Thanks for all you wonderful reviewers again! I'm glad everyone is enjoying this so much, because I'm having a blast. Oh, to answer a few reviewers-

iamAJ- welcome back! I'm glad you're reading again!

howdy- i capitalize 'look' in ch. 13 because i saw it in a book once and i think it's meant to signify when someone gives another person 'a Look'. i'm not sure if it's proper grammar or not, i'm just a little kooky, i guess! i did it again in this chapter

JainaSoloJM- i just love your reviews! you're so good for my ego

Thetornprincess- i'm an expert at births- wow! i take that as a huge compliment since i'm 19 and have yet to experience it! haha! oh, and i love the name Kyleigh (I like how you spell it, too), but unfortunately, the baby gets a different name. you'll see soon

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: LIVE HANGING IN THE BALANCE

Gibbs allowed Sunni to breast-feed the baby while Jack stood and protested with him on the other side of the room.

"She's too weak as it is, do ye really think givin' up more fluid is a good idea?" he demanded.

"Sunni needs ta do this fer her own peace of mind. An' yer daughter needs it too. It's a bonding thing."

"She can't handle all of this-"

A voice from across the room halted their arguing. "My mother didn't breastfeed me because she died, an' because of it, I was a runt," Sunni said. "That ain't happenin' ta my daughter."

That ended the argument.

A short while later, Liz lifted the baby from Sunni's arms so she could sleep. Almost immediately after, Sunni passed out.

"She's unconscious," Gibbs told them. "She's lost so much blood."

That was when Jack first saw the bottom half of their bed covered in his wife's blood. He knew not even his bullet wound had produced this much.

"I'll take the baby to our room," Elizabeth was saying. "And then we'll change the sheets. I'll have Ana take Will's spot at the helm and he can watch the baby while we clean up in here."

Jack and Gibbs were left alone and started cleaning. As the bloody sheets were removed, they both saw just how much she lost.

"Tell me," Jack said in a low voice, "tell me the truth. Do you think she'll be all right?"

Gibbs sighed and stopped what he was doing. "Ye really want an honest opinion?"

"Yes."

Again the old man sighed, as if he really, with all his heart, did not want to say what he was about to say. "Jack, buddy. . . I'm not sure if she'll make it through the night."

Jack swallowed hard. He took a breath through his nose, and then continued cleaning. Sunni's body already seemed lifeless when he picked her up to remove the sheet and replace them. She was still warm, with a heartbeat, but that was the only clue.

Liz returned a short while later with a sponge and warm water to clean Sunni.

"The baby can stay in our room for the night," she was telling Jack. "That way, when she cries, she won't wake Sunni. She needs her rest."

Jack nodded, not really absorbing what she was saying. He just wanted to be alone with his wife.

Finally, what seemed like hours later, they left, only to have Gibbs promise to return with a cot in case Sunni took a turn for the worst. While he was gone, Jack undressed and climbed in bed. He touched Sunni lightly, afraid to hurt her. He memorized her face and didn't let his eyes leave her.

She stirred slightly when he gently kissed her lips. Turning to the side slightly, Sunni inched open an eye. "Jack?" she whispered weakly.

"I'm here, luv. I'm right here."

"Promise me something?"

"Anythin'."

She took a breath and swallowed as if talking were a chore. "If. . .if I die. . . promise not to blame the baby. Take care of her."

Jack swallowed back tears. "You're not going to die, Caitlyn."

She smiled, like a mother who knew something her child didn't. "I love you, Jack."

"I love you, too, Caitlyn."

Jack didn't sleep at all that night. He stayed awake, eyes glued to his wife. He watched her chest rise and fall and felt her pulse now and then. She stayed with him. He was going to make sure she stayed with him.

Jack was pulled from his bed the next day at about noon. Gibbs was still sleeping and Sunni was out, still. Will, however, requested his presence on the deck.

"Jack, Mikhale's navy has sent a messenger that warned us if we sail any closer to land, they will not hesitate to heave cannon fire. They already have all their ships poised for attack."

Jack ran a hand through his tangled hair. "I'm beginning to regret sackin' th' place."

Will just gave him a Look.

"I don't care," Jack decided. "Sunni needs a doctor."

"Jack, we're all going to need a lot more than a doctor if we sail any closer. Everyone on this ship will die. We're not equipped to go against a fleet. Sunni, your daughter, my son, we will all sink ta Davy Jones' locker."

Jack blew out a breath, realizing the whelp was right. "Where's the next nearest port?" he asked, not being able to get his bearings.

Will hesitated. "Port Royal."

Jack set his jaw. This was just not a good week. "Fine. We head fer Port Royal. We'll probably be there in two orthree days."

"Are you sure-"

"Just take us there, dammit!" Jack thundered.

As Jack turned to stride back into his cabin, he saw Elizabeth carrying his daughter into his cabin. After debating for a second, Jack turned and headed to the mess hall. When he returned after eating, Sunni was still asleep, and Gibbs was checking her condition.

"How is she?" Jack asked quietly.

"She awoke when Liz brought the baby in. She fed her again, but then went back to sleep."

"Are you sure letting her feed th' kid is a good idea?"

Gibbs thought for a second, but nodded affirmative. "I think so."

"It's not making her weaker?"

"She's still with us, isn't she?"

Jack set his jaw.

Gibbs shook his head, telling Jack he didn't mean anything by his last comment. "Listen, she's not changing. Her condition, I mean. She's stopped bleeding, but it's already been so much. She doesn't look to be infected, but that could set in any time."

"Aren't you just the bearer of great news?" Jack said sarcastically.

"Why don't ye go do something to take your mind off of everything, eh? Sunni needs rest. Go see your daughter."

Jack almost snorted. "Not bloody likely, mate."

Gibbs' eyes narrowed. "Ah, you're not gonna ignore th' little nipper cause of Sunni, are ye?"

"Why don't you just keep your nose where it belongs, eh?" Jack hissed, and stormed out.

Somehow, after wandering around the ship, Jack found himself at Liz and Will's room. That's where his daughter was sleeping. Without wanting to, he opened the door. There was no one there, just a crib in the corner of the room. Will must have moved it from their room earlier. Jack's legs carried him to the crib. He had no idea how he wound up, staring down at his daughter. She was awake, her little hand curled in fists, with her big blue eyes staring up at him. She had a tiny little jumper on, one that Sunni had made. They just stayed there, staring at each, neither moving an inch. Finally, Jack turned on his heals and left.

Later that night, Jack was just coming back from his shift at the helm. It was late, and all he wanted to do was check on his wife.

Gibbs met him at the door. He was wearing a smile.

"She's doing better," he told Jack. "I got her to eat some soup when you were steering the ship."

"Why is she always awake when I'm not there?" he demanded, ready to go inside.

"She's sleeping again," Gibbs stopped him. Jack sighed, but kept heading to the door. He was stopped short by Elizabeth, though, who was holding his screaming daughter.

"Jack, this baby needs one of its parents," she told him.

"Sunni's asleep," he told her.

"I'm not talking about Sunni. Jack, you haven't even touched your daughter yet. You haven't held her! She needs her father!"

Jack held up his hands, as if the screaming child had a disease.

"Jack!" Liz cried, exasperatedly. She thrust the girl into his arms and strode off.

Jack stood outside his cabin door, lost. His daughter was lying in his arms, he couldn't go inside, the girl would wake Sunni. Elizabeth was obviously not going to take the baby back. He sighed in resignation and looked down at his daughter. She wasn't crying anymore, he noticed, just staring up at him with curiosity. Jack remembered to support to her head and felt her full weight in his arms. It was the first time he held his daughter.

She was so small, he noticed. Her little fists were barely as big as coins, her skin was smooth and silky, her hair was fine and soft, and her eyes were big. The little lips lining her mouth were wet with spit as she gurgled and drooled, a fact Jack began to find rather cute.

His daughter yawned, her whole body tensing up, her toes curling and legs scrunching up. Her eyes began watering as if she were ready to cry again.

"That was a big yawn," Jack found himself talking to his daughter as he walked down the deck. "Are you tired? Are ye tired? Ah, ye want yer mommy, don't ye, lil' lady? Yeah, I want yer mommy, too," Jack chuckled. "That was a strange-soundin' phrase, eh?"

The baby in his arms started crying.

"Oh, okay, okay," he whispered, "It's time fer bed fer you, young lady. You don't want to go back to see aunt Lizzy an' Uncle Will? Ye wanna stay with yer daddy? Of course ye do, cutie. C'mon, I'm gonna take ye to a place yer mommy loved to sleep while ye were still in th' oven."

Jack continued to croon to his daughter as they wandered up the deck to Sunni's hammock, now empty and swaying in the breeze. He sat down and the baby calmed down a little. Jack then kicked up his feet and laid back, placing his daughter on his chest. The wind carried the hammock back and forth gently and the baby calmed down. She yawned again and stuck her thumb in her mouth. Jack smiled down at her, gently stroking her back until both of them fell asleep.