Disclaimer: Will, Jack, Elizabeth, Ana, and the other PotC characters don’t belong to me. They are the property of Disney, Gore, Jerry, Ted, and Terry. However I do own Sammi, Teague, and Eva Sparrow as well as Danielle, James, and Charlotte Turner! Oh, and I own Ophelia too, I suppose. Sammi is by far my favorite OC that I've created, I just love her.

A/N: I was so thrilled by everyone’s reviews last time, especially since most of you got a kick out of Ana and Will’s little scene. ;) There’s a little continuation of that in this chapter. Several of you wanted me to include a scene with the parents while they’re away, so that’s in there along with specifically Willabeth and specifically Sparramaria. As much as I love writing Sammi and William’s story, I still like to touch base on what their parents are up to.

I’m so glad I got this posted before I leave to visit my cousin in Florida. I’ll be gone about a week, and hopefully I’ll have some time to work on the following chapter during my vacation.

Warning: Angst ahead! Enjoy it!

Ch. 9: Foolish Heart

333

I need a love that's strong
I'm so tired of being alone
But will my lonely heart
Play the part of the fool again
Before I begin…

-Steve Perry

333

The same night that Sammi tossed and turned yearning for another dream with William, her parents stayed up discussing a very serious issue.

“Sammi went out last night,” Jack said matter-of-factly. “Gibbs told me he saw her at one of the pubs.” He was sitting up in bed next to Ana, who seemed to be fine with the news.

“I’m proud of her,” said Ana with a tiny smile. “She’s asserting her independence little by little. Besides, it’s what we wanted, right? We’d planned for her to get her start here on the island where your crew can keep an eye on her.”

“I’m proud of her too,” said Jack. “Gibbs told me she beat a boy her age in a rum-drinking contest.” He smiled, ever wistful. Then his expression turned serious. “Ana, I know you didn’t want me to bring this up again, but I feel like it’s a necessary thing to do. I think that now the time has come to tell her the truth about what happened to her Aunt Eva.” Jack gazed at her with pitying eyes, waiting for the onslaught of his partner’s fury.

“Jack,” Ana glowered, her body tensing immediately at the mention of her late sister. “I thought we agreed that none of the children should know the details behind her death.”

“But I believe she needs to know,” he argued quietly. “Sammi needs to know that her seventeen year-old aunt was raped and murdered by two men that she knew, men that perhaps were her friends. Our daughter needs to know the whole story to fully comprehend the evil which lurks in some men.”

“She does know, Jack,” Ana insisted. “We’ve taught her well - she knows how to be careful. For Pete’s sake, she’s lived around pirates her entire life.”

“Yes, but those pirates would never cross me,” Jack pointed out. “The truth is that she’s been protected her whole life. Soon she’s going to be sailing on ships with men who have no allegiance to me, and they could destroy her, body and spirit. I can’t let that happen; I won’t.” But Ana didn’t budge, even after hearing Jack’s sound argument.

“Jack, we’ve done all we can. She knows how to defend herself with almost any weapon known to man, and besides that, she’s a smart girl. She can take care of herself. And besides, Sammi won’t make any truly foolish decisions. She’ll only surround herself with people she can trust.”

“What if the people she thinks she can trust turn on her, like Barbossa did to me?” Jack cried, raising his voice a bit. “Ana, why don’t you want to tell her about your sister? What do you have to lose?” Ana scooted closer to her life-partner, sniffling as she drew strength from him.

“I don’t want her to be afraid of m-men, as I was.” Jack sighed, and hugged her to his chest.

“I should’ve thought of that, love.” She brushed a tear away from her eye, whimpering as she recalled the gripping fear that had taken hold of her for all those years. Deep down, she had hid that fear as she slowly grew into a pirate capable of defending herself against men. It all came back to her in a rush, switching ships because she was afraid her secret would be discovered, finding her niche on the Pearl, Jack flirting with her and eventually befriending her… He had saved her. Ana trusted him, and opened up to him about her phobia. Then, Jack had showed her when they made love for the first time that not all men were monsters…

“Jack…” Ana took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She was finished with feeling sorry for herself. “I just don’t want my daughter’s dreams of becoming a captain to be dashed because she’s afraid that her crew is going to…”

“I understand where you are coming from,” Jack said gently. “But I don’t think that just because we told Sammi the truth about your sister that she would abandon her dream. She’s a strong one, and she’s not a quitter. I just want her to be prepared.”

“But you don’t know what it was like for me,” Ana whispered. “Dressing as a boy all those years, fearing for my life if anyone discovered my secret… it was no way to live. I will not bring that on my daughter! She wants so desperately to live the life of a pirate, and I don’t want to make her paranoid about men. You can give her another talk about being careful around men, but please do not tell her what happened to Eva.”

“Alright,” Jack acquiesced with a sigh. He blew out their bedside candle and they both moved to lie down. “I just want her safe. But you’re right, she already knows about the savage nature of some men. I suppose I’ll just have to trust that she’ll be fine.” He gave Ana a quick kiss. “Now, let’s get some sleep; we have a big weekend ahead of us.”

333

The weekdays flew by for Sammi and the rest of the Sparrow and Turner clans. Everyone was anticipating the parents’ coming weekend getaway. The adults could hardly wait to have some time to themselves without being interrupted by the needs of their children, and the children could hardly wait to have a few days away from their parents and their rules. (Of course the Turner children had more restrictions placed upon them than the Sparrows, but that was to be expected.)

Instead, the five children were looking forward to answering to Sammi and William like they had done a year ago. Sammi was their favorite person to have in charge because she let them do almost anything they wanted. William, on the other hand, would often deny the children many of their requests, such as a later bedtime. But still, William wasn’t all bad. The children loved it when William and Sammi would spar in front of them. It was quite entertaining, especially when they pretended to reenact a famous duel, such as Jack Sparrow versus Davy Jones.

Finally, the anticipated weekend had arrived. Plenty of preparations had been made by the adults. Ana and Elizabeth had stocked the Sparrow home with plenty of food and drink for the children to eat while they were gone. Captain Teague and Faith had been alerted that the parents were leaving, and had promised to check on the children at least once. The Swann Song had been loaded with all the supplies needed for a weekend pleasure cruise. Jack had arranged for Gibbs, Pintel, and Ragetti to stay the night on board the Pearl while he was gone, just in case. Will had made sure the fulltime blacksmith was aware he wouldn’t be able to work during the weekend. For the two eager couples wishing for a small break from being parents, everything was going according to plan that fine morning.

“Will, did you remember to bring a hat?” Elizabeth called out as she dashed down the stairs of her home.

“No, I’ll be fine without one,” he yelled back from their bedroom. Will struggled to lift their trunk, which was supposed to be going on board with them. Honestly, he loved his beautiful wife more than anything in the world, but for the love of God, why couldn’t she pack light for once?

“William Turner!” Elizabeth cried from downstairs, as all five Sparrows trickled into her house. It seemed to her that Ana and Jack were ready to leave, and she hated to keep them waiting.

“Yes?” A few seconds later her eldest son popped up on the second floor landing. “What is it, Mum?” Elizabeth sighed.

“Sorry, dear. I meant your father.” William chuckled.

“What did he do? You never call him that unless he’s in trouble.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Will called from the bedroom, huffing and puffing as he pushed the trunk out of the bedroom.

“Exactly,” said Elizabeth, standing in the foyer with her hands on her hips. “He won’t bring a hat, and last time his entire face got burned from staying out in the sun too long. You were miserable, Will! And I had to take care of you, which in turn made me miserable because I hate to see you in pain. So, in conclusion, you are bringing a hat!” Will chose to ignore her, as he was already engaged in a difficult task.

“William, can you come give me a hand with this?” Will gasped out as he gave up trying to move the bloody trunk by himself.

“I’ll be right there,” William promised, and went to help his father. Unfortunately, he collided with his sister in the hallway.

“Ouch!” Dani protested as she rubbed her aching temple.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you come out of your room,” William apologized. “Where are you going in such a hurry?”

“I had to get my sword,” said Dani, holding up the wooden weapon. “Now that Eva’s here we get to sword-fight in the living room the minute Mother and Father leave.”

“I heard that,” called Will, causing Dani to jump. “Dani, you aren’t to break any of our rules while we are gone! We made them for a reason – to keep you from getting hurt. And to preserve the furniture,” he added as an afterthought.

“Okay, Father,” said Dani as she moved past William and flew down the stairs to greet a very hyper Eva.

“Why do I get the feeling the children are going to break a lot of rules while we’re gone?” Will mused as his son helped grab the other end of the trunk.

“You’re getting too old for this,” William teased as they slowly carried the trunk into the hallway.

“Thirty-eight is not old,” his father protested.

“Will’s right,” Jack called from the ground floor. “If he’s old, what does that make me?”

“Practically ancient,” said Sammi, who had come to watch the Sparrow- Turner drama unfold. “Your fiftieth is approaching… it will be here before you know it.”

“Don’t remind me,” Jack moaned. As Jack complained about his upcoming birthday and aging in general, both William Turners managed to successfully bring the trunk down the steps. They carefully set it down so they could take a breather.

“Jack, Ana, are you two waiting on us?” Will asked as he caught his breath. Jack winked at Elizabeth.

“It’s nothing new for us.” Will sighed.

“Elizabeth, I don’t want to wear a hat-”

“Will, I don’t want to hear another word about it! Please, be sensible. Jack wears a hat while he’s sailing, and he doesn’t get burned,” Elizabeth pointed out. “By choosing to wear a hat, Jack has made a very practical decision.”

“Why thank you, Elizabeth,” grinned Jack, giving her a mock-bow.

“You’re most welcome,” she answered, smiling back. Ana and Will glanced at each other knowingly, fairly certain this sort of behavior was payback for yesterday’s incident.

“Well if Jack wears a hat, I suppose I have to wear one as well,” Will griped.

“Good man,” said Jack, ever jovial now that he’d been praised for actually doing something right. “I have some hats on board the Pearl you can borrow because they are-”

“I’m not trying to interrupt or anything,” said Ana, cutting in to their conversation. “But are we going to be standing here discussing hats all day, or are we going to leave?”

“You know, now that I think about it, I have decided that it’s time to leave,” Jack said, his face devoid of expression. Then he grinned. “Children! Come say goodbye to your father.” Sammi, Eva, and Teague came running, all three ambushing their father with hugs, with Ana joining in. The same scene happened with all of the Turners.

“I’ll miss you, Mum,” said Charlotte, her lower lip trembling a bit as she clutched her mother’s middle. Dani and James sniggered quietly, for they doubted that they would miss their parents. Not when there was freedom to be had!

“We’ll be back in two days,” Elizabeth reminded her five year-old. “Now, all of you behave for William and Sammi.” All three of them solemnly nodded, which was good enough for her. She had no doubt they would cause trouble for both teens, but if Sammi and William had handled it last time, they could handle them again.

“Come on, Elizabeth,” Will said gently, embracing each of his children in turn. “We’ve made the Sparrows wait for us long enough.”

“I know,” she sighed. “Somehow that always seems to happen, no matter how early I rise.” Char finally released her grip on Elizabeth, and she was able to stand.

“Don’t worry, Char,” said William. “Sammi and I will be here to take care of you. You’re safe with us.”

“He’s right,” said Elizabeth. “Next to your father, William is one of the best swordsmen in all the Caribbean!”

“Speaking of sword-fighting,” William muttered, a guilty look materializing on his face. “I have to go. I have my first lesson in fifteen minutes.”

“Wait, what?” Sammi cried. “Why didn’t you remind me of this before now?” William frowned.

“You know I always have lessons scheduled on Fridays!” Sammi cursed under her breath, for she had forgotten that William had quite a few regular clients lined up one that day. “Uh, goodbye everyone,” William sheepishly tried to make a hasty exit. “Sammi, I’ll be home in time for dinner - then I can help you with the children.”

“When you get home I get to take a break,” muttered a disgruntled Sammi, folding her arms across her chest. Five children are a huge responsibility to take care of for almost an entire day. I have every right to be upset, she thought to herself.

“’Bye, son,” said Will, coming to his rescue. “You’d better be off, then.” William smiled gratefully at his father. He scurried out the back door but not before he gave his mother a quick peck on the cheek.

“And there he goes,” Dani sighed as they all watched William hurry down the road.

“We need to be doing the same,” Jack said gently. “Teague, Sammi’s going to need your help now more than ever. As the oldest of the five children, it’s –”

“My job to set a good example,” Teague finished, rolling his eyes. “I know, Father. Sammi knows she can count on me.”

“Good,” sighed Jack. “Well, behave all of you. Have fun with Sammi and William!” Then he narrowed his eyes at Eva in warning. “And don’t touch my rum.” (Jack knew that Sammi would have enough trouble with Eva, and having the eight year-old even slightly intoxicated would not help matters at all.) So with that, both pairs of Sparrows and Turners departed for the docks to sail on a well-deserved pleasure cruise.

333

Even with Teague’s help, Sammi found it difficult to keep the children in hand after the parents had left. After an hour of spills, petty fights, and minor injuries, she decided to take them out on a walk around the island.

“Sammi, can we have a picnic lunch?” Dani asked, as the rest of the children dispersed. “I think we should walk down to the beach and watch the ships sail to and from the harbor.”

“Good idea,” Sammi agreed wholeheartedly. I have to do something to keep them all occupied. “Go get ready, and I will put some lunch together for us.” Dani scampered away, and Sammi rummaged through the kitchen looking for food. She managed to find some bread, cheese, and fruit and put the items in a basket. It wasn’t long before she’d rounded up Teague and the four terrors and led them outside.

Sammi let the young ones lead the way down the road, while she and Teague brought up the rear. As they walked, Sammi asked her brother’s advice on how she should tell William about her true feelings for him. Not surprisingly, Teague wasn’t much help, but he did listen to her, which was what she needed the most. Sammi ultimately decided to tell William that night after the children were asleep, which Teague thought was a good plan. They walked the rest of the way in a comfortable silence, each relieved they could rely on the other while their parents were away. But as the docks came into view, five people crossed their path that Sammi would rather not see during daylight hours.

Her stomach dropped when she identified the shapes in the distance. They were her newfound friends Horner, Fletcher and Ted, accompanied by David, her old friend, and Brad, who Sammi still regarded as an acquaintance. There was nowhere to run, not while she was responsible for all the children. So Sammi decided to wing it, hoping that she could keep all the boys, save for David of course, from discovering her Sparrow family ties.

“Samantha, is that you?” Ted called from afar. Char, Eva, Dani, and James were so far ahead that they did not hear him. But Teague most certainly did, and he stared at Sammi quizzically.

“Just play along,” Sammi muttered out of the corner of her mouth. “And remember, I’m not a Sparrow!”

“Yes, it’s me,” she called back as the pirate boys approached her. “How are you all on this fine day?” None of them answered as they just stared at Teague and the other children frolicking up ahead. David met her eyes, and Sammi could see that he was just as worried that her secret would be found out much too soon.

“Samantha, what’s with all the little brats?” Brad sniffed disapprovingly.

“Uh…I’m watching them,” Sammi said brightly.

“That’s what you do during the day?” Fletcher wrinkled his nose. “I don’t envy you.” She shrugged.

“The job pays well,” she replied. “I’m saving up so I can strike out on my own one day soon. You boys can understand that, right?”

“Aye,” they muttered.

“It’s not so bad,” she said. “They treat me well… mostly.”

“You must be out of your mind, though,” Ted mused, watching as Eva pulled Dani’s hair, who in turn whacked James on the head. “Five of them at once! It’s rather brave of you. Their family must be indebted to you for taking them on.” Sammi nodded.

“Yes, my services are much appreciated.”

“Whose children are they?” Horner wondered.

“I’m not at liberty to say,” said Sammi as they walked along the docks down to the beach. “These children aren’t just any children, and their parents trust me to keep their identities a secret.” Ted’s eyes widened at that, as if he’d just made a connection. He scrutinized Teague for a moment, and then made up his mind.

“This boy looks just like Captain Jack Sparrow!” Ted exclaimed, pointing at Teague. “I don’t believe it!”

“Samantha, why didn’t you tell us?” Fletcher squeaked.

“I just told you why,” Sammi replied, crossing her arms across her chest. She was mighty annoyed that they hadn’t been paying attention, but supposed it was typical of males their age.

“Bloody hell, you’re watching Captain Sparrow’s children,” Brad muttered in disbelief. Then he turned to Teague. “You’re his son, aren’t you?”

“That’s me,” said Teague with a smile. “Everyone says I look just like my father, and someday I’m going to be a great pirate and follow in his footsteps! And so will-”

“He’s a great child,” Sammi interrupted rather abruptly, praying that Teague would get the hint and not say anything more that might give her away. “He never gives me any trouble.”

“What good fortune you have to have landed this job. How did you get it?” Ted asked, taking the focus off Teague, much to her relief. But then again, he’d asked her a very difficult question. Why were these things never easy?

“You know, that is a very good question,” said Sammi, trying to stall for time so she could think up an appropriate lie. She glanced nervously at David, who couldn’t think of any way to help keep her identity a secret.

“Captain Sparrow must really trust you if he lets you watch his children,” said Fletcher, gazing at Sammi in awe. “Why?” Sammi thought about it for a moment, thoughtfully chewing on her lower lip as she formulated a credible answer.

“If you must know,” she began, “I’ve sailed on the Pearl with my father for awhile now.”

“Your father is a member of Captain Sparrow’s crew?” Horner salivated at this very information.

“Aye,” Sammi said brightly. After all, it wasn’t a complete lie. Her father was part of the crew – he just had the most important position on the ship. But they didn’t need to know that!

“That explains how you know Captain Sparrow, but it doesn’t explain why he trusts you,” Ted pointed out. He was a smart one; Sammi knew she had to spin a yard worthy of her father if she were to fool Ted.

“Well, you remember the big to-do with Captain Sparrow, the Turners, and Calypso about five years ago?” She asked. All five boys nodded grimly, for it was a tale of fatherly sacrifice that had spread throughout the corners of the pirate world.

“Where you there on the Pearl when it happened?” Horner asked. “Did you get to see Jack Sparrow trick Calypso?”

“I did,” Sammi said truthfully. “The reason he trusts me so much is that I was able to give him help fooling Calypso into bringing back Bootstrap to save Will Turner from a fate worse than death.”

“You figured that out all by yourself?” Ted asked, ever skeptical. “I heard that it was Sparrow’s daughter that came up with the trick.”

“That’s how the story is told,” Sammi agreed. “But it’s wrong. I told his daughter who in turn told Fa- err Captain Sparrow. The credit went to her, and I didn’t mind one bit because we’re close friends you see.”

“What’s she like?” Fletcher wondered. “Is she nice to look at?” Sammi laughed.

“Yes, she’s quite pretty I suppose. But I doubt she would go for you, mate.”

“How do you know?” Fletcher scowled at them all.

“Fletcher, forget it,” sighed David.

“Aye,” said Horner. “Think about what would happen to you if Captain Sparrow found out. I’d rather hold on to my -”

“But he won’t,” Fletcher insisted. “He’s not even on the island right now. That’s why she’s watching Sparrow’s children.”

“Hang on, all of them can’t be Sparrow children,” observed Horner. “Who do those three belong to?” He indicated the three Turner children.

“Those three are Turners,” said Sammi with a sigh, knowing that if she didn’t tell them outright, they would eventually guess the truth. “I’ve been entrusted to watch the entire clan while their parents are away.”

“Just you all by yourself?”

“No, I had help but he had to work today,” Sammi groused. “But it doesn’t matter – I can handle them on my own.”

“Who was supposed to be helping you?” Ted wondered.

“Someone who I wish to remain anonymous,” glowered Sammi. The boys heckled her, but they couldn’t get Sammi to tell them that William Turner the Third was the one helping her watch the children. She thought it was best that she didn’t reveal that she knew William.

“David, you haven’t said anything in awhile,” Brad egged him on. “Aren’t you curious?”

“No,” David said firmly. “It’s Samantha’s business, not ours. If she wants to tell us, then she will. Come on, let’s go.” The boys protested, but they realized that Sammi was busy at the moment. And so, they departed at David’s insistence, leaving Sammi alone with the children and a very curious Teague.

“Later,” she mouthed at her brother as they reached the docks and began to unpack their lunch.

333

Meanwhile, on the Swann Song

“Ah, this is the life,” sighed Jack. He had just anchored the Swann Song in middle of the ocean and was currently lounging on the comfortable desk chairs that he had brought up from the cabins. Ana sat to his right and Elizabeth to his left, with Will (who was wearing one of Jack’s old tri-corn hats) sitting across from them. The foursome were content to relax and pass the day away eating and talking with each other, basking in the knowledge that they wouldn’t be interrupted by childish exclamations of “she hit me!”.

“I tell you, if William hadn’t given us the opportunity to leave, we would’ve ended up staying until lunchtime,” said Will.

“Is that directed at me?” Elizabeth asked, raising her eyebrow.

“No!” Will said quickly, a little too quickly.

“Honestly Will, I tried to be ready on time,” she insisted. “But I had to do so many things around the house, and for the children that I ran out of time to pack for myself.” Jack and Ana sniggered quietly, each glad that they weren’t playing the part of the bickering couple at the moment.

“Maybe if you hadn’t needed to take the time to pack so many things, we still could’ve left on time,” Will pointed out.

“An excellent point, William,” said Jack, nodding. Elizabeth ignored him and continued on.

“So you wouldn’t have minded if I’d forgotten to bring along the new outfit you’d gotten me for our nighttime escapades.” Will scowled – she had him there.

“Elizabeth.”

“William.” They glared at each other, but they couldn’t hide their true feelings for long. Elizabeth giggled loudly, and Will did his best to muffle his own laugh, which tended to be high-pitched during instances when he was truly amused.

“Will, why not take your hand away from your mouth and share your girly laugh with the rest of us,” Jack suggested, which caused poor Will to laugh even harder.

“Will, it’s okay,” said Elizabeth, rolling her eyes. “I’ve told you before, you have the cutest laugh, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.” But what Elizabeth didn’t know was that Jack was doing an over-exaggerated impression of her behind her back. This pushed Will over the edge, and he began to choke on his own spit. “Will, are you alright!” Elizabeth cried, turning towards her husband. “Say something!”

“Jack I’m… HACK… going to… HACK… kill you,” Will rasped as Elizabeth whacked him on the back as an attempt to stop the choking.

“Jack, what did you do?” Ana asked with a glare as Will gasped for air.

“Nothing,” Jack said much too innocently. “Just poking a bit of fun at his wife is all.” By this time, Will had begun to breathe normally, but Elizabeth was still frightened for her husband’s life.

“Will!” She cried, continuing to whack him in the back.

“Ouch!” He cried. “Elizabeth, I’m fine. You can stop now!”

“Oh,” she said sheepishly. “Sorry, dear.”

“That’s alright,” Will said easily as she hugged him tightly.

“I’m glad you’re breathing, Will,” said Ana. “Please, don’t feel like you have to cover up your laugh when you’re around us.”

“She’s right - never dream of it,” said Jack with a wink. “It’s alright if your laugh makes you sound like a eunuch. We won’t hold it against you.”

“Alright, that’s it,” growled Will, who launched himself at a very surprised Jack. They started to wrestle on the deck, which caused Elizabeth and Ana to glance at each other and shrug.

“Boys will be boys, I suppose,” said Elizabeth over the din. “Get them away from their children, they think it’s alright to start acting like children.”

“Funny, I didn’t even know Jack could wrestle,” said Ana.

“I don’t think he can,” said Elizabeth, for Will was dominating most of the fight.

“Will, stop!” Jack gasped out, for Will had him pinned down to where he could barely move, much less take a swing. “It’s hardly a fair fight. “I’m much too old for this.” Will grinned triumphantly, and rolled off of him.

“You said it, I didn’t.”

After that, Elizabeth and Ana decided it was a good time to break for lunch, not wanting either Jack or Will to seriously injure themselves in a rematch. They adjourned to the galley and began to dig into a cold lunch.

“So where are we going on this trip, Jack?” Elizabeth asked while they munched away.

“Anywhere you want to, luv,” Jack said with a smirk, causing both Ana and Will to sigh. He pulled out his compass, and checked the needle. “That’s interesting,” he mused.

“What’s interesting?” Will asked, alarmed.

“The needle can’t make up its mind,” said Jack. “Half the time it’s pointing at Ana, half the time it’s pointing at our cabin.”

“So you can’t decide between choosing Ana or your rather large rum supply that you keep in your cabin,” Elizabeth guessed.

“Either that, or Jack wants to be with Ana in their cabin,” joked Will.

“I like Will’s interpretation best,” said Jack, winking at his life-partner. “Ana, maybe we should pay a visit to our cabin.”

“Hmm, I don’t know,” said Ana. “I’m not sure if that’s really what I want most. Can I see the compass?” Jack tossed it to her and she quickly held it out in front of her.

“Oh look,” Ana said, sounding stumped. “Huh. The compass is pointing to… Will!”

“What are you talking about?” Jack protested, taking a peek. “It’s pointing right at me! Look at the arrow.”

“Ah, but perhaps you are just in the way of the one that I truly want most,” Ana corrected him, moving past Jack to embrace Will, who was standing a few yards behind the captain.

“Ana, you weren’t supposed to tell,” said Will, rolling his eyes. “This was supposed to be our secret. Now we won’t get the chance to sneak out during the night and-”

“Will!” Elizabeth glared at her husband. “I thought you said we were going to put that whole thing behind us.”

“Pirate,” said Will with a lopsided grin. She glared at him, causing his smile to droop a bit. “Come on, Elizabeth,” he pleaded. “Lighten up! We’re on holiday.” Her glare didn’t waver, if anything it worsened. Will gulped.

“You know, perhaps Ana and I should go,” Jack offered. “We wouldn’t want to get in the way of a… discussion.”

One of the good things about taking a weekend trip with Jack and Ana is that they understood that both couples needed just as much time spent alone as they did with each other. But Will rather thought that Jack was bailing on him, which was rather unfair as he’d been the one to drudge everything up in the first place!

“Jack, no!” Will cried, not daring to look at Elizabeth’s death-glare any longer. “You shouldn’t have to leave.”

“It’s no trouble,” said Ana, standing up to leave. “Besides, I think Jack wants me to accompany him to our cabin anyway.”

“Too true, love.” The Sparrows made a hasty exit, leaving Will alone with his wife.

“Elizabeth, I’m sorry,” he tried, but she turned away from him.

“I didn’t want to think about the past on this trip,” she muttered. “About how I almost ruined our chance for happiness. Will, I almost prevented our children from being brought into this world! If we hadn’t made up…”

“You can’t think like that,” he sighed, walking up behind her and pulled her close. “You can’t agonize over the what-ifs. But I can tell you this – if you hadn’t kissed Jack and left him for the Kraken, I have no doubt that we would’ve been killed too. Then our children never would have had a chance to live.”

“Will, you always know the right thing to say to me,” she whispered. “I suppose you’re forgiven, provided that you don’t bring up the past for a long, long time.”

“Excellent,” said Will with a grin. “Now, what do you say we take this up our cabin?” She nodded enthusiastically, and raced out of the galley after him. Once safely inside their cabin, Elizabeth made sure to lock their door. Will wasn’t sure why she did so, as Jack and Ana knew better than to disturb them, but then that was Elizabeth for you.

“Ah, together at last,” Will said happily, pulling her with him down onto their bed. They quickly made short work of each other’s clothes. Trembling with anticipation he began to slowly kiss his way up her arm, but to his surprise, Elizabeth pulled away.

“Will, did I remember to lock the back door after William left?” she fretted.

“I’m sure that if you forgot, Sammi is on top of it,” he assured her, returning to his previous task. His lips had almost reached her collar bone when she pulled away again.

“Oh, what if James sleepwalks again?” She worried. “Maybe we never should’ve gone on this trip.”

“Don’t say that,” said Will in a low voice. “You’ve been working so hard taking care of the children – you deserve some time off.” She smiled wryly at him.

“You think so?”

“I know so. Elizabeth you give so much of yourself to our children, but sometimes you just have to think of yourself.”

“Like what you’re doing right now?” She asked slyly.

“Yes, exactly,” he agreed with an apologetic grin. “Our children survived through the last weekend trip without us just fine, and they’ll survive this one. I, on the other hand, don’t know how much I can survive if we don’t…”

“Honestly, Will,” she rolled her eyes. “You’re as bad as Jack, overdramatizing everything.”

“Oh, and you don’t feel the same way?” He asked, raising his eyebrows knowingly at her.

“No.”

“Liar.” The glare returned.

“I hate you.”

“You love me,” he corrected.

“Mmm, yes,” she sighed. “That too.”

“Shall I continue?” She nodded.

“I won’t stop you this time.” This time, he changed tactics and went for a rather sensitive spot. The moment Will’s talented mouth nibbled on her earlobe, all worries about her children left her mind. She decided to relax, and just let go. It was vacation, and she’d earned it.

333

Back on St. Maarten

Sammi raced her five charges home from the docks after their food had settled, hoping to tire them out. Thankfully her scheme worked and the children didn’t protest when she suggested that all of them take naps. She tucked their children into their various beds, reminding them that she would be downstairs on the couch taking a nap of her own. It wasn’t long before she succumbed to sleep, exhausted from her ordeal. Five children were too many for one person to handle, and she planned on reminding William of that when he returned home from work. William…he was probably with Ophelia right now in the smithy…don’t think about that….she was so tired…but she shouldn’t sleep… she needed to plan some activities for the children to do that night…but her eyelids kept closing…

“Sammi!” Dani’s frightened voice penetrated Sammi’s sleepy haze, jolting her from her slumber.

“What’s happened?” Sammi asked, sitting up in alarm, and reaching for her sword.

“It’s James!” Eva came racing down the steps, followed by Char. “He’s sleepwalking again,” her sister explained. “Teague’s upstairs with him but he won’t wake up so we came to get you.”

“Sammi, do something!” Char cried. All traces of sleep gone, Sammi bolted past them up the stairs.

“Teague?” She called frantically. “Where is he?”

“In here,” her brother called from William’s room. Sammi found Teague to be holding the seven year-old away from the window, which he’d tried to open the last time he’d been sleepwalking. She rushed over to the boys, and took James in her arms.

“Wake up, Jamie,” Sammi said fervently, shaking him by his shoulders. “You’re having a nightmare.”

“No, stop it!” James cried, but Sammi could tell he wasn’t talking to her. James kept fighting to escape from her strong grip on him, but Sammi wasn’t about to let that happen.

“Dani, get me a glass of water,” she commanded, struck by a whim. Sammi continued to shake James as roughly as she dared, but he wouldn’t wake. What on earth had put him in this state?

“Here you go!” Dani gasped, returning quickly with the glass. Sammi poured it directly over James’s head, which thankfully did the trick. Shivering with cold, James gasped as he opened eyes and spied Sammi’s face inches from his own.

“Ahhh!” He squirmed out of her grip, and ran out of the room. Sammi and the others caught him cowering under the covers of his parents’ bed in the next room over.

“James, I’m sorry this is happening to you,” she said tentatively, climbing into the bed, and gently pulling him out from under the covers. To her surprise, James latched onto her neck instead of flinching away.

“I’m so scared, Sammi!” James trembled with fear in Sammi’s arms. “I-I hate this,” he sobbed. “Every time I s-sleepwalk, I have a nightmare.”

“Hmm. Or is it every time you have a nightmare, you sleepwalk?” Sammi wondered. “Either way, I’m sure it’s quite terrifying, not to mention an inconvenience.” She hugged him tightly.

“I wish Mum and Father were here,” he whispered.

“I know,” Sammi said with a sigh. She wished that too. “But you’re safe here with us.” He shook his head.

“It felt so real!” James wailed, his tears mingling with the water that was seeping onto her skin.

“But it wasn’t real,” she reminded him. “It was just a dream.” Sammi continued soothe him while the other children anxiously looked on.

“What if it wasn’t just a dream?” He whispered. “I-I saw…” James dissolved into another fit of tears. She patted his head, hoping she was doing him at least some good by being there.

“Would it help if you told me what the dream was about?” Sammi asked, not knowing how else to help him.

“I don’t want to scare you,” James said softly, his weepy blue eyes staring up at her in pity. The boy had just suffered through what must’ve been a horrifying nightmare and he was worried about scaring her? Only William’s brother…

“You won’t scare me,” Sammi assured him. “I’m pretty tough.” She winked at him, but he didn’t smile.

“Alright,” he sighed. “I dreamed I was in this glittery place, and there were these two bad men. They had an older girl with them, and I could tell they weren’t being very nice to her. I saw them hit her. And then she stood up to them – she told them she wouldn’t do what they wanted.”

“Go on,” Sammi encouraged him.

“After that, they tried to shoot her,” James remembered. “But by then it was too late! Instead of choosing to stay with them, the girl fell back into this… thing that sparkled. I can’t explain it – it was like one second she was there, and the next she was gone. I think she wanted to die without much pain, instead of stay with those bad men.”

“That does sound scary,” Sammi smiled sympathetically at him. “But why did you think this dream would scare me?” The boy looked up at her, his frightened eyes clouded with apprehension.

“The girl in the dream – I think she was you,” James whispered. Chills rolled down Sammi’s spine as she thought about what she would do if faced with that horrible situation. Oddly enough, the scenario with the two bad men after the young woman seemed somehow familiar to her but she couldn’t quite place it.

“James, it’s not real,” Sammi said, trying to reassure herself of this as much as the boy. She couldn’t let the children know how much James’ revelation had rattled her.

“But Sammi, what if he’s seen the fu-” Teague began.

“But nothing!” Sammi said firmly, glaring at her brother. “Dreams aren’t real. I know that – everyone knows that!” The children still looked at her in alarm, apparently not convinced. “Alright,” she said wearily. She told herself she wouldn’t do this unless it was absolutely necessary, but she needed help, and William was much too far away. “We need a change of scenery. Who wants to go visit Faith and Captain Teague?”

“Meeee!” All the children cried. Sammi sighed with relief, thankful they all went for her suggestion.

But after they returned home from visiting her grandfather’s home, Sammi felt even more unsettled than before! James had blurted out the entire dream to the elderly couple, who had assured him that it was just a dream and nothing more. But Sammi hadn’t missed the startled look that passed between Faith and Teague when James had told them that Sammi was the girl in the dream. Sammi had a disconcerting notion that there was something important her grandfather was deliberately keeping from her. But thankfully the visit to the Teagues had accomplished Sammi’s main objective, which was to distract the children from dwelling on the dream. When Sammi suggested that they all play outside while she made their dinner, none of the children protested.

That was how William found her in the kitchen, trying to make sense of all that had happened while she prepared their meal.

“Sammi, you’ll never guess what’s happened to me!” William cried, bursting into the house sporting a blissful grin. The sight of him warmed her heart – she knew she was safe if William was nearby. His appearance also reminded her of her promise to share her true feelings with him later on that night.

“What happened?” She asked, masking her emotions carefully. She didn’t want to bring up the dream, not now. She would much rather wait until after the children were asleep to discuss it with him.

“You know how I’ve been spending more and more time with Ophelia each day this week during our lesson?” Sammi nodded, although she’d rather much forget this unfortunate detail. “Well, I asked Ophelia if she wanted to take a tour of the island with me tonight… and she said yes!”

No! He couldn’t do this to her! Not now, not ever, but especially right not now! She just gaped at him, not caring if he could read the pain in her eyes. How dare he ditch his responsibility to her and the children for a night with Ophelia! How dare he!

“Sammi,” he began tentatively. “Don’t look at me like that, I can’t bear it. Say something!”

333

End Ch. 9

A/N: And there you have it, a lovely cliffie for your reading pleasure! Hehe. Finally, I feel like I’ve got the plot in motion with the posting of this chapter, which is always a good thing. After a few shorter chapters, I tried to squeeze as much information into this one as possible it feels like. Hope you liked!