The Secret of Hell Water

(A/N- This is the R rated version of Chapter 16, because I'm paranoid that I might get in trouble with ff.net if I post a full blown lemon.  For those of you who are interested in reading the lemon, the NC-17 rated version contains explicit sex.  It can be found on my website.  You can get a link directly from my bio page. The NC-17 version is for adults only! YE BE WARNED! )

(A/N- Part 2- HUZZAH!!! *dances the jello dance of happiness* I'm SO sorry this chapter is late.  I got majorly busy over the last few days and lemon takes a damn long time to write.  I hope you enjoy it! Technically, this is the last chapter.  However, I am considering writing an epilogue. So keep yer eyes open for that in the next week or so. 

And once again, I would like to thank all my WONDERFUL reviewers!! I LOVE you all! You keep me interested in writing this fic. I had no idea it would be so well received!  Particularly because it's a Jack/OC fic and a lot of fans seem to roll their eyes at that. But I did my absolute best to create a character that I felt was deserving of our beloved Captain Jack.  =)

Some individual  responses:

Evilspoofauthor1sven: LOL- I'm so sorry, it seems like every chapter I write is a cliffhanger isn't it? I can't help it. I do try though!! I could end them in MUCH worse spots, couldn't I? ^_~

Mrs. Sparrow: Am I a writer? *Blush* Ohhh—I'm way to flattered! Thank you!  But sadly no… Not in a professional sense.  I write fanfiction purely for my own enjoyment (and all of yours, of course!).

- And now, on with the story!

Chapter 16- Fulfillment

            Jack opened his eyes reluctantly as the first glow of morning entered through the windows of his small cabin situated at the stern of his ship.  Exhausted from the work of the past few days, the he'd had little trouble falling asleep that night. It had been a long and dreamless sleep.  As he lay staring up at the wooden beams of his ceiling, Jack mused over the realization that he hadn't had as restful a night as that in a long time.  He usually was only able to sleep so well after an extensive night of drinking. But, seeing as he'd gone to bed last night completely sober, he wondered if strenuous exercise wasn't quite as under-rated as he'd supposed it was.

 As he rose from his bed and reached for his shirt, his muscles ached out in protest.  He grimaced slightly and did his best to stretch.  His body felt as though it had been put through a ringer. Which, when thinking back wasn't quite too far from the truth.  In the last two days, he'd nearly gotten himself killed more times than he would care to count.  His muscles and swimming expertise had been the only things that saved him.

            And a certain mermaid…

            Memories of Emma and yesterday's encounter came back to him slowly.  Jack pursed his lips as he reached for his frayed, dirty red and white striped sash, and wound it around his waist, buckling it in place with a worn leather belt.

            " She'll be waiting for me, I s'pect…" He thought, glancing over at the front door.  " She usually just comes barging in here." He dug into his vest pocket and fished out her dagger.  He turned it over lightly in his hands, and peered at the door again through the corners of his eyes, a sly smile of anticipation crept across his face.

            He slid it back into place, donned his coat and hat, and then marched out the door into the full brilliance of the early morning.  The sun had just shed its first rays of light over the horizon.  Jack paused for a moment to take in the splendor of the view.  The sky was colored with light purples and blues, casting colorful shadows on the scattered clouds in the distance.  The bright rays of the brand new sun made the waves dance with shimmering gold.   The effect was breathtaking.  His smile widened, he had a very good feeling about this day.

            There were a few murmurs of "Good morning to ye, Cap'n." from the nearest crewmembers.

            Jack looked about him discreetly for the familiar honey colored braid and billowing gray skirts of the petite female soon-to-be pirate.  However, his eyes only met with the disappointing view of a lot of dirty, unwashed pirates.  He pursed his lips and began to walk the length of his ship, keeping a sharp eye out for any sign of Emma.

            It soon became apparent that she was not on deck. He wondered if she was still asleep, and considered if he should ask anyone.  But decided against it as soon as the thought struck his mind.  He was not about to let anyone think he cared. He was Captain Jack Sparrow, after all.

            After searching the crew's quarters, Emma's bunk, the galley, the hold, the brig, and every other nook and cranny he could think of… he came to the grim conclusion that she was no where to be found on the ship.  He wandered idly a bit longer, feeling a strange numbness settle over his mind, and eventually found himself at the far stern, staring off into the distance at the trailing wake of the ship.  His feet moved underneath him with the familiar rock of the vessel instinctively.  His idle hands twitched, and he brought one up to caress his braided beard.  The other he planted firmly on his hip. His brain began to work again slowly, calculatingly…

He thought he'd had the girl figured. He had been sure that she wouldn't leave his ship. She'd wanted so fervently to join his crew. But now… maybe his judgment had been wrong?

            The corners of Jack's eyes wrinkled as he squinted into the distant horizon, as if he was hoping to catch a glimpse of Emma jumping out of the water in a farewell salute.  His hand dropped from his chin and clutched the rough wooden railing as his eyes alighted on sudden unexpected movement in the distance.  His back stiffened and a tiny breath escaped his lips before he realized that it was nothing more than a family of dolphins.  Jack paused, watching their play as one by one they jumped high up from the water, spinning and falling broadside back into the turbulent waves with a splash.  He relaxed, watching them shrink into the distance.

            Well, if she was gone, then there was certainly nothing he could do about it. Was there? What hopes would he have of finding one mermaid in the whole of the Caribbean? It would be easier to find a needle in a haystack.  Well, it was nothing a good splash of rum wouldn't fix when he arrived back in Tortuga.  At least, he hoped that would be the case.

            Jack gave an ugly grimace; his good mood had dropped considerably within the last half hour while he'd been searching the ship.  He thought of The Black Pearl in a last, vain attempt to lift his spirits.  Thinking of his ship was usually enough to make him forget anything that bothered him. However, this time was the exception. He couldn't make himself feel better.  His ship seemed suddenly empty at that moment.  There was something missing from the scenery.  Knowing perfectly well what it was, he let out a low grumble, feeling just as angry with himself as he was with Emma's disappearance. Why should he care whether she was gone or not? Why should he? He was Captain Jack Sparrow!

 He turned quickly on his heel to march back to his cabin to see if he could find anything fit enough to drink to put him in a nice, alcoholic stupor. But before he took two steps he ran straight into an unexpected figure.

Emma fell back with a tiny grunt of surprise, catching herself just shy of falling over.  She looked up at him with a frown; her unnaturally dark blue eyes sparkled with a flare of anger.

" I've been looking for you all morning." She said impatiently.

" Oh?" Jack found it exceptionally difficult to recover his cool in that instant, as just moments ago he'd been convinced that she'd jumped off the side of his ship and left for good.  His right eye twitched noticeably as he swayed back and surveyed her from head to toe.  Her eyes were red and puffy, she looked even paler than usual, and she'd not bothered to arrange her hair that morning. Her clothes were thrown on in an unusual careless manner. The skirt was heavily wrinkled, as if it had been slept in, and one sleeve of her white chemise was slipping down off her smooth, rounded shoulder.  All in all, to him she looked good enough to ravage in that instant. 

 He squinted his eyes, not giving any indication of his previous discomfort.  " I've been right here, love.  Waiting for you, actually..."

She seemed to soften at his calm tone of voice, and then took a deep breath, slowly letting it out with a half-hearted laugh.  Then, as an afterthought, tried to smooth her skirts unsuccessfully with nervously shaking hands.

" Oh, I was up late last night."

" Ah-" and a smile alighted on his face.  " Next time ye have trouble sleeping, I'd recommend a good strong drink. Ye can never go wrong with that."

"… Yes…" She pursed her lips, " I suppose I'll try that next time."

There was a long pause, where neither spoke. Finally, Jack cleared his throat and swayed back on his heels, peering down at her through half closed eyelids.

" Have ye given my proposal further thought, then, love?"

Emma's cheeks colored and she briefly nodded her head.  " I… I would like to join your ship.  And… sail under your command, Jack."

" That would be Captain Jack, to you now love." Jack corrected her with a grin.

" Captain…yes sir." She said timidly.

Jack shook his head.  " Jest Captain if ye please, love."

" Yes, Captain." She said again, feeling the heat in her cheeks rising even higher.  Was he playing with her now?

" Miss Emma." Jack's tone was suddenly very stern, and she straightened, looking up at him. " Hold out yer hand, lass."

Emma obeyed and Jack caught her extended wrist in his firm grasp. He dug into his pocket and brought out a shining white object, obscured by his palm.  He deftly twirled it in his fingers and righted his grip, then before Emma could utter a sound, cut a wound at the tip of her pointer finger deep enough to leave a scar in the shape of a rough 'P'.

Emma stood completely awestruck. The first thing she'd noticed was that he was holding the Blade of Neptune in his hands, the second thing was the sudden sting as it sliced through her flesh, and the third thing was that the wound tingled like it was on fire. She clutched her hand away in pain, wincing visibly.

Jack straightened and lowered the blade, watching her curiously.

"Yer official now. A member of me crew." He flashed a suave, gold-toothed smile at her.

The pain in her finger was gone as soon as it had come.  She glanced down at the wound in shocked silence as the blood collected at the edges and slowly seeped out, running down the curve of her finger in a tiny rivulet.  Normally, a cut as minor as that would have healed over in a second.  But she bled as normally as any human being would.

She thought she'd cried herself dry last night, but nevertheless, when she looked up at him, two tears slid down her cheeks of their own accord.  She gasped, not knowing what to say. Her heart was completely full.

" J…Jack…"

" Captain!" Jack corrected her again, then, as an afterthought, he took her uninjured hand in his and pressed the hilt of the bone knife into it.  Her fingers wrapped around the blade and she peered down at it speechless.

" That's yer share of the swag from Hell Water, Love. I can give it to ye, now that yer a member. Spend it wisely."

" You… you had it." She whispered. " You had it this whole time?"

" Not until well after we'd left Hell Water." Jack spoke up quickly, raising his hands in defense.  He could sense a slap coming. " I… I must have taken it from the bugger back during the struggle. But I didn't remember none o' that until later, savvy?"

" But… you had it…"

" I must confess… I was sorely tempted to keep it for meself." He admitted grudgingly.  " But on the other hand, ye deserved it.  And so I figured a compromise was in order." He pursed his lips and continued on, staring avidly out at the rolling blue horizon.   "I would give ye the choice. It would be fair compensation for my solidarity if ye did decide to leave…"

Jack trailed off and frowned down at the girl. Emma continued to gaze at him, her face was screwed up, as if she was trying very hard to keep her emotions under check, but failing miserably.  Another tear slid down her cheek, leaving a shiny trail in its wake.  He didn't know what to do in this situation. He hated it when a woman cried in front of him; it always made him feel terribly inadequate.

            Emma, on the other hand, was feeling a great mixture of emotions, and didn't know whether to laugh out loud, cry, or slap him silly.  Her heart was so full with the knowledge that she'd finally achieved what she'd been waiting so long for.  Her hand clutched the dagger tightly and she gazed up at him.  He'd deliberately hidden it from her.  She'd almost left on a wild goose chase to get it back… and he would have let her!  He would have let her just jump off the side of the ship and be gone for no reason.

But… she'd decided to stay.  A part of her knew the whole time that she wouldn't be able to leave the ship… leave him.  And the look in his eyes as she gazed up at him told her that he knew it too.  Once again, the allusive Captain Jack Sparrow had read her mind as clearly as an open book.  He was a sly one, and she'd once again walked straight into his trap.  He'd played off of her to get exactly what he wanted. Her allegiance, her gratitude, her heart… and it had worked too well.  She realized that she couldn't be completely angry with him.  His last words he'd spoken suddenly rang through her mind…

"Compensation for solidarity?" She thought suddenly. Her eyes alighted as the full meaning took hold.  It was probably the closest thing Jack could come to saying he cared for her.  If he was willing to give up a treasure such as that, if it meant keeping her by his side… it was a strange, unorthodox declaration… but one nonetheless!

A calm descended upon her as she made this discovery. She looked down at the reddened mark on her finger, and then pocketed the knife, and wiped the blood away on a handkerchief she took from inside her bodice and stared down at the wound with renewed awe.  It started bleeding again almost as soon as she'd wiped the blood away. She pursed her lips in consternation; she did not know how to make it stop.

"Best thing to do is apply pressure," Jack said haltingly. He reached his hand out and she extended her finger towards him hesitantly.  He took it between his thumb and forefinger, and pinched it tightly, giving the blood time to clot. 

Emma stared at him in amazement as he kept all his attention down on the task he'd set himself too.  It was like a dream come true.  She realized that she could not be angry with him.

Jack's eyes alighted on her for a moment, and then he flicked them back down to her finger.  The flow of the blood had sufficiently stilled, and he released her. He stepped back and swayed slightly on his feet in his usual subconscious manner, watching her avidly.

She was calm once again, and seemed to have reached some kind of conclusion in her mind. The tears stopped, and she stood a little straighter.  Then, she looked up at him with a surety that made him smile. She was back to her normal self again.

Then, without a moments warning, Emma brought her hand back, and slapped him hard.  Jack grunted as his head snapped around with the force of it.  He worked his jaw and grimaced, bringing a hand up to rub the sting from his cheek.

" Aye… that'll do." He said idly, and looked at her with a hint of reproach.

Emma returned his gaze with defiance.  "THAT… was for making me think I'd come all that way for nothing." Then she flashed a sly grin at him and shot up onto her toes, kissing him boldly.

Jack instinctively brought his hands up for an embrace, but she deftly slid out of his reach before he could get there, and stood a few feet away grinning at him like a cat.

" And…" bewilderment, and a hint of annoyance was present in Jack's voice.  "That was for…?"

" That was for this." She said, lifting her marked finger straight up into the air.  Her grin turned triumphant and she peered at it again, to make sure that the scar was still there.  "It... It hasn't healed yet. Look at it. It's beautiful."

Jack frowned contemplatively and craned his neck to look at the finger, then shrugged.  " Ye've got a strange definition of beautiful, love.  It's only a 'P', not that good either.  It looks kind of like an 'D' from here, actually."

Emma flashed him an incredulous look. " That's not what I meant."

" Well then, next time, say what ye mean!"

" I'm not getting into THAT again with you!" She argued, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks once more. " Besides, that's my line!"

He returned her flustered look with mild amusement.  " I don't take that kind of tone out of me crew, savvy? So it should be no different with you. There's a code to uphold, after all."

Emma faltered at the sudden change of subject. " Code?"

" Aye, do well to remember that, love."

" What… are the rules?" She asked hesitantly.

" Ye should have asked that before ye decided to join my ship!" Jack said with a grin. " But, I'll humor ye, just this once." And he leaned forward for emphasis, taking off his hat and set it down lightly on a crate that was sitting beside them.  His eyes alighted on her with a familiar, unsettling intensity.

Emma pursed her lips, a little flustered despite her best attempts to hide it.  She did not like the mischievous glint in his eyes.  She knew it all too well. He was thinking dirty thoughts.  Her eyes strayed to his lonely hat, and, for lack of nothing better to do, and a desire to fidget; she reached down to pick it up.

" Rule number one!" Jack said as he swept it up before she could touch it.  Emma jumped back a little startled at his sudden ferocity. " Never touch my hat, savvy?"

Emma blinked as he planted it firmly on his head again.  " That's rule number 1?"

" Aye!"

" Really?"

" Rule number two." Jack continued without batting an eyelash at her incredulous stare.  " Ye must always obey the Captain, when he gives the orders."

"Well, that one makes sense…" She said with a nod. " And?"

Jack raised an eyebrow at her and then grinned. " That's them, love."

" That's ALL of them? Don't touch your hat, and obey the captain?"

" Aye! Well, aside from the usual code… who falls behind is left behind… and if ye steal another pirates share of swag, ye'll hang by the yardarm… we're pirates, after all." And he cracked his usual mischievous grin at her.

It was like his glance was a magnet that wanted to pull her too him.  He threw his head back, displaying both rows of shiny metal teeth and ogled her appraisingly.

"So… Captain Sparrow." She said, trying hard to keep her voice steady.  " What… are my first orders?"

" I'll tell ye when I think of them." He gave her a sly smile and took a step towards her. Emma retreated a step, fully conscious of the intense gaze he directed at her, and knew exactly what was on his mind.   Part of her was fully amenable to his advances, but caution was one thing deeply ingrained in every woman, particularly when the man in question looked at her like a very succulent piece of meat ready to be put on the fire. 

Suddenly, Jack straightened and redirected his gaze to look over her shoulder. A look of amusement swept across his face, and she chanced a look behind her.

            The entire ship was watching them. Most of the pirates had huge gap-toothed grins on their faces.  She turned bright red in that instant. How much had they seen? Had Jack prepped them for this? She wouldn't put it past him; he seemed to enjoy making her life a whirlwind of ups and downs.

She glanced back at Jack, wondering what he was going to do, but the pirate captain just looked down at her appraisingly.  Then, quite suddenly they heard a great commotion coming from just below deck.  Everyone turned as the wooden hatch was thrown back and up bounded Will in a nervous fervor with Elizabeth in tow.  The lady pirate was pale faced, and she clutched a hand to her mouth with a terrible grimace of discomfort.  The minute her foot hit the floor of the deck, she shot like a bullet out of Wills grasp and headed straight for the railing, emptying her stomach over the side.

            Several of the pirates watched them with wide-eyed stares. Will was at Elizabeth's side in an instant and patted her back reassuringly.

            Anamaria took one look and directed one of the nearby pirates to get some water and a cloth for Elizabeth to wipe her mouth on.  She walked over to Will, who was searching about frantically with his eyes.

            " Where's Jack?" He asked her fervently.  " Elizabeth is sick! Is there a doctor? Is there anyone who could help her?"

            " I'm fine…" Elizabeth said throatily, and then promptly retched again. "Just… a little nausea…"

            " I'm here, Will m'boy." Jack walked over to them. Emma gave Elizabeth a pitying look.  The woman's face was a sickly pale color.

            " A doctor! Where's a doctor?" Will wrung his hands in nervous agitation.

            " Will…" Elizabeth's voice was weak, and she leaned on Anamaria, who offered her a damp rag and a cup of water. " Really, it's okay. I probably just ate something disagreeable."  She took the offered drink, swished the water around in her mouth and spit it out, then wiped her mouth on the rag. 

" Parritch." Muttered one of the pirates with a grimace, and the others all nodded with understanding.  Their food stores were growing low, and they'd all been reduced to the watery gruel that could barely be called adequate food.

Jack pursed his lips and glanced down at Elizabeth inquisitively. " No… I don't think so. Anamaria, take dear Elizabeth below and see to it she lies down to rest.  Will, ye'll stay here for a while."

" Why? What's wrong? Do you know what's wrong with her? Is it influenza? Or pneumonia?"

Jack arched an eyebrow at him with a quizzical look. " Ye honestly haven't a clue, have ye?"

Will frowned and shook his head.

Jack's face split into a grin and then he winked at Emma, who reddened.  " Ye spend too much time locked up in that smithy, it would seem.  Try spending half yer life among the whorehouses and ye'll know the signs as sure as an oncoming storm."

" Signs?" Will's face was a complete blank. " What do whorehouses have to do with Elizabeth?"

Jack rolled his eyes upwards in hopeless abandon, then shook his head and said with an audible swagger. " She's PREGNANT lad! Pregnant!"

Will blinked, taking time for the news to register. It finally seemed to click in his mind, and his eyes widened considerably.  He opened his mouth to say something, but thought better and closed it again in shocked silence.

" P—Pregnant…?"

" She'll have a baby." Jack interrupted impatiently, followed by a hasty gesture of dismissal with one hand.  "Now get out o' me sight.  I was in the middle of something before ye interrupted so, if ye wouldn't mind… I'd like to resume my business." He glanced at Emma and grinned.  The girl stiffened and shifted her gaze to her feet awkwardly.

Will swayed on his feet, and slowly turned on his heel and walked stiff legged towards the hatch.  He stopped shortly before the steps, then a huge grin alighted on his face and he plunged out of view with excitement.

            ~*~*~*

Emma watched him and smiled to herself.  Her heart brimmed with happiness for them.  She knew Elizabeth had wanted a baby, she just hoped that this news wouldn't make them change their minds about staying on Jack's ship. She had grown to think of both Will and Elizabeth as the best of friends.  Her mind went in a full circle and she glanced up at Jack, who was regarding her with sparkling amusement in his eyes. The full weight of recent events swept across her again and she felt her heart quicken with excitement. Her finger tingled faintly, and she flashed him her best smile.

" Where was I?" Jack mused aloud.  Emma blinked and pursed her lips.

" Oh—well… you were," She thought hard, running over their recent conversation.  " You were going to give me my orders… Captain." She added the last part after the fact, trying hard to act professional.

" Oh yeah." His face broke into a grin, flashing all his metallic teeth and the smile sent her heart racing.  She was about to ask him what he was thinking, when without warning, Jack swooped down upon her. He lifted her up over his shoulder as easily as a sack of flour.

            " Wha… what!? What are you doing? Jack!" cried Emma. She was surprised and chagrined, and acutely conscious of all the pirates that were now watching them with mirth.  But he seemed to take no notice of her struggles.

" That's Captain to you, love."  Jack said with a grin.  He walked along the length of the ship, past one grinning face after another.  They all followed them with their eyes. 

Emma thought her face must be as red as a tomato.  She was going to pummel him for this! She heard the sound of a door creaking open, then Jack turned around, so she was facing the inside of his cabin. She heard his good-natured tone of voice as he addressed the crew that stood about watching them.

" If I hear so much as a scratch on my door for the next hour or two, that man…or woman…" And he nodded his head to Anamaria who had just cleared the hatch,  "… will be swimming to Tortuga." He announced to his crew cheerfully.

            " JACK! Wait- put me down! Put me down now!" Emma was whirled around once more and the last thing she saw before the door shut in her face was the merrily smiling, dirty faces of the pirates.

            Jack swung her down and she landed heavily on top of the bed amidst a jumble of worn-out cushions and tangled blankets. He flung his coat over a chair and pitched his hat on top of his desk. Then, with a catlike grace, he leapt up and landed heavily next to her on the bed.  He leaned on his side, propped up on one elbow and gazed down at her with amusement.

            " You bloody pirate! How dare you! Do you just think I'm going to let you do whatever you want?" Emma struggled up and looked at him indignantly.

            " Yes, I think you are…" Jack gave her an appreciative smile, which made Emma's heart leap in her chest.

            " Oh really?" She said hoarsely, getting lost in his mischievous gaze. The look he directed at her made her forget the harsh words that were on her tongue, and instead she just stared at him wide-eyed.  She had been about to tell him that there had been no need to make such a spectacle. But then, he always liked to do things with a flare… She realized that it was one of the things she loved about him.  He did things that you would never expect.  It was always a surprise, with him. Always exciting… it was an incredible turn-on.  The dark gaze he directed at her, with his beautiful large coal-defined eyes made her pulse quicken significantly.

" Really." Jack responded.

" I'd like to see you try!" She challenged, trying to keep her voice steady.

In answer to her challenge, his eyes flashed and with an intensity that caught her completely by surprise, he lunged at her and took her into a fierce embrace.  Emma found she could scarcely breathe as he kissed her heatedly, searching with his tongue until she opened her lips to receive him.  His mouth clamped solidly over hers and they kissed each other hungrily.

With both arms pinned by his embrace, and unable to do much else than succumb to his heated searching of her mouth, she felt her meager resistance crumbling around her.

Just as she thought she might suffocate unless he let her come up for air, Jack reluctantly leaned back to look at her.  She took a deep breath, collected her wits, and gave him an indignant stare.

" Must you always take without asking?" She said sullenly.

" It's an old habit, hard to break. I'm a pirate after all." He said matter-of-factly with a twitch of a smirk.  " Ye'll have to get used to it love, seeing as yer one of us now."

" I suppose I am… " She could still taste his kisses on her lips, and thought her face must be bright red.  She was fighting the internal struggle. Her body awakened with tiny tremors of anticipation as he pressed up against her. She wanted him so badly, but she was simultaneously afraid and thought how would this change her life?    But, he was so irresistible.  She couldn't help but respond to him when he touched her, or kissed her. She realized how much she wanted him in that moment.  She wanted him so badly, with her entire being.  To be held and loved, and brought to life in his embrace.
            Jack stood up and with his back to her, he unbuckled his belt and let his sash unwind, falling down around his ankles.  He shrugged out of his vest and shirt.  Her breath caught in a tiny, shocked gasp as her eyes drunk in the site of him.

He's lean, muscular back was decorated with many long jagged scars, some smooth and thin from a whip; others were largely puckered, as if he'd been struck repeatedly with the cat.  They were all crossed one upon the other.   He also had several tattoos decorating his arms, she noticed the mermaid right away.  But her mind was too preoccupied with the mutilation of his flesh. 

" Jack… what happened to you?"

He glanced at her surprised, and then followed her horror-filled gaze down to glance at his scars over his shoulder.

" Oh them?" He said with a grimace, and shrugged.  "I spent some years in a Spanish prison."

She shot him a pained look. Jack gave her an incredulous smile.

" They're just scars of me past, love. It's nothing to concern yerself about. I've survived them, haven't I?"

He turned around and pushed her back down on the bed with a sly smile. " I'll not tolerate pity, savvy?"

She nodded her head in solemn understanding, then let her frown fall away as she became caught up in his intense dark-eyed gaze again.  It was better to leave those scars in the past.  Jack was right.  She gave him a tiny smile and stretched seductively.

"Now," Jack's voice elapsed into a professional, no nonsense tone that made her do a double take.  " As Captain… this is my first order for ye…"

"Y—yes?"

            He lazily rolled on top of her, nibbling her collarbone teasingly for a moment before looking up again.  Emma regarded him with a mixture of pleasure and curiosity.

            " Aye… I'm going to ravage you to my hearts content." He said pleasantly.  " And, you're going to love every moment of it, savvy?"

            Emma's breath caught in her throat as he slid a hand down to cup her breast, teasing the nipple through the fabric with his thumb.

            " Yes... Captain." She said breathily. And thought luxuriously to herself, as he set into motion, how happy she was to comply with her first assignment on board, The Black Pearl.

            Jack smiled slyly down at her.  " Yer getting the idea now." And he bend down and kissed her hungrily.  Emma responded to him with an eagerness that surprised even herself.  Their tongues played across one another hungrily, and Jack teasingly took his mouth away, nibbling at her bottom lip, then trailed his tongue down her chin and kissed her neck all the way down to her smooth, suntanned shoulders.  His hand still rested lightly on her breast.  Emma quivered underneath him with anticipation as he nibbled his way from one shoulder to the other, stopping to sweep his tongue in tiny, teasing circles inside the tiny depression between the smooth ridges of her collarbone.

            She took a deep breath, her chest heaved under his open palm, and he gave a tiny squeeze of her breast.

            " You're a hot poker, love." Jack said grinning as he looked up from his work.  " I've never had one of those, before…"

            " Hot poker?" She whispered, glancing down at him through the corner of her eye.

            " Aye, very responsive… are ye a virgin by any chance?"

            Emma reddened considerably. " And, so what if I am?"

            Jack pursed his lips thoughtfully, and jerked his head up to regard her seriously.  " It'll hurt. The first time."

            Emma swallowed audibly, then set her jaw and met his gaze with a level stare. " I'm not afraid."

            Jack's solemnity changed quickly, and he smiled at her.  " I figured you might say that, darling. Don't say I didn't warn ye though, savvy?"

            " Savvy." She replied without hesitation. Then gave a tiny gasp as he dove back down into her plunging neckline.  His tongue tickled over her exposed cleavage. 

            " Well," Emma thought with amusement. "It doesn't take much to convince him." Then she heard the familiar 'click' of his flip knife, and the next thing she knew, he'd severed the knotted end of the cord holding her bodice in place, and, with a comical seriousness, skillfully pulled out the cords with one sharp tug.  There was a loud ripping noise, and they were quickly pulled free of their holes. The worn black bodice fell away to reveal her thin chemise; it did little to hide the contours of her body, and emphasized the firm roundness of her breasts.  Jack could see the tiny points of her nipples poking up against the fabric, and his eyes sparkled.

            " Lovely." His voice was silky smooth and made her heart flutter, he leaned in, hooking the plunging neckline of the shirt with one finger, and dove his head down to taste her.  His breath was hot against her sensitive skin. His goatee and moustache, and the thin braids of his beard tickled over her flesh as he worked his kissing caresses.  His hands were rough in contrast with the smoothness of her skin, and she loved the feeling when he touched her with his calloused fingertips.  Time became nonexistent as they rolled about amidst the fading cushions and threadbare sheets, tasting and teasing and caressing.  Emma's mind reeled with the pleasurable sensations as Jack played her body like a finely tuned instrument… and she was more than happy to oblige his exceptional skill.

~*~*~*~

            They lay there quietly, listening to each other's breathing slow to a regular pace.  Jack could hear the contented beating of Emma's heart as he nestled his head between her breasts. 

" Do ye have any clue what's you've done to me, love?" Jack said after a moment.

            Emma stirred and opened her eyes. She ran a hand through his roughened head of hair.

            " What have I done?" She asked softly.

            " Ye've made me into what I never thought I'd be." He said, tracing the contours of one breast with his finger lightly. He stopped at the nipple and circled it with his fingertip, watching the tiny pink bump spring up under his skilled caress.

            " What is that?" She asked as her body responded to his caress with a tiny shiver of delight.

            " A faithful man."

            She gave a short loud laugh.  " You never were before, then?"

            " Honestly," He said.

" That's quite dishonest of you."

" Aye." He agreed. " Your the first woman I've found who can fit me… to me fullness. Quite honestly, I don't think I could find need for any other."

" Well then, that's good to hear." She said with a smirk and gently stroked along the length of his back, feeling along the unusual roughness and occasional ridges of his skin.  " …Do you know what you've done to me, Captain Sparrow?" She finally said after a short silence.

" Err—besides the obvious?" Jack looked at her dubiously.

Emma laughed. " Well, that too of course.  But I mean in the larger sense."

" What would that be then?" Jack fixed a contemplative look at her.

" You've given me everything I could have ever wished for, beyond all my expectations." She said softly up to the ceiling.  " I've never felt more alive. Or more free… than from the time I set foot on your ship.  So… thank you- Captain."

" Ahh-" Jack grinned at her and shook his head.  " For that, I'll let you call me Jack, love."

Emma smiled and craned her neck to glance at him.  " Jack."

 He lifted his head to meet her gaze.  She could see he was grinning at her from ear to ear.  The weight of all their adventures had finally been lifted from both their shoulders.  The booty was safely stored in the hold, Emma had her dagger, and her faintly stinging scar… yes… she had everything she wanted.  What she had refrained from telling Jack, was that she also had the life she'd longed for lying on top of her. Filled with anticipation and excitement for the future, she imagined the kinds of adventures, and excitement that would be in store for them. She felt absolutely certain that as long as he was there, she'd feel the fullness of her long desired mortality.

 She stretched again and then glanced down at Jack.  He was giving her a familiar look with a tell-tale twinkle of mischief in his seductive, dark eyes.  His teeth sparkled with a smile as he said, " Care for round two, love?"

- THE END-

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