Back again with another segment of this story…sorry it has taken so long to write this section. Hope you are enjoying the story so far, and please feel free to drop a line to let me know what you think!

Chapter 5: Death's Door and Back Again II

Later that same evening on The Black Pearl…

"…..water…."

The captain of The Black Pearl looked up from his charts at the woman's soft request. Rising from his seat, he poured a glass of water from the seldom used crystal carafe, and approached her as she lay in the wide bunk. Her green eyes opened slowly when he sat down on the bed beside her, and she looked at him with a slightly confused expression. Moving slowly so that he wouldn't startle her, he leaned forward and helped her to sit up, holding the glass to her parched lips. She hissed as the action caused a sharp pain in her side, but still uttered a soft thank you as he lowered her head back to the pillow. Wetting her lips, she looked around the cabin, and then met his calculating stare before asking "Where….How did I…"

"You're on board The Black Pearl, luv,and I brought you here after you were shot. Courageous thing you did, stepping in front of a bullet meant for me." He watched her face carefully as she struggled to remember what had happened. Though he looked relaxed, he knew enough to be prepared for any reaction she might have to her situation.

"Miranda!" Linnet struggled to sit up, her eyes squinting shut as she clutched her side at the agonizing pain, only to be forced back down by his hands on her shoulders. She opened her eyes again to find him only inches away from her, and she was momentarily mesmerized by his kohl-rimmed eyes so close to her own. She detected the scent of rum, tobacco, sweat and some other spice that she couldn't recognize.

"After her initial hysteria, Miss Miranda has settled in nicely. When last seen she was being entertained while enjoying a late supper with the crew. Seems a certain person near and dear to her has gotten her hooked on pirate stories, and Gibbs is always looking for fresh ears to hear his tales." The man gave her a wry grin that showed her a glimpse of gleaming gold teeth before he released her shoulders and sat back, crossing his arms. "She is quite well, which is more than I can say for you at the moment, Miss…?"

"Linnet, Linnet Bryce……and dare I ask who you are, sir?"

"Captain Jack Sparrow, at your service, Miss Linnet, or should I call you Linnie as young Miranda does?" He noted her eyes widen slightly in recognition of his name, and was for some reason pleased that she had heard of him. "From my brief discourse with her, I assume you are charged with her care, though you appear quite young to be burdened with such responsibility."

Linnet's eyes flashed as she glared at him. "Miss Bryce will suit, and yes, I am responsible for Miranda, but my cousin is no burden, sir." She said quite forcefully, sucking in a breath as her side lanced her once more. Seeing her face blanch with pain, Jack left the bed and when to a nearby cabinet and returned with a small brown glass bottle. "How serious was my injury, if I may ask?"

Pouring a measure of cloudy liquid into it, he corked it and returned to her bedside, glass in hand. "You're an extremely lucky woman, Miss Bryce…half an inch lower and the ball would have most likely punctured a lung. As it is, you have a cracked rib and a nice sized hole in your side. The doctor says that you will heal, but it will be bloody painful for some time. Such wounds generally are." Helping her to sit up once again, he held it to her lips as she eyed the glass with suspicion. She cautiously took a small sip and turned her head aside grimacing at the foul taste. "Ugh, what is this foul stuff?"

"Something the kind doctor on The Goliath gave me to give you when you became annoying. Laudanum and brandy, I believe…it should help with the pain and make you sleep. Now, drink it up like a good girl or I'll hold your nose and pour it down your lovely throat."

"Hmpph…..I believe you would at that." She replied, allowing him to lift the glass so she could drain it. She made a horrible face and was grateful when he offered her the water cup once more before lowering her back to the pillow once more.

She was exhausted by that simple effort, but took a few moments to observe the pirate whose bed she occupied. His clothing was well worn and looked as though it hadn't seen soap and water in some time, but showed his lean figure quite well. His long dark hair was woven in thick locks and braids, tied back with a faded red scarf, and her eyes brushed over the many beads, trinkets, and even bones that appeared to be knotted into the mess. She was amused when she saw that even the goatee he wore hadn't escaped being adorned with beads. His face was very tan, and he had been blessed with high cheekbones a generous mouth. Oh, yes…..this pirate was indeed a fine specimen of a man, and Linnet had a feeling that he knew it well. She looked up from his chin and blushed when she realized she had been caught looking over him like one would search over vegetables at the market.

"Tuppence for your thoughts, Miss Bryce?" That wicked grin was back as he teased her, enjoying her consternation. He rarely was granted the opportunity to make a maiden blush, and when an opportune moment came along he made the most of it.

"My thoughts are hardly worth a tuppence, Captain, and from your appearance, you look like you can scarce afford that." Despite the pain, she couldn't hold back a giggle at the affronted look that crossed Jack's face, before he chuckled and shook his head as he rose once more.

"I'll keep that in mind when I ask for your ransom, Miss Bryce—perhaps you'll fetch enough for me to afford some new togs, ay?" His watchful eyes didn't miss the look of dismay that crossed her face before those clever green eyes took on a glazed look, the poppy juice finally taking effect. He turned and was almost to the cabin door when he heard her soft voice again.

"If I had to be….taken by pirates…..m'glad it was you…though you're too handsome by far……an' you owe me a tuppence.…." He stopped dead and glanced back over his shoulder to see her head nodding as she slipped back into sleep with a sigh. Snatching up his hat and coat from the hooks by the door, he whistled a merry tune as he took the helm, his eyes smiling as he pondered her revelation ….. She thinks me handsome……

88888888888888888888

Three a.m. the next morning.

"Captain, we've a problem……she's fevered."

Jack's stomach clenched at Gibb's words as he tied the helm and headed to the cabin. Anamarie looked up sharply from her position beside the bed, where she had been wiping Linnet's fevered brow with a damp rag. Beads of sweat and water rolled down Linnet's face as her teeth chattered, chills wracking her overheated body. Jack swore viciously and ordered Gibbs to wake the cook and have him prepare some willow bark tea.

"Nooooooooooooooooooo!" the half cry half moan emerged from the woman's mouth as she struggled to push the blankets off. Her eyes were wide open but unseeing as she fought an invisible foe. "She can't marry him….she's just a baby….she doesn't understand." Her body thrashed and she sat up, her voice taking on angry roar. " …You're nothing but a greedy bastard….selling her like she was a slave to fund your gambling and whoring!" Anamarie jumped back as the girl lashed out at her, clearly locked in a fever driven hallucination. Jack climbed behind her and wrapped his arms around her, leaning back against the headboard in an effort to prevent her from harm. Her voice grew more shrill and agitated as she thrashed violently and clawed at the arms restraining her. "Noooo….leave me alone! How could you suggest such a thing… stay away from me or I'll tell Aunt Beryl!" Jack grunted with pain as her head made contact with his chin, knocking his head back as well. "That's disgusting….. my own flesh and blood…don't touch me…..I'll kill you! I'll kill…." The last shreik trailed off in a whimper as she suddenly sagged in Jack's arms. He and Anamarie eyes met as they exchanged a horrified glance in the suddenly too quiet cabin. Anamarie handed him a rung out cool rag, and he gently wiped her flushed face.

"Quite the man, this relative of hers is….." He murmured softly to Anamarie, who had opened a bottle of rum and handed it to him after taking a swift pull on it herself.

"Aye." Anamarie replied, more than a slight tinge of anger in her tone… "Not unlike many whoresons I've encountered. But that last bit…..makes me wonder if she did escape him before he……" She didn't finish the thought as memories of her own horrific experiences as a slave flashed through her mind.

Jack's hand reached out and with one finger raised her head back to meet his own level gaze. "Don't dwell on the past, Ana…..the past cannot be changed, but you can become stronger because of it. You and this baggage 'ere have something in common, I think….you're both survivors, and you both give me headaches on occasion." He smiled softly, rubbing the back of his head where it had hit the headboard, and Anamarie rolled her eyes as the mood lightened. "Now, fetch me another shirt---she's soaked through this one and she's still hot as blazes. I've the feeling we've got a long night ahead of us."