Disclaimer: Characters used solely for entertainment, nothing more nothing less. Get over it.

One More Chance

Part 2- Healing the Hurt

Jack picked his head up, one of his hands firmly clutching Ana's. Gill was no where to be seen and from the looks of things, he was done. The pirate captain chastised himself for having fallen asleep some time after Gill had started, but he had been unable to fight the exhaustion any longer.

He pushed a strand of hair from Ana's face as he stroked her cheek. The blood had been cleaned up, the odd looking tools put away and Ana bandaged and covered. Catching the darkness outside the window, Jack figured it to be early morning with several hours yet before the sun rose. He was sure Gibbs and the others were beyond being worried since he had not returned and he silently hoped they'd have the smarts to stay put and not cause trouble by searching for him.

Looking around, Jack's eyes came to rest on a small calendar tacked to the far wall, his gaze picking out which day it was. From the corner of his eye he saw a shadow step into the room and lean against the doorframe, their arms crossed.

The silence hung between them before Jack spoke up softly, breaking the quiet, "Ye know, we've been together a year today, she and I. A year since she took my name as her own- and in one split second, it was almost over. Ye gave me my wife back- I almost didn't think it possible, but ye did it. And for that, I am grateful though I know I can never thank ye enough for what you've done."

Gill remained silent as he took a seat across from Jack, staring at him over Ana as the pirate continued. "To imagine, the ruthless Captain Jack Sparrow brought to his knees by one woman. A greater threat to mankind than death women are, but without them, mankind would cease to exist. Ironic really."

"It can be," Gill eventually replied. "But is it also not true, that you would do anything for her, even die in her place if you could?"

Jack looked up then and watched the man. "Aye, 'tis true. And I know she'd be doin' the same thing for me. We're pirates, the sea is in our blood, risk is a just a game of chicken to us, but even we know that one day we'll meet a greater opponent and lose. It's a chance we've agreed to take."

Gill nodded in acknowledgment. "I lost my wife in childbirth; I was unable to save her," he stated. "The guilt I feel is unbearable. I am a doctor, and saving lives is my job, but not hers. I pleaded with God to take me instead of her, but those pleas went unanswered. Perhaps it was for the best though. I was unable to save my wife," he paused and lifted his hand, gesturing for Jack to do the same. He dropped a small ball of lead into Jack's palm as he added, "but at least I was here to save yours."

Jack rolled the lead shot in his hand before grasping it tightly. "Thank you," he sighed tucking the shot in his coat.

Scooting his chair back, Gill rose to his feet, rolling the cuffs of his sleeves back down. "With some rest, she and the baby will be fine."

"How'd ye know-" Jack began but Gill simply stated, "I'm a doctor, Captain Sparrow," with that he gave a slight smile and slipped from the room.

---

He sat up suddenly, the icy feeling of fingers on his face. Something did not feel right and in all his years of piracy, Jack had come to learn his gut feelings and instincts, they were never wrong. As his eyes adjusted, he was greeted by Gill, a look of horror on his pale face.

"Jack, you must wake up. We have to get out of here at once," Gill was urging. "The place is on fire."

The pirate captain rose to his feet to see that Gill's words were true. A bright orange glow engulfed the whole of the next room, the flames licking at the walls. The loud roar and the crackling made Jack cringe as the heat pricked at his skin.

"Hurry, out the back door," Gill coaxed as he grabbed his bag from the floor.

Jack gathered Ana into his arms, wrapping the blanket around her as he moved to follow the doctor. "What of your son?"

Gill gestured for him to pass. "He came down with me. I sent him out already."

As the two rushed from the house toward the front of the building, Gill came to a stop. "What, what is it?" Jack questioned, his arms adjusting Ana's weight.

"Miles," Gill whispered hoarsely. "He's not here."

"What? But I thought yo-"

"I did," Gill interrupted. "I told him to wait out front for me," he paused, his face paling. "The cat! Miles had wanted to get her but I refused- he must have snuck back upstairs to find her!"

Jack set Ana down and pulled the blanket around her, his eyes searching the surrounding area. "Hand me your shirt," he suddenly stated.

"What?"

The pirate captain rose and repeated, "Your shirt. Give it to me."

Gill hesitated before shrugging out of the shirt and tossing it to Jack. "What are you planning?"

"Stay with her," Jack instructed as he disappeared around the side of the house.

The young doctor waited nervously for what seemed hours before he saw a figure emerging from all the smoke.

"Miles!" Gill rushed forth and swept the young boy into his arms, relief visible in his eyes. "Thank goodness you are safe."

The young boy's face was covered in soot, his tears leaving trails down his dirty cheeks. "I'm sorry dad. Bell," he hiccuped. "She knocked over the candle. I know I shouldn't have been reading after you told me to go to sleep, I'm sorry."

Gill hugged him tight, his whispers trying to sooth the boy's fear. "It's all right son. It was an accident. You're safe and that's all that matters."

It took several more comforting words from his father before Miles finally calmed down, his dirty face scrunched in remorse. "Where will we stay now dad?"

"We'll find a place," Gill assured. "Until then, we'll stay in the clinic."

Nearby, Jack sat crouched beside Ana, his eyes intently watching her. He grasped her hand and gave it a slight squeeze, his lips moving with silent words. Pushing a strand of hair from the woman's face he turned his attention to the father and son, a sincere smile on his face as he said, "You'll stay with me."

Gill abruptly stared at him, "What?"

Jack stood, tucking the blanket back around Ana as he repeated, "You and your son, ye are welcome to join me aboard my ship for passage," he paused. "Or for keeps. It's the least I can do for what ye have done for me."

The young doctor gazed at his son, whose frown had suddenly turned upward, the smile spreading across his young face. Gill sighed as he watched the flames devour what was left of his home- his life. He had an obligation to the townspeople as a doctor- he couldn't just go gallivanting off aboard some pirate ship!

The offer, as tempting as it was, just would not do. It would not support him and Miles. Would not feed or clothe himself or his son. Had no guarantee to assure a prosperous future- and, the list goes on and on! Gill pondered. Yet… had he not wanted to escape the bounds of society? Had he not wanted to walk away from it all just a few short years before? Had he not wanted a carefree childhood for his son?

Suddenly it all became clear- Gill had wanted all those things and more, and now that the opportunity was staring him in the eye, would he decline?

He opened his mouth to speak when Jack quickly spoke up first, "An 'sides, we could always use another set of hands, or two. A ship can never have too many hands. Do we have an accord, Mr. Brady?" he asked, extending his hand.

Gill hesitated, taking a last glance at the young boy at his side before accepting Jack's weathered hand in his. They had an accord.

---

~Fin~

A/N: And finally, the closing of such sweet sorrow. This ends the Ana Epic thus far and depending on work and future plans, it may continue or it may not. Thanks for reading along!

-J