At my Command - Part 2
Author: Daniela
Fandom: PotC: Pirates of the Caribbean
Pairing: Sparrington
Rating: PG13
Category: Angst, Romance
Series/Sequel: Yes, Sequel to "Stranded"
Summary: Jack is Norringtonīs prisoner
Warnings: M/M, Slash
Disclaimer: I donīt own them. Nobody is capable of owning them.
Feedback: Yes, please. Itīs my treasure.
Email: daniforblue@yahoo.de
Released: March 2004
Beta: Ysolde, Monika
Slightly limping because of his stiff, injured leg, Jack strolled around the deck of the "Dauntless". With lazy eyes, he watched the colourful sunrise, from crimson to blazing red, onward to orange and finally to a glorious yellow. It was a wonderful morning, Jack decided.
Carefully, his fingers traced the purple marks on his face, checking the cheekbones for damage. Luckily, that bastard Gillette didnīt break anything. Gillette had ignored his orders, Jack grinned at the memory, he might have provoked the lieutenant by some comments about his dear Commodore...Something about me breeches. Ah, yes. How filthy and ruined they were, thanks to Commodore Norrington.
Gillette landed a few before coming back to his senses.
But Jack couldnīt resist and despite the pain, started smirking and provoked the lieutenant further. "Aye, ye should have seen the Commodoreīs ardour, when he got me half-naked. He was clearly warming up to me."
Jack had braced himself for another but the stupid, jealous lad had finally figured out Jack was provoking him on purpose. After binding his hands roughly behind his back, heīd left Jack alone.
It was quite simple to get rid of his bonds and with his dagger taken from itīs hidden place it was only a matter of time....
The dagger!
How could James forget that I still have it? He isnīt famous for his carelessness. Maybe, he hasnīt forgotten. Perhaps he wanted me to free meself, to get a chance to escape. Jackīs grin widened. Instead, I took me chances with him. Making me imprisonment as sweet as possible. Aye, it was sweet...and hot. I donīt regret me decision to pay him a visit.
"Where have you been?" Roughly, Gillette pulled him around.
"Eh? Iīm here, ainīt I? Just watching the sunrise. Isnīt it a wonderful morning?" A broad smile went with that statement.
Not smiling back at all, Gillette continued: "Nobody has seen you for hours. What did you do?"
"Ainīt doing anything, Sir."
"Where are your bonds then?"
"I got rid of them, they hurt me hands. But I wasnīt doing any harm."
"So, where have you been?"
"If yeīre eager to know, in the Commodoreīs quarters," Jack teased provokingly.
Surprisingly, Gillette didnīt fall for his trick again. With narrowing eyes but calm, he remarked dryly: "As if he would ever want to come near you voluntarily." Fed up with Jackīs presence, he turned around and walked away.
Jack noticed Gillette threw a quick glance in the direction of the Commodoreīs quarters. Got ye, Jack sneered.
James had been still asleep, when he had left him. He hadnīt the heart to wake him. More perplexing, he didnīt want to leave his side. Waking up, me head buried against his neck, his arm wound around me, his hair tickling me skin made me feel...as I never expected. A stiff British officer made me.... Jack sighed. Iīm in trouble, aye, more trouble than Iīve ever asked for.
Lolling against the railing, he noticed an unknown officer, who was staring at him. He was younger and more handsome than Gillette. "Aye?" Jack asked out of boredom.
Caught, the young man was visibly embarrassed, but he joined him anyway. "Ahoy, Captain Sparrow."
Jack frowned. "Have we met before?"
"As a matter of fact, we have. I was among the soldiers, who captured you in Port Royal, the day you saved Miss Swannīs life."
"Ah," Jack exclaimed, now getting interested. "That day, I was quite busy handling yer Commodore."
An amused sniggering escaped the young manīs nose.
Jackīs boredom was gone for good. "Was it that funny for ye, eh?" he teased good-naturedly.
"No. No, I didnīt mean to laugh but..." He blushed slightly. "Well, the event between the Commodore and you was quite...hilarious," he admitted finally shyly.
"Was it?" Jack felt cheered up a lot. "Was he very angry, when I escaped with the īInterceptorī?"
"Certainly, he was furious, but still...."
"Aye?" Noticing the eagerness in his voice, seeing the sudden amazement in the officerīs eyes, Jack stopped. Begad! Even this innocent, young lad, caught me paying way to much attention to this matter. "Never mind," he concluded, disguising his curiosity. "Whatīs yer name, mate?"
"Iīm Lieutenant Groves."
"Pleasure." Jackīs friendly smile was true. "Tell me, mate, what happened to me ship, to me crew?"
"Donīt you know? They escaped."
"Aye?"
"After finding out that the Commodore and you had vanished; quite a riot was breaking out. Lieutenant Gillette was put in charge but he was a bit swamped with it."
Jack could see the young officerīs joy in the other manīs misfortune.
"In the chaos your crew escaped on the īBlack Pearlī," Groves finished.
"Isnīt it a wonderful day?" Jack was in ecstasy. He could barely resist asking more about James. It quite startled him, when Groves suddenly uttered out of the blue: "The day, you escaped on the īInterceptorī, I was at the Commodoreīs side."
"Were ye?" Jack replied, demonstrative half-hearted.
"Yes. You, taking the īInterceptorī right under his nose, made him absolutely furious, but still..."
Biting his tongue, Jack waited patiently, secretly longing for every detail.
"...he admired the clever way of your escape," Groves told him frankly.
"He did not," Jack objected, disbelieving.
"Oh yes, he did. I know, because I called you the best pirate, I have ever seen." The colour in Grovesī face deepened, it warmed Jackīs heart. "So?"
"The Commodore replied, īSo it would seemī."
Jack grinned. "Did he? It was only fair and square to teach him a lesson, after he had outsmarted me with that deceitful handshake."
Groves chuckled. "Indeed."
"Lieutenant Groves!" Gillette called from the bridge.
Quickly, Groves excused himself and rushed back to his duties.
So, Jack considered, he admired me. Me, the filthy pirate. This day is getting better and better. Life is bloody fantastic.
Two hours later, Jack was lying lazily in a boat, tied to the stern of the "Dauntless". Doing nothing, only killing time by observing the sky, and listening to the commands on the ship. No further events had disturbed his boredom. Jack was longing for a change.
Finally, it came.
The Commodore had taken the deck. Mustering the ship and the crew. Gilletteīs eager voice floated to his ears. Then, the brisk, short answers of his lover of last night. Expectant, Jack stretched his idle body. Rightly. Already Norringtonīs next question delighted his ears.
"Where is Sparrow?"
Smiling, he climbed back on deck. "Iīm here. At yer command." His cheerful voice was drawing everybodyīs attention.
Norrington whirled around.
Jack was hit by a glare that would have petrified every single one of Norringtonīs men. Jack instead strolled casually up to him, grinning like it was the best moment of his life. In a way, it was.
Norrington waited, until Jack stood still, looking up to him.
"Aye, Sir?"
"Why arenīt your hands bound, as I have ordered."
Oh, me dear Commodore, this is ye asking for trouble. "Last night, I felt the urge to get rid of the damn ropes. I needed me hands for certain activities, savvy?"
Groves only gaped, while Gillette yelled: "Shut your filthy mouth!"
The Commodore stayed calm, not giving a sign, what he was thinking. "Well, Sparrow, if you want to provoke...."
"Sail ho!" the man in the crowīs nest interrupted him.
A pity in Jackīs opinion, he wouldīve liked to hear Norringtonīs answer.
But now, forgetting about him, the Commodore took the spy-glass, handed over by a crew member. He went to the rail on the portside, looking through the spy-glass, not minding Jack.
"Is it a pirate, maybe even me īBlack Pearlī?"
Finally lowering the spy-glass, concern spread across Norringtonīs face, his expression one that Jack had never seen before. Not even on the island, being his prisoner. "Itīs not your lucky day, Mister Sparrow."
"Eh? Which ship is it, mate?"
The Commodore didnīt respond, the man in the crowīs nest informed him instead. "Itīs the īInvincibleī! Admiral Malloryīs ship!"
Now figuring Norringtonīs concern, Jack grinned at him. "The Admiral. Here. The most feared enemy of all pirates. The pirateīs executor himself."
Norrington winced.
Jack joined his side at the rail. "Whatīs he doing in these waters? As I know, his port is far from here."
"Heīs coming for the Commodore, you bastard," Gillette burst out.
"Gillette, be quiet at once," Norrington ordered very sharply.
Delighted about that, Jack moved his attention to the "Invincible", which was getting in line with them. It was an impressive ship, much bigger than the "Dauntless". Next, Jack noticed, semaphores were given from ship to ship.
The Commodore was giving order to anchor.
On the "Invincible" a boat was let to water. It crossed the sea to meet them.
"Sparrow." Norrington was at his side. "Donīt speak to the Admiral. He wonīt listen to a pirate. No matter, what you have to say."
"Sounds familiar." A smile touched the centres of his mouth.
"Iīm not joking. In your own interest, shut your mouth. For once in your life, Sparrow."
Sensing his genuine concern, Jack mumbled softly, so only Norrington could hear him: "Savvy, James."
Strangely, Norrington didnīt scold him for using his first name, instead he sighed quietly. "Good."
The boat arrived at the "Dauntlessī" side. The ladder was let down and three men were climbing up.
Jack identified the Admiral at once by his uniform and his age. He must be at least sixty. His hair was already grey, but he had a strong, grim face. Jack pursed his lips.
The most feared pirate hunter in the Caribbean. Unbelievable.
Leaning his back against the rail, he watched the Commodore and the Admiral saluting to each other.
"Admiral, itīs a pleasure to welcome you on board."
"Thank you, Commodore, itīs a pleasure to be here."
Now, to Jackīs astonishment, all formalities were dropped. The Admiral smiled with a warmth, he would never have expected.
"James, my boy, Iīm so relieved to find you alive and safe. I was deeply worried when I heard of your disappearance."
Norrington smiled back. "Nothing to worry about anymore, Thomas. It was quite an adventure, but itīs over now."
Jack was hanging on his lips. Are ye sure, luv?
"Iīm surprised to find you in these waters," Norrington continued. "You are far from home."
"Hearing what happened to you, I came immediately to find you myself. You know, after my sonīs death, you are the only son I have."
Jackīs mind was rushing. The Admiralīs first name was Thomas. James had called him so. Thomas. Tommy. Could it be? Bloody curious, he tapped the near by Groves on the shoulder. "Whatīs the Admiralīs sonīs name?"
"Pardon?" Groves replied, bemused.
"His name," Jack insisted.
"Thomas Mallory, the same as his father, I think."
"Was he called Tommy?"
"Sorry, I donīt know that."
"How did he die?"
Groves frowned, hesitating. Confronted with Jackīs intense black eyes, he weakened. "I was told he was killed by pirates."
Satisfied, because his suspicion had been confirmed, Jack was deliberating, what to do with the news.
"SPARROW!" the Commodore yelled, furious.
Jack whirled around, becoming aware James must have called him already several times. "Aye?" Limping, he reached the spot before Norrington, and put on his most disarming smile.
Irritated for a moment, Norrington blinked, before he told the Admiral in the coldest way. "Thatīs him, Sir. Sparrow."
"CAPTAIN Sparrow," Jack corrected him, taking to it like a duck to water.
No sign of amusement or anger in return. The Admiral regarded him from top to bottom, as if Jack were a slave, he wanted to buy.
Unimpressed, Jack repaid the bold look.
Finally, the Admiral spoke - to the Commodore. "So, thatīs the pirate, who saved your life?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Are you sure, he wasnīt the one who put you in the water first."
"No, Sir. He was standing right in front of me, fighting me, when I was flung overboard."
"That doesnīt speak for him, does it?" The Admiral sneered.
Norrington didnīt disagree.
It made Jack uneasy.
"You know, James," the Admiral continued, "saving your life doesnīt change what he did in the past."
"I know, Sir. Pirate stays pirate. One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness."
Having heard quite enough now, Jack interfered boldly: "Though it seems enough to condemn him."
The Admiral raised his eyebrows. "Lieutenant Gillette, why isnīt that scum in irons, as he should be?"
Being at a loss for an answer, Gilletteīs eyes were flitting from Mallory to Norrington and back again. He started stammering: "It...is...because...he..."
"I was bound and in safe custody, but I freed meself, Admiral, Sir," Jack came to his rescue. "The Lieutenant did, what had to be done and gave me a hell of a beating."
Nonplussed, Gillette blushed.
Catching an amused sparkle in Norringtonīs eyes, Jack felt pleased with himself.
"Well done, Lieutenant," the Admiral praised.
"Thank you, Sir," Gillette murmured.
The Admiral took his attention back to Jack. "So, you are Jack Sparrow."
"Heard of me, eh?"
Norrington glared warningly at him.
Jack repressed a grin.
"Yes," Mallory admitted. "Well, Commodore," he addressed Norrington, "I think itīs better that I take the pirate into custody on the "Invincible".
Norrington startled. "What? Ermh...with all due respect, I canīt allow that, Sir. This man did a lot of damage to Port Royal. Itīs my most important duty to take him back there, where he will be hanged for certain."
Observing him closely, the Admiral considered that for a long time.
Norringtonīs face was stone-carved, not a blink.
Enjoying it to the full, being the cause of their conflict, Jack waited thrilled for the pirateīs killerīs decision. What damage did I do to Port Royal, Jem? Except, of course, saving yer fiancés life, throwing her into the arms of young Will.
Finally, the Admiral nodded. "You are right. Heīs your prisoner. But put that scum in irons, will you?"
"Certainly, Admiral." - "Gillette, bring him away, clap him in irons."
"Ye think that wise, Commodore?" Jack asked quietly. "It was hard enough to get rid of the bonds." A meaningful smile.
A glare in return.
Jack chuckled. "As ye command." Pushed by Gillette, he was dragged away, a smirk on his face.
Clapped in irons and locked in the brig, Jack was resting on the ground, considering the new situation.
For sure, the following night wonīt be as pleasing as the last, he mused. Me Jem is certainly bound by his principles and education, and the sudden appearance of the Admiral remembered him of them. Tommyīs father. The pirate killer, whose own son was slaughtered by one of us. Begad! It couldnīt be worse. No. It could be worse. Norrington could have given in to him. Let him have me without one tiny regret. But he didnīt. A sly smile played around the corners of his mouth. He couldnīt turn me over to the man, whose fame was in killing every pirate he gets his hands on. Even, if heīs Tommyīs father. Warm feelings swept through his body, he closed his eyes, imagining James, naked and on top of him, exactly like it was last night.
A sudden noise destroyed the image; someone was coming down the stairs. Curious, Jack drew himself up. "Who is it?"
No answer.
For a second, Jack thought, he was mistaken, but then he noticed a moving shadow. "Commodore?" Finally identifying the man, who came down here to see him, Jack was truly surprised. "The Admiral himself is paying poor olī Jack a visit. Iīm flattered, Sir."
"Watch your mouth, you scum."
Jack noticed the peculiar look the Admiral was giving him now, like he was searching for something.
"He wonīt save you."
"Who? The Commodore? No. Never. Why? What did he tell ye?"
"Itīs not what he told me, itīs what he didnīt."
"Not much of a squealer, me dear Norrington, eh?" Jackīs voice was full of undeniable affection.
Mallory sniffed, disgusted. "Whatever happened on that island, he wonīt let you go. You will go to the gallows. For my sonīs sake."
"Aye. For good olī Tommy."
"Shut up! Youīre not fit to mention his name. You know, how he died?"
"Aye. A pirate killed him."
"You know how?"
"No."
"The pirate slashed his throat, and then he threw my sonīs body into the sea."
Jackīs heart felt cold. "Did Norrington see it happen?"
"Yes."
Jack saw a glimpse of wetness in the Admiralīs eyes, before he turned around, leaving him with his questions and thoughts.
Jack sank slowly back to the ground. "So, thatīs the truth then," he mumbled, addressing the bars, "the truth about James, the truth about him hating pirates so much."
He doesnīt hate ME. No? Certainly, he hated me the second I was threatening him with me dagger, held to his throat. Making him surrender - before I jerked him off. Jack sighed. If only Iīd known. Aye, he must hate me. Fucking me doesnīt prove he likes me. The Admiral is right. Iīll go to the gallows and James will watch me die. A memory stung his heart, sharp and bitter. Blurry faces, shouting voices, ordering officers, gathering people. A woman, crying, a boy....
"No." In despair, he turned around, burying his face in the dirty ground, he was lying on. Do ye really want to see me hang? Do ye Jem? Do ye really want to see me dead? Killed in front of ye. Do ye?
