Nightmares By The Sea

Paul stood at the helm of The Atlas, scanning the waters before him. Despite the ignorance he had played with the thief, he had heard of the Black Pearl, if only in passing. He knew enough to know if the Pearl had a two week head start, there was no catching it. He just hoped they had put into port somewhere along the way. Maybe, just maybe, they had a chance if that was the case. He had grilled his men for as much information about Jack Sparrow as they knew. Needless to say, he was not at all contented that this was the man Tanner was taking orders from. The general consensus was that he was a rogue and a scoundrel and not one to be tangled with in a sword fight. The stories associated with him were so fantastic that he was sure they must be at least half fallacy, but he had been assured of their truth by mean he had never had reason to doubt before. It was all the same to him. The price on Sparrow’s head was a hefty one and was paid whether he was delivered dead or alive. If had touched a single hair on Evangeline’s head, Paul swore he’d deliver him in pieces.
“Captain?”
Paul turned around to face one of his crew. When he had captained, he prided himself on knowing the names of every member of his crew. Now, he was mostly at a loss.
“I’m not a Captain any longer, it’s Admiral now.”
The man visibly straightened.
“Admiral, sir, about Sparrow…”
“What’s your name, sailor?” Paul asked.
“Gillette, sir. I had the honor of serving Commodore James Norrington before his….retirement.”
“You mean discharge, I’m sure,” Paul said sternly “Please, continue.”
“Yes, well, I’ve had the misfortune of dealing with Sparrow first hand. He is not one for negotiations. Those that have tried to negotiate with him have ended up retired, if you’ll understand me.”
Paul nodded.
“Might I suggest you take a ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ view of his capture.”
“Gillette, I will consider your suggestion, but not one shot will be fired until Evangeline is safely on this ship. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Admiral,” Gillette answered “May I carry on?”
“You may, and be sure to pass my sentiments along.”
“I will sir.”

****

Jack had to give her credit, Evangeline had stones. Most society virgins, which she clearly was, would have cowered in his cabin after an encounter such as that, but she came out mere minutes after he did, head held high like some haughty princess. She took her orders from Gibbs and went to work, concentrating on whatever task needed doing. By noon mess, he was sure she was concentrating too hard. She hadn’t even glanced his way or acknowledged his presence since she’d emerged from his cabin. Not an easy thing considering he’d put himself in her path more than once. The little nymph was ignoring him! He decided to forgo his normal meal in his cabin and join the crew.
Walking into the mess, he was amused to see his entire crew bunched up at one end of the table, keeping as much distance between themselves and Evangeline as possible. Jack was surprised Gibbs didn’t have them spitting in her shadow. Superstitious bastards! The lot of them had sailed with Elizabeth and that had been….Well, maybe he didn’t blame them after all. He collected some food and sat across from Evangeline. HE was amused when she looked up and locked eyes with him, coolly. She might have been the picture of control had she not broken eye contact too quick and a telltale blush didn’t crept across her collarbone and continued up to her cheeks. Jack ginned and stroked his beard. This was fun. He leaned back and bit into an apple.
“Are ye still wet?” he asked.
Evangeline spit her food across the table and looked at him, horrified. He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing.
“What?” she managed to say.
“I said: Are you still wet?”
Evangeline sputtered.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
She cut her eyes to the crew, who were completely oblivious, as if to warn him from saying more.
“Scrubbing decks can be a soggy business,” he said on a smile “I merely wondered if you were still wet or if the sun had managed to dry you out.”
“I’m dry,” she said flatly.
“Pity,” he whispered under his breath.
Evangeline looked up sharply, cheeks coloring again.
“Excuse me?” she said, her tone more challenge than question.
“I didn’t say a thing,” Jack said “About our sleeping arrangements tonight.”
Every single person stopped mid-bite and turned to Evangeline who looked like she was somewhere between deciding to crawl under the table or grabbing the bread knife and gutting him.
“I though,” he continued, ignoring the men “That you might sit with Gibbs on his watch tonight as a navigator. Then you could wake me at dawn for my watch and ye could go to bed.
Evangeline looked relieved and the men looked disappointed.
“That will be just fine, I’m sure,” she said primly.
“Good,” Jack replied “Meet me in my cabin for dinner. We can dine and I’ll go over the charts with you.”
She was properly mortified at this suggestion, not at all sure she wanted to be alone with him again. No, she desperately wanted to be alone with him again, she just wasn’t sure she should. It was all she could do to keep from moaning when Jack winked at her on his way out of the mess.

****

His cabin door was open when she came that evening. She carried a tray of food in and he motioned for her to set it on a shelf. She turned to do this and heard the lock on the door turn in the same moment she put the tray down. He gave her no time to think, turning her around, pushing her against the wall, and slipping his knee in-between her legs in a movement that was so effortless, she was sure he must have practiced it all day. He placed a hand on each of her shoulders, holding her fast to the wall, and looked down at her. His eyes were dark and unreadable and she felt her pulse quicken in fear and desire.
“I don’t like being ignored,” he said.
“I wasn’t--”
“Like hell,” he interrupted.
Evangeline suddenly felt like a trapped animal. She looked around for a route of escape and her eyes settled on the tray of food.
“Aren’t you hungry?” she asked.
“He nodded his head slowly, the hardness in his eyes melting away until they were liquid chocolate.
“Then don’t you want to eat?”
He shook his head and leaned in and she felt less trapped and more hunted. She tried to go right, but he caged her in with one strong arm. She tried to go left and met with more of the same. He pressed his forehead against hers and smiled languidly.
“It has nothing to do with food,” he said.
He cursed when he saw confusion flit across her face. She was so damned innocent….Well, he had time to remedy that. He took one of hear hands and placed it against the bulge in his trousers. She tried to pull her hand away and his cock surged forward, seeking the warmth of her palm. When she felt it move, she gasped and closed her hand around it, timidly exploring him through the rough fabric of his trousers. Jack let out a strangled cry and leaned forward. Thinking she had hurt him, Evangeline let go, but Jack caught her hand by the wrist.
“No,” was all he managed to say.
“He unbuttoned his trousers with one hand, still holding onto her wrist with the other and freed himself. He guided her hand back down and smiled at her in what he hoped was a reassuring manner when her eyes widened.
Evangeline was surprised at how smooth and soft it was. Soft and hard at the same time, now wasn’t that a riddle? She had heard enough about the act of love from the village children growing up that she knew the basics, but when he started guiding her hand up and down his shaft, she was sure they must have gotten the facts wrong. There was no way he’d fit inside her. She could barely close her hands around it, there was so much of him. He must have felt her hesitation, because he stopped guiding her and took her face into his hands.
“You are so beautiful,” he said, the words strangled with lust.
She opened her mouth to reply and he slanted his down on top of hers. He resumed with his hand atop hers as he kissed her into oblivion. She gently squeezed his member and was rewarded with another cry. He pulled back and looked down at her and she was surprised to see how vulnerable he seemed. Gone was the swaggering Captain and in his place was a man reduced by need to the most basic form of nature. He removed his hand and she continued on without his guidance. He found her heat through her pants and pressed against it. She threw her head back and he suckled on her neck. His breathing became ragged and he pulled away again.
“Eva,” he whispered “Look at me.”
She did.
“Say my name.”
“Jack,” she replied boldly.
He groaned and closed his eyes.
“Say you’re mine,” he said through gritted teeth.
“I’m yours,” she said, surprised that not only was the sentiment given willingly, but honestly.
His whole body stilled as an animalistic cry emerged from his throat and he came into her hand.
For long minutes he leaned his head on her shoulder until his reason and breathing returned to normal. When he finally looked up, he pressed his thumb against her lips and smiled when she bit it lightly.
“Mine,” he said.
Evangeline, who once swore she’d belong to no man felt a swelling of emotion at that simple word. Pride and something more. She found herself near tears with the implication.
“Yours,” she agreed.
There was a knock at the door and Jack shot daggers at the unseen visitor.
“Cap’n” came Gibbs’ voice from the other side “I’m going to start my watch if Miss Evangeline is ready.”
Jack kissed her on the forehead and turned her towards the door before she could protest.
“Go,” he said “We’ll talk later.”
Then he unlocked the door and delivered Evangeline into the night.


A/N: Main event coming next!!!