Disclaimer: I don't own POTC.

Chapter 62: The Final Chapter

The voyage didn't seem to take very long at all, but perhaps that was because Camille was once again on good terms with one of the only men who had been decent to her. She always felt when she was at sea, that somehow time was stopped for a little while between land. She often wondered if Jack felt that same way, but he had to.

They made it without any difficulty at all to Port Celebros. Their biggest concern was being spotted by Norrington and his patsies, but it was assumed that he was over in Port Royale gallivanting around after his triumphant capture of the last pirate ship in the Caribbean. Camille had been writing to Will and the others fairly frequently, but she hadn't mentioned that they would be arriving in Port Celebros anytime soon.

Jack of course, had to check on his crewmates and make sure that none of them were hanged or in jail, so Camille was on her own for the time being. She was in her pirate outfit again and received odd stares as she walked through the market. Finally, she made it to her former mansion, looking up the hill at it. It seemed like every time she got back, it got bigger.

She decided not to use the front entrance and see what would happen, so she snuck around back and climbed through her window. And it was fun! Now she knew why Jack never used the front door. She felt such a sense of secrecy, even though she was in her own room. She opened the door, peering out into the hallway. She looked down the stairs and heard a movement. Instinctively, she made it to the next nearest wall and hid behind it before she remembered that she had nothing to be sneaky about in this house.

She laughed at herself, and stepped away from the wall and almost into Will's pistol. She looked at him. "Are you going to shoot me, William?"

"Camille!" he cried, putting it away immediately and hugging her. She did the same, kissing him on the cheek. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Will, its Cadence's birthday!" Camille replied animatedly. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, you know that."

He released her. "Your letters kept getting shorter and shorter, and we were beginning to fear the worst," he admitted.

"Well, that's what you get for being pessimistic," she scolded him playfully. "Long John is dead, and Jack killed him. I saw it! It was horrifying!"

Will nodded. "I'll bet it was. So…so Jack actually killed his own brother?" Will asked.

Camille bit her lip. He didn't know the truth. But should she tell him about her mother's legacy or keep the secret? What harm could it bring her if Will knew? She cleared her throat. "Well, there's quite a bit to the story. Perhaps I should save it for another time. Where is everyone else?"

"Annie is just out back. Ana Maria took the children out for a bit," Will explained as Camille made her way to the kitchen and outside.

She stood there, waving her arms. "Annie!" she called. "Annie, I've come home! Where are you?"

Suddenly, a head appeared just above the tall grasses. Annie recognized her voice immediately, and waved for her to come over. Camille ran to her and embraced her even tighter than she had with Will.

Annie squeezed just as much. "Oh Camille," she said breathlessly, even though Camille had been the one running. "Girl, I was worried sick about ya!" she confided. "I been havin' terrible dreams, just awful!"

"Well, they're not going to come true, because I'm safe," Camille assured her.

"Please tell me you plan on stayin' a bit," Annie asked hopefully.

"Well, we've lost the ship, so I don't really see anywhere else that I have to go."

Annie's expression went blank. "Jack's ship? Lost? Is that the one I heard the new Governor prattlin' on about?"

Camille nodded. "Yes, they've finally caught that ship. And I've no idea how I am to even begin to go about getting it back."

Annie looked at her. "I should've expected as much from you, ya silly woman." She shook her finger at Camille. "Stay away from Port Royale. By now they must know that you're Sparrow's ally."

"Oh, Annie please! That ship means everything to Jack, it's everything he has! The man will go insane without being at sea, we all know that."

Annie just stared at Camille. "Child, tell me you didn't."

"Didn't what?"
"Don't play me for a fool Miss Quartamaine, you've gone and fallen for a pirate!" Annie exclaimed, stomping her foot. "Did yer father teach ya nothin'?"

"Annie, he's changed," Camille tried to explain.

Annie just sighed and shook her head. "A man like that can't change, I've heard things from Ana Maria. Awful things that man has done. You know he's a murderer?" Annie said, whispering the last word.

"Well yes," Camille said thoughtfully. "But that doesn't mean that he can't regret some of the things he's done."

"Child, you are hopeless," Annie said sadly.

"Annie, give him one chance to impress you. I promise you won't be disappointed. He really is a good man. Remember what he did for Peter the last time?"

"Oh, I'll give him a chance," Annie said impatiently. "But one wrong move an' he's out!"

Camille laughed as they made their way back into the house. Annie had always been just as protective of Camille as her father, and she wanted nothing more than to see the young woman happy. And this pirate stuff was just too much for her to handle, though she tried her best.

Camille ran upstairs to change into a nice dress, and was done by the time Ana Maria came back. She stayed in her room, washing up and putting away her clothes until she heard a small knock on her door. "Enter," she said.

It was Sheila, and she had a big grin on her face. She shrieked and ran into Camille's open arms as she swooped the child off her feet. "Miss Camille, you've returned!" Sheila exclaimed.

"Of course I have, darling. Where is your brother?"

"He's downstairs washing up for dinner, but I'm already washed up," Sheila told her.

"Well then," Camille said, setting her down. "Let's go and help your mother."

They made their way downstairs when Camille heard another tiny voice. "Camille! Camille!" it said, with the exception of the "l's". It was little Cadence, and she'd gotten bigger. She was toppling over her unsteady feet as she ran across the floor.

Camille smiled and knelt down to pick up the baby. "Cadence, you've almost learned to say my name!" she said, picking up Cadence and kissing her. "Hello, darling. Do you know what day tomorrow is?"

"My birfday!" Cadence said, clapping her little hands.

"That's right. And what do you want me to get you for your birthday?"

"Dollhouse!"

Camille laughed, bringing her to the table and hugging Ana Maria. She was just setting Cadence down when the doorbell rang. She straightened up, alarmed. Oh God, it couldn't be Norrington could it? Had he spotted her in her pirate attire?

"I'll answer it!" Peter said, coming out of the washroom and running to the door. To Camille's relief, he saluted after he opened it. That meant that it could be none other than the infamous captain.

"Jack come and sit down, it's time for dinner!" Camille called.

"But wash yer hands first!" Annie added.

Jack nodded, shutting the door behind him. "As you wish, Miss Williams."

Ana Maria took a seat. "Everything all right, Captain?"

Jack nodded as he approached the table. "Aye."

Sheila waved at him, and Cadence did the same. "Hello, Jack!" she called.

He nodded to her. "Good evening, ladies," he said, kissing each one of them on their little hands. "And especially to you, Miss Quartermaine," he said, kissing her on the inside of the wrist like a gentlemen.

But Camille laughed, leaning over and pressing her lips to his as everyone at the table watched, more shocked than embarrassed. Jack and Camille took their seats next to one another, and in a moment dinner began in silence before Peter put his fork down.

"Captain Sparrow, we're all waiting in suspense," he said.

Jack just grinned, taking a sip of his wine and placing it down. He placed his hand gently on Camille's knee underneath the table, and she put her hand on his. "So there I was, at the helm of the Pearl, when all of a sudden this windstorm comes outta nowhere…."

And finally, here is the poem that I based Camille's character off and got the title for my story.

She Was a Phantom of Delight

William Wordsworth

She was a phantom of delight

When first she gleamed upon my sight;

A lovely apparition, sent

To be a moment's ornament;

Her eyes as stars of twilight fair;

Like twilight's, too, her dusky hair;

But all things else about her drawn

From May-time and the cheerful dawn;

A dancing shape, and image gay,

To haunt, to startle, and waylay.

I saw her upon nearer view,

A spirit, yet a woman too!

Her household motions light and free,

And steps of virgin liberty;

A countenance in which did meet

Sweet records, promises as sweet;

A creature not too bright or good

For human nature's daily food,

For transient sorrows, simple wiles,

Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles.

And now I see with eye serene

The very pulse of the machine;

A being breathing thoughtful breath,

A traveler between life and death;

The reason firm, the temperate will,

Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill;

A perfect woman, nobly planned

To warn, to comfort, and command;

And yet a spirit still, and bright

With something of angelic light.

THE END

WHOOOOOO! I did it, I finished my first story! I've written hundreds of things but never finished or gave up on them. I left the ending of this one open because I don't know whether I want to do a sequel or not? What do you think? Sequel? Comments, please! Thank you all for taking the time to read this. I couldn't have written it without some of the constructive criticism that I received from you.