Fic: Fate Intervenes 16/16 [PotC fandom, Sparrabeth, NC-17]
Title: Fate Intervenes 16/16
by GylzGirl
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Sparrabeth. Spoilers for DMC.
Summary: Elizabeth is in trouble and it seems Jack, and something he asked her a long time ago, are her only hope.
Huge thanks to my speedy quick and utterly wonderful beta, Karen.
This is it folks. Last Chapter.
Other headers attached to chapter one.
CHAPTER 16: Scars
The small cemetery of the town of Port Royal sat atop one of the many cliffs surrounding the harbor. Being a port town, most residents elected not to spend forever fertilizing the wildflowers, but to slip silently into the eternal blue of the Caribbean. The ocean was their life and livelihood and most chose to become a part of it when their time on the Earth had expired. The occupants of the graveyard, with very little exception, all tended to be first-generation transplants from England who considered a plot in the ground and a stone with their name carved into it the only proper ending to a good Christian life. Amongst their ranks, three very recent burials were arranged neatly side-by-side. There a Former Governor, a lifelong Navy man, and a humble blacksmith lay at rest; finally at equal stations with each other.
Elizabeth Sparrow stood up from her Father's grave and let the ocean-scented breeze caress her skin. Earlier, she had put a small silver cross that Weatherby Swann had given her when she was 5 in the soil over James Norrington's grave. She had just placed a tiny ebony box that contained a lock of her mother's hair into the ground with her father. Now she moved left, looked down at the name William Turner and began to weep.
Jack walked from the cemetery gate to his wife's side and wrapped an arm around her waist. "What is it, Love?"
"When I left here, James and Father were already gone. Will was still alive." Elizabeth knelt and reached into her boot. From inside, she pulled out the knife Will's father had given him. Using her fingers, she dug a small hole in the soil near the headstone and dropped the knife inside. Elizabeth covered it over and stood.
"Ye know," Jack said, "can't help but think that somewhere out there, the three of 'em are lookin' down at us. Each of them disapproving of me and chanting "get yer filthy pirate hands off of her" for all eternity."
Elizabeth broke into a soggy laugh and turned her face against Jack's chest. "Don't be silly, Jack. Only James and Father would be saying that. Will sent you to me."
"True enough. He must be saying "what have I done" over and over."
Elizabeth's teary eyes met her husband's. "No, Jack. I think he'd be proud. My heart was broken and I thought it beyond repair. And he sent me the only person in this world who could fix it." She clasped his hand; their wedding rings clinking together as their fingers interlinked. "In a way, he's the reason I have you. And for that, I couldn't be more grateful."
Jack brushed his thumb across her cheek and kissed her. "Are ye ready to go back to the Pearl?"
Elizabeth smiled. "Oh yes. I've missed our cabin very much this week." She walked ahead of him still clasping his hand.
"I've missed what we get up to in said cabin, savvy?"
Not letting him go, Elizabeth turned and smiled. "That too, Captain."
With a whimper of lust, he let Elizabeth lead him to the path and the coach Groves had arranged for them to use to visit the graveyard, neither of them being strong enough for the long uphill trek quite yet.
The coach bore them to the docks and they boarded the waiting longboat containing Gibbs, Vasquez and the last of the supplies to be loaded aboard the Pearl. As the crewmen began to row, Elizabeth couldn't help tearing up a bit while she looked back at the town.
"Lizzie?" Jack said softly. "You alright?"
"I'm fine. It's just that this is likely to be the last time I'll ever set eyes on Port Royal."
"Sad?"
"No, not really. Just saying goodbye. Today seems the day for that."
"Ye won't miss your home?"
Elizabeth smiled. "I'll miss Port Royal. But my home is sitting right next to me. Nothing matters more than that."
Jack grinned. "No regrets, Love?"
"Many. I can't help that. But not about you and not about us." Elizabeth's gaze wandered up to the fort. Atop the wall she once fell from, a lone uniformed figure stood. "Who's that?"
Jack's gaze followed hers. "Think it's Commodore Groves, our benevolent benefactor."
Groves waved to them. Elizabeth waved back. Jack stood up in the longboat, removed his hat and bowed.
As Jack sat once again, Elizabeth laughed. "Jack Sparrow showing respect to a Naval Officer; I don't believe my eyes."
"Finally met one what deserved me respect. That's all."
Once at the Pearl, Gibbs climbed aboard first and extended his hand down to help Elizabeth up. Jack eased his way up after them. When his feet touched the deck, he raised his eyes to his wife's concerned face.
"Your stitches?" she asked.
Jack's hand gingerly came to cover his still-healing wound. "As they should be. Care to have a feel?" He grinned.
Elizabeth leaned closer and whispered in his ear. "If I'm to feel about under your clothes, Captain Sparrow, your stitches would not be my first choice."
His hands came to her arms. There were times that Jack missed the ability to fluster Elizabeth with his suggestive comments. Of course, her newfound propensity for retorts that seemed to reach right down his breeches more than squared the loss in his mind.
Gibbs looked to Jack who had his eyes closed and his hands gripping his wife. He cleared his throat. Jack opened his eyes and saw Elizabeth smiling at him. He twitched a smile as he turned his gaze to his First Mate.
"Jack?" Gibbs said.
"Weigh anchor and clear the harbor, Mr. Gibbs," Jack said.
"Aye." Gibbs moved off to follow his orders.
"We're not just leaving?" Elizabeth asked.
"Not quite, Love. Unfinished business and all that." The Pearl began to drift out to sea.
She quirked her eyebrow. "Jack?"
He wrapped her arm around his and walked her to a section of railing. "Here's best, I think. See if this doesn't remind you of Singapore."
"What are you talking about?"
Suddenly, a loud boom erupted from Port Royal. Elizabeth jumped, startled by it. The Talon, sitting peacefully in the harbor, shuddered and splintered. Elizabeth noticed smoke coming from the cannon turret at the Fort. "What the Hell was that?"
"A miss," Jack said irritated.
Another boom rang out and the Talon exploded into flames. Jack smiled. "Ah, there we are. The good Commodore must've taken the second shot himself."
Elizabeth smiled. "I'm surprised you didn't insist."
"Oh I did. But Groves said it might look better for all involved if it appeared that the Fort merely missed the Pearl on its way out of Port and hit the poor abandoned Talon. And I found that having stuck the business end of me sword into Chase's still-bleeding corpse relieved me of much of me anger about the whole thing. Course, didn't hurt that we loaded all of the Ophelia's extra powder onto the Talon. After all, I did say I'd see the bloody thing burn in the harbor, not splinter and sink."
Elizabeth kissed him. "It's a beautiful going away present the two of you have given me. Thank you." She looked one last time to the flaming wreck of the Talon, burning in the retreating background. She tilted her head. "Singapore?" She turned back to him. "Fireworks? I remember that night."
"As do I, Darlin'. And how I was dearly wishing for fireworks of a different sort."
Elizabeth stood straighter. "Now, Captain, that would have been most improper."
"Everything worth anything in life is improper if you're doing things right."
Elizabeth smiled and laced her fingers with his. "You mean properly?"
Jack grinned. "S'pose I do indeed."
Elizabeth laughed. "Sometimes, Jack, you are a very silly creature. Do you know that?"
"Mmm," he agreed off-handedly as he stroked the side of her face. With a tug, she began to lead him to their cabin. "Set sail for our destination, Mr. Gibbs," Jack shouted just before the door closed behind them.
Once inside the cabin, Elizabeth crossed to the bed and sat. "What's our heading?"
"Libertalia."
She arched an eyebrow at him. "A little young to retire, aren't you?"
"It'll be hurricane season soon. I for one have had enough storms for the year. Besides it had occurred to me that our house on Libertalia won't likely be building itself. And were we not recovering so well from our wounds it would be hard going getting it built at all."
"Jack, you still haven't healed as fast as I have."
"Stitches versus a sealing burn, Love. You had an unfair advantage."
"Pirate," she reminded him with a smile.
"Indeed," he said.
Jack slipped out of his coat and weapons, pooling everything on the floor and stalked forward. When he reached Elizabeth, he placed fisted hands on the mattress to either side of her hips and lowered his face to hers. Delicate fingers came to stroke at the crisp stubble already attempting to replace the moustache and beard which had been bravely sacrificed for her cause. Elizabeth's eyes sparkled as she looked into his dark gaze. The corners of her mouth turned up in amusement.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked.
He grinned wide. "Coming aboard."
Elizabeth laughed and allowed him to ease her back against the pillows. Jack carefully lay half upon her, brushing her face with his fingers as he plundered her mouth. He slid his hand down her throat, over her collarbone and began to push her dress off of her shoulder. She stiffened and her hand came to still his own.
Jack's eyes opened wide. She would not meet his gaze so his hand gently tilted her jaw up until she did. "What?" he asked. Her eyes looked up and away, a gesture he knew that was meant to halt the flow of tears. His hand moved to her dress again and pulled it off her shoulder. "Because of this?" he asked softly. Jack lowered his forehead to her cheek and laughed. When he lifted his head again, tear-bright eyes met his own.
"Are ye daft? You think for even a moment you're not beautiful to me because of this scar?" Jack touched it gently. "This scar means ye healed from something that by all rights should've killed you. This scar is the reason I still have ye alive and warm instead of some ghost I'd be chasing the rest of me days. This is a beautiful scar. I love this scar." He kissed it and the tears spilled past her lashes.
Elizabeth's hand wound its way into his tangle of hair and she concentrated on kissing him thoroughly as Jack divested her of her clothes with no further protest. She was likewise efficient in baring him. Her hand slowly stroked down his back, taking special note of the latticework of raised skin, then slid lower.
Jack groaned against the side of her throat and shifted his hips, sheathing himself inside her slowly.
Elizabeth sighed shakily. She had feared she'd never feel like this again. His hand stroked her breast with care while his cock stroked her core with somewhat less delicacy. Familiar, and much missed, tendrils of heat worked their way through her system and she moaned a welcome to them. She blinked away the last of her tears as pleasure began to chase away any silly little fears she'd built up over the past few days. Part of her had been afraid that her scar, no matter how small, might make her less attractive to Jack. More that that though, she'd worried that with the air of danger surrounding their strange union now gone, Jack would somehow lose interest.
Elizabeth glanced down at deep dark eyes that were looking up at her. As Jack nuzzled her breast, she couldn't believe she'd ever been concerned. Loving Jack Sparrow was about as dangerous as you could get. She'd be willing to wager he'd say the same of her. That left the two of them hopelessly, perilously in love. Elizabeth felt smug lips smiling around a nipple just before Jack's hips rolled again. She smiled too.
"Oh, somebody liked that," Jack said, huskily. He moved back up her body and began to kiss her neck.
"Somebody?" Elizabeth bit his earlobe and pulled his hair. He hissed and almost instantly, his pace increased. "Perhaps we should stop if you can't even recall my name."
Jack grinned. "Ah, Lizzie, you're unforgettable."
Elizabeth chewed on her lip, mischief playing in her eyes. "I want a tattoo."
Jack laughed against her throat before pulling back to meet her eyes. "Bit of a bizarre time to bring that up, Love. But whatever me girl wants. I know a one-legged innkeeper in Madagascar."
"Jack," Elizabeth said.
"Hear me out, Liz. Man's an artist."
"No, Jack," she said, laughing. "I meant I want you to get one… with my name."
Jack tilted his head and smiled. "Marking me as yer own, are ye?" He rolled his hips once more, bringing her attention back to much more urgent matters.
"Something like that," Elizabeth said in a strained voice.
"Think I can manage that," he whispered in her ear. "But for now... back to matters at hand." His hips sped their pace.
Elizabeth gasped. "Jack…oh, Jack." She slid her thighs up to cradle his hips.
Jack smiled. "Was beginning to think I'd lost me touch there."
Elizabeth grabbed his hair. "Jack?"
"Yes, Love?"
"Shut up!" She kissed him hard and it incited him. The sweet slide of Jack inside built her higher with each stroke. Before Elizabeth knew she was at the edge of her climax, she was already falling over it with a moan that was nearer to a scream. It nearly drowned out Jack's own shout as he emptied himself within.
Elizabeth's eyes were shut, enjoying the dying flutters of bliss when she realized her stomach felt wet. She opened her eyes in time to see Jack rolling off of her, holding his side
"Bugger," Jack said, softly.
When Elizabeth looked down at her stomach, she saw a streak of red. Her eyes widened in concern and she sat up.
"Easy now, Love. Just tore a stitch or three is all." He grabbed the blankets and pulled them hastily across his lap. "Tell Gibbs to bring his needle and thread." Elizabeth bounded out of bed and headed towards the door. She stopped and turned at the sound of Jack's whistle. "Might want to throw on a bit more'n that." She looked down and her face flushed red at what she'd been about to do.
Jack laughed heartily and then regretted it, holding his side a little tighter. As Elizabeth moved to the trunk to find some clothes to put on, Jack reached out and grasped her wrist. "Needn't hurry, Lizzie. Not that bad. Just needs tacked up before it can undo the mending what's already begun."
Elizabeth bent down to kiss him. "Only you could reopen a wound by…"
"Enthusiasm alone?" Jack interrupted with a smile. He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the palm. "Worth every drop of rubies, that was."
As Elizabeth dressed, she kept her eyes on Jack. Even hurt and bleeding, he watched her every movement with obvious enjoyment. She smiled at him as she pulled one of his shirts on over her breeches. She walked barefoot to the door and out on deck.
Elizabeth strode over to Gibbs at the wheel. "Mr. Gibbs, get your needle and thread and see to your Captain please."
A knowing grin broke out on Gibbs' face. "On me way."
Elizabeth Sparrow wrapped her hands around the pegs of the wheel. The wind combed its way through her hair, mimicking Jack's hands only moments ago. The sun warmed her skin and the smell of the ocean filled her nostrils. Her naked toes curled into the damp wood of the deck. She smiled; truly free and truly happy.
Although Elizabeth knew that Jack Sparrow loved her with all his heart; she also knew he could not, and would never, promise her forever. It was one lie he would never tell. Even if his heart remained faithful and their love remained strong, he was a pirate. Now, so was she. Forever was not a word one associated with pirates. They were sailing to a far off land to build a house that they might never finish, and would possibly never live in. But still, Elizabeth smiled. The getting there alone was likely to be a wonderful adventure. And when Jack tired of dry land in 4 weeks rather than the 6 months his mind was currently leaning towards, she would tease him a bit and then follow him back to their beloved Pearl and on to new dangers and excitement. This was the man and the life she had chosen. And however long their forever was, she was going to enjoy every minute of it.
******
Jack Sparrow slipped on a pair of breeches one-handed and stood up next to the bed. One hand clasping his side in an effort to staunch the bleeding of his sword wound, he forewent a shirt and walked slowly to the door of his cabin. He opened it and leaned against the doorway.
As he looked toward the wheel, the pain in his side nearly disappeared. For there, his golden-haired Lizzie was steering his ship. His heart, and other parts of him, swelled at the sight. A pirate princess she was; his pirate princess to be precise. All those years ago, when he'd first plucked her drenched, aristocratic body from a certain death, cut open her corset and found a pirate medallion; this was the image that had flashed in his mind. Underneath all those clothes, there'd been a pirate inside. She kept it hidden but close to her heart. He wanted to be the one to bring Elizabeth into the light and give her a way to let herself shine proudly like a thousand Aztec coins. And now, she was; and smiling besides.
So Jack would build her a house. In case they ever needed it. In case she ever regretted a life at sea. In case she ever regretted a life with him. She would know that in every minute of her existence; she always had choices. Elizabeth, whether Swann or Sparrow, was a bird who was meant to fly free. If it was in his power, Jack would never see her feel confined again. The weeks on board on their way would be lovely. Christening each new room as they finished it would be even lovelier. And loveliest of all would be the moment when he stepped back aboard the Pearl in 6 months with Elizabeth by his side; which Jack knew she would be because he understood her as no one else had ever done. Elizabeth was his love, his joy, and his princess; but most of all, she was a pirate.
THE END.
Previously:
CHAPTER ONE: The Proposal
CHAPTER TWO: A Clean Start
CHAPTER THREE: Vows
CHAPTER FOUR: Marr-i-age
CHAPTER FIVE: Honeymoon
CHAPTER SIX: Dark Horizon
CHAPTER SEVEN: Pirates
CHAPTER EIGHT: What Happens in La Vega, Stays in La Vega
CHAPTER NINE: Rude Awakening
CHAPTER TEN: Deja Vu
CHAPTER ELEVEN: Letting Go
CHAPTER TWELVE: An All-Consuming Fire
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: The Talon's Reach
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Slain
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Departure
Crossposted to sparrabeth, pirates_bride and deppfanfiction
by GylzGirl
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Sparrabeth. Spoilers for DMC.
Summary: Elizabeth is in trouble and it seems Jack, and something he asked her a long time ago, are her only hope.
Huge thanks to my speedy quick and utterly wonderful beta, Karen.
This is it folks. Last Chapter.
Other headers attached to chapter one.
CHAPTER 16: Scars
The small cemetery of the town of Port Royal sat atop one of the many cliffs surrounding the harbor. Being a port town, most residents elected not to spend forever fertilizing the wildflowers, but to slip silently into the eternal blue of the Caribbean. The ocean was their life and livelihood and most chose to become a part of it when their time on the Earth had expired. The occupants of the graveyard, with very little exception, all tended to be first-generation transplants from England who considered a plot in the ground and a stone with their name carved into it the only proper ending to a good Christian life. Amongst their ranks, three very recent burials were arranged neatly side-by-side. There a Former Governor, a lifelong Navy man, and a humble blacksmith lay at rest; finally at equal stations with each other.
Elizabeth Sparrow stood up from her Father's grave and let the ocean-scented breeze caress her skin. Earlier, she had put a small silver cross that Weatherby Swann had given her when she was 5 in the soil over James Norrington's grave. She had just placed a tiny ebony box that contained a lock of her mother's hair into the ground with her father. Now she moved left, looked down at the name William Turner and began to weep.
Jack walked from the cemetery gate to his wife's side and wrapped an arm around her waist. "What is it, Love?"
"When I left here, James and Father were already gone. Will was still alive." Elizabeth knelt and reached into her boot. From inside, she pulled out the knife Will's father had given him. Using her fingers, she dug a small hole in the soil near the headstone and dropped the knife inside. Elizabeth covered it over and stood.
"Ye know," Jack said, "can't help but think that somewhere out there, the three of 'em are lookin' down at us. Each of them disapproving of me and chanting "get yer filthy pirate hands off of her" for all eternity."
Elizabeth broke into a soggy laugh and turned her face against Jack's chest. "Don't be silly, Jack. Only James and Father would be saying that. Will sent you to me."
"True enough. He must be saying "what have I done" over and over."
Elizabeth's teary eyes met her husband's. "No, Jack. I think he'd be proud. My heart was broken and I thought it beyond repair. And he sent me the only person in this world who could fix it." She clasped his hand; their wedding rings clinking together as their fingers interlinked. "In a way, he's the reason I have you. And for that, I couldn't be more grateful."
Jack brushed his thumb across her cheek and kissed her. "Are ye ready to go back to the Pearl?"
Elizabeth smiled. "Oh yes. I've missed our cabin very much this week." She walked ahead of him still clasping his hand.
"I've missed what we get up to in said cabin, savvy?"
Not letting him go, Elizabeth turned and smiled. "That too, Captain."
With a whimper of lust, he let Elizabeth lead him to the path and the coach Groves had arranged for them to use to visit the graveyard, neither of them being strong enough for the long uphill trek quite yet.
The coach bore them to the docks and they boarded the waiting longboat containing Gibbs, Vasquez and the last of the supplies to be loaded aboard the Pearl. As the crewmen began to row, Elizabeth couldn't help tearing up a bit while she looked back at the town.
"Lizzie?" Jack said softly. "You alright?"
"I'm fine. It's just that this is likely to be the last time I'll ever set eyes on Port Royal."
"Sad?"
"No, not really. Just saying goodbye. Today seems the day for that."
"Ye won't miss your home?"
Elizabeth smiled. "I'll miss Port Royal. But my home is sitting right next to me. Nothing matters more than that."
Jack grinned. "No regrets, Love?"
"Many. I can't help that. But not about you and not about us." Elizabeth's gaze wandered up to the fort. Atop the wall she once fell from, a lone uniformed figure stood. "Who's that?"
Jack's gaze followed hers. "Think it's Commodore Groves, our benevolent benefactor."
Groves waved to them. Elizabeth waved back. Jack stood up in the longboat, removed his hat and bowed.
As Jack sat once again, Elizabeth laughed. "Jack Sparrow showing respect to a Naval Officer; I don't believe my eyes."
"Finally met one what deserved me respect. That's all."
Once at the Pearl, Gibbs climbed aboard first and extended his hand down to help Elizabeth up. Jack eased his way up after them. When his feet touched the deck, he raised his eyes to his wife's concerned face.
"Your stitches?" she asked.
Jack's hand gingerly came to cover his still-healing wound. "As they should be. Care to have a feel?" He grinned.
Elizabeth leaned closer and whispered in his ear. "If I'm to feel about under your clothes, Captain Sparrow, your stitches would not be my first choice."
His hands came to her arms. There were times that Jack missed the ability to fluster Elizabeth with his suggestive comments. Of course, her newfound propensity for retorts that seemed to reach right down his breeches more than squared the loss in his mind.
Gibbs looked to Jack who had his eyes closed and his hands gripping his wife. He cleared his throat. Jack opened his eyes and saw Elizabeth smiling at him. He twitched a smile as he turned his gaze to his First Mate.
"Jack?" Gibbs said.
"Weigh anchor and clear the harbor, Mr. Gibbs," Jack said.
"Aye." Gibbs moved off to follow his orders.
"We're not just leaving?" Elizabeth asked.
"Not quite, Love. Unfinished business and all that." The Pearl began to drift out to sea.
She quirked her eyebrow. "Jack?"
He wrapped her arm around his and walked her to a section of railing. "Here's best, I think. See if this doesn't remind you of Singapore."
"What are you talking about?"
Suddenly, a loud boom erupted from Port Royal. Elizabeth jumped, startled by it. The Talon, sitting peacefully in the harbor, shuddered and splintered. Elizabeth noticed smoke coming from the cannon turret at the Fort. "What the Hell was that?"
"A miss," Jack said irritated.
Another boom rang out and the Talon exploded into flames. Jack smiled. "Ah, there we are. The good Commodore must've taken the second shot himself."
Elizabeth smiled. "I'm surprised you didn't insist."
"Oh I did. But Groves said it might look better for all involved if it appeared that the Fort merely missed the Pearl on its way out of Port and hit the poor abandoned Talon. And I found that having stuck the business end of me sword into Chase's still-bleeding corpse relieved me of much of me anger about the whole thing. Course, didn't hurt that we loaded all of the Ophelia's extra powder onto the Talon. After all, I did say I'd see the bloody thing burn in the harbor, not splinter and sink."
Elizabeth kissed him. "It's a beautiful going away present the two of you have given me. Thank you." She looked one last time to the flaming wreck of the Talon, burning in the retreating background. She tilted her head. "Singapore?" She turned back to him. "Fireworks? I remember that night."
"As do I, Darlin'. And how I was dearly wishing for fireworks of a different sort."
Elizabeth stood straighter. "Now, Captain, that would have been most improper."
"Everything worth anything in life is improper if you're doing things right."
Elizabeth smiled and laced her fingers with his. "You mean properly?"
Jack grinned. "S'pose I do indeed."
Elizabeth laughed. "Sometimes, Jack, you are a very silly creature. Do you know that?"
"Mmm," he agreed off-handedly as he stroked the side of her face. With a tug, she began to lead him to their cabin. "Set sail for our destination, Mr. Gibbs," Jack shouted just before the door closed behind them.
Once inside the cabin, Elizabeth crossed to the bed and sat. "What's our heading?"
"Libertalia."
She arched an eyebrow at him. "A little young to retire, aren't you?"
"It'll be hurricane season soon. I for one have had enough storms for the year. Besides it had occurred to me that our house on Libertalia won't likely be building itself. And were we not recovering so well from our wounds it would be hard going getting it built at all."
"Jack, you still haven't healed as fast as I have."
"Stitches versus a sealing burn, Love. You had an unfair advantage."
"Pirate," she reminded him with a smile.
"Indeed," he said.
Jack slipped out of his coat and weapons, pooling everything on the floor and stalked forward. When he reached Elizabeth, he placed fisted hands on the mattress to either side of her hips and lowered his face to hers. Delicate fingers came to stroke at the crisp stubble already attempting to replace the moustache and beard which had been bravely sacrificed for her cause. Elizabeth's eyes sparkled as she looked into his dark gaze. The corners of her mouth turned up in amusement.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked.
He grinned wide. "Coming aboard."
Elizabeth laughed and allowed him to ease her back against the pillows. Jack carefully lay half upon her, brushing her face with his fingers as he plundered her mouth. He slid his hand down her throat, over her collarbone and began to push her dress off of her shoulder. She stiffened and her hand came to still his own.
Jack's eyes opened wide. She would not meet his gaze so his hand gently tilted her jaw up until she did. "What?" he asked. Her eyes looked up and away, a gesture he knew that was meant to halt the flow of tears. His hand moved to her dress again and pulled it off her shoulder. "Because of this?" he asked softly. Jack lowered his forehead to her cheek and laughed. When he lifted his head again, tear-bright eyes met his own.
"Are ye daft? You think for even a moment you're not beautiful to me because of this scar?" Jack touched it gently. "This scar means ye healed from something that by all rights should've killed you. This scar is the reason I still have ye alive and warm instead of some ghost I'd be chasing the rest of me days. This is a beautiful scar. I love this scar." He kissed it and the tears spilled past her lashes.
Elizabeth's hand wound its way into his tangle of hair and she concentrated on kissing him thoroughly as Jack divested her of her clothes with no further protest. She was likewise efficient in baring him. Her hand slowly stroked down his back, taking special note of the latticework of raised skin, then slid lower.
Jack groaned against the side of her throat and shifted his hips, sheathing himself inside her slowly.
Elizabeth sighed shakily. She had feared she'd never feel like this again. His hand stroked her breast with care while his cock stroked her core with somewhat less delicacy. Familiar, and much missed, tendrils of heat worked their way through her system and she moaned a welcome to them. She blinked away the last of her tears as pleasure began to chase away any silly little fears she'd built up over the past few days. Part of her had been afraid that her scar, no matter how small, might make her less attractive to Jack. More that that though, she'd worried that with the air of danger surrounding their strange union now gone, Jack would somehow lose interest.
Elizabeth glanced down at deep dark eyes that were looking up at her. As Jack nuzzled her breast, she couldn't believe she'd ever been concerned. Loving Jack Sparrow was about as dangerous as you could get. She'd be willing to wager he'd say the same of her. That left the two of them hopelessly, perilously in love. Elizabeth felt smug lips smiling around a nipple just before Jack's hips rolled again. She smiled too.
"Oh, somebody liked that," Jack said, huskily. He moved back up her body and began to kiss her neck.
"Somebody?" Elizabeth bit his earlobe and pulled his hair. He hissed and almost instantly, his pace increased. "Perhaps we should stop if you can't even recall my name."
Jack grinned. "Ah, Lizzie, you're unforgettable."
Elizabeth chewed on her lip, mischief playing in her eyes. "I want a tattoo."
Jack laughed against her throat before pulling back to meet her eyes. "Bit of a bizarre time to bring that up, Love. But whatever me girl wants. I know a one-legged innkeeper in Madagascar."
"Jack," Elizabeth said.
"Hear me out, Liz. Man's an artist."
"No, Jack," she said, laughing. "I meant I want you to get one… with my name."
Jack tilted his head and smiled. "Marking me as yer own, are ye?" He rolled his hips once more, bringing her attention back to much more urgent matters.
"Something like that," Elizabeth said in a strained voice.
"Think I can manage that," he whispered in her ear. "But for now... back to matters at hand." His hips sped their pace.
Elizabeth gasped. "Jack…oh, Jack." She slid her thighs up to cradle his hips.
Jack smiled. "Was beginning to think I'd lost me touch there."
Elizabeth grabbed his hair. "Jack?"
"Yes, Love?"
"Shut up!" She kissed him hard and it incited him. The sweet slide of Jack inside built her higher with each stroke. Before Elizabeth knew she was at the edge of her climax, she was already falling over it with a moan that was nearer to a scream. It nearly drowned out Jack's own shout as he emptied himself within.
Elizabeth's eyes were shut, enjoying the dying flutters of bliss when she realized her stomach felt wet. She opened her eyes in time to see Jack rolling off of her, holding his side
"Bugger," Jack said, softly.
When Elizabeth looked down at her stomach, she saw a streak of red. Her eyes widened in concern and she sat up.
"Easy now, Love. Just tore a stitch or three is all." He grabbed the blankets and pulled them hastily across his lap. "Tell Gibbs to bring his needle and thread." Elizabeth bounded out of bed and headed towards the door. She stopped and turned at the sound of Jack's whistle. "Might want to throw on a bit more'n that." She looked down and her face flushed red at what she'd been about to do.
Jack laughed heartily and then regretted it, holding his side a little tighter. As Elizabeth moved to the trunk to find some clothes to put on, Jack reached out and grasped her wrist. "Needn't hurry, Lizzie. Not that bad. Just needs tacked up before it can undo the mending what's already begun."
Elizabeth bent down to kiss him. "Only you could reopen a wound by…"
"Enthusiasm alone?" Jack interrupted with a smile. He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the palm. "Worth every drop of rubies, that was."
As Elizabeth dressed, she kept her eyes on Jack. Even hurt and bleeding, he watched her every movement with obvious enjoyment. She smiled at him as she pulled one of his shirts on over her breeches. She walked barefoot to the door and out on deck.
Elizabeth strode over to Gibbs at the wheel. "Mr. Gibbs, get your needle and thread and see to your Captain please."
A knowing grin broke out on Gibbs' face. "On me way."
Elizabeth Sparrow wrapped her hands around the pegs of the wheel. The wind combed its way through her hair, mimicking Jack's hands only moments ago. The sun warmed her skin and the smell of the ocean filled her nostrils. Her naked toes curled into the damp wood of the deck. She smiled; truly free and truly happy.
Although Elizabeth knew that Jack Sparrow loved her with all his heart; she also knew he could not, and would never, promise her forever. It was one lie he would never tell. Even if his heart remained faithful and their love remained strong, he was a pirate. Now, so was she. Forever was not a word one associated with pirates. They were sailing to a far off land to build a house that they might never finish, and would possibly never live in. But still, Elizabeth smiled. The getting there alone was likely to be a wonderful adventure. And when Jack tired of dry land in 4 weeks rather than the 6 months his mind was currently leaning towards, she would tease him a bit and then follow him back to their beloved Pearl and on to new dangers and excitement. This was the man and the life she had chosen. And however long their forever was, she was going to enjoy every minute of it.
******
Jack Sparrow slipped on a pair of breeches one-handed and stood up next to the bed. One hand clasping his side in an effort to staunch the bleeding of his sword wound, he forewent a shirt and walked slowly to the door of his cabin. He opened it and leaned against the doorway.
As he looked toward the wheel, the pain in his side nearly disappeared. For there, his golden-haired Lizzie was steering his ship. His heart, and other parts of him, swelled at the sight. A pirate princess she was; his pirate princess to be precise. All those years ago, when he'd first plucked her drenched, aristocratic body from a certain death, cut open her corset and found a pirate medallion; this was the image that had flashed in his mind. Underneath all those clothes, there'd been a pirate inside. She kept it hidden but close to her heart. He wanted to be the one to bring Elizabeth into the light and give her a way to let herself shine proudly like a thousand Aztec coins. And now, she was; and smiling besides.
So Jack would build her a house. In case they ever needed it. In case she ever regretted a life at sea. In case she ever regretted a life with him. She would know that in every minute of her existence; she always had choices. Elizabeth, whether Swann or Sparrow, was a bird who was meant to fly free. If it was in his power, Jack would never see her feel confined again. The weeks on board on their way would be lovely. Christening each new room as they finished it would be even lovelier. And loveliest of all would be the moment when he stepped back aboard the Pearl in 6 months with Elizabeth by his side; which Jack knew she would be because he understood her as no one else had ever done. Elizabeth was his love, his joy, and his princess; but most of all, she was a pirate.
THE END.
Previously:
CHAPTER ONE: The Proposal
CHAPTER TWO: A Clean Start
CHAPTER THREE: Vows
CHAPTER FOUR: Marr-i-age
CHAPTER FIVE: Honeymoon
CHAPTER SIX: Dark Horizon
CHAPTER SEVEN: Pirates
CHAPTER EIGHT: What Happens in La Vega, Stays in La Vega
CHAPTER NINE: Rude Awakening
CHAPTER TEN: Deja Vu
CHAPTER ELEVEN: Letting Go
CHAPTER TWELVE: An All-Consuming Fire
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: The Talon's Reach
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Slain
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Departure
Crossposted to sparrabeth, pirates_bride and deppfanfiction