Chapter 26

"Not yet," snapped Tiger Lily as she pushed Hook's arm back into the agonizing stretch she had demonstrated mere seconds before. "You have to hold it."

Panting shallowly - deeper breaths only intensified the stretch and, thus, the pain - Hook forced a strained laugh through clenched teeth. "I should think... there would be value in initial... caution."

"Big, brave pirate afraid of a little pain?"

Wincing a scowl, Hook grunted,

"Only when said... pain seems to be undoing the healing... so diligently attained."

The fairy finally released his elbow, and Hook groaned as the shoulder relaxed.

"Unless you want this injury to plague you for the rest of your long life, you need to start rebuilding flexibility and strength. Now this way."

Tiger Lily pulled his arm in a different direction; Hook grimaced, tensing, shifting his weight instinctively to accommodate the complaining joint. But the fairy wouldn't allow him to seek relief. With a hand behind his neck, she coaxed him into the proper posture. While the pirate hissed curses under his breath, Tiger Lily glanced at Smee, who was watching with rapt attention.

"Don't let him weasel his way out of this. He'll need to daily increase the length of time holding the stretches. Understand?"

"I'll do my best, Miss Tiger Lily," promised the first mate. The fairy gently returned the arm to neutral.

"You'll have to hide my hook," growled the captain, sweating profusely. "Or I can guarantee it will find its way between your ribs."

"And also try to extend the range of the stretch by increments," added the fairy, calmly demonstrating yet another agonizing exercise. "Just a small bit each day."

"Bloody hell," was all the captain could contribute.

After several more moments of anguish, Tiger Lily finally let go of his arm and stood. Hook's shoulder throbbed in quick pulses, accompanying the rapid rhythm of his heart. Gingerly leaning back against the cave wall, the captain glared at his first mate and the fairy in turn. Smee offered him water, and he accepted, the twinges from his fractured wrist helping to distract from the shoulder. He briefly ran his thumb along the side of the cup and reveled in the unhampered ability to feel its smooth texture.

Tiger Lily returned with a handful of ice wrapped in a linen sack. Where she'd managed to acquire such a commodity was an absolute mystery, but it would do no good to ask her. Hook allowed her to rest the ice pack over his shoulder.

"What's your price?" he asked warily. Tiger Lily cocked her head, silent. "You never do anything unless it benefits you in some way. Assistance with the shoulder was not part of our deal."

"Are you really complaining?" she asked incredulously.

"No, love; merely curious."

Tiger Lily stepped back and raked his form with an assessing stare. His color was good, his breaths even and steady. His mental status was obviously as sharp as ever. He had been able to keep down the tasteless broths she had been preparing for him, and had even managed some bread earlier that morning. In the three days since the removal of the cuff, the shadows beneath his eyes had lessened, his face becoming less skeletal. And his heartbeat, frequently measured by both the fairy and Smee, had steadied as the toxin slowly left his system.

Abruptly, Tiger Lily folded her arms. "We're done here."

Taken aback, both pirates looked at her questioningly. She turned toward her collection of herbs, intent on supplying Hook with those still necessary for his continued recovery.

"Done?" repeated Hook. "With everything? Your bloody poisons, the water you call 'soup' - the lot?"

She shrugged. "Unless you like it here. You can just as easily finish recuperating aboard your ship. And then I can finally get some peace."

Eyes hardening, Hook adopted the aloofness he was so good at projecting. "More than fine by me. So long as you're certain I won't suddenly drop dead the moment I set foot outside."

"Reasonably," she replied, just as carelessly. "But you have Smee to watch out for you."

"Oh, brilliant," muttered Hook. "What could possibly go wrong?"

The first mate got up and hurried to Tiger Lily's side, wringing his hands anxiously.

"Are you sure about this? I mean, if there's any chance that he… I think you should be around to… what if…"

Tiger Lily thrust a collection of darts in his direction, her eyes betraying amusement. "Any trouble, stick him with one of these." She lowered her voice and then added, "It doesn't have to be justified, either. He treats you poorly, this will mellow him out."

Eyes wide, Smee continued to stammer. "I… could never, I mean…"

Returning her attention to the suspicious captain, Tiger Lily carried her mixtures within easy viewing. Holding up each pouch, one after another, she explained so that both men could hear.

"This one helps to flush out the toxin. A pinch in some water, twice a day, until it's gone. This one supports your heart while the toxin still circulates. Chew one leaf upon waking, one midday, and one before bed. Once the first pouch is empty, you can stop these, although it wouldn't hurt if you used them up, as well."

Hook recognized both as treatments Tiger Lily had utilized the past few days. Rolling his eyes, he nodded his head toward his first mate, and the fairy surrendered both pouches to Smee's nervous grasp.

"Wait; those shoulder exercises… I might need to try them out first, and make sure I-"

"Come near this shoulder right now, Mister Smee, and I'll strangle the life from you, broken wrist and all."

Hook was not joking. Smee winced and held up an appeasing hand.

Gathering his breath - and strength - Hook drew his legs underneath himself. Then, using the wall for support, he pushed himself up.

It wasn't the first time he'd stood since he had been revived, but it would be the first time he had walked any significant distance. He downed the rest of the water and tossed the cup onto the dirt, then placed his hand over the precious bag of ice balanced precariously on his shoulder. Smee hurried to his side, ready to assist if required. Tiger Lily watched impassively with hands on hips.

"Suppose I owe you thanks," began the captain. She pursed her lips.

"The best thanks would be to keep your promise. No pirates on my land. That includes you."

Exasperated, but keeping his face and voice hard, Hook assured her,

"I'm a pirate of my word, lass. You'll never see me again, unless you take it upon yourself to venture from your solitude."

"Until…" she prompted. He sighed.

"Until the Jolly Roger is ready to leave this cursed island for good. Then we trek back here to retrieve you - assuming, of course, that you won't kill us on sight."

Tiger Lily gave no assurances. Hook took a few tentative steps toward the cave entrance. Then he stopped.

His well-wishes died on his lips at the outright hostility on display. Whether the fairy was protecting herself, or truly possessed no fondness for the duo… whatever the reason, it was clear she expected no sentiment. Hook straightened, exuding disdain.

"Later, then, lass."

"Hook." She almost spat the word… and it stung. Without further comment, or even a glance back, the captain made his careful way out into the moonlight, Smee close at his elbow.

It was a good thing they were banned from this place. Hook never wanted to see it again.