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soleilpirateAuthor: Soleil Compeau
Fandom: Pirates of the Caribbean
Title: Life After Loss
Pairing: Jack/Other
Spoilers: set after AWE
Rating: NC17 overall, for sexual content
Disclaimer: These stunt doubles have just reenacted what takes place after the final cut. No profit or wages are being made. I do this out of deep love for the characters.
Summary: Jack impulsively rescues a woman from Barbossa, and she inches her way into his bed and his heart. Can she be his equal on land, and can they conquer the sea, land, and time itself?
Prologue
Rummaging through the weapons cache in Shipwreck Cove, Jack Sparrow spoke in terse sentences to his second in command. "Get aboard her, Josh. Gain his trust. Any way you can." A particularly shiny, long blade drew his eye and the caress of his jewelled fingers. "Tell him I went mad when 'e stole my girl again, and you got tired of my ranting." A golden grin, and he vanished in a swirl of braids, staggering steps, and the click of bootheels.
Joshamee Gibbs grinned after his captain. Loyalty, friendship, and irritating twists and turns, topped off by a commanding voice and compelling eyes. That was Jack, all over. "Mad?" he mumbled. "Aye, shouldn't be hard to convince Barbossa of tha'."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She indulged in her favorite fantasy while her maid dressed her tiny braids all through her long hair. Her wedding day, dressed in fine silks, flowers everywhere. But instead of speaking her vows with a clear voice and shining eyes, she remained silent and downcast. Later, when her groom brought her to the bedchamber, he learned she had a hidden dagger, which she plunged into his heart.
Should she turn the dagger on herself next? Something in her cried protest at that. Never, never. "Being nearly a married woman, you ought to put your hair up in one of those modern 'do's," the maid remarked.
"An old maid I might be, but I'll still look a maid as long as I can," she returned. "And Mr. Downing will never marry me!" Off she went as usual, to wander alone and lost in thought.
Chapter 1 - Acquisition
The crew he had gathered for the merchant ship he had commandeered were beginning to trust him a bit, he could tell. Not that it mattered, they were sworn to follow his orders. He was Captain. But it was nice to have some loyalty, to think that in a pinch, he might be able to count on some of these men. The ship was lovely, decently fast enough to suit him. But she was not the Pearl.
He watched the lovely green island come closer, smiling softly. Tortuga was beautiful, intoxicating, and heady with possibility, yet he wanted a place to make plans without Barbossa knowing them.
The feckless, irritating, mangy, double crossing bloody pirate former first mate of his had lured him to Tortuga with promises of reuniting and working together to locate the Fountain. Yet Barbossa still niggled with him over the matter of the Black Pearl's captaincy. In other words, he still claimed to be captain when in fact, everyone knew that it was he, Jack Sparrow, who was Captain.
He strolled the streets, checking out the small main village. This was the sort of island where genteel older couples came when one of them needed a better clime than dreary cold old England. There were two taverns, but Jack was willing to bet that there was not much night life. Not many saucy wenches either, but he could live with that as long as he had Tortuga.
As the sunset lit the horizon with golds, violets, and a shade of orange he wanted to taste, Jack sat outside the most "disreputable" pub and sipped rum. He felt at ease and happy. Then an amazing thing happened.
A young and very beautiful woman ran by, a flash of white with red ruffles. Jack got a clear glimpse of terrified eyes before a crew member of the Pearl gave chase, laughing and holding a drawn sword. Struck dumb, Jack sat utterly still for a moment, and heard the detested sound of Barbossa's laughter in the distance. His reaction was immediate. He got up and ran swift and silent after the running pair.
The crewman drove her straight into Barbossa's arms. She realized it at almost the last moment and tried to swerve away, but another crewmember came out of seeming nowhere and shoved her hard. Amazingly enough, the woman tried to throw a punch. Unfortunately, Hector anticipated it in time and blocked it, then drew a knife and held it to her throat, holding her tightly captive against his body.
Hector laughed in twisted delight, and leaned in to claim her lips. Jack chose that moment to step forth with saber drawn. His eyes were intent on Barbossa, but every sense was alert for treachery from all sides. He was aware of the Pearl's crew gathering around, and he was very aware of the young woman's terrified face.
"The Cap'n...it's the Captain! It's Jack! Captain Jack!" The whisper ran amongst the crew.
"Evening, gents," Jack called in a commanding voice. "Fine night for a bit of raping and plunder, eh?"
Barbossa schooled his enraged features into a sarcastic smile. "Jack. So good to see you again. Kept yourself busy in the last few weeks?"
"Chart didn't work out, did it?" Jack savored the shocked pause, risked a glance around at the shamed faces of *his* men. "Truth be told, I doubt the item in question really exists. But I can lead you to a better plunder."
"I've already got some," Barbossa pulled the woman tighter against him, his free hand caressing the little bit of cleavage that showed. She whimpered with terror.
Jack pretended his enemy hadn't spoken. "I propose a trade, mate. The girl for the Pearl."
Hector laughed. "I've got both Jack, or hadn't you noticed?" Hector believed Jack had a vested interest in his captive, so to taunt him, he made an obvious show of caressing her more intimately, smiling smugly in the Captain's face. In a lightning move that caught him unprepared while he was distracted, Jack leapt forward and placed his blade right up against Hector's neck, pressing hard enough to scratch the first layers of skin.
Barbossa's hand was trapped against the woman's chest, who took further advantage of her captor's off balance state to jerk his hand to her mouth and sink her teeth into the tender pad of the thumb. Barbossa roared in shock, Jack grabbed his dagger arm and yanked it away from her throat.
"Behave yourself Barbossa, or I'll be tempted to leave you behind as you have me so many times," Jack whispered through clenched teeth. Backing up, he called out, "Who's with me, gents?"
Confident that his loyal crew would follow him, Jack took a moment to sweep the lovely lady into his arms and took off running towards the dock. The Pearl in his reach, so easily? He chortled with the joy of it. He'd even got the girl, so to speak!
As he expected, the most loyal crewmembers had followed behind him. Only a few remained with Barbossa, and they could easily be replaced. Dragging the girl onto the deck, he began issuing orders to come up alongside the Sweet Angel.
"Begging yer pardon Cap'n," Gibbs began. "But what about Barbossa?"
"He can have the ship I came here in. I fully expect him to commandeer it." And Jack strode to the rail as the men on the other ship gathered, faces looking universally puzzled. "Men! The ship you've been serving under me on isn't truly my ship at all. This one is!" Jack waved his hands to indicate the Pearl. "Any that want to continue serving me are welcome aboard. And those that choose to seek their fortunes with the next captain who comes along, I'll not hold it against you."
The crew looked at each other in contemplation. Several came, about twice the number he'd lost to Barbossa. The rest gave respectful touches of their hats or foreheads to him. Jack accepted this, and went to work, bawling out the heading, captive woman temporarily forgotten in his delight at being back aboard his ship. He was very aware, and grateful, that luck and surprise had been on his side in this venture.
He did not in fact remember her until he was watching Barbossa negotiate with his new crew through his spyglass. She came near him, staggering in a fashion that told him clearer than words that she was a landlubber.
"What's your name, luv?"
She was staring at him boldly, still clearly afraid but not with the rabid terror she had suffered during her encounter with Barbossa. She was attempting to appraise Jack. "Sarah Deverleigh."
"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, dahling. Now. What's got you in such a tizzy?" He looked her over, noting her swaying, noting her frequent shivers that were almost full body shudders. He admired her bravery, to find herself aboard a pirate ship and yet approach the one who'd put her there. He did not want a woman looking at him with fear in her eyes. Jack wanted quite badly to wipe it from her mind.
She was petite, coming only to his shoulders. In fact, he could easily rest his chin on top of her head. Her body was finely formed, her hair long and thick and black. Her face was a lovely oval with high cheekbones, a full mouth, and high clear forehead. Her eyes were large, framed by thick long lashes and were the most startling and enchanting shade of sea green he had ever seen on a woman.
"You're a pirate." She said softly, giving another shiver. "I've heard awful stories about pirates. My aunt always warned me."
"Well, you must not have heard enough stories about me, then. I'll not harm you, Miss Deverleigh."
She hugged her arms over her chest, and glanced around at the men scurrying around her. She still couldn't stop shivering. Jack waited for her to accept his word.
"You saved me from the other pirate. You don't know me, you're a pirate yourself, you didn't have to do that," she said, working it out. "And his men....could have turned against you! You risked yourself for me. So I believe you...."
Someone brushed past her at that moment and she flinched back.
"Listen up gents! This woman is Sarah, and she's under my protection! Anyone who lays a paw on her'll do without rum rations for three days! Unnerstann?" Jack issued his orders without taking his eyes from hers.
"Aye Captain!" came back to his, and her, ears. Jack nodded in satisfaction. Leaned closer, "That includes meself as well," with a faint leer.
"I'll put you back ashore. We'll have to give Barbossa time to sail away, then we'll come about. You'll be home by morning."
"I've nothing there to return to." Her eyes were downcast now.
Jack swung back around from where he'd been looking over the rail. "How's that, luv?"
"My parents are dead. I live with my aunt and uncle. He's arranged a fine marriage for me, to a man I've not the least interest in, and won't listen to me. Nor will he give me my inheritance until I do marry."
The word inheritance caught Jack's interest. The word marriage in the same sentence with it doused that interest. "Simple enough Sarah lass. Tell him the name of your favorite bonny lad that you'd rather marry instead."
The Pearl rode a swell and Sarah stumbled, grabbing the rail to steady herself. "No one else I'm interested in, I'm afraid."
"Then we'll put you ashore wherever else you'd like. You'll be free, luv." Jack offered her what he valued most in the world.
She seemed fascinated with the notion. "But I've nothing...." she nearly whispered.
"Surely a young lady such as yourself can think of something worthwhile. Have you any skills, talents, hobbies, favorite pasttimes?"
"None that would serve aboard a ship." Jack raised an eyebrow. "I can dance quite well. I'm a skilled horsewoman, proficient with weapons, and I'm quite fluent in a few languages."
"What languages?" Jack was becoming more and more intrigued by this woman.
She shrugged negligently. "French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese."
"Proficient with weapons, you said." Jack mused. "And you can dance? Show me."
Sarah actually laughed. "I'm about to fall down every moment I'm on this ship, and you want me to dance?"
The Captain smiled with her. "Very well, luv. Follow me around this ship. Mimic my movements and soon enough you'll learn how to roll your stride on a swaying deck, like an old hand you will."
Sarah did follow Jack, but quickly became dizzy. His movements suited him, she needed her own pace. Sitting on the deck, she removed her shoes and stockings, stowing them carefully in a coil of rope. Her bare toes felt better on the rough warm deck. Sarah found her own swaying rythm.
It was hard work, she was staggering with exhaustion, not unsteady legs, by the time Jack led her to his cabin a scant two hours later. "Sleep here dahling"
"But....this is yours."
"It's customary for a guest of the captain to have the best he can offer."
"But...no. I can't."
"You'd rather choose a berth among me crew?" He asked incredulously.
Sarah shook her head. "But where will you sleep?"
Jack grinned at her, gold teeth glinting in the candlelight. "I'm a pirate luv. I can sleep anywhere." And with that he left her to her own devices.
Chapter 2 - Attraction
Jack returned to his cabin in the wee hours to find her sitting up in his bed clutching the blankets. "Captain Sparrow! How can I sleep with all this rocking!"
Jack Sparrow regarded her for a moment. He could sort of, if he squinted really hard, understand what she meant. To him, sleeping on land was the difficult part. He stood silently staring at her for so long in fact, that she bit her lip and squirmed uncomfortably. Only then did he realize that she had stripped off her dress and was lying in his bed with only her chemise. He smiled suggestively, swaggering towards her and holding out the rum bottle.
"Try some of this, Sarah luv. It'll help."
She took it dubiously and took an experimental sip. "Going to turn me into a rumpot like yourself, Captain Sparrow?"
The pirate only shrugged and grinned roguishly. Sarah turned bright red when he began stripping off his belt, weapons, and vest. He sat on the edge of the bed and stripped off his boots, and she gasped as the bed dipped down from his weight. He glanced curiously over his shoulder at her and went right back to undressing.
She held herself absolutely still. He had promised not to hurt her. What if he expected that she would.....comply....with his demands? He interrupted her thoughts by standing up and taking hold of one of the pillows. He then went to the doorway, glanced back at her, and left. "Night Sarah"
She got up, padded to the portal and peeked at him. Jack was settling the pillow on the charts on his desk. Sarah stared at him for a few minutes, willing to sleep in that uncomfortable position for her sake, before she lay back and tried to relax, sipping a little more of the rum. She thought about getting up, telling him to lie down on his own bed, but every time she pictured them side by side, nervousness tightened her stomach.
His voice was so nice. It came from deep in his chest, and already she'd heard him sound commanding, threatening, and playful. His voice could have a rough purr to it that she.....liked. Quite a bit. A few sips again, and warmth spread through her, and lassitude. She slept.
The next two weeks passed in similar fashion. Some late nights, Jack found himself wandering into his cabin and gazing at the woman lying in his bed. Eyes wandering over her peaceful and trusting repose, he asked himself why he was keeping her at a distance. Inevitably, the answer came to him. When he brought her aboard, he promised her she had nothing to fear from him, and she believed him. She trusted him. All unknowing.
This night, she was restless, and stirred often. Jack stood close to her. At times, the temptation to scent that luxurious hair was nigh irresistable. And Jack was unaccostemed to denying himself what he wanted, so he would select a tiny braid and hold it beneath his nostrils. Like flowers, it was. Whole fields of them. Sarah rolled, and Jack let the braid slither out of his grasp, enjoying the silky slide from between the pads of his fingers. The shoulder strap of her shift slipped down, letting more flesh spill out, and a nipple was revealed.
Jack froze, staring at the little brown nub. The cooler air of the cabin combined with the fabric rubbing just beneath made it crinkle up into a tight peak. He knew now just how sensitive her nipples were, and felt such intense desire his stomach ached. Licked his lips, bending down slowly over her still form. This was an opportune moment, oh yes, the most opportune he could possibly have.
The fantasy formed, of himself blowing gently across it, taking it into his mouth. Jack's tongue actually came out and extended, hovering inches above her. She would wake.....
Jack knew how to seduce a woman. From the most proper lady to the loosest whore, he knew how to cajole, arouse, and reduce the staunchest objections to helpless whimpers. But with this woman he was frozen in the image of her recoiling in disgust and storming off. Never to talk to him again. Declaring her trust in him gone. His heart squeezed painfully and he backed away hastily, almost knocking things down in his haste to take his dangerous presence from her.
Bloody daft cow! He scolded himself once out on the deck. Gone moony over her, have you, ye idiot! Jack punched the wall he was standing next to, cursing. Then frowned and stalked off to find bandages and salve.
Sarah began to develop her sea legs. She had no seasickness at all, which Jack said was a good sign. She even began to be friends with some of the men and lost her nervousness of them. Once she was able to walk without wobbling, Jack demanded that she prove her skill in weaponry.
Nervously Sarah held the sword Gibbs had loaned to her, facing a Captain with a deadly serious face and drawn saber. He waited for her to strike the first blow, and he parried easily, pushing her blade with a hard snap that jarred her shoulder. Her eyes flashed in an irritated spark that Jack saw, and secretly enjoyed. She swept her blade again, this time at his midsection, and much more quickly.
That set the pace for the remaining exercise. Sarah was small, and light, and as a dancer very graceful. She was faster than Jack, but he was stronger. And when he began testing her footwork by pressing her in tight little circles, her discovered her lithe dancing. But in the end he forced her, with his taller and heavier stance, onto the deck.
Sarah's chest heaved, her knees pressed against the rough deck. She glared up at Jack who merely smirked at her. "Do you surrender?" My God, never had she heard a voice sound so like silk.
"Captain...!" Her own body and mind's reactions to this seemingly simple question rattled her badly. Her breath came even faster, her face flushed a deep red, and tears began welling in her eyes. She was not ready for the powerful jolt of attraction she felt for him.
Jack's face went from smirking to inscrutable. He sheathed his blade, turned on his bootheel, and stalked away. The crew suddenly found tasks elsewhere, and so she was left to stand up alone and find something to do.
Jack left her alone the rest of that day, but the next morning he suggested they go up to the crow's nest, eyes twinkling, practically bouncing with eagerness.
"Are you serious? Me, climb up there? Are you forgetting the days I wobbled, nay, half crawled over the deck?" Sarah half laughed. "And the nights I cried myself to sleep because of the rocking?"
Jack looked at her seriously. "I had no idea you cried yourself to sleep luv. If you'd told me, I'd have held you in me arms to comfort you." And a roguish look appeared on his face as Sarah gazed at him in sputtering shock.
He convinced her, of course, by sheer charm and force of personality. She climbed the rigging with him just below her, offering encouragement and even threatening to look up her skirts if she didn't make better time. About halfway up the breeze whipped harder, and she froze, unable to climb either up or down. She clung to the ropes which were biting into her hands, struggling to hold back tears. At some point, she knew, her shaking limbs would simply give out, and she would fall.
The ropes shook, and Sarah nearly screamed. Warmth pressed against her back, and the scent of rum was spicy and strong in her nostrils. "I'm here luv. Now climb." Jack's voice spoke gently in her ear. He was bracing her with his own body, tough brown hands right next to hers, and corded thighs bracing her own legs. With his help she made it the rest of the way, but then froze again getting on the platform itself. Jack had to climb over her and help her up.
There was a strong breeze and Sarah was almost queasy with the fear of falling or tipping. She clung to Jack, couldn't seem to make her hands let go. He allowed it, bent his head over hers so his long hair fell all around her face.
"Sarah. Sarah, you must look up. It's an amazing sight, I swear." His hands were gently caressing her hair and she couldn't breathe, couldn't look up.
Jack chuckled throatily and she finally found the courage to look up...right into his deep brown eyes. For a long moment they simply stared at each other. Finally his gaze flicked to her mouth and Sarah gasped. His hands were firm, almost rough, on her as he grasped her upper arms and turned her around.
Sarah cried out now, she couldn't help it. For spread out before her was the deep blue rolling sea in all it's vast expanse. The strong sea breeze blew into her face, teased her nostrils, and stirred her hair. Jack's arms went around her and his mouth breathed softly in her ear. "Beautiful."
Sarah fell in love at that moment. Whether with Jack or the sea she could not be sure, possibly both. For hours she stayed there with him, and he held her, saying nothing. Her last vestiges of terror of the sea vanished utterly during that time, and a deep love of it filled her in it's place. The beauty of it was profound, the endless rolling swells, the black depths, the sounds it made. It was lovely, and wild, and endless and exciting.
"Captain!" Mr. Gibbs called up. "We be needing you at the helm."
"Aye Mr. Gibbs. I'll be there in a moment." Though she knew he had been holding her the entire time, Sarah was suddenly deeply aware of the strength of his lean body into which she was leaning, the muscled arms around her waist, and realized that he had been occasionally nuzzling her hair while she was preoccupied by her splendid view. And she melted against him, completely unable to stop her body's reaction.
She turned around on weak knees and was met once again by that liquid gaze. Trying desperately to control herself and not seem a silly girl with a mad crush, Sarah stammered, "Thank you so much Captain.....err, Jack. This....was so lovely." Stirred by the power of her emotions, she then blurted, "It is so beautiful and wonderful!"
She was staring at him with soft desire in her eyes, longing in every line of her face. Like he was the most wonderful, strongest, most handsome man she'd ever known. Jack felt his heart lift, and swell. She was intoxicating!
Those soft lips curled up in a genuine smile of joy. "The pleasure is all mine, milady." No doubt of the innuendo in that purr! "Shall we descend to the deck so I may stand my watch?"
Captain Jack went to the wheel and Sarah went to the captain's quarters. She could not rest. Her body ached in ways that long ago she had put aside. She drank rum, sitting on the side of Jack's bed, and brooded. At one point she lay on the pillows and fell into a restless dream. Jack held utterly still for her, his eyes soft and open and melting, while she stripped off every layer of clothing from him. Sarah jerked awake from this dream with a soft moan, and took several more swallows of rum.
Just as she finished drinking Jack slammed the door to his quarters open and staggered inside. He appeared to have imbibed a fair amount more rum than she had, though perhaps not by much. He spotted her, stopped moving for a moment, and then smiled extremely roguishly. "Hello, Sarah. Need help getting ready for bed?"
He set his hat down on his dresser and swung towards her. Sarah was already off the bed by then, and they were circling once again, testing each other's footwork, with no swords this time. "Perhaps you are the one who needs help...getting ready."
"Darling...I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. I'm ALWAYS ready." They were face to face by now, and Sarah could not help laughing.
She wasn't laughing AT him, exactly. He was just the most supremely confident man she'd ever met. She covered her mouth with her hand to try and keep her tipsy giggles in. "Is that so, Captain Jack? I'm tempted to test that theory."
"Be my guest darling!" He spread his arms invitingly.
"Uhhh, perhaps I'll pass..for now. Tell me a story, Jack. A pirate story." Was it her imagination, or did Jack look disappointed?
They sat on the floor and drank rum, and told stories and dirty jokes. Sarah told him about her parents dying, one after the other of malaria, and being taken in by her uncle on the island where Barbossa captured her. He told her about aspiring to be Captain, and his deal with Davy Jones that later had to be broken. Sarah spoke of her first love David, the only man she'd given herself to, who sailed away from the island suddenly. She believed her uncle might have driven him off. And only three months ago her engagement was arranged.
"He's much older than me, and extremely rich. But it's not his age that bothers me....he's just so cold! No love, no compassion. Or so it seems to me." Sarah yawned hugely, causing herself to lose her balance and nearly flop back onto the floor. Her words had become more and more slurred. "I need to sleep Jack."
She tried to take off her stylish ladies boots, which were becoming quite worn and tattered after the time on the Pearl, though she wore them only half the time. Her fingers felt thick and stupid, and her eyes wouldn't focus properly. She couldn't do it. Jack brushed her hands aside and unlaced them for her. She gazed at his hands as he drew off her boots and the thin socks she had underneath, leaving her feet bare. His hands were nice. Very elegant and graceful, also quite strong.
She yelped when he unexpectedly tickled her bare feet. She jerked them back, but he grabbed her ankles and held her in place, still tickling her soles. Sarah fell back, giggling wildly. Jack released her ankles and crawled up her body swiftly. Sarah couldn't help groaning. He reached her face and took her lips in a sensuous kiss.
So soft his lips were. His tongue was firm when it slid between her lips and teased hers. He moved his head back and forth over her, kissing her more and more deeply. Jack shifted his legs and Sarah felt a hot hardness pressing between her thighs. She groaned into his mouth. Neither of them felt the Pearl rocking more than usual.
"Captain! There's a squall blowing up, a bad 'un by the looks of it!" Ragetti's voice, and a pounding on the door, startled them apart. Jack groaned a muffled curse and staggered to his feet. Casting a despairing and apologetic glance at Sarah, he grabbed his hat and strode off to do his duty.
It was indeed a bad squall. The Pearl rocked violently, groaning in protest as the wind lashed at her hard. Swells took her high, then tossed her down to the very bottom with near crushing force. It took all Jack's strength and skill to steer. At last his arms almost gave out, and Mr. Cotton took his place. Jack crawled, clinging to rails and ropes, to his cabin, and found it in disarray and Sarah clinging to the bed with the sheets wound around her to keep her in place, face deathly pale.
Jack was too exhausted to do anything more than strip off his wet vest, belt, and change his shirt. Then he crawled into bed with her, wrapped his arms tight around her, and pulled her face into his shoulder. Thus comforting each other, they calmed, slowly, and they slept.
< Chapters 3 and 4
Fandom: Pirates of the Caribbean
Title: Life After Loss
Pairing: Jack/Other
Spoilers: set after AWE
Rating: NC17 overall, for sexual content
Disclaimer: These stunt doubles have just reenacted what takes place after the final cut. No profit or wages are being made. I do this out of deep love for the characters.
Summary: Jack impulsively rescues a woman from Barbossa, and she inches her way into his bed and his heart. Can she be his equal on land, and can they conquer the sea, land, and time itself?
Prologue
Rummaging through the weapons cache in Shipwreck Cove, Jack Sparrow spoke in terse sentences to his second in command. "Get aboard her, Josh. Gain his trust. Any way you can." A particularly shiny, long blade drew his eye and the caress of his jewelled fingers. "Tell him I went mad when 'e stole my girl again, and you got tired of my ranting." A golden grin, and he vanished in a swirl of braids, staggering steps, and the click of bootheels.
Joshamee Gibbs grinned after his captain. Loyalty, friendship, and irritating twists and turns, topped off by a commanding voice and compelling eyes. That was Jack, all over. "Mad?" he mumbled. "Aye, shouldn't be hard to convince Barbossa of tha'."
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She indulged in her favorite fantasy while her maid dressed her tiny braids all through her long hair. Her wedding day, dressed in fine silks, flowers everywhere. But instead of speaking her vows with a clear voice and shining eyes, she remained silent and downcast. Later, when her groom brought her to the bedchamber, he learned she had a hidden dagger, which she plunged into his heart.
Should she turn the dagger on herself next? Something in her cried protest at that. Never, never. "Being nearly a married woman, you ought to put your hair up in one of those modern 'do's," the maid remarked.
"An old maid I might be, but I'll still look a maid as long as I can," she returned. "And Mr. Downing will never marry me!" Off she went as usual, to wander alone and lost in thought.
Chapter 1 - Acquisition
The crew he had gathered for the merchant ship he had commandeered were beginning to trust him a bit, he could tell. Not that it mattered, they were sworn to follow his orders. He was Captain. But it was nice to have some loyalty, to think that in a pinch, he might be able to count on some of these men. The ship was lovely, decently fast enough to suit him. But she was not the Pearl.
He watched the lovely green island come closer, smiling softly. Tortuga was beautiful, intoxicating, and heady with possibility, yet he wanted a place to make plans without Barbossa knowing them.
The feckless, irritating, mangy, double crossing bloody pirate former first mate of his had lured him to Tortuga with promises of reuniting and working together to locate the Fountain. Yet Barbossa still niggled with him over the matter of the Black Pearl's captaincy. In other words, he still claimed to be captain when in fact, everyone knew that it was he, Jack Sparrow, who was Captain.
He strolled the streets, checking out the small main village. This was the sort of island where genteel older couples came when one of them needed a better clime than dreary cold old England. There were two taverns, but Jack was willing to bet that there was not much night life. Not many saucy wenches either, but he could live with that as long as he had Tortuga.
As the sunset lit the horizon with golds, violets, and a shade of orange he wanted to taste, Jack sat outside the most "disreputable" pub and sipped rum. He felt at ease and happy. Then an amazing thing happened.
A young and very beautiful woman ran by, a flash of white with red ruffles. Jack got a clear glimpse of terrified eyes before a crew member of the Pearl gave chase, laughing and holding a drawn sword. Struck dumb, Jack sat utterly still for a moment, and heard the detested sound of Barbossa's laughter in the distance. His reaction was immediate. He got up and ran swift and silent after the running pair.
The crewman drove her straight into Barbossa's arms. She realized it at almost the last moment and tried to swerve away, but another crewmember came out of seeming nowhere and shoved her hard. Amazingly enough, the woman tried to throw a punch. Unfortunately, Hector anticipated it in time and blocked it, then drew a knife and held it to her throat, holding her tightly captive against his body.
Hector laughed in twisted delight, and leaned in to claim her lips. Jack chose that moment to step forth with saber drawn. His eyes were intent on Barbossa, but every sense was alert for treachery from all sides. He was aware of the Pearl's crew gathering around, and he was very aware of the young woman's terrified face.
"The Cap'n...it's the Captain! It's Jack! Captain Jack!" The whisper ran amongst the crew.
"Evening, gents," Jack called in a commanding voice. "Fine night for a bit of raping and plunder, eh?"
Barbossa schooled his enraged features into a sarcastic smile. "Jack. So good to see you again. Kept yourself busy in the last few weeks?"
"Chart didn't work out, did it?" Jack savored the shocked pause, risked a glance around at the shamed faces of *his* men. "Truth be told, I doubt the item in question really exists. But I can lead you to a better plunder."
"I've already got some," Barbossa pulled the woman tighter against him, his free hand caressing the little bit of cleavage that showed. She whimpered with terror.
Jack pretended his enemy hadn't spoken. "I propose a trade, mate. The girl for the Pearl."
Hector laughed. "I've got both Jack, or hadn't you noticed?" Hector believed Jack had a vested interest in his captive, so to taunt him, he made an obvious show of caressing her more intimately, smiling smugly in the Captain's face. In a lightning move that caught him unprepared while he was distracted, Jack leapt forward and placed his blade right up against Hector's neck, pressing hard enough to scratch the first layers of skin.
Barbossa's hand was trapped against the woman's chest, who took further advantage of her captor's off balance state to jerk his hand to her mouth and sink her teeth into the tender pad of the thumb. Barbossa roared in shock, Jack grabbed his dagger arm and yanked it away from her throat.
"Behave yourself Barbossa, or I'll be tempted to leave you behind as you have me so many times," Jack whispered through clenched teeth. Backing up, he called out, "Who's with me, gents?"
Confident that his loyal crew would follow him, Jack took a moment to sweep the lovely lady into his arms and took off running towards the dock. The Pearl in his reach, so easily? He chortled with the joy of it. He'd even got the girl, so to speak!
As he expected, the most loyal crewmembers had followed behind him. Only a few remained with Barbossa, and they could easily be replaced. Dragging the girl onto the deck, he began issuing orders to come up alongside the Sweet Angel.
"Begging yer pardon Cap'n," Gibbs began. "But what about Barbossa?"
"He can have the ship I came here in. I fully expect him to commandeer it." And Jack strode to the rail as the men on the other ship gathered, faces looking universally puzzled. "Men! The ship you've been serving under me on isn't truly my ship at all. This one is!" Jack waved his hands to indicate the Pearl. "Any that want to continue serving me are welcome aboard. And those that choose to seek their fortunes with the next captain who comes along, I'll not hold it against you."
The crew looked at each other in contemplation. Several came, about twice the number he'd lost to Barbossa. The rest gave respectful touches of their hats or foreheads to him. Jack accepted this, and went to work, bawling out the heading, captive woman temporarily forgotten in his delight at being back aboard his ship. He was very aware, and grateful, that luck and surprise had been on his side in this venture.
He did not in fact remember her until he was watching Barbossa negotiate with his new crew through his spyglass. She came near him, staggering in a fashion that told him clearer than words that she was a landlubber.
"What's your name, luv?"
She was staring at him boldly, still clearly afraid but not with the rabid terror she had suffered during her encounter with Barbossa. She was attempting to appraise Jack. "Sarah Deverleigh."
"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, dahling. Now. What's got you in such a tizzy?" He looked her over, noting her swaying, noting her frequent shivers that were almost full body shudders. He admired her bravery, to find herself aboard a pirate ship and yet approach the one who'd put her there. He did not want a woman looking at him with fear in her eyes. Jack wanted quite badly to wipe it from her mind.
She was petite, coming only to his shoulders. In fact, he could easily rest his chin on top of her head. Her body was finely formed, her hair long and thick and black. Her face was a lovely oval with high cheekbones, a full mouth, and high clear forehead. Her eyes were large, framed by thick long lashes and were the most startling and enchanting shade of sea green he had ever seen on a woman.
"You're a pirate." She said softly, giving another shiver. "I've heard awful stories about pirates. My aunt always warned me."
"Well, you must not have heard enough stories about me, then. I'll not harm you, Miss Deverleigh."
She hugged her arms over her chest, and glanced around at the men scurrying around her. She still couldn't stop shivering. Jack waited for her to accept his word.
"You saved me from the other pirate. You don't know me, you're a pirate yourself, you didn't have to do that," she said, working it out. "And his men....could have turned against you! You risked yourself for me. So I believe you...."
Someone brushed past her at that moment and she flinched back.
"Listen up gents! This woman is Sarah, and she's under my protection! Anyone who lays a paw on her'll do without rum rations for three days! Unnerstann?" Jack issued his orders without taking his eyes from hers.
"Aye Captain!" came back to his, and her, ears. Jack nodded in satisfaction. Leaned closer, "That includes meself as well," with a faint leer.
"I'll put you back ashore. We'll have to give Barbossa time to sail away, then we'll come about. You'll be home by morning."
"I've nothing there to return to." Her eyes were downcast now.
Jack swung back around from where he'd been looking over the rail. "How's that, luv?"
"My parents are dead. I live with my aunt and uncle. He's arranged a fine marriage for me, to a man I've not the least interest in, and won't listen to me. Nor will he give me my inheritance until I do marry."
The word inheritance caught Jack's interest. The word marriage in the same sentence with it doused that interest. "Simple enough Sarah lass. Tell him the name of your favorite bonny lad that you'd rather marry instead."
The Pearl rode a swell and Sarah stumbled, grabbing the rail to steady herself. "No one else I'm interested in, I'm afraid."
"Then we'll put you ashore wherever else you'd like. You'll be free, luv." Jack offered her what he valued most in the world.
She seemed fascinated with the notion. "But I've nothing...." she nearly whispered.
"Surely a young lady such as yourself can think of something worthwhile. Have you any skills, talents, hobbies, favorite pasttimes?"
"None that would serve aboard a ship." Jack raised an eyebrow. "I can dance quite well. I'm a skilled horsewoman, proficient with weapons, and I'm quite fluent in a few languages."
"What languages?" Jack was becoming more and more intrigued by this woman.
She shrugged negligently. "French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese."
"Proficient with weapons, you said." Jack mused. "And you can dance? Show me."
Sarah actually laughed. "I'm about to fall down every moment I'm on this ship, and you want me to dance?"
The Captain smiled with her. "Very well, luv. Follow me around this ship. Mimic my movements and soon enough you'll learn how to roll your stride on a swaying deck, like an old hand you will."
Sarah did follow Jack, but quickly became dizzy. His movements suited him, she needed her own pace. Sitting on the deck, she removed her shoes and stockings, stowing them carefully in a coil of rope. Her bare toes felt better on the rough warm deck. Sarah found her own swaying rythm.
It was hard work, she was staggering with exhaustion, not unsteady legs, by the time Jack led her to his cabin a scant two hours later. "Sleep here dahling"
"But....this is yours."
"It's customary for a guest of the captain to have the best he can offer."
"But...no. I can't."
"You'd rather choose a berth among me crew?" He asked incredulously.
Sarah shook her head. "But where will you sleep?"
Jack grinned at her, gold teeth glinting in the candlelight. "I'm a pirate luv. I can sleep anywhere." And with that he left her to her own devices.
Chapter 2 - Attraction
Jack returned to his cabin in the wee hours to find her sitting up in his bed clutching the blankets. "Captain Sparrow! How can I sleep with all this rocking!"
Jack Sparrow regarded her for a moment. He could sort of, if he squinted really hard, understand what she meant. To him, sleeping on land was the difficult part. He stood silently staring at her for so long in fact, that she bit her lip and squirmed uncomfortably. Only then did he realize that she had stripped off her dress and was lying in his bed with only her chemise. He smiled suggestively, swaggering towards her and holding out the rum bottle.
"Try some of this, Sarah luv. It'll help."
She took it dubiously and took an experimental sip. "Going to turn me into a rumpot like yourself, Captain Sparrow?"
The pirate only shrugged and grinned roguishly. Sarah turned bright red when he began stripping off his belt, weapons, and vest. He sat on the edge of the bed and stripped off his boots, and she gasped as the bed dipped down from his weight. He glanced curiously over his shoulder at her and went right back to undressing.
She held herself absolutely still. He had promised not to hurt her. What if he expected that she would.....comply....with his demands? He interrupted her thoughts by standing up and taking hold of one of the pillows. He then went to the doorway, glanced back at her, and left. "Night Sarah"
She got up, padded to the portal and peeked at him. Jack was settling the pillow on the charts on his desk. Sarah stared at him for a few minutes, willing to sleep in that uncomfortable position for her sake, before she lay back and tried to relax, sipping a little more of the rum. She thought about getting up, telling him to lie down on his own bed, but every time she pictured them side by side, nervousness tightened her stomach.
His voice was so nice. It came from deep in his chest, and already she'd heard him sound commanding, threatening, and playful. His voice could have a rough purr to it that she.....liked. Quite a bit. A few sips again, and warmth spread through her, and lassitude. She slept.
The next two weeks passed in similar fashion. Some late nights, Jack found himself wandering into his cabin and gazing at the woman lying in his bed. Eyes wandering over her peaceful and trusting repose, he asked himself why he was keeping her at a distance. Inevitably, the answer came to him. When he brought her aboard, he promised her she had nothing to fear from him, and she believed him. She trusted him. All unknowing.
This night, she was restless, and stirred often. Jack stood close to her. At times, the temptation to scent that luxurious hair was nigh irresistable. And Jack was unaccostemed to denying himself what he wanted, so he would select a tiny braid and hold it beneath his nostrils. Like flowers, it was. Whole fields of them. Sarah rolled, and Jack let the braid slither out of his grasp, enjoying the silky slide from between the pads of his fingers. The shoulder strap of her shift slipped down, letting more flesh spill out, and a nipple was revealed.
Jack froze, staring at the little brown nub. The cooler air of the cabin combined with the fabric rubbing just beneath made it crinkle up into a tight peak. He knew now just how sensitive her nipples were, and felt such intense desire his stomach ached. Licked his lips, bending down slowly over her still form. This was an opportune moment, oh yes, the most opportune he could possibly have.
The fantasy formed, of himself blowing gently across it, taking it into his mouth. Jack's tongue actually came out and extended, hovering inches above her. She would wake.....
Jack knew how to seduce a woman. From the most proper lady to the loosest whore, he knew how to cajole, arouse, and reduce the staunchest objections to helpless whimpers. But with this woman he was frozen in the image of her recoiling in disgust and storming off. Never to talk to him again. Declaring her trust in him gone. His heart squeezed painfully and he backed away hastily, almost knocking things down in his haste to take his dangerous presence from her.
Bloody daft cow! He scolded himself once out on the deck. Gone moony over her, have you, ye idiot! Jack punched the wall he was standing next to, cursing. Then frowned and stalked off to find bandages and salve.
Sarah began to develop her sea legs. She had no seasickness at all, which Jack said was a good sign. She even began to be friends with some of the men and lost her nervousness of them. Once she was able to walk without wobbling, Jack demanded that she prove her skill in weaponry.
Nervously Sarah held the sword Gibbs had loaned to her, facing a Captain with a deadly serious face and drawn saber. He waited for her to strike the first blow, and he parried easily, pushing her blade with a hard snap that jarred her shoulder. Her eyes flashed in an irritated spark that Jack saw, and secretly enjoyed. She swept her blade again, this time at his midsection, and much more quickly.
That set the pace for the remaining exercise. Sarah was small, and light, and as a dancer very graceful. She was faster than Jack, but he was stronger. And when he began testing her footwork by pressing her in tight little circles, her discovered her lithe dancing. But in the end he forced her, with his taller and heavier stance, onto the deck.
Sarah's chest heaved, her knees pressed against the rough deck. She glared up at Jack who merely smirked at her. "Do you surrender?" My God, never had she heard a voice sound so like silk.
"Captain...!" Her own body and mind's reactions to this seemingly simple question rattled her badly. Her breath came even faster, her face flushed a deep red, and tears began welling in her eyes. She was not ready for the powerful jolt of attraction she felt for him.
Jack's face went from smirking to inscrutable. He sheathed his blade, turned on his bootheel, and stalked away. The crew suddenly found tasks elsewhere, and so she was left to stand up alone and find something to do.
Jack left her alone the rest of that day, but the next morning he suggested they go up to the crow's nest, eyes twinkling, practically bouncing with eagerness.
"Are you serious? Me, climb up there? Are you forgetting the days I wobbled, nay, half crawled over the deck?" Sarah half laughed. "And the nights I cried myself to sleep because of the rocking?"
Jack looked at her seriously. "I had no idea you cried yourself to sleep luv. If you'd told me, I'd have held you in me arms to comfort you." And a roguish look appeared on his face as Sarah gazed at him in sputtering shock.
He convinced her, of course, by sheer charm and force of personality. She climbed the rigging with him just below her, offering encouragement and even threatening to look up her skirts if she didn't make better time. About halfway up the breeze whipped harder, and she froze, unable to climb either up or down. She clung to the ropes which were biting into her hands, struggling to hold back tears. At some point, she knew, her shaking limbs would simply give out, and she would fall.
The ropes shook, and Sarah nearly screamed. Warmth pressed against her back, and the scent of rum was spicy and strong in her nostrils. "I'm here luv. Now climb." Jack's voice spoke gently in her ear. He was bracing her with his own body, tough brown hands right next to hers, and corded thighs bracing her own legs. With his help she made it the rest of the way, but then froze again getting on the platform itself. Jack had to climb over her and help her up.
There was a strong breeze and Sarah was almost queasy with the fear of falling or tipping. She clung to Jack, couldn't seem to make her hands let go. He allowed it, bent his head over hers so his long hair fell all around her face.
"Sarah. Sarah, you must look up. It's an amazing sight, I swear." His hands were gently caressing her hair and she couldn't breathe, couldn't look up.
Jack chuckled throatily and she finally found the courage to look up...right into his deep brown eyes. For a long moment they simply stared at each other. Finally his gaze flicked to her mouth and Sarah gasped. His hands were firm, almost rough, on her as he grasped her upper arms and turned her around.
Sarah cried out now, she couldn't help it. For spread out before her was the deep blue rolling sea in all it's vast expanse. The strong sea breeze blew into her face, teased her nostrils, and stirred her hair. Jack's arms went around her and his mouth breathed softly in her ear. "Beautiful."
Sarah fell in love at that moment. Whether with Jack or the sea she could not be sure, possibly both. For hours she stayed there with him, and he held her, saying nothing. Her last vestiges of terror of the sea vanished utterly during that time, and a deep love of it filled her in it's place. The beauty of it was profound, the endless rolling swells, the black depths, the sounds it made. It was lovely, and wild, and endless and exciting.
"Captain!" Mr. Gibbs called up. "We be needing you at the helm."
"Aye Mr. Gibbs. I'll be there in a moment." Though she knew he had been holding her the entire time, Sarah was suddenly deeply aware of the strength of his lean body into which she was leaning, the muscled arms around her waist, and realized that he had been occasionally nuzzling her hair while she was preoccupied by her splendid view. And she melted against him, completely unable to stop her body's reaction.
She turned around on weak knees and was met once again by that liquid gaze. Trying desperately to control herself and not seem a silly girl with a mad crush, Sarah stammered, "Thank you so much Captain.....err, Jack. This....was so lovely." Stirred by the power of her emotions, she then blurted, "It is so beautiful and wonderful!"
She was staring at him with soft desire in her eyes, longing in every line of her face. Like he was the most wonderful, strongest, most handsome man she'd ever known. Jack felt his heart lift, and swell. She was intoxicating!
Those soft lips curled up in a genuine smile of joy. "The pleasure is all mine, milady." No doubt of the innuendo in that purr! "Shall we descend to the deck so I may stand my watch?"
Captain Jack went to the wheel and Sarah went to the captain's quarters. She could not rest. Her body ached in ways that long ago she had put aside. She drank rum, sitting on the side of Jack's bed, and brooded. At one point she lay on the pillows and fell into a restless dream. Jack held utterly still for her, his eyes soft and open and melting, while she stripped off every layer of clothing from him. Sarah jerked awake from this dream with a soft moan, and took several more swallows of rum.
Just as she finished drinking Jack slammed the door to his quarters open and staggered inside. He appeared to have imbibed a fair amount more rum than she had, though perhaps not by much. He spotted her, stopped moving for a moment, and then smiled extremely roguishly. "Hello, Sarah. Need help getting ready for bed?"
He set his hat down on his dresser and swung towards her. Sarah was already off the bed by then, and they were circling once again, testing each other's footwork, with no swords this time. "Perhaps you are the one who needs help...getting ready."
"Darling...I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. I'm ALWAYS ready." They were face to face by now, and Sarah could not help laughing.
She wasn't laughing AT him, exactly. He was just the most supremely confident man she'd ever met. She covered her mouth with her hand to try and keep her tipsy giggles in. "Is that so, Captain Jack? I'm tempted to test that theory."
"Be my guest darling!" He spread his arms invitingly.
"Uhhh, perhaps I'll pass..for now. Tell me a story, Jack. A pirate story." Was it her imagination, or did Jack look disappointed?
They sat on the floor and drank rum, and told stories and dirty jokes. Sarah told him about her parents dying, one after the other of malaria, and being taken in by her uncle on the island where Barbossa captured her. He told her about aspiring to be Captain, and his deal with Davy Jones that later had to be broken. Sarah spoke of her first love David, the only man she'd given herself to, who sailed away from the island suddenly. She believed her uncle might have driven him off. And only three months ago her engagement was arranged.
"He's much older than me, and extremely rich. But it's not his age that bothers me....he's just so cold! No love, no compassion. Or so it seems to me." Sarah yawned hugely, causing herself to lose her balance and nearly flop back onto the floor. Her words had become more and more slurred. "I need to sleep Jack."
She tried to take off her stylish ladies boots, which were becoming quite worn and tattered after the time on the Pearl, though she wore them only half the time. Her fingers felt thick and stupid, and her eyes wouldn't focus properly. She couldn't do it. Jack brushed her hands aside and unlaced them for her. She gazed at his hands as he drew off her boots and the thin socks she had underneath, leaving her feet bare. His hands were nice. Very elegant and graceful, also quite strong.
She yelped when he unexpectedly tickled her bare feet. She jerked them back, but he grabbed her ankles and held her in place, still tickling her soles. Sarah fell back, giggling wildly. Jack released her ankles and crawled up her body swiftly. Sarah couldn't help groaning. He reached her face and took her lips in a sensuous kiss.
So soft his lips were. His tongue was firm when it slid between her lips and teased hers. He moved his head back and forth over her, kissing her more and more deeply. Jack shifted his legs and Sarah felt a hot hardness pressing between her thighs. She groaned into his mouth. Neither of them felt the Pearl rocking more than usual.
"Captain! There's a squall blowing up, a bad 'un by the looks of it!" Ragetti's voice, and a pounding on the door, startled them apart. Jack groaned a muffled curse and staggered to his feet. Casting a despairing and apologetic glance at Sarah, he grabbed his hat and strode off to do his duty.
It was indeed a bad squall. The Pearl rocked violently, groaning in protest as the wind lashed at her hard. Swells took her high, then tossed her down to the very bottom with near crushing force. It took all Jack's strength and skill to steer. At last his arms almost gave out, and Mr. Cotton took his place. Jack crawled, clinging to rails and ropes, to his cabin, and found it in disarray and Sarah clinging to the bed with the sheets wound around her to keep her in place, face deathly pale.
Jack was too exhausted to do anything more than strip off his wet vest, belt, and change his shirt. Then he crawled into bed with her, wrapped his arms tight around her, and pulled her face into his shoulder. Thus comforting each other, they calmed, slowly, and they slept.
< Chapters 3 and 4
