Taming A Dragon

Author: Pilgrim
Title: Taming A Dragon
Rating: NC-17 by the end possibly sooner depends on the story progresses
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the PotC characters or movies (unfortunately); anything you recognize isn’t mine although that shouldn’t be much in this fan fiction.
Feedback: Please! First time fan fiction writer and desperate for tips, tricks, advice, stuff me full of info please! I want to improve and take over the world with my genius mwhahaha! Lol, only kidding but feedback would be fantastic, send it to raukarwen_deomene@yahoo.com or review whatever’s good!
Notes: So far unread, so really need feedback on it.

Chapter 24 - Stolen Compass

Oria thrashed against the man, attempting to kick him, hit him anything to get him off. Arms clamped about the mans throat and dragged him off, Oria scrambled further up the deck coughing and very relieved to be able to breathe again. A hand rested on her shoulder and she leapt in shock, before looking up into Bootstraps’ kindly eyes, “You alright?”

She nodded rubbing the bruises on her neck tenderly as he dragged her to her feet, “Tried to get him off before but got delayed. Jack was preoccupied.” Bootstrap pushed her behind the stairs.

“You got him?” He nodded proudly.

“That I did Miss, he won’t be bothering you again.” Oria watched as he disappeared back into the fray, she caught Jacks’ gaze and gave a faint smile as he looked relieved. After several minutes her head stopped spinning from lack of air and only a few of the tribes men were left, she headed out from under the stairs and picked up her abandoned pistols.

Drawing her cutlasses she knocked one man off the side of the ship and slowly the rest began to leave sensing they were losing, taking the dead with them. She leaned over the side of the ship and aimed her pistol down; one shot went off straight through the base of the canoe, a small fountain burst up, the tribes’ men shouted in their language and jumped out of the canoe choosing instead to swim away. A quiet cheer went up over the deck; six men were left out of a crew of twenty, Jack grinned as if he had defeated everyone alone.

“Alright, alright, calm down. We’re going to have to get further out to sea or risk another attack.” The cheers faded off quickly as they realised this was no walk in the park with only eight able people on a ship that needed ten in battle. It would sail alright, but a battle was a different matter, lookouts would be a permanent fixture for however long it took to get back to Tortuga.

“Oria? You hurt?” She turned around to face Jack.

“No.” His gaze fixed on the purple discolouration at her throat, his fingers brushed over it gently.

“Looks sore.” Oria smiled at him and strode past him.

“It’s not that bad. Be gone by morning.” Jack nodded following her with his eyes, “We should get that yard fixed as soon as possible, we won’t be able to make good time without it.” He shook his mind out of the pleasant imagery and nodded, there would be no time for that, not with the ship and crew in such desperate shape. He whimpered, this was not going to be a fun time.

:/

Finally after a week of weary sailing the glittering lights of Tortuga presented themselves on the horizon much to the relief of the crew. Four scrapes with HMS ships had left them nervous and more than desperate to dock at any port. Oria hadn’t slept for two days choosing instead to stay as lookout to let everyone else rest, she could last longer and everyone except Jack had been grateful.

He had been sending her angry glares ever since she had announced her plan. With land finally in sight she stumbled back down the rigging from the crows nest and sat wearily on a barrel. Jack stalked down from the helm, “Tired? Good, serves you right.” She chuckled.

“Still sore about that?” He folded his arms.

“Believe it or not I actually enjoy your company; I was looking forward to sleeping together if nothing else. You didn’t even grant me that little reprieve.” Oria looked up at him.

“If you felt so strongly about it, you should have said something.” Jack glared at her.

“You should have discussed it with me first.” Oria stood up she was in no mood for an argument.

“Back off Jack, you didn’t say anything and the crew needed their rest more than me. It was a logical course of action. I thought it would be helpful, I won’t bother next time, just let you go along your daft way.” She pushed past him harshly and slammed the cabin door behind her, leaning back against it angrily. She knew she shouldn’t have snapped, he was just as tired as her and she should have known better. The handle twisted against her back and she stepped forwards letting the door open, Jack stepped in looking sheepish and shut the door behind him, his eyes not meeting hers.

“I’m sorry; you did the right thing for the ship and crew. Wasn’t my place to criticise.” Oria sighed.

“I’m sorry to, truth be told I’d rather have been down here as well.” Jack met her gaze with a hopeful smile.

“Kiss and make up.” She chuckled and leaned back against the desk as he stalked predatorily forwards, “Unfortunately no time for anything more, going to need me to guide the ship into port.” Oria wrapped her arms about his shoulders and pulled him into her sharply, kissing him harshly, Jack groaned slightly, such sweet torture. His hands rested on her hips before travelling upwards to run fleeting touches along her spine, a knock came at the door. With a sigh he pulled away from her and went to open it, Bootstrap was leant against the frame he looked up as the door opened with a grin.

“Coming up to port Captain. Thought you might want to know.” Jack nodded and glanced back at Oria, she was struggling to hide a yawn. He grinned.

“Get some sleep for gods’ sake. If we’ve docked before you wake I’ll leave a note and you can come through and join us.” She nodded and stumbled over to the bed collapsing in it in a weary heap.

:/

What felt like only minutes later she was being shaken awake violently. She opened one eye and glared at Jack, “I thought you said you’d leave a note.” He looked distinctly annoyed and rather ruffled.

“I did, went in to Tortuga with the crew for an ale and got into a sort of… scrap… with a gypsy. Anyway, he stole my compass.” Oria glared at him.

“You woke me for that? Just go and get it back, you don’t need me to hold your hand.” Jack returned the glare.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I need you to go and get it for me, he’s gone into a sort of house thing, anyways it’s got body guards outside and they’ll only let women in. Bit of a player apparently.” Oria glared at him harder and attempted to roll out of his grasp, he dragged her back.

“Jack, I have no idea what time it is but I’m really not in the mood for dress up games.” He tugged her upright.

“Please, love.” She met his gaze, those wretched puppy eyes caught her and she shrugged out of his grasp.

“Jack I hate it when you look at me like that.” He grinned and stood up dragging her with him, kneeling next to a bucket she splashed cold water onto her face. Jack stood next to his desk; Oria glanced over and spotted the dress.

“You’re joking right?” He glanced down at it, didn’t look bad to him, loose corseted top half and a silken skirt, a deep crimson with black detail. He lifted it up.

“What’s wrong with it?” Oria picked at the skirt.

“Where am I supposed to put my cutlasses and pistols?” Jack grinned.

“You’re not going to wear any, ladies don’t.” Oria leaned forwards conspiratorially.

“Jack I’m not a lady, I’m a pirate.” His eyes trailed down the front of her shirt.

“I’d call it a bit of both.” She pushed him back fighting back a smirk at his playfulness; he grinned winningly and held out the dress.

“If not for me then for the compass.” Oria waved her hands.

“I have no idea how to tie it up. I wore a corset once when I was ten I think and that was it.” Jack grinned.

“Well I’m better at taking them off, but if I work in reverse we may get somewhere.” Oria sighed and nodded tugging her shirt over head.

“You’re insufferable.” Jack grinned as he handed the dress over, he could feel stirrings just at the sight of her changing.

“Wouldn’t have me any other way.” Oria glared at him and tugged the dress up holding it to her chest while Jack stood behind her and began to lace up the ribbons. His fingers intentionally brushing over her back sending shivers down it, he grinned he loved the effect he could have on her with the slightest touch. Course it worked both ways when Oria decided to turn the tables, for some reason she could been even more subtle and he’d be more than desperate in seconds.

Feeling the corset tighten about her frame Oria turned her attention to the mass of braids she had reinstated in her hair. They would have to come out, for her plan to work, she felt Jack tie off the ribbons in a neat bow and his fingers joined her own unbinding the various braid forced ringlets till they fell down to just below her shoulder blades in a riot of curled ebony silk. She turned around slowly and opened her arms to let him see every angle as she turned, Jack swallowed nervously.

“Well? Deceptive enough?” His eyes ran over her hungrily, she looked good in britches and shirts but this was definitely another good look, the corset showing her slenderness while giving massive emphasis to her otherwise minimal curves. Jack glanced at her.

“I’m a bit worried about sending you in now. Might end up getting ravished.” Oria reached for a dagger and belt.

“Then I’ll go in armed.” She tugged the skirt up and fastened the dagger to the outside of her thigh with the belt. Jack choked, there was a very shapely leg on show, she glanced up with a frown.

“Something wrong?” He shook his head; he had not been in physical contact with her for far too long. He turned away.

“No, hurry, god knows what he’s doing to me…” He shook his head, “I mean my compass.” Oria smirked and let the skirt drop back down before tugging on her boots.

“Ready?” He met her gaze with a slight grin and offered an arm; she glared at it pointedly.

“Just to stop anyone from getting the wrong idea till they have to get the wrong idea.” She rolled her eyes getting the distinct impression that she wouldn’t leave this room till she accepted the proffered limb. Jack grinned as she slipped her arm around his.