Hands To Yourself

Jack stared at a stone-made table, holding a small golden chest. Silently approaching it, his mind raced, picturing what would be inside. Gems, gold, silver, jewelry, bonds, there were endless possibilities. With bated breath, and a silent and awaiting crew Jack lifted the lid of the chest.

"A key? He questioned with a frown on his face. The chest was empty except for an old key.

"A key?" Elizabeth repeated in question, and Tredd looked like he was near tears.

"Gentlemen….lady… I believe our reward will be delayed," Jack stated, examining the key in his hands.

"Delayed reward?" Nicholas asked with raised eyebrows.

"Aye," Jack responded. "This is only the first set of coordinates we are to follow, which means this key must be what helps unlock that which is locked concerning the other locations," he explained, still examining the key and glancing at Elizabeth. "Return to the ship," he instructed. They all turned around and began to wander through the caves system desperately hoping that they were going the right way.

A few hours later they stopped for a rest. Jack walked over to Elizabeth and sat down next to her to offer some water.

"Doin' alright darlin'?" he asked, passing the flask towards her.

"Of course," she replied, quickly accepting the flask.

"Just checkin'. Are you ready for the next coordinates?" he asked.

"Yes, I am fine. Glad to be heading back to the ship though," she commented. "Thanks Jack," she whispered.

"For?" he said, confused at first.

"For saving me when the ground fell through."

"Don't mention it love," he answered with a smile in place.

Elizabeth studied him for a moment, the way he gazed at the key he'd recently discovered, and the far off look he had in his eyes. Her eyes then moved to his hair, and all the trinkets and items that were woven into it. Once he noticed her staring and lost in her own thoughts, he grinned and gave her a wink. Laughing his gesture off, she stood up and brushed off her bottoms.

The group continued on in search of the exit. Within another few hours, they saw orange light emerging from around the corner.
"Finally!" Tredd exclaimed. One by one they stepped out of the dark, damp cave and into the Caribbean sunset. "Where are the boats?" he questioned aloud. Jack sighed and looked around the beach.

"This ain't the same entrance we came through," Hodge gruffly stated.

"Aye, it appears so," Jack agreed. "Well at least we're outta those caves. We'll just camp here tonight and make our way around the island tomorrow morning," he instructed. The part of the island they were on had little to no trees available, so they were unable to build a fire. Elizabeth was once again going to sleep in the cold darkness, except this time she had some sand and the waves to lull her to sleep.

Settling in on a cleared part of sand far enough from the water, she lay down and gazed up at the stars. Her stomach ached for warm food, and she suddenly looked forward to helping Coneley again in the galley. Everyone else seemed to have drifted off, snores coming from Nicholas and Tredd. Focusing on the next day and sunlight it would bring, she shut her eyes.

Across the group of sailors, Hodge lay on his side examining the only female in their party. Captain's already asleep. His hat's o'er 'is eyes. Wouldn't hurt just to have a taste. Just a taste. He's taking too long. Inconsiderate it is, only reason he saved 'er is 'cause of this new journey he's on most likely. Damn fool. He continued to have a conversation in his head, pondering his desires. Less crew here and everyone be asleep already. Now seems like my chance. He sat up, glancing once more at his sleeping captain. Shifting onto his hands and knees, he crawled over to the sleeping form of Elizabeth.

Feeling a rough hand on her mouth, Elizabeth's eyes shot open. On top of her was Hodge, her least favorite crewman of the Pearl. Grinning and showing silver teeth, he put a finger to his mouth to indicate her to be silent. She immediately tried to scream, but his big hand over her mouth prevented any audible sound over the waves crashing against the shore. Fear shown on her face as his free hand slid up her shirt and she began to squirm and thrash against him. Elizabeth was no fool. She knew what Hodge was planning in his head. Realizing her arms were too weak against his large form and strength, she panicked. His advances were getting closer to his destination, and the feel of him touching her was unbearable. Using the only thing she had left that moved she thrashed her legs in hopes to kick him. It was no use, and she looked around the beach at the other sleeping men through the darkness. Not being one to give up or go down without a fight, she continued kicking. Digging the toe of her boot into the sand, she flung it upwards trying to throw sand. Heart racing, she instantly pictured Will. The thought brought tears to her eyes as Hodge pressed on and roughly groped her.

Jack thought he heard something, but assumed it was his mind playing tricks on him again. Dismissing the thought, he relaxed and focused on the calming waves. It wasn't until he felt sand hit his pant leg that he realized his mind was not fooling him.

Snapping his eyes open and shifting his hat up, he immediately reached for his sword. Elizabeth was visibly struggling underneath the form of Hodge, who was groping and grabbing at her. Without even thinking Jack thrust his sword into Hodge's shoulder, causing him to cry in pain and roll onto his back. Moving the point of his sword directly in front of the sailor's throat, Jack glanced at Elizabeth to see if she was hurt.

"Violating a member of me crew now Mr. Hodge?" the captain asked in a gruff yet serious voice. At the noise of Hodge's scream, Tredd, Nicholas, and Cotton had woken up from their snoring slumber. "Tredd!" Jack shouted, nodding at Hodge on the sand clutching his profusely bleeding shoulder. Upon hearing his name, Tredd scampered over to his captain, sparing a glance at Elizabeth panting on the ground. "Bind this filthy pig with rope until I decide his un-regrettable and painful fate." Tredd did as he was told without question while Nicholas and Cotton stared at Hodge, then Elizabeth.

Moving towards Elizabeth, Jack's eyebrows scrunched together and his eyes softened.

"Are you alright?" he asked, holding out a hand for her.

"Yes, thank you," she whispered, and accepted his hand which pulled her to her feet. Once Hodge was secured, she felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. Jack ushered her away from the crew and sat down on the soft sand. "Some Pirate King," she muttered to herself, disappointed that she just required his help.

"None of that love," Jack interrupted her thoughts. Slowly, she lowered herself to a seated position next to him. "He will be punished, you have me word," he offered with a comforting smile.

"Jack," she said, trying to form a response. Instead she just placed her smaller hand on his, feeling the coolness of the many rings decorating his fingers. At the contact he twitched, but soon gave her hand a comforting squeeze as his startled hand relaxed.

She and Jack sat off to the side, away from Hodge. Eventually she drifted off to sleep, her body exhausted. Jack wasn't able to sleep much however, and spent most of the night glancing over at Hodge while formulating a plan for punishment. The thought of just shooting the bastard right there on the beach crossed his mind, but instead he decided he wanted to make an example out of Hodge. Elizabeth slept soundlessly next to him, her breathing even and steady. Looking out at the water, he could see the faintest traces of light and knew that morning was on its way. He pulled out the key they'd retrieved and studied it. The pirate captain was unsure what the next set of coordinates would bring, but hoped that it was relatively more shiny than the old key he was holding.

A few hours later they had boarded the Pearl. Jack had Hodge immediately sent down to the brig, and when Gibbs gave him a confused expression Jack whispered in his ear to explain. Elizabeth strolled into the galley to greet Coneley.

"Well hello Miss Elizabeth," he said cheerfully.

"Mr. Coneley," she greeted with a smile. He handed her some meat he'd saved from breakfast which she gratefully accepted. Before he could even ask what they found on the island Jack waltzed in.

"Elizabeth, we need to go over charts love," he said. Turning towards Coneley to give him a wave goodbye, she followed Jack to his cabin where Gibbs was waiting.

"How ye feelin' lass?" Gibbs questioned as soon as he saw her. She then knew by the look the first mate gave her that he knew about what happened with Hodge. She cast a glare at Jack and told Gibbs that she was just fine. Looking down at the floor, embarrassment caused her face to redden.

"Well then," Jack said, changing the subject. "I'll be needing the next set of coordinates love." Elizabeth wrote them down and Jack started to map out the next destination. After giving Gibbs the heading, just Jack and Elizabeth were left in his cabin. She looked down at the map on his desk, studying the various islands and scribbles.

"I should go help Coneley. He'll start preparing lunch soon," she commented and turned to leave.

"Elizabeth," he said, stopping her. "I rather you not be sleeping with the crew any longer. After what happened, ye never know," he spat out.

"Where am I to sleep then? On the deck?" she asked in disbelief.

"Course not love," he motioned around the cabin. "Me cabin is easily large enough to accommodate two."

"Jack!" she rolled her eyes. "Am I suppose to trust the most well known womanizer to sleep in the same cabin as me, to behave himself?" she replied with thick sarcasm.

"Dear 'lizabeth. Ye have me word I'll keep me hands to meself. Swear on it," he promised with a grin. "It's really more of a precaution, I wouldn't want 't be responsible for one of the men havin' 'is way w-"

"Enough!" she interrupted him, flaming red again. "I'll grab my things and bring them up here," she stated, and left to collect the few possessions she had brought with on their journey. She returned shortly and put her things in the corner out of the way. Jack had gone out on deck to give orders and take his place at the help. Standing alone in the cabin she realized she was very tired and longed for a nap. He won't be in here for a while, I'm sure that I can lay down for just a bit. An hour at the most. She helped herself to the large bed off to the corner behind a curtain. Elizabeth immediately fell asleep once her head hit the plush pillow.

Jack stood at the helm, nursing a bottle of rum and humming to himself.

"Jack, why was Miss Elizabeth carrying a trunk into yer cabin?" Gibbs asked skeptically, standing next to the captain.

"Just trying to prevent any more incidents similar to what Mr. Hodge caused," he answered.

"Ahh, you mean she'll be staying in your quarters captain?" he asked in disbelief.

"Aye."

"She agreed to that?" Gibbs continued to question.

"Not that I'd give her much a choice if she didn't, but yes. She agreed. I can't let anything happen to our King now can I?" Jack said, taking another swig of rum and offering it to Gibbs.

"Aye. Surely you know what the crew will think though sir," the first mate pondered, accepting the rum and looking down at the working crew.
"Gibbs, it does not matter what the crew things. I'm the captain. I make the rules, savvy?"

"Just sayin'. Unless what they would think would be the truth?" he asked, giving Jack an insinuating look. Whipping his head to face Gibbs, Jack's jaw dropped.

"Must everyone have such poor opinions about me morals?" Jack shot back. In response Gibbs rolled his eyes and handed Jack the bottle of rum back to return to his duties.

A/N: Apologies for the delay. I've got most of the next chapter written already. It's been easier for me to hand write some of this story when I am not near a computer, so it takes me a while to type up everything. I hope you guys like this chapter, and please LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!