The Guardian

Chapter Ten

As it turned out, Jack had no sea legs to speak of. He spent the first week of the voyage violently ill and would not leave their cabin. After being unable to keep anything in his stomach, he stopped eating all together. He thought going days without food or water would make him feel weaker than he did. While he felt wretched and certainly tired, he felt stronger than he thought he'd be. Was it due to the healing powers of Nora's elixir?

The cabin was dark, the shades were constantly drawn on the windows. Nora had not spent the last few nights in the cabin with him. He couldn't blame her. The cabin likely smelled atrocious, and he spent most of his time vomiting. She would never be able to sleep. Still, it stung a bit. He was accustomed to having her close now, very close. He did not feel like he was adequately protecting her. He could hardly get out of the bunk. A hammock had been brought into Ben's cabin for her, and she stayed there at night.

He was more surly than usual when she did come around. He felt awful, and she was constantly trying to shove food and water down his throat. When she succeeded, it only came back up again. He snapped at her, and she started snapping right back at him. The last time he saw her when he was awake was when she slammed out of their cabin calling him a foul name. After that, she started sleeping in with Ben. Since the cabin remained dark, he had no idea how many days past that was.

He rolled onto his back and looked up. He could just make out the ceiling so it must be day time. He had to get out of this bunk, but he had never felt this terrible before. His ribs hurt, his throat was raw, his jaw was sore, and he had probably lost weight. He was keenly aware of every swell the ship took. He acknowledged that he could never be a waterman of any sort. He was simply not cut out for a mariner's life.

He squinted and groaned at the sudden burst of light exploding into the cabin as the door flung open.

"Get the hell out of here, you miserable, frustrating woman!"

"Oh, my dear, you were right. He is quite a bear, isn't he?"

Jack looked over at the sound of the male voice and saw Captain Hancock looming over him. Nora fluttered around the cabin, opening the drapes. He saw her gag slightly as she dumped the contents of the chamber pot out the port. Captain Hancock pulled a chair up to the bed and sat down on it.

"Sit up, Mr. Justice," he commanded.

"You get the hell out of here, as well," Jack groaned.

"Jack!" Nora exclaimed, once again dismayed by Jack's deplorable manners. But Hancock didn't mind. He laughed throatily and slapped his knee.

"I am a sailor, milady, and a professional rabble-rouser. Believe me, there is nothing Mr. Justice can say that can offend me or will be something new to these ears. Now, as captain of this good vessel, I will tell you one more time. Sit. Up. Sir." His voice brooked no room for Jack to disobey.

With another groan and a wince, Jack slowly rose to his side. Soft, gentle hands were suddenly resting on his cheek and his shoulder. He turned his face into Nora's wrist and breathed in deeply. She smelled fresh and wonderful, but it didn't help his stomach much. He started to heave, and her hands began to brace him.

"Take deep breaths, Jack, it will pass," she said, stroking his temple.

"Why are you being so nice to me now? Am I dying?" Jack asked when his stomach settled a bit.

"Seasickness can be very serious, Mr. Justice," Hancock said, lifting Jack to a sitting position. "If left untreated, it can lead to total debilitation. Your lady needs you."

"She's fine. I'm dying. Get out of here." He tried to lay back down, but Hancock's strong hands stopped him, "My lady, why don't you go and see if the ship's cook has the ginger water ready, and please see the quartermaster about fresh sheets. Ben is in the passageway, he will help you."