Little Sparrow

Summary: "Now up is down," was the last thing any of them heard before the rush of water drowned everything else out. Later, waking up on a random, deserted island, they almost immediately notice that something was not right with their Captain. Sparrington, Salazak, Willabeth, maybe others mentioned.

Songs: Sad Stephen's Song by Duncan Sheik, The Ocean - Best Mermaid Song EVER! by The Hania Show and Jolly Sailor Bold from Pirates of the Caribbean"On Stranger Tides. Enjoy!

There was this one quiet moment on the deck of the Black Pearl as the night shift went to fetch the day watch where there was no one out and about, the black deck free of all souls. The living ones, at least. Jack couldn't exactly see if there were any unhappy souls still wandering around as pissed off ghosts with a grudge, but since his Pearl wasn't complaining, he figured there was none. And it is this one precious, quiet, lonesome moment that Jack used as his opportune moment to walk out onto the deck and just ... stare at the sea, as he stood on the railing on the main deck. The Pearl seemed to gentle her rocking, as if to allow him for his mind to wander further without him being put in unnecessary danger. Such a sweaty, his bonny lass was.

But there was no need for that. For all that Jack's thoughts were far away - only technically - his mind was right there, thinking and turning over an idea over and over again. It was not safe, for any party involved with it. The new crew might try to mutiny and Jack would really rather not have to subdue their will and leave them to float in the middle of nowhere. He'd do it, as the alternative was unacceptable, but he'd still it rather not come to that. The core crew won't be any happier about it. Jack could just imagine being locked up in his cabin - essentially grounded like a misbehaving child - by them until they reach the Crossing and when Gibbs would finally argue for them to let him out so he can get them all safely inside.

But, the truth of the situation was, he'll feel much safer if he does what he is thinking about doing. He was currently surrounded by betrayers, mutineers, Navy officers, strangers, three loyal men and a woman whose presence implies things he'd rather not think about. And an undead monkey. Don't forget the undead monkey. Anyway ...

He felt surrounded, boxed in, caged. It was never good, for anyone, when Jack Sparrow felt caged. It had nothing to do with brigs or prison cells. He can always just ... feel it when the walls are closing in on him. And that's how he's feeling right now. He was drowning, even though he's on a dry deck on the only ship he could trust to sail him through the gates of hell and back in one piece. Even though he can't. He was suffocating. He was sinking. What was dragging him down? He should be able to fly free as a bird, as his namesake. Yet something was dragging him down, under the ways, into the deep, dark abys, even though he knew nothing would do that to him. Not now. Not after that one time when he was fifteen.

That one night had started him on this road, had put him in Armando's and had crossed his path with the paths of all those currently on board. That one person had led him towards happiness and safety, even though it had been so short. He had made an ally that day, one that will be an ally for all of eternity.

Surrounded by strangers and only two friends, Jack really could use one more ally.

With that thought, Jack reached up with the hand that wasn't holding onto to of of lines and guided it to his hair. He pushed through trinkets, familiar and new, until his fingers brushed that one very special blue bead. Dark eyes fell to half mast and lowered almost reverently to the blue depths, fingers gently grasping the bead and wondering, for just a moment, if this will still work like it once used to. Then he chased those thoughts away and started to hum.

"They were young, and they were fair

The brushed their bronze and

Dusky hair

And whispered, 'Come sad

Sailor, come and play here.

You will love, you will be loved.

You will be strong, you will be sung

By all the mermaids, pretty

Mermaids."

00000

"Good mornin', Capt'n."

"Howdy, Cap!"

"Captain."

"Morning, Jack."

"Sparrow."

"Good morning, Jack."

"Jack."

"Capt'n! Mornin'!"

Jack very nearly snapped and snarled at them all after the tenth "Good morning, Jack" and versions echoed the ship, driving him mad. He could practically see it already forming on their lips, the things they really wanted to say. What happened last night, Jack? And Are you okay, Jack? And what was that, Sparrow? And Can you even be the Captain of this ship right, Sparrow? It was driving him crazy. Damn it all, he just wanted to shout at them all to just shut the bloody hell up and get the hell back to work, you lazy bilge rats, but that would only make things worse. Somehow. He still wasn't sure it could possibly get any worse than it currently was.

'You'd think that a bloke could get some piece and quiet on his own quarterdeck, but nooo. Today is the sacred, never forgotten 'let's bother Jack' day. However could I have forgotten.' He was pretty sure that it was unhealthy for a person to express that much sarcasm in their own head but there was no one to hear or see him do it - except his Black Pearl, who was laughing at him, the git - so he didn't care.

At least Turner had only nodded at him and had been very, very careful to not look guilty or suspicious in any way. Naturally, Norrington was now all but hounding him with his eyes, having once again decided that being pissed with Jack shouldn't stop his holy, self appointed mission of becoming Jack's shadow. Saud teen usually wouldn't mind and would instead have been delighted to once again get to talk to good ol' Norrington Junior, only he today had at the very least two additional unwanted shadows in the forms of Frederico - always Frederico, damn him - and most often Tia Dalma, although almost everyone from the core crew made shifts and took turns.

The Captain was ready to maul them by mid morning.

It was just one freaking nightmare! It's not though as he was dying! Although he guessed he could see where they were coming from, seeing as they had just a week ago sprung him free from the Locker in the first place, so he could just forgive them a little their paranoia. But just a little as they were all being so bloody annoying. He swore not even his overprotective father would be making this much of a fuss about it. Or Armando and gods Armando always made a fuss when his 'little Sparrow' was in any way at all concerned. Yes, they were that bothersome. Go figure.

He actually glowered when Pintel went to open his mouth, no doubt about to say or ask something to do with last night, and he snapped it shut with a click, whistling innocently as he went back to Ragetti so they could actually get some work done. Frederico looked amused at this point but James was altering between glaring at everyone with that fierce Admirally look of his - must have picked it up from his father, although his was slightly more impressive; bravo, Jamie! - and that just wanted to make Jack pout. But if he pouted instead of growled, they would start all over again. And damn Gibbs, he actually looked ready to actually dare say something. 'Evasive maneuvers!'

"Mr Gibbs."

"Aye, Capt'n?" It was by now second nature for Gibbs to almost stand to attention when called upon by Jack. He didn't even think about it and with Norrington and Sanchez - two military men no matter how you look at them or what they might be wearing - there, he even threw in a half decent salute. Jack arched an eyebrow.

"What have you to say for your most recent actions?"

"Capt'n?" Good. Keep him confused.

"There has been an utter lack of discipline on my ship. Why is that, sir? Why is that?" The words came from his mouth as soon as his giggling Missy whispered them in his ear and he didn't understand the look Gibbs was giving him but James looked to be between snorting at them and frowning in worry. Frederico didn't look like the words meant anything to him, but the core crew of the Black Pearl looked real worried as well.

"Jack? Are ye alright?" Joshamee asked uncertainly, unnerved by the same questions that he'd been asked when they had found Jack in the Locker. He was as confused by them now as he was then, since everyone seemed to be doing their jobs diligently.

"Of course I'm alright. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." He replied with a flourish bow before leveling flat, unimpressed eyes on the group. "Or do I need to remind you of that again by fighting ghosts. Again." It was not a question. It was a challenge, a gauntlet thrown and waiting for it to be picked up or turned down. He arched an eyebrow to further make his point and watched as Gibbs winced while the others shuffled on their feet. "Or maybe something more drastic is needed? Triangular, perhaps?"

That got the reaction he wanted from Frederico. He flinched and dutifully nodded to his Captain in order to excuse himself before scurrying away across the deck and down below. Gibbs actually flinched back before turning around to shout orders. The crew complied but they kept darting curious glances Jack's way. When he lazily lifted his other eyebrow to join the first, the scrambled to get it all done. Good. The busier they are, the better for Jack since they won't be trying to awkwardly ask any unnecessary and uncomfortable questions. Tia Dalma sent him a pointed look that he ignored, just like the glances Gibbs and Will kept sending his way, respectively. James made himself busy on the quarterdeck, but Sparrow didn't mind. He would rather that whatever it was that James was pissed about be resolved like this than having to apologize like a misbehaved child. All's good and well, for now. At least on that front.

Jack knew he should have felt far more uneasy around the crew than he actually was. As he had realized this morning, he wasn't exactly surrounded by the most trustworthy and loyal of blokes and ladies. Even with his Pearl whispering to him all the going ons of the ship, that didn't mean he could act if they were to plan a mutiny. He could only hope they don't do anything ... stupid until they are closer to Shipwreck Cove. God help them, there and then, if they try something. They would be well within Shipwreck Island's Watch and the Black Pearl was, apparently, a very distinguishable and famous pirate ship, known to be Jack Sparrow's. He didn't think Davy Jones would be of much help if his Da sets out on a warpath. Or, worse yet, Grandmama. Calypso won't be enough against Grandmama.

The rest of the day went rather peacefully by, the Black Pearl sailing perfectly through the waves like the queen of the sea that she was. Well, the queen of the Caribbean at the very least, although Jack doubted there was a ship that could match his lady love. She purred and shivered under his every tender touch and preened under every praise, going faster and faster without any added aid from the wind overhead or the currents down below. The newer crew were all watching it, dumbfounded and almost as superstitious as Gibbs, not believing what their eyes and experience was telling them. It was not possible for a normal ship to move this fast. Only cursed or magic ships can move this fast!

The Pearl slowed down around three hours after noon, when Jack finally handed over the helm to Mr Cotton and his parrot in the behest of Norrington to get some rest. The man scurried off to get him the lunch Tia Dalma had prepared but Jack had skipped out on - he was rather skinny, although not in a sickly way, just very slim - while the Captain contemplated the heat. He looked down at the no doubt blissfully cool blue waters and mourned that he could not jump in for a little swim. The ship was moving too fast even for a practiced swimmer like him to keep up and even with a line there, it was still too risky. She might unintentionally pull him under and he'd rather not inspect the barnacles no doubt already there on her hull. He should probably have that looked at, though. No need to carry around all those sea creatures if they could make a good soup. Better do it before the Pearl gets grumpy.

He still really wanted to swim. It was a really hot day in the Caribbean and he'd really, really like to cool off.

"Hold my fin and let the feeling settle in

Come with me for a quick swim

In this great Ocean

You'll never return, you'll never return."

The whisper in the wind snapped his head up and he jerked around. The crew, seeing his strange reaction, followed his gaze and shouts of panic and fear echoed along the ship. For there on the railing, not two feet away from the young Captain, seductively lounged a beautiful woman with long, long blond hair in an elaborate style, her bosom hidden only by the golden locks, some of the shorter ones falling into her angelic face and eyes like twinkling sapphires. Her long arms were supporting her head as she leaned on the railing, hands cupping her face, out of their sight from the waist down. She had a single hair pin that must have once belonged to some noble lady that had been on some unlucky ship dragged to the depths by this very creature of beauty and terror. The only other decorative jewelery on her was a simple necklace of blue beads, seemingly glowing where water still clung to them, one missing and replaced by a pearl, not quite all the way to black but close. As symbolism, as to where her loyalties lie. Judging by that one piece of treasure on her, she had kept in touch. And she still had a crush on him, judging her beaming little smile and complete ignorance of the other pretty men on deck.

"My heart's been pierced by Cupid

I resent all glittering gold

There's nothing that can console me

But my jolly, sailor bold."

The sound of drawn swords and cocked guns and a wooden plate hitting the blackened wooden planks of the deck - so James was back, it would seem - drew Jack's attention away from the singing, happy girl to whirl around in time to see Lee preparing to fire. "Mermaid! Kill her! If you value your lives, kill her now!"

"No!" Sparrow yelled as he sprang forwards and shielded the mermaid from view with his own body, arms spread wide to the side as he stood in front of her, facing his crew. "Don't you dare touch her!" He ignored her wandering hands as she hugged him from behind, chest to his back, purring. The Black Pearl shuddered under him in distaste but the blond ignored the ship, enjoying the closeness after so many years apart. "Anyone who harms her will answer to me, do you hear me you worthless bilge rats?! You'll answer to me."

"Get out of my way, boy, or I will shoot you too."

"No."

"Jack, that be a mermaid and a hungry one if she be singin'." Barbossa tried to reason, eying the pale hands fondling Sparrow's chest happily, completely ignoring the rest. "Don't make me shoot ya after just gettin' ya back from th' Locker."

"Oh, I dare you to do it. See what will happen. Even if you do manage to get to Shipwreck Cove, you won't be any safer there." Jack threatened right back, black eyes glaring into ice blue ones. "Besides, she's not hungry. If she were, she'd be singing long and loud enough for you all to hear her and fall under her spell. And if she were hungry, she'd be hunting and mermaids always hunt in at the very least groups of three. She's here alone."

"Actually, Jack." The mermaid finally spoke up, her voice soft and seductive by nature as she peered at him from over his shoulder. "The others are here, too. They all wanted to see you." A pout. "We missed you. I missed years, Jack. Seven years. It's not polite to keep a lady waiting that long." She seemed to finally take in his appearance and confused brows furrowed over pretty, pretty eyes. "How come you look so young again? Did you go to the Fountain of Youth? You know you could have just asked me to bring you there and give you a tear."

"Actually, Lucia, I'm fresh out of the Locker." The pirate replied, turning around to face her with a last warning look at the crew. "This was the only way for me not to go completely mad. Now, from what I understand, I was already mad but not completely mad, so that was a saving grace. But I would have gone utterly, completely and irrevocably mad had I not been ... this." He pointed at his rejuvenated body with a hand while the other stopped the mermaid's, Lucia's, hand from groping him. He was already being gawked at for being so friendly with a mermaid. No need to tell the rest of the story and her childish, naive, innocent, sweet huge crush on him. He looked at her then. She was no longer a child, nor naive and she was far from innocent, judging by her wandering hands and her age. She must have already been an end to many a men, sailors and merchants alike. But she was still sweet - at least with him - and she still had a crush on him. Or had it developed deeper?

She must have been reading his thoughts somehow - not even he knew whether mermaids could actually do that or not, despite being all friendly like with the lot of them - because she smiled bitterly and snuggled up against him. Jack had to blush at the move when warm, soft breasts pressed again him. He swore he heard a jealous exclamation somewhere behind him, a bemoaning of a lonely fate, a groan and some other noises he didn't bother identifying as he was too take aback by what Lucia said right next to his ear.

"Had I known he would have stolen you like that, I would have never left you with that stupid Spaniard." And yes, Jack was pretty sure her pout was more than audible. You could feel it in your very bones.

He blushed as red as a cherry. "W-what!?" Did he just squeak?!

"He stole my Jack!" Lucia complained, wrapping surprisingly strong arms around him and dragging his face into her bosom. "I could have had you all to myself, not share you with my sisters and you would have lived with me forever. But I left you with those stupid, foolish Spanish and that idiot Spaniard stole and then stomped all over your heart. Not fair~! I would have treated you better." She looked up at him thoughtfully. "Though, you could come with me now, right? He's good and dead and I'm not a little girl anymore. Although, really, Jack, what is eight years of an age gap? You humans don't mind it, why should immortal creatures like merpeople consider it too much?"

"My answer is the same as before, bubbles," Jack told her gently even as he stroked the Pearl's railing to calm her down. She was almost homicidal with rage at the mermaid. Lucia smiled at the old nickname, both sad and happy, but she let him go when he continued and gently extracted himself from her arms. "And it was that way even before we saw the Spanish galleon. It's not him and it's not the age gape. Or the mortality-immortality thing. I told you all I need to be happy is my ship and there was no way then as there is no way now that I'd leave her even for my love of the sea. And," he cut her off when the woman went to speak. "Don't you dare suggest taking her to the bottom of the sea. You're not a child anymore. Besides, I'm kind of needed here." He gestured around to indicate the world above the waves. "Although I could use some of your help, bubbles."

"Of course," the mermaid replied immediately, suddenly somber. "You have saved me. I owe you my life."

"I somehow rather doubt it that you still owe me." Sparrow countered half jokingly, a finger gently poking the blackish pearl on her blue necklace. "Seems we've met up in the years I don't remember and I think you more than made up for me saving your life by you saving mine a dozen times over."

Lucia smiled, touching the pearl with a faint blush. "Yes, we've met again. We had to haul you a pair of sea turtles for you to leave that wretched island, some thirteen years ago and you told me about what happened to you since that night. Rene, Cory and I accompanied you until a passing ship of rum smugglers picked you up. You said you didn't want a repeat of New Guinea." She pouted while Will, Barbossa, Elizabeth, Gibbs and about everyone else who had ever heard about Jack's miraculous escape from that spit of land forgotten about by even god gawked, eyes nearly popping out and mouths on the deck.

"You dragged me from the Victory in New Guinea to Hispaniola where Armando picked me up, you were exhausted, I was starving and dehydrated and shivering and you could barely move on your own. Rina and Carol had to drag you to your underwater homes when they finally found you just when I was being carried off to the ship's surgeon." Jack gave her a reproachful look. "You were six. It's a bloody miracle either of us survived."

"You didn't want to become a merman and I wasn't going to leave my rescuer to the fishes, was I?" Was Lucia's defense and they pouted at each other. The rest of the crew kind of just stared. Frederico, though, was wondering how they could have missed three half-fish women in the waters. Then again, the Capitán had instantly been taken in by the pirate boy they had fished out to care much for any other fishes. And since he was giving orders, the rest were a bit too busy and a bit too curious to look.

"I wasn't going to leave the Wench."

"And you didn't want to leave the Pearl then, either, but she had left you." The blond complained and said ship swayed alarmingly, almost knocking her right off the railing had she not reached out for Jack to steady herself. The black sails rustled threateningly and Jack wisely made Lucia let go. "Anyway, what is it that you wanted?"

"I'd like to call in my favor with the sirens." Sparrow told her in all seriousness but she just gawked at him.

"Are you mad?! What business could you possibly have with them?! They serve Davy Jones, for goodness sake, and he thinks you're dead!" She frowned at him suspiciously. "And what favor?"

"Let's just say that I at one time had the opportunity to kill them and didn't. As for my business with them, well ... Let's say I need some leverage. Sirens are more warriors than you merfolk are. And scarier. And there's the problem that their boss is under the control of another."

"They won't turn on him even if that's true."

"I won't ask them to. I'm asking that they keep a low profile. Stay away. Jones won't include them unless the one who's controlling him asks, so it would be for the best that they just stay put for a while."

Lucia looked uneasy with the topic. "Jack, they kind of personally hate you, if what the others say is true."

"Of course they hate me. I chose Calypso's side and was even immune to their song! I could have killed them if I wanted to and I guess that they took it as an insult that I didn't. As though it were a humiliation casted upon someone to save their life." Jack looked bewildered by the very idea.

The mermaid grimaced. "Please don't tell me all of this is still that ages old lovers' spat."

"I could but consider it a great possibility that I'd be lying."

"Idiots."

"Aye."

"You're an idiot, too, Jack."

"Idiocy and genius are two sides of the same coin."

"That's madness, not idiocy."

"Nah, madness is the edge in the middle."

Lucia snorted and shook her head. She studied Jack for a long moment before her eyes strayed to the rest of the crew. They shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny and impossibly blue eyes before they returned to the eccentric pirate. She sighed, worry making her look weary. "Fine, Jack. I'll get the message along. But they won't be happy."

"Ask for Regina. She'll listen."

"You know the queen of all sea creatures by name?" From the sounds of it, that was quite a big deal. The other humans turned to look at Jack with curiosity. This was a story they'll be asking for, that was certain.

Jack grinned. "What can I say, luv? I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."