Disney is responsible. I leave my bike in the rain.

An Answer of Doubt- part 3

"My best quality? That hurt. And what do you mean all my actions? Name just one other clearly mad one."

"Just one? Offering your body to me, just to test a theory."

"James, let me put this plainly. I'll shag the the moon down with you, for any reason either of us can find, steal, or invent. Offer redeemable at any time, love. That's not madness, that's an example of sound judgment on my part."

"An offer, you say? Here I thought you owed me, considering you did get the information that you required."

"Oh, you've a fine career as a pirate ahead of you, James Grey."

"Quite a compliment, coming from the likes of Captain Jack Sparrow!"

"You are not angry with me, love."

"No, I'm not."

"Good, because I'd hate to find out what you'd be like if you were angry at me."

"What am I to you, Jack?"

"That's up to you, James. What do you want to be, to me?"

"That's no answer."

"Oh, yes, that's an answer. You might not care for the question."

"I don't know the answer to your question, Jack. I don't understand what draws me to you. Thinking I fancied men, well, that was an answer for a while. It was a simple one, too, which had a kind of appeal. As appalling as the prospect of being a sodomite, at least it didn't have anything to do with Captain Jack Sparrow- as you made so inescapably clear, that very night.

Then I found out that I didn't have the slightest interest other men, not any of the men under my command, nor any of the men I knew in Port Royal, save for one I later I met, who reminded me most shallowly of you. When I was in prison, awaiting trial, I knew I wasn't being punished for the sin of sodomy. My sin, my only crime, is you, Jack. I think the most horrible part of it all, was when I realized, that I was going to hang never having had the chance to know you, because I'd tried to hang you."

"Talk about being star-crossed, ey?"

" That's why I was following you tonight- out of habit, no more than that. I was just following a man who obsesses me, for reasons I can not understand, knowing I'll never catch him, and never know him. The only mystery in Tortuga, Jack, is you."

"A sin, a crime, and a mystery, am I? Well, if you just want me out your system, I suggest you get to know me, James. Spend time with me. You are most welcome in my bed. You can touch every inch of me you can reach. We can have long talks. You can find out all the details of my past, and my every fault and weakness. When I'm no longer an unknown, no longer desirable, just a flawed forty year old man, might even be forty one by then, we'll find you a lovely ship and a good crew. Then Bob's your uncle, you can sail off looking for another mystery to solve. What say you to that idea?"

"It sounds most unappealing, especially from your point of view."

"Don't go worrying about me, James."

"Should I not?"

"Well, that's up to you, really. Every man has to choose the sort of pirate he'll become."

"What if I want to be another sort of pirate, one who doesn't sail off in search of other mysteries?"

"The only thing a pirate values is treasure, love. Pick your treasures, and you've picked the kind of pirate you are."

"What are your treasures, Jack?"

"You already know, love."

"Tell me again anyway."

"You tell me."

"Your life, your ship, your freedom, and people you care about."

"Makes you my treasure, doesn't it, James."

"What if you are my treasure, Jack."

"Do come back to the Pearl with me."

"Is that an order, Captain?"

"No, it is but a simple request. Unless you've decided to take me up on my other offer, to join my crew?"

"If it is convenient for you Captain, I think I'd like to deal very, very thoroughly, with your second offer, first."

"Thoroughly, will put us right round the Horn of Africa, love. Very, very thoroughly, will take us all the way to Singapore."

"Singapore?"

"Have you never been to Singapore? Just like Tortuga, but bigger and completely different! On board we have a shocking number of very fine emeralds. Did I mention that Singapore is a very lucrative market for said gems? Fine place to spend a bit of time and profit, too. I suggest you sign on now, so you'll be entitled to a full share."

"An entire share for shagging the Captain round the Horn of Africa?"

"No, all the way to Singapore, but I was thinking you could do that as First Mate, love. Gibbs wants to retire, settle down with a good woman, live somewhere over that way. Why not, he's happy as a fool and rich as a legitimate Medici. Haven't found a replacement for him, though. Call me once bitten and twice shy when it comes to picking First Mates."

"So that, is what this is about."

"No, James. It isn't."

"Isn't it. How convenient your sudden interest in me, coincides with the fact the Pearl needs a new First Mate."

"You know that my interest in you is not sudden."

"Do I? I seem to recall that you were in no hurry to share a bed with me upon our last meeting."

"I thought you understood about that."

"Do you use sex to get everything you want, that you can't steal?"

"James, this is about what you want. If you want, sail with me and be my love. If you want, be my First Mate, too. Be my first mate and don't sleep with me. Be just another man on the crew, if that is what makes you happy. If you don't want any of that, I'll help find you another ship, a good one. In fact, I'll buy you a bloody ship. Sail under my colors, if you like, or sail under your own flag. I want you to do what you want. I want you to be happy, James."

"It would seem some of those options are not open to me. I find I do not trust you, Jack, not enough."

"You are going to find it hard to trust anyone, James. I'll earn your trust. You have only to allow me the chance to do so."

"Crew. Just crew. I want to be treated like any other man."

"By the Captain."

"Yes."

"By me?"

"By all of your false identities, Captain."

Jack held out his hand. Norrington took it.

"Welcome to the Black Pearl, Mr. Grey." Try as he might, there was absolutely nothing Jack could do to keep the disappointment out of his voice. "Coming?" He did not wait for an answer. Jack turned and walked with purpose back to the ship's boat, hoping the men guarding it had a bottle on them, or preferably five.

...to be continued...