Disclaimer: Perhaps it is a good reason I don't own them. Disney takes much better care of them when they are playing…when I borrow them, they seem to leave with far more scrapes and bruises then when they started out with. Is that bad?
Haunted
Chapter 11
Darkness and heat…all consuming, it was everything, everywhere. Jack felt like he'd been swimming non-stop for days. If he stopped for even a moment, he would surely drown. Sometimes he could hear whispered voices, some calling out his name. What he heard most of the time though, were things from living nightmares. Voices screaming at him, calling to him, Osrick's and Barbossa's included. Those from his past and some he had never heard before came to bombard him.
He relived over and over the events that had caused him to fall into this darkness. Each stab and blow he struck out. The screaming of his own voice, Will's, Elizabeth's, Ana's…Osrick's laughter. The blood he saw…the wounds he saw, he created. The mind battle with Osrick and all the images that had been implanted and scorched into his memory, true or false, were all seen with vivid clarity. The last of his family deaths, the Pearl being destroyed, all three of his companions he'd tried to save, killed. Elizabeth shot, Will brought down by a sword, Ana stabbed with the fork by his own hands. Jack could at times feel the blood of all three flowing around him.
Then there were the dark creatures that lashed out at every chance. They persistently clawed him, pushing and pulling as he drifted down with the strong current to a place he didn't know. Along the way he would see blurry and warped scenes from troubled days of his past. Letting himself drown almost seemed preferable to the nightmare world the pirate found him self in. Almost.
For one, he was Captain Jack Sparrow and he would not allow himself to fall prey to whatever was working against him this time. But even pride wouldn't have lasted in the hell he found himself in. No, what gave him hope, slim as it may be, hope that he would some how get out of there, was the brief moments of peace. Peace that came with the soft voices that sometimes penetrated through everything and reached his battered and troubled heart, body, and soul. The soft whispers that brought with them a calm and coolness. The darkness became less threatening and the nightmares and voices faded.
He would call out to Will, Ana, Elizabeth, Gibbs, even Norrington, just to see if someone would answer. Mostly though, he called to Ana, for he trusted her to save him above everyone else. He needed her to save him now.
It had been two weeks. Two. Long. Weeks. Ana sighed with exhaustion and worry, though anyone who saw her wouldn't see either on her features. She absently scratched at the bandages that covered her chest underneath her white, loose blouse. She reached down and picked up the cool, unmoving hand that lay limp on the bed. No response.
"Jack…the doctor said Will is gonna be ok now." She looked over at the sleeping blacksmith who was no more than a couple of feet away from her pirate captain. This was actually a rare moment when Elizabeth was not by his side. She'd been forced by her father and the doctor to a bed of her own to rest.
"He's safe now…you can come back." She squeezed his hand to strengthen her point. "It was bad at first, just like you. 'e had a terrible burin' fever…almost lost 'em once. Ye don' 'ave t' worry 'bout me, 'm fine. Elizabeth is fine…Jack-" she choked on tears and words as she looked down blinking them back. She pulled his hand up to her cheek, laying his palm against it. The tears fell onto his finger tips and trailed down his hand. Ana wished with all her being that his hand would move. It didn't.
"'m so sorry Jack…it's my fault yer here." She shuddered at the memories of her attack on Jack. They would haunt her forever. "I would gladly give me life jus' t' see ye open yer eyes. Ye 'ave t' get through this. Ye can't leave me after all we went through t' get out. We got out Jack…tha's gotta count fer somethin'."
She looked back down at his bare pale skin. She'd been able to convince their hosts to keep Jack's trinkets and bread intact, but they had removed the kohl lining his eyes as they had washed his face. He had three thick wool sheets piled atop of his shirtless, sweaty, fevered body. A heavy bandage was wrapped around his left shoulder. The doctor had said that the wound was a clean cut and should heal well. It didn't make her feel any better, in fact, watching how many stitches it required made it all the worse. But the torso wound was by far the worst and the one, Ana remembered, that she had enjoyed so much inflicting.
"I thought-I thought you were someone else Jack." She placed his hand back down on the bed and slid the sheets down so she could see the bandages that covered his torso. Ana sighed and shook her head at how much weight it seemed he had lost since he'd been bed ridden. "I should've seen you! I should've heard you! Why didn't-" her voice cracked as she swiped at the tears viciously. "Why didn't I know it was you…" Ana's voice had softened as she lowered her hand to gently touch the bandage.
When the doctor had first glanced at it, he had said Jack wouldn't last the night. Ana and her dagger had convinced him otherwise. It was just too bad the commodore had been there to restrain her. Upon closer examination the doctor was shocked to see that wound had actually partially healed. If it had not, the doctor swore, the pirate would have bled to death. It had required even more stitching than the shoulder injury.
"If'n ye don' come back…I won' be able t' forgive myself Jack. I won' be able t' live wit meself. I need t' hear ye say you forgive me again…to convince me that I some 'ow still deserve ye here with me." She brought the sheets back up to Jack's chest, unable to look at the injuries she'd produced any longer. Ana ran her hand over his forehead lightly and could feel the burning heat emitting from it. "Please…come back t' me." It was a plea for his life and hers.
"Let go…" Came a mutter. Ana's eyes widened and she reached for his hand.
"Jack?"
"Stop…can't-can't breathe…" His voice was so soft, but it held a vulnerability that she'd not heard in his voice since she'd been by his side for the past two weeks.
"Jack, wake up! It's a nightmare!"
"'elp…get away…Osrick…" Jack's head moved slightly back and forth as new beads of sweat formed.
"He's dead Jack, he's gone remember! Ye killed 'im, the bastard, ye sent 'im t' 'ell." Ana argued with the pirate. She squeezed his hand as hard as she could.
"Stop hurtin' 'im. Why can't I stop hitting him?" Jack asked.
"It's not yer fault," Ana shook her head.
"Ana…I-I jus'…dead…no…" The pirate's head shook, trying to deny whatever dreams he was seeing.
"I'm right here!" Ana exclaimed.
She's here…I can hear her again…
The door flew open and an exhausted looking Dr. Phillips stood in the doorway looking at the two pirates.
"What's wrong?" He asked. Ana shot a glare at him that caused him to recoil.
"Leave."
"But he-"
"Go, I said!"
Dr. Phillips shook his head slowly. He'd met with that crazy woman's knife once, he didn't wish to repeat it. The door closed with a slam, but Ana was beyond hearing anything but Jack.
"Jack, wake up."
"So…tired…" Jack uttered.
"Don' stop fighting! Damn ye, don' stop! You will not let 'im win!" Sobs raked her body as she continued to verbally fight for his life. "So 'elp me Sparrow, I will skin yer hide if ye leave me here with out ye!"
The nightmares are fading…
"Peace…jus' a lit'l…rest…" Jack whispered.
"Jus' wake up Jack and I'll give ye all the peace you need, jus'…" her voice softened, but the gentle plea came from deep within her, "…don' leave me."
One hand squeezed his while the other caressed his warm cheek. It became silent again. She looked down and saw his face soften.
The light is back.
"Why don't you come back Jack?" Ana asked. "I don't know 'ow much longer I can face this guilt alone…where are you?" She picked up the cloth that sat in the cool water in the bowl placed atop the small table. She slowly began patting it softly against his forehead.
A cool breeze began to caress him.
"Yer not suppose t' be there Jack. 'm suppose t' be there…all 'at pain an' sufferin'…suppose t' be mine…I promise I'll make it up to you. There's so much we 'aven't done yet. Yer a legend and legends aren't suppose t' end like this…" She sighed and wet the cloth again. "There are things I 'ave to tell ya. I meant te forgive you fer all the things ye did. I don' blame you for all the things Osrick did…not one. I realized Jack…we 'ave somethin' that not too many people do. 'e saw that and tried to rip it away, but we won. Now we 'ave t' live even if just t' spite him. I ne'er said before because I was too afraid…there's a part o' me that-a lot o' me-" she sighed and shook her head. "All of me Jack, loves ye. Fer the rest o' my life I'll try to give ye anything ye ask of me…to make it up to you."
He swam, it was now or never…
Ana gasped when she heard a muttered word come from Jack's lips. She'd seen them move!
"Jack, speak t' me, what did you say?" She leaned forward, eager to hear him.
"Rum."
Ana blinked before shaking her head.
"What?"
"Rum love…could…really use some," He whispered. Ana watched as his eyes opened half way and they gazed up at her as a smile tugged at his dry lips. She blinked again, trying to absorb what he had just said.
"Rum…" She repeated.
"Aye."
"RUM! After all that! Ye ask for rum? Bloody rum!" Ana yelled.
"Ye said…ye'd get me anythin' I asked…"
Ana sat in shock, doing nothing but blinking.
"Of all the stupid-" She was cut off by his hand reaching up and touching her cheek softly, his eyes twinkling, but still weak.
"Ye got 'at look in yer eyes," Jack said softly.
"What look?" She asked in the same tone. He chuckled.
"Ye want t' slap th' daylights outta me. Don' blame ye…"
Ana let the words sink in and let her momentary anger slip away. He was back, and he hadn't changed a bit. "Jack, ye bloody…daft…pirate." She began shaking her head and laughing as tears filled her eyes. "Daft…stupid man," She leaned down and kissed his forehead, but he pulled her head down to meet her lips with his own. They pressed gently together and stayed for a moment. Ana savored the touch as tears streamed happily down her face. He pulled away and whispered, "Ye saved me again."
"What?" She pulled back.
"I 'eard ye…you made all the darkness go away…I could hear your voice…talkin' t' me. It brought me here."
Ana looked down, a bit shocked.
"Jack, I-"
Loud voices could be heard as footsteps echoed from outside the door, it suddenly opened and Dr. Phillips was explaining rapidly to Elizabeth the events that had taken place minutes before. Ana wiped at the tears as Elizabeth's gaze fell on her and Jack. Elizabeth's gasp cut off the doctor's words and they both stood in the doorway gapping at the two pirates.
"'ello love," Jack smiled weakly.
"He's alright Elizabeth," Ana nodded, but frowned at the doctor.
"Jack…you're ok!" Elizabeth exclaimed happily. She hurried over to the opposite side of the bed and smiled down at him. Dr. Phillips realized the special moment and silently took his leave.
"Aye…fer now." Jack managed a toothy grin for a moment and it caused both women to bubble with happiness and laugh.
"We were so worried about you, you had lost so much blood," Elizabeth had grown somber, looking down at him. The smile and glitter left Jack's face as he seemed to contemplate something.
"The…lad…" Elizabeth motioned with her head past Ana and Jack weakly looked in the direction indicated. Will lay still in the bed, seemingly unmoving. "Is 'e goin' t' be alright?" Jack's voice was flat and held no emotion. Everyone looked over at the sleeping form, but didn't speak.
"With two beautiful women looking after me, how could I not?" Will rolled his head to the side to look over at the small group, a smile on his face.
"Been keepin' 'em busy?" Jack quirked an eyebrow, but couldn't help the bright smile that split his face at seeing the young blacksmith awake and speaking. Elizabeth shook her head and walked over to Will's bed.
"Other way around," Will laughed. After lightly kissing Will's forehead, Elizabeth carefully helped him to sit up. He too was wrapped in bandages, and it did not go unnoticed by the newly awakened pirate. Will pulled up the blankets to cover his bandages, seeing the sadness and guilt in the pirate's eyes despite the smile on his face.
"It's good t' see ya, mate," Jack nodded.
"As is you. Couldn't very well live in a world without the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow, could we?" Will teased.
"Aye," Jack paused for a brief moment, but continued, "t'would be a terrible fate."
The door opened again and this time commodore Norrington stood in its frame looking as stern as ever. Everyone's gaze in the room fell on the man standing as he took in what was happening in the room.
"Jack Sparrow…" His voice was low and ominous, his heavy-lidded stare never leaving Jack.
"Aye," Jack returned the eye-contact, not faltering even in his weakened state. The commodore stepped into the room, closed the door, and for a long moment, continued his stare. Suddenly he blinked, and a smile spread across his face as a small chuckle escaped his lips and he shook his head.
"You must have a pact with the devil," James Norrington laughed.
"Nah, 'e jus' has a hard time catchin' me," Jack grinned without missing a beat.
"I must say, on behalf of so many…" Norrington paused again, as if having doubts about what he was saying. "…thank you." One of the very few times anyone had ever seen, Jack looked like he was caught off guard.
"'cuse me…must be havin' problems wit me hearin', I could've sworn ye jus' said 'thank you'." Jack shook his head.
Norrington chuckled again. "You saved these people from a diabolical mad-man. Elizabeth told me all about what happened and what you did. I knew you were different, but I never knew how much, and I am man enough to admit that."
Jack's smile faded and he looked confused as an emotion was beginning to settle into his eyes, one that had never really been there before until the events that had taken place. "I don' understand…" He looked over at Elizabeth with a questioning look. "How could ye 'ave told him and he not want to-"
"The commodore and my father were so happy with your actions that saved us while Os-that vile man-did the things he did to us, especially Will and you. Your bravery and courage to distract and then battle him has touched them both. You will be allowed time to recover safely and passage back to your ship without any hindrance from the royal navy," Elizabeth smiled brightly.
"My men have found his body and have disposed of it. They also found the man that had owned the house. He was found dead on the beach; he'll be given a proper Christian burial…he was shot. Elizabeth has wished it that the house be burned, I doubt you will object?" Norrington reported in his militaristic way. Jack shook his head silently, absorbing everything. "There is also another matter…" Jack's gaze slid back to the commodore, waiting. Ana's hand slipped back into his, a comfort in more ways than one.
"Instead of disguising your selves to attend the wedding…you will be permitted to be honored guests, by order of the Governor of Port Royal." Norrington's eyes twinkled despite the controlled expression on his face as he watched Jack's brow raise.
"We did that bad, eh?" The pirate captain glanced at his first mate. "Told ye you should've picked out somethin' better…" he muttered.
"ME! Ye dressed me as yer slave!" Ana yelled. "Which…we still need t' talk 'bout." Ana's face softened and she squeezed his hand.
"There's something else too Jack. I want you to be my best man, stand beside me when it happens, instead of hiding in the crowd," Will smiled as he proposed the idea. Jack's mouth hung slack for a moment before he grinned and asked, "Do I 'ave t' dress up?"
"Of course you do!" Elizabeth laughed. "This will be a proper wedding, pirate or not." The pirate frowned a bit. Ana rolled her eyes and looked at Elizabeth.
"'e'll dress up fer it, I'll make sure o' that."
"You're invited too, of course, Ana," Will chuckled. Ana smiled softly.
"There is still a matter where this wedding will take place," Elizabeth added softly.
"What do ye mean?"
"Due to the events that took place, the governor doesn't feel that a wedding in a church can be safe enough. Something else will have to done," the commodore answered.
Jack grinned and lit up his face. "I think I can take care o' the governor's fear."
A/N…ummm…no excuse…other than been running around all of South Florida like a chicken with its head cut off. I wouldn' blame ya all if'n ye jumped ship by now. looks around wearily Bad author!!! I'll let Amber give me a few whacks…mutters not that she hasn't already. I was gonna wait to post until I actually finished the next chapter, but it was suggested I post, so if you wanted this to be finished, blame her. Anyway, hope this was up to par with everything else. Does anyone have a kind of catnip for muses???? That would be very profitable…Glares at Lucky who shrugs
Thank yews:
TrappedandAnnoyed: hehehe…me? Kill Jack?? NAHHHHH
Kungfuchick: yea, passing out sucks…although I've never passed out…so I guess I can't really say.
Inu Lover: bows deeply Thank you very much, I am proud when you can say something like that!! Thank you!
LavieSansAmour: Lol, well, I can promise I hope it'll be as good as this. Yes, he's dead!!! sings Ding Dong, the Osricks dead, the Osricks dead-ok…hehehe, ye can still eye-gouge and make soup all ye like!
Kacijo12: hehehe, glad you enjoyed it. No Jack die??? Guess I made the right choice then, huh?? Lol…awww, they better be tears of joy here!! Lol, yer welcome t' kill him again, be my guest. In fact…sets up stand in front of tent Step right up, step right up!! Ladies and gen-and ladies! Fer a dollar each, ye can all take whacks at Osrick!! Keep comin back for more, till there isn't anymore!! Come now, while he lasts!!
French Chipmunk: Lol, aye, most people should be worried if they come after lil' ole me… Thank you for your wonderful compliment. He kinda just showed up on his own, I really don't know where he came from. But for suggestions, if I may, watch some movies or read books with really good bad guys, and borrow ideas from those.
Ferntree: hehehe, s'ok…I confused my self a couple of times. Thank you, lol, I love it when readers get caught up in it, so yell all ye like!
Capt.cow:HAHAHAHAHAHAAH…sorry about those images, just a taste of what I have runnin' through my head! Scary place to be, no?
Lykosdracos: Wow…thanks for reading and reviewing all that. I'm really touched that you would go through each chapter like that. Yup, lilsnoopy is me…blushes, but holds out hand to shake Pleasure t' meet ya. Thanks for looking me up! I'll have to return the favor ;o) Hehe, ye help me take on the Disney peeps, I'll gladly introduce you. Thanks for all your wonderful compliments and comments, you had me laughing and smiling.
Ahiflame: oi…I wouldn't have wanted to see that anyway mate…looks at all the blood hehehe..but attempts on his life are just so much fun. Shall we count the times you have done so? OUCH!!! See, I knew she'd whack me!!! growls
Jackfan2: blush the rest is coming I swear!! I wouldn't not leave you hangin…ok, at least not forever anyway. Hehe, thanks mate. Always happy t' hear what you have to say. I appreciate everything and am very grateful to have you here. Thanks!!