Disclaimer: I don't own POTC. Simple as that.

A/N: I admit, I have a bit of trouble keeping Jack inside his usual personality lines. So I would appreciate it if people would point out if I did a bad job, or good job of it, and if its bad, tell me how I can improve! THANKS!

Jack's Daughter-There And Gone Within the Hour

I was bored. Absolutely, irreversibly bored. Why couldn't have Momma taken me down to the market? It wasn't as if I would steal the food, what would be the point in that? It was the money I was after and there was nothing wrong in stealing that. It was Tortuga.

Huffing, I kicked the dirt in front of my feet and stared at it moodily, blaming it for my current problem. My cutlass lay neatly sheathed beside me. I had lost the temptation to run after the few chickens and poke them after they had ambushed and attacked me. I never knew chickens were so smart. Next time I would have to ask Jack to bring me chicken armor, then I'd be able to fight them. I smiled thoughtfully as I imagined the armor.

Hearing footsteps on the road, I glanced up hopefully, thinking Momma might have been back from the market. It was early for her to be returning, but it wasn't unheard of. The sight that met my eyes was better, and I screamed in delight jumping to my feet, boredom forgotten.

Jack was weaving his way up the hill, looking almost out of breath, but still managing that swagger of his. I have never seen him walk without it. I had to grin, the hill that our house was perched on, wasn't so tall that he should have had trouble walking up it. He was carrying something slung over his shoulder and I could just make out someone weaving their way along the road behind him.

Excitement boiled up inside me. I hadn't seen Jack in four months. There had been rumors that he had stopped by and left without seeing us, but I highly doubted it. They were just saying that to make Momma and me upset.

"Jack!" I screamed, jumping up and down the front porch waving my arms wildly. "Jack hurry up!"

He stopped a few steps from the top of the hill and glared at me. "Why don't you try climbing up this thrice-cursed…" he trailed off grumbling, his free hand jabbing the air.

I grinned and hopped off the porch to run to him. He picked me off my feet before I managed to hug him and swept me over his shoulder. I laughed, kicking my feet in the air. "Put me down!"

"Barbossa!" Jack called spinning me around. "I seem to 'ave lost me daughter. Can ya find 'er?"

"I'm here silly!" I laughed trying to reposition myself but Jack spun around again as if looking for my voice.

Unfamiliar laughter drew my attention and I found I was staring at a man I did not recognize. He was broad across the shoulders; his face seemed lightly with lines. He had a great gray beard, and there was a hat perched on his head. He was looking at me in a way that made me instantly dislike him. I would have told Jack too, but he seemed to trust the man, and I wouldn't ever disagree on his judgment.

"What did you bring?" I demanded wiggling uncomfortably in the grasp I was still clutched in. "How long you staying?"

"Just long enough to say te yer mother," Jack answered, setting me back on my feet. "Where is she?"

I glanced around. "In the Market," I answered, crossing my arms. "She wouldn't take me." I pouted, glancing hopefully up at Jack. Jack could change my Momma's mind. He could make her take me to the market.

Jack laughed and bent down to my height. "Eh well, if ye'd been at the Market, would ye have see yer Father?"

I realized he was right. I shook my head. "No." I still pouted though. It wasn't the answer I had wanted.

Jack mussed my hair and plopped his new hat on my head. It was too big and slid over my eyes. I laughed. "Why aren't you staying long?" I demanded, pulling up the hat so I could see.

"The Pearl is in the harbor," he answered, a particular gleam arose in his eyes as he spoke of the ship.

I looked at him confused. He'd never talked about a ship like that. "What's so important about 'er?" I asked.

Jack swiped his hat off my head and used it to point toward the harbor. "The fastest ship in the Caribbean!" he waved his arms as Barbossa chucked.

I jumped, having forgotten about the man. I sent him a side-glance, feeling shudders course up my spine. "I wanna see it."

"Yer mother wouldn't like that," Jack answered. Seeing my downfallen expression he grinned. "But since yer mother wouldn't like it, we're going down to see it." He picked up the sack. "Where can I put these?"

"On the porch. I don't think the chickens will steal it," I grinned.

Carelessly Jack tossed it toward the door. It landed with a crash and promising ring of money.

"Books?" I asked hopefully, jumping on his back before he could protest. I stole his hat too, but didn't put it on my head. I wanted to be able to see this Pearl.

"Aye," Jack grumbled. "What's so interesting about them things anyway?"

"Momma won't let me go on a Pirate ship, so I gotta find someway to do it," I answered. "I wanna be let down when we get into town."

"Ye can get down now!" Jack huffed. "Ye're too heavy! What 'ave ya been eating. Krakens!"

I giggled, dropping to the ground. I sheepishly handed back the hat when he saw I was carrying it. "No silly. You can't eat them." I grabbed his hand, and held tighter when he tried to pull away. "Hold my hand." I glanced back and saw that Barbossa was quietly following behind, he hadn't spoken once since Jack had arrived.

"Is he a mute?" I asked.

Jack shook his head.

"Is he an eunuch?" I tried again.

Both men choked and glared at me.

"What?" I looked around innocently. What was wrong with the word? "You always say it," I accused Jack.

"Cause I'm Pirate," he fumbled for an answer.

"I am too!" I protested. I looked back at Barbossa, he seemed to be slowly recovering. "Are you?"

"No," he managed to get out.

I looked away hurriedly I didn't like his voice either.

"Ye're only half," Jack argued back as we started winding through the town streets.

It was relatively quiet, as it was day. There were a few drunkards roaming and a few whores hoping to get lucky. I felt a tug on my hand and saw that Jack was making his way to one such whore. I grimaced.

"Jack," I tried to warn him, a little too late.

He barely got out her name before she slapped him, glared and walked away.

I giggled, at the look on Jack's face. "Ye deserved that one."

Jack rubbed his stinging cheek, and tugged me along, glancing furtively over his shoulder. "And why?"

"Don't ya know?" I asked, knowing way more then a seven year-old should know on the matter. "Ye slept with her and then ye slept with ol' ugly Red Eyes from the other part of town. Ye crossed the turf Jack. They 'ate each other."

"Where are you learning all this?" Barbossa asked suspiciously.

"Aye," Jack seconded.

I shrugged. I didn't see the problem in knowing what I knew. It was Tortuga. It was definitely wrong if you didn't know about it. "Is that 'er?" I cried, tugging Jack's hand.

We had come upon the wharf, most of the ships I saw were familiar but there was a black one. Black as midnight but proud and sleek. Not arrogant, but yet she dominated all other ships. She made them cower at their berths.

"Aye, the Black Pearl," Jack said reverently.

I tugged my hand free, and scampered down the dock, weaving my way around moving cargo and sailors. They shouted foully at me, worse because they recognized me as Jack's daughter. For the moment I let it pass.

"Where are you going?"

I stumbled back as someone grabbed the collar of my shirt. I had been about to step on the gangplank and onto the Black Pearl. I glanced up to see a man looking down at me. I couldn't see him well; the sun was shining on his face.

"Let 'er go Bootstrap. That's my daughter."

"Well sorry there."

I was released, and excited I turned around. "Ye're Bootstrap?" I demanded, glaring at Jack. "Why didn't ya tell me?"

"Eh!" he smacked me in the back of the head. "The Language."

I stuck my tongue out and Bootstrap laughed. "I got a son about your age."

"You do?" I asked. "Can 'e fight?"

"Dannica Sparrow!"

I winced, and glanced to see Jack staring down at me. "I'm not supposed to talk like a Pirate," I murmured, shooting Boostrap a sideways glance.

He smiled. "You gonna come up on board?"

I glanced hopefully up at Jack, but he shook his head. I frowned and he made his way down the gangplank.

"Why not?" I demanded hotly, I could feel tears in my eyes.

"You done it Captain." Bootstrap laughed, heading for the deck of the ship. "Don't know how ye're gonna fix this one."

I nodded and glared at Jack. "I wanna come." Jack took my shoulders gently, and kneeled on the dock in front of me. "When ye're older," he said, in the most straightforward and honest tone I had ever heard him use. He was serious. "I promise ya, but right now ye're too young."

"How old?" I demanded. "I'm seven!"

Jack looked around him, thinking hard. "How about thirteen?" he asked me.

"Its so long!" I pouted, but I knew it was fair. "Will I see you before then?"

"Maybe," he answered, mussing my hair again. "Now ye'd better get up to the house afore your mother realizes yer gone." He drew his hand across his throat.

I giggled, and hugged him, not hiding the tears. "I'm gonna miss you."

He hesitantly hugged me back and quickly jumped out of it. "Here," he plopped the hat on my head. "Its yours. I'll get meself another one." He saluted and started shouting orders as he hurried off the dock.

I cried unashamedly as the Black Pearl crept from the dock and out into the Caribbean. I clutched the hat to myself. There and gone within the hour. I had grown used to it, but it still hurt.

I watched the black sails until they were lost to the gleaming blue water and cloud-studded sky above.