Well, here's Chapter 11. JillValentine44, hope you enjoy this one, HEHEHE. Anyway, enjoy!

CHAPTER 11: Don't Die, Don't Leave Me

The Pearl arrived in India a month later. Wasting no time Jack and Connor left and made their way into the port. They searched out someone who could give them a horse or two, so that they could travel faster. They found a man in a local pub who was willing to give them one horse for a price.

"His name's Strider." The man told them, leading them to the stables that he owned. "But ye better be careful, smallpox is spreading through India. Stay clear of most towns if you can help it, that's where it seems to be at it's worse."

Jack and Connor thanked the man and climbed onto their horse. They began to make their way to Lucknow, a day's ride away.

"What do ye make of this smallpox epidemic Jack?" Connor asked, breaking the silence.
"I think that we should be careful luv." Was his reply.

"Do ye think that Tyler. . ." She said, but didn't get to finish because Jack cut her off.

"No, I'm sure he's fine. They were probably gone by the time it started to spread."

They continued through the day and night, avoiding all the towns. They arrived at Lucknow at dawn and Connor led them to the small house where she had lived. It was now rundown, grass overgrown and windows busted. It looked as if nobody had lived there since she had.

"This is where ye grew up?" Jack asked.

"Aye, but it looked better when I actually lived here."

They made their way inside and began to look for the clue. Jack searched the downstairs while Connor headed upstairs. She entered her old room that was now empty and filled with cobwebs. On the other side of the room a note was posted on the wall.

"Jack!" Connor called. She made her way over to the note and took it down off the wall. Jack came flying into that room.

"What?"

"I found it." She said. She looked down at the note and began to read.

"Congratulations, ye have arrived at the second location. I hope you are enjoying this little scavenger hunt. Connor, how does it feel to be back home, good memories? I know you are probably dying to know the next clue so here ye go.

'Connor's parents have moved away, to place a where someone you loved lives. They have meant each other, and me. Tyler and I are positioned in this town, but you'll have to find them to figure out where. I know there is a certain man that wouldn't mind seeing you again Connor. If I remember correctly it was a letter given to him that helped bring together you and Jack for good. You have about 2 months, counting the time it took to get from the Caribbean to Ireland and then from there to here. I hope ye make it in time. Love, Thompson."

"England. He didn't even try to make this one hard. We have to go to England and visit Michael and my parents. He really didn't have to make this one hard, it'll be hard enough just to talk to them." She said glancing up at Jack.

"We can be there in about a month or so. That should be plenty of time."

"Ye don't know my parents." She said quietly. A sudden wave of dizziness crept over her and she stumbled.. Jack caught her before she hit the ground and looked at her, worry in his eyes.

"Ye alright luv?" He asked gently.

"Yeah sure, must just be excitement." She said and stood back up. "Let's go." She said as she walked out the room.

Jack followed her, doubting her answer. He followed behind her out of the house, never letting his eyes stray from her. She did look different, he noticed. She was paler and her eyes were black.

They made their way back to where the Pearl was docked. Connor was beginning to look worse and Jack insisted that she go to the local doctor before they left. She refused until Jack made it clear that they would not be leaving until she did.

She had agreed to go, but never made it off the ship as she fainted on her way to the deck. She awoke to the sound of an unfamiliar voice and footsteps retreating. She cracked open her eyes, regretting her decision to open them as the light hurt her eyes.

"Luv?" She heard Jack say. She looked up and found him in the doorway. He closed it behind him and went over to her. "Ye feeling alright?"

"What happened?" She croaked.

"Ye were on your way to the doctor when you passed out. I brought ye in here and sent for the doctor. He just left." He said softly, casting his eyes out the window.

"What did he say? It's something bad isn't it, I can tell by the way your acting. What is it?" She asked.

"You've caught smallpox luv. He said there was nothing we could do. You've already started to break out, and your on fire. He said to keep you cool and watch over ye, but that that was all that could be done. It's up to God whether you'll pull through this. You'll only get worse before you get any better, if you do get better." He said, keeping his eyes on the window.

"Hey." She said, reaching out to touch him. She pulled back though and he turned to look at her questioningly. "I don't you to get it. Ye shouldn't even be in here, it's to contagious. You should go out there."

"No. I'm to take care of ye, and I don't care if I get it." He told her.

"You should. If you get it then I die, since ye be the one taking care of me. But don't worry about me Jack, I'll be fine, I'm strong. I'll get through this. You just get us to England."

"What? We can't go anywhere, not with ye like this. What if something happens?" He said, standing and pacing.

"Then something happens. But no matter what I want Tyler saved, even if I don't make it. Could ye please stop, yer making me dizzy." She said, closing her eyes.

"Sorry." Jack mumbled. He walked over to a basin of water beside the bed and wet a cloth. He placed it on her forehead.

"Jack, please. Get us to England." She said, eyes still shut.

"Aye, aye Captain." Jack joked.

Connor got worse as they made their way to England. She was to weak to swallow, and so she hadn't eaten in a few days. She slipped in and out of consciousness and when awake, didn't remember Jack or anyone. Her temperature climbed to an alarmingly high and it was all Jack could do to keep the cool cloth on her, for it warmed as soon as it touched her. Her skin had broken out in the sores that came with smallpox, and they covered every inch of her skin.

Jack had resorted to staying in the cabin, handing the helm over to Gibbs. He sat in a corner of their cabin, watching over her. He hadn't slept ever since she had been diagnosed and it showed. Dark shadows rimmed his eyes and he fought to keep his eyes open. But he lost that battle and fell asleep.

He awoke an hour later to the voice of Connor screaming. She was writhing in her sleep, calling out for Jack to help her. He hurried over to her side and grabbed her shoulders to calm her down. A pained expression was on her face and she continued to scream, though she had stopped writhing.

She calmed down after about five minutes and Jack sat next to her, moving the hair that had fallen on her face away. Her breathing was shallow and slow, and he feared that this could be the end.

"Connor, luv, come on. You can't do this, fight it. Ye said ye were strong, that you would be fine. Don't die. Don't leave me." He choked back tears and took her hand in his. He laid his head on the bed beside her and fell asleep.
Half a month later Connor had made little improvement and the crew was prepared for the worst. She had stopped breathing on a few occasions and it was only Jack's quick thinking that saved her. He had begun to leave the cabin for short periods of time under the persuasion of Gibbs.

One day he sat in the galley, falling asleep over his food, when Gibbs came down. The first mate looked at his Captain with worry, and sat next to him.

"Captain?"

"Aye." Jack answered distantly.

"Look at yourself, do ye think that Connor would want to see ye like this. Jack you have to be strong, be yourself, for her."

"Gibbs, how would ye act if yer wife were close to death?" Jack snapped.

"Like you, until I realized that my actions would do nothing to help my wife. Jack, you need to start preparing for the worst. If she dies and you continue like this you'll die. Ye got to be strong, that way, you can continue with yer life." Gibbs told him.

"What if I don't want to go on living? Cause if she dies, I'll join her. I'll find a way to go." Jack replied.

"Jack, do ye think that she'll want ye to end it if she goes. No, she'll want you to move on, live yer life, save Tyler. We thought that you would die from drinking to much, not of a broken heart."

"Well it don't matter, cause she ain't dying." Jack said surely.

"Jack, she's only getting worse. You've had to force food down her throat for more than a week. She's not going to make it."

"NO!" Jack roared. "She'll make it, I won't let her die." He stormed out of the galley and back to their cabin. His eyes met the now familiar sight of Connor asleep on the bed. He walked over to her and laid on the bed next to her.

"I know ye don't want me to catch this luv, but I need to be here. I miss your voice darling, it's been two weeks and one day since I heard your sweet voice. It's been a week since I saw your beautiful eyes. Please. Ye don't realize how much I need ye. Your my everything Connor. God, I'd give up the Pearl, treasure, even rum, just to see your eyes and hear your voice."

Suddenly Connor quit breathing. "Connor." Jack said, immediately noticing the lack of breathing. "No, don't you dare." He said, beginning to try and revive her. "No, I'm not letting you die Connor. I'm not letting you go." He continued his attempts for several minutes until he finally heard her take a shallow breath. Her short breathing resumed and Jack deeply sighed.

"Ye wench, don't ye ever do that to me again." He said.

"Sorry." A voice replied. Jack looked down to see Connor's eyes staring back at him.

"Luv?"

"Jack." She choked. "Do ye mind if I have a drink, my throat is as dry as the desert."

"Oh yeah." Jack answered. He fumbled with the water next to their bed and helped her drink it. "Umm. . are ye okay?"

"I've got smallpox, do ye think I'm okay. How long have I been out?"

"Almost two weeks, ye had a lot of close calls. The crew lost hope, Gibbs told me to prepare to let ye go. But, you're awake, so looks like once again I was right." He said with a dry laugh.

"Don't get to cocky yet Sparrow. I feel a little better, but not hundred percent yet. But I think I'll be okay. I'm pretty lucky, seem to be able to fight anything you throw at me."

"Your luck almost ran out though. I wouldn't rely on it for a while. Ye need to rest." he told her.

"So do ye." She replied. looking at his eyes, black bags underneath.

"I will." He told her and laid down next to her. Both were asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

YAY, she's alive. I can't seem to stop being mean to these two. Well they're on their way to visit some old friends. Next chapter, Jack meets his in-laws, DOOM. I have decided to have one more adventure with Jack and Connor after this one, and then a recap.
I hope you all liked this chapter, writer's block of DOOM, seems to have cast it's spell on me. But PLEASE READ AND REVIEW, I'm begging.