Chapter 8

The weather worsened over the next couple of days, causing the ship to toss and turn from side to side, or up and down. Rain drenched the crew, and even a bit of water occasionally trickled through the hatch doors.

Mary was forced to remain below decks while the storm raged, keeping an eye on her father while her mother elped with the ringing. Will slept for the most part, waking when he head his daughter retching into a bucket.

"Mary?" he whispered, reaching for her with his fragile hand. Mary choked on a sob once she finished vomiting, and grasped onto it when she was able to stand.

"Father, we're going to find a doctor," she insisted. "Uncle Jack says we're going to Tortuga."

Will raised his eyes, coughing roughly, the pain in his chest agonizing. "Why…" he began, and Mary sat down in the wooden chair beside the hammock.

"It's the only dry land close enough," she explained, her stomach still queasy due to the constant thrashing of the Pearl. "A healer will probably be there," she finished, and Will swallowed. The last time he'd been to Tortuga, the experience hadn't been at all pleasant. The place was full of drunks and prostitutes, many Jack had the misfortune of dealing with. Will did not want his only daughter to see any of that, ever.

"Mary…" he touched her cheek with his fingertips, convulsing in spasms for a moment, which soon led to coughing. Mary eased him into a sitting position to make the fit pass more quickly, and looked up to see her mother coming in. She looked terrible, soaked to the skin and her normally soft hair matted down.

"Mummy?" Mary asked, running to her, and throwing her arms around Elizabeth's waist. Mary got a blanket at once, draping it around her mother's shoulders.

"Will?" Elizabeth touched his forehead; his fever was higher than ever--time was running out. "Please, darling…we'll reach land soon. You must hold on…"

Will wet his chapped lips, staring into her eyes. "Tortuga?" he whispered, and Elizabeth blinked in confusion.

"I told him," Mary explained, and Will took Elizabeth's wrist.

"Don't…" he begged. "Mary is…too young…"

Elizabeth smoothed his hair away from his forehead, and placed a hand over his heart.

"I won't loose you," she sobbed. "Will, we have no choice but Tortuga. You won't make it if we sail back to Port Royal. It's the only chance we have."

Will shivered violently with chills--no matter how many blankets he covered himself ith, it was never enough.

"Love…" he managed, before closing his eyes again, exhaustion causing him to loose consciousness. Thunder crashed and lightening blinded them; the ship gave another violent jolt, which sent Mary straight back to the bucket in the corner.

"Mummy…" she whimpered, her stomach aching as she was lifted onto her hammock.

"The storm won't last long, darling," Elizabeth promised. "and the longer you sail, the more your stomach gets used to the rocking."

Nary smiled faintly as her mother rubbed her tummy gently. Eventually, Mary drifted off, her breathing steadying considerably. Elizabeth went back into the sick room, waiting for Jack to relieve her. Will did not wake again, and she was grateful to get a bit of a rest when the captain arrived.

"No change, eh?" Jack asked, and Elizabeth shook her head, starting to feel helpless.

"The storm may have thrown us off course a bit, but…"

Elizabeth gripped his shoulders. "Don't you dare," she hissed. "We will get there…we have to."

Jack blinked as she stalked away, turning back to Will's sleeping form.

In the morning, the sun peeped out from behind the thick, grey clouds, and the sea finally calmed to it's usual ripple. The crew of the Black Pearl were worn out from the hard work all night long, and sat down when they could to enjoy swigs of rum from the barrell.

Mr. Gibbs kept a look out for land, pacing back and forth when they were unsuccessful. "Hard to tell if the storm's thrown us off or not," he told Jack, once the captain was back on deck with his crew that afternoon. "Not a bloody spot of land in sight."

Jack folded his arms. "I never thought I'd see the day when I'd say I'm utterly helpless, Gibbs," he began, and his first mate raised his eyes. "The kid's not showin' any improvement. I'm tempted to bleed Will meself, since that's what doctor's do these days, but I'm pretty sure it would kill him at this point."

Gibbs nodded. "Aye," he agreed. "Though I'll admit, Captain…I never thought I'd see the day when you cared about someone this much."

Jack stared at him, before stalking to the nearest rum keg and pouring himself a cup.

It wasn't until late the following afternoon when land was spotted; the crew began to get very excited, shouting in multiple languages and running around the decks. Elizabeth and Mary came up from the hold after hearing the noise, and Mary ran to the rail of the ship to peer out.

"Be careful!" Elizabeth begged, and her daughter glanced over her shoulder.

"I am," she promised. "Is that it, Uncle Jack?" she called as they began growing closer, and he stepped up beside her, a big grin sprawling across his face.

"Aye," he replied. "That's it, then." he turned to Elizabeth and stuck out his tongue, causing her to scowl deeply.

"I want to go onto the island with you, Uncle Jack," Mary begged, gripping his sleeve and jumping up and down. Jack stared at her, an eyebrow raised.

"Eh…I don't know if your Mum or Dad would appreciate that so much," he replied, and Mary rushed to her mother, giving her the most convincing pout she could muster.

"Please can I go with Uncle Jack to see the healer?" she begged, and Elizabeth frowned.

"Mary, you're too young," she replied.

"But we might not ever come here again, ever," Mary whined. "Please? I promise I won't be any trouble!"

Mr. Gibbs chuckled at the child's eagerness, and winked at her when she turned to him.

Elizabeth was very quiet for a moment, and Jack cocked his head to one side. "Well?" he asked, and she sighed.

"All right," she replied, and Mary began cheering, immediately going to hug her mother tightly. "just don't tell your father."

"I won't," she said breathlessly, and Jack smirked.

"Captain Sparrow," Elizabeth began, her voice very serious. "If anything happens to Mary, I'll…"

Jack sighed dramatically. "Kill me, yeah," he finished. "You've already proven yourself capable of that. I'll keep an eye on the kid, don't worry."

Mary was unable to stop grinning, and waited anxiously for them to dock about a mile away from the shore. A longboat was prepared, and Mary was allowed to go in first, with Mr. Gibbs close at her heels.

"We're going to search for the healer and see if he or she'll come back to the ship," Jack told Elizabeth. "No doubt Will won't have an easy time if we bring him onto the island. Wouldn't make sense to carry him all that way if there's no one."

Elizabeth nodded, clutching her hands in front of her, and peered at her daughter, who's face was red with excitement. "Darling, please be careful," she begged. "Don't leave your Uncle Jack's side for any reason."

Mary promised she wouldn't, and waved as they were eventually lowered down into the ocean. "All right, young 'un?" Mr. Gibbs asked, as he began moving the oars, and she smiled at him.

"Yes," she insisted, fascinated by Jack as he gave orders the entire time. He was exactly the man she'd dreamed about, and the same from her mother and father's stories. She peered over the side of the rowboat, amazed at how deep the Caribbean ocean was.

"Deepest in the world," Mr. Gibbs told her.

"Wonder what's at the very bottom," she thought out loud. "I'll bet there are tons of old shipwrecks, full of treasure from ancient times! And sea creatures, and…"

"Aye that'll about do it," Gibbs laughed.

"Has anyone ever swum to the bottom?" Mary asked, and Jack looked at her.

"Not in our lifetime," he replied, and she sighed, watching as the enormous island came closer and closer. It was sometimes hard to remember Port Royal was an island, too, and certainly was much larger than Tortuga.

"D'you always have to stop the ship that far out?" she asked, realizing the Black Pearl was just a speck in the distance, and Jack ordered Gibbs to let the current take them to land.

"Yeah," he answered. "We'd pull closer if it weren't for the reefs."

"Give us a right big nasty hole," Gibbs explained, and Mary peered into the water again. When the longboat hit the land, She stood timidly, allowing the first mate to take her hand and help her out. Her legs were wobbly from being at sea for such a long time, nearly causing her to fall flat on her face. Jack was a bit stunned when she immediately grabbed his hand without hesitation, holding onto it as they began walking in the direction of the village.

It was crowded and dirty, and smelled of pipe smoke and alcohol. Mary watched as men and women brawled and flirted, or slept on the ground outside of the pubs. No one gave the three of them a second glance; well, except for a woman with flaming red hair and an enormous white and black dress. She came stalking over, her eyes ablaze, and Jack's lips stretched into a grin.

"Scarlett!" he cried, and Mary bit her lip as the woman eyed her with utmost curiosity.

"'Oo is she?" she asked in a demanding voice, and before Jack started to respond, she struck him clear across the face. Mary gasped and jumped back, watching as he stretched his aching jaw, straightening after a moment. "Been busy, eh, Jack Sparrow?" she added, and Jack swallowed.

"She ain't mine, if that's what yeh mean," he replied, and Scarlett didn't look at all convinced.

"Not resorted to kidnappin', 'ave you?" Scarlett asked, and Jack rolled his eyes.

"Ain't that desparate, woman," he retorted.

"Who are you, girlie?" Scarlett asked, and for a moment, Mary couldn't find her voice. The woman was so intimidating, and she was immediately understanding of why her parents didn't want her to go onto the island. "Cat got your tongue?" she replied, and Mary straightened up.

"Mary Turner," she answered after a moment, and Scarlett gave a huff.

"You remember that kid who was with me the last time I was here, I'm assuming?" Jack asked, and Scarlett raised her nose in the air.

"Maybe," she replied.

"This is his kid," Jack explained. "We're in a bit of a fix, you see. The father's sick, and we're in need of a healer. This was the closest bit of land we could think of, so we came. D'you have a healer in these parts?"

Scarlett peered very closely at him, her sharp green eyes narrowing. "Please," Mary begged, her lip trembling. "We've come a long way, and my Daddy can't die."

Scarlett looked at Gibbs, who was waiting beside Jack, and sighed heavily. "Yeah," she answered. "But she's high in the hills there, keeps to herself mostly."

"Bring us to her, then," Jack ordered, and Scarlett put her hands on her hips.

"Not for nothing I won't," she snapped, and he growled under his breath, reaching into the pocket of his vest for a small satchel of coins. Mary's eyes widened as he pulled out three gold pieces, shoving them into the woman's hand. Scarlett pocketed the coins into the folds of her skirts, and ordered them to follow her. Mary continued to hold Jack's hand as they walked through the village, unable to tear her eyes away from the strange people about.

The walk seemed to take forever, and it was mostly uphill. Mary's legs were aching terribly by the time they reached a hut on the top of one of the great hills. It was made from bamboo and large palm leaves, covered in different bowls and herbs. A light smoke billowed out from the top of the hut, giving off a perfumy scent.

Scarlett left them at that point, cackling, "Good luck, Captain Sparrow…you'll need it," as she made her way back to the village. Jack watched her leave, before turning to Gibbs, giving a shrug of his shoulders.

The three of them stood staring at the hut for several moments, unsure of how to proceed. Mary had never seen a healer of this sort before; only the physician in Port Royal who came directly to the house.

"Well?" Gibbs asked, and Jack looked at his first mate, shaking his head, and stepped forward to wrap on the door. Mary straightened up when she heard movement inside, and a very old woman with skin black as night stepped out. She grinned when she saw Jack, bearing several missing teeth.

"Ah," she said, her voice hoarse. "I never thought I'd see the day when Captain Jack Sparrow come to my door."

Jack jumped when Gibbs nudged him in the back, and he immediately removed his hat, nodding.

"Aye," he replied. "We've come because we need your assistance…"

"Daktari," she replied, her dark eyes turning to Mary. "And this little darling child…"

"She ain't mine," Jack interrupted, and Daktari narrowed her eyes at him.

"That I could have told you," she replied, and he cocked an eyebrow. "She seems perfectly healthy to me. How old are you, dearie?"

Mary tried to speak, but found no words coming out of her mouth for a second. Eventually she was able to squeak, "Seven," and Daktari nodded in understanding.

"It's not she who needs help actually, Madam," Gibbs continued. "Her Da's back on our ship, and dreadful sick with the winter fever. We were hopin eh…that you could…"

"Why is he not here with you?" Daktari asked, and Jack put his hat back on his head, tired of the formality.

"Because we weren't sure if Tortuga even had a healer…we'd have wasted our energy carrying him here. Plus, we were wondering if you could follow us back to the ship and…"

Daktari shook her head vigorously. "No," she answered. "I do not leave this hill. But, you bring the man to me, I help."

Jack and Gibbs looked at each other, and then at Mary.

"The kid's not that heavy, Jack," Gibbs replied. "Between the two of us, we'd get him here without much trouble."

"Is her mother aboard?" Daktari asked, and Jack looked at her.

"Yeah," he answered, and she nodded again.

"I must see her, too," she answered, and Jack started to protest, but Mary gripped his arm anxiously.

"Please, Uncle Jack," she begged, and he frowned. "Mama will come if she's asked."

It was finally agreed upon that they would go back and fetch Will and Elizabeth; Jack paid Daktari a few more coins for her trouble, and bent down so he was eye level with Mary.

"I think you should stay here until we get back," he began in a quiet voice, and Mary opened her mouth and closed it. She knew if she didn't return to the ship, her mother would be furious with Jack, and dreadfully worried about her. "It wouldn't make sense for you to walk all the way to the ship when we're just coming to the same place again. Eh?"

Daktari promised she would look after the child, and Jack nodded his thanks.

"We'll not be long," he replied, and ordered Gibbs to follow him. Mary stood watching as the two pirates turned a bend and disappeared, before glancing slowly over her shoulder at the old woman. Daktari was gazing off into space, and after a moment, turned back to face her.

"Child, do not be afraid," she encouraged. "I will not harm you, I promise. Come in, and have a cup of tea while we wait, mmmm?" she opened the door to the hut, and Mary stepped in. She was so used to everything having its place at home, and to see all of the supplies in dissaray was a bit overwhelming. There were bundles of herbs drying from the ceiling, a small fire burning in the kitchen with a large cast iron pot hanging over it. Mary sat down on one of the stools at the table, and was given an old tin mug filled with a bittersweet liquid.

"Thank you," she whispered, and Daktari began gathering different herbs, setting them on the table.

"Do you know much about plants, my dear?" Daktari asked, and Mary nodded, sipping from her drink.

"I have a little garden at home," she replied. "and my Mama has all sorts of herbs and things."

Daktari nodded with approval. "How long has your father been ill?" she asked, and Mary thought for a moment; it felt like a lifetime, to be perfectly honest.

"Since a few nights ago," she answered. "Well, more like a week."

"Mmm." Daktari pursed her lips. "And has he improved at all?"

Mary shook her head, tears filling her dark eyes, and she lowered her head. "Mama and Uncle Jack think he's going to die," she whispered, and Daktari sat down beside her, placing a weathered hand on her shoulder.

"There there, my dear girl," she soothed. "There is always hope. I take it you are very close to your father?"

Mary nodded. "I love him so very much," she whispered. "He always plays with me and reads me stories when he isn't working. I even watch him in the blacksmith shop sometimes."

Daktari smiled. "Ah, that is a wonderful gift," she agreed. "I am sure he is very proud of you. You have quite a bit of vigor as they say, for a child your age. I have no doubts that you will accomplish great things when you get older…I see the sea in your future."

Mary gasped. "You mean I'll become a lady pirate?" she asked, beaming, and Daktari laughed heartily.

"Perhaps," she replied. "But no doubt you have the sea in your blood."

Mary sighed happily as she sipped from her mug, longing for the Black Pearl docked a few miles off shore.

"Jack Sparrow, you mean to tell me you left my daughter alone with a strange woman in the hills of Tortuga?" Elizabeth spat when Jack and Mr. Gibbs climbed back onto the ship. Jack held up his hands in protest, stepping away from her.

"Hear me out," he insisted, and she clenched her fists at her sides. "It was in the girl's best interest not to wear herself out on multiple hikes back and forth. Daktari is perfectly reliable…"

Elizabeth gave a huff. "You've only known her for ten minutes at the most!" she cried. "How is that enough time to get to know anyone?"

Mr. Gibbs stepped forward. "Elizabeth, I assure you Miss Mary is being well looked after. I know a good soul when I see one. Daktari wants you there while she tends to young William."

Elizabeth's expression changed from anger to curiosity. "Why?" she asked, and Jack sighed heavily.

"She didn't say," he admitted, and Elizabeth folded her arms. "Are yeh comin?"

She nodded. "I have to, because I'm worried about my daughter being with some stranger." she pushed past Jack to go down to the cabin where Will continued to lay, his breathing very labored.

"Darling, we've found help," she began, touching his cheek, and his eyes fluttered open halfway.

"Help?" he asked, his voice hoarse, and she nodded.

"There's a healer on Tortuga, and we're bringing you to her."

Will groaned at the very thought of moving from the hammock, but turned his head when he heard Jack's voice as the pirate captain came down the steps. It was a very difficult process, lifting Will out of bed; the younger pirate clung to Jack, while Elizabeth walked very close behind.

"How far?" Will asked, and Elizabeth looked at Jack.

"About three miles from the shore," he explained, and she sucked in her breath.

"You expect to carry him that far?" she asked, and Jack turned to her.

"For once in your life, woman, can you trust me just a little?" he asked, and she paused in her step, frowning. She knew better than to continue the argument, and watched as a stretcher was created for her husband. The crew helped as much as they could, watching with saddened expressions on their faces. Anamaria gave Elizabeth an encouraging nod, and soon the stretcher was lowered onto the longboat.

Elizabeth held Will's hand while they sailed from the ship to the island; he was delirious with fever, and surely the heat and humidity were not helping. She began to sing an old sea song she learned long ago, stroking his hair at the same time: "Yo, ho, haul together, hoist the colors high… heave ho, thieves and beggars, never shall we die…"

Will's eyes closed after a few moments, and Jack eyed her with amusement. They eventually hit the land with a soft bump, and Jack ordered Mr. Gibbs to help him with the stretcher. Will let out another moan as he was moved, and Elizabeth closed her eyes, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

"Shall we?" Jack asked, and they proceeded on their way up the mountain.