Chapter Eighteen

Ruby felt like she'd been swimming the entire ocean. Her muscles hurt, she felt cold and clammy, and soaked. The one thing she realised was gone was the blazing sun which had been burning up her entire being. With a gasp she opened her eyes, breathing hard from the jumble of memories and dreams which were like a coloured kaleidoscope passing her vision.

Immediately she felt the touch of calloused but tender hands on her forehead, followed by lips that she would know even blindfolded. Those same hands travelled her exposed body, presumably checking the temperature there also, and then arms were surrounding her, holding her so closely and so lovingly, that she felt moisture fill her eyes. She must be more wiped out than she thought if she was tempted to cry.

At this point though all she could remember were vague visions of Will at her side, begging her to hold on, reaffirming his love for her again and again. His patient hands giving her water, and his love giving her strength. He was doing it all again, and for the first time in ages she felt safe. Frustrated at not being able to remember why she was here, or what had happened, but safe none-the-less. Those lips pressed to hers and she sighed in contentment. Yes, if this was all she ever knew again, it would be more than enough.

"Will."

She burrowed into his chest, wincing when the wound in her side pulled against the stitches. She gave a small whimper, but pulled back to look Will in the eyes,

"Will," She repeated softly.

The sound of his name on her lips was like the Manna God sent to the Israelites in the Bible stories his mother used to tell him. Nothing had ever sounded as sweet. Her cool brow felt better than anything he'd ever dreamed of. The fever had finally broken. She was going to make it. He wasn't sure whether he wanted to shout or cry in expression of his joy. Perhaps both. "I'm right here love. I'm right here."

Ruby sank against him, exhausted. She felt like she been on a long journey. She was tired but had slept enough. She rested her chin in the curve of his neck, "Where be Da?"

"He and Jack are having dinner." He wasn't about to mention that dinner was with Commodore Norrington. "I'll send for them immediately. They'll never forgive me if I don't."

Ruby smiled softly, "Donnae interrupt their dinner, I be knowin' Da, he hasnae stopped ta have dinner or leave me voluntarily."

Will grinned. "None of us have. I half expected you to wake and yell at us for being such bears whilst you were... sleeping."

Ruby's smiled slipped and she stared wide eyed into William's eyes, "Sleepin' Will? There be no need ta colour tha' facts. I know what I went though."

Will pressed his lips to hers and nodded. "Aye, I know love. It just seems the wrong time to think about what almost happened."

"I cannae remember clearly what happened, but I know tha I almost died an' there be no hidin' from tha fact."

"Aye. That you did." His face burrowed into her neck, his sniffle reverberating around the room. "Don't ever do that to me again love. I swear you've taken ten years off my life. I've never been so scared in all my days."

Ruby's brow furrowed as she remembered something hazy, "Tha' slaver? Did we beat it, did we win."

"Aye, we did love. All the women are safe now. And so are you." His heart ached and his smile lit him from within. "And so are you." He pressed his lips to hers again and dared to kiss her a bit more deeply. "I love you so much Ruby. I've been so scared."

Ruby slid her arms around him, and squeezed him as tightly as her injury would allow, "I be so sorry." Tears slipped from her eyes. She was too worn to hide her emotions, or to control the excesses.

Tears fell from his own eyes at the sight of hers, at his utter relief, but he didn't care. All that mattered was the feel of her in his arms. The reality that she was going to live. "Oh love. There's nothing you have to be sorry about. You came back to me. You fought hell itself and came back to me. That's all that matters. You're safe, and I'm never letting you go again. Never."

Ruby allowed herself the luxury of weakness; she curled into Will and sobbed slowly. It had suddenly hit her just how close to dying she'd been. It hurt to know just what her loss would have done to the men around her. She cried until her eyes were swollen and her nose felt bloated and sore. He held her patiently through it all, caressing her gently.

His hand stroked her face, her hair. His lips traced the same pathways, pressing butterfly kisses to every inch of exposed skin. His heart beat a tattoo that if given voice would paint vividly just how much she meant to him. When the tears finally ceased, and the dry sobbing commenced, he rocked her carefully, whispering against her ear. "Shhhh... everything is all right now love. Everything is going to be just fine now."

Ruby sniffled and wiped her eyes against the sheet which covered her. She hiccuped as she shrugged to recover her composure, becoming aware of the fact that her body's functions were slowly waking up. She flushed crimson, "Ah Will?"

"Yes love?"

"I need ta relieve meself," She swallowed, "But I be needing help ta move."

Will smoothed the hair from her forehead. "Aye. I'll call in the nurse love... it'll give me a chance to call for Da and Jack as well. So long as that's what you want."

Ruby nodded kind of glad that he wasn't going to insist on helping her. It would have embarrassed her no end. Before she had a chance to speak her stomach gave a loud growl. "Mayhap ye can find some food fer me ta?"

The smile he gave her lit the room, and warmed both of them. "Anything you'd like."

" Not so fast Mr Turner," came a severe voice from the door, the nurse stood there with her arms folded across her buxom chest. "The patient hasn't eaten for close too two weeks. Her stomach has shrunk, she will be getting broth and perhaps bread until her stomach is used to solid food again."

"I didn't plan on feeding her much, but she's survived, she should at least have something with a taste to it."

"Broth, Mr Turner."

Will scowled at the woman, but pretended to acquiesce. He'd sneak her in something decent. "As you wish Anne."

It was probably quite telling as to the severity of Ruby's illness that the staff and the three of them were all on a first name basis. Well, all but Anne who refused to use first names herself, but didn't seem to mind that they used hers.

"Now Mr Turner, leave." If anything the nurse managed to look more intimidating that ever. He opened his mouth to protest and her scowl deepened. "Get out Mr Turner! I want to help Lorelei bathe so she can look presentable when your father returns."

Will turned to Ruby, and he made a face when all she did was shrug. She didn't look intimidated, actually she looked rather weary. As if suddenly the last two weeks had caught up to her. Her body was still healing so she'd probably sleep a lot over the next few days. He ignored the fuming nurse for a moment, rushing forward to press another light kiss upon Ruby's lips, their breath mingling as they both sighed in contentment. "Okay. I'll be back as soon as our good nurse here says you are ready. And I'll bring Jack and Da with me."

Ruby grinned, "I think I be awhile, tis appearin' I'm ta get tha' full treatment."

She watched the nurse being in the tub and began to fill it. Ruby had a large ward to herself. All the other patients were male; most of them had contagious illnesses. Anne did not want the girl to be exposed to anything while she was so vulnerable.

Will left with one last searing glance, and she shivered involuntarily, and then finally let her guard down once the door shut behind him. Part of her didn't want him to be more than a few feet away, another part, was thankful that she could give in to the weakness that was starting to consume her. Irrational though it might be, she still didn't like the thought of him seeing her at her less than best.

She followed Anne's directions without a struggle, sitting forlornly in the tub once it was full of hot water. She signed when Anne began to scrub her skin with harsh lye soap. "Ummm, can I ask ye somethin'?"

Anne blinked a few times before nodding. "Certainly."

"Why cannae I remember anythin' about what happened? I remember enterin' tha ship but tha' be it." A fierce frown crossed Ruby's face, a headache forming, "An' there be somethin' naggin at me ta remember."

Understanding dawned in Anne's eyes and she gave Ruby a sympathetic smile. "It's the body's way of healing dear. You've enough stress right now just trying to recover from a brush with death. Your body will deal with the rest when it's able. Don't rush it. It'll come when it's time. You aren't really in that big a hurry to remember how you ended up here are you?"

Ruby smiled wryly, "I always be in a headlong rush. As me Da is fond o' saying. I'd like ta put this behind me an' ta do tha' I need ta remember an' confront it."

"If you try to confront it before you are ready though, you might end up finishing the job of killing yourself. Trust me; let it come in its own time. Like as not we are only talking a few days dear. Let your body rest and heal first. Then you'll be fit to deal with the barrage of emotions and memories. If you want my advice, just enjoy being alive. Enjoy that man of yours that loves you to distraction, and those two fathers of yours that love you every bit as much in their own way. Not a one of them has left your side willingly since you came, but especially not Will. You're a lucky woman if you ask me."

Ruby chewed her lip thoughtfully as a flash appeared before her eyes but it was gone before she could catch it. She settled back with a sigh, and closed her eyes against Anne's soothing ministrations. At that point in time she could understand why noble women wanted their maids. When it came to washing her hair, Anne took her time and massaged her scalp, sending Ruby into a deliciously drowsy state.

Ruby wasn't positive, but had a feeling she'd actually dozed whilst in the tub. Not that Anne let her stay that way long enough for the water to get cold, but now she struggled to get out of the tub and into her nightclothes so that she could get back to the bed before she collapsed. She hated this weakness. But she supposed she was lucky indeed to be alive. Just as Anne said. And she was a lucky woman to be loved by the men in her life. Anne was right about that too. When she snuggled into the covers finally, she didn't even attempt to resist the sleep that beckoned. Somehow her heart was confident in the fact that those she most longed to see would be waiting for her when she awoke again.

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Will shot out of the infirmary like a cannon. Running hell for leather for the ship and wondering if his skin was going to manage to keep him from flying apart in his excitement. He'd never been so happy in his entire life. He wanted to scream it for the world, and did just that as he boarded the Maiden, everyone eyeing him like he had lost his mind. "She's alive. Out of danger. Awake. Talking. Taking a bath. Do you hear me? SHE'S AWAKE!"

He plunged down the companionway and into the Captain's cabin, which had been set up for a formal dinner. He hadn't been invited, but he didn't mind. It was Norrington's not so subtle way of putting feelers out about his father, and to antagonise Jack, hoping he would slip up. He burst into the room, the hatch swinging open and slamming into the wood. Their immediate looks of panic turned quickly to hesitant hope as they saw Will's face. Will nodded and practically bounced up and down in answer to their silent query. "She's alive. Awake. Fever's gone. Having a bath. She doesn't remember anything, but she's okay. Oh thank God. She's Okay."

"Why that's wonderful news Mr Turner," Commodore Norrington replied as Bill and Jack bounded up to Will for more details.

"Anne is bathing her now so she'll feel more like a human when we get back. She remembers only up to where we boarded the slaver I think. That was my impression anyway. But she was lucid and we had a long conversation." His heart was beating like eagle's wings within his chest, and could tell it was well matched within the two men smiling like the sun had just begun to shine again. "It's really over. She's really going to be okay."

Bill coughed, as he stepped back from his son and turned back to the table. "Commodore Norrington I hope you will forgive and excuse us. I'd like to go to the hospital to visit my daughter. See with my own eyes." During the last few days, Bill had had to placate and keep company of the naval officer. While he found the man pedantic and arrogant, he didn't dislike him. But neither did he trust him. He'd been reluctant to discuss Ruby, despite the man's questions.

Norrington smiled graciously. "I'd be insulted if you thought you had to stay. By all means, go to your daughter. I can see my way out."

"Thank you," Bill grabbed Jack's arm before the man could say anything. It was clear that the Pirate Captain disliked the Commodore, and that the feeling was entirely mutual. They'd traded thinly veiled barbs all night. Bill was getting tired of it, and didn't want to risk Jack trying to score one more point only to wind up arrested. And just when Ruby had woken.

Will had the strangest urge to grab his Da and Jack and dance them around the room. So instead he hugged them both fiercely. His joy bounding over, "I don't think I've ever been so happy."

Bill slapped Will on the back, "Come on son, let's go see our girl."

Jack was in a stunned oblivion the whole trek to the infirmary. His heart simply refused to believe until it had seen her for himself. Deep down, he'd been certain that his sins were catching up with him and he was going to lose her. He almost couldn't force himself to go through the door when they got there. It was just too much. Surreal didn't even begin to describe it. He drew in several deep breaths as the other two entered the room, waiting to hear Ruby's voice, but it didn't come and he resigned himself to the fact that Will had been wrong.

He heard Bill and William whispering excitedly, but he still steeled himself for going in and finding it had all been a mirage due to Will's exhaustion. Or that she'd slipped back into her fever whilst they were gone. Finally he managed to muster the courage, and walked through the door and up to the bed. She was right where he'd left her, unconscious and deathly pale. He lay a shaking hand on her hot clamm... wait. No. Her cool brow. Holy hell, the fever really was gone. His heart stopped beating and he collapsed heavily into the chair that thank goodness was right there. "Oh lands, she really is better."

Bill sat down in the chair next to the bed, or rather crumpled into it. He leaned forward and stroked the now washed and tamed hair from Ruby's brow and then leaned forward and kissed it. "Welcome back ta us Ruby Child."

The two of them shared a long look, then drooped in their chairs as if their smiles were too heavy for them to sit up straight. Will merely grinned all the harder. "You didn't really believe me did you?"

"Who didnae believe what?" came a mumbled reply from the direction if the bed. Ruby slowly opened her eyes and smiled tiredly at her Da.

Jack leaned in and pressed his lips to Ruby's temple, tenderness suffusing him entirely. "Didnae believe that ye were back from the dead love. But praise be, ye are none-the-less."

Ruby reached out and took his hand; she gripped it tightly, too over come to speak for a moment.

Bill broke the silence first. "So how ye be feelin' Lorelei?"

"Worn out Da. Like I be swimmin' tha' entire ocean."

"Aye, I'm not sure that wouldna have been easier." Bill replied sympathetically.

Ruby put her hands by her legs and struggled to push herself upright. She fell back against her pillows exhausted and frustrated as pain twinged sharply up her side and through her stomach.

All three were immediately there frowning down on her. Jack spoke for them all though. "Now none of that. You just rest. We nearly lost ye damn it, and I don't particularly desire to repeat the experience."

Ruby waved her hand, dismissing their concerns as over protective. "I be fine really, I just be uncomfortable lyin' like this. Would one o' ye mind helpin' me sit up?"

Will moved back to the third chair and settled in whilst the two "fathers" settled her into a seated position and then continued to fuss over her, fluffing pillows as if they were nurses instead of pirates. What would people think if they could only see them now? The very thought nearly made him laugh out loud. He wanted to be near her, but he didn't mind letting the three of them have some time together. Now that she was out of danger, there'd be plenty of time to be near her. Forever in fact.

Ruby put up with the two mother hens for a total of about five minutes before she scowled, "All right, that be enough already!" she cried when Bill straightened her blanket for the third time and Jack adjusted the pillow behind her back.

Will's laugh slipped past his lips unbidden this time. "If I'd any doubt that Ruby was on the mend before, I've none now."

Bill and Jack sat, thoroughly chastised, their fingers twitching as if they were tempted to reassure themselves one last time. Ruby turned her scowl on William. "I never did get me food. Be a love an' ask the nurse fer me?"

Will grimaced. "I forgot to get you some contraband love. I won't forget next time though, I promise."

"Never mind. I just want somethin' ta still tha grumblin, tis gettin painful."

Once will was gone Jack took her hand in his and squeezed it as if reassuring himself once again that she truly was there. "How are ye really feeling love?"

"Lost Jack. I..." Ruby blinked away more tears, "I donnae know what I be supposed ta feel. I almost died an' I just feel disjointed an' disconnected."

Jack leaned in and wrapped his arms around her, holding her as tightly as he could without harming her side. "Ye are supposed to feel whatever it is ye feel. Don't fight it, and don't wonder if it be the right thing te feel. It's how it is. Ye've been te hell and back, tis not somethin' just everyone experiences."

Ruby nodded, blinking away the tears that had pooled. Jack would know, he'd been close to death. He had the scars to prove it. "I donnae remember nothing an' that be plaguing me. There be something tha' I need to remember but every time I be reachin' for it, it slips me grasp."

"Stop fretting love. It'll come back when its meant to. If you can't remember, there's probably a good reason why. Don't rush it. Trust me, ye'll be rememberin' it all far too soon and then ye'll probably wish it'd been wiped from yer memory for good."

Ruby nodded miserably, "When can we be leavin' fer Haven? I wanna be home."

Bill chuckled softly, though his eyes were filled with sympathy. "Our little Lorelei is indeed back from the grave. Restless and impatient. It'll likely be another week or so love. We have te wait for the Dauntless te return from it's 'fact finding mission', even if ye were well enough te sail, which ye aren't. Norrington is sailing out tomorrow and when he returns he'll release us. If ye are healed sufficiently, we can leave then."

Ruby's face drew up in an indignant scowl. "Release us?" She hissed, "What do ye mean release us? Are we arrested?"

Jack sighed. "No, but they do have te investigate so they can assure everyone involved that it was a rescue attempt. Since my name is woven in there, it's automatically suspect. As ye well know, I have a bit of a... reputation, on Port Royale. Some would just love te believe that it was actually me that kidnapped her. Or even that I was the captain of the slaver ship. Don't worry love, the man was utterly besotted with ye when he met ye, and the Maiden is a legitimate ship, and even Bill here managed te avoid any branding of a pirate, so there's no proof he ever was. Tis all merely protocol and nonsense."

Ruby's eyebrow rose into her hair line. "Who woulda though ye 'ave such a reputation," She smirked at Jack, "An' what do ye mean besotted with me? I only met tha man once."

"I mean besotted. It was apparently enough. He is convinced ye are the most charmin' woman he's met in ages. And ye share his love of the ocean and are a capable sailor. All things that hold you in high esteem. Oh, and he went on and on about your impeccable manners."

Ruby roared in gales of laughter, which again brought about pain from her injury. She wiped her streaming eyes, "Remember tha' English Doxy ye brought ta Haven a few years back? Tha well ta do one who was runnin' from her husband after he found out 'bout her affair? Tha's who I pretended ta speak like."

They both joined in and laughed heartily. "Well apparently ye learned well love. The man all but offered ye a captainship for her majesty's Navy. Of course, being a woman he couldn't, but he would have had it been up te him I'm sure."

"An who told me tha' flirtin never would get me anywhere?" Ruby chuffed proudly.

Jack gasped. "It wasn't me, I assure ye of that. Who would ever speak such blasphemous words?"

Will practically growled from behind them. "It would have been me if I'd been there. Especially when the word Norrington is in the same breath."

Ruby looked up at him and grinned, struggling to hide the sudden waxiness of her complexion as exhaustion hit. "There be nae harm in flirtin William."

"So you don't mind if I flirt with other women then?" Will quirked an eyebrow. "Doesn't bother you one bit?"

"I cannae exactly stop ye." Suddenly Ruby frowned and her brow furrowed, something about that question struck a cord but she pushed it away.

"But it bothers you anyway right? Well it bothers me the idea of you flirting with another man too." Will shrugged. "I like being the only man you have eyes for."

Ruby didn't answer as she sat looking at him with wide eyes, as if that would bring the memory back into sharp focus. Will shifted from one foot to another, growing increasingly nervous under her scrutiny. "What? Do I have something hanging from my nose or something? Or is the notion of me being possessive so strange?"

Ruby shook her head absently, "I donnae remember." She whispered hoarsely.

Will slipped in close and pressed a lingering kiss to her lips. "Stop worrying love. You will. When it's time, you will."

She was about to reply when her belly gave a loud growl for attention, protesting it's staved condition and finally wanting nourishment after two weeks of water. As if they had heard it themselves, Anne and another nurse entered the room with a tray of food. Anne's voice was more chipper than they'd heard it in all the days they'd spent here. "I'd have brought it sooner, but you fell asleep the minute you were tucked into the bed after your bath. I figured you needed sleep more right then."

Ruby smiled, "Thank ye. Ye be right but now tha' hollowness in me stomach be makin' itself known." She suffered the nurse to tuck a napkin into the top of her gown and took the spoon gleefully in hand. It shook so badly that she couldn't get it into the bowl, or keep the liquid upon it. She dropped it back into the bowl and restrained herself from howling. She felt all churned up inside and each show of her weakness depressed her further.

Jack took her hand in his and kissed it. "Ye've shown more strength just by surviving than ye could imagine love. There's no shame in needing help till ye regain the strength ye had te use up."

Her face flushed scarlet. The last thing she'd wanted was one of them feeding her, or to appear like an invalid to William. Jack leaned in and whispered in her ear. "I've been there; it will be okay I promise love. And he doesnae care about anything so inconsequential as this. Stop being so hard on yerself, ye'll be back te fightin' form in no time."

Ruby nodded, and patiently endured her father spooning in the warm vegetable broth into her mouth. When she was done she slid down into the bed and pulled the sheet up to her chin. "Da, Jack, Will...I..I'm really tired again an' I'm startin' ta get a headache. Would ye mind lettin me sleep? I know ye three could use tha sleep aboard tha' ship."

Will's lips curved downward and his heart sank a bit. He was being selfish and stupid, but part of him really wished she'd want him to stay with her. "You're sure you don't want me to stay with you?" Hmmm... he hadn't meant to ask that out loud.

Ruby shook her head, "Please Will..." Her voice caught, "I need a little time alone." She'd had a near death experience, and life was not going to fall straight into place. She had to accept that, she also had to re-evaluate herself.

Will smiled and swallowed his own pain. "Of course. We'll see you in the morning then."

Ruby watched them walk out, and then dissolved into the uncertainness that plagued her. She hadn't wanted them to see her like this. It had been bad enough that they'd witnessed her weakness. And cared from her during her illness, cleaning her when she couldn't do it for herself. Eventually she fell into another exhausted sleep.

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Will stared out into the distance and leaned heavily into the mermaid figurehead. It was the closest he could get to her for now it seemed. He couldn't explain it, but somehow he felt as if she was pulling away from him. Perhaps it was that she was embarrassed to show her weakness to him, when you loved someone you should be willing for them to see everything, at least that's what he'd always thought. Perhaps it was that every time she tried to remember whatever it was she kept insisting on trying to remember, she looked at him, or rather through him, and it sent a chill straight to his bones.

Or perhaps it was her rubbing off on him. There'd been a blazing red sky this morning. He'd awakened actually in fear that the port was on fire it was so brilliant. But her fever breaking should dispel that eerie feeling of coming fate shouldn't it? Should disprove her superstitious nature? Why then did he keep feeling that the wind was about to change, and that it bode nothing but ill will? He shook his head and forced any thought but relief and joy from him. There was plenty of time in life to dwell on misery, this was a rare time for celebration and he wasn't about to waste it. So he turned to the impromptu party aboard the Maiden, and shared in the revelry of the crew that were so thankful their captain would survive to sail another day.