A/N: Ahoy mateys! Sorry it took so long to post this chappy, but I'm out of town so I don't have my regular computer access. Needless to say, this chapter is a short one, but hopefully it will be enough for the moment until I can get back home and post more. I don't have the time to post individual replies to my faithful reader's reviews as I normally do, but Miss Anya, Cal, and Indy Croft I appreciate you always reading and reviewing. It means a lot to me :o) "Thanks very much" mates!
Chapter Eleven
Nearly twenty minutes later, the men stood on deck and Jack appeared to speak with them.
"Sailors!" he greeted, shouting loudly. "I appreciate your fine work in defending us from a Navy ship that sought to threaten our very way of life. That's the second one in a week and with each we have shown that we are not scared and we will continue to hold true to our course."
A loud "Aye" resounded from the crew.
Jack nodded. "The British Royal Navy is anxious to put an end to piracy in the Caribbean, no matter what the cost. Those men that boarded our ship would have gladly joined our crew to learn our secrets and then abandoned us at a later date only to betray you all. Fortunately, we have made sure the only secrets they will learn are those of Davy Jones locker!"
Another "Aye" resounded.
"We suffered remarkably few casualties ourselves, but I know you must all be anxious to find out about First Mate Anamaria Saldana."
Jack could tell the crew was concerned from the looks on many of their faces so he did not hesitate to continue, "Anamaria is going to be alright. She has been badly injured, but given enough time to rest, her body should heal."
The crew was silent, waiting for their captain to continue.
"Her left arm was burned badly and she took a gunshot wound in her shoulder. Unfortunately, she will not be able to command the ship again for some time. Her body must have time to rest," he paused, "and to heal itself. Decker will see that she's taken care of and I am asking that you give her some peace and quiet. I'm sure that she appreciates your concerns, but she is not to be disturbed. She will be back on deck and active in her duties as soon as possible; until then, I will keep you updated on her status. Thank you for your cooperation and your hard work today."
Jack stepped down from the helm and the crew quickly got back to work. The Pearl had somehow managed to escape any major damage during the battle with the Navy ship and for that Jack was thankful. The crew was almost finished cleaning up the mess on deck, but no damage had occurred to the main body of the ship. Several more hours out to sea and the battle with the Navy ship would be a distant memory, except for the fact that his crewmate lie broken in his cabin. The thought of her coming to his mind, Jack decided to go and check on her. Although he hadn't been gone long, he hoped she would be awake by now.
He quietly opened the door to his cabin so as not to wake her if she was still sleeping and then closed it softly behind him. She was still asleep on his bed and Jack crossed the room to sit by her side. She must be in so much pain, he thought, picking up a rag to wipe the sweat from her forehead for what seemed to be the millionth time to him.
As he patted her skin dry, she stirred and he pulled back the rag, almost afraid that he had done something wrong. She blinked several times and then groaned aloud, attempting to rub her eyes with her hands before the dressings on her arm reminded her that she was injured. She blinked her eyes several times in an attempt to focus on her surroundings despite the pain.
Jack sat, unmoving and feeling helpless, as he watched her eyes focus slowly on him and then cloud and blur with tears as she began to notice the incredible pain. She reached for his hand with hers and seeing her attempt, he grasped it in his own tightly.
"Jack?" she was desperately trying to hold back the tears that attempted to spring free at any moment.
"I'm right 'ere, Ana," he said, squeezing her hand.
She shut her eyes tightly, wishing for the pain to disappear. "Rum," she whispered, her throat scratchy.
Jack jumped up and crossed the room to get her a bottle of the pungent liquid that would be her best hope for numbing the pain. Bringing it back, he tilted it to meet her lips, but she took it in her own hand. Jack smiled to see her fieriness coming through even at this point.
She drank the alcohol in large gulps, quickly emptying the bottle and then passing it back to Jack and wiping at her mouth.
"More?" he offered, holding the bottle up.
She nodded, "Yes, please."
Jack rose and brought her another bottle. He handed it to her and she began to drink, but more slowly this time than before. "So am I going to lose it?" she finally managed to ask.
"Yer arm?" he asked.
She took another long drink, "Yes Jack. I'm not going to be treated like an ordinary crewman. I know what's going on and if Decker's going to take it off then I want to get on with it."
"'e doesn't know yet. The burn will leave a scar, but it will heal. The gunshot wound is clean right now, but who knows what might happen." It had been hard, but Jack knew Anamaria was capable of handling the truth.
She nodded solemnly.
"Until you're better, you'll be staying in my cabin."
Anamaria cut him off, "Does the crew know?"
"No, they know of your condition, but not the location of your recovery."
She shifted uncomfortably, "I should be moved to my room. If they find…"
Jack put a finger to hips lips, "Sssh. I'll be hearing none of that now. My cabin is the best place for you to heal and rest. It's clean 'ere and that will speed your recovery. You will 'ave the best care that both Decker and I can provide."
Anamaria listened to him while continuing to drink. He could tell that she was not happy with all of the decisions that he had made, but that they were in her best interest, none-the-less.
"I need you and the crew needs you to be back up to pace as fast as possible, so all you need to do is focus on resting and healing yourself."
She handed him the empty rum bottle, "Where will you sleep?"
"The next few nights should be more the same beautiful, clear weather we've been having. I may sleep on deck with the crew." The last thing Jack wanted was her worrying about him.
"Won't that cause the crew to become suspicious?" she asked.
"We'll see. But I don't want you worrying about any of that. You just think about getting better." Jack paused for a moment. "Ana?"
Her eyes met his.
"I know this is my fault," he started. "I know you prevented that bullet from hitting me."
Anamaria's tongue felt thick, but she knew if she had anything important to say to Jack today, that this was the time. "I don't regret for one second what I did. If that bullet had hit you, you would be dead. He was a good marksman, that's why I'm wounded the way that I am."
"I'm sorry," Jack said, reaching for her hand again.
"Don't be," she said, holding his gaze. "It was my decision and it was a good one. It's better that I be lying here than you."
"That doesn't ease my mind much."
"Well, it should," she said softly. "You're the captain and you're the man the crew depends on, not me."
Jack nodded.
She squeezed his hand, "Now go, take care of The Pearl. Make yourself useful on deck and let me get some rest."
A small smile crossed Jack's face.
"I'll let you know if I need something. Don't you worry about that."
Jack nodded and stood to go, "I'll see you shortly."
Anamaria nodded, "Oh, and Jack?"
"Yes?" he asked, turning to face her.
"At least this will give your back some time to heal."
A small laugh escaped Jack's throat before he shook his head and left the room. As he shut the door behind him, Anamaria finally let the tears slip down her face that she had been holding in for so long. She hadn't wanted Jack to see her cry, she had wanted to be strong for him, but now she wept freely. Her arm hurt so badly and the rum had done nothing to stop the pain. If it continued to hurt this badly, she would end up asking Decker to cut the bloody thing off herself.
She closed her eyes and prayed for sleep that would be a long time coming.