Biding Time.

Jack paced the shoreline for the rest of that day. His body ached from the wounds he sustained, but not as much as the pains that he was feeling in soul. He had never been so miserable in all his life. He felt guilty for the damage that the crew sustained, the added work of now salvaging the Black Pearl and the fact that Elizabeth had been injured herself. They had escaped Jones this time, but he would be back and would they have the strength to battle again. The crew had diminished in numbers, they had very little rations and the injuries were great. They had three days before judgement, it would come upon them to soon.

The crew had been set to construct shelters, away from the water lines, as the tide was coming in. The Black Pearl and the Blue Moon were anchored next to each other as repairs continued. Elizabeth still sat with Destiny in one of the first shelters and near the great bond fire as the men worked around them. Jack just stared out at the horizon. One hand on his sword the other on his pistol at all times.

An anger had taken to Jack's face that few had seen before. He had fallen silent and distant from his crew as he paced along the beach. The sun was setting now, as he made his way out of the sight of the two crews and the two beached ships, the images of just how deep he was in this passing before his eyes. The crew had done well for the amount of damages they had sustained. Some mean had even managed to located an kill enough of the wild game, that inhabited the island, to feed the two crews, but it wasn't enough to bring up Jack's spirits. Jones wouldn't be long, he could feel it now and no one really knew what it was like to see that man on shore. It was a battle they would be going into blind, if they remained on the island.

"Jack," Bill called as he came running toward his captain, "the girl wants to talk to you," he announced as Jack stopped.

"What does she want?" Jack asked.

"She wants answers, Captain Sparrow," Destiny said as she too came up to Jack, "thank you uncle, I believe I am save now, with Jack," she said and waited for Bootstrap to leave.

"You should be resting," Jack said softly as he looked into her, still pail, face.

"I have been at rest most of the day," She said as she stood beside him, "I would like to walk, give me your arm for support and let us walk along this beach together," she said as she reached out and touched his good arm.

She did not flinch when she touched him, and her grip was strong, but her balanced was still off. Jack felt her lean into him as they began to stroll down the deserted beach.

"So, what can I do for you?" Jack asked nervously.

"You can tell me what is going on," She answered as they walked, staring out at the setting sun.

"what is going on, you ask?" Jack said not looking at her, "the sun is setting, the crews are hard at work, the Blue Moon should be sea worthy in a few days and the tide is rising, that is what is going on," he said.

"And Captain Jack is returning to his old ways of keeping his crew in absolute darkness," Destiny sighed.

"Whatever do you mean," Jack laughed.

"I know your ways, Jack, as they are my own," Destiny stated, "but I am not as blind to your trickery as the crew is."

"You really do not want to know what is going on," Jack sighed.

"Try me, Jack," Destiny said as she followed him, "perhaps I can help."

"You know how to defeat the king of the ocean at his own game?" Jack asked as he looked at her now.

"No," she answered, "but you've outsmarted him enough to know what wont work again."

"True," Jack stated, "but I, contrary to popular believe, have never witnessed his powers when he makes port."

"And when does he make port?" Destiny asked.

"Three days," Jack whispered under his breath, "that's all the time we have and we are stranded on this god forsaken island, with very little to help us."

"Fire seemed to work," Destiny said as she kicked a stone across the beach.

"Aye, and if we have to we'll set the whole island a blaze," Jack stated.

"Do you really think we are better off on shore, or at sea?" she asked.

"On shore," Jack answered, "Jones has reenforcements at sea, its called the Kraken and you don't want to see, or smell, it."

"But he has one ship to our two," Destiny stated, "who's would he go after more?"

"He doesn't believe I will leave you to face him alone," Jack said, "and I don't plan on separating from the Blue Moon until this ordeal is over. Until the crews are safe, you are stuck with me Miss. Sparrow."

"You may address me as Captain, Captain," Destiny stated.

"I beg you pardon," Jack said, bowed to the lady, and walked on.

"Could we out run the Flying Dutchman?" Destiny asked, "I have heard the legends of the Pearl and her speed, and the Moon is a small ship, made for speed, surely we could put some distance between ourselves and Jones."

"Again I will mention the Kraken," Jack sighed, "said beasty is faster then any ship I have ever seen, and nigh indestructible."

"What about the Sirens?" she asked.

"What about them?" Jack asked.

"Do they have any power of Jones?" she asked.

"I would assume they must, legend has it that the sirens gave Jones the dagger to cut out his heart," Jack said, "but how do they help us? You saw what those creatures are capable of."

"Yes, they do have a bit of a grudge against men, don't they, but I am betting they would be just as pleased to see the terror of the sea, put into his place," Destiny said, "they do seem to have a strange sense of humor."

"How do you plan on contacting them?" Jack asked.

"Does Bootstrap Bill not communicate with the creatures of the deep?" she asked.

"I know he can hear them, communication is far different then that," Jack answered.

"But it would be a start," Destiny said as she stopped and stared out at the sea, "Captain Sparrow, I think I have a plan."

"And what is it, Captain Sparrow?" Jack asked.

"You don't need to know, not yet at least. Worry yourself about readying the ships as fast as possible, I would like to leave by moonlight in two days," Destiny stated.

"And put us all in danger of being in open waters?" Jack asked, "are you mad?"

"I'm Captain Destiny Sparrow, mate," She smiled, "I have a very famous father to contend with. I have a legend to uphold."

"Aye, in that case, you are mad," Jack laughed.

"If you can put your trust in me, Jack, I may be able to trust you," Destiny stated.

"Is this a test?" Jack asked as he looked to the sky, "are you mocking me? Is this her way of rebellion against her father? What have I done to deserve this?" he hissed.

"Jack, I am standing right here," Destiny said as she looked into his face, "you can ask me yourself."

"What would it take," he whispered, "to make you trust me, to clear my name."

"Do you trust me?" She asked him with a slight smile.

"I am trying to, yes," he answered.

"Then that is the first step," She said, "I cannot forgive you for everything that has happened in my life Jack," she added as she stared out to sea again, "I suppose I must thank you for some of it, I would not be what I am without you, or at least my want for revenge."

"You are still vengeful then?" he asked as he placed his hand on her's that rested gently on his arm.

"No," she smiled, "but I would like to know one thing," she added and turned to look at him, her blue eyes sparkled in the rising moon light as tears lingered at their edge.

"Ask me anything," he whispered.

"Did you know about me?" she asked as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

"No," he said and lowered his eyes to the ground, "I've only just learned of your existence recently."

"From who?" she asked.

"I heard of your legend, the last time I was in Tortuga. It was mentioned to me after I inquired as to the whereabouts of your mother," Jack said.

"You went looking for her?" Destiny asked feeling a bit amazed.

"Aye," Jack answered, "I was very afraid to, before the curse of Cortez had been lifted, I knew that her blood, as a Turner, would have broken the curse and I had hoped that no one else knew of her. When I returned to Tortuga I was made aware that she had finally been moved to Port Royal by my daughter."

"And this was the first you had every heard of me?" Destiny asked again.

"Yes," Jack said, "and I admit I didn't believe it, until Bootstrap Bill made me aware that he and Will had seen you. I went to Port Royal in search of answers and I did find them."

"Did you see her?" Destiny asked her voice a little harsh now.

"I did," Jack answered, "we visited her at the governors mansion and it was there that I learned of your great dislike for me. I don't blame you, in the least, I hated my father for leaving me for the sea, but I do hope you can forgive me my sins as I was not privy to the information that would have allowed me to be any kind of a father to you."

"Would you have been their had you known?" she asked after a long silence between them.

"You would have known me," Jack stated, "I would not have been able to give up the sea, as many pirates cannot, but I would have returned to you and, had I known of your interest in piracy, I would have encouraged it. I know you cannot choose to be what you are. Piracy is in your blood, as it is in mine and it was in my fathers blood. I am proud to know you as a Captain of your own ship, you have done well for yourself."

"Thank you, Jack," Destiny whispered, "it does mean a lot to hear you say that."

"And I will promise you this," he said as he held her hands in his, "I will do all in my power to protect you from Davy Jones."

"Jack, it is not for you to do," she said sweetly, "I am a woman, and I can take care of myself. I only ask that you work with me, allow me to do what I think is best for my ship and my crew."

"I can do that Captain," Jack said with a slight grin.

"Thank you, Captain," she said and smiled, "now, if you would be so kind as to escort me back to camp, I am quite fatigued, I should get some rest," she added as she grasped his arm again.

"Where did you learn to be so proper?" Jack laughed as they walked.

"The face of piracy is changing Jack," She laughed, "you have to learn to adapt."