Chapter 17

                "Although, d'you mind tellin' me wha' this mutt's doin' here?  An' where here is for that matter."  Jack added, looking about the room in a disoriented fashion.

                "Long story and I'm not the one to tell it."  Chelsea replied simply, picking up a fresh glass of water.  "Now, would you prefer a drink or an injection?"

                "Seein' as how I don't fancy needles all tha' much…" Jack muttered, motioning for her to hand him the cup.

                Chelsea complied eagerly and handed him the cup.  Before he could take a drink, she gently lifted him into a sitting position, being mindful of the still-healing lashes that covered his back.  She left her hands on his shoulders as he tipped the glass, taking a long drink.

                "Captain Sparrow, slow down.  You're dehydrated.  If you drink too much at once, you'll get sick…again."

                Jack grudgingly followed her order, decreasing the angle of the cup and drinking less; barely hiding the hunger of his thirst.  Chelsea noted this and soon extracted the cup from his hands.

                "That's enough for now," Chelsea said lightly, stowing the cup on the small bedside table and carefully lowering Jack back down onto the soft mattress.  "I can't let you make yourself sick; Ana-Maria would surely kill me," she added with a wink.

                "Smart lass ye are," Ana's familiar voice returned from the doorway.

                Both Jack and Chelsea looked in the voice's direction quickly.

                "Only yer missin' something…I'd have to kill him too."  Despite the message the words conveyed, a smile graced Ana's face, signifying the opposite.

                "Ana-Maria, Jack greeted belatedly, drawling in his usual, playful tone.

                Ana sauntered over to the bed, trying to hide her joy over him simply being awake.  Jack noted this.

                "Worry much?"  Jack questioned with a knowing, playful grin on his face.

                "Did I worry?!" she exclaimed.  "O' course I did!  Ye got yerself shot, kidnapped, whipped, cut, an' poisoned in less'n a week!"  Ana tried her best to look upset as she ranted, but the expression never hid the sparkle in her eyes.

                "Pirate."

                "Doesn't count ye daft fool."

                Chelsea silently slipped from the room, allowing the pirates to argue in peace…well, some semblance of it at least.

                "So where are we anyway?"  Jack asked casually, surreptitiously changing topics.

                "Providence.  An' don't e'en ask about those bloody b-"

                "Language, luv."

                "You use worse."  Ana shot back shortly.  "As fer them, they went on a one-way trip t' meet Davy Jones at his Locker.  Th' Navy's gone too; took Turner an' his girl back t' Port Royal where they belong."

                Jack nodded solemnly, the playfulness having been drained from his body by the news.  There was no one to seek vengeance on.

~*~

                "Chelsea, are you sure you want to stay with me?  I'm not suggesting you join up with John and his crew by any means—wild bunch they are—but can't you go to Port Royal or back to England or-"

                "Uncle, please.  I have made my decision."  Chelsea said quickly, cutting Mark off.

                "Very well, but you do know I am the outcast of the town and that by staying with me, you would likely get that title as well, correct?"

                Chelsea nodded.

                "And that you would have to fine a job in town?"

                Another nod.

                "And deal with pirates constantly?  Loud banter?  Drunken men stumbling down the streets at late hours?"

                Yet another nod.

                Mark sighed, knowing now that there was no way to dissuade her.  "Alright, I suppose you really have made your choice.  Do me one favor?"

                "Anything within reason, uncle."

                "Take good care of Hunter and Kona; they're your problems now."  Mark finished with a light grin, motioning to the large dogs standing to either side of him.

                Kona whined quietly as if acknowledging the words and questing for Chelsea's answer.

                Chelsea returned the smile, hers more sincere.  "Of course uncle.  Kona, Hunter, come."

                The dogs hesitated only a moment before bounding toward Chelsea, who knelt to meet the dogs and hug them about the necks.  Hunter pulled away, his stand-offish nature applying itself.  Kona, however, cuddled into Chelsea's embrace, whining and licking at her face.

~*~

                "Jack, please listen!  Jus' thi' once?"

                "Captain, Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please Mr. Gibbs," Jack corrected, slowly making his way across deck, away from his cabin.  He clenched his jaw, trying to ride out the pain motion caused to emanate from his numerous wounds.

                "Apologies, cap'n, but ye need t' rest 'til you're healed."  Gibbs persisted, trailing after Jack like a dog expecting punishment.

                "Mr. Gibbs," Jack began, his voice carrying a warning note.  He waited a moment before turning to give the quartermaster time to retreat.  When he did turn, he was surprised to come face-to-face with an angry Ana and Gibbs standing meekly behind her.

                "Ana, save me th' lecture fer once.  I'm in no mood t' hear it, savvy?"  Jack drawled, quickly hiding his surprise.

                Ana's eyes narrowed and with lightning speed, her hand rose for a strike but was met just as quickly by Jack's grip on her wrist.

                "Not so fast, lu-"

                Jack's statement fell short as Ana's other hand met his cheek, a resounding crack coming from the contact.  Jack caught a glimpse of Gibbs wincing in sympathy for him as he dropped Ana's arm and brought his up to gently prod his cheek with his fingertips.  He flexed his jaw awkwardly; afraid he'd hear it snap back into place.

                "Tha' were harder than usual…did I really deserve tha?"

                "Aye, an' if ya plan t' argue more, I'll be happy t' hit ye again."  Ana snarled.

                Jack winced at the thought, then again at the pain that flared in his cheek.  "Alright, but only fer t'day."  He quickly amended this statement at Ana's tight glare.  "Two days?"

                Ana nodded, knowing those two days was as much as she could be promised without Jack's lying habits setting in.  "Git t' yer cabin!"

                Jack glared at her.  "No need t' give me orders on me own ship."

                Ana pointed to the captain's cabin, her jaw set stubbornly and her gaze locked coldly on Jack's.

                "Join me?"  Jack purred quietly, the words meant for her ears only.

                Ana's expression practically melted at the seductive tone in his voice.  She dropped her hand to her side once more.  "Only fer one drink, Cap'n Sparrow," she muttered back.

                "Jack, luv.  Just Jack."

~*FIN*~

[a/n:  Please review.  It's done and I've got another story cooking in my mind, but need to finish a few things first!]