Chapter 19

"MisserSmee! Mate! Come t'check on your ol'Cap'n, have you? Well done."

Smee slunk further into the cave, apprehensive about what he would find. Hook sounded… off. And as the first mate's eyes adjusted to the darkness - well, darker darkness - he could see that the captain looked off, too. He was slumped back against the stone wall, legs crossed at the ankles, scratching idly at the cuff with his hook, which rested on his lap. His eyes were glazed, pupils dilated, and he donned a disarming smile as Smee approached.

"Where've you been?" slurred Hook, with effort. "You're missing all th'fun."

Smee spared a glance at Tiger Lily, who was settled calmly at the other end of the cave, sharpening arrowheads.

"I… went to update Starkey on the plan. Remember? We didn't want him to worry, sir."

"Starkey? Bloody brilliant bosun, 'e is." Hook snickered at his unintentional alliteration, then blinked and squinted up at his first mate. "Did you 'appen't'bring any pr'visions, mate? I'm bloody rav'nous."

Smee fidgeted, hoping Tiger Lily would intervene, but she seemed content to allow Smee to deal with the captain. "Uh, sorry, sir… you're on… restricted rations for now."

"Bloody'ell," Hook groaned loudly. "Thought I was th'captain round 'ere."

"Tell you what…" Smee began placatingly. "When this is over, we'll have a huge feast. NeverBeast, all sorts of fruit-"

"No coc'nut," Hook demanded.

"'Course not. No coconut."

"But plenty of rum."

"As much rum as you can stomach, Captain."

A silly grin split Hook's features; Smee's heart twinged at his excitement over such a simple pleasure.

"You're my fav'rite, mate. 'Ave I ever said?"

Smee rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "What… what about Starkey?"

Hook tilted his head, blinking. "Starkey? 'E's my fav'rite, dammit."

"And Mullins?"

"Mullins! I bloody love Mullins! 'E's my fav'rite."

Smee couldn't help a chuckle, despite his concern. Hook was never like this, not even at his drunkest. Sure, rum loosened his tongue and amplified his bravado, and he might be more effusive in his compliments to the fairer sex, but with Smee it was always the opposite. His orders became sharper; his taunts more biting. He'd be mortified at his behavior were he currently in his right mind. Smee controlled his giggles and turned to Tiger Lily.

"What did you give him? Any chance you spared some for me?"

Tiger Lily replied with a sober stare. "Trust me; you don't want to try this. You'll see."

That sounded ominous. Smee heard Hook shifting behind him and turned back. The captain was struggling to get to his feet, wincing dramatically whenever he moved his wounded shoulder, but unable to comprehend that he should probably not be putting weight on it. Tiger Lily clicked her tongue and raised her voice, speaking very clearly and slowly.

"What did we talk about earlier, Hook? Stay where you are, or you'll hurt yourself."

Just then, Hook's hand slipped out from under him and he toppled sideways. He mumbled a few choice invectives, peppered with the occasional "witch" for good measure. Smee crouched and gently dragged his captain upright.

"Was there something you wanted, sir? What can I help you with?"

"I w's'only attempting t'hug you, mate. Y'look so soft."

Embarrassed, Smee sat back on his heels and cleared his throat. "Uh… I… guess I am, Captain. Big… big bones, you see."

Hook snorted, thoughts clearly headed in a different direction. But then he added,

"Sorry f'r hurting y'r feelings. I don't… feel quite like m'self."

The captain reached a wobbly hand for his first mate, aiming for the shoulder but ending up at sternum height. Awkwardly, Smee patted the hand as it tapped his belly.

"Th… that's okay, sir. I know you don't know what you're saying. But… maybe you should stop talking now. Save your strength."

"Think I'drath'r go back t'th'ship, now, Smee. Could you 'elp me?" Hook grimaced and lowered his voice. "That witch's trying t'murder me."

Before Smee could remind Hook why he needed to stay in the cave, Tiger Lily got to her feet, moving confidently in the dim light as she asked,

"Is it really 'murder' if you asked me to do it to you?"

Hook's unfocused eyes sloppily followed her movements before returning to Smee. "Mental, she is. Why w'd I say a damn fool thing like that?"

"She… she's helping you, sir, remember-"

"Time for another dose, Captain," Tiger Lily broke in.

"Bloody'ell," whined Hook, having spotted the dart she now gripped in her fingers. He drew his legs in, curling into ball against the cave wall. "I've 'ad enough; giv'it't'Smee this time."

"Wouldn't do him any good," Tiger Lily said. "This is all for you."

Hook squeezed his eyes shut, looking miserable. The fairy crouched beside the pirates and grabbed Hook's wrist, easily overcoming his weak resistance and pulling his arm out straight. She shoved his sleeve back, revealing at least three older puncture marks freckling his forearm.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Smee wondered quietly. She side-eyed him, retorting,

"You're asking this now?"

Without waiting for a reply - or making any attempt at assuaging Smee's doubts - she struck, stabbing the dart into Hook's flesh and then removing it, all in one swift movement. Like a snake bite. The pirate captain winced slightly, and when she released his wrist, he used the side of his hook to comfort the sting.

Tiger Lily got up, emotionless. "I'm going out. Watch over him."

Smee scrambled to his feet, sputtering in consternation. The fairy set a deep, empty basin nearby, as well as a bucket of water. Hook studied both items in confusion, deciding eventually that cursing in their general direction was the safest reaction. Tiger Lily ignored his rambling.

"He can have as much water as he wants. Try to get him to drink at least some." She snatched up her overcoat and draped it over a shoulder. "Sweating, vomiting, and lethargy are normal; high fever or convulsions are not."

Smee followed her to the cave entrance. "W-wait; when will you be back?"

"When I'm back."

"What if… what if…"

"Nothing to eat, remember. Only water. And I'll brew him a tea when I return."

Tiger Lily vanished effortlessly into the night; Smee stood helpless, still spewing objections. Then, with a grunt of displeasure, he stomped back into the cave.