"Jasmine, we're going to get in trouble again. Why is it you always get us in trouble," Williams asked her looking around in the cave.

"Don't you like adventures? Come on William, your father is a pirate," she replied back.

"But he doesn't go looking for trouble."

"No, but it finds him," Jasmine replied without thinking.

William pushed Jasmine down to the cave floor, "Don't talk about my dad that way," he said as tears came to his eyes.

"I'm sorry, William. I didn't think," Jasmine said as she hung her head. She knew that she had over stepped her bounds. They may be children but William often confided in her about missing his father and how he didn't really believe that he would return. She knew how he was being strong for his mother. He was preparing himself for the day that his mother would finally give up on his father. Jasmine's thoughts were interrupted by a loud clap of thunder. The two children quickly went to the mouth of the cave where they saw the wind was getting strong and the sky was riddled with lightening.

"Guess we better stay here for now," William told her, "I don't think going home in the storm would be safe."

"Papa is going to be so mad at me," Jasmine said hanging her head.

"Well he won't be happy but if we don't stay here in safety; it will be worse," William added trying to now comfort Jasmine.

The two children crouched together in the cave just far enough from the entrance to stay out of the weather. William put his small arm around Jasmine; its purpose was two fold: one to keep her warm and two to try and comfort her. She smiled at William as he held her close.

"Jack where could she have gone," Jess asked.

"Let's try the cave. Maybe she wanted to explore but maybe they sought shelter there from the approaching storm," Jack answered her.

They had wanted to leave Elizabeth at home, but she insisted on coming with them. They had left a simple note at both houses for the children to read, STAY HERE. Elizabeth had begun to teach William to read and they had also drawn a picture of a stick child sitting in a chair so even if William couldn't figure out what it said Jasmine and he could see the picture.

They went quickly to the cave only stopping for short times. "I do hope we find them before this storm hits. It looked like it's going to be bad one," Elizabeth said looking at the sky.

"Aye, last one like this we had bodies washing up on the shore for a week from that shipwreck," Jack reminded them.

"Guess, we better find them quick then," Jess said urging them on the path.

As they approached the cave, where Jack knew Jasmine liked to explore, he called her name, "Jasmine, William are you there?"

"Yes, Papa. We're here," Jasmine answered in a happy tone. She ran straight to Jack who picked her up and hugged her tightly. Jess hugged them both.

William went to his mother and put his arms around her hugging her as tightly as he could. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to cause you worry but when the storm started to come – I thought we would be safer in the cave."

"You're alright son. That is what matters," Elizabeth replied.

"Let's get home before the fury of this storm unleashes itself on us," Jess said with urgency as they watched the lightning dance about them.

"And with haste," Elizabeth said.

They all started in a run down the path on the way home. The storm was getting worse by the minute. Rain was now pouring down on them almost blinding them. The wind made their steps twice as hard. Luckily all the lightning was above and had not struck the ground. Elizabeth and William lead the way. Jack carried Jasmine and Jess brought up the rear. They were nearly there when suddenly Jack heard a cry. He looked back to see Jess on the ground pulling her foot from a hole. He put Jasmine down and called to Elizabeth, "take the children and go to your house since it's closer. Jess and I will follow as soon as we can."

Jasmine looked at her mother. Jess' face was that of someone in pain. She sat rubbing her ankle in the blinding rain. Jack turned to face Jasmine, he knew his daughter, "go Jasmine and obey me. Go with Elizabeth and William. We will follow soon."

The trio left and Jack turned his attention to his wife. As Jack started towards Jess, there was a blinding light and immediately a deafening thunder. Jack looked as a tree near Jess was hit by the bolt of lightning. The trees split and although Jess trying to scurry away with her hurt ankle she was trapped and part of the tree fell on her.

"Jess, Jess are you alright," Jack said running to her.

"I think I'm alright but I can't move. I can hardly breath Jack," Jess replied struggling to get the words out.

Jack tried to lift the tree to no avail. Now he wished Elizabeth was here to help him. He thought about going to get her but he wasn't going to just leave Jess.

He tried rolling it some but Jess only cried out in pain. After one of his attempts, he asked Jess if she was worse but there was no reply. He went to the other side of the tree and found her unconscious.

Jack thought then he remembered Will's rescue of him in jail, "Leverage," and Jack looked for something to lift and pry the tree away from his beloved wife. He found a sturdy branch and applied the proper leverage to lift the partial tree from his wife. Adrenalin was following strongly through Jack's veins; he picked up Jess and started carrying her home. She never awoke on the way to Elizabeth's home and when they arrived Jack kicked at the door to get the occupants attention.

Jasmine opened the door and a look of horror showed on his face seeing her mother not awake in her father's arms. Pangs of guilt started to flow through her and Elizabeth pushed Jasmine aside to look at Jess. "Put her on my bed Jack," Elizabeth instructed. "Now out children, while Jack and I look at her injuries."

The children left the room and immediately Jasmine began to cry. William tried to comfort her but all she would say is "it's my fault. It's all my fault." William knew that the only comfort she would get was to see her mother well.

"Jess," Jack called gently, "Jess please wake up." He kissed her forehead the brushed back her hair.

Elizabeth removed her shoe and looked at her ankle as Jack explained exactly what happened. "She's lucky to be alive. Her ankle is already swollen and purple but I don't think it's broken." Jack nodded to Elizabeth's diagnosis as he held Jess' hand. She looked over and saw blood on Jack's arm. "Jack are you hurt?"

"Me? No love," he replied. Then he glanced at his shirt sleeve where Elizabeth was looking. Their eyes met, "roll her over gently."

They slowly rolled her over and saw a gash on her back. Elizabeth cleaned the wound and applied pressure to stop the bleeding. It was not bad and did not look to require stitches. Elizabeth did see purple bruising on the other side, "Jack I think she broken some ribs."

"I think I've broken some ribs too," Jess said in a weak voice. They slowly returned her to her back but Jess moaned as they moved her.

"Darling, what am I to do with you," Jack asked her with a smile.

"Just love me dear," Jess replied. Then Jack took his hand and placed it on the side of her face and slowly bent down and kissed her.

"I think I'll leave you two alone. I'll let Jasmine know you are alright," Elizabeth said leaving the room and closing the door.

Thank you to all that have reviewed….please let me know how you like the story….it really does inspire me!!!!!!!!!!!!!