Everything stood still for a moment, everyone's eyes were on Thomas, hoping, daring him to move. But to Jacks dismay he didn't, he stayed still, nothing about him moved. Not even his chest. He wasn't breathing.

Jacks' ownbreathing was becoming erratic as he began to bleed to death. His eyes were red and puffy, his skin pale and clammy and his mind was racing. He noticed Captain Robinson standing only a few centimetres from him, a happy grin on his face as he stood and watched the Thomas shaped lump amongst the rubble. But that happy grin didn't stay there for long.

Jack mustered together enough energy and effort to drive the blade of his sword- which was still clutched in his right hand- through Robinson's stomach. And again through his lungs. Then finally through his heart.

As Robinson fell to the ground, his eyes lay open, still with the look of both shock and surprise. Jacks face clearly showed how much he detested the man he had just killed. His dead body was the last thing Jack saw before everything went black...

Anamaria's body shook with each breath she took. Her frame had become a skeleton with skin; the only part of her that wasn't stick thin was her stomach which housed her unborn child. The bump seemed to be alarmingly large for the stage she was at, but that was simply due to her under-nourished body. The 'symptoms' of the 'curse' clung to Ana's skin, still alarmingly noticeable. Everyday new warts or spots replaced the old ones over the burned flesh.

Elizabeth sat with her. She herself was becoming far too skinny. She had found herself without much of an appetite after Thomas was taken, and barley ate unless she was practically forced to.

Anamaria hadn't woken up properly since finding out her baby boy was missing. She was barley conscious enough to be fed now, which was causing more and more worry between John and Valerie. Now if Anamaria survived the day, everyone found it a blessing. The worry that she would not be alive when Jack got back was ever present.

Quite often Valerie was not able to attend Anamaria. She was nine months pregnant, and due to give birth at any day. What worried the others most was the fact she was more concerned about taking care of Ana, then she was of taking care of herself. Therefore she had been banned from going in to see Ana more then once every other day until after the birth.

Elizabeth's eyes were red and puffy, staring into space as she sat in the dark room. Her hair was loosely pulled back, tied with a pale ribbon to keep it out of her face. She couldn't help blaming herself for her small part in the downfall of the Sparrow family. Elizabeth almost fell off her chair with shock when Anamaria's eyes opened for the first time in weeks.

"Hey Ana." Elizabeth made her voice as soft as she could. "How are you feeling?" Anamaria opened her mouth to speak; only instead a quiet groan came out. Forcing a bright smile onto her face, Elizabeth continued to talk, unsure if Anamaria being awake was a good sign… or a bad one. "Shall I get you something to eat hum? You might be able to have a bit more then usual since your awake… that'll be good, wont it." Elizabeth mentally scolded herself for talking to Anamaria as though she were a child.

"Eliz…" The sound came out like another low groan, and for a moment Elizabeth just thought she was hearing things. Looking at Anamaria though, gave her the conformation that she needed. She knelt down so she was eye level with Anamaria, meaning the poor woman didn't have to strain her eyes anymore then she had to.

"Yes Ana?" Anamaria stayed silent for a few minuets, her breathing heavy and fast from the sudden efforts she had made.

"Thom…?" Ana's eyes pleaded with Elizabeth's, hoping she was about to be told the one thing she wanted to know most in the world. That her son was safe. Tears sprang to Elizabeth's eyes as she looked down at her friend.

"I'm sorry Ana… they're not back yet. But I'm sure Jack and Will have found Thomas, and that he's safe and well. I'm certain there's nothing for you to worry about." The bright smile had been forced onto Elizabeth's face once more, but it wasn't fooling anyone.

"How…" Ana paused to take a few more breaths. "Long… gone?" Anamaria's body was heaving, trying to get oxygen around her body fast enough; even after the little amount of energy she had spent. Her sentences had enough words in them to make sense to someone that knew what she was talking about.

"About three and a half weeks now." Ana's eyes closed, and for a few minuets Elizabeth thought she had fallen asleep again. Finally when her eyes opened again, the look of distress was clear. Elizabeth was unsure of what to do or to say that would offer even a little amount of comfort to her friend.

"Liz?" Elizabeth stayed silent, her eyes and facial expression showed that she was listening. "Please… tell me… I'm imag- imagin-… movement… my lower… abdomen." Ana's bottom lip was trembling, panic beginning to arise from her.

"I'm so sorry Ana…" From the look on her face Elizabeth could tell Anamaria had grown more distressed. From the simple conversation the pair had shared, Anamaria had grown so weak again she could barley keep her eyes open. Becoming worried that Anamaria would fall unconscious again before getting some extra food inside of her; Elizabeth hurried to the side where some fruit and a bowl were laid out. Quickly mashing a banana and an apple up together, she returned to Anamaria's side. "Ana? Ana, you still with me?" Scraping her eyelids back, Ana's eyes lay unfocused on Elizabeth. "I've got you some food… it might seem a bit like baby food but it's all you can manage at the moment." Elizabeth paused. "I have to feed you though Ana, I don't think you can do it yourself… don't worry, I wont tell anyone, not like it matters…" Elizabeth trailed off; Anamaria was still staring at her, a somewhat sad expression on her face.

Elizabeth began to feed Anamaria the mashed up fruit. Neither of them spoke, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable. There was so much Elizabeth wanted to say to Anamaria but the time didn't seem appropriate. She wanted to tell her how sorry she was that she had let Thomas get away from her, to be taken by those horrible creatures that called themselves men. She wanted to comfort her, tell her everything would be ok and for it to be true. She wanted to reassure her that the baby inside her stomach would make it into the world, un-harmed and healthy. That was the hardest part of all. For Anamaria to think that her child wouldn't even make it into the world, to have a chance to make its mark, to live its life, all because she was dying. And the fact that, that outcome was becoming more and more real each day.

Although it hadn't even entered Anamaria's mind to blame Jack for the mess they were currently in, Elizabeth had had plenty of time to sit and ponder about it all. She had been through the mixture of emotions Anamaria would no doubt have been through had she been well enough.

First had come the worry. The worry about whether everything was going to be ok.

Next had come Anger. The anger of why it had to happen to them, why Anamaria and Thomas had had to be targeted instead of just Jack.

Then blame came. Blaming Jack for everything that was happening. For his past mistakes coming back to haunt him and hurting the people he was supposed to care for most.

And finally, acceptance. Acceptance that Jack hadn't foreseen any of the events that had happened. That he was probably suffering the most, knowing that it was his fault and that he couldn't go back and change the past. The acceptance that, what happened had happened, and what was going to happen was simply going to happen. And no one could change the way fate dealt this hand. Whatever the outcome was going to be, it was meant to be.

Elizabeth was just reaching the final stage of the emotions she had sat through for the past three weeks. And it comforted her in a strange way to know that her mind had finally come up with its conclusion on the matter. That whatever will be, will be. Of course she still prayed every night that it was going to be a good outcome.

Finally finishing feeding Anamaria, Elizabeth sat the plate down on the table next to the bed. Ana's eyes showed she was still groggy, her face still showing she was distressed about her predicament. Quite often Elizabeth wondered how much Anamaria understood about the state she was in. She hadn't been conscious enough to have it properly explained to her throughout the whole thing.

"I… hate… this…" Elizabeth nodded her head at her friend.

"I know, I know." She reached out to stroke her hair, hoping that it was more comforting then patronizing. "Try and get back to sleep, hopefully that food inside you will help a little bit hey?" Ana's eyes grew red and bloodshot once more, but no tears were able to be set free. Anamaria had never felt so helpless or drained as she did then, and it was a feeling she never wanted to feel again. Quite simply she loathed it. Feeling exhaustion take over, Ana let the darkness of sleep fold itself around her.

Jack opened his eyes and frowned. He was staring at his ceiling, in his cabin. Now how did he get there?

A/N oh whoops, seems like i stopped writing there... :o) I realized I hadn't actually said anything about Anamaria and her condition for quite a while, so thought that this might be the perfect place to add it in... so please review and i'll update soon :o) Captainme

Oh! i would just like to thank everyone thats been reviewing so far. you rock! XxX