Disclaimer: I own nothing. The characters should pray for their good fortune.
Title: Just Trust Me
Summary: Jack is captured after a disguise gone wrong, and taken to Port Royal for hanging. On the journey there he is raped and tortured. Once reaching Port Royal he is given a chance for a pardon if he can complete a quest for the king. Can James help him heal, and trust again?
This is the last chapter. I have summed up the adventure, and I hope everyone is satisfied with the ending.
~[~
Jack recovered fairly quickly and so they had set out to find the ring. Elizabeth was originally supposed to come, but she somehow received the wrong date for departure, and the ship left a day earlier than she expected, without her. Also, Will seemed particularly persistent that they go for a walk away from the harbor and then have a party, the very day the ship left. Safe to say, the men would feel her wrath for this setup.
Jack and James never really came up with a word to describe what was going on between them and so they were content leaving it unknown. Both of them felt attracted to each other, but they questioned if that was all that they felt. They went through great care to hide their growing attachment to one another from everyone around them; however some were suspicious, though they never said anything. It was possible that they didn't want to know so they could feign ignorance if Jack and James were ever caught.
The journey was, as all journeys taken with Jack are, eventful. First they had the whirlpools that seemed to appear out of nowhere, and almost claimed the ship several times. Jack had however taken control, and used his genius mind, bordering on insanity, to save them all. James had a slight suspicion that Jack had a connection with the goddess of the sea, Calypso, which he was using to his advantage. Perhaps this was the one individual who he had not insulted in his life, although Norrington doubted it. He thought that perhaps she just liked him.
Jack had however been injured slightly with his last brilliant plan. His right leg was badly bruised, and he sprained his ankle. He was forced by doctor's orders to stay in his cabin and rest for a few days. He did, but not without retaliation of course. Norrington spend many of the days comforting Jack, as he felt bad enough about the whole situation. No one complained about the amount of time James spend 'checking' on the pirate. Of course while the commodore was gone, the crew was busy slacking off and doing as they wished. Considering they were all navy men, it probably wasn't too different from what the commodore and Jack were engaging in.
The compasses that the commodore possessed were useless at one point, but Jack's was special as he had said earlier, and so they didn't have any problem in that department. Although, on occasion he sometimes had a hard time coming up with a heading, as it seemed the compass would follow Norrington's position on the ship. The crew chalked it up too being coincidental, or so they said they did.
They had hit a reef once, on the account of Jack not paying attention to what he was doing. He seemed to be gazing off into space and so they sailed right into it. James was so angry he wouldn't turn the wheel over to him for the next week. After that, Jack had persuaded him to let him steer again, and Norrington cursed himself and promised to pay more attention to what was said during their 'meetings' held in his office.
In order to bypass the nymphs and sirens all the members of the ship were required to learn specific hand signals, and plug their ears so that no noise could get in. It worked well and although they seen the creatures of myth they were not temped by them. Jack however, decided to remove his ear plugs and was enchanted. Norrington ordered for him to be tied to the mast and have his earplugs returned to his ears. Jack pouted but couldn't do much else since he was tied to the mast.
Finally they reached the island where the ring was located and searched all over for it. They found it in a hidden cave sitting in a delicately carved case. Jack snatched some jewels from the enormous amount of treasure in the cave and pocketed them. Then when the ring was removed the entire cave began to collapse. Everyone ran to get out, but a few were crushed by the rocks, and so a ceremony was performed for them.
The way back was hardly any better although, they had learned from their mistakes the first time, mainly Jack, and so the trip was much smoother. They made it to England in the half the time it took to get the island and the king was so pleased he promoted Norrington to admiral, and knighted him. Jack received a pardon, and was free to go as all his crimes were removed from his record.
They were headed back to Port Royal, when they encountered the Black Pearl, which made Jack practically jump for joy. Gibbs waved over to him and the navy put up a white flag so the ships could meet.
~[~
James and Jack only experienced one monkey wrench throughout the whole trip, and it drove them apart periodically. However, in the end it brought them closer together, and helped them finally see that they actually cared for one another, and that it wasn't all physical attraction.
Flashback
James was increasing nervous, and it showed. He was flustered and turning pink. Jack was trying to calm him down, but he seemed to be resisting. This was the first night they had decided to switch positions, and he was scared of what it was like to lose his virginity. His breathing was quickening and his heart was pounding, but at the same time he wanted this, whatever this was.
Jack was rubbing his thighs and whispering words of comfort to him occasionally. The first finger was pushed in slowly, and even after lubrication it still felt odd. It was slightly painful and so he whimpered. Jack moved the finger in and out a few times before inserting another one. This one was definitely painful and Norrington shifted to try to get away. Jack stilled and tried again to calm him down. "Relax, you're doing much better than I did my first time mate."
Though Norrington was sure Jack was just trying to be reassuring, this made Norrington think. Jack hardly ever offered up personal information, and so he was going to seize his chance to learn a little more about the man. "So what was your first time like?" Norrington questioned awaiting an answer.
Jack tensed a bit, which didn't help to sooth Norrington's nerves any, and looked like he was trying to evade the question. "Oh, we don't need to talk about it, mood killer really. Let's just continue what we started."
Norrington was unwilling to give up that easily and drew back sitting up. "Not until you tell me. It's only fair considering you get to take my first time. I should get to know about yours." He was firm in his statement and he knew that Jack hated being cornered like this. Theoretically he should get his way.
Jack looked down and scowled, but gave in. "There's a difference between taking and stealing. If it's that important to you though, then later we'll talk, but not right now." Norrington raised an eyebrow at the first statement, but he had won, and didn't mind waiting a little longer.
A few hours later they were cuddling on Norrington's bed. They were facing each other and James had his chin resting upon Jack's head. They were snuggling tight, with their legs intertwined. Norrington was gently playing with Jack's hair, and it appeared Jack was almost asleep. Norrington gently kissed Jack's forehead, and he felt Jack shift closer as he released a low moan. Norrington whispered very softly into Jack's ear "You said later, and now is later."
Jack pushed back a bit and looked him in the eye. His eyes contained a vulnerable look and he sighed loudly. "Right now then, of course you would pick right now." Norrington shot him a serious look so he would continue. "Okay, okay, so you want my story 'ey, alright then. Well I was on my father's ship learnin' the ropes of piracy, when we were attacked by another pirate ship. We fought back hard, but were overcome. They didn't sink the ship as they wanted to keep it, and so they just took all of the survivor's prisoner. I was only seven at the time." When Norrington heard that he got a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, but he wanted to hear the whole story, so he said nothing. "The captain could tell that I was my father's child. I mean it is pretty obvious since we look just alike. So he told his crew to take the prisoners to the brig, except for me. I was young at the time and so I didn't quite catch onto his intentions. However my father did and he tried to convince the captain that I was a simple child he found at a port, and not worth very much. He didn't succeed and so I was locked in the captain's cabin. A little while later when the captain came in" Jack's voice was becoming strained and slightly broken at this point. Norrington rubbed his arm to comfort him because James knew the rest of the story was going to be bad. " and I discovered what his intentions were I fought back and struggled. The captain pinned me down and took me. He made sure it hurt. I screamed and cried and begged him to stop, but that only made it worse. It hurt so much, and that's all I can remember at some points." Jack was sobbing now and Norrington tried pulled him closer and rubbed his back. "When he was done I was bleeding heavily and felt so weak. I couldn't even sit up because I was in too much pain. The crew all laughed and called me a filthy whore. They threw me in the cell with my father and the captain told him that he was right, that I was worthless. My father held me while I cried that night and tried to comfort me, but to no avail. I still don't like to think about it to this day. The next day my father derived an escape plan, and all I know is that he killed the captain before we left."
"Shhhh… It's okay I'm here." Norrington tried to comfort Jack, but he was just crying too hard. He felt bad about making Jack tell him his story, especially since Norrington's had been so good.
It took hours before Jack finally stopped crying, but he was distant and wouldn't let anyone touch him for days afterward. Whenever Norrington would try to help him relax he would pull away, and it frustrated Norrington. He felt bad enough, but the fact that Jack had lost all interest in food, sex, and even his social life, made Norrington worry.
After a few days he had managed to seduce Jack enough to remind of the pleasure and not the pain. Jack slowly recovered and began his normal activities again. Norrington was relieved and was more careful about how he handled Jack from then on.
Flashback End
~{~
Now it was time to say goodbye between the two since their mission was completed and Jack's ship was found. Norrington could tell Jack was excited, but at the same time upset. He seemed confused on what he wanted more, and kept glancing between Norrington and his ship.
Norrington knew he would miss him, and that Jack would always be on his mind. He had grown attached, and so this separation would be hard. Jack had brought out his wild side, and made him feel alive. Without him the world would feel empty, and his life would have no purpose. He felt sad that he was going to lose the person who made his life worth living for.
Jack walked up to him and wore a similar look. It was just the two of them left to say goodbye, which just made it harder. "This isn't it ya know. I'll still drop by and see you from time to time. This doesn't have to be the last goodbye."
"I know it just seems so final." Norrington bowed his head and observed the ocean. He suddenly felt heavy and tears pricked at his eyes.
"I'll see you again soon I promise. So until next time" Jack pushed him into a small space where no one could see them and kissed him.
"Until next time." Norrington nodded as Jack smiled at him as he walked away.
Norrington wasn't so sure he believed him. He sat looking over the fort at the sea. He really did miss Jack. Every time he thought of him a small smile came to his face, followed by a frown when he realized he didn't know where Jack was. No he wasn't sure he could trust the word of pirate, until a month after they had parted, when he saw the Black Pearl headed toward the harbor, and then he remember that Jack was actually a privateer.
~{~
So, that is how the story ended. I hope you all like the story, and I hope the ending didn't disappoint anyone. Please review and let me know what you thought of the story, and I want to thank everyone for reading it.