Disclaimer: POTC is Disney's, my OCs are mine.

A Sparrow's Shadow on the Sea

Out of Harm's Way

One moment, I was awestruck by the strange beauty of Saint Elmo's fire. The next, I was grabbed roughly and thrown to the deck against the outer wall of the cabin. And it seemed as if someone had fallen on top of me, their full weight pressing me to the deck. I tried to move, and abruptly the weight was gone.

"Eve! Are you alright? I'm sorry I was rough with you…Eve! Please be alright," Jack's voice frantically called to me.

I tried to push myself up and look around, feeling dazed and bewildered.

Jack immediately knelt beside me. "Are you hurt anywhere, luv?" he asked urgently.

I moved my arms and legs, testing for pain, and glanced over myself for any wounds. With the exception of my head hurting, I seemed to be uninjured. "I think I hit my head," I mentioned, "But, otherwise, I'm fine…What the hell just happened, Jack?"

Jack checked my head carefully, to make sure I wasn't bleeding. "Aye, you have quite a bump, luv."

"Holy Mother of God, the yardarm fell right where she was! The lass was lucky she wasn't killed!" Gibbs exclaimed. "I told ye 'twas folly to be out in this wicked storm!"

I looked over to where I'd been standing. Sure enough, a large beam of wood had fallen right there, along with some of the rigging. I stared at the two men, visibly shaken by the realization that I could be dead.

"C'mon, Eve, let's get you into the cabin," Jack suggested as he helped me to stand.

I felt a little woozy as I stood, with Jack's arms around me for support. We made our way into the safety of the cabin. I kept looking at Jack, realizing it was he who had grabbed me and thrown me clear of the falling debris. It was Jack who had shielded me with his own body, as the dismembered portion of the Pearl's mast crashed to the deck.

Jack guided me to the bed and sat me down, but didn't let me go. Instead, he held me close to him, muttering to himself that it was all his fault and we should've gone in sooner.

I looked up into his worried eyes. "Thank you," I said quietly, "You saved my life, Jack."

"I stupidly allowed you to stay in a dangerous situation," he lamented.

"You were there when I needed you," I pointed out.

"And you're injured because of it," he said regretfully.

"Jack, injured is better than dead," I told him, "And it's only a bump."

I thought of the strength and ferocity with which he'd grabbed me and pulled me out of harm's way. It made me smile, even though I knew he would've done the same for any member of his crew.

There was a knock on the door. Jack got up and let Gibbs in.

"Brought ye some hot tea to help warm ye up after bein' out in the storm," Gibbs said as he placed two cups on the table. He turned to me and asked, "How're ye doin', lass?"

I smiled. "I'm fine, Gibbs. Safe and sound, thanks to Jack," I replied.

"The two of ye ought to be getting' into some dry clothes, before ye catch yer death of cold," Gibbs said as he left.

I bent over to remove my boots as Jack secured the doors after Gibbs exited. I stood up to remove my rain soaked clothes and swayed, feeling dizzy. Jack was immediately next to me, his arms around me to prevent me from falling.

"Whew! I guess I stood up a little too fast," I said to him, as he eased me back onto the bed.

"Look at me, luv," he said, his fingers under my chin, tipping my head up. He regarded me with worried scrutiny.

"I don't have a concussion," I told him, "I've bumped my head much harder in the past, and I didn't have a concussion then, although I did end up with a black eye."

Jack's expression softened as he looked at me. "A black eye, eh? Must've been quite a sight, luv," he said, as his lips began to smirk. "Let me get your clothes for you."

"Took two weeks to go away," I continued, "And I had to get stitches as well."

He placed the shirt and breeches on the bed next to me. "They did a fine job of that, my dear. Can't even tell," he said as he gazed at me.

The wind howled outside causing an audible spattering of rain against the windows. Jack stood steady despite the lurching of the ship.

I pulled my rain soaked shirt over my head and slipped the dry one on, then I slid the wet breeches off and onto the floor. The shirt was long enough to reach to my mid-thigh, so I didn't bother with the breeches. Instead, I stood, pausing to make certain I didn't feel lightheaded, then padded barefoot to the table to get a mug of tea.

The mug was warm in my hands as I held it. I returned to sit on the bed, watching Jack as he changed his clothes. A flash of lightning glimmered through the windows, followed immediately by a roar of thunder. In spite of everything, I still wished we could be outside watching the storm.

Jack grabbed his mug of tea and sat next to me on the bed, resting his hand on my bare thigh. The full length of my leg erupted in goosebumps.

"Cold, luv?" he asked, as he softly rubbed his rough hand over my skin.

"No," I answered simply.

His smirk became a low chuckle, as he continued to move his hand slowly over the length of my thigh. "Your reactions never cease to amaze me," he commented, glancing sideways at me. "You're quiet, Eve, what's troubling you?"

I got up and walked to the table to put my empty mug down. Where to begin, I thought. I pushed myself up to sit on the table, placing one foot on the chair, while dangling the other.

I looked squarely at Jack and began, "I nearly died today in a freak accident, which you blame yourself for…even though the only reason I'm alive is because of you." I watched his reaction carefully.

"Aye, 'tis true," he replied guardedly.

I lazily circled my foot in the air, watching as Jack was distracted by it.

"Jack," I said abruptly, "Do not take this opportunity to become over-protective of me." My tone was firm and business-like.

He stared at me, without saying a word. His expression was unreadable.

"It's something that most women from my time do not tolerate well, having struggled long and hard for their freedoms," I explained, softening my tone, "And I know, since you also value your freedom, that you'll understand."

He listened, considering what I'd said, but still expressionless.

"I am the way I am, and I'll never conform to the customary behavior of women in this time," I told him.

He locked eyes with me, stood and approached. "I would never expect you to," he said earnestly, "It's one of the reasons why I love you, Eve."

I sighed deeply, feeling my apprehension dissipate.

Jack edged closer and stood in front of me. He placed his hands on my shoulders as he gazed at me. "Good God, you're tense, Eve!" He took my hand, saying "Come here, luv," as he pulled me toward the bed, "Let old Jack work his magic on you."

I sat on the edge of the bed, while Jack kneeled behind me. He began to massage my shoulders and neck, using his strong hands and those elegant, long fingers to ease every last bit of tension out of my body.

"Jack, you are amazing!" I told him, closing my eyes.

He leaned close, "And do you love me?"

"Oh…yes…I love you," I said slowly, reveling in the touch of his strong hands.

And I ended up falling asleep in Jack's arms, as the Pearl creaked and rocked on the waves, and the storm continued to rage in the night.

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A/N: Oh, Jack! He can be such the hero when he needs to be! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! My deepest thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing!