Ship in a Bottle | By : EvilE Category: Pirates of the Caribbean (All) > Het - Male/Female > Jack/Elizabeth Views: 4205 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. |
Chapter 19: Birds of a Feather
Will lay on his stomach across a hammock on the crew deck below, unable to move. Every breath he took brought a fresh round of pain to his back. It had been a couple of hours since he had fallen there, he guessed, and he groaned when he realized he'd go on watch long before he stopped bleeding. For all the attention paid him, he may as well have been a groaning, bleeding barrel of rum... well, an empty barrel.
With great effort he managed to pull his elbows into his chest and shift his head farther onto the hammock. His eyes closed again, but he wouldn't be able to sleep. His mind still raced, and as soon as he felt the least bit drowsy, the pain on his back tore him out of slumber.
He tried to soothe himself by thinking about Elizabeth, imagining her comforting him. But when he did, the mental image of her seemed to melt into Lady E, and he fought against picturing her naked, writhing under him, as he... as he... what? He still hadn't come up with an appropriate form of retribution for what she'd done. He shuffled through a number of possibilities in his mind, then, and the more he thought about punishing her, the harder it became to rest...
He heard the boots of the five or so men who he knew to be nearby hit the floor suddenly. He opened his eyes slowly, a sinking feeling in his stomach adding to the pain from his back.
As you were, gentlemen.
At the sound of Lady E's voice, Will groaned aloud. He heard the footsteps approach, knew she was coming over to him. As if he needed any more torture at the moment.
If you'll tell me you've learned your lesson, I suppose I'll forget that you failed to stand at attention just now.
He turned his head and looked up at her through half-lidded eyes, and he knew the pain had to be apparent, but he forced a bitter smile. It may be quite a while before I'm able to stand at attention, unless you're offering your assistance.
She narrowed her eyes at him, and he could barely see in the dim light. He was unsure if he'd just put another nail in his coffin, but he was in too much pain to care. My assistance? she echoed.
He only regarded her, and he couldn't resist another long, heated look from her face to her waist. Then he shut his eyes. You've made your point. Leave me in peace.
He heard a sigh of impatience. All right. Come on, then. I need more information about our... opportunity.
His eyes opened. Now?
Yes, now.
Here?
No, in my quarters.
No offense, Captain, but I cannot move.
You weakling, she scolded him and then he felt the brush of silky hair against his arm, and his arm lifted. She had put his arm around her neck, he realized with shock.
When the skin on his back folded as she stood up, he cried out before he could stop himself. But she maneuvered him onto his feet, and then began to walk.
Will heard whispers among the other crewmen. ...fancies that one, methinks. Aye. But he paid them no mind as he and Lady E began to climb the stairs.
A few moments later, he found himself lying facedown on a bunk. His eyes were still closed against the light streaming into the cabin, and he wasn't aware she was near him until he felt something touch his back.
Water. Cool water, on a rag. And it stung worse than anything.
At his cry of protest, she clicked her tongue. Tut, you'll feel better in a moment. Hush.
He compressed his lips and held himself still as she mopped the dried blood and dirt out of his wounds before laying a cool cloth over the entire area, and gently pressed it with her palm.
I'd thank you, but they say an ounce of prevention's worth a pound of cure. So we're not quite even, he muttered.
This is not an act of kindness, Turner. I want you to tell me more about the treasure, and I can't listen to you moaning and groaning the entire time.
He smiled, not believing a word she said. He knew Elizabeth, and she was one of the proudest women he'd ever met. She'd nearly die before being sorry about anything. But Lady E could keep her pride. For now.
Now, she said, folding her hands as she sat on the edge of the bunk. I want you to tell me exactly where we're going to find this treasure once we get to your little island.
Will continued to look at her, his cheek against the mattress. I'll be happy to show you once we get there.
Not good enough.
Well, that's all you're getting for now. You could always try to beat it out of me, but I doubt you'll have much luck.
I don't care for your tone, boy, she said, and reached out a hand to take his chin between her thumb and forefinger. Now tell me where it is.
Why? So you can get rid of me, and pursue it yourself?
He met her eyes with a challenge, and she lifted her chin and stared back at him. It was a clash of wills. Keep talking like that, and I'll come to the conclusion that you don't trust me, she said in a silky, dangerous tone.
I never expected you to trust me. But you need me to find it, and I need you to get us there.
He felt her fingers grip his neck. I could demand that you tell me, or else squeeze the life out of you.
You could, Will forced out through his constricted throat. But then I'd choke to death, and you still wouldn't have your treasure.
After a long moment she released him, and he inhaled deeply, causing his chest to expand and his skin to stretch over his back. The pain was still sharp, but becoming more bearable.
He moved his hand off the mattress to shift himself onto his side, and when he put it down and pushed to turn his torso, he realized his palm was on something warm, and smooth, and soft. He looked and saw his right hand resting atop Lady E's trouser-clad thigh. He followed the thigh higher with his eyes, and looked up finally at her face.
Her eyes were fixed on him, her lids lowered slightly. She knew where his hand was. She lifted a single eyebrow lifted in a silent question: Well?
His fingertips seemed to flex involuntarily around her thigh, and he felt the slender muscle of her leg beneath the fabric. He'd always felt a little uneasy about Elizabeth exposing the shape of her legs in pants all the time, but now he was ready to compose a hymn of praise to whomever first gave headstrong women the idea to dress as men while out at sea...
As she continued to watch him through her dark-rimmed eyes, he lifted his elbow and moved his hand to her inner thigh, and then higher. He could feel the heat of her through the fabric... another inch and he'd be touching her...
Time for that later, boy, she said, and pulled herself away from his touch. His hand fell, bereft, to the mattress. She snatched the cloth off his back and dropped it into a washbasin sitting nearby. Better get below and get some sleep. We've got an exciting night ahead of us, don't we?
More than you know, he thought. After all, tonight was her last night as captain of the Pearl, although she didn't know it yet. He considered her words more carefully, then. Tonight? Even if we reach the island, better to wait till dawn. More light to find the right... spot.
She did not answer, but rose and walked to the door, opening it. On your feet, now. Go get some sleep before your watch.
As Will struggled to stand up, his mind began to race and his pulse speeded up. He hoped she would wait until dawn to row out to the island once they came within sight of it... because otherwise, once Lady E figured out there was no treasure to be found, he would be dead - long before the ambush even arrived.
* * *
Captain Jack Sparrow stood on the deck stairs of the Elizabeth, facing his assembled crew.
He had asked Gibbs to call everyone together at a specified time late in the afternoon so that he could inform them of their duties.
Listen up, gents, he began, holding on the wood with one hand and angling his body into the air a little precariously. He swung back and forth as he spoke. He then spied Elizabeth and Mary, who had just emerged from below, both dressed in their men's guises, on the edge of the crowd. Gents and... everyone else-
At this Cotton's parrot interrupted with Birds of a feather! Birds of a feather! and Cotton reached up quickly to pinch its beak, nervously nodding to Jack to continue.
Thank you. We have a long night ahead of us. At dawn we drop anchor near a little spit of land called Isla de la Madre, so called because its shape resembles a woman's...uh... He eyed Elizabeth and Mary, who had both lifted their brows and tightened their fingers into fists, which were coming up to rest on their waists. His fingers began to stroke nervously through the braids in his beard.
Chin? offered Pintel. A woman's chin?
That's it, yes, exactly, Jack said, pointing at the balding man. When we reach it, we'll sail around to a curved harbor hidden in the back, and drop anchor. Then all of you - and I do apologize for the cramped quarters so far, as we do effectively have more men than we need for one ship - because we're leaving with two ships. Half of you will stay on board and guard the Elizabeth until you are signaled to set sail. Half of you will form a raiding party that will travel to the island by boat, cross through to the other side, where we will hopefully surprise the unsuspecting Lady E and her crew of... unfortunates.
What 'bout the Dauntless? Ragetti put in. Ain't they still followin' us? Once we drop anchor, won't they attack?
Ah, well. Jack made a sweeping gesture with his wrist. You see, that's part of the surprise. We're going to let the Dauntless see us row out to the island in our boats. Could they then attack the ship? Yes. But will they? Unlikely, as it's us they're really after. The ship they'd like to have back. And when they follow with their own party of soldiers, who will of course pursue us into the trees, we'll lead them happily... right to our pirate opponents. All that remains for us is to get out of the way, right, lads?
A rousing cheer went up, until Elizabeth cleared her throat. Excuse me, but what guarantee do we have that her crew will come out to the island? We could be sailing and then walking right into the hands of a whole pack of British soldiers by ourselves.
A murmur of agreement with her. One of Jack's nostrils twitched, and he remembered why he didn't want her on board in the first place... she vexed him.
There are no guarantees in life, Mrs. Turner, he said. Other members of the crew whispered among themselves, sounding concerned. Then the deck became very quiet, and Jack glanced over their faces, seeing some fear and displeasure.
I - I don't fancy a battle with soldiers, Ragetti said. Their bayonets are right pointy, 's I recall.
Oh, come on, where's your sense of adventure, hm? The thrill of battle? We're bloody pirates, remember? Jack said, glaring at the lot of them. He was met with blinks and total silence. You have me word, when we put back into port everyone gets a share of whatever profit comes from the plunder aboard the Pearl, plus an extra share to whomever accompanies me on my next pillaging endeavor. There were murmurs of agreement, then, and some less long faces, but no enthusiasm whatsoever. Jack finally sighed, rubbing the back of his head with his palm. All right... well... the island's got pretty palm trees, and there are lots of coconuts.
Another beat of silence. Then a wholehearted cheer emerged from the crowd, and the men began to disperse as Jack rolled his eyes.
Those of you not on watch, get some rest! Don't get too drunk! We've got a big day ahead, he called after them.
Then he returned to his cabin to gather his most important effects from his cabin, as he wouldn't be back after they went to the island. If all went well.
If all went well, at this time tomorrow he'd be sailing on the Pearl. And he'd be the captain.
And he'd be free again.
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