Hanzo was still in disbelief that Jean actually....died. He was hovering over the headstone, arms crossed, glaring holes into the tombstone. Still pretty much incapable of feeling sadness and it's superlatives, his facial expression was pretty much unreadable and cold.

``Nah, he isn't dead. He's too headstrong to die now, maybe he's just missing....unless...they have his body here.`` Yep, pretty much skeptical about his death.

Kneeling in front of the headstone Des took the grass clippers she had brought with her and trimmed all around it making sure that her beloved French Pirate's grave site stayed looking neat and tidy. She pulled every green thing that looked like it could possibly be a weed trying to besmirch the sanctity of where her husband's stone sat.

Critically she sat back on her heels and surveyed her handiwork before placing the single crimson rose she had also brought with her at the foot of the beautiful gift his surviving crew had placed there. "Well a lot has happened in the few days since I got the news my Beloved French Pirate."

Tears began to fall as she looked at the writing on the stone and began speaking with him as though he were there with her. "I've been taking your advice and getting on with living. It is hard sometimes but I'm doing it. You and I didn't have that much time together on this here earth which I guess is both a blessing and a curse in this here situation. Wishing we had had more time together ain't gonna get me no where but crying even more and probably back to drinking myself skunk drunk which would mean Gav would be having to carry me back out of the Inn again."

The cowgirl sniffed and tugged the bottom of her t-shirt free to wipe her face which immediately was covered again with fresh tear tracks as she continued to speak quietly. "You'd be proud of me though cause I ain't letting nobody see how much I'm hurting except Tass and Gav. Ain't nobody would want to be around somebody who was crying and moping around and all sad all the time and I know this so I ain't being that way in front of people. I got my jobs to think of and people to please when I am working and I need my jobs so that I can make money to go shopping."

"Gav helped me and I went through all of your things and gave them to the RhyDin orphanage except for that one shirt of yours that I was sleeping in and your Elven sword that I bought you. I'm keeping those two things so that I'll always have something of yours with me. I ain't giving up my rings either. I put them safely away in my jewelry box."

"I better be going now. I got your place here looking real nice again. I still love you." Des hopped to her feet and swiped at her face again then turned and ran from the Cemetery as fast as she could. She was making a beeline straight for where she knew Gav was as she needed comfort and badly.

Gavilean Starfare saw Des in the cemetery and approached her as she was going back to the grave site with the single crimson rose in her hand. He didn't want to surprise her, so he came into her sight as she knelt there with the rose. He had a faint smile on his face, acknowledging that these times are not easy for her. "May I join you?" he asked Des.

The clippers were set down and she wiped her hands on her jeans then held one out to him in invitation as she tilted her head to the side and smiled up to him with a nod. "Sure Babe."

He sat down next to her on the grass and put his arm around her. "I just wanted to talk to Jean. The three of us haven't talked together for a while." He looked into her navy blues with an understanding smile, "Is that okay with you, darlin'?"

She shifted slightly to make herself more comfortable in the circle of his arm then glanced to the headstone before looking back to him with a faint sheen of tears in her eyes before nodding again to him. "I think Jean would really like that Babe."

"I think so too." He looked at the gravestone, a sadness was apparent upon his face. "Good to be with you again, Jean. It's been some time since the three of us have been together. I miss those days. I have to say, Jean, you are greatly missed in this town. I think you'd be surprised at how many friends you have here who really miss you. Isn't that right, Des?"

She smiled and nodded rapidly. "Gav is right. A whole lot of people here have said how much they really liked you and that you are missed."

He took a deep breath, "Anyway, Jean, I just wanted to thank you for that last note you wrote. It's made things easier for Des and me, and I know how hard that must have been for you, knowing your love for Des." He paused for a bit, "I just wanted to you know, Jean, that I'm taking good care of your lady. I'll always do that, Jean, because, you see, we're going to be married. I can see why you loved her so much. I love her too, Jean. I know I'll never replace you in her life, but her heart is big enough to have me there too."

Tears began to fall in earnest now. She couldn't believe what she was hearing; that he would understand so very well that she had loved her French Pirate deeply and he would always hold a place in her heart, but she loved Gav just as deeply and always had since the moment she laid eyes on him years ago. It was fate that had taken one and brought the other back into her life she laid her head on Gav's shoulder as she listened to him talking to Jean.

His arm held Des tighter to himself and he brushed a tear from her cheek with a gentle move of his thumb. "I'm not sure what else to say, Jean. The apartment you found is still being used and we're keeping it up really nice. We always think of you when we're sitting out on that balcony. We know you're there with us, Jean."

He stopped and sighed. "Well, I guess I've said all I wanted to say for now. Don't you worry about Des, Jean. I love her more than life and there's nothing that I wouldn't do for her." He looked at Des and kissed her cheek. "I guess we'll be going now, Jean. We'll be back soon; and of course, know that you're always with us." He looked down and wiped a moist eye.

She half-turned and brushed at his cheeks tenderly with her fingers then smiling softly leaned forward and kissed him lovingly before kissing the fingers of one hand and placing them to the cold marble of the headstone. "We miss ya Jean and like Gav said we'll come back and see ya real soon." She turned back to her fianc" with a loving smile and sought his gaze with her own. "Let's go home Babe."

He smiled and nodded in agreement. "I'd like to do one thing first. If there's one thing the elfin are good at, it's our relationship with nature."

He laid his hands on the grass around the grave stone and sung a spell of earth and soil and living things. When he was finished he looked at Des and smiled. "Our Jean is going to have the best looking grave site anywhere, my love." He gave her a wink, then stood and helped her to her feet.

"Babe!" Des smiled radiantly as she effortlessly hopped to her feet with the aid of his hand and looked at the ground around the headstone then bent and picked up the grass clippers only to hurl them as far as she physically could away from them. "I hate cutting grass with them things and I hate weeds. I wish I'd thought to ask you to fix this days ago." She wrapped her arms around his middle in a tight hug of sheer joy to be rid of this chore. Now she could come and just visit.

He laughed at his fianc?e's enthusiasm and the way she tossed those clippers. He could not love this woman more, yet he knew that come tomorrow and the next day and the day after that forever and ever, his love for her would continue to grow. He walked her out of the cemetery, whispering things that were just meant for these two young lovers.

Destre sat cross-legged right in front of the stone with one hand resting on the cold marble and tears running down her cheeks as she quietly spoke. "I haven't forgotten you, Jean. I'll never, ever forget you. I promised you that I wouldn't and I keep my promises. No matter what. We are planning our wedding now. It is going to be a real fancy affair not private like ours was."

She ran her fingers lightly over the letters of his name, tracing each one, and tilted her head to the side as she went on telling him the latest news she had. "We are having a State Wedding in the tradition of Westridge just like all his ancestors have had. The Council have come to town and are now helping us make the arrangements. Kyndra, you didn't get to meet her, she is gonna be my Maid of Honor and Tass is gonna be Gav's Best Man I think."

"Our colors are gonna be Red, Black, and Gold cause them is the colors of Westridge but you know how much I like blue so I'm getting Art to make me some really pretty blue roses like he made one of the other night in the Inn so that I can have some of them too for it." The tears were falling faster now and she jumped to her feet. She hadn't thought it would hurt to tell him about her upcoming wedding but she was hurting inside so badly that she could barely breathe.

Glancing to her left then her right in sheer panic she covered her mouth with one hand to hold in the scream then wild eyed looked at the headstone before spinning on her heel and taking off at a dead run as though all the demons of hell were chasing her.

The cowgirl, bar tender, was sitting facing the headstone with a smile on her face as she spoke animatedly with her Beloved French Pirate. Navy blue eyes were sparkling and her hands were gesturing in her excitement.

So now the apartment is full of these here invitations and I have already sent a bunch of messengers out but I still got a whole lot more to send out. It is looking like I may be having to keep sending them out on different days because I keep messing up the lists.

I don't know what it is about these here wedding invite lists but I just can not seem to keep "em straight! We have got all kinds of people that have to be invited. I am worried that The Great Hall won't be holding all of "em but if it don't I guess they can be peeking in the windows or maybe them that can use magic can hover in the air instead of sitting down. I don't know what the answer is to tell ya the truth.

You would be real proud of Gav. He ain't hollered at me one time yet. He just keeps on reading the lists over and over and scratching out this here name and adding other names when I forget them. I got me 5 lists now just for the invites. I had to get all the dueling places, the state people, and the Inn people and then there is the list of them that I already sent out.

It is really turning into quite a mess if I do say so myself and if I am saying it then ya know it must be very much a mess. I am just sure that somewhere I am gonna forget someone and it is gonna end up being one of them fancy pants state people from one of them there other countries and there is gonna be a war or something end up coming out of this here wedding.

I wonder though if they could declare a war just for getting left out of a wedding. That just don't make sense to me but from what this here Miss Partinger has told me they could see it as some huge slight and see their way clear to do it. Now that would seem to me to be pretty snake low down sneaky and not a pretty sight. So I am being as careful as I can and keeping all these lists that just seem to keep growing into more lists.

Kali Kat is -not- helping as she got hold of the Inn list and shredded it so we had to start all over with it from the very beginning and they are running way behind on getting their invites. I swear there may be some folks that are gonna be getting invites on the very day of this here fancy state wedding! Then there will no doubt be an uproar from the women that won't have had time to go out and get themselves new dresses to wear special like for it.

Forget another country waging war with us over getting left out I am more worried about having to face a woman that didn't have time to go out and get herself a new dress! I remember how much you really liked that dress I got myself for Tara and Talomar's wedding. The look on your face when ya saw me in it was worth all the trouble I went to to get it and all the trouble that came after cause of the way I got it.

Yiks! I better get going for now. I gotta met with that dang treasurer again about the bills for the messengers that are apparently spending their time drinking to excess on the royal tab while I'm trying to get them there lists all straight. I still love you and I'll come back and see you again soon!

Des placed the single crimson rose at the base of the stone then kissed her fingers and pressed them to the stone before taking off out of the cemetery to keep her appointment.

The familiar pathway was once more taken along with her beloved shadow that moved to stand beneath the oak tree in that also familiar loving guardian post as Des moved to kneel at the foot of the chill marble stone.

She reached a hand out and traced the letters of Jean's name with a soft smile as a tear came to her eye. "Howdy Sweetheart. It has been a very long time since I last came to see ya and I'm sorry about that. I have been so very busy since I got married and all to Gav. I know ya have been watching and been with us and all so ya know that you are still with us in our thoughts and prayers."

She sat back on her heels, that smile still in place as navy blue glanced all around to make sure that his resting place was still a thing of beauty and not some dump that looked uncared for by those that remained behind and still loved him.

"It is all official now I am really a Queen and am not real sure that I like it just yet but I'm doing my best to get used to it. I accidentally broke Skyler's wrist when I tackled him for calling me that and I done tackled Cory for it too but he is used to being rough and tumble and all we got was his shoulder was sore. Thank God I didn't break nothin" on him. But I have decided after talking with Gav that I really do need to get over this thing I have about not wanting to be what I am now Sweetheart."

Her words halted as she spotted what she thought might possibly be a weed and viciously pulled it from the ground then hurled it as far away from herself as she could. The Elven magic that her husband had woven would no doubt have made it impossible for any type of weed to grow but she was taking no chances.

Des glanced toward the oak tree as she heard what distinctly sounded like male laughter coming from that direction at her actions. She blew her husband a kiss with a little chuckle of her own then turned back to the stone and her previous husband.

"I was thinking just the other day that maybe Gav and I should run off and be pirates like you was. This was after I had gotten lost in that big castle in the main city in Westridge for the fifth time. Ya don't have to worry none though cause since then we have decided to make Pine Ridge our home in Westridge instead of the big one. And we is looking at a really nice big place here in town instead of the little apartment cause we are thinking some walls might be nice to have around us and some extra rooms now that we are THE KING AND QUEEN OF WESTRIDGE."

As she said this last she raised her voice and flung a hand out wide as she pretended to all the pomp and ceremony that royalty would have then grinned as she lowered her voice and hand once more.

"Egads Sweetheart it is enough to make me wanna go fishin" I'm telling ya true! Anyhow life is going really well for us and I done quit my job at the Outback so I am only working a couple days a week now steady except for the reporter job I got for The Oracle. That one I'm there everyday but it ain't bad cause Gav works there too so we is together not apart like a regular kind of job would make us be. I gotta go for now but I will come back and see ya again don't you worry none about that!"

She kissed her fingertips and placed them on the chill marble then hopped to her feet and rushed to where her beloved waited for her. Smiling she went up on tip toes to give him a gentle kiss and tight hug then placed her hand in his and left the cemetery with him.

As usual, Gavilean waited by the large tree at the entrance to the cemetery. He knew that Des needed time alone with Jean and he honored that. She had loved the pirate deeply and he was a good man.

Gav watched Des on and off, not to spy but to know when to approach her should she need him. He glanced up and saw her lean against the gravestone with tears flowing down her cheeks. He knew it was time he went to her. Silently, as only the elves can do, he walked up to her, letting her see him when he was still several yards away. Without saying a thing he knelt down beside her and laid his hand on her back, rubbing her back slowly.

Des shifted her lean from the cold of the grave marker to her husband's side as he came to offer his support just when she needed him the most like he always did - the constant in her life, her partner in everything, sorrow as well as joy. She never had to ask yet he freely offered which only had her love for him growing that much deeper and encompassing that much more of her heart and soul. "See, Jean. Gav is here with me tonight. He always comes just like I said he did. He just gives us privacy to talk is all "cause he respects that. But I'm needing him right now and he is always there for me. So anyway, I was mostly checking in with ya. I don't know if Gav wants to talk with ya or not tonight." She rubbed her cheek against her husband's shoulder as she quieted in case he did want to say something. Gavilean just held Des tightly, his lips against her forehead. He waited a few moments before he spoke. "Good eve", you ol' pirate," he said softly. "I don't know if Des has told you, but we're going to be having a child. Can you believe that' We're so excited, Jean." He gave Des an extra squeeze, "And Des has me doing things I never thoughts I'd do - like be a reporter for the paper and hosting at the inn. We are so in love, Jean, and I don't want you to worry about Des. I'm taking really good care of her."

His hand moved up and down Des' back. "Oh! One more thing, Jean. We've moved out of that apartment. It wasn't that we didn't like that apartment that you selected. We did. It's just that we felt we needed more room and privacy and we got ourselves a really nice place." He turned his head and kissed Des' forehead.

The tone of his voice when he spoke about all the things that they were doing together and their new home was one of true excitement and happiness. She could feel it in him and it lifted her spirits along with bringing a little smile curving into place. Tears stopped flowing and those on her cheeks were wiped off onto her beloved husband's shirt as so many before them had been. A shuddering sigh escaped, then was replaced by that smile.

"Ya would really like this here new place. It is right by the water too and we still have a balcony were we sit and drink wine coolers; or we did before I got pregnant. Now I am drinking juice and tea and stuff, and Gav is not allowed to bring any food into the room in the mornings on pain of death." He smiled at Des' mention of breakfast in their room. "Des is right. We're right by the water. You'd like it Jean. We can watch the ships coming into the bay right from our balcony. We wish you could be here with us. You're here in our hearts, but we've love it if you were here person. We always keep you in our hearts."

Des' voice was quiet when she spoke. "Yup, we always keep you in our hearts."

Gavilean looked around and noticed other graves, but none as nice as Jean's. "We need to be going, Jean, but I just want to let you know that Des has your place here looking the best."

"Gav helped me with that, Jean, but yup I am making sure that your place stays very nice for ya. I'll come back again don't ya worry about that Jean. We do need to be goin' now." She took a deep breath and kissed the tips of the fingers on one hand then placed them on the stone. Gav placed his hand on the stone as he would have placed it on Jean's shoulder had he been present. He stood and offered his hand to Des. "Ready, my love? If you need more time, you can have as much as you like."

She smiled as she rose to her feet and placed her hand in her beloved husband's. "Nope I'm ready Babe. Jean is all caught up on the news for now."

He nodded and smiled. "See you soon, Jean. You take care."

He turned and squeezed Des' hand gently and they walked home.

It had been several weeks since Gav had last followed Des to the cemetery, and he was sensitive to the need that she had to pay Jean de La Fontaine a visit. He also realized how hard his time away from her had been on her. Jean was supposed to only be gone for two weeks, and he never returned. They had not been married long.

Already Gav and Des were married longer than Des had been married to Jean, and to lose a husband so quickly and still in the honeymoon time of their lives, must have been devastating. So Gav met Des as she came down the stairs. He had a little basket with him. "Des, my love. I was thinking. Would you like to go see Jean today' It's been a while and I thought this would be a good day to say hello."

Des blinked as she reached the bottom of the stairs and heard her beloved husband's words. A wave of love washed over her and crashed through her the likes of which she couldn't remember ever feeling before. Gavilean knew her so very well that it sometimes stunned her when he voiced a need she had that was so deep she hadn't seen it for herself until he mentioned it.

A loving smile curved into place that lit up the navy blue as she flung herself toward him to give him a huge hug and kiss. "I would love to go and see Jean Babe What have ya got in that there little basket?" She had noticed it immediately and curiosity was about to kill her.

Gavilean was so in love with his Tera. He couldn't even conceive the extent of love that now dwelled within his heart for her. In some ways it was scary, for he knew it would tear him to pieces if he ever lost her for any reason - he just could not go on without her.

He put the basket behind his back and said, "What basket?" He bit his lip not to laugh, but it was hopeless. "Okay, you've caught me." He brought the basket in front of him. "I had the cook make us a little lunch. It's not much, but it will satisfy the hunger with good things. With the change in seasons, I thought it would be nice to take a hike outside the city to enjoy the day. Besides, I just want to be with you."

She just melted inside at that. Tera loved the man she was hugging so very much that to try and live without him would be impossible which was why she had been such a mess while he had been away those few days that had felt like each was an eternity that was never going to end. "That sounds like the perfect plan to me love mine. It is a glorious day for a little walk and I do get hungry a lot these days so I'm right glad that you thought to bring along something to tide us over til time for a proper meal Babe. Shall we?" She grinned up to him while reaching for his hand, a motion that was so natural, and felt so right, that she did it without conscious thought.

He winked and took her hand in his, "You bet, darlin'." He turned to the door and his long, dark hair flew back over his shoulder as they headed to the door. It didn't take long before they were out of their mansion home and on the streets of Rhy'Din. It was several blocks to the cemetery, but they took their time and just enjoyed the time together.

Gav had to smile at how fast Des was talking. She finished an hour's conversation in two minutes, and didn't give Jean a chance to get a word in edgewise. "Hello, Jean. I do believe that Des is pretty excited about all that's going on. I'm sure you can tell. Of course, our child is the most exciting thing that either of us has ever experienced; except perhaps that Des can drink coffee again." Gav smirked and gave Des a playful nudge from his body. "Anyway, Jean, even though it's been a couple of weeks, it doesn't mean that we haven't been thinking of you."

Des gave with the nudge and chuckled quietly while nudging him back with her hip. "Yup! I can drink coffee and have some wine again now and it is all pretty safe for the little one. I was super careful in the very beginning and I'll still be very careful by not drinking too terrible much of them but I can have them again now and dang if I ain't relieved a whole bunch!"

She was smiling happily now and unlike most visits here she had even chuckled. Normally she was crying by now but not with Gavilean at her side. He was her rock, her anchor, and could always make her smile and laugh even through the darkest of times.

Gav took Des' hand and sat down on the grass that was in front of the gravestone. "We're just going to rest a while with you, Jean. Then we're going on a little picnic. You'll be with us. You always are."

Surprised but willing to do whatever her beloved husband wanted to do she sank down onto the soft grass beside Gav and made herself comfortable. "Yup we need a little rest Jean and this here is a good place for that. It is real peaceful here where ya are. They picked a good spot it looks like to me cause I don't never see anybody else when I come to visit with ya."

Gav looked at Des and then at the gravestone. "Jean, there's been rumors of grave robbers and vandalism going on here and we don't want anything like that happening to you. So if Des is willing, I'm going to ward this area so that it was always be protected."

That is when it all made perfect sense why they were sitting down here. A radiant smile appeared and she gave Gav's hand a squeeze in thanks that he had remembered those rumors floating around and was willing to do something to give her piece of mind yet again about Jean's gravesite.

He never failed to see to each and every need she had no matter how great or how small it might seem and no matter what it pertained to. He always took care of her and for that alone she would love him with all her heart and soul let alone the thousand other things that he did every day without even knowing that he did them that showed her how much he loved her in the little ways that meant so much to her. "Amin mela lle Gav. Yes please do what ya can to protect Jean from those that would mean his place harm or ill intentions or ill will."

He reached into the basket which held more than their lunch. He took out a talisman, a strange looking object that looked like a granite egg. "This is a talisman, Des," he whispered. "It contains a very special magic that the wizard Thulin Nell provided when I was in Westridge two weeks ago. It just needs to have that magic released."

Des looked at the object and nodded with another smile. "Do I need to do anything Babe?"

"You'll need to move away from the area in front of the gravestone. Just for a while." Gav put the granite "egg" next to the gravestone.

"Okay!" She was still able to move fluidly although her tummy had a small tell-tale bulge just beginning to be visible when she wore her old clothes. She gracefully stood then stepped a goodly distance away from the stone since she wasn't certain exactly how far away she needed to be and wanted to be positive she was far enough to not interfere in the warding of the site. "I think I'm far enough away now Babe."

A Late-Nite Visit Following a Wedding

The moment Gavilean and Tera had left the gangplank after Captain James and Wyheree Black were married, Des" smile dropped, and the light lean against her beloved husband was no longer light. Des burrowed against Gav's side while the arm around him tightened and her other hand came around to rest on his stomach as her head ducked to hide the tears that she wouldn't let be seen by any other. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke, "The cemetery."

As soon as she had said those words, "The cemetery", Gavilean understood. He also cursed himself for being so dense and inconsiderate. Why hadn't he thought of this earlier" They were on a pirate ship and for the entire ceremony his Des had to look upon the face of a pirate captain as he was reciting vows and getting married. The last time she had experienced that was when she heard the vows of her Captain Jean de La Fontaine.

Gav winced and was angry with himself that he had allowed himself to get so caught up in the celebration that he completely forgot about Captain Fontaine and Des. And there he was, on the ship and yelling out "Pirate."

Gavilean held his dear wife tightly and whispered, "Of course, my love." He paused a moment and added, "And I'm so sorry."

As they turned toward the cemetery in a seamless motion their arms still around each other as she took comfort from his strength and immediate understanding as always Des tenderly stroked the man she loved with all her heart's cheek.

"Shhhhh no sorries from those lips. Tonight was for Wyh and James. I just need to go and say hello. We haven't been in a very long time and I need to make sure he knows we haven't forgotten him."

It really had been difficult but well worth it to see their friends so very happy tonight. She rubbed her cheek against his upper arm to clear her vision of the tears before they could fall.

Gavilean's heart was breaking for Des, the woman he loved more than life itself and whom he'd give his life a thousand times for. She was always thinking of others. It had indeed been a very long time since they had visited the cemetery. The last time they sat there it was still summer. Now it was nearing winter and it was night and it would be cold at the cemetery. Leaves had fallen and the trees were bare.

"It's been too long, my love. I should have thought of this sooner. We've been busy but that's no excuse." They walked through the streets and made their way to the gate of the cemetery.

Her voice was very soft when she spoke in the quiet of the graveyard. "I feel badly that we haven't come, Babe. I promised I wouldn't ever forget but our life....I'm so happy...."

Their steps along the paths they traveled were hushed beneath the night sky. She didn't glance around as she usually did when she passed this way for tonight her attention was completely on the man at her side and the headstone they were approaching.

Gavilean's elfin senses were tuned in to any danger that might be in the vicinity of the cemetery, but nothing could be sensed that was close to where they were. "I'm happy too, my love, and I'm sure Jean understands, especially since we have the baby on the way." He led her to the grave site and when she sat down, he sat behind her, and his arms went around her.

Des sank down onto the ground in front of her beloved husband and leaned back against his broad chest as his arms went around her over her growing tummy. She crossed her legs and her arms then rested her arms over his at her waist as her gaze moved over the beautiful headstone Jean's surviving crew members had bought for him.

Her thoughts traveled back in time to the first night she had met the French Pirate and a watery smile appeared that left tracks of moisture on her cheeks. "Love mine I do believe that all Pirates are alike."

Des turned to the gravestone, "Howdy Jean. I'm sorry that we haven't been here for awhile. Life has been crazy busy for us. Wyh got to marry her Pirate love tonight and everything is going very well for Gav and I. Actually things couldn't be going better. The little one will be here in a few more weeks and we are gonna start trying to pick a name. No one is trying to kill either of us lately. Well there was that one guy that broke both my arms but he don't count cause Gav healed me up real good right afterwards and then chopped off his head. The wedding business is going great and I'm doing real good at being diplomatic. I ain't stabbed or tackled anyone in months now. Oh! And I ain't cussed nobody neither." She paused to take a breath and wipe her cheeks and eyes with the back of her hand.

Gavilean held her close, keeping her warm as he listened. His chin was on her shoulder and his long, dark, soft hair was against the side of her head. As she spoke he remembered all the things that they had been through since being here.

Wyh did indeed have her pirate and Gav was so very glad that James was not French...or even close to French. He had grin at how Des spoke of not stabbing, tackling, or cussing anyone. Gav kissed her tear-wetted cheek and stayed silent so that Des could say all she needed to.

She nuzzled her cheek against her beloved husband's as she went quiet and just looked at the stone and the lettering on it then whispered to Gav. "He was so young and full of life Babe. Seeing all the Pirates tonight reminded me of that. How carefree and happy they all are. That live for the moment attitude they have. Rowdy and fun loving. He was like that you remember?"

He nodded against her cheek and spoke softly. "I remember. He had no fear and was so full of hope for the future. I was honored to have known him, baby. He was a very special man." He looked to the stone. "You hear that, Jean. You had to be special, because you won Des' heart before I even knew her. Only a very special man could do that, my friend."

Des ducked her head, after kissing his lips tenderly, to hide the blush stealing across her cheeks. The hands resting atop the arms crossed over their little one gave a loving squeeze. She continued in that hushed whisper that seemed appropriate for their midnight visit. "I love you so much Gav. Thank ya for lovin' me and most of all for understandin' me like ya do. I'm ready to go home now when you are love mine."

He nodded and kissed her again, then looked to the gravestone and spoke softly. "It was good being here with you, Jean. I'm taking good care of Des and we're really happy, so don't you worry about a thing." He stood up behind Des and helped her to her feet.

Gavilean's wife smiled softly up to him and placed her hand in his larger one to help pull herself to her feet. She was gaining weight and the assistance was appreciated more than usual to get from sitting on the ground to an upright position.

"Thank ya Babe. Jean we'll see ya again some time but it might be a while again but don't worry cause we won't forget ya." She turned away from the stone feeling a sense almost as though putting another piece of her past behind her as she tilted her head to the side and smiled again to Gav.

The King of Westridge kissed his queen's wonderful lips and took her by the hand. He led her to their home and would spend the night attending to her and showing her all his love.

The captain of The Lady Venture took a moment while in port to wander to the cemetery to pay respects to an old friend.

The gravestone was partially covered in golden brown lichen that seemed to glow just slightly in the hot, noon-day sun. The name inscribed was still clearly visible: JEAN DE LA FONTAINE.

"Hello, my old friend. We had some fine times, no?" His French accent had not faded at all. "I hope you now terrorize the waves of the heavens with your pirate adventures." A soft smile of past times remembered creased his lips just slightly. "Rest well, my friend...rest well."

Philippe crossed himself and paused just a moment more before turning to depart. He breathed in deeply of the humid air. . . and felt at peace.