"ANA!", Elizabeth yelled across the waters. "Jack needs you."
Instantly, Anamaria's expression changed to one of worry, knowing that there was only one likely reason her captain was calling her. She left the helm of her own ship and quickly hurried to the side of the Pearl and swung herself across.
"What's the matter?" she asked Elizabeth.
"It's Juli, I think she's hurt pretty bad."
Without another word, Anamaria took off for the other end of the ship and made her way into the captain's cabin, where she found Jack leaning over the bed with his head down. "Out", he ordered as she entered, and turning around she saw that Elizabeth had followed her in.
"I thought you needed me", she demanded irritated.
"I do, but not right this minute."
"But Jack, I."
"Not now Elizabeth, quit your whining and GET OUT!" Jack now yelled angrily. Hurt and upset, Elizabeth did not argue further and left the cabin slamming the door behind her. By the bedside, Anamaria looked at Jack intently waiting for him to fill her in.
"It's this one I'm worried about", he said to her indicating Julianne's left arm. "It goes pretty deep, I think it might need stitching up." Anamaria then examined the gash herself, carefully pulling the two sides apart to see how deep the cut really went. Sitting back she turned to Jack.
"I think you're right. It's a clean slice and should heal rightly enough, but stitching it closed will help it along and keep out any infection."
Jack nodded, fully prepared to let her take charge of the situation, having more experience with the situation than he. After all, it was her who always ended up fixing him up when he was injured out at sea. Knowing Juli as she did, Ana knew where to find what she needed in the cabin. Pulling out a sewing needle and a spool of thin thread, she gave the needle to Jack to hold over the oil lamp and unwound a length of string which she then put in the bottle of rum. After waiting a few minutes for the string to soften and sterilize, she threaded the needle and set to work. Not sure how long Julianne would be out and needing her to stay still, Anamaria sat her straight up in the bed and had Jack sit behind her and hold her in place. Taking Julianne's held out arm, Anamaria carefully began to stitch the wound together. Her work was impeccable, despite the blood that began to flow from each needle prick. Every few stitches she would clean up the mess with Jack's towel. For his part, Jack did not speak a single word the whole time she worked. Julianne stayed asleep throughout the entire "operation". Afterwards, Ana re-cleaned the wound again and wrapped the arm in a clean rag.
"I guess I'm staying 'ere until we get to Passions Cove", she said to jack after finishing up.
Still silent, Jack nodded.
"Alright then, I'm going to head up and take over at the helm for awhile."
Again Jack simply nodded. Conversation ended, Anamaria headed out of the cabin. Just before stepping outside the door, she took a quick look over her shoulder, and smiled sympathetically to herself at what she saw. Still sitting on the bed, Jack held Julianne tight against him and rested his head on her shoulder. Ana watched only for a second longer, then closed the door quietly behind her as Jack leaned over and spoke softly into Juli's ear.
No one on the Renegade saw hide nor hair of Jack for the rest of the day and into the evening. Around 6:00, Elizabeth, who had kept herself busy helping Anamaria all day, knocked lightly on the cabin door and opened it just a bit. She had been sent down by Ana to see if Julianne was awake and if either of the captains would be wanting dinner. Peering into the dimly lit room, the young woman decided against going through with her task upon seeing the two of them sleeping soundly together in the same position Anamaria had left them before (with the exception of Jack whose head was now leaning against the wall, mouth hanging wide open).
***
The next morning Julianne awoke to find herself in a rather uncomfortable position. Sitting herself up and off of Jack, she took a minute to recollect herself and attempt to piece together the previous day's events in an effort to come with an explanation of the current situation. Aware of a burning pain in one arm and a buzzing in the other, she looked over both injuries assessing the damage but was interrupted by a rustling behind her.
"Morning", Jack said groggily but cheerful. "I was 'opin you'd be up this morning."
"What happened? Last thing I remember you were pulling me away from the helm of Cordei's ship."
"Yes well, let's see then, after that you went a bit uh, a bit drowsy and I had quite a time of actually gettin' you off the Caligula. But o' course I managed, wonderful pirate that I am. Anyway, as you can see you sustained a few injuries so I brought you down 'ere, Ana stitched you up, and 'ere we are!"
"And 'ere we are? You stayed 'ere all night?"
"O' course I did. You think I'd leave you alone in this condition?"
She looked at him for a minute with raised eyebrows and then answered with a quick peck on the lips. "I guess not."
"Good, now get up", he ordered lightly. "Me damn arm has been asleep for the past 8 hours and I'm pretty hungry come to think of it."
Julianne rolled her eyes and smiled pulling herself up and out of the bed. Walking over to the mirror at the opposite end of the cabin, Julianne turned herself around in front of it, surveying the previous day's damage. Besides the two obvious injuries, she was irritated to discover several fresh black and blue marks at varying places on her body, as well as a few new cuts and scrapes. She was annoyed further to find that a particularly large bruise had formed over the large black R she had tattooed on her left shoulder blade but, but was pleased to see that the pirate brand on her right forearm had survived unscathed.
"Well, I sure made a lovely mess of meself."
"And it's a lucky thing too."
""Ow do you mean?"
"If ya hadn't been hurt so bad, I prolly would have knocked you around a bit for being so damned reckless."
Julianne swung around to face him, mouth open in disbelief.
"ME, RECKLESS? You're one to talk."
"Funny, I don't see stitches on my arm or bruises all over the rest of me."
Walking over to where he still sat on her bed, and with forced narrowed eyes, Julianne gripped Jack around the neck and leaned in close. "You sayin' you want a few then?" she asked in a pretend threatening voice.
"I just might", he added with raised eyebrows, grabbing her shirt and pulling her into his lap with a kiss.
"Don't you ever give up?" she asked, noses still touching.
"I think you already know the answer to that."
With a smile and a sigh, Julianne stood back up and pulled some clothes out of the cabin's little closet.
"Ow!", she yelped pulling on a new shirt. "Fuckin' arm" she continued to mumble to herself as she threw open the little cabinet next to her bed and pulled out a bottle of rum. Taking a long swig from, she set it down with a clink, "there's one missing", she declared giving Jack a critical look. Bending down and reaching under the bed, he pulled out the empty bottle he had opened the night before and held it up.
"Let's see, used 'alf on yer arm, and the other 'alf to calm me nerves." Juli seemed satisfied with this answer, and finished getting dressed. Finally standing up, Jack traded his shirt for a new one from his own little section of the closet, and stumbled around the room gathering up both of their "accessories".
"Affects", he announced holding out Julianne's weapon laden belt, which he wrapped around her. "Jacket", he continued, holding up her long blue coat which she slid into. "And hat", he finished, walking around to face her and plopping it onto her head. "Perfect", he concluded happily, rewarding her with a kiss, then decked himself out with his own things. After a few last minute adjustments, Julianne pulled open the door and both captains stepped out onto the deck, and took a deep breath of the refreshing sea air.
"Where are we going?" Julianne asked, aware that the two ships were no longer sailing south east.
"Passions Cove. You're gonna need to patch up a few 'oles and restock."
Julianne nodded in agreement. "Passions Cove, now there's a place I 'aven't been in ages. Prolly not since that time you and I stopped and.well", aware that Ana and Elizabeth were approaching she trailed off, clearing her throat while trying to suppress a grin. "So, how goes it out 'ere", she said addressing the other three.
"All's well", Ana answered the captain. "We sailed straight through the night so we ought to be gettin' to Passions Cove a bit earlier than expected."
"Wondaful", Julianne approved. "Now why don't you get some sleep, you look like hell. Go a'ead down to my cabin."
"Do I really want to be gettin' into that bed?" Ana asked jokingly.
"Oh go fuck yerself. Change the damn sheets if yer that worried about it. Or better yet, sleep in Elizabeth's."
"You know I'm only kidding. Anyhow, 'ow's that arm doing?"
"Ehh, I think I'll survive."
"Alright, well you know it's gonna be a real bitch takin them stitches out."
"Well in that case, that god for whoever thought this stuff up", Julianne answered holding up the bottle of rum she had carried out with her and taking a drink. Lowering it again, she was caught off guard when Jack's hand shot out and grabbed it from her, and gave him a good punch in the gut as he downed half of what was left causing him to sputter rum all over the place.
"Take care of someone all night and this is the appreciation I get."
"You'll get more than that if you don't stop stealin' me rum" she shot back ripping the bottle from his hands.
"Well, I think I'm gonna get 'out o 'ere before this turns violent" Ana said turning to Elizabeth to suggest she do the same. When Elizabeth made no move to follow suit, Anamaria sighed with a shrug and headed below.
"And 'ow was your evening missy", Jack asked turning his attention to Elizabeth.
"Alright I guess", she answered shrugging. "Didn't do much really, talked to Anamaria a bit then slept mostly. So how are you feeling today?" she asked turning her attention to Julianne.
"Oh, I'm fine. In a couple o days I'll be as good as new."
"Well then it looks like Jack did a good job taking care of you."
"Yeah, I guess he did", she replied, giving him a sidewards glance. "Anyway, I know there's one thing that would definitely make me feel better right now."
"And what's that", Elizabeth asked curiously.
Without a word, Julianne took another drink from her bottle, then climbed the stairs up to the quarter deck, where she walked to the helm of the Renegade and took the wheel. "And really bad eggs, eh Jack?"
"And really bad eggs", he agreed nodding. "So", he began again after a long pause, "I know it wasn't exactly 'alf dead pirates that came after us, but d'ye think Will'll be upset about yesterday?"
"Oh I doubt it. He pretends all this danger is beneath him but deep down he loves it."
"And you?"
"It's not like I have to deal with it everyday, now and again isn't too bad." Unsure of what else to say, Elizabeth looked over at Julianne who was draining the last contents of the bottle and examining her arm once again. "Her arm will be alright won't it?" the young woman asked Jack with concern.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah she'll be fine. The woman's been shot before, and stabbed too if I recall correctly. That there's nothin' compared to either of those."
"That was really sweet of you yesterday, how you took care of everything."
At this, Jack turned and looked Elizabeth right in the eyes, trying to think up a response to the comment. Opening his mouth to say something, he promptly shut it when nothing came to him and looked away nodding.
"Jack, can I ask you something?" she continued. From the tone of her voice and her hesitancy to ask, Jack knew right away what the nature of her question was.
"No", he answered firmly, then walked up and joined Juli on the deck, leaving Elizabeth standing below bewildered. He said nothing as he came up beside the other captain, but simply joined her in gazing out over the waters. She turned to him and smiled, not a cheesy grin, but a genuine smile that said so many more things than could ever be expressed in words. Her smile was returned, and with it, Jack brushed back a loose strand of hair that was blowing across her face. They stood there like that for over an hour, neither feeling the need to talk in the other's presence, in a comfortable silence enjoying the other's company. Eventually, Jack made his way to the side of the ship to confer with Dipst and Gibbs about their anticipated time of arrival at Passions Cove.
Around 3:00, Julianne began to grow restless. Having taken a break from the rum hours before, the pain in her began to slowly increase over the course of the day, making her too drowsy to want to continue steering.
"Why don't you go on down and 'ave a rest luv. I'll take over for a bit", Jack spoke up, waking Julianne out of her daze. "Besides, I wasn't expecting Dipst and Ana to go straight through all night. We'll be there much earlier than I expected and you don't want to be half asleep when we dock do you?"
"No I guess not."
"Go on then. I'll send Elizabeth down in a bit to see if you need anything."
"I'll be fine Jack. Just need another round or two to drink and quick wink and I'll be ready to go."
"Alright", he agreed, obviously not convinced, and watched her leave. Taking the wheel himself, he soon found his thoughts wandering, mostly to her. Another hour passed, and Jack was relieved to see that Ana was awake and making her way up to where he stood.
"'Ow's everything."
"We should be there within a few hours", he answered.
"And Juli?"
"Takin' a nap."
Ana nodded.
"Would you mind", Jack asked. "Just for a few minutes."
Nodding again, Ana stepped forward and took the wheel as Jack descended the stairs to the main deck and disappeared underneath. Opening the door to the captain's cabin just a crack, he peered in and found Juli asleep in bed, bottle of rum half empty on the floor. Crossing the room, he picked up the bottle, corked it and put it away then sat down on the edge of the bed. Being a restless sleeper, Julianne had apparently rolled around quite a bit and blood was beginning to seep from both major injuries. Pulling the bottle back out, Jack grabbed the towel from the night before and gently cleaned it off. Somewhat satisfied, he took another minute to adjust the pillows, and then made his was back out.
"Well?" Ana asked when he stepped back up beside her.
"She's fine."
Instantly, Anamaria's expression changed to one of worry, knowing that there was only one likely reason her captain was calling her. She left the helm of her own ship and quickly hurried to the side of the Pearl and swung herself across.
"What's the matter?" she asked Elizabeth.
"It's Juli, I think she's hurt pretty bad."
Without another word, Anamaria took off for the other end of the ship and made her way into the captain's cabin, where she found Jack leaning over the bed with his head down. "Out", he ordered as she entered, and turning around she saw that Elizabeth had followed her in.
"I thought you needed me", she demanded irritated.
"I do, but not right this minute."
"But Jack, I."
"Not now Elizabeth, quit your whining and GET OUT!" Jack now yelled angrily. Hurt and upset, Elizabeth did not argue further and left the cabin slamming the door behind her. By the bedside, Anamaria looked at Jack intently waiting for him to fill her in.
"It's this one I'm worried about", he said to her indicating Julianne's left arm. "It goes pretty deep, I think it might need stitching up." Anamaria then examined the gash herself, carefully pulling the two sides apart to see how deep the cut really went. Sitting back she turned to Jack.
"I think you're right. It's a clean slice and should heal rightly enough, but stitching it closed will help it along and keep out any infection."
Jack nodded, fully prepared to let her take charge of the situation, having more experience with the situation than he. After all, it was her who always ended up fixing him up when he was injured out at sea. Knowing Juli as she did, Ana knew where to find what she needed in the cabin. Pulling out a sewing needle and a spool of thin thread, she gave the needle to Jack to hold over the oil lamp and unwound a length of string which she then put in the bottle of rum. After waiting a few minutes for the string to soften and sterilize, she threaded the needle and set to work. Not sure how long Julianne would be out and needing her to stay still, Anamaria sat her straight up in the bed and had Jack sit behind her and hold her in place. Taking Julianne's held out arm, Anamaria carefully began to stitch the wound together. Her work was impeccable, despite the blood that began to flow from each needle prick. Every few stitches she would clean up the mess with Jack's towel. For his part, Jack did not speak a single word the whole time she worked. Julianne stayed asleep throughout the entire "operation". Afterwards, Ana re-cleaned the wound again and wrapped the arm in a clean rag.
"I guess I'm staying 'ere until we get to Passions Cove", she said to jack after finishing up.
Still silent, Jack nodded.
"Alright then, I'm going to head up and take over at the helm for awhile."
Again Jack simply nodded. Conversation ended, Anamaria headed out of the cabin. Just before stepping outside the door, she took a quick look over her shoulder, and smiled sympathetically to herself at what she saw. Still sitting on the bed, Jack held Julianne tight against him and rested his head on her shoulder. Ana watched only for a second longer, then closed the door quietly behind her as Jack leaned over and spoke softly into Juli's ear.
No one on the Renegade saw hide nor hair of Jack for the rest of the day and into the evening. Around 6:00, Elizabeth, who had kept herself busy helping Anamaria all day, knocked lightly on the cabin door and opened it just a bit. She had been sent down by Ana to see if Julianne was awake and if either of the captains would be wanting dinner. Peering into the dimly lit room, the young woman decided against going through with her task upon seeing the two of them sleeping soundly together in the same position Anamaria had left them before (with the exception of Jack whose head was now leaning against the wall, mouth hanging wide open).
***
The next morning Julianne awoke to find herself in a rather uncomfortable position. Sitting herself up and off of Jack, she took a minute to recollect herself and attempt to piece together the previous day's events in an effort to come with an explanation of the current situation. Aware of a burning pain in one arm and a buzzing in the other, she looked over both injuries assessing the damage but was interrupted by a rustling behind her.
"Morning", Jack said groggily but cheerful. "I was 'opin you'd be up this morning."
"What happened? Last thing I remember you were pulling me away from the helm of Cordei's ship."
"Yes well, let's see then, after that you went a bit uh, a bit drowsy and I had quite a time of actually gettin' you off the Caligula. But o' course I managed, wonderful pirate that I am. Anyway, as you can see you sustained a few injuries so I brought you down 'ere, Ana stitched you up, and 'ere we are!"
"And 'ere we are? You stayed 'ere all night?"
"O' course I did. You think I'd leave you alone in this condition?"
She looked at him for a minute with raised eyebrows and then answered with a quick peck on the lips. "I guess not."
"Good, now get up", he ordered lightly. "Me damn arm has been asleep for the past 8 hours and I'm pretty hungry come to think of it."
Julianne rolled her eyes and smiled pulling herself up and out of the bed. Walking over to the mirror at the opposite end of the cabin, Julianne turned herself around in front of it, surveying the previous day's damage. Besides the two obvious injuries, she was irritated to discover several fresh black and blue marks at varying places on her body, as well as a few new cuts and scrapes. She was annoyed further to find that a particularly large bruise had formed over the large black R she had tattooed on her left shoulder blade but, but was pleased to see that the pirate brand on her right forearm had survived unscathed.
"Well, I sure made a lovely mess of meself."
"And it's a lucky thing too."
""Ow do you mean?"
"If ya hadn't been hurt so bad, I prolly would have knocked you around a bit for being so damned reckless."
Julianne swung around to face him, mouth open in disbelief.
"ME, RECKLESS? You're one to talk."
"Funny, I don't see stitches on my arm or bruises all over the rest of me."
Walking over to where he still sat on her bed, and with forced narrowed eyes, Julianne gripped Jack around the neck and leaned in close. "You sayin' you want a few then?" she asked in a pretend threatening voice.
"I just might", he added with raised eyebrows, grabbing her shirt and pulling her into his lap with a kiss.
"Don't you ever give up?" she asked, noses still touching.
"I think you already know the answer to that."
With a smile and a sigh, Julianne stood back up and pulled some clothes out of the cabin's little closet.
"Ow!", she yelped pulling on a new shirt. "Fuckin' arm" she continued to mumble to herself as she threw open the little cabinet next to her bed and pulled out a bottle of rum. Taking a long swig from, she set it down with a clink, "there's one missing", she declared giving Jack a critical look. Bending down and reaching under the bed, he pulled out the empty bottle he had opened the night before and held it up.
"Let's see, used 'alf on yer arm, and the other 'alf to calm me nerves." Juli seemed satisfied with this answer, and finished getting dressed. Finally standing up, Jack traded his shirt for a new one from his own little section of the closet, and stumbled around the room gathering up both of their "accessories".
"Affects", he announced holding out Julianne's weapon laden belt, which he wrapped around her. "Jacket", he continued, holding up her long blue coat which she slid into. "And hat", he finished, walking around to face her and plopping it onto her head. "Perfect", he concluded happily, rewarding her with a kiss, then decked himself out with his own things. After a few last minute adjustments, Julianne pulled open the door and both captains stepped out onto the deck, and took a deep breath of the refreshing sea air.
"Where are we going?" Julianne asked, aware that the two ships were no longer sailing south east.
"Passions Cove. You're gonna need to patch up a few 'oles and restock."
Julianne nodded in agreement. "Passions Cove, now there's a place I 'aven't been in ages. Prolly not since that time you and I stopped and.well", aware that Ana and Elizabeth were approaching she trailed off, clearing her throat while trying to suppress a grin. "So, how goes it out 'ere", she said addressing the other three.
"All's well", Ana answered the captain. "We sailed straight through the night so we ought to be gettin' to Passions Cove a bit earlier than expected."
"Wondaful", Julianne approved. "Now why don't you get some sleep, you look like hell. Go a'ead down to my cabin."
"Do I really want to be gettin' into that bed?" Ana asked jokingly.
"Oh go fuck yerself. Change the damn sheets if yer that worried about it. Or better yet, sleep in Elizabeth's."
"You know I'm only kidding. Anyhow, 'ow's that arm doing?"
"Ehh, I think I'll survive."
"Alright, well you know it's gonna be a real bitch takin them stitches out."
"Well in that case, that god for whoever thought this stuff up", Julianne answered holding up the bottle of rum she had carried out with her and taking a drink. Lowering it again, she was caught off guard when Jack's hand shot out and grabbed it from her, and gave him a good punch in the gut as he downed half of what was left causing him to sputter rum all over the place.
"Take care of someone all night and this is the appreciation I get."
"You'll get more than that if you don't stop stealin' me rum" she shot back ripping the bottle from his hands.
"Well, I think I'm gonna get 'out o 'ere before this turns violent" Ana said turning to Elizabeth to suggest she do the same. When Elizabeth made no move to follow suit, Anamaria sighed with a shrug and headed below.
"And 'ow was your evening missy", Jack asked turning his attention to Elizabeth.
"Alright I guess", she answered shrugging. "Didn't do much really, talked to Anamaria a bit then slept mostly. So how are you feeling today?" she asked turning her attention to Julianne.
"Oh, I'm fine. In a couple o days I'll be as good as new."
"Well then it looks like Jack did a good job taking care of you."
"Yeah, I guess he did", she replied, giving him a sidewards glance. "Anyway, I know there's one thing that would definitely make me feel better right now."
"And what's that", Elizabeth asked curiously.
Without a word, Julianne took another drink from her bottle, then climbed the stairs up to the quarter deck, where she walked to the helm of the Renegade and took the wheel. "And really bad eggs, eh Jack?"
"And really bad eggs", he agreed nodding. "So", he began again after a long pause, "I know it wasn't exactly 'alf dead pirates that came after us, but d'ye think Will'll be upset about yesterday?"
"Oh I doubt it. He pretends all this danger is beneath him but deep down he loves it."
"And you?"
"It's not like I have to deal with it everyday, now and again isn't too bad." Unsure of what else to say, Elizabeth looked over at Julianne who was draining the last contents of the bottle and examining her arm once again. "Her arm will be alright won't it?" the young woman asked Jack with concern.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah she'll be fine. The woman's been shot before, and stabbed too if I recall correctly. That there's nothin' compared to either of those."
"That was really sweet of you yesterday, how you took care of everything."
At this, Jack turned and looked Elizabeth right in the eyes, trying to think up a response to the comment. Opening his mouth to say something, he promptly shut it when nothing came to him and looked away nodding.
"Jack, can I ask you something?" she continued. From the tone of her voice and her hesitancy to ask, Jack knew right away what the nature of her question was.
"No", he answered firmly, then walked up and joined Juli on the deck, leaving Elizabeth standing below bewildered. He said nothing as he came up beside the other captain, but simply joined her in gazing out over the waters. She turned to him and smiled, not a cheesy grin, but a genuine smile that said so many more things than could ever be expressed in words. Her smile was returned, and with it, Jack brushed back a loose strand of hair that was blowing across her face. They stood there like that for over an hour, neither feeling the need to talk in the other's presence, in a comfortable silence enjoying the other's company. Eventually, Jack made his way to the side of the ship to confer with Dipst and Gibbs about their anticipated time of arrival at Passions Cove.
Around 3:00, Julianne began to grow restless. Having taken a break from the rum hours before, the pain in her began to slowly increase over the course of the day, making her too drowsy to want to continue steering.
"Why don't you go on down and 'ave a rest luv. I'll take over for a bit", Jack spoke up, waking Julianne out of her daze. "Besides, I wasn't expecting Dipst and Ana to go straight through all night. We'll be there much earlier than I expected and you don't want to be half asleep when we dock do you?"
"No I guess not."
"Go on then. I'll send Elizabeth down in a bit to see if you need anything."
"I'll be fine Jack. Just need another round or two to drink and quick wink and I'll be ready to go."
"Alright", he agreed, obviously not convinced, and watched her leave. Taking the wheel himself, he soon found his thoughts wandering, mostly to her. Another hour passed, and Jack was relieved to see that Ana was awake and making her way up to where he stood.
"'Ow's everything."
"We should be there within a few hours", he answered.
"And Juli?"
"Takin' a nap."
Ana nodded.
"Would you mind", Jack asked. "Just for a few minutes."
Nodding again, Ana stepped forward and took the wheel as Jack descended the stairs to the main deck and disappeared underneath. Opening the door to the captain's cabin just a crack, he peered in and found Juli asleep in bed, bottle of rum half empty on the floor. Crossing the room, he picked up the bottle, corked it and put it away then sat down on the edge of the bed. Being a restless sleeper, Julianne had apparently rolled around quite a bit and blood was beginning to seep from both major injuries. Pulling the bottle back out, Jack grabbed the towel from the night before and gently cleaned it off. Somewhat satisfied, he took another minute to adjust the pillows, and then made his was back out.
"Well?" Ana asked when he stepped back up beside her.
"She's fine."