Disclaimer: The same story William Turner and Captain Sparrow are Disney's property.
Chance
I went down to the brig after several hours. I eventually had to deal with Jem, and the time had come. She was sitting next to Mathew leaning against the wall, with her knees pulled into her chest. She had every right to be mad at me, but I really did not think she would attempt to kill William.
It was dark and cold in the haul of The Pearl and my ship apparently had a leak. There was half an inch of seawater swirling about me feet and I knew Jem had to be sitting in it. I walked over to the bars and stood there gazing at her.
"I guess ya did what you thought was right by you. Can't expect more than that. You are a pirate and you are a Barbossa, it's in your blood. We are sailing to Santa Maria and you my dear will never see it. I've decided to keep you on me ship. You kept me prisoner for quite awhile and I figured I would return the favor. If my friend, William dies you will be walking the plank and I will maroon you on a small spit of land. If he does not die." I looked down at my fingernails and then back at her. "You will still walk the plank and face the same fate."
I waited for her to say something; anything but she just remained quiet and did not look at me. I turned to go away, but then faced her.
"There is one thing I want you to know, before I go. I am sorry that I hurt you. It's something I must square with and you will have to do the same. I did not mean to put you through pain, but when you think about it, I did not. If anyone is to blame, it is you and the memory you hold for your father. I'd be willing to wager he is laughing at the both of us now."
I pulled away from the bars expecting her to lash out at me but she remained still. She looked up at me with her dark eyes, and I could tell the flame was gone.
"Jack, I mean Captain Sparrow, I could ask you for forgiveness and I know with some manipulation I could probably get you to give it too me, after all as you pointed out, I am a pirate. I know how you feel about me and I could take advantage of that. You were or, should I say you are, important to me, and so is your daughter. I did not want this to happen, but you knew how important the treasure was to me and The Ball Of Santiago. You violated the Pirates Code. No man shall steal from another. If you do and you are found guilty, you will loose an ear, nose or tongue. Well Luv, I know Elizabeth did not steal the ball on her own accord. You will tell me she did it for you or for us. She truly loves William but she will do anything for you, even if it doesn't profit her. She is not a pirate for she is not self centered." Jem looked down into the murky water that surrounded her.
"However, now that she knows the truth about you and Norrington she will probably never help you again. I'm sorry for that." She looked back up at me. "I would suspect she is on deck, figuring out how she is going to kill me. Are you going to let her?"
I looked at her questioningly and then replied. "Should I?"
"Jack, my temper is just as bad as yours, if not worse. You took the door down and I took your friend. I was lashing out at you and Elizabeth. I do believe William is innocent and he knew nothing of the whole dastardly plan you and Miss Swann invented. He is wiser than the two of you put together and would have stopped you both."
She stood up and walked over to the bars. "I could not disfigure your good looks and without your tongue you wouldn't be. Do I dare say, Captain Jack Sparrow? So following the code was not an option."
"Jem." I interrupted.
"No Jack let me finish. I know I should not follow the code so close, but that is what I do. You have told me to forget it, but I cannot. I too have violated it. I know every man has a right to defend himself and I did not give you the chance, but the evidence was there and you know it." She looked into my eyes and placed her wet, cold hands on mine. I knew she knew the truth so it was pointless to deny it.
"Jack, I did attack you with my sword but it was not intended to kill you. If William had not stepped in the way, it would have hit your arm. You know my aim is good. Yes, it would be painful and wrong but you would mend. I told you a sword meant for you would kill William but I had no idea whose sword it was." She removed her hands from mine and walked back to the wall. She slid down and sat next to Mathew who appeared to be comatose.
"I also know that pirates are not to attack one another on board the ship, let alone advance on the Captain." I saw a slight smirk on her face. "But as you said many times, they are more like guidelines. I know for a fact Captain, if anyone crossed you, you would put your mark on him or her. Last but not least you violated the code of conduct."
She once again looked up at me. "You attempted to seduce me to get your own way. It was not out of love or as you would claim lust. You just wanted me to be occupied so Elizabeth could do your dirty work. Remember violating this code is punishable by death. But since you are the Captain, I guess you can forget all that and I will be the one facing death."
"Luv, I am not perfect and I never in a million years wanted to hurt you, I wanted to help you, save you. I wish that I could change time and take everything back. If you had not helped me with Kat I would never have taken you to The Ball Of Santiago and made that accord with you. You showed such compassion for my daughter, I did learn to trust you. Was that all a game, a ploy for me to fall into your trap? Well, if it was, it worked. Yes, you fooled old Jack."
I looked down at the floor and then back at her. "There are many things I wish I didn't do and then some I wish I did. We all learn from our mistakes Luv. I am continually learning but I guess you are not, since you never make mistakes."
Jem put her head down. "Jack, will you be quiet and leave me alone?" This was her polite way of telling me to shut up and get out of her face.
"Jem you stepped over the boundaries, you took to much rope and you hung yourself. You never gave me a chance; you never gave us a chance. I would have been there for you too catch your tears; I actually thought I found a reason for living besides me ship. You changed me. I was showing you a side of me that I had never showed to anyone else. Did I scare you away?" I now removed my hands from the bars and backed away. "Soon we will part Luv, Life will go on regardless."
I turned and went up to the deck. I was not going to let anyone see my pain, especially Jem. I stood alone on the deck staring at the exotic island of Santa Maria as we drew near. The land rose up out of the ocean and a fine mist enshrouded it with an enticing veil that added mystery and softness to it. This was a relatively unknown island, inhabited mostly by pirates and their families. I knew I would be able to get some help for William. I would be able to find a doctor on account of all the people and children. There were many children on this island because of the wild antics that goes on at the pubs.
I rubbed the back of my neck and went to the helm. Gibbs was sailing The Pearl in and I took the wheel from him. As I watched the shoreline drift closer I glanced at Gibbs. "Tell the men to lower the sails."
The Pearl came around a huge cliff, and there on the other side was a beautiful sight. The sunlight danced on the waves that pounded against sand as white as snow. There were three ships weighing anchor just off shore and I could see a small settlement of homes not too far from the shoreline. A large pier jutted out into the ocean and several children scurried along its edge, playing some sort of game. A myriad of flowers and plants bloomed all around. It looked like paradise.
"I figured this would be a nice place for William, Elizabeth and Kat to start a new life. What do ya think mate?" I looked at Gibbs.
"It's breathtaking, isn't it?" AnaMaria said in my ear. She had moved up behind me while I studied the area.
"Aye," I smiled that smile that never fails to turn woman's legs to mush. "I hope Miss Swann finds this a suitable place to live. She will find many retired pirates who wanted to escape their past before the authorities found them. I figured this would be a fine place for Mister Turner. He will not have to worry about the likes of Norrington."
AnaMaria looked at me and then at the shoreline. "Captain, begging your pardon, but did you really attempt to strike a deal with Norrington?"
I looked straight into her eyes. "AnaMaria, what I do is my business and I don't need anyone questioning me. Savvy?"
She looked at me and shook her head. "Captain what you do affects all of us. If I were you I wouldn't forget that."
I glared at her and she glared at me, I turned to look out upon the island. "Here William and Elizabeth can live in peace. They can raise Kat, have more children and grow old together. They can talk about the old days when pirates ruled the seas and still hold on too their youth."
I looked over AnaMaria's head trying to avoid her glare. "I'm bringing her around Gibbs get ready to weigh anchor."
"Aye, aye, Captain."
AnaMaria could see the pain in my eyes. "Are you really going to let the young whelp go?"
I glanced at her. "I really don't have much of a choice now do I? Thanks to bloody Jem, Will and Elizabeth both know the truth and William's health is in question. Most likely he will die and I will lose him anyway."
I pulled my hat low over my brow. I did not like the intent way AnaMaria was staring at me. "Would you please inform Elizabeth to gather her belongings along with William's and Kat's?" There was a note of sadness in my voice that I could not shake.
XXXXXXXX
Elizabeth and Kat sat quietly in the rowboat as I rowed them and the unconscious William to shore. Half the crew had been left on board while the other half were all off shouting and singing, enjoying their island excursion. Not that I could blame them the island was enchanting. I looked over at Elizabeth and Kat.
"You know Luv, I was originally going to bring Jem here so she could buy herself a new ship or commandeer one as the case may be. I wanted her to stay on The Pearl with me." I pushed my sweat-dampened hair from me face. "I guess once again, as Jem would say, the captain will get what he wants."
I rowed us as close to shore as possible. "I'm afraid you're going to get wet, Miss Swann." I said in an apologetic voice. "I will take William to the nearest doctor."
She smiled at me. "Jack its Elizabeth, and don't fret over us. I'm sure we will dry out in no time in this heat." She collected her belongings along with Kat and William's. She stood up and climbed out of the boat. The water was up to her knees.
Rogers came running from the shore over towards our boat. "Let me lend my assistance."
I climbed from the boat, and scooped William in my arms and held him tightly against my chest. His breathing was shallow and he was burning with fever. "Thank you Rogers, take the boat."
"Jack." A rough voice called out. I turned to see a man of about sixty or so years rushing towards me. "AnaMaria told me of your plight. Let me take the boy, I can fix him up for you."
"It's been a long time hasn't it Justin." I looked upon an old distinguished looking pirate. His white hair held a strand or two of the black it had once been. He wore a flowing white shirt and tan breeches. "Justin this is the son of Boot Straps, William Turner."
Justin looked upon Will's face. "Aye the splitting image of him."
Justin turned to Elizabeth and Kat.
"Justin, allow me to present Elizabeth Swann and her daughter Katheryn. Miss Swann this is Justin Smith; he is an old friend of Will's father and the governor of the island."
Justin laughed. "Governor indeed. What Jack fails to tell you is I won this island in a card game." He took her hand, kissed it and then did the same to Kat. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance. Now let me go take care of your Daddy." He looked at William and me and motioned for me to follow him. He smiled at Kat and cleared his voice. "Tell me how your mother, father and such a lovely lady as your self came into the surly presence of Captain Jack Sparrow."
I rolled my eyes at him. "Fate and misfortune laid them at my door."
I didn't sleep at all that night. I lay tossing and turning and staring at the ceiling lost in torturous thoughts. Justin took Elizabeth and I to his fine home. He whisked William off to some room and I hadn't seen the likes of him or Elizabeth for the rest of the day or evening. I had no idea how they were doing. Over and over again I saw Jem's face in front of me. I had to have my men shackle her and throw her into the brig with her crazy mate Mathew. I was hurt and angry and I wanted time to derive a plan.
I drew a deep breathe against the pain that lacerated my chest. It felt as though my heart had been torn out. Yes, I knew she was gone to me. I would have to square with that. Deep inside me I knew it was for the best, but why did it hurt so much. I needed some rum.
The next morning I was sitting in Justin's kitchen waiting for some word. He came in briskly and then stopped short. I jumped up. "William how is he?"
Justin looked tired and frowned when he saw the empty bottles of rum sitting in front of me. "I want you to realize that his chances of recovery are quite high. But at the same time, I don't want to give you false hope. That'd be cruel. If the sword had hit him a little further to the left he would be dead now. William could die, however, the percentages are on the side of life."
I began to roll my eyes as he was going back and fourth. What ever happen to simple explanations?
Elizabeth came in the room and she was crying. She had been strong all through the night but now her emotions were running away with her.
Justin went and put his arm around her. "Miss Swann, listen I am giving him the best care I can. Just you being here with him is a large help. It will be about forty-eight hours before I am confident William will survive. It'll be a long haul. Two nights of rest and healing should let us know."
The days past at an agonizingly slow pace. I took Elizabeth out for some walks on the beach and we both played with Kat along the water's edge. Kat was enjoying herself but Elizabeth nor I could get interested in much. Every half hour or so one of us would slip back up to the house and check on Will. He never seemed worse but he never seemed better either.
Evening came and I paced the floor. Elizabeth sat on the edge of a chair, head bowed with her face in her hands. For long periods I stood at one of the windows, staring out at the sea and out at My Pearl. "I blame myself for what has happened, and the truth of the situation is, if I had listened to Jem and let her go, all this would be for naught. She told me it would never work out and she had to leave, but I would not listen."
Justin came in and looked at the both of us. "I have prepared a guest bedroom for you. I have provided a few blankets and some food. Please you must tend to yourselves so you can tend to William."
I walked over to Elizabeth and helped her out of the chair. "Come let us sleep in shifts, this way we can keep an eye on the whelp."
I took the first shift from ten o'clock until three in the morning. Only one lamp was left on in the far corner of the room and I alternately sat and stretched out on a pile of blankets in the shadows near Will. Sometimes, Will slept and the sound of his breathing was normal, less frightening, but sometimes he was awake and his respiration was horribly labored. He winced in pain and somehow I could see fear in his eyes. I went over and talked to him, reminiscing about the experiences we shared, the many good moments and happy times we have lived over the past years. William seemed slightly soothed by my voice.
"There're are some things I have to tell you Will. I guess you're asleep and can't hear me, and maybe even if you were awake you wouldn't understand what I'm about to say." I took a deep breath and looked around the room. It was a lonely place at twelve-thirty in the morning. Will's breath came and went with an occasional rattle but he didn't stir.
"Will, I feel you are my guardian. You have saved me more then once. Aye, you tried to kill me, but you had your reasons and we made amends. In that good, pure heart of yours you never asked for or wanted anything in return for all you do. You are not like the rest of the crew. You are so much like your father. Lad, he would be proud." I placed my hand on his damp brow and then moved it to his chest. I wanted to make sure his heart was still beating.
"I feel you do what you do out of love and being loved in return. Love is reward enough for you, that is just how you are. Will you have taught me a great lesson, a lesson I can't easily put into words."
For a while, silent and unable to speak I sat in the shadows beside my friend, my guardian. "Damn it I said at last. You have taught me I am your guardian too. I have a responsibility to watch over youand because of you I'll never be the same."
Rainsqualls came and went during the night. The sound of the rain on the roof was mournful, like funeral drums. Twice during my shift Justine appeared. The first time he examined Will carefully and gave me a bottle of rum. Later he came in and changed William's bandages.
"Jack, I assure you that it is not a bad sign that you see no improvements. Right now, it is good enough that there is no indication of deterioration in his condition."
I looked at Justin. "Mate I can only hope you are right. William is a good man. He is an unselfish friend and he would never abandon me. He has stood beside me during treacherous times. He faces his wounds and encounters them, body and soul. He has not had a simple life; he knows the world is rough. It is odd, Will has much reason to dislike and distrust me but he remains a true friend. When riches take wing and reputation falls he is there for me." I stood up from my bed of blankets to stretch my legs. I walked over to Justin and Will.
"William is a symbol of hope, he is a gift, he is more noble and worthy then any man I know. If he dies the world will be at a loss. As of now I can think of nothing more devastating than the loss of William Turner." I shook my head and drew in my breath. Damning myself for being emotional, I went too get Elizabeth. I woke her up and I left the house. I needed air and did not care that it was raining.
I returned shortly and attempted to get some rest. I was exhausted but I could not sleep. Morning came and it was still raining. I looked in on Elizabeth and she was wiping Will's head.
"His fever has fallen and he is looking a lot better." She spoke as she smiled at me. "His breathing is less labored and Justin says he will be fine. It will take a while to recover and he's going to be weak at first, very weak but gradually he'll get his old strength back." Her eyes were filling with tears. But they were tears of joy.
I walked over to the both of them and I placed my hand on William's head. "Aye Lad, you gave us a scare. You saved me once again Mr. Turner and for that I am thankful, but I must inform you, that will be the last time you ever do that."
Will was weak and I could tell he did not like what I said. He knew exactly what I meant.
"Jack, no." Will whispered in a hoarse voice. "I wish to be with you, on The Black Pearl. That is where I belong. You know it… so do I."
I looked at Elizabeth and took her hands in mine. "Luv you may think of me as the captain of The Pearl, a despicable pirate, the nemesis of the Spanish Main. I will be glad to take all those titles but I am also your friend. I want the best for you and you." I glanced at William and gave him a golden grin.
"I promise you both I will do nothing to get in the way of your happiness or to separate two hearts that should be one." I placed Elizabeth's hands on top of Williams. "There is somebody I would like you both to meet. He is a very good, decent and honest man. He lives in this village and I will bring him here to see the both of you tonight. I will leave you two alone now." I pulled Elizabeth aside. "Luv, why don't you clean young Mr. Turner up and take a bath yourself. I'm sure Justin will give you warm water and soap. I must go into town and gather up supplies so I can leave at dawn."
Elizabeth grabbed my arm and then slowly let go. "You're going to leave us here aren't you Captain Sparrow?"
I looked at her and gave her a weak smile. "Aye Lass, you told me Port Royal holds nothing for you. All you really need is right here. Your life is with Katheryn and Will. You love him, you want him and you have him, so you best be keeping him. If I find he is not happy and you are treating him poorly, I will come get him." I ran my hand down her soft, beautiful cheek. "For some reason Luv, I don't think you will have to worry about that. He also told me he loved you and he could not live without you. It's remarkable how yours and Williams feeling for each other coincide."
I pulled my hat down over my face and turned to go about my business. "The island is beautiful and I know you will make new friends Miss Swann. Katheryn will grow up to be a fine young lady, just like her mother."
I did return, just before sundown, as I had promised. The sun was slowly dropping towards the horizon. AnaMaria and Gibbs were with me, along with an elderly gentleman and his wife. We walked into the room to find Elizabeth feeding Will some soup.
Gibbs ran over and grabbed Will by the shoulders. "Mary, mother of god! We thought you were dead. It's so good to see you and your looking…. Well?"
"Aye Gibbs, it takes more then a sword to kill a Turner. Now a beautiful woman and turtle soup might kill me." He pulled a face and then glanced at Elizabeth. "I think she is giving me poison."
"William Turner, how dare you. You are obviously feeling better." Elizabeth put the bowl down and kissed him softly on the lips.
"Elizabeth my Luv, if I could borrow you for just a minute." I was now standing next to her and holding her arm. "AnaMaria needs some help in the other room. Gibbs and I would be more then honored to take care of William." I looked upon Will and smiled.
"Oh but before you go, I would like to introduce you too my dear friend Captain Webster, and his wife, Anne. I have told them so much about you over drinks and they just had to come and meet you."
Webster came close to me. "Do they have any idea what is going on?"
I smiled. "Not yet."
"What if they say no?"
I rolled my eyes. "Please, God knows he loves her with all his heart and soul and there is nothing in all the world for him but her. If she says no, she is a fool and lucky for her she is not. They have loved each other since childhood. Have no fears Father, they will say yes. We will take our chances."
Will glanced at me and motioned for Elizabeth to go with AnaMaria.
"Very well Captain Sparrow." Elizabeth said as she noted my evil grin. "But don't you be giving William any of that vile rum." I could tell she had bathed herself and William; they were both looking more relaxed.
"Luv, I wouldn't do that to you or him." I winked at Will and passed him a bottle as Elizabeth walked out of the room.
Justin came in and set candles all around. He lit all but one. The room was flooded with flickering lights and the last rays of the sun came filtering through the window. As the room took on a magical glow, Elizabeth entered wearing a long silk wedding dress, her hair was pulled back into ringlets and she was wearing a diamond tiara. She looked like an angel. My heart stopped when I saw her enter the room and I could only assume William's did too.
She looked at me and whispered. "Thank you Jack, it is beautiful." Her eyes were glistening with tears but the smile on her face told me everything. That smile will be forever etched in my mind. AnaMaria and little Katheryn, who were wearing long silk red gowns, accompanied her. Katheryn had told me red was Elizabeth's favorite color.
I walked over to Elizabeth and placed her arm on mine. "May I do the honors?" I gave her a small kiss on her forehead. Mrs. Webster started to play a harpsichord that Justin had brought into the room and I sauntered Elizabeth up to Williams's bed. She did not notice as the rest of me crew came into the room. They all knew what I had planed and they all wanted to be present. By the end of this evening William and Elizabeth would be married. I even supplied two golden bands for them to place on each other's fingers. I assured them both I had purchased them and they were not stolen. When they both lit the single candle together to symbolize their two hearts combining as one, Captain Webster pronounced them man and wife. Giving a sigh of relief I almost kissed the bride before Will did.
"I love weddings, drinks all around!"
XXXXXXXXXIt was a clear ideal day as I looked out on the island of Santa Maria and put The Pearl's rudder to the port. It should have been a perfect day but I was not feeling all that great. I knew I should be floating and thrilled now that William and Elizabeth were married, but instead I felt sick.
"AnaMaria! Take the wheel, I'm off for a bit."
"Aye Captain."
I walked around the deck and looked over the crew, they were all doing their chores and seemed content. I was not feeling hungry in the least but knowing I should eat something I went down to the galley and grabbed a plate of food reluctantly and took a bottle of rum. I sat myself down next to Gibbs and picked at my food, attempting to eat it to no avail.
"Gibbs how are Mathew and Jem fairing in the brig? I know it is wrong of me but I've been staying away. Maybe the less I see of her the better off I'll be." I took a swig of rum and pushed my plate away.
Gibbs looked at me and sipped from his flask. "Mathew died yesterday and Jem, she has been talking to Charlie and Jonathan. Charlie's taken a real shine to her and he took all her art supplies down to her."
I choked on the rum as it went down my throat. "He did what?"
"He figured you shouldn't get mad since it was a gift to her and since you're going to make her walk the plank soon. He figured she should have something to do while she's waiting."
"He figured did he?" I rolled my eyes at Gibbs. "So Charlie has taken a smitten to Jem? I should've seen that coming. What is she painting fruit?"
Gibbs gave me an odd look and then drained his flask. "I don't know Captain, you can ask Charlie or Jonathan or go see for yourself."
I stood up and put my hand on his shoulder. "I think for me own health it's best to stay away from her." As I stood up I felt dizzy and had to sit again. I shook my head slightly putting it down to too much rum and not enough food.
"Miss Swann made a beautiful bride did she not?" I made small talk as I tried to get my bearings. "Do you think they will be happy?"
Gibbs continued shoveling food into his mouth as he spoke. "The whelp seemed very pleased, and surprised I might add. You did a good thing captain."
"I guess." I sipped more rum and glanced at Gibbs as he continued to eat like a pig. I could feel my stomach going into knots. "I put it down as madness or brilliance. Everyone gets what he or she wants. William and Elizabeth continually surprise me. I am delighted the Whelp is pleased, but did I do right by Kat?" I tipped the bottle and emptied it, leaving Gibbs before he could give me an answer.
I did go down to the brig, unnoticed. I found Charlie and Jonathan leaning against the bars.
Jonathan was going on and on to Charlie. "Unlike Sparrow I am honest with women. I don't promise love everlasting and then throw them in a cell."
I then heard Jem speak. "Please gentlemen, you may both leave now. I promise you I will eat something. Now that we are heading to sea, I can only assume the Captain is on board and he will be dealing with me soon."
I could not see her features but I saw her form as she stood near the bars. "Jonathan, you should know love could be wonderful." She snorted. "Love can also be a weapon used to destroy."
Charlie backed up and looked at her. "That's not true."
"Tis more than true." She snapped. " The only one in life you can count on is yourself, and only a fool would allow another person to have the ability to destroy them."
I stood there wondering how she could be so blind. So unwilling to see the truth of life. The truth of love.
I walked up to the three of them. "What about Kat?" I asked. "I know you love the child. Do you doubt it?"
She narrowed her gaze on me as she thought. "What about Kat's mother? You told me you loved her?"
"I told you a lot about Kat's mother and yes I do have feelings for Miss Swann, but it is not love. I had a wonderful time with her on the beach and that was it. I guess you would say, typical male. Yes, I would have said anything to get what I wanted because I was shallow; I'm a bloody pirate. Reality, it hurts."
I looked at Charlie and Jonathan. "You two, you have things to do and it is not here." I looked at Jem. She did not look well she was pale and thin. "From now on AnaMaria will be bringing you your food and the likes of these scallywags, will not be disturbing you."
Both men jumped and left the brig. I turned to Jem. "Love is real. Lust is… liberating, fleeting. Love can be wonderful if you let it." I reached out and touched her face. "I'm sorry Jem that you don't believe, love does exist. I have seen it, I have felt it." I lowered my dark eyes on hers. "And I know you have also."
XXXXXXXXI asked AnaMaria to take Jem her food and to keep me informed of how she was doing. I asked Charlie and Jonathan to keep their distance but I would see them go down to the brig and spend time with Jem. They would even take Amber with them. I felt if I ignored her I could just forget her, but my reasoning was not working. As the days past my mood became foul and the crew hesitated to even speak with me.
AnaMaria would take Jem her food and she would give me glowing reports. Charlie, however, told me a different story. He informed me she was sick and not eating and she had even stopped her painting. She would not acknowledge anyone when they came near the bars.
"Captain you should go down and see her. Please I beg of you, unlock the cell and let her out. She is weak, she is sick, she is dying."
I frowned at Charlie. "Aye, I can see the Lass has you right where she wants you. Let me see, I will go down unlock the cell, you and Jonathan will jump me from behind and Jem will make her escape."
Charlie threw his hand and hook up in the air. "Captain please don't be blinded by your feelings. Take Gibbs, Rogers, or AnaMaria with you, but please go."
Hearing the urgency in his voice I did go to check on Jem. I took a chance and went by myself.
"Ya know Luv, it won't do ya any good if you make yourself sick, but I guess you know what is good for you?"
She did not answer me. She just lay curled in a ball in the dark corner of the cell.
"I've been meaning to let you know. I will not make ya walk the plank. You owe Mr. and Mrs. Turner a world of thanks. William believes the ball in some way affected you and I should be lenient with you. He always tries to find the best in people. William is a good man and he has taught me, if we love and allow ourselves to be loved it is worth all the fortunes in the world."
I waited for a response but she did not stir. "This is my wedding gift to them. I will take you to Tortuga where you can obtain a ship and be free. You will never have to see the likes of me again and never hear the word DON'T fall off my lips."
I turned to leave feeling uneasy. "Jem, I will ask three things of you in order for you to have your freedom. First, don't cut your hair it is beautiful. Second, don't forget me for I will never forget you and third…. I will keep Amber?"
I figured I would get a large reaction with my last request but the silence was deafening.
I left and confided in AnaMaria. "Jem has lost all will to live. She refuses to eat or even look at me. Will you please talk some sense into her? I know it is wrong and I can't explain it, but I still love her. My head and my heart are in a constant battle."
Those words were my fatal error, little did I know, AnaMaria had already taken matters into her own hands.
That night I slept without dreaming. In the morning I was up before anyone and walking the decks. The sky looked low and gray and I figured we were going to be in for a rainy day.
I went into the galley and found AnaMaria slumped at the table with her head in her hands. I walked up behind her and rubbed her neck. She jumped and when she looked at me I could tell there was something wrong. In her hand she held an empty bottle and she tried to conceal it from me. I could tell she was up to something and it was not good.
"AnaMaria what is that?" I pulled the bottle from her hand. "Jem! Bloody Hell!" I turned and ran to the brig. My heart was pounding almost painfully. I went down the stairs two at a time. When I had reached the brig the smell was offensive. Jem evidently had vomited several times. I could only assume she was making herself sick to get the poison out of her body. I unlocked the cell and knelt next to her. She was lying in a pool of her own vomit. The entire cell seemed to be covered in spew. It was all over everything, including herself. It smelled so rank I had to refrain from breathing through my nose or else I would be sick. I needed to get Jem and myself out of here. She was breathing with a rasping noise. She tried to lift her head when I spoke to her, but she did not have the strength to move.
Her eyes, her eyes were different. Her wonderfully expressive dark eyes were slightly milky. I felt her laboring for breath. I picked her up and held her close to me. Then I felt her irregular heartbeat.
"Oh no, no, It's not going to be like this. I'm not going to let it happen like this." I lowered her to the floor, got up, and turned towards the door when Jem moaned. She did not want to be left alone.
"I'll be right back." I went to my room. Grabbed a blanket off the bed and hurried downstairs to Jem. Her ragged breathing seemed to have gotten worse in just the minutes that I had been away. I picked her up and wrapped her in the blanket; she made a pained sound as if the movement hurt. I took her to my quarters and laid her on the floor.
Not wasting any time I ordered Rogers to fill a large tub with hot water. Jem was weak and I had a feeling she was not going to make it through the day. I had no idea how long she had been down in the brig retching. I did know she needed a bath before we all passed out from the stench.
I undressed her and promptly threw her clothes out the porthole. I had to remove the stench from the room. She did not fight me as I picked her limp body up and lightly laid her in the hot tub.
Gibbs and AnaMaria were now standing behind me. "Easy Jack, easy She will be all right." AnaMaria looked at me and backed away.
"Jack it is not your fault." Gibbs tried to console me. "AnaMaria felt she was doing you a favor by putting you out of your mental hell and removing her from your life. She just wanted you to forget about her. She wanted--"
I hit the side of the tub with my fist. "I know what she wanted!! Jem has been poisoned. She is dehydrated, soaked with fever and she is near dead." I looked at AnaMaria but I could only meet her eyes briefly before I had to look away and back down at Jem. "She has to be all right. She can't die. AnaMaria, you can remove her from my life, but she will always remain in my heart. I was going to remove her without killing her. We were going our own separate ways."
I grabbed some soap and tilted Jem's head back, washing the vomit out of her hair. I was as gentle as I could be. Grabbing a rag I placed soap on it and leaned her forward so I could wash her back, then I did the rest of her body. I finished scrubbing everything except her left arm. As I took her arm I winced. On her wrist and midway to her forearm there were two wide red slashes. She had been cut.
"My Captain, you really do love this girl, don't you?" Gibbs questioned.
I glared at him but he couldn't meet my eyes. "AnaMaria, if I find you did this to Jem I will…"
"Jack, you just have to have faith. Have faith in God, who watches over sparrows, so they say. Have a little faith in me too. I know what poison, AnaMaria gave Jem." He looked at AnaMaria and then back at me. "I can save her. Believe it or not I'm pretty good at what I do when I'm not drunk and sleeping with pigs, I deserve your faith."
I picked Jem up in a towel, dried her off the best I could and laid her on my bed.
"How can she look so horrible, yet utterly beautiful? Gibbs do your magic and it better work. Then alert the crew that I'm not to be disturbed for any reason other than an attack on The Pearl. Savvy?"
I stayed with Jem through the night laying next to her and listening to every strenuous breath. I held her in my arms to let her know she was not alone. I eventually fell into a restless sleep. I woke shortly before five in the morning. I was shaking and so was the bed as Jem's body was shuddering. Her eyes were wide open and she was gasping for air.
"Jem!" I yelled. She grabbed my arm and cried out my name. "JACK!!!" Her body went rigid, her eyes rolled back, then closed.
"Jem!" I said urgently. She was having convulsions. Gibbs and Cotton came immediately they heard my frantic voice. I stood back and watched both men work. After a few minutes, Gibbs stood back and looked worried. He did not make his usual effort to smile or try to lift my hope. "I've done all I can. I think…. she'll be leaving us soon."
I was unable to move or speak. Jem remained motionless and pale. It appeared she was dying and I could thank AnaMaria for this. No, I had myself to thank. AnaMaria did this for love, she did this for me.
I knelt next to the bed and closed my eyes as I spoke. "Jem, if I could I would take away all the pain. I have changed and the reason is you. I know I am not perfect. None of us are, but please, please don't die, give us a chance. Please, give us a chance."
A/N William Turner is still alive and kicking. I could not kill him off. It was inevitable that he and Elizabeth were going to get married. Jack unknowingly ruined Will's first plans for marriage when Elizabeth found out she was pregnant with Jack's child. Will they be happy? How about Kat? As you can see, AnaMaria loves Jack as much as Jack loves Jem. Jack realizes this; hence he has not threatened to throw her off the ship.