DISCLAIMER: Don't own anything POTC related. Jacoby, Hope, Draco, and other misc. characters are mine.

Chapter 9

Daughter of a Pirate

It was a typical day aboard the Black Pearl. Crewmembers mingled about swabbing the deck, replacing ropes, regular maintenance, and some were just lounging around and gambling. Jack was at the wheel, as usual, and Will stood with him as they talked about several things. Elizabeth stood by the railing of the main deck teaching James and Katie the words to 'a pirates life for me' being that they kept begging her to do so. At the forward hull, Hope stood alone, gazing out to sea. The past few days since they had left St. Thomas she kept to herself and would rarely interact with any one, not even with Jack, Katie, or the Turner's.

"William, the eldest, went rogue, and was the embodiment of what came to be piracy. He stole from his village and the surrounding areas. He killed without regret and didn't care about the consequences for his actions. Edward thought that he could save his brother from the gallows if he got to him before anyone else did. He searched from the coast to as far inland as he could go. When he finally found William there was an argument and Edward was killed by the sword of his own brother. This angered the ancient gods and William was struck down with a plague and a spell was placed on both the stones." Her uncle's voice echoed in her head

"When the eye of the dragon sheds blood from the heart of the dragon a spell will be cast, thus beginning an epic battle between the two immortals. One evil, one good. As both lie near death only the mixing of blood from the keeper of the heart and the crushed shards of the eye of the dragon can break the spell. The evil is sent into the depths of hell and the good remains at the gates of judgment." She spoke softly as she repeated the prophecy she seemed to say numerous times during the day." She sighed heavily and covered part of her face with her hand.

"The blood of pure and the tears of evil unto the heart of the dragon. True love returns life." She turned and sat with her back against the hulls inside. "Why am I being bothered by this? That stupid prophecy isn't even meant for me." She placed her head in her hands. From the helm Jack watched her.

"If that bastard wasn't related to her I'd shoot him then throw him down to Davy Jones' locker. He's completely clouded her mind with that stupid story about the brothers and those stones." Jack growled.

"I don't think it's just that, Jack. I think it's mostly because she was forced to recall her sister's murder." Will said.

"That bloody uncle of hers started it. The problems go in a circle and they all start with him."

"Has she been doing better at all?" Will asked.

"No. Personally, I think she's getting worse. She doesn't sleep and rarely eats. That kind of behavior can't be healthy."

"It's not. Maybe you should consider taking her to a doctor when we dock."

"She's not sick, Will!'

"Then what would you call it. She's suffering. These problems are affecting her regular habits. A doctor could help her."

"How? Give her some tonic or medicine. Perhaps you've not noticed, mate, but she lives on the open seas. They will probably tell her to take a break from sailing. And with that blood thirsting leech after you it's not safe."
"She can't stay like this. If she continues like this she could die. Is that what you want?" Will shouted at him.

"No."

"Then you need to get her to a doctor or do something." Jack didn't answer back, he only looked back at Hope. A moment later Gibbs came up from below deck and went to Hope.

"Lass. He wants to talk to you." Gibbs said but Hope didn't move.

"Hope." Gibbs said as Hope slowly raised her head. "Miss Hope. If ye don't mind me sayin'. Ye've got to get yerself some rest." Hope seemed to ignore his comment.

"What does he want?"

"Won't tell me. He just said he wants to talk to ye alone." Hope sighed, stood, then headed below deck.

SCENE CHANGE

Jacoby looked up when he heard someone coming down the stairs. When he saw it was Hope he stood up.

"What do you want?" Hope asked agitated, approaching him slowly.

"Ye don't look good."

"Thank you for that observation, Mr. Mathers. I'm well aware of everything, no one on this ship lets me forget it."

"What's yer issue?" Hope glared at him.

"You're my issue. Now what do you want with me?"

"I just wanted to say I was sorry about the first day we met."

"It took you this long to want to do that?"

"I should have said it sooner. I'm sorry." Hope looked at him, anger still a prominent feature.

"I know ye miss yer sister. She always talked about ye when she would visit us. When yer mother and I heard that Port Royal was attacked by Draco and that Catherine was killed it devastated us. Especially Isabelle."

"Well obviously. She lost her daughter what would…." Hope stopped. "My mother heard?" Jacoby caught his mistake and sighed. "Is this supposed to be some sick joke?"

"No. Yer mother is alive. It was Danforth that wanted to ye to believe she was dead."

"I don't understand."

"When yer father banished me yer mother would visit me in Tortuga often. She would spend some of the time with me then the rest of the time in the company of pirates. On one such occasion she got pregnant." Hope looked at him with a horrified face. "Danforth was excited when she told him she was pregnant, but he soon realized that the child was not his. The timing was not accurate. When the child had too of been conceived he was visiting a neighboring port. In grief and sorrow she accidentally told him that she had been adulterous. Being a minister's wife and committing adultery is the biggest sin a woman can commit. Even despite the fact Danforth still loved her more than anything. He couldn't bear to see her hung so after talking they decided that they would tell everyone in Port Royal that the child was his. Once the child was born, Isabelle was to sail to another port, adopt a new name and never step foot in Port Royal again. They agreed to tell the town folk that Isabelle had died in child birth. Those involved with the birth swore an oath to never speak a word of the truth to anyone." Hope thought about what he said and realized the truth.

"She was the one who gave me this necklace in St. Thomas."

"Yes."

"Why didn't she say anything, more importantly, why didn't you say anything?"

"There's no use lying. Her reasons were because of what I'm going to tell you. This may be difficult for you to hear and accept. Ye might have already realized it. But, ye need to know that it's the truth." Jacoby hesitated a moment not wanting to tell her the truth but he knew he had too. "Danforth is not yer birth father. Yer the daughter of a pirate, Hope." Hope's heart sank and she couldn't speak or move. "Hope, I'm so sorry." Hope looked at him.

"Did my sister know?"

"Yes."

"How could they have lied to me? I trusted them."

"I don't blame them."

"No, you wouldn't," Hope said before she turned and went back to the main deck. "Hope!" Jacoby yelled after her. Hope staggered up the stairs, the anger and sadness was just waiting to burst. When she reached the main deck she couldn't hold it in any longer.

"No!" she screamed at the top of lungs. This outburst caused the crew and the others on board alarm. "Why? Why are you doing this to me now?" She cried again in agony, looking upward as the tears flowed down her face. Quickly giving the wheel to Will, Jack ran down the stairs to Hope. "Why didn't you tell me!" She yelled collapsing to her knees on the deck. "Why didn't you tell me?" she said softly. "Jack!" She cried out in distress. As Jack reached her he knelt in front of her and pulled her to him.

"It's all right, darling. I'm here." Jack said wrapping one arm all the way around her and the other lightly on the side of her head as she sobbed into his chest. Katie was watching her mother and attempted to run to her but Elizabeth held her back.

"Best let your mother be for a moment, dear."

"Oh, Jack." Hope continued to cry hard. Jack wanted to ask her what had happened but thought it best he just hold and comfort her. "I can't take this anymore." Jack held her tighter. Everything on the ship, including the sound ceased as they watched Hope and Jack.

"Shhh. It's all right, love. I'm not going anywhere." Jack said as he started to rock her back and forth.

Below deck Jacoby heard everything and wanted to kick himself for acting like he did when they first got on board. The reality hit him.

"I caused her suffering."

SCENE CHANGE

Hope started to calm down after a few minutes. She had so much built up frustration and sadness that she just had to let it loose.

"What happened? What did he do to you?" Jack asked still holding her. Elizabeth, the children, and the crew were gathered around the two in an open circle.

"He didn't do anything. Nothing physical."

"What did he say to you then?"

"He said it was true and that I had to believe him. I don't want to believe him but everything he said makes sense. He may have acted like a bastard a few days ago, but the fact is, he's my mother's brother and I don't think he would lie about it."

"What wouldn't he lie about?"

"My mother's alive. She didn't die in childbirth. She had to leave when I was born because my father was not my birth father and they couldn't let anyone know who my real father was. She was the woman who gave me this necklace. Jacoby was banished by my father and she would visit him often. Because of that she became intimate with the men of the brothels." The others were surprised. "She left for my safety and welfare because my birth father is a pirate." Elizabeth and Jack's eyes widened and the crew stood with their mouths agape. Jack's shock didn't stay long. Anger replaced the shock as he went below deck. "Jack!" Hope called after him but he didn't stop. Making his way down the companionway he stomped over to Jacoby.

"What the hell do you think you're trying to pull?"

"I'm not pulling anything."

"Like hell you aren't. Since you came on board Hope has not been the same. You've clouded her mind with your story and now you say that her father isn't her real father. Is it your main goal to make the lives of others miserable. She's your niece!"

"She deserves to know the truth even if it hurts."

"Jack!" Hope called coming down the companionway along with several crew members.

"Stay out of this, love."

"I'm not going to stay out it, Jack. He's right. I needed to know the truth no matter how much it pained me to hear it."

"Since when do you believe him?"

"How can I not? Eveything he has told me answers the many questions I've had my whole life." Hope said just before canon fire shook the ship. The first shot was followed shortly by another. They all froze where they were before Jack and the crew ran back up on deck. When another shot was fired Hope began to realize she had heard those guns before. She looked at Jacoby and they held a gaze for a few moments before she ran up on deck. As she did she heard Jack yell out.

"Make ready the guns." When Hope looked up she saw the attention of the crew towards the helm. Jack had taken the wheel back from Will. Running up the stairs and standing beside the two she looked at the horizon and saw a ship that kept getting closer.

"Why are they gaining on us? This is supposed to be the fastest ship in the Caribbean." Will asked.

"You can tell them that after they've caught us." Jack told him.

"Jack. Please tell me that's not the ship I think it is." Hope said.

"It's the ship you think it is." Jack said quickly as they both stared at each other. Jack was sensing what she thinking. After a moment he nodded.

"Will. Take Elizabeth, James, and Katie as far down below deck as you can and hide." Hope said as they walked down the stairs.

"Hope! Why?" Will asked following after her. Hope stopped and turned to him.

"Look at that ship, tell me what see." Will jumped onto the railing and held onto the ropes as he leaned forward to see the ship. The first thing that caught his eye was the red sails. He went back over to Hope.

"Red sails."

"You remember being told about Captain Draco?" Will nodded. "That's his ship." Will didn't seem to comprehend what she was saying.

"That's the ship that's been searching for you. That ship is the Dragon's Eye."

NOTE: What'd you think? Good? Bad? A little depressing I know. Please, please review! I'm begging you. I need feedback I can't live without it.

Next Chapter: The Attack