A change in the winds

A.N. I want to thank bellalotusfairy for the review for the last chapter. Thanks so much :-D here's the next chapter for you ;-)

Chapter seven: Changes


Kenna entered her cabin, shaking her head. What was it with men that made them think all women must be in love with them? She couldn't deny that both men were extremely handsome, and charming, when they were not arguing over her, but she most certainly didn't love them.

She sat down on her bed and sighed, it felt so good to be finally on Jack's good side. He really did care for her, but didn't quite choose the right way to express it to her. From now on she wouldn't be mad if he meddled in her business, he was only trying to protect her. Actually she didn't need any help at all. She knew all kinds of spells to prevent being hurt or wounded, but the problem was that Jack had forbidden her to use them. She trailed a finger over the small cut inside her left palm, it was almost healed. It was a reminder of her last spell. She closed her fist and stood up. She felt slightly dizzy and fell back down on the bed.

'' I didn't realize I was this tired. Maybe I should take a nap.'' She crawled up to her pillow and fell asleep.

Jack left the galley and found a very confused Christian by the railing.

'' What be botherin' ye? Did ye get rejected by the lass?'' Jack grinned.

'' This be no ordinary woman…''

'' Is she a little too much for ye ta handle?''

'' She can't be human…she's so cold, but warm at the same time.''

Jack's eyes widened in shock. '' What do ye mean by that…'' He narrowed his eyes at him. '' If ye dare touch her again…''

'' I'm not talkin' about her body, her heart. It be so cold, but her aura is bright and hot.''

Jack looked at him as if he had lost his mind. '' Her aura…ye can't be tellin' me ye're seein' her aura?''

'' I be feelin' it…she stirs up too many emotions at the same time. I'm completely confused.'' He turned to Jack. '' And I'm positive I saw her eyes glow the other night!''

Jack cocked a brow '' I be thinkin' ye lost yer mind lad. Ye should get some sleep.''

'' I know what I saw. There be somethin' not right about her.''

'' If I were ye I would keep those opinions ta meself. The others might not be as open to it as I am.'' Jack patted him on the shoulder and went to relieve Gibbs from the helm.

'' I know I not be crazy. There be somethin' strange about her.'' A smile crept over his lips. '' And I can't wait ta know what it be.''

---

It was now late evening and the crew had gathered in the galley for dinner. Jack was happily eating his stew when his mind wandered to Kenna. He looked over the table and didn't see her. Where was she? Christian caught his worried glance over the table and smiled; that man was head over heals in love with her, but apparently too stubborn to admit it to himself. Jack stood up from the table, excusing himself by needing more rum and was out of the room before Gibbs could point out that a crate of rum was lying by the stove.

Jack headed down to Kenna's cabin, figuring it was the place where she would most likely be. He knocked on the door, but as before got no response. He knocked again, same story.

'' Christian was in the galley wasn't he?'' he asked himself, going over the galley in his mind. '' Aye, he was. So she not be in his cabin. Thank goodness for that!'' He gently turned the knob and found that it wasn't locked.

'' Kenna…is everythin' all right?'' He entered the room and found her lying on the bed. He smiled in relief and sat down on the edge of the bed, brushing away a strand of hair from her face.

'' Darlin', ye better wake up or the men will eat all what's left of the food.'' She didn't stir so he gently shook her.

'' Luv…wake up. It's dinnertime.'' But she didn't respond at all.

'' Kenna!'' He shook her even harder but she didn't wake up. He ran out of the cabin and went to get the ship doctor. In a flash they were back, Jack panting and his heart beating in fright.

'' She won't wake up…what can we do? What can we do!''

'' Relax, I'm gonna take a look at her,'' Steven, the doctor replied. '' Sit down or ye'll hurt yerself.''

Jack did what he was told and sat down on a chair. He moved his fingers around in anxiety, not being able to stay still. Steven took her pulse and temperature, nodding slightly.

'' What's wrong? Is she all right?'' Jack stood up from the chair.

'' She's fine. I've never seen anythin' like this before though. Her temperature be right and her pulse be steady. It seems like she be in a deep sleep.''

'' Deep sleep…ye can't wake her up?''

'' No, I can't.''

Jack felt panic rush through his veins.'' What can we do?''

Steven put a hand on his shoulder to calm him.'' There be nothin' we can do for her. She'll have ta wake up herself.''

'' And when will she wake up?''

'' I can't say…''

'' This can't be happenin'. Ye don't just fall asleep and not wake up again!''

'' Like I be sayin', I've never seen anythin' like this before.''

Jack let himself fall back on the bed. This couldn't be happening. He buried his head in his hands. She couldn't be dead.

'' She not be dead Capt'n, only asleep,'' Steven said as if he had read his mind.

'' But we can't know if she'll ever wake up again,'' Jack replied.

'' Unfortunately, aye…'' He put a hand on Jack's shoulder. '' I'll stay by her side and see if she'll wake up.''

'' No…I'll stay with her. She be me responsibility.'' He raised his head to meet Steven's. '' I'll let ye know if she wakes up.''

'' All right Capt'n. Ye know where ta find me.'' Jack gave him a nod.

'' Tell Gibbs ta take the helm, I'll probably be here for a long time.''

'' Aye, I will.'' And with that he left the cabin. Jack inhaled deeply and exhaled. Why was he caring so much? She was only a girl he found in Tortuga, which he intended to return to her home. Why was his heart aching for her? He turned around to see her lying there, motionless except for the slow rhythm of her breathing. He climbed over to her and laid down beside her, taking her into his arms. He had never been a religious man but now he prayed with all his heart that she might wake up again.

A couple of hours later Gibbs resigned the helm to Cotton and went to check up on the Captain. Steven told him he had insisted on staying with Kenna, in case she would wake up, so he went straight to her cabin. He opened the door quietly and saw Jack asleep with her in his arms. A warm smile spread across his lips as he watched the two. He had noticed that his Captain had been acting strangely since she joined the crew. Usually he didn't care much for the women aboard the ship but this one seemed to have a different affect on him. He was told about the incident in Christian's cabin and now the sight before him confirmed his suspicions. The Captain was in love. He quietly closed the door again and returned to the deck.

---

The next morning, Kenna woke up with a great headache. It felt like her head had been smashed into a concrete wall. She clutched her head in pain as she tried to sit up, but felt something holding her down. She removed her hands from her head and turned her upper body around to see Jack wrapped around her.

When Jack felt her move he opened his eyes. A wide smile spread over his lips as he sat up and pulled her into his arms.

'' Ye're alive. Thank God ye're alive!''

Kenna had no clue what was happening. Why was he so surprised that she was alive, and what was he doing in her bed? She pushed away from him in order to get some answers, but in stead felt soft lips on hers. Startled by the kiss her eyes widened, but soon shrunk back to normal as she moved her hands up to his face, returning the kiss. Soon her senses told her to stop so she gently pushed him away.

'' I don't want to spoil the mood but what is going on here?''

Jack had a surprised look on his face but then it hit him. Had he really been kissing her?

'' Uhm…ye were kinda asleep…and unable ta be woken up.''

'' What! What do you mean?''

'' Ye've been asleep since yesterday. I don't know exactly when ye fell asleep, but I found ye here around dinnertime last night. And we couldn't wake ye up.''

'' What? Why? What happened?''

'' The doctor doesn't know…''

'' Oh wow…this is something else. I thought I only had a head ache.'' She looked up at him. '' So you stayed here all night with me? ''

'' Well I wanted ta know when ye woke up,'' Jack said, looking away from her.

'' You were worried. You thought I might never wake up didn't you?''

Jack nodded guiltily. Kenna smiled and pulled his head closer to capture his lips with hers. His hands instinctively went up to her face as he deepened the kiss. It was sweet and gentle, full of gratitude. In Jack's case for her being alive and in her case for him to care for her that much. When they broke apart Kenna spoke.

'' Thank you Jack.''

'' I didn't do anythin'…''

'' You didn't have to.''

'' Yer makin' me confused luv.''

'' It wouldn't be the first time.'' Kenna laughed. '' Now, since I missed dinner last night I think you should treat me to a nice breakfast.''

'' Consider it done. Do ye want it in bed or in the galley?''

'' What happened to you, being all nice and sweet all of a sudden?'' Kenna cocked a brow.

'' It's just that ye were sick and maybe didn't feel like standin' up…'' Jack explained, fiddling with the sheets.

'' If we won't stand up now I will seriously attack you and kiss you senseless for that cute remark.'' Kenna laughed.

Jack looked up at her surprised. Did she just say what he thought he had heard?

'' So which one do ye want?''

Kenna pushed him lightly on the chest and stood up.'' Come to the galley, I need the fresh air.''

Jack followed her with a smile, he hadn't been this happy for a while. Maybe Christian was right, maybe he did love her.


Author's note: What do you think is wrong with her? And isn't Jack the cutest thing ever!! Please review and tell me what you think :-D