Sorry for the long wait, loves. (A special sorry to you, Shell, considering you were about to have my guts for garters.) Read and review!

Chapter Six

"So, love. Erm... where do we go now?"

"You're the captain, aren't you, Jack? Figure something out."

"Look, Ell. It wasn't my fault tha' yer ship got wrecked."

"I know, I know. Just... take us somewhere, will you?"

"How about... Tortuga?"

"Tortuga it is."

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I was sitting in the crow's nest when it happened. Suddenly, a strong wind came in out of nowhere and started blowing us completely off-course. I scurried down the rigging as fast as possible, and ran up to the helm, heaving once I finally reached where Jack was standing.

"What's going on? Where did this come from?"

"Love, if I 'ad any idea, you'd be the second person ta' know. Tha' first being Mr. Gibbs, but tha' is of no real consequence righ' now."

I scowled for a moment, and then looked up, where, a few yards off in the distance, there was a growing blue light.

"Jack..." I started to say, but he held a hand over my mouth, drawing me closer to him.

"Ella. I wan' ye ta' go down ta' our cabin, an' make sure tha' girls are locked in there securely. Do it now," he said, harshly, pushing me towards the general direction of our cabin.

I had no idea what was going on, but I decided that Jack being so serious must have accounted for something, so I sprinted down to our cabin, talking to the girls through the keyhole and trying the doorknob.

"Melly? Can you hear me? It's Momma, darling. Listen closely. I want you and Jade to sit underneath mine and Daddy's bed, and don't make a peep, okay?"

"Momma? What's wrong? What's going on?" she responded.

"Honey, I'm not really sure. Just please, do as I say, and don't open the door unless it's Daddy or me, okay? I love you girls."

I heard two voices faintly saying, "I love you too, Momma," and satisfied, I hurried back above deck.

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The blue light had been growing steadily bigger in my absence, and now it had swelled, and as it drew nearer to the ship, I again reached where Jack stood. He wrapped his arms around me and I tilted my head up, whispering, "What is that?"

"Ell. That be Calypso."

"But... Jack... the heart's in our cabin. With the girls."

Jack's eyes widened and he groaned in disbelief, as I mentally kicked myself for being so stupid. I was the one who had met her before, after all.

"Bloody hell," he cursed, and for once, I wholeheartedly agreed.

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After about an hour, the waves swelled, and Calypso stepped onto the ship, right before our eyes. She looked the same as when I'd met her on that island, five years ago. The only difference was that she seemed just a wee bit angrier, which, of course, was a severe understatement. To put it plainly, she looked ready to kill someone, which didn't bode well for Jack or I. Seeking Jack out, she seemed surprised to see me.

"Captain Raven. I was under the impression that you were on land. Permanently."

"It seems that I can't seem to stay away from the sea, Calypso. It calls. You, of all people, should know that."

"Ahh, yes," she replied, looking wise and majestic, "Indeed I do."

"Now, the business that I have come for. Jack Sparrow, it seems that you have something belonging to me. Something that your dear lover, Captain Raven, returned to me some time ago."

"Erm... yes. I suppose tha' I do possess a... belonging... of yers."

"Where is it?" she questioned severely.

"Well, actually, it's a funny story. Ye see, Ella an' I were trying ta' keep it safe, so we locked it in a chest. If you'll allow us a couple of minutes ta' retrieve it, it'll be back in yer hands in no time. Savvy?" he said, with a characteristic smirk. I was the only one close enough to see the apprehension in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Daddy. I've brought it to you already," said a small voice, and I whipped around to see Melody, holding the cumbersome thing to her body, trying not to stumble.

"Well, well, well," Calypso said knowingly. "This is the child, Captain Raven, is it not?"

"Yes," I said grudgingly. "This is Melody." I slipped the key off of the leather cord, and bent down, unlocking the chest and taking hold of the heart, holding it out to Calypso. She accepted it, and then turned her attention to Melody.

"Come here, child," she said soothingly. Melody obeyed, and Calypso bent down, kneeling so that her eyes were level with Melody's, laying a hand on her cheek and smiling.

Suddenly, she stood.

"I demand the child as payment."

I gasped, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Why?" I heard Jack growl from beside me.

"As payment for taking my property, Jack Sparrow. Since you have taken something of great value to me, I will do you the same in return."

"Momma! Daddy! I don't want to leave!" Melody said, and then burst out in tears, something unusual for her.

"You can't take her!" I said, my voice low and menacing.

"On the contrary, I believe that I can."

"Then take me in her stead."

"Ella..." Jack said from next to me. "Please."

"No, Jack," I whispered. "She can't do this."

"I cannot do that," Calypso replied.

"Then let me go with you."

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Drama, drama, drama! Review, loves!

Yours,

--Ella.

Captain Ella Raven.