Title: Rest Now My Pirate
Rating: PG (T for later chapters)
Pairing: Jack Sparrow/Elizabeth Swann
Disclaimer: Disney owns all the characters, except Goldberg, who I will introduce more next chapter.
A/N: Elizabeth is aboard the Black Pearl with Jack, when he has an accident.
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'Fire!' All that could be heard was the deafening sound of cannons. The incessant ricochet as the cannon balls shredded through the wood of the two opposing ships. Tiny pieces settling on the surface of the sea as the waves lashed out and became persistent.
'Retreat! There's nothin' more that can be done! We got what we came for...' The sentence cut off, and a small gasp of pain was let out, body and sword slowly crumpling to the ground. A fierce burning sensation took over, piercing through linen and skin. A slight turn of the head and a small glance at the metal bullet protruding the shoulder. Face down onto the deck, eyes closing and pure pain seething through him.
He heard a scream and felt a presence hovering over his body. A soft voice and a soft palm resting on the small of his back. An all too familiar voice, it seemed.
'Jack... Jack, can you hear me?' The voice seemed to continue, repeating over and over, until he could not hear it any longer. He could not hear anything. Dropping into unconsciousness.
--
'How long has he been out of it? It must've been... five hours now?'
'Aye Miss Elizabeth, but he's had a nasty shock... taking a bullet to the shoulder... he's bound to be out for a while longer yet.'
Elizabeth gazed down at Jack's face, and smiled ever so slightly. There was no emotion shown in his features whatsoever. Why would there be? He was, after all, unconscious. She never even considered this could be a problem. Jack Sparrow never got hurt, and if he did he'd stand up, joke it off and stitch himself up in the dingy little room he called his cabin.
Jack thought he heard muffled conversation, which sounded like Elizabeth... and Gibbs? A small jolt in his shoulder reminded him of where he probably was now, and what had happened. That bastard, Goldberg had shot him. Had actually aimed, fired and shot him. This didn't tend to happen a lot; he'd always manage to stay out of the way. Either that, or miraculously dodge any object intended to hit him. His eyelids slowly flickered open and he caught Elizabeth's gentle gaze.
She gave a small sigh of relief and brushed his cheek with her fingertips. 'Thank heavens you're okay... we were all worried sick Jack.'
He gave a small murmur and spoke quietly, clearing his throat. 'No need to worry about me love, m'Captain Jack...'
'Sparrow. Yes, I know.' She rolled her eyes slightly, and glanced at Gibbs. 'Mr Gibbs, could you fetch Jack some water please?'
'No water... I'm in need of something a little stronger, what with this...' He gave a small nod to his wound, but received a shake of the head from Elizabeth.
She turned back to Gibbs who was now hovering in the door way. 'Just the water.' She mouthed back to him, watching him shut the cabin door firmly behind him. She looked back down at Jack. 'Now, the only thing we'll be using the rum for is to clean out that wound of yours.'
He cocked an eyebrow up slowly and pulled a face. 'I'll not have you wasting the rum now Lizzie...' He began to sit up, but she stopped him from anymore movement with her hand on his chest, leaning him back down.
'Lay back down Jack. You need to rest.'
Jack reluctantly placed his head down into his pillow and gave a little frown. 'I've had worse than this love, believe me... you've heard me stories before and...' He was stopped, her finger gently pressed against his lips.
'What did I just say?' She paused, waiting for an answer from him. 'Rest is the only thing you need right now. There will be no talking your way out of this with bizarre stories and clever mind games to distract me. For once, just let me help. I know what I'm doing.' She gave him a reassuring smile, and stood up from the edge of the bed.
He let out a sigh and closed his eyes briefly, his breathing slow and steady now. 'Very well.' There was a short pause, and he opened his eyes to look up at her figure, now reaching for the door handle. 'Lizzie?'
She turned her gaze back to him. 'Yes Jack?'
'Couldn't you stretch to just one bottle of rum? I mean, I could be a dying man here... and you're going to ignore my last wish for a bit of booze?' He grinned mischievously.
She gave a little smirk. 'I'll be back later to check on you. For now, get some rest.' She turned the handle on the door, and with that she was gone. He heard the familiar click as the door closed, and slowly closed his eyes once more, letting himself drift into a peaceful sleep.