Author's Note's: This time I had a end of the year , super long research paper hindering me from writing, I'm dreadfully sorry. And thank you to the two people who actually reviewed. Raine and Jeyke, I love you two!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And if there's anyone else out there who's not mad enough at me to review, I'd greatly appreciate it if you did. It's really simple, just hit the purple button!!!!!

jeyke: Hun, I'm sorry it didn't come out any sooner. You have every right to flame me. Have at it. Sure, he'll have the surprise of his life all right. Methinks it's just not the way you had in mind...But I dunno. I'm really struggling with these next few chapters, so updates could come few and in between!

Raine: I'm sorry too. But you know what I'm dealing with and the dumb scenes I must be writin' in the pretty near future, so gimme a break! Puh-lease????

Chapter 19:

It took several seconds for his eyes to adjust to the darkness of the small room. It was crowded and had a peculiar smell like nothing he'd ever smelt before.

The first figure he saw after his eyes took his breath away, as if someone had punched him in the stomach. It was Melia. At least, he thought it was Melia's, but he'd never seen her like this before. AT that first glance he felt something within the depths of his very being die. She was incredibly pale, the pallor of her skin accented by the moonlight flowing over her shrunken form. Her dark hair was fanned out behind her head and her long lashes contrasted greatly to her pale cheeks. A limp hand rested atop the coverlet. Her body barely made a ripple in the fabric of the discolored blanket. She didn't move. Didn't stir. He could barely make out the rise and fall of her chest and it was only by that rise and fall that he could tell she was even alive. He felt his chest tighten and knew that tonight, for the first time since his mother died when he was a young lad, he was going to cry.

He moved as if to go to her, but then shrank back. Did he dare impose upon the shred of life that she was still clinging to? If he woke her would death's grip only increase? Could he stand to watch her breath her last? What if she should reach out to him? Could he bare the sure iciness of her fingers? Would he be able to---?

The questions swirling about in his mind abruptly came to a halt when a hand touched his shoulder. He spun around, pistol drawn, prepared to fight. He let out his breath and lowered the gun to his side when he saw Treva. The look on her face sent shivers racing up and down his spine and he gave an involuntary shiver. The look of hopelessness was almost more than his tortured spirit could bare. He could barely voice the question that pounded at his temples, making his head hurt terribly. His eyes must have betrayed him, because Treva's fleshy hand tightened on his shoulder.

"She's been awaitin' fer ya. Go to her."

"Is she..?" He bit back the end of his question.

"She's been ahangin' on. Won't let go afore she hears yer voice."

"Let go of what?" His voice was hollow, choked.

"She'll hang onta life as long as it takes, but she's not leavin' us til you go to 'er!"

"I don't want her to go--"

"She's in too much pain to go on livin'. It be the best thing."

"For who?!" Jack's voice was filled with hate. How could her leaving him be the best thing? He needed her, couldn't live without her. Had to hold on to her. Would never let her go. Ever.

Treva looked at him, her eyes mirroring his pain.

"Fer her. Don't know how I'm gonna go on livin' without 'er. Don't want to think on it. But losin' her baby killed her spirit. Now it's gonna kill her body. You gots to let go. I already let go. Dem girls downstairs are tryin' to let go. But you have to. Don't make her feel bad about leavin'."

"She lost...the baby...." Jack stared at Treva incredulously. "The baby? It's gone?" The words wouldn't register in his mind. "It died?"

Treva looked away from him. "Aye, she died. Melia washed 'er body with her own tears. Made a tiny gown with her own fingers. Dug the grave 'erself."

"When...?"

"Last night."

Jack's world froze as the words sank in. And for a long moment he was unable to breath. Melia's baby was gone. He felt a bit of his heart wretched out. He'd loved that child like it was his. Before Melia had requested to be taken back to Port Royal, he'd dreamed about the three of them traveling the Spanish Main. About teaching the wee child the secrets of the sea. Of making Melia and her unborn infant his own. Of begging her to reconsider going back to real civilization. But now...Everything had come crashing down on him. All his dreams, his goals, his plans, everything.

A pathetic moan jerked him from his thoughts and to the small bed instantly. Without even thinking he was kneeling by her side. Had her hand almost crushed between his own. Her eyes were wide in disbelief. She withdrew her hand from both of his and reached out as if to touch his face, but then hesitated. He felt tears well up in his eyes when he saw the ones in her own. She licked cracked lips and barely managed to faintly whisper.

"Jack? Is that really you?"