Title: The Odyssey

Rating: PG-13, though language is mild. Just keeping all my proverbial bases covered for further developments.

Summary: Captain Jack Sparrow's ransoming of young siren Leila Shipman leads him to not one but *two* of the greatest adventures of his life. Reviews are greatly appreciated, be they flames, criticism, or compliments.

Author's Note: The inspiration for Leila came from listening to Lara Fabian's "Leïla." Sample it at http://www.lara-fabian.com! (Discography, Carpe Diem, Track #3)

CHAPTER 3: THE CONFRONTATION

Captain Shipman's hand were white as he gripped the wooden guards on the port side of the ship. Even though this pirate gave the impression he only wanted money, who knows what else he might to do to his daughter. He shook off the thought, unable to imagine it.

He had let his first mate take over the ship, as he was in no state to do so. The Governor, who had dealt extensively with pirates before, had informed him that it was probable they hid behind the rocky cliffs of the East side, and if they weren't still there they'd be only a few nautical miles out to sea, waiting for the ransom money. The young Hope had been left on the Island to keep peace while the good Governor was gone, though the assignment had been met with his protest. Why couldn't he save his bride-to-be?

Captain Shipman had been instructed in the note to leave the ship on a lifeboat alone, but the Governor had something else planned.

He knew the seas here like the back of his hand, and if the Pearl wasn't too far out, he had a plan for sneaking up on it in the morning fog and taking the ship and it's crew by force. It took him awhile to convince the Captain of this course, as it might put his daughter in danger, but he knew that Leila would want them brought to justice and, if they moved fast enough, they would cause so much confusion there was a good chance they could get to her before anything were to happen.

The Captain uttered a few words of prayer, looking out to the foggy sea.

*******

Jack had never been this close to The Queen's Island long enough to actually experience the choking fog firsthand. He had heard stories about it from other pirates, but he thought them to be overexaggerating. That was definately not the case. The pirate Captain could barely see his hand in front of his face, a phenomenon he revisisted about a dozen times. Mr. Gibbs, however, interrupted his forming ritual.

"We've put to anchor, Captain Jack." The Captain nodded in acknowledgement, moving away from the boat's wheel and heading to the main deck. He put his hands behind his back, regarding the fog and the man at his side.

"So," he indicated the fog with a movement of his head. "What do you think of this?" Gibbs shrugged.

"Just glad we ain't moving no more, Jack. At least the damned fog won't bring those aft shoals this way."

"Quite true, Gibbs, very true," Jack concurred, the silence between them starting to thicken as the fog. After a few more moments, Jack clapped his hands together. "Well, supposed I'd better be checking in on the young miss below decks. Wouldn't want her to think up some sort of escape plan in her spare time," he raised both eyebrows and Gibbs couldn't help a laugh.

"Right. Hurry off, then. We'll keep an eye out." Gibbs called after him. 'As best we can,' he thought, instinctively nervous in this fog.

*******

Jack knocked lightly once, acting like he was awaiting an answer, but knowing he would probably not receive one. Shrugging, he pushed into the room, finding Leila upon the bed, looking out the window. She turned her head to him and gave him a sour look, turning back toward the window. Jack closed the door behind him and watched her for a moment, completely silent.

After a minute or two, the young woman, starting to get flustered, shouted, "What?!" as her head whipped around. Jack grinned.

"Nothing, love. Nothing. Just checking up on you is all. How'd you like your breakfast?"

"Detestable," she muttered.

"Oh, now that's not very nice. Our galley man would bleed if he heard the likes of you sayin' that," Jack's eyes looked sad, though behind them you could easily see the mischevious sparkle.

"Frankly, Mr. Sparrow--" Jack cut her off quickly.

"-Captain-, Miss Leila. It's -Captain Sparrow-," he emphasized.

She sighed in frustration. "Frankly, Captain Sparrow," she bit out, "I don't really give a damn about your galley man, nor you, nor this entire bloody ship and all the loathesome pirates on it."

Jack put his hand to his heart. "Oh...oh, that hurts, love." He approached her slowly. "I'll be certain not to tell the others about that for fear of their reaction and...well, what they might do to you." He was bluffing, of course. His crew wouldn't give a damn what she thought of them. But it was enough to see a little of that fear again. He didn't want her getting too full of herself and trying something stupid.

"Stay away from me," her voice was still somewhat firm, but the fire behind it had begun to fade to embers.

Jack moved back a few steps. "Savvy." He said. "But you know, I--" he was cut off by the sound of booming cannons and popping gunfire. His manner became somewhat unsure as his eyes settled again on the young woman.

Leila smiled smugly from her perch upon the bed as she heard the cannon fire. "Looks like daddy's here, Captain Sparrow. I doubt you will escape from the gallows this time."

Jack actually looked concerned for a second, long enough for her to see it in his face, but the shortest of moments later he took up his normal expression. He grabbed her harshly by the hand. "Time to go see daddy then, hmm?" He drug her out of the room, his grip on his wrist surprisingly tight and unyeilding. As he reached the upper deck, he noted immediately that the crew on the opposing boat were readying themselves to come aboard. But he had a simple plan to keep that from happening.

"Where's the Captain?!" he bellowed, his voice surprisingly firm. Leila's father stepped forward, his face the picture of defiance. When he saw his daughter, however, he faltered.

Jack noticed immediately and a smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "Not a good idea, Captain," he shook his head, clicking his tongue disapprovingly. "With a flick of my wrist, your daughter..." he turned toward Leila and glanced back at her father, "could quickly make friends with the fishes. Now," he turned his body back toward the Captain, making solid gestures with his free hand, "if you leave now, I promise no harm will come to your daughter. But the plans will have to change. You will sail ahead to the small island of Greencove. You will meet me on the West shore alone. My crew will be watching out for any tricks, so please don't do anything stupid. Now, I am sure your daughter is worth that much to you."

The Captain stood completely still for a few moments before finally flagging his crew. The ship backed off as he stared hard at the pirate. Jack bowed in thanks, tightening his grip upon the young woman in case she was entertaining any thoughts of heroics.

Leila winced as Captain Sparrow's grip upon her wrist tightened and her eyes finally found her father's. She smiled gently, reassuring him that she was all right and held her faith in him. She saw a smile of his own in return, and she hoped she had helped to alleviate his fears. She hated as much as her father did that this pirate would get his money, but she surmised that there wasn't much else to be done.

Jack soon interrupted her thoughts as he pulled her back toward her room, unceremoniously tossing her back toward the bed. "That father of yours has got some ale brewing in his belly, but you should be thankful he listens to reason. Good day, love," he crooned, pivoting on one foot as he closed her door and locked it with a firm twist of the key.

Leila's angry scream reverberated into the morning air.