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Chapter 2

Authors Note: This is finally chapter 2, and thanks a lot to Jackfan2 for motivating me enough to start another story when the other ones dont seem to be going... anywhere. Hmmm, anyway, on to the story I guess, right?

Ana glanced at the sky in contempt, how ironic that now their Captain lay attended by the ships' surgeon the storm would fade as quickly as it appeared. Fate had an odd sense of humor, but this time Ana was in no way amused.

She worked at detangling the rest of the ropes while the men half-heartedly repaired sails damaged from the lightning. They would have to set port soon to have the mast fixed. Ana would always remember how he'd looked with blood coursing from the wound on his temple, and the harsh gasps of breath he took when the water had been expelled from his lungs was forever stamped in her memory.

That was the first time Jack had ever succumbed to unconsciousness, she had seen the scars that lined his back and upper torso and knew that he hadnt allowed himself the solace of oblivion. Through the hanging at Port Royale he didnt allow them to blindfold him much rather preferring to face death.

This time Jack's luck had withstood, the mast hadnt fallen on him, which would have meant certain death, nor had he strangled to death in the same water that he made his livelihood on. That would have been another twist of fate, to escape the clutches of hangmen all over the Caribbean only to die from an attack on his own ship.

That was the way he wanted to die anyway, onboard his ship with a traditional pirate's burial. It was definately better than dying at the hand of some Navyman or agent of an India Company, but it would be a long time before Jack would meet the after-life she was sure.

Nolan, the ship surgeon, emerged from Jack's quarters with a triumphant look upon his face. His blue eyes belaid the fear he'd had before reaching the good news verdict. Ana let the ropes drop without a backwards thought, the men all subtly stopped what they were doing to inconspicuously stare at the doctor.

"'e'll be fine, mates." Nolan said wiping his brow, "Nary a few cuts 'n bruises t'sport , Jack'll be up 'n about sooner'n t'next storm."

"Is he asleep, or..."

"'e was askin' for you." Nolan grinned and headed back below decks, "oh, an' 'e wants t'rum I wouldn' let 'im 'ave."

Jack fought back the rising panic that lodged in his throat and added to the pounding in his mind. Being a pirate captain had conditioned him to unexpected obstacles along with a fair amount of heathen gods curses and treasure. He hadnt ever encountered something of this nature before.

He heard the wooden doors of his quarters open and someone step lightly over the floor. The brief wisp of wind told him that the storm was over, and despite his preoccupation with the matter at hand, deep within his mind he was relieved to find his ship still in one piece.

"Not much damage done," Ana glanced curiously at his position on the bed. He was kneeling sitting back on his heels with his head tipped to the side as if listening to her approach. "the mast has to be repaired, but all else was fine."

"Ana?" Jack blinked furiously, "is it abysmally dark in the cabin or-"he broke off unable to finish the sentence.

"Dark? Why o'course not" Ana flung open the window that locked shut during high wind or storm, "Tis daytime, what ails you, Captain? Too much rum whilist Nolan turned his back?"

He closed his eyes steeling himself for whatever outcome awaited him, "Hold your hand up in front of my face, Ana, and I'll tell you how many fingers you're holding up."

"What-"

"I'll tell you in a moment, savvy?" Jack waited, but didnt sense movement from anywhere in the room.

"You cant see it can you." Ana whispered waving her hand around his eyes after holding up two fingers, "There's something wrong with your sight."

"If this be a joke I'm not amused." Jack crossed his arms to keep from clawing at his eyes, "Unshutter the windows, alert the crew that th'game's up. This is one prank that-"

"The windows are open, Jack." Ana replied refusing to show her terror, her Captain needed her now though he was doing his own level best to stay cool-headed, "And the crew knows nothing about this. Nolan assured me that you were fine."

"Nolan bloody well confiscated the rum." Jack could remember what the room looked like and he made his way to the window in need of further assurance. He could hear the green-blue color of the ocean hitting the barnacle free side of the ship, smell the salt in the air, and knew that the gulls cawing was real.

Ana had unconsciously pulled out her flask of rum, but holding it out she realized Jack was unaware of her motion. She slipped the flagon into his grasp refusing to give in to the anger clouding her vision. Anger didnt have any place here, they needed to address the issue no matter how difficult it might seem.

"So it seems you have a blind captain." Jack said after draining the remaining rum, Ana's admiration of him grew. He was never one to avoid an issue and this case was no exception. "What's there to do? I'd prefer not being marooned again, although when marooning's compared to keelhauling, set port at the nearest abandoned island."

"We're not leaving you to die, Jack." Ana said more forcefully than she realized, how could he jest at a time like this? "There's no reason you shouldnt stay onboard."

Though he might not be able to see her his reaction was the same as it would have been, one eyebrow rose in rueful question and his golden-amber eyes were the color she remembered. He knew as well as she that an injury this debilitating would normally have gotten a crewmember gold and treasure enough to keep them in comfort for the rest of their natural life.

They also would have released them in any port of call that the injured requested doing all they could to make sure they were comfortable. Jack knew he was no exception to the case even if he'd like to believe otherwise. He wasnt the first captain the Black Pearl had nor would he be the last though it sent pain racing through him to accede the position to another.

"Ana-"

"Dont you dare, Jack Sparrow." Ana interrupted seeing the decision already written across his features, it was an agreement between the two of them that should anything happen to him she would take his place.

"We've escaped far worse odds than this, evaded the grasp of so much more, I wont give up so easily. Not when undead pirates were conquered and the Pearl finally returned to its rightful owner."

"There's going to come a time when the choice won't be up to just you anymore." Jack said quietly, "I'd rather see the Pearl in another's hands than at the bottom of the ocean because her Captain isnt capable of taking care of her properly."

"There's no one better, and if I have to tell that to you then you ought to be marooned, senseless daft jackals dont belong on a ship." she took him by the shoulders so that he caught the true meaning behind her words, "I'm going to bring food back, and I want you to eat it. No more foolish talk, savvy?"

Jack almost smiled at her use of his word, but her tone grounded him once again. He was no longer drifting in chaotic reverie she had taken control of the situation and brought him back to reality. This was Ana, commanding, brave, and no doubt prepared to smack him if he didnt acquiesce to her request.

"I savvy." he leashed the panic and terror again although he wasnt sure how long he could keep them at bay. Not being able to see had always been his greatest fear, it had to be because of his life-style, and to conquer said fears would take all of the willpower he had.

"Save your thoughts and focus on creating a plan, 'tis something you do well enough." she would make sure to close the door so the men wouldnt see him carefully making his way over to the table. It broke her heart to see Jack so unsure of himself, and when he called her name she turned hoping desperately that something miraculous had happened and he would be able to pinpoint her exact location.

"Thanks very much, love." he said instead with his famous grin that could make seasoned wenches pulse beat faster.

"That's what your first-mates for, Captain." she said softly mentally composing herself before leaving the room. Pride was Jack's dearest friend and for him to loose it would be the equivalent of her releasing the lever for his hanging. She kept her head up and a familiar glint in her eye to warn the men that any more slacking in their duties wouldnt be permitted.

Jack had been there for her more times than she wished to count, if there was a way to cure blindness she would find it. No matter what the cost because she didnt have any qualms about taking a life if it meant Jack would be able to get his back.

Authors Note 2: I've read stories in which Jack and Ana, especially, have accents. They speak like Nolan does, but I figured that because in POTC Jack's vocabulary is incredibly eloquent and educated that I should continue so here, then I made Ana seem so too because she's the one that would spend the most time with him. The two would have more in common that way, and she'd be more than just a woman pirate.

In a time where women werent expected to be mentally equal to men I think it'd be interesting to have her be more than a match for any powdered gentry. Besides this story, as you can tell, is going to focus mainly on Ana and her helping him. Not that it sounds as good written like that because I know a lot of Jack fans are probably glaring at the screen, knucles cracking saying Jack doesnt need help! I would be too, but you'll see what I mean. Stay with me and you'll see, I cant write Jack as helpless without chopping my hands off at the wrists.