Battling Destiny

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Chapter 5

Destiny sat quietly in the chair next to the admiral’s bed so she could keep a close watch as he slept. Night had since fallen and she’d lit a single candle so she could observe him without disturbing his much needed rest.

He had been tossing and turning profusely and sweating so much that his hair was matted to his head. She reached for the towel she had stashed on the table and sponged the perspiration from his brow.

He had been in his delirious state for about twelve hours now so she had already fetched a barrel from Rover. She was optimistic that his fever was almost at an end and couldn’t deny she was happy for that fact. She would rather deal with upchuck than listen to Admiral Norrington call out for Elizabeth Swann every half hour or so.

She paused in her task, perhaps this was the most therapeutic way for him to deal with his personal quandaries but she was the one who had to sit there and listen to that vile woman’s name repeatedly. She wrung out the towel and dipped it in the cool water a second time before she resumed her sponging.

Other than his random outcries to the woman who had broken his heart he had been a stellar patient. He was actually easier to deal with than her father. When he woke he did exactly as she instructed and either drank his water or the broth she had prepared. Truth be told she enjoyed caring for him.

She smoothed back a stray lock of hair that had fallen in his eyes before she placed the rag back on the table and leaned back into her watchful position. Noting his pajamas were soaked with sweat she went to get fresh ones from his dresser.

James’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of a drawer closing and he tried to focus his eyes on the woman standing there. A lone candle was the only source of light but with it next to his bed and her on the other side of the room it wasn’t much help.

“Elizabeth?” He asked in a scratchy voice that did not sound like his own.

The woman turned around in surprise, clutching something from the dresser to her chest. He noticed she was much too short for Elizabeth and struggled to sit up.

“It’s Destiny.” She said soothingly cringing at being called the wrong name.

“What are you doing here?” He cleared his throat and demanded, thoroughly disoriented now.

“Relax admiral, you are not well and are jumping to the entirely wrong conclusion.” She replied serenely. “We are at sea, it is day one of our journey to England and you have the flu. I’m looking after you.”

She walked forward offering what had been pressed to her bosom to him. “Your pajamas are soaked with sweat. Why don’t you change into this clean pair and I’ll wash those.”

James took them tentatively, feeling quite off balance and knowing it wasn’t all due to his illness. Her close proximity always seemed to throw him into shambles.

“Thank you.” He managed.

Destiny smiled warmly and put her hands on her hips as she waited patiently.

“What?” James asked as she stood there expectantly.

“Aren’t you going to change? You’ll feel better.” She asked.

“Not with you in here I’m not.” He replied with exasperation.

“I’ve taken care of my father, grandfather, brothers and uncles. I’m practically a nurse. With all due respect admiral, you don’t have anything I haven’t seen before.” Destiny replied with just as much exasperation, when, much to her amusement, he blushed.

Not wanting to embarrass him she rushed on. “But whatever makes you most comfortable. I’ll just step out shall I?”

With that he watched her step into the hall, taking her cursed lavender scent with her. Damn woman was such a ball of….enigmatic confusion. He alternated between wanting to strangle her and wanting to take her in his arms and crush her with passion, kissing that sweet smile right off her face.

He swung himself out of bed and swayed on his feet a moment before he felt steady enough to change clothes. He then moved to the wash basin to splash cold water on his face and on his hair.

Feeling infinitely more human he moved to look out his portal and was trying to gauge the time when Destiny came back in the room. He watched her hair sway and catch the candlelight, spinning red and gold through the long curls and he met her violet blue eyes.

“Better?” She asked, entering with a cup of something.

“Much.” He agreed then confessed “I really don’t remember even getting on the ship. I hope I didn’t embarrass myself too much.”

James was struggling to come up with any such memory when she reassured him.

“Not at all. You were a wonderful patient.” She replied.

“How long have we been out?” James asked, more relaxed now.

“Since this morning. It’s about three o’clock I’d say.” She said, answering his next question.

“Have you been here the whole day and night?” He inquired, liking the thought of her tending to him.

“I unpacked my things but other than that I’ve been here.”

“Well thank you for your care, I appreciate it. You must be tired, why don’t you go to bed.” He said, managing a smile.

Even in his weak stage his smile made her blood hum. “I am a little tired but you’re ill and need care.”

“Nonsense. I’m fine.” He said. No sooner than he said it than a wave of nausea hit him.

“There’s a barrel next to your bed.” She directed.

Destiny followed him and rubbed his back softly, trying her best to soothe him. She whispered incoherent words as her other hand began sponging his forehead again.

James couldn’t remember the last time a woman had taken care of him in sickness. With his mother dying so young it had always been up to his father. He’d forgotten how nice it was to have a woman’s touch.

That was until he had buried his head in a barrel for five minutes.

“Really this is completely undignified, you needn’t stay Destiny.” He insisted with embarrassment when the wave had passed. He sank down on the bed and put his head between his knees.

“I won’t tell. I’m staying so don’t argue. Here, drink this. It will settle your stomach.” She said, offering him the cup which he obligingly took.

James took long sips as she stood there watching him approvingly. Even in his state he couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she was, that smooth ivory skin, those full rose red lips.

“Perfect. Thank you.” She praised and took his empty cup away.

He warmed at her acclaim and smiled again as he gazed at her, seeming to lose focus for a moment. Was it his current affliction, the heat of the room or the smell of lavender emanating from her? He could not tell.

“Why don’t you rest admiral? Lay down. I’ll stay right here.” She said quietly.

It wasn’t just her beauty that drew him, there was something about her that called to him on a deep level. When he wasn’t verbally battling with Destiny he was quite content to just talk and absorb her calming presence. He’d never felt that way with Elizabeth. That in itself was something to consider.

When he was over his bout with the flu he fully intended to examine that.