A/N: Sorry for the delay! But here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy, and i kind of know how i want this story to play out!(: I have a theme and everything! Yay. Lol. Anyway, i really hope you like everything so far, and thanks for the reviews. Please keep them coming and i promise to update faster. Any questions or concerns, review. Thanks(:

Disclaimer: Well i fi could, i'd steal Johnny Depp, but i think Vanessa would be kinda mad :/

We arrived back at the house not long after, myself trailing behind my mother and Nikolas.

The sun seemed to just reach its peak in the sky, its heat radiating down over everything. The light catching every surface and sending it into sparkling beauty. We were stopped outside our house at this point, and the pair in front of me turned to catch my gaze.

"Delaney darling, its not polite to not pay attention to our guest." She said disapprovingly, moving her arm to his in an apologetic manor. " She isn't normally like this I assure you."

He chuckled in response, placing his hand over hers. " No worries Mrs. Dendrilivanos. I find this childlike elegance quite endearing." His eyes raked over my form before falling on my eyes, fire dancing within them. And for a moment, I was taken back, my Greek blood boiling. I was no child, and for him to say that lit the fire within me that had already been burning.

" Well as much fun as this is been, I find myself tire from all this sun. I find it appropriate to take a short break inside if you don't mind." I said through gritted teeth, coyly brushing past them on my way inside the house. I heard my mothers intake of breath as the door shut, but I no longer cared. Of course that's the way of it, my mother falling for the dashing prince, angered by my obvious repulsion.

Though I knew it was irrational, I sulked up to my room, slamming my door shut on the way. My dress slowed my angered rush, and as I threw myself on my bed, I squirmed out of it, tossing everything but my nightdress onto the ground in a rumpled heap. Tears fell from my sea foam green eyes, as I recounted the events. Though after a time, I couldn't stand still, instead jumping to my feet and pacing throughout my room.

I hated her for trying to throw me on the first bachelor she could find. Not once caring for my well being. And it wasn't even as though she needed me to take any sort of authorities power. I mean, I'm no princess. Besides, I had a brother for that, and Christopher was all too ready to throw everything away to become Duke. But mother was always sticking with the old ways. Hierarchy and all. If I didn't fit into society's model, I was an outcast. And if the charming daughter of the prized Duchess Selena was a freak, then she as well was cast aside, gossiped about, and she wasn't having that.

My anger reached a point where I was ready to break things, smash things, just to see the damage I can create when my father walked in, his arms holding a plate of food, a radiant smile on his face.

And just like always, my father knew how to calm me down.

Kicking the door shut with his foot, he walked in, placing the tray of food on the bed before jumping into it himself. He laid onto his side, holding his head up with his arm, his hand resting on his always full stomach, the gray hair in his scruffy beard scrunching when he smiled.

" Come my daughter. Sit. Eat." He said, his voice warm and tired. I couldn't resist jumping onto the bed beside him, a smile on my face.

He waved a hand over the food, raising his eyebrows, waiting for me to eat. Reluctantly, I picked a grape and plopped it into my mouth.

" Good. Now what seems to be an issue for my beautiful daughter today?" He asked seriously, snatching a piece of toast from my grasp and shoving it into his mouth. I laughed. I waited for him to finish chewing before I sighed, opening my mouth to speak.

" Its this Duke Katsoulis. I can't even imagine spending more than five minutes with him, let alone an entire lifetime, but mother refuses to give it a rest. Not just with him, but with all the suitors. I don't want to marry father, I'm only twenty one." His eyes traveled down to the bed, his face solemn. And I knew I had no choice. Not even my father could help me now.

" I understand my belle. But there's nothing I can do you see. Your mother is dead set against finding you a young suitor, and when it's the only thing she asks, how can I object?" His voice was full of sadness as I turned away from him, crossing my hands tightly across my chest and lifting myself from the bed. With a squeak from the mattress, my father rose too and came to put a gentle hand upon my shoulder.

" Its for the best my sweet Delaney." And with a light squeeze, he left the room.

Outside in the hall, I could hear hushed words of anger come from my mother, but they quickly faded as the two continued away from my door. I didn't care. I didn't care about anything.

I fell to the ground, a crying mess, as the hours flew by. The sun had begun to set and my tears had dried long before. All I did now was stare out into nothingness, my mind lost within itself. I didn't even register when my two maids entered, lifting me onto the bed. They took a cloth to my face, brushing out my golden locks before placing me into a deep red gown, pulling my hair into a braided side ponytail, a blue sapphire tiara in my hair. My silver chain was fastened around my neck as they slipped me into red heels. And then I was escorted out of the room into my fathers hands. He was in a suit, his receding hair brushed out.

I finally snapped out of my trance.

" W-What's going on?" I asked, as we walked down the staircase into the grand ball room. Music played and people laughed. The smell of wafting food filled the air with a delicious aroma and put a sick feeling in my stomach.

" Your mother's idea." He whispered as we entered the room. Glowing candle filled the chandeliers and people danced in elegant ball downs across the marble floor. Many of the islands elite lingered throughout the room, and in the middle of it all, dancing with my mother, was Nikolas.

I let out a deep sigh, coming to the realization that my attempts at resisting were futile, and moved my eyes away from the two in the middle of the room.

"We all have crosses to bear" My father whispered into my ear before moving away, greeting a friend. A small smile graced my lips before I moved throughout the room, greeting the few people I could stand. Smiling politely to all the others.

As I had made it through half the room, I felt a presence behind me and turned to see Nikolas himself, smiling cockily as he bowed. In return, I gave a smile and a nod. He lifted an eyebrow before taking my hand in his, pulling me out to the dance floor. He moved my hand to his shoulder, holding my other in his hand as he placed his other at my waist. And then, we danced. And I had to admit, he wasn't too bad on his feet.

I smiled genuinely as the dance continued.

" It seems I've finally done something that you like." He mused, smiling down at me. Instantly, mine vanished. My eyes wandered away from his, and a dry laugh escaped him.

" Oh come now. I can't repulse you as much as you make it seem. I've been ever more so a gentlemen." " So you admit its all an act." I challenged, meeting his eyes with a ferocity. Cocking his head to the side, he pursed his lips in both thought and agitation.

" I've gone through a lot of trouble to get here, more so than you can imagine." He spoke, choosing his words carefully. " Well it seems your half hearted attempts were for naught." I fire back, and I almost see sadness in his eyes. Almost.

" You're worth it, you know. I may not know you, and I may base my initial attraction on your looks, but you're worth it. More than you can believe." His voice rang with sincerity, and I couldn't help but believe it just a little. But the song quickly came to an end, and I took this opportunity to disappear within the swarming crowds of people.

Silently, I slipped out of the room and into the warm Santarini night. Laying my head against the cool cement wall of the alley, I closed my eyes.

I was so overwhelmed with thoughts. I wished I could just make it stop, make everything stop. I wish I could be like the people in the stories I've read about. The ones where they all live happily ever after, the end. And then that's it. No more worries, no more doubts. Just the end.

But I've discovered as I've grown up that life is far more complicated than you think it is when you're a kid. It isn't just a straightforward fairytale. And it rarely ends up that way.

The stickiness of the night stuck to me like a fog and I let my eyes flutter open. When I did so, I caught sight of a black shadow coming my way. Panicked filled my chest as the figure got closer and I foolishly clamped my eyes shut. Childishly, I though if I couldn't see them, they wouldn't be able to see me.

The footsteps drew closer and as they did, they slowed. Feet from me, the footsteps stopped. My eyelids slowly opened.

Looking up, I saw the confused face of a ruggedly handsome man.

He had tanned skin, and his brown eyes were encircled with kohl. His brown hair hung in dreadlocks around his face with tiny trinkets dangling from it, and on his head he wore a red bandana under a brown hat. His attire was made up of a white undershirt, slightly open, covered by what seemed to be a dark brown vest and black jacket. He was the epitome of devilish charm, and sinful thoughts, a combination I liked very well, though I'd never admit it.

And he was the same man from this morning.

" Now what's a fine lass such as yourself doing in such a place as this?" He asked, looking throughout the alley before meeting my gaze. I quickly scrambled to my feet, tugging a stray strand of blonde hair behind my ear, before I spoke.

" I was trying to escape- well not really escape. This is my house, you see, and I was trying to find an escape from it all. There's a party going on at the moment actually.." I said, watching his mouth twist into a smirk, as his eyes wandered further down over my body. Looking down myself I remembered I was in quite a revealing dress, and crossed my arms across my chest. Chuckling, he spoke.

" Aye. I see where that'd be a problem, luv." He drawled, bringing a bottle to his lips, taking a sip. I was silent during this time, mesmerized by his looks, but also with slight distrust. This man clearly wasn't from the island, and with looks like those, he wasn't an everyday sailor either.

" Pardon me, but may I ask for your name?" I inquired, taking a step from the wall and a step closer to him. He smiled before bringing the bottle down to his side.

" I, luv, am Captain Jack Sparrow, Maybe you've heard of me?"

I gasp softly, my hand flying to my mouth. I can't belive it. After all those night wanting nothing more than to truly live, to meet a pirate, here's my chance. And Jack Sparrow of all of them.

His smirk faltered slightly as he took in my expression, but a smile made its way onto my face soon enough. Straightening out my dress, I held out my hand to his, which he took hesitantly.

" I'm Delaney. Delaney Dendrilavanos." His head cocked to the side slightly as he shook my hand and soon his eyes wandered down to my neck, eyeing my necklace carefully. My hand rested against the burning silver arrow and his eyes flickered with an unkempt emotion.

His gaze looked up to the sky before holding out his arm.

" Walk with me, lass."

And who was I to say no?

What did everyone think? I really hope this story seems interesting, because i really enjoy writingt his story. But if no one is reviewing, idk if i will continue :/ I dont know if anyone else caught on, but does anyone think little miss Delaney is a bit too quick to forget our dashing pirate captain? Mabye her anger is much stronger than she knows. Hmm i wonder.. lol anyway, Review(:
P.S. If anyone would love to help me beta, or help with ideas, please tell me!!!!

Adieu.
TheJoker'sGotMyHeart