Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own the delectable Captain Jack Sparrow or anything Pirates-related.

AN: Okay, shock of all shocks: I have to say that this story is coming very close to the end.

I doubt that I'll do a sequel, because the plotline I had intended as a sequel to this story sounds remarkably like my very first collection of Pirates fiction. Since I really hate the idea of having two stories that read alike, I'm going to have to leave this story standing alone. If I can make the sequel more unique, I'll write it. If not, then that's that.

In the meantime, please enjoy this chapter and review! Thanks!

Chapter 29: Father Knows Best:

Savoring the feel of resting in a bed on (relatively) solid land, I rolled over with a contented sigh and stared up at the canopy above me; the cloth seemed to ripple in the light coming from the large, flickering candle beside the table. The bed was surprisingly comfortable and very soft, as were the sheets, which seemed to be made of either silk or very fine cotton. Beneath my head, the pillows were full of soft feathers, and were heavenly to lie on. I had not been in such a luxurious bed since I'd left Portsmouth.

A slight ache in the back of my head reminded me of the party last night, and I very much regretted the mug of rum that Mr. Gibbs had pressed upon me. I had consumed the entire thing, which had been a rather large cup, but only to be polite. The host of the party, Captain Teague, had been occasionally looking my way, and since I did not want to insult him, I sipped until the cup was empty. However, I made sure to refuse all of the other drinks that the Black Pearl's first mate tried to put into my hands.

"We'll turn you into a pirate yet, Jo," Anna-Maria had cheerfully declared after I'd emptied my cup.

The men who had gathered around us seemed inclined to agree with her, because they did their best to teach me how to be a pirate. Advice on how to cheat at cards, how to fight dishonorably, and how to overcome a possible hangover in the morning all were offered to me, though I took it all with a bit of hesitance. After all, I still had no way of knowing if I even wanted to become a pirate!

Despite the advice being given to me, I did have a good time at the party. The food was delicious and abundant: roasted meats, vegetables that were served both cooked and raw, dozens of kegs of alcohol, and even some small cakes that were made just for the night. Since he failed to get me to drink like a pirate, Mr. Gibbs took it upon himself to feed me like one, and was constantly pressuring me to eat something from the food tables.

"You're too thin, Jo," the portly man had said. "Really, I can't imagine a healthy girl like you not eating when there's plenty of food to be had!"

And with so much food, drink, and laughter all around me, it was hard not to have fun. I heard so many different stories from so many different pirates that nearly the whole night had passed without my knowing it. Even Anna-Maria seemed to have enjoyed herself, which seemed to surprise Mr. Gibbs to no end. Finally, both of us ladies were able to retire before dawn. As far as I knew, the men had likely fallen asleep where they'd sat.

Just as my eyes were beginning to drift closed again, a firm knock sounded on my door.

Actually, it was more like a knock with a bit of a scraping sound. It seemed as if the person knocking had several rings on their fingers, and there were few people that I knew in the world who wore that many decorations on their hands.

Sighing, I opened my eyes and began to attempt to get out of bed to answer it. However, I didn't make it very far before the door cracked open, something which I thought to be impossible, since I had locked it the night before.

"Jo? You awake?" called a familiar voice. It was Jack.

I collapsed back onto the bed and closed my eyes, hoping that if he thought I was still asleep, I would be left alone to actually do so.

Much to my disappointment, all of my hopes for sleeping late were dashed as Jack slipped into the room, the sound of his boots faint, but still audible, as he edged closer to the bed. Since I believed he was merely checking up on me, I kept my eyes closed and my breathing deep and even. As it was, this tactic of mine was very effective, since it soon had me on the verge of actual sleep before long.

Jack's footsteps reached the bed, and I thought for certain he would leave after he saw me 'asleep.' Strangely enough, he did not. Instead, he sat down upon the bed and pressed a hand to my shoulder, which was bare from the loose nightgown I wore, a garment I had found the night before.

The feel of Jack's fingers on my shoulder was odd, but not unpleasant. His fingertips were slightly rough, but still soft. His touch was rather gentle and tender, as though he feared I would break into a million pieces if he handled me too roughly.

"Jo?" he whispered. "Joanna, luv, I need to talk to you."

Something in the tone of his voice said that it was rather important to him that we speak, so I slowly opened my eyes, blinking away any still lingering sleep. Looking up into his face, I saw it was filled with worry, and those deep brown eyes glittered with an emotion I couldn't quite place. Why did Jack look so upset?

"Jack, what is it? What's wrong?" I asked, keeping my own voice quiet.

"Luv, I have to know something." The look in his eyes deepened, as did the worry. "Did you end up becoming more than, ah…casually acquainted with someone from the party last night?"

I blinked at him. "What?" I deadpanned, not fully sure what he was asking.

He sighed. "I saw your group of, uh, friends, that you managed to attract, and was wondering if you became close with any of them last night."

Just then, I realized what he was asking, but before I could even take a breath to reply, Jack waved his hand at me. "No, luv, I don't mean that about you," he blurted out, "I was just worried that they might get the wrong idea. Actually, I was afraid I would have to fight off some unwanted suitors that might want to keep you as their pretty pirate bride."

I blushed. "No, nothing like that, Jack," I hastily assured him. "They were just friendly men who were happy to share some stories with me. Besides, I had Anna and Mr. Gibbs there to keep me company, so I was perfectly safe."

Wait, had he said he'd been watching me? "Where were you last night, Jack? I didn't see you dancing on the floor, or anywhere nearby."

"Oh, I was with my father," he calmly replied while avoiding my eyes. "You know, catching up on what's happened since I was last here."

"Anything interesting?" I asked.

He swallowed hard. "My mum's gone," he whispered.

I sat bolt upright on the bed. "Oh, Jack, I'm so sorry!" I breathed, my hands reaching out to grasp his, one of which was still on my shoulder. "Are you alright?"

He nodded. "It was her time, I suppose. She was well enough the last time I saw her, so that's how I choose to remember her."

An infamous Jack Sparrow smile began to emerge on his face. "Besides, she left me a note, so I suppose it's alright."

It was then that I noticed his thumbs were running over the back of my fingers. It seemed like such a sweet, innocent gesture, but then, when was Jack Sparrow ever sweet or innocent? The sensation sent shivers down my spine, and bumps quickly rose on my arms. How was he able to do this to me with just a touch of his fingers?

Of course, it was at that moment that the door burst open.


Spotting the two young folks on the bed, Teague knew he was interrupting something, even if Jack and his Vixen didn't know it yet. The way his son held the girl's hands was exactly the way Teague himself had held his dear Lily's hands when he'd asked her to marry him. His lass had laughed, thinking it was a joke at first, but when he'd dragged her to the altar and 'convinced' a priest to perform the ceremony, she knew he had been serious.

Looking at Joanna's pretty face, he knew the lass felt the same way about Jack as his boy did for her. She didn't seem to know it yet, but from the look in her eyes and the flush in her cheeks, she was as smitten as Jack.

Meanwhile, Teague knew he'd better apologize for his intrusion on a lady's bedroom.

"Sorry to barge in, luv, but when I saw the door open a crack, I thought the worst," he said. "You really should be more careful. This is a pirate island, after all."

Joanna gave him a smile that was both thankful and friendly, and Teague instantly felt himself liking the girl even more. It had been a long time since someone, anyone, had smiled at him like that, and he missed it. Pirates tend not to be on the receiving end of many warm smiles, so they cherish the ones they get whenever they can.

"Thank you, Captain Teague," she said, her voice soft as her cheeks turned red. "Um, Jack, I think I would like to go back to sleep now. I was up rather late last night, and it was a rather long party."

Teague grinned at the embarrassed look on Jack's face as he said, "Of course, luv. I'll check in on you later, ay? Maybe even bring some lunch with me."

"Thank you," she replied with a small yawn. "I'll see you later."

Quietly, the two men slipped out of the room, Teague himself locking the door behind them. When they had walked a safe distance down the hallway, he grabbed Jack's arm and proceeded to drag him to his study, the younger man protesting all the while.

When the door of the study was firmly shut, enveloping the two men in quiet and privacy, Teague motioned towards the chairs by the warm stove, indicating that his son should sit. Reluctantly, Jack did as he was bid.

"Now, Jackie, I want you to be honest with your old man," he said while fetching two bottles of rum.

"Honest about what?" Jack asked as he tried not to meet his eyes.

Teague pressed one of the rum bottles into the lad's hand. "About how you feel towards the young lady you were visiting this morning."

Jack choked on the rum he'd been sipping. "What?" he gasped between breaths.

Sighing, his father handed him a handkerchief from up one of his sleeves. "It's that look you've got written all over your face, lad," he said. "I know I had that same calf-eyed look when I realized my feelings for your mum, so I know what I'm talking about when I say you're in love with Miss Elliot."

A blank look briefly came over Jack's face, but after a moment, it faded, giving into grudging admittance. "Aye, I've gone and done a stupid thing, Dad," he said, eyes focusing on the glass bottle in his hands. "I've gone and fallen for a girl I can't have."

Incredulous, Teague stared at him. "And why not? You've always had a way with women, though sometimes you're a bit thick when it comes to handling them after you've won their affections."

"Joanna's not like other women," Jack growled. "She's no whore from Tortuga, nor is she some fling I can toss aside without a second thought. She's a good, decent girl with an actual brain in her head, and she thinks of more than just money, dresses, and looking pretty all the time."

He sighed and closed his eyes. "As to why I can't have her…she's the daughter of a good friend, and her father would kill me twice if he knew how I felt about his 'little girl.' I'd rather not have to duel, and possibly kill, the lass's father. No good can come of that."

"Does she love you, or at least know how you feel about her?" Teague asked.

Jack shook his head. "I don't know, to the first question, and 'no' to the second one."

By now, several thoughts and ideas were swirling inside Teague's head. The first was that his son was an idiot for not acting on his feelings. Jack obviously loved the girl, but he flat out refused to tell her. Honestly, how can the lad discover a woman's feelings if he doesn't say anything on the matter?

Sighing, Teague took a drink and began to rub his eyes. Was love always this complicated? If not, Jack was certainly making it look that way. It was time and past for someone to do something, and if it wasn't going to be Jack, it would have to be his father.

After all, Father always did know best.


True to his word, Jack brought me lunch after he'd discovered I was awake. I had woken a short while before noon, and just as I'd finished tidying up my appearance, Jack appeared with a tray of meat, bread, cheese, and a pitcher of cold milk.

"I know you're not one for wine or such before nightfall, Jo, so I convinced the cooks to fetch you some milk," he said while setting the tray on the table.

Happily accepting Jack's kind gesture, I invited him to join me, which he did. We sat on the bed, and ate in a comfortable silence.

To my surprise, when the food had been eaten, Jack pushed the tray aside and stood up, offering me his hand. "Ready to head off, Jo? I want to show you the Island before it gets too busy."

I was delighted at the prospect of being shown Jack's childhood home, and took his hand without hesitation. Thus far, he had never failed me as a guide, so why wouldn't I trust Jack Sparrow to show me the place where he had grown up?

We spent the rest of the day walking about the Island, Jack pointing out all sorts of fascinating places as we passed them by. I learned that there were many taverns, inns, eateries, and shops here, all with the idea of catering towards pirate-like tastes. Out of consideration for my safety, though, I was kept away from the rougher parts, where Jack forbade me from ever going near.

"Even though Dad and I will make sure anyone who hurts you will be punished, I want to make sure you're safe," he'd said while leading me away from a large drunken brawl. "We get lots of ships through here, and never know what will happen when misunderstandings happen."

Dinner was at a fairly nice stall set up near Captain Teague's suite of rooms. Jack said that he and his mother used to come here for quick snacks or treats, a fact that was confirmed by the warm welcome given to him by the stall's owner, who was a little old woman with a face full of wrinkles. She treated me to some hilarious tales about Jack and the pranks he played on anyone unfortunate enough to draw his mischievous eye.

We had just finished eating when a messenger arrived, an older pirate that had to have been from Captain Teague's former crew.

"Captain wants to see you two in his study," the man muttered before shuffling off.

Jack sighed as I looked blankly at him. "He means Dad wants to see us," he explained. "Here, Dad's the only captain that the older folks refer to. We are in his territory, after all."

I was quickly led by Jack down a maze of corridors, twisting and turning until we came to what had probably once been a captain's cabin aboard a ship. Around the doorway were elegant carvings in the shape of waves either rising, falling, or crashing upon a shore. The door was partly open, so Jack just went directly in, pulling me behind him.

Three leather chairs stood before a stove and quite close to a large wooden desk that held a large book. It was open to a certain spot, where the page was marked with a strip of red ribbon. That was all I could see of the room, for my eyes were soon drawn to the intimidating form of Captain Teague, who stood by the three gathered chairs.

"Shut the door, Jackie," he said. "Then you and Miss Jo can take a seat."

Jack immediately did as ordered, and the two of us sat just as Captain Teague did. For a moment, all was quiet, but the silence was broken by a the older pirate.

"I believe congratulations are in order," he said, eyeing us closely. "And I would like to be the first to welcome you to the family, luv."

I stared at him. "What do you mean?" I asked, wondering if perhaps he'd mistaken me for someone else. I also had no idea what the man was talking about, which didn't help.

Captain Teague simply grinned. "I wanted to congratulate you on your engagement to my boy here."

My jaw dropped. Me and Jack, engaged? Where on earth had he gotten that idea? From this morning in my room, perhaps? No, I had to set him right about that.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we're not…I mean, Jack and I aren't…I mean, I can't…"

Oh, goodness, how horrible I sounded, but the truth had to be said. Jack and I weren't engaged, though I certainly wouldn't have minded if we were. Jack, on the other hand, might not agree to something so…committing.

The rest of my words froze in my throat as Captain Teague gave me a silencing look. "What do you mean, you can't?" he asked in an eerie, flat voice. "Is there something wrong with a woman marrying my son?"

I immediately began to cower back in my chair. "N-no sir," I stuttered.

"Don't you think he should marry a pretty girl and be happy, just like any other man does?" Captain Teague proceeded to ask me.

"Y-yes, sir," I stuttered out.

He gave a satisfied smile. "Then there should be no problem about you two marrying while you're here in Shipwreck."

My stomach dropped down to the floor as I felt a sudden cold fill my body. Beside me, I noticed Jack motioning frantically at his father, all of his gestures purposely being ignored by his father as he proceeded to plan our wedding.

"Since it is my son you're marrying, Miss Joanna, I think it'd be best if I performed the ceremony," the older pirate was saying. "We've got some good seamstresses here who can whip up a decent set of wedding clothes for the both of you within a day, unless you've already got something fancy to wear."

Then he stopped talking, and since Jack and I were quiet, a heavy silence filled the room. Glancing over at Jack, I silently pleaded for him to say something, anything to make this madness stop. But to my surprise, Jack was speechless, apparently helpless against his father's will. I had never seen him like that before. His silence spoke volumes: we were beaten. Captain Teague was not a man to go against.

"We'll have the ceremony early tomorrow evening," were Teague's final words on the matter. With that said, he dismissed us.

Still lost in a world of shock, Jack and I left the room. Once we had closed the door behind us, we were immediately claimed by the island seamstresses, who seemed to have been waiting for us outside the study. We were then hauled in different directions so that they could fit us for new clothes.

Inside my head, I didn't know whether or not I should be thrilled or terrified. I was going to marry a man I cared very much for –alright, a man that I loved, and very deeply, too – but how could I ever be happy knowing that Jack's father was forcing him to marry a woman he didn't love?

Some distant memory floated up inside my head. Sayings like, "pirates never fall in love" or "Captain Jack Sparrow, he's a popular one with the ladies, alright," floated through my head. How often had I heard those words in stories or in passing comments from the Black Pearl's crew?

I sighed. I knew that pirates did, in fact, fall in love and even married, but Jack wasn't the sort to fall in love, or at least, fall in love with one woman. I was sure he had at least a dozen females in every port, and the thought of him forever seeking another woman's at night instead of mine, his wife's, was something I couldn't bear thinking about.

But in this I had no choice. I was to marry Captain Jack Sparrow tomorrow, and even though I went to this somewhat willingly, I couldn't help but wonder what sort of unhappy future awaited me.


AN: Well, at least now we know how Joanna feels about Jack! I'm sorry it wasn't some huge, sappy realization, but I really didn't want to make people gag while reading. There will be more on Joanna's feelings in the next chapter, where we'll have…

(trumpets sound) The Wedding! Yay!

Anyway, please be kind and review! Only a couple chapters left!