The sun rose bright and merciless over the endless stretch of blue. Edward had begun to suspect the universe had a personal vendetta against him.
His plank was now less a noble life raft and more a waterlogged insult.
He squinted at the distant speck of sails growing larger, clearer, blessedly real.
"Finally," he croaked, waving an arm. "HEY! Yes, you! The floating miracle! Over here!"
The ship, a sturdy merchant vessel with patched sails and a hull that had clearly seen more than its fair share of questionable decisions, approached cautiously. Men leaned over the rails, squinting down at the delirious young noble clinging to driftwood.
One whispered, "Looks like a ghost."
Another added, "Or a sea demon."
Edward lifted both arms. "NOT A DEMON! VERY MUCH HUMAN! SLIGHTLY WATERLOGGED!"
A rope was tossed down. He grabbed it and was promptly yanked upward with all the gentleness of a cat being hauled from a bathtub.
When he hit the deck, he didn't even try to stand. Just sprawled flat and whispered, "Deck. Solid. My beloved."
A broad-shouldered sailor with a beard that could store entire ecosystems crouched beside him.
"You're alive," the man grunted in disbelief.
"Debatable," Edward muttered. "But I plan to remain so."
Another sailor crossed his arms. "Where'd you come from? Ain't no ships been near here but—"
The man paused, eyes widening."The Black Pearl."
The entire crew stiffened.
Edward coughed out a laugh. "Ah, yes. Lovely ship. Terrible manners."
"You fought it?" another sailor asked skeptically.
"Survived it," Edward corrected. "Well… survived adjacent to it."
The bearded sailor helped him sit up. "Name?"
"Edward Swann. Port Royal."
The crew erupted into murmurs.
"Governor Swann's boy?""The noble lad who trains with the Navy?""I heard he beat three Marines in a sword duel.""I heard he insulted the Commodore to his face."
Edward blinked. "You people sure gossip fast."
The bearded man finally extended a hand. "Captain Barstowe. You're lucky we were passing by."
"Captain, I will write you the most heartfelt letter of gratitude the world has ever seen," Edward said earnestly.
Barstowe barked a laugh. "Save your letters. You'll work for your passage."
"Work?" Edward blinked. "Manual labor? Me?"
Barstowe smirked. "Unless you want to go back to floating on driftwood."
Edward scrambled to his feet. "Sir, I am suddenly extremely passionate about honest work."
Meanwhile, the Interceptor sliced through the waves toward Tortuga. Will stood at the bow, lost in thought, while Jack hummed a tune about questionable life choices.
Gibbs approached him cautiously."Captain… the men are talking."
Jack sighed dramatically. "They're always talking, Gibbs. Usually about me."
"This time it's about Edward," Gibbs said, lowering his voice.
Elizabeth, standing nearby, tensed. "What about him?"
Gibbs looked uncomfortable. "Some swear they saw his ghost. Standin' on the mast after the battle. Wavin'. Then poof gone."
Will frowned. "That's impossible."
Jack held up a hand. "Now, now. Let's not dismiss things just because they sound completely mad."
Elizabeth's expression hardened. "Edward is alive. I know it."
Jack looked at her, really looked, and nodded."Aye. I'd wager my hat on it."
Gibbs blinked. "You sure, Captain?"
"No," Jack replied cheerfully. "But I like the lad, and betting makes things interesting."
Edward sat on a coil of rope, inhaling a bowl of stew like a starving wolf.The crew stared in awe.
"You were on death's door yesterday," one said.
Edward shrugged. "I recover quickly."
"Miraculously," another muttered.
Captain Barstowe approached. "Where are your companions, lad?"
Edward wiped his mouth. "Heading after the Black Pearl. They'll need me."
Barstowe's brows lifted. "You planning to fight that cursed crew?"
Edward cracked a grin."With enough rum and a poor survival instinct? Absolutely."
Barstowe shook his head. "You're insane."
"Thank you. I try."
Barstowe crossed his arms. "We can drop you in Tortuga. That's where your friends are headed."
Relief washed over Edward. "Good. Excellent. Perfect. I'll find them, punch Jack for leaving me, hug Elizabeth, then punch Jack again."
Barstowe gave him a long look. "You're certain you want back into that madness?"
Edward took a deep breath, the kind a man only takes when he knows exactly who he wants to be.
"Captain," he said softly, "madness is where my family is."
When Edward finally stepped onto the deck to breathe fresh night air, the sea shimmered beneath the moon.
A gentle ripple broke the surface.
Tamara rose, her hair glowing like liquid starlight.
"You're safe now," she said.
"For the moment," he answered with a lopsided smile. "You didn't have to stay near the ship."
Tamara shrugged. "I was curious."
"About?"
"You," she admitted softly.
Edward blinked. "Well… I'm honored. Slightly terrified, but honored."
She reached out, brushing her fingers across the surface of the water."You'll see them again soon."
"I know," he said quietly. "They think I'm dead."
Tamara gave a small, genuine smile. "Then you'll surprise them."
Edward grinned. "I do love dramatic entrances."
Tamara chuckled, then began to sink beneath the waves.
"Don't die again," she said as she vanished.
"No promises," Edward whispered.