Chapter 16

                Mark adjusted the amount of water in the syringe until it contained a mere four grams of liquid.  He then lifted Jack's right arm, turning it so the veins in his inner elbow were easily accessible.  Ana and Chelsea both found themselves staring at the floor instead of watching the needle enter Jack's flesh and the contents distribute into his bloodstream.

                "There we go…now, if we just give him about four grams of water every hour, he should be alright."  Mark muttered to himself, opening the jar of green liquid.  He drew about ten grams of the light green fluid into the shaft of the syringe, and then turned to Jack's arm once more.

                "Wha' is that stuff anyway?"  Ana asked as once again the contents of the syringe were emptied into Jack's flesh.  She watched in awe as, not moments later, Jack's coloring returned to its normal, gently bronzed color.

                "Home remedy; the best for treating Oleander poisoning."

                "Oleander?"

                Mark nodded.  "Amazing stuff, that.  Even the smallest dose has the potential to cause abnormalities in the heartbeat, tremors, a man to collapse, even sudden death.  Simply incredible."

                Ana opened her mouth to argue that it wasn't so interesting when someone you cared about was the victim, but decided against it.  "So…tha' green stuff-"

                "Oleander Medicinal Cure," Mark corrected mechanically.

                "Wha'e'er it's called…it'll help him?"  Ana amended, daring to hope.

                "'Help' is putting it mildly…he'll be back to his old self in a few days."

                Ana was about to breathe a sigh of relief, but Mark's next statement stopped her.

                "He will make a full recovery only if you keep him warm and off his feet for the next week."

                Ana's brow knit as she was presented with the new challenge.  True, it would be simple enough to keep him warm, but keeping him off his feet was another story entirely.  She couldn't think of a strategy short of clubbing him over the head with a belaying pin, which she doubted would stop him for long anyway.

                "Easier said than done, but s'nothing I can't handle."

                Mark nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.  "Pirates are stubborn, eh?"

                "Wha'?"

                Mark stood from the chair and shoved the needle into Ana's unsuspecting hands.

                "Wha'-"

                "When the clock strikes the next hour, put four grams of water in the syringe and give him the injection.  The O.M.C. will take care of the poisoning…not the dehydration."

                "Do wha'?!"  Ana squeaked, nervous energy rushing through her veins.

                "Don't sound so stressed, here, just take his arm and flip it so you can see the veins, then put the tip of the needle into his skin.  Push down on the plunger slowly until the water is gone and take the needle out."  Mark explained, using his fingers in place of the needle.  "Simple as that."

                Ana swallowed nervously, her thoughts screaming the contrary to Mark's words.  Mark smiled at her reassuringly and left.  Ana took the recently vacated seat and cradled the needle and shaft in her hands, doing her best to avoid getting stabbed.  After getting poked multiple times, Ana settled with placing the needle on the small stand.  She then leaned back in the chair and looked down at Jack, concern creasing her brow.

                The only differences were that his skin was no longer pale or clammy and that his breathing was soft and regular.  She gently lifted his hand and checked at his inner wrist for his pulse.  She was relieved to find that it seemed to be back to normal as well.

                "I can give him the next injection if you don't feel comfortable with it."

                Ana jumped noticeably, having forgotten about the younger girl.  "Ye know how?"

                Chelsea nodded.

                "Then please do.  I've got t' check on th' Pearl and make sure Gibb's hasn't sank her yet," Ana explained.  "I'll be back in a few hours, but if he wakes up, send me a message."
                "Alright.  If you see Hunter or Kona running toward the docks, you'll know he's awake."

                Ana handed off the seat and then turned to leave.  She paused at the threshold.  "Thanks."

                Chelsea looked up at the unexpected comment, but only caught an empty doorway.

~*~

                Ana made her way down to the docks, her pace brisk.  The day was bright and warm and she squinted against the glare from the sea.  As she drew nearer the bay, the refreshing scent in the air grew stronger and stronger.

                A loud bark from behind made her freeze in place, driven from her thoughts of the Pearl and her crew.

                The bark sounded again, this time accompanied by the hollow thuds of paws on packed dirt.  She slowly turned to face the onslaught of crazed barking only to be met by a giant mastiff nearly plowing into her.  The dog came to an abrupt stop just inches from her and continued barking loudly.

                "Kona…Hunter?  Wha'e'er, whoe'er you are, calm down."  Ana stressed, patting the dog lightly on the head.

~*~

                "KONA!!  Nonononononono!  No licking!  Down boy—Jack, I'm so sorry!"  Chelsea exclaimed, fighting to get the large dog away from the bed and out of the room.  "Bad dog," she growled, still trying to force the animal away.

                "S'alright lass," Jack mumbled, groggily wiping dog drool from his face and beard.