Something suddenly hit him, his quartermaster was definitely far to warm for someone who'd just died. Hope blossomed through him, like a bomb that had exploded inside his chest and flooded him with warmth. Hesitantly the Pirate Captain raised his forehead from the other man's and felt hastily for his pulse on his neck. His rough calloused thumb found the spot easily and waited with bated breath.

Thud...thud... thud, it was slow, and barely there – but it was a pulse.

He let out a joyous bark of laughter – that to be honest, sounded insane – causing the other two pirates to look at him strangely.

"There's a pulse, the little sea buggers got a sodding PULSE!" he was grinning, even though the tears were still in his eyes and drying on his cheeks. The two other pirates couldn't help but grin at each other either, relief shining in their eyes.

"But he's out cold C'pain," the voice of Pirate with a Gout was still heavy with worry.

"I know," the Pirate Captain sobered up almost immediately. "We haven't got much time," he eased the ill pirate into his arms, cradling him gently against his chest. "Get his hammock up into my cabin, I'll keep a eye on him there," he smiled at the two other pirates. "You've done a fantastic job but we need to get him to the pirate doctors on Blood Island,"

"Aye, Aye Captain!" Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate saluted, and was about to sprint up to the desk, but Pirate with Gout stopped him.

"Er Surprisingly, you couldn't pass me my crutch could you?"

Smiling the other pirate picked up the offending item and handed it to Gout. The stouter pirate eased himself up off his injured leg and together they made their way up the stairs and out onto deck. The Pirate Captain followed them, his precious Number Two still cradled safely in his arms.

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"You tell 'im!" there was the sound of muffled voices from outside his shut cabin door as the Pirate Captain looked up from his pirates log for the fifth time that evening. Number Two was safely tucked up in his hammock, the pirate had started to shiver in his comatose state not long after they'd got him up into the cabin and the worried crew had almost smothered him in blankets, until Gout had told them that one would suffice. Polly crooned softly next to him from her perch on the globe, ever so often nudging him with her beak in the hopeful attempt that it would wake him up.

"He'll go mental! You didn't see him when we were below decks with Pirate with a Scarf – I've never seen a man act like that," it was Gouts hesitant voice. Raising his eyebrow he glanced over to where Number Two was lying, pausing in his writing the Pirate Captain stood, stretching his sore muscles.

"I don't want to die young!" that was definitely Albino Pirates voice. He made his way to the door and pulled it open, to see his surprised crew jump back in fright, Albino Pirate ducking behind Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate. Crossing his arms over his broad chest he regarded his crew with a frown.

"You didn't want to tell me what?" he watched the rest of his crew shuffle nervously.

"You tell him Pirate with Gout," the youngest pirate pushed. "Go on,"

"I want my head by the end of today," the elder pirate shot back, leaning heavily on his crutch.

"You two are both pussies," Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate rolled his eyes and stepped back to reveal Albino, who ducked behind Pirate with Gout.

"Go on then- you tell him!"

He watched as Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck through his blond hair. "And?"

"We're a week from Blood Island," the mumbled voice was uttered from the other male pirate.

"WHAT?" he couldn't help but bellow (causing the rest of his crew to flinch), "How in Neptune's armpit can we be a week from bloody Blood Island?"

"We were thrown further then we thought by the storm, C'p'ain," the Pirate Who Liked Sunsets and Kittens explained. "I've tried to remap another route, but it's going to take at least four days, as the crow flies,"

The angered Captain pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a weary sigh, trying to calm his  anger at the position that they were in. "All right, lets focus on the positives,"

"Like the loot we got?" Albino pirate piped up, bouncing on the balls of his feet suddenly grinning and excited.

He glanced over to the youngest pirate with a surprised look on his face. "Wait loot? We actually got some this time?"

"At the point where I'm trying not to sound insensitive," Gout started, a small smile on his face. "Me and Curvaceous picked up the wrong barrel; thinking it was spices-"

"It was full of jewels from the Asian continents!" Albino pirate gushed happily.

"How- how did you manage that?" their Captain stuttered.

"Well I did think it was a little to heavy for just a barrel full of exotic spices," Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate explained.

The Pirate Captain raised his eyebrows, "Go on,"

"Well it's full of jewels!" the young Albino Pirate was practically bouncing now, the grin still on his face.

"And all those maps that Pirate with a Scarf plundered," Gout put in, expectedly turning a happy moment into a sombre one. Albino Pirate stopped his excessive bouncing and his grin fell into a frown, and his ruby red eyes going wide with sudden worry.

"How is Pirate with a Scarf Pirate Captain?" he asked, his voice soft.

The Pirate Captain was touched by the concern of the rest of his crew for his quartermaster. "He's okay," choosing his words carefully. "I think he's got a fever, and he's still out cold," he felt terrible as the rest of his crew's faces dropped about six feet under. "I don't know when he'll wake up,"

"But he will won't he?" Albino Pirate asked hopefully, his young optimistic innocence shining through the rest of the crew's opaque realisation.

"I don't know Albino Pirate," he replied gently. "I just don't know,"
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Over the next few days the ship was strangely silent. It was if the crew were already in mourning for a death that hadn't occurred yet. The rest of the crew were also worried about their Captain, over the last few days he'd barely eaten – and when it had been – it had only been a few mouthfuls, not even the substantial amounts of loot they had collected from the HMS Minden had cheered the man up.  Sighing Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate rested 'his' head against the railing that lined the edge of the deck. The Pirate with a Scarf's condition was at least stable, and with the Captain cooped up in his study they didn't have to deal with is continuous mood swings. It sounded bad, 'he' knew it did, but the mental condition of their Captain was starting to grate on them all.

"You alright Surprisingly?" it was Sunsets's voice entering 'his' thoughts, and the young 'man' looked over to the larger pirate, who was sitting on a upturned barrel and carving something out of a piece of wood. Placing the book 'he' was reading across 'his' legs the pirate scrubbed a hand down 'his' tired face.

"I think I am," the blond pirate replied.

"We're going to have to start calling you a drivelswivver if you keep reading those books," the Pirate that Liked Sunsets and Kittens laughed.

Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate rolled 'his' eyes but put the book down on the hard deck. "How long until we get to Blood Island?" 'he' pondered, sending a pointed look to the helmsman to say that he should be doing his job.

"'Bout two hours, maybe less, maybe more," the larger pirate replied absent-mindedly, "Got Bobo on the wheel,"

"But isn't that supposed to be your job?"

He grinned back at 'him'. Suddenly the Captain's Cabin door opened, to reveal their exhausted looking Pirate Captain, and they all turned towards him, each different crew member giving their own supportive smile. The rising sun was causing the weary lines that one received from not much sleep to show even more pronounced on his skin. They all looked at him hopefully for signs of recovery from their quartermaster, and the Captain's face said it all. Poor Albino's face dropped like a stone and he slumped, sulking, arms crossed over his slim chest, and young face pulled into a rare frown.

"How is he Captain?" Pirate with Gout spoke over the silence on board.

"He's stable as can be," their Captain eyes took everybody in. "The fever is going down, but the wounds are going to get infected if we're not careful. But I have been bathing them regularly," the rest of the crew gave him a small smile in confidence.

"How far are we from Blood Island?" he asked turning to the Pirate that looked like Sunsets and Kittens.

"'Bout two hours as the crow flies, give or take," the huge pirate replied, and Bobo nodded in reply from the wheel.

"Then why am I seeing Blood Island?" the Pirate Captain quirked a eyebrow and smirked at his fellow pirate, the man looked at him in surprised, and shrugged in answer.

"Land Ahoy!" Albino Pirate cried from the crow's nest, the frown replaced by a beaming smile.

"Wait what?" Sunsets turned and the rest of the crew followed him to the edge of the deck, leaning over so they could get a look at the tiny island that was like a surrogate home. He turned to the rest of the crew, who now had hopeful smiles on their faces, as if it would all be okay. "How is that even possible?"

"Maybe Neptunes finally smiling at us," the Pirate Captain grinned, hope freshly renewed in his chest. "Right full speed ahead!"

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They made it to Blood Island in record time, and the sun was high in the sky signalling noon as they approached the dock. The air was already thick with tropical heat and the clear blue water showed schools of fish taking shelter in the darker shadows of the docks edge. Gulls screeched over-head as they fought each other for scraps of food. The Boat reversed back and sidled up to the edge of the well-used dock, the side of her hull scraping gently against the smooth carved stone. The Pirate Captain easily slid down a spare rope and landed cat-like on the dock. Without even checking on his crew the desperate Captain made his way through the near-deserted docks and deeper into the town that was perched on the shore of Blood Island. He easily avoided other pirates on his way as he quickly walked to his destination. The tall mix match of buildings caused dark shadows to cast the alleyways into a unwelcoming blackness, and left the rest of the main streets to be baked in the afternoon sun. The Pirate Captain was glad of the heat, as it meant that the streets were mostly empty and his journey time shortened.

He came to a large, old building that was centred in the middle of the row of mismatched houses. It was painted a brisk white that had faded into a dark streaked brown throughout its years, and the windows were shuttered tight. The building felt odd and out of place, and even as he stepped up to the closed doorway a intense feeling of foreboding swept through him. The Pirate Captain didn't hate many things in this world, he was a very easy going man – and could let a lot of things slide – but every time he looked up at the grubby white walls and the shuttered windows (to keep the horrors that resided inside the building rather than out), hate and anger boiled in the pit of his stomach. The last time he'd been in this freakish monstrosity of a building he'd been orphaned and lost his sister, he hesitated, his hand on the cool wood of the door and he was in two minds about entering. Shaking off his fear he stepped into the room.

The first thing that hit him was that it was unnaturally quite, like someone had put a muffler over his ears and all the sound had been dampened around him. There were a couple of pirates lounging in chairs looking thoroughly board, and there didn't seem to be anyone at the small desk on the other side of the dark room. Suddenly up above there was a ominous thump and a yell of pain, and the Pirate Captain winced as he heard a man's shout of T'was meh leg! T'was my bloody leg! The auburn haired man struggled to suppress a shudder that ran though him as he stepped up to the counter-top.

"Hey Slice you in there?" he called into the darkened back room, the only light given off was by a steadily flickering candle that was throwing it's pale orange haze across the room. Slice was not the man's real name, but pirates had a tendency to make up nicknames and the name Slice had just stuck (well it did fit the man's job title). There was a shuffling and a curse from the back and a young man in his thirties made his way over to the counter-top. He was strong chested and pale skinned, bags rested precariously under his olive green eyes and his once handsome face was almost white from the lack of sunlight and covered in scars and craters. He frowned at the taller, tanned man standing in front of him.

"Doctor Gurny is busy right now, he's operating," there was a shout of pain from above that rattled through the roof tops.

"I need to see Slice now it's a matter of life and death!" he snapped at the dark haired man, his anger already starting to boil at the sight of him.

"Isn't that the normal case of injury from a pirate?" the anger suddenly rose within him like a serpents head ready to strike and without thinking he grabbed the infuriating man by the collar and heaved him upright, practically forcing him over the desk so he was eye to eye with him. "Look Spinster!" he snarled. "You already caused one death in my family and you're not going to cause another. Get me Rodgers now otherwise I won't hesitate to run you through,"

A odd self pride rose in him as he saw Spinster swallow and nod furiously. He dropped the stricken doctor to the floor and watched him as he hurried up the stairs, leaning on the counter casually and drumming his fingers against the wood.  A few seconds later a man in his later years appeared at the bottom of the stairs, the apron he was wearing was loose around his waist and was stained with something dark and drying. He was wiping his hands on a old rag which he threw into a nearby bin. Despite the man's gruesome clothing his old eyes looked wise beyond his years and his face had that charmed welcoming look to it. His face was pulled into a frown as the Pirate Captain's eyes met his own.

"Captain," he stepped towards the taller man and offered him his hand, which the Pirate Captain took with a firm shake. "I presume you're not here on a friendly visit – with the way you handled my junior,"

"I'm sorry Gurny, but my quartermaster's in a life or death situation and your apprentice wasn't helping,"

"Mistakes had been-" the local pirate doctor tried to stand up for his apprentice but the Pirate Captain slammed a closed fist down on the counter-top in anger.

"A loss of life is not a mistake that can be made again Gurny," he snarled, surprising the elder man.

"I know, but it's sometimes the only solution," he paused, and the Pirate Captain stood with his fists clenched at his sides.

"Gurny please, I need your help,"  relief flooded through him as the elder man nodded.

"Just let me get my things and we'll make a move,"

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The cabin was quiet and dark as the pair entered the large room. Polly squawked in greeting and hopped up into the Pirate Captain's arms, cocking her head in question, her intelligent eyes narrowed into suspicious slits. The Pirate Captain stroked the birds head gently with his forefinger as he went over to the Pirate with Gouts side. The stouter pirate looked up and gave him a small grin, his own eyes narrowing at the site of the pirate doctor by his Captain's side.

"I'll check his wounds, see if they're clean and not infected," the doctor practically glowered at the Pirate with Gout.

"The floors all yours," Gout made a mocking swooping bow towards the other man and grabbed his crutch, motioning to his Captain that he needed to talk to him in private, once they were out of the door he had to shoo the rest of the crew away so they wouldn't but into the conversation. "C'ptain, you sure it's a good idea to allow Gurny to work on Pirate with a Scarf, after what happened last time?"

"I know that Gout, but there are sometimes problems that none of us are experienced to handle, and this is one of them – no offence,"

Gout waved a casual hand. "No offence taken," the stouter man paused as he noticed the look in the Captain's eyes, it wasn't directed at him, but rather directed at the door behind him, it was almost as if he couldn't be kept away from the injured man for more than a few minutes. "C'ptain, could I ask you something?" the taller man's eyes flicked back to his again,

"Anything Pirate with Gout," he replied, his eyes sending him a questioning glance. The stouter pirate rubbed the side of his nose with his forefinger and hesitated before the Captain seemed to roll his eyes and prompt him for a answer. Coughing into his sleeve the ships doctor worried his bottom lip between his teeth, trying to think of the right words to say. "Are you going to say anything or not Gout?"

"Is there anything going on between you and Pirate with a Scarf?" the Pirate Captain raised his eyebrow to the sky and crossed his arms over his chest, and the Pirate with Gout stuttered, stepping backwards slightly. "I didn't mean any offence if there was," he backtracked.

"What on earth are you talking about Gout?"

The Pirate with Gout had to stop his mouth falling open with surprise. "You're sure that there's not anything going on between you two?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about Pirate with Gout," he stepped forwards. "Now if you excuse me I need to talk to Dr Gurny," the Pirate with Gout hastily stepped out of his annoyed Captain's way and watched with raised eyebrows as the younger man made his way hurridly back into the cabin. He heard light footsteps come up behind him and grinned as he saw Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate coming towards him a smirk on his face.

"Hate to say I told you so,"

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The Captain shook his head as he pushed the door open to a small shop that was nestled in between Handy Hooks and Peg Legs, a smirk on his features as he realised what Gout had been trying to get at. Anything going on between him and his second-in-command – was the stouter man crazy? Still smiling slightly at the ridiculous thoughts that were in his ship doctors head. The small bronze bell of Manteaux et chapeaux tinkled in welcome as the Pirate Captain stepped over the threshold. His worn boots clumped gently over the smooth wood of the floor as he made his way over to the counter of the small shop.  Manteaux et chapeaux was owned by a French family of tailors, who'd become stranded on Blood Island, around fifty years ago when they'd sailed from Europe to the Americas. Words about their talents with needle and cloth had spread around quickly, and before they knew it they had begun a successful business in tailoring the finest pirates clothes around. The current generation of Després' had been dear family friends of his late parents, and their daughter Maggie (or Mags) as he fondly called her, had been his best friend when they had been growing up (and his first – but fleeting – love interest). A young boy looked up from where he was playing with a small black and white puppy, dark brown bangs fell over his forest green eyes and he stood from the hard wooden floor.

"Uncle JO!" he lurched towards the Pirate Captain and through his arms around the tall man's waist, almost knocking Number Two's destroyed coat from his arms. Chuckling the elder man hugged the youngster back, ruffling a large hand through his hair. "Mama said you weren't coming back from last time for ages," the young boy gushed. "But I told her you would – and you're here! I was right!"

The Pirate Captain bent down so he was level with his young godson. "And where's your mother now?"

"Dunno, but I'll get her!" he beamed. "Maman, l'oncle Jo est ici! Oncle Jo est ICI!" he called up the stairs that lead to the upper part of the building. There was female voice that replied back, sounding muffled from the blockades of wood and stone. He bounced back to the pirates side, grinning from ear to ear and picked up the young puppy that he'd been playing with, tapping it's nose forcefully to make it let go of the hem of a dress it'd been chewing. "Look Uncle, Daddy got me a puppy!" he held the tiny Newfoundland up to the pirates face and the Pirate Captain couldn't help but smile due to the infectious nature of the young boy's happiness.

"Well he's very cute," the bearded pirate complemented, suddenly there were two voices, both of which he recognised. The boy handed him the puppy and Polly squawked on his shoulder with slight worry as the puppy cocked his head to study her. "Easy old girl," he soothed, easily stroking the birds beak. "I'm sure he won't hurt you – just look at his little face!" if dodo's could give a scathing stare the bird on his shoulder was defiantly giving him one now.

"I can have it done for you in the week Monsieur," a elderly woman's voice could be heard, and the Pirate Captain grinned as the young boy peered around the carved oak counter top in interest.

"I need it done for today!" it was a man's voice, and the smile dropped from the Captain's face as he recognised it as Black Bellamy.

"Hush hush," the woman replied. "You know, you young whipper-snappers have to learn more about patients,"

"Nana! Oncle est ici!" the young boy rushed happily.

"Able, qu'est-ce que je vous ai parlé interrupting?" the elder grandmother scolded her grandson. She turned to Bellamy who was pulling off his rather stained looking coat at the changing room door. "I'm sorry about my grandson Monsieur, he's rather excitable,"

"But Nana!" the Captain couldn't help but chuckle at Able's persistence, which caused all eyes to be turned on him. It was almost comical as Madame Elio's face burst into a wrinkled smile and Bellamy's face fell into a scathing frown.

"Ah my boy!" the petite woman smiled, her English words held fast with a thick French accent. "How are you son?" the child inside the Pirate Captain wanted to stick his tongue out at Bellamy but he held firm.

"I've seen better days Madame Elio," he replied truthfully as he handed the over-excited puppy back to the over-energised Able.

"You seem to be missing someone," Black's voice sounded over the small family reunion, his American accent thick and mocking.

The Pirate Captain tensed, and his hand clenched around the tattered blue coat of his quartermaster. He saw Able's green eyes dampen slightly as he suddenly realised that there was no Number Two standing beside him. "Uncle," the young boy looked up at him, his eyes shining. "Where's Pirate with a Scarf?" the air hung thick with tension as the elder pirate got down onto his knees so he could be at eye level with the boy. He knew that Number Two meant just as much to Able as he did to the Pirate Captain – he was like the bigger brother the kid had never had.

"Able," he placed his free hand on the lad's shoulder. "Able-"

"Why have you got Pirate with a Scarf's coat Uncle?" his innocence was shining in his eyes, desperately wanting to know the truth. Out of sight he heard Madame Elio discussing the prices of Bellamy's new coat, and his disgruntled reply at the hefty price.

"You must understand that Number Two is very sick, Able," he swallowed. "He's not very well,"

"Is it like the flu? 'Cause when I get the flu I always have to stay in bed – is that where he is?"

The Pirate Captain's heart broke, he couldn't tell his godson the whole truth. "Yes, he's sick – like he's got the flu,"

The child's face brightened momentarily, "Can I make him a card – I'd bet he'd love that!"

"I bet he would," the Captain grinned at him, although it didn't quite meet his eyes.

"Thought if your quartermaster had the flu he'd still be up following you like a kicked puppy," Bellamy drawled, and the Pirate Captain stood scowling.

"Even Pirate with a Scarf is a better pirate then you!" Able chirruped, and then went to hide behind the Captain's legs as Black Bellamy stepped forwards menacingly.

"Wanna say that again kid?" he growled.

"The-"

"Able what on on this earth are you doing?" the pirates turned to see a young woman, who was in her mid thirty's, leaning on the counter-top, one hand resting on her hip whilst the other rested on her belly that was swollen with child.  The Pirate Captain couldn't help but let a grin split his face as his eyes fell on his best friend.

"Just annoying the locals," the bearded man replied, tugging playfully at the brown locks on Able's head. Able scowled playfully up at him and went to sit on the counter-top, only then did the Pirate Captain realise that the precious coat had been taken from his hands.

"Look Mama," the young boy held up the tattered blue remains of Number Two's favourite coat, only to have it taken by his grandmother.

"What's this?" the pregnant woman took the beloved opal blue garment in her slim fingers and the Pirate Captain met her eyes, he watched as she bit her lip, her fingers gently running over the blood stained lapels. "What happened Captain?"

The Pirate Captain stood from his place on the floor and rubbed the back of his neck, before taking Polly and hooking the dodo under his arm, and giving her a affectionate stroke under her beak. If only for his comfort and not hers. "Well we had a bit of a run in with some English sailors," the elder man replied, ignoring Bellamy's disbelieving snort. "Number Two got more than he bargained for," the Pirate Captain watched as the frown deepened on Maggies face, as she ran the tattered fabric through her hands gently. "If you could just repair it-" the Captain started.

"Repair!" the shrill sound of Madme Elio surprised them all and the little old woman took the garment out of her daughters hands. "Hmmm, this coat is beyond repair," she tutted and clicked her tongue on her teeth. "I remember making this, your quartermaster – what do you call him again?" The Captain always found it amusing that Madame Elio could remember each and every garment she ever made, but could – for the most part – not remember the person who she made it for.

"Number Two-"

"Or Pirate with a Scarf!" Able chipped in, receiving and swat on the head from his grandmother for interrupting.

"Couldn't you just repair it?" the Captain asked with a underlying hint of desperation in his voice. "Two loves that old coat – says it fits like a second skin,"

"No, no, no," the woman shook her head. "I can make him a new one in under a day, it'll be finished for tomorrow morning,"

"Madame Elio-" the Captain was shaken by her generosity.

"Wait you told me that my coat would take a week!" Bellamy ground out.

"You young man – need to learn patients," Elio snapped, and the Captain couldn't help but let a small smirk cross his lips, earning a scowl from Bellamy. The Pirate Captain pulled out one of the perfectly cut ruby's that they'd stolen from the HMS Minden, and slipped it across the counter-top, not being able to stop his smirk from growing as Bellamy's scowl deepened even further. "No, no, on the house,"

"But!" the Captain protested.

"Please your family has done so much for ours it'd be wrong to take from someone who's like my son," the Pirate Captain was touched, (and he knew that further arguing would be useless with the elder woman) so slipped the jewel back into his beard. Black Bellamy grumbled something about being soft and left, making sure to slam the door harder then required.

"What's up his arse?" Able asked as he rifled through Number Two's old coat.

"Able!" his mother scolded, and he received another swat from his grandmother. "Ow!" the young boy rubbed the back of his head frowning.

"You deserved that boy," the grandmother replied, running her skilled hands along the sleeves. "So you want it exactly the same?" she asked as she turned to focus her attention onto the Pirate Captain.

"As similar as you can get it," the Pirate Captain agreed. "He loves that old thing,"

"As much as you love yours?" Elio replied with a raised grey eyebrow. The Pirate Captain couldn't help but blush a little and tug his beloved red coat around him a little tighter.

"Well," he coughed into his hand and shrugged his shoulder.

"Joseph you look like you've gone through hell and only survived being spat out again," the Pirate Captain crossed his arms across his chest and shuffled on his feet.

"Do I really look that bad?" he asked. He was surprised as Maggie stepped up towards him and placed both of her hands on his cheeks.

"You've got bags under your eyes and you're as pale as a ghost; I've never seen you look so old," she murmured, stroking the slight crows feet at the corner of his eyes gently.

"Thanks Mags," he grunted, his eyes meeting hers, his wavering grin not meeting his eyes.

"How is he really?" she let her hands fall to the lapels of his coat, and he bit his lip, his arms going limp at his sides. He shrugged hopelessly, trying to avoid her eyes.

"He's not well," he bit out through gritted teeth. "Please Maggie I don't want to talk about it in front of Able,"

Suddenly the door was slammed open, and it cracked against the smooth stone of the building. All occupants in the room turned to see a panting Albino Pirate, looking flustered and worried. "Captai'!" he gasped. "Some thing's wrong with Pirate with a Scarf, he started going crazy!" This broke the calm mood within the shop and the Captain whipped around, panic clear in his eyes.

"What do you mean Albino?" he rushed, wincing slightly as he heard Maggie stumble back, and with practised ease he shot out his arm and caught her gently, ignoring the younger Pirate's odd look at their closeness.

"It's better to explain," he rushed out, looking anxious and terrified at the same time. The Pirate Captain and Maggie shared a look, before both of them rushed to the Boat.

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The scene that met the Captain's eyes was unbearable, and tore his heart to a thousand shattered pieces. He almost ripped the door of his beloved cabin off it's hinges as he threw himself into the room, startling the doctor and other pirates, who were desperately trying to contain whatever hell their quartermaster was going through. Without even thinking the Pirate Captain made his way over to the quartermasters hammock-side and made his presence known with a furious snarl in the doctors direction.

"What in the seven seas is happening?" he snapped, the other pirates moving out of the way to give their furious Captain some space.

"He's having some type of seizure," the doctor replied calmly. "I've not seen one this bad for quite some time," he paused, and shooed a anxious looking Pirate with Gout out of the way, the man scowled and limped across to his Captain's side. There were muttered moans coming from his quartermaster's mouth, and it sounded like he was in pain.

"You're a doctor!" the Pirate Captain cried, echoing his crew's fears. "You help</i> people!" he tried desperately. "Help HIM!" he gestured to the fitting man almost caught up in his blankets on the dangerously swinging hammock.

"With a fit it's best just to-" the doctor started – he didn't get anywhere fast – with one notion the furious Pirate Captain whipped out his sword and slammed the other man against the desk, his whole body was shaking with fury and the tip of his sword was pressed up against the man's Adam's Apple, which was bobbing nervously as he swallowed.

"Do your damn job," he hissed, and the Captain's cabin was suddenly silent, the rest of the crew standing there gob-smacked. "You're not going to end the life of someone else I-" he trailed off and stumbled over his words, biting his bottom lip as he realised just how stupid he was going to sound.

"Love? Quaint Captain," the doctor pushed the heavier man off, who stumbled slightly under the surprise amount of force. "I highly doubt that's going to rest with the remainder of your crew," the furious (face now as red as his beard) Pirate Captain was pushed lightly back by the Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate, who's face  had fallen into a scowl at the other man's bluntness (there wasn't any jealousy in 'her' mind at all). "I assure you," there was a moan from the quartermaster and the Pirate Captain was surprised to Surprisingly move over and run a comforting hand through his tousled brown locks. He stood there, the anger boiling in his stomach and the fury pulsating through his veins.  He knew – right now – that his crew could be weak but he couldn't let the anger that was flowing through him like some destructive molten wave distract him from his duty as Captain.

"No," there was suddenly a intelligible moan from the quartermaster's lips, and without thinking the Pirate Captain made his way to his second-in-command's bedside. "NO!" the word was punched out from his lips.

"Number Two," the Pirate Captain snapped in his best commanding voice. "Can you hear me?" There was a pained moan, but surprising them all the Pirate with a Scarf turned his head towards the voice. "You've got to get up Two," the man growled. "Come on,"

"Guh," the Pirate with a Scarf was back to moaning again, his head moving from side-to-side as if he was trying to shake water out of his ears.

It all happened at once.

Suddenly the Pirate with a Scarf lurched forwards, his hands shooting out, desperately trying to search for something to hold on to. The nearest thing was the Pirate Captain's arm. The injured man gripped it so tightly it hurt, and his nails dug through the sleeve on the Captain's arm, causing the taller man to wince.

"I'm sorry," he gasped, shocking everyone in the room into silence. "I'm not the person," he swallowed, his shadowed blue eyes locking with the Captains watery brown ones, "I'm not the person I say I am,"

His eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed into a dead faint.