Disclaimer: Don't own POTC simple as that. I can only claim possession over Emily and Dannie.

Jack's Daughter-Chap9-

"You will apologize to her."

"I will not," I replied adamantly, my eyes narrowing.

It was exactly fifteen minutes since Jack had forgiven me for disobeying his rules, and fifteen minutes since Master Portman had laid his trust in my hands, though I was fairly certain that he was lurking somewhere in the shadows, making sure nothing was about to erupt. I didn't mind, I would have done the same thing had our roles been reversed. Besides, it wasn't the worst of my problems. It was Jack again. It hadn't taken long for my father to discover what had happened between me and Emily and had set to mending the tear in our friendship, albeit with me digging my heels in as deep as they would go.

"Darlin'," Jack slurred, coming to the bars, where I was leaning grouchily.

"What?" I snarled over my shoulder, staring at the far row of small square cells. My arms were crossed, with my feet braced apart for each pitch of the ship. I had a feeling we had hit a small squall, but I doubted it would last long, after all our silent guard hadn't been called up on deck yet.

"Don't yell at me Danny," Jack said, leaning against the bars next to me. His breath smelled disgustingly like rum, though I knew he wasn't even half drunk yet. "I'm tryin' te 'elp."

I snorted, loudly and straightened. "Can I leave now?"

"Eh wait a moment!" Jack cried, he reached out and grabbed the back of my shirt, hauling me up against the bars.

I winced as my back slammed the iron, and I was sure that there would be imprints on my skin later. My eyes turned imploringly toward the dark recesses where the stairs were located but no one came to my aid, I mentally groaned. So much for having the crew behind me! The person watching me probably figured I had everything under control. Right.

"Now listen 'ere," Jack said, his tone akin to the kind he used when I was two years-old. "Yer gonna go up there and speak to Miss Emily, and apologize fer everyt'ing you said."

"I will not!" I shouted, wrenching myself forward and finding out the hard way that Jack was still holding onto my shirt. Grunting, I leaned back, in a fouler mood then I had been two moments ago. "Now listen 'ear," I added, my teeth grinding together. "I ain't going no where with Miss Emily, ya 'ear? She ain't not'in but a low-down society wo-man. Ye hear?"

"I'm hearing," Jack replied calmly. "and I'm 'earing that you should watch yet language! Yer mother would skin ye alive if she 'eard you talkin' like tha'. But Danny darlin'."

"I don't care what Mother has ter say and don't ye dare 'Danny darlin'' me!"

"I'm yer father, I can Danny darlin' ye all I want. Ye hear that?"

"No!"

Jack's response was to shake me quite firmly, reminding me that despite being behind bars, he had the unfortunate upper hand in the argument. I just hated that! Sullenly, I refused to reply, and crossed my arms, staring moodily ahead. Jack didn't try to get anything more out of me himself and we entered a silence competition. Last one standing was free to walk away or in Jack's case, contemplate the empty rum bottle.

I'm sure out ridiculous attempt at silence would have lasted all day, if not for a quiet and trembling voice that drifted from above. It made my bones jump and my eyes narrow, but Jack, sensing my desire to run down Emily and beat her, slipped his arms out and he gripped my waist tightly.

"Danny, I'm...I'm sorry. The crew spoke to me, and I realized how much of a brat I've been."

"Try being half-mule, half-idiot," I muttered waspishly under my breath. Jack's hold tightened as a warning and I gasped as he forced the air from my lungs.

"Ain't this a comfortable position darlin'?" he whispered in my ear.

I turned my head sharply, deciding he was entirely too close for comfort. His innocent yet deeply not-innocent eyes stared at me. "I'm your daughter Jack," I spat, spittle landing on his face. "Keep your hands to yourself."

"Danny?" Emily's voice cried. It was soon accompanied by the pound of her footsteps against the stairs as she ran down, as if fearing that something was amiss.

"I'm fine," I snapped disagreeably and tugged against Jack's hands.

"Darlin'," he laughed, pulling me back. "Just a momen' longer. Don't ya think?"

Jack was enjoying his game entirely too much, I thought with annoyance, and no doubt he was using it as a ploy to get Emily down those stairs. Damn bastard of a man! He would certainly pay for this after.

Emily came out into the light. Her hair was plastered across her face, and falling away from the tedious updo it had been in. She was clutching her dress up around her ankles, trying to keep it was a dry as possible, though it was quite useless as the cloth was damp with rain. Her eyes were wide with uncertainty and a healthy dose of fear that was directed toward me. It was the look that made me feel quite smug about the position I was in.

"Is he hurting you?" Emily gasped, stepping forward then back, unsure of what she should do. She obviously couldn't see who was behind me either. "Should I call someone down?"

I jerked my head toward the stairs. "Master Portman's watching us," I said in the most unfriendly tone I could conjure up. Considering that I had lived in Tortuga, it was a nasty dose.

Emily jerked back a step, her eyes widening with hurt. "I guess," she murmured. "I...I guess I'll just leave then."

"Not at all luv," Jack's voice lifted up. "Danny darlin' 'ere was just about ter apologize. Weren't ye darlin'?"

I turned my head, scowling at Jack face as his face split into a grin, revealing his gold capped teeth. I would have dearly loved to punch them out for him at the particular moment. "I was not," I told him harshly, pitching my voice low. I had no desire to bring Emily into our father-daughter argument

"O' course ye were!" Jack announced loudly, either not pretending to, or not noticing my warning. "She was feelin' absolutely devastated luv about what she said to ya. Broke 'er 'eart it did, but she's just a too stubborn to admit it."

"Really Danny?" Emily's voice was filled with hope. "I really didn't mean it either! I've been so stressed out lately, worrying that I'm going see a ship on the horizon with my father at the railing. I don't want to go back to living in a physician's home, it's absolutely dreadful."

"See?" Jack said triumphantly in my ear.

I just continued to glare at him, refusing to look at Emily, in case I would break down myself and forgive her. I felt I had done too much forgiving in the past while, and it was certainly unhealthy. Before this voyage, I couldn't remember a single time that I had ever apologized for an action or regretted one. This whole trip was doing strange things to me, things I didn't like too much. Curse my desire to start a new life outside of Tortuga, I would have gladly accepted the pirate port with open arms now.

There was a tight squeeze to my waist, and I realized that Emily was still prattling, going on in great detail about the woes of her life and why she wanted to run away. I nodded my head absently, not really paying attention her. I wasn't looking for her life story for God's sake, or her begging for forgiveness either.

"Listen," Jack warned in my ear. "She's almost done darlin'."

I rolled my eyes, sticking my tongue out childishly at my Father.

"And anyway," Emily concluded, taking a deep breath. "Not that I ever want to become a pirate, but please Danny, I'm dreadfully upset about what happened."

I bet you are, I thought, and grunted as Jack squeezed my waist tightly, forcing my air out. His message was quite clear, and I doubted he was would release the pressure until I said I was going to accept the apology. Damn it. "You're going to pay," I whispered fiercely at him.

Jack pointed at himself. "Me?" he mouthed, his eyes wide. Then he motioned with the same hand, urging me to step away. "And bring more rum."

I gave him another glare as I moved closer to Emily. She hadn't moved past the first row of the cells, and was standing nervously, her dress still hitched to her ankles, and her feet doing an odd tap dance that I had never before seen.

"Emily," I said, the words catching painfully in my throat. I was tempted to glance over my shoulder toward Jack, but I knew that it would be pointless; I knew what he would do without seeing it. "I'm sorry." They were perhaps the hardest words I had ever before said, and I hated to say them.

Emily's face however, split into a large grin and her hands clapped together. Unthinking, she darted forward, grabbing me in a tight embrace, not noticing my stiffened form. "Oh thank you Danny! I was so worried you wouldn't forgive me! I promise I'll be a better friend from now on, and try to see things from your point of view."

"Lovely ladies, and I hate to break the reunion but I need Captain Jack Sparrow up on deck," a dry voice drifted toward us.

I turned my head to see Norrington, with one foot resting on the bottom step, and one hand on the rope railing. There were three other crew members behind him.

I sighed dramatically, and reached behind my neck, unclasping Emily's hands. I felt her shoulders tighten and I realized she knew exactly what I was planning. To my surprise she did nothing, but stepped back, tucking a damp strand of hair behind her ear.

"Norrington," I purred, not missing more than a step. I swayed forward, and pretending to trip, I fell against him. I felt his body coil, and nearly laughed. "How naughty of you," I continued, looking up and batting my eyelashes.

"Naughty?" he choked out, glancing back desperately for help. There was none forthcoming and alone, he turned back to face me.

"Indeed," I agreed. "Abandoning me for Captain Jack Sparrow." I said my father's name, in a rolling French accent that I had picked up once from a nearly sober sailor.

Norrington's face turned petrified, and with trembling fingers he grasped my upper arms. "Danny remove yourself from my sight immediately."

"No, miss Danny?" I questioned, pouting. "Certainly I deserve more respect."

Norrington swallowed convulsively. "Of course Miss Danny. Emily will you escort her to you rooms immediately. The rain seems to have let up and I need Mr. Sparrow at the helm."

Rather quickly, he shoved me aside, hurrying me up the stairs, it seemed he couldn't get rid of me quick enough. For a few brief moments I was squished by the burly men trying to make room for me, but when I made it past, Emily caught up to me.

There was doubtful expression on her face, as she glanced down. "You didn't have to do that did you?"

"Oh but I had to," I said grinning evilly. I glanced at her sharply and then toward the second set of stairs that led to the deck. "You know, I don't quite forgive you."

Emily burst out laughing, as her eyes danced. "Oh I know," she said. "I heard every word you and Jack passed between each other. I also hear him, telling you what to do!"

"You what?" I screamed as laughing, Emily darted past me, charging up the stairs.

The girl glanced back, her lips in a full-fledged smile. "You heard me!" she shouted. "Maybe I'm turning into a pirate after all!"

"Not if I kill you first!" I yelled back, though there was no real heat in my voice. Catching the skirt of my dress in my hand I charged up the stairs after her.

Emily seeing me coming squealed and started running again. I pursued her relentlessly, and it was an unfortunate Mr. Swann that we bumped into and sent sprawling. Emily, feeling no desire to pause and explain herself in winded conversation shouted her regrets over her shoulder, and I, not having the slightest inclination why I should stop, did nothing.

We both reached the deck, breathless, and stalemate as we stared at each other from other sides of the main mast. The crew pretended not to notice as they set about cleaning up the odds and ends that had come loose during the brief squall.

Finally Emily grinned and nodded to a place behind my shoulder. "I guess you've forgiven me after all," she said. "So how about you teach me to seduce Norrington as well? It would certainly be an interesting adventure, wouldn't you say?"

Though I had only just caught my breath, I burst out into another peal of laughter. I instantly realized my mistake when Emily darted away from me and back down the stairs toward our room. I let her go; acknowledging my defeat reluctantly, after all it was not often the proper girl ever got the upper hand in a fight, even a friendly one. I must be getting old, I thought sourly, though a smile tugged at my lips, I seem to be losing a lot of battles lately.

"Miss Danny!" a voice shouted from the helm.

Turning my eyes, I glanced up and saluted sharply as a sailor by the name of Winston look down at me. He was a tall skinny man, and his only real use aboard the ship was his finely honed eyesight that had proved its worth many a time.

"Yes?" I shouted up, pretending not to know who he was.

"Come on up here," he shouted back, waving me forward.

I instantly read his body language and winced. "What happened?"

At that chosen instant another of the crew bumped me, sending me stumbling across the deck.

"Sorry miss," he apologized, grabbing my arm and righting me. He didn't let me go though and instead hissed urgently in my ear. "You better know how to swim Miss Danny. Commodore Norrington was standing on those stairs for quite some time, and I figure he knows."

"Knows what?" I demanded, leaning against him and pretending to appear quite shaky, and unbalanced.

"About Jack and you," the sailor said, putting both hands on my arms, as he pushed me back again, looking in false concern at my appearance. "And he figures now that what you've been doing is a ruse to make him mad. I hope you can swim," he added again.

I looked at him, my eyes wide. My mind worked furiously, as I cursed myself repeatedly that I hadn't heard him come down. Damn Jack too for distracting me away from scanning my surroundings. I knew I couldn't entirely blame the pirate, but he was the handiest person at the moment, and I wasn't about to let that go to waste.

Hearing footsteps behind me, the sailor quickly let me go and looked at me with regret. "Sorry about that Miss Danny, I hope I didn't upset you too much."

"Not at all," I said, and brushed myself off, though watching meticulously as Norrington came toward me, his face set and angry.

Damn, I thought, thinking fast. My eyes darted quickly, not caring if he saw the action. They stopped almost instantly upon a shattered lamp that was lying haphazardly on the deck. Not bothering to think my plan through, I tucked into a roll and came up holding the lamp.

Staring at Norringotn's enraged face, I rushed forward. "Here catch!" I shouted and threw the lamp at him. The surprised Commodore reached and snatched the object from the air. Wasting no time, I took advantage of the momentarily unbalanced man and shoved him aside, making for the stairs.

Tripping on the hanging ends of my skirt I rushed down to the next level and toward the cramped cabin Emily and I shared. Behind me I could hear shouts as well as a lot delayed clomping, tripping and cursing. Bless the men! My mind sang in relief.

My breath once against coming in pants, I came to the door and shoved it in with my shoulder, grappling with the handle as I did. The door tumbled in and I rolled into the room. Instantly, I shot to my feet, ignoring Emily's cry of surprise, and slammed it shut again.

Bracing my feet against the planks, I leaned my full weight against the wood. Panting heavily I glanced at Emily and her surprised features. "How heavy is the bed?" I gasped, dragging my curled hair from my face so that I could see.

"Not very," Emily replied, curious. She stood up slowly from the chair she had been sitting at. "The door locks."

"The Commodore has the key," I replied a bit acidly. Sighing, I yanked my hand through my hair, tugging absently at the knots. I turned my ear against the door and listened as footsteps came closer. Left with little options, I twisted the lock shut, but did not release my weight.

Deciding not to question any further, Emily maneuvered through the cramped quarters toward the bed. Bumping it out, she began to push it toward me. There wasn't much space between door and bed, and there was little exertion on Emily's face when she made it to me. Her eyes were worried though as she looked for an answer in my own eyes.

Nervously, I moved aside, and let her push it against the door, after I surveyed it with dislike. "Its not going to hold," I muttered, as a sudden banging rang out.

"Open up Dannica!"

I grimaced, and jumped forward onto the bed to press my shoulder against the door. The effort was futile I knew, there was nothing I could brace my feet against. It was at this particular time that I noticed something strange. Whipping my head I stared accusingly at Emily. "Shouldn't the bed be nailed down?"

Emily shrugged her eyes wide. "Yes," she replied. "A man came in here just before you did though and ripped them out. He then left without a word of explanation. Would someone please explain what's going on?"

"She's locked it Captain!" a voice rang loudly from the hall.

"Well unlock it then!" came the shouted response.

I gritted my teeth and got off the bed. Instead, I sat on the floor pressing my back against the edge. "Emily!"

Shocked from her inability to move, Emily jumped to sit next to me, straining against the bed though no one was pushing against the door, at that particular moment.

"Captain I don't know where the keys are!" another voice hollered. "They're not in your room where you usually keep them."

I heard a snarl, and almost relaxed, closing my eyes, and slumping my head forward.

"You can't live in there forever Dannica!" Norrington shouted through the door, pounding on it with his fist. "Do you hear? Eventually you're going to have to come out and you'll be joining your father on a nice little swim. It's unfortunate that I need him right now."

After the footsteps had faded into nothingness and silence ruled for a long period of time, Emily finally sighed and looked at me.

"What did you do this time?"

I glanced at her with feigned innocence. I quickly gave up the act with a grunt and levered myself to my feet, so as to massage my cramping calves. "I didn't do nothing," I muttered. "Norrington put two and two together, as one might say."

"Oh," an understanding light sparked in Emily's eyes. "That's not good."

"No indeed," I muttered straightening and stretching my back. No indeed, I added quietly in my thoughts, it's definitely not good.

A/N: Well that about concludes the arguments of Emily and Dannica. My apologies if that took too long to sort out. On that note, my apologies also for my erratic updates, I'm going to try and update more frequently now, I promise. Also, my apologies for the mistakes in this chapter, I did edit it, but it was in a bit of a hurry I admit, cause I wanted to get it up for ya'll! Hope you enjoyed. (If you're wondering how Norrington knew Dannica's full name, cause I don't think I mentioned it to the crew, it was Jack who blurted it out.)