Disclaimer: PotC belongs to Disney; Jacqueline, my characters, and my plot belong to me.

Chapter Quote: "I can't lose someone else...I just can't."

Chapter Nine

Bloody Pirates

The Lydia lay still in the harbor, slanted drunkenly on her left side. A long, white canvas was stretched along the right side, which lay mostly out of the water, and which also revealed a large depression in the tattered wood. The depression telling tales of adventure, excitement, battles, and of death.

A large crowd had gathered along the dock and a group of red-coated marines were bearing stretchers of wounded off the ship and heading in the direction of Port Royal's Naval Hospital. The sailors still on board were frantically trying to stem the flow of the water that was making the ship sink more heavily in the water.

Tom's face was pale and drawn as the wounded were brought down from the side of the ship and ferried through the rough crowd on the dock. He shoved his way through the bystanders, not bothering to see if Will had been able to keep up. He ran up the gang plank and was stopped at the top by a ruddy-faced sailor who barred the way with a double barrel pistol in his right hand.

"No civilians aboard lad." The sailor growled through a thick Irish accent.

"Please, I'm looking for my brother-"

"Ain't we all lad? But I cannot let you aboard, those are me orders." He spread his feet apart and pushed Tom away.

"Please! His name is Benjamin Murphy, he served as a lieutenant aboard this ship. Can you tell me where I could find him?"

The sailor's face softened the slightest but, "You Ben Murphy's brother?"

"Aye."

The sailor rubbed his darkened cheeks with a large, calloused hand. "They just took him to the hospital ward not too long ago I think."

Tom's face hardened though his color became slightly pallid as he spoke. "He's been wounded? How bad? What happened?"

"Slow down laddy, don't know more much more meself then you. We was attacked by a rogue bunch of pirates. Damn them, we lost a few good men too." The sailor looked back at him and nodded, "Young Murphy is a good lad he is, I wish ya all the luck in finding him."

Tom had hardly noticed Will come up and stand behind him, but as the sailor uttered these words he issued a short 'thank you', before darting back into the crowd, Will racing after him. Tom shoved his way furiously through the crowd, standing as least a head taller then almost all who were present. Once the two men had broke free back into the street, Will managed to grab hold of the burly blacksmith's arm and pulled him to a standstill.

"Wait Tom, just hold on a moment."

"My brother had been wounded Will, I've got to find him." Tom growled, ripping his arm away, his face rapidly gaining its color once more.

"Now wait half a moment, why haven't you spoken of him before? Why has he suddenly appeared after all these years?"

Tom frowned, pausing, "It's a long story."

"So long that you couldn't tell me after so long?"

"I have my reasons Will, don't get caught up in something that you couldn't understand."

"Try me."

Tom glared at him for a moment longer, then sighed in defeat at the sight of the latter's determined gaze. "Look, can we at least find him first? Then I'll tell you...everything."

Will nodded, "Good." He took a step back, allowing Tom to continue.

Tom turned to walk on, hesitated, and looked back at his friend. "I have to find him Will." He said slowly. "I can't lose someone else...I just can't."

I looked back sheepishly at Dr. Martin. Why did things like this always happen to me? He was watching me with his brows raised, his hands still as his sides. I stood, moving away from the cot. I walked over the girl, sleeping soundly on the table. I looked down into her sleeping face, envious of her unconsciousness. I wished I could be so oblivious...lost to all things. I could hear him rising from behind me.

"How are you so sure that I am Jacqueline Scott?" I asked quietly.

"How could you not be?" He replied. "I could never forget wounds such as those you bore, it was amazing that you survived."

Amazing that I had survived...was it so amazing after all? Was this the sort of future I had envisioned for myself? A ship-less, homeless, penniless pirate who was wandering the streets of Port Royal looking for the person I wanted to be. Only to find out that the one person whom I thought would never forget me, had, and was now in love with someone else. Not only that, but one of your best friends wants you out of town before dawn. Yeah, that said welcome back for ya really clear. Was this the future I had wanted?

No, it wasn't. Life was twisted, that was something I was sure of. I had nothing to say to Dr. Martin, no words to defend or to explain myself. Hell, I could barely recall who I was anymore. And was that such a terrible thing? I thought of my life on my ship, as a captain. I thought of my past here as Jacqueline Scott. Was is such a terrible thing to be caught between two worlds?

Your past and your present?

Who you are and who wish to be?

Yes...it was.

The hospital was teaming with wounded marines, soldiers, and officers by the time Tom and Will reached it. Tom looked about the building in dismay, the two men entering it and Tom immediately searching the faces of the injured for the face of his younger brother. Groans and shouts came from men laying on pallets and cots which covered the floor. Tom stopped a nurse who was hurrying by with an armload of bandages.

"Excuse me miss-" but he was interrupted by a quick glare from her.

"I'm sorry sir, you should not be in here."

"Miss, I'm looking for my brother-"

She shrugged impatiently. "Once the wounded are in a stable condition we post a notice of those living and deceased on the main door. Now if you will be so kind as to leave-"

"But-"

"Sir, the door is that way." She pointed and then turned to him once more, swiftly running experienced eyes over his weary, haggard face. "There are benches outside the door." She continued, "You will be notified of your brother's condition if you wait out there for a while."

Relief and gratitude flooded the brawny blacksmith's face. "Thank you very much miss."

She nodded curtly, "What is the name of your brother?"

"Benjamin Murphy."

She nodded again, "I will see that you are notified." And then she left.

Tom and Will walked out the door and upon spying the benches, seated themselves upon them. Tom hunched over, his head hanging low. Will sighed, glancing back at the doors of the hospital.

"It was a bitter attack." He said to his dejected friend. Tom did not answer so Will probed him further. "So...you think you could tell me what's going on now?"

Tom looked up at him, his blue eyes sad. "It's complicated."

"We have plenty of time now."Answered Will gently.

Tom sat up straighter, ran his fingers through his dark disheveled hair. "I've never told anyone..."

"Well," Answered Will, leaning back on the bench and crossing his arms over his chest. "that's about to change."

"So what have you been doing with yourself? I mean, last I heard you had disappeared five years ago and no one had seen hide nor hair of you since." Dr. Martin paused, "Until now that is."

I thought of my answer carefully. "Oh...I've done some traveling..." I said awkwardly, he met my gaze and frowned apologetically.

"I am sorry, it is really none of my business."

"No, it is not." I said shortly.

He flushed a light shade of red and said another quick apology.

I smiled half-heartedly. "It's all right... it's just that my past is something that I would rather not have catch up to me right now." I admitted, noting the way in which he nodded in sympathy.

"Not all roads were the right ones are they?" He asked softly, suppressing a deep sigh. I blinked in surprise,

"You might say that."

But could I say that? Could I really blame Jack for the road I had chosen? To this? No, I could never. I had made my own choice, and it had brought me here.

I could not imagine Dr. Martin doing anything that might be a shameful part of his past, he was really an excellent doctor. He caught my inquiring gaze and smiled slightly.

"Indeed Miss Scott, not all lives are laid out for us. We have the ability and freedom to make our own choices. Though they are not always the right ones. To err is human, but to correct what we have erred is something quite different."

I had nothing to say, I stared in astonishment. Perhaps...perhaps the good doctor and I were not so very different after all. There was an uncomfortable silence and he broke it by clearing his throat.

"I would recommend you remain here for the night Miss Scott, you need the rest and I would like to be able to keep an eye on your condition."

"My condition?"

"Yes, you are feverish. You probably did not realize it, the events of this day have been rather eventful for you haven't they?"

"But I couldn't–"

"Do you have other lodgings?"

I thought of Elizabeth, of Will, and of my mother. I could not trouble them with myself any longer. This was my mess...and I would have to get out of it. This was my burden, and I realized that for the first time in a long time, that I had no where else to go. No purpose to fulfil. "Well, no-"

"Then it is settled." He said triumphantly. I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm...it was rather catching I think.

After all...he was rather persuasive. "There is a bed in that room," he pointed to a door, "that you may use. I will stay out here tonight. As for the present time, I believe we should be finding you some...slightly more...decent attire?"

I looked down at my bloodied, torn tunic and breeches. I nodded slowly, "I believe you are right doctor."

I looked back up at him, relief flooding my emotions and becoming visible in my face. For so long now I had fought to quench those feelings of nervousness that now they were quite unfamiliar, and also slightly alarming. But now...I finally had time to think...everything had begun to slow down.

He smiled, nodding in approval. "Excellent. If you will only follow me Miss Scott-"

"Please Dr. Martin," I interrupted. "I no longer go by that name."

He looked at me with his brows raised.

"I would be most pleased if you called me Jacqueline."

He nodded again, "As you wish. Then I must insist on you calling me Stephen."

I did a mock curtsey, which drew a slight chuckle from him. "It would be my pleasure sir."

A/N: Well... I can only say I am sorry for the total lack of inspiration that I've had for my story. It's embarressing really. I'll work on an update! Cross my heart and hope to die.

TO BE CONTINUED...