Just a Little Kidnapping

Chapter 1

"Well Commodore, I think we might just become chums in the time we're gonna spend together, what say you about that?" Jack said from where he was perched on the corner of his desk.

"Sparrow, just because I did not hang you does not mean I like you. Nor does it mean when I return to Port Royal that hanging will not be forthcoming." James huffed from where he was tied to a chair in the Pirate Captain's cabin. He had a pounding headache which was not made any better by the explanation Jack had just given him for his presence here. He had been in the tavern where he, Andrew Gillette, and Theo Groves had shared what originally was to be a few pints and had turned into a bit more than that. Jack had just finished some story about how a few of his crew had waited for him to exit the tavern and thumped him in the head with a rum bottle, dragged him off and brought him aboard the Pearl.

"Kidnapping an Officer of the Royal Navy is a serious crime Sparrow."

"Captain Sparrow," Jack said with a little frown at James and an impatient flop of his hands, then went on, "Ah, well then it's a good thing I didn't do anything of the sort now isn't it." Jack replied with a flutter of his fingers and a glittering smile on his face.

"I am on a pirate ship, your pirate ship I believe, without my consent, a fact of which I am sure, and undeniably tied to a chair. I would, as well as any person of reasonable intelligence, consider that kidnapping." James snapped irritably.

"All good points Commodore, as well as being mostly true." Jack held his fingers up and counted each point off as he spoke, "You are indeed on a pirate ship, me own fine Pearl as it were, and ya are inescapably tied to a chair, however on the point of consent we have a bit of difference. I did have consent, just not yours." He wiggled both his index fingers in James general direction as he added, "And really Commodore it is a bit of yer own fault you are even here."

James closed his eyes in frustration and clenched his jaw trying to hold in the curses that were fighting to get out. He knew better than to get into a conversation with a daft as a sweep pirate, yet here he was doing just that. He opened his eyes and glared green fire at Jack as he did his best to keep his tone as controlled as possible, although he couldn't keep all the disbelief out of it as he asked, "Am I to understand that you are now blaming me for my own kidnapping?"

"Well that's pretty much the case now isn't it." Jack said with a flip of his hand.

With the same glare James asked, "Would you care to explain?"

"Well it's all rather simple really," Jack said as he poured some rum into a mug and carrying it and the bottle, walked over to James, "Care for a drink Commodore?"

James thought about refusing, if on principle alone, but his throat was dry and scratchy and he figured he better take advantage while it was being offered. As daft as Sparrow was he could lock him away in the hold of the ship at any moment and forget all about him. He nodded his head and Jack held the mug up to his mouth so he could drink. Rum was not his drink of choice but he had to admit it was doing the trick in making his throat feel better. When the mug was empty Jack poured more into it and raised an eyebrow at James, "More?" James thought about it for a moment and then nodded his head. Jack once again assisted him in drinking the mug full then set it on a nearby table.

Jack looked at James, then around the room, and then back at James, "Now what were we discussin?"

"You were about to explain to me why I kidnapped myself." James said sarcastically.

Jack rocked back on his heels, pointed a handful of wiggling fingers at James, smiled, and said, "Oh right, good one Commodore." He took a drink from the rum bottle he held in his other hand and then spoke, "The young Turners are quite something don't you think? Didn't really see the Bonny Lass bein happy with the Whelp, I was rooting for you Commodore," He held both index fingers pointing up as he added with a serious expression and tone, "That'd be the truth of it Commodore." Then in a much lighter tone, "But he does somehow seem to be keeping her happy, least wise for the present." He paused for a moment as if he'd lost his train of thought, then with a happy little "Oh" he continued, "She being the Governor's daughter and all thinks it'd be her right to poke and prod into all manner of situations. And der William is such as one that hasn't gotten his sea legs yet when it comes ta reinin in the Young Missy. Mayhaps he never will, but mayhaps he will." Jack stopped again as if pondering this, then shook his head a bit to clear it, causing his beads and other sundry woven into his hair to clatter together as he returned to his speech. "Anyway one of these matters she decided to make her business was in fact the matter of one overly stuffy and stick up the arse Royal Commodore, namely the same Commodore what's now tied to a chair in me cabin as it were. That'd be you ya see." Jack ignored the glare James sent his way and went on, "Seems she was concerned you was workin yerself too hard and not takin near enough time out for enjoyin life. So she decided to act and fix the problem so to speak." Jack stopped and gave James a grin.

"She is not the one that kidnapped me Sparrow." James retorted.

"Aye Commodore, however she was the grand architect, so to speak, of the plan to make sure ya wasn't hold up behind that pile o parchment ya seem so fond of and get ya out and about."

"So because I take my responsibility as Commodore seriously I have been knocked unconscious, dragged aboard a pirate ship, tied to a chair, and forced to endure the company of a rum soaked daft pirate?" James retorted.

"Pretty much." Jack replied with a smile and a flop of his hands, then added, "Although the knockin in the head was the spur of the moment idea of one of the members of the crew that was sent after ya. He's not of much of a large stature hisself and I guess ya looked a bit formidable to him once he got up close." Jack said with a shrug.

"Indeed!" James snapped.

"You'll be glad ta know though Commodore I did speak to him on the matter and informed him next time ta go a bit easier on the thumpin."

"You have no idea how that comforts me Sparrow." James snipped.

"Aye, thought you'd be appreciatin that bit of information." Jack said with a smile and a flourish of hands.

"So just what do you intend to do with me?"

"Haven't quite figured that out as yet Commodore, although the bonny lass was insistent on makin clear she did want ya ta have a good relaxin time."

"And she thought having me kidnapped and tied to a chair aboard a pirate ship would be the way to accomplish this?" James snarked.

"Not sure she went so far as ta think out all the variables of the plan." Jack said with a little frown.

"It would seem not." James retorted, "So how long am I to enjoy myself being tied up in your cabin? Or has that not been thought out all the way either?"

"Now I have in fact worked that little part out on me onsies Commodore. Seein as you are mostly a reasonable man, and knowin now yer in no danger of bein harmed by me or me crew, barring any accidental accidents while aboard of course, I'm thinkin as soon as we are beyond the possibility of ya commandeerin a longboat and rowin yerself ta shore would be the opportune time ta be unbindin ya and allowin ya ta roam at will and begin the enjoyin as it were."

"And what makes you think I will not throttle you the moment I am free to enjoy myself?"

Jack gave him a pouty look and said, "Didn't think ya was gonna be such a poor sport about it Commodore. Sides I don't think the Young Lassie would appreciate that in the least, not to mention me own appreciation of such a happenin."

To Be Continued

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