Disclaimer: I do not own anything recognisable from Pirates of the Caribbean. I am making no money from this.

Clipped Wings Heal

Chapter Two

- - -

AnaMaria sat with Jack for the whole journey, the pirate never once regaining consciousness again. The dark skinned woman was getting more than a little worried. They would reach Port Royal within moments and things might get better, but then it might get worse. Ana had no idea just how well the medic at the Fort could work. No one had any idea of how severe Jack's wounds were, only Jack could really inform them of that. Ana stroked Jack's cheek lightly.

"You know we never did get to square up on that wager Jack." She said softly, hoping there was something somewhere in Jack's consciousness that could hear her. "Come back to me and I promise to make good on my side." She whispered, leaning towards his ear. Ana's lips touched at Jack's cheek momentarily before she pulled back. Smiling lightly at the prone form of her Captain. Ana realised that she had been referring to Jack as hers for some time now. Thinking back it was hard to remember when it all started, but she knew that her possessive nature over Jack was actually what had started most of the little adventure which led to the handsome man lying in this bed upon the Royal Navy ship.

- - - Flashback - - -

The tavern was lit dully, candles littering the whole tavern giving the occupants a glow of an unearthly nature. The crew of the notorious Black Pearl were sitting in the tavern in Tortuga, named the Green Clove, enjoying a celebration of an extremely successful loot of a Spanish vessel bound for the Kings Palace. Gibbs sat with Ana, Cotton and Jack at the bar, ordering round after round for the entire crew. The rum and ale was flowing, the entertainment never ceased and the whores thought their week had been made. Some of the men were so drunk it didn't matter if all the woman did was sit and drink with them, they were still being paid for their services and getting free drink and food. A particularly pretty young woman made her way to Jack's side, hearing that he was indeed the Captain of the celebrating men.

"You must be a very wealthy man now Captain," Gibbs snorted and Ana scowled as Jack looked the girl over, "why don't I show you what wealthy men get round these parts?" She batted her eyelashes at him, putting on a sweet smile that would pass as a pout. Jack continued to pick at the meat caught in his teeth.

"Got a name luv?" She smiled at him, clearly thinking that she had got her way.

"It's Jasmine, I suit it well. I'm always in full bloom at night." Her hand ran over Jack's shoulder and down to his chest. Jack looked at the offending hand, raising and eyebrow before looking back at a smirking Gibbs and a still scowling AnaMaria.

"Listen Jasmine, no disrespect but I have an early start tomorrow and a prior engagement with a witty young woman that I dare not break. Perhaps another time." Jack lifted her hand from his chest and made to stand up. The small brunette however didn't appear to understand the meaning of no. She smiled at him again, moving closer to Jack and began to paw at his chest.

"Now why would you want to pass up this opportunity? I might not be available next time?" She smiled, still trying to work her way onto his lap even though he was standing. Jack reached for his drink took a large swallow then turned back to Jasmine.

"Listen pet, I really don't have the time." She pouted more and Jack was beginning to feel uncomfortable under her manhandling. Truth be told he wasn't much into whores at that point, they were just…old. But this one seemed rather persistent and Jack was soon about to tell her he just wasn't interested, but then hadn't he already done that? He was close to snapping at her constant pawing when Ana snapped first.

"In case you don't understand just what he means," Ana got out of her chair and grabbed the girl by the shoulders, "no means 'I really don't want to pay you to get something that might end up killing me' so take a hike lass." Jack almost smiled at Ana's nature there; he had a sneaky suspicion that the dark skinned hellcat didn't like other women near Jack. And truth be told he sort of felt the same. Only it would be other men, not women…yeah.

"What? You his strumpet?" Jasmine snarled, not backing down she ought to. The whole crew had now noticed the building tension between Jack, Ana and Jasmine, a few were starting to round up the others and vacate the tavern. "Must say," Jasmine looked Ana up and down before sneering, "I'm sure he could do so much better than you."

Ana was clearly a few seconds away from tearing the other woman apart; Jack and Gibbs both grabbed one of Ana's arms effectively holding her back. But Jasmine was very much a stupid little girl. She sneered again, her nose scrunching up in a very unattractive way, before she slapped Ana across the face. Everyone was still. Jack looked at Gibbs and both released Ana's arms simultaneously. The pirate female lunged at the slighter whore and quickly had the smaller woman on the ground, straddled and proceeded to punch at the lass. Jack quickly remembered Ana's strength and hauled his First Mate off the other woman and threw her over his shoulder where she screamed her protests, kicked and punched and in all other forms attempted to get free of Jack's grasp. Gibbs left the tavern followed by a few of the men who hadn't left before and then Jack carrying a protesting AnaMaria. It was only when they reached the Pearl that Ana was placed on her own two feet. She stood glaring at Jack but he just smiled. He caressed the small print on her cheek where the redness of the slap was starting to show and their eyes met.

"Thanks luv." Ana clearly didn't understand, but Jack smiled and his voice left her unable to respond. Jack walked away from her, heading for the helm. Ana placed a hand over her cheek and smiled to herself.

In the confrontation and the rush none of the pirates had noticed the dastardly Red-Eyes sitting in the back, watching in admiration as AnaMaria defended her captain and then her own reputation against the cocky whore. Red-Eyes decided right then that he had wanted AnaMaria on his ship, by his side, defending him. And by God Red-Eyes always got what he wanted.

- - - End Flashback - - -

That was when it had started. There were a few ships out of place the following week, a few scattered abnormalities in the way some pirates were working. Ships that were completely under armed were attacking the Pearl for no reason. No one could figure why, there was no obvious reason for it all. That was the main reasoning the attack came by surprise, which was why they weren't ready for it. The day before the Mermaid's Song attacked the Pearl had been involved in a three-way battle with two smaller pirate ships. All in all there had been little damage to the ship but some of the crew had been injured, and that was what caused the Mermaid to over power the Pearl in firepower. After that it all made sense, the Pearl was being tired out, they were getting her to use all the cannons, all the weapons, wearing out the crew. It worked too. There were about seven men in all that stood any chance, and seven men out of fourteen didn't do much good, not against a fully armed ship and crew. Ana had seen the injuries that were dealt to the crew of the Pearl, and the Captain, but she hadn't understood why men would back away from her. But when the blow to her head came she passed out and regained consciousness on the Mermaid. Red-Eyes had told her she was staying there, if she refused then the Pearl would be destroyed and everyone on her would be killed. Ana hadn't argued from then on, the Pearl was like a home to her now, and her crew were like the family she never had.

"I never thought you would actually come after me Jack. The damage the Pearl must've took in that battle, how did you manage it?" Ana spoke, mainly to herself, in a low voice. She had yelled and yelled the day before, screaming at the top of her lungs when the Mermaid went under, Jack and Red-Eyes disappearing from sight. There was a knock at the door and Ana's head snapped up, her hand pulling away from Jack's cheek where it had previously rested.

"I wished to inform you that the Black Pearl can be seen making her way to Port Royal, it seems the water rose over the shoals in quick time. We will be docking in a few moments, the Majestic was able to get word ahead and everything is set up for Captain Sparrow." Ana nodded her head slightly at Norrington; vaguely aware that this man was helping her to hold on to her captain, to keep that grasp on his slipping life tight.

"Thank ye. Does that mean he's to be moved up deck?" Ana asked, indicating to Jack's prone form in the cot. Norrington regarded the pirate with a sincere gaze.

"Yes, Miss, I believe the sooner we get him to port the better. I shall send the stretcher back down." Norrington gave a small bow before leaving. AnaMaria didn't fail to notice the formality the Commodore was using around her. Clearly he was being cautious. And cautious he should be. Ana didn't know how well she would take being informed of her captain's death. Least of all if it was because he was trying to save her life.

- - -

James had Murtogg and Mullroy carry Jack Sparrow into a long boat and the boat was lowered to just above the water. The tide wasn't high enough for the Dauntless to dock in the harbour and so the injured would have to be rowed to shore. The pirate female had been most adamant about joining Sparrow in the boat, and no one seemed to want to cross the woman. James wasn't sure what was worse, cursed pirates who couldn't be killed or this AnaMaria in fear of her captain's life. So far he would rather have another round with the undead pirates before crossing the dark skinned woman's path.

James watched as the boat was rowed to the docks where more men helped Murtogg and Mullroy with the injured pirate. It was a startling sight. His own navy men were quick to help a fatally wounded pirate, just because he had ordered it, that struck both pride and panic in the commodore's mind. They would do anything he ordered they were so loyal to him. It was strangely comforting. One by one the boats were lowered and the injured taken to the Fort, each pirate had been slightly apprehensive but had muttered a small 'thank you' to Norrington as they passed. James had the feeling that with both the Turner's and Sparrow, should he make it, he would never live this down. But he wasn't about to stand by and allow a good man to die because of his good nature. Fool hardy and bumbling as it may be, but good none the less.

James arrived at the Fort just as Will Turner came dashing down the street, the people on the street staring at him disapprovingly.

"Commodore! James!" James stopped and turned to Will. "What's happening?"

"I take it you recognised the pirates?" James asked, not bothering much with the small crowd.

"I saw AnaMaria. What's happened?" James sighed.

"Where is your wife? You may both wish to be there." Will's face paled.

"You're not hanging him are you? James, he's a good man, don't kill him." Will was almost pleading in the street.

"I assure you Mr Turner, Jack Sparrow will not die by my hand this day. However, his condition is fearful. Bring Elizabeth to the Fort and I shall explain." Will didn't ask another question as he took off in a sprint towards the Swann/Turner mansion where his wife currently was. James sighed again, hoping that the Turner's made it to the Fort before the worst should happen.

- - -

Once Ana's arm was bandaged from a cut she had somehow got she was once more at Jack's bedside, or as close as she could get. The forts doctor had already stitched up what he could, taking care of all the obvious external damage. But in order to fully evaluate the situation he would need Jack to tell him what was sore and what wasn't.
"What happened Ana?" Will asked. There was only Will, Elizabeth, Norrington and the Groves person from earlier in the room with her and Jack now. Ana had already told the doctor what she could.

"It started in Tortuga, as most fights do. There was a whore, she was all over Jack and he had told her she wasn't interested. She didn't take the hint so I showed her. But there was someone there, someone who thought I had spirit. Spirit he wanted to control or destroy. We were ambushed after we left Tortuga, ship after ship just attacking out of the blue. The Pearl won each time, but she was weakened. We didn't make it to a port to stock up and make repairs before we were attacked by the Mermaid's Song. Ever hear of a pirate called Red -Eyes?" Norrington nodded slowly, but didn't interrupt Ana. "Well, he took a liken to me. And when he takes a liken tae ye, then he gets ye."

"He kidnapped you?" Ana nodded, looking over at Groves.

"And since Jack never really did pay attention to rules he didn't bother with the code. He came after me, after Red-Eyes. I suppose I owe him my life again." Ana paused, looking down at her prone Captain. "The Pearl caught up with the Mermaid during a battle that they were having. It was the navy ship, she was going down, but Jack showed up, the cannons were just fired, not really aiming. That was what Jack had taught the crew. In these situations you just fire and don't give a damn. So they did. The Navy ship got away and Jack crossed to the Mermaid. He had every right to do so as well. I'm a member of his crew and I was taken against me will. So Jack had come to get me back. So they fought, and then the ship started sinking and we all went under. Red-Eyes didn't come back up alive; he resurfaced and was dead. But Jack didn't come back up for a very long time." Ana had to stop there. She was sure she was about to cry and she would not do that now, not here.

"So he went down protecting you." Ana nodded at Elizabeth's comment but quickly stopped.

"He ain't down yet missy. Don't you be forgetting that." Ana sat on Jack's bed. "Jack Sparrow isn't beat yet." Ana just hopped she was right.

- - -

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