Jack didn't know whether to be amused or further offended.

"Bravo!" He decided to say, standing from his crouched position on the bowsprit. "You escaped from the brig even sooner than expected!"

William Turner jumped, startled, and whirled around, holding a dagger. He studied Jack with distrust, his back to the recently tied down dead body. Another barrel, a similarly set up, floated down by the hull of the ship.

Jack beamed, making his way down the long beam of sorts. "William, do you notice something? Or rather, something that is not to be noticed?"

Will glanced around, as if looking for someone to mention Jack's insanity to. "You haven't raised an alarm." He said, meeting Jack's gaze again, raising his eyebrows.

Jack grinned. "Odd, isn't it? But not as odd as this." He reached the small balcony and jumped down to stand with the former blacksmith. "Come up with this all on your lonesome, did you?"

William gave him a dry look. "I said to myself, think like Jack."

Well, you did a remarkable job. Jack thought.

"And this is what you've arrived at? Lead Beckett to Shipwreck Cove so as to gain his trust and accomplish your own ends?" He did his best to look offended. "It's like you don't know me at all, mate."

Will looked mildly sheepish. Jack had to give him credit; he had been wonderfully witty and resourceful.

"And how does your dearly beloved feel about this?" He asked, knowing immediately he'd hit a soft spot.

Will looked away, sighing.

"You haven't see fit to trust her with it, then." He stated.

Will looked out to sea. The waters were rough and grey; the night sky ominous. "I'm losing her, Jack." He replied softly. "Every step I take toward my father, is a step away from Elizabeth."

Jack felt a twinge of guilt, knowing he had a similar problem. But now was not the time to be guilty.

"Mate, if you lock your heart away, you'll lose it for certain." He said, choosing to be wiser than his usual carefree self. "If I may lend a machete to your intellectual thicket--avoid the choice altogether." Jack complemented his genius mentally. "Change the facts. Let someone else dispatch Jones."

Will looked incredulous. "Who?" He asked.

Jack smiled pointingly.

"You?" Will said dubiously.

Jack grew slightly more serious, thinking of Davy Jones' locker. "Death has a curious way of shuffling one's priorities. I'll slip aboard the Dutchman, find the heart, stab the beating thing. You're father goes free, and you're free to be with your charming murderous."

Will glared at the nickname Jack chose for Elizabeth. "And you're willing to carve out your heart and bind yourself to the Dutchman, forever?" He sounded skeptical.

I'm not that not trustworthy, am I? "No, mate," Jack corrected, shaking his head. "I'm free. I'm free forever, free to sail beyond the edges of the map, free from Death itself."

Will made the point Jack had forced from his mind. "You have to do the job, though, Jack. You have to ferry souls to the next world, or end up just like Jones." He gestured at his chin, miming tentacles.

Jack frowned, think of his handsome beaded goatee replaced by something squid-ish. He tentatively stroked the Jamaican beads to reassure himself that they were there. "I don't have the face for tentacles. But immortal has to count for something, eh?"

"You're willing to leave Adeena like that?" William asked, sounding disappointed in him.

Ah, he'd forgotten about Will and Adeena's relationship. She considered him a brother, from what he'd heard her talk about. And perhaps William felt the same.

Jack looked away, wondering what ten years would be without her. "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, mate, I'll find a way." He wasn't convinced of his own words. A sudden idea occurred, and his thoughts of Adeena were replaced by his cunning. "Oh!" He reached into one of his many pockets and handed Will the compass, grinning.

"What's this for?" William asked, furrowing his brow. He glanced at the compass and then back at Jack.

"Think like me!" Jack smiled brightly, flashing his gold teeth. "It'll come to you."

With that, Jack leaned forward and blew a cloud of his rummy breath in Will's face. Will made a noice of disgsust and stepped back, effectively walking off the balcony and tumbling into the ocean.

Jack pushed down the barrel, a dead body strapped securely to it, and grinned. "My regards to Davy Jones!" He called, waving and disappearing back onto the Pearl.

William spat out saltwater and glared at Jack as he disappeared. "I hate him," He snarled to no one in particular.

***

I have had enough of brigs.

After Jack regained his captain status, and the Pearl, we did a lot of renovating. Barboussa and his goons had left her in deplorable condition. One of the things we fixed up was the brig.

If you recall, there were multiple holes in the hull, and I was nearly able to submerge myself. Needless to say, Jack was pissed about the poor condition, so our brig is truly second to none. I wouldn't call it a nasty place to be prisoner. I went below to be alone on multiple occasions. The brig of the Black Pearl has heard my singing plenty of times.

The brig of this ship, the Flying Dutchman, was not at all up to the code I was used to. Her floors were grimy and slimy, and I stood in the center of the cell, surrounded by my crew, as to not touch the iron bars. Hopefully, the cold expression I wore was convincing.

"Tai Huang." I asked, lifting my head and peering around, waiting for him to make his way through the mass of sailors. We were really packed in.

He appeared beside me, a passive expression. "Are you the first mate?" I asked, braiding my hair. Might as well do something.

He winced. "The first mate, he was killed above decks."

I nodded slowly. "In that case, I elect you first mate. I can decide the others later on."

He smiled, a typical pirate smile. Calculating and not a smile you could always trust. "Thank you, Captain."

"I'm trusting you." I said warningly. "And I bet you the contents of my sea chest that I am better with a sword than most of your friends."

His grin faltered. "Captain." He nodded, acknowledging me before turning and weaving through to the man he had been conversing with, no doubt to brag of his new position.

I smiled and crossed my arms, allowing the braid to unravel. My red ribbon I usually used was back on the Pearl.

With Jack, I thought sourly. I didn't trust Jack at the moment, and the fact that I wasn't with him was a slap to the face. Of course, I couldn't be first mate any longer, but I felt that if I wasn't watching, he would accidentally dig us into a hole.

If Jack Sparrow was in trouble, that meant I was in trouble.

I was jolted out of my troubled thoughts by James Norrington unlocking our cell.

"James?" I questioned as the door swung open. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Quickly!" He whispered, gesturing for us to exit.

I didn't move. and therefore neither did my crew. Tai Huang came to a stop beside me.

Norrington waved his hand again. "I only have so much time, Adeena."

I sighed, and nodded to my crew of Singaporean pirates. Without a sound they filed out, going as fast as our close quarters would allow. "What are you doing, Commodore?" I asked softly, pausing at the door.

He fixed his even gaze on me. "Choosing a side."

***

There was a knock on Jack's cabin door.

He paused in 'examining his charts', or in other words, his doodles. "Come in," He called, shoving the drawing of an elephant under another stack of papers.

He half hoped it was Adeena, but no such luck. It was Elizabeth Swann.

"Jack," Her voice was carefully calm as she shut the door behind her. "Where is Will?"

Jack swallowed. "Last I checked, the brig, why do you ask?"

"Because he isn't in the brig, you filthy liar," She spat, moving closer so she stood over his desk, looking rather intimidating.

Jack stood to match her height, resigned to tell the truth. "Well, love--"

"Don't even refer to me as that." She said icily.

Jack felt a twinge of anger. "I'm sorry, but who was it again who strapped me to my ship to feed me to a kraken?" He smiled, warning in his eyes.

Elizabeth looked away. "Pardon my outburst, Jack."

"We're on a pirate ship, honestly," He rolled his eyes at her proper English. "To answer your question, your darling Will has went off to tie up some loose ends, shall we say. As for his location, I don't know." He swayed slightly. "I don't monitor my prisoners, y'know."

Elizabeth frowned. "He left..."

Jack sighed. "He's off to rescue his father, Lizzy."

"Whatever do you mean?" Elizabeth asked, narrowing her eyes.

Jack was surprised. "When was the last time you two even spoke? His father is under the enslavement of Davy Jones; he intends to rescue him."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "And how is he going to do that?"

"By stabbing the Heart of Davy Jones. I assume you know what that means?"

Elizabeth nodded slowly, looking horrified as she realized what Will had been trying to accomplish.

"He can't have both." She whispered.

Jack nodded. "Exactly. He's done his best, darling."

Elizabeth was silent for a moment. "Are you worried for Adeena?"

Jack wished people would stop reminding him. "She can take care of herself."

Lizzy chuckled hoarsely and turned, walking back to the door. "I'm sorry for killing you, by the way."

Jack dropped back down into his chair, sighing. "Occupational hazard." He needed a drink. Several.

Adeena, don't do anything stupid.

***

I gestured for my crew to hurry along, knowing that trouble was afoot. The sense of foreboding was growing in my gut, and if I had learned anything, it was to always listen to your gut.

"Kuài diǎn!" I hissed, groping for any other Chinese phrases I could use. I was fairly proficient in the language, I loved the curses, but my knowledge only extended so far.

"For a pirate you certainly have strong loyalties." James observed quietly, his eyes following the length of rope stretching from the Dutchman to the Empress.

I snorted, still displeased with him. "Occupational hazard. Go on, Chao Chang, is it? Hurry, you lilly livered--" I stopped as he gave me an amused glance and began shimmying across the rope. I think I'd elect him second mate; I liked him.

"Don't go to Shipwreck Cove." James advised me as we reached the railing. I wrapped my hand around the twine, testing its sturdiness. "Beckett knows of the meeting of the Brethren. I fear there is a traitor among them."

"You can't stop me, Norrington. I have half a mind to run you through right here."

"But you won't." He said in a dubious voice. "I've told you, I have betrayed nothing. That doesn't absolve me of my other sins..." He looked away.

I suddenly believed him.

"Come with me." The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "Come with me, James." I said, taking his wrist to get his attention.

He stared at me, his eyes unreadable.

"Who goes there?" A sailor of Davy's crew, yellowed skin and limp hair that shone like wet seaweed, appeared around the corner. His eyes were miserable, and something about him was familiar.

William Turner. I realized. Senior.

"Go," James' calm baritone reached my ears. "I will follow."

I took a look at his hazel eyes. "You are a liar, James." I said softly.

He turned to me. "There was a reason I never liked you."

I gaped at him. "What..."

"I could never have you," He said, and dropped his gaze to my lips. I closed my eyes tight as he brushed his mouth against mine. I felt a deep sadness in my chest; My Siren side had once again done its work. "Go, now!" He turned and narrowed his eyes at the deformed sailor.

I blinked back tears, sure my kohl was running terribly. "I'm sorry," I squeaked, before obeying.

I was half way across when James, looking pained, whirled around and shot the rope.

I screamed as I fell into the water, half in anger and half in fear. "Norring--"

I kicked to the surface, spewing bubbles from my mouth and feeling as if my body was being stabbed by harsh needles. It was cold.

When I raised my eyes to see the deck again, I screamed. There was a sword through James Norrington's chest.

There was an even worse ache in my own heart.

"No!" I whispered, before propelling myself backwards to my ship. What good would stomping up there do? I wiped away my tears.

There was nothing I could do.

Jack, Barboussa, Sao Feng, James Norrington. I counted off my victims. All four had died, in events beyond my control. Who was next?