Parts 16 - 20

Posted: August 2003
Author: Haleth

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Chapter 16 - Wild With Desire

Wasn't there some way Captain Jack Sparrow could make this damned ship go any faster? He'd had enough of a delay with the time he'd had to spend rounding up his crew, in assorted states of drunken debauchery and recreational stupors, and hadn't hauled anchor until almost dawn.

Tessie claimed it was a two-day trip to Port Royal, but Jack knew he could make it in a day and a half. He'd get there just after nightfall on the second day if all went well. His frantic pacing and yelling of orders escalated until Gibbs intervened.

"We can handle this, Captain. We'll get you there faster than any other ship on the ocean, but not if you keep up like that. You want another mutiny? It's bad luck to cut off their shore leave, don't make it worse." Gibbs shoved Jack into the captain's quarters, like an errant schoolboy.

Blast, this was worse than being on deck. He could still feel how slowly they were moving, even if it was faster than any other ship. But he couldn't do anything other than sit at the table and drink, or lie on the bed and think. Neither one a particularly wise course of action.

"Will, you didn't marry the girl. Please, let it be because of me," he muttered drunkenly at about midnight. Twenty-four or so hours after his heart leapt out of his chest when he found out the wench had married the Commodore instead of his Will.

Sprawled out on his bed, the captain's bed, Captain Jack Sparrow sighed heavily. Who wouldn't want to be the lover of a self-made man, the captain of his own ship, a loveable rogue such as himself?

All he wanted was to look into those chocolate eyes, stroke those carved-from-marble cheeks, run his fingers through silken curls. Was that too much to ask?

He wanted to hear that smooth, lyrical voice again, watch those soft lips move as the words tumbled out, maybe catch a glimpse of a wet pink tongue. Surely, that wasn't too much to ask.

He wanted to run his fingers over smooth, firm chest muscles, stroke hardening nipples under his fingertips, hear - no feel - the low inexorable purr of Will Turner becoming sexually aroused.

Okay, perhaps that was a bit much to ask. After all, he was a cad for bedding both the father and son. However, there was a decade between the two, and the resemblance was uncanny. Deliciously uncanny. Jack stripped off his shirt and waist wrap, opened his pants, and settled in for another not-quite-satisfying session of imagining Will Turner.

There he stood, on deck. The ship was deserted. Will wore nothing but those oh-so-delightfully tight trousers. Will's chest almost glowed in the moonlight, a light sheen of sweat picking out the contours and highlights beautifully. He smiled shyly at Jack and reached out his hand.

Lovely, big strong blacksmith's hands. Rough in a pleasant way. Long, powerful fingers. Jack looked down. Lovely long toes too. He was possessed by the urge to make them curl.

Ah, how convenient. A sail folded, lying on the deck, waiting to be used as a comfortable bed. Excellent things, these fantasies. Will lay back on the sail bed, chestnut hair spreading around him in rich waves. Jack knelt down and buried his face in the silky tresses. Hmm, deep breath in and the scent of spicy vanilla, getting stronger as he moved his nose further down to nuzzle Will's graceful neck. One quick lick and Will was purring. Enchanting.

He ran his hand over tight arm muscles and his tongue across Will's elegant collarbone. So strong, but so finely sculpted. Just perfect. His hands sank into tumbling locks and he pulled Will forward to capture his lips in a searing kiss. One always kissed searingly in a fantasy. When Jack pulled back he looked deep into Will's chocolate eyes.

"Jack, please," Will moaned. "Please, don't ever leave me again. Say you'll be mine forever."

Jack sat up, startled. This wasn't his fantasy Will. Fantasy Will would have said, "Please, Jack, I need you inside me right now." Or "Fuck me rotten, Jack". Or "Let's have a proper swordfight now," and waggle his eyebrows in a comically seductive manner. Not ask for pledges of eternal commitment.

Jack tucked his cock back into his pants. The moment was spoiled. This was going to be a long night.

* * *

Will Turner pulled the red-hot sword and laid it across the anvil. He'd been working from dawn to dusk without a break, and he'd not slept much the night before. His usual impure thoughts had been accompanied by a strange prickling sensation. He tingled all over. As if something was about to happen.

He glared down at the sword. A commission for that bastard Norrington. He was such a smug bugger, that Norrington. He never actually said anything to Will about Elizabeth changing her mind, but Norrington made sure Will knew that the Commodore was the chosen one every time they encountered one another.

Will brought his hammer down on the too-brittle steel. The sword shattered, shards falling on the dirt floor. Damn, that was the end of work for tonight.

Will went out the back door to the rain barrel and, after looking around to see that no one was watching, took off his shirt to splash the cool, refreshing liquid over his face, chest and arms. That was better.

He was determined to get some sleep tonight, and to do that he would have to chase all thoughts of a certain pirate out of his mind. He'd been thinking about it for some time, and tonight he would finally do it. He would visit one of the brothels down by the warehouse district.

* * *

Captain Jack Sparrow could barely contain himself when the Black Pearl dropped anchor on the other side of a tall rock outcropping, not far from the harbour of Port Royal. It would take a while to row around, but he couldn't risk the Black Pearl being seen. The whole crew was sure Norrington had it in for them, and Jack agreed.

He wasn't sure what he would say, how he would approach the boy. But tonight was the night. He used the time rowing to imagine various scenarios but they all seemed to end in ridiculous proclamations of love and commitment. If he couldn't find the boy, he promised himself, he would at least get laid, if only to put his mind back on the proper track.

* * *

Will approached the seediest part of town with caution. There were several houses of ill repute. He'd been listening to gossip from various clients and rough looking characters for a while, so he knew where to look. They all looked appallingly squalid and intimidating. But he chose one and marched forward. It would be worth it to get a good's night sleep.

He was immediately surrounded by women when he entered the door. They ran their hands through his hair, pawed at his chest, someone squeezed his left bicep, another pinched his right butt cheek. His head reeled. An older woman came out of the back room and shooed the girls away.

"Well, a right fine looking man you are, aren't you? What can we do for you this evening?" She smiled at him kindly, sensing this was his first time, and hoping the girls hadn't frightened him a way. Not that you could blame them; it wasn't often a select specimen like this one walked in the door.

"Well, I um, that is, I would like to, ah…" Will felt himself blushing, and all the girls made little cooing sounds when they saw the pink rise up his cheeks. So fresh and young and innocent.

"Like some pleasant company for the night then, well, take your pick." The madam swept her hand in the direction of the now-giggling whores. "Tell you what, let me pick for you." If she let him choose they might be here all night before he got up the nerve.

Will followed a pale redhead wearing a very low-cut bottle green dress up the stairs. He had no idea why he'd thought this would help. It was only making him nervous and he felt no desire for the woman. Perhaps when she got started he would be able to reciprocate.

* * *

Jack was more than disappointed when, after what seemed like hours of rowing and lurking around in the dark, dodging soldiers and passers-by, he made it to the blacksmith shop, only to find it boarded up tight for the night. He worried that the boy might have left town after not marrying the strumpet. But with the shop locked he couldn't check, and his discrete knocks on the door had not brought an answer.

He couldn't very well pound on the door and demand entry in a town where he was most likely wanted. He might have to find a quiet place to wait for morning. He circled the building and found the rain barrel, with the ground around it still damp from Will's ablutions.

"What's this then?" he murmured as he spied Will's sweat soaked shirt, discarded on a crate beside the barrel. He raised the damp clothing to his face and inhaled deeply.

God, yes, it was the boy's. Sweat from a long day of labour and the spicy aroma of the one and only Will Turner. Jack's cock hardened instantly. He rubbed the coarse fabric over his face. Yes, this was Will's; it couldn't be anyone else's. He stuffed the shirt inside his own and rubbed it against his chest, nipples tingling from the contact.

There was no way he could wait till morning. His cock was throbbing painfully just from smelling the lad's shirt. Waiting outside in the dark when Will might be sleeping inside, that would be sheer torture. Bloody blacksmiths, you can't break into their shops. He'd have to come back at dawn.

In the meantime, he figured he'd find the disreputable part of town, get himself a drink of rum, and maybe even a willing whore with a friendly mouth. It wouldn't really be cheating on Will. After all, he didn't even know if Will wanted him. It would just be a way of releasing some tension. Just a mouth. He hobbled awkwardly down the back alley, in search of the seedy part of town. Probably not far from the docks.

There it was. There were a few likely candidates. Jack picked the closest one. It was a bit fancy and swanky for his taste, but he was in a hurry. The scent from Will's shirt, still nestled against Jack's chest, rising as the garment warmed against his skin, was driving him wild with desire.

* * *
Will found himself with his arms full of redhead, his mouth full of the redhead's tongue, and no desire to continue at all. She had, he supposed, an attractive enough figure, which he couldn't help but notice since she was pressing her breasts up against him, placing his hands on them, urging him to give her a good squeeze. But he couldn't stop his mind from wandering to Jack Sparrow's hard, flat chest, browned by the sun and gleaming with sweat. Flat, hard nipples were just so much more appealing to him.

The redhead grabbed his hand and placed it around her waist, on her delightfully plump bottom.

Jack never got the chance to grab Jack's arse, but he knew it would be firmer than this, that he would feel the muscle under the skin flex under his hand.

Will found himself backing away.

* * *

Captain Jack Sparrow followed a deliciously buxom young lady with bright scarlet lips down a narrow hallway. The tart giggled when he gave her bottom a playful slap.

"Just wait till we get to the room, luv," she sighed and quivered artfully. Then she stopped in front of a closed door, after hearing sounds of discord.

A shrill voice that made Jack grimace came from behind the door. "Come on love, you've paid and there ain't no money-back policy here, so let's just let's get on with it, eh?"

"I'm sorry, it's just not, not what I really want. You can keep the money, I'll just go."

This voice was lower, smoother, and made the hairs on Jack's neck stand on end.

The door flew open and Will Turner spilled into the hallway, right into Jack Sparrow's arms.

He looked at Jack with wide, dark eyes and stuttered. "Oh, my God! Jack. I, uh. This isn't what. I mean, I've never…"

Jack leered lasciviously for a moment only, and then his smirk was washed away by relief at finally having the object of his lust and desire in his arms. He tightened said arms around the lad and leaned his body up against Will's. Just a hard yet pliant as before, but with even more muscle on his lissom frame. Perfect.

"S'okay, luv, it's a free port. You can do what you like. But I'd prefer it if you did it with me," the pirate drawled.

Will jumped back. He had to push hard to get the pirate to let go of him. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I don't know if you noticed, mate," Jack whispered with a conspiratorial tone to his voice, "But you appear to be smack in the middle of a house of ill-repute. Now, you may be here on a social call, but I construe a somewhat more salacious motive, savvy? And if this lovely young thing," he motioned to the redhead, "Can't satisfy you, I thought that I might, perhaps, be able to help."

"Well, you thought wrong!" Will could not believe this rogue's presumptuousness. Assuming that he wanted Jack. Assuming that he would want Jack at all after Jack had hurt him like that!

Jack grinned. Ah yes, the old, proper, indignant Will Turner he knew and lusted after.

It was going to be fun, seducing the whelp all over again, Jack thought as he rushed through the city's darkened streets after Will's hastily retreating figure.

But seduce him he would.

---

See the Interlude1, All Tessie's Children for more.

---

Chapter 17 - Perfect Moment

Will Turner burst into his little room behind the blacksmith shop and slammed the door shut. This was just too embarrassing to be true. How, during the one time in his life he'd ever had the nerve to… could the only person he'd ever… and he didn't even… but it looked like he did. Now Jack would think he was low and unworthy and common.

His shirt was gaping, where that woman had pulled it open. His hair was tangled and wild. His pants were uncomfortably tight. How did that happen? The whole time the redhead was pawing at him he'd felt nothing. His cock was as limp as a wet noodle. Now it was raging hard to the point of pain.

It must be all the excitement.

Jack Sparrow rounded the corner and hurled his body at the back door of the blacksmith shop. Unfortunately, Will had been in such a panic he'd forgotten to lock it.

Jack flew through the door, through the air, past a rack of very sharp swords and the anvil and landed with a crash on a stack of metal rods, thankfully not very sharp. He staggered to his feet, accompanied by the sound of falling steel and the smash of a glass bottle on the floor.

So much for making a dignified entrance.

Will rushed out of his room to see the pirate standing amidst the knocked over metal and other detritus. Jack swayed in the dim light, kerchief askew on his head, chest heaving.

Jack staggered forth. "You knew I knew where you were going. Did ya haf' to bloody run?" Jack took in a deep, shuddering breath and looked at Will from head to toe.

White linen drooped enticingly off one almost bare shoulder. That must be his good shirt. Trust the charming boy to change into his best shirt for a trip to the whorehouse, he thought approvingly. Now what's this? Those pants were way too tight in certain places. In fact, the lad was almost busting out of his britches. Jack couldn't help staring at the enticing bulge between Will's legs.

Will shifted nervously. "I've never done that before, and I didn't even do it this time!"

Jack nodded. "Don't worry, luv. We all need a little fun now and again."

Will stepped forward, immediately regretting the move as it brought him closer to the heat that radiated off the pirate. But he had to make his point. He made eye contact with Jack to press his point home. Another big mistake. The pirate's black eyes were swimming with lust and Will felt his cock twitch. "No really, it was the first time. I've never even, I mean, you were the only one." Now he just felt foolish. Admitting such a thing to someone like Jack. How childish did he look now?

Jack thought for a moment, never letting his eyes leave Will's. This was very interesting.

"Just leave me alone!" Will blurted out and turned to run to his room.

Jack caught up easily this time. In fact, not realizing how tiny the room was, he caught up so well he careened into Will when the younger man suddenly stopped, and the two men fell to the narrow bed.

Well that was fortuitous, Jack couldn't stop himself from thinking. He only hoped he didn't say it aloud.

Will struggled beneath him, which only served to enflame the pirate more. He twisted and ended face to face with the pirate. Not good. Way too close.

Jack frantically grabbed Will's hands. The boy did have a tendency to flail in sexually charged situations. And since it worked so well last time, Jack placed a single, chaste kiss onto the knuckles of Will's clenched right hand. "Please don't run away from me again." Jack whispered.

Will stopped struggling.

"I came here looking for you."

Will gave a short, sharp laugh. "Really? Then what were you doing in a… at the…"

Jack raised an eyebrow. "You can't even say it, can you? Dear Will, I do believe you're telling the truth about never having…"

"How can you doubt me?" Will started struggling again, which unfortunately for him, but fortunately for Jack, happened to bring his highly aroused penis in direct contact with Jack's equally erect organ.

Jack couldn't stop the moan from escaping, but he was able to keep himself from pinning Will down and ravaging him senseless. Barely.

"I can't. Not any more. And I'll tell you the God's honest truth, but you've got to stop wriggling around like that. It makes it difficult for me to think!"

Will stilled himself.

"I came to find you, you weren't here but I found your shirt." Jack pulled the damp garment out from inside his shirt. "And, well, I wanted you, mate. I'll not lie. But you were not to be had, so I sought, as it were, well, some relief." Jack took a deep breath and tensed, half expecting Will to punch him in the face and willing to accept that. Violent contact was better than no contact at all.

"Don't you mean you wanted my father?" Will spat out.

"No, no, luv. It's you I want, I know that now." Jack stuffed the shirt back against his stomach. If the boy threw him out, at least he'd have his scent on the shirt.

"How?"

Jack opened his mouth to speak. The tale of Bootstrap would take too long. He wanted the boy in his arms, preferably unclothed, as soon as possible. If he let slip about Bootstrap he wouldn't get to feel that hard, lithe body naked against his own until well after they'd made the bloody journey back to the island Jack had just raced here from.

"Will, things are different now. I've been thinking about you ever since the last time I saw you. I know it's you I want." That would have to do for now.

The furrow between Will's brows deepened. No one ever looked so lovely, Jack thought. Will stared at his hand, still held in Jack's hand, frowning and fretting and generally being altogether shy and adorable.

"Me too," Will spoke at last, in a quiet voice, as he bravely raised his eyes to meet Jack's.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I went seeking… relief. From my thoughts of you. I shan't lie either."

Jack wasn't sure if he'd heard correctly. Perhaps his ears were full of water. Those sorts of things can happen to pirates. Or maybe there was something in the rum he'd drunk earlier, something altogether more hallucinatory than mere rum. That sort of thing had been known to happen too. Or perhaps his frustrated libido had caused his mind to be taken over by his cock.

He brought the back of Will's hand to his mouth again and made an experimental kiss. Seemed solid enough. He snaked out his tongue and licked, from wrist to knuckles. Dry, not much taste. Not enough evidence to render a verdict. There was nothing else for it. He leaned down and touched his lips to Will's.

The taste filled his head immediately. The essence of Will, and a hint of what must have been a fortifying shot of rum. The soft lips gently parted under his, so Jack felt obligated to glide his tongue between them and savour the spicy warmth within. It was stronger than he remembered it, more powerful. His tongue probed deeper and Will's mouth opened more, inviting him in, urging him in. The first time their tongues touched reminded Jack of the first time he'd been struck by lightening.

The body beneath Jack opened up as well. Will wrenched his hands from Jack's and grasped Jack's shoulders, pulling him closer. It burned when their semi-naked chests touched, making Will whimper in delight. He moved one leg to the side and Jack slid into the space created. Their hot arousals pressed against each other, hard.

This was what Jack had been dreaming of for two years. And what Will had tried not to dream of, with little success. It was a perfect moment.

Until there was a loud banging on the front door of the shop.

"Open up, in the name of the Royal Navy!" a loud voice insisted.

Will and Jack broke apart, flustered.

"Open up, Turner! We know you're harbouring a fugitive!"

"Blast, that madam must have turned me in!"

Will ran to the window. "Quick, Jack, there's no one at the side, climb out this window, I'll stall them."

Jack looked from the window to Will's frantic face. "No! I'll not be running away from you again."

Will looked desperate. "Jack, please," he hissed, "You're a wanted man. You'll hang for sure, and I can't let that happen."

"Then come with me. You say I'm wanted – prove it, lad. Join me on the Black Pearl!"

Loud thumps issued from the front door.

"They're trying to batter the door down, Jack. Get going."

The pirate didn't move. Stubborn to the end.

Will was beside himself with worry. He couldn't bear the thought of Jack being arrested. He had to do something.

"All right, I'll go. But this is blackmail, and you'll pay for it. Bloody pirate!" Will was grabbing a few essentials, his coat and the sword he kept by his bed for protection. These he tossed out the window. "I simply can not believe I am doing this." He grabbed the sill, twisted his broad shoulders sideways and lifted himself up and out through the window.

Jack had the most delightful five seconds of the last minute when he watched Will's tightly clad rump wiggle through the narrow opening. If the whole of the Royal Navy came busting through the door at that moment he might have died a somewhat happy man. But why settle for that when there was so infinitely much more to be had?

He leapt out the window.

---

Chapter 18 - Patience is a Virtue

Captain Jack Sparrow was once again enjoying his favourite view. Will Turner bathed in moonlight and rowing toward the Black Pearl. This time his shirt was on, but it was somehow even more enticing than naked Will, the way the neckline drooped down over one shoulder revealing a strong, tanned shoulder and the upper corner of a smooth chest.

Of course, the added knowledge that the boy had a raging erection, courtesy of the Captain himself, increased his enjoyment exponentially.

They'd had a bit of a rough time getting out of Port Royal, racing through the dark, doubling back, avoiding the rapidly increasing search party. They came out of the warren of back alleys and pathways too far up the beach from Jack's rowboat, so they'd had to borrow this one from some random fisherman. It leaked horribly and Jack's study of Will's poetry in motion was interrupted by frequent bailing on Jack's part.

The boat got them within reach of the Pearl when it listed violently to starboard and the two men, clutching swords and coats in hand, swam the last few yard and climbed aboard. Soon they stood panting and dripping on the deck.

"You didn't marry Elizabeth," Jack stated plainly. Of all the things to say, why did he have to bring her up? Where did that come from?

Will shook his head gravely. "No, and I could tell you the story behind that, but does it really matter?"

The boy looked embarrassed. Jack felt his fists clench. What did the wench do to embarrass him? He would make her pay if he got the chance.

Jack became aware they were not alone. "Let's move out, Gibbs." Jack ordered.

"Not without Anamaria," Gibbs protested.

Anamaria? Bloody hell, where was she? Jack could not believe how unreliable his crew could be at times.

"She's visiting someone, promised to be back by dawn. We can't just leave her, it's not like she fell behind, sir." Gibbs looked Will up and down and smirked. Looked like Jack had at least started to have his way with the lad.

"We weren't followed, Jack. We can safely wait until dawn, can't we?"

The captain turned to regard the young man before him. Better than any fantasy he'd ever had. And he'd had plenty of fantasies about Will Turner standing beside him on deck in the middle of the night. But dripping wet like that, he was just too succulent for words.

"I don't need advice from a whelp who was at sea for a week two years ago." Jack barked, but the glimmer in his eye betrayed his real response to Will. "A word with you about your attitude is in order, Mr. Turner."

Will's brow crease deepened in misunderstanding.

"In my cabin, Mr. Turner."

Will grinned. Quick lad, that one. "Aye, sir."

Jack willed himself to not run across the deck. He was positive looked foolish enough all ready.

Inside the cabin. Jack took a deep breath. Alone inside his cabin with a dripping, horny, thoroughly debauched-looking Will Turner. Who was at that very moment pulling his drenched shirt off over his head and revealing a set of perfect abdominal muscles, gorgeous well-rounded pectorals and rock hard pebbles for nipples.

He really should tell the boy his father was alive.

Where the hell did that come from? This was bordering on absurd. How could he, Captain Jack Sparrow, think of such a thing at a time like this?

Will was standing inches away now, so close Jack could feel hot breath on his cheek. Will's damp hair trickled water onto Jack's shoulder. Black lashes half-hid glimmering chocolate eyes. A single drop of water trailed horizontally across Will's face, tracing the contour of one perfect cheekbone.

"What is the word you wished to have with me, Captain?" A low, soft voice and well- rounded vowels had never seemed so sexy. Pink tongue snaked out to moisten parted lips.

He'd tell the boy all about his dad. In the morning.

"Desire." Jack said hoarsely. "I believe the most apt word under the circumstances would be desire."

He needed that tongue between his lips right away, or he might never breathe again. He sucked the slick muscle into his mouth and moaned around it. Never, never would he let the lad out of his sight again. This was just to good to ever give up.

Will practically clawed at Jack's shirt, but it didn't remind Jack of Bootstrap at all. He was solely focussed on Will, and it was overwhelming.

"You can truly not conceive of how long I've been waiting for this," Jack mumbled.

Will grinned as he pulled Jack's shirt up over his head. "Have you never learned that patience is a virtue, Captain Sparrow?" He kissed the pirate's shoulder. "And that good things come to those that wait?"

Will bent his head down and attached his mouth to Jack's left nipple. He swirled his tongue around the rapidly hardening nub and sucked it gently, worrying it between his lips.

‘Did I teach him that?' Jack wondered vaguely. Will's mouth was hot on his chest, Will's hands were firm on his waist. Will made the most delightful little whimper that reverberated in Jack's chest cavity and spread heat down to his toes then back up to his cock. ‘God, yes, I taught him that. I must be a genius.'

More, Jack thought. But he found himself unable to speak.

Will trailed his tongue, flat and wet, up Jack's chest, up the side of Jack's neck, over Jack's jaw and deposited it directly into Jack's mouth. Where it belonged, for now.

The two men were locked in a tight embrace, attempting to shuffle toward the bed without removing their tongues from each other's mouths. Thankfully, it was a calm night and the ship was not rocking too aggressively. No one got hurt when they fell to the mattress.

A rush of cool air filled Jack's lungs to capacity when Will finally withdrew. Ah, so in spite of the fact that he'd had the boy's tongue in his mouth, he had not in fact been breathing. Or perhaps, because of the boy's tongue in his mouth. No matter. He had air now and would use whatever strength or sustenance he could extract from it to heighten his attack on Will's senses.

He was leaning over Will's prone body, tongue posed to scorch a path from mouth to neck to chest and down to that delectable navel that he still yearned to tonguefuck when the inevitable, not to mention predictable, knock came on the door.

"Sir, there's a boat rowing toward us."

Jack pulled his tongue back into his mouth. Not now, please.

"Sir?"

Oh, for the love of god. "It's probably just Anamaria, Gibbs. Wait till she's on board and then we'll make way."

"There are three people in the boat, sir."

Jack looked down at Will. "I simply can't take responsibility for this, savvy. It has to be you. You undoubtedly have the world's worst timing."

Will smiled shyly.

"But you more than make up for it by having the world's most entrancing smile."

"Patience, Jack"

* * *

Back on deck, and hastily re-dressed, Jack stared hard at the boat making it's way to the Pearl. It looked like women. Three women. One had her hair piled up on her head, and when she moved her head sparkled in the fading moonlight.

"It's that bloody madam, I'll wager she's the one who alerted the authorities," Jack spat out. "What the devil is she doing?"

"I'll warrant she plans to double her reward money by promising to not tell where the Pearl is, sir." Gibbs' hand strayed to the knife he wore in a sheath at his waist. "When she comes aboard I'll chop her down."

Will was appalled, and he looked it. "How dare you suggest killing a woman!"

Every pirate within earshot shook their head. Poor kid. He didn't understand how serious it was to turn someone in.

"You can't just kill her because you suspect ill will. I won't stand for it."

Jack quickly stepped between his first mate and his lover. Gibbs looked ready to attack the whelp.

"What is wrong with you people?"

The men turned to see Anamaria climbing over the side of the boat. "You're resting here like you own the island. The navy is on alert. They're preparing to set sail and hunt you down, Captain Sparrow." She glanced at Will. It was pretty obvious Jack had at least begun to have his way with the boy.

The madam's head appeared over the top of the railing.

"Back, you traitor," Gibbs warned.

"Is that a way to be treating a guest?" Anamaria slapped Gibbs across the face. "And my sister!"

Sister! Lord, was the woman going to collect a relative at every port Jack set anchor in?

Marina DeMaurier hauled herself over the railing and stood in front of Jack. "I suggest you get yourself out of this harbour, dearie. No longer safe for Captain Jack Sparrow in these waters."

"You have a nerve to tell me what to do after turning me in." Jack retorted.

Marina laughed. "You think I would turn you in? What about honour among outcasts? You turned yourself in, running through the streets like that, everybody and his brother saw you!" She stepped to the side, in front of Will, and ran an appraising eye over him. He'd obviously been interrupted in the middle of someone having his way with him. Most likely that roguish captain.

Will was mortified. The madam. From the brothel. A movement to his left caught his eye and he saw red hair emerging from below.

Now his humiliation was complete. Not only the madam but the harlot too. And the two of them were now standing in front of him, openly staring at him. Until Anamaria slid her arms around the redhead and distracted her by kissing her neck.

Will's eyes widened. He'd never seen that before.

The redhead smiled and turned her head to catch Anamaria's mouth in a mildly frantic kiss. Jack and Will weren't the only two to be interrupted this night. Marina had dragged the two of them out into the night when she heard about the search party looking for Jack Sparrow, which would lead them to Will Turner, whom she did not want harmed.

"Well, brother, have you nothing to say to me?" Marina demanded.

Will blinked. Was this some special way that people in the underworld talked to each other?

Marina let out a throaty laugh. "I'll wager a night's earnings that my mother has a hard time keeping her hands off your father, if he looks half as much like you as Anamaria says."

Will blinked again. Stunned. The woman may as well have been speaking Latin. He could not comprehend what she was saying.

Jack sensed the hand approaching fast a split second before he felt the slap across his cheek.

"You bastard, you didn't even tell him!" Anamaria yelled. "What, were you waiting to have your way with him before you told him his father is alive?"

Will swivelled to face the woman pirate. "What?"

"Alive and well." Anamaria added.

"And married to our mother. Welcome to the family, little brother." The madam embraced the blacksmith with genuine fondness.

The pirate captain coughed.

Will turned on him with real anger in his eyes. This wasn't like when he was angry before. This was seething. Pure ire. "My father is alive?" he said through gritted teeth. Perfect, white, even teeth Jack so desperately wanted to feel grazing his skin and nipping at odd intervals. "And just when were you planning to tell me this?"

Jack shrugged nervously. "Well, I was, of course, waiting for the opportune moment."

"Captain, they're shoving off!" came the cry from the crow's nest. "The Interceptor II is leaving dock!"

"Now is not the opportune moment, Will, if we both wish me to avoid the hangman's noose. We'll talk later."

He hoped.

---

Chapter 19 - Jack's Apology (from Jack's POV)

"I realize how difficult it must be for you to understand why I neglected to tell you about your father's miraculous cure from the Aztec gold curse. It must be, well, nigh unforgivable in your eyes, and if I may interject a personal observation into the proceedings, I would add that your eyes are without doubt the most beautiful eyes I have ever had the pleasure of looking into."

Beautiful, melting chocolate eyes, so soulful, so emotional. And a little bit dewy. Uh, oh.

"Don't give me that look, Will. That hurt look. Please, you promised to listen."

Oh, there's the brow crease. I wonder if I lick it, will it go away or will it deepen. Either way, what joy.

"Only to stop you from mooning at me when I was trying to work. It's becoming an embarrassment, Jack. All the other pirates are laughing at me."

Mooning. I'll admit to that.

"Who laughs at you? I'll have them drawn and… oh, right. No special treatment. You don't need my protection, eh? Big, strong lad like you can take care of yourself. Big, strong, muscular… really Will, what have you been doing these past two years? Your shoulders are just so broad and your forearms are…"

The veins pop out when he works hard, and there's nothing more tantalizing than seeing Will Turner pulling a rope with his sleeves rolled up. I love watching his hands grasp the really thick ropes, seeing how strong they are, watching the muscles in his forearms bulge. And when he has to brace himself to pull hard his thigh muscles strain against his trousers. If I'm really lucky, I'm standing behind him.

"I've been working long hours trying to forget you."

But you had to keep working, didn't you? because you couldn't forget me.

"Ah, yes. Hmmm, well, sorry I was distracted for a moment there by your body."

Which I'm afraid I shall have to completely ignore for the time being if I'm ever to apologize properly. Must get this apology over with so we can move on to the forgiveness phase.

"So, where was I? Your father. Yes, I ran into your father, quite literally, on a little island west of here. I could take you there now, but I'd rather wait until we know we aren't being pursued by your Commodore Norrington."

Can't let the Commodore take me away now, not when you're so close, we're so close.

"He's not my Commodore!"

I should say not. You have a Pirate Captain. Everyone knows that beats a Commodore any day, and you, my dear, sweet boy, are a winner.

"Quite right. As I was saying, and if you would cease interrupting I could tell you about your father in an all the more timely fashion, I ran into your father and he told me about how he survived the curse."

While I was thinking about kissing him, but I won't say that out loud.

"I know all that. The other pirates told me."

Blabbermouths. Bloody pirates, you tell something to one of them and soon everyone on the ship knows it. There are no secrets. And I so wanted to be the one to tell him.

"Right you are. So William, your father, took me home and introduced me to his wife, Tessie, Anamaria's mother."

With whom he is in love. Which is a tragedy and a gift at the same time.

"I know that too."

Getting a little irritating, that.

"Well what don't you know?"

Come on, challenge me!

"Why you didn't tell me right away that my father was alive!"

Damn. I knew he would say that.

"Oh, that. Well, it's complicated. There are a lot of factors and variables and the like. Chains of events, that sort of thing. That being said, I feel the best course of action is honesty. Partially because so many good people say it is the best policy."

But more importantly because it worked so well before. And for it to work, I really need to have you looking me in the eye, and not staring at the floor as if you want it to swallow you whole. Not that I wouldn't like to swallow you whole. All in due time.

"It had better be a good reason, Jack."

Good reason. If you mean logical, defensible, and understandable I may be in serious trouble.

"You."

You were so luscious and sexy and tempting and perfect.

"Me?"

You.

"Will, I went to find you. Don't say ‘I know that', I know you know. Listen."

How on earth do you make your eyes go so wide and dark? I swear you're enchanted. You're enchanting. I can't afford to make another mistake.

"When I mentioned your father, I did think of him, and it was callous, terribly callous of me to make a comparison. Wait, don't leave, let me finish."

You see, you got up to leave, and me having to grab your arm to keep you from leaving, that just gets me all flustered. I'm just going to have to spit it out.

"It was lust, at first. I saw how much you resembled your dad, and I missed him. But it wasn't only that, it's more than that. I was attracted to all of you, Will. Not only the parts of you that're like your father."

If only I could separate them in my mind.

"And the more time I spent with you, watching you, I was overwhelmed by lust. I'm not proud and it's not an easy thing to admit, but I was a slave to my lust."

Of course, I really wanted you to be a slave to my lust, but we'll get to that later.

"Frankly, Will, when you chose Elizabeth I was crushed. I tried to move on, but thoughts of you plagued me, haunted me, kept me awake at night."

I almost wore out my wrist, I was thinking about you so often.

"And when Tessie told me you weren't married to Elizabeth I was ecstatic. I thought there was some chance. So I rushed to Port Royal to find you, to tell you everything. But you weren't there and I was, seriously, in agony. I told you that already, and you can't possible fault me for going to a whorehouse when you were there too."

Even if you were running out of the room in terror and I was preparing for a thoroughly satisfying session.

"But I didn't do anything, you can ask Charlotte!"

Charlotte. Oh, why had that hussy decided she wanted to stay on my ship? And why did I allow it? To make Anamaria happy, that's why. I need to keep Anamaria happy so she'll keep her big mouth shut. Gibbs was furious about having another woman on board, and the crew was practically salivating, but Anamaria was keeping the strumpet all to herself. And Will had actually struck up a friendship with the girl, once he stopped blushing. Not that I mind when Will's blushing. In fact, I'm quite partial to it.

"I know you didn't, and neither did I because the moment I saw you I wanted only you."

That night and every night.

"That's all very flattering Jack, but it still doesn't explain…"

Do I have to spell everything out for you?

"Will, I saw you and all thoughts of your father fled my mind. I could only see you, only think of you, only desire you. I forgot to tell you. I planned to but you took my breath away. And these past few days at sea, being so close to you, hearing your voice, has been torture enough. Please punish me no further."

Or punish me all you like, as long as I get to touch you. Oh, look, he's licking his lips. Wish he was licking my lips. He's running his hand through his hair. Wish I could run my hand through his hair. Is that a good sign? He won't look at me. And the brow crease is deepening. Try to look honest, Jack, in case he looks up. He's looking up.

"I understand."

Understand what?

"I understand how you forgot, how you got carried away. I did too."

Excellent.

"That doesn't necessarily mean I forgive you."

Damn.

"But, Jack, I'm willing to put it behind us. But first, I have to tell you the reason I didn't marry Elizabeth."

Please let it be me!

---

Chapter 20 - Confession

"It happened a few months after you and I parted. I was courting Elizabeth, and I suspected she was upset about something." Will fidgeted with a loose thread on the cuff of his shirt. "At first I thought she was worried I might try to take advantage of her, which of course I would never do."

Jack nodded sagely. Never.

"One day we went for a walk in the garden. She was leading, I followed. We came to a secluded little grove. And," Will blushed, "She threw herself at me. I mean literally. She landed in my arms, and I fell over and barely managed to break her fall. So she was lying on top of me."

Jack nodded again, biting his lip. Mustn't have a jealous outburst, it would spoil everything.

Will looked distressed at the memory. And why wouldn't he? Shameless hussy throwing herself at him like that.

"As it turns out she wasn't worried about me taking advantage. She was actually quite frustrated with my lack of, um, action."

A feeling Jack could relate to. He almost felt sorry for the girl. Almost.

Will stood and began to pace. "She kissed me, quite savagely, and then she started to unlace her bodice. I told her it was dangerous, that someone might see, but she grabbed my hand and placed it… put it…" Will stopped pacing and looked over at Jack, who was sitting on the edge of his chair, tensed, like a panther ready to pounce. "Surely you don't need to hear any details of this."

But he did. He found himself quite inexplicably eager to hear.

"Then Elizabeth," Will frowned, "Miss Swann, that is."

Mrs. Norrington, actually, but Jack wasn't about to quibble.

"She grabbed me." Will gestured vaguely in the direction of his groin. He remembered the feeling of her soft breast beneath his fingers, her wet lips on his, her small hand curling around his hardening cock. Her little teeth nipped at his neck. She grabbed his other hand and pushed it up under her skirt. There were still a couple of layers of petticoat and the like between her and his hand, but he could feel the heat emanating from her. And the unfamiliar wetness. "And pushed me down and kissed me again. Well, I started to get quite aroused. And then," Will stopped pacing and turned to face Jack. "And then…"

Yes, and then.

"Captain Sparrow, The Interceptor II is headed towards us!"

Blast that Gibbs.

"Jack, you can't allow them to catch you!"

Will was out the door before Jack could even speak. Was it always going to be like this? Would they never be able to finish anything!!!

By the time Jack got on deck, Gibbs, Anamaria and Will were in a heated debate about how to deal with the approaching vessel.

"We must fight them, that's all there is to it." Will seemed determined to bring about his own demise in defence of his would-be lover.

"We can outrun them." Anamaria protested.

"I knew it was bad luck to have all these women on board."

The Interceptor II was indeed gaining on them. Jack didn't want to risk Will's safety in a fight. But the only way to avoid a fight was to give himself up to their pursuers. Definitely not an acceptable course of action.

"I've got an idea!"

The pirates, experienced and inexperienced, turned to look at the harlot, who had joined the conversation uninvited.

"I beg your pardon, wench?" Jack's teeth were clenched. This woman really irritated him.

"I've got an idea, I said." Charlotte stood with her hands on her hips defiantly. She looked alarmingly like her girlfriend's mother. Was it true, then, that some people were attracted to their own parents? "Swing toward that island, there," she pointed west. "You can row to the island, we'll try to outrun the Interceptor II."

"We're short two boats already. If the Interceptor caught up and damaged the Black Pearl, there wouldn't be enough boats for the crew to get to safety." Will said.

True, Jack thought. He'd had to abandon one boat in favour of the leaky fisherman's boat, and Marina took the other back to shore. That left too few boats for the crew. And it was so incredibly thoughtful of Will to recognize that fact.

"Those empty barrels, there. You could fit in one, there are air holes." Charlotte gestured towards the barrels.

Jack shook his head in a patronizing way. "I think they might think to look in there, luv."

"Let me finish, will you? We'll toss the barrels in the water."

Jack was appalled. He'd barely known the woman a few days and she already wanted to kill him.

"The current will send you straight to the beach if we drop you in the right spot. If they catch us, you won't be on board. We'll tell them you went ashore somewhere else, headed for Tortuga. If they don't board us, it's all the same, and we'll come back and pick you up in a few days." Charlotte finished with a satisfied smile.

"But what would stop them from going to the beach to see what's in the barrel?" Will asked. Always so practical.

Charlotte gave him the kind of look usually reserved for small children and complete drunkards. "We'll throw some other barrels and stuff overboard as well, so it looks as if we're trying to lighten the load."

"And when we pick up speed and outrun them, they'll think it did the trick," Gibbs added.

"And they probably won't even see the barrels if we time it right, they'll be blinded by the sunset," Anamaria added.

"It's crazy, but it might work." Will pulled one of the empty barrels over. "Get in Jack."

"Me? I'm not getting in any bloody barrel and being thrown overboard. I'll not be marooned on some god-forsaken spit of land. That's not the same spit of land is it?" He squinted. "No, it wouldn't have any trees left if it was."

"Don't worry, Jack. I'll be in a barrel right next to you."

Jack couldn't believe his ears.

"If they're looking for you, they'll know I'm with you. We were seen together in Port Royal and I've been missing for days. If they find me, they'll suspect you're close by. We go together."

"And what's to keep us from suffocating? Or sinking?" Jack looked into the barrel. It was too small, and it would never float with his weight in it.

Charlotte pushed him toward the barrel. "It weighs a lot more when it's full of flour or rum. Besides, we used to float downriver in barrels when I was a child all the time. A little breathing hole in the top and you're set. Trust me."

Now, why on earth would Jack trust a scheming little wench who probably wanted her girlfriend to become captain of his ship?

Because Will was already climbing into a barrel, that's why. "We'll need an axe, a sword and something to make a tent out of," Will folded his legs and crouched down. "And let us pray we don't drift to far from the island."

That was that then. Jack couldn't let the boy go alone. He grabbed a few essentials, making sure he and no one else was in possession of his compass, and climbed into another barrel.

This was the most insane thing he had ever done in a long career of notably insane acts.

It was absurd. Like something you might read in a children's book. He was jostled harshly when the barrel was shifted to the edge of the deck. Someone said something about waiting until the angle was correct. He hoped it wasn't the harlot, and that someone else was doing the math on this one. If he was dropped in the wrong spot he might be living out Bootstrap's watery end for real.

He looked over to see the top of Will's head, messy curls, protruding from the top of his barrel. Gibbs held the lid close to Will's head. "See ye in a few days, lad."

Will nodded, then held up his hand. "Wait, one second. Jack?"

Jack struggled to raise his head out of the barrel. "Something you wanted to tell me?"

"Yes." Will turned his head so Jack could see the top part of his face. Jack could se the blush rising up Will's face. "Jack, the story I was telling you. I didn't finish. I said your name."

"What?"

"Your name, it was your name I said out loud, when I was, um, you know…"

Gibbs was studiously looking the other way, trying not to listen.

Jack was stunned. Next thing he knew, the barrel was pitch black. He cringed at the tightness of the space, the closeness of the air.

The barrel was damp, clammy on the inside. It smelled faintly of lemons, but it's more recent cargo had been something much dustier, judging by the constant tickle in his throat. He knew, theoretically, that one swift blow with the hilt of his sword would open the top. But that didn't stop the lid from seeming to close in on him nearer with every second that passed.

And young Will Turner, in the heat of passion with his ladylove, had called out the name of Captain Jack Sparrow at the moment of truth. She must have been livid. Jack smiled in spite of his current situation.

Then he felt weightless as the barrel was pushed off the edge of the deck and he plunged to the sea below.

*****

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