See Chapter One for Disclaimer.
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Chapter 5
Jack had watched Ana leave, his face stinging from the slap, before turning back to pick up another bottle of rum. Looking at the fish that was still flopping around on top of the other fish like it Jack sneered, looking at the finger the fish had bit. Who would've thought it hurt to be bitten by a fish?
"Now I really need some more rum." And so Captain Jack Sparrow headed to his own cabin with not two or three but four pint bottles of rum. He was sure no one saw him sneak, if one could sneak while singing badly, into his cabin. Why were the fates playing with him? Why now of all times, when everything was finally getting back to normal, or as normal as they got for Jack? Sighing Jack sat the bottles on the table while looking at them. "Which to drink first." Jack said to himself. "Yes, I think you're right. That one looks much better." Jack frowned when he realised that there was no one else in the room. Looking around and noticing that there was in fact no one there, and therefore no one to question why he was talking to himself he shrugged. What did it matter then? Jack picked up a bottle, uncorked it and drank heartily from it. The liquid flowed straight to his stomach warming his insides on the way there. Rum and the Pearl, that was all Jack needed. But inside, he knew, there was something else that he wanted.
- - - - -
Ana sat watching Jack's cabin, he had walked in not to long ago. She was still hurt at his blatant refusal to talk to her about the event that changed their relationship. Brent had finally loosened up and was talking with Jack's crew, telling them all about what the Red Lady had been doing in the months since Ana last saw the Pearl. Ana's gaze hadn't left Jack's room, until Gibbs sat beside her.
"The Captain ain't been the same since you left." Gibbs said after a while of silence.
"What ye mean?"
"Well, it's hard to describe. He's been less like the daft sod he was. Doesn't seem to enjoy pillaging, passes up the chance to head into Tortuga. Hasn't been on land for two months, not since we left you in Tortuga with your ship. Sorry bout that too Ana, but there were some of Port Royal's lads waiting for Jack." Gibbs explained. So that's why the crew practically kidnapped their own captain. Ana had been hurt that day, she had actually shed a few tears. She watched Jack's cabin longingly.
"I'm going to talk to Jack, don't disturb us. For anything." Ana said, standing up.
"Alright Ana. I hope you have some luck finding out what's up with him. Jack's not been like this since he lost the Pearl." Ana nodded. Jack had acted this way before? When Barbossa double-crossed him and left him on an island to die while he, Barbossa, sailed off with the Pearl? The Black Pearl was Jack's world. Nothing mattered more than the Pearl. But you might, that small voice returned in Ana's head. The one that told her that she felt more than friendship and lust towards Jack Sparrow. Now it was telling her that Jack felt more for her than lust or friendship?
- - - - -
Jack looked at the other bottles, two were empty now and one was half way there. No, not half empty half full! Optimism is the key.
"Ha!" Jack laughed out loud at his own musings. In the distant world of the sober Jack heard the cabin door open. He was about to stand, turn and tell whoever it was to get out. However, Jack got as far as the stand and fell on the turn, landing on the floor with a thud. Rolling to his back he groaned before his head was placed on a lap and a pair of soft hands ran over his cheek where Ana had slapped him earlier.
"You daft blighter." Jack recognised the voice. AnaMaria. Why was she bothering him now?
"Shouldn't you be out with the lap dog? He might get lost." Ana sighed, Jack meant to make a move to get up. Ana had moved on, he should too. Which meant staying away from the intoxicating dark skinned female. Getting to a sitting position Jack felt the room churn before this vision blurred and the headache came. He groaned at the discomfort and one of Ana's hands pulled his shoulder back down to rest his head against her lap once more.
"Have you eaten today?" Jack thought back. No, he hadn't. He shook his head rather than try to utter the words. "What about yesterday?" Again a shake of the head was all the pirate could manage. In truth it had been three whole days since he had eaten anything worth while. He somehow managed to inform the female of this and heard her sigh of exasperation. "And ye've probably still been drinking like a bloody fish. You really are gonna kill yourself with that drink Jack." Ana slowly helped him to his feet, helping him to his bed. She lay him down, taking his jacket and shirt off. Jack felt a tingle at her touch but put it to the drunken stupor he had once more managed to get himself into.
"What do you care?" This is what Jack meant to say, however he was pretty sure it came out as 'mumble mumble mumble hair'. One could only wonder.
"What are you on about now?" Ana shook her head, irritated with the pirate. "You really are a fool Jack Sparrow." She brushed away some of the hair around his face, her hand cupping his cheek. "Too bad for me you're one hell of an amazing fool." Ana placed a kiss to his forehead. "I've missed you Jack. I really have." Ana made to leave but Jack caught her wrist before she could, stopping her.
"Missed you too luv." And with that Jack fell into unconsciousness unaware of the elation that crossed Ana's face before the worry took residence on her pretty features.
- - - - -
That night Jack was struck by a fever. His insides probably not able to cope with the rum after the starvation Jack had been subjecting himself too. Ana had told her crew they were not leaving until Jack was well. Brent had been very adamant that this was not their problem, that Jack was nothing to do with them. Ana had been close to shooting him right there, but she held back. Brent was unaware of how much Jack meant to her. Gibbs had ordered for some broth to be made along with fresh bread to be found. Ana sat beside Jack, a damp cloth in her hand, wiping away the sweat on the pirate's forehead. Ana was in turmoil. What was this feeling? The longing, the pain of loss, rejection? She knew that she cared for him, but how much? Did she love the rogue pirate? More than Brent? Did she even love Brent for that matter? Sure he was a great man, a good friend and lover. But he was…bland. Too bland for Ana's liking. And she knew why she had been so drawn to him now. She knew what had taken her in so easily. Brent was the opposite of Jack in every way. Stroking a stray strand of hair behind Jack's ear, Ana cupped his face.
"I do love you, the scoundrel that you are." Ana smiled, placing a small kiss on Jack's lips. Jack stirred slightly, but didn't wake. Just then the door opened and Gibbs came in with a bowl of broth soup and bread for Jack. Ana noticed a stricken looking Brent standing outside, his eyes wide, and face sullen. Had he heard? Did it matter?
"Here we are Ana. You think we should rouse him?" Ana looked from Brent to Gibbs then down to Jack.
"No. Let him rest. I'll feed him when he wakes. Don't worry. I'll watch over him." Ana said, once more wiping the sweat beads on Jack's face. He was starting to burn up, the fever beginning to hit its peak. "Come on Jack. You can pull through." Ana caressed his cheek softly, she was sure he smiled against her hand. Ana leaned down and kissed his head, looking for another reaction. There was a frown in his brow and a twitch at his lips. She smiled, getting up and closing the door to the cabin. If Jack was waking up she wanted to be able to talk to him with no interruptions.
- - - - -
Jack slowly opened his eyes, everything blurring before coming into a view that Jack could recognise. His cabin, he was in his own bed and someone was sitting with him. A soft hand ran over his cheek, feather soft.
"How are you?" Ana, she was watching over him. Jack smiled weakly.
"Been worse, although I can't think of a time right now, but I know I've been worse off." Ana helped Jack to sit up.
"You need to eat, you've got a fever." That would explain the coldness he felt while burning up. Strange how these things all made sense once someone else told him what was going on, no, it wasn't. Weird chain of thought, shut up Jack. Okay. "Jack, eat before I force it down your throat." Jack was snapped back to reality by the softness in Ana's tone.
"Alright woman." Jack ate some of the soup but was unable to force himself to touch the bread. He'd been too long without food; it was as if he had forgot how to eat it. Ana relented to Jack's lack of co-operation, letting the pirate fall back against the bed. She wiped his forehead, placing a gentle hand on his chest.
"You really are in a bad way you daft sod. Why'd you do this to yerself?" Jack didn't answer her, he just laid his hand over hers while stroking his thumb back and forth on the back of her hand. Ana ran her hand down his face, once more kissing his forehead.
"Love you too luv." Jack tried to mutter before falling asleep again. But he was unaware if the female pirate heard him. He hoped she did. He didn't know if he'd be able to say it again.
- - - - -
Jack was sick for almost two days, Ana had made sure that her ship was anchored beside the Pearl and that everyone knew they weren't leaving till Jack was well. Gibbs had been very grateful for Ana's help in tending to Jack, he seemed more responsive to Ana. Unfortunately his appetite hadn't returned and this concerned both Ana and Gibbs. For no matter how ill Jack got, they all knew that he would still drink his rum, even if it would kill him. Ana stood with Gibbs outside Jack's cabin where the pirate Captain slept.
"I don't know how we're gonna get him to eat, nothing's working." Gibbs said.
"We could marinate the stuff in rum." Ana joked, she needed to try and keep things blithe. "He's gonna be no good for anything until he gets his strength up." Ana said seriously. Gibbs nodded.
"Yeah, and your crew are getting restless. Maybe you should head off with them. You've done enough." Ana shook her head.
"It's not enough till he's up and about and healthy. He saved my neck Gibbs, I'm leaving till he throws me off the ship." Just then, Brent interrupted Gibbs and Ana.
"I'm afraid we may have to leave. There's a Navel Ship on route to intercept us. The Dauntless." Gibbs and Ana both shared a glance.
"That bloody Commodore." Gibbs nodded.
"Ana, you get over to your ship, we'll make way for…Iverny, there be no way they'll follow us there." Ana nodded.
"Aye, we'll keep level with you. Best run out the guns though. Just in case." Gibbs and Ana went their own ways, Ana heading with Brent to the Red Lady while Gibbs headed about telling the Pearl's crew what was happening. Ana ordered for the anchor to be hoisted and for them to make for Iverny, a pirate island where no navel vessel would dare venture in. The Pearl was faster than the Red Lady though, and made better time, the Dauntless caught up with Ana's ship, but no shots were fired.
"We should stay and fight." Brent said from beside Ana.
"Why? They haven't fired at us. It's more likely that they're following the Pearl, so they won't bother with us. We're heading for Iverny, and if we can avoid confrontation with that bloody Commodore." Brent seemed somewhat disheartened. Ana couldn't understand why. Brent always thought these things through. AnaMaria turned towards the Pearl, sure enough the moment the Dauntless was within firing range the cannons were fired. Ana was sick with worry. What if the crew didn't have any ideas when they ran out of cannons? What if something hit Jack's cabin? What if Jack came out? "I want to catch up. Now!" Ana yelled, she had to get to Jack. She had to make it back to him. "Oh God, Jack. Be okay." Ana whispered, unaware that Brent had once more heard her.
- - - - -
"Fire!" Gibbs yelled for all to hear. Jack woke with a start. What the blazes was going on? Grabbing his shirt and jacket, quickly picking up his pistol and sword on the way, Jack made for the main deck, staggering slightly at the blasts and through weakness.
"Mr Gibbs! Oh bollocks." Jack saw the Dauntless and Norrington, firing at the Pearl. They were still sailing, although the Pearl hadn't made up speed just yet. Jack caught a glance at the Red Lady sailing up behind, slowly gaining the momentum it needed to catch up. The ship rocked again and a cannon ripped through the hull of the Pearl.
"Stop blowing holes in my ship you bloody red coats!" Jack yelled. Gibbs was by his side in a minute.
"Jack. You should be resting. You haven't got the strength for this." Jack waved his hands in the air, dismissing Gibbs' concern.
"I'm fine. Fit as a fiddle, though a fiddle really isn't fit or none of that cause its inanimate, but that ain't the point. What's going on?" Gibbs frowned.
"We're under attack." Jack just stared at him for a moment.
"I can see that. Why?" Gibbs shook his head.
"They just came outta nowhere and started firing at us." Just then the cannon fire from the Dauntless stopped.
"Hold yer fire!" Jack called, walking to the rails. Both ships were keeping close sailing, the Dauntless must have had some improvements made, and the Pearl not yet a full speed due to recent damage from past pillaging.
"Jack Sparrow. Surrender your ship and come quietly." Norrington yelled over.
"CAPTAIN! It's Captain Jack Sparrow!" Jack yelled back, why is it so hard for people to just add the Captain? Jack felt a slight dizzy spell and clutched the railing for support. Note to self: don't starve on a regular basis, Jack thought to himself.
"Sparrow, just give up already." Norrington said, clearly bored. Jack looked back to Gibbs who just shrugged.
"Alright." Norrington looked at Jack like he was mad, which was kinda normal by now. "FIRE!" And the cannon fire restarted. Jack wasn't giving up the Pearl. He never would. The Red Lady finally caught up and started to help with the cannon fire, which was just as well since the Black Pearl was running low. Jack's head started to ache from the noise, his vision blurring regularly while the constant chill racked his body. Maybe I am still a little under the weather, Jack thought to himself. There was always the possibility.
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