A/N: I can't believe how many fans this fic still has, and your faith in me to make it through the alphabet a second time means an awful lot too - thank you.

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

9. I is for Innocent

The sound of squawking was loud and shrill as a none too happy parrot flew up amongst the rigging.

Cotton waved his arms and encouraged the other men to call the creature down, to quieten its noise that continued with a ferocity the like of which had never been heard from the bird before.

The pirates attempts were all made in vain, and it wasn't difficult to see why the poor parrot was so distraught. Even at this distance it was clear that the bird was missing several tail feathers, though where he might've lost them was as yet unclear to most if not all persons aboard the Pearl.

"What on Earth...?" Elizabeth gasped as she appeared from below deck and saw the furore occurring above.

"Parrot's having some sort of upset" said Jack calmly as he continued to steer the ship steadily across the sea, apparently completely unphased by the deafening squawk of Cotton's parrot or several of his crew running up and down like crazy people.

Held tight to his side, Annabella giggled happily, almost mischievously, Elizabeth noted. If she didn't know better, she would say that her little girl had caused all this fuss, and yet she could hardly believe it of the innocent child.

In a moment, Gibbs was gabbling at the lady Captain, taking her attention from a smirking Jack and still giggling Annabella.

"Pretty" she said softly, shoving her hand suddenly in daddy's face, fingers still clutching onto the most brightly coloured feathers.

"A pretty secret, little Bella" Jack reminded her in a whisper, encouraging her to put her arm back down and hide the parrots tail out of sight.

It wouldn't do to have Elizabeth find out the truth, or Cotton, or the other pirates who were not all sold on the idea of the Pearl's newest crew member as it was. Bella was an innocent in her mother's eyes, as all children should be, but Jack knew better.

"Daddy's little pirate girl" he chuckled, his eyes back on the horizon as the chaos continued behind him and his child.