Without any visual or auditory signs of a threat to Jack's life, he and Cordelia headed back to the ship just before sunset. They hardly spoke as they entered his cabin, but their silence was anything but awkward. Jack gently closed the door behind him and simply watched as Cordelia lit a few candles in the room. After she'd finished she sat on the bed, still saying nothing. Slowly, Jack removed his shirt and approached the bed.
"Some men kill fer the sake o' killin', rape for the sake o' rapin'…I'm not some men." Jack presented his scarred forearm. "This was the price I paid fer bein' the way I am."
"What do you mean?" Cordelia asked softly.
"I was with me crew in a different port. It was dusk when another ship anchored and its crew came t' shore. I had me own crew plunderin' unnoticed, really the best way t' steal from a town, then this other captain was orderin' 'is men t' take all they could by force. Seein' as I didn' wan' me crew t' be taken t' the gallows, I confronted said captain. 'E felt tha' I wasn' a true pirate since killin' wasn' on the top o' me list." Jack stopped a moment, eyeing his scars, before continuing. "I tried t' explain t' 'im tha' there was plenty o' swag t' be had there without lettin' on tha' we were there, but 'e insisted tha' the only way t' do things properly was t' be violent. Ye see, some o' the stories about me are true; I ne'er harm someone unless it's me only resort.
"Anyway, 'e continued t' argue with me, an' swords were drawn. We fought for what felt like hours before I lost my footing. I swear, it's the only time tha' ever happened… Before I could move, 'is blade was in me forearm - draggin' downward. 'E pulled it out, but plunged it back in again, makin' another cut. I lost the fight. Captain Jack Sparrow lost. Some o' me crew was hung, an' I could barley move this arm for a month."
Cordelia's hand reached out and caressed Jack's face. "Jack, I see no reason for you to be ashamed of what happened to you. Why are you so intent on hiding something that's, well, honorable?"
Jack smiled. "Honorable? Love, a pirate's not supposed t' be honorable. I let meself get beat 'cuz I didn' wan' t' hurt anyone. S'not exactly 'ow a pirate's supposed t' behave."
"And who made up the rules about how a pirate's supposed to behave?"
"Well, other pirates o' course…though I've heard a lot o' talk about guidelines more than…" Jack stopped his rambling. "Anyway, the few that 'ave seen me arm 'ave a much better story about me an' a shark."
Cordelia smiled. "What is it with you and sea creatures, Jack?"
"Dunno, love, guess it's like a trademark." Jack pulled Cordelia close to him and kissed her neck. "That's enough Sparrow history for tonight, don' ye think? I'll cover chest wounds tomorrow."
Cordelia made herself sound as innocent as she could. "Captain, what could be more exciting than hearing about what has truly happened to you on your travels?"
Jack smiled, gently pushing her back flat against the mattress of his bed. "I'm willin' t' bet tha' we can think o' somethin', love." He let his lips brush against Cordelia's in a teasing manner. He smiled when her hands pulled his face to hers for a more passionate meeting. Reluctantly, he broke the kiss and said, "S'not somethin' we 'ave t' do, love."
A large smile spread across Cordelia's face. "See? You are an honorable pirate. That will not go unrewarded."
"Oh?"
Cordelia began to kiss Jack's exposed chest, causing his flesh to rise beneath her lips. She maneuvered herself so that Jack was the one with his back to the mattress. Jack didn't seem to mind in the least. With nervous hands, she began to undo his trousers. Jack was the first man that Cordelia had ever been with, had ever seen in the nude…these facts alone make it quite obvious that there were several other things that she'd never done with a man – but was eager to try.
"Jack?" her voice was soft, unsure.
"Hm?" he said, opening his previously closed eyes.
"Jack, I…" Cordelia sighed. "This is rather embarrassing."
Jack chuckled. "Love, yer talkin' t' a man tha' once had a…ahem. No need t' be embarrassed with me."
Cordelia blushed. "Jack, I'm probably the most inexperienced woman that you've ever…"
Jack placed a finger to her lips. "Nobody else counts, love."
"That does make me feel better, but still…Jack, there are things that I want to do with you and never having done them before, I don't want to make you run off laughing." Cordelia's fears appeared to come true that moment as Jack began to laugh. "Thanks, Jack," she said softly.
"No, no, don' take it the wrong way, Cordy. I'm honestly not laughin' at ye. I jus' can' believe tha' yer worried abou' somethin' like tha'."
"Your reputation is about more than adventures, Jack. You've been with – whether they matter or not – you've had so many experiences and…God, I sound like you did earlier, only…"
Jack sat up and kissed her. "Ye do wha' comes naturally t' ye, Cordy. Let me show ye." He began to remove her shirt and she tried to protest. "Love, trust me."
"But I…"
"Shh…" Jack succeeded at removing Cordelia's shirt and let his lips roam her soft flesh. All protest ceased. "Tha' wasn' too difficult."
"You're very persuasive," Cordelia cooed.
Jack removed Cordelia's boots and pants rather quickly, leaving a thin piece of cotton as the only stitch of clothing on her. "I'm also a good teacher," he purred. His rough hands slid the last piece of material from her body and his head sunk below her waist. "So much to learn," he whispered. As soon as his lips made contacts with her warmth, Cordelia's hips bucked forward, causing Jack to smile.
