Picking up her pace, the early day commoners were splintered thickly and the closer she got to the coves, the more she realized, The Pandora was still anchored where it was. No sign of the crew, not a single one of them was on deck and there was no outward sign of Jack. Standing there a long moment, the thought to simply slice through the ties and anchor ropes passed through her mind, but she wasn't even sure if he was aboard, which would make it pointless. Shoving her hands deeply into the pockets of her coat, she was soon crossing the deck and kicking the door to the cabin closed behind her. Ileen simply stared at him, there were no words. Not a single one.

He had been preparing himself the whole time that he was waiting for her, to her screaming and yelling at him. Even getting himself ready to take the onslaught of her fury. Which he hoped would catch Ileen by surprise as she knew that he wasn't the type of guy to just take something like that. Time just seemed to drag on as he waited, and the longer he waited.

The more and more he realized that leaving would be a mistake, he would never find another woman like her, that had fully embraced who he is. His way of life and the way he spoke. He lifted his head to hearing the footsteps coming up the plank, then across the deck of the ship. At first he thought it was one of the crew members, that was until the cabin door was kicked shut. He kept his back to her for a moment, before slowly turning to face her. Just staring at her for the longest moment, arms crossed over his chest. Locking eyes with her, before he lowered his gaze to the top of the desk. Trying to find the words to say, and with a deep breath taken and released.

He spoke. " I can't be leaving ye like this, because ye be to far intertwined in to me life. I be sorry for leaving that note. " He didn't look up as he waited for her anger which he was sure was whirling inside of her to come bursting out. He waited for her to snap on him, and he wouldn't blame her one bit.

Licking her lips, Ileen cast a look away from him and down to the floor, brows furrowing. While she was ensconced in anger, there was something eerily akin to calm rolling in with the tide that was her. Perhaps too well known for her outbursts of anger, there were something's that moved well beyond the common of such and this was one of those times. Ten fold.

(tbc)

Jack just stood there as she eventually slipped out of through the door, leaving him standing where he was at. He recalled those nights of dreams and hopes. Now he was faced with two choices. Allow her to walk off the ship and disappear or stop standing there and stop her. " Bloody she devil. " Muttered as he yanked the door open and stalked out of it, moving right after the red headed woman that had come into his life.

True he would always have a love for the sea, but that blasted woman had found a way to become just as much of his life as the sea. his right hand would snap out the moment he was within reach of her, aiming to whirl her around. And before she could utter a word in telling him to go. His hands came up to cup her cheeks, with him leaning down to kiss the hell out of her. Conveying all the passion and love he had for her. As well as trying to convey to her that she was his life now, and damn anything to hell that tried to take her from him. Right then and there he made a choice. That if she wasn't there to share in anything in his life, than she was more important to the sotting knave of a pirate that he is.

While his kiss was returned, absolutely and her hand dared to weave itself into his hair, she took and took again the taste of him and when the joining was broken, she murmured against his lips. "I want you to go, Jack. And if at some point, you return to me, return to us, then so be it. I've seen the look in your eye, I've watched you when you thought I was sleeping and you stared out of the window in the middle of the night. I know the thoughts that plague you. It is only in love that I give you, your freedom. Let me go, Jack. We both know deep down, what the truth is. Neither one of us has to win this one."

" I only be going if ye be coming with me. " Murmured in return to her. " I not be letting ye go to be wondering at night if something be happening to me. " Resting his brow against her own, as his hands moved to her sides. " Because that be the only way that we can be going from here. I remember the way you lit up when we be sailing together, and if that be the course that need to be taken. Then that be what we should do. "

There was a pause for a moment. " And even if I be leaving here without ye. It wouldn't be feeling right without ye there to be sharing in the spoils. "

(tbc)

The disaster of going to the Inn was something that should never have been approached, but Ileen did. For what reason, was anyone's guess. Absolutely terrified to go to the docks, she truly did not want to face her worst fear and The Pandora be gone. But she had to. There was no reasonable choice. She also had to make arrangements to hire a couple of men to help her get the Sloop moved.

Out of sorts and unable to stop moving, she had left the Inn and headed that way. Ileen really didn't even see the people as she passed, or hear the calls coming to her from ones known. They were ignored mostly and for a brief moment, she thought to go to the cemetery or even out to Neddy's, but that would be the cowardly thing to do. She would pierce her own stubbornness and push forward, which she did.

She did until she came to a dead halt not more than 100 yards from where his ship had been moored. It was gone. All that was left was the smaller vessel that was her own. Standing on several crates, Ileen peered out over the harbor and the other ships there, coming up empty handed in the search for The Pandora.

What did she expect?

She had told him it was done, it was over.

It was finished.

But that did not change the simple fact at that moment, her heart finished breaking and would go on breaking until she drew her final breath.

Roth muttered and cursed to himself as he had stayed behind, for two reasons actually. One he had decked Jack the moment he found out about what happened between the two captains. His mood had simmered lightly, before Jack asked him to deliever a letter to the wench when she was spotted. So after waiting for it to be written, Roth would head home. Spending some time with his family, before heading out to find Ileen.

(tbc)

"You shouldn't have hit him, he doesen't deserve that..." Raking a hand through her hair, Ileen nodded slowly in answer. "Aye, I do. It was the whole reason I told him to go. When I met Jack, he was this larger than life being that was so bright, Roth....he was so full of life and hypocrisy to the stigma he presented. Dear God, and how we flourished. We fought, and fought some more, always coming back together for more. So very much do I love that man, but everything has happened so fast, I refuse to take his life from him. I may as well have him hung from the gallows of my own making."

Glancing over at him, her gaze was pleading. "I know he's scared and I know that is why he left me the note this morning, because he doubt's himself as a man fit for all of this. I don't want him to ever doubt all he is....ever. I love him, with all of me."

Roth remained silent as he nodded lightly as Ileen spoke. " He loves you more than he is willing to say, and trust me on this. Many women have tried to capture his heart, but none of them could. That is until you came along. "

Placing a hand to her shoulder now. " I suggest this, as it works for the wife and me. Stay together with him, and if the sea starts calling him. Be there to see him off, and be there to greet him when he returns. " He moved to his feet now. " Because if you two keep this up. " Motioning to her parked on a crate crying, then a wave to Jack off on the sea with them both thinking of parting ways. " I'll go get the wife to smack you around. She might be small, but she's a fighter. While she's doing that. I'll be knocking Jack around. "

The only difference being, Ileen won't stay ashore. Strangely enough, Ileen actually listened to Roth and even chuckled softly to the smacking around part of them both. Coming from the crate, she nodded. "Aye, I take your words as they are meant and perhaps you are right. Anything is better than the way this feels, even though I know it could be for the best. Thank you for finding me. Why didn't you go with him?"

" Because I figured that it would take someone in the same postion to get through to you as well. " Roth crossed his arms. " While I'd prefer to be at sea, sometimes there are things that are more important. " The old crew member smiled to her. " Now head on home to the cabin, and get a good night's rest. Maybe in the morning you could stop by the house and hang out with the other wives of the crew. "

Giving his arm a squeeze, Ileen nodded. "Aye, I'll head home and work on getting the Sloop moved in the morning. I may need to take her out a mile or two. Thank you for caring about us, Roth. I know there isn't anything myself or Jack wouldn't do for you or your family. Hopefully he and I will work this out. Go home and tell your wife to keep you awhile longer..." Giving him a bit of a smile, and another nod, she headed back the way she came.

He smiled back to her. " Alright. Just let me know when you plan on doing that, and I'll help you out. " Turning to head home himself now with a laugh to hearing her. " Just be lucky that she didn't come! " Over his shoulder.

It had been a few days since Jack and The Pandora had pulled out of Rhy'Din. With the crew still being a touch restless, about what lead up to them heading out to sea again. Jack put his crew at ease, by telling them that they would return. Which got a few nods here and there as they headed out towards another uncharted island.

Jack was in his cabin as he traced the path with his finger, from Rhy'Din harbor to the uncharted island. With a glance to Jeremy who was acting as first mate due to Roth staying behind. "Ye be knowing anything about this island?" To the young man as he tapped the map.

Jeremy looked at the indicated island and nodded lightly. "From what I have heard, Captain. They call it Dead Man's Pier. Everyone that has ventured there was never seen again." The young man looked to Jack for a moment, and seen the look in the Captain's eyes. It was seen as a challenge. Jeremy shook his head, as he turned to head back.

It was a challenge, and that dare was accepted as he moved out of the cabin to retake the helm. Signaling the men to get ready, as he spun the wheel to take them towards the rumored island. While he held the redheaded Ileen on his mind. At the moment, he was focused on the here and now.

"I will do just that! It'll give us some alone time, mayhap we can work on another child to keep her busy..." Roth was blasphemy at it's finest and Ileen grinned. "Don't be saying that around Jack, it'll give him ideas..." That is, if he returned. But that was left unspoken. "I'll come around by noon or so on the morrow..."

Roth laughed to that. " Alright! " He flashed Ileen a smile before heading inside with a wave to Ileen. While the nam never had to wonder if his wife was coming home, he understood the woman reguardless. As his own wife had told him a few times when some reports came in that she worried.

Slowly the crew moved up the beach, and looked around once as they came upon the edge of a forest. Yet this one wasn't covered in tall grass, as it looked to be well kept. Rather strange for a lone island. " Be on yer guard, boys. " Murmured over his shoulder to the crew, motioning them silently to spread out. Drawing one of his swords, as he started to move forward. Something was off about this, but Jack couldn't put his finger on it at the moment.

While the men did in fact spread out, there was a large line of rustling somewhere nearby. It wasn't singular, but very plural. Each carrying it's own distinct sound and element.

"Are ya leaving Captain Ileen?" Jenny was five years of age and about as a picture could possibly get. Hair the color of the sun and eyes of blue, she was almost cherubic.

Crouching down as the child came around the side of the house, Ileen adjusted her thick coathood and gave her arms a bustle. "Aye, lass, I am. But I'll come around on the morrow." Nodding, Jenny reached out to toy with a tendril of red. "When is Unc' Jack coming? Mum and Pa say he's busy with work, but he's never that busy." Draping her arms across her own knees, Ileen looked down and away a moment, gathering herself. "He had to go on a short trip, but I promise you, as soon as he returns, he'll come straight out to see you....aye?" Not pleased, and a pout later, the little girl nodded and kissed Ileen's cheek. Now, if the bastard made Ileen break a promise, his bollocks were her's.

Jack tilted his head to the rustling sound and came to a stop, causing the rest of the crew to come to a stop. Now scanning the area, to try and find was was making the rustling sound, with the other crew member drawing either a sword. Or for others twin boarding axes as they prepared for a fight.

Johnny one of Roth's boys was just now heading home, as he fished for the family while his father was at work. He looked up and spotted Ileen with his little sister, before coming to a stop. " You didn't head out with Jack? " The young man looked to Ileen as he always seen the pair together most of the time.

The man stammered, stuttered and then promptly pissed his breek's. "I....I....err....no....well....aye, thar bae but I ain't gibben....gib....given it up lest y' promise tew take us off this blood'ay ROCK witcha when yew bae goin! Ya hear?! If y' ain't, just bae blowin' m' fool head offa mae shoulder's den!" Arms spread there on the ground, the man squeezed his eyes shut and prepared to meet his maker. "Just pull deh trigger!"

Jack narrowed his eyes for a moment, before carefully sliding the hammer forward. " Be tying him up. If he be telling the truth, he be tossed in the brig. " Waiting for two crew men to haul the male up, then leaned closer. " And if he be lying to us. We be leaving him here. " The two nodded and promptly tied the poor man to a nearby tree.

Jack then slid the flintlock into the front of his pants, before leaving one of th emen behind to watch the crazied man. " If he be trying to get away. Be shooting him! " Over his shoulder to the crew member, whom merely smirked as he looked back at the male. No one knew the male's real name, but he had a knact for taking care of certain problems.

Finally making it into the city, Ileen picked up the packages she needed to and paid for them. The woman shopkeeper was talking a mile a minute and all she could do was nod before making her way out as soon as she could.

Upon reach of the cabin, it had just turned dark and the items were tossed onto a chair unopened. They would remain that way. Starting a fire, she went into the room opposite their bedroom and started going through the items Jack had piled in there. A discarded tunic slipped over her head, it was dirty but smelled like Jack. Alone and silent, the Solicitor would have to keep for the next day. Or maybe she was just putting it off. Regardless, she fell asleep in that room and never got up to assure the front door was latched.

Yet as Ileen moved into the cabin, and blindly moved about. The front door would of been silently pulled shut, so not to wake the woman had she gone to sleep. Little did the woman know. Roth had talked to some of the crew that worked on the Sloop after they had moved it. The men respected both Ileen and Jack, and while the Captain was gone. They would carry on night watches till he returned.

Back in the island, Jack and the crew with him would carefully make their way forward. A little closer to the other now, as they moved into a clearing. Yet it held signs that this was where the ship wrecked crew lived, with a path leading to the north west. It looked well traveled as well.

In the back of her mind, Ileen was disappointed. A part of her was hoping it had been Jack lurking around. Maybe it showed along her features, perhaps not. Regardless, she nodded. "Thank you for your concern, all of you, but I'll be fine. Go on now about your day. If I need anything, I'll let you know post haste." She appreciated them all, greatly....truly.

No sooner than Jack got those words out of his mouth, he was way-laid from behind by something shorter than a normal sized man and the same showered down on the rest of the crew. It was almost as if they had swung from the trees and not from the ground. None of them had weapons, but they sure as hell beat feet with fists flying and a banshee yell loud enough to echo.

Gerald nodded for the men to head off, before he looked back to Ileen. "If you don't mind, Captain. I could keep you company for a while." Offering her a smile, as he remained where he was at for the moment. The young man looked up to Ileen as she had been one of the main ones to teach him the ways of the sea.

Jack rolled to the side then to his feet, staying in a low crouch as he looked around for the moment. Seeing that the crew were fending off these short wild creatures. Shaking the daze from his head as he got to his feet, just in time to see one of them swinging down from the tree.

Whipping out one of his pistols, and waited till the last moment to shoot the little bugger. "Nasty little beastie." Shoving the now used flintlock into his pants before drawing his sword again. Moving off to help the crew to get rid of the beasties.

The beasties were like ants, they were everywhere. Strangely enough, they were covered in mud from head to toe and when some of this filtered away, it was clear they were not natives.

They were ordinary men who had taken on the role that was forced upon them when shipwrecked. By the time all was said and done, the majority of them were either dead, crawling away or simply spent there on the ground with swords and pistols at their heads. Obviously that specific area was heavily guarded....for a reason.

(tbc)

Once the large lump had been rid of it's coverings, maybe it became apparent that Jack and Crew weren't the only pirates on that island. But the ones captured were more than likely not good ones, considering they were overpowered like school children playing in a yard. While there was a fair share of gold and trinkets, there were also leather satchels filled with bank notes and property tariffs.

The sparklies would fetch a large share of coin, but it was those bank notes that were the prize of prizes. Rolling from side to side, the Leader of such a lot was cursing and moaning, even crying that he was through, he was done. "Ya can all BUGGER OFF!"

Gerald smiled to her again. "Well from what I have heard from Roth. You two had a bit of a fight, and well." The young man smiled for a moment, then nodded sharply. "Captain Jack might be a pirate to some here of the worst kind, but all of us see that you mean a lot to him. He just needs time to let it sink in that he is going to be a father." Gerald bowed his head a bit to her before he moved to head off.

Jack looked over the items they had found. "Be heading back and be getting more of the crew. We be hitting a jackpot." The two crew members nodded as they took off to head for the ship, with Jack heading back to the whining male. "We be buggering off, as soon as we be taking these treasures." Said as he was moving a coin along the tops of his fingers. "So be quiet, and I might be nice enough to let ye live."

"So you're a lyin' pirate, you bastard. I hope you rot in your own hell for leaving us here after you said you'd take us off. Ain't nothin' worse than a man goin' back on his own blood'ay word!" Scoffing while he sat up, he glared at the other's. "All y' be useless....useless, I say!"

Ileen remained where she was and even crossed her ankles. "Aye, he is a good man, Gerald and a good Captain. And in my opinion, he will be the best father there is, but there is more to it as with anything and while I feel safe in including Jack in this, we both appreciate everyone's concern, and we will be fine. If we are not, we only have ourselves to blame for it. Now do me a favor, row out and check on the Sloop for me. I keep thinkin' she's a sitting duck."

Jack smirked to that. "I be making that deal with the one that be leading the first attack on me men." Looking down at the male. "But iffin I be taking ye all back, ye be telling the local law that we be the ones that be stealing from ye, and be the cause of yer men being here." Now the ruthless side of Jack was coming out.

Gerald nodded from the bottom step of the porch. "Will do, Captain. I believe the both of you will make great parents." Offering her a wave before he darted off to go check on the Sloop for her. As the young man knew Jack wouldn't take off and leave the red headed woman.

(tbc)

And now of course, Patrick had been found dead and The Watch had questioned her because of her ties to the man and the declaration that except for some cash left to the daughter, the business dealings themselves had been left in Ileen's lap. Hence, the need for a Solicitor to sort it out. In a perfect world, it would be best to sell it all off and walk away. Only time would tell. For now, she needed to get things in order aboard the Sloop and commenced to doing just that.

It would take most of the day for the various treasure and satchels to be moved to the Pandora and secured, so that it would not shift about on the trip back towards Rhy'Din. At the moment, Jack had taken a moment to glance in that direction, with the crew pausing to look for a moment to the man. He hadn't voiced anything about it, but the crew knew the man well enough to know just what was going through his mind.

For so long Jack never seen himself ever being with another, nor ever having a child of his own. Yet that time had now come. Ileen had agreed to become his wife, and was now pregnant with his child. Jack's mind was racing trough everything that lead to this moment. He'd need to have a long talk with Ileen when he returned.

As Ileen left Neddy's and headed for the docks. Roth and Gerald were headed towards the docks, only to catch sight of the woman ahead of them. Both men moved towards her, with Roth coming up on her right. " He'll be back before you know it, then you two are going to talk. Even if the entire crew has to lock you two in a room, and stand guard. " The old sea dog was trying to lighten the mood. As to him. It had been a little to quiet since Jack left.

Catching sight of Roth and Gerald as well, Ileen's footfalls ceased and she didn't say anything for a moment after Roth had spoken. But when she did, there was nothing short of rawness in her words. While not one to aire personal dirty laundry, it seemed like everyone was involved in what had happened. "Aye, and we will be in no different of a position that we were before. You cannot possibly understand what it feels like on this side. I know the passion to sail, I know it very well. It was the only thing I ever wanted to do. But now, I have put someone in the middle of something that was never wanted in the first place, nor was it my want either. Jack and I made a promise to one another, long ago and I broke that promise. In my position, he should cut loose and fly. I had no right to choose otherwise for him....I love him, that much..." It was a hard nut to crack, but she spoke the truth.

The rumble of snow filled clouds gathered tremendously, enough so that Ileen stared a long moment and then regarded Roth. "You have any idea where he went in case we need to go looking for him?" Rocking on her heels, it had been a foolish thing to the tenth power that she had told him to go on.

On the island, after the men were sequestered and it was assured they wouldn't be moving too much, there was a bit of chatter from them and a deep grumble of regret as they saw their own treasure being looted. "Mark m' words, we won't ferget y' or tha' bastard Captaine o' your's....from th' grave, I'll kick all o' y' in th' bollocks!"

Once on the Sloop, Roth muttered. " Damn thugs. " Granted there might not of been anything of vaule left on the Sloop, but Roth still took it as an insult. Though he did look to Ileen, but didn't answer her. Gerald on the other hand, looked to the woman. " Dead Man's Pier. " The young man mumbled, as it seemed even he had heard the tales of the island.

Back on the island. It was Johnny that spoke up. " Oh shut up! Before we send you out on that near falling apart wreck you call a ship! " The other crew looked to him, and grinned. Slowly they moved them towards that ship, and with a good bit of effort. Put the poor doomed former ship wrecked crew out to sea. Jack had not one clue to what those men were up to.

"Oh wonderful...we'll be lucky if he turns back up come next summer. The current out there ain't fun to begin with, add this storm to it and...." Leaving it at that, it was like a fire was lit under Ileen's ass and she walked the Sloop bitching and cursing about city dwellers neeing their heads lobbed off for coming aboard her ship and pirate's thinking they were bullet proof during the winter of all things. But more importantly, she was cursing herself for telling him to go in the first place. "DAMMIT!"

(Taken in part from Live Play with Norse Lady, thank you ma'am.)


After the conversation with Shy earlier in the day, it had taken everything Ileen could manage not to scramble a small crew together and head out to the West in search of Jack.

The storm was ugly, much uglier than could have been imagined. With it's rolling forms of white overhead and a distinct rumble that bordered between a dragon's anger and a ship's creaking list within a dry dock hold.

Bouncing from foot to foot, Ileen motioned for The Rusty Anchor and held the door open for her. "Aye, should be warm in here and not too crowded." Glance spared the din once the door was closed, Sammy the proprietor was just coming from the hold with another keg to be set behind the bar. A wipe of his brow on the edge of his shirt did nothing for the dirt there and it not smearing. "Fair noon, get you both something?" A nudge of a chair and Ileen was soon sinking into it. "Not for me, Sammy....you Shy?"

A nod to Ms McGowan as she indicates the drinking establishment.

"Takk," said as Ileen holds the door open for her. Makes her way inside and steps out of the way so she is not blocking the door. A shake of her head to Sammy in reply to his inquiry. "Nei. Not for me either." Takes a seat, as well.

Keeping the coat on, warmth hadn't quite settled as of yet and her teeth were still chattering. "You've been well, I hope?" The two women had been so hit or miss the last while, it was nice to see and talk to her outside of the Inn.

"Fint enough, although I noticed the aroma of chicken and gravy does not set well with you. I imagine other foodstuff brings on the same result as last natt?" Grins as she speaks, the truth jestingly being stated. "Any other problems?"

"I don't think it's really set in that I'm pregnant, Shy. Just seems not real until I smell something that just turns my stomach and I'm lurching over anything I can find..." That quietly spoken, almost in a conspiratorial fashion. Elbows planted on the table, her chin met her palm. "Aye, theres some problems and I ain't sure how it's going to pan out. I told Jack to pull anchor and go."

"I remember you telling me that before, and I said that e'en if you said those words to him, it did not mean he needed to heed it." Eyebrows knit toward each other. "Are you two finished then?" Keeps her tone as casual as possible, even if she is seething inside; Jack taking off is a cowardly thing to do in her opinion, but she will not voice it ... yet.

"I'm not sure. I just feel like I'm breaking the promise we made, to not cage one another. It's all so fast and I think I did just that. My sligh of not going to the herbalist to get the herb's to keep it from happening. He left some of the crew behind, Roth the one who delivered the letter Jack wrote. I will wait for him to return and see what happens, but his first instinct was to run. I'm not sure if most males do that or not, but in my head, if he wanted to run from it then he should go. Does that make sense?"

"I understand hva you are saying, Ileen. Your pregnancy is an accident, and because of it you feel guilty and tenke that Jack should be free to go because 'tis not his fault. Ja?" Before Ileen can reply continues, "Well na, let me tell you something ... it takes *two* for that to happen. Hvorfor, may I ask, should it all be on *your* shoulders? Hmm?" Tisks. "As far as a males first instinct to run? I do not know if all men are like that or not. I could ask Viktor, to see hva he says. Perhaps 'tis their first reaction ... to run." A lifting and lowering of fur-covered shoulders. "'Tis cowardly for males to do such a thing." It did not take long for her to voice that thought of a minute ago, did it.

"I told him to go....I don't think it should all fall on my shoulder's, he is a good man Shy....a very good man, I think it side swiped him and he panicked." Running a hand through her hair, she shook her head. "My first instinct was to just tell him to go, considering his knee jerk reaction was that even though over Yule, he was ecstatic. When I told him to go, I think he may have been crushed by it. No, I don't want to involve Victor, I just need to talk to you and figure out if I am loosing my mind or not. Hopefully he'll be back soon, but with this storm coming I am almost tempted to go find him. Roth knows where he went."

"Telling him to go, and him actually doing it are two different things. So do you tenke his being ecstatic was nought but a put on for you o'er the Jul-tide? Did he look miserable when you told him to go?"

"I don't think it was a put on, I think he was genuinely happy and then suddenly his own demons reared their heads. Jack thinks he's not worthy of a family....I've known that from the get go. There is always some sort of judgement on him when he is not known." Then she nodded, very very slowly. "Aye he was....very much so. I couldn't bear to look at him, Shy....I ran."

"Hva is this about a letter fra Jack?" She will get to the part about her running in a moment or two.

"He sent a letter to me through the crewman, Roth, because he knew I didn't want to see him. He professed everything he felt and begged me to wait on him. He is hoping when he comes back, I've changed my mind about wanting him to go. I know it was a knee jerk reaction, but I'm going by him saying he was leaving in the first place."

That is important information! "You want my opinion, Ileen?"

"He said he was being a fool for ever saying he was leaving..."

"Aye, I do....it's why I needed to talk to you....please."

"Very well. I hope you heed hva I am about to tell you. First off, 'tis my opinion that if you set sail to go after him with a storm headed our way ... ja, you are losing your mind woman! Secondly, since he wrote that letter to you and had it hand delivered by someone he so obviously trusts, then you best believe hva is written in it. Do not destroy hva you have with Jack. Metenkes you are just as frightened about having the babe as he is. If he says for you to wait, then wait. Especially since he left some of his crew here. That alone proves he plans on returning. And you are correct, hopefully he will get back ahead of the storm, or wait until it has passed."

"He left the crew here because he worried of me going out to the cabin alone and to make sure I'm alright..." Shy spoke the words that Ileen needed to hear. Taking in a deep breath, she nodded. Sometimes a person just needed to hear it and while Roth and a couple of the others had said about the same thing, it was important to hear it from Shy. "I think you are right, Shy. I will do so."

"Did you hear hva you just said to me? He left the crew here to make sure you would be all right. Think about it."

"Aye..." Twisting her fingers together, she sucked in a deep breath. "I think we're just both ridiculous. I'll wait on him and we'll talk. This doesen't need to go on any longer, we need to think about the future and not our insecurities so much given we made the decision we did a long time ago to be together and make it through together. Thank you....I needed this to come from you..."

"I kan only hope that you will not be compulsive and take to the Sea, Ileen, not only because of the storm, but more importantly because of your condition." Keeping her tone of voice soft, so Sammy does not hear. Nods. "Ja, you are velkommen." She feels like extracting an oath from the female pirate, but she feels the woman is under enough stress. "Just do not do anything rash, ja?"

Begins to chortle. "I have been just as ridiculous, believe me. And I am not e'en ... you know."

"You have my word, Shy....I won't go out looking for him...." Once her word was given, it may have well been done in blood. She wouldn't break that. "I'll wait....for as long as it takes...." Just don't mind the wandering redhead as she trolls the docks aimlessly. "I need to get out the cabin, Gerald is coming to finish chopping a chord of wood for me...." A reach forward, Ileen dared to give Shy's shoulder a light squeeze. "From my heart, thank you....you are a true friend...."

"Again, you are velkommen." Accepts the light squeeze without becoming rigid or backing away. "Go na. I have a man waiting for me at my Pub." Dimples and pearly whites evident as she says those words.

Ileen chuckled for the first time that day and rose to head out. "Don't keep the man waiting, Shy....we know how persnickety they can be." Giving her a wink, the wench went back out into the cold and shivered to the bone.

Aye, she had given her word not to set off, but that did not stop her from rowing out to the Sloop amongst the sleet and wind, to set herself up in the crows nest, looking glass planted at her eye in search of any sign deeming the Pandora was safe. "Dammit it to hell..."

(tbc)

"Aye...!" Cleatus McDervish exclaimed. "It sank. by the looks of it, got stuck in the ice and the rest is as they say, history...!" Captain McDervish actually looked pleased by this, happy in fact.

Another five cards were tossed on the table and in that little corner of The Rusty Anchor, there sat a red headed woman. A hand dealt, fingertips slid across them and kept them there in front of her as the merchant continued not too far away.

"Kin which ship it was?" A nod was given the fellow that inquired and then that vivacious grin of his. "Indeed, twas The Pandora. We just kept right on going, weren't gonna stop for the likes of that Morgan idgit. Good riddance, I say..."

At that moment, the few men Ileen was playing cards with all stopped and gazes narrowed on her. One of them being Gerald, he had been spending a lot of time with the crew that remained in Rhydin and that had been for the best as he continued to prove his passion for the sea, but also his need to belong.

Rising from her placement, Ileen didn't go into some hysterical show of feminine wiles. No, hell no, it was quite the opposite in fact and the men groaned as she leaned down to Gerald as she passed a whisper. "Go get Roth out of his bed, tell him to gather the other's.....and do not dally, have them meet me on the docks....post haste..." Gerald swallowed hard and nodded quickly. His feet moving faster than his body, the youngin managed to trip and stumble the whole way out of the Tavern before he broke out into a dead run.

Reese was set to rise along with Ileen, but it was her motion for him to sit that only stopped him. Several sets of fingers itching at their flint's, they watched as the woman Captain slowly closed the distance to McDervish.

Ileen was crumbling and just barely able to maintain her composure, much less the intent that was about to unfold. A breath drawn, her hand's were trembling violently and she was struck with the notion that this was just not happening. They just kept on going? Was there no code of honor? They just kept going? Surely it was not this idiot's entire crew that had deemed such. That grin, that sick and smelly grin imprinted on her brain.

Drawing up to his side, McDervish was leaning boneless there at the end of the bar and near choked on his Scotch when the woman offered him a lazy little wink and came so very close. Enough so that he could breathe in her scent and had vision's of her cleavage pressed into his mouth. "Well aren't you just a sight for sore eyes, lass...." A lick given of his lips, his groin began to pull tight.

"Mmmm, I overheard you talking....Morgan you say, Captain Morgan of The Pandora in fact?" Ileen's knee settled against his outer thigh.

McDervish took this attention as fact, even though there were about two handfuls of people present, including the owner of the Tavern that groaned inwardly. They knew what was going to unfold.

"Aye, Captain Jack Morgan. That piece of junk he called a ship, sunk right afore our eyes!" His calloused hand slid to greet Ileen's hip and fingers curled.

"Where was this, do tell as it makes my legs quiver to think of a pirate getting his just deserve." A shift of hand beneath her coat, fingers wrapped about a smooth hilt.

"Dead Man's Pier, lass....out in those water's. Ain't nae good over there, everyone be knowing that. Say, let's take a room upstairs and I'll tell you all about it...." So near, the male was salivating and a drop fell from his lips to bounce at the flesh exposed at Ileen's bodice.

With a breathy sigh, Ileen lifted to her toes and was a mere hair's breath from his cheek. "Ahhh, and you just left them there, to sink in the water, in this weather...." Ileen was unable to wrap her mind around this fully.

"Sure as hell wasn't gonna go back and pull them outta the drink, lass....not those kinds on me ship, not ever!" Declared, but that didn't stop his arm from snaking around the red head. Which was his second mistake.

Any other time, Ileen would have accepted the offer and gotten the male out of common eye view, but this was not one of those times. Rage slipped in and took over in the blink of an eye and when Ileen stepped away, McDervish was speechless and looking down at the seeping crimson coming through his coat and swiftly drenching his hand as he pressed it at his abdomen. "You bitch, you sliced me!"

Her back to him, the men she had been playing cards with, were ushering her out and flanking her thickly. "You saw what she did!" Screamed to the tender, who was washing glasses and shrugged, he hadn't seen anything. "Christ, get someone, I'm gonna bleed to death!" McDervish was in a panic, one of those panic's that set the heart to pumping and blood to rush. With any luck, he would be dead on the floor in about three minutes....at the most.

Slamming the door behind them, the dagger found it's way back into the side of her boot and thick gloves were hurried onto her hands. From up the cobbles, Roth and Gerald were running to catch up and the former knew not to test Ileen after Gerald filled him in.

"With or without any of you, I am going looking for them, that damned ship did NOT sink!" With her belly tightening over and over, Ileen headed for the coves where the longboats were floated. "Get her anchors pulled quickly, we're going....now!"

It had taken near 3 days to travel the hundred miles to the Island. During every moment of everyday, Ileen was
not one to be reckoned with. A constant circumstance of orders being barked and no mercy in any respect. If the crew hated her
by the time they reached their goal, that was fine as well, because they as well were holding their breath and minding their p's and
q's. No one could possibly fathom but them what they were going through, nor did any of them believe The Pandora sunk.

Hell, that was something the mind could not wrap itself around. "Roth, come broadside, we got's another band of hail set
to rain down upon us!!" The Sloop at that very moment listed and sent the few aboard to the decks rather hard, and left grappling
at the rigging ropes for their dear lives. "HOLY CHRIST!!!!" Chaos was set to motion and footing gone. In another swift motion, the
ship was righted and blood spilled from Jeremy. His head near opened like a cantaloupe, he was sunk into the corner of the starboard deck and Reese took it upon himself to tend to his fellow crewman.


On Dead Man's Pier. Jack and the crew managed to make what shelter was left on the island good
enough to weather the storm that hit. With them hunkering down at the camp unless they needed food or water, as they had luckly
found a fresh mountian spring. Water taken care of, it came down to the food. Which had been taken from the Pandora, and
moved to the makeshift campsite. Day in and day out, during the small moments when the storm wasn't raging around them. They
moved fast to move the treasure to the Pandora, with some of the men hunting the wild game so they wouldn't have to rely on the food on
the ship.

Every once in a while, Jack would glance in the direction of Rhy'Din with no clue that Ileen had heard about the sinking
ship. Nor did he know that she had stabbed the captain of the man that left it to sink. Probably proudly claiming that it was him and
the Pandora. He hoped that she would wait, just a little longer. It was on their third day on the island that one of the men called out. "Captain! Bridget's Revenge on the horizon!" Jack shot the man a look.

" Ye be daft man! Ileen not be that crazy! " After giving it some thought, he moved up to a clear spot and looked himself. "Crazy daft woman." Muttered as sure enough, there was the Sloop. Punching through the waters and through the storm, as he could just make out people on the
ship.

" Be getting the men ready to help out!" Barked at the other men, as the crew split in half as they scrambled to be ready to help out if anyone on the Sloop needed it. The rest getting the Pandora ready to come out of hiding in the cave that was found before the storm.

"ANCHOR!!!! NOW!!!" It had to be thrown precisely and all three were sent to sailing at the same moment,
bringing them to a long and slow halt there, listing once again. Roth was cursing about how he worked for a certifiable bunch of
nuts and it was going to be his bollocks if he didn't come home alive, but he was smiling! Running up and down the rails, Ileen was
fisting smacks and trying to get a better look. "Drop the longboat, we're goin' ashore..." Came the holler. "Cap The Pandora ain't out herrrrr...." The words dying off.

"THERE! AYE! THERE!!!! THE PANDORA! I #$%^&* KNEW IT!!" At that moment, Ileen slid and hit the deck hard, only to crawl to her feet and regain whatever that was. "Drop the LONGBOATS!!!!!" Grabbing the glass from Roth, she skimmed the edge of the island and could still see nothing, but there was the ship. That spoke of life. "Thank God." Muttered beneath her breath.

Jack glanced to the side as the Pandora pulled into view out of the corner of his eyes. "About bloody time." Muttered under his breath before looking back out towards the Sloop. Barely able to just making out Ileen, which got that pirateish grin he usually reserved for her. "Alright you men, be getting ready to be helping them out once they be reaching here." The remaining crew nodded and moved to meet the longboats on the shore, leaving Jack to ponder just where to meet the red headed she devil. He glanced back to the campsite for a moment.

"If I be waiting there, she might be ready to be wanting to kill me." Mused to himself now, before he collasped the spyglass and followed the crew down to the shore. With him of course taking the point, with him taking a rather lazy easy going stance. With another glance through the spyglass, waiting for the right moment. If Ileen look through her own and spotted him clearly. The knave pirate would just smile at her.

Ileen hoped it hurt. She was freezing half to death, but was more concerned about the crew. Assured everyone
was all in one piece, she whirled on Jack eyes narrowed. "Some bloke ported in Rhydin and was bragging 'bouts how he watched
you sink...! He got a big laugh out of it for a few minutes and almost seemed grateful in it. With this storm coming, why did you
remain here?!" It was a simple question as they were now being left alone for the most part under a tree that was dropping ice by
the bucket.

It did hurt, but it was mostly his pride that got hurt. Now removing his coat as he narrowed his eyes at her
once he reached her, half tempted to throw that coat at her. But he took a deep breath, as he moved to wrap his own around her.
" That bloke be seeing a old ship that held the crazy people we be finding here, when we be landing. Some of the crew be trying to
scare them by putting them on it. "

Managing to reamin a touch calm, but Ileen would be able to tell that he was highly pissed off about that stunt. " That be the one that the bloke be seeing sink. As fer why I not be sailing back? I not be daft Ileen. " Thrusting a hand out towards the storm. " As good as a ship that the Pandora be, even she wouldn't be able to be sailing towards Rhy'Din in this. I be waiting this storm out. " He was surpringly calm. " I might be daft at times, but even I be
knowing when I be licked. "

"Then I guess I am truly the daft one, Jack Morgan....for coming out looking for you, because hell only knows
you wouldn't have come chasing after my stupid ass!" Yes, it was ridiculous that she had pulled such a stunt, but Ileen was a
creature of hard headedness and it was simply something he could either live with or not. The whole damned thing was a
blustering mess. Taking his coat, she stared at him long and hard before turning to move to the crew.

She was trembling from head to foot, but it wasn't all because of the weather. Damning herself, she had put the crew with her at risk, that was one thing
not sitting well with her, but the other thing was the simple fact she would have gone to hell and back for that damned pirate. In
essence, she did.

She wasn't able to walk more that two steps from him, before he grabbed her by the shoulder, spinning her around to face him. " Aye. Ye be daft to be heading out into this weather to be looking fer me. " Here it comes. " But I be just as daft as ye, because if the roles be reversed. I'd be sailing through hell to be finding ye as well. " A light kiss to her cheek, before he moved to walk by her. Leaving her to stand there and go over what had just been confessed to her. That it would have been her that was in his position. He would of gathered the crew, headed out and faced anything that was
between her and him. He would have gone to hell and back for her hard headed she devil of a nattering wench's ass as well.

Watching him walk away, it was hard to tell if it was sleet racing down her cheeks or something warmer, like
tears. Regardless, they froze there and remained. "We can't head back in this, Jack. The wind from the west is violent, we'll never
make it moving against it instead of into it, that's the only reason we made it..."

Roth was peering at the both of them right now. Fully taking on that stern fatherly role for the both of them, even though both of them were full grown adults, but to him. They were both acting like children, but he remained quiet as they spoke. Jack glanced to Roth, before looking back to Ileen.

" That be fine with me, love. Till it be getting closer to time for ye to be having our wee one. Long as ye not be trying to be daredeviling on me, we could be heading out sometimes together. And once the wee one is born, and both ye be able to be movin'. We can be heading out as a family, even if it be just for a wee bit. "

"Jack, are you sure that will make you happy?" That was a very important question for her to present as she felt it into her very core. "I love you enough to let you go, which is not some ploy....it's simple fact. If you say yes, it will never be brought up again. I just don't want to taint your brightness, I am so in love with that and your child will feel the same. You are everything to me."

He remained silent for a moment, before peering at Roth. " Be shooing. " Roth quirked a brow at both captains for a moment, before he caught the hidden meaning and nodded. Looking between the two a moment, before he moved off to give them their alone time.

Jack waited for Roth to leave, before moving his hands to cup Ileen's cheeks. " I'll be saying this once, so ye best be listening. Aye. That be making me happy, and be loving ye and be loving our child when she or he is born. Ye be everything to me as well love. And when our wee one is born, the both of ye will be the most important thing to me.
Even more than me ship. " Kissing her softly and slowly on the lips, before she could utter a word.

Jack would feel the deep breath Ileen took when she wrapped her arms about his neck and simply clung to him. His kiss returned in aces, she nodded slowly and breathed. When she finally spoke, it was a hairs breath of a whisper. "Then I think that officially makes us a bigger family. I love you, I will always do so." The men were smiling but acting inconspicuous from their placement and Roth dared not to pipe up. "Maybe we should talk to them about heading home."

He did feel her take in that deep breath, as his arms shifted to wrap the lock around her waist. Holding her close within his arms as they kissed. With a smile crossing his lips when it finally ended. "Aye. This be making us a bigger family. I love ye, and I always will love ye. Even when ye be nattering me up the wall." Murmured back in a near whisper against
her lips. Clueless to the crew watching and smiling behind them. "Storm should pass by tomorrow morning, we be heading home then."

Leaning her head back, Ileen cupped his cheeks and planted another fiery kiss to his lips. "Then we'll make due till tomorrow and head home." She liked the sound of that and would leave out the part that she might be hung, but that wasn't anything too important. "Then I can natter in your ear for the next month until winter lets up. You should be whipped into
shape by then...." And they are off again!

Morning sickness hit the disheveled red head, fast and furious. While it didn't take her prisoner, it definitely had her contemplating how a human race was ever formed. Hour's bled into day's and it became so severe, the woman healer had come out to the cabin at Jack's beckon and gave stern instruction's of what Ileen would be able to eat and what she would not. Insistent upon this, with good right, as her recommendation's did in fact make a large difference. With time and patience, the assaults began to lessen and she was back to her old self again, just a tad of a bit plumper in the belly area.

There was something to be said on how a relationship could turn a corner after holding your intended's hair away as to not get any vomit into it. Something to be said indeed.....holy hell.

All in all, Jack was a keen sport and didn't grumble too much...at least not within Ileen's line of hearing that is. The first thaw came along with the scent of spring and the month of March. The crew's all took that as the finest of liquor's ever partaken and sucked the sweet air into their lungs, ready to get back to their passion...the sea.

When the morning sickness hit Ileen, and lucky for her that Jack happened to know that it was coming. Didn't mean that he was prepared for it at all, even though he had been told about it by the wives of his men. The first few days, Jack peered at Ileen when those moments hit, before moving in to be with her. Holding her hair back as she let it fly, getting a smile from his wench and it wasn't long before he would get the elderly woman that had helped them before to come to the cabin. With Jack taking careful notes to what Ileen could and couldn't eat, then making sure the woman actually ate.

As for Jack saying anything about her morning sickness? He never really complained about it to anyone, well minus the elderly healer woman, who fussed at him about it being part of the process.

As spring got closer and closer, Jack set up a party for the men, with Ileen's help of course, it was getting closer to them being able to hit the seas on a more constant basis.

Since meeting that red headed she devil. His life had changed as well as listening to her knowledge of the people here, they had found ways to earn more coin than they had in the past. He still had to go through all those land deeds they had found on Dead Man's Pier, but for the moment. He started to go through the scrolls that Ileen had set on his desk. With his brows rising a touch to how much she had gathered. She had a knack for business.

The Coming of Spring Party, what a grand occasion. Jack had done more than good in this, and it had all come together as seamlessly as his sailing charts. With much food and spirits flowing, Neddy had even been brought from the woods to join in the celebration and coming together. With each passing day, the bond grew closer with all and would prove to be a solid contender in this thing they called their lives.


Laughter was easy and ripped freely from newly chapped lips and peaceful heart's. That was not to say there wasn't a straggler here and there, that was a given, but it was a wonderful sight to behold....together and truly joyful.

Noted by Roth and several other's, Jack and Ileen weren't under scrutiny, but certain things could not help but be noticed. Aye, they went through their days, hell bent on giving each other a hard time, but there were time's when fleeting touches and stolen moment's, told the tale of an intimacy that could never be matched or tampered with. Most of Jack's crew had been with him for year's and saw a side of him that was not expected. Two troubled heart's became free and even the pendant around Ileen's neck shimmered a bit differently....brighter.

As the Coming of Spring party started to wind down, with each of the crew members either shaking one of the pair's hands, or out right giving them a hug. They slowly started to trickle home, as the crew had noticed that Ileen and Jack had grown closer, and which each hurdle that life had tossed at them so far. They had worked together in their own way to clear it.

With there being a few murmurs among the men that Jack and Ileen's parents would be proud of the pair. Roth would be the last one of the crew and of the family to leave. "It's about time you two worked things out. Iffin' you two didn't, we were going to toss you in the brig until you did." The man joked with the two, before nodding to the both and turned to head home to his family.