SayDee27: Wow! What a review! You make me feel so special! Yay! I'm glad I did that chapter right. I was kinda stuck on how to make Jack...right. I'm glad you liked it

jeyke: Hon, if you killed Jack off in your story what exactly would be the point of it? It's like blasphemy or something!

Raine Ishida: *sigh, unsigh* You win. I can't believe I'm doing this, but here goes the end of my writing career.

You guys whatever you do, don't kill me until it's all said and done.

Chapter 17:

"Treva, how is she?" Lies asked the older woman the instant she had shut the door to Melia's room.

"Bad fever an' delirious. She be chattin' wid invisible persons in dere."

"But will she live?"

"I can't rightly say dearie. She been through an awful lot...an' I ain't no doctor neither. Methinks...I dunno what to think anymore. Iffen He owes ye any favors, now's de time to be askin' fer 'em." Treva looked down.

"Kin I go in an' see 'er?" Meg asked softly.

"She won't know yer there lovie."

"Kin I?"

"As ye wish. C'mon Lies, let's go."

"But..."

"Now Lies."

Meg gave Lies an apologetic look before disappearing into Melia's room.

"Gracie? Is that you?" Melia asked, looking Meg directly in the eyes. Meg remained silent.

"Hello, Gracie darling, how are you?" No response.

"Lovely weather we're having, don't you think?" Meg glanced out the window at the overcast day.

"What's the matter? Are you mad at me dear?" Meg just looked at her.

"Gracie! Talk to me!" Melia said frantically. Still Meg stayed quiet.

"Gracie! Please!" Melia was getting hysterical. "Gracie, what did I do?!"

Meg snapped out of her trace and slowly moved toward the bed where Melia was muttering something incoherently. Meg reached to adjust the blankets.

"Don't touch me!" Melia screamed. Meg jumped back, trying to regain her wits.

"It's okay luv. Remember me? It's Meggie darlin'. I don't want ta hurt 'cha none. Don't worry." Meg could see Melia was slipping back into silent slumber. She began to back out of the room.

"Gracie?" Meg hesitated.

"Grace!?"

"Yes dear?"

"Would you make that baby stop crying?" Meg frowned.

"Ah...What baby dear?"

"It's really...close. You'll find it....It sounds....so...sad." Melia whispered before drifting off into sleep.

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"Okay, gents. At last it be time I might see some of ye ever again. I just wants all of ye ta know dat yer a fine crew an' it's been a pleasure ta have ye in me service an' iffen in de future if ye needs work, I'll do everythin' in me power ta make sure ye'll be on me ship. Until that fateful day...Well, I hope dat I never see any of ye ever 'gain." Jack smiled and the crew laughed.

"Off with ye now!" The was a loud yell from the ex-crew and soon Jack's ship was empty save for him and Mitty.

"Ah...Sir, it's been a real pleasure bein' yer first mate an' all. I...uh...always kinda viewed you as me own son. An'...Well, iffen yer ever in need of a first mate, ye know where I stay. I'll miss ye lad." Jack smiled genuinely.

"Same stuff back to ye mate." He stuck out his hand, but the big man ignored it and gave him a big bear hug.

"See ye 'round ye big oaf." Jack said.

"Likewise ye little bumbling misfit." Mitty turned and began to climb down the later that lead to the dock.

"An' son! Tell yer lassie I says 'hello'!" He yelled.

"That I will sir!"

Jack watched Mitty from the helm until he could no longer see the big man. He turned and walked toward his cabin to get a few things before leaving. There was no point in staying on the tremendous ship without anyone on it. He scanned the room for things he would need. He looked over Melia's trunks and decided to surprise her and bring her back a fresh dress. He rummage through the trunks until he found a simple, spicy green dress that he knew would bring out her eyes. He looked around for the other little things that she often wore, but after a few minutes decided she'd have to put up with it the way it was with out fancy trimmings. He took another long look around the room before heading out the door.