Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and Syren. There is a new character coming up but he does not belong to me! Can you guess who it is by the end of this chapter? ;) It should be extremely easy, I'm giving it to you on a silver platter!

A/N: I apologize for having taken so long to update this fic! I've been so caught up in school work, I needed a little break. I finally got to updating.

"Syren." Elizabeth called, placing her hand gently on Syren's arm. She gave it a careful squeeze. "Syren, please wake up." She whispered, furrowing her eyebrows in frustration.

"Hm?" Syren gasped, her eyes flying wide in fear and she jumped, landing on the floor on the other side of the large bed.

"Syren, are you alright? It's me; Elizabeth." Elizabeth said softly, slowly going around the bed and peeking over at Syren.

"Elizabeth." Syren breathed, feeling relieved.

"Yes, dear, it's just me. Sit on the bed." She cooed, helping her to her feet and slowly walking her to the bed.

"What happened?" Syren asked as she plopped down on the bed.

Elizabeth sighed heavily, sitting next to Syren, staring at the ground. "Well, you've been unconscious for almost seven hours. I was worried you'd slipped into a coma..." She explained. "How do you feel?" She asked worriedly.

Syren sighed, "I feel fine. I can feel the pain but I have had worse." She said with a small smile.

"I'm certainly glad to see you're not paralyzed. The bullet was dangerously close to your spine. I believe you got very lucky, Syren." Elizabeth explained.

"Yes, lucky you were there. Thank you." She whispered, glancing at Elizabeth and giving her as much as a smile as she could muster.

"It's the least I could do after you saved my life." Elizabeth said, smiling warmly at her.

"Yes, well..." Syren said nervously, not being used to having normal conversations and interacting with humans.

"Tell me, Syren, are you hungry?" Elizabeth asked, suddenly lightening the mood.

"Yes, very." Syren said in a relieved tone, as if she had been waiting for her to ask all along.

"Can you walk?" Elizabeth asked.

Syren considered it, glancing down at her legs. "Oh-" She gasped quietly. Her eyes bulged at the disgusting sight of her feet and she quickly hid them under the long flowing gown she had been put in. Her legs were already chapping up nastily and a reddish rash was developing painfully. She felt as if she's been in a fire. "Um... Yes." She said, carefully standing to her feet. "With a bit of assistance?" She suggested sheepishly.

"Of course." Elizabeth said, quickly taking her hands.

The walk to the dining room was painful, considering the pace she was forced to take. Not only were her legs falling apart but the pain in her bullet wound was screeching on her back.

Elizabeth finally sat her down on the large dining table, at the end. She took a seat to Syren's right. "I hope you like crepes." She said with a smile.

Syren's face twisted into a mix of emotions. Confusion, curiosity, embarrassment and perhaps a bit of anxiousness. Elizabeth cocked her head slightly, wondering why she reacted that way. Then realization dawned upon her. "You've never had our food, have you?" She asked, almost in awe. She looked so much like a regular young woman that you forget she's not. She's what people call a mythical creature. Although not many people know of her particular existence. A hybrid. A mermaid and a siren. Sirens were very rare to hear about in tall tales.

"I've had apples before..." She mumbled, looking away. "I've tried some other foods... I haven't liked any yet."

"Hmm... Well, what do you like to eat?" Elizabeth asked. Syren was shocked by her question and sent her a strange look. Elizabeth paled and her cheeks went red with embarrassment. "Right, mermaid. I'm sorry..." She said sheepishly.

"I also eat...fish." Syren suggested, trying to lighten the mood. "I don't take to eating... men." She admitted.

Elizabeth glanced at her in awe, not having expected that. "You don't? Why not?" She asked curiously.

"It's not in me." Syren whispered, hugging herself nervously.

Elizabeth smiled to herself and giggled. Syren looked up at her curiously, confused as to why she was laughing at her statement. Elizabeth shook her head, taking her hand and giving it a little squeeze. "I suppose we can get you some fish..." Elizabeth trailed off. She tried not to grimace, "I suppose you prefer them... raw?" She asked, fearing the answer.

"Any other way makes me sick..." She mumbled, patting her stomach absentmindedly.

"Well, I suppose I'll have to fetch it myself." Elizabeth said as she stood up. Syren gave her a curious look. "We cannot have people thinking this... fishy." Elizabeth said. After a second she regretted her poor choice of words. It could easily be taken as a terrible joke. She shook her head, "I'll be back shortly. Do not wander off." She warned.

"I won't." Syren said, giving her a small shy smile.

Once Elizabeth left the room, Syren lifted her skirt. "Oh..." She said with disgust. Her skin looked as if it was rotting. Her heightened sense of smell caught the nasty stench coming off it. Rotten fish and sea water. "I need to get to water soon..." She whispered to herself.

"May I assist you in anything, ma'am?"

"Ah!" Syren yelped, jumping in her seat.

"Forgive me, miss. I did not mean to startle you." Said a man. Syren quickly turned to face him as she frantically pushed her skirt down. The man was very tall, pale white skin, short brown hair, grayish blue eyes, a bright smile and he had a very clear British accent. Very handsome man.

"No, it's fine. I was simply lost in thought." Syren whispered nervously. She picked at her gown absentmindedly.

The man gave a small bow of his head, "Is there anything you need?" He asked politely.

"No, I-... actually..." Syren said as she thought. "Where could I find the bath?" She asked, looking into his eyes with her curious ones.

He raised an eyebrow, "The bath?" He wondered. Syren nodded enthusiastically. "Up the stairs, down the right corridor, second door to the left." He instructed.

"Thank you." Syren said as she went to stand. The man quickly moved and pulled the chair out for her. Syren sent him a small shy smile and bowed her head before slowly taking the steps to the staircase.

The young man watched her take slow careful steps, each one looking painful. It seemed it was a struggle for her to move. He walked up to her careful not to startle her again and cleared his throat. "May I assist you, miss?" He asked softly, holding his hand out for her.

Syren swallowed her pride and smiled at him, taking his helping hand. "Yes, thank you."

The man kept a steady pace, matching hers. He could measure the amount of her pain by the weight she put on him. She really couldn't walk.

"Miss, are you alright?" He asked worriedly when her knees buckled. Hadn't he been holding her, she'd fall to the floor.

"Yes, yes, fine." Syren said, trying to get back to her feet.

"Miss, I beg your pardon, but you are not fine." He said worriedly, gently setting her on the floor. "I will go get Mrs. Turner and-"

"No, no- She's worried enough." Syren said, taking his arm and pulling herself into a squatting position. "I just need to get to the bathroom..." She said as she tried to stand.

The man, although reluctant, helped her stand, keeping her steady. "What is the matter?" He asked, alarmed.

"Just please get me to the bath." Syren hissed, shutting her eyes tightly in pain.

The man sighed heavily and walked her carefully up the stairs. By the time he reached the top, he was nearly carrying her. He practically dragged her down the corridor, ignoring the other workers stares and snickering.

"Here. Here's the bath." He said nervously.

"Thank you." Syren said quickly. She trudged into the bathroom and went to close the door.

"Miss, I-" The door closed in his face. He shut his mouth over the hanging words and shook his head, coming to the conclusion that he'd never understand women. "Such a strange woman..." He mumbled, straightening his clothes. He froze when he heard the water of the tub start to run. "What in the..." He sighed and let it be, walking off to take care of his other duties.

Elizabeth walked out of the kitchen and into the dining room with two plates in hand. She stopped dead in her tracks when she found Syren's seat empty. She rushed to the table, setting the plates down. She quickly ran up the stairs to find her but she ran into someone as she turned the corner.

"Mortimer! Have you seen our guest?" She asked frantically.

"Yes, I just left her. She's in the bath." He said, pointing back over his shoulder. "She is a strange woman..." He mumbled.

"In the bath? What in God's name is she doing there?" Elizabeth asked in disbelief.

"Well-" Mortimer started to answer her rhetorical question.

"I told her not to wander." Elizabeth hissed.

"Is she alright? She can't walk." Mortimer stated curiously.

"Can't walk?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes going wide.

"Yes, I nearly carried her up the stairs!" Mortimer stated, almost in annoyance.

Elizabeth ran past him and to the bathroom door, getting stuck halfway, not having expected the door to be locked. Mortimer was right on her heels, curious about the situation.

"Syren, open the door." Elizabeth called, trying to sound calm. There was no answer. "Syren, dear, open the door." She called a bit louder. There was still no answer. She began to knock on the door, "Syren!" She knocked harder. Still there was no answer what so ever. Elizabeth started to pound on the door. "Syren, open the damned door!" She called.

Mortimer took careful steps back, almost afraid of the fuming woman. As if Elizabeth sensed his fear, she turned back suddenly, looking furious. "Mortimer, open this door!" She ordered.

"But, miss, I-"

"Now, Mortimer." She hissed.

Mortimer was a smart man, loved life, therefore he wasted no more time in complying. He reached into his shirt, pulling out the key he tied around his neck with tough string. He fiddled with the lock a bit, his hands a bit shaky, and finally got it open. Without thinking he looked into the bathroom.

"Dear God!" He gasped, reeling back and tripping over his feet, falling to the floor. He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving, as he stared at the sight before him. He saw a large fish tail hanging out the side of the bathtub, flapping lazily. "Mer- Mer- Mer-" He stuttered, trying to scramble to his feet and run.

"Quiet!" Elizabeth hissed. She grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him up, shoving him into the bathroom. She shut the door, locking it securely. "I know this looks bad, Mortimer, but-"

"She's a mermaid!" Mortimer managed to say at last, pressing up against the door, searching for the doorknob blindly.

"I know, I know! Please keep quiet. She won't harm you." Elizabeth whispered. "Please! She needs our help. She's not alright."

"Yes, I've realized that. She's a bloody mermaid!" Mortimer shouted, pointing at the tail.

"I know that!" Elizabeth shouted back angrily. "Quiet!" She ordered before turning around to face the tub. She took a careful step, getting closer. She thanked heaven she had chosen the largest bathroom. "Syren..." She called softly. She walked closer, peeking over the edge of the tub.

Syren was laying underwater with her eyes closed. If it weren't for her knowledge of the situation, she'd think she had committed suicide and drowned herself. Elizabeth let her eyes trail down to her tail. She gasped, stepping back carefully.

"What? What's wrong?" Mortimer asked frantically, peeking around.

Elizabeth stared at Syren's tail. She had never thought much of it's color. Black and when the light hit it, it shone purple. But were the strange marks and nasty stench from it normal? Some of the scales had fallen, now floating in the bathwater. Where the scales were missing, it was left in pink flesh.

"Syren, are you alright?" She asked, crouching down next to the tub.

"Miss, I wouldn't get too close to her if I were you." Mortimer said carefully.

"For the last time, Mortimer, she won't harm us. She is a friend." Elizabeth said with frustration.

"You're friends with a mermaid?" He asked, appalled by this.

"She's a hybrid actually. Mermaid and Siren." Elizabeth corrected.

"Oh, that's so much better." He said, oozing with sarcasm. He rolled his eyes and then kept them glued to the ceiling.

"Mortimer, do you not have hair on your chest? Man up and come here." Elizabeth scolded. She knew it was harsh but it was called for. The man was pressed flat against the wall, pale white (more than usual that is) and scared.

"I'd much rather stay here, thank you." He said nervously.

"You're being hysterical!" She hissed.

"Hysterical!? I think I'm being rather calm having a hybrid creature here!" He shouted. "I am not being hysterical! I know hysteria and this is not hysteria. You're being hysterical."

"Get a grip, man!" Elizabeth shouted back.

Mortimer shut his eyes and winced, reluctantly moving off the wall. He took a deep breath, opening his eyes and taking a step. His stomach twisted but he pushed on, closing the rest of the space from the wall to the tub.

"Do me a favor and look at her." Elizabeth ordered.

"No thank you."

"Now."

Mortimer winced again and glanced down at her for a split second before returning to staring at the wall.

Elizabeth groaned, "The stories aren't entirely true. You won't be put into a spell and she won't eat you." She explained.

"Then what does she do? Sit at tea parties, eating biscuits?" Mortimer asked skeptically.

Elizabeth tried with all her might to not slap him around. She took a deep breath to calm down. "Well, she saved my life." She told him.

Mortimer furrowed his eyebrows, turning to look at Elizabeth. "She did?"

"Yes." She nodded. "I drowned. I don't know what it is that she did but had it not been for her, I wouldn't be here." She said, glancing into the tub at Syren's pale face.

Mortimer was shocked at this. He hesitantly pulled his gaze toward the tub and before he could think again, he looked at her. He saw the girl from minutes ago. Beautiful and innocent looking. That's why he was in this whole mess. He only wanted to talk to her...

He trailed his eyes down her thin form. His eyes lingered on her chest. He was not sure if he was being a man and doing what came naturally or admiring her incredibly long hair and how it served as protection from prying eyes. He continued down her smooth toned belly down to her hips until her tail started. He sighed, looking at it curiously. It was scaly but not beautiful as you'd expect. It was chapped and seemed to have some sort of a rash. At the end, the tail fin was long and flowing, translucent, showing hints of purple mixed into the faded black.

"She's not... that bad." Mortimer finally said, coming back to look at her resting face. "Well, is she alright?" He asked, now looking at Elizabeth.

"I'm not sure... Oh, look at that." She said, leaning into the tub. She carefully reached out and moved some of Syren's hair out of her neck, revealing the flapping gills there, nearly invisible on her skin.

"Well that's... unusual." Mortimer grimaced. "I thought mermaids could breathe underwater without gills." He said.

"As did I. Perhaps it's her being a hybrid." She suggested.

"I wonder who was who..." Mortimer said, more to himself.

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked curiously.

"Her mother the mermaid, her father the siren? Sirens are women. How is she possible?" He asked as he wracked his brain.

Elizabeth was silent as she thought about his question. She hadn't thought of that at all. He was right. How was she possible?

"Merman?" She suggested.

Mortimer grimaced and nearly gagged, "That is bloody sick!" He hissed, spitting into the sink.

"What else can explain it?" Elizabeth asked.

Mortimer shook his head in defeat, figuring it would forever be a mystery. "Mrs. Turner, is she dead?" He asked, letting out a breath.

Elizabeth looked at her neck, watching the gills move slowly. "I don't think she is..." She mumbled. She sighed, slowly bringing her hand up and over the tub. Now as she moved in, she noticed her hands were shaking.

"Be careful..." Mortimer warned.

Elizabeth nodded and reached in, quietly dipping her hand into the water. Before she could touch Syren, her hand was snatched away violently and water splashed everywhere. There was a terrible ruckus.

"Dear God!" Mortimer shouted, not knowing how to react. He watched fearfully as the hybrid came out of the water, her tail thrashing around violently, splashing water everywhere, including him. He was mortified by the sound of her hissing and screeching and the sound of her nails scraping on the porcelain tub, creating an unbearable noise.

"It's me! It's me, Syren! Elizabeth! It's me!" Elizabeth screamed, trying to fight back but Syren was far too strong. She felt an incredible pain in her wrist where Syren held her. Any more and it would certainly snap. "Ah!" She winced, falling to the side against the wall where Syren pinned her. Her tail still in the tub, her body leaning out, her hair dangling everywhere.

"Oi! What is all the commotion in there? Is everything alright?!" Someone called from the other side of the door, pounding hard against it. It was clearly a man. One of his co-workers.

"Yes, yes, everything is fine! Everything is under control!" Mortimer called. His voice betrayed him terribly.

"Mortimer, is that you? I heard Mrs. Turner in there! What the bloody hell is going on?" He demanded to know.

"Nothing is going on! Please carry on with your work!" Mortimer ordered. He shut his eyes, hoping the man would leave.

The pounding on the door continued. Mortimer cursed under his breath. Elizabeth hissed, "Syren!"

Suddenly the struggle stopped. Syren froze. She held her head down, her hair covering most of her body. She trembled incredibly, "I'm sorry. I-I'm sorry, I didn't know. I-" She whispered, crying frantically. She went limp, her upper body weight tumbling down onto the wet floor and the rest of her body followed suit. She laid on the ground, face up, covering her face with her hands.

"Shh, it's okay."

"Hello?!" Came the man's voice again.

Mortimer rolled his eyes, he spun around, unlocking the door, swinging it open, "Everything is perfectly fine, thank you!" He hissed before slamming the door shut, leaving the man incredibly confused.

Elizabeth ignored them and moved to Syren, taking her head into her lap. She softly shushed her, removing her soaking dark hair from her face along with her trembling hands. Mortimer watched carefully, curiously.

"I hurt you..." Syren asked but it sounded more like a statement.

Elizabeth looked at her arm curiously. There was blood running down it from her wrist where Syren's claws had penetrated her skin, "Just a scratch. I have had worse." She said with a soft chuckle. "Are you alright?"

"I have to go." Syren said, gasping for air as she continued to cry.

"I know..." Elizabeth whispered, sounding worried.

"How are you going to get an seven foot mermaid out of here without her being spotted?" Mortimer asked skeptically.

Syren gasped at the sound of a different voice, immediately sitting up and turning to face him with fearful eyes. "Who are you?" She asked frantically, her voice shaking. He stuttered with his words, seeming to search for the right thing to say. Syren narrowed her eyes curiously, recognizing his smooth handsome features. "You're the lad that helped me here." She finally said.

He nodded shyly, hiding his eyes under lashes, "Mor-Mortimer." He said, giving her a slight bow.

"He's going to be helping us get you out of here." Elizabeth said, sending him a sly smile.

"Yes, I- What? I can't..." He started.

"Please. I cannot stay here any longer..." Syren begged, her eyes sparkling with new found tears.

Mortimer swallowed heavily, pressing up against the door again. Oh no... Is she using her mermaid abbilities on me? Or is that the siren speaking? Oh dear, oh dear... "It would be an honor..." He finally said, cracking a terrible smile.

"Thank you." Syren whispered, sighing in relief.

"What's happened to your tail?" Elizabeth asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry you have to see this." Syren mumbled awkwardly. She swished her tail absentmindedly. "Just like any other creature of the see... I will not live long out of the water."

"Worst case scenario?" Mortimer asked curiously.

"I do not know. And I do not wish to find out." Syren said sternly. "May I have a towel, Mortimer?" Syren asked, pointing at the towel rack next to him.

Mortimer nodded, grabbing a towel and handing it to her carefully. He was still very uneasy about the situation. He was almost convinced she would cause no harm but one must almost be on their toes. But he thought since his mistress trusted her, he could also trust her to some extent.

"Thank you." She mumbled. She quickly started to pat her tail dry to quicken the process of her transformation. "It'll never dry if the floor is wet..." She said, running a finger through the puddle underneath her.

"Mortimer, help her onto the toilet." Elizabeth asked as she helped Syren sit up.

"I can handle it, thank you." Syren said as she shifted her body. She pulled herself up and turned, sitting on the lid with ease.

"Another towel, Mortimer." Elizabeth ordered quickly, holding her hand out.

Mortimer sighed and handed her another towel. I should be paid more for this... He thought. Elizabeth started to pat dry Syren's tail carefully, avoiding the rashy and peeling areas. "What is this?" Elizabeth whispered in wonder as she continued to pat and the scales began to fall off in large amounts. She watched as Syren continued to pat her tail casually, no signs of pain whatsoever.

"Syren..." Elizabeth called, eyeing the tail oddly. She narrowed her eyes and gasped, realizing that there was human skin underneath the scales. It was bright red like when one gets a scrape, leaving the part in bare flesh. "Does this not hurt?" She asked moments after.

"Like you would not believe." Syren whispered. Elizabeth looked at her and noticed the tears forming on her eyes but her expression remained neutral. "The scales quite literally burn away." She explained. "I believe you should step back now." She warned with a hiss.

Elizabeth quickly complied, stepping back and standing next to Mortimer. They both watched in fear and awe as the scales all fell off of her tail. The tail fin began to recede and the two ends started to morph into feet as her tail became separate legs. It was rather disturbing to watch but incredible as well. Mortimer considered it to be more disturbing than anything as he nearly gagged.

Elizabeth quickly spread out her towel and tossed it over Syren's now fully naked body. "Thank you." She mumbled. She stretched out her legs and wiggled her toes curiously. It was her seventh time with human legs now. Still some getting used to.

"May we leave now? I'm beginning to feel claustrophobic." Mortimer said, reaching for the door knob.

"Your coat." Elizabeth said, grabbing his shoulder.

"My coat?"

"Yes, your coat." She said, pointing back at the naked woman with her thumb.

"Oh." Mortimer said, pulling off his long heavy coat and handing it to Elizabeth. She sidestepped him, "I'll check the corridors. I'll let you know when you can come out." She said before stepping out.

Mortimer sighed, tightening his grip on the coat that hung in the air. He glanced at Syren who was staring at him expectantly. "Here. Where this." He said, his voice not shaking this time, not timid. He walked over and draped it over her, holding it open so she could put her arms through. He left it in her hands to clasp the buttons.

"Thank you." She mumbled. She removed the towel from around her and placed it on the still wet floor. She slowly stood up and she stumbled. Mortimer was quick to catch her, holding her steady.

"The halls are clear, come on. Quickly now." Came Elizabeth's voice.

"Ready?" Mortimer asked Syren.

"As I'll ever be." Syren said with a deep breath, making her way out into the corridors with Mortimer's help. She wondered, just how is Elizabeth planning to get past the guards at this late hour?

A/N: Hopefully next chapter will be up quicker! Please leave reviews, tell me what you think so far and if you figured out what movie the new character is from! I'm tellin' you, it's way easy.

Meanwhile, what is Captain Jack Sparrow up to? Why isn't William, Jr. home by now? You know the answer to that so that leads to; how is he doing on The Black Pearl? What will happen when Elizabeth finds out her beloved son ran away and he's on the Pearl no less? What are the plans for Syren? Will she be set free? Is Jack still trying to find her? Will Mortimer keep his mouth shut about Syren? What plans does Jack have in store for William, Jr. now? What plans does William have for Jack? What exactly are his intentions? What about this cursed treasure? And what's this? Barbossa? He doesn't look too happy. There are a few other questions you will be asking yourself in future chapters! Have I got you interested? I hope so!

'Til next time, Mutinous Pirate.