Chapter XIV: Letting the Cat Out of the Bag

Disclaimer: read chapter I

Melanie and Will were staring at each other in silence. Will was smiling with tears watering his eyes, he's thankful that Melanie was alive. Melanie was opposite. She was glad to see him, but was confused and bewildered at the same time.

"Will?" Melanie said questionably, making sure that Will wasn't a figment of her imagination.

"Mel," Will walked closer to her with opened arms, giving her the biggest hug, he could imagine, "I knew you weren't dead."

"Will," Melanie pushed away from Will's embrace and stared at him with wide eyes, "W-What are you doing here? H-How did you get here?!"

"I'm here to take you home," Will explained in a whisper, placing his hands on Melanie's shoulder and leveling his head with hers, "There's a ship outside, waiting for us. We must go now."

"Wait! Go?" Melanie was still confused, "How did you know I was here?"

"There's a lot to explain, but I will say this... Elizabeth and I risked everything to come find you."

Melanie widen her eyes and her jaw dropped in disbelief, "Elizabeth?"

Will nodded, "She's there in the ship, right now."

Melanie didn't say a word, she just kept staring at Will, while mentally putting the pieces together. She's still had a hard time processing, what just occurred.

~000~

"Gents, lets move out!" Barbossa commanded. All of Barbossa's men were mumbling to each other, while obeying Barbossa's order. As they were heading back to the longboats, a certain pirate regained consciousness.

Jack stood up, holding onto the oar that Will used to hit his head. He stepped out of his hiding spot in the dark, only to be noticed by Ragetti.

Ragetti eyes lit up and pointed at Jack in disbelief, "You!"

Once Ragetti noticed, the rest of the crew noticed Jack standing there alive as well.

"You're supposed to be dead!" Pintel cried.

"Am I not?" Jack asked as he looked down at himself, "Oh." He turned around and saw more crew members pointing their pistols at him. "Palulay?" Jack said trying to say something, "Palu-li-la-la-lulu... Parlili? Parsnip? Pasley?"

"Parlay?" Ragetti asked.

"Parlay!" Jack pointed at Ragetti, "That's the one. Parlay! Parlay!"

Pintel gave his buddy a dark glare, "Parlay..." He turned to Jack, "Down to the depths whatever man that thought up 'Parlay'?!"

"That would be the French."

Barbossa pushed his way through his crew, questioned why they stopped moving. He got his answer when he saw an intruder standing before him. The same intruder, he didn't expect to see. "You!" Barbossa pointed at him in shock and anger.

"Me?" Jack pointed at himself, acting innocent.

"What are you doing here?!" Barbossa demanded, stepping closer to Jack.

"What are you doing here?" Jack repeated after him, using Barbossa's tone of voice.

"No, what are you doing here?!"

"What are you doing here?!"

"NO! What are you doing here?!" Before Jack could repeat after him, Barbossa raised his hand up to silence him, "We were first!"

"So?" Jack asked, "I was here second. But that still didn't answer me question."

"Nay. Since we were here first, I'll be first one, asking the questions." Barbossa moved his head toward Jack's direction, silently telling his crew to grab him. Pintel and Ragetti did just that. They physically grabbed Jack's arms and dragged him toward their captain.

"Fair enough," Jack mumbled.

~000~

"Elizabeth is here?" Melanie asked in shock. She wasn't surprise if Elizabeth wanted to come to save her, but it was shocking that to hear that Will would allow Elizabeth to be in danger with pirates.

"Unfortunately," Will mumbled to himself, looking down at the ground. He looked back up to his friend, "She's willing to come and risk her life for you. She's worried sick about you, miserable and depressed actually. You need to come to the ship with me. Elizabeth would be angry to see me back without you."

Melanie scoffed, "Will, she won't be mad at you. She adores you-"

Will shook his head, disagreeing with her words, "No. She wasn't her lovely self, when you got kidnapped." Will paused, realizing that they're just standing there in the cave, where they could be spotted by the crew at any second. "What on earth are we still doing here?! Mel, we need to go now!"

Will took her hand and turned to leave the cave, but Melanie pulled away from his grasp and said the words he never thought she would say.

"I can't leave!" Melanie stated.

Will stopped his tracks and faced Melanie with narrowed eyes in disbelief and confusion. She didn't just say that? Did she? "What?"

~000~

Barbossa and Jack stared at each other challengingly.

"By judging the look of your ugly face," Jack began. "I suppose you're surprised to see me... alive," Jack smirked as he added the last word.

Barbossa frowned, shaking his head, "Not surprised, Jack. A little birdie told me you escape that little island. But my question for you is... how?" Barbossa asked with furrowed brows.

"When you marooned me on that God forsaken spit of land, you forgot one very important thing, mate... I'm Captain Jack Sparrow.

"Ah, well, I won't be making that mistake again. Gents, you all remember Captain Jack Sparrow? Kill him..." Barbossa ordered with a smirk as he walked away from the pirates. They were pulling their pistols out and aimed at Jack, smirking at him as they were ready to fire.

"You know I have a couple of birdies of me own. They told me that you had taken a bonny lass. A governor's daughter. Aye?"

Barbossa stopped himself, thinking about what Jack just said. "Hold your fire!" He ordered as he turned back to Jack. Barbossa's crew groaned as they reluctantly lowered their weapons.

"Aye," Barbossa answered, "But what does she matter to ye? From what I heard from Parker, she hates you."

"She matters not to me. But what is she to you? I know you're a greedy man, but I never see you as a kidnapping type. Unless she holds value, other than the fact that she's a female."

Barbossa narrowed his eyes at his rival and stepped closer to him, "She holds the gold."

"And you think her blood will lift your curse?"

Barbossa shook his head, "No. Since she had the medallion, and it wasn't hers; I figure she knows who the medallion belongs to."

"And did she? Does she know whose blood ye need?"

Barbossa furrowed his brows at him, walking closer to him. He was about few inches from Jack's face, giving him a suspicious stare, "Ye know whose blood we need?" Barbossa asked.

Jack smiled, revealing his golden tooth, "Aye. I know whose blood ye need."

~000~

"Melanie, please, tell me I didn't hear what you said," Will whispered, still in shock from Melanie's words.

Melanie sighed, "I'm sorry, Will, I can't come with you."

"Why not?!" Will demanded, "I saw what that bastard did in there! He hurt you!" Will lifted Melanie's palm, showing her cut Barbossa made.

"It's a misunderstanding," Melanie explained, "He wasn't going to kill me. He was just showing what they're going to do the owner of this medallion..." Melanie held medallion up from her neck, dangling it in front of him.

"What makes him think that you care?" Will asked, not looking at the gold coin.

"Because I do." Will widen his eyes in disbelief. Melanie sighed as she continued, "I was the one who asked him and volunteered to be his sacrifice for the demonstration. I agreed to help him find the owner of the medallion." Will narrowed his eyes at her questionably. "And you know, I'm glad Elizabeth is here! She knows all about it."

"What?" Will asked.

"I caught Elizabeth holding onto the trinket. She told me she was holding it for a friend. She knows about it, and I want answers from her."

"Alright. That's why we need to go. Now!" Will attempted to grab Melanie again, but she again pulled away from his strong grip.

"I can't!"

"Why?"

"Because I promised Barbossa I can help him lift his curse. Once we find the owner and get a drop of his blood, their curse will be lifted and be free. Besides I told him that I wouldn't escape. I gave him my word. He's probably wondering where I am right now."

"Why would you promise him that?! Why are acting so calm about this?! You're his prisoner! Why do you care about that bastard and his curse?"

Melanie looked at Will sadly, scared of how he'll react once he know her true heritage, "Because Will... I'm... I-I'm his-"

"PARKER!" a voice boomed against the cave walls, causing Will and Melanie to jump unwillingly. "Where are ye?!"

"Come on," Will hissed at her, grabbing her long sleeve shirt, "We must go."

"Will, I can't," Melanie hissed back, "We can't let him know that you're here. I don't want anything happen to you."

"I don't care," Will stated, "I will rather die than have you-"

"PARKER!" Barbossa called for his daughter again.

"I'm coming!" Melanie replied loudly.

Will widen his eyes, couldn't believe she did that. He covered her mouth and shushed her.

"What are you doing?!" Will asked her in anger.

Melanie slapped Will's hand away from her mouth, "I just can't come with you, Will. Now's not the time. Go back to your boat and tell Elizabeth I'm okay, and I'll be home soon."

"But Mel-" Will stopped when he and Melanie heard footsteps coming their way. They started to panic.

"Will, you need to go," Melanie said in a hushed whisper.

"Not without-"

"Will!" Melanie snapped in a quiet, angry tone, "Don't you understand how much danger you're in? I promise you, Will, I'll be fine. Go! I'll hold them off long enough for you to escape."

"But-" The footsteps were made by more than one person. Barbossa and his men were coming, and they're not far behind.

"They're getting close. Go!" Melanie stared at him with her pleading blue eyes, begging for him to go, "Please."

Will stared at Melanie, thinking quickly about the situation. He so much wanted Melanie to come with him, but she was being to stubborn about it. The only thing that mattered to him was that Melanie was safe and unharmed. By one look at her, she was both safe and unharmed. He didn't have much time to argue. The undead pirates were getting closer and closer.

Elizabeth, please forgive me, Will pulled Melanie into a tight hug that lasted for a moment. He pulled away and looked deep into her eyes, "I hope you know what you're doing."

"Go," Melanie commanded, and he quickly obliged just in time. Melanie turned around to see a light shining in the cave. Melanie returned to the stream to wash her hands.

Barbossa and his men approached her and the long boats. Most of the men were hopping on the boats, while Koehler and Twigg locked their arms with their new prisoner, Jack Sparrow. Melanie continued washing her hands casually, pretending nothing happened moments ago.

"Parker," Barbossa stood behind her with his arms crossed, and stared down at her suspiciously, "What the blaze are ye doing?"

Melanie's heart race, when Barbossa spoke to her. She didn't want to cause suspicion, but she wanted slow them down so Will and Elizabeth can get away from the island.

"What does it look like, Captain?" Melanie asked as slowly stood up to her feet. She turned to face her captain, showing off her cut that stopped bleeding minutes ago. "You don't want me to have an infection, do you?"

Barbossa stared at Melanie, before he grabbed her white sleeve and began ripping it. Melanie stared at his action in horror.

"W-What the hell are you doing?!" Melanie demanded, pulling her arm away from his grip, only causing more damage to her sleeve. Now Melanie's shirt was even, she had one sleeve that covered her whole arm, while the other only covered half-way.

Barbossa had the torn sleeve in his tight grip. He grabbed Melanie's wrist that had the cut on her hand, and wrapped the cloth around her cut as a bandage. Melanie's eyes widen to see that Barbossa showed that he cared.

"There ye are," Barbossa said with a half-smile, "That scratch will heal up in no time."

"Uh..." Melanie was still caught off guard with his action, she had no idea what to say.

"You're welcome," Barbossa said, even though he didn't get a thank you from her.

"Um... T-Thank you."

"Too late for that, Parker," Barbossa placed his arm around her shoulder and led her away from the stream and toward the long boats. "Now... Parker, while you were gone, we had an intruder."

Melanie glared at him in shock. Her hands started shaking, nervously. She crossed her arms to hide her shaky hands from Barbossa. "I-Intruder?" her voice was high-pitched for her liking. She hoped that Barbossa didn't sense her fear. She feared for Will's life. Did he get caught? That can't be true, she watched him leave when the pirates returned. How's it possible?

"Aye," Barbossa continued casually as if he didn't notice her daughter's irregular breathing. "We do, and the best part is that he knows who's blood we need."

Melanie widen her eyes, Will knows? H-How could he know? He never told me?

"D-Do y-you believe him?" Melanie asked, "What if he's saying that so you could spare his life?"

Barbossa laughed with amusement, patting Melanie's back. Melanie furrowed her brows at Barbossa with confusion, What did I say that was wrong?

"Parker, coming from Jack Sparrow-" Melanie glared at Barbossa when he said the man's name, the name Melanie didn't want to hear. "-I know he'll want something in return, but it's nothing to do with his life."

"Jack Sparrow?" Melanie asked, making sure she heard him right, "He's here?"

Barbossa smirked at her surprised face, "Aye. He's now our prisoner." Barbossa gestured at the long boat, where Jack Sparrow was sitting with his wrists tied behind his back.

Melanie's mouth dropped, couldn't believe that Jack was the intruder, Barbossa was talking about, not Will. Her emotions changed from fear for Will's life, to shock, to relief, and now infuriated with her enemy, Jack Sparrow. This was it. Her chance to put a bullet through that pirate's head, she didn't do when they met. Melanie instantly whirled around and quickly unsheathed Barbossa's sword.

"Ah! Ah! Ah!" Barbossa wrapped his arms around Melanie's waist to keep from getting closer to killing Jack, "Now, Parker, I would rather not have you do that."

"I disinclined to acquiesce to your request!" Melanie snapped, "I've been waiting to do this. What he did to me and my sister!"

"I won't allow it!" Barbossa roughly turned her around to face her, and tighten his grip on her shoulder to keep her from moving. Melanie looked into his eyes to see the anger in his eyes. "I get that you hate that bloody pirate. Believe me. The feeling is mutual. But he knows."

"About what?" Melanie asked too frustrated to know the obvious answer.

"The blood of the pirate," Barbossa replied.

"He could be lying, just to save his own skin!" Melanie argued.

"Aye, that maybe true... but I doubt it," Barbossa whispered, slowly moving his head to look at Jack, who was looking at them. He gave the father and daughter a sheepish grin, trying to act so innocent. Melanie scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Melanie," Barbossa began, making Melanie to look up at him. That was the first time he called her by her first name since they found out they're related. "This hatred towards Sparrow is good, but it's clouding your judgment."

"My judgment is fine!" Melanie snapped, "Even if he does know, he's not going to tell us, unless he gets something out of it. I've been hanging around with pirates long enough to know the game."

Barbossa nodded, "Aye. And I know exactly what he wants. He wants the Pearl back."

"Well, that's not going to happen. We're not going to give him what he wants."

"What do you suggest?" Barbossa asked curiously, "Threaten his life, if he doesn't tell us?"

Melanie couldn't help but chuckle at that thought, "As much as I would love to see blood coming out his skull, you're right. If you believe that he knows, then I do too. We need him to talk, before we trade anything."

Barbossa rolled his eyes, "Parker, he'll be doing plenty of that."

Melanie nodded, "Yes, he can talk, but what if we lead him into saying the right things?"

Barbossa rose a brow, interested to hear her little plan, "Meaning?"

"What if Sparrow talks so much, he somehow, accidentally... let the cat out of the bag?" Melanie looked at him with a wicked smirk. Barbossa stared at his daughter for moment, before he burst into laughter. Melanie joined the laughter with him.

The other pirates couldn't help but stare at them, wondering what they're laughing about. Jack was skeptical, confused by their relationship. Wasn't Melanie supposed to be the frightened prisoner? Melanie looked like she was one of them, completely brainwashed.

"Ah, Mel, you do have the brains of a pirate. Ye got potential!"

Melanie smiled at his compliment, "Thanks, Da-" Melanie immediately covered her mouth, realizing what she was about call him. Barbossa maybe pleased, but he's not ready to be called a father yet. He said that's going to be while, before he let her call him that, and he meant it. Barbossa stopped smiling, when he caught Melanie's mistake.

"I'm sorry," Melanie looked away from him, embarrassed by her actions, "I didn't mean to-"

Barbossa patted her back, reassuring her that he's not mad, "No worries, lass. I didn't hear it." Barbossa cleared his throat, taking his sword back from Melanie and put it away. He slightly pushed her towards the boats, "Now let's not waste time now. Go on to the long boats. Go on." Barbossa ordered.

Melanie nodded as she walked to the longboat where Jack was at. Barbossa stood there, watching his child walk away from him. He closed his eyes for a moment and let out a shaky breath. He thought he accepted the fact that Sarah's child was his, but he still couldn't process it. He wasn't ready to be a father. He probably never will accept this reality. Barbossa realized that time was wasted, and he hadn't moved. He followed Melanie's tracks, joining his crew and prisoner into the longboat.

Jack spotted Melanie in the boat, he greeted her with his golden-tooth smile, "Hello, love."

Melanie gave him a dark glare. "Hello, Jack," she greeted him using an menacing tone. Jack was still grinning at her. Barbossa stepped in the boat and sat in front of Jack, narrowing his eyes at him.

"Are we ready to go, Captain?" Bo'sun asked.

Barbossa didn't reply. He just stared at Jack challengingly, the only gesture he made was a wave and nothing else. Melanie and Bo'sun took that wave as a yes.

"Row the boats!" Bo'sun barked orders to the other pirates that were in different boats. The crew quickly got out their oars and started rowing.

"Move it, you scabs!" Melanie joined Bo'sun with the ordering. Bo'sun glared at her with narrowed eye. There was fire in them. He looked like he wanted to wrap his hands around her throat, but tried to hold it in. After all, no one should mess with the Captain's daughter. Jack and Barbossa (who finally turned away from Jack) glared at Melanie as well with confusion, couldn't believe the words that were coming out of her mouth. Melanie shrugged. "What?" Melanie asked, not sure why the men were staring.

Barbossa returned his attention to Jack, finally noticed the bounds around his wrists. "Why's he tied like that?" he asked Twigg and Koehler, who were rowing the boat. Everyone in the boat glared at Barbossa questionably. Jack was their prisoner and rival. Why shouldn't Jack be tied up?

"H-He's our prisoner?" Twigg replied, then turned to Koehler and asked, "Isn't he?"

Koehler nodded, thinking the same thing.

"Well, untie him," Barbossa ordered them. Everyone was now confused by Barbossa's words. First, Barbossa wanted Jack dead. Now, he wanted Jack to be free from his bounds. No one could understand Barbossa's logic.

Jack didn't care for Barbossa's reasons for him to be untied, he's just glad to move his hands again. "Come. Come," Jack said to Bo'sun quietly as he used a knife to cut the ropes that held Jack's wrists together. When Jack was finally free, he moved his wrists around and rubbed them without taking his eyes of Barbossa and Melanie.

As the long boats were out of the caves, Melanie had a chance to sit down next to her dad and pulled out an apple from her pocket. She hated green apples, but she was used to it. As she was about to take a bite, she noticed Jack's gaze on the fruit. She can tell that the man was hungry, but he tried to hide it. Now Jack Sparrow reminded Melanie of her monkey, Jack. The monkey always gave her the same hungry look, begging to give him her food. It was undeniably adorable.

Melanie rolled her eyes, pulling the apple away from her lips, "Sorry. How rude of me." She extended her arm, offering the apple to Jack Sparrow, Apple?"

Jack glared at Melanie with narrowed eyes, "What'd ye say?"

Melanie sighed, "I said, do you want an apple?"

Jack still kept his gaze at her. He couldn't help but had a strange feeling that there's something familiar about this girl. The way she offered him an apple, he knew he heard it before. Why couldn't he figure it out? Jack put all of it aside for now and took the apple from her, "Gladly." Jack took a big bite of the apple, and smiled as the juices drip on his beard.

~000~

Will escaped the island and returned to the ship. When he made it on board, he told the crew that Jack fell behind, and he didn't rescue Melanie. The crew decided to keep to the code and leave the island. Will wanted to know where Elizabeth was, Gibbs escorted him to the cellar where the crew kept her from leaving the ship.

Will didn't want to face Elizabeth, but he had no choice. He had to tell her that Melanie wasn't coming home anytime soon. He was against the idea of Melanie wanted to stay and help her kidnapper lift his curse. He had no idea why she decided to do that, after everything Barbossa had done. He couldn't understand it, and he knew that Elizabeth wouldn't understand it either.

"She's in here," Gibbs pointed at the door that led to the cellar. He looked at Will sympathetically, "Good luck breaking the news to her, lad. You're going to need it." Gibbs exhaled through his nose, opening the door for Will, "Go on in, boy."

"Thank you, Gibbs," Will nodded to him. He took a deep breath and walked down the steps. Before he could make it to the last step, Elizabeth ran to him, trying to get passed him. "Elizabeth?!" Will cried in shock, still blocking her way out of the cellar.

"Where is she?! Where's Melanie?!" Elizabeth demanded instantly, trying her best to pass Will, "Is she alright?! Is Jack here?!"

"Elizabeth!" Will grabbed Elizabeth's arms, "Calm down."

"Where is she?!" Elizabeth asked again, finally stopped resisting him. She looked at him with hopeful tears in her eyes. Seeing the tears broke Will's heart. He really hated to crush her spirit. He's mad at Melanie for making him do this. Damn her for being so selfish.

"Elizabeth..." Will paused with hesitation, before speaking, "There's something I got to tell you."

Elizabeth's eyes grew wide, holding onto Will's arms for dear life, "Oh my god! Is Melanie hurt?! Is she-"

"No," Will shook his head, assuring Elizabeth that her sister wasn't harmed, "She's not dead, quite alive actually. I talked to her."

"Well then, where is she?" Elizabeth asked, "Why isn't she here with us?" Elizabeth lifted her head up to see if Melanie was on the top step, but in her disappointment, she wasn't.

Will took a deep breath and closed his eyes to speak, "Melanie isn't coming here."

~000~

"So you expect to leave me standing on some beach with nothing, but a name and your word? It's the one I need and watch you sail away in my ship?" Barbossa asked casually. He, Jack, Melanie, and rest of crew were still in the long boats, rowing back to the ship. While they were traveling back, Barbossa and Jack were negotiating. Barbossa was right, Jack only wanted the Pearl back in his possession.

Jack shook his head with a smirk on his face, "No. I expect to leave you standing on some beach with absolutely no name at all, watching me sail away on my ship, and then I'll shout the name back to you. Savvy?"

"But that still leaves us with the problem of me standing on some beach with naught, but a name and your word. It's the one I need."

"What if he doesn't know the name, Captain?" Melanie asked, gaining attention from Jack and Barbossa. "If he gives us the name, and his blood doesn't work; Jack would take the ship, leaving with no integrity."

Jack raised both brows, surprised to hear Melanie accusing him of lying. Seeing her now in this state was confusing to Jack. She was supposed to be Barbossa's prisoner. She's the one, who supposed to have her wrists bound together not his. Something was off about this situation. Will was there at the caves, he was supposed to rescue his friend, she wasn't supposed to be here, but she's here, helping the greedy captain. Jack wasn't pleased.

"Jack will give us the right name, lass." Barbossa said, "Won't ye, Jack? Because you know what happens if ye don't, right? Let's not forget who's captain."

Jack clasped his hands together dramatically, "Aye. But of the two of us, I'm the better captain." His comment caused Melanie and Barbossa to give him a menacing glare. Jack ignored their gaze and continued, "Also I am the only one who hasn't committed mutiny nor kidnapping a governor's daughter. Savvy?" Jack turned his eyes on Melanie, who narrowed her eyes at him threateningly. "Therefore, my word is the one we'll be trusting. Although, I suppose I should be thanking ye; because in fact, if you hadn't betrayed me and left me to die, I would have an equal share in that curse, same as you." Jack paused to take another bite of his apple, "Funny ol' world, ain't it?" Jack offered his apple to Barbossa.

Finally, they reached the ship, and everyone was climbing back on deck. Most of the crewmen were raising the longboats. Bo'sun had his grip on Jack's arm, causing Jack to wince in pain. Melanie noticed Jack, and was glad that she wasn't him right now. She knew how strong and tough Bo'sun could be. She was lucky that she's Barbossa's daughter. She snickered at Jack's state, making Jack glare at her with narrowed eyes. He wasn't amused.

Melanie turned to her father and asked him, "What do we do now, Captain?"

Jack raised his brows at Melanie's question for many reasons. Oi, did she say 'we' and 'Captain'? Why was she even helping him in the first place? This isn't what prisoners are supposed to do. Prisoners always find a way to escape, not help the evil, undead captain. Either the girl had too much to drink; or she's been around them too much, she lost her senses; or she was forced to do his bidding. By the look at her, she seemed... calm, and not scared or threatened.

"Oi," Jack raised his free hand up, "What do ye mean, lass? Barbossa and I haven't finished our negotiating. How about we finished this in my cabin, savvy?"

Barbossa chuckled, stepping closer to his rival. Jack gave him his golden tooth smile and laughed with him. "Jack. Jack," Barbossa began, "If you're talking the captain's quarters, then you must be sadly mistake. You don't have a cabin. This is my ship. The Pearl is mine. That means everything even the cabin is mine."

"What about the name, you need?" Jack asked. "It's a fair trade really. The name for my beloved Pearl. What say to that?"

Melanie rolled her eyes at him and crossed her arms over her chest. Jack now didn't appreciate her attitude, he considered stealing her from the pirates, when he got his ship back, but that plan was long gone. She's completely against him. She shouldn't be trusted. Will and Elizabeth shouldn't have come for her.

Barbossa scoffed, turning his attention to Bo'sun, "Lock him in the brig!" Jack frowned at his response. Barbossa snatched the bitten apple from Jack, when Bo'sun dragged Jack away. Barbossa turned his attention to Melanie, who looked back at him, wondering what he wanted her to do next. Barbossa lowered his head towards his daughter's ear and whispered, "Listen carefully, Parker. I have a job for you to do."

Melanie already knew his request, "Say no more, Captain. I'll make sure Sparrow doesn't leave his cell."

Barbossa nodded as he patted her back, "Beware, Parker, Jack isn't... predictable." Melanie smirked at his expressed concern. He's going to be a great father, he just didn't realize it.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me," Melanie took a step forward, but felt Barbossa's grip on her arm, stopping her tracks. She turned around and faced him questionably.

"When you're down there, tell Bo'sun that I need him up here." Barbossa said. Melanie nodded, then he released her arm.

Melanie walked passed him and headed for the brig. She was thankful that she didn't sleep in a cell, when she was kidnapped. Her room maybe uncomfortable, but at least it had a comforter and a blanket. She really missed sleeping in her own bed in Port Royal. She missed being forced to dress up properly. She missed the maids, who insisted on doing things she could do on her own. She missed having disagreements with Norrington. Most of all, she missed her adopted father, her sister, and her best friend.

Her mind wandered back in time, back when she and Will reunited. She remembered the look on his face, when she told him that she couldn't go with him. He was crushed, and Elizabeth would be heart-broken. What have she done? She never really thought about their feelings until now. A tear escaped from her eye, she let it fall down to her cheek. She knew that it was too late to go back now. She made a decision of her own, a very cruel and selfish decision. What have she done? What have I done?

Melanie heard footsteps coming towards her direction, she instantly fought back the tears and wiped the one that was dripping down to her cheek. She spotted Bo'sun coming her way, looking big and scary as usual. He stopped in front of her, looking at her suspiciously, wondering why she's downstairs.

"Captain's orders," Melanie replied to his silent question, "He ordered me to watch the prisoner, and he wants you upstairs."

Bo'sun just growled as he stomped passed her, not bother to say anything to her. Melanie rolled her eyes at his actions. He should know better, and show respect to the captain's daughter. On the bright side, at least he didn't try to harm her, that's a good sign.

Melanie sighed heavily, walking to the cages to see it all empty. She narrowed her eyes at this sight suspiciously. Didn't Bo'sun put him in the brig himself? Did he left the door open and let Jack escape? That would be out of character for Bo'sun, he would never do anything careless. She looked through the bars of every cell to make sure it wasn't the figment of her imagination. All the cells were empty, no Jack Sparrow inside. She turned around to yell for Bo'sun to come back.

Then a sound of a thump was made behind her; before Melanie could turn around to see what it was, she felt her long hair pulled back. Melanie yelped in pain, as she pulled against the cell, and the next thing she knew, she felt a pocket knife against her neck.

"You..." a voice said in a harsh whisper, "You are ruthless, two-face wench."

Melanie held onto her hair with one hand, while holding the prisoner's hand, that had the knife, with the other. "Good to see you too, Smithy." Melanie said sarcastically, using his fake name.

"I think we're already passed being friendly, don't ye think, love?" Jack asked, keeping his grip on her hair.

Melanie turned her attention to the knife pressing against her throat, threating to cut her skin, "Exactly, how did you get that knife, Jack? We took all your weapons."

"Let's just say that you're not the only one with sticky fingers, love."

Melanie unwillingly chuckled and smiled at that memory. Back when they first met in Mr. Brown's blacksmith place, she was in Jack's arms, in the middle of their battle. With him gazing into her blue eyes, she managed to take the gun from his holster and used it against Jack.

"Isn't this familiar?" Jack said with a smirk, going back in time as well, "I remember being in this position with Miss Swann. But I didn't have to pull her hair."

Melanie frowned, when he began talking about the time he threatened her sister. Now he's threatening her for the second time.

"Jack, don't you know it's rude to point a sharp object at a lady?"

"You weren't very lady like the last time we met, were ye, love?"

"Jack, put it away," Melanie said it more serious this time.

"You want me to put it away?" Jack asked.

"Yes!"

"What would you do if I said I won't, love?"

"You know... what you're doing now, Jack, is stupid. Oh, so very stupid."

Jack furrowed his brows in confusion, "Why's that, love?"

"You're in a cell with squared bars. I'm not. I have advantages."

"Like what?" Jack asked curiously, still keeping his grip on her hair and knife.

"This," Melanie released the grip on her hear, and pushed Jack's arm, that was holding the knife, forward. Then, she pulled it towards her mouth and bit his thumb, causing him to release the knife, and pulled Melanie's hair back against the bars. She screamed out in pain, but didn't give up. She turned her body and pushed Jack's arm back against the bar, causing discomfort for Jack. He instantly released Melanie's hair, and tried to get his arm back. As soon as she felt her scalp released, she let go of Jack's arm. Jack pulled his arms back in the cell, keeping a safe distance from Melanie.

"I could've hurt you, Jack, just as much as you tried to hurt me," Melanie explained breathlessly, as she massaged her scalp.

"I really don't want to be that way towards ye, Mel," Jack said, moving his arm around, checking to see if Melanie had crack a bone in his body. "I'm not your enemy."

Melanie rolled her eyes, "That's what you think. Guess what, Jack? I don't like you. I don't like the way you treated my sister! And I don't appreciate you pulling a knife against me!" She gestured the pocket knife lying on the floor.

"Oi, I'm not the one, who took you, love..." Jack paused as he leaned against the bars and furrowed his brows at Melanie suspiciously. "In fact, you're not playing the role of the hostage like you should."

Melanie raised a brow at him confusingly, "Pardon?"

"If you truly are captive, you should be stuck in this cell with me right now. If you're so scared and desperate to get away, you would've escaped with Will."

Melanie widen her eyes shocked by his words, "How would you know about that?"

"Oh, he tag along with me," He and his lover (your sister) helped me escape... technically, only Will helped me escape, Miss Swann was against the idea."

"They helped you?" Melanie asked in shock.

"It seems to me, they're truly desperate to rescue you; but it seems to me, you're doing fine on you're own."

Melanie was hoping that he's lying, but he and Will showed up at the island at the same time. Coincidence? No. Hearing Jack talk about how Will and Elizabeth risked everything to save her, made her feel even more guilty.

"Now let me try to understand your motive," Jack said, changing the subject.

Melanie raised a brow at him, "My motive?"

"Why are ye helping Barbossa? What do ye expect to gain from all this?"

Melanie shrugged, "My motives are my business, and mine alone. Why do you care?"

"One word, love, curiosity," Jack replied with a golden tooth smile.

"Ever heard of curiosity kills the cat?" Melanie asked.

"Ah, but satisfaction brought it back," Jack added, "Mind if I try to figure out your motive?"

Melanie rolled her eyes, leaning against the wall, "Have at it. Do you mind if I just stand here while you fail?"

"Not at all," Jack replied, before narrowed his eyes at her, analyzing her. He stopped talking as he stared at her, thinking. "Let's see... Were you cursed?"

Melanie's lips curled into a smirk, doubting that he's going to guess it right. Jack noticed her smirk, and realized the answer.

"No?" Jack asked, "Well then, let me think again... You said you crave adventure-"

"No," Melanie disagreed, "You said that, not me."

"Do you?" Jack asked.

"I'm already having an adventure by being kidnapped."

"So that's a no?" Jack asked.

"You're wasting your time," Melanie mumbled.

"You and Barbossa aren't..." Jack paused, holding back a gag in disgust.

Melanie furrowed her brows at Jack with confusion, "What?"

"Did Barbossa ever force you to... um..."

Melanie could tell that Jack was about to ask something that's awkward. However, she had to ask, "What, Jack? Spit it out! What do you mean?!"

"I mean... do you and Barbossa have... stirrings for each other?"

Melanie narrowed her eyes at him still confused, "Stirrings? What the hell are you talking about?"

Jack rolled his eyes, annoyed that Melanie didn't get what he's saying. He might as well blurt it out, "Are you and him hooking up in the cabin?"

Melanie widen her eyes and covered her mouth, staring at Jack with disbelief. She clearly understood what he was asking, she wished she hadn't asked. Her stomach twisted, and she felt nauseous. It was bad enough to picture her parents doing it under the sheets; but when Jack mentioned her and Barbossa... Melanie didn't want to think about it or picture it.

"Oh my god!" Melanie screamed in disgust, "Oh my GOD!" She covered her ears and closed her eyes, "I did NOT just hear that!"

"So I take it as a no?" Jack asked curiously.

"La! La! La! La! I'm not listening! Not listening! La! La! La!"

"I'm disgust about this as well, love. It's a relief to know that the feeling is mutual."

Melanie glared at Jack in anger, looked like she's ready to punch him, "I don't want to hear it!"

"Love-"

"One more word coming from your mouth, and I'll..." Melanie walked to where the knife was lying and picked it up, pointing at Jack with it threateningly, "Cut your tongue out!"

"Kinda hard to do it with these bars in the way," Jack gestured at the cage he was in.

"Don't think that I won't do it!" Melanie snapped, "I'll come in that cage and do the job!"

"Just like you planning to shoot me with a pistol at our last meeting?" Jack replied, referring back when they first met. Melanie threatened him with a pistol, but she hesitated. It was her first time holding a gun after all.

Melanie sneered when she heard what he said. Didn't he realize that he's already on thin ice with her? Why did he continue to bring out the worst in her? She really wanted to come in Jack's cage right now and throttle him.

"Bastard," Melanie insulted Jack under her breath.

"Wench," Jack insulted her as well, clearly heard what she said.

Melanie rolled her eyes and exhaled with frustration. She was getting sick and tired of this. Bo'sun should be in charge of guarding Jack. He'll do a much better job of handling Jack than she can. Melanie refused to do that. She wanted to prove to her dad that she can do this, she can break Jack. As soon as they get the name from Jack, Melanie will have permission to kill Jack Sparrow, and she'll have the pleasure of doing it.

~000~

Back to the Interceptor, Elizabeth broke down with tears. Will was trying to comfort her once again.

"She'll be fine, Elizabeth," Will assured her.

"How could you say that?!" Elizabeth snapped at him. "I don't believe it! How could Mel do this?! Why would Melanie help those sleazy scums?! Why are they more important than us?!"

Will sighed, massaging his temples. He wished he could explain it, but he couldn't. He didn't understand it as well. "I don't know," Will whispered admittedly.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Elizabeth demanded, "You talked to her! I should've come along. I would've grab Melanie by her braid and drag her out the island if I had to."

"Then we would've been captured."

"At least I would be with my sister!"

Will exhaled, leaning back against his chair with his arms crossed, "She says that when she's done helping them, she'll come back to us."

"Barbossa would allow that?!" Elizabeth asked in disbelief.

Will shrugged, "She seems sure of it."

"What makes her think that? Barbossa is a pirate, a rotten one I might add. I-I don't understand this, Will. I don't understand this at all! Why did Barbossa even bother taking Melanie in the first place."

"I think it might have something to do with..." Will paused as he pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Elizabeth. "This." She looked at him questionably, before she looked what Will had given her. Her eyes widen in shock, when she saw a familiar gold trinket, that she took from Will eight years ago.

"W-Where did you get this?" Elizabeth asked in a whisper.

"Melanie had it," Will explained, "Apparently, the pirates needed it to lift their curse along with the owner's blood."

"She gave it to you?"

"She didn't. I took it from her, before I escaped. I figured that we can use it to trade it for Melanie. To get her back, you know?" Elizabeth nodded in understanding. "She..." Will hesitated, before he spoke carefully, "She said that you something knew about it... She said that she found you with it. Is it true?"

Elizabeth stared at the medallion for a long minute. Guilt was all Elizabeth felt right now. She knew this was the right time to come clean.

"Elizabeth?" Will asked. Elizabeth finally gathered the courage to look at Will. More tears were threatening to fall. Will scrunched his brows together when he looked at Elizabeth. He grew concern. Judging by Elizabeth's face, she did know something, and it wasn't good.

"Will, I-I was planning to tell you! I tried to find a way to say it, but I-I didn't know how!" Elizabeth stammered while spilling tears, "Please! Please don't be angry with me! Please!"

"Elizabeth," Will grabbed her hand and rubbed it for comfort, "Why would I be mad at you? What's wrong?"

Elizabeth pulled away from his hand. She knew that she didn't deserve his kindness or his comfort. She opened Will's palm and let the golden chain from the medallion fall out of her fingers and onto Will's hand.

"It's yours," Elizabeth said in a quiet whisper.

Will was confused by her words, "What?"

"Eight years ago..." Elizabeth began, "the day you and Mel were rescued... I found the medallion around your neck. It had a pirate symbol and I panicked! I-I didn't want you to die! I heard what Norrington and Gibbs said what they do to pirates. It was... It was awful! So I took it. I'm so sorry, Will! Very sorry!"

Will was silent. Elizabeth stared at him anxiously, dying to know how he would act. Will tried to piece what Elizabeth said to him. He was still confused. He didn't understand what she was talking about, until he took a good look at the medallion on his hand. One look made everything crystal clear for Will.

He recognized the skeleton-symbol gold coin. He remembered his father giving him the trinket as a gift, before he left. He couldn't help but smile at that memory, "I thought I'd lost it the day they rescued me. It was a gift from my father. He sent it to me..." He looked up at Elizabeth questionably, "Why didn't you tell me that you had it?"

Elizabeth inhaled for breath, before she spoke, "I wanted to. I tried-"

"But why didn't you tell me?" Will demanded harshly.

"Because I was afraid," Elizabeth explained weakly.

"Of what?"

"That you were a pirate!" Elizabeth added. Will's face softened at Elizabeth's sad features. "That would have been awful. I couldn't lose you, Will. You were a child! I-I just couldn't let them kill you."

Everything made sense now. Will now realized who's blood Melanie and pirates needed, "They needed my father's blood, my blood..." Will clenched his fist that was holding the trinket. "The blood of a pirate," Will said with anger and disgust.

"Will, I'm so sorry, please forgive me!" Will slammed his fist on the table in frustration. Elizabeth felt awful about hurting Will. She stood up and left the cabin, giving him time alone.

Will couldn't believe this was happening to him. First, his best friend was kidnapped. Then, Jack planned to trade him for a ship. Now, he realized that he's a pirate. His life will never be the same again.

~000~

"Love-" Jack was about to talk again, but Melanie gave him a warning glare.

"NOT! Another. Word," Melanie hissed at him.

"Word," Jack said with a smirk, obviously pushing Melanie to her boiling point.

"I mean it, Jack! Enough!" Melanie ordered.

"You can't tell me what to do. You're not the captain."

"No, but neither are you!"

Jack frowned, "Watch it-"

"No, you watch it!" Melanie snapped, "I'm the first mate of Captain Barbossa! If I ask him if I could shoot your brains, he would let me!" Technically, she's training to be the first mate, but Jack didn't know. Melanie doubt that Barbossa would let her kill him, but she was so mad at Jack right now, she'll say anything.

Jack furrowed his brows together, questioning Melanie's words, "Why would he make you part of the crew, love? Did the curse mess with his senses?"

"No! Barbossa said that I have full potential of becoming a pirate. He offered me a position and I took it!"

"But he kidnapped ye," Jack pointed. "This is not the Barbossa, I know. He would never compliment a governor's daughter, who's not capable to pillage. This," Jack gestured at Melanie, "doesn't make sense to me. You're not making any sense at all!"

"I have reasons for becoming a pirate, Jack. And my reasons DO make sense!"

"How?" Jack challenged her, "I really don't understand your..." Jack paused in mid-sentence, thinking back at the one word Melanie told him before.

Apple?

"Apple," Jack repeated the word in a whisper.

Melanie furrowed her brows at Jack with confusion, didn't hear what he whispered. She didn't know what cause him to stop talking, but whatever it was, she was glad that he stopped. Finally, she had the chance to calm herself and clear her mind.

Jack's mind went back in time. He pictured himself back in the longboat, seeing Melanie offering the green fruit to him. "Apple?" The image changed into his old cabin in the Pearl. He was sitting at his desk with this feet lying on it. He was watching his former first mate, Barbossa, planning to take a bite from the fruit. But his first mate turned to Jack and offered the fruit in his hand. "Apple?" The first mate asked, showing off a rotten teeth grin. The man's blue eyes, changed into Melanie's blue eyes. Their eyes were the identical, same with their color hair and speech.

Jack remembered what happened when he met Melanie in the blacksmith place.

Jack smirked, "I'm flattered, darling, really. Now, I don't want to hurt my fan, and I don't normally fight with women. So, how about this? You let me go, and you'll live for another day. Savvy?"

Melanie paused for a minute then looked up at Jack, "I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your logic."

Jack furrowed his brows at her questionably, "What?"

"It means no."

Jack returned to reality, and looked back at Melanie with a hatred look in his eye.

Melanie noticed his gaze, and was now confused, "What?"

"You!" Jack pointed at her, "You are not who you say you are."

"Excuse me?"

"Don't play dumb with me, love. We both know what you are!"

Melanie shrugged, not entirely sure where he was going with this. She thought it was another one of Jack's bad guesses, "What am I?"

"You're Hector Barbossa's daughter!" Jack stated.

Melanie's face paled. He got it right. How could he figure it out? She must've let her anger get the best of her, and let the cat out of the bag. She underestimated that pirate, he did have a brain after all.

~000~

Meanwhile, Barbossa was steering the helm with a smug look on his face.

"Captain," Bo'sun called for the captain, handing him the telescope. "There's another ship right behind The Pearl." Barbossa took the telescope from him, letting Bo'sun take control of the ship. He marched to the edge of the ship, and used the telescope to take a look at what's behind the Pearl. Bo'sun was right, there was a ship behind him; and Barbossa had a feeling that it's not just any ship. It belonged to Jack Sparrow.

Barbossa smirked wickedly at his first mate and ordered, "Let's give the ship a greeting, shall we?" He chuckled, while Bo'sun did the same as he turned the helm around.

A/N: Phew! Finally completed the chapter, and I updated quickly this time. Thank you all for reviewing, favorite and followed this story. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it's the longest chapter of this story this far. I know most of you would be disappointed when Mel refused to come along with Will and reunite with Elizabeth, but blood family comes first, right? So Jack and Melanie had a confrontation, and Jack figured about who Melanie was. How will she react? Please review and give me your opinion on this story.