Disclaimer: Look at last chapter, too lazy to retype it.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait everyone. I promise I'll have another chapter up by the end of today (if not sooner) if I don't, feel free to come after me with pitchforks and I won't run away!

Jack's Daughter-Chap6-

"I just feel bad 'bout leaving her 'ere Will."

"There's nothing else we can do. The doctor says she's still terribly sick. We have other priorities that are also important."

"Other priorities? I know what you're thinking Will, and this isn't all about Elizabeth."

It was the shout, angry, driven, and fierce that finally pounded through to me. Before that, the voices had been little more then fog, barely penetrating the shroud in which I was encompassed. They had drifted, echoed, my only sense that time was passing. But I knew for sure that this time I was truly hearing Ana's voice.

I struggled to disentangle myself from the cocoon I was in; I didn't want to be left alone. I wasn't on the ship anymore, I knew that. They couldn't leave me. I had to warn them. It was so hard. Couldn't they tell I was awake? I was listening! I could hear everything. If only they would stop for one moment and recognize the fact.

"Dannica darlin' I'm sorry. But I made a promise to Will to save his bonny lass."

I felt hesitant fingers on my forehead. Jack! I wanted to cry now. I couldn't break free but I was trying to so hard. Couldn't they wait? Please! Just wait for me. I wanted to scream it, wanted them to hear me. I wanted them to stay. I couldn't lose Jack again. He was finally showing something to me. I was finally something dear to him. Please…

"Listen Dannica. I'll come back. Ye hear?" there was a pause, as if he was unsure of what else to say. "Savvy?" There was another beat as if he were just begging that I would move, answer.

Oh Jack! Please! I'm trying so hard! I can hear you! I can hear you! Don't leave me! I'm so scared!

"Jack, we gotta go. The tide be comin' in."

"Aye."

It was so soft. Forlorn, heartbroken. Jack. Oh god, Jack. I was hurting him. I never meant to. I hadn't known I was that sick.

Please don't leave me!

I could feel it coming back, the dragging weight of weariness, of sickness. I had tried too hard. I couldn't hold on. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. I couldn't move, I could only listen. I could hear the footsteps against the floor, the slight creak. The shuffle as he dragged his feet. Please Jack! Don't leave me!

Silence now. I was alone. I couldn't fight anymore. So tired. Broken, I let myself drift again.

Sunlight passed across my face. There was humming, and the happy, uneven tread of footsteps that indicated that someone might dancing. It hurt. My head hurt. I was aching and I felt alone though I couldn't remember why. Where was I? There was no movement below me that indicated I might be on a ship. Fright rose in me. Had I been kidnapped?

The sun flashed across my face, blinding me, even though my eyes were closed. I groaned turning my head away, hardly realizing that it was significant.

"Miss! Miss you're awake! Just wait one moment while I get the doctor!"

Pain split through my skull and I groaned, turning again, seeking solace. Where was I? Doctor? There was no doctor on the Interceptor. I couldn't think straight. Everything hurt. I coughed and forced myself into a sitting position with the force of it. My throat burnt as I bent, hacking. My shoulders trembled.

"Dannie, come on now. Big breath."

Hardly realizing that I was complying with a stranger's orders, I drew a breath, shuddering as the fit past. Wearily I slumped back, letting my body lay on the bedside. Restlessly my eyes wandered and they lighted upon a youngish man leaning over the bedside. He had something wrapped around his neck and was wearing a long white overcoat. His sandy hair hung across his face, and he was constantly blowing it away from his green eyes. I giggled slightly, and winced immediately, closing me eyes.

"Dannie?"

I turned my attention back to the stranger. "Where am I?" It hurt to talk I realized it as soon as I opened my mouth. I regretted speaking, but I wanted to know, needed to know. Where was Jack and William? Why wasn't I on the Interceptor? Everything was so hazy. I couldn't remember anything beyond the sailing lesson I had received.

"Dannie, Dannie calm down," the stranger placed his hand on my shoulder. "Don't panic."

Desperately I fastened my eyes on his, and I lunged gripped his upper arm. "Where am I? Where is Jack?"

"Shh, lay down, while I get my father," the young man encouraged, trying to ease me back down.

I refused, fighting with what little reserves of strength I had left. My eyes were wild and I was looking around the room, gauging the escapes routes, trying to mentally figure if I could make it.

"Dannie, Dannie listen to me." The man said. He sat down next to me, shifting his grip so he held my shoulder. "You need to stop panicking. You're going to go into a relapse if you don't settle down."

I shuddered, and in a sudden change of heart pulled the man closer, seeking comfort. "Where am I?"

The man seemed to remember that not only was I a patient but still a human being. He shifted again, holding me closer. "You're at High Bluff."

I tilted my head. I had never heard of the town before. "A joke?"

"No, a cliff." Amused, he smiled.

No, the town name was definitely not familiar. I shuddered wanting the protection of people I knew. It seems that I had gotten my wish to start a new life out of Tortuga and on dry land after all. Unfortunately for me, it was at the one time I didn't want it. For the first time in my life I wanted to be a pirate, and it was the farthest thing away from me. "The Interceptor?"

"It's gone Dannie. They waited as long as they could, but they couldn't wait forever."

My breathing hitched as my memory caught up with me. I remembered the departing words. No! The cough that had been rising inside of me was shoved down as the loneliness and fright took its place I felt myself trembling as tears started pouring out. I hated crying, I hated it. Why was it that I always cried when I didn't want to?

"Dannie, listen please. You're much too weak to be putting yourself through this stress. You need to relax."

I shook my head, I couldn't. They had left without me. Jack. He had been so worried. He had feelings. He was finally admitting to them. Jack. I sobbed.

"Jason!"

The young man holding me jumped back, head snapping up as an older man scurried into the room.

"I didn't do anything. She's been like this since she woke up!"

The older man, whip thin, graying hair pulled sharply from his face, rushed forward. I flinched away. I had been watching him, through my tear clouded eyes. I had no control over myself. My emotions were on a runaway track and I couldn't find the strength to rein them in.

"Shhh, Dannie," the man sat down. "Let me look at you."

I flinched away again. I didn't want to be here. They had left me behind. The cough stole up and this time I had no warning. It took over me, and I doubled over, clutching Jason's shirt as I struggled to breathe. I felt him rubbing my back lightly, holding me as I trembled.

When I finally had control of myself, and managed to pull away, I brushed a hand across my face, getting rid of the remaining tears. "Please," I whispered it. "I don't want to stay here. I have to get back to the Interceptor."

"You are much too ill!" the elder doctor announced, shooing his son out of the way. "Look at what just happened. You're taking a sleeping draught and then resting."

I pulled away, shaking my head. "No," I protested. "I'm fine. Please. I don't want to be here."

Jason caught my chin, forcing me to look at him. "No you're not. Dannie do as my father says. We don't want you in relapse."

I shook my head, pulling away. I could feel weariness stealing over me and I struggled not to show it. My eyes flickered around the room and they alighted upon a woman standing in the doorway. She gave me a sudden smile and darted away before I could ask her name. For some reason though the smile calmed me. I suddenly felt secure, like everything was going to turn out alright.

"Dannie."

Responding to the hand on my shoulder I turned my head. The doctor was holding a flask out to me. Seeing no other way, and trusting that the young woman's smile had meant something worthwhile, I took it from his hand. "The whole thing?"

He smiled. "All," he confirmed. His eyes never left mine until I handed the empty flask back to him. I smiled uneasily. "It takes a few moments. Lay down."

I did as I was told, watching the two get up and leave, murmuring that I would be better if I was left alone. I pressed my head back into the pillow, fighting back a cough. The loneliness rose inside me again, and I felt like crying. Bitterly I pushed it away. I had had enough with that silly emotion for one day.

I was just drifting when I felt the patter of footsteps across the floor. "I'll find you a ship."

Drowsily, I turned my head and saw the young woman from earlier. I struggled to focus but I found it nearly impossible. What had she said?

"I'll find a ship for you," the girl repeated, bending closer to me. "And I'll come with you. I can look after the cold and make sure you don't relapse."

I stared at her for a moment, processing everything that had come in. It was getting harder though, the draught was taking effect. She was watching me with eyes of emerald and when it finally clicked, I was smiling. Well, if the girl wanted to run away, there was nothing I could do about that. I knew that rule only too well, but it definitely sounded better if I allowed her to come with me. It would certainly mean that I could be in familiar surroundings sooner then I dared and it would also certainly mean that I wouldn't have to worry about injuring myself further. It sounded like a good deal overall.

I fell asleep smiling, leaving the woman with her answer. She had seen it plain enough in my eyes, before they had closed. She left the room with a bounce in her step, a smile on her face. There was much to prepare if either of them were going to pull off what she had in mind.