"Captain Grace! She's been spotted!" Jason stepped out onto the deck of his ship, H.M.S. Jupiter. The sun hadn't risen yet and the sea took on the pale tone of the dead left at sea. Jason noticed the men looking over the starboard side of the ship. There, standing faintly against the horizon, was the ship they were after.

"Mr. Zhang, load the starboard cannons, and ready the long bores." First mate Frank Zhang nodded and turned to convey the orders below deck. "And Mr. Zhang, have the port five pound guns loaded." Frank stood for a second before shouting down the second order. Jason pulled his eye piece and judged the distance between the ships.

"Afraid She's going to slip around you again?" Jason grimaced at the woman's voice. "She's listing and somehow still afloat, she shouldn't be much to deal with." Jason turned to the speaker.

"There is a Spaniard aboard by the name of Valdez. He is good, he may very well keep the ship afloat another few weeks. As for the guns, I won't take the chance. Three months of skirmishes with Her and suddenly we catch her sitting in shallow water? No, this is another ploy." Jason adjusted his petty coat and rechecked the distance. "Mr. Zhang, we should be in range soon. When the gunners are aimed have them fire the long bores. Keep the ship within distance but out of range of their guns." Frank nodded and moved below deck, he would watch the cannons himself.

"Three guns will take a while to bring the ship down. You could soften Her up first, then move the Jupiter in and use the main-" Jason spun on her.

"I have chased The Argo II for months, I have faced her captain in combat multiple times. That ship is not here by accident, they would not have sailed here without a plan. You have risen far within the Queen's Navy, but you are not a soldier, Reyna. You have a mind for tactics but no experience. This is my ship and you will not question my orders, is that clear?" Reyna stood her ground and kept her gaze fixed on Jason the whole time.

"They say you cannot catch the Argo II, they claim you are a defective and poor captain, that you should be stripped of your command and sent to home. I came to help you put an end to this pirates charades and mockery of the Queen's Law. If you do not want my assistance..." Reyna finished with a shrug.

"You are here because you saw a chance to take part in the destruction of a vicious and well known pirate. This is as much about personal glory as it is helping me." Jason's face was calm, his words spoken with truth not malice. Reyna's eyes flitted across his features, never finding anything to steady on. When she had scrutinized his words and measured his expression she nodded and took a step back.

"We should be within range," Jason announced to the deck. He turned back to the small ship struggling against the sea and squall. As the guns fired their first shots Jason noticed a green tint that touched the features of the ship along with the red and orange of the cannons.

He glanced over his shoulder as he listened for the sound of cannon balls landing. The men cheered when a crack resounded across the waves. It would take just shy of two minutes before the guns were ready to fire again.

Jason studied the water off the port side of the ship, there as a smudge against the horizon was an unmistakable figure of a ship. Jason ran the calculations in his mind. The ship was of good size and a fair distance off, yet he felt it would be quick. Years of experience were all he could judge that off, yet that was enough. "Port guns ready! Take aim and prepare to fire!" Jason shouted at his crew. They were well trained and snapped into action without question. The guns were run out and cannon crews readied.

"You knew something would happen," Reyna said appearing beside him. Jason nodded. She was smart, she had plans, and she never maneuvered without an escape route.

"Mr. Zhang take command of the port guns, fire when in range. Starboard guns maintain fire on the Argo II," Jason turned to address Reyna. "This isn't the most creative of plans but it will be effective. The Argo may be able to slip away while the second ship closes on us." Reyna nodded understanding.

Jason turned back and watched another volley of cannon fire strike their prey. They had inflicted heavy damage on the ship over the past month but they had taken their fair share. He feared the best he could hope for was the Argo would take more damage and would have to be run ashore for a time. He turned back to the second ship and realized it was closing at a pace quicker than he had guessed at. He knew the ship would be fast in the water, but this was too fast. The port cannons fired at the mystery ship and it responded in kind.

A round tore through the railing near Jason and showered him in splinters. His skin prickled but he was lucky and that would be the closest he would get to injury and come out ahead. Several of his crew were not so lucky. Splinters were more dangerous than the pounds of steel that caused them. "Break to port! Drop sails and ready starboard for a broadside!" Reyna appeared at his side again.

"Two ships with that speed..." She needn't finish the thought.

"I will board them if I must, I believe you are handy with a blade?" Reyna nodded. "Then I suggest you equip yourself, we will have only one chance before they slip away and I will not be caught in the open against two ships that can out maneuver us. Long bored cannons can do little to help us now." Jason had requested the six rifled cannons so that he could stand off against the Argo and be out of range of the lighter ships guns. They were best used in a static battle, where distance could be maintained and a single target could be trained upon and followed.

Reyna found herself a sword and Jason gave the order for grapples and ropes to be laid out on the deck. Rifles and blunderbusses were brought out from the armory and knives glinted in the morning sun. The Jupiter turned and headed back out to the open ocean. The starboard cannons raked the enemy ship with a last volley. They were not chased but Jason kept the crews at the guns and the ship at full speed.

~xOx~

She stood at the helm of her ship and watched the H.M.S. Jupiter let loose a broadside on the ship closing quickly on them. She ran the options in her head again but stayed the course. She believed her plan to be the best course to take. When the Jupiter was not followed the last remaining option left and she was stuck. Her plan was all that would possibly keep them alive. Leo had done his best to keep the Argo II afloat this long and his repairs would only last another two weeks at best. She had been cornered and left with three options. Running wouldn't have worked and she was a pirate, not a military fighting ship, that left the myth.

The mystery ship let the Jupiter flee and came at them with the same vigorous pace it had gone at the Queen's Navy. She clenched the railing and waited.

"Should we run out-"

"No!" She snapped, cutting her first mate off. "We can't pose a threat, Piper. They can run us down and blast us apart. We act wounded and let them board." The other girl swallowed and glanced around at the rest of the crew. They clenched at knives or pistols. Some readied spears and axes. She hoped they wouldn't be needed.

The ship closed on them but the cannons stayed quiet. They came aside the Argo II and ropes and grapples descended upon them. Within seconds a score of men were standing on her deck, weapons at the ready.

She realized how old the ship was. The style of the ship and its wood working were long outdated. Nothing like this had sailed in hundreds of years. She placed a hand on her blade and looked over the boarding party. None of them stood out against the others. They were all ragged and hunched, their arms thick and hands scarred. Their skin was weathered like all sailors but they held an aura of stiffness, of age. Then one stepped away from the rest. He was dark skinned and his hair was as dark as night, but it was his eyes that took her.

"Who is your captain?" he growled softly. She was not quick enough to stop Leo.

"She is a consult of Neptune, a daughter of Athena, sister of Calypso, and spirit of the sea itself. She is the dread pirate Chase." Leo boasted to the man. She swore to herself, Leo was too loud of mouth.

"I am Captain here. Annabeth Chase." She stepped before the raven haired sailor.

"Daughter of Athena and sister of Calypso," Annabeth felt the venom in the name. "I doubt that, Zeus would strike down such an abomination. A child of Titan and a god would be a sight to see though." His eyes filled with malice.

"They are words spoken about me, my crew takes pride in the stories about me, but stories is all they are." She glanced over the men standing near the fabled captain. "You know your Greek mythology well, this is my ship the Argo II."

He cackled. "Oh I know it too well, girl. The Argo, you give your ship an interesting name."

"The Argo II." Leo corrected.

"Watch your mouth boy, or I'll give it as a gift to the sharks." He spit at Leo. "As for the name of this ship I care not. I only want to know why you came to this island and drawn me here."

"Drawn you here? How could we do that?" Piper spoke up.

He gave a wicked grin, "Ask your captain. She knows well what this island is and why I came. She counted on it I think."

"The stories give you little credit." Annabeth said appreciatively.

"Try and woo me with words, see what it gets you. The last time I listened to such sweet talk it led me here, so you can stuff the act. As for those stories, well love makes a man stupid, and love is what cursed me." Annabeth realized her mistake quickly. "Besides, sorrow and bitterness are wise teachers, and I've had years to learn." He laughed again as if his own pain brought him amusement.

"We will leave the island, I have no interest in anything on it. I only sought safety for my crew." She knew lying would only anger him so she spoke half truths.

"And that safety came when I appeared with my ship and chased off the fool Brit. You used me Chase, don't think I don't see that." He leaned in and hissed the words, "but I have little concern with that, what I care about is that you brought be here. That I cannot let go so easily." He grinned in her face.

Annabeth nodded, "Very well then. Fire!" Her crew acted faster than the other sailors did and the cannons ripped into the larger ship. Leo cut the line and the weights shifted to their new bearer. The larger ship lurched and the Argo II righted from its list. The sails dropped and the ship began to move away. Piper used her blade to cut loose the lines and the others use their weapons to drive back the invaders. Annabeth squared off against the other captain and drew her sword.

~xOx~

Annabeth flinched. He was quick, he was vicious, and he was good. Annabeth knew how to fight, she had been doing it most of her life but this was beyond fighting. There was no beauty in his movements. It was not a dance between two skilled masters, this was a fight. He punched and kicked, drove the pommel of his sword into her ribs and arms. They snarled and spun, parried and pushed, all of it to gain the upper hand.

She had let the reappearance of Luke distract her. She should have known better, she was Captain Chase. She was a skilled fighter and brilliant tactician but she could tell he had experience on her.

The fight was slipping away from her, he was pressing his advantage and knew he could have her. Yet the crew of the Argo II was not so honorable to just stand by and let the captains fight. They took jabs and swipes at him to ease the presser on Annabeth. When a blade caught his calf he roared and again Annabeth was taken by his eyes. He bellowed and the sea came forth, a wave engulfed the ship and knocked half the crew from their feet, luckily none went over the edge.

She took the chance she was given and grasped a grappling line and when he came at her again she sunk it into his leg. The wound did little to hinder him but the others saw her intent and loaded the line with weight. Then they cast it over the edge, ripping him back and into the depths.

"Full sail! Make to deep water, ready the cannons and load rifles. Keep them off the deck if it can be helped." Annabeth ran to the wheel and looked over the shoulder of her navigator Travis. "Get us away from them, do it quickly." She whispered, hoping only a hint of her fear would be picked up. The sea began to toss around the ship and the skies darkened. Annabeth looked behind her to see the ship sitting in the midst of a storm, thankfully still listing with the added weights. A cascade of rain swept up behind them and thrashed the rigging. She swallowed and willed the ship to hurry on.

"You think that was all it would take, girl? That you could drown me in my waters and have the sea take me? I am the sea! This is not the end Captain Chase, I will settle your debt!" The voice boomed around the ship as if the water itself spoke.

Annabeth turned from the ship slowly dwindling behind them, "What have I done to us?" She whispered to herself.

"Annabeth, who was that man?" Piper asked her.

"That," responded a red head. "Was Davy Jones." Annabeth closed her eyes and cursed the girl.

~xOx~

Jason stood at the stern of his ship and watched the Argo II be boarded, minutes later it was slipping away yet again. Annabeth Chase had managed to evade not only his ship, but this new attacker.

Jason knew the stories, every sailor did. The Queen's Royal Navy was no exception but he had no proof and wouldn't fall to superstition. All he knew was that another ship that could have matched some of the stories had appeared and attacked both his ship and The Argo II.

He swore as Captain Chase took her ship out past the reef but kept the enemy ship between herself and The Jupiter. Jason would have to pursue her but he couldn't risk his ship against the third one moored by the island.

"Take us around wide, into deeper waters. We will need to close as much distance as we can. Mr. Zhang how do we look?"

"Well enough," Mr. Zhang shouted from the main deck. "Masts are fine and sails will be patched up soon." Jason nodded.

He took a deep breath when she walked up beside him. Jason waited for her assault.

"Did you see the name of the ship?" He glanced sideways at her. "Anaklusmos. It means riptide in Greek."

"You know Greek, Reyna?" She gave him a curt nod. "Why are you bringing this up?"

"Because you know the stories as well as I do. You're an officer, you've undoubtedly heard the report." He kept his watch on the waters. "Three ships Jason. It took out three ships, he took out three ships."

"You will call me Captain while on deck and yes, I know the report, I know what happened, and I know who they say he is. I have no proof. Am I supposed to flee? What will I tell them, that a ship bearing the same name as one seen nearly a decade ago may or may not be after us?" Jason turned and gave her a hard look. "They already criticize me, telling them I saw Davy Jones is supposed to help that?"

"No, I'm saying you should be careful," she squinted for a moment, "Captain. I was raised in a house where they weren't just stories. My father saw them as warnings, of what could happen and what will happen, when men think themselves above the sea." Jason was hoping it was a bluff. Her attempt to draw him into a position of weakness and self doubt. Instead he only read resolve. "I don't believe all the stories, but all stories are based off some sort of truth aren't they? Even if it's just a grain." Before more could be said Reyna turned and headed below deck.

Jason shook his head and ran over the events again. He had her cornered and she had pulled some trick. Either she had known another pirate would be on that island or she had summoned the specter of death himself. Either way he had lost his prey and was a good distance behind them. Now he would have to plan her next move and try and be a step ahead of her. That was no simple feat against Annabeth Chase.

There was also the possibility of dealing with this new ship. The Anaklusmos, even if it wasn't the mythical ship and it was real it was still a threat. Every Royal Navy captain in these waters knew of that night. Three ships, all carrying two decks of five pound guns, had been lost to one ship. It had slipped into port at night fall and let loose onto three of the best ships Her Majesty had in the area. Locals had reported the description of the vessel and how quickly it had moved. A handful of Queen's men and been pulled from the water and they had answered the inquiries with a single word. Anaklusmos.

He would have to send the report the next time he docked. Jason didn't have a choice, it was his duty to report his actions. He was a soldier and it was expected of him.

Jason glanced out at the fading sight of their quarry and ran a hand over his face.

"An end will come of this Chase. I hope you know that."

~xOx~

He sheathed his sword while cursing into the wind. They were escaping and there was nothing he could do about it. She was still on the island and he couldn't very well sail off without sending a party. He let flow another string of curses, this time directed at both women.

He spun and faced his amassed crew.

"No pirate will make a fool of me. Captain Chase came to my island and she'll pay the price for that folly. Get ten men to the island, see how she is and get back. I have a debt to collect on!" They moved to his bidding and his first mate Nico selected those to go ashore. He returned to his cabin and sunk into his chair behind his wide desk. Nico entered without knocking.

"Captain Jackson. The men are away."

"You are the only one who calls me by my name." He drew his sword and laid it across his desk.

"I'm the only one who knew you before this." Nico huffed.

"Yes, when I was still a fool. When I still a man and not a myth. When I had my name. When I was Percy Jackson."

"When you still had a heart you mean." Percy burned his gaze into the boy.

"It appears I continue to be vexed by females. This 'dread pirate' Chase insulted me and then slipped away, I won't have it." Percy reflexively reached out and grasped the hilt of his weapon.

"You'll kill her?" Nico raised a brow.

"And be forced to ferry her soul to the other side? No. I'll send her ship to the bottom and leave her stranded. The crew, them I might take." Percy gave a wicked smile. "Now, get my ship moving and after her."

"Of course Captain." Nico turned and went back on deck leaving Percy in his quarters alone. Percy slammed his fists into the desk. He had been drawn out by a pirate and used as a weapon. A mortal had made a fool of him and brought him to the place he loathed most. Percy's anger surged and the sea responded.

"Bring me to her," he muttered. "Bring me The Argo II."

~xOx~

"Get the sails hoisted, I want every tear in them repaired. Jupiter won't leave us for long, Captain Grace knows we're bleeding and won't give us time to lick our wounds. Quickly!" Annabeth barked orders at her gaping crew. "You," she pointed at Dare. "With me, Mrs. Piper as well." Annabeth stormed off to her quarters.

Her room was tiny. A small room tucked in the corner of the ship that held a small cot and smaller desk. Her ship was designed to be quick and light, that meant sacrificing on crew space. When the two other women joined her there was barely enough room to itch your nose. First she had to deal with the wayward oracle.

"First of all, Dare, you were out of line. You won't be spreading rumors aboard my ship is that understood? You have little right being on it to begin with and I'll not have you scaring my crew." No one could doubt the authority of Captain Chase.

"They should be afraid, you've awoken the demon of the sea." There was a heaviness behind Rachel's voice.

"He's not a demon, he's a myth."

"Yes," Piper interjected. "One that was aboard our ship, one that nearly ran you through, one with the fastest ship I've ever seen. That myth is out to kill us."

"I heard him!" Annabeth snapped at the younger girl. "I also know the crew will jump ship the first chance they get if we keep up this talk. You will not mention his name again, either of you." She passed a pointed glance between them. "We need to focus on getting to a dock, someplace small and close. We have damage we can't repair at sea and I'll not be run down by the navy."

"What about… our other problem." Piper kept the air free of his name but Annabeth still didn't feel comfortable.

"We stay clear of that island and if need be near land. If he is who Rachel says he is then the stories tell us how to avoid him." Annabeth filled the words with hope and assurance.

"You made a risky gambit, Annabeth. Davy Jones is not to be trifled with, he is cruel and vicious. He reaps the souls of the dead does so without remorse. Worst of all he holds a grudge, one he will do anything to right. You know the story of the Port of Sorrow."

"I know the what the Navy's sailors claim, the hushed whispers and tales told in taverns. I also know it was night and anyone can paint a name on the hull of a ship." Annabeth was growing tired of the Oracle. "If you want to help us then use your supposed gift and find us a port."

"You think me a gypsy that can read your palm and tell your future?" Rachel shot back.

"I have about as much faith in them as I do in you." Annabeth crossed her arms and smirked.

Rachel reached out and grabbed her wrist. Rachel slid her fingertips along Annabeth's palm but kept their gazes locked.

"Ill fate." The air cooled and the Oracle's nails felt like blades. Annabeth pulled her hand back and rubbed it against her leg. "Best think of a way to end this, Captain." With that the Oracle turned and left.

"What in the hells is going on, Annabeth? Be honest with me." The emotion her first mate could elicit in a statement made her shiver. The girl could talk he way out of almost anything. Make you believe what you wanted and twist it on you.

"We had three options, Piper. We could try and run and be chased down, we could fight and be out gunned, or…" Annabeth sank to her cot. "We could hope the stories were true. Use Davy Jones as a distraction and maybe wound the Jupiter. It was the best option."

"You drug up the shepherd of souls lost at sea, brought him to the island he can never set foot on again, to the woman who cursed him, and you didn't think he would mind? That he wouldn't come after you?" Piper spoke low and calmly.

"I knew," Annabeth admitted. "I knew he'd be angered but I had to save the ship. When we make port I'll leave and you will set sail. I'll board another ship, something related to the Royal Navy and he'll come for me."

"The crew won't abandon you like that, we won't let you abandon us either." Piper's voice gave her away.

"You can captain the ship, Piper. I know you can. Leo can keep it afloat and you can keep the crew in line and working. It will work." Annabeth felt she knew what she was doing.

"I don't give a damn about the ship, I care about you." Annabeth was caught off guard. "You think the others won't? Most of us will stick by you Captain. We'll fight with you."

"Piper, this isn't a fight we want. We're pirates, we move quickly and silently. We can't even take one non-mythical ship let alone the Anaklusmos." She stood and put her hands on Piper's shoulders. "If the crew wants me to stay I will, but we can't fight our way out of this."

Piper stared at the deck for a second. "You're right, we can't." A wicked grin lit up the girl's face. "There is a ship that can though."

~xOx~

"You're sure this'll work. I don't want demon men swinging swords and hatchets at me again. Once was enough, eh?"

"Are you confident in your repairs?" Annabeth spoke to him but kept her gaze on the fog around them.

"They'll hold, better than any dock worker could manage. That's what you get from the Great Leo Valdez." He looped his thumbs into his pants and gave a cocky grin.

"And I have confidence in my plans, if you don't you're free to leave the crew." Annabeth said solemnly.

"Sure, like you could keep this thing afloat without Leo the Magnificent. I'd pay to see that, Chase."

"We'd have a lot less weight if we got rid of your giant ego." Piper strode up to the railing next to Annabeth. "Or maybe it's all that hot air in you head that keeps us above water." She gave him a smirk.

"You can't charm me, I ain't that soft in the head. I know my job-"

"Then go do it." Annabeth cut him short. She was tired of the bickering and she needed to focus. Leo gave a shrug and lit up with another grin before heading off to check one of the numerous repairs he had made in the last few days.

Everyone was tense. They had spent the last two days skirting the Jupiter. Twice the larger vessel had fired on them and the splashes had wet the deck. They had slipped into the shallows and opened up space to breath between the ships but they chase was far from over. Sometime past midnight the fog and slipped in and drenched the air, it gave the Argo II a chance to hide but it also veiled the Jupiter. Any of the shadows could be land or an enemy brimming with guns.

Annabeth had run through every known story of Davy Jones and consulted with the Oracle. The plan had simplicity but everything had to go right. The Jupiter had to stay close, the sea had to at least not go against them, and most importantly the Anaklusmos couldn't arrive too soon.

"Captain… Annabeth, look." Piper whispered towards the lapping waves. Annabeth directly down over the edge of the railing. The waves didn't break when they reached the hull, instead they seemed to crawl up the siding.

"I believe he's here." Annabeth pulled back and looked to her crew, "ready the ship. We need to move quickly." The crew set to work.

After a nerve wracking hour Annabeth heard the unmistakable sound of waves breaking against a hull.

"Leo, now." The cannon sounded and Annabeth waited for the splash. She prayed the fog would mask their position just long enough. Moments later the specially designed shell exploded and a while lite illuminated the ship. The figurehead of a mermaid carrying a trident told her what she needed to know. "Turn the ship to port! Get the sails up!" She shouted.

'Fire the port cannon! Ready a second one." Piper gave the second set of commands. Seconds later another cannon fired from the left side of the ship and when it detonated another ship was illuminated. Annabeth smiled.

~xOx~

"She's making us both chase the same scrap of meat. Working us against the other." Reyna stated.

The image of the figurehead was still in his mind. In the light of Valdez's shell it was pale and looked as if it were a spirit. Jason shook the thought and turned his attention back to the woman standing next to him.

"She knows we both want the prey but only one of us can have it. We either fight it out and victor chases her down eventually or we keep dogging each other until she can slip away. Either way we play her game." Jason leaned against the railing.

"What's your choice?" Reyna gave him a sideways glance.

"We do what dogs do best. We flush the prey."

She spun on him, "you'll run her into him? Give up the ship and Captain Chase?"

"I told you Reyna, I'm not here for the glory of it. It was a mistake on her part. I have a duty to due and if he can help me then so be it." Jason kept his gaze out at sea.

"How can you be sure? She might strike a bargain with him." Reyna edged closer.

"I'll sit and wait. If he won't sink the Argo II then I'll fire on her and make sure she sees the depths." Jason spoke with a resigned confidence. There was no right way out of this for him. Even if he brought Annabeth Chase back in shackles it would be too little too late. She had evaded him too long, likely this would be the end of his command.

Another flash broke the darkness and a round struck water. Jason couldn't be sure of which ship had fired it until there was a distinct lack of secondary explosion and flash.

"He's firing on her. Trying to nick her or force her to fire back." Reyna leaned into the railing.

"Take us to port five degrees." Jason called out, he felt the Jupiter slowly shift under him.

A second round of cannon fire cast orange shadows across the water followed by two more explosions and bright flashes. Both ships were illuminated and Jason saw they were running parallel to one another.

"Fire the starboard cannons!" Jason shouted but the other ship was faster. The thunder of a half dozen cannons tore through the silence while cast iron cracked against oak. The Jupiter responded with her own volley. Jason grabbed Reyna and pulled her from the railing. "Chase is doing the same thing. She's sicking the Anaklusmos against us. He won't share the spoils and wants us clear before he takes her."

"Then how will she escape him?" Reyna pulled free of Jason's grasp.

"Remember what happened to the ghost ship in the reports? It disappeared by dawn, vanished with the morning light." Jason said while counting off the seconds. A second volley should be coming soon.

"The same way the ship appeared the first time." Reyna turned to look at their attackers, "every morning it will disappear giving us a chance but if we don't take her by night fall. It will come back and beat us off again. We wear each other down while they keep running."

"Captain Chase always has a plan." Jason repeated.

The Anaklusmos fired again, this time a ball ripped through the railing, sending splinters through the space they had been standing.

"If you pray, Reyna, I'd suggest you start. Gods know we'll need it." Jason looked at his damaged ship. "You'll also want a sword in case."

~xOx~

The flashes lit up behind them again. Splashes and cracks bounced off the water carrying out for miles. The ships were slugging it out, volley met volley. This would be the deciding fight. Right now would determine the success of her plan and their chances of survival. The Jupiter had to lose. They had to slink away and wait until dawn to come after them again, preferably taking enough damage to slow them down in the fight. Then the Argo II could keep ahead of both ships and for the time being continue on. At some point they would have to make a break for it and put considerable distance between themselves and their pursuers.

"Leo," Annabeth called out. "How many more volleys do you think they can take?"

"The big one? No idea, I don't know about you but I have no idea what ghost ships are made out of. The Jupiter? I can guess three or four but it won't do any good. If we had any luck she'd have taken the first one and gone down and taken demon head with her. With our luck? They're bouncing cannons all night."

"While I appreciate the humor at times, this is not one of them," Annabeth informed him.

"Always a little time for a joke, why else do you keep me around?" He cracked up at his own humor.

"Captain." Piper approached her. "What happens if he loses. If Jones turns and runs."

"He won't," Annabeth told her.

"If-"

"Piper he won't. He can't let a slight go unpunished. That's in our favor."

"I know you have a plan in case he decides enough is enough. What will we do?" Piper pressed Annabeth.

"We go back to what we were doing. We run, hop from port to port just out of the Jupiter's reach. It's all we can do." Annabeth sighed. "This will have to end eventually, I know that. For now we're buying time."

Piper searched for something to say but couldn't find anything. Finally she turned and headed off to check the crew.

Annabeth watched the behemoths battle behind her small ship. Her crew numbered under a dozen. Their armaments consisted of six three-pound cannons. Annabeth had to rely on wits, speed, and luck.

She only wished she could exchange some of one for more of the other two.

~xOx~

"Mr. Zhang, break off. We've had enough." Frank hustled to carry out the command. The cannons continued to fire but they quickly pushed away from the fight. Jason looked over his crew. Almost a third had been wounded in some way during the fighting. Two cannons had been damaged as well as the main and fore sail. Rigging lines were in disarray and the hull had taken sever damage in a few places. "Mr. Zhang!" He called out for his first mate.

"Yes Captain?" The man came limping back over.

"Find us water, the closest in the same direction the Argo II is heading. Plan out the next five places we can find water, chart a course between them and keep moving until we get ahead of her."

"Yes Cap-"

"And get yourself to sickbay." Jason added in.

"I'll be fine captain," Frank turned and headed off to find the navigator. Jason watched him head off and went to find the ship's carpenter. Repairs needed to be made and all hands would be needed.

He was helping shave down a beam to fit into a breach in the hull when Frank found him.

"We've plotted the course, the last of the five is almost two days out. the closest hours."

"Remove anything they could reach before morning, the same with anything she could get to after nightfall then add in locations until we have five again. Every time we pass one add the next to the course."

"We'll run them out of water, leap frog over them every night and be waiting by day." Frank picked up on Jason's plan quickly.

"Yes," Jason nodded. "She won't be able to travel in a straight path at night, the Anaklusmos is too fast for that. She be forced to take indirect routs, that will keep us ahead of her." Frank nodded and headed back to plot the new courses. "Oh, and Mr. Zhang. Check on Reyna for me, make sure she's well."

"Yes, Captain." Frank left and Jason wiped his brow before turning back to the beam. Jason knew they would have to stay alert. Annabeth Chase was smart and this new captain unpredictable, neither boded well for Jason.

~xOx~

The Jupiter had stopped chasing them giving Leo time during the day to make repairs on the ship, almost everything had been patched up and the ship was sailing smoothly. Their problem was that the Jupiter had moved to cut off their access to water and their stores were nearly depleted. Only the minimum number of crew was allowed up during the day, the rest slept and avoided some of the heat but that could only do so much. They would need to reach an island with a fresh water supply.

Twice they had tried to get close enough at night fall to resupply but the Jupiter and Anaklusmos had harried them and chased them off. By the time it was dark enough to avoid the first ship the second was already moving in on them. Rations had been given out and then cut. The crew was starting to suffer and Annabeth was no exception.

She was laying on her cot trying to sleep. The small windows were left open and she had wedged a book in the door to let the air flow. She tried to think of anything but the sound of the sea lapping at the hull.

"Tell a man he can't have something and it's all he'll think of. Looks as if the same runs for women." Annabeth bolted upright and cocked a pistol. He glanced over at her and smiled.

"Fire the pistol if you want, shame to waste a shot though." He moved to her desk and ran a hand over its surface. "All the water charts in the world aren't much good when a ship of war is sitting on your prize. Can't out wit the Captain?" He looked up at her and she pulled the trigger.

The shot tore through him and struck the bulkhead behind him.

"Head strong, told you the shot would be a waste but I like the effort. Kill a man who doesn't have a weapon drawn, very much a pirate." He continued to flip through the charts.

"Either I'm dead or you're in my head."

"Or near enough to it." He pulled a paper free and examined it. "Dead that is. I'm the shepherd of those who die at sea, I know when a ship will soon need to be found."

"What do you want?" Annabeth stood and grabbed another pistol.

"Trying again are you?" He laughed, "still won't do much good."

"Practicing for my real chance." She cocked the second pistol. "Tell me what you want or leave."

"I want your crew. You went to that island, you provoked me, and you think you have every right to get away with it."

"So you'll kill my crew?" He stopped and glared at her.

"I'll take what I'm owed. If I hadn't come the Jupiter would have turned your ship to splinters, they're fore fit." The words trailed off into a growl.

"They could have made it to land, even on her island-"

"And I would have killed them! Do you not understand? They were fated to die, Captain Chase. And die they shall."

"Then you're here to intimidate me? Scare me into submission." She was losing control of her anger.

He laughed and shook his head.

"I'm here to tell you if you seek refuge with that Brit I'll kill him and his crew as well. Do what you want but I won't be cheated." He stepped away from the desk and moved to the windows but stopped just before being pressed against them. "Oh, and sweet dreams, Captian Chase." He stepped through the wall and Annabeth snapped awake. She gasped for breath and did her best to steady her breathing. She swung her legs off the cot and made for the main cabin.

Annabeth made her way through the hammocks and stopped at the one she was hunting for.

"Oracle," Annabeth shook her shoulder. "Get up, now." When the red head was conscious Annabeth made her way back to the top deck. When the Oracle had caught up with her she turned on the woman. "You didn't tell me he could visit dreams from the other side, in all the stories and myths you went on about that why did you never mention that."

"Because he can't," the Oracle looked at her quizzically. "He visited you?" A smile crept across her face. "He's interested in you, maybe more than in just settleing a debt."

"Rachel," Annabeth did her best to keep calm. "What do you mean he can't?"

"Avoiding other topics are we? He has to be here to talk to someone here, even in a dream." Rachel looked as if she'd been struck.

"Get everyone up, get them up now." Annabeth's voice gave out before she could say more.

~xOx~

"No one is sure. It could have been the night before last, I can't find anyone who is sure it appeared last night." Piper informed her.

"Because it didn't," Annabeth said shortly. "He's changed the game and he's nearly upon us." She scanned the horizon behind her ship and estimated the time left.

"What do we do now?" Piper asked urgently.

"What he expects us to do," Annabeth said softly. "Find the Jupiter."

The crew near by stopped working and gave her a strange look.

"That's an order," she snapped and returned to watching the horizon and the blot of white in the distance.

~xOx~

Jason watched the ship close to within a few yards before he spoke.

"Captain Chase, I expect you have a reason for risking your ship," he shouted over to her.

"I want to parlay," she shouted back.

"Unless you're here to surrender your self and your ship I'm not interested."

"Not only my ship, but the ship that sunk three of Her Majesty's best." Jason stiffened at the words and turned to his first mate.

"Send a ship across to fetch the Captain." Jason told him and turned to his crew. "If they draw weapons or make to draw weapons open fire." His orders given Jason left for his quarters and waited for Captain Chase.

When the captain arrived she had her head held high and hands on her weapon belt. A shorter girl with red hair followed behind her and Jason recognised her as 'the Oracle.'

"How exactly do you plan on giving me the Anaklusmos?" Jason skipped over any pretenses.

"He wants my crew and he'll come for them. Between the two of our ships we'll stand a good chance of taking him." Her words are confident.

"And you won't slip off the first chance you get?" Jason let the doubt seep into his words.

"You have my word." She said defensively.

"The word of a pirate, excellent." Jason stood and rested his hands on his desk.

"Captain Grace, you can't take either me or my ship without dealing with him first. I surrender to you and in return you help me."

"And when this is over you find a way to escape and get back to your crew." Jason noticed the momentary shift in her eyes.

"And you do your best to keep that from happening," she responded firmly.

Jason took a moment to think it over and evaluate his options. She was willingly turning herself over to him and if he passed this up it she'd never give him the opportunity again.

"We have a deal." He held out his hand and she shook it. "Now I expect you have a plan."

Annabeth gave him a curt smile gestured for him to sit.

~xOx~

Both ships we ready when the Anaklusmos appeared around the point of the island. Their keels towards each other and their guns run out. The enemy ship would have to sail into their teeth to reach them and by the time they did two sets of cannon would have laid into them.

Annabeth had no doubt he would still sail in blindly or that he would board them but his ship and crew would suffer for it. By the time he'd give the order to board most of his crew would be killed or wounded. That would give them the advantage they needed.

She watched her crew ready themselves from the deck of the Jupiter, a term of their agreement and a key part of her plan. She would need Captain Grace before the fight was over.

Piper raised her head and they met eyes for a moment and Annabeth couldn't help but notice the concern etched on her first mate's face. She gave her friend a quick nod before turning back to the ship headed directly towards them.

Captain Grace waited for the ship to come within range of both ships before firing. The blast of cannon was deafening and rattled the wood beneath her feet. Many of the shots found their mark and tore apart wood and rope leaving a trail of splinters in the ship's wake but it pressed towards them.

"Ready weapons, prepare to be boarded!" The Jupiter's first mate bellowed over the blasts. The men on deck cocked pistols and tightened their hold on their blades and Annabeth did the same.

The Anaklusmos swung to come along side them and let loose with her own cannons. Men screamed from below deck as iron tore through the ship. Ropes and hooks were tossed between ships and the first of his crew leapt aboard turning the deck to a swirl of gunfire and clashing of steel.

She had expected to have to fight her way through his crew to get to him but he came directly for her sword ready. He swung at her head and she ducked away before thrusting low forcing her to parry. The scrape of metal brought goosebumps to her skin and her mouth tasted bitter. He swung again and again for her but she stepped away and came at him from a new angle. A minute turned into two, then three, and her arm burned. He attacked like a man possessed and aimed to kill with every blow but Annabeth avoided each.

"You can't avoid your fate Ms. Chase," he growled.

"Captain Chase." She corrected and lunged at him.

She drove her sword forward and met his side, sinking the blade in nearly to the hilt. He grabbed the blade and pulled it free then brought his own sword down towards her. Annabeth twisted away in time and kicked out his knee and dropped him to the deck.

"I can't be killed that easily," he said with a flash of a smile.

"And you can't seem to land a blow, so how about a deal?" Sweat prickled along her neck.

"A deal?" He reeled back. "What do you have to offer me?"

"Me. You spare my crew and I'll work aboard your ship, one lifetime for each of them." The muscles in his jaw tensed.

"You think you're worth that much Captain Chase?" He stood and let his sword hang by his side.

"I am worth that much. My life for the freedom of my crew, do we have a deal?" The sweat beaded and ran down her back and her hand tightened around the hilt of her sword.

"A deal," he said with a bow of his head before he stepped forward.

Both crews stopped their fighting and and turned to watch in fascination. Davy Jones was making a deal with the mortal pirate Captain Chase. He held out his hand and she took it tentatively.

"Though you should know," he said softly and leaned in. "My deals only hold with the dying."

"I know." She met his eyes and gripped his hand tighter.

~xOx~

The rifle kicked in his hands and threw up a cloud of smoke that blocked his sight but he was sure of his aim. Jason lowered his rifle and waited for the haze to clear. When the wind caught the smoke and cleared the air he held her against him with an arm around her waist. His eyes flicked up and Jason nearly stepped back.

He'd grown up in a port town listening to the haggard old men use the name as a threat to send shivers down the backs of other men and whisper stories over pints in taverns. Davy Jones was the devil who waited below the depths for every man who dared to take to see. Now he stood on Jason's ship holding the woman he'd been ordered to kill or capture.

"Annabeth!" Both men turned to the sound of the scream.

Two of Jason's men held back a a girl with feathers braided into her hair while she fought to get past them. Jason recognised her as Chase's first mate. He dropped the rifle and walked to the girl. As soon as she saw him she drew her pistol and cocked it.

"I'm sorry," he said softly and ignored the gun pointed at his chest. "It was part of her deal."

The gun trembled then fell and the girl broke into tears in front of him.

"Piper," he said her name gently. "I was asked to give you this." He took the letter from his breast pocket and held it out for her. "She also wished to tell you the ship is yours. You can take your ship and leave Captain."

"Captain Grace," Frank spoke up.

"The warrant was for Captain Grace and made no mention of her crew or ship, and until Ms. McLean or her crew are found guilty of a crime I have no reason to arrest them." Jason spoke loud enough for the crew to hear him.

"This was her plan." Piper said to herself as much as to him.

"A deal with the dying." Jason turned back to the raven haired man still on his ship. "A deal your bound to uphold."

Jason couldn't tell if he had been heard or not but the man slammed his sword into the deck and lifted Annabeth up with both arms.

"Our debt has been settled, I have no qualms with you or your crew Captain McLean." He turned and moved to the railing.

A plank was laid between the ships and the rest of his crew followed him across to their own vessel before it raised anchor and sailed away. Jason and Captain McLean stood at the railing of the H.M.S. Jupiter and watched the ancient ship head towards the horizon. Just as the sun reached the line of the ocean in the distance there was a flash and the ship was gone but just before she disappeared Jason caught sight of a blonde woman standing at the stern of the ship.

Jason turned and surveyed his ship. Both battles and the days of skirmishing between them had left his ship battered and frayed. The masts were splintered in places, sails had been hastily patched, and the hull had been damaged by cannon fire. His crew looked no better.

"Mr. Zhang, have the deck cleared and make ready to sail, we need to make for port."

"Yes, Captain." The first officer gave a quick salute and set about giving the men instructions.

"Captain McLean, you'll be escorted back your ship." Jason turned to her. "How exactly did you manage to get aboard my ship?"

"I asked," she shot back. "Don't think this is the last you'll see of me or the Argo II." Her hand dropped to her sword as she spoke.

"I didn't expect it to be," he said and gave her a weak smile. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry." She gave him a curt nod before she turned and left.

As soon as she was gone Reyna stepped up beside him.

"I'm glad to see you made it through the fight, I expect you'll give a report of what happened when we return to port?"

"The pirate Annabeth Chase was killed in the fighting, a third ship then intervened and opened fire on you. It was driven off but the Argo II managed to slip away. However both ships were severely damaged in the fighting and are unlikely to be seen again." Jason turned and stared at her.

"Thank you," he said just loud enough for her to hear.

"Captain McLean is... interesting…" Jason noticed the slight smile on Reyna's lips.

"I'll wager she's wanted for Piracy within a week." Jason said with a smile in his voice.

"You think it will take her that long?" He let out a laugh and watched the Argo II raise its sails.

~xOx~

"Ms. Chase," his voice drew her eyes away from the green-black water they cut through.

"Take the wheel." He stepped away and gestured for her to take over.

The wood felt warm beneath her hands and the ship seemed to breath in the gentle wind. Annabeth had spent her time on the seas but this was unlike any ship she had ever stood on. To her it felt as if the sea had built it herself and it had never known land, only the pull of the open sea.

"Where to, Captain?" She glanced over her shoulder to him.

"Does it matter? You have the next thousand years to get there." The words struck her hard, a thousand years aboard this ship.

"I suppose not," she said quietly and looked out to the water ahead.

"Welcome aboard, Ms. Chase."