This chapter is dedicated to:

Sakura123

ALSO: RedFireHead41

You know what I'm going to say, so whatever.

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Kate felt herself in a cocoon of warmth. Warmth? Why was she warm? She should be in a cell somewhere, or lying at the bottom of the ocean.

Unfortunately she remembered everything. After being taken and used by the drunken crew, they beat her. She recounted the searing pain of the whip on her back, and the laughing as she screamed.

Then Barnett's voice appeared next to her. It wasn't angry or anything of the sort. On the contrary, it was amused. He had watched as they cut things in her back, and had participated himself.

They had pulled her up and started to push her around the deck. She had stumbled around, disoriented, until she was hit with something, something hard. Then everything went black.

Maybe I'm dead. That would be a relief. She slowly opened her eyes, preparing herself for bright lights and clouds.

But instead, she was in a dimly lit room. It was familiar. The Pearl? But how? I thought I was dead… She glanced around, her eyes finally landing on her father. He sat in a chair, holding her hand. His eyes were closed.

She gently squeezed the hand holding her own. He jumped up and looked down at her.

"Oh thank God." He hugged her tightly. She stayed in his embrace for a moment until a voice interrupted them.

"She's up I see." Jack leaned in the doorway to the room, letting in shafts of light. She gave him a weak smile. Her stomach growled. She had forgotten how hungry she was. Before she could even open her mouth, her father went to go get her food.

"You must be starving!" He was so happy that she was awake. Jack came and sat down in another chair, feet propped up on the table. They sat in silence awhile.

"You know, I had to tell you father about you." She smiled despite her discomfort. She didn't like being alone with him.

"I thought you might." Soon her father was back, carrying a tray of food. Jack was called out by a crew member. She tried to sit up, but the pain in her back made her yelp.

"Don't sit up. You need to rest." She ate the best she could while lying down. The food didn't help fill the emptiness in her stomach.

"How long have I been here?"

"Five days. Jonathan came to get help." He smoothed back her hair.

"Jonathan? He helped?" Will nodded back.

"He came with us."

"So I suppose he told you everything…"she said quietly.

"No. He said he wouldn't tell without your permission." She internally let out a sigh of relief. Her father wouldn't be able to handle what happened yet. She herself could barely handle it.

Dr. Morrison came to check on her. She stared up at him in fear as he entered.

"Hello Kate. How are you feeling?" He said cheerily. Jack had mentioned to him that she had woken up, and he came as soon as he could. She didn't answer him and pulled the covers over her shoulders.

"Kate?"

"Go away." She said firmly.

"Katie, he just needs to check your head and back." She shook her head violently.

"No."

"Your safe now, no one's going to hurt you. I'll be right here." Still she wanted nothing to do with the doctor. Will sighed.

"I'm sorry Kate, but he has to." He held her arms as the doctor looked at her head. Despite the pain it caused, she did everything she could to get him away. She kicked and screamed and punched. It pained her father to see her this way, but he had to do it. It was for her own good.

Soon she stopped fighting and just sobbed. Dr. Morris finished as quickly as he could, and left the pair.

Will didn't know what to do. Obviously whatever had happened was traumatic. She had never acted like this before, even when Elizabeth died. He hoped that it would end soon.

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A few hours later, Will helped Kate walk over to Ana's cabin. The crew all smiled and said their 'hellos' as she stepped out, but the noises frightened her. Out of the corner of her eye, she was able to see Jonathan looking over at her with a slight smile.

When they got to the cabin, he helped her get comfortable, giving her blankets and pillows.

"You get some rest alright?" he turned to leave.

"Don't go!" her voice was panicked. Will thought a moment. Jack would certainly understand if he stayed. He sat down by the bed and waited till she fell asleep.

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That's all folks. R+R please.

Chicaga