FicWad

"So, I'm standing there, telling the two fine lieutenants of my adventures, when I sees this figure falling from the top of a high cliff. It was a girl, you see, and she just plunged straight down into the ocean, fully clothed. And we watched her, and I asked if they were going to do anything, but, being the pride of the English navy and all, neither one knew how to swim. So it was left to me," Jack was saying in a low, hypnotizing voice that broke through the hazy drowse surrounding James.

He frowned, wondering who in blazes Jack was talking to when he heard the very familiar gurgles and coos of his son.

Cracking his eyes just a fraction, he was greeted to an amusing sight. Jack was stretched down the length of the bed, facing James. His hair fell over naked shoulders, coins and trinkets glinting in the early morning light that streamed in through the window. Between their bodies was Gavin, awake and bright eyed. He was gazing at Jack in fascination, hands clasped together in front of him, bouncing up and down. His legs kicked as he babbled at Jack, drool easing out of the corner of his mouth.

"I agree, mate," Jack said in apparent response to something he believed Gavin said. "But most navy men are afraid of the water, for some reason. You won't be, though. No. Soon as you're old enough, I'm going to teach you how to swim. Anyway, so I dove into the water and saved the girl. She turned out to be Mrs. Turner, Miss Swann, then. And a right lovely lass she was, only not breathing what with the drowning and the infernal corset choking the air out of her. Anyway, I gets her onto the dock and take the corset off. And then, your father shows up, stick up his behind as usual. See, he'd been proposing to Miss Swann right before she leapt off the cliffs and was understandably put out that she'd gone to such drastic measures to escape him."

"Oh, come on!" James protested, opening his eyes. "That's not what..."

"Shhh," Jack hissed, eyes glinting with amusement at James. "Anyway, as I was saying. I 'ad to rip the corset off, and she starts breathing right away. And then your father runs up and puts me under arrest. A right flirt he was, too. Taunting me about not having a ship and pulling my sleeve up so he could see my tattoos. Knew me, too, like I was an obsession of his." Jack reached out and ran a finger down James's face.

"I was not flirting."

"Don't listen to him, Gavin me boy. He was flirting with me, tryin' to get me to notice him. Worked too. Just 'bout sank into those pretty green eyes. Toyed with him a bit, made him think I was interested in Miss Swann, but I only had eyes for him."

The words touched James despite himself. He caught Jack's hand in his and pressed a kiss into his palm. "What are you doing?"

"Telling Gavin the story about how we met."

"He's two months old, Jack. He won't remember."

"Then I'll keep telling him until he is old enough to remember. Every time I visit."

"You're visiting again?"

Jack frowned. "Did I not make myself clear last night?"

"Jack..."

His words were stopped as Jack leaned over Gavin and kissed James deeply. "Jamie, my mind is made."

"If you were to get caught, I'm bound by law to see you hanged. I could allow the Turners to free you again--without my express knowledge, of course--but then you would have to take them with you. I cannot..." He closed his eyes, feeling as if the air were choked inside him.

"Luv, don't make problems before they happen." He kissed James again. "Remember. I'm Jack Sparrow. And you're the only man who caught me that's kept me."

He shook his head. "Ah, but I wasn't able to keep you, was I?"

Jack smiled. "I'm here, aren't I?"

His stomach squeezed oddly. Unsure of what to say, James dropped his eyes to his son, who was staring at Jack avidly. "I'm loathe to leave him," he said softly, placing his hand on Gavin's round belly. "But I must. Duty and all." He sighed. "I've no idea how long I'll be away. I hope only a few weeks, if all goes well. But it so often doesn't. He'll be different when I return."

"Sorry, mate. Wish there was some way to help." Jack's hand joined James, rough, calloused fingers caressing James's own.

"Most people suggest I retire and return to England. Mariah even offered to come with us, provided I did not cut her off once Gavin is old enough to do without her."

"I can't imagine you would."

"I can't imagine my household without her," James confessed. "I imagine that she'll still be here long after Gavin is grown. She has been a very good friend to me."

"I imagine so."

James looked at Jack, eyebrow raised.

The pirate immediately adopted a look of contrition. "Not suggesting anything, love, I swear. I was just making a comment."

"May I inquire as to your relationship with her?"

"You may indeed inquire," Jack replied. He ran a finger over Gavin's long lashes, causing the baby to kick his legs again in excitement. "He has your eyes, you know."

"I do wish people would stop saying that. It's ridiculous. He's not..." James stopped talking. He knew Gavin wasn't really his; he'd even told Jack. But to speak the words out loud in Gavin's presence would be too painful.

Jack, of course, was his usual self. "Don't see no one else he belongs to here. And the eyes in his head are the same eyes that looked at me with such distain and hidden longing on the docks that day." He smiled roguishly. "And on your ship after Elizabeth agreed to marry you."

James exhaled slowly and rubbed Gavin's stomach. "I knew it wasn't me she wanted, and I knew that, despite everything, there was someone on board who did want me. Not that I really wanted you to try and seduce me."

"Yes, you did."

He didn't answer. "Does Mariah know where Gavin is?"

"Aye."

"Did she... say anything?" James hated the tentativeness in his voice, but, damn it, this wasn't like going into battle. This was his reputation with a woman he esteemed highly, the only woman he wanted to care for his son. If she disapproved....

"Aye, she said a lot. Don't drop him, don't steal him, mind his neck, hold his head. Don't hold him too tightly, don't let him get cold, don't let him get too warm. Don't squish him. Don't roll on top of him. For God's sake, Jack, don't give him anything to drink, that's her job. If he gets wet, gets mussed, or gets hungry, take him back immediately. And if I hurt you, I will suffer the wrath of a thousand hells." He grinned. "Aye, she said a bit, mate."

James smiled wryly. "She is a bit protective over Gavin, although when she talks to me, she's normally trying to convince me to relinquish him. I mean, though, did she saw anything about... what she saw last night? Us?"

"No. Why? What did you think she would say?"

He sighed, a great heaviness settling even more firmly over him. Picking up Gavin, James rolled onto his back and placed his son on his chest. "I don't know," he said, kissing Gavin's fuzzed head. "That she's disgusted by our behavior last night. That she's leaving. That she's taking Gavin because he does not deserve to grow up raised by such a perverted and sinful father. That she's shocked, that she's going to reveal what I've done. I can be arrested for this, Jack. And put to death. I don't want..."

"She won't, James."

"How do you know?"

"Mariah's not exactly lived the life of a saint, now, has she?" Jack asked pragmatically. "Don't see where she might have cause to think ill of you."

"It's different, Jack. Even if, by societies standards, Mariah's activities are looked down upon, they aren't punishable by death. Sinful, perhaps, but only because what she does, she does out of wedlock. Nothing she did was against the law. What we are doing here, Jack, is. And I am not a pirate."

Jack shook his head. "No, you're not. But you're not a saint, neither, no matter how much you try to behave like one. You're not hardly the first officer to find his pleasure in another man."

"But on land? In his own home? With a pirate?" James shook his head. "If anyone found out, I deserve whatever punishment for my stupidity."

"Now I'm a stupidity, eh?" Jack did not sound pleased.

He turned his head, one hand seeking Jack's out while the other held Gavin safe against his chest. "No. The fact that I would not give you up, even knowing the dangers."

Jack's eyes glinted like warm rum. He leaned over James, one arm carefully placed over his body, propping himself up so he didn't crush Gavin. Hair brushing against James's face, Jack bent over and kissed him.

It was a gentle kiss, sweet. Tender, even. At first. And then, as always seemed to happen, a spark lit between them, and flared until it seemed as if Jack would devour him, possess him, and sweep him away.

Gasping, James ripped his mouth away. "The baby."

Jack growled and sat up. "Can ye take him somewhere?"

He huffed indignantly, but rose. He was clad in only his breeches, but the Navy was excellent training in dressing quickly. While holding Gavin in one arm, James shrugged into his dressing gown quickly and left the room.

It was still early in the morning, and Mariah was still abed. When James pushed open her door, though, she opened her eyes. "Is he hungry?"

James flushed and stammered, "I don't... I suppose..."

She laughed and rose from bed. "Ah, I see. 'Tis you who is hungry." When James's face caught real fire, she merely laughed again and shook her head. "I am happy for you, James." Mariah took Gavin into her arms and adjusted him against her breast. "Jack is a good man, despite the piracy. He's been a friend to me."

"You aren't disappointed?"

"That you once again prove you can look beyond your rank and social standing to see the person standing before you? Of course not." She cocked her head. "How long have you been involved with him?"

"Since before his hanging," he admitted, shamefaced.

Mariah nodded, obviously holding her laughter. "And still he came back for you. Well. It seems as if you two have managed to catch each other quite nicely."

Gavin squirmed and pawed at Mariah's chemise, making hungry mewls.

"Well, seems the son is hungry as well." She flashed him a wicked smile. "Go on. I'll take care of him. And take your time. You're not expected at the fort for another two hours."

"Thank you," he said gratefully, referring to far more than her help with Gavin.

"You're welcome, James," she said, responding to all he didn't say.

With a final smile, James left her room and went back to his own. He had barely stepped inside the room when Jack launched himself into James, mouth attaching itself to James's neck.

"Took too long," Jack muttered, biting down the length of James's neck.

"I had to speak with Mariah."

"Is your mind all at ease, then, luv?" He kissed a trail of fire down James's check, opening the dressing gown and sliding it sinuously down James's shoulders as he did so.

"Yes," he gasped.

Jack bit his nipple, sending a bolt like cannon fire through him. It rushed through James's body, striking deep inside him, twisting his insides in sweet agony. Sweat beaded along James's skin, and his fingers scrabbled helplessly at the wood paneled door behind him. His cock rose, pressing against his thin breeches, aching for Jack's touch, but he lacked the words to articulate his need. Jack's magic fingers drifted elegantly over his skin, painting patterns, raising gooseflesh, turning James from man to into a being of pure sensation.

"Perfect," Jack growled. He yanked James's breeches down, freeing his cock. "Perfect," he repeated, running his rough, calloused hand over the sensitive skin.

James cried out, his head banging into the door. When Jack's mouth closed around him, he groaned, knees turning to water. Jack had such a clever mouth, clever at words and clever when wrapped around James. His tongue worked wonders, stroking and caressing, teasing, working James to greater and greater heights.

Despite their night together, James climaxed quickly. He poured into Jack's mouth with an inarticulate cry. His eyes were screwed tight, and red bursts like fire exploded behind his eyelids.

"I love watching you do that," purred Jack. He stroked James's softening member, a wicked smile on his damp lips.

James melted into a puddle next to Jack, drawing him into his arms. "As do I," he whispered into Jack's lips. He kissed Jack deeply, tasting himself on Jack's tongue. "How much longer can you stay?" he asked, stroking Jack through his breeches.

"I should leave before full sun-up. Maybe another hour." He placed a kiss on James's neck. "I'll be back tonight."

"Jack..."

"I've got other people beside you to visit you know." He was breathing heavily, straining against James's hand. "And we two live in the night."

"And Gavin?" he asked, slipping his hand beneath the tented fabric of Jack's breeches. "Where does Gavin exist in your life?" Because he was curious. Jack had asked for him, had gotten him from Mariah, and had seemed determined to tell the tale of how they'd met. He was of James's heart, and James wanted to know...

"Gavin," Jack replied, face twisted in pleasure, "Gavin lives between us. Between the shadows of the night and the brightness of the day. There, he's ours."

"Then there is where we will always meet."