I own nothing. Least of all this.

CHAPTER SIX

A great many months later…

Blackbeard stiffened. "The one-legged man?"

The bosun nodded.

As one, the pirates turned to watch as the fog dissipated to reveal…

"Edward Teach! For crimes on the high seas, by the authority granted me by His Majesty the King, and with a goodly amount of personal satisfaction, I hereby place you in the custody of the court, and declare you to be my prisoner."

Blackbeard drew his sword. "Admiral Hawkins. And Long John Silver."

Silver bowed. "Captain Silver, if you please your Nibs. Jim lad was kind enough to arrange for me a commission. And now, we have come to fulfill our duty to King and country."

Blackbeard hmphed. "Always knew it would be a bosun that got me. Guess I was afraid of the wrong one. KILL 'EM ALL!"

The fighting ground to a halt as both the sailors and the pirates became aware of the new arrivals:

The Spaniards.

Silver slowly stood from where he had been beaten down by Teach. Well…this complicated things. He reached out and just managed to stop Jim from jumping up on the Fountain and doing something stupid. Really; you'd think after all these years he'd learn to be a bit less foolhardy. Must've gotten it from his father…

The leader of the Spaniards reached out his hand towards Blackbeard's daughter. "Senorita, the chalices, por favor."

She struggled briefly, but in the end, she was forced to her knees. The Spaniard took the chalices, and stood holding them high.

"Only God can grant eternal life! Not this pagan water!"

SCHLICK!

A sword protruded from the Spaniard's chest. "Now, is that anyway to talk about a lady? Much less a goddess?"

The sword slid free, and the Spaniard's body slumped to the ground.

Captain Hook stood there grinning like a crocodile. "The next time one of you has the bright idea of disturbing the mermaids, perhaps you would do well to remember exactly who it is that they're related to. MISTER SMEE!"

"Yes, cap'n?"

"As much as it pains me to admit it, I do believe our fortunes would fare better were we not to allow such a precious possession of Calypso's to be destroyed. You know what to do."

Smee blew his whistle. "You heard him, men! Kill 'em all!"

With a yell, the members of Hook's crew charged the Spaniards, the British and Blackbeard's crew joining them.

Captain Hook slid his sword into its sheath, and bent down for the chalices. Blackbeard's blade stopped him in his path. "So. Two bosuns. Seems Fate is trying to underline the point. No matter; I'll be having those chalices, Hook."

Hook smirked. "And here I was thinking you'd be handing over your Sword instead."

Blackbeard's face clouded in confusion.

SWISH!

A line of blood appeared on Teach's hand, and he staggered back. "What…what is this?"

Silver ran his poisoned blade through the pirate's heart. "Did you really think I'd fight you without an ace up me sleeve?"

Blackbeard collapsed, the Sword of Triton clattering to the ground. Silver grasped it, and offered it to Hook. Hook shook his head. "Nay, friend. It was Fate that decreed Blackbeard would perish at the hand of a bosun; the fact that it was you and not I does not change that. You have earned the Sword."

Silver nodded, and raised the blade to the sky. "I claim the Sword of Triton and the Queen Anne's Revenge as my due! Jim lad! Time to…"

He trailed off as he realized exactly what he was seeing.

"No…"

The sword of Blackbeard's daughter had been run straight through Jim's heart. Her face was lit in rage and revenge for the death of her father. And as payment for her vengeance, she had taken his son from him.

As he moved to repay the deed, he watched Sparrow's blade swing through the air to do it for him. It was only then that he realized young Turner's body lay just beside his Jim's. The witch had taken from Sparrow as well. Silver's heart seemed to rip out of his chest. Turner…the only reason Sparrow had gone on this fool quest, to give him a chance to be with his love forever…and Jim, who had been trying to find a way to give himself the same with his mother…

Funny old world, ain't it.

But no…Hook was moving. Silver could only watch as he handed Sparrow the chalices, said something, and then bowed in respect. Respect, for he knew this would be the hardest decision Sparrow would ever have to make.

Silver barely noticed that the fighting had all but ended. Hook and his pirates had decimated the Spanish; there remained now only the British and Blackbeard's men (his now, he supposed), all transfixed by what was occurring. Gently, Sparrow knelt beside each man, and seemed to ask them each a single question. Silver quoted as he read Sparrow's lips.

"Do you fear Death?"

He couldn't see their responses, but he could see Sparrow's alright. Slowly, he poured the tear into one chalice, and then turned to fill both of them. When he turned back, Silver could see the tears in his eyes.

He knelt first by Turner, and poured the first chalice's water into his mouth. Then, by his precious Jim, and poured the second. He stood, and nodded to Hook.

Hook nodded back. "Smee! You know where to take Mister Turner."

Did…did Hook mean…?

Silver rushed forward.

Jim…his Jim…that wound…that horrible, awful wound was closing.

"Oh Jim…my Jim…"

As he cradled Jim's now whole body in his arms, through his tears he could barely see Sparrow hand the chalices to Hook. "Will he make it?"

"I'll see to it personally. Rest assured, Sparrow. The Dutchman will have a new crew member before the day is out. And now, I believe its time I return these chalices to their rightful owner. Take what you can, Jack Sparrow."

"Give nothing back, James Hook."

They shook, and with that, Hook strode off into the mist.

A gasp from Jim.

"Jim…Jim lad…are ya hurt? Does it hurt, anywhere? Tell me!"

A fit of coughing. "I'm…not dead…yet, Silver. Stop…trying…to rush me."

Silver could only hold on tighter, and look up at Sparrow. "Thank you…thank you so much…"

"Mate, I'm not the one you should be thanking."

Silver glanced in the direction that Hook's men had carried Turner's body away to. "…I'll do that. Somehow, I'll find a way."

Sparrow grinned. "I believe I can help with that."

The Dutchman hadn't changed since the last time he'd seen it. Then again, he doubted it would ever change. Unless the Captain somehow got themselves cursed again. Something Silver very much doubted would be happening. Well, at least for a very long time.

As he stepped aboard, he was greeted with the sight of said Captain coming down the ladder. She looked right marvelous; as if she were the sea itself. Appropriate, considering.

Elizabeth Turner strode up to them, hands on her hips. "Captain Silver. Admiral Hawkins. What a surprise; I didn't expect you to be visiting Missus Hawkins for another few months."

Silver grinned. "And how is the beautiful cook?"

"Just fine, Captain. She certainly keeps morale high, and all the rowdies in line. Sometimes I swear she runs more of this ship than I do."

Jim laughed. "That's Mother, alright. But she's not why we've come."

Instantly Elizabeth's face hardened. "I know. Jack said as much."

"You've seen Jack?"

"Did you really expect me not to keep an eye on the Pearl at all times? I'll admit, I was a bit slow when Blackbeard attacked her, and she might have lost all hands, Barbossa included, but in the end, I kept her safe. For Jack."

"Aye. But its for your sake that we've come today, Captain. We've come to offer our condolences."

"…Will knew what he was choosing, Silver. Please do not dishonor his memory by suggesting otherwise."

Silver twisted the hat in his hands. "I would never dream of it, Captain Turner. But nonetheless, we feel like we ought to say at least something on the matter."

"Then say it to me."

Silver turned. "…So. Hook kept his word. Another sailor for the Dutchman. Turner…I just…we just…"

Jim stepped forward. "We want to say…that we're sorry. I'm sorry. That sword was meant for me. And in the end, as harsh as it may sound, it didn't matter. I still got my dues. But giving your life for me…that is a debt I can never repay. So…thank you. And may Calypso have mercy on your soul."

Turner smiled. "Don't worry, Admiral. She has."

Silver replaced his hat. "Well, Jim lad, much as I might like to stay and jaw for a while, we've got an appointment with His Majesty. Some report that's going to be, eh lad?"

"True. But he can hardly be upset with you for ridding the seas of someone like Blackbeard."

"One would hope lad. One would hope."

As the Flying Dutchman sunk beneath the waves, Silver watched from the helm of the Queen Anne's Revenge. Jim's voice sounded over the remaining crew, British and pirate alike, as they tightened the lines and let out the sails for the homeward run.

As the Revenge turned away from the sunset, Silver found himself singing a song he had long known, but never sung himself.

"I thought I heard the old man say, leave her, Johnny, leave her…Tomorrow you will get your pay, and its time for us to leave her…"