Greetings once again, gentle readers, and my most humble apologies for keeping you waiting for these updates. I have been suffering from both writer's block and an addiction to reading other's fanfics here lately…my bad! This is a little short, but I will make up for it next chapter, I promise!

I wis I had time to thank each and every one of you individually who have taken the time to review this story, but that would take forever (and I am just too darn lazy to do it!--hey, at least I'm honest! ) You all are the greatest, and I will do my best not to disappoint you!

As always, I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean, and am not making a profit from this writing…the only things I own are the characters and plotlines that I make up in my poor widdle brain.

Chapter 7: A Second Chance

(Linnet's POV)

'Awaken, Linnet…'

The soft command brings me back from the comfortable doze I had been in, and blink a few times to clear the sleep from my eyes. It feels like morning, and the sunlight coming through the windows in the stern confirms my suspicions. Those beams are playing tricks on my tired eyes…for a moment I could have sworn there was a woman standing there in the swirling dust motes…….

I am very tired, but the burning pain that had plagued my every breath is now no more than a dull ache. My mouth and throat are very dry and all I can manage is a funny sounding croak, but it is enough. I hear the door creak open and footsteps approaching, and I look up to see a young, dark skinned woman at my bedside. She fetches a glass of water and helps me to sit up, plumping up the pillows behind me. She smiles faintly at my whispered thanks, and her rough hand brushes my forehead. "Fever's gone…you're well on your way to mending now, I think."

"How long have I been ill?"

"Five days now, and your girl has been driving us mad asking about you. Don't fret yourself." Her tone is firm as I start to try and rise. "Miranda is fine, having a right good time playing pirate, matter o' fact. I'm Anamarie, by the by…..we haven't exactly been introduced, as you were out of your head with fever most of the time." The woman's wry expression gives me the impression that she has quite a sense of humor and that she hides it well. Pulling the covers back, she lifts the nightshirt and unwraps the bandages on my side. Glancing down, I can see that the ugly puckered wound appears to be healing nicely.

I also realize that I haven't bathed in 6 days and that my skin feels like it is crawling. Noticing my expression, Anamarie favored me with a smirking scowl. "Not used to being among the unwashed heathens, Milady? I'm sure if you ask nicely the Cap'n will be happy to arrange for us to stop by the nearest island so that we can take on sufficient fresh water so that your Ladyship can bathe to your hearts content ….or are you like the French queen and require milk for your toilette?"

Her biting sarcasm cuts me sharp as any whip, and I feel my own temper flare in response. "At least I have a passing acquaintance with soap and water!" I snap back, and then I flush with embarrassment at my outburst. Holding on to what's left of my dignity, I soften my tone before continuing. "A basin of warm water and a comb will suffice, if its not too much trouble. And it's simply Linnet….I'm not titled, just the scarcely tolerated poor relation of the Earl."

Anamarie takes in this information silently and then favors me with a genuine grin, and it is apparent that I have passed some unknown test with flying colors. "Well then, I'll see what can be arranged. But first you need to get something solid in your gut…you've not eaten in days. Think you're up to it?" At the mention of food, I nod as my stomach suddenly reminds me of how long it has been since I've eaten and I find that I am indeed ravenous. I also realize with growing horror that there's something else that I need to take care of urgently.

Anamarie and I share an understanding as she sees the expression on my face. Flinging the covers back, she helps me to my feet and gets me to the privy closet just in the nick of time.

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An hour later, a freshly washed and fed Linnet was sitting in the newly made bed when an excited Miranda bounced through the door. Linnet had to laugh at her charge's odd appearance, noting the tattered dress and dirty feet as the young woman flung herself down beside the bed. Despite her disreputable state, she was glad to see the girl looking well and happy.

"Linnie, I've been having such fun. Mr. Gibbs tells such wonderful stories, even better than yours, and Anamarie has been showing me how to tie knots, and Cook let me sift the flour for weevils, oh, and Captain Jack let me steer The Pearl!"

Smiling widely, Linnet reached out and brushed the silky strands of hair which had escaped from beneath the bandana scarf on Miranda's head. "No one has hurt you then, dearest? I have been worried about you and had hoped that they were taking good care of you."

Miranda looked back at her with a slightly worried expression. "I'm sorry Linnie, I was so excited that they finally let me see you that I forgot to ask how you were. I heard the Captain talking to Anamarie about how you died and Pearl brought you back, and how it was a very near thing. What's it like to die, Linnie?"

Linnet was saved from having to answer that difficult question by the Captain stepping into the cabin. Although he was smiling, his eyes were serious when his glance met hers, and she realized that he had overheard Miranda's question. "Miranda, m'love, the cook is waiting for you to help him with the vegetables for tonight's stew." Reaching out a hand, he helped the young woman to her feet. "You can visit her again after supper, ay?" and sent her on her way out the door with a fond swat.

Closing the door behind the departing girl, Jack turned back and swinging a wooden chair around, he sat on it backwards, crossing his arms casually along the back of the chair as he leaned on it. Linnet suddenly felt like a field mouse under his hawk-like gaze, a gaze that revealed little, while missing nothing. Seeming to sense her discomfort, he smiled slightly and examined his nails casually before speaking.

"Feeling better, then?" At her soft affirmative, he nodded his satisfaction and continued. "Anamarie tells me your fever should be gone for good and that your side is mending well, so barring any further gun related mishaps, you should be walking by the time we reach Port Royale."

He noticed the widening of her eyes when she heard their destination, and his smile broke into a wide grin. "Thought that might get your attention, luv. We are indeed heading, with considerable risk to this ship and crew I might add, to that fine port o'call with the intent to deliver you and that angel faced poppet of yours to your planned destination. Unless of course, you've become overly attached to my fine person and would rather stay and join me crew of dastardly, scurvy, and notoriously villainous reprobates?"

She shook her head in disbelief, and to her surprise, he rose. "Ah, well, can't blame a bloke for askin'. Miranda already makes a fine cook's assistant….does a fine job with the vegetables and keeps the cook entertained with her singing." As he headed out the door, he paused and poked his head back through the door, favoring her with a hang-dog look and a sad sigh. "Would have been interesting, having me own personal maid to bathe and dress me and tend to me personables, but since you're not interested…"

Jack ducked back out the door as one of his feather pillows flew toward his head. "Definitely on the mend." He chuckled as he headed back to the helm.

(a/n: Coming next time……what surprises await The Black Pearl and its passengers when they arrive in Port Royale?)