DISCLAIMER: I think we all know the truth. But for those who want to know, here it is: I do not claim ownership of anything you recognize. They belong to whom they belong and those people know who they are. Savvy?

Summary: For years Jack has kept his darkest secret close beside him. However, he is forced to tell Ana the truth when a mysterious figure confronts Jack and claims to know the answers Jack seeks. J/A. Rating for some violence.

Half-Life

Part 11

The sensation of cool water being poured slowly into his mouth frightened him into motion; he jerked his head sharply away from the liquid and continued to struggle when the cup followed his lips. When a strong hand held his head in place he lashed out with all his strength, weak though he was.

"Easy lad, easy. Don't fight it, you'll 'urt yourself further." Gradually, as his strength began to diminish, the words came into focus with a memory from years long past.

Fever-glazed chocolate eyes opened hesitantly and dazedly looked around the candlelit room. The confused gaze fell on two familiar men who were locked in a whispered argument, apparently over him.

So this wasn't a memory being relived as a dream. But he had been so sure it was. When Gibbs had spoken he had sounded so like Bootstrap…

Jack sharply stopped that train of thought where it stood. He had no desire to revisit those baffling years of his life. Too many good memories turned bitter by the loss of a close friend.

The quiet bickering between Gibbs and the ship's surgeon, Thomas, was growing louder and more sharply-worded by the minute. The noise was driving the irritating throbbing in Jack's skull to a painful pounding. It had to be stopped.

"Gibbs, wha's goin' on? An' speak quietly, man!" Gibbs and Thomas both jumped noticeably at the words from their captain; neither had noticed his awakening due to their argument.

"Jack! Thank Heaven!" Gibbs breathed as he set down the cup of water he had been holding.

Jack chose to ignore Gibbs' comment and dragged himself up, bracing his weight back on his elbows. He instantly regretted it; moving—even breathing—sent jolts of pain through his body and he clenched his jaw tightly in a grimace. "Bloody bad idea," he muttered through his teeth as both Gibbs and Thomas nodded their agreement.

"Captain Sparrow, you need to rest," Thomas said carefully, knowing very well how difficult a patient his captain became when he was awake.

"Tha' depends. 'ow long 'ave I been out? Gibbs, don' lie," he added when the older sailor's mouth opened quickly, indicating a fib was soon to come.

Gibbs closed his mouth and silently calculated the amount of time his captain had truly spent in the realm of unconsciousness. "Well sir," he began formally, "we found you an' Ana early this morn-"

Jack lurched upright at the mention of Ana's name, completely ignoring his torn body's protests. "Ana! Is she alright?!"

Gibbs and Thomas exchanged slow looks and their hesitation to answer sent a chill of fear through Jack despite the raging heat of his fever. The two came to a silent decision and Thomas rose to give the others room, which frightened Jack all the more.

"Gibbs, answer. Is she alright?"

The look on Gibbs' face was answer enough and Jack's heart dropped to his gut. He looked down and clenched the sheets tightly in his fists, suddenly feeling very ill but not from his injuries.

"I'm sorry Jack. She didn't last past noon."

Jack leaned forward and buried his face in the sheets, allowing his silent tears to develop into sobs. He didn't care who saw. Ana was dead and his world was shattered.

a/n: Yes, I know, another short chapter. I'm terribly sorry that they've been so short lately, but I'm afraid they will stay that way until the end. Which, by the way, is only 2 chappys away! Thank you so much for the reviews! They mean the world to me (seriously). Please keep them coming!