Disclaimer: Only for your and my own enjoyment. No money is made from my small offerings.

AN: Thank you so much for all of the reviews last chapter. While I devote my time to writing rather than personally answering each review (a decision I think most of you would applaud), I can not tell you how much I appreciate them and how good it makes me feel to know that some of you are enjoying my story.

Gibbs walked into the tavern and quickly spotted Jack at his usual table. Also as usual there was whore a on his lap. Jack Sparrow was indeed a creature of habit when he was docked at Tortuga. However, in a departure from the norm, Jack was not wearing his usual carefree grin. In fact he looked bored and almost annoyed by the wench's valiant attempts to engage his interest. Gibbs grinned and decided to add some fuel to the fire.

He walked over to Jack's table and plopped down in an empty chair. "Enjoying yourself Jack?"

Jack merely grunted, a sound that could have signified agreement or disagreement, and took another swallow of rum.

"Evening Miss Giselle," Gibbs politely addressed the woman who was now busy nibbling on Jack's ear. He bit back a laugh when Jack's scowl increased at Giselle's further attempts to snag his attention.

"I thought you were minding the Diamond? What are you doing here?" Jack demanded.

"Oh, I thought I'd treat myself to a little time with one or more of Tortuga's finest. Surely you'd not begrudge me that? No need to be worrying about the Diamond, no one in his right mind would dare to bother the great Captain Jack Sparrow's ship."

Jack hesitated a moment before asking the question that he really wanted to know the answer to. "What of the cargo we're carrying? I thought I left it safely in your keeping?"

Gibbs was enjoying teasing his friend and decided to make Jack work for the information that he so obviously desired. Adopting a puzzled look he asked, "Cargo? We've no cargo left Jack. Everything was unloaded in Port Columbine."

"You know what I mean you old goat. What will our guest think if she awakens to a deserted ship?"

"Well now, you should have said that was your worry. You've need not have any concern about Val being alone on the Diamond. No worry at all there Jack. Mr. Cotton is still aboard." When Jack gave a nod of approval Gibbs blithely continued on, "Course that was never an issue at all since she left the Diamond about a quarter hour afore me."

Jack stood up so abruptly that Giselle slid from his lap and landed on the ground. She was vociferous and rather loud in her objections to this rude treatment. A few coins soon eased her concerns and she happily went on to seek other custom. Staring at the older man Jack growled, "Well?"

"Well what?"

It took considerable restraint for Jack to refrain from closing his hands around his first mate's neck. Through tight lips he pushed put, "Did she say where she was going?"

Shrugging his shoulders Gibbs elaborated, "I believe she said something bout finding a place to have a decent meal." There was a notable decline in Jack's tension. Then Gibbs ratcheted up the heat, "Also mentioned something bout needing some amiable companionship. Said that it twas not fair for only the men to be enjoying their evening ashore." The last was pure fiction on his part but it had the desired effect on Jack's temperament. Gibbs would swear that Jack actually turned green with jealousy. "Course I told her Tortuga was no place for a lady. But being a lady of strong will she insisted so I told her bout Mr. Freedle's tavern. Seemed the least I could do since that's the only place on this island where she'd be likely to meet men of her caliber. She can't come to much harm there since that's where all the nobs gather." His last words were not heard by his listener for Jack was already out the door and on his way to find Valentine. Gibbs poured himself a glass of rum from the bottle and chuckled to himself. He decided to leave off returning to the ship for a few hours. By then the shouting should have died down.

Val was enjoying herself. When she had first entered the tavern she had come close to turning around and running back to the ship. It had seemed as if every eye was focused on her and the impropriety of what she was doing by entering such an establishment unescorted. Only her fervent desire to move ahead and begin the process of forgetting Jack Sparrow had kept her from unceremoniously fleeing.

As she had stood frozen in the door, a tall blonde gentleman had approached and introduced himself to her. He was Mr. Camberton, the island's doctor, and he was more than happy to put himself at her service. Now, close to an hour later, she was ensconced at a table and enjoying a delicious meal with a charming companion. Val covertly surveyed the man across the table. He was handsome, not in the same way that Jack was but nevertheless he was a prime specimen of manhood. He would do nicely in her campaign to eradicate the feel of Jack Sparrow's touch from her memory. Flirtatiously she placed her hand on his and saw his immediate response to her unspoken encouragement.

Turning Val's hand over and lightly rubbing his thumb across her palm, Camberton delicately questioned, "At the risk of being presumptuous and offending, dare I hope that you would not be averse to deepening our acquaintance?"

Val took a deep breath. His gentle caress was doing absolutely nothing to inflame her senses, yet one had to start somewhere. Smiling brilliantly she assured him, "No offense taken. I should be delighted to take the evening to get to know you better." Then huskily added so that he could be in no doubt of her meaning, "One could even say intimately."

The tavern suddenly went still and when her eyes met his she was surprised to find fear rather than desire. Then all was explained as a silky voice purred, "And I should be delighted if you would take your filthy hands off of my wife."

Val turned in her chair to find Jack standing behind her, gun drawn and pointed squarely at Mr. Camberton's head. "Choice is yours Valentine. You can either involve this poor sod in our business in which case he'll end up with a bullet between his eyes or you can come with me. Don't take too long choosing because I've a mind to teach him a lesson bout poaching on another man's territory."

Val looked helplessly between the two men. She did not want to go with Jack but neither did she want poor Mr. Camberton to suffer on her behalf. With as much insouciance as she could muster she addressed Mr. Camberton, "Please excuse me. Evidently my presence is elsewhere required. I do thank you for a lovely dinner and regret that I must take my leave so soon." Then she rose from her chair and raised an eyebrow at Jack, "Well?" she questioned in an extremely haughty tone. Jack's only reply was to bare his teeth in a snarl. Grasping her wrist tightly he proceeded to yank her from the room.

Val did not wish to add further to the unpleasant scene that Jack had created so she waited until they had left the building before voicing her objections. By literally digging her heels into the ground she forced him to stop. Angrily she tugged her wrist free. "How dare you? How dare you embarrass me in such a manner?"

"Embarrass you? You stupid wench, do you have any sense of self preservation at all? That man in there was only after one thing and it wasn't your delightful conversation." Jack shouted at her.

"I know exactly what he was after and for your information Jack Sparrow I was after the same thing. I decided that there was no need for me to wait till I got to Italy. You're not the only one who has needs. Now why don't you just toddle along to one of your whores and leave me be?"

Jack's gaze raked her body then a malicious smile crossed his face. "Afraid I can't accommodate you there luv. Seems like I may be saving meself a bit of the brass tonight. After all why should I pay for a whore when I have one of my very own?"

The slap came so quickly that he did not see it coming. It was powerful enough to cause his head to snap sideways and for him to stumble a bit. He just contemplated her for a few seconds before he broke out into an insincere grin, "Why thank you for the kind invitation Valentine. Although I was certain that me charm would win you over in the end, it is pleasant being able to forgo the preliminaries and move onto the main course as it were."

"What the hell are you talking about Sparrow? I issued no invitation." Val was overwrought enough to dispense with any semblance of civility. "Just because I seek pleasure that does not make me a whore. What a ridiculous double standard you cling to." Val's hand tingled from the blow that she had delivered. She turned to walk away and once again felt fingers manacle her wrist.

Jack rubbed his reddened cheek. "I warned you Valentine. I warned you that I'll only tolerate me face being slapped after I'd taken my pleasure of a lady. The way I see it you knew the price and decided you're willing to pay it. Now it's collection time."

"You deserved that slap and more. You've no right to treat me so and to curtail my pursuits."

"I've every right Valentine. When you married me, you signed yourself over to me, savvy? You should know better than to think a pirate would stand by a let another steal what he owns."

"I am not a possession! Furthermore, you do not own me Jack Sparrow and you never will," Val hotly contradicted his claim.

Jack grew very quiet and then spoke in a voice that vibrated with rage, "You're mine Valentine. You belong to me and before the night is out you'll admit as such."

He once again started dragging her along the street. Val fought and shouted but to no avail. If anything her resistance seemed to amuse him. "Scream all you want darling no one will help you. You're in Tortuga and not a soul here would dare stop another man from seeking his pleasure or even care enough to try."

Val looked around and noticed that he was right. Her struggles were going completely unnoticed by those about them. Apparently this sort of scene was not uncommon in Tortuga. Deciding to save her strength for the bigger fight ahead of her, Val ceased to resist and let Jack haul her to the Diamond. On board he informed Mr. Cotton that they were not to be disturbed and then flung her into his cabin. He closed the door and locked it before leaning casually against it with his arms folded. "Take off your gown."

"When pigs fly Sparrow. Stop trying to intimidate me. You've already said before that you would never take an unwilling woman," Val reminded him with no small measure of relief.

Jack slowly nodded his head. "An unwilling woman, no. But then there's unwilling and there's unwillingly willing. You'd be in the latter category luv. You're not wanting to want me but want me you do. And since we're so conveniently married I see no reason to deny our baser urges." He took off his hat and his weapon belts and tossed them onto the floor in a heap.

Val eyed the weapons and weighed not only her chances of reaching them before him but her ability to wield them effectively. She decided that she did not care for her odds.

"Smart choice Valentine. You'd never have made it. Still the ensuing tussle would have been interesting." Jack boldly surveyed her from head to toe and she could feel her bodice tighten as her breasts swelled as if in anticipation of his touch. Jack gave a knowing smirk and began to advance on her.

Val backed away and feverishly tried to think of a way to escape. When she backed up against his desk, she felt panicked. She could only think of one option. If she remained unresponsive to his touch surely he would not continue to force himself upon her? It was not his sense of honor that she was relying on but rather his ego. Jack would not be able to tolerate making love to a woman who was impervious to his touch. This was her last thought before he pulled her into his arms and his mouth covered hers in a hungry kiss. Val screwed her eyes shut and willed herself to stay impassive. As his tongue swept into her mouth she had to suppress a shudder of longing. Mentally, Val began to list every unpleasant thing that she could think of to subdue her body's almost automatic response to Jack's touch.

It took awhile for Jack to register that she was not participating and that she in fact was now reminding him of Millicent and her lack of ardor. However, there was one major difference between the two women. While Millicent was genuinely unmoved by passion, Jack could tell that Valentine was actively fighting to remain passive. The shallowness of her breathing and her ruched nipples pressing against his chest belied her stance of non enjoyment. He drew back. "Stop pretending you're immune to me Valentine I know better and I'll prove it to you." With a dexterity and swiftness that came from years of practice, he managed to divest her of her garments despite her efforts to fend him off. He turned her around and anchored her against him with one arm. Using his free hand, he began to fondle her breasts and lightly flick the tips while at the same time his lips began to claim her neck and throat.

Val closed her eyes even tighter in a vain effort to stop the onslaught of sensations that he was creating. She told herself again and again how much she hated him and how she could not give him this victory. His touches grew bolder and more possessive. When his mouth fastened in the hollow between her neck and shoulder and began to suckle, she could not suppress the spasm of desire that racked her body. She felt his lips curve into a smile as he continued to place his stamp of ownership on her. Satisfied that he had sufficiently marked her, he lifted his head to order, "Open your eyes Valentine."

Stubbornly she refused, so he grabbed her chin in a hand and used the other to harshly pinch one of the tight buds that the tips of her breasts had become. When her eyelids flew open in response to the exquisite pain she was confronted by an image of herself in the mirror hanging on the opposite wall. Fascinated despite her intentions she watched as Jack's hands roved over her naked body. His tanned skin contrasted sharply with her own pale flesh. The sight of him touching her was arousing and she could feel herself weakening.

He stilled and whispered seductively in her ear, "Admit it Valentine. Admit you belong to me."

"No. That's not true," was her answering whisper.

"Liar," he accused before continuing his explorations.

Unable to tear her gaze way from the picture in the mirror, Valentine watched as his hands slowly descended down her body. Some small part of her brain registered that he no longer needed to use an arm to hold her close and keep her from pulling away. Inch by inch his fingers worked their way towards the crevice between her legs. The torment of waiting was about to drive her insane but she refused to speak any words of encouragement. At last they reached their destination and Val thought that she would cry from relief when the first stroke came. But then she was soon lost to a maelstrom of sensations. Instinctively she arched her mound into his hand so that he could deepen his caresses. Once again she found Jack's arm anchored around her waist but she was aware that they both knew that the purpose was no longer to keep her from bolting but rather to hold her still because she was now shamelessly writhing against him.

"Say it Valentine."

Mutely she shook her head no.

"Bloody stubborn wench." He removed his fingers from between her legs and she only just managed to keep from verbalizing a protest. Jack's insolent grin reflected in the mirror told her that he was aware of her difficulty. As his nimble fingers began to once again journey across her body touching every where except the one place she most wanted to be touched, Val felt the fire between her legs begin to recede. She had just congratulated herself on having withstood his onslaught when once again his hands began the descent towards her center. His right hand disappeared from view for a moment and then she heard the whisper of buttons against fabric as he undid his breeches. He used his legs and hips to wedge her tightly against the desk. Val could feel his erect member begin sliding back and forth against the entrance to her womb as he cupped both her breasts, kneading them and rolling the peaks between his fingers. His voice tempted seductively, "Admit it Valentine. Admit that you belong to me and then I'll bend you over this desk and take what we both want. I'll be the stallion you claim to prefer and you'll be my mare. I'll enter you from behind and ride you hard and heavy till you're hot and sweaty and docile and satisfied."

The sight of her completely naked and wantonly sprawled back against a fully clothed Jack combined with the erotic picture his words painted and Val felt the last her resistance crumble away. With a sob her head drooped forward and she mumbled, "Fine. You win. I'm yours."

Jack fisted a hand in her hair and roughly yanked her head up. "No Valentine, say the words damn you."

Her eyes met his in the mirror. His free hand continued to stroke and tease and incite while the friction that he was creating between her legs grew ever more demanding of release. Ironically she recalled the conversation between Katherine, Elizabeth, and her about whether or not Jack would demand a figurative or literal pound of flesh from her. It appeared as if he was demanding both. How typical of Jack to be so greedy. Resentfully but truthfully she at last admitted, "I'm yours Jack. I belong to you."

Immediately she felt the hand in her hair pressing her forward and onto the desk until her forearms supported her weight. Unheeded, documents spilled off and fluttered to the floor. Jack's one hand remained tangled in her locks as his other slid down and firmly gripped her hip so that her movement was restricted. His legs kicked hers further apart and without warning he plunged into her. He withdrew partially and plunged again. Val could feel herself about to fall over the edge into a seemingly bottomless chasm of desire and fulfillment. When he withdrew completely, she felt empty and incomplete. Just as she was about to complain, she heard him grate "You" and then felt him thrust into her. Again, he withdrew. His voice was harsh as he proclaimed "are" and she felt another thrust and withdrawal. After only seconds but what felt like hours, he triumphantly declared "mine" and Valentine was forced to her toes as he thrust more deeply into her than ever before. Her climax hit with an intensity that was both exhilarating and terrifying.

Jack released his hand from her hair and slid it down to settle at her hips as he bent over her wrapping her body in his. As Jack began to pump in and out of her seeking his own release from the wonderfully terrible tension he coaxed, "Come on darling, ride with me." Yet again she caught sight of the two of them in the mirror and unbelievably she felt her desire begin to climb once more. Jack trailed hot wet kisses across her back and Valentine shamelessly ground her derriere against his groin. They were like the horses he'd described and their behavior was just animalistic and wild. Then he stopped to bite down hard on a spot just beneath her shoulder blade and he groaned as his seed spurted into her. Dimly Valentine thought of protesting his rough treatment but soon wave after wave of passion rolled over her and she could feel her inner muscles tighten around him to draw him even further into her. At last they both collapsed in a heap of spent pleasure.

Jack's weight was comfortably reassuring and Val was aware that without him pining her to the desk she would likely collapse onto the floor for it was doubtful that her legs could support her right now. As if he had read her mind, Jack straightened and scooped her up in his arms. He carried her to the bed and gently laid her down. When he spoke it was in a tone that brooked no argument, "You'll be spending the rest of your journey sleeping here."