded, as I shrieked with laughter.

"No!" I tried to slap his hands but he was far too quick for me.

"Call fer quarters!" More skirmishes. Now we were both laughing.

"I won't!"

I tried to parry his movements, and even retaliated with a few daring attacks of my own, but his strength and long reach conquered me. He seized my wrists with one hand and made the most of my undefended ribs with the other.

"Parley!" I gasped through spasms of giggles. "Parley! You're supposed to stop!"

He stopped, but kept hold of my wrist and drew me close. We kissed, still laughing and slightly out of breath. After a moment, he said: "Parley is it? Well, what d' ye want'?"

"I want to know why you're so confident we'll be rescued."

He looked genuinely amused. "Do ye now? Well, I'm disinclined t' tell ye. If ye want to know, figure it out!" He regarded me expectantly.

I offered up the only thing I could think of. "Our friends are searching for us even as I speak?"

His reply was rough and jovial. "Our friends be in Tortuga by now, an' likely not sober enough t' recall our names."

I frowned, then saw another possibility. "Have you an accord with Tia Dalma?"

He answered with a snort of laughter. "Nay. Our cares be none o' Calypso's concern."

I was silent for a few moments before inspiration struck again. "Then it must be Jack! You must have asked him to search for us before he weighed anchor!"

The curve in one corner of his mouth became an outright smirk. "Ye think I'd ask that feckless brother o' yers to rescue me-me-that he'd shoot dead in a trice? Don't ye know he's obsessed with findin' the Fountain?"

When he put it that way, I could see the justice of his view. Even Jack's brotherly affection for me wouldn't make a difference. He would play the odds as he always did: find the Fountain first, then look for me afterwards. And depend on everything coming right in the end.

"Well, perhaps..." But as I gazed at his torso, with the water lapping round his ribs, his nearness distracted me and provoked my passions. I stepped towards him so that our bodies touched.

He tipped up my chin with his fingers. "Trust yer man, sweetheart. I might know me own business better 'n ye think."

Then he pressed his mouth against mine in a sensual, lingering kiss. I surrendered to my craving for him, softening my lips until he thrust the point of his tongue into my mouth. I threw my arms about his neck, and felt my veins flush hot with longing.

His strong, bony arms encircled me and he hoisted me up so that I could wrap my legs round his middle. A powerful thrill of heat ran through me, making my loins quiver as I realised how fully aroused he was. "Hector," I gasped as I nuzzled his ear, "I need you so much..."

Holding me fast against his chest, he carried me through the pool towards the bright cataract of water. In a moment we had passed through the waterfall to a mossy bank behind it. We lay down and he began to run his hands over me in a gentle, leisurely fashion, warming my skin. After each caress, he bestowed a light kiss wherever his hand had strayed.

"Yer just a sweet little morsel, ain't ye?" he whispered, making my heart pound with excitement, "an' I mean t' pin ye down an' gobble ye up..."

I sighed and pressed close, trailing my fingers across his handsome flanks as slow waves of desire rolled through my belly. Gradually his caresses became more intimate and, despite our efforts to prolong these pleasures, our ardour soon reached a pitch that was uncontrollable. Hector rolled me onto my back, and I clutched his shoulders, digging in with all my strength as he possessed me. The rushing sounds of the water tumbling about us muted Hector's groans and my exclamations of joy as our passions found their release.

When all was calm once more, we lay entwined in a quiet glow of perfect tranquillity. I rested one hand softly upon his chest. "Why must this feeling ever fade?" I sighed. "I always wish it could go on forever."

Hector chuckled. "'Tis Nature, sweetheart. I suggest ye take it up with her."

We made our way slowly back to our discarded clothes, and Hector took a linen sheet from our bed so we might dry ourselves before we dressed. Then he spread it on the ground, and we sat side by side, drinking rum and watching the late afternoon turn to twilight.

When the sun was just above the horizon, its rays lit the tops of the waves near shore in such a manner that the water glowed the colour of molten gold. I leaned against Hector's shoulder and pointed out the golden waves. "I do believe," I said, "if it were all real gold, it still wouldn't be worth what we have -even if we die here."

Squinting at the horizon, he shook his head. "I told ye we ain't dyin' here, missus."

"Our provisions won't last long."

"We have all we need," he said, gripping his pistol. "Our weapons be the most important thing."

"Our weapons?" I raised my brows. "It's true I challenged you to a duel when we first met, but I rather hoped we were past that. So, who are you intending to fight?"

He gave me an impish look. "Who says I intend t' fight?"

As I stood up to begin preparing supper, he administered a playful slap on my rump. He was certainly in high spirits for a man condemned to die on a deserted island. Either the rum was affecting him strongly, or he had something up his sleeve.

But what?

- o -

At supper, Hector was as expansive and voluble as he had been during our first dinners on the Pearl. "Compliments on yer cookin'," he said. "Fer a gentleman's daughter-or...niece, I suppose-ye furnish a fine dinner."

"Thank you, my heart," I said. "I learnt cooking when Captain Harry took me on his travels. We were often thrown on our own resources. I've been to Persia and to Russia – I've even crossed the Caucasus in a caravan once..." But my voice trailed off. I gazed, unseeing, at my plate. A lifetime ago, a world away. So much travel, only to be cornered in the end, trapped on such a tiny bit of land.

Hector looked at me sharply. "What ails ye?"

"I-I miss the motion of a ship at sea." The words just popped out of my mouth-a mere pretext for my low spirits, but also quite true. The rise and fall of the ocean's swell had become more natural to me than land. The sea calmed me, cradled me, and rocked me to sleep each night, and I slept fretfully when I was deprived of it.

Hector grunted. "Ye'll have it back soon enough." He took a swig of rum. "When we're in Tortuga again, I'll pick up a new ship an' ye'll stay with me - at least until after yer confinement. Then we'll find ye grander quarters than the Minories fer those visits t' London."

This last part was not at all to my liking, but I proceeded cautiously. "You're a generous man," I said, "but a good residence in London costs a fortune. And really, is it wise to be so...conspicuous, given my position?"

"'Tis so ye can bring our lad to court, show him round, an' not be ashamed o' yer lodgin's," he explained. "He'll meet the best class o' people there an' be a great man someday."

I hardly knew what to say. It might offer advantages, although even that was debatable, but the court was far more dangerous than Hector thought. Despite his low opinion of courtiers, he secretly idolised the court's pomp and influence. He had never been close enough to witness the wreck it made of so many decent people's lives, and if I criticised it, he would only dig in his heels.

I sat silently for a few minutes before I remembered Mr Defoe.

"You know," I began, "if I'm ordered to go to a dangerous place, then go I must. Even if you're off on a venture. I would need to leave the child with someone I trust. My neighbour in the Minories, Mr Singleton-although he's actually Daniel Defoe-"

"Is that what he says?" Hector scowled. "Then he's a liar and a scoundrel! Everyone knows Defoe be dead."

I raised my chin. "I beg to differ. He isn't dead-he's hiding! Defoe owes everyone money and his former employer, King George, will do nothing for him. That's life at court for you!"

I could tell by Hector's expression that this was news to him. He hesitated a moment, then said gruffly: "Why should the king help him?"

"Defoe served him loyally. He fought, wrote, observed, reported, argued on the king's behalf. Never refused a request. But now he's old and not so useful, so..."

Hector narrowed his eyes. "What yer sayin' is, he let King George pipe the tune he danced to. 'Twas a mistake. Ye must be master of yer own fate t' survive in this world." He downed the last of the rum and added: "I'll teach me son how t' deal with kings. He'll not end up like Defoe."

Pressing my lips together, I exhaled slowly. I was in dire need of a few moments alone. "I'll just take these off," I said, snatching up the bowl of scraps from our dinner.

Scraps of food were always discarded far from our camp, lest they draw scavengers. I took the bowl down to the shore and flung its contents into the sea. Then I stared at the sky and wandered along the water's edge, enjoying my solitude.

How exactly like Hector, making grandiose plans for a future we would never see! Yet according to him, we would be rescued. I frowned. He knew something-that was certain-but it suited him not to tell me. I was marooned with the most exasperating man on earth!

And what was more...

I stopped in my tracks.

Why had he said our weapons were "all we need"? Was there a clue in his words? I counted back the days. Hector hadn't used his cutlass since our escape from the Medusa, and I couldn't recall the last time he had shot anyone. There was no sense to any of it. Perhaps the heat of the sun had affected him. My shoulders sagged, and I trudged wearily back to our tent.

Hector was already deep in slumber, and I sat by the fire for a little while, watching his face as he slept. There was weariness in his features, which made him look careworn rather than fierce, and I resisted the impulse to smooth away the lines on his brow lest I disturb him.

Such an enigmatic man. Who could imagine the long, hard life he had endured, or guess what secrets were hidden in that quick mind of his? I accepted him, and loved him, but would I ever completely know him?

I undressed silently, crept between the sheets, and nestled close to him. Without waking, he rolled onto his side, and I made my arm a pillow for his head, enfolding him with tender thoughts. Dream. Lie in my arms and dream all night. I'll protect you.

- o -

Just after the sun rose, a familiar screech startled me awake. My eyes flew open, but at first I feared to move, lest this sound, like the bark of Orion's dog, had come from a dream. But this wasn't Amsterdam and I hadn't been dreaming. I was lying next to Hector, and the screech had sounded exactly like Jack the monkey.

I peeked over the top of the bedsheet, tense but motionless, darting my eyes from side to side. There was only silence. I tried to think. If, for any mad, improbable reason, I had actually heard Jack the monkey, then he had to have been brought here. And the last place I had seen him was aboard the Pearl.

Soundlessly, I rose, dressed myself and carefully took up Hector's spyglass. I raised the glass to my eye, focused the eyepiece, and slowly turned as I peered through it, holding my breath. And then - I gasped and almost dropped the glass. Running to Hector's side, I shook his shoulder.

"She's here—she's here! How on earth did you know?" I cried. "Quick! We mustn't lose any time!"

He opened one eye and gave me a superior smile.

"The Pearl is anchored just down there!" I pointed wildly. "Be quick! If we don't attract her notice, she'll slip her cable and leave without us!"

With a lazy laugh, he pulled me down onto his chest. "What are ye doin' up and dressed so soon?" He kissed me, running his calloused palm up my thigh.

"Always the honeymoon with you two, innit?" said a familiar voice.

"Jack!"I leapt to my feet.

Captain Jack Sparrow, compass in hand, had just walked into our camp and was regarding us with a look of distaste as he swayed unsteadily.

I threw my arms about his neck as he tried to fend me off. "Thank God you're here! How long have you been looking for us?"

Jack wrinkled his forehead. "Sorry-were you missing?"

Just then, Hector's pet ran past us and sprang upon his master's chest. "Good mornin', Jack," Hector said cheerily, propping himself on one elbow. I wasn't sure whether he was addressing my brother or the monkey. "Did ye bring breakfast?"

"If you didn't know we were missing," I asked my puzzled brother, "then how did you know to use the compass to find us?"

"Ah! So that's what you thought!" He grinned as understanding dawned. "As it happens, you weren't what I was looking for, darlin', but the compass knows what I want and where I need to go to get it..."

Then, to my shock, he drew his pistol, cocked the hammer, and levelled it at my husband. "...so I'll just have it back, Hector, if it's all the same to you. Or even if it ain't, savvy?"

Hector made no move to rise or dress, but lounged naked on the bed with a look of injured innocence. "Ye can see I be at a disadvantage, Jack. Now what is it ye'll have back, exactly?"

Jack swore under his breath as he jammed his pistol back in its holster. He yanked a heavy roll of paper from under his coat, quickly unfurled it, and held it up.

I gasped. It was Sao Feng's map-but the middle circle was missing.

"Useless without it," Jack said with clenched teeth. He gave Hector a baleful, black-eyed stare and added: "I know you took it." I edged between the two pirates as Jack stowed the map and drew his pistol again.

"Well, turnabout's fair play, ain't it, Jack?" said Hector from behind me. "Seein' as ye stole it from me t' begin with." Then he quickly held up the Basilikon, strung on a cord about his neck. "Oh, an' did ye forget this, Jack?" he chuckled. "Ye can't kill me."

Jack scowled at me. "That part's your fault, y' know," he hissed. "Just had to give him the amulet, didn't you?"

"There's no need t' be killin' me, Jack," Hector said. "I've a proposition for ye: take the both of us safe back t' Tortuga, an' I'll hand over the map."

So that was why he had been so confident we would be found: he had made sure Jack would use the compass to find his precious map! I turned to Hector. "This was your plan all along, wasn't it? And you never said a word to me!"

He grinned proudly. "Ye should always plan fer things goin' wrong, m' sweet. Did ye think me such a fool as to double-cross that lyin' worm of a King's agent without a little...piratical advantage? I took the map the night we dined on the Pearl."

"See if I invite you to dinner again," said Jack. "You might have asked my help, you know."

Hector shrugged. "Would ye be here if I'd asked nice an' proper?"

Jack reflected. "Good point." I stared at Jack's pistol as he carefully released the hammer and restored the weapon to its holster. Something tugged at the back of my mind, but what?

"I knew ye'd keep the map stowed until ye were well underway," Hector was explaining. "But once ye saw there be a piece missin', ye wouldn't rest 'til ye found it. Now"-he smirked-"permission to come aboard, Captain?"

- o -

When we made port in Tortuga, I confronted Hector privately. "Now you must keep your end of the bargain and return Jack's map. You got what you wanted."

"Agreed," he smiled. "And apologies fer not tellin' ye where I hid it. I thought ye might say somethin' to him."

I sighed and shook my head. "Oh, Hector...still not sure of me?"

Before he could stop me, I seized the great pistol he always carried. Hector's eyes widened as I fished a tightly-rolled object from its iron barrel with a hairpin.

I held up the missing piece of Sao Feng's map. Hector's mouth widened into a grin. "When did ye know?"

"The day Jack found us," I said. "When I watched him put his pistol away, I suddenly remembered. You threatened to shoot Maroto, but you never fired your pistol. Never. Not once since that night at dinner-when you took the map. I could have told Jack where to find it long before we reached Tortuga. But I kept your secret."

I moved close to him and lightly combed his coppery beard with my fingernails. "Don't doubt my loyalty, my darling man. You're too powerful to want my help in any serious matter, but"-I paused -"if ever you do, be assured that you shall have it, down to my last breath, no matter who opposes us."

Kissing my fingers, he answered: "Those be the words I wanted t' hear, sweetheart. It seems we have an accord." He grinned as he gathered me into his arms.

Chapter 27 – Matthew - Yes, dear readers, there is one more chapter in this story.