Chapter Five
Crossing Blades
They lunged at each other at the same time. Their blades crashed, first over their heads, then down by their legs, then again meeting in their middle. Jack smirked and James. "Very good, Jamesy," he said. "Here I thought you couldn't fight."
"I'll take that as a compliment, Sparrow." James glared at the pirate from across the blades.
"As well you should, mate, that's what I meant it to be. Also, you happen to be extremely good looking when you are angry."
James growled and shoved away. Again their blades crashed. Jack took a step back James took a step forward. Two step back, two steps forward, over and over. Lunging, ducking, the two men swung with speed and strength.
Jack tripped over a root and tumbled onto the jungle floor. James jumped over said root, but Jack rolled away and stood up in time to block the swing that was about to come down on him.
"Good form," James commented, continuing his attack.
"Thanks, you too." Jack side stepped the attack and aimed an attack of his own at James' ankle. But the ex-commodore jumped it. "Knew I like those legs." Jack ducked again at James' blow. "Sorry, mate, couldn't help myself."
"Oh you'll be sorry, Sparrow."
Their fight moved through the forest. The two went under trees, over tree trunks, and before long they couldn't even see the shore. Jack jumped on top of a rock and looked down at James, lowering his sword for just a second. "You coming up, luv?"
"No, but you can come down," he aimed his sword for Jack's knees but Jack jumped, so of course, James attacked again and Jack jumped again. "Stop that!"
"Yes, sir," He jumped this time, on top of James. The two rolled around, somehow keeping their swords in their hands. Jack ended up on top at the bottom of the hill. He pinned James' arms over his head. "Lookie what I caught." He smirked and leaned down close to the struggling Norrington. "Stop moving like that, mate," he groaned into his ears. "It's doing nothing good to certain parts of mine."
"Thought we were fighting," James said but couldn't help the groan that came from his mouth as Jack purposely rubbed his hips against his own.
"More than one way to fight, love." Jack crushed his lips against James'. James used this to rid his wrists' of Jack's grip. He kicked the captain off and stood, sword pointed.
"And I'm only interested in this way," James said, growling before attacking again. He managed to cut Jack across the upper arm but not enough to have him drop his sword. Jack managed to block the next attack. They started moving up the hill again, going faster this time, James spurred on by the unwanted (was it really unwanted?) kiss.
Up and up the two climbed, swords banging, clashing against each other. James groaned and lunged a blow toward Jack's heart. Jack moved out of the way and James—
"Gah!" He was falling before he even knew it. He hadn't even seen the cliff. He reached for something, anything, and then felt a rough hand grab him. He looked up at Jack's extremely worried face.
"Sorry, luv," Jack grunted. "Didn't see that there either. Toss up your sword first." James raised an eyebrow. "I won't hurt ya, mate, just toss the damn sword up." With a sigh James handed the sword to Jack, who took it with his other hand it tossed aside. Then he pulled James up onto the ground. They both collapsed onto the grass, breathing deeply. "You alright?" Jack asked.
"Yeah I'll live." He ran a hand through his hair. "Why'd you pull me up?"
"Honestly, James," Jack sighed. "Don't really have much of a mind to kill you. If in the end of this, I win, I'll be letting you walk free. This whole thing is for you."
"You might die because of this. Why the hell would you do this unless you wanted me dead?"
"Because I want you, luv. Only way I can have you is for you to make the choice. Kinda hoping you are the one to win this."
"You bloody well better not loose on purpose."
"No worries there mate. I'm a pirate. We don't give up." Jack sighed and stood up. "Sorry to tell you that counting as your rest time." He offered his hand to James, who took it and stood up. "I get one and then we'll both be out. You ready or do you need some more rest?"
"Think I'm good, thanks." He dusted himself off. "Don't think for a second this means I owe you anything. If it comes down to it, I'm still going to run you through."
"Wouldn't have it any other way. Well, maybe one other way." Jack nodded to him and again they were at it. James did not lose any stem after the near death. However, a new thought was floating around in his head. What if Jack really did care about him? He had, after all, saved his life. But that messed up James' whole reality. It couldn't be true.
Jack managed to cut James' right leg which stalled him but only for a moment. James ducked another blow then attacked, landing a pretty good shot into the pirate's side. Jack stumbled backward and then raised his hands. "Alright, mate, I'm taking my time then." He slumped down against a tree, his sword falling out.
"You alright?" James asked, sitting next to him.
Jack pulled his shirt over his head and looked at his side. "Nothing can't be fixed when I get back to the pearl. If I get back to the pearl that is." He poked at his wound and winced. "Good shot, though. What, may I ask, are you staring at, Jamesy?"
What he had been staring at was Jack's chest. He had forgotten how amazing the man looked. This was doing nothing for his nerves. "I don't know what you are talking about," James said quickly.
"No of course you don't," but Jack didn't stop smirking as he ripped off some of his shirt and wrapped around his side, tying it tight. Then he stood up and picked up his sword. "Right then. All out of chances aren't we?"
"Looks like this will be the end, then," James said. "You were a worthy opponent, Jack."
"As were you, James. We could have been great together." He shrugged. James didn't want to think about that, so he just started attacking. Jack had clearly lost a little stamina at being hit with the blow. His moves were becoming slower, while James' was picking up speed. This would be over sooner than he had thought. But would he do when it was over? What road waited there?
They ducked under a tree, the sound of their swords filling the trees and bouncing off them. Jack grunted as he dodged an uncomfortably close swing near his head. And then, Jack lunged for James, who moved out of the way, put his sword under Jack's, and swung it out of his hands.
Jack raised his hands and took a step back, finding himself up against a tree. James stepped close, his sword at Jack's neck. "Bravo, Jamesy," Jack said, breathless. "You won fair and square. Choice is up to you. You going to kill me?"
"I—I have to," he said bitterly. "As long as you are alive I'll never be free of you. I'll never be able to stop thinking of you! If you live I won't stop wanting you! I can't want you! I can't feel these things! Everything I know says it's wrong! Everything I know says you are wrong!" James was breathing heavy, his eyes locked with Jack's. "You're in my head, in my dreams. You are everywhere. Everything reminds me of you. I want to kill you and I want to kiss you. I don't know how to handle these feelings! I don't even know the name of them."
Then he dropped the sword and grabbed Jack's wrists, putting them over his head. "I love you, and I do not know how to love. I have never ever wanted someone like you before. And that kills me, don't you understand? I am not supposed to want a pirate! I am not supposed to want a man! But I do! I want you. I love you. Heaven help me, I love you."
With that, he crushed his lips to Jacks. He let go of the pirate's wrists, which went around his waist at once. They kissed under the tree, their swords and fight forgotten in the passion. It was only them and the empty jungle. It was just what they needed. Jack was smiling so brightly the sun seemed to dim.
