Chapter 24
Will woke in his cabin, his head spinning violently. He staggered and stumbled out of bed and outside, eyes shielded against the blinding light. He stumbled to the rail and heaved over it. He felt terrible, like someone had bashed his head into a stone wall.
"So that's how you ended up in a fight with old Jackson." Mari said as she stood next to him. She was liming slightly, as though she was trying not to put too much pressure on one side.
"Yeah, something wrong with you?" Will asked. Finally able to raise his head and look at her.
"Not really. Just a minor graze by a bullet." Mari said casually. "Nothing compared to getting into a fight with old Jackson, especially when you're drunk. Now that's fun. Well, I guess not for you." Mari said. Will just stared at her.
"How'd you get to be like this?" he asked. Mari looked at him puzzled.
"How'd you mean?"
"I mean like you love getting into fights and dangerous situations. I can understand the dress and shoes thing after living the pirate life but it's like your immune to pain. And I don't know it's just different. I guess I'm still thinking I'm going to wake up and see this little midget standing in front of me begging to go swimming or get you a bird, or,"
"I get it Will," Mari interrupted. She smiled remembering all the childhood memories.
"You always did love the water. So it didn't really surprise me when I realized you took up being a pirate."
"Yes, I suppose. But when I landed in Tortuga I guess I had to learn things and forget things. I learned to take care of myself; and in the process I changed a lot, I never seemed to be able to go back to how I was. So I just accepted things and left them as they were. Then I learned another lesson." Mari said, her voice trailing off. Will looked at her.
"What was it?" he asked.
"Something that came back to haunt me last night" Mari said, thinking about the many times she could have been strangled, and how in the end Jack had saved her. The funny feeling came back in her stomach as she though about jack. She shook it off.
"I learned not to fall in love; it only caused pain that I wasn't ready for. And I'm not ready for, it's not worth the risk and is pointless so it's better off avoided." Mari said.
Around the corner of the cabin, unbeknownst to Will and Mari; Jack, Elizabeth, and Orion were listening intently to the conversation.
'So how did you survive after the explosion?" Mari asked.
"I'll tell you if you tell me how you survived." Will said.
"Ok, you first."
"Well, I found a piece of driftwood and ended up passing out on it; when I woke up I was staring at Elizabeth. I had been saved by a passing ship and I had just told her my name then passed out again. The next time I woke was in Port Royal. So ended up making a living in Port Royal." Will said.
"Darn, your story is boring." Mari said.
"Oh really? How do you figure that sister dear?" Will asked moving right in front of her and closer. Mari stared at him half sternly half teasingly.
"Because, mine involves a semi life/death situation." Mari said.
"Oh really?"
"Yes really."
"Well, tell me something." Will said moving closer.
Behind the wall Jack and Elizabeth tensed.
"What?" Mari asked, not backing down. Will reached out as though to embrace her then began tickling her.
'How does this feel?" Mari doubled over laughing trying to break away. But he down had her in a ticklish embrace.
"Will….please stop! That… tickles." Mari said through fits of laughter, still trying to pull away. She sank to her knees, dragging Will along with her. By now Will was laughing to and they were rolling on the deck, Mari was striking back with the same attack. Suddenly Mari let out a yelp of pain. Will had gone too far down and scratched her bullet wound. It began bleeding as she sat up, Will looked worried.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his face suddenly concerned. Mari nodded.
"Yes, you just got my wound. I haven't bandaged it yet." Mari said as Will helped her tenderly to her feet.
"Well go and get it bandaged before the crew wakes up and you have to stop in the middle of the day." Will said. Mari sighed irritated.
"Alright, alright. But just so I don't have you on my back about." Mari said. She gave her brother a friendly hug and walked to her cabin. Elizabeth, Jack and Orion scattered as she headed their way.