Disclaimer: Don't own POTC.
Chapter 6: Taking his arrow
Over the last few weeks Jack had noticed a change in his crew. Usually they were rough with one another. Always bickering and fighting. However since the child had been aboard the ship his crew seemed less violent and more like a family. He had noticed a big change in Gibbs and Ana Maria. Gibbs usually preferred to work alone. He hated the idea of working with the child in the galley. Given time however, Gibbs seemed like a sort of parent to Rachel. He was always very protective of her. When they plundered ships Gibbs would lock her in his cabin and then bring her back out when it was all over. He also bought her a little rag doll to play with. Rachel didn't play with it much. But, it was a great comfort to her during the battles between the Black Pearl and other ships.
Ana Maria seemed less tough than she had always been. Usually to show the men not to mess with her she'd beat someone up at least once a day. Now she used the time that she would beat someone up to play with the child. The whole crew actually seemed to spend a lot of time with Rachel. This disgusted Jack beyond belief. "How one child can make such a difference in their lives I'll never know." thought Jack to himself.
The next day the crew landed on island. They were going to spend two days on the island as kind of a vacation from the ship. "Alright you dogs! We're going to be spending two days on this island relaxing and I don't want to hear any fuss when we get back to the ship." Jack yelled to his crew. Rachel wasn't really paying attention. She couldn't wait to explore the island. What was out there that she had never seen before? She began to look around. Nothing really, but trees, trees, and more trees. She heard something move in the bushes she looked to see what it was. She saw something standing in the bushes. She could see an arm and an arrow being pointed directly at Jack. "Jack, look out!" Rachel yelled pointing to the bushes and running towards him. The man released the arrow, it was heading for Jack. Rachel knocked Jack to the ground. Rachel started to fall with him but it wasn't fast enough. The arrow brushed against Rachel's flesh, making a slit on the side of her hip. She feel to the ground wincing in pain.
"You three follow the man who shout the arrow. Gibbs go fetch the arrow. We need to see if they put poison on it." Jack said. Gibbs and the three men did as they were told. Jack crawled over to Rachel cradling her head in his lap. Ana Maria and Will rushed over to her. Ana lifted her shirt that was stained with blood.
"The cut's really deep. I'm going to have to stitch it up. Will run back to the ship and grab me a needle, some leather twine, a washcloth, and some bandages." Ana instructed. Will nodded his head and ran as fast as he could to the ship. Gibbs returned with the arrow in hand. He handed it to Jack. Jack sniffed it.
"Not poisoned." Jack said in the relief. The three men returned empty handed.
"He was too fast. He leapt through the trees and then disappeared." explained one of the men. Jack nodded in understanding. Will returned with the supplies needed. Ana Maria began her work. Rachel could feel the needle going in and out of her flesh. She winced as Ana worked. She grabbed Jack's hand and squeezed it tight. When Ana was finished Jack and Will helped Rachel walk over to a place where she could sit.
"That was a pretty brave thing you did back there for me luv." Jack said a little choked up. Rachel sifted in her seat a little and winced as she did.
"You save my life I save your life, right?" Rachel asked a little hoarse. Jack nodded.
"You stay here and rest. We're getting the ship loaded. I don't want to risk my men getting hurt. We'll find another place to vacation. Oh and Rachel, I'll always be there ter save ye." Jack said. Then he left. Rachel sat on the ground her side throbbing with pain. Her dog sat next to her watching the area.
Suddenly something caught Emy's eye. She growled at the trees. Rachel knew there was something wrong. Her dog never growled. "Jack!" Rachel called afraid. No one came. She kept calling his name, but there was never an answer. Her dog bolted after whatever it was growling at. "Emy come back!' Rachel shouted. She couldn't lose the only family she had left, but what if whatever was out there killed her. She wasn't that strong, because the arrow wound had made her weak. Family was stronger than anything and she couldn't lose it know. She stood up and as fast as she could (which wasn't very fast) she ran after her dog.
She found her dog in the center of the clearing still growling at the surrounding flora and fauna. Rachel looked around to see if there was anything out there, but she couldn't see anything. "Heel!" Rachel commanded Emy. Emy did as she was told. Rachel turned around and saw a man with a giant sword standing right behind her!
A/N: A cliffy! Would have happened some time.