Witch

Title: Witch
Author: Hellborne (the_ferret_mom@yahoo.com)
Age Rating: 18+

Disclaimer: Characters, if you saw them in the movie, not mine. See the Mouse. Story, mine, but I make no money. He does, but not on this.

Typing convention: / is used for thoughts. * - * - * is used for scene changes and passages of time.

Summary: What did Jack do to be tortured so? He would love to know.

Warnings: Torture, Rape, Lemon, Slash, VERY Graphic.

Betas: The two greatest BetaGoddesses in the world, Pendragginink and Littlebird! You're both truly magnificent, and I wouldn't be able to write half as well without you!

NOTE: I live for reviews. Being quite depressed lately about my health and missing my job, I could really use some reviews...and don't think I'm begging for cudos! I happen to love flames and constructive criticism just as much and sometimes more! Lord knows, without constructive criticism, I'd have never fixed some of the boo-boos I've made!

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Chapter 18 - Port Royal

As they made landfall at Port Royal, they were met by a squad of marines and Mrs. James Norrington herself. The Commodore walked down the gangplank first, determined to calm his wife and keep the marines from arresting everyone aboard. "Elizabeth, my darling, I've brought some old friends of yours to visit while I attend to some business with the governor." He turned to the marines. "Secure this area. No men are to go aboard the Black Pearl. Is that understood?"

Captain Gillette objected. "Sir, they're pirates, and they kidnapped you! How can you defend them like this? At least allow me to put Jack Sparrow into the brig."

Jack appeared at the top of the gangplank a bit ungainly on his crutches with Will at his side. "Captain, if it will make you feel safer, I'll go quietly."

Gillette examined him from the bottom of the gangplank, speechless and shocked. "Mr. Sparrow, what happened to you?"

Jack prepared for some serious Gillette baiting when Will put a hand on the pirate's shoulder to keep him quiet. "Captain, if you mean to put Captain Sparrow in the brig, I believe I'll come along too. Then you'll have a real excuse to puff and strut, having both captains of the Pearl in your Gaol. There's little enough sport for you in Jack, I'm afraid: a local cardinal got to him first and decided to punish him more cruelly than anything you would do, and among other unpleasant things, gouged out Jack's eyes. He's still somewhat unsteady on his feet and disoriented, so he'll need help to find the fort, let alone the brig; your men won't be as gentle with him as I will, and might damage him further before you even get him to the cell and the chains I'm sure you have ready and waiting."

Norrington spoke up. "There is no need for any of this, Gillette. Captains Sparrow and Turner are free to roam the city until I return. Leave two guards on the dock, but they are not to confront the crew of the Pearl in any way, and not prevent in ANY way the captains from visiting my house or Mrs. Norrington. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Sir." The wind completely knocked out of his sails, Gillette almost visibly deflated; pouting dejectedly, he ordered all but two of the marines to stand down, and gave the two guards their instructions.

Will helped Jack down the gangplank, pleased at Jack's accepting his help and at the same time, quite alarmed that he was willing to accept it. There was a gentle tinkling sound as they made their slow but steady way past Gillette, who noticed a couple of tiny bells on Will's belt and had to admire the ingenuity of the solution if nothing else. "It looks like you've got a way to find Mr. Turner, at least."

Jack smiled. "Dat's not why William is wearing da bells, Captain." Gillette heard Jack's oddly slurred speech, understanding coming to him as he saw that Jack's jaw was wired shut. Was there no part of the pirate that had not been brutalized? "You see, Captain Gillette, on board the Pearl, I have no problems getting around, as I know her better den da back of my hand. A grand and bustling city such as Port Royal, however, dat I've only visited a couple of times in my life...I'll need some help to find my way around."

"Wouldn't it be easier to simply have someone guide you through the streets though?"

"Easier, perhaps. But I want as little to do wid being 'blind' as possible. I'll never see again, but I hear quite well, so as long as William wears doze bells, I can follow him troo da streets widout having my blindness made conspicuously obvious."

"I see. Mr. Sparrow, pride cometh before a fall. You would be far safer, Sir, if one of the men accompanied you."

"I believe we'll have Mrs. Commodore to accompany us to her home, tank you very much."

"But propriety demands you have a chaperone."

"Den feel free to send a guard to trot along after us. But I'll need no help other dan William's bells to get me around.

Gillette ordered one of the guards to stay with them until such time as their return to the Pearl, then left them, fleeing for the emotional security he found in the rigid stone walls and rules of the fort.

Norrington kissed Elizabeth's forehead. "Be good to our guests, my darling. They're heroes for the crown, whether they wish to admit it or not."

"James, you didn't leave a note, and neither did they. You should have told me where you were going."

"I didn't know at the time, or I would have."

Will spoke up, feeling compelled to lend his support to the beleaguered James. "That's quite true, Eliz-Mrs. Norrington. I'm afraid Captain Gillette is correct in that I did truly kidnap him. If you are angry about his leaving so abruptly, please blame me."

Jack cleared his throat. "My dear Mrs. Commodore. Let us all go somewhere quickly, as I tend to tire rather quickly on deez crutches."

Elizabeth hugged Jack. "You're right. Let's go." She, Jack, and Will walked to the waiting coach and rode away.

* - * - *

"So you see, Lizabeff, I'm right lucky to be alive, and it's all tanks do your husband and William here!"

Elizabeth rose from her chair in the parlor, crossing to Jack and giving him a big, if surprising, hug, that, to her delight, was heartily returned by the pirate, despite or perhaps because of the scandalized prying eyes of their guard. "Oh Jack," Elizabeth knelt on the carpet by the side of his chair, her eyes filling and overflowing slightly seeing the full extent of his hurts. "ARE you going to be all right? I mean...oh, your poor eyes..."

"Oh, I have my bad moments, like anyone whose world has crashed down on them, but I'm a stubborn old codger, Lizabeff. It'll take a lot more dan just dis do make me give up my Pearl. Even if I have do stay aboard her as Captain Turner's cabin boy, I'm stayin'. I'll not leave my Lady!" Jack let Elizabeth go, and she made her way back to her chair.

Will smiled. "And don't worry on THAT account, old man. You'll ALWAYS be Captain of the Black Pearl. I may be the one to give the orders, but YOU choose the destinations. And you always will, Jack. That's my promise to you."

"Y' see, Lizabeff? Who can stay sad when 'e has such a wonderful partner as my young William?" Jack reached over to Will and pulled him over, kissing him soundly on the mouth. Will blushed, but returned it, not caring a fig for the now-completely traumatized guard.

"I can tell. Jack, seeing you both like this makes me feel much better about my choice to marry James. I KNEW Will needed you, Jack, and you him, but I never imagined it so..."

Will smiled sheepishly. "loving?"

"Yes. I more imagined it as you needing each other as friends...or brothers. But THIS? I'm happy for you both...but you must admit, it's not quite the usual thing to see THAT in polite company."

Jack laughed. "Aye, i's not. Bud since when have I ever BEEN 'polite company'? And ye don' have to tell me. I know William blushed. He IS a polite one. I's da only flaw in his character. Can' seem to get dat out of 'im...but I love 'im anyway!"

They talked most of the day through, until Estrella brought Elizabeth a note after answering the door.

"Oh dear. Well, I guess I can't keep you to myself all day like I'd planned after all. You're requested to meet my husband at the Governor's mansion. He would like to speak to you both." Elizabeth stood up then, along with the gentlemen in the room.

Jack and Will both gave her somewhat weepy hugs and headed out the door, followed closely by the very disgruntled guard from the fort.

* - * - *

"So put me in the gaol if you wish, Governor Swann. I'm not sorry for kidnapping Commodore Norrington, since, had I not, that pirate navy would have eaten alive every town within five days' sailing, Port Royal included."

Weatherby Swann sat at his desk, fingers steepled in thought. He turned to Norrington. "And you say you're unwilling to press charges against them?"

"Not unwilling, Sir. I am flatly refusing. For the official record, Governor Swann, I will not press charges, not in a million years."

The governor was nothing if not impressed, his eyes twinkling at the Commodore's facetious defiance. "Good Heavens, James, that's a rather long time, isn't it."

The Commodore formally concurred, continuing his stance on the matter. "It is, sir. Captain Turner not only risked his life, he SAVED the lives of thousands by his admittedly unorthodox actions. That is why I am requesting the Letters of Marque and clemency for both him and Captain Sparrow. Personally, Sir, I would rather have the Black Pearl on our side than against us. And the same goes for her captains." James nodded at Will and Jack.

"Hmm. Yes, well, it's a pity that you couldn't have brought the cardinal back with you. I would have liked to hear his part of the story. One does wonder what the man thought he was about."

Jack raised his hand. "Beggin' your pardon, Governor, but we do have the Cardinal's senior doctor on da Pearl. He would be happy to tell you what the Cardinal's orders were."

"And why did you not bring him with you? Is he in your brig?"

"Oh no! He's my doctor on the Pearl, Sir. 'e's da man wot put me back togedder after the ordeal. He's happily part of the crew, luv."

Governor Swann looked at James. "Have him brought here at once."

James left the Governor's office, and gave the order to have one of the guards fetch Dr. Abernathy.

* - * - *

"And so you see, Governor, the Cardinal had gone quite mad some little while before I was brought to him. I believe it was a blessing to humanity that he was brought to death before doing any MORE harm to his fellow man."

"And you wish to stay aboard that pirate ship of your own, free will, Sir?"

"I do, Sir, yes. I've yet to see any real evidence of piracy, Sir, other than their own choice of terms. I always imagined pirates as completely wretches. Unhealthy, hateful criminals, without principle and cruel. But the crewmen of the Black Pearl are happy men indeed, willing to go out of their ways to do a man a favor. In fact, the medical supplies provided for my use would have crowded me out of my large cabin had I not been able to convince them I didn't need any more. And I've heard that they're keeping even more supplies for me, 'just in case' in storage in the hold, Governor. Why would I wish to leave people who know how to treat men of Medicine? And where would Captain Sparrow be without a doctor? His leg is healing well, but he is not yet recovered by any means and still complains of discomfort, and I'll need to unwire his jaw in a few months. And if he doesn't stay out of trouble..."

The Governor sniffed. "There you have it. Jack Sparrow? Stay out of trouble? Fie! You jest with me, Sir!"

Dr. Abernathy harrumphed. "I mean, if he doesn't have any more accidents and isn't further tortured like the Cardinal had ordered done to him. I haven't seen anything like whatever 'trouble' you seem to be hinting at except that directed toward Jack himself."

The Commodore spoke up. "Governor. Doctor. While I'll admit that there hasn't been enough time to determine just how much trouble Mr. Sparrow can get into..." the Commodore struggled to suppress a grin just considering unlimited mayhem, "...the mind boggles to think it, might I suggest that, no matter how much time he's given, his handicaps will make it rather impossible for him to return fully to his old ways? I apologize to Mr. Sparrow, as he's been through quite an ordeal, but we must all face the realization that he's not going to be accomplishing jailbreaks, commandeering ships, leading His Majesty's navy a merry dance, nor will he be attacking anyone with a weapon from now on."

Jack nodded. "Agreed, in general, but I must admit, Commodore, I can still fire a pistol wid good accuracy. If I can hear it, I can shoot it. But I do also admit tha' I keep dat as a last resort no matter for what reason I might need it."

"Indeed? I should like to see you shoot, then. I remember you referring to it on your ship, but I hadn't given it much thought before."

"All righ'. Jus' get a target dat makes a noise and I'll shoot it."

Weatherby shook his head. "When pirates and his Majesty's finest agree, what can the world be coming to? It is against my better judgment, gentlemen, but all right." He wrote out two Letters of Marque and two letters granting clemency, sealed them, and gave them to the two pirate captains before him. "If I hear that you've done anything against the British Crown from now on, your lives are forfeit. Do we have an understanding?"

Jack stood and bowed, keeping his right hand on one crutch to balance himself. "Aye, Governor Swann. We do indeed."

Will nodded as he rose. "Agreed. We'll keep to Dutch, French, and Spanish ships from now on, you have my word on it."

Will and James helped Jack make his slow and steady way out of the Governor's mansion. The Governor offered his carriage to the pirate's ease but Jack would have none of it, preferring instead to return to the dock under his own power, flanked by Will and James as escort.

On the way back to the Pearl, Jack had Will purchase small bells of varying tones, one for each crewmember on the Pearl.

When they returned to the Pearl, a party was quickly organized and underway onboard, the celebrating of their Letters of Marque doing very nicely as excuses.

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TBC