A/N: FINALLY got the next two chapters done, so here they are. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2

"Jack, you're being irritatingly intractable," said Will as he squeezed the ridge of his nose with his head bent over. "For the last time, using my new authority as Governor, I can offer you substantial protection from Calypso once we reach Port Royal."

Jack, Will, Elizabeth and Bootstrap were all standing in the Captain's Quarters, the time being midday and the topic of discussion being the measures that needed to be taken concerning the impending arrival in Port Royal. Jack himself was standing in front of the window of his cabin that overlooked the vast expanse of ocean that stretched for miles in every imaginable direction. He held his three-cornered hat in both hands behind his back, fiddling with it especially as he twisted around to face his comrades.

"It's not that I doubt your ability to uphold said promises, William...God knows you're a man of your word...what perturbs me however is whether the military men now under your command will be willing to protect an infamous pirate." Jack replaced the hat on his head. "After all...I am Captain Jack Sparrow. And my history with the residents of Port Royal have not been exactly sterling. I would think that they would resent the fact that I escaped a hanging in their court."

"Relax," reassured Will. "The troops will help protect you if I say so, and I do."

"But might I inquire as to how you plan on battling a flesh-imprisoned Goddess bent on vengeance who possesses the power to manipulate the sea?"

Will could only shrug. "We'll do our best, Jack."

Jack looked curiously at Will for a brief few seconds before replying with one of his usual cheeky remarks. "Your best?" he asked. "Losers always brag about their best. Winners simply get the job done as well as stealing the Governor's daughter for themselves."

On hearing that comment, Will shared a knowing and amused look with Elizabeth before coming back with something of his own. "If you remember correctly, Jack, Elizabeth was the Governor's daughter." (Jack smirked while raising one eyebrow.) "And what's more, I married her."

"So I'd say you're a winner, then." Jack's voice was filled with amusement.

Just then, there was a quick knock on the cabin door. Jack shouted his order for the person on the opposite side to enter and they did. It was Gibbs.

"Cap'n, we comin' up on Port Royal. She's within sight."

"Well then, Mister Gibbs, I think it prudent to inform the crew to prepare to dock. We'll be making an unplanned stop there."

"May I ask what for, Cap'n?"

"You may," Jack replied, "but then I may say that it's none of your business, ninny!" Jack received a rather cold expression from Gibbs, prompting him to give in and seriously explain the unannounced pit-stop. "We need a safe haven for protection from Calypso, should she attack, which I think she will. Now then, pass the message along, Mister Gibbs!"

"Aye, aye Cap'n!" Gibbs swiftly turned on his heel and exited the cabin, the sound of his rough voice echoing Jack's orders audible for some time.

When the air was silent again, Will cleared his throat to ask Jack a question. "Jack, how certain are you that Calypso will even recall the bargain you two made? After all, it was nine years ago."

Jack deeply sighed. "William, William, William," he said in the type of tone one would use if one was correcting an elementary mistake of a young child. "Do you actually think that Gods or Goddesses ever forget deals made with mortals? If you do, then you're grossly naive. Calypso will not rest until she gains that which was promised to her...The Black Pearl."

Elizabeth stepped forth from her previous spot, where she had been casually leaning against the wall, and lightly laughed in an obvious attempt to lighten the atmosphere. "Jack, please. You seem to be handling this matter in an extremely serious way, or might I say...a way that is highly unlike you."

Jack turned to her. "Excuse me for truly caring about what is rightfully mine. I hold my ship in very high regard and do not wish to transfer ownership anytime soon." Jack eyed Elizabeth thoughtfully. "What would you do if someone were trying to tear you apart from your son?"

Elizabeth sighed and stared down at her boots. She replied after a few short seconds. "I'd do everything in my power to prevent it from happening."

"Good," said Jack. "So now we've all reached an understanding."

"Then we should go about helping the crew bring the Pearl in to dock," said Bootstrap before stepping through the doorway and onto the main deck. Will and Elizabeth made to follow, however Jack quickly crossed the length of the cabin before the two of them could and closed the door before they could even reach it.

"Is there something you wish to discuss with us, Jack?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack grinned. "Am I that obvious?"

"No," said Will. "Well, there was you closing the door to ensure that we won't be overheard. I don't know about you, but an action like that screams the fact that you wish to speak in private."

Jack stared a moment at Will before smiling and nodding. "You're right. There's a certain topic of discussion that has been pestering me in the back of my mind." He took a deep breath and walked back over to sit behind his desk. "I have had countless...flings with women in the past, but never has one resulted in a child...until now, that is."

Elizabeth nodded, understanding Jack's meaning. "You're unsure of how to proceed with Jacquelyn."

"You could say it like that."

"What is it you're unsure of, exactly?"

"Of how to deal with her. Suddenly, I have a daughter. And I'm expected to care for her without even knowing anything about her?" Jack began to twiddle his fingers. "What is she like?"

"Oh." Elizabeth was slightly taken aback by the question. "Well, um...Jacquelyn is great. Really great." Elizabeth was casting around for words, trying to figure out how to best describe Jack's daughter to him. "She can be very polite and charming. She gets along extremely well with Michael..."

"Does she possess any specific qualities that I may hold in high regard?" Jack asked expectantly.

Elizabeth and Will exchanged a glance, and Elizabeth suddenly thought of one of Jacquelyn's rather infamous qualities and voiced it. "Well, Jacquelyn does have an...adventurous spirit to her."

"Meaning...?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "There are times when she can make her displeasure with someone pronounced...by pulling pranks."

Jack grinned yet again, and this time there was a glint in his eye. "Ah...she has a pirate streak inside of her after all. Tell me, 'Lizbeth, has she ever done that to you?"

"What? Why would you ask that?"

Jack shrugged. "It could be because you talked about the subject in a decidedly bashful manner. Jacquelyn must have gotten you at least more than once."

"I...don't think that discussing this is...the proper time to discuss such things." Elizabeth did her best to avert the subject of Jacquelyn's mischievous side.

Jack, however, wouldn't be deterred. "You're clearly avoiding the subject, so I'd be inclined to say that you are her favorite target." He eyed Elizabeth with an amused expression.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Oh please, Jack. What does it matter if Jacquelyn pulls pranks on me?"

Jack bolted up from his chair. "Aha! So you confirm it! My daughter does use you as a scapegoat for her pranks! Tell me about some of them."

"No."

Jack raced over and stood firmly in front of the door. "I'm not letting you out until you do. So you'd better start spilling the beans."

Elizabeth partially opened her mouth with half the mind to protest, but she closed it and looked over at where Will stood by the window. Will was wearing an odd expression at the moment, as he was currently half-smiling. He met Elizabeth's eyes and gave her a look back as if to say 'why not?' Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at this and exhaled deeply. She cleared her throat and turned back to face Jack.

"Jacquelyn likes to use me as her scapegoat. In the past, she has...covered me in molasses and flour, pelted me with mashed potatoes and smashed a pie in my face, and made me sit on a sandwich...to name a few things."

Jack looked at Elizabeth and tried not to laugh. "Sounds like a daughter of mine. Very well, I'm satisfied." He opened the cabin door, revealing Gibbs.

"Cap'n!" he said. "We've reached port."

"Good. We'll be out in a minute."

Gibbs nodded and retracted from the doorway, closing the door as he did so. Once he was gone, Jack turned back to Will and Elizabeth.

"I presume what I'm really trying to say is that I'm not sure if I'm ready to be a father right now. I've had absolutely no experience and given my current situation, I can't really father a child properly even if I wanted to."

Will nodded and went to stand beside his friend, putting an arm around his shoulders. "I can understand how you're feeling, Jack. The truth of the matter is, is that you have good reason to be frightened of fatherhood. It takes time to get settled in the parental role, but when you finally do, it feels fantastic."

Jack smirked at Will. "I'll take your word for it, mate. But for now, our primary concern needs to be working out a way to fight Calypso when she arrives."

"Don't worry. I already have something worked out."

About an hour later, every single crew member had departed the ship and were now inside the battalion of Port Royal, where British soldiers were running to and fro, preparing the town for an imminent attack.

At the moment, Jack and Will were standing on the top portion of the battalion, where the cannons and other massive weaponry were located for battle. More soldiers clad in red overcoats were loading the cannons and/or placing different weapons inside the small the holes designed for just the task. All of a sudden, the sunny sky was swallowed up by a swarm of clouds that quickly blocked off any sunlight and cast a large shadow over everything within its radius.

Jack solemnly gazed up at the cloud-covered sky and then back at Will. "She's here," he intoned seriously.