I have a few things to say.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING THIS STORY!

I really thought this was a lost cause; that nobody would bother because it had been so long. But nope! You all came through as always and proved me wrong.

So thank you! I love you all~

Second thing. I mentioned it in the prologue and some people were probably like "wth Ainzley". Yes, Adeena is Angelica's sister. Her father is Blackbeard. That would have been in the fourth book if I had went down the On Stranger Tides route, which I didn't.

Btw, above, in the media, is a picture of Jacqueline I drew myself. Did I do a good job? I wasn't sure when I finished.

I won't hold you back any longer. Please read and enjoy! It would be cool if you could press that star and vote. I dare you to vote. I dare you to vote AND comment.

***

"Mother," I inquired, as she stomped into my bedroom. "What's wrong? You look as if your cat died."

She huffed, wiping at her eyes. "It's nothing." She said, sitting beside me, wrapping her arms around me and burying her nose in my hair. I reciprocated; it wasn't often either of my parents were affectionate. "Jack and I were fighting, is all."

I frowned into the stained fabric of her blouse. Unlike Jack, who always had the smell of salt and rum about him (and worse), she always smelled flowery. It reminded me of a spring day, after the rain. "You wanna talk about it?" I asked cautiously.

"Not to you," She laughed. "Oh, I don't mean it like that, baka. It's none of your concern. Jack'll have me back in his good graces by tomorrow, don't worry. You know him."

I did. She pulled away, looking slightly cheerier. I blinked at her, wide eyed.

"Your eyes," I said, peering into them. They were already a bright green, but it was the first time I'd seen them glow -- well, it wasn't exactly a glow. You'd have to see to understand. "They're very bright, mum."

"Oh?" She squeezed them shut. When she opened them again, they had returned to their usual luster. "It's a side effect."

I smiled, curious. "Of what?"

She tucked my hair back, mirroring my grin. "We aren't normal, are we, Jacqueline?"

I beamed, reaching out gently. I could sense the pirates above deck. "Non!"

I awoke with a start, the morning sun burning my sleepy eyes. I squinted and then rolled over, wondering whether or not Eric was awake.

I thought of him often, it occurred to me.

Moaning, I rose, rubbing the sand out of my eyes. The warmth seeped out of my skin and evaporated into the tepid air of my cabin; I soon felt chilled.

After stumbling around like a drunk, and nearly knocking over my already cracked mirror, I made an appearance in the galley, storm clouds in my wake.

A chorus of morning! came my way, but all I offered in response was a moody wave. I'd spent my entire life at sea (give or take a few years) and yet I still couldn't manage to roll out of bed with a smile.

Jack had told me of his terrible luck with finding someone who could cook -- he had passed on the curse to me. All of the men and women aboard the Pearl, currently, could not be trusted with a flame, excepting John Mason, who could at least boil water and throw in something to make something resembling a stew. Today he had watered down the sea biscuits, and I grumpily spooned the porridge-like substance into my mouth. A memory swam to the surface.

"Adeena is simply magical," Jack said, doodling with me. I was seven.

I drew a wave, planning on using my stick of charcoal to sketch the Black Pearl. "Of course she is, so am I."

"I meant," He flicked the back of my head. I laughed and marked on his section of parchment. He returned the favor. "That she finally found a cook who can actually cook."

"Look who's in a mood!" Someone teased, and my shoulder was nudged.

I shot the sailor beside me a glare. Henry, I recalled.

"Shove it, mate," I flicked porridge at him, "Or I shall summon a bloody typhoon and silence you forever."

There was a series of playful oohs and I smirked, slouching over the table.

My sloppy braid was tugged. "You couldn't summon a ripple!" Henry laughed.

And so began the food fight that occupied the kitchen on the third day of the sixth month.

I miraculously escaped with merely a smear of something on my blood red corset, and a glob of something under my eye. I wiped them away with a spare rag, hiding in my cabin. Violet was after me; I had dumped my bowl on his head.

I reminded myself to why I was wearing the red corset over my ivory blouse. I was, today, going to confront Taylor Sutcliff.

Who to take with me, I wondered, as I polished my sword blades on the bowsprit of the Black Pearl, some time later. I couldn't just waltz up to someone with a grin as dangerous as his and ask what conspiracy he was a part of -- I am not that stupid. I could bring along Eric, my immediate choice, I mused. Or Nina. Or I could visit Cass...

Well, Eric won't let me leave my own bloody ship without a babysitter, I thought with a frown, mouthing some colorful words. That's why he'd end up coming anyway...and he's not bad company, really...

I stood, sheathing the cutlass that was previously Jack Sparrow's. Yes, Eric would have to do.

Where would I find my first mate? I was actually stumped as I roamed the deck, then the below decks, then the bay. I checked his room last (I'm that stupid after all), which was sectioned off from the arrays of cots that the crew members occupied during their off time (as first mate, he is privileged). As of now, a few men snored away, swinging delicately from the burlap sacks that were fashioned into 'beds'. It was very tempting to jerk at the ropes holding them off the floor and send them tumbling, but I decided I'd rather not have a knife at my throat.

I knocked tentatively at Eric's door. "Eric, beautiful day, get up, all that shit..." I received no answer. Huffing indignantly, I pushing his door open.

Eric's cabin was sparsely furnished. A bed, a night table, a sea chest. However, it was orderly, and it fit nicely in the space he was provided.

Eric Kendrick himself was curled into a ball underneath a worn blanket, barely audible snores detectable as his side rose and fell. Was he...dressed? I hoped he was, I'd like to avoid that encounter. Before I could shake him out of slumber, he stirred and turned, so he faced me.

I froze, staring. The sheet covering him fell away, revealing his toned chest, bronzed from the sun. I swallowed hard, following his contours until I reached his face. His eyes I could not see, as his golden bangs hid them.

I backed away very slowly, my heartbeat speeding along like I had recently governed a ship during a hurricane. He was very handsome, I realized.

Turning frantically, my head collided with the door, which I had left hanging open. I squeaked in pain and shock, falling over and creating a rather loud thud.

"Anáthema aftó to gamiméno pátoma , sto gamiméno trópo , aplós prospatheí na párei tin próti mou sýntrofos apó to kataraméno to kreváti tou --" I cussed loudly, hoping my eyes didn't take on that 'side effect' from the amount of Siren I had just spoke, rolling over and sitting up.

"Jacqueline?"

I momentarily forgot how to move, then spun around, rubbing my forehead. "Good morning!" I exclaimed, smiling through my developing headache.

He shook his hair out of his blue eyes and gazed at me questioningly. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, actually," I stood, steadying myself on the door frame. "Urgent business that the fate of the world depends upon. I was hoping you could help me find Taylor Sutcliff."

He sighed, falling back into the comfort of his bed. "I'll be there. And wash your face."

I touched under my eye, had I missed something? My kohl! Letting out another immature squeak, I rushed to find a mirror to fix my appearance.

Eric and I gazed at the many ships docked in the harbor about ten minutes later, trying to decide which brig would belong to a flamboyant man such as Captain Sutcliff.

"I vote that brigantine," I pointed out the large vessel, whose planks were a lighter wood.

He hummed. "I disagree, that galleon looks awfully red, wouldn't you agree?"

I let my gaze flit to the ship he indicated. The sails were a lovely shade of maroon. It reminded me of the stories I'd heard of the Queen Anne's Revenge.

"You win, lead the way," I gave in, taking his hand.

We arrived at the grand ship a moment later, peering up at the name delicately inscribed on the side. Shinigami, it read. Beside it were a few Japanese characters.

"Is that Japanese?" My first mate inquired.

I nodded. "Shinigami. Death god. That's some name, for a ship."

He cast me a glance. "Why would you say that?"

"Well, death gods take souls." I said matter of factly. "I wonder if he actually speaks the language."

"If it isn't Captain Sparrow!" Eric and I turned, and he dropped my hand. Taylor Sutcliff himself sauntered up to us, grinning. "And her friend."

I smiled. "Why good afternoon, Captain Sutcliff." I said cheerily. "This is my wonderful first mate, Eric." I paused. "And please, call me Jacqueline."

"Then you must call me Taylor." He said. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Eric."

"Likewise." Eric said, nodding.

"Can I do something for you?" He asked, running a hand through his violently red hair. It was now free down his back, reaching past his waist. A single braid hung over his electric green eyes.

"Yes, actually," I cleared my throat. "I wanted to ask how you knew my mother. She never spoke of you."

"Hm, well, when I said that I knew her, I didn't mean that I knew her well." He answered, sounding amused. "In fact, I only met her once. The previous Lord of the Red Sea met her in Tortuga, and I tagged along." He smirked. "You're just as beautiful as she was."

I felt my cheeks heat, despite my determination to ignore the compliment. "Thank you." I glanced at the floor, then back at him. "Were you present when they spoke?"

"I was," He said. "I heard the entire conversation." He grinned.

He was making me ask. Hmph. "Did she seem...stressed? She really didn't mention why she was appointing him?"

"She was a tad...nervous." He said, looking thoughtful as he struggled to recall events from ten years ago. "And like I said, she did not give reason. Though she was quick with it. We only met for ten minutes or so."

Eric spoke up. "Do you remember the date?"

His electric green eyes found Eric's cerulean ones. "I do. It was the fifteenth of May."

My eyes widened. "The fifteenth of May? Are you sure?"

He smiled enigmatically. "Yes, I remember due to a lovely lady that kept me company that night."

Eric's hand brushed my lower back gently, breaking me out of my daze. "They died on the sixteenth." I said quietly.

"I offer my condolences, Captain." He said, lowering his eyes. "I did not mean to stir painful memories. If you'll excuse me, I have something to tend to on my ship."

He walked around us, the heels of his boots clicking against the dock. I quickly began pacing away.

"Jacqueline." Eric called. I heard him hurry slightly to catch up. "Jacqueline, please tell me where you are heading."

I crossed my arms. "Leave me alone, Eric!"

"No," He refused, "You become reckless when you're upset, Jacqueline."

I whirled around. "Why do you care, Eric?" I asked fiercely. "Why do you fuss over me as if you are my father? Or how a father should be?" Without waiting for an answer, I turned again.

He followed quickly. "Because I care, Jacqueline. You didn't have much of an authority figure growing up --"

I snapped at him, over my shoulder. "Jack and Adeena were perfectly fine! It isn't my fault! And I don't need an authority figure! I can bloody well take care of myself!"

"No, you can't." He grabbed my elbow, jerking me around. I strained to pull away, but he was a great deal stronger than me. "You make terrible decisions, that could get you killed, when you are alone. It's why the entire crew watches over you, Jacqueline, because they know what will happen if they don't."

I tensed. "Let me go," I said in a low voice, hoping my eyes burned, "Or I will make you."

He stared fearlessly into my eyes. "No."

We glared heatedly at one another for several seconds before I gave up, allowing the tears to come and falling into his chest. He sighed, wrapping his arms around me as I sniffled.

"She knew," I choked out, "She knew they were going to die, and that there must be Nine Lords. So they gave their Pieces to me and gave a title to another captain."

Eric combed my hair back. Dammit, he really was like some stupid older brother at times. "Would you like to return to the Pearl?"

I nodded. He released me, although his arm remained around my waist. I leaned on his shoulder, trying to cool down. "I am rather pathetic, aren't I."

"No." He said. "You just haven't grown up yet." I heard the smile in his voice.

I jabbed his side, and he winced. "Idiot."

He chuckled. "After you."

We climbed the gangplank in silence. I turned on him when he reached the top.

"You are going to find Nina and start a game of a Hazard." I said with a weak smile, regaining my usual vigor, wiping under my eyes. Kohl was smeared, again. I probably looked dead. "I shall be with you promptly."

If a game of Hazard began, everyone would join in. It's practically insured. And I was the only one who could ever beat Eric; I was just as skilled at cheating as my dad was.

I darted into my cabin, leaning back on the door as it was shut, my eyes finding the bed, and then the desk, and then the sea chest...

Everything in here had belonged to my parents. I thought about them as I, once again, redid the black powder around my eyes. It seemed that I was missing them more and more as of late.

I had been eight when they passed. I didn't have many clear memories to reflect upon.

I pushed those saddening thoughts aside and flung open my cabin doors again, sauntering out on deck. I had a first mate to beat.