Dead Men Tell No Tales
Disclaimer: Nothing has changed in the past month.
This Bullet Is Not Meant For You
I could feel the cold barrel of the gun against my head. I closed my eyes feeling it would be easier for Will if they were not open.
Will pulled the gun away and I heard him lower the hammer. I opened my eyes and turned towards him. "What's wrong William? I know you have important duties you must tend too and I have a date with Davey Jones, don't make this any harder than it is. Please Lad, don't wait to the last minute like Jem always does. If I had wanted to drag this out, I would have asked Jem. I need this to be quick and painless and hopefully not too messy for the sake of those left behind."
"Jack, I don't believe you. You asked me to kill you because you knew Jem wouldn't do it."
"William, I asked you because I knew Jem couldn't do it, not wouldn't, and from where I sit, you haven't done it yet. PLEASE, stop stalling and shoot me."
"You know Jack; this is not easy for me. I am not a cold blooded murderer."
"You killed Sadie without any hesitation."
"Sadie was an ugly, nasty, wicked woman and she kicked me. Pirate, Jack, Pirate, I do have my honor and I had a good teacher. Maybe if you had kicked me I'd be more eager to pull the trigger. Come to think of it Barbossa hasn't kicked me either. You see, I was provoked by Sadie and as you would say my goods were talking to me." Will gave a slight laugh.
"Well Whelp, I am glad to see you can find some amusement here. Now please stop thinking of your family jewels."
"Jack, is this not the cowards way out? Has it not occurred to you that maybe a doctor can help you or perhaps you are cursed and someone somewhere can help you?"
"William you have killed the only woman who could have possibly done this to me, and we are miles away from a doctor. I refuse to live like this. I will not be a burden to Jem, you or the crew. Savvy? I am ready to die so please Will, just kill me!"
I could hear Will banging the gun on the palm of his hand. "Jack are there any last words you have to say to me?"
"William I just did, SHOOT ME DAMN IT!"
"No really Jack, do you want to say a prayer so maybe your soul will go to heaven? Have you told Jem what you want done with the Pearl? I think it would be fitting if we tied your dead body to the mast and then burnt her out at sea, or better yet, have Norrington aim all the guns of The Dauntless or whatever ship he can find and blow the Pearl up into pieces. He could blow it out of the water and you with it. You see that would give you a little boost up, rather than down. I mean you are Captain Jack Sparrow, and The Pearl belongs to you."
"William, the only regret I have right now is that I asked you to shoot me. Maybe I should have asked Gibbs or even Charlie."
"Jack I didn't say I wouldn't do it, I just want to make sure everything is taken care of. Once I put the bullet through your head and I succeed in killing you, I will never be able to ask you another question. I must admit I will miss you and your ridiculous answers and motions."
"Ridiculous, what do you mean?" I lowered my head and waved my hand in his direction. "Will, never mind really, I have no regrets and I have no prayers, let's just say I have no worries. I have told Jem exactly what I want, now Lad please, shoot me." I closed my eyes again, and waited.
"Well Jack, Jem has asked me…"
I gave out a long and heavy sigh, rolled my eyes open and tilted my head again towards Will. "Damn it Will, I know Jem is pregnant with my child and I have bequeathed The Pearl to her. What is it with you and burning ships anyway? I want you to make sure Jem keeps the Pearl and Kat is her first mate. I know Barbossa will give it to her and he will not shed a tear when I am gone."
"Precisely," Will mumbled. "It will make Barbossa's day when he finds out you are dead and you will no longer appear unannounced and be a nuisance."
"Is that what I am Whelp, a nuisance?"
"Not to me Jack, but I am sure you are to Barbossa. Do you not fear he will find out about Jem's child and try to kill it? Don't you think you should be here on earth to protect your own flesh and blood?"
"William, I am blind and almost deaf. My head is pounding and I can barley get words out." I said in a loud stern voice.
"You seem to be doing a good job of it now," Will yelled above my voice.
"Barbossa is an evil man but he will not hurt his daughter and he would probably welcome a grandchild, even if it is half Sparrow. Jem and I are not married in the eyes of the law or the church, so the child could carry the name of Barbossa if Jem so chooses. I have asked her to take my name but once I am dead and gone what she does is totally up to her. I guess if I were to ask anything else of you, I would ask you to make sure, if the child is a boy it is named after me."
"Jack, I think you should reconsider all this talk of me shooting you. When it comes to naming your child I have no say and why would Jem listen to me? That is one fight I will not take on. You should discuss this with Jem."
Will lowered his voice and than gave a slight chortle. "I have heard Jem mention to Elizabeth that if the child is a boy she will be naming it Hector, after her father or possibly Geoffrey after her brother. I really think you should hang around until the child is born so you have a voice in the matter."
I sat up straight in the bed and I could feel the anger building in me. "William, first of all Jem would not do that, I never thought of you as playing such vicious games."
Will laughed. "Very well Captain, we will forget the name."
"Secondly," I continued. "The only things I can enjoy in my current state right now are Jem's sweet caresses and my rum. That is not the way I plan to live the rest of my days. Savvy?"
"Jack, what else do you need mate? You have a beautiful woman who will do anything for you. She will make love to you day and night and she will bring you your favorite poison to drink? Do you know how many men would love to be in your position?"
"William, please pull the damn trigger! I am not asking anymore Whelp, I am giving you a direct order."
"Jack calm down, get off of your high horse and stop ordering me around. I'm sure you remember, Jem and I are in charge now. Now, do you want to lay back and close your eyes or should I just shoot, while you are mad at me?"
"JUST SHOOT!"
I heard the shot. It rang threw the cabin and then there was silence.
I sat for a while and I realized I did not feel any different. Am I dead? I thought to myself. Will is damn good, he didn't say a thing. He just shot. It was amazing for I didn't feel a thing. I still could not see and there appeared to be nothing to hear. "What happened to seeing the Pearly Gates and hearing the angels singing, or better yet feeling the hot flames on me skin?" I said out loud. "Aye this must be the place they call limbo. It has yet to be decided where I shall go. Damn, it appears I will be blind where ever I go, I should have stayed where I was."
Then I realized I could hear myself talking and I sensed somebody beside me. "Will, is that you?"
"Aye Jack, it is." Will said tentatively.
"Will, how in the blazes did you miss? I know you're better with the sword but I thought it would be easier and less painful with the gun."
"Jack, I didn't miss. That bullet was not meant for you. I'd say that grey varmint is quite dead." Will spoke with disgust in his voice. "I really wish you, Jem, and Elizabeth would stop bringing food in here, it just attracts the rats and you all know how much I hate them."
"William Turner, you shot a rat? Well, I must say I am doing a Jolly Rogers dance under the covers for ya. If you don't load your gun and kill me now I will… I will…"
"You will what?" Jem's voice broke through the darkness loud and clear. "Will, you scared the daylights out of everybody. I told you to come in here and straighten Jack out before leaving him alone. Did you inform him on what we are doing?"
"Jem, I'm sorry," Will spoke with surprise in his voice. "I can imagine what you thought. No, I have not informed him of anything, he has a one track mind. You should know that I hold to my promises and I wouldn't shoot him, but you best beware because Jack will ask Gibbs or Charlie or possibly the next crew member he bumps into, to kill him. You were right in assuming he was going to ask me to kill him. He almost had me convinced, too."
"Bloody hell the both of you. Will, what was all this talk about this is the day you would always remember as the day you killed your best mate, Captain Jack Sparrow?"
Will was quiet for a moment. "I…lied? Yes, I lied. Wow Jack, you should be proud, I LIED and you believed me. Jem already ordered me not to kill you. We have both come to the conclusion that there is still probably some use in that old bag of bones you call Jack Sparrow."
"William I am your captain, not Jem. I have ordered you to kill me. I don't need your pity and I certainly don't need you playing the hero. If the situation were reversed you would be asking the same thing of me. I am no good to Jem like this and you would be useless to Elizabeth. Do what I ask and I promise you I will not come back to haunt you."
"Jack Sparrow, I am captain of this ship, not you, and it is not up to you to figure out what is good for me. And stop talking to Will as if I am not here." Jem interrupted my tirade. "You will not be giving William, or anybody else, orders to kill you, do you understand? You may be down on your luck but you have plenty to live for and until we capture The Pearl, which may take awhile, you will remain on this earth and you will not be searching out other horizons."
"Jem, I cannot believe you are going to let me live like this and suffer. If the two of you insist on playing games then just give me the gun and I will do it myself."
"Wow, there is a lot of fame and glory in that. I can see it now." Will broke in. "Jack Sparrow, the infamous pirate, took his life by shooting himself in the head."
"Jem give me the gun and it is Captain, Captain Jack Sparrow if you please Will."
"Fine Captain, have it your way." Will placed his gun in my hand, "I'll be having it back when you are done, Captain Jack Sparrow. Come Jem, we will let Jack contemplate and maybe he will figure out this is not the most opportune moment to be taking his life. I can't believe he would think we would want him to suffer and live the rest of his life blind and deaf. By the way, I have to agree with Elizabeth, I think Hector would be a wonderful name for your baby if it is a boy." I heard Will kiss Jem and then he left the room.
I sat in silence wondering if Jem had also gone. I could not be sure so I picked up the gun and placed it to my head. I did not hear Jem yell and nobody tried to stop me. I removed it and sat in deep thought.
Maybe Will is right. Maybe this is the coward's way. Jem seemed to think Sadie laid a Voodoo curse on me. Perhaps she was right and someday it could be lifted. But then again, I can't sail me own ship, I can't see the horizon, I can hardly hear a sound and I would most likely never hear the laughter of my new child. Hector, of all names. No, I have to do it. This is the opportune moment. I am alone and I have the will to do it now.
I picked up the gun placed it to my head and pulled the trigger. "William Turner," I yelled. "You come back here. Bloody hell, the gun is not loaded!"
I sat there fuming, and then I felt a hard slap across my face. "Whew," I yelled. "I know I didn't deserve that. That was a low down and cowardly thing to do Jem! Striking a blind man is spineless, I couldn't see it coming and I couldn't dodge it."
"Jack Sparrow you DISGUST me. Don't you dare accuse me of being spineless. I wouldn't have believed you would try to kill yourself."
"Wow, is this let's be mean to Captain Sparrow day?" I rubbed my check as I waited for Jem's reply but it never came. "Evidently I didn't succeed in killing myself Luv, so stop giving me grief. It seems every time I try to put a bullet in me head the weapon does not seem to cooperate."
"You mean to tell me Jack, that this is not your first attempt?"
"No Luv, I was shipwrecked on an island several years ago and I have to admit I tried to shoot myself then, but the gun malfunctioned. Luckily Gibbs and Ana Maria found me before I could fix the weapon."
"Maybe you should take a hint, LUV," Jem said sarcastically, "and stop trying to kill yourself. You claim William would do the same if he were in your position but you know as well as I do, you would not let William or I take our own lives."
"Jem, when you are in this situation, hopefully you never will be. We will talk about it." I placed my head into my hands and shook my head from side to side. "Please Luv, me head is pounding and I really don't know how long I can hang on. There is still blood coming out of me chest, I am having a terrible time breathing and right now my stomach feels as if it is being pulled in two and I am sweating profusely."
"Jack I am sorry, but I know there is a cure for you. I cannot and will not let you take your life. I will give you opium for your pain and I will bathe you all day to keep your fever down, but I will not watch you kill yourself. If you can find the gunpowder and a bullet, you can take your life, but maybe you should take this as an omen. Stop playing God, and just accept the hand that has been dealt to you."
"I see no profit in it for me Luv, I would rather deal me own hand. I refuse to be drugged out of my mind and I cannot have you tending to me all hours of the day. You have a ship to sail and a ship to retrieve."
Jem spoke softer now. "Yes, I do have a ship to sail and you are not making it easy. For you information, I have restricted all crew members from seeing you especially Kat, Samantha and James Norrington. Knowing you, you would convince the girls they were doing the right thing and Lord knows James Norrington would love to put a bullet into you pretty skull."
A slight shiver went down my spine as Jem sat beside me and pulled me towards her. She pressed my head tight against her chest. "Jack do you have any idea how long I have loved you?" She asked very quietly.
I did not answer for I knew she was going to tell me, weather I wanted to hear it or not. She would do anything but give me a loaded gun.
"Since the moment I saw you, that's how long. I knew you were Kat's father and you were as beautiful as she. Yes, you were odd and you lacked in your manners, but I loved you. Or I should say I was enthralled with you. I could sense you had gentleness about you, along with the thrill of adventure and dishonesty. After all you are a pirate. I knew you were a problem to be reckoned with, you supposedly killed my father and my brother always spoke poorly of you. When ever we would pull into ports everybody knew of you, especially the painted women. I knew I could win you over before I even met you. Your reputation follows you around, Luv." She continued to hug me and ran her fingers threw my damp hair.
"Jack, I knew you had to have some redeeming qualities when you won the trust of my dog, which said a lot. You have no idea how often I thought of you, mind and body." Her soft fingers now touched my check, then, as gentle as a moth's wing; she traced a line across my shoulder, down my arm and glided it across my rib cage. I quivered at the touch and pulled away.
"Half a thousands times or more Jack, that is how often I think of you." She stood up and turned toward me. I threw myself back on the bed and blindly stared at the ceiling. "Jack, you never use to tremble from my touch. Not even at the first, when I came to you that night on The Pearl with information about Jeffery and Kat. You do surprise me. You use to give me everything, held nothing back, and denied me no part of you. But now…"
There was a very long silence, I could feel the steady, painful thudding of my heart against the mattress of the bed, I could hear some sort of commotion and loud yelling voices of others, outside the room. I wished I were far away. I did not want to talk with Jem. I did not want her pity. My hands were cold despite my fever and I felt as if I had a ball of ice in my stomach.
"Jem please," I turned my head slightly towards her. "I must tell you, I am afraid. I know I am getting worse as the days pass and I will not get any better. I cannot go on like this. I refuse to become comatose and incontinent and have you clean me like a baby. That is no life for me or for you. Please if you love me the way you say you do, just do me the favor of putting the bullet through me head, or at least give me a loaded gun. It would take a lot of time and effort for me to find the powder."
Jem tossed herself in a nearby chair. I heard the chair creak and she gave a slight moan. "Now that is the last question I expected to hear from you," Jem spoke harsh. "Jack, you are making me angry. I have to say I am outraged at your behavior and yet, I am also sick and frightened for you. And…sorry for you."
"Whoa Jem," I yelled as I doubled over in pain and I could feel blood in my mouth. I rolled over and spit it out before I choked on it. "Jem, I knew you would not be able to bear the thought of killing me, which is why I asked William. I cannot blame you for your reaction. I have tried hard to turn from you and to send you away so I wouldn't have to DISGUST you and earn your sympathy. But you won't go! You think you can heal me." I took an unsteady breathe. "Jem, I know I could bring myself to do it for you, so please do it for me."
"Jack, I cannot bear the thought of living without you and you are right, I will not kill you. You can take all the time you want and try to kill yourself, but I will not let you. I'm not even sure there is gunpowder in this room. I do know I'm not going anywhere and I will get you help. I will aid you to live; I will not help you die."
All of a sudden there was a loud bang and the cabin door swung open. Amber came running into the room with Elizabeth running behind her.
"Help me Jem, help me. Your dog, your damn dog leaped at Bill while he was playing with her. Bill took her mangy wet toy and she leaped at him like a starving bear. She almost took my hand off as I tried to pull her off of him."
I didn't even bother to move as Elizabeth stood in the doorway shrieking. Jem stood up and yelled at Elizabeth. It was obvious Jem was on the brink as she blew up at Elizabeth. "Perhaps if your son was not torturing my dog you would not have to be throwing a fit."
"Jem," Elizabeth retorted right back. "Amber picked Bill up by his pants and she won't let him go. Order that mutt to put my son down or I will shoot her." Elizabeth yelled frantically.
Amber indeed was holding Bill by his pants and any advances Elizabeth made, the dog pulled her ears back and gave a low threatening growl.
"Elizabeth," I snickered. "I can see you still don't knock before entering."
"Jack, I'm sorry I did not know you were awake. Please tell your woman to have her beast release my son or I will have to put a bullet through her head."
I managed a slight laugh. "Whose head Luv, Amber's or Jem's? You can take your pick; I won't fight you either way."
"Very funny Captain Sparrow," Jem snarled at me. "Amber, put the boy down and come here," she ordered."
Amber did not move, she continued to growl at Elizabeth.
I now propped myself on my elbows. "So be it for a well trained dog, hey Jem? Elizabeth, I cannot tell MY woman anything. She won't listen to me either." I lay back down and proceeded to wave my hands through the air. "Perhaps this wouldn't have happened if you had kept Bill out of Amber's bed. I have been informed by the up most authority that animals need their own space and their own down time, just as people do. Can you imagine?"
"Jack please," Elizabeth pleaded. "I will do what ever it takes to get my son away from that animal." As she spoke Amber jumped on the bed beside me. I could hear Bill gurgling and I tried to reach for him. As I did Amber jumped off the bed, still holding Bill in her mouth. As she leaped a pain shot through me from my scalp to my toenails. I closed my eyes and yelled out due to the hurting and then I proceeded to spit up more blood.
"Lord Jack, you are getting worse. You look…you look…"
"Yes Luv, I can imagine I look terrible and I will only get worse. I will not have the pleasure of dying young and leaving a good corpse." I choked on more blood and I could hear Elizabeth gasp. "Elizabeth my pet, do you have a gun and is it loaded?"
"Yes?" Elizabeth said hesitantly. "I do have a loaded gun Jack. But I'm not going to give it to you. I am going to use it to shoot that damn dog. I know how to use it, and I will."
"Bloody hell Elizabeth," I heard Jem jump up from the chair. "Put the gun down. If you shoot my dog I will have to shoot you. Stop waving it around like that, most likely you will kill your son or Jack before you kill Amber."
"Please, please kill me!" I yelled.
"Jem, my aim is good," Elizabeth snapped back. "Jack, I am sorry for your pain but no, I won't kill you. Now help me get Bill from Jem's shabby animal."
"Shabby," Jem chimed in. "If anything is shabby it is your little boy."
"Elizabeth Luv, I cannot see let alone get out off this bed and grab your son. Now if perchance there was a profit in it for me, I'd attempt to help."
"Jack please, the dog will obey you. Tell her to release Bill."
Bill began to shriek and Elizabeth shot the gun. I felt the bullet whiz past my head.
"Wonderful shot Elizabeth," Jem yelled out. "If you were aiming for the ceiling I'd say you were a good shot. Now stop shooting holes in my ship." I then heard Elizabeth hit the floor as Jem evidently leaped at her and took her down.
"Whoa, ladies," I was once again choking on blood and tilted my head towards the fight. "Elizabeth, if I get your son for ye will ye shoot me in the head? Better yet, just reload the weapon and give it to me. I promise you on pain of death I will get you your son. Do we have an accord?"
Elizabeth pulled away from Jem, ran to the other side of the room and reloaded the gun. "Yes Jack, we have an accord. Get my son and you can have the loaded gun." She then obediently approached me and placed the gun in my hand. "Please Jack take the gun, just save my little boy."
I paused for just a second before I took it. I made a sudden pull backwards, as I did I felt someone grasp my wrist. I tried to pull away, but they held tight.
"Jem," I said as I struggled with her. I could feel her soft hair on my arms. "I don't want to fight with you."
She let go of my wrist, but grabbed me by both shoulders instead, so that I had to lift my head to face her. I could feel her warm breath on me. "Well then don't fight with me Jack. Please, you are mine. My heart, my soul belongs to you. Please don't do this."
I pulled away. "Jem don't touch me. Just go away." I could feel pain shoot through me like lightning bolts piercing a cloud. I stood up and stumbled blindly away from her, half falling back onto the floor. I closed my eyes and shivered as I placed the gun against my head.
Jem did not come closer but I could feel her, standing there, I knew she was looking at me. I could hear the raggedness of her breathing. "Jack," she said with something like despair in her voice. "Jack, do you not understand, I cannot go on without you. For God's sake Jack, don't you want to know if our child will be a girl or boy? Don't you want to hold him or her in your arms?"
I stood frozen with my hand gripped around the gun. I then put the gun down and bowed my head. "Luv, I will never see our child. I will be dead before he or she is born. My days are numbered and I wish to make the number less. Savvy?" My voice sounded funny, hoarse and husky. "Jem, will you make me beg you?"
"Jack," Elizabeth yelled. "Please beg later, Amber still has my son. We have an accord. My son for the gun! I kept up my end of the bargain. "
"Elizabeth lass, you are correct." I snapped at her. "I will save your blasted child. Tell, me where is the dog?" I tried to remain calm.
"Amber is holding Bill in her mouth. She is swinging him though the air and drooling all over him like a wolf. He is holding on to her dog toy of some sort and she is slobbering all over that also. She is just off to your right. I would say she is two feet from you."
Bill was making so much noise I knew what direction Amber was standing, I could not distinguish weather the little boy was laughing or crying. I went for laughing.
"Elizabeth, it appears Bill is happy and I know Amber won't harm him. She is very good and caring with children. She will eventually put him down."
"Happy! Are you nuts Captain? I don't trust the dog, I can't…"
"Damn it Elizabeth," I yelled and then I tossed myself in Amber's direction and landed on top of her. I yanked Bill from her mouth and I could hear the ripping of his pants as I pulled. Her teeth were never in his skin. Before I could say anything, I doubled over in excruciating pain. I rolled off of the dog still grasping the boy and the toy. Amber stood up, shook herself and started to growl at me.
"Hush Amber, I am in no mood to play games and this bullet isn't meant for you. Now stand down and go to your mistress."
I could hear Elizabeth sobbing as she came towards me. Bill was squirming in my arms and was trying to get away. As Elizabeth reached for Bill, Amber leaped at her. The dogs jump was slightly off and she hit my shoulder as I had just handed Bill over to Elizabeth. Luckily I did not drop the boy before I hit the ground, but I did drop the gun. As I reached for it Elizabeth picked it up.
"Elizabeth, give me the gun," I ordered. "I do not intend to go on like this. Give it to me now!"
"I can't," Elizabeth said meekly.
"Oh yes you can." I amazingly grabbed her hand on the first attempt and started yanking the gun out of her fingers. As Elizabeth and I struggled over the gun Amber once again attacked. Elizabeth shrieked, jumped back and released the gun. Jem immediately attacked me.
Amber ripped the doll out of Bill's hand and Jem attempted to ripe the gun from mine. She took me by surprise, I had no idea at first it was her and I had no intentions of giving up the gun.
"Jack," Jem yelled. "Stop fighting me. You will not win."
I heard Elizabeth shout out as I fell backwards. As I fell, Jem once again made an effort to grab the gun from me. Not thinking, I pulled the trigger. There was a loud bang, a terrible crash and then silence. It seemed as if time had stopped. Then I heard a faint sound. It seemed to reach me like the far-off ringing of a buoy through fog at sea.
Amber was growling low and I recognized Elizabeth's voice. "Oh God! It's my fault," Elizabeth wailed. "It's all my fault."
"Elizabeth," I spoke hesitantly. "What have you done? Jem Luv, what is going on?"
"Jack, I'm sorry you…you… shot her."
The soft gray numbness around me quivered, and I felt a sort of frozen panic at the thought that I shot my Jem and possibly killed her and my child. I felt like a grub dug up from the soil and tossed onto a rock to shrivel, naked and defenseless in the sun.
"Damn you Elizabeth," Jem screamed in wrenching agony. "Why did you give Jack the gun?"
"I didn't Jem, I didn't. Jack attacked me and then your dog. It was your dog, she attacked me again."
"Elizabeth," Jem cried out. "I'm bleeding, please help me." I could hear the pain in Jem's voice. "Amber is not after you or your son. She just wanted her toy. Her toy! My God! Elizabeth look…look at her toy. Elizabeth, your son just may have saved Jack."
I made my way over to Jem before Elizabeth did. I could feel her soaked clothes as I gently lifted her on my lap. She turned over onto her left side and drew her knees up toward her chest. "Jack, I'm bleeding I need help. I can't loose you and the baby. I can't live if I loose the both of you. Please promise me you won't shoot yourself. Promise me…promise…" I heard her gasp and then she was silent.
"No," I yelled, "Elizabeth help her!"
"Jack, oh Lord Jack, there is so much blood."
"Damn it woman, go get help," I yelled at Elizabeth. "I don't want to hear your whimpering, help her! Jem, please forgive me. This was not supposed to happen. That bullet was meant for me. Not you and not our child."
"Jack, Jem is bleeding. If she losses the baby I will never forgive myself."
"Woman I know! Don't tell me any more," I said. "If Jem dies, I will never forgive myself. She has to be all right, she will be fine. Go get William, go get Gibbs, go get somebody; I promise you, I won't shoot myself while you are gone."
"Oh Jack, I am so sorry, this is entirely my fault," Elizabeth said hysterically. I was afraid she was going to go into shock and be no help to me.
"Elizabeth listen to me, this isn't your fault and it isn't mine, either. This is the fault of Barbossa and his evil wife. Now go, go get help."
Elizabeth placed her hand on my shoulder and before I could say anything else she left the room quickly yelling for Will. As she did I stroked Jem's head and then understood Jem's words about the dog's toy. It is a doll, the doll. The one everybody had been looking for.
"Amber, are you still here girl? Come here Lass we can help each other. Savvy?"
She did not move and my opinion of man's best friend was waning fast. "Damn it dog, get your ass over here!"
"Jack, the dog will never come to you if she thinks you are mad at her."
I turned my attention towards my lap as I heard Jem's weak voice.
"Amber sweetheart," Jem called to her pet. "Come, come and give me the doll."
I heard the dog's heavy breathing as she came up behind me. She stood by my side and she dropped something into Jem's hand.
Jem attempted to sit up but then cried out in pain. She fell back onto my lap, as she did my vision came to me and my head stopped pounding. As I looked down upon Jem, I saw in her left hand a crudely hand made rag doll. It was soaking wet with drool and it had many teeth marks in it. Lying on the floor next to Jem was my red bandana and my spyglass. In Jem's right hand, she held the marlin bone I wore in my hair.
"Jack," Jem whispered. "The curse is lifted. Sadie placed your bandana over the dolls head and tightened it with the marlin bone. She had placed the spyglass into the dolls body. When ever Amber would move the bandana would either tighten or loosen. This is why some days your head was worse than others. The spyglass is your eyes and as Amber played with the doll the glass became fogged and then totally covered. As far as your pains and spitting up of blood, every time Amber grabbed the doll you would feel her teeth and evidently you wear the marks. I guess we should be grateful that Bill took the doll. If it wasn't for him…" Jem rolled over in pain and I could see she was bleeding profusely.
"Jem please." I looked down at her. "Please forgive me. We are not supposed to be shooting each other. We are supposed to be loving one another. I leaned down, pulled her into my arms and kissed her. She looked into my eyes and there was something in her expression that I didn't understand. It made me faintly uneasy.
She could see by my expression that I indeed could see her. "Jack, I have removed all your articles from the doll. You must burn it, but first make sure there is nothing of yours left on it. You must be the one to toss it in the flames. Make sure there is nothing of yours on it or you will die when you burn it. I cannot loose the both of you." She closed her eyes and fell limp in my arms.
Will ran into the room, followed by Elizabeth. He stood over me and looked down upon Jem's bloody body. "Jack, you do realize she won't live long if we don't get her proper help? I mean a doctor of medicine not a make shift surgeon that we have on board."
"William, if she dies you might as well send for the meat wagon for I will go with her. I can't believe I shot my Jem. She is so young, so innocent, so beautiful. She just wanted to save me." I turned away from Will and continued to hug Jem pulling her closer to me.
Will tried to take Jem from my arms but I would not let go. I winced as his fingers sank deep into my arms. "Jack, let me help her, let me help you. Please you have to let her go."
I looked up into William's young stern face. "No Will, I asked her a long time ago, never to let go, and I won't either. I need her as much as she needs me. I need her more than I need me ship. Do you understand? I can never let her go." I took a deep breath and turned away from his deep brown eyes. "Can you not see the bleeding is slowing? She will live, I know her. She takes after her father."
"Jack you have been through much. It is time for you to rest." William could tell the bleeding had not slowed down and I was the one going into shock.
"Jack," Will grabbed my hair, pulled my head back and looked straight into my eyes. "For her sake, let me have her. Let her go."
I summoned all the strength I had left in me, and managed to let William take her off my lap and place her on the soiled bed.
"Jack, did you mean what you said about Jem? That she means more to you than the Black Pearl?"
I looked at Will questionably. "Yes, Lad I meant it. Now we have to get that bullet out of her. I cannot have her die because of me."
"Jack," Will placed his arm around me and escorted me toward the door. "Elizabeth and Gibbs will tend to Jem. You must come with me. I have to let you know what Jem and I have done. We have altered our course and we are no longer following Barbossa or The Pearl. I changed our coordinates several days ago and we are heading home. I was going to tell you earlier but the opportune moment never came."
"Home?" I gave him a skeptical look. "William, my home is The Black Pearl."
"No Jack, home is with me, Elizabeth, Kat and Bill. I am taking you to my home. We are going to Santa Maria. Jem asked me to take you there so we could get you help. The people there are our friends. There are retired pirates and many families with young children. You know the island is beautiful and old Justin, your friend, is knowledgeable of medicine and we can trust him. He saved my life and I am sure he can save Jem and the baby."
I smiled at Will and patted him on the back. "You have done well Whelp, I could almost hug you." Will pulled back alarmed. "Then you're not mad that I stopped our pursuit for the Pearl?"
"No William, I'm not mad. If anyone can save Jem and my child it is Justin." I rubbed the back of my neck and then my head, realizing for the first time in a long time my head did not hurt. As I stood there with William I watched the land rise up out of the ocean. We stood in silence as the shoreline drifted closer. I glanced up at the sails and then to the helm. I sauntered to the helm and relived Kat. I then started barking orders. "Lower the sails, prepare to drop the long boats and the anchor. We are home."
As we came around a huge cliff I saw the familiar and beautiful sight of the harbor and the small village. The sunlight danced on the waves and the sand was as white as snow. There were many people on the pier and the island looked like a paradise.
"Will, I will go ashore and get Justin. Please make ready the crew. Tell them they can have a holiday and I will gather them up when I leave to find The Pearl."
As the anchor dropped and the first boat hit the water I climbed down and went for help. William remained behind and made sure the ship was made sound and the crew got off.
XXXXXXXX
Justin had placed Jem in a beautiful room and comfortable bed. He set me up in a room next to her. Will had offered for me to stay with him but I declined I wanted to be as close to Jem as possible. I did not sleep well that night. I had nightmares of Jem and the baby dying. After waking up I heard Jem in the other room calling out. She was yelling. I could tell she was in pain. I ran to her room but Justin's wife would not let me enter.
"Jack Sparrow, it is best you go back to your room. My husband knows what he is doing. If there is anyway to save both mother and child he will do it. Her body is frail; she has been though much trauma what with your illness and not taking care of herself. Physically she is in poor condition but mentally she is a fighter."
I heard Jem yell out again and this time she was yelling my name. My mind filled with images. Then I felt grief and loss and fear racked me, I could smell the dusty scent of death, then I heard Justin's voice.
"Call him, call him milady. Seek an anchor to get yourself through the pain."
"Jack! JACK!" I heard her screaming my name.
The way she yelled, it was not with affection, it was filled with anger. A bolt of heat shot through me. I knew she blamed me for all of this and if she lost our child it would be the end of our relationship. I knew she would never want to look at me or lay with me again. I couldn't blame her for that.
I went back to my room and attempted to rest. I drifted to sleep and dreamt Jem had died but the baby survived. I had no idea what to do with the child. I woke up in a cold sweat and was yelling at the top of my lungs, "Why, why did she have to die?"
As I yelled out I heard a knock on the door and before I could answer, Justin entered and handed me a bottle of rum. "Jack, my old friend. Your girl will be fine and so will the baby. Can I assume the child is yours and that pretty young Lass is your wife?"
I grabbed the bottle from Justin and downed it in one swig. "Justin my mate, thank you. Yes, the child is mine but no she isn't me wife yet. How can I ever repay you? Can I go see her? I must, I must go see her." I started for the door when he grabbed my arm.
"No Jack, she does not want to see you."
I turned abruptly and looked at him. I lowered my eyes menacingly. "What do you mean she does not want to see me? Did she tell you this?"
"Yes Jack, she told me. She wishes to rest and to be alone for awhile."
"Hell with that. She is my Jem and she is carrying my baby." I pulled away from Justin and went for the door.
"Jack," Justin yelled out. "Yes she may be your woman and yes it is your child, but she claims you tried to kill yourself and in the process almost killed her and the child. She does not wish to see you right now. You should really give her some time. She will come around."
I dropped my hand from the door knob and turned to face Justin. "Are you sure she and the baby are doing well?"
"Yes Jack they are well." He handed me another bottle of rum. "After some rest she will change her mind. In her delirium she was calling your name. I can tell she loves you and it won't be long before she wants you back at her side. She is a pretty little thing but she is much too thin. I can see her bones and I couldn't get her to eat. She is a troubled young Lass with much on her mind. I will have my young wife tend to her and you will see, your Jem will be calling you.
Justin left the room and I walked over to the window and stared out into the darkness of the night. The heavens seemed to stretch out into infinity and I felt so small and alone. All I wanted was Jem and her forgiveness.
I let several hours pass and then I went to Jem's room. As I entered it was quiet. There were several candles lit and she lay in the bed sleeping soundly. As I approached her she looked like an angel. She had thrown the bed covers off her body and I could see her thin figure but I could also see her small round stomach. I unknotted the strings of her white cotton shift and placed my hand on her abdomen, on our child.
"Jack," Jem whispered my name I immediately removed my hand and jumped back.
"Hush Luv. Yes, it is I Jack. I had to see if indeed you were well." I came back and pressed my hands on her swollen belly. I smiled at her and she smiled back. As I touched her I could fell a slight spasm and I saw a slight grimace of pain on her face. I removed my hands but I could not remove my eyes. She was beautiful.
"Jem, my darling I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt you. From now on I will protect you. I will be your cloak and I will shield you and our child. I would do anything for you…and yet…there's nothing I can do now. When I think of you with my child I feel as though, I've gone hollow inside. I am a soap bubble, and perhaps I shall burst with joy." I pulled her tight against my chest and hugged her with all my might.
She whimpered slightly and I carefully laid her back down. "I'm sorry Luv, please accept my apology." I started backing away and then stopped.
"Oh Jem, you have no idea what you do to me. You do break my heart, with loving you."
I went back over to the bed and I pulled the covers up over her and smiled at her once again. "I must go now." I laid my hand upon her stomach and then her head. "Be well my Luv. I will see you in the morning."
Weak as she was, she rose up and grasped my arm. "No Jack please stay with me tonight. Please don't let me go."
I lowered myself beside the bed and gazed at her. "Jem, now that I know you are safe, I should go and let you rest. I have caused you enough sleepless nights. I know your pregnancy has not been easy and you should be taking better care of yourself. I promise you, I will be here in the morning. Savvy?"
She stroked my check and smiled. That one simple touch, I could tell the magic had returned. The magic that is my Jem. I knew she had forgiven me.
"No Jack," Jem pleaded. "Stay with me. I need your warmth, your tender touch and your love."
I stood up and then lay beside her. I dragged her against me, staring into her dark eyes and then crushed my mouth with hers. The kiss overwhelmed me with feelings, feelings that I had tired to ignore for so long. The kiss went on and then I tried to heed to common sense and pull away.
Jem pulled me closer to her. I laughed and succumbed to her and we rode the waves together seeing ourselves in each other's eyes. "Jem darling, you say I am incorrigible."
She laid her head on my chest. "Aye that you are Captain Sparrow, and I love you for that and for many other things, for which I don't think I have to mention. She gently ran her hand down my side. "I know for sure I will see you in the morning for I will never let you go. She wrapped her arm around my waist and gave out a long sigh. She soon fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
I wasn't about to move. I was exactly where I wanted to be, in the arms of my beautiful Jem. Eat your heart out Barbossa, I laughed to myself. I knew in the back of my mind I would be seeing The Black Pearl and Captain Barbossa soon. Barbossa would be coming after me and his daughter; I had no doubt about that. I closed my eyes and I too, fell into a heavenly sleep. This time I dreamt of Jem, myself and our baby. In my dream the baby was a beautiful little girl. Almost as perfect as her mother and we named her Angelic.
A/N Now, loyal readers, you really didn't think I would have Jem loose the baby, did you? That would have been too predictable. Of course now that Jack is not following Barbossa, thanks to Will and Jem, one will have to wonder what Barbossa will do next? Barbossa knows Jack wants his ship back? Do you think Barbossa will come after them? He does want his daughter and the treasure map. Remember, Barbossa does not know his wife is dead and that Jack is no longer under the Voodoo curse. Maybe Jack will have to go for The Pearl or perhaps he will just stay on the island with Will and his family. Yea, right. Do you think Jack will let William stay on the island with his family? I doubt it. Time will tell mates.
Thank you for all the wonderful reviews.
Katrina: Your reviews are always very interesting. I love reading them I can see you put a lot of thought into what you write. As you can see you were right, Will did not shoot Jack but he did shoot a rat. Do you really think I should rip Jack's tongue out and pull his nose off? Maybe I should be fair and let William have that pleasure.
Black Jack 22: So you think the baby should be female. You are one of two people who think this way. This is surprising. So glad you like my story and I enjoy hearing from you.
Seabiscuit: So you think my Hawaiian trip affected my head. Well, maybe a little, but just a little. Yes, Sadie was a whale and nasty. Now as far as Norrington having it bad for Jem, your right…hmm… It is always a pleasure hearing from you.
Princess Morning: As you can see there was only one voodoo doll. Yes, the rest of the crew fell ill due to Sadie but she did not make a doll of all of them. Lucky for them. Glad your feeling better and don't break anymore bones. Savvy?
Queen Of The Pirates: I am so glad you like my writing. I have to say I am enjoying it. So you don't trust Norrington and you think the child should be a boy. OK, we shall see.
Fantasy Dreamer: As you can see it does not pay to take a break. So glad you like the humor and the drama.
Kitty: Thanks so much for the nice review. As you can see Jack was saved, but it was close. Enjoy hearing from you.
Depprules: Yes, Jack's luck was pretty slim but it appears to be changing. As Gibbs would say, "There appears to be a change in the weather." Thanks so much for your kind words.
Rum Runner: Yes, I'll drink to that. Will better watch out. He did kill Barbossa's ugly wife and he is the one who turned the ship around. So you vote girl. You and BJ22. Cheers and hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Pirate Luv: Glad you like the story. Sorry for the long delay. I know I can do better.
William: Welcome! Glad you love my story and you loved "Aye Show Me The Horizon." It is always nice to hear from new readers. Of course I love my regulars too.
Mary Read: So glad you like my humor. Yes, Jem and Elizabeth get along well as long as it does not involve Amber or Bill. Gee, I wonder what kind of a mother Jem will be. As you can see Will did not kill Jack. Your right, Will and Jack do have a nice relationship and they do have deep feelings for one another. Not that they would ever admit it. Savvy?
It is hard to believe summer is over and school is starting again. I really hate to see summer end, but I guess now I will have more time to update. So glad you enjoy my story. The sooner I hear from you the faster I will write.
TA FOR NOW
LOVE RAVEN SPARROW