Chapter 15 (Overboard)

Melody stood near Jack as she watched him steer the ship. She moved on from her sword fighting lessons to steering a ship, everything seemed to be flying by rapidly. Mr. Gibbs came towards Jack with news.

"Jack there's been a spotting of a ship not too far from us."

"Cargo?" Asked Jack.

"Aye, north to north west of 'ere."

Jack just smirked leaving Gibbs to run off and give orders. Spinning the wheel Jack made the ship move a little to the right.

"What does cargo mean?" Asked Melody.

"It means a ship might be transporting something of worth."

"How do you know if a ship is carrying anything?" She asked. He turned toward her with a smile.

"Well luv, if a ship's floatin' 'igh in the water it means their not carrying anything that much of worth, but ye never really know they could be carrying cotton, and if they're carrying something far 'avier it'd be farther in the water."

"Oh." She said looking in the direction the ship was moving in.

"So does this mean that we're going to raid the ship?"

"Full of questions aren't we."

He stated with a laugh. Her brows knitted together in a little frustrated anger.

"Yes Melody, that's the plan, the first rule to being a pirate is take what ye can give nothing back."

She sat on the rail. Her feet dangling over the ship, the wind blowing through her hair, the salt of the sea slightly burning her lips. It seemed that Jack had sailed around the other ship until it became dusk, just enough time to let the eerie fog to follow her as always.

She just wished that it would stop. She could barley see the other ship's lights through the fog, which would work to the advantage of it being a surprise. She was sure that they didn't have a clue that she was following them.

She knew soon they would most likely weigh anchor for the night. And when they did Jack and the crew would strike. Melody wondered if they all were going to leave any survivors. It was most unlikely but at times Jack was unpredictable so she wouldn't hold anything to expectation.

Gibbs walked up beside her, which definitely surprised she since he would usually try to avoid her with all of his power.

"Have you decided to except me?" She asked in somewhat of a whisper. He huffed but smiled a little.

"Maybe.. Ye Aren't all woman." He said.

"No." She said nonchalantly.

"This 'ere fog 'ill 'elp us in the long run but the last time this ship was plagued by fog it was crewed by the damned."

He said turning and walking off.

"The damned?" She said to herself. A cold wind blew across her shoulders making her shudder.

Jack had ordered everyone to stay silent as the ship crept closer to the enemy, all that could be heard now was the sails billowing in the wind. Soon Jack gave the signal that the other ship had stopped. The crew slowly began to prepare to board, many were holding ropes while others were preparing planks.

"Ye stick to me luv." Said Jack quietly in her ear. Melody nodded. Then Jack gave the signal for everyone to move into action. A plank had been placed and Jack and Melody were the first to climb onto the opposite deck. She looked around making sure to keep quiet as she followed Jack. Even aboard this ship it was hard to see anything, the fog was so thick.

Some crew members that had jumped on board had snuck behind some unsuspecting men and knocked them out, apparently this was going to be an attack were they would be spared. "Alright luv, this is were we go below to see what's worth takin'." He said. She followed after him until they were both in the hull of the ship.

There were many crates, some stacked atop each other but all were tied down so they wouldn't move around with the ships constant rocking. Jack moved over to one of the crates. Pulling out his sword he began to it pry open.

Melody stood by the doorway, having decided to keep watch. She could hear Jack rummaging through the crates and trunks. "What's in there Jack?" She asked glancing quickly toward him. "Well it seems that that the good cap'n of this ship 'as quite o lot of gold on 'is 'ands and it would be very un'onorable of us if we didn't lighten his burden." He said while flashing her a grin.

The crew began to load the Pearl with gold. Most of the crew on the ship, which happened to be called the Merry Maiden, were knocked out and the captain had been tied to the mast.

"You'll pay for this!" He yelled his white wig hanging off his head at an angle.

Jack walked back over to him.

"And how are ye gonna manage that sir when ye are tied up and yer crew are… indisposed at the moment?" He asked.

The man didn't answer, sweat could be visibly seen on his forehead. As Jack was about to turn and walk away the captain called out.

"Wait! Your not just going to leave me here."

Jack turned slightly placing his hands together as if he were in prayer.

"Actually that's exactly what I was planning' t' do." Said Jack.

"But if yer worrin' then as a word of comfort yer crew should wake up soon enough to untie ye."

"No! You bloody pirate! Untie me immediately."

His voice then became muffled as Melody shoved a handkerchief into his mouth.

"Jack.. What if a storm picks up and the crew aren't awake?" She asked.

"Well luv they'd be lost at sea." He said while holding onto a rope.

Then he lightly chucked her under the chin before swinging back to the Pearl. She was about to swing back herself when she was pushed from behind. She stumbled and fell over the rail. Melody let out a startled scream as she hurtled down into the cold waters of the ocean.

Jack had turned quickly as he heard Melody scream. He rushed to the rail as he saw her plummet into the ocean. "Melody!" He called out in horror. He pulled off his jacket and his hat, taking off his effects he jumped into the ocean after her.

The cold swam around Melody as she was quickly sinking to the bottom, she let out a gush of air, the call of the sea was so strong that her body had gone somewhat numb, she could feel the gentle but forceful pull of the sea, it was calling to her, an old song seemed to waver in the sea's cold water, ringing in her ears.

Her heart began to slow and strangely she was growing sleepy. She realized that she hadn't changed back into a Siren. She weakly closed her eyes and was about to change when a pair of strong arms encircled her waist, pulling her to the surface.

When she reached the surface she let her head fall back onto her rescuer's shoulder. A rope was thrown down from the side of the Pearl and she could feel the grip around her waist tighten as they both were lifted into the air. Melody keep her eyes closed, for some reason she felt drained.

Soon she could feel the hard floor of the deck at her feet and then her back. "Melody?" He said softly. She heard Jack's voice but couldn't open her eyes even though she knew she could will them open with ease.

She opened her mouth slightly to signal him that that she was fine. She heard him shout orders to the crew before she felt his arms encase her again. He easily lifted her into his arms and carried her back into his cabin.

He sat by her side for awhile. "What's wrong with ye Mel?" He asked quietly as he held her hand. When He realized what he was doing, he got up and left the room, sending Will in to watch over her. Jack promised to look after her but by God he was going to his hardest to not love her.