The Darkest Hour – Part II
Author – Unplugged32
Rating – PG-13
Classification – Post PotC fic - Will/Elizabeth romance, angst, adventure, oh and Jack of course;)
Summary : Four months after Will is lost at sea, Jack makes a startling discovery that will once again send our heroes into a tailspin of uncertainty, danger and of course, angst ;)
Disclaimer – Obviously, the recognizable characters portrayed aren't mine. No money being made, no harm intended.
Author's notes and reviewer responses – at the end of the chapter
Chapter 2
The 'Black Pearl' set a hasty course for the island of Tortuga, cautiously distancing itself from the 'Lady Jane' and her now-humbled captain. It had given Jack no pleasure to deliver such a harsh punishment, not even to a man as abominable as Gregor Bell, but he did not regret it. Not while Will's life hung by a thread, his body ruthlessly mutilated by the notorious slaver's cruel hand.
In Jack Sparrow's cabin, an anxious Anamaria fretted over Will's raging fever. Directly after bringing the injured lad aboard the 'Pearl', Jack's long, copper tub had been quickly filled with lukewarm water and with the help of Mr. Gibbs, Jack and Anamaria gently eased the unconscious Will into the waiting bath. The boy remained frighteningly unresponsive as the trio did their best to wash the blood and grime from his torn flesh, their hopes that the tepid water would help to lower his fever futile. When they were done, he was quickly clad in a pair of soft breeches and carefully placed on Jack's bunk where Anamaria and Gibbs spent nearly two hours tending to his festering wounds with the utmost gentleness and care. All the while though Will showed no sign that he was aware of their ministrations, a fact that greatly disheartened the weary pirate girl.
"There's no change," she told Jack softly. Covering Will's bandaged back with a clean white sheet, Anamaria sank tiredly into a chair and rested her head on her arms atop the polished oak table that took up most of the space in Jack's cabin.
Staring out at the sea through the rain-splattered panes of glass, Jack said nothing. The sudden shower had come upon them unexpectedly, the clouded sky a mirror of his own darkened mood. So many questions unanswered, so many facts still needed to fill in the gaps for Will's missing months. Aside from the wounds on his back from the lash, Will had other scars, older ones but still recent. An obvious pistol wound, badly healed with signs that it had been cauterized; a jagged scar on his shoulder haphazardly stitched, the skin around the gash still angry and pink. Jack winced inwardly at the physical suffering inflicted on his young friend since they'd last parted in Port Royal.
The boy Aaron was apparently the key to the mystery but Jack had decided not to push him just yet. The child was frightened of something…of that Jack was certain. Fear haunted his enormous blue eyes and it had taken the threat of incarceration to pry him away from Will and into the care of Jack's crew for a bath and a hot meal. Jack knew that if he didn't tread carefully, the boy would not cooperate and whatever he was hiding would remain a mystery until Will awoke.
If he woke…Gentle hands came to rest on his hips and Jack willingly gave into temptation, leaning back into the comforting embrace, a long sigh escaping his parted lips.
"It's been a helluva day," Anamaria said simply, her cheek pressed against the soft cotton of Jack's shirt.
"And from the looks of things it will be a helluva night."
"To be sure," she replied with a sigh. "It will take days for those wounds to heal and if we can't bring his fever down there's no chance they will close."
"Then we must do that we can to bring his fever down," Jack told her with conviction. "He won't die…I refuse to allow it."
"Jack…don't do this to yourself…"
At once, Jack stiffened and he turned slowly to face her, crossing his arms lightly over his chest. "Do what?"
Anamaria exhaled loudly in frustration. "For the past four months you've let guilt eat away at you…like you could have done something that haven't already done.. Jack, you're not God, you know! All the events of that world don't begin and end with you and not everything is your fault!"
Anger flared within Jack at once but he would not give her the satisfaction of seeing him riled. "I have no idea what you mean, luv," he told her carelessly.
"What I mean is that Will being on the 'Renegade' wasn't your doing…nor was the fact that he was lost after. I've watched you brood and let you sulk on your dark days but this is out of your hands. You didn't do this to him. If he lives or dies is in God's hands, not yours. You've done more than anyone else would have done. Let it go before it ruins you," she told him firmly, dark eyes blazing at the indifferent expression on his face.
"I promised her I'd bring him back," he replied after a long pause. "And I intend to do just that."
"So this is about Elizabeth?" Anamaria questioned, obviously surprised. Jack thought there might have been a slight hint of something like jealousy in her tone but he couldn't be sure.
"No," he assured her. "This is about two young people who deserve to have a happy ending. I guess I'm going soft in my old age," Jack said wryly, "because I can't ever remember giving a rat's arse about happy endings and fairy tales before I met those two troublesome children."
"Yes, well this ain't no fairy tale, Jack, and you can't write the ending to suit you. We'll do our best because he's a decent lad and he deserves a second chance but there's someone else writing this story. It's all in His hands now."
She was right of course; she usually is, Jack conceded inwardly. Slowly, he let his guard down and his shoulders slumped, one hand reaching out to cup her smooth cheek intimately. Anamaria's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before leaning into his touch. The air between them seemed to ignite and suddenly they were both moving forward into each other…
Until a sharp cry from Jack's bunk shattered the moment and brought them both back to reality with a painful jolt.
On Jack's bunk, Will's struggle with the pain of his wounds and the demons in his fever-dreams was a horrible thing to witness. Anamaria was at his side at once, but neither her softly spoken words of comfort nor the damp cloth she eased gently across his brow did anything to calm the thrashing boy.
"He's going to injure himself worse if we don't get him to calm down," she told Jack urgently. "If he turns over onto his back he'll undo all my hard work…not to mention the pain it would cause,"
Jack, however, was just glad to see that Will was finally feeling anything at all. For a while there, he'd feared the boy would simply slip away, without ever knowing that he was going home, with no knowledge that fate had once again played Her duplicitous game and thrown them together like She had many times before.
"I'm tempted to bind him to the bed…anything to keep him still," the pirate girl said in desperation. She had one of Will's hands firmly in hers but despite her steady grip, she could not calm his struggles. In his delirium, he mumbled words that made no sense but his eyes never opened. Jack watched, frozen as the boy's face screwed up into a mask of agony, his mouth opening wide to let out a cry that came out as no more than a hoarse whimper.
"Can't you give him something for the pain?" Jack asked sharply, frustrated with his inability to help ease Will's suffering.
"Laudanum…but I'm not sure if I should with him burning with fever like this…"
"Just enough to get him to calm down."
Anamaria looked doubtful. "I'll drop a bit in some water. You'll have to help me give it to him," she told Jack, rising from the stool beside the bunk. "Sit with him while I fix it. Don't let him move around," she warned.
Jack simply nodded and tentatively took Anamaria's place beside Will. For Jack, it was an uneasy situation. He'd never tended someone who was ill or injured before. He'd never been called upon to do so. Such responsibilities usually fell to the more capable members of his crew. Of course he cared if one of his men was wounded; he had a good lot and he was grateful for them, but it wasn't in his nature to hold anyone's hand while they recuperated. But as he watched Will thrash and listened to his soft whimpers of pain, Jack felt his gut clench into a tight knot. Damn, what was taking that woman so long?
"We can't turn him over. We're going to have to wake him so he can help us," the pirate girl told Jack regretfully. "Otherwise we won't get this down his throat."
"Alright." Jack cleared his throat and leaned forward a bit awkwardly.
"Will, lad, open your eyes and say hello," Jack said softly.
Anamaria let out an exasperated sigh. "A bit louder there, Captain. Here, let me try."
Jack shook his head. "Will," he said again, louder this time, "Wake up, son. You've got to help us out here."
Will continued to stir but there was no sign that he'd heard Jack's voice. The pirate captain frowned and reached out tentatively for the boy's hand.
At once Will's eyes flew open and he pulled his hand back reflexively with surprising strength. Startled, Jack nearly fell off his stool.
"Aaron?"
Finally! Some sign that he was not beyond their help. "No, it's Jack, son…Jack Sparrow."
Will blinked groggily, and moaned. "Aaron?" he questioned again, his gaze yet to set upon the man who sat beside him. "Aaron, I…"
"It's Jack, lad," the pirate repeated again patiently. "You're on the 'Pearl'. Your friend Aaron is here too."
"Will, you need to drink this…you've been ill and it will help you," Anamaria told him from where she stood beside Jack. "Come on now, just lift your head a bit…"
With painful slowness, Will turned his head slightly until he could see the pair beside him. Jack watched the look in the boy's eyes go from relief to shock the moment he recognized them.
"Jack?"
Jack tried to smile as an uneasy feeling rose within him despite his initial relief.
"Will, you need to drink this, lad. It will help you. Come on, just…"
"Where is Aaron!" the younger man asked anxiously, ignoring Jack's request. "Have you found him?"
"He's below, with Mr. Gibbs," Anamaria told him soothingly. "He was in need of a bath and a meal, poor boy…he'll be here soon."
The look of utter panic had not fled Will's over-bright gaze. "Aaron…you've got to find Aaron," Will insisted, almost frantically.
Jack and Anamaria shared a look of concern before turning their attention back to Will. Jack gently placed one hand under the boy's head and Anamaria knelt beside him with the cup of water and Laudanum. "Open your mouth, son," Jack coaxed gently. At first, Will's eyes went wide and he struggled, but Anamaria was having none of it. She forced the cup to lips and while Jack held him steady, she managed to get him to drink at least some of it.
"It's Laudanum…it will help you," the girl told him soothingly as she wiped the excess from his face.
"What is that?" Will gasped, the medicine obviously leaving a strange taste in his mouth.
"It's Laudanum," Anamaria repeated patiently. From the look on the girl's face Jack knew that she too was puzzled by Will's odd behavior. He was confused, disoriented. Granted, he was badly hurt and he did have a fever but there was something more in his eyes…something Jack had seen in the boy Aaron's eyes as well. Fear… and panic.
Anamaria continued to wipe his burning face with a cool, wet cloth, gently smoothing his damp hair away from his forehead. Will had calmed down considerably and he no longer thrashed, his eyes drooping slowly until they were nearly closed when he grabbed the pirate girl's hand and squeezed weakly.
"Elizabeth…have you seen Elizabeth?" he slurred thickly.
Anamaria smiled warmly. "Oh yes, she's fine, lad. Just fine. Back with her father, waiting for you to come home to her," she replied at once.
From Will's throat came a choked sound like a sob. "I don't know what happened to her. She might have drowned…I couldn't see her…" he said brokenly, tears wetting his burning cheeks.
"Will, she's fine. She didn't drown," Anamaria told him firmly. "Last I saw her she was in perfect health…"
Despite the girl's reassuring words, Will continued to weep quietly until the effects of the Laudanum dried up his tears and evened out his breathing and he was asleep once more. Anamaria gently covered his still form with a thin blanket and wordlessly turned to Jack, the expression on her face deeply troubled.
"You don't have to say it; I know what you're thinking. Keep a close eye on him. I'm going to find the boy."
In his first mate's cabin, Jack was disappointed to find that Aaron Smith was fast asleep.
"It was as if he hadn't had food in months. Duncan says he stuffed three bowls of stew down his throat like a starving man," Gibbs told Jack grimly. "The men found him some clean clothes and once he'd had a good scrubbing they brought him back here. He fell asleep almost at once."
"From the state that young William is in, I'd say that neither of them has had a decent meal in a long time," Jack said with a sigh. "Did the boy said anything to you? About how or when they found Will?"
Gibbs shook his head slowly. "Nothing at all. He dodged every question I asked and wouldn't say a thing about the lad. He did ask what would happen to them now, though. I tried to assure him that he's among friends but I don't think he believed me."
"That's to be expected, though. He was badly treated on the 'Lady Jane'. And we're not exactly known for our good deeds, either," Jack replied sardonically.
"Aye, that we're not. We're going to have to gain his trust."
"And fast. I um, I think there's something wrong with young William…other than the obvious of course," Jack said carefully. "He woke briefly but he seemed…confused. It was as if he couldn't understand anything we were saying."
"Jack, the boy has a raging fever and his blood is poisoned with infection! You saw those wounds. My God, he's lucky to be alive! Of course he's confused. It's natural," Gibbs told him with conviction. "It'll be a long while before he's himself again."
"Hmn…maybe."
"There's no maybe, Jack. That boy's been to hell and back. Didn't you see those other marks as well? He'd been shot for sure and that gash on his shoulder is just barely healed. And he's lost half his weight as well."
"Anamaria thought it was odd as well…and you know she's tended as many patients as you have."
"Be patient, Jack. If he makes it through this fever, he'll be right as rain, I promise you," Gibbs said reassuringly. "In all the fuss you never did tell me why we're heading for Tortuga. We don't need supplies and you certainly aren't going to find a better leech there than me or the girl."
"I know. But we need to get Will back to Port Royal and you know as well as I do that we cannot simply sail into the harbor. Norrington may be in our debt but even he'd think that far too bold."
The older man's eyes widened considerably. "Surely you don't mean to send him off with some other ship?"
Jack let out an exaggerated sigh. "One would think that after all these years you'd know me better than that. Of course I'm not going to send him back alone. As a matter of fact, I intend to hand him over, safe and sound to the good Commodore myself."
"You've lost me, lad. How in blazes to you plan to do that?"
Jack grinned widely. "Simple. Since we can't go to Norrington, we'll bring Norrington to us."
Gibbs rolled his eyes and fell back into his chair with a long groan. "I have a feeling I don't want to hear this."
Aaron Smith came to awareness with a start, the comfortable bunk and warm, clean blankets alerting him at once that he was no longer on the 'Lady Jane'.
"Good morning, son."
Startled by the unfamiliar vice, Aaron bolted upright, the blankets falling back into a heap at his feet. At once, he tried to rise, but he found his legs hopelessly tangled in the heavy wool and cotton, a soft chuckle filling his ears as he tried to free himself.
"There's no need to panic, boy. You're on the 'Black Pearl' and although that might frighten some, I give you my word that you and Will are safe and among friends."
Aaron turned slowly, his gaze coming to rest on the notorious pirate captain, gold teeth gleaming as he grinned, his booted feet propped up casually on the table where he sat. Jack Sparrow had a reputation for being a fierce and bloodthirsty villain, yet Aaron had to admit he's been treated more than fair since coming aboard the 'Black Pearl'. The boy had cringed as he witnessed his former master flogged until the deck ran red with his blood but it was justice done and the lad couldn't fault Jack for it. Not after the abuse that he and Will had suffered.
Will! Jesus Christ, where was he?"Where is my friend?" the boy asked at once, fear gripping him once again. "I've got to see Will!"
Jack's smile faded slightly. "He's in my cabin receiving the finest care, I assure you. Did you know that Mr. Gibbs has known Will since he was a boy? He'll make a deal with the Devil himself to keep him alive, of that you can be sure."
Aaron was only vaguely relieved. "How do I know what you're saying is true? Will never mentioned you or Mr. Gibbs. He's not a pirate…he's a blacksmith, he said so!"
"You are correct, dear boy, he is not a pirate. He is indeed a blacksmith, married to a lovely girl called Elizabeth who happens to be the daughter of a very important man. But I can assure you that we do know each other, quite well in fact, and that our friendship has nothing to do with our difference of…profession."
Aaron's blue eyes narrowed. He pushed the blankets away and swung his feet over the side of the bed. "Where are my boots?"
"Why? Are you planning on going somewhere?" Jack asked, swinging his feet down off the table. "You'll have breakfast first. I'll have Duncan bring it to you and then we can see about some new boots. Yours…along with your clothes have been tossed into the sea. Much too filthy for going around the 'Pearl'."
Aaron ignored the insult. "I demand to see Will," the boy said boldly. Inside, his heart pounded like a drum at a voodoo ceremony he'd once witnessed but he hoped that Jack Sparrow could not see his fear. He had to get to Will as soon as possible.
Jack Sparrow chuckled, his dark eyes alight with amusement. "You have nerve, I'll give you that boy. I should be grateful for that, though. I'm guessing that's how you managed to keep young Will alive as long as you did. Aaron, you're going to have to trust me now, boy," Jack said in a much softer tone. "I know you're worried about Will and I promise to take you to him…just as soon as you answer a few questions for me."
"What kind of questions?" Aaron asked, eyeing Jack suspiciously.
"Simple ones like how did Will Turner end up on the 'Lady Jane'?" Jack asked carefully, the look in the older man's eyes warning the boy against anything but the truth.
"We found him floating on a piece of the wreckage of the ship he'd been travelling on," Aaron said reluctantly. "He'd been injured; there was an awful gash on his shoulder and he'd been shot as well. The captain told me to patch him up and get him on his feet and that's what I did."
Jack Sparrow nodded thoughtfully. "So you found him in the sea…that was four months ago. Did your captain plan to give him passage home?"
Aaron shook his head. "He told Will he'd have to work to pay off his debt…for pulling him out of the sea and all," the boy said bitterly. "He said he after his debt was paid could leave him somewhere if he didn't want to stay on."
The pirate captain's expression hardened. "And how long was his indenture to last?"
"Six months."
"So you found him floating in the sea, injured, and he became part of the crew. Did Bell question his identity or his origins? Did he even wonder if someone would be looking for him?"
"No, Will didn't give him no reason to. He didn't tell him much…not as much as he told me. He just said the merchant ship he was on caught fire and exploded. No one cared to question that."
"And what exactly did he tell you that he didn't tell your captain?"
Aaron swallowed hard, cursing himself inwardly for his mistake. "Nothing."
Jack got to his feet slowly and moved closer to where the boy still sat on the bed. "Aaron, if you care about Will, you'll tell me what you know," Jack told him sternly. "All I want is to see him on the mend as soon as possible, so that he can go home to his lovely bride, savvy?"
Aaron nodded sullenly. "Yes."
"Good. So Will recovered from his ordeal and he joins the crew, correct? And then there's that storm you mentioned. Since Will's injuries are recent, I'd say it was that squall a few nights back. You mentioned that the both of you were on deck and that Will disobeyed an order from the captain. A man was injured as a result. Am I right so far?"
"Yes, sir. Only it weren't his fault. Will would never let a man be hurt…even that mean son of a bitch Riley, though he probably deserved it anyway," the boy said in a rush.
"So Will got the lash," Jack said, summing up the rest. "Let's go back to the part where you found Will. Aside from the pistol wound and the gash on his shoulder, was there anything else…wrong with him?"
At once, Aaron stiffened. "No," he said quickly, averting his eyes from Jack's knowing gaze.
"Are you sure, boy? Did he know his name and what had happened to him…things like that?" Jack asked carefully.
Aaron took a deep breath. "He told me that he and his wife were looking for his father. He'd gone missing you see…and the ship they were travelling on caught fire and exploded. The rest I already told you."
Jack crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his head slightly to one side. "Son, your're hiding something from me. And if it has to do with young William's well being, you'd best say what's on your mind…now."
"I'm not hiding anything…" Aaron protested, his gut clenching painfully as he said the words.
But before Jack could call his bluff, the door to the cabin swung open, revealing a frantic Anamaria.
"Jack, you'd best come. It's the lad…he's taken a turn for the worst…"
To be continued……………………………….
Huge thanks to the lovely and talented Elements for speedy beta services!
Reviewer responses (in order of appearance)
Smithy: I'm glad you like the way I've portrayed the characters. I'm trying very hard to keep them as close to the film as possible. Thanks for taking the time to review.
Jack E: Don't worry, Bill will be back;) Thanks for taking the time to review.
Cal: I don't think anything I could say would do justice to that very flattering review. Thanks so much for your encouragement and support. I hope you like this chapter. I have a feeling you will;)
Smithy: You are right on all accounts;) You'll just have to wait and see how it will all turn out. Thanks so much for taking the time to review.
NaryaFire: I think this chapter is a bit longer. Hope you enjoy it! Thanks so much for your continued support and encouragement.
Orlikeiraluv: I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks so much for taking the time to review.
MommaB: I hope I haven't made you wait too long. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement.
Staci: I promise that I will fill in all the gaps from all POV's. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review.
Ravenwynne: The Edward/James thing has caused a bit of confusion; sorry. I started writing this before the DVD came out and no one could provide Norrington's real name then. I will get around to correcting that soon. Thanks so much for your very flattering reviews.
CrAzY Pigwidgeon: Glad you liked that bit about Will mourning Elizabeth. There's no way he really could have know she was saved so I figured he would have to angst over that. Thanks so much for your continued support and encouragement.
Eleven Fire Goddess: I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I hope you didn't have to wait too long for this update.
Maethril Aranel: Thanks so much for your review! Yes, I'm a huge LotR fan and if I'd had the time to update my favorites list you would have found 50 great stories listed there. Looking forward to reading your new story; keep me posted.
Kiss316: Glad you like a mystery; so do I;) Thanks so much for your review.
Eledhwen: Glad you liked Aaron; I was worried how he was going to come across. It's hard to write original characters that fit in. Thanks so much for your continued support and encouragement.