Chapter 16

                "Ana, get out of there," Will warned quietly.  Before he had even finished, Ana was by his side, rubbing the back of her head lightly.

                'Jack, don't fight me.  You do belong to me…I saved you, now obey me!'

                'No!'

                'Yes Jack, destroy them…they are your enemies, not your friends.  You have no friends; they abandoned you after you betrayed them.  Remember what happened?'  The voice's final scramble for control unleashed all the pent-up memories Jack had suppressed over the years, overwhelming the pirate's mind.  With a final squeal of rage, Jack dropped to the deck, all mobility having left him.

                Ana stepped forward hesitantly, being sure to kick Jack's sword well out of reach, just in case.  She kneeled by Jacks side cautiously, keeping a hand by the hilt of the knife hidden in her boot.  "Jack, you alright?"

                No response.

                Ana gently wedged her fingers between Jack's shoulder and the deck and dragged him over to rest on his side.  His body moved with the sluggish weight of a corpse, showing no resistance—or acknowledgement—of her touch.  His dark hair cascaded down and covered his face.

                "Jack, wake up," Ana said loudly, but gently, giving his shoulder a light shake.

                Still no response.

                "C'mon lad," Gibbs chimed in somewhat nervously, joining Ana at Jack's side.

                Ana tugged on Jack's shoulder once more and rolled him onto his back.  His eyes were closed and his breathing steady, indicating his comatose state.

                "Probably fer th' better 'fore he hurt 'imself—or us—further."  Gibbs muttered, watching Ana's stoic face for her reaction.

                Ana glared heartlessly down at the unconscious pirate captain, a single thought running through her head but meant solely for Jack.  'Ye best win; finish it…one way or th' other.'

~*~

                'What d'you want from me?'  Jack asked bluntly, glaring into the now-familiar fog-enclosed clearing.  'If ye're gonna be demandin' me t' kill my friends, at least let me know who ya are.'

                The memorable, spine-tingling chuckle bounced from the fog and surrounded him on an unfelt breeze, but forcing him to make himself as small as possible all the same before vanishing.  Jack however, would not be so easily defeated.  ''nough with the little mind tricks, show yerself!'

                'Now really Jack, who are you to be ordering me?'   

                'Well, this is my turf as it were-'

                'Was your territory.  You belong to me now...did you forget already?'

                'I ne'er belonged t' you!'  Jack's mind voice snarled hotly.

                'I beg to differ.  There will be a punishment for your insolence!'

                'Like wha—arack!'  Jack's retort died and was transformed into a cry of pain as the delicate needles of fire-energy once again lent their power to the task of taming the pirate.  They jabbed hastily into his skin, and then slowly began to dig their way deeper and deeper into his body.  As their task drew itself out, the pain was amplified a hundred-fold.

                Jack yelped and writhed, trying desperately to escape and to prevent his cruelty from his friends from recurring.

                'Stop struggling Jack.  You're only making it worse, stubborn pirate.'

                'Stubbornness is…my specialty…' Jack managed weakly through gritted teeth, his cocked grin slowly appearing.

                The fog flared red and twitched in irritation, then decided itself.  Swirling down in a flash, it drew into a feminine figure.  Her raven hair, deathly pale skin, and plain black dress were constantly shifting, never staying in one shape at a time.

                ''bout…time,' as Jack finished his statement, his strength drained from him completely, leaving him struggling to keep his eyes open, while he allowed his arms, legs, and head to fall limp.

                'Enough!!'

                The spines disappeared as they had before, the time leaving their scars on the pirate's body.  Jack was dropped to the ground, half-conscious and drawing hoarse breaths.  He flopped a bit, trying to draw his feet beneath him and stand, but having no success.  As fatigue took its toll, he laid still, his weight focused on his forearms and hip, just grateful to be breathing.

                'I can't be destroying my property just as it has been broken.'

                Jack remained unresponsive to her, but still clearly aware.

                'Get up, Jack.  Get up and finish your job!'

                When the pirate didn't even acknowledge her, fog tentacles stretched from the base of her dress and gently lifted Jack by the arms so he was hanging off the ground.  His hair fell over his face, hiding his eyes from her as he didn't have the strength to raise his head.

                The woman glided forward on the air, stretched out her hand and placed it beneath Jack's chin.  She lightly lifted his head to meet her eyes, her touch sending a sensation of both fire and ice coursing through his blood.  'Obey me, Jack.'

[a/n:  Please review, it means a lot to me.]