In Julianne's opinion, the days that followed their attack on Red Cay was
nothing short of absolute hell. It had taken her almost two hours to get
Jack out of his clothes and cleaned up. After wiping all of his wounds
down with a cloth soaked in alcohol, Julianne decided against stitching him
up, in favor of leaving that to the doctor. Pulling a chair over next to
the bed, she sat there throughout the rest of the night, refusing to sleep
until they had reached their destination.
Thankfully, Norrington had been right and it wasn't long before land appeared on the horizon. At some point on their trip the Commodore had asked Dipst if someone ought to go check on the two captains, but the first mate adamantly suggested against it.
"Bad idea there sir. She's not herself at the present moment, yer liable to come back out missin a limb", Dipst said of his captain.
"Surely you must be exaggerating", Norrington replied.
"Do what ye like. But ye won't catch me goin in there and ye'd be wise follow me example." With that, he sauntered away, heading down to the main deck to check up on the crew.
Back in the captain's quarters, Julianne sat watching Jack. Seconds became minutes, minutes became hours, and when Dipst finally did poke his head inside to tell her that they'd reached shore, it was if she had been sitting there for all of eternity. Grabbing her hat and putting it on, she strode out onto the deck. It was the first time she had left Jack alone since getting onboard. Looking out at Port Lucaya, Julianne's expression grew even grimmer than it had been.
"Typical", she muttered to herself in disgust.
"What", John asked stepping over to her.
"Ye see that there?" she asked him pointing out at the dock.
"I don't see anything", he replied.
"Exactly. There should be two guards standing there, and there isn't. Which means that at this exact moment they are prolly well on their way to sounding the alarm up at the fort."
Norrington looked at her with a strange expression. How could she have possibly ascertained such a thing just by looking at an empty dock in the middle of the night? However, he was not left with much time to ponder the question because upon looking back up again, he saw navy soldiers begin flooding out of the fort.
"Cap'n. What d'ye want us to do", Dipst asked coming over to them.
She looked at him for a second, then at her crew, over at the Pearl where everyone was looking back at her for direction, and her gaze finally stopped on her cousin.
"How confident are ye Commodore, that you can persuade these fine gentlemen to show a little hospitality", she asked him curtly.
He was momentarily taken aback by her coldness, then remembered Dipst's words to him earlier. "Rather confident Captain. We should have no problem docking here", he answered her.
She considered this for a moment then called out the order to dock. Slowly, the Renegade and the Pearl pulled the rest of the way into the harbor and came to a stop at the dock. The planks were thrown down, and immediately a large group of soldiers appeared at the bottom of each one.
Julianne nudged Norrington in the side, "Impress me cousin", she urged him.
Norrington obeyed. Striding purposefully over to the plank, he walked down it to meet the lieutenant waiting at the bottom.
"Lieutenant Jefferson", he greeted the other man as though nothing was out of the ordinary.
"C, Com, Commodore Norrington", the man stammered in shock. "What are you doing aboard a pirate ship?"
"A long story lieutenant. And one that must wait for a more appropriate time for telling. At the moment though, it is imperative that these two ships be allowed to dock here for a time."
"Yes sir. Anything you need sir."
"Very good. I will also need you to send one of your men to fetch a doctor. We have a man in serious condition on board who will need medical attention straight away."
"Right away sir", the lieutenant responded again, obviously still confused as to why his commodore was sailing around with a bunch of mangy pirates. "Johnson, go and wake the doctor immediately", he ordered a man nearby. "Where should I have the doctor report to sir", he asked, turning back to Norrington.
"Here", Julianne called down from the main deck.
Norrington nodded in agreement. "Yes, have him escorted here. You might tell him to bring his assistant as well, there is much that needs his attention."
The lieutenant nodded and made sure that the soldier had gotten all of that. "Are the crews to stay aboard sir?"
Norrington gave this question a moment's consideration. "No, they are to be allowed in the town without hassle. I will see to it that they insight no trouble."
Unhappy with this answer, but in no position to argue, the lieutenant agreed and recalled his men. Walking back up to the deck, Norrington was prepared to ask Julianne if she was impressed, but found that she was already back inside her cabin. Surveying the crew, he spoke to them loudly so that those on the Pearl could hear too.
"You're all free to go into town, however in order to maintain the navy's forced hospitality it is important that you cause no trouble while we're here. Anyone who needs to see the doctor should stay, he will be here shortly."
For a second he wished he hadn't spoken, for they all stared at him as though he was crazy for addressing him. After a minute though, they shrugged it off and went about their business, some leaving and some staying.
It was not long before the doctor arrived. Leading the frightened looking man and his assistant onto the ship, the officer was stopped short by Norrington.
"Thank you soldier. I'll take the doctor from here, you may be on your way", the Commodore instructed.
"Yes sir", the man answered and was off.
The look that flashed across the doctor's face showed that he was none too comfortable with this idea.
"Have no fear doctor. I assure you that you are safe aboard this ship."
The doctor nodded. "Where is the patient?"
"Well, unfortunately there are many", Norrington answered. "But if your assistant can see to the lesser cases, I shall escort you to the most serious case."
Walking toward the captain's cabin, the doctor directed his assistant to follow Dipst to the others wounded, then fell into step behind Norrington. Approaching the door, John knocked lightly, opened it, and stepped inside.
"Captain", he called to Julianne, making sure to address her as such in front the doctor both to maintain his reputation and her authority.
"What", came an irritated and muffled response.
"Doctor Tocks is here", he answered, having asked the other man's name on their way in.
Standing up quickly before they made it into the room, Julianne pulled herself from the floor, threw on her hat, and wiped her eyes which remained bloodshot and puffy. Quickly, she moved around the room lighting as many candles as it took to illuminate the room so the doctor could see. Stepping apprehensively up to the bedside, Dr. Tocks was appalled at what he saw.
Laying amidst blood stained sheets, was a man so mangled, it was a wonder he was even alive.
"My god", he gasped. "What happened to this man?"
"Fight", Julianne answered curtly, shooting him a warning look that warned him not to push further.
"I see, well, to work then", he replied, setting his bag on the chair Julianne had occupied through the night and putting on his glasses. Examining Jack's body, he was surprised to see how well his wounds had been attended to all things considered. Despite this though, the severity of the wounds was extreme, and that mixed with the inevitable fever that would soon set it, the doctor had a decision to make.
"He cannot stay here", he commented matter-of-factly.
Julianne looked at him in irritation. "You really think it wise to move him?"
"No I do not. But keeping him here on this ship, with no amenities and laying in his own blood is far worse. He needs to be where I can work on him safely, and provide him with the necessary care it will take if he is to get better."
Julianne considered his words. She did not want to worsen Jack's condition by putting him through the stress of being moved, but if the doctor thought it was best.
"Where would ye take him?"
"My office. It's connected to my house so I'd be able to keep watch over him should anything happen."
Still, Julianne was not sure. A hand on her shoulder from Norrington though, urged her to agree.
"Alright. I'll get some o' me men. Hold tight", she commanded leaving the room. Stepping outside she called to her first mate. "Dipst. Grab one o' the extra floor planks down in the hold then come in to the cabin." Turning to the Pearl she called across to Gibbs. "Gibbs, I'm gonna need ye over 'ere."
The older man nodded and quickly grabbed a rope and swung himself over.
"What's going on?"
"We've got to move Jack", she answered. "Doctor wants him takin up to his office. Come on."
He followed her inside and soon Dipst was also there with a long board. Norrington regarded her cleverness approvingly.
"We'll lay him across it like a stretcher", Julianne stated. "I want this to go as smoothly as possible", she added stepping forward. To her surprise, so did the Commodore.
Gently, they both lifted Jack out of the bed and laid him on the board which Dipst and Gibbs held between them. As Julianne carefully rested his head on the rough surface, Jack began to tossle and mumbled.
"Shh luv", she comforted him, leaning down over his face and resting a hand in his hair. "We're just movin ye to the doctors. Yer gonna be alright", she spoke softly, her voice becoming uncharacteristically feminine.
Whether it was in response to her soothing, or he just quieted on his own, Jack again lay still.
"Alright, let's go", she order the rest of them, her tone once again commanding respect. Leading the group out of the cabin, she came across Anamaria waiting outside for them.
"Jules, we've got some reds down on the dock", she informed the captain, who in turn looked at her cousin.
"Not to worry, they're to guard the ships so you needn't worry about any problems", he assured her.
Satisfied with this, Julianne motioned the doctor forward to lead the way to his place. She waited for Norrington to pass as well as Dipst and Gibbs with Jack, and followed along behind them all. Appreciative of the fact that Ana fell into step beside her, taking Juli's arm in hers for comfort. She wanted to tell her friend that everything was going to be alright, that she didn't need to worry. But Anamaria knew she would be lying and the words would not come. The way things were looking, Julianne had every reason to worry.
Thankfully, Norrington had been right and it wasn't long before land appeared on the horizon. At some point on their trip the Commodore had asked Dipst if someone ought to go check on the two captains, but the first mate adamantly suggested against it.
"Bad idea there sir. She's not herself at the present moment, yer liable to come back out missin a limb", Dipst said of his captain.
"Surely you must be exaggerating", Norrington replied.
"Do what ye like. But ye won't catch me goin in there and ye'd be wise follow me example." With that, he sauntered away, heading down to the main deck to check up on the crew.
Back in the captain's quarters, Julianne sat watching Jack. Seconds became minutes, minutes became hours, and when Dipst finally did poke his head inside to tell her that they'd reached shore, it was if she had been sitting there for all of eternity. Grabbing her hat and putting it on, she strode out onto the deck. It was the first time she had left Jack alone since getting onboard. Looking out at Port Lucaya, Julianne's expression grew even grimmer than it had been.
"Typical", she muttered to herself in disgust.
"What", John asked stepping over to her.
"Ye see that there?" she asked him pointing out at the dock.
"I don't see anything", he replied.
"Exactly. There should be two guards standing there, and there isn't. Which means that at this exact moment they are prolly well on their way to sounding the alarm up at the fort."
Norrington looked at her with a strange expression. How could she have possibly ascertained such a thing just by looking at an empty dock in the middle of the night? However, he was not left with much time to ponder the question because upon looking back up again, he saw navy soldiers begin flooding out of the fort.
"Cap'n. What d'ye want us to do", Dipst asked coming over to them.
She looked at him for a second, then at her crew, over at the Pearl where everyone was looking back at her for direction, and her gaze finally stopped on her cousin.
"How confident are ye Commodore, that you can persuade these fine gentlemen to show a little hospitality", she asked him curtly.
He was momentarily taken aback by her coldness, then remembered Dipst's words to him earlier. "Rather confident Captain. We should have no problem docking here", he answered her.
She considered this for a moment then called out the order to dock. Slowly, the Renegade and the Pearl pulled the rest of the way into the harbor and came to a stop at the dock. The planks were thrown down, and immediately a large group of soldiers appeared at the bottom of each one.
Julianne nudged Norrington in the side, "Impress me cousin", she urged him.
Norrington obeyed. Striding purposefully over to the plank, he walked down it to meet the lieutenant waiting at the bottom.
"Lieutenant Jefferson", he greeted the other man as though nothing was out of the ordinary.
"C, Com, Commodore Norrington", the man stammered in shock. "What are you doing aboard a pirate ship?"
"A long story lieutenant. And one that must wait for a more appropriate time for telling. At the moment though, it is imperative that these two ships be allowed to dock here for a time."
"Yes sir. Anything you need sir."
"Very good. I will also need you to send one of your men to fetch a doctor. We have a man in serious condition on board who will need medical attention straight away."
"Right away sir", the lieutenant responded again, obviously still confused as to why his commodore was sailing around with a bunch of mangy pirates. "Johnson, go and wake the doctor immediately", he ordered a man nearby. "Where should I have the doctor report to sir", he asked, turning back to Norrington.
"Here", Julianne called down from the main deck.
Norrington nodded in agreement. "Yes, have him escorted here. You might tell him to bring his assistant as well, there is much that needs his attention."
The lieutenant nodded and made sure that the soldier had gotten all of that. "Are the crews to stay aboard sir?"
Norrington gave this question a moment's consideration. "No, they are to be allowed in the town without hassle. I will see to it that they insight no trouble."
Unhappy with this answer, but in no position to argue, the lieutenant agreed and recalled his men. Walking back up to the deck, Norrington was prepared to ask Julianne if she was impressed, but found that she was already back inside her cabin. Surveying the crew, he spoke to them loudly so that those on the Pearl could hear too.
"You're all free to go into town, however in order to maintain the navy's forced hospitality it is important that you cause no trouble while we're here. Anyone who needs to see the doctor should stay, he will be here shortly."
For a second he wished he hadn't spoken, for they all stared at him as though he was crazy for addressing him. After a minute though, they shrugged it off and went about their business, some leaving and some staying.
It was not long before the doctor arrived. Leading the frightened looking man and his assistant onto the ship, the officer was stopped short by Norrington.
"Thank you soldier. I'll take the doctor from here, you may be on your way", the Commodore instructed.
"Yes sir", the man answered and was off.
The look that flashed across the doctor's face showed that he was none too comfortable with this idea.
"Have no fear doctor. I assure you that you are safe aboard this ship."
The doctor nodded. "Where is the patient?"
"Well, unfortunately there are many", Norrington answered. "But if your assistant can see to the lesser cases, I shall escort you to the most serious case."
Walking toward the captain's cabin, the doctor directed his assistant to follow Dipst to the others wounded, then fell into step behind Norrington. Approaching the door, John knocked lightly, opened it, and stepped inside.
"Captain", he called to Julianne, making sure to address her as such in front the doctor both to maintain his reputation and her authority.
"What", came an irritated and muffled response.
"Doctor Tocks is here", he answered, having asked the other man's name on their way in.
Standing up quickly before they made it into the room, Julianne pulled herself from the floor, threw on her hat, and wiped her eyes which remained bloodshot and puffy. Quickly, she moved around the room lighting as many candles as it took to illuminate the room so the doctor could see. Stepping apprehensively up to the bedside, Dr. Tocks was appalled at what he saw.
Laying amidst blood stained sheets, was a man so mangled, it was a wonder he was even alive.
"My god", he gasped. "What happened to this man?"
"Fight", Julianne answered curtly, shooting him a warning look that warned him not to push further.
"I see, well, to work then", he replied, setting his bag on the chair Julianne had occupied through the night and putting on his glasses. Examining Jack's body, he was surprised to see how well his wounds had been attended to all things considered. Despite this though, the severity of the wounds was extreme, and that mixed with the inevitable fever that would soon set it, the doctor had a decision to make.
"He cannot stay here", he commented matter-of-factly.
Julianne looked at him in irritation. "You really think it wise to move him?"
"No I do not. But keeping him here on this ship, with no amenities and laying in his own blood is far worse. He needs to be where I can work on him safely, and provide him with the necessary care it will take if he is to get better."
Julianne considered his words. She did not want to worsen Jack's condition by putting him through the stress of being moved, but if the doctor thought it was best.
"Where would ye take him?"
"My office. It's connected to my house so I'd be able to keep watch over him should anything happen."
Still, Julianne was not sure. A hand on her shoulder from Norrington though, urged her to agree.
"Alright. I'll get some o' me men. Hold tight", she commanded leaving the room. Stepping outside she called to her first mate. "Dipst. Grab one o' the extra floor planks down in the hold then come in to the cabin." Turning to the Pearl she called across to Gibbs. "Gibbs, I'm gonna need ye over 'ere."
The older man nodded and quickly grabbed a rope and swung himself over.
"What's going on?"
"We've got to move Jack", she answered. "Doctor wants him takin up to his office. Come on."
He followed her inside and soon Dipst was also there with a long board. Norrington regarded her cleverness approvingly.
"We'll lay him across it like a stretcher", Julianne stated. "I want this to go as smoothly as possible", she added stepping forward. To her surprise, so did the Commodore.
Gently, they both lifted Jack out of the bed and laid him on the board which Dipst and Gibbs held between them. As Julianne carefully rested his head on the rough surface, Jack began to tossle and mumbled.
"Shh luv", she comforted him, leaning down over his face and resting a hand in his hair. "We're just movin ye to the doctors. Yer gonna be alright", she spoke softly, her voice becoming uncharacteristically feminine.
Whether it was in response to her soothing, or he just quieted on his own, Jack again lay still.
"Alright, let's go", she order the rest of them, her tone once again commanding respect. Leading the group out of the cabin, she came across Anamaria waiting outside for them.
"Jules, we've got some reds down on the dock", she informed the captain, who in turn looked at her cousin.
"Not to worry, they're to guard the ships so you needn't worry about any problems", he assured her.
Satisfied with this, Julianne motioned the doctor forward to lead the way to his place. She waited for Norrington to pass as well as Dipst and Gibbs with Jack, and followed along behind them all. Appreciative of the fact that Ana fell into step beside her, taking Juli's arm in hers for comfort. She wanted to tell her friend that everything was going to be alright, that she didn't need to worry. But Anamaria knew she would be lying and the words would not come. The way things were looking, Julianne had every reason to worry.