Disclaimer: Seeing as, this disclaimer thing has gotten way out of hand, I, the insane author of this 'fan'-fiction will allow you, the reader to improvise. So without further ado I present the new and improved method of crediting disclaimers. At the beep… please fill in the blank with your favorite disclaimer (so that I won't have to fill it in for ye.) BEEP (fill in the blank with your disclaimer now.)_______
The Joy of the Hunt
By: Dragon Demon
Rating: PG-13 for violence, brief language and sensuality.
Summary: Set in motion after Jack's escape from Port Royal, the crew of the Black Pearl pay a visit to Tortuga where Jack repossess a valuable trinket he left behind. In doing so, he has unleashed a chain of events that will lead him on a wild goose chase for treasure, love and survival.
---
A/N: Ok- this is the last section to The Joy of the Hunt and it's set a couple days after the last chapter (Battle at Bloody Bay) This is considered to be an Epilogue- and it's going to mainly consist of Jack and Anamaria. This is their moment- but please, don't get your hopes all up! Do try to remember, I said I'd make a sequel to this, so this Epilogue won't be any thing particularly special.
Now that that is said, let's get on with the show!
-J
---
Jack stood at the helm of the Pearl, his eyes intently gazing at the sight before him. The day was perfect; not a cloud in view, the water was smooth and calm, not a wave to be heard. All in all, today was the perfect day for a small sail.
The pirate captain's mind flooded with the memories of the past few days- a stray thought every now and then bringing a scowl to his face. The fight was over- they had won. And Jack was all but sad to leave Bloody Bay far behind him, shrinking in the distance. They had defeated Flood and Barbossa and now it was time to return home.
Home, Jack thought contently. His beloved Pearl was his home, wasn't it? From the corner of his mind he heard the nagging saying 'Home is where the heart is,' mate.
Jack grinned. His heart-? That was probably the only thing that didn't belong to the Pearl. A small tug played at his lips. No, that belongs to someone else. He mentally concluded. I guess that all is well.
But all wasn't well and Jack knew this, but he was trying to keep a bright and optimistic outlook on the damper of things. It was only after they had set sail that Gibbs had come to him, forlorn and weary. And it was then that Gibbs had informed him of a situation they had onboard.
Anamaria was gravely ill.
Jack remembered how Gibbs acted as he approached, the look on the old sailor's face was a look he had never before seen on the man and it chilled him to the bone.
-
"Jack?"
It was Gibbs. Jack turned to him, a smile on his face but as he saw Gibbs, his smile faded. "What is it, Gibbs?"
The old sailor fidgeted nervously as he fumbled with a flask in his hands. "Jack, there's somethin' ye should know about the lass."
Confusion crossed Jack's face before he asked, "Lass? Ye mean Anamaria?"
"Aye."
There was a pause of silence as Jack soon found the polished wood of the helm more interesting than Gibbs revelation. After a while Jack's voice broke the silence, a slight quiver in his tone. "Well what is it, Gibbs?"
"She's frightful sick, Jack."
Jack stared at him, something dawning on him. When he had encountered Anamaria earlier that day, she did look a little unwell. But Jack had just pushed it aside and passed it off- as if the woman was just exhausted from her ordeal. Jack's face contorted as he lied, "Sick? She looked fine to me."
Gibbs scratched his beard. "Aye- but looks can be deceivin' Jack." Slowly Gibbs began to tell Jack what he knew of Anamaria and how she was found.
-
Jack shook his head to clear his thoughts. He was told of how Anamaria had been found by Norrington himself. And it was Anamaria who had- injured and ill- told Norrington of Flood and Barbossa and the truth; which had ultimately saved Jack's life.
Jack reminded himself to thank the Commodore when they arrived in Tortuga- an act that had not been done as of yet.
He sighed as he leaned against the helm awkwardly. So, here he was, himself injured, missing some of his crew and now the news that Anamaria was sick.
After Gibbs had told him, he had immediately gone to find Will and Elizabeth who told him everything. The shock and frontal force of the news had knocked Jack into a loop. He then regretted finding the Turners and demanding that they tell him of Anamaria's condition.
Jack closed his eyes. He had gotten Anamaria back, only to learn that he might lose her again and for good. He was determined to remain in high hopes with the news that Anamaria's health had somewhat improved since they had set out to find Jack just days before. But still, Jack knew that Will and Elizabeth were just covering up the truth.
He was numb afterwards as he stumbled back to his cabin and had a good deal of time to think things through. He wasn't going to stand by and let some illness claim Anamaria's life- he was going to help her fight it.
But unbeknownst to him was that, while his mind was made up to help his first mate and be there for her, he was absently ignoring her as well. He had not once been down to see her; he was usually at the helm or in his cabin.
Now as Jack stood guiding his ship through the calm waters, it dawned on him the mistake he had made. He dropped his head against the wheel as his mind raged with thoughts.
Pleurisy, Jack silently grumbled. What kind of pirate gets pleurisy?
He sighed. A sick and injured one, that's who. There was a faint shuffling noise that made Jack pick his head up off the helm and look around.
To his surprise, a figure stood at the bow of the boat, their back to Jack.
Anamaria.
Leaving the helm, Jack made his way to the bow of the boat trying to think of what he could possibly say to her. He jammed a hand into his pocket and frowned as his fingers slid across something unfamiliar to him. Pulling the object out, Jack noticed it was the velvet pouch he had hurriedly put away before the fight with Flood.
Cracking a smile, Jack opened the small bundle and allowed its contents to spill out into his hand.
---
Anamaria stood uneasily at the bow of the Pearl, the slight breeze gently caressing her face. She absently pushed her hair out of her face as she watched the waves below. She had been unable to sleep and being cramped in that cabin for three days was beginning to grow old.
Being sure not to wake anyone- mainly Elizabeth- she had crept out of her cabin and decided to go for a walk but soon found herself outside on the deck. Cautious and unsteady, she made her way to the bow hoping that the calming effects of the waves could relinquish her fear of sleeping.
Taking a deep breath, Anamaria closed her eyes and felt the wind roll across her body as the seawater misted on her face. So wrapped up in her nirvana was she that she didn't hear the worry laden footsteps on the deck behind her nor did she know that anyone was standing close by until they wrapped their arms around her shoulders.
Anamaria startled, jumped back and bumped into the muscular body that stood behind her. Without turning around, she could tell that it was Jack. His arms snaked their way to her neck where Anamaria felt smooth coldness slide across her skin. Her hand fluttered up to her neck as her fingers traced a delicately thin wire.
She lifted the wire in her hand and peered down to see a small charm attached to a chain in her palm. Smiling Anamaria grasped the delicate charm- a heart with the tiniest diamond- in her frail fingers as she whispered, "It's beautiful Jack. Thank you."
Jack's hands shifted to her shoulders as he said, "It was me mom's. She gave it to me right before she died."
"I'm sorry." Anamaria apologized.
Jack squeezed her shoulders tenderly. "Don't be, wasn't your fault. Besides, she'd suffered so- she's better off now where she is. Rest her soul."
There was a slight nod from Anamaria as she relaxed under Jack's touch. She closed her eyes as she felt Jack's fingers trace their way down her arms, his hands finding hers and taking them in a firm grasp.
"I thought I'd lost ye."
"For a moment there, ye did." Anamaria told him in a hushed tone.
Jack frowned as he heard her add, "I didn't think I'd ever see ye again. I was afraid- afraid that ye weren't goin' to come back this time. Not to your ship, your crew- to me."
"Hey, don't think like that, ok. I'll always come back to ye. I promise."
Anamaria sighed heavily. "How can ye be so sure?"
"Because Ana, it's to ye I'll always return."
With her hands held in his, Jack wrapped his arms around her, her arms following suit. He felt Anamaria shiver as he held her close; a sign that his touch ignited a spark inside.
Anamaria hung her head, her face hidden in shame. "Jack, don't, please."
Confused, Jack asked, "Don't what?"
"Jack, please." Anamaria's voice quivered. "I don't-"
"Yes?"
"I don't want this." She suddenly blurted out to Jack's surprise.
Shocked and perplexed Jack tilted his head and said, "What's wrong, Ana?"
There was silence before the low spoken, "I'm sick Jack."
Jack swallowed the lump in his throat as he answered. "I know." At the look he received from her he explained, "Elizabeth told me all about it."
Anamaria looked up to keep her tears in check. "Pleurisy, they said. Said that I was bad off, had been exposed to hypothermia too long. They told me-" she trailed off.
"They told you what, Anamaria?"
"That I was goin' to die."
Jack rested his head against the back of hers as he tightened his embrace. "They were wrong, Ana. You're not goin' to die. Everythin' will be okay, I promise."
"Jack, I don't want your empty promises." Anamaria replied with a hint of sadness.
"They're not empty, Ana. I'm here now, you're gonna make it. Ye have to fight it and I'll be right here." Jack reassured.
He nuzzled his face in her neck as she turned her head sideways to look at him. Her face- though dark- was flushed and Jack could see her equally dark eyes glazed over. He felt the heat radiate from her body; heat not from the closeness or his caress, but heat jumpstarted from fever.
Anamaria's skin was clammy to the touch but Jack knew better. He could feel the warmth of the fever through his shirt as Anamaria fought back the chills that racked her body. Her breathing was shallow and Jack could distinctly hear the faint wheezing with each breath she took.
A single word left Anamaria's lips as she gripped his arms tightly. "Jack."
He whispered in her ear that he was there but she didn't hear. Jack suddenly felt her go rigid as a spasm traveled through Anamaria, the force of it catching him off guard. Anamaria flexed her hands, her nails digging into Jack's skin. Her breathing turned to erratic gasps as she struggled to fill her lungs completely.
Jack knew what was to come as he braced himself gently with Anamaria in his arms. He pulled her to his chest trying to soften her shaking so she wouldn't hurt herself as he whispered words of encouragement to her.
"Ana, fight it. You're stronger than this, I know ye are. Don't be afraid Ana- you're not alone. Don't give in."
Jack felt her shudder violently as the attack worsened. He closed his eyes and held Anamaria safely in his grasp. He frowned as the attack passed through her, a brief but traumatizing event that weakened the poor woman to no extent.
Jack knew Anamaria hated the short attacks that sometimes swept over her and usually Elizabeth was there with her to help her through. Elizabeth had told Jack of the passing shake that plagued his first mate but Jack never thought that he'd find himself in the middle of one.
It was so much worse than what Elizabeth had made it out to be and Jack worried for the woman in his arms as she fought and struggled.
Bringing his arms up- still entwined with Anamaria's- Jack embraced the women tenderly as he said, "Come on Anamaria. Don't let it win. We'll fight it, I promise. Don't leave me, Ana. Stay with me. I need you and we're goin' to fight this to the very end, me and you. I promise you. I promise myself. Ana, I can't do this on my own, you have to help me too. Promise me Ana- fight it. You can't give in. Help me. Don't give up. I'm fighting it, Ana. And I'll never let go."
With the assurance of his words, Jack felt something give way in Anamaria's attack and just as quick as it had started, it ended. Anamaria shook with fear as tears streaked her face. Exhausted, she tilted her head back as she leveled her breathing out trying to find a rhythmic pattern.
Jack felt her relax as she collapsed in his embrace, her face covered in sweat. Her forehead flared with fever as she rubbed her arms to rid herself of the goose-bumps the chill in the air left.
After a moment, she nestled herself against Jack's chest, his arms still protectively wrapped around her.
"Did ye mean it?"
Jack looked at her, a puzzled look on his face. Anamaria wrinkled her nose as she asked again, "Did ye mean it, Jack? All of it- all of what ye told me; promised me. Did ye mean it?"
In response Jack tilted her head back so he could see her eyes. His face lingered above hers before he whispered, "I did. And I mean it. We'll fight it, Ana, we'll get through this- together."
---
Jack was unsure just how long the two of them stood there, but he didn't care. Anamaria had long since calmed down from the passing attack and seemed content to just watch the waves.
The two had traded standing- their feet becoming tired and Anamaria too weak to stand- for a more comfortable sitting position as they watched the sun set; Anamaria still tucked safely in Jack's arms.
"What will we do when we get back to Tortuga?" Anamaria asked breaking the calm silence around them.
Jack shifted his position before answering, "We aren't goin' to do anythin'. But you are goin' to take a break and use the time to recover."
Anamaria's head swiveled around as she trained her dark eyes on him. "Jack, no. I can't just sit around! I get restless. And 'sides, I'm not goin' to shirk my duties and have the others do them- I get pestered enough as it is, I don't need to add more to my worries."
"Ye can and ye will." Jack stated firmly. He felt Anamaria bristle and tense; afraid that she was suffering another spell, Jack sat up straight and placed his chin in the crook of her neck in hopes to keep the shaking to a minimum.
Anamaria sighed and rested her head against Jack as she pried an arm lose and reached back. Placing it on his neck, her fingers raked across his skin gently as she said, "Not now."
She felt Jack's grip loosen and the minute it did she pushed away from him. Resting on her knees, she turned to look at him a smile on her lips at the expression on his face. "Don't give me that look, ye daft pirate." She raised her hand and pushed a tangled strand of hair from Jack's face, allowing her fingers to rest on his cheek afterwards.
He gazed at her, the longing in his eyes. Anamaria shook her head no as she looked away. "It's getting late. I better get back before Elizabeth notices I'm gone."
She unsteadily pushed herself to her feet, using the railing for support. Casting one last look at Jack she saw him watching her intently before he too looked away; seemingly more interested in the moon.
"G'night, Captain." Anamaria whispered before turning away, her unbalanced feet carrying her back to her cabin. Mere feet from Jack, she stumbled but felt herself stop as an experienced hand steadied her.
"Let me help ye."
Anamaria declined as she tried pulling away but Jack was adamant as he refused to let go.
"Jack, I told ye. No, it just- I can't." Anamaria stuttered.
"Stop fussin'. I'm just helpin' ye, Anamaria." Jack told her curtly and led her to her cabin.
Anamaria scowled at him. "I'm not fussin'! And anyhow, ye can't help me. Elizabeth is sleepin', I don't want to wake her." She cut her eyes over to him. "And knowin' ye, it's exactly what ye'd do too."
"Such lil' faith in me, Anamaria." Jack replied with feigned sadness. He wrapped an arm around her waist, rewarding him with a gasp from Anamaria. He winced and apologized as he positioned his arm below her ribs. He laid her other arm behind his neck, his hand firmly around her wrist.
"Ye look ridiculous." Anamaria chided.
Jack smirked and let go of her wrist and quickly picked her up from under her knees. "Aye, but not as ridiculous as ye look."
"Jack Sparrow!" Anamaria seethed. "Put me down this instant! What are ye tryin' to do, wake the whole crew!"
Jack looked at her with a mock grin as he said with bewilderment, "No." He turned away from the direction of her cabin and headed to the quarterdeck instead.
"What are ye doin'?" Anamaria asked, her patience growing thin.
"Well, ye said Elizabeth was asleep down below. Don't want to wake her, now do we?" Jack questioned as he used his foot to push his cabin door open. With a sly grin he added, "An' I don't know about ye, but I tend to get pretty wild."
Anamaria blushed as she rolled her eyes. "Ye don't give up, do ye Jack Sparrow?"
"That's Captain Jack Sparrow." Jack corrected her as he set her down on the edge of his bed.
"Oh please!" Anamaria guffawed at the man.
Jack leaned against his desk and stared at her, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "I'll have ye callin' me Captain before the night's over love, just ye wait an' see."
"JACK!" Anamaria blurted out as she flung the closest thing she could find- that being a pillow- at him as hard as she could.
The pirate captain grinned as he caught the fluffy weapon in his hands. Moving to put it back on the bed, he stopped in front of Anamaria and leaned close to her. "I assure ye, Anamaria, ye will call me captain one day. And it won't be out of spite or disrespect. But out of want."
Anamaria deftly pushed him back as she huffed, "In your dreams."
There was a chuckle as Jack tossed his pillow back to the bed, "Actually, there ye address me as 'My Sexy Captain Jack Sparrow.' It really is quite alluring."
There was a strangled cry as Anamaria flopped backward on Jack's bed as she muttered, "Not in this lifetime, pal."
Jack eyed her suspiciously before saying, "Ye know, that's a good look for ye."
Anamaria snorted in disgust as she rolled over, her back to Jack. "Go away, Jack."
"But it's my cabin, and that's my bed!" Jack protested.
There was a shrugging motion from the woman as she curled up on the covers; a muffled reply reached Jack's ears, "It's not tonight. And make sure ye close the door on your way out."
Jack sighed in defeat as he headed for the door, stopping and putting out the stubby candle on his desk on his way out. He lingered at the door for a moment, his eyes adjusting to the dark as he peered at the assumed sleeping figure on his bed.
"G'night Anamaria." He whispered huskily as he closed the door.
There was a mumbled reply as Jack closed the door but he never heard it.
"G'night- My Sexy Captain Jack Sparrow."
---
I hear the wind call your name
The sound that leads me home
It sparks up the fire - a flame that still burns
To you I'll always return
I know the road is long but where you are is home
Wherever you stay - I'll find a way
I'll run like a river - I'll follow the sun
I'll fly like an eagle - to where I belong
I can't stand the distance - I can't dream alone
I can't wait to see you - Yes I'm on my way home
Now I know it's true
My every road leads to you
And in the hour of darkness darlin'
Your light gets me through
You run like a river - you shine like the sun
You fly like an eagle
You are the one I've seen every sunset
And with all that I've learned
Oh it's to you - I will always- always return
--Bryan Adams
Author's Corner- All right! There it is! The 'final' chapter! Story no more, it go bye-bye. (cries) But I enjoyed writing it, and I hope you all enjoyed reading it. I'm working on the side story as we speak, so keep an eye open for it. It's going to be titled, 'In Your Absence.' And it's going to be about Anamaria and what happened in her absence during those 14 days Jack was captured aboard the Shark. It's coming out soon, so keep an eye open for it to come your way. It should be hitting fanfiction.net sometime this coming week or possibly this weekend; it depends on how much time I have to work on it.
I'm not exactly sure how I like this chapter, simply because it doesn't feel right. The characters don't really stay in context here I am afraid, but I shall let you be the judge of things, ok? And be honest! I tried to make up for the OOC at the end, so maybe it'll kind of balance things out a bit.
Also, I don't know if pleurisy was around in the 17th century, if so, then great. If not, well it is now! And to clear things up, Pleurisy is an inflammation of the lungs. You can get it from having pneumonia or from chest trauma (i.e. broken ribs, etc.)
How Anamaria contracted it will be revealed in the side story, In Your Absence. So you'll just have to wait and find out. (grins evilly)
For more information on pleurisy check out this site - www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001371.htm#Symptoms
Well in short, there's not much else to say except "Thank You" to everyone who stuck with me on this (as bad a job as it was) Hope to see you all around come the next story.
Toodles!
Review Thanks- (If there any reviews for this chapter, I'll either post a special recap for those after this chapter or I'll simply continue to thank you in the first chapter of 'I.Y.A.' and just go from there. Not sure yet, but you'll know when it happens! Thanks!)
Yoshi-fan2003- Thanks and here are the few that I know of (to anyone who I list here, please consider this advertisement- hehe) Check out these authors' work, they have several good stories- some too many to name: Amberlin, Estelwolf, Saquoia, Nymbis, Gamine, TA Maxwell, hollow-ambitions, Tinkabelle21, Arwennicole, WhiteWave6621. OK, those are the few I have for now, but keep checking back with me because I know I missed a few.
Khepri- (laughs) Yes, Anamaria is still alive! And be sure to keep an eye open for In Your Absence the side story to Joy of the Hunt.
Sillyfangirlwith2muchfreetime- (In response to Chapter 14 and 15) Although against my better judgement, I decided to make Norrington a good guy. I didn't much care for him in the movie because he was too egotistical. So I changed his persona around a bit. And it's not over yet! (wink wink)
Kingleby- Well here is the Epilogue, but it's not all romance. It does contain a bit of angst. But it still deals with Jack and Anamaria and their relationship.
Jackfan2- I'm glad to see that chapter 15 opened for you. I was beginning to wonder if I needed to split it up so fanfiction.net could comprehend that all of the chapter needed to be posted! I'm also glad to see you enjoyed it so much as to save it. I'm speechless. I to sensed some respect from Norrington for the pirate simply because Jack was able to keep his cool during the whole thing. He also knew that what he had done, deserved the punishment and thus didn't much fight it. And yes, considering several sequels!
Cal- (gives Cal a hankie) It's not over yet, friend. This is just the tip of the iceberg, trust me. Jack's characterization in the last 2 chapters was a bit, different. And hard to write at that. But yet, in it all he retained a sense of wry humor even with death. Jack's just daft that way. I'm also Anamaria would have been quite interested in his thoughts/feelings, but then again, she may have just told him he was being a big baby! She's tough like that.
There wasn't much of a fight between Flood and Barbossa and for that, I apologize. But not everything is fair in battle and all Flood did was use his surroundings to gain the upper hand. I kept that fight scene short, sweet and to the point to not forget about Jack. And as for Barbossa's last words, yes- he did sort of thank Jack for uncovering Flood's betrayal, but don't forget, Jack was also the name of his monkey. In a sense, Barbossa was thanking Jack for 1) Bringing Flood to the truth and 2) For giving him an end to his suffering.
I used the ending between Jack and Anamaria out of image of the scenes like from 'Gone With the Wind'. It was the whole, 'soldier who hasn't seen his wife in months comes back at Christmas time' reunion. Except, I was going to add Jack swinging Anamaria around, but kind of hard to do with one arm.
Anamaria's changes were great, that is for sure. And Jack does notice, but then he is so dense that he doesn't realize the severity of it until later. (Which is hinted in this chapter) And I'm going to be sure to point this out in the side story so there won't be any confusion.
Hope to see you around and keep in touch!
-J