His fever was spiking. It had been almost an hour since they loosened Jack from the board in his side. Three men held him down while Alex, the only one with any idea of what to do, told Gibbs to gently cut out the splinters seeping with infection. Alex stared in utter loss a few times, confused in what had happened. His skin became flushed. His insides seemed incongruous, as if the board whittled away what he was constructed from. After Jack relaxed into his pillow a bit, Alex placed a cold cloth against his forehead.

"Would someone fetch me some lavender to put in the basin?" No one moved.

"Of course," she said, "Well, is there any spices, perfumes, something to relax him?" A small man raised his cautiously.

"There's a bit of rum in his cabinet...until we found something a bit more...suitable?" Alex sighed, and motioned for someone to fetch the bottle. When they returned, her eyes moved to the matter of sanitation around his wound.

"He can't drink this...we need to save it for later. Please, someone at least attempt to find some chamomile, if not some peppermint."

"We have a spot of peppermint liquor in the brig, and I think Anamaria used to carry chamomile," said Gibbs. Reverberating footsteps came from the stairs and rushed in the room. The crew handed over what she needed, and then left Alex alone with their Captain.

She ran a hand over his face. Silently, she poured chamomile into some water by the bed. Wetting her shirt sleeve, she brushed his face with the cool mixture. Jack twitched lightly, his hand grasping the side of his bed. Alex caught him just in time.

"No need in trying to pull yourself up, Sparrow. You need a set of stitches in before that muscle has any chance of becoming useful again. Now here, open your mouth. I'm going to swab a little peppermint inside your cheeks." Doing as he was told, Alex gently dabbed her finger in the strong smelling coolness and swiped his mouth. What tasted bitter at first, melted in his throat. His breathing a bit easier, yet he still couldn't talk. Smiling, Alexandria swiped his hair back.

"Do you feel like getting a bit more work done? Maybe letting me clean out that scratch a little?" Jack' eyes glared at her.

"W-with...what?"

"Rum."

"Wouldn't that sting a little?" Alex gave him a smarmy smile.

"Only a little..." She help Jack turn to his side, propping his weight on a pillow. Tenderly, she lifted his shirt from the sticky wound.

"I'm just going to pour a drop or two...see how it goes with you." At first it was all right, just a tingle or small numbness. Then, as it tunneled deeper into the torn tissue, he felt a burn...then...

"Bloody hell, mate! That was more than a drop or two! Go easy on the brew." Alex sighed.

"I'm sorry, Jack. Just a little more..."

"No, no more. Stitches and I'm done." Alex stared down at him.

"Sparrow..."

"Captain..." His breath was rugged once again.

"Captain Sparrow, I don't think you fully understand the manner of seriousness needed here. If your wound goes uncleaned and I patch it up, infection will set in. Then I'll have to cut you open, drain the wound. You can't stay on your side much longer, it's not good for your lungs. So please, allow me to do as needed." Jack's eyes softened, which was stifled by a cough.

"Alright, little miss. Do whatever you want..." Alex gently helped Jack lay his head down.

"I promise...no more rum...just a little water, ok? And then stitches...you'll be good as new in a few weeks." They both stared in silent trust. And with one squeeze of a hand, she began working.

Two hours later, after picking out extra debris she finished. Jack had fallen asleep through the exhaustion and pain of today's outcome. Alex smiled as she pulled the covers over top his body. Gibbs walked in around that time, a smile on his face and food in hand.

"Would you like a break, miss? Old Jack be fare for the night."

"Actually, Mr. Gibbs, I think I'll stay the night here, make sure his fever stays low." Gibbs nodded lightly and turned to leave, but caught a glace right before opening the door. Alex had laid her head down on the bed, still holding Jack's hand.