I find it rather amusing that I had a very different idea of how this chapter was going to go, but it seemed to take its own course. I realize that this one is a bit short, but seeing as how it spawned from nowhere, I feel like it's at least worth keeping. It's really very hot sitting here in the dark at my computer (New England is in the middle of a terrible heatwave), so this will serve to tide any of you faithful readers over whilst I seek out air-conditioning. The story shall progress as planned --now the next idea is even more enhanced-- so don't worry. I'll have another chapter posted by tomorrow! Stay cool...

...TanzFieber

The next time Kelsea appeared on deck, it was in her normal clothing. However, the crew was no less than amazed to see their captain's beloved hat perched upon her head above a better-fitting blue bandana. Collectively holding their breaths, they waited for Jack to spot her audacity and fly into some sort of hysterical rage. Yet, as they waited the seconds turned to minutes and still nothing happened! Each of them peered cautiously towards the helm in turn, wondering if the captain was merely otherwise occupied so as not to have noticed the girl.

Noting the amazed glances that were dancing from herself to Jack Sparrow, the nine-year-old almost felt like giggling. Of course, she was just as surprised as they were about how events were unfolding, but had resigned herself to the notion that the captain simply had a few screws loose-- turned out that he was a hard man to predict. After gauging the lack of reaction from Jack, and she was sure that he had seen her, Kelsea simply trotted over to where Cotton was coiling rope and began helping.

For his part, Captain Jack was having new issues-- rather, old ones that had resurfaced. He had indeed noticed the girl and the fact that she was still sporting his hat, but right now it was not the most pressing issue. More urgent than that, was the pain in his left elbow. Since all of the, er, excitement of the previous afternoon, the injury had become secondary and he had been able to ignore it. Now, as he stood up at the helm with it cradled against his body, it seemed as if there were a red-hot poker within his arm instead of a bone-- every single beat of his heart sent waves of pain through him. Jack ground his teeth, trying to stoically bear the pain so that he wouldn't look foolish in front of his crew.

"S'cuse me, Cap'n Sparrow?"

Jack fairly jumped in surprise and whirled around, all of this only jarring his arm and doubling the pain. He couldn't help but squinch his face up in agony before glaring at whoever had startled him. Kelsea looked up at him apologetically, seemingly having come up beside him without his realizing it. Sneaky liddle beastie! Regaining his composure somewhat, the pirate captain managed to grit his teeth and reply. "Whaddye want, Whelp?"

Seeing the apparent amount of pain that he was in, the girl quickly babbled out her reason for interrupting him. "I… I jus' thought t'tell ye that I know somethin' what could help yer arm…"

He eyed her suspiciously, but in the end he admitted that he was willing to try anything to quell the pain. Jack nodded sharply and raised an eyebrow. "Much obliged if ye'd like t'share."

"Well… Once when I broked me wrist playin' a game, Mr. Gibbs…" she paused here at the bitter-sweet memory of her old friend and swallowed hard before going on. "Well, Mr. Gibbs fixed it an' tied me arm up in someways that kept it from movin' too much…"

Jack's eyes lit up as he realized what she meant, and cursed himself for not thinking of it earlier. A sling, of course! Without waiting to thank the girl for her advice, he simply turned and headed for his cabin, intent on fashioning one. Suddenly left alone, Kelsea rolled her eyes at his receding back-- she knew from her own experience with Gibbs that the man would not be able to put one on by himself.

SOME FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER…

Marty jumped from his previous position of listening at the door as a string of curses foul enough to peel paint exploded from within-- the captain had disappeared into his cabin some minutes before, and whatever curious thing he was doing, it was obvious that it wasn't going exactly as planned. Clearly complications had arisen, ensued, and were not being overcome with any amount of simplicity.

Also having heard the shouts, Kelsea wrinkled her nose and crept to the door alongside the dwarf. "Sounds like mebbe th'cap'n needs help, eh?" she asked to nobody in particular. However, just as she was about to knock, Marty grabbed her hand.

"Beggin' yer pardon, Miss Kelsea, but don' ye think ye'd better leave th'cap'n be..?" he implored her, knowing full well that Jack's temper was bound to be flaring and that the girl was probably the last person he would want assistance from.

"No," she said simply with a smirk. "Sounds like he needs help." Deciding that knocking would only prolong the inevitable, she turned the knob and opened the door slowly. Everyone else on the deck visibly cringed and edged away from the entrance, half expecting something to be thrown.

Standing in the middle of the room, Captain Jack Sparrow's shoulders heaved in exertion as he only succeeded in tangling himself up in the long bit of bed sheet that he held in one hand. Upon hearing the door open, he glanced over and immediately stopped what he was doing. "H-how many times've I told all you bloody bumbling idiots to KNOCK?"

Kelsea knew it was a rhetorical question and so said nothing as she sidled into the room, much as Gibbs had the day before. "Apologies, Cap'n Sparrow, jus' thought mebbe ye could use my help wiv that?"

Jack glared sullenly at her, but said nothing. The girl smiled timidly and stepped closer, tentatively reaching out to take the hindering sheet from him. He allowed her to relieve him of the cloth, and from there she worked deftly. Producing a small knife from her jacket and cutting a square from the larger bit, she folded the piece in half and looked up at him again.

"Hold out yer arm please, Cap'n."

He did as she bade him, although still scowling somewhat mutinously. Ignoring the expression, Kelsea gently placed the injured limb in the crease of the sling she had fashioned and clambered up on to the edge of the bed so that she could reach up behind his neck and tie the two ends together. Once finished, the dark-haired child smiled in satisfaction.

"All better now," she piped up cheerfully in a way only a nine-year-old girl could. Jack was thoroughly surprised at the sudden relief he was experiencing at the reduction of stress on his injury.

"That's interesting," He mused aloud, although mostly to himself. "That's very interesting." The pair of them stood silently for a moment before he remembered her presence and cleared his throat. "I… Well, my thanks t'ye, lass," the captain mumbled gruffly and she jumped down off the bed to the floor.

"Yer welcome." And with that statement and a flash of a bright smile, Kelsea Sparrow scampered back out of the room-- the tri-cornered hat still on her head as if it had always been there.

Captain Jack tested out his arm again, and finding that it honestly did feel worlds better, shook his head in amazement. Perhaps there was a reason that the rest of the crew was so fond of the whelp, after all…