The Fine Line Between Legends And Lies

Chapter 20:

A/N: Okay Jack and Elizabeth make port in Wexford, Ireland where he takes her to see a doctor. The doctor gives Jack some distressing news. Please read and review!

Jack’s eyes fluttered open when the faint sound of Elizabeth moaning woke him from his uneasy slumber. He sat up so fast that his hat fell off the back of his head to land on the floor of the cabin. Nearly losing his grip on the now empty bottle of rum he had fallen asleep holding he carefully sat it on the table. Getting out of the chair Jack raced over to the bedside and fell to his knees quickly. “Are ye alright love?”

Elizabeth frowned as she stretched on her side in the bed. “Hmmm? Oh yes darling I’m fine, just a little sore that’s all.”

“Sore? Sore where?”

“I’ve been having this pain in my lower gut.”

Jack looked at her with wide dark eyes that were full of fear. “Ye don’t think something’s wrong with the runt do ye Lizzie?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe it’s just the baby moving or something?”

“Yes perhaps. Well I’m going t’ check on Gibbs an’ see how much longer until we reach Ireland.”

“Ireland?”

“Aye love, it’s the closest port in range of our current position.”

“I see.”

“I won’t be long darling.” Jack placed a quick kiss on her forehead and left her alone in their cabin. On deck Jack hurried up to the helm where Gibbs was still at the wheel. “Gibbs!”

“Aye Captain?”

“How fare us t’ making port in Ireland?”

“We should make port in Wexford within an hour an’ a half, two hours tops sir.”

“Excellent. Now if ye will excuse me, I’m going back t’ keep an eye on me wife.”

“Aye Captain. How is Miss Elizabeth?”

“She seems t’ be still in some pain but better than earlier.” Gibbs nodded and watched as Jack hurried back down the steps and back into the cabin he shared with Elizabeth. As Jack shut the door behind him he heard a whimpering sound coming from Elizabeth. Looking towards the bed he saw Elizabeth sitting upright doubled over in pain. Her face was contorted into a grimace and tears were streaming down her cheeks.

He rushed over to the bed falling to his knees ignoring the pain that shot through his legs upon his rough impact. “Lizzie darling, what’s wrong?”

“Oooooohh……ooohhhh Jack! It hurts!”

“What hurts love?”

“My stomach!!” Suddenly she made another whimpering sound and then drew in a sharp breath of air. A funny look crept onto her face as she fell silent. Jack watched as Elizabeth reached down between her legs up under her nightgown. When she brought her hand back up he could see a liquid coating her fingers. It was mostly clear but had a slightly red tinge to it. “Oh no! No no no no no!!”

“What is it love?”

“It’s too soon!”

“What’s t’ soon love?”

“This can’t be happening Jack!! Make it stop!!”

Jack grabbed Elizabeth’s shoulders and shook her gently making her focus on him. “What’s happening darling?”

“I think I’m having the baby now!”

“What? No no, ye can’t do that yet love!”

“Tell the baby that!”

Jack placed his hand on her stomach gently and looked down at it as he spoke to their unborn child. “Listen up in there, it’s not time for ye t’ be here. So jus’ be patient an’ stop making yer mum cry!”

Elizabeth gave a half whimper half cry as she leaned forward as another wave of pain shot through her. “Jack, I don’t think the baby’s listening!”

“Figures the runt would take after me so quickly!” He gave her a nervous look as she whimpered in pain again. “Love I don’t know what t’ do! Let me go get Roux, he’ll know how t’ help!”

Elizabeth nodded frantically as she let go of Jack’s hand to allow him to leave the cabin to go find the old French man that had been a doctor’s assistant for many years before turning to a life of piracy. Jack hurried down the steps that led into the lower hold where the crew slept. Running through the hammocks that hung everywhere he began shouting. “Roux! Roux where are ye mate?”

After a few more shouts an elderly man with silvery white hair and blue eyes lifted his black tricorne hat from over his face. “Ye called Captain?”

“Ah Roux, yes! Come with me quickly!”

The old man slipped out of his hammock and followed Jack back through the hold and up the stairs. They hurried back into the cabin where they found Elizabeth clenching the sheets in her hands and whimpering. Roux knelt down next to the bed and placed a hand on her forehead. “Yer burning up missy.”

She spoke through gritted teeth as another tremor of pain surged through her. “A little sweat isn’t what I’m concerned about Roux!”

Turning to Jack he spoke. “I’m going t’ need t’ examine her Captain.”

“Well go on, I’m not going anywhere.”

Jack sank down into the chair and watched as Roux began lifting the sheets up to Elizabeth’s knees. He frowned as he watched him reach for the hem of her nightgown. “Is that really necessary mate?”

“Captain I need t’ examine her.”

“Alright jus’ don’t try anything funny savvy?”

“Jus’ doing me job Captain.” Roux lifted Elizabeth’s nightgown to her knees and gently pushed her thighs apart. Glancing between her thighs he could see that she had begun to dilate a just a little. “Yer dilated a bit missy. Could be from walking round t’ much this late in yer pregnancy. Or maybe doing other stuff ye shouldn’t be doing now.” He turned his blue eyes towards Jack who looked away quickly as if the ceiling had suddenly become very interesting.

“How do we make it stop?”

“Jus’ relax an’ stay in bed. Yer not t’ get up for anything.”

“How will I use the bathroom?”

“The Captain will have t’ carry ye.”

“I see. And what else should I not be doing besides walking around?”

“Absolutely no sex whatsoever.”

Jack spoke up at this. “No what?”

“You heard him Jack, no sex, at all.”

“No sex at all? That’s jus’ bloody unnecessary punishment mate!”

Roux shook his head before speaking. “I’m serious Captain, no sex. It’s harmful t’ the baby now.”

“So no sex then? Great. Thank ye Roux, ye may go.”

The old man nodded and got to his feet slowly. Elizabeth watched as he left the cabin leaving them alone. Jack looked down at his wife who smiled at him widely.

“What? What’s so bloody funny?”

“You heard Roux Jack, no sex.”

“I heard him, my hearing is jus’ fine love. Jus’ so ye know.”

“Right. No sex until after the baby’s born. Think you can manage to wait that long?”

“What’s that supposed t’ mean darling?”

“I mean how long before you make port just to find the pleasurable company of a whore?”

“Elizabeth darling, I would never betray ye like that. I thought ye knew me better than that?”

“Of course I do Jack, I trust you remember?”

“Ye had bloody well better.” Jack grinned at her as he can to sit on the edge of the bed. He reached down and fixed the sheets so that they covered her legs and feet once more. He took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. “Ye scared me something awful love.”

“I did?”

“Aye ye did. No more of that savvy?”

“I’m sorry Jack.”

“I don’t know what I’d do if I lost ye or the runt.”

“Well you don’t have to think about that now Jack, I’m going to be just fine, and so is the baby.”

Jack kissed her forehead lightly before getting up to head towards the door. Grabbing the doorknob he turned to look back at her. “Hungry love?”

“Starving!”

Chuckling he exited their cabin and headed down to the galley. Finding Ignacio in the galley he came to stand next to the Spanish man that was about the same age as him. “So what have ye made us today Ignacio?”

“I made a stew from the beef and vegetables we had left Captain.”

“Ah stew, sounds good.” Jack grabbed two bowls and ladled some of the thick stew into both of them. Placing them on a tray with two spoons he grabbed a loaf of bread to put with it. Finally grabbing a cask of water he headed back upstairs and towards their cabin. Kicking the door open with his foot Jack waltzed into the cabin and headed over to the table. Elizabeth watched as Jack set the bowls of stew along with the bread and cask of water onto the table. Shutting the door he walked over to the bed.

“Jack what are you doing? I’m not supposed to get out of bed remember?”

“I know that.” He pushed the sheets back and easily scooped her up into his arms. Elizabeth gave a little yelp as he walked over to the table and sat her down gently in one of the chairs. “There lunch is served darling.”

“Thank you Jack.” Elizabeth immediately began eating as Jack sat down in the chair across from her. She finished her stew a few big hunks of bread and the remainder of Jack’s stew as well. After polishing off what remained of the water she sat back in her chair sighing contently.

“Get enough t’ eat love? Ye know I could always go get more?”

“Oh no Jack, I couldn’t possibly eat anymore.”

“Well then it’s back t’ bed with ye love.” Jack carefully picked Elizabeth back up and carried her back to bed. He laid her down gently and pulled the sheets back up over her. “Go t’ sleep love, we’ll make port soon.”

She nodded and shut her eyes. Jack walked back over to the table and began cleaning up their mess. Stacking their empty bowls and what remained of the bread along with the empty water cask onto the tray he turned around to glance at Elizabeth. She lay on her left side with her left hand tucked underneath the pillow and her right hand resting gently on her belly. He smiled to himself as he thought of how beautiful she looked to him at that moment. Walking out of their cabin quietly he shut the door behind him. Jack dropped the dishes off in the galley for Ignacio to wash and then went back up to the main deck to join Gibbs at the helm.

“How is she Captain?”

“She’s relaxing now. Roux said that she shouldn’t leave bed at all an’ there’s t’ be no sex whatsoever until after the runt is born!”

Gibbs’ face turned a bright red before he spoke again. “We’ll make port in Wexford in the next thirty minutes sir.”

“Good. I’m going t’ keep an eye on Elizabeth. Come fetch me when we make port savvy?”

“Aye Captain.”

Jack retired to the cabin once more and shut the door behind him. He stepped out of his boots leaving them next to the door. Taking off his hat he placed it on the table before walking over to the red sofa that was against the wall on the right side of the door to the cabin. Sinking down onto it he shut his eyes wearily. Jack slipped into a comfortable slumber listening to the steady rise and fall of Elizabeth’s breathing as she slept. It seemed as if he had only just closed his eyes when Gibbs was standing over him shaking him awake gently.

“Captain? We’ve jus’ made port in Wexford Captain.”

Jack opened his eyes and looked around quickly reaching for his pistol. Seeing that it was only Gibbs he relaxed as he sat up. “Made port already eh?”

“Aye Captain we did.”

“In Wexford ye say?”

“Aye.”

“Excellent. Prepare t’ drop anchor.”

“Aye Captain!” Gibbs hurried out of the room to relay his orders to the rest of the crew. Jack pulled on his boots and then walked over to the table to collect his hat. Grabbing Elizabeth’s sapphire blue robe he strode over to the bed. Shaking her gently he watched her eyes flutter open.

“Elizabeth darling, we’ve arrived.”

“Arrived? Arrived where?”

“In Wexford, Ireland love. Now sit up so I can put on yer robe.”

She obeyed quickly sitting up to allow Jack to put her robe on for her. Once he had her robe on he scooped her up out of bed. “Jack?”

“Hmm love?”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

“Like what?”

“My shoes?”

“Oh. Right. Well ye don’t really need shoes love, seeing as how yer feet won’t be touching the ground an’ all that.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“Course I’m right, I’m Captain Jack Sparrow.”

She rolled her eyes as Jack walked over to the door with her in his arms. Elizabeth leaned forward and opened the door for him. He smiled down at her as he carried her out onto the deck. Gibbs was back at the wheel gesturing for Jack to join him. Jack walked up the steps and came to stand next to Gibbs.

“We dropped anchor Captain.”

“Thank ye Gibbs. Now ye will come ashore with me t’ find a doctor.”

“I will?”

“Aye ye will.”

Turning to the large black man that had been on his crew nearly as long as Gibbs now he spoke. “Tobias ye will be in charge until I return.”

“Aye Captain.”

Jack headed down the gangplank followed by Gibbs. They walked through the narrow and crowded streets of Wexford everyone looking at them as they passed by.

“Jack why is everyone staring at us?”

“Probably because I’m carrying ye darling.”

They soon came to the town square and found the local doctor’s office. It was a large red bricked building. Jack allowed Gibbs to walk ahead of him so that he could open the door for them. Carrying Elizabeth inside the building he was met by a young man of about twenty four with reddish brown hair and blue eyes. Sitting beside him was a young girl of about eighteen with flaming curly red hair and bright green eyes. Her pale face was sprinkled with freckles making her look even younger. She spoke first with a heavy Irish accent.

“Afternoon can I help ye?”

“Ah yes, me wife she’s pregnant an’ something’s wrong.”

“Okay sir what seems t’ be the problem?”

“She’s having pain in her stomach. The doctor aboard me ship says she was beginning t’ dilate or something?”

The young man spoke up then. “How far along is she?”

“She’s jus’ a little under or maybe right at eight months.”

“Bring her in back so I can examine her?”

Jack followed the young man into the back room and laid Elizabeth down on the bed that was there. The red headed young man wasted no time in pushing Elizabeth’s robe and nightgown up to her thighs exposing her legs to everyone in the room. He turned around to address the two men in the room.

“Alright now out with ye, everyone except for Caitlin.”

The young red haired girl who was obviously his nurse smiled as she ushered Jack and Gibbs out into the hallway shutting the door in their faces quickly. The young doctor began examining Elizabeth to see how far she had dilated. After a few moments of silence he finally spoke again.

“Well Miss ye really are lucky.”

“Why’s that?”

“Ye are dilated quite enough t’ fuss about. Now I want ye t’ stay bedridden.”

“That’s what Roux told me to do on the ship.”

“Ship? Oh no lass, ye need t’ be on land. It’s far too dangerous for ye t’ be on the water now that ye have started t’ dilate.”

“I have to stay on land? Oh Jack is going to go mad.”

“Jack is yer husband I presume?”

“Yes and the Captain of the ship.”

“Ah well he will jus’ have t’ get used t’ being on land for a spell. Until ye have the baby anyway. Caitlin let them back in.”

She opened the door and allowed Jack and Gibbs to come back into the room. Jack walked over to the bed and knelt down beside it taking Elizabeth’s hand in his.

“Well doc?”

“Ye have t’ keep yer wife on land until after the baby’s born I’m afraid.”

“On land? Yer certain it’s absolutely necessary?”

“Absolutely.”

“Bloody fantastic!”

“Sorry for the bad news, but I’m afraid it’s far t’ dangerous for the lass t’ be on the water since she’s started t’ dilate.”

“Yes thank ye doctor, I understand yer only doing yer job.”

Jack paid the man for examining Elizabeth and scooped her up into his arms once more. They left the doctor’s office with Gibbs still in tow. He spoke up over Jack’s grumbling.

“Well if we have t’ stay on land then it’s a good thing Wexford was the closest port.”

“Why’s that?”

“Me dear Aunt Margaret lives here. We can stay at her cottage.”

“Ah excellent. Lead the way Gibbs.”

Back in Port Royal Commodore Norrington and Will Turner were preparing to speak to Governor Swann to report that they still were unsuccessful in capturing Jack and bringing Elizabeth back home. It would most likely prove to be a most unpleasant meeting. Will and Norrington stood out in the foyer exchanging nervous glances at one another as they waited to be let into the Governor’s study. He wouldn’t be happy when he learned that they hadn’t been able to capture Jack Sparrow just yet and that more money was needed for the journey.

A/N: Okay this was another good stopping point. So Jack and Elizabeth are landlocked in Ireland. At least for the time being anyway! Please read and review!!