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 26 - Decisions Made

Jack rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he gazed down at Oria; this was definitely an interesting conundrum. Oria glanced up at him, “At least now I know what Tia Dalma was on about it not being just me alone anymore.” Jack stalked away and gazed out of the window, the morning light dancing on the tiles of the roof beneath the window. What did he want? He wasn’t sure; he needed to detach himself from the situation, get a perspective from afar, then put himself in the equation. He glanced over his shoulder, Oria was staring at the flames, he could see her thinking deeply about this, he walked back over resting a hand on her shoulder.

“We both need time to think. I’ll just go for a short walk to clear my head, don’t leave this room.” She nodded absently her eyes still on the flames; Jack squeezed her shoulder gently and walked out of the room. Oria watched the door shut before returning her gaze to the flames that were tickling the stone walls, no matter how fiercely they burned or licked the walls didn’t give. How could something so wild be so tamed? She glanced about the room and wrapped her arms about herself; somehow she had become the flame encased in the stone, tamed.

That angered her; it had happened so smoothly, so quietly, why should she stay here and do what Jack said? Who was he to command her; he had proved nothing other than the issue they now found themselves with now. She headed for the door and stormed out, slamming it behind her furiously, she would not be caged anymore.

:/

Jack took the stairs two at a time till he found Bootstrap, he was sat at a corner table in the tavern, he smiled as Jack slid into the seat next to him. Jack met his gaze steadily, “Tell me about William.” Bootstrap took on a gentle smile at the mention of his son.

“He’s about eight years old now. I love him to pieces, writes me a letter every month or so and I send back a bit of money to tide him and me wife over. I’ll tell you Jack, it’s brilliant, a little bit of you, completely dependent on you. You can teach them everything they’ll need to know, watch them grow up, they grow up so fast.” Jack watched as he got lost in the memories of the days he had spent with William.

“So why did you leave them?” Bootstrap glanced up.

“You know why Jack, I know you feel it as strong as me. The sea calls to me, begs me to travel where she will take me. There is no pull as strong as that of the ocean.” Jack nodded, “We tried for years. Thought we’d never be blessed with a little one. When William came along, it just lit up our lives like candles on dark nights. Captain, I really think you should try to persuade her to keep it. You might regret it, like I said, it took us years, you’ve been blessed early.” Jack contemplated this silently for a few minutes.

“It’s not just me that needs persuading though is it.” Bootstrap smiled.

“No, laid yourself with a right firecracker there. Could be one hell of a battle if you ask me, she wasn’t at all keen.” Jack nodded with a faint grin, his eyes resting on the table top. He knew her reasons for it better than she thought he did. He turned back to Bootstrap.

“How do you persuade a woman that even if she has a kid it won’t change how people look at her?” Bootstrap lowered his mug thoughtfully.

“You mean she wants to remain seen as one of the crew, not some child bearing nag?” Jack nodded, he wouldn’t have phrased it quite like that but that was probably how she saw it too, “I’d just tell her straight, I think Oria’s smart enough to understand that no matter what happens we’ll all still be bloody petrified of her.” Jack chuckled.

“You’d have to insane not to be.” Bootstrap glanced at him curiously.

“You’re afraid of her?” Jack nodded.

“I’m well aware she could turn any minute and I wouldn’t stand a chance. Doesn’t stop me from pushing me luck though.” They both laughed, “But seriously, from that diary she gave me, it’s not welcome news to her this kid. She grew up with a permanently pregnant mother and watched god knows how many babies thrown over-board ‘cos they weren’t wanted.”

“Women change when they have kids.” Jack avoided his gaze.

“I don’t want her to change either and I know that’s what she’s afraid of. Doesn’t want to become like her mother, nothing more than a brood mare.” Bootstrap watched him as he frowned and played with the cuff of his sleeve absently.

“She’s too strong a character to change that much. Look, I’ll tell you what, why don’t you have the kid see how it works out, if it doesn’t then my wife won’t mind having another babe and if Oria wants to stay with it then she won’t mind that either. You could live like me then, occasional visits and the lark.” Jack nodded thoughtfully; he had to admit that from the way Bootstrap talked about William he was being infected with a longing to know what his own kid would be like. Bootstrap was grinning, he recognised that look. He slapped a hand onto Jacks’ shoulder, “Welcome to parent-hood mate.” Jack chuckled, he felt oddly pleased with himself, the grin quickly died.

“Still got to persuade Oria.” Bootstrap nodded.

“Best get on with it then before she goes and does anything daft or regrettable.” Jack stood up swiftly and headed back up to the room, he paused and turned back.

“Thanks Bootstrap.” The man raised his tankard.

“Name’s William Turner mate, I reckon we’re on first name terms now.” Jack grinned and headed for the stairs. He came thundering back down moments later his face in a mask of fright.

“She’s gone! Help me find her.” Bootstrap leapt up and followed him out of the door of the tavern, they glanced along the street, Jack clamped his hands to his head.

“Oh buggering hell! Which way is it to the doctors?” Bootstrap pointed down a side street.

“Down there. There’s no where else she would have gone?” Jack looked at him pointedly and Bootstrap nodded, they dodged through the crowds towards the swinging physicians sign. They barged past the group congregated in the doorway and skipped through the group of patients pushing their way to the woman holding a log book.

“Has a here in been woman? I mean has a woman been in here called Oria?” Jack spluttered, the woman looked down at the log book.

“No records here love.” Bootstrap glared at Jacks’ sigh of relief.

“She’ll have used a different name.” The tension started up immediately again in the mans frame and he almost started bouncing on the spot.

“A woman in a red and black dress with black ringlets. Have you seen a woman like that?” The female scowled at him.

“I don’t remember everyone that comes in here love.” She turned away as a small female tugged her arm insistently the other hand over her swollen belly. Jack turned frantically on the spot wringing his hands till an elderly woman stepped up and motioned for him to come closer.

“I saw a woman like the one you described, very, very bonny young woman. She left about ten minutes ago with a small bag of herbs.” Jack paled and clasped the woman’s hands.

“Do you know which way she went?” She pointed left.

“That way my love.” Jack kissed both her hands thanked her profusely before running out of the door at a mad dash. Bootstrap barely keeping up as he dodged between the groups of pirates, men, women and occasional child. They kept on running Jack glancing down every side alley but there was no sign of her, Bootstrap caught up and grasped his arm.

“This is pointless she could be anywhere now.” Jack brushed him away as his eyes lighted on the beach and a figure sat in the sand. He danced around the larger man and ran full tilt onto the beach struggling through the sand towards Oria, he froze the herb bag was empty next to her.

“What have you done?” Oria glanced up and frowned.

“Nothing.” He sank to his knees in the sand feeling weak, “Jack?” He pointed to the bag.

“Old lady said you left the doctors with a bag of herbs, how could you? It wasn’t just your decision to make.” Oria stood up in front of him a frown on her face, Bootstrap s